Review of the Week: 23rd-29th June 2005

Pacific Golden Plover: Newbiggin, Northumberland. (Photo: Stef Mcelwee)	Pacific Golden Plover: Newbiggin, Northumberland. (Photo: E. Barnes)
Pacific Golden Plover: Newbiggin, Northumberland. (Photo: Alan Gilbertson)	Pacific Golden Plover: Newbiggin, Northumberland. (Photo: Alan Gilbertson)

As might be expected, waders provided the majority of interest during the week. An adult Pacific Golden Plover at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea (Northumberland) from Saturday 25th-27th conformed nicely with the expected late summer occurrence peak for this species. Surprisingly, perhaps, there is only one previously accepted record for Northumberland, with a late June bird in 1991. In Devon an adult Marsh Sandpiper was at Bowling Green Marsh from Tuesday 28th onwards; this too will represent a county 2nd, and follows one on one date in 1990 in early May. The Collared Pratincole remained at the National Wetlands Centre (Carmarthen) through to early on 29th and was then relocated at Llyn Maelog (Anglesey) later the same day. Also on Anglesey, the Terek Sandpiper was last reported from Cemlyn on 23rd. In Kent the Black-winged Stilt was last seen at Denge Marsh (Kent) on 23rd, and this seems a timely point to comment on the apparent demise of 'Sammy' the Black-winged Stilt at Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk) who has not been reported since late May - presumably in his absence the species will now revert to being something of a rarity. Also in Norfolk, a Red-necked Phalarope was at Titchwell on 23rd and Burnham Norton from 26th-27th.

Marsh Sandpiper: Bowling Green Marsh, Devon. (Photo: Steve Evans)	Marsh Sandpiper: Bowling Green Marsh, Devon. (Photo: Steve Evans)
Marsh Sandpiper: Bowling Green Marsh, Devon. (Photo: Mike Lockyear)	Marsh Sandpiper: Bowling Green Marsh, Devon. (Photo: Mike Lockyear)

Terek Sandpiper: Cemlyn, Anglesey. (Photo: Chris Jones)

Arctic Warbler: Fair Isle, Shetland. (Photo: Deryk Shaw)	Blyth’s Reed Warbler: Fair Isle, Shetland. Present on 16th June (Photo: Deryk Shaw)

An interesting cast of rarities were well scattered across the country. A Pallid Swift was reported at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on Sunday 26th and a Red-rumped Swallow was at Blackhill (Aberdeenshire) on Tuesday 28th. A Red-flanked Bluetail reported from a Cambridgeshire garden on Sunday 26th would seem most unlikely, but gardens do have a reputation for attracting the unexpected, so who knows? On Shetland, both the Paddyfield Warbler and Arctic Warbler from last week remained to the 23rd, on Unst and Fair Isle respectively. The Snowy Owl was again seen on Benbecula (Outer Hebrides) during the week and Laughing Gulls were seen at Cobh and Cork City (Co. Cork) on 26th and 29th and Burray (Orkney) on 29th. A Gull-billed Tern was reported from Selsey Bill (W. Sussex) on 26th with another at Whitburn (Durham) on 27th, and a Caspian Tern was reported over Warsash (Hants) on 27th.

Laughing Gull: Cork City, Co. Cork. (Photo: Oweb Foley)

Red-rumped Swallow: Blackhill, Aberdeenshire. (Photo: Andy Webb)	Snowy Owl: Benbecula, Outer Hebrides. (Photo: Joynes)

A small arrival of Rose-coloured Starlings included birds at Mid Ardlaw (Aberdeenshire) and Dyffryn Ardudwy (Gwynedd) on 25th, one at Flamborough Head (E. Yorks) on 27th and 28th, a 1st-summer at The Mullet (Co. Mayo) on 29th and one found dead on the Isle of Bute on 29th. Bee-eaters were noted over Buckenham Marshes (Norfolk) on 23rd and Penmon Point (Anglesey) on 26th, with two heard over Sutton-in-Ashfield (Notts) on 26th. A Golden Oriole was at Dungeness (Kent) on 28th and female Red-backed Shrikes were seen on St. Mary's (Scilly), Fyvie (Aberdeenshire) and Dungeness (Kent). Brief Marsh Warblers were at Grimley (Worcs) on 26th and Unst (Shetland) on 28th. A Short-toed Lark was on Bryher (Scilly) on 23rd.

Common Crane: Unst, Shetland. (Photo: Mike Pennington)	Spoonbill: Oare Marshes, Kent. (Photo: David Campbell)
Quail: Ancholme Valley, Lincs. (Photo: Graham Catley)	Quail: Ancholme Valley, Lincs. (Photo: Graham Catley)
King Eider: Troon, Ayrs. (Photo: Alice)	Roseate Tern: Rye Harbour, E. Sussex. (Photo: Sean Nixon)

Great White Egrets were reported from Breydon Water (Norfolk) and Selsey Bill (W. Sussex), and a Purple Herons was at Shapwick Heath (Somerset) with others reported from Tophill Low (E. Yorks) and Tittesworth Reservoir (Staffs). The Night Heron was last reported on St. Mary's (Scilly) on 25th. Female Red-footed Falcons were reported from Derbyshire Bridge (Derbyshire) and Polgigga (Cornwall) on 23rd and the only Black Kite was on South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 29th. The Rough-legged Buzzard was present at Loch of Strathbeg (Aberdeenshire) to at least 25th. A Sabine's Gull was at Cobh (Co. Cork) on 29th and Ring-billed Gulls were at Seaforth (Lancs), Blennerville (Co. Kerry) and Oban (Argyll). Rare ducks were represented by a King Eider and Surf Scoter in Aberdeenshire, Green-winged Teal in Cheshire, American Wigeon in Angus/Dundee and Roscommon and Ring-necked Ducks in Somerset and on Scilly.

Cuckoo: Bardney, Lincs. (Photo: Russell Hayes)	Cuckoo: Bardney, Lincs. (Photo: Russell Hayes)
Goosander: Dovedale, Derbys. (Photo: Will Bowell)	Kingfisher: Aber Ogwen, Gwynedd. (Photo: John Morris)
Yellow Wagtail: Ashwell, Herts. (Photo: Nigel Blake)	Sedge Warbler: Fife Ness, Fife. (Photo: John Anderson)
Common Redstart: Errwood Res, Derbys. (Photo: Sue Tranter)	Common Redstart: Errwood Res, Derbys. (Photo: Sue Tranter)