An interesting duration of April birding produced 2 significant rarities, in addition to possibly the most efficient spell of 2023 up until now for inland patchers, particularly in northern England.
The primary news was obviously that from Wales: a long past due British initially in the form of a Black-winged Kite simply beyond Newtown, Powys, on 18th (see more here). This unique raptor is relatively prevalent worldwide and has actually been increasing its variety throughout Europe for a long time – even breeding around Calais – making this a long-anticipated addition to the British list. However, the place was less foreseeable, in reality the recording location of Montgomeryshire ranks last in both the variety of BBRC description types taped and the overall variety of types taped. The bird existed for all of 5 minutes and is still yet to be refound.
Just a Black-winged Kite in Wales discovered recently by my old buddy @UK_Eagles123 OMG!!!!! @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @LeeEvansBirding pic.twitter.com/MdDxx2mv8U
— Richard Moores (@RDMECOLOGY) April 18, 2023
Late April into May is typically efficient for the odd American sparrow, and 22 April was no exception, when reports of a White-crowned Sparrow at Seaford Head, East Sussex, emerged. The bird showed evasive throughout, with just a handful of short glances the list below day too. Interestingly, the pale traditions and orange-toned expense make this north-western subspecies gambelii – the biggest of the 5 subspecies. This is simply the 3rd record of this subspecies in Britain – following the very first at Woolston Eyes NR, Cheshire, in 2016 and a first-winter bird on Unst, Shetland, in fall 2021 – and simply the 5th for the Western Palearctic. Curiously, both spring records have actually taken place in late April (22nd and 30th), while previous spring records of other subspecies have actually normally taken place later on in May. Needless to state, this stripy sparrow was the very first record for Sussex and a fantastic discover.
White-crowned Sparrow, Seaford Head, East Sussex (Mark Dawson).
It wasn’t simply these 2 rarities making waves today, with a substantial overland motion of Little Gulls, on 19th and 21st in specific, triggering enjoyment. 19th saw a more northern predisposition, and an unmatched motion occurred in North-West England, with lots of website records being broken. Woolston Eyes NR, Cheshire, logged 67 through by early afternoon, beating the previous optimum day count of 9 in 1985, (with 107 through in overall throughout the 2 days) while Elton Reservoir, Greater Manchester, taped 35, beating their record of 14 in 1972. Several websites likewise taped their first-ever records. The next big motion happened on 21st, with records more prevalent. Nottinghamshire in specific prospered, with an inland ‘incredibly flock’ of 86 through Holme Pierrepont that night, a few of which transferred to Netherfield Lagoons to sign up with a flock already present, amounting to 65 in all. A flock of as much as 50 was likewise kept in mind at Willington Wetlands, Derbyshire, and a minimum of 60 at Pennington Flash CP, Greater Manchester, though with an evident turnover as lots of as 90 are believed to have actually travelled through.
Little Gull, Netherfield Lagoons, Nottinghamshire (Miles Cluff).
Little Gull, Elton Reservoir, Greater Manchester (Martin Loftus).
Wader passage showed up a notch, too, with a good variety of Bar-trailed Godwits kept in mind overland the previous week. Tern types started to relocate smaller sized numbers towards the week’s close, specifically Arctic Terns, with a little number of Black and Little Terns too.
Keeping on terns, however returning to rarities, a first-winter Forster’s Tern paid a quick see to Lytchett Bay, Dorset, on 23rd prior to being transferred in the tern roost at Brownsea Island NT the very same night – through the online Avocet Hide web cam no less! It’s almost definitely the bird from Sutton Bingham Reservoir, Somerset, discovered a couple of weeks prior, and ideally remains to offer more a possibility to overtake this Nearctic tern.
Short video of Forsters Tern on the Brownsea Lagoon web cam about 20 minutes ago…. @DorsetBirdClub @BirdGuides pic.twitter.com/xS9abQaXfS
— birdsofpooleharbour (@harbourbirds) April 23, 2023
What is probably the drake Hooded Merganser reported at Kendal, Cumbria, on 10th was refound at Whinfell Tarn on 17th. The bird, an adult drake, is unringed and completely winged and is apparently utilizing the tarn to roost with the Tufted Duck flock present. It was kept in mind showing up from the south-west on 23rd with a group of Goosander, so is probably still utilizing a waterbody close to where the bird was initially discovered.
Hooded Merganser, Whinfell Tarn, Cumbria (Sam Northwood).
A possible female Blue-winged Teal was a similarly evasive bird at Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset, on the night of 21st. The bird revealed briefly prior to swimming out of view and wasn’t seen once again afterwards. The female Ferruginous Duck came back at Aqualate Mere, Staffordshire and as much as 3 stayed at the Trinity Broads, Norfolk. Four Lesser Scaup stuck around in Britain and a brand-new drake was found at Lough Gara, Co Sligo, on 23rd. Ring-necked Duck were divided in between 13 websites and Green-winged Teal were at 6.
