UK400 Club List Updates July 30 2007
July 31, 2007
The following have been updated
- UK400 Club Life Lists
- 2007 UK YearLists
- Western Palearctic life Lists
Members can log in to download updated lists, Non members please contact BBA for membership details.
Egypt and Sinai Birdwatching Summary
July 31, 2007
I have just returned from my first full tour of Egypt and Sinai, covering just under 5,500 kms in 11 days. It was an exceptional trip, with a total of 112 species recorded, despite average daily temperatures of 49 degrees C. Amongst the many highlights were the following -:
*PINK-BACKED PELICAN: 12 at Abu Simbel on 26th July
Little Bittern: 15 at Abassa Fishponds on 20th July
Glossy Ibis: 5 at Abu Simbel on 26th July
*YELLOW-BILLED STORK: total of 78 at Abu Simbel on 26th July
*Egyptian Goose: 200+ in the Abu Simbel area on 26th July
Garganey: 5 at Hamata Mangroves on 22nd July
Egyptian Black Kite: up to 50 at Abu Simbel on 25th-27th July
*Lappet-faced Vulture (negevensis): at least 14 in Shalatein Border Village on 22nd July
Bonelli’s Eagle: breeding adult inland of Safaga on 26th July (rare resident)
*Sooty Falcon: a total of 4 was seen, including 3 together at Hamata on 22nd July
African Purple Gallinule: only 3 noted
**CRAB PLOVER: despite extensive searching of the Hamata region, only 1-2 birds could be found
*Painted Snipe: just 2 males noted, at Abu Simbel on 26th July
Greater Sandplover: surprisingly common on the southern Red Sea, with upwards of 70 birds seen.
*KITTLITZ’S SAND PLOVER: 28 birds at Wadi El Natrum on 20th July
Curlew Sandpiper: 2 adults at Hamata Mangroves on 22nd July
Wood Sandpiper: 50 in one flock at Hamata on 22nd July
*SOOTY GULL: common south of Marsa Alam
White-eyed Gull: largest concentrations in the Hurghada area, with 200+ at the sewage works there on 21st July
Black-headed Gull: 2 adults at Abu Simbel on 26th July
*GREAT CRESTED TERN: difficult - 2 seen near Porto Sukhna on 21st July, with 4 more at Abu Zineron on 29th July
White-cheeked Tern: at least 600 pairs breeding on offshore island at Hamata on 22nd July
Little Tern: over 80 breeding pairs at Abu Simbel on 26th July
*BRIDLED TERN: at least 40 breeding pairs on offshore island at Hamata on 22nd July
Gull-billed Tern: 3 at Hamata on 22nd July, with 46 at Abu Simbel on 26th
White-winged Black Tern: 130 at Abu Simbel on 26th July
Whiskered Tern: 58 at Abu Simbel on 26th July
**AFRICAN SKIMMER: an unprecedented flock of 69 birds (adults & immatures) at Abu Simbel on 26th July
Spotted and Crowned Sandgrouse: small groups frequently noted in desert regions
*NAMAQUA DOVE: pair at Abu Simbel on 27th July
Eurasian Collared Dove: range greatly expanded in Egypt, especially on Red Sea and Sinai coastlines and at Abu Simbel
*AFRICAN COLLARED DOVE: single pairs noted (and photographed) at Wadi Lahami and Abu Ghusan on 23rd July - a very difficult species in Egypt.
