2021-02-01 Bird Watching

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UKBIRDSIGHTINGS The best rare birds seen all around Britain in 2020 COMPILED BY MIKE WEEDON RARE BIRDS OF 2020 A month-by-month roundup of all the key rare birds of last year Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier, Howden Moors, South Yorkshire, 12 July Owing to the quirks of just like every aspect of our lives, was The first part of the year was quiet producing 13 issues of affected by the COVID-19 restrictions, enough, and the middle section became Bird Watching every year, not least the national lockdown which even quieter, as many birds were we have one issue a year started in the second half of March. ‘suppressed’ or inaccessible owing to which doesn’t fit the But, with luck, the rare bird year will be ‘lockdown’. But as the lockdown became monthly routine of UK remembered instead by many of us as the less intense, so it revealed one of the most Bird Sightings. So, we have a perfect year of the UK’s first Yellow-bellied exciting rare bird autumns any of us can window to summarise the best rare birds Flycatcher, or our first White-chinned remember. Good things can’t last forever, of the year. And this is it (‘normal’ UKBS Petrel. Or perhaps for you it is the year of though, and so-called ‘Lockdown 2’ will be back as usual, in the March issue). the Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, or the dampened the latter part of the year for Tennessee Warbler, or Zino’s Petrel, or rare birds, once again. Over the next 10 And what a year 2020 was! It goes even the year of the Lammergeier… pages, we will look at the most exciting without saying that rare bird-watching, 102 February 2021

UK BIRD SIGHTINGS 2020 New for UK: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher STEVE GANTLETT WILL BOWELL Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Balephuil, Tiree, 16 September rare birds of 2020 (from January to late Herring Gull was at West Brexington, staying over the Christmas period, November), in month by month order. Dorset (26th; which was seen at the Axe including the Steller’s Eider on Papa Estuary, Seaton, Devon in February). Westray, Orkney, the Musselburgh Some rare starters (Lothian) American White-winged Scoter The last year’s male Black-throated and the Blue-winged Teal at Man Sands, The year kicked off gently, with a male Thrush was still performing well at Devon. Meanwhile, the Long-billed Desert Wheatear at Eccles-on-Sea, Norfolk Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire, while Dowitcher at Marshside RSPB, (a bird echoed at the end of 2020 with another male was a ‘first’ for Lancashire, was arguably the best another male in north Norfolk). The likes Lincolnshire, at Grimsby (last seen on photographed wader of the year, so far! of Bufflehead in Cornwall (at Stithians April 2). Another ‘hanger-on’ from 2019 Reservoir and the Camel Estuary) and a was the ‘Alaskan’ Eastern Yellow Wagtail The shortest month Ross’s Gull in the same county were good at Sedgeford, Norfolk (into early March). starts, while a convincing American February is the shortest month, of course, Rare wildfowl included more birds birdwatching.co.uk 103

‘Alaskan’ Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Sedgeford, Norfolk, January RICHARD BROOKS Blue-winged Teal, Man Sands NT, Devon, STEVE GANTLETT 22 February and the rare bird news was dominated by a long spell of unhelpful westerly winds and few new rarities. One extraordinary find (actually from December 2019) was a Tengmalm’s Owl once more at Kergord, Mainland, Shetland (where the earlier 2019 bird had been seen). It was caught and ringed and found to be a first-winter, so a new bird, which just happened to choose the same areas to roost in as the previous individual. March into lockdown Before the March lockdown really kicked in, the most exciting find was probably the pink-flushed, adult Ross’s Gull at Black-throated Thrush, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, 20 February Purple Heron, Cley, Norfolk, 30 March 104 February 2021

UK BIRD SIGHTINGS 2020 Black-throated Thrush, Whipsnade, Beds, 19 January JAMES LOWEN CHRISTOPHER COOK South Huish Marsh, Devon (9 March). A April’s lockdown was a Song Sparrow on tailed Eagles from the Isle of White first-winter Laughing Gull was found at Fair Isle, Shetland (9th & 10th). But, as reintroduction scheme (and some not Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, the day after was the case with March’s island rarities, from the scheme!) were popping up the Ross’s Gull, and it moved from water this bird was not ‘twitchable’. Next in the around lots of sites in England. body to water body in the county (and ‘rankings’ (if there were such things), into Devon in April). was a singing male Sardinian Warbler at Other classic spring fare included a Portleven, Cornwall (18th-19th). good influx of Hoopoes, plus several On Scilly, a male Lesser Kestrel was a Red-rumped Swallows, Purple Herons great find at Porthellick, St Mary’s (from Meanwhile, the ‘inaccessible’ Isles of and a few Bee-eaters and the odd 14th), but the lockdown prevented Scilly were having a decent spring, with Black-winged Stilt. But who knows ‘non-islanders’ from coming to enjoy it. Red-throated Pipit, Eastern Subalpine what was ‘suppressed’? Similarly, a Killdeer on Lundy, Devon, Warbler, Short-toed Lark and Night Heron would also have been a popular bird, but on St Mary’s, alone. May the force this island was also inevitably ‘closed’. It was a good month for raptors, May saw a slight relaxation of Hidden from view especially Black Kites and White-tailed lockdown, which allowed more Eagles. There were good numbers of the movement around the country, which Probably the rarest bird from the heart of former around the country, and White- suited birders in this peak month for Long-billed Dowitcher, Marshside RSPB, Lancashire, 18 January CHRISTOPHER COOK GRAHAM CATLEY birdwatching.co.uk 105