Green-winged Teal, Idle Valley NR, Nottinghamshire (Gary Hobson).
A drake King Eider past Isle of May on 21st represents the very first island record in 139 years, and was later on transferred off Earlsferry, Fife, on 23rd. Surf Scoter were kept in mind off 5 areas today.
The recording week saw a flurry of Gull-billed Terns. The initially began 19th, at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB, Cheshire, and is incredibly the 4th record for the reserve. In common style, the bird stayed mobile and was last seen on 20th, when another was kept in mind on the Isles of Scilly. Belated news of another grownup originated from Idle Washlands, Notts, on 22nd, after video footage of a reported Arctic Tern was published. Sadly the bird flew off prior to news emerged and there was no more indication. The next day another paid a similarly short see to Camel Estuary, off Dinham, Cornwall.
Gull-billed Tern, Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB, Cheshire (John Gilbody).
The adult Ross’s Gull remained faithful to Kinnaird Head/Cairnbulg, Aberdeenshire, up until 19th. Three Bonaparte’s Gulls consisted of a first-winter at Marazion, Cornwall, from 21st and a brand-new grownup at Ballycorboys, Co Wexford, together with the remaining grownup at Ballydehob, Co Cork. Belated news of an adult Kumlien’s Gull originated from Fishguard, Pembs, from 13th and a juvenile was at Fanad Head, Co Donegal, on 19th. Both Iceland and Glaucous Gulls continued to blow over throughout the nation, pulling away for chillier climates.
An unseasonal Leach’s Storm Petrel flew south previous Spurn, East Yorkshire, on 23rd. The Double-crested Cormorant stuck around at Doon Lough, Co Leitrim. The spring run of White-billed Divers continued off Scotland, with an adult logged past Pendeen, Cornwall, on 22nd. More normally, little flocks were off Aberdeenshire and Moray & Nairn, consisting of as much as 9 off Cullen. One flew previous North Ronaldsay, Orkney, on 19th and a number of groups were kept in mind off Shetland.
White-billed Diver, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire (Tim Marshall).
The Black-crowned Night Heron increase continued to impress, with another evident arrival throughout the week. Ireland continues to control with 8 brand-new websites reporting 10 brand-new birds. Arguably the most remarkable report up until now originated from St Kilda, where 4 birds were discovered on 20th, and another brand-new bird lay at Callernish, North Uist, on 18th. Another grownup was along the River Clyde in between Carbarns Pool and Baron’s Haugh RSPB.
Black-crowned Night Heron, Boscathnoe Reservoir, Cornwall (Adrian Lea).
A male Little Bittern was new-in at Exminster Marshes RSPB, Devon, on 18th and stayed up until the afternoon. Another was reported at Alverstone Mead LNR, Isle of Wight, on 20th. Cornwall hosted 3 Purple Herons, consisting of 2 brand-new birds. Another possible flew high over Otterhampton, Somerset, on 18th. The White Stork ‘circumstance’ continues to be muddied with ringed releases in the south and a little unringed population in Cumbria. Several of unidentified provenance stayed in the nation, consisting of clusters of reports in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Somerset, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and the Peterborough location. An unringed adult stayed in Dumfries & Galloway up until 18th.
Black Kite is a types clouded with doubtful provenance and ID mistake, so the place of a relatively wild bird in North Yorkshire is regrettable for persuading all. The bird was very first kept in mind going to a raptor display screen at the National Bird of Prey Centre at Duncombe Park, North Yorkshire, on 17th. The bird stayed throughout the week, permitting lots of county listers to get in touch with Yorkshire’s initially twitchable example of this types. The park staff have actually validated the bird is not from their collection, there seems no apparent proof of captivity, and in spite of the doubtful place the bird is acting similar as the regional Red Kites, attempting to take scraps from the centre. Another flew over Worth Marsh, Kent, on 19th.
Black Kite, Duncombe Park, North Yorkshire (Ian Bollen).
An man Red-footed Falcon was at Scousburgh, Shetland, on 18th. Five Rough-legged Buzzards made the news page, consisting of a juvenile over Glenshee Ski Centre, Aberdeenshire, on 19th, remaining birds on Orkney and Shetland and a possible videoed over Charborough Estate, Dorset, on 23rd. The immature female Montagu’s Harrier stayed in between Lizard town and Kynance Cove throughout the week, and a possible flew through Maer Lake NR, Cornwall, on 23rd. A ringtail harrier types flew over Trevince Woods, Cornwall, on 20th.
It was another affordable week for Black-winged Stilts. Five websites in Ireland hosted birds, consisting of a brand-new person at Cooley Point, Co Louth, on 22nd. In overall, a minimum of 14 birds remained in the nation. Eight websites in Britain signed up with the club, making 11 in overall. No flocks were reported, although a handful of sets were kept in mind.
