The remnants of Storm Arwen meant that a busy few days of seawatching was on the cards for North Sea seawatchers, although few could have quite predicted the scale of the Brünnich's Guillemot influx that was to follow. Unprecedented numbers were logged along the North Sea coastline over the weekend between Whitby, North Yorkshire, and Fife Ness, Fife, with the coast between Hartlepool Headland, Cleveland, and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, especially fruitful.
No fewer than four birds were suspected of being involved between the latter two sites, with high counts of two off Hendon, Durham and three off Whitburn Coastal Park. A number of these were expertly photographed and videoed too, silencing the argument that they don't occur in the southern North Sea.
Brünnich's Guillemot, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland (John Graham).
On 26th, meanwhile, harbingers of the impending influx occurred: an unfortunately moribund bird at Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk (see here), was followed by one past St Agnes Head, Cornwall.
Brünnich's Guillemot, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk (Nathaniel Dargue).
Arguably the biggest find of all was a potential female-type White-winged/Stejneger's Scoter photographed flying west past Cley Marshes, Norfolk, on 28th. It appears to have a larger bill, thicker neck and less concaved bill profile than the accompanying Velvet, almost giving the appearance of a Common Eider. Unsurprisingly, either would be a major rarity in a British context, with just four accepted records of White-winged and none of Stejneger's (one has been recorded in Ireland, at Rossbeigh, Co Kerry, in 2011).
Possible White-winged/Stejneger's Scoter (right), Cley Marshes NWT, Norfolk (Alan Lewis).
A Long-toed Stint – perhaps the adult from earlier in the autumn at St Aidan's RSPB, West Yorkshire, relocating – appeared at the private Rockcliffe Marsh, Cumbria, on 23-24th. Unfortunately, despite access being arranged there would be no further sign of this attractive East Asian wanderer.
Long-toed Stint, Rockcliffe Marsh, Cumbria (Nick Franklin).
Tiree's first-ever Killdeer was at Sandaig, Tiree, on 21-22nd, moving to Balevullin the following day before a prompt disappearing act.
Killdeer, Balevullin, Tiree, Argyll (John Bowler).
After 11 blank days, the male Belted Kingfisher resurfaced along the River Ribble near Brockholes LWT, Lancashire, from 25th. With proof-of-life sparking renewed interest, it would go on to show sporadically until the week's end. Now that it seems a bit more reliable, you can be sure that it will attract plenty of interest during its winter stay.
Belted Kingfisher, Brockholes LWT, Lancashire (Jaz Hughes).
A male Desert Wheatear photographed at Keighley Moor, West Yorkshire, on 25th was an exceptional inland record. Amazingly a second for the county, the first was present near Gorple Reservoir between November 1949 and January 1950. Two Isabelline Wheatears were discovered on 23rd – at Cley Marshes NWT, Norfolk, and East Linton, Lothian.
Desert Wheatear, Keighley Moor, West Yorkshire (Fred Drake).
Isabelline Wheatear, Cley Marshes NWT, Norfolk (Jonathan Farooqi).
A first-winter isabelline shrike species was a surprise at Marloes Mere, Pembrokeshire, on 28th, while a late Rustic Bunting was a one-day visitor to Hartlepool, Cleveland, on 24th. Benacre, Suffolk, hosted a Hume's Leaf Warbler from 25th. In Shetland, a male Siberian/Stejneger's Stonechat was reported at Burnbank, Mainland, on 25th, with a Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at Brae, Mainland, two days later.
Isabelline shrike sp, Marloes Mere, Pembrokeshire (Fiona Day).
Rustic Bunting, Hartlepool, Cleveland (Arto Maatta).
A probable ringtail Pallid Harrier overflew Happisburgh, Norfolk, on 23rd. An unconfirmed Naumann's Thrush reported at Zennor, Cornwall, on 23rd would have proved a real turn-up for the books if verified – there have been just two previous British records.
The march of Lesser Scaup continued, with an outstanding count of no fewer than five first-winters at Loch Skerrols, Islay, throughout the week, likely the largest flock ever recorded in Britain and Ireland. The Outer Hebrides scored a new bird too – a juvenile at Loch an Daill, South Uist, from 22nd, while two females rocked up at Beesands Ley, Devon, from 23rd. Another lingered on Tresco, Scilly, too.
Lesser Scaup, Beesands Ley, Devon (David Boult).