European Turtle Dove: pleasantly abundant on Crocodile Island, Luxor, on 25th-26th July
**HUME’S TAWNY OWL: 2 (including one photographed) in South Sinai on 29th July
**SAHARAE EGYPTIAN NIGHTJAR: one of the events of the trip - 5 beautiful birds feeding at point blank range and resting on hot sand in full lit area in Abu Simbel on 25th and 26th July
Egyptian Little Green Bee-eater: common in certain areas of the Nile Valley
Egyptian Barn Swallow: abundant at Abassa and Crocodile Island
*AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL: 7 at Abu Simbel on 26th July
Western Rufous Bushchat: 2 at Abu Simbel on 26th July
Eastern Mourning Wheatear: 3 males noted in south Sinai on 28th-29th July
Hooded Wheatear: just 1 female noted in south Sinai on 27th July
Streaked Scrub Warbler: 3 birds in Sinai on 27th-29th July
Eastern Orphean Warbler: 3 early returning adults at St Katharine Monastery on 29th July
Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler: early returning adult in Sinai on 27th July
Nile Valley Sunbird: common on Crocodile Island
Palestine Sunbird: 6 seen in south Sinai
Indian House Crow: remarkably abundant. I click-counted 3,811 birds departing roost in Suez City on 21st July. Spread well south along Red Sea coast, with 82 in Abu Rhedies on 29th July
Tristram’s Grackle: 6+ at St Katherine’s Monastery on 27th-29th July
*STREAKED WEAVER: a total of 27 birds in 2 colonies noted at Abassa on 20th July
Sinai Rosefinch: numerous worn adults and 4+ juveniles at St Katherine’s Monastery on 27th-29th July
An exhaustive and lavishly illustrated trip report will be published later and released on the UK400 Club website
Forthcoming tours this summer and autumn include Madeira, Majorca, Corsica and Spain, whilst trips this winter will include Israel, Kuwait, Italy, France, Mauretania and the Cape Verde Islands. Please email me if you are interested in any of them.
Rare Bird Highlights July 17th
July 17, 2007
Although there was no sign of the Roller in the Easington area of East Yorkshire today, a breeding plumaged PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER was discovered nearby roosting with European Golden Plovers on the River Humber mud off the Warren, Spurn Point (present from just 1910-1932 hours).
Also in Yorkshire this evening, a first-summer BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was at Fairburn Ings RSPB, showing along the Lindyke footpath just beyond the first viewing screen. Meanwhile, the adult summer SPOTTED SANDPIPER was still present at Wykeham Lakes Fishery at the weekend (the site is strictly private with no access for non-fishermen), whilst an adult PECTORAL SANDPIPER was new-in today SE of Barnsley at Broomhill Flash (located east of the A633 and north of Everill Gate Lane).
Not far away in Lincolnshire, a BLACK KITE in very heavy moult remains at Nocton Heath near Ram Farm, showing well in woodland, in plough and on telegraph posts for at least its third day.
On the Isle of May (Fife), the female SUBALPINE WARBLER continues to moult close to the Heligoland Trap, with a Common Treecreeper there an unusual July visitor, whilst the 6 summering SURF SCOTERS continue to loaf off Murcar Golf Course (Aberdeenshire).
The first-summer HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL remains on Walney Island (Cumbria) at Wylock Marsh, whilst on Shetland, the KILLDEER continues at Virkie on the pool east of Ness Boating Club.
In Essex, first-summer Eurasian Spoonbills remain at Wat Tyler CP, Pitsea, and Rainham Marsh RSPB, whilst the first-summer GLOSSY IBIS continues on Polly’s Pool, Marshside Marsh RSPB (Merseyside). In Warwickshire, the first-summer Black-throated Diver remains at Draycote Water.
At the specially arranged breeding site in Lincolnshire, the family of Montagu’s Harriers continue to do well at Digby Fen, with all five birds (adult pair and three juveniles) showing well from the Viewpoint. The location is well signposted off the A153 NE of Sleaford. At least 22 pairs have bred successfully this year. Honey Buzzards are now beginning to show again with regular sightings at Wykeham Forest (North Yorks), Clumber Park (Notts) and Great Ryburgh (Norfolk), whilst at least one juvenile Golden Oriole has fledged (and is still being fed by the parents) at Lakenheath Fen RSPB (Suffolk).
In IRELAND today, a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER were discovered on Inishkeeragh Island (Co. Donegal).
Dark Eyed Junco
July 16, 2007
The most remarkable record over the weekend was
Birders watching the
Norfolk Dark Eyed Junco
Log in to download the full report from the members area
UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert - Monday 16th July 2007
July 16, 2007
This is the UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Monday 16th July 2007, issued at midday and produced in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers, the premier service for rare bird information in the UK (Hotline Number for incoming sightings 0207 038 2820; membership details phone Brian Egan on 01603 457016).