Ferruginous Duck, ANDREW JORDAN Ross’s Gull, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, Plym Estuary, Devon, February DARREN CHAPMAN 14 March Hoopoe, rare birding. However, the star of the Ordsall, Nottinghamshire, show was seen by just one extremely 25 May lucky person, a White-chinned Petrel seen (and unmistakably photographed) flying Rose-coloured Starling over Scapa Flow, Orkney (25th). Cley, Norfolk, 9 June Talking of rare brown seabirds, a Brown Booby was seen on a Belgian 106 February 2021 trawler off the Isle of Wight (9th). And talking of rare brown birds, a Brown Shrike at Flamborough, East Yorkshire (12th-14th) was just the third spring UK record of this species (which also had a record autumn in the country!). Scilly continued its strong spring with a Solitary Sandpiper (St Mary’s, 18th). Other cool May waders included a Hudsonian Whimbrel at Dunnet Head, Highland, a Collared Pratincole at Pilning Wetland, Gloucestershire; and a Terek Sandpiper in north Lincolnshire and later at Musselburgh, Lothian (a county first). Frustrating island lockdown ‘megas’ included Black-and-white Warbler and White-crowned Sparrow, on Shetland. Alpine Swift, Winterton, Norfolk, 28 June JAMES LOWEN STEVE GANTLETT





UK BIRD SIGHTINGS 2020 Montagu’s Harrier, Terek Sandpiper, Kelling, Norfolk, Alkborough Flats, 20 May Lincolnshire, 18 May CHRISTOPHER COOK STEVE GANTLETT GRAHAM CATLEY Meanwhile, there was a Scops Owl at Red-footed Falcon, Nanjizal Valley, Cornwall and a Little Cothelstone Hill, Somerset, Swift at Potteric YWT, South Yorkshire. 20 June Classic spring rarities included a CHRISTOPHER COOK smattering of Squacco Herons, and a good spread of Red-footed Falcons, Black Kites, Hoopoes and Woodchat Shrikes. There were also a few Whiskered Terns, a handful of White-winged Black Terns and a couple of touring Caspian Terns. Singing Blyth’s Reed Warblers (and Marsh Warblers) featured strongly, with at least 10 of the former heard across the country. Creeping beneath the radar, was a female Little Crake, singing on a private area of the Nene Washes, Cambridgeshire. Midsummer desert Asian Desert Warbler, JOHN MALLOY Holy Island, Northumberland, The expected rarity desert of June instead Black-eared Wheatear in a garden in turned up an Asian Desert Warbler on Wester Ross, Ross and Cromarty. And June Holy Island, Northumberland (15th-19th). these paralleled a bit of a midsummer This singing male was only the third UK invasion of adult Rose-coloured Starlings. take up residence for a few months, example of its species not to appear in regrowing its tail and living off dead autumn or winter and also the first The month also saw the reappearance sheep limbs on the moorland tops. ‘twitchable’ since May 2000. of the immature Bearded Vulture (aka Lammergeier) later known as ‘Vigo’. It I want to break free (and bones) And where there is desert, there is often was seen first over Balsall, West Midlands sand, in this case a first-summer Greater (26th), and reappeared in the Peak Now that the country was feeling slightly Sand Plover at Tyninghame Bay, Lothian, District in Derbyshire, where it would less locked down, the lure of the from 27th into July. Lammergeier was strong for many birders, having been tied down to a The month was also notable for the particular part of the Peak District in the exceptional number of Blyth’s Reed Warblers (mainly found by their singing), including an obliging singer at Far Ings NR, Lincolnshire (7th-21st). Marsh Warblers were also prominent this month. Even rarer warblers included a couple of Green Warblers on North Ronaldsay, Orkney (an island which will feature again later on) and on Fair Isle, Shetland. Fair Isle also produced a River Warbler, and there were Booted, Moltoni’s and Paddyfield Warblers in other parts of Shetland; and a singing Western Bonelli’s Warbler at Reculver, Kent. Other cool passerines included a Calandra Lark on Fair Isle and a smattering of Rustic Buntings, plus a birdwatching.co.uk 107

Black-browed Albatross, Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire, 3 July ANDY HOOD second half of July (around Black Tor, 2019. It is up to the BOURC whether it seawatching in Cornwall, instead. This Howden and so on). And it was to linger becomes an official British bird. year, as there was no physical Birdfair, around these ‘highlands’ for the next few the lure of the south-western seabirds months (until it grew a ‘decent’ tail). Probably more likely to reach The proved great, and the trip proved very British List was a Zino’s Petrel well worthwhile for many. Claims included a Come the autumn, it started its documented on a Scilly pelagic trip on possible Bermuda Petrel off Berry Head, movement back out of the high ground 30 July. A Black-browed Albatross was on Devon (27th); and a Band-rumped (aka and into Leicestershire, then Norfolk. And and near the chalk cliffs of Bempton, East Madeiran) Storm Petrel off Pendeen, then, it found its way across to the Yorkshire (2nd & 3rd; and at other east Cornwall (22nd), a bird with just two Lincolnshire fens and south a bit into coast sites, in September) accepted UK records (both from 2007). Cambridgeshire, near Peterborough, a crazy sight in and above the flattest of And while on tubnesoses, mention must There was also a purported Scopoli’s country, for this mountain bird. be given to the one or two (or three?) Shearwater (one accepted record!) near Yelkouan Shearwaters with 80-odd the Queensferry Bridges in the Firth of But a diet of hares was not enough to Balearic Shearwaters, off Portland Bill, Forth. This bird had a distinctive worn keep it in the fens, and it headed further Dorset (8th-9th). Other seabirds of note patch in one wing and was able to be south over Bedfordshire, and was seen included a Sooty Tern turning up here picked out along the east coast at several near Beachy Head, East Sussex, before and there, and two Caspian Terns. sites, as far south as Norfolk. crossing the Channel back to France. We now know that this bird was hatched in a Seabird madness Brown Booby was a new bird for the UK ‘wild’ nest of ‘mixed’ truly wild and in 2019, and during this August 2020, ‘released’ parentage in the French Alps in August would normally see a few birders there were at least two seen (off Gower, shunning the Rutland Birdfair and Glamorgan and Pendeen, Cornwall). A Caspian Tern, Bridled Tern was seen off Lundy, Devon. Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire, July On dry land, a pale-morph Eleonora’s Falcon was a fabulous bird to have photographed, at Winterton Dunes NNR, Norfolk (20th). At the end of the month an Isabelline Wheatear at Carmel Head, Anglesey, was exceptionally early (30th); as was a Yellow-browed Warbler on North Ronaldsay, Orkney (I told you it would feature again), on 31st. This latter island also held a Turkestan Shrike on 23rd. Other prominent birds of August included a Gull-billed Tern which was mainly seen (very well) at Alton Water, Suffolk; while the Spurn area, (East Yorks) had Roller and Collared Flycatcher. GRAHAM CATLEY Rarity rush And so we come to the start of an amazing autumn for rare birds, from east and west. First mention must go to the 108 February 2021