Thorpe Park, Surrey, hosted a smart drake Ferruginous Duck from 23-26th, likely the one-day bird at Staines Reservoirs, London, on 22nd. The King Eider count at Hopeman, Moray & Nairn, increased to two on 24th – an adult drake with a first-winter drake. The adult drake White-winged Scoter still to be found off Musselburgh, Lothian, while the Pacific Diver lingered off Crookhaven, Co Cork.
Ferruginous Duck, Thorpe Park, Surrey (David Carlsson).
King Eider (third from left), Hopeman, Moray & Nairn (Nick Bray).
A Red-breasted Goose and Richardson's Cackling Goose both remained with Barnacle Geese on Islay, Argyll, at least one Red-breasted Goose still at Holliwell Point, Essex, until 24th at least. On North Uist, Outer Hebrides, three new Richardson's Cackling Geese were at Kyles Paible on 23rd, with a Grey-bellied Brant again at Lurgan Green, Co Louth, on 22nd.
Red breasted Goose and Richardson’s Cackling Goose from our recent Islay & Mull tour. Pics by CJ pic.twitter.com/oG6GTNaIDr
— Ribble Bird Tours, Lancashire, UK (@ribble_uk) November 22, 2021
In East Yorkshire, the White-tailed Lapwing remained at Blacktoft Sands RSPB, as did the Semipalmated Plover at Crookhaven, Co Cork, and Spotted Sandpiper at St Mary's, Scilly.
The regular Forster's Tern was back at Nimmo's Pier, Co Galway, on 23rd and a possible second-winter American Herring Gull was on Jura, Argyll, the previous day. A Fea's-type petrel flew north past Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, on 22nd
Scottish mainland
An impressive week of seawatching included no fewer than four White-billed Divers – past Eyemouth, Borders, and Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire, on 22nd and Fife Ness, Fife, and Girdle Ness on 28th – while Crail, Fife, scored a European Storm Petrel on 27th. Grey Phalaropes flew past St Abbs, Borders, and Fife Ness (two), on 28th, while one lingered at Dunbar, Lothian, for several hours on 27th.
On 28th, potential Kumlien's Gulls were recorded at Peterhead and Collieston, Aberdeenshire, while a confirmed second-winter was photographed off Girdle Ness the previous day. No fewer than eight Iceland Gulls were noted, with at least six Glaucous Gulls also recorded.
Common Gull, Scurdie Ness, Angus & Dundee (Mark Bolton).
Onshore, white-morph Snow Goose held out at Skinflats Lagoons, Forth, with a new Todd's Canada Goose at Auchencorvie, Argyll, on 24th. A Tundra Bean Goose at Skateraw, Lothian, on 27th too, while Surf Scoter remained off Lossiemouth, Moray & Nairn (two), and Musselburgh, Lothian (two). Two Smew – a drake and redhead – were at Lochwinnoch RSPB, Clyde, where a potential American Wigeon resided from 23-27th. Another Smew was at Gadloch, Clyde.
Two Swallows at Castletown, Caithness, must've felt somewhat lost, likewise House Martins at Greenan, Ayrshire, and Broughty Ferry, Angus & Dundee. Meanwhile, a Firecrest was at Morar, Highland, from 22-25th and 28 Waxwings flew south-west over Refouble Moor, Moray & Nairn, on 24th. On 22nd, a probable Rough-legged Buzzard was at Glen Kyllachy, Highland. The continuing Glossy Ibis at Blair Drummond, Forth, cut a popular figure until 26th, while a Great Egret remained at Caerlaverock WWT, Dumfries & Galloway.
Killdeer aside, a Todd's Canada Goose at Kenovay was the best on Tiree, Argyll, with three Ring-necked Duck also still present.
Todd's Canada Goose (centre), Kenovay, Tiree, Argyll (John Bowler).
Northern Isles and the Hebrides
A Todd's Canada Goose was new-in at Mid Yell on 22nd, before moving to Gossabrough on 24-26th. The adult drake Ring-necked Duck held out at Sand Water, Yell, throughout and a new female was at Loch of Tingwall, Mainland, on 27th. A single Tundra Bean Goose was at Burravoe, Yell, on 25th. The cold northerlies saw Glaucous Gulls at three sites, including four past Lamba Ness, Unst, on both 25th and 27th and a juvenile Iceland Gull was at Norwick, Unst. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Hamister, Whalsay, on 23rd.
Glaucous Gull, Lamba Ness, Unst, Shetland (David Cooper).
