Review of the Week: 23rd-29th November 2006

On the Outer Hebrides the Snowy Owl continues at Bru, Lewis, and a possible White-tailed Eagle was reported at Hickling (Norfolk) on 28th. The juvenile Night Heron remained at North Slob (Co. Wexford) as did the Glossy Ibis at Fluke Hall (Lancs) and Cattle Egret on the Otter NR (Devon). The Great White Egret was still at Blashford Lakes (Hants), with presumably it, or another, at West Parley (Dorset) on 23rd and one passed over Amwell GPs (Herts) on 27th. The Rough-legged Buzzard is still on the Harty Marshes (Kent) and another was again reported from Banks Marsh (Lancs), whilst the Osprey remained at Nayland (Suffolk) with another over Ely (Cambs) on 28th. Up to 18 Spoonbills were at large, comprised mostly of 8 on Brownsea Island (Dorset) and 6 at Isley Marsh (Devon).

Spoonbill: Kinneil Lagoon, Forth (photo: R.L. Brown).

An Alpine Swift was reported over Kenfig Pool (Glamorgan) on 29th, and late swifts in East Yorkshire and Dorset were treated with deserved caution, and were part of a number of late records of summer visitors still to be found in the mild conditions. The female Siberian Stonechat was still present on Goonhilly Downs (Cornwall) to the 26th and the Dusky Warbler was still at Spurn (E. Yorks) on at least the 24th. Pallas's Warblers were at Kilnsea (E. Yorks) on 26th and Durlston CP (Dorset) from 16th-27th, with six Yellow-browed Warblers for backup, with five in the southwest and one at Lancing (W. Sussex). Siberian Chiffchaffs were at Slimbridge (Glos) and Fair Isle (Shetland) and the elusive Little Bunting was again at Benacre (Suffolk) briefly on 24th and 25th. A typically late trio of Richard's Pipits included Yorkshire birds at Filey and Spurn and one at Llandudno (Conwy), whilst the only Great Grey Shrike on offer was at Burley (Hants). Typical winter visitors were also in short supply, with just 7 Scottish Waxwings, five of which were in Westill (Aberdeenshire), 27 Shore Lark, 24 of which were in Norfolk and three briefly in East Yorkshire, and just half-a-dozen Lapland Buntings.

Waxwing: Callander, Forth (photo: Graeme Stephen).

'New' rare waders included a Long-billed Dowitcher on the Alaw Estuary (Anglesey) from 28th onwards, Lesser Yellowlegs at Carnan, S. Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 28th and an American Golden Plover at Newbiggin (Northumbs) from 25th-26th. Long-staying waders included the Spotted Sandpiper on the Hayle Estuary (Cornwall), along with the Lesser Yellowlegs at Rosscarbery (Co. Cork) and Long-billed Dowitcher on the Oare Marshes (Kent), plus an American Golden Plover was again on Lewis (Outer Hebrides) on 27th. White-rumped Sandpipers included birds at Cley (Norfolk) and Ballycotton (Co. Cork), plus one was still at Kilcoole (Co. Wexford) with it, or another, at North Slob. A Dotterel was at Cley from 28th-29th and Grey Phalaropes included brief birds at Mudeford (Dorset) on 25th and Maidens (Ayrshire) on 26th, one at West Thurrock (Essex) on 28th with perhaps the same at Rainham Marshes (London) the same day. The long-staying bird at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) was last seen on the 26th.

Kumlien's Gull: Culmore Dump, L'derry (photo: Derek Charles).

Iceland Gull: Culmore Dump, L'derry (photo: Derek Charles).	Iceland Gull: Killybegs, Co. Donegal (photo: Derek Charles).

Little Auk: Snettisham, Norfolk (photo: Lee Johnson).

Gull enthusiasts were able to embrace their subject matter further this week with increased numbers of scarcer gulls, including in the region of 35 Iceland Gulls, 15 Glaucous Gulls and 25 Caspian Gulls; there were also Kumlien's Gulls at Culmore Dump (L'derry) and a possible at Scalloway (Shetland). Rare gulls were in short supply though. Last week's Laughing Gull in Cambridgeshire was presumably the same bird in the roost at Amwell GPs (Herts) on 26th and early on 27th, with a 1st-winter Bonaparte's Gull at Marazion (Cornwall) on 23rd and an adult at Montrose (Angus/Dundee) on 26th. A Sabine's Gull passed Southwold (Suffolk) on the 25th and the Forster's Tern remained at Cruisetown (Co. Louth). A handful of Little Auks were reported, including the ever-popular, and obliging, bird at Snettisham. Balearic Shearwaters included one off Gorleston-on-Sea (Norfolk) on 25th and, in Devon, one passing Prawle Point on 26th and Berry Head on 27th. The cumulative number of inland Great Northern Diver reports reached into the teens, most of which were in the Midlands including several multiple records.

Lesser Scaup: Knock Lake, Co. Dublin (photo: Paul and Andrea Kelly).

The remainder of the wildfowl interest was provided by the long-staying Black Scoter off Llanfairfechan (Conwy), and there was a Lesser Scaup at Caerlaverock (Dumfries and Galloway) on 27th, with another identified at Knock Lake (Co. Dublin) and the long-staying 1st-winter drake on North Uist (Outer Hebrides). A dozen Ring-necked Ducks included three at Lough Fern (Co. Donegal) whilst the female Ferruginous Duck was still at New Hythe GPs (Kent) and another was reported from Druridge Pools (Northumbs) on 23rd, with birds re-identified as hybrids at Pine Lake (Lancs) and Blyford (Suffolk). The only Surf Scoters were off Co. Kerry and Lothian, with four American Wigeon and 11 Green-winged Teal at large. The Red-breasted Geese remained in Lincolnshire and Dorset, half-a-dozen Black Brant were between Lincolnshire and Dorset, and both blue- and white-morph Snow Geese were in Norfolk with the white morph still in Highland.

Long-eared Owl: undisclosed, Lincs (photo: Graham Catley).	Long-eared Owl: undisclosed, Lincs (photo: Graham Catley).

Red Kite: Amersham, Bucks (photo: Andrew Moon).