A EUROPEAN ROLLER remains for its second day 1 mile west of Easington (East Yorks) close to the B1445 and in the vicinity of the 6th telegraph pole west of the radio mast. It is typically wide-ranging and highly mobile and goes missing for long periods of time. In the last hour, it has been showing well south of the B1445.
Elsewhere in Britain, the two adult PECTORAL SANDPIPERS remain at Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancs), being seen distantly from the Eric Morecambe Hide, with another still present at Musselburgh Lagoons wader scrape (Lothian). Two adult Roseate Terns roosted on a sandbank off Holme Golf Course (Norfolk) until at least 0850 hours.
The most remarkable record over the weekend was Norfolk’s 2nd-ever DARK-EYED JUNCO - discovered in a birder’s garden (Dave Curtis) on Saturday 14th July. The bird regularly visited the well-stocked gardens of numbers 6, 8 and 10 The Cornfield in Langham throughout the day and was eventually seen by well in excess of 800 birders. Perhaps even more remarkable was the fact that it wasn’t to be found the next day, a most unusual time of year for a vagrant North American passerine to be migrating. The bird was a first-summer and was relatively obliging, despite the gathered crowds.
Although Dark-eyed Junco was frequently recorded in captivity prior to 1970, it is virtually unheard of now and fits neatly into the previous pattern of North American passerines previously recorded in Britain on the East Coast (several Red-eyed Vireos, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Indigo Bunting for example, plus both Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos - many of which are believed to be ship-assisted)
The previous Dark-eyed Junco for Norfolk was caught exhausted on an oil supply vessel alongside the Shell Bravo gas platform 49/26T in the Lemon Bank gas field 55kms ENE of Happisburgh on 24th May 1980. It was transported by helicopter to Norwich Castle Museum on 28th May and then released at Holme Reserve on 31st May where it remained until 6th June.
Also on 14th July, highlights included an adult CASPIAN TERN at Bigwaters NR (Northumberland) intermittently throughout the afternoon, an adult PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Cley NWT reserve (Norfolk), an adult PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER in breeding plumage on the Monach Islands (Outer Hebrides), an adult LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER in breeding plumage on the Hayle Estuary (Cornwall) and a flock of 11 Spoonbills at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk). Sunday 15th produced a SQUACCO HERON briefly at Frieston Pool, 8 miles NNE of Grantham (Lincs).
WILSON’S PETRELS are now summering in the Western Approaches with 4 recorded from ‘The Kingfisher’ off Scilly on 14th, whilst Andy Webb recorded 6 moulting SURF SCOTERS in the huge raft of scoters summering off Murcar Golf Course (Aberdeenshire) (4 adult drakes, a first-summer drake and an adult female).
Long-stayers include the summering and heavily moulting HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL at South Walney (Cumbria) and first-summer GLOSSY IBIS at Marshside Marsh RSPB (Merseyside), whilst eclipse drake Ring-necked Ducks remain at Avonmouth (Avon) and Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) and at least 8 roaming Eurasian Spoonbills remain. The first-summer Black-throated Diver continues at Draycote Water (Warks).
In IRELAND recently, a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was on The Mullet at Leam Lough (Co. Mayo) on 15th, two early Great Shearwaters were reported from Streak Head, Crookhaven (Co. Cork) on 14th, and a LESSER YELLOWLEGS was reported from the Rogerstown Estuary (Co. Dublin) on 14th.
STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. Register your vote on introduction Eurasian Eagle Owls at the UK400 Club Yahoo group site
Rare Bird Alert - Friday July 13th 2007
July 14, 2007
This is the UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Friday 13th July 2007, issued at 2000 hours, and produced in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers (for membership enquiries, contact Brian Egan on 01603 457016), the premier service for Rare Bird Information in Britain.
The bird of the day was Suffolk’s first-ever twitchable SQUACCO HERON (in fact, the first county record since 1912) - showing well at Minsmere RSPB reserve throughout the day. Initially seen flying in from the direction of the sea at 0715 hours (per Ivan Levitt), it then performed well in front of Island Mere hide for the next hour or more. It then got fairly mobile before settling in fields viewable from the Eastbridge/Sluice Bushes footpath early afternoon. It then moved to the neighbouring Levels fields, where it was still showing until at least 1800 hours this evening (per Lee Gregory/Matt Deans).
