Review of the Week: 21st–27th May

Collared Flycatcher, Tiree, Argyll (Photo: John Bowler)

Plenty of other high quality passerines also arrived, with an easterly airflow enticing birds across the North Sea. It's a sign of the times when Blyth's Reed Warblers appear to almost outnumber their commoner Marsh cousins, but there was a genuine threat of that this week. Once a mega rarity — especially in spring — no less than half a dozen appeared in a four-day spell. The first birds were on 24th — at Writtle (Essex) and on Foula (Shetland), though the former was reported a day later. Another was trapped and ringed at Long Nab (N Yorks) on 25th, followed by a singing bird on Skomer (Pembrokeshire) on 27th. Two more came on 27th — at Solas, North Uist (Outer Hebs) and on Fair Isle. There were in fact seven Marsh Warblers this week, with two on Orkney (Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay), three on Shetland and mainland birds at Long Nab (N Yorks) and in Lincolnshire.

Marsh Warbler, Lincolnshire, 21st May 2014 (Recording: Graham Catley).

The year's first Greenish Warbler was in song at Landguard (Suffolk) on 27th, while a male Western Subalpine Warbler was at Esha Ness (Shetland) on 25th. Icterine Warblers were relatively thin on the ground, with numbers failing to rise out of single figures and only one away from Shetland — at Skinningrove (Cleveland) on 24th. In contrast, it looks a good year for Great Reed Warblers already, with four found this week. One chose the slightly bizarre location of a man-made pond on Green Park Business Park in Reading (Berks) to sing on 22nd, but was unsurprisingly gone by the following morning. Another was singing at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 24–25th, while Lincolnshire grabbed two brief records — trapped and ringed at Gibraltar Point on 23rd and another briefly in song at Saltfleetby on 25th. Altogether more confiding was a Savi's Warbler at the ever-improving Newport Wetlands (Gwent) — it could be heard singing there, and often showing well, from 24th onwards.

Savi's Warbler, Newport Wetlands, Gwent (Photo: Brian Thompson)

Savi's Warbler, Newport Wetlands, Gwent (Recording: Darryl Spittle)

Icterine Warbler, Skinningrove, Cleveland (Photo: Martyn Sidwell)

Great Reed Warbler, Chew Valley Lake, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Mike Trew)

Great Reed Warbler, Reading, Berkshire (Photo: Mark Leitch)

It's been a poor spring for Alpine Swift records, so birds on Jersey on 23rd, at Hermaness, Unst (Shetland) on 24th and at Marwick and Birsay (Orkney) on 26–27th were notable. Among a very light scattering of Grey-headed Wagtails in eastern areas, the year's first Black-headed Wagtail was at Funzie, Fetlar (Shetland), on 25th. A couple of Citrine Wagtails were found, with a male at Haroldswick, Unst, on 23rd and a female on Bardsey Island (Gwynedd) on 25–26th. A Red-rumped Swallow flew south at Felixstowe (Suffolk) on 23rd, with the Shetland bird still at Loch of Hillwell on 22nd and it or another at Boddam on 25th. A Short-toed Lark remained on Fair Isle.

Citrine Wagtail, Bardsey Island, Gwynedd (Photo: Ben Porter)

Citrine Wagtail, Haroldswick, Unst, Shetland (Photo: Robbie Brookes)

Other typical drift migrants included decent numbers of Red-backed Shrikes and Common Rosefinches. The former were relatively well spread with at least four in the Spurn area (E Yorks) on 23rd; rosefinches typically showed a greater bias towards the Northern Isles — two were on the Out Skerries on 23rd while red males were pleasant on the eye at Toab and Virkie. On the mainland there was a brief record from Spurn Point, while Portland (Dorset) held one on 26–27th, as did Landguard on the latter date.