Black-winged Stilt, Seaton Marshes, Devon (Tim White).
A female Kentish Plover was discovered scuttling along the entryway track at Elmley NNR, Kent, on 19th, however shortly prior to flying off. Holkham Gap, Norfolk, likewise hosted a female on 20th however in a comparable style flew off quickly after. The trio of moulting Long-billed Dowitchers existed and right in Norfolk, Cheshire and Orkney. Eurasian Dotterel started to get here through the week, with 9 websites seeing birds, consisting of 2 remaining birds at Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, on 17th 3 at Termoncarragh Lough, Co Mayo, on 21st and 2 at Dale Airfield, Pembrokeshire, on 22nd. A roaming Eurasian Stone-curlew was at Sker Point, Glamorgan, on 22nd.
Long-billed Dowitcher, Cley Marshes NWT, Norfolk (Andrew Jordan).
The Alpine Swift increase has actually mainly waned, though 5 websites taped birds. An appealing report of a little quick types originated from Ham Wall RSPB, Somerset, on 21st. No plumage functions were kept in mind, though the bird was said to have a square-ended tail, so probably ideas of Little Swift raced through the observer’s head.
A wise male Western Subalpine Warbler was a reward discover at Ballynacarriga, Co Cork, on 19th while another was reported at Sammy’s Point, East Yorkshire, on 18th, without any subsequent indication. An unassigned subalpine warbler types was reported in a garden at Penmaenmawr, Conwy, on 20th, though was believed to be an Eastern Subalpine Warbler. The singing Savi’s Warbler was reported once again at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB, Cheshire, on 18th however not given that. The week likewise saw the very first Hippolais of the year, with a Melodious Warbler at Brook Chine, Isle of Wight, on 22nd.
Western Subalpine Warbler, Ballynacarriga, Cork (Fionn Moore).
An appealing male wagtail existed at Elton Reservoir, Greater Manchester, on 21-22nd. Initial views recommended an Iberian-type, however much better photos revealed comprehensive yellow soiling the lower throat, plus ear coverts appeared concolorous with the remainder of the head ‘benching’ it to an intergrade.
The long-staying Eastern Yellow Wagtail continued at Carlton Marshes SWT, Suffolk, throughout. The Scilly Tawny Pipit stuck around on St Mary’s up until 20th, while Richard’s Pipits were reported at Sandwich Bay, Kent, on 17th and Scarborough, North Yorkshire, on 22nd.
Tawny Pipit, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly (Ashley Fisher).
A possible Greater Short-toed Lark was kept in mind on Tresco, Scilly, on 17th. The single Shore Lark stayed at Beacon Ponds, East Yorkshire, and as much as 4 were still at Holkham Gap, Norfolk. An Isabelline Wheatear was a terrific spring discover at West Runton, Norfolk, on 21st and after the preliminary disappearance the bird stayed up until 23rd.
An man Golden Oriole existed at Carn Brea, Cornwall, from 19th, while others were on Tiree and on Coll on 17th. Away from the remaining cluster on the Isles of Scilly, 2 Woodchat Shrikes were likewise kept in mind in Cornwall and another at Cogden Beach, Dorset, on 20th. A handful of Wryneck made landfall, with birds kept in mind at Papa Westray, Orkney, and Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, on 19th and Skomer on 20th. There was a stable arrival of Hoopoe, with 23 websites reporting birds, as far north as Colonsay, Argyll.
Golden Oriole, Carn Brea, Cornwall (Adrian Lea).
Woodchat Shrike, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly (Richard Stonier).
Two Eurasian Penduline Tits were brand-new arrivals at Oare Marshes NR, Kent, on 22nd and showed to be the only birds noted today. At least 2 European Serin were mobile around Portland, Dorset, and another possible was heard at Oxwich, Glamorgan, on 22nd. The Cornish Little Bunting was last kept in mind at Cot Valley on 21st, when the bird was likewise reported to be singing.
Western Palearctic
Iceland’s routine drake White-winged Scoter stayed in the Keflavík location. The Oriental Turtle Dove stayed in Norway, while both the Siberian Rubythroat and Baltimore Oriole continued to amuse Swedish birders.
The Netherlands hosted its ninth Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, a male at Koehool. Elsewhere, a first-winter Ross’s Gull was at Texel on 23rd and the unringed drake Falcated Duck continued to join Gadwall at the Port of Rotterdam. The remaining first-winter American Herring Gull at Gueltas was the only French news of note.
The long-staying drake American Black Duck was reported once again near Sada, Spain, and a minimum of 2 Elegant Terns remained in Valencia. A sticking around Great Blue Heron was on Terceira, Azores, and an Allen’s Gallinule was on Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, on 18th.
Turkey’s 3rd Egyptian Nightjar was discovered at Milleyha on 19th and the immature Yellow-billed Stork stayed in Israel.