The 27th saw a light arrival of Glaucous Gulls on Orkney, with seven at Papa Westray and singles at two other sites. An unseasonal first-winter European Turtle Dove was at Orphir, Mainland, on 27-28th, and two Siberian Chiffchaffs were on Sanday.
The focus on the Outer Hebrides remained on wildfowl: Surf Scoter continued off Stornoway, Lewis, and Craigston, Barra, while on North Uist the drake Green-winged Teal was still at Loch Sandary and a Snow Goose was at Greinetobht. The Siberian Chiffchaff was still at Castlebay, Barra, until at least 28th.
Dan Owen
North-East England
Most of the week's highlights in the North-East came from the sea with White-billed Divers, Grey Phalaropes, and both Iceland and Glaucous Gulls logged from several watchpoints across the region. Little Auks, Black-throated Divers and Red-necked Grebes were also seen in good numbers and there were some notable counts of Great Northern Divers and Long-tailed Duck.
Long-tailed Duck, Holy Island, Northumberland (Steve Wilkinson).
In Northumberland, both Seaton Sluice and Holy Island scored Leach's Storm Petrels and the lingering Great Shearwater put in a couple more appearances at Boulmer and Stag Rocks at the end of the week. A candidate Kumlien's Gull flew north past Annstead Point on 28th and another was at Newburn, Cleveland, that afternoon.
The best of the rest included a late Pectoral Sandpiper at Hurworth Burn Reservoir, Durham, on 23rd, a Siberian Chiffchaff at Dorman's Pool and the drake Northern Eider again off Redcar – both in Cleveland. A Woodlark was an excellent find at Seaham, Durham on 28th.
Jonathan Farooqi
North-West England
The Hooded Crow remained at South Walney NR, Cumbria, this week and a female Greater Scaup was at Sunbiggin Tarn on 27th. Glossy Ibises were reported from Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB and Pilling Lane Ends, Lancashire, on 22nd and one flew over Lunt Meadows NR on 23rd, although how many birds were involved isn't clear. The four Snow Buntings continued to show at Southport, another was at Fleetwood on 21-22nd and three were on Pendle Hill on 25th. The Snow Goose overflew Hightown on 23rd and a drake Green-winged Teal was at Conder Pool from 26th.
Snow Bunting, Southport, Lancashire (Ron Jackson).
In Cheshire, two Snow Buntings were at Red Rocks and could be the same two which frequented Little Eye and up to two were at Shining Tor. The Black-necked Grebe was again reported at Acre Nook Sand Quarry on 22nd. Two Siberian Chiffchaffs were trapped and ringed at Woolston Eyes NR and the reserve scored its first Glossy Ibis on 25th. A Little Gull was at Sandbach Flashes on 27th. In Greater Manchester, the Red-throated Diver remained at Watergrove Reservoir throughout.
Dan Owen
Lincolnshire and Yorkshire
Seawatching highlights on the Lincolnshire coast included a Glaucous Gull past Chapel Point and several Little Auks. A Leach's Storm Petrel was off the River Witham mouth on 27th, with up to four Black-throated Divers. East Halton Skitter, on the Humber, boasted a European Storm Petrel on 27th followed by Long-tailed Duck and Pale-bellied Brent Geese on 28th. Four Pale-bellied Brents were also at Covenham Reservoir, where there was a Grey Phalarope from 27th. Inland, two Smew were at North Hykeham on 27th and the Ring-necked Duck was again at Baston Pits.
Ring-necked Duck, Baston & Langtoft Pits, Lincolnshire (Josh Jones).
Displaced Pale-bellied Brent were also a feature in interior Yorkshire, with three at St Aidan's RSPB and singles at Southfield Reservoir and Staveley YWT. St Aidan's also had a Twite on 28th, while a Great Northern Diver appeared at Tophill Low NR from 27th.
Little Auk, Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire (Lee Johnson).
The Yorkshire coast enjoyed some terrific seawatching on 27-28th, with a White-billed Diver passing Flamborough Head and later Long Nab and Saltwick Nab on 28th. Excellent tallies of Great Northern and Black-throated Divers, as well as Red-necked Grebe and Long-tailed Duck, were noted right along the coast, with Little Auks conspicuous in small numbers. Five sites noted Glaucous Gulls, with at least two Iceland Gulls also seen.