Red-backed Shrike, The Gloup, Mainland, Orkney (Photo: Ian Cunningham)

Red-backed Shrike, Bothal Pond, Northumberland (Photo: Hector Galley)

Red-backed Shrike, Pontefract, West Yorkshire (Photo: Michael Hemingway)

Common Rosefinch, Toab, Mainland, Shetland (Photo: Roger Riddington)

Common Rosefinch, Landguard NR, Suffolk (Photo: Chris Mayne)

Red-breasted Flycatchers were widely spread from Housel Bay (Cornwall) on 22nd right up to Shetland, where one was on the Out Skerries. Others were at Kilnsea (E Yorks) on 23–24th, Long Nab (N Yorks) on 24th, on the Farne Islands (Northumberland) on 27th and the Isle of May (Fife) on 26–27th. A handful of Bluethroats were seen, including a couple on Fair Isle; the only mainland record came from Flamborough Head on 23rd.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Kilnsea, East Yorkshire (Photo: Jon Lowes)

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Housel Bay, Cornwall (Photo: Brian Mellow)

Red-spotted Bluethroat, Sumburgh, Mainland, Shetland (Photo: Hugh Harrop)

As it transpired, it was probably one of the best weeks for Rustic Buntings in years, with six reported. Birds were on Tiree (Argyll), North Ronaldsay and at Skaw, Unst on 21st, with three more on 27th: at Virkie and Out Skerries (both Shetland), and on Iona (Argyll). A couple of Black-headed Buntings were also pleasant finds, with a female on Skomer (Pembrokeshire) on 21st–24th and a male briefly visiting a feeding station in Cromer (Norfolk) on 26th.

Woodchats included a significant record from Skinningrove (Cleveland) from 24–27th, with at least one — probably two — on St Mary's (Scilly) during the week. Serins were at Portland on 26th and Ventnor (IoW) the following day, while male Two-barred Crossbills were again reported at Lynford Arboretum (Norfolk) and Hemsted Forest (Kent) — this is the first report of the latter since mid-April.

Woodchat Shrike, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly (Photo: Robin Mawer)

Several Hoopoes were reported, although the only one to linger was at Ravenscar (N Yorks) on 24–25th; Scottish records came from Dundonald (Ayrshire), Innerleithen (Borders) and the Isle of Skye, while there were further records from Teigngrace (Devon) on 23rd and Westwood Pool (Worcs) on 26th. New Wrynecks were at Newbiggin (Northumberland) on 21st and Withernsea (E Yorks) on 24th, while the long-stayer remained near Boddam (Shetand) on 27th.

Wryneck, Boddam, Mainland, Shetland (Photo: Willie)

A productive week for Bee-eater sightings saw a group of five entertain many in the Flamborough area on 22–23rd, before the same flock flew south over Tunstal on 24th and then Spurn on 25th, last seen heading south into Lincolnshire. Four at New Romney (Kent) on 23rd were later seen around Dungeness on 24th–25th, with three flying out to sea up the coast at Bockhill on the latter date. At least five over Helpston (Cambs) on 25th was an excellent inland record, though it was not isolated with a single over Otmoor (Oxon) on 24th. Four lingered around Portland (Dorset) on 27th, with other records coming from Corton (Suffolk) on 22nd, Winterton (Norfolk) and Tralee (Kerry) on 23rd, and St Martin's (Scilly) on 26th.

Bee-eater, Flamborough (village), East Yorkshire (Photo: Tony Dixon)

Bee-eater, Flamborough (village), East Yorkshire (Photo: Lee Johnson)

A Black Kite over Longframlington (Northumberland) on 21st was presumably the one seen later over Jedburgh (Borders); other records came from Nettlecombe (Devon) on 26th and Eastbourne (E Sussex) on 27th. A Red-footed Falcon was brief at Portland on 27th, while Guernsey's fourth Rough-legged Buzzard was at Rue des Hougues on 25–26th, with another in Ingram Valley (Northumbs) on 26th. A (the) male Snowy Owl was on Benbecula on 23rd.