Icterine Warbler, UK BIRD SIGHTINGS 2020 Gramborough Hill, Salthouse, Norfolk, Great Shearwater, 23 August pelagic (Scilly), 14 August STEVE GANTLETT RICHARD STONIER Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in the Tiree Greater Yellowlegs, KIT DAY (Argyll) garden of long-time UKBS Dunwich, Suffolk, contributor John Bowler. Covid 7 November restrictions were just about relaxed enough at the time to allow some birders Wilson’s Petrel, to travel from the mainland to enjoy this pelagic (Scilly), not only UK ‘first’ but first for the 22 August Western Palearctic! RICHARD STONIER Shetland’s September was also sensational, with a Tennessee Warbler at Burravoe, Yell (from 29th) being perhaps the most popular bird (the first in the UK since 1995 and only the fifth ever). North Ronaldsay could not be left behind, and produced the UK’s fifth-ever Semipalmated Plover. And there were Two-barred Warblers at Budle Bay, Northumberland and on Fetlar, Shetland. It was indeed Shetland which hogged the rarities, with White’s Thrush, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler (both of which would appear multiple times in October!). And there were Hornemann’s Arctic Redpolls to add a bit of fluffy, white padding. A Swainson’s Thrush was at Birsay, Mainland, Orkney (30th). But stealing attention from the northern archipelagos was a first-winter female Siberian Thrush on the British mainland at Kilminning, Fife, which stayed into October. And elsewhere in the country, highlights included Norfolk’s second ever Brown Shrike, at Warham Greens. Insane October October will be remembered as a true classic for rare birds. The elements came together to deliver an outrageous bounty of brilliant birds. Top of the pile for many will be the Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin which was found at Stiffkey, Norfolk (from 17th). The last twitchable UK bird birdwatching.co.uk 109

Tennessee Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Yell, Shetland, Yell, Shetland, September 29 September HUGH HARROP was in September 1963. Although it was a saw good numbers of Red-eyed Vireos Lanceolated and Pallas’s Grasshopper bit weary-looking and somewhat ragged, and two Swainson’s Thrushes! Warblers, while it seemed the country the beauty of this European species is was overrun with Radde’s Warblers (and undoubted; the Norfolk bird was of the And the thrush theme of the autumn later Dusky Warblers), as well as Red- greyer eastern European subspecies. continued with Eyebrowed Thrushes on flanked Bluetails and Siberian Stonechats (you guessed it) North Ronaldsay, Orkney, (including a few Stejneger’s). Another tired-looking bird of extreme and both Fetlar and Mainland, Shetland. rarity was the first-winter Indigo Bunting There were also five new White’s Mention must be made of a Western (the UK’s third) which was found on Thrushes in the country, this month! Orphean Warbler at Lothberg, Highland St Agnes, Scilly (25th-27th). Nearby was (10th-11th) and a race of White Wagtail another North American ‘relative’ in the In the North East of England, the chief called East Siberian Wagtail which may form of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak on rarity was a Taiga Flycatcher at South be a first for the UK. Gugh (24th). And even more tired was a Shields, Co. Durham (14th-19th). Also in Short-toed Eagle found grounded and that neck of the woods, was a Masked Lockdown 2: November sadly moribund on the beach at Shrike (Hartlepool Headland, Cleveland), Hengitsbury head, Dorset (6th). while another of this very rare shrike November will probably be remembered appeared at Shuart, Kent. Brown Shrikes by the ultimate ‘lockdown blocker’. It was North American warblers included a were appearing all over the place, with a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. This North Blackpoll Warbler at Burrafirth, Shetland five found this month; and a Steppe Grey American relative of the Goldcrest is very (16th-29th) and a Black-and-white Warbler Shrike was at Benacre, Suffolk. common on that side of the Atlantic. But on Tresco, Scilly (8th-13th). Scilly also it had never occurred in the UK, until this There were stupid numbers of Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Taiga Flycatcher, Stiffkey, Norfolk, The Lease, South Shields, October Co. Durham, October RICHARD BROOKS 110 February 2021

Brown Shrike, UK BIRD SIGHTINGS 2020 Warham Greens, Norfolk, September Blackpoll Warbler, East Burrafirth, Shetland, October WILL BOWELL RICHARD BROOKS HUGH HARROP month, when one of these tiny beauties Buff-bellied Pipit, was found on Barra, Outer Hebrides. St Agnes, Scilly, Covid restrictions, however, meant that 15 October the news was not released until after the bird had departed a week later. KIT DAY A Pied-billed Grebe was at South Walney NR, Cumbria. November also saw a very showy Greater Yellowlegs at Dunwich Pools, Suffolk. Even better, a Hudsonian Godwit was at the Eden Estuary, Fife. With shades of last winter, four Eastern Yellow Wagtails appeared, including an Alaskan at Dunwich Pools. And as it neared its end, in an echo of the Black-browed Albatross on the chalk cliffs of Bempton earlier in the year, there was a Crag Martin at Kingsdown, Kent, also seen perching on fabled chalk cliffs. BW Lanceolated Warbler, Masked Shrike, Sumburgh, Shetland, Hartlepool Headland, Co. Durham, October 4 October JOHN MALLOY HUGH HARROP CHRISTOPHER COOK birdwatching.co.uk 111