Josh Jones
West Midlands
Staffordshire's best sightings were saved until 28th, when the county's eighth Shore Lark was at Blithfield Reservoir and a Grey Phalarope was at Middleton Lakes RSPB. The female Ruddy Shelduck made irregular appearances to the later site, where a Curlew Sandpiper was reported on 22nd. The adult Ring-billed × Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid continued to spend its nights at Belvide Reservoir. A Greater Scaup was at Blithfield Reservoir on 23rd.
Ring-billed × Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid, Belvide Reservoir (PERMIT ONLY), Staffordshire (Steve Nuttall).
The juvenile Red-throated Diver was lengthened its stay at Brockhall GPs, Herefordshire, and a Waxwing was in a private garden at Walmley, West Midlands. In Worcestershire, a Glossy Ibis was reported by The Camp House Inn, Grimley, on 26th. A Great Northern Diver paid a brief visit to Draycote Water, Warwickshire, on 28th and the female Ruddy Shelduck could still be found at Ladywalk NR.
Dan Owen
East Midlands
In Derbyshire, a Great Grey Shrike up on Bonsall Moor was favouring much the same area as one last winter and it's fair to speculate it could be a returning bird.
Two redhead Smew at Holme Pierrepont on 24th were a welcome addition to the Nottinghamshire roll call. Another turned up at Colwick CP the following day. Elsewhere, 14 Russian White-fronts flew over Newark-on-Trent on 22nd, a juvenile Red-breasted Merganser was at Kingsmill Reservoir from 22nd and the Great Northern Diver remained at Langford Lowfields RSPB until 23rd. A Northern Gannet flew over Scrooby on 27th and a Glaucous Gull was a brief visitor to Attenborough NR on 28th.
Red-breasted Merganser, Kingsmill Reservoir, Nottinghamshire (Robin Brace).
Northants had the rare privilege of hosting both Dark-bellied and Pale-bellied Brent Geese this week. The former involved the continuing first-winter at Clifford Hill GPs and the latter a one-day bird at Boddington Reservoir on 27th – the first county record of this subspecies. Other bits included the Pitsford Reservoir Wood Sandpiper and the pair of Smew at Ringstead GPs until 23rd.
Storm Arwen produced a Leach's Storm Petrel at Rutland Water, Leics & Rutland, on 27th. The site also played host to both Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe, six Common Scoter and five Greater Scaup. The first Smew of the season returned on 24th. A Lapland Bunting was mingling with Eurasian Skylarks at Grimston on 23rd, having first been glimpsed on 4th. The young female Ring-necked Duck remained at Eyebrook Reservoir, with two Smew and up to four Greater Scaup for company. A single Greater Scaup was still at Swithland Reservoir.
Dan Owen
East of England
The north Norfolk coast produced some vintage seawatching in the face of Storm Arwen, with some watchers boasting 'six-auk' days, plus an excellent array of grebes, divers and seaduck. No fewer than six sites scored Glaucous Gull, with Cley claiming at least two.
Little Gull, Cley Marshes NWT, Norfolk (Nathaniel Dargue).
Away from the seas, a Red-flanked Bluetail was at Blakeney Point on 22-23rd, with a Dusky Warbler at Holkham Pines on the same dates. A Richard's Pipit overflew Heacham on 22nd, while scarce geese included the Todd's Canada near Great Bircham and a Black Brant at Cley.
Great Grey Shrike, Waxham, Norfolk (Tim Smith).
Suffolk was somewhat living in Norfolk's shadow in terms of seawatching, but several sites produced Little Auks. A Leach's Storm Petrel passed Ness Point on 22nd and Grey Phalaropes were off Kessingland on 23rd and Felixstowe Ferry on 27th. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Southwold on 24th. Five Shore Larks at Hollesley Marshes RSPB on 28th were welcome, with three still at Slaughden to 24th. Bizarrely, a Black-crowned Night Heron flew over Landguard NR on 25th.
Snow Bunting, Bawdsey, Suffolk (John Richardson).
Two Red-necked and a Slavonian Grebe were among the birds on offer at Abberton Reservoir, Essex. A Glaucous Gull flew upriver at Canvey Island on 22nd and a Black-throated Diver lingered at West Mersea on 23-24th. In the Lee Valley, a male Smew appeared. Smew and Russian White-fronted Goose were highlights from Amwell NR, Hertfordshire, with Stocker's Lake producing a Siberian Chiffchaff on 23rd.
