Hume's Warbler + Stejneger's Stonechat, Easington 10th November 2019

A trip over to the East coast was required on Sunday morning since both Hume's Warbler and Siberian/Stejneger's Stonechat were present near Spurn at Easington along Eastfield Road (also known as Peter Lane). Setting off early I arrived on site mid-morning.

As it turned out both birds were within 50yds of each other. The Hume's Warbler gave excellent views as it made its way to and fro along the hedge bordering Peter Lane, whilst the 'Eastern' Stonechat stayed around the flooded field close to some farm buildings.

Photo of Hume's Warbler by Simon Knight.

Whether the 'Eastern' Stonechat is Siberian or Stejneger's is someting only DNA analysis or in-the-hand obsevations will be able to tell. One of the Spurn Observatory members was trying to trap the chat, but I don't know whether he was successful. At present its identity is undecided.

Photos of 'Eastern' Stonechat by Simon Knight: Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 | Photo 4

I headed for Spurn Point and as I approached Kilnsea Wetlands I noticed a group of birders looking at something opposite the Wetlands Centre. I pulled over to find they were watching a Black Brant with its hybrid offspring. A new bird for me, but only the American subspecies of Brent Goose, of which there were many present.

Update: 6th December 2019 - DNA confirmation of the Easington chat as Stejneger's Stonechat.

Egyptian Goose, Denhall 10th October 2019

An Egyptian Goose turned up at Denhall on 1st October 2019, first reported via Wirral Birders WhatsApp group. I popped over there earlier today to take a look.

At first I was unable to locate the Egyptian Goose, but it then appeared at the back of the near flooded area on the left, working its way along a fenceline & disappearing at times or with just its head & neck visible.

A female/immature type Hen Harrier glided past whilst I was searching for the Egyptian Goose. The harrassing calls of a group of Crows alerted me. They continued to harrass the Harrier, which seemed to take little notice, flicking left and right until the Crows lost interest. The Hen Harrier headed towards Burton Point and out of view.

Red-eyed Vireo, Church Cove 3rd October 2019

A Red-eyed Vireo was found by local birder D. Collins (who also found the Brown Booby at Kynance Cove) in the grounds of St. Wynwallow's Church at Church Cove, The Lizard, Cornwall last Wednesday 2nd October 2019. Since this species was one of my most wanted transatlantic vagrants I headed out early doors Thursday morning, arriving on site early afternoon.

The weather was not too good, overcast with light rain. Fortunately, the few folks at the far end of the church car park were on the bird when I arrived. I managed several brief views of the Red-eyed Vireo as it moved about the ivy-covered Sycamores. A short while later I obtained my best views upon relocating the bird in the same area. It sat atop a lower branch for a minute or so before disappearing and not reappearing that day as the weather worsened.

After spending the night at an old friend's house I headed back to Curch Cove the following morning, arriving early afternoon, hoping for better views of the Red-eyed Vireo. The weather was much better, so it looked good. Unfortunately, although there were more birders on site than the previous day, the bird was not seen whilst I was present.

St Wynwallow's Church car park

Photo by Peter Garrity

Video by John Chapple

Little Crake, Blacktoft Sands RSPB 17th September 2019

News of a Little Crake at Blacktoft Sands RSPB broke this morning. Apparently, found by some visiting birders from Doncaster who thought they'd photographed a Spotted Crake, but upon showing the photo to one of the wardens the bird was immediately recognised as a female Little Crake.

I set off late morning and arrived at Blacktoft early afternoon. The car park was pretty full as was the Marshland Hide, where the Little Crake was viewable from. Fortunately, there was enough room to squeeze into the hide. After viewing the bird for a while stood at the back of the hide, a few folks left so there was a bit more room and I managed to get a seat at the front.

The Little Crake was moving left and right along the far side of the pool, in and out of the reeds, about 300yds distance, giving pretty decent 'scope views when it popped into the open momentarily.