In neighbouring Norfolk, an adult Roseate Tern frequented the Sea Palling reefs and adjacent beach with Common Terns this afternoon (earlier off Waxham Beach) (per Andy Kane), whilst at least one adult Roseate Tern remains off Dawlish Warren (South Devon) and at Lodmoor CP (Dorset). 1-2 adults have recently visited Minsmere scrape (Suffolk) (from South Hide), as well as some very dark-billed adult Arctic Terns.
Two adult Pectoral Sandpipers were present at Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancs) Allen Pools this morning, whilst another remained at Musselburgh Lagoons wader scrape (Lothian) with 3 adult Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits. The moulting HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL remains with up to 5 Whimbrel and 60 Eurasian Curlews on Wylock Marsh, just south of Biggar on Walney Island. Park sensibly in the narrow Mawflat Lane to view west over the saltmarsh at SD 206 642. Under no circumstances, wander on to the saltmarsh; there are many nesting Eiders and roosting waders here.
The first-summer GLOSSY IBIS has spent most of the last week c3 miles NE of Stockport (Merseyside) at Marshside Marsh RSPB, where it has been favouring Polly’s Pool and has been showing well.
On Shetland, the summering KILLDEER was showing well today at Virkie, frequenting the pool and rocky coastline just east of Ness Boating Club, whilst on Orkney, a Leach’s Petrel and 49 Storm Petrels flew north past North Ronaldsay. In Sutherland, a very confiding first-summer Glaucous Gull remains in Brora village, roosting on chimney pots close to the small harbour, whilst in Galloway, the 3rd-summer Iceland Gull remains on Loch Ryan - at the Bishop Burn mouth (per Chris Baines). The first-summer BONAPARTE’S GULL remains on South Uist at Howmore River, whilst nearby, the adult-type ROSE-COLOURED STARLING continues at Drimsdale.
On 11th July, an adult BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER frequented Coedbach Marsh, between Kidwelly and Commissioner’s Bridge (Carmarthenshire) (viewed from the adjacent A484), whilst the week has seen a scattering of mobile Spoonbills at various localities, a moulting female Red-necked Phalarope at Cley NWT (Norfolk) on 11th and the odd Cory’s Shearwater. Large numbers of Balearic Shearwaters remain in the English Channel, with up to 80 recorded daily off Portland Bill (Dorset) (per Martin Cade/PBO website).
In IRELAND, an adult PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER in breeding plumage was present at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) on 11th July (excellently photographed by Eric Dempsey; see images on BirdsIreland website) (first for the year), whilst an adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was seen on Inishkea Islands (Co. Mayo) on 12th July. A Spoonbill has been present at Castle Espie WWT, at the NW end of Strangford Lough (Co. Down).
PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER YOUR VOTE ON EAGLE OWLS ON THE UK400CLUB FORUM. The final date for voting is on 1st September 2007
Eurasian Eagle Owls
July 13, 2007
There are now 44 pairs of Eurasian Eagle Owls breeding ferally in Britain, including a well-watched pair with three young in Lancashire this summer. Although it is generally considered by the BBA/UK400 Club that virtually all of these birds relate to escaped or released birds, it does appear that a self-sustaining population will soon become evident. Should EAGLE OWL be added to the Introduction category of the UK400 Club List and be treated as a countable species?
o Yes
o No
o Wait for the population to reach 100 pairs
To vote, please visit the following web page: Eagle Owls vote
List updates
July 9, 2007
The following UK400 Club lists have been updated and are vailable for download from the members area.
- Life Lists
- Year Lists
- County Year Lists
Updates are up to and including July 7th 2007
UK400 Club Rare Bird Alerts
Latest Headlines
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- UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert Monday 4th August
- Members Area Updates
- UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert 28th July 2008
- Record-breaking Razorbill on Bardsey Island
- Atlantic Puffins In Decline
- UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert - 25 July 2008
- Caspian Tern
- Cattle Egrets breed in the UK
- Rare Bird Alert Monday 14 July 2008