In Bedfordshire, the American Wigeon was seen again at Marston Vale CP on 23-24th and the Greater Scaup remained at Grovebury Sand Pit. Cambridgeshire held two Great Grey Shrikes, with the Comberton bird supplemented by a second at the Ouse Washes on 23rd. The returning Kumlien's Gull was again seen at Heydon, three Hawfinches were at Wimpole Hall, and Grafham Water's Great Northern and Red-throated Divers were joined by a couple of Pale-bellied Brent Geese on 28th.
Josh Jones
South-East England
A week of cold northerlies, including Storm Arwen and her associated Arctic winds, were conducive to some decent Kent seawatching – five sites scored Leach's Storm Petrel (all on 22nd), while Little Auks were at four sites, including four past Deal Pier on 28th. The wintry feel was emphasised by a Glaucous Gull at Seasalter on 27th and an Iceland Gull at North Foreland on 28th, while Snow Buntings were seen at seven different locales. Chetney Marshes scored a Rough-legged Buzzard on 22nd, a Black Brant was at Swalecliffe from 24th and Cliffe Pools hosted a Black-throated Diver from 26th. Continuing scarcities included the Pallas's Warbler, which reappeared at South Foreland, the Swalecliffe Siberian Chiffchaff and Glossy Ibis at Dungeness.
Dartford Warbler, Reculver, Kent (Alex Perry).
It was rather quiet in Hampshire, where two Snow Buntings were still knocking about on Hayling Island. A Siberian Chiffchaff found at Titchfield Haven on 23rd was joined by another on 26th. A very late Common Redstart was a surprise in the New Forest at Knightwood Oak on 23rd.
A Snow Bunting at Worthing's Marine Gardens was a popular customer in Sussex from 23rd, as was a showy Long-tailed Duck found on the same day at Southwick. Five Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Thorney Island, where wintering Short-eared Owl numbers increased to five, often performing well – this is the most reliable site for this species in the South-East so far this autumn. Other bits included a Siberian Chiffchaff at Pagham Harbour on 25th and the continuing Black-necked Grebe and Hooded Crow at Rye Harbour and Polegate respectively.
Long-tailed Duck, Southwick, West Sussex (Nick Bond).
Continuing bits in Surrey included the Western Cattle Egrets, Greater Scaup and Ring-necked Duck. In London, Staines Reservoirs enjoyed a productive week with Long-tailed Duck and Slavonian Grebe recorded. A Great Northern Diver was at King George V Reservoir from 22nd and a Hooded Crow flew over Rainham Marshes on 23rd.
The Berkshire Pink-footed Goose remained at Padworth Lane GPs, while the second-winter Iceland Gull in Buckinghamshire began roosting at Little Marlow GPs, as well as visiting Beaconsfield tip in the daytime. In Oxfordshire, the drake Ring-necked Duck at Radley GPs and the female at Sutton Courtenay/Appleford GPs were present until 22nd. Farmoor and Sonning Eye continued to host Greater Scaup.
Ed Stubbs
South-West England
There was just one report of a Dusky Warbler on Scilly this week with a single on St Mary's on 24th. At least five Siberian Chiffchaffs and a Yellow-browed Warbler remained on the island too, with a late Willow Warbler on Tresco.
Willow Warbler, Tresco, Isles of Scilly (Kris Webb).
The juvenile American Golden Plover remained on the Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, throughout the week along with seven Ring-necked Duck at Dozmary Pool. Four localities scored Siberian Chiffchaffs and Leach's Storm Petrels were noted from seawatches at St Ives and Pendeen. The Rosy Starling at the latter locality put in another appearance on 22nd.
As many as three Siberian Chiffchaffs were at Clennon Valley Lakes, Devon, on 24th. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained at Beesands Ley and two Glossy Ibises were still at Fremington Pill on 25th. A Great Grey Shrike was reported on Molland Common the following day and there was a late report of a Barred Warbler on Lundy on 14th.
Iceland Gull, Weymouth, Dorset (Matthew Barfield).
The Pallas's Warbler at Weymouth, Dorset, lingered throughout the week. Two Siberian Chiffchaffs were also seen there with singles at three other localities. The Little Auk remained in Weymouth Harbour until 24th with a second-winter Iceland Gull there three days later.
Snow Bunting, Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire (Jonathan Bull).
Slimbridge WWT held onto its Todd's Canada Goose until 23rd with up to 47 Bewick's Swans, three Greenland and 83 Russian White-fronted Geese also there. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Frampton-on-Severn on 23rd and the Snow Bunting lingered at Cleeve Hill throughout.