Rough-legged Buzzard, Rue des Hougues, Guernsey (Photo: Wayne Turner)

Lincolnshire's Terek Sandpiper was last seen early on 21st at Covenham Reservoir before it flew off; a Broad-billed Sandpiper inland at Nosterfield NR (N Yorks) on 25–26th was significant not only for its location but decision to linger a second day. A Kentish Plover was a great record at Pool Roag, Skye (Highland), on 23rd.Red-necked Phalaropes — possibly one and the same — were at Old Wolverton (Beds) on 22nd and March Farmers (Cambs) on 23rd, while a Grey Phalarope was a brief visitor to Sanday (Orkney) and must have looked rather splendid. Pectoral Sandpipers were at Gibraltar Point (Lincs) from 21–23rd, Swine Moor (E Yorks) from 22–24th and Newport Wetlands (Gwent) on 27th, but the exciting news of the week concerned the announcement of two pairs of breeding Black-winged Stilts, now under 24-hour surveillance, in West Sussex and Kent respectively. Another bird was at Meare Heath (Somerset) from 23–25th.

Terek Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir, Lincolnshire (Photo: Dean Eades)

Broad-billed Sandpiper, Nosterfield LNR, North Yorkshire (Photo: David Aitken)

Black-winged Stilt, Meare Heath, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Gregor Tims)

We've not had the weather for the remarkable numbers of passage Long-tailed Skuas as witnessed last year, so 48 past Westray on 21st was notable. More significant, though, was an inland record from Hatfield Moors (S Yorks) from 25–27th. At least one immature Ring-billed Gull remained around Dublin Bay, while White-winged Black Terns included the triumvirate still at Balranald, North Uist, to 24th, and a lingering adult at Inch Island Lake (Donegal) on 24–25th in addition to briefer birds past Walney Island (Cumbria) on 25th, Stronsay (Orkney) on 26th and Long Nanny (Northumberland) on 27th.

Long-tailed Skua, Hatfield Moors, South Yorkshire (Photo: Colin Neale)

White-winged Black Tern, Balranald RSPB, N.Uist, Outer Hebrides (Photo: David Aitken)

Black Storks were over Horncastle (Lincs) and Heald Green (Gtr Man) during the afternoon of 21st, following a report of a possible over Holmes Chapel (Cheshire) on 21st. Then, on 26th, a bird overflew Wintersett Reservoir (W Yorks) and was later tracked from Southfield Reservoir (S Yorks) over Goole and Thorne Moors and into Lincolnshire. Presumably the same individual later flew north over East Cottingwith (E Yorks) and then Malton (N Yorks). A further report came from Alfriston (E Sussex) on 27th. An adult Night Heron was at Filey Dams (N Yorks) on 25th, with a male Little Bittern at Elton Reservoir (Gtr Man) for two days from 25th. Two Cattle Egrets remained at Tacumshin (Wexford), while Purple Heron records came from Minsmere (Suffolk) on 21–22nd, Marazion (Cornwall) on 22–23rd, St Martin's (Scilly) on 23rd and Dewsbury (W Yorks) on 26th.

Night Heron, Filey Dams YWT, North Yorkshire (Photo: Graham Holgate)

Little Bittern, Elton Reservoir, Greater Manchester (Photo: Ivan Ellison)

Little Bittern, Elton Reservoir, Greater Manchester (Photo: rezMole)

Purple Heron, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire (Photo: John Hamilton)

Finally, a mention for the week's wildfowl, of which there was a good selection. A drake Blue-winged Teal was at Clonakilty (Cork) on 27th, with Green-winged Teal in the county at The Gearagh on 22nd and Clogheen Marsh on 27th. Other 'GWT' were at Ynys-hir (Ceredigion) on 23rd and Loch Gruinart, Islay, on 22–23rd, while a pair of American Wigeon was at Caerlaverock (Dumfries & Galloway) on 24th in addition to remaining drakes on Lewis (Outer Hebrides) and in Aberdeenshire. A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Barns Ness (Lothian) from 24th and is presumably a returning bird, while a drake Lesser Scaup was at Frodsham Marsh (Cheshire) on 26–27th. The familiar feel along the Aberdeenshire coastline continued with the drake King Eider on the Ythan Estuary and two drake Surf Scoters off Blackdog; another Surfer — a female — was off Castletown (Highland) on 25th–26th, where there was also a White-billed Diver on the former date (another White-billed Diver was off Lossiemouth on 25th).