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INTERVIEW A quick chat with... wildlife photographer and birder Mya Bambrick What first sparked your interest Greenshank or Ruff? people to watch birds? Woodpigeons. Always hogging in birdwatching, and when? I’d go for Greenshank. A nice Make it cool and trendy! Get all the bird feeders. Seeing BBC Springwatch on treat when scanning through schools to put up a bird feeder the TV and walking around waders during migration time. and set pupils a bird ID The bird book you’d never be my local park helped to ignite challenge. without? my passion, when I was about Favourite bird song or call? I love my Collins Bird Guide, a eight years old. I was tempted to answer this Crane or White Stork? must-have for birders. It has with Nightingale, but In the summer, I was lucky beautiful illustrations which Who was your birdwatching thinking about it, enough to visit Knepp Wildland help massively with inspiration or mentor? Yellowhammer just tops it for multiple times and saw up to 10 identification. Even better that David Lindo, the Urban Birder, me. It’s ‘little-bit-of-bread-with- White Storks flying around on you can get it as an app. has been an inspiration to me no-cheeseeee’ song reminds me the thermals, an amazing sight. over the last few years, as he of beautiful mornings spent So, I’ll go with White Stork. Why do you love birdwatching, made me realise the number of walking in the countryside, a in three words? birds you can see in urban break from the urban town The one place you’d love to Thrilling. Addictive. areas! I’m now glad to call him where I live. go birdwatching? Stress-reliever. my mentor and good friend. I’ve not been abroad yet, so Birdwatching’s biggest myth my list is extremely long! One piece of advice for Do you bird alone or with or misconception? I’d particularly like to visit birders taking part in our a friend? That it’s weird and just for Costa Rica and see my #My200BirdYear challenge? Normally, I’m joined by my middle-aged men. Which it is first hummingbird. Keep open-minded when mum and our dog when birding, not, it’s such an amazing and birding. Even when you’re in although I love to meet up with important hobby to have. It One birding or conservation areas where you may think other young birders when we helps to connect people with issue you feel strongly about? there are no birds, you’d be are all free. nature and is good for both Raptor persecution. It infuriates surprised at what can turn up. mental and physical health. me that criminals are still So, keep your eyes and ears Your dream bird to see? getting away with it! open at all times. I’d absolutely love to see a Hen The best bird you’ve seen? ILLUSTRATIONS: LAUREN NICHOLSON Harrier, or the ‘skydancer’ as If we’re talking about rare The bogey bird that still Q they’re also called. I’m hoping birds, it’s probably the Elegant eludes you? to see one this winter. Tern which turned up at Spotted Redshank. Despite Pagham Harbour a few years them being recorded in the Your favourite birding spot? ago. I’m not normally a summer at Pagham many times, Pagham Harbour Nature twitcher unless something they always stay hidden when Reserve in West Sussex. happens to be nearby. I’m around. A paradise for waders, ducks, and geese. Identifying gulls – nightmare or a nice day out? Your classic birder’s lunch, I’m going to have to say grabbed from the petrol nightmare, although when I station shop? have time, I’d love to improve If I’m honest, I’m normally so my gull ID! gripped when birding I don’t think about eating, although my Your favourite bit of rumbling stomach thinks birding kit? otherwise. A packet of crisps Definitely my Leica scope, it’s and a Kit-Kat are usually my an essential piece of kit when go-to snacks. birds are a long distance away. DAVID LINDO, THE URBAN BIRDER, HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS 114 February 2021





MAGAZINE Welcome to My200BirdYear O 10 winter wonders to kickstart your list O Track your progress with our ticklist O 2020 vision: learn from a remarkable last year

Sign p òor My200BirdYear 2021 It’s fun and flexible and you can set your own rules, so why not sign up to our 2021 birding challenge? We’ll give you all the help you need! It’s fair to say that, this time consolations that brings, and a sense of the challenge a little to keep things last year, not one of us would achievement at a time of almost interesting, and that’s the beauty of have predicted just what an overwhelming circumstances. #My200BirdYear. extraordinary 12 months was ahead, and it would be a brave We hope our #My200BirdYear Because it’s really very simple – we person who stuck their neck out challenge has played its part. Many of challenge you to see 200 species of now and said they know what to you reached the 200 species mark bird in 2021. The rest is entirely up to expect in 2021. despite the restrictions placed on travel, you. Good luck and enjoy it! But we do know that birdwatching to which there is only one possible has played a big part in getting many of reaction – BRAVO! G You can set whatever us through the difficult times, providing geographical restrictions you like a focus for vital exercise, a connection That’s even more of an achievement – on your local patch, in your with nature, with all the rewards and than usual, because recording 200 county or bird club area, or across species is never easy. the whole UK, and beyond. But others tweaked the parameters of Birds are everywhere and anywhere you look... and you don’t have to go birdwatching alone DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY* TOM BAILEY the year... to sign up to the challenge go to birdwatching.co.uk/my200 2 My200BirdYear 2021

Gardens make a great DONNA APSEY/ALAMY* VARIATIONS ON A THEME starting place for a year list Whichever rules you choose, we can If you’re confident, or if you’ve completed G You can decide what’s tickable and guarantee a few things. We’ll be with the challenge before and want a fresh slant what isn’t. you all the way, providing expert on it, you can add your own twist. Here’s a G You can include ‘heard’ birds, or advice and tips in the magazine, on our few you could try… just those you’ve seen. website at birdwatching.co.uk and at our G You could even, as one reader dedicated Facebook group: 1Self-found birds suggested, count subspecies, which facebook.com/groups/My200BirdYear Two-hundred would probably take some would certainly be a great way of doing in the UK, without a lot of travel and sharpening up your ID skills. You’ll finish the year with a better luck, but it’s possible if you get to go further knowledge of birds than you started with, afield (even if it’s only a beach holiday in Waxwings would be star no matter how many you ultimately see. Spain). So, no twitching, and no looking at birds in any year! You might also find that you shed a few your bird club’s sightings page. It will improve pounds, and get fitter, too! your ID skills enormously, especially in picking birds out of flocks (you’d probably need to find the likes of American Wigeon among Wigeon, for example). 2Photographed birds You need a record shot of each one – it’s that simple. It doesn’t have to be anything award-winning, but it should be recognisably the species in question. 3Greener birding birds Our own David Chandler did this in 2020, more or less, birding only within two miles of home. He’s lucky enough to live next to a great reserve, and he did use a canoe at times, so it wasn’t all walking, but you get the idea – set some transport restrictions (birding by bike, or birding by public transport, for example), and off you go. 4 Heard birds To be honest, most birders do this to an extent. Your chances of seeing a Tawny Owl can be pretty slim, for example, but most of us will hear them and tick them confidently. The same might be true of species such as Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, and even Nightingale. But you could make this the year you get to grips with noc-migging – listening to the calls of birds flying over at night (you’ll probably have to record them). It’s hard work, but it can turn up the likes of Common Scoter over the most landlocked, water-free patch. 5 Family-listed birds What’s better than passing on your knowledge of, and love for, birds? So it’s not just you that ticks each species – your partner has to as well. And your children? Anyone else in your household? Your regular birding gang? We even know one or two birders who keep a bird list for their dog… So, what are you waiting for? Sign up at birdwatching.co.uk/my200 and  join the thousands already rising to t  he challenge. birdwatching.co.uk 3