Ring-necked Duck, Ham Wall RSPB, Somerset & Bristol (Jeff Hazell).
A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, from 23rd and the drake Ring-necked Duck was still at Ham Wall RSPB, along with a couple of Siberian Chiffchaffs and a Glossy Ibis. The Glossy Ibis near Westhay was still present until at least 23rd and the Dipper at Marlborough, Wiltshire, continued to linger, with two reported there on 25th.
Jonathan Farooqi
Wales
A decent few days seawatching included an adult Pomarine Skua past Little Orme, Conwy, on 27th, while Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire, scored one alongside a Grey Phalarope the previous day. Another Grey Phal was off Llanddona, Anglesey, on 28th – the same day a juvenile Iceland Gull was at Teifi Estuary, Pembrokeshire. The Ring-billed × Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid at Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, Pembrokeshire, continued too.
In Glamorgan, two female Ring-necked Duck remained mobile around the Cardiff Bay area, while a new first-winter graced Rosebush Reservoir, Pembrokeshire, on 23rd. Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire, scored a juvenile Surf Scoter from 23rd, with a drake still off Pensarn, Conwy. Two Goosander off Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, on 22nd are just the third record for the island – after birds in 1961 and 1988.
Surf Scoter, Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire (Luke Gravett).
A young Rosy Starling was at Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd, from 20-22nd, while a Great Grey Shrike delighted all-comers to Bryn Trillyn, Conwy, throughout and a Hooded Crow lingered at Gann Estuary, Pembrokeshire, until 22nd. Siberian Chiffchaffs visited Amlwch, Anglesey, Kenfig NNR and Oxwich, Glamorgan, and Llanelli Wetland Centre WWT, Carmarthen (two). No fewer than 20 Hawfinches at Llanelltyd, Gwynedd, was a notable count.
Ireland
A Lesser Yellowlegs at Lough Atedaun, Co Clare, on 24th could be the bird seen recently in Co Galway. Elsewhere, the Tacumshin bird was reported again. Up to two American Golden Plovers were in the Ballycotton area of Co Cork.
Two Glossy Ibises flew over Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, on 22nd, with two also at Tacumshin and one at Ballycotton. A Eurasian Spoonbill was still on show at Rosslare, Co Wexford. Adult Ring-billed Gulls were still at Nimmo's Pier, Co Galway, and Blackrock, Co Louth. A very slight upturn in white-winged gull numbers included four Iceland Gulls at Killybegs, Co Donegal.
Greater Scaup, Dublin, Dublin (John Murphy).
Wildfowl news included three Ring-necked Duck at Lough Colga, Co Sligo, on 28th, with two still at large in Co Monaghan, the female at Leixlip, Co Kildare, and presumably a returning male at Knockaderry Reservoir, Co Waterford. Green-winged Teal continued at Blennerville, Co Kerry, and Kinsale Marsh, Co Cork, while the Surf Scoter was still at Smerwick Harbour, Co Kerry.
A European Turtle Dove was at Inch, Co Cork, on 24th. A handful of Siberian Chiffchaffs were reported, with Black Redstarts included one as far west as Tralee, Co Kerry.
Josh Jones
Western Palearctic
In the week that saw the species added to the British list, Norway's Ross's Goose crossed the Skagerrak to Torup Holme, Denmark, from 24th and a drake Black Scoter continued off Tisvilde Hegn. A male Brown Shrike was at Karmøy, Norway, on 23rd, while the young male Siberian Rubythroat at Vargön, Sweden, looked rather dapper in the snow.
Two Rustic Buntings at Plateaux du Tadmait, Algeria, from 23rd are just the second and third national records, as well as the third and fourth for the African continent. In Spain, the El Hondo Sociable Lapwing and Cartagena Laughing Gull both remained in-situ.
Rustic Bunting, Plateaux du Tadmait, Ghardaïa (Rob Minshull).
The Azorean Snowy Egret arrival continued unabated, with no fewer than five Terceira sights scoring sightings, including three at Lagoa do Junco. Two Great Blue Herons were at Paul da Praia too, with two American Great Egrets, three Semipalmated Plovers, Least Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and four Ring-necked Duck also present.
In The Netherlands, the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and Pygmy Cormorant both lingered; a Greater Spotted Eagle was at Wachtebeke, Belgium, from 25th. Poland's first Pacific Diver was a marvellous find on Miedwie from 22nd. Amazingly, Romania's first record of Pink-footed Goose – a flock of 108 – was at Ciuchici.
