UK Rare Bird Alert October 19th
October 20, 2007
This is the UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Friday 19th October 2007, issued at 2200 hours, and published in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers (for enquiries, visit www.rarebirdalert.com) and utilising additional information gleaned from the Regional Birdlines, Birdguides, the local email groups and individual observers.
As one would expect in mid October, the Isles of Scilly continue to steal the headlines. Although the Wilson’s Snipe departed on 16th, the two nearctic BLACKPOLL WARBLERS remain - with birds showing well along Pottery Lane on the Garrison and at the Higher Moors clumps. The extremely elusive GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH was reported again shortly after first light, in the field just beyond Rose Hill Studios on Porthloo Lane, whilst the rather showy first-winter BLYTH’S PIPIT remains by the school in Old Grimsby, Tresco. Bryher still has its BLYTH’S REED WARBLER at the south end, whilst the LITTLE BUNTING continues by the Incinerator and new arrivals included 3 Red-breasted Flycatchers and a Richard’s Pipit.
Yesterday’s juvenile Leach’s Petrel at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) relocated to Draycote Water (Warks) overnight and remained present until dusk.
The bonanza of GREAT WHITE EGRET sightings continues, with a ‘new’ bird at Rainham Marshes RSPB (London/Essex) this morning and a further bird at Cley, Salthouse, Sheringham and Holkham Freshmarsh this afternoon. Further long-stayers include singles at Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancs) and Mockbeggar Lake (Hants). CATTLE EGRETS are also unusually numerous, with two birds today at Grove Ferry (Kent) and another at Rainham Marshes RSPB (for its 4th day and favouring the cattle field immediately west of the Aveley Pools).
A juvenile LITTLE BITTERN showed extremely well in reeds adjacent to the coastal footpath at Titchwell Marsh RSPB (Norfolk) for an hour this afternoon giving rise to the possibility that this spring’s barking adult male there actually attracted a mate!
Other fresh arrivals today included a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Berry Head (South Devon), a PALLAS’S LEAF WARBLER and Red-breasted Flycatcher at Church Cove on The Lizard (Cornwall), a Red-backed Shrike at Winterton North Dunes (Norfolk) and a Lapland Bunting at Audenshaw Reservoirs (Gtr Manchester).
Shetland has finally lost its spark with today’s highlight a HORNEMANN’S ARCTIC REDPOLL on Bressay (at Brough) whilst a LITTLE BUNTING showed well in a garden at South Glendale, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) (recent days saw a BLYTH’S PIPIT at Sumburgh, RADDE’S WARBLER at Toab, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER at Quendale and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER at Virkie).
Pick of the Rest
A juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER continues to show well in SW Wales, consorting with Ringed Plovers on Pickle Ridge Pools and adjacent beaches, Gann Estuary, just north of Dale (Pembs), with 2 juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers still at Tophill Low Reservoir (East Yorks), GLOSSY IBIS at Marshside Marsh RSPB (Merseyside), PURPLE HERON at Meare Heath (Somerset), adult BLACK KITE of unknown origin at Nocton Heath (Lincs) and Barred Warblers at St Mary’s Island (Northumberland), Scalby Lodge Pond, Scarborough (North Yorks) and Bardsey Island (Gwynedd). The 25 Eurasian Spoonbills remain on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour (Dorset), with a BLACK BRANT on The Fleet (Dorset) and Green-winged Teal at Inner Marsh Farm RSPB (Cheshire).
Another AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT was identified in Scotland on 18th - at Torlum Machair, Borgh Point on Benbecula (Outer Hebrides) (Steve Duffield).
In IRELAND today, highlights include an ISABELLINE SHRIKE at Mizen Head (Co. Cork) (with recent sightings of Woodlark, Red-breasted Flycatcher, LITTLE BUNTING and RED-THROATED PIPIT there) and continuing GREENISH WARBLER at Dunnycove Bay, 4.5 miles south of Clonakilty (Co. Cork). An Icterine Warbler was on Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) until at least 18th.
A juvenile SURF SCOTER is with Common Scoters on Lough Swilly at Blanket Nook (Co. Donegal) and a female Ring-necked Duck on Lough Foyle (Co. Derry). The resident SNOWY OWL continues on The Mullet (Co. Mayo).
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