Rare Bird Highlights July 17th
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).