Winter The coldest months of the year have their consolations, including walking on crisp, frosty days, and seeing some species that are otherwise often elusive… Harsh winter weather, of Woodcocks turning up on readers’ patios. So, here are 10 species or broader groups course, can cause all sorts But even in a fairly average winter, or in of birds to look out for as the temperatures of bird species to move from drop. Funnily enough, as with Ian’s their usual haunts in search fairly average winter temperatures, birds Kingfishers, most of them provide a of food, or shelter, rather like are on the move at this time of year, as welcome splash of colour at the gloomiest the Kingfishers that Ian Parsons has supplies of natural food start to run low. time of year. written about (see page 24). And that can make some otherwise elusive In the past, cold snaps and heavy species easier to see, as well as sometimes GREY WAGTAIL snowfalls have seen, for example, giving you the chance to help them out along the way. Everyone knows that car parks attract Waxwings, but wagtails love them, too. Pied, mainly, but in winter their more colourful cousins also often AGAMI PHOTO AGENCY/ALAMY 4 My200BirdYear 2021

IMAGEBROKER/ALAMY* WINTER WONDERS WINTER THRUSHES OUR WILD LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY* While Fieldfares and Redwings spend most of ANDRA STANDBRIDGE/ALAMY* their time out in the country, feeding along PHOTOTRIP/ALAMY hedgerows or in pastures, a cold snap can send them (and especially Redwings) into gardens, where they’ll look for any remaining berries such as Rowan. But they’ll also happily eat windfall fruit, or any leftover apples and pears you can put out for them. JAY Jays are rather schizophrenic birds – for large parts of the year they’re nowhere to be seen, but for a few short periods they can seem to be everywhere. That includes autumn, when they’re busy storing acorns, but it can also include now – if easily accessible food is in short supply, they’ll start to revisit their caches and make use of them. GOLDCREST Our tiniest bird is invisible for much of the time, even though it’s more widespread and numerous than you might think, as it remains in thick cover. Cold snaps can mean it will roam further in search ff flocks of tits (Great, Blue . Treecreepers often tag CHIFFCHAFF Increasing numbers of Chiffchaffs spend the winter in the UK anyway, as a result of our warming climate. Cold weather will tend to concentrate them even more heavily at sewage works (all that decomposing matter creates heat, and so is home to insects), or around farms (chicken sheds are a favourite). And keep an eye out for Siberian Chiffchaffs among them. birdwatching.co.uk 5

WINTER WONDERS WATER RAIL Another ultra-secretive species – for much of the year you only know they’re there because of their pig-like squealing. But, if reedbeds ice over, they can emerge into the open, and you can see what handsome birds they are. One turned up on a Leeds city centre windowsill a few weeks ago, and we’ve seen them pecking around under feeders (and spearing an unfortunate rat) in the past. Bitterns are another reedbed species which a cold snap can suddenly render much more visible. BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY* RAPTORS RJP/ALAMY Predators follow prey, so winter sees, for example, Peregrines and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Merlins heading for coastal marshes to hunt wader/wildfowl concentrations and Meadow Pipit/Sky Lark flocks respectively. We can get blasé about them, because they’ve But large amounts of prey in small areas anywhere can bring a become more common and widespread, and for some sudden glut of hunters – Kestrels, Buzzards, Barn Owls and even birders they’re less welcome visitors to the feeders Hen Harriers will descend on vole-rich meadows, for example because of their rather bullying habits, but just look at (with Kestrels prone to robbing the owls), while Sparrowhawks them! They’re unmistakable, thanks to their bold are attracted to any flocks of small birds. markings and size (Lesser Spots are sparrow-sized), and thoroughly photogenic – a nut feeder should SCARCER SMALL BIRDS allow you to get great pics. Wintry weather can result in the likes of Siskin and IMAGEBROKER/ALAMY* Lesser Redpoll turning up on your garden feeders f about any of to app in pairs, for exam open country. WILDFOWL Wildfowl is, of course, one of the glories of the British winter, but it doesn’t have to be all about huge flocks of geese and swans. In bad weather, Goosanders can pop up on town centre rivers or park ponds – the pinkish blush on the body of the males means that they can seem to glow from within on a cold, murky, grey day. LISA GEOGHEGAN/ALAMY* GAVIN ROWLEY/ALAMY BW 6 My200BirdYear 2021