Yellow-legged Gull, Hoylake 15th September 2019

Information about an adult Yellow-legged Gull at Hoylake off the lifeboat station was posted on the Wirral Birders WhatsApp group earlier today by Tim Kinch. Since this species is one of the embarrassing gaps in my life list, I sorted myself out and headed over to Hoylake.

A short time later I was at the lifeboat station. Tim was still on site and had the Yellow-legged Gull in his 'scope. I couldn't resist his invitation to have a quick look! I then set up my 'scope and proceeded to watch the gull as it spent most of its time roosting, facing away. It did move a couple of times and was still present when I departed. Great to finally catch up with this species and a local bird, which was my preference.

Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Fluke Hall 14th September 2019

An Eastern Black-eared Wheatear was found by local birders Paul Ellis & Paul Slade at Fluke Hall, Lancashire on 1st September 2019. Since the bird is a female there was a lot of umming & erring over the identity because it's very similar to Pied Wheatear. The identity was finally clinched by Chris Batty from some of Paul Ellis's photos. Hopefully, DNA analysis will confirm this...

I travelled to The Fylde this afternoon. As I entered the car park at the end of Fluke Hall Lane, I noticed some birders on the embankment obviously looking at someting. The Eastern Black-eared Wheatear was supposed to be half a mile to the west of the car park, but I thought it wise just to check before setting off westwards. A good job I did because the bird was just the other side of the embankment as I approached the birders & was immediately obvious perched on top of a boulder.

The Eastern Black-eared Wheatear soon moved a few yards to the west & was then on view almost continually, right next to the car park, perching for lengthy periods on top of selected boulders, swathed in bright afternoon sunlight.

Video by Pete Hines

Brown Booby, Kynance Cove 6th September 2019

A Brown Booby (1cy) was found at Kynance Cove, Cornwall by local birder D. Collins on Monday 2nd September 2019. Incredibly, this bird appeared shortly after a 2cy bird disappeared from St. Ives after a short stay. Brown Booby is not on the British List, so with these two individuals and another possibly off the Kent coast recently, seems like a boom time for Boobies!

With the Brown Booby still present the next day, I arranged transport & set off early Wednesday morning. However, there was a problem with the car which meant I had to return it. Since there were no sightings most of Wednesday afternoon I didn't set off on Thursday morning. Sightings continued as normal on Thursday, which saw me heading south early Friday morning & arriving on site shortly after midday.

Worryingly, the weather had closed in, but cleared as I approached The Lizard. Although conditions were a bit damp & misty on site it was clear the bird wasn't on its favoured perch, half way up the small pyramid shaped rock to the extreme left of the group of rocks known as Gull Rock. There was a small group of birders high up & further round, giving them a view of the other side of Gull Rock where the Brown Booby was perched. Knowing the bird hadn't been seen for a while, I was pondering the possibility of moving vs. waiting for it to fly, consequently hadn't set up my 'scope. Suddenly, the shout went up from a guy from Northampton (didn't get a name) right next to me who I'd been chatting with, "There it is!". The Brown Booby sailed towards us passing closely as it disappeared below the outcrop we were standing on. Several birders swivelled round as one and watched the bird fishing in the bay for about half an hour.

The Brown Booby made several circuits of the bay flying quite close at times. On its return trip back to Gull Rock it again flew very close below us, appeared a couple of times briefly to the left from behind Gull Rock and disappeared round the back.

Video by Pete Hines

Little Bustard, Mickletown Ings 8th August 2019

News of a Little Bustard at Mickletown Ings, West Yorkshire broke on Tuesday 6th August 2019. A photo had been posted online the previous evening in an attempt to identify the bird. Site details were released on Tuesday morning prompting a large twitch. Whilst in the grand scheme of things Little Bustard has a lot of UK records, there haven't been many in recent years & those recent records have been short stayers. Consequently, a lot of birders (including me) needed Little Bustard. I didn't fancy being part of a large crowd, so kept cool until today when I headed over to West Yorkshire, arriving mid-afternoon.

