Review of the Week: 18th-24th November 2004

Barred Warbler: Covenham Reservoir, Lincs. (Photo: Oliver Smart)

Barred Warbler: Covenham Reservoir, Lincs. (Photo: Roy Harvey)	Barred Warbler: Covenham Reservoir, Lincs. (Photo: Roy Harvey)

Barred Warbler: Covenham Reservoir, Lincs. (Photo: Dean Eades)	Barred Warbler: Covenham Reservoir, Lincs. (Photo: Dean Eades)

Blyth's Pipit: Land's End, Cornwall. (Photo: Derek Julian)	Blyth's Pipit: Land's End, Cornwall. (Photo: Derek Julian)

A few remnants from the autumn brightened up the short winter days. A Barred Warbler at Covenham Reservoir (Lincs) from Saturday 20th to at least 24th was an exceptional inland find on a late date for the species. An obliging bird at times, it attracted a steady stream of admirers and proved to be quite photogenic. A Pallas's Warbler was at Portland (Dorset) on Wednesday 24th and three brief Yellow-browed Warblers included an inland bird at Hatfield Moor (S. Yorks) on 20th, and more typical birds at Durlston CP (Dorset) on 21st and Marazion (Cornwall) on 24th. A late Bluethroat was reported at Loch of Strathbeg (Aberdeenshire) on Saturday 20th and a juvenile Rose-coloured Staring was in Aberdeen from Sunday 21st-23rd. A Wryneck was a late find at Nanjizal (Cornwall) on 19th and another remained on St. Mary's (Scilly) to at least 24th, though Richard's Pipits at St. Levan (Cornwall) on 19th and Sennen (Cornwall) on 24th were more expected. Also in Cornwall, the Blyth's Pipit was last reported at Land's End on 23rd. Small numbers of Northern Bullfinches were noted with birds as far south as Hertfordshire and Essex, whilst Waxwings continued to congregate in sizeable flocks, with a whopping 1,800 at Kincorth (Aberdeenshire) on 21st. The number of Great Grey Shrikes was still at a minimum with numbers just into double figures, mostly at traditional winter locations.

Northern Bullfinch: Unst, Shetland. (Photo: Micky Maher)	Northern Bullfinch: Unst, Shetland. (Photo: Micky Maher)

Waxwing: Chester, Cheshire. (Photo: Steve Round)

Waxwing: Cannock Chase, Staffs. (Photo: John Spraggett)	Great Grey Shrike: Fernworthy Reservoir, Devon. (Photo: Ben Lewis)

A 1st-winter Ivory Gull was at Kyle of Tongue (Highland) on Tuesday 23rd, but scarce gulls were in short supply with nine each of Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull, a dozen Caspian Gulls and over half-a-dozen Ring-billed Gulls. On St. Mary's (Scilly) a 1st-winter Common Gull was considered to show some of the features of the kamtschatschensis race and the American Herring Gull remained at Nimmo's Pier (Co. Galway). Little Auks were observed in good numbers off the Farne Islands (Northumberland) on 18th with 10,265 passing and over 2,000 passed St. Abb's Head (Borders) on the 20th.

Snowy Owl: South Uist, Outer Hebrides. (Photo: Martin Scott)	Lesser Yellowlegs: Stiffkey, Norfolk. (Photo: Matthew Evans)

Cattle Egret: Firsdown, Wiltshire. (Photo: Andy Warr)	Cattle Egret: Firsdown, Wiltshire. (Photo: Andy Warr)

The Snowy Owl remains on South Uist (Outer Hebrides), as does the American Coot at the Loch of Benston (Shetland). The Squacco Heron at East Chevington (Northumberland) was last reported on the 20th on which day a Great White Egret was seen over Broadwater CP (London) and the long-staying colour-ringed bird remains at Mockbeggar Lake (Hants). In Wiltshire the Cattle Egret continued to entertain visitors to Firsdown to at least 24th and the Glossy Ibis again put in an appearance at Breydon Water (Norfolk) on 21st and 23rd. The Lesser Yellowlegs continues to frequent Stiffkey (Norfolk) and there were 6 Grey Phalaropes during the week, none of which lingered for long.

Green-winged Teal: Kilcoole, Wicklow. (Photo: Paul and Andrea Kelly)	Ring-necked Duck: Long Eaton GPs, Derbys. (Photo: Dan Pointon)

Long-tailed Duck: Welland bank Pits, Lincs. (Photo: Will Bowell)	Scaup: Drift Reservoir, Cornwall. (Photo: Marc Read)

A Snow Goose was at North Slob (Co. Wexford) on 21st and 24th, and reasonable numbers of Black Brants are associated with Brent Geese flocks. The Redhead remains at Kenfig Pool (Glamorgan) and the female Lesser Scaup is still at Dozmary Pool (Cornwall) as is the drake at Scotney GPs (E. Sussex/Kent). Other scarce ducks were in short supply, but highlights included 10 Green-winged Teals and American Wigeons in Highland, Shetland and Co. Dublin, Ring-necked Duck in Derbyshire and Cornwall and Ferruginous Duck in Worcestershire.

Snow Bunting: New Brighton, Cheshire. (Photo: Steve Round)	Snow Bunting: Inkpen Hill, Berks. (Photo: Jerry O'Brien)

Starling roost: Marazion, Cornwall.

Redwing: Wyre Forest, Worcs. (Photo: John Robinson)	Fieldfare: Ballaugh Carrughs, Isle of Man. (Photo: Pete Hadfield)