Welcome to your 2021 XXX Common XX Less common or scarce Of course, the beauty of birdwatching is that pretty much anything can appear at any time, but the X More scarce or rare species on this list can all be expected to turn up in the UK over the course of a year, so use it to record what you’ve seen, and to work out where and when your best chance of seeing each bird is. R Resident all year S Summer visitor Habitats are generalised guides to where each bird is most frequently encountered. They are not W Winter visitor hard and fast. Similarly, the indicators of the time of year are just indicators about when a bird is most P Passage often seen, not fixed rules. V Vagrant (rare) BIRD ABUNDANCE STATUS BIRD ABUNDANCE STATUS Mute Swan XXX R Ferruginous Duck XV Bewick’s Swan XX W Tufted Duck XXX R Whooper Swan XX W Scaup XX W Taiga Bean Goose XW Eider XXX R Tundra Bean Goose XW King Eider XV Pink-footed Goose XXX W Long-tailed Duck XX W White-fronted Goose XX W Common Scoter XXX W Greylag Goose XXX R Velvet Scoter XX W Canada Goose XXX R Goldeneye XXX W Barnacle Goose XX W Smew XW Brent Goose XX W Red-breasted Merganser XX R Egyptian Goose XX R Goosander XX R Shelduck XXX R Ruddy Duck XR Mandarin XX R Red Grouse XXX R Wigeon XXX W Ptarmigan XX R American Wigeon XV Black Grouse XX R Gadwall XX R Capercaillie XR Teal XXX W Red-legged Partridge XXX R Green-winged Teal XV Grey Partridge XX R Mallard XXX R Quail XS Pintail XX W Pheasant XXX R Garganey XX S Red-throated Diver XX R Shoveler XXX R Black-throated Diver XX R

MAGAZINE X V Water Rail XX R X V Spotted Crake X S Great Shearwater XX RS Corn Crake X S Sooty Shearwater X V Moorhen XXX R Manx Shearwater XX S Coot XXX R Balearic Shearwater XX S Crane X R Storm Petrel XXX R Oystercatcher XXX R Leach’s Petrel X W Black-winged Stilt X V Little Grebe XXX R Avocet XX R Red-necked Grebe X W Stone-curlew X S Great Crested Grebe X W Little Ringed Plover XX S Slavonian Grebe X W Ringed Plover XXX R Black-necked Grebe X R Dotterel X S Glossy Ibis XX R Golden Plover XXX R Spoonbill X V Grey Plover XXX W Bittern X V Lapwing XXX R Little Bittern X V Knot XXX W Night Heron XXX R Sanderling XXX W Cattle Egret X V Little Stint XX P Grey Heron X R Temminck’s Stint X P Purple Heron XX R White-rumped Sandpiper X V Great White Egret XXX S Pectoral Sandpiper X V Little Egret XXX S Curlew Sandpiper XX P Gannet XXX R Purple Sandpiper XX V Shag X P Dunlin XXX W Cormorant XX R Broad-billed Sandpiper X V Honey Buzzard X R Buff -breasted Sandpiper X V Red Kite XX R Ruff XX W White-tailed Eagle XX R Jack Snipe X W Marsh Harrier X S Snipe XX R Hen Harrier X R Great Snipe X V Montagu’s Harrier XXX R Long-billed Dowitcher X V Goshawk XXX R Woodcock XX R Sparrowhawk X W Black-tailed Godwit XX W Buzzard XX R Bar-tailed Godwit XX W Rough-legged Buzzard XX S Whimbrel XX P Golden Eagle XXX R Curlew XXX R Osprey Kestrel

Lesser Yellowlegs X V Ring-necked Parakeet XX R Wood Sandpiper XX P Cuckoo XX S Redshank XXX R Barn Owl XX R Turnstone XXX W Snowy Owl X V Red-necked Phalarope X S Little Owl XX R Grey Phalarope X V Tawny Owl XXX R Pomarine Skua X P Long-eared Owl XX R Arctic Skua XX P Short-eared Owl XX R Long-tailed Skua X V Nightjar XX S Great Skua XX S Alpine Swift X V Sabine’s Gull X V Swift XXX S Kittiwake XXX S Kingfisher XXX R Black-headed Gull XXX R Hoopoe X V Little Gull XX P Wryneck X P Mediterranean Gull XX R Green Woodpecker XXX R Common Gull XXX W Great Spotted Woodpecker XXX R Lesser Black-backed Gull XXX S Lesser Spotted Woodpecker XX R Herring Gull XXX R Red-backed Shrike X P Yellow-legged Gull X R Great Grey Shrike X W Caspian Gull X P Woodchat Shrike X V Iceland Gull X W Golden Oriole X S Glaucous Gull X W Chough XX R Great Black-backed Gull XXX R Magpie XXX R Little Tern XX S Jay XXX R Whiskered Tern X V Jackdaw XXX R Black Tern XX P Rook XXX R White-winged Black Tern X V Carrion Crow XXX R Sandwich Tern XX S Hooded Crow XXX R Common Tern XXX S Raven XX R Roseate Tern X S Waxwing X W Arctic Tern XXX S Penduline Tit X V Guillemot XXX S Blue Tit XXX R Razorbill XXX S Great Tit XXX R Black Guillemot XX S Crested Tit XX R Little Auk X V Coal Tit XXX R Puffin XXX S Willow Tit XX R Rock Dove XXX R Marsh Tit XX R XXX XXX XXX XX

MAGAZINE ABUNDANCE STATUS BIRD ABUNDANCE STATUS BIRD XXX S Bluethroat XV XXX S Red-breasted Flycatcher XV Sand Martin XXX S Pied Flycatcher XX S Swallow XV Black Redstart XX P House Martin XX R Redstart XX S Red-rumped Swallow XXX R Whinchat XX S Cetti’s Warbler XV Stonechat XX R Long-tailed Tit XV Wheatear XX S Greenish Warbler XV Dunnock XXX R Pallas’s Warbler XX S Yellow Wagtail XXX S Yellow-browed Warbler XXX S Grey Wagtail XXX R Wood Warbler XXX S Pied Wagtail XXX R Chiffchaff XXX S Richard’s Pipit XV Willow Warbler XV Tawny Pipit XV Sedge Warbler XXX S Tree Pipit XXX S Marsh Warbler XV Meadow Pipit XXX R Reed Warbler XV Rock Pipit XXX R Icterine Warbler XX S Water Pipit XW Melodious Warbler XS House Sparrow XXX R Grasshopper Warbler XXX S Tree Sparrow XX R Savi’s Warbler XX S Chaffinch XXX R Blackcap XP Brambling XX W Garden Warbler XXX S Greenfinch XXX R Barred Warbler XXX S Goldfinch XXX R Lesser Whitethroat XX R Siskin XXX W Whitethroat XXX R Linnet XXX R Dartford Warbler XR Twite XX R Goldcrest XXX R Lesser Redpoll XX R Firecrest XXX R Mealy Redpoll XW Wren XXX R Arctic Redpoll XV Nuthatch XXX R Crossbill XX R Treecreeper XX R Scottish Crossbill XX R Starling XX P Parrot Crossbill XR Dipper XXX R Bullfinch XXX R Ring Ouzel XXX W Hawfinch XX R Blackbird XXX R Snow Bunting XX W Fieldfare XXX W Lapland Bunting XW Song Thrush XXX R Yellowhammer XXX Redwing Mistle Thrush

2020 HINDSIGHT Hindsight Assistant editor Mike Weedon looks back on the how last year panned out for his local year list Iam a serial year-lister. Since 2000, stars (and weather) aligned, I have seen/ Redshank, and I also relocated the I have done nearly all my British heard more than 90 species on 1 January. Caspian Gull I’d found after Christmas, at birding in the Peterborough area But, at the start of 2020, despite the the sewage works (south-east of the city). (where I live). The ‘official’ extensive flooding which turned the Nene Peterborough Bird Club recording Washes (a major birding area around One great help in local birding (and area has got into my system and I became here) into a vast lake, something felt year listing) is having a network of other hooked on the local birds, mammals, good. It helped that my friend Hugh birders who share their finds. We have a insects, reptiles, and even the open, flat Wright joined me, as he is razor sharp. Peterborough bird news WhatsApp group landscape. Since 2003, I have been (on our phones). It was through this recording a year list of birds I have seen We recorded Woodcock, Tawny Owl sharing of information that we get to see and heard within the confines of the area. and Barn Owl before dawn, and we a lot of great birds which would pass us As a long-time PBC year lister you may mopped up most regular woodland by, otherwise. There is only so much think that #My200BirdYear would make species within the first hour of light. One little difference. But, as it happens, the key tactic was covering areas with known Autumn Whinchat, last three years have been comfortably my goodies in place (eg the one lake with a always a pleasure to best ever for Peterborough birding (2018: Smew, or the single Cattle Egret at the watch and photograph 195; 2019: 191; 2020 189+), so perhaps edge of a particular flood). I had worked IMAGES: MIKE WEEDON following BW’s advice has helped. out an itinerary covering a range of Here is the story of my 2020 year listing habitats, from mixed woodland, through around my Peterborough home, at least gravel pits, and open fens to those floods: the best bits; plus some crudely disguised all possible to work during the limited tips and advice. hours of daylight. Happy New Year The New Year’s Day ‘Big Day’ has become Then it was down to mopping up birds a tradition with me, every year since the and focusing; remembering that there mid-noughties. In a few years, with the was a list-building purpose to the day, not just a nice day out! We also took Lammergeier, the best advantage of some other locals’ finds, to bird of Mike’s year? add new eg. Scaup and Avocet to the Red-necked Grebe found a few days earlier. This helped us muster a massive 105 species in a day, which was a superb kickstart to the year, and easily my record New Year total. Momentum With such a good start, I wanted to keep the listing going, and in early January, I was lucky enough to find a winter Spotted birdwatching.co.uk 11

ground a birder can cover. In 2020, I AM A HUGE FAN OF Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, I personally found 168 of the 189 APRIL. SUMMER a star bird of the early spring species I have seen. So, that is 21 birds VISITORS ARRIVE IN I might never have seen if it weren’t for THIS MONTH, AND IT IS this country park, easily reached by bike. other birdwatchers (and their generous A KEY TIME FOR I am a huge fan of April. Summer sharing of info). ADDING SCARCER BIRDS LIKE CHATS, visitors arrive in this month, and it is One of these is Tundra Bean Goose, and WADERS, TERNS AND a key time for adding scarcer birds like in mid-January, a nice flock of 10 were RING OUZELS chats, waders, scarce terns and Ring found near one of our big Whooper Swan Ouzels to a year list. The pressure was on flocks, in the east of the area. the east (and far north), and the Ferry Meadows to deliver. Luckily, it Peterborough area has been very good for is a great place, with a mix of woodland, The end of innocence them in the last half a dozen years a few lakes, scrub and grassland. And the (perhaps they like the hare-rich fens). whole package, lakes and all, are in a Come the start of March, none of us meander of the River Nene; so birds using suspected that the disease we read was Into Lockdown 1 the river as a migration route naturally raging through China would have a cut the corner and call in to the lakes. profound influence on most aspects of our Before the end of March, the country was lives in the UK. I certainly didn’t, so I was experiencing the COVID-19 lockdown. My The first week of April delivered Little doing what I always tend to do at this office was now my kitchen (or the other Gull, the second week Arctic Terns, the time: going in search of Lesser Spotted way round) and we were greatly third Grasshopper Warbler and Black Woodpeckers. There was drumming, encouraged not to go out much, except for calling, pecking and chasing, and some of exercise. In pre-COVID days I used to the best views I have had in recent years cycle through Ferry Meadows CP, to get to of these wonderful tiddlers. (and from) the office, five miles away. So, in order to keep this daily exercise going, Get them while there are still no leaves I developed a pre-work habit of cycling on the trees and at their ‘noisiest’ and down to FMCP for a spot of birding. most flirtatious. It helps, of course, if you know a nearby site where these much Driving was frowned upon, so nearly declined birds still survive. my whole birding was now centred on Before the spring rush (and the start of ‘lockdown’), the superstar bird of March was a magnificent Rough-legged Buzzard, near Crowland, south Lincolnshire. These scarce winter visitors mainly turn up in It is not all birds! 2020 was Mike’s best year for Otters, including this beauty just a mile or so from the Bird Watching office Two singing Nightingales were unexpected at Ferry Meadows CP as a ‘lockdown bonus’ 12 My200BirdYear 2021

2020 HINDSIGHT Rougha-gleregagteedaBrluyzyzeaarrdbwirads GarrgeuatabNloyrMthikeern’s Diver, best ‘find’ in 2020 Spot the Quail! Tern. And, in the meantime, the the action, with nasty drizzly, low cloud EVEN AT A SITE FAR commoner migrants were taking care of days generally being the best, such as on INLAND, ANYTHING themselves: hirundines, Common Tern, 29 April, when seven ‘angelic’ Arctic CAN TURN UP, Common Sandpiper, plus some bonus Terns dropped in, a Whimbrel ‘cut off the ESPECIALLY IF THAT Little Ringed Plovers in the park, and meander’ and a Hobby whizzed by. ‘ANYTHING’ TAKES A even a couple of Nightingales took up FANCY TO THE territory in the Hawthorn ‘scrub’, there. May reigns in Hawthorn lands HABITAT Before April ended, I was taking slightly May is even better than April (in some overlooks the washes). As the sun set, I longer cycles at weekends, forever in ways) and it started well for me finding couldn’t hear any Spotted Crakes, but did search of good birds and mostly with my a Wood Warbler singing at Ferry here a far-carrying ‘weird trilling call’ teenage son, Eddie. We got lucky, Meadows (as I cycled past, to take my which was totally unfamiliar to me. checking some suitable fields just a couple bike to the nearby bike shop). These are of miles from home, when we found a less than annual around here (I have seen It troubled me, but I got on with the job female Ring Ouzel. The third week of just five in 20 years) and demonstrate of Spotted Crake listening, and eventually April is the peak ouzel finding time in how it is good to keep your ears open, heard one, as well as making some this part of the country. But, if I miss this especially in May, the season of song. recordings of singing Tawny Owls. window, then I rarely see any Ring Ouzels after the start of May. This came home to me mid-month, Ten days later, I received a jaw- when (lockdown having relaxed slightly), dropping phone call, saying that a female On 26 April, my cycling also added a I had driven down to the Nene Washes to Little Crake had been singing the previous very early Spotted Flycatcher and purring listen for night-singing Spotted Crakes night on the Nene Washes. I checked the Turtle Dove to my year list. But it was (after a tip-off that one could be heard public bird sound site xeno-canto.org and Ferry Meadows which provided most of from a site called Eldernell, which the penny dropped. It was certainly the mystery bird I had heard before. And The PBC area is very good when I checked my recordings, I had even for Barn Owls managed to pick up the singing Little Crake distantly when taping Tawny Owl! It is a reminder that even at a site far inland, anything can turn up, especially if that ‘anything’ takes a fancy to the habitat. Start of summer The end of May was all about Quail for me. In the same area of south Lincs as the earlier Rough-legged Buzzard had been, birdwatching.co.uk 13

Long-eared Owls had a THE END OF great breeding season at AUGUST SAW one site local to Mike, ANOTHER NATIONAL with at least five AND REGIONAL TREND, youngsters (including WITH AN INFLUX OF this one) in two families INLAND SHAGS 14 My200BirdYear 2021

2020 HINDSIGHT there were half a dozen singing Quails! AGhnolomasuseyt,uaImbtiFnseahrrsigyhhoMlrigtehacydtcowlweassfrtCohPmis Ferry Meadows also And the best thing was, they were in a produced this May Day sort of short ‘pea’ field, where you could (which, of course, it did!). actually see one or two occasionally! The end of August saw another national Wood Warbler These are also birds which need careful listening for, around dusk in summer, if and regional trend, with an influx of Welland (my fourth ever, locally, and one you want them on your year list. And inland Shags, and good old Ferry of my best ‘finds’ of the year). usually it will be a ‘heard only’ tick. Meadows was where they turned up for Peterborian birders, with two appearing All that left were some late treats, Early summer is a time to put year as if by magic out of the rain on 25 August including an expected Merlin and Curlew, listing somewhat on hold and go looking (172 for year). Late August is also Redstart another national trend bird in White- for nice insects and orchids and enjoying return passage time, and these beautiful fronted Goose, and a smart Hooded Crow. the sunshine. Around here it is about birds duly delivered, with two males and a So, here I am, with three weeks to go butterflies, dragonflies and Glow-worms, female bringing my year total to four. sitting on my third best-ever local year which I photographed while Comet list. I crave a Waxwing! Neowise rose in the northern sky! September delivered Ospreys (I saw four!) and an extremely distant Great Skua My overall strategy has, as usual, As a result of following national and (!!) with ‘razor-sharp Hugh’; but it was been to visit a few key sites often and local trends, in mid-July I went to the October which transformed 2020 from a be as thorough as time will allow. And most extensive coniferous woodland in respectable to a very good year for PBC to time visits with when birds are likely the PBC area in search of Crossbills. And birding. Two birds were ridiculous, and to arrive (I find preparing lists of expected I succeeded, finding perhaps 30 of these unplannable: Radde’s Warbler and an target species helps). Otherwise, I advise big, beautiful, cone-munching finches. outrageous Lammergeier! Yellow-browed looking out for grim weather, which When the news says there is a bit of an Warbler was on national trend (another delivers good birds, and keep working invasion, one must strike while the iron is reminder to keep an eye on the news, and at the bird finding, even in ‘slow’ times. hot! In quiet times, these were a summer your ears open), and I was into the 180s. doldrums year-listing bonus. By the time you read this, I will have Late in the month, a Glossy Ibis (184) done another New Year Big Day, and will August and beyond turned up near the Nene Washes, then at be well on my way to working through Ferry Meadows; and into November, I the best birds the Peterborough area can August, though very much the heart of found a Great Northern Diver on the River throw at me in January. I hope those the English summer holidays, is part of White-fronted Geese hang around… BW autumn in birding terms. And so, the time to get active again in search of local year ticks. The Deepings area, just north of Peterborough produced the goods for me, with a scarce inland Brent Goose at Deeping Lakes, and, on the same evening, my first Little Stint of the year. My list was now into the 170s and almost in the realms of respectability, especially if autumn continued to deliver The year 2020 was the year that Great White Egret moved into the realms of an ‘expected’ bird around Peterborough birdwatching.co.uk 15