As hoped, there wasn't a lot of folks on site, which made it easy to find a decent spot to look from. Although the bird was viewable pretty soon after my arrival, views were only of its head & neck popping up every so often as it wandered along the distant fence line, about half a mile away, in a gully. Eventually, after a couple of hours wait, the male Little Bustard wandered out into the field for a short while, giving excellent views.

Video by Pete Hines

Painted Lady, Wallasey 1st August 2019

There's been a Painted Lady invasion going on for a few months now over the whole of the UK. Earlier this week quite a few of these butterflies descended on the buddleia growing wild in my back yard. Today there were even more! I live in a two-up two-down terraced house, so any form of wildlife is a bonus, let alone a swarm (perhaps too strong a word, but flock would be more accurate). In fact, a kaleidoscope of Painted Ladies.

Terek Sandpiper, Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB 9th July 2019

A Terek Sandpiper appeared at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB early evening. Identified by local birder Dave King, this is the third record for Cheshire & Wirral & a new bird for the UK for me.

I'm curently without transport, so was relieved local birder Colin Schofield offerd a lift to BMW. The Terek Sandpiper was on view as soon as we arrived about 8.30pm, feeding on the far side of the main scrape. There were a lot of folks present as we squeezed through & set up our gear. Although views were distant, they were continuous as the bird fed all along the edge of the mud. However, I found it impossible to get anything like a decent photo, so the bleary image above will have to do... Actual views through the 'scope were much better, especially as the last of the setting sun's rays illuminated the bird's plumage and bright yellow legs.

Many thanks to RSPB Warden Graham Jones for keeping the reserve open and thanks to Colin for enabling me to see this bird.

Previous records: 
1999 Frodsham, No.5 Tank, 26th to 27th April (G. Bellingham).
2009 Heswall Shore, 14th to 15th July (S. Hinde).

Gull-billed Tern, Thurstaston 4th July 2019

A Gull-billed Tern was found at Thurstaston yesterday, 3rd July 2019, by local birder Steve Hinde. This is the ninth record for Cheshire & Wirral, with three in the last five years. I didn't have transport yesterday, so was resigned to dipping on not only a new local, but also new UK bird for me, since they rarely stay long.

Fortunately, the Gull-billed Tern was still present this morning, so I hastily arranged transport & headed over to Thurstaston, arriving mid-morning. It was difficult looking into the sun & the bird was mostly quite a distance away, but did cruise past the assembled throng a couple of times before disappearing south with the oncoming tide. I resolved to return later, after the tide since the bird was quartering the mud flats repeatedly before the tide covered them.

It was well worth returning later because views were much better, with the Gull-billed Tern not only flying to and fro, but landing for lengthy periods on the mud flats with views not compromised by the light & heat haze of earlier in the day.

Previous records:
1976 Red Rocks, adult, 2nd & 4th August (E. J. Abraham, J. Jones, D. Woodward).
1982 Hoylake, 8th July (J. G. Jones).
1987 Weaver Estuary, 31st May (P. Jordon).
1989 Burton Marsh, 16th June (B. S. Barnacal).
1995 Frodsham, No.6 Tank, 31st July (W. S. Morton).
2002 Inner Marsh Farm, 18th May (E. J. Abraham, B. S. Barnacal, C. Wells).
2015 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB, 3rd July (per A. H. Pulsford).
2018 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB, 23rd to 24th May (S. Skelton).

Some of the crowd mid-morning... staring into the sun

Blue-winged Teal, Douglas Water 14th June 2019

A drake Blue-winged Teal appeared at Douglas Water in Lanarkshire last Wednesday. Looks like it's the long staying bird at Mellon Charles near Ullapool relocating, since it disappeared about a week previously. A lot closer to home, so I decided to make the trip north today.

I departed mid-morning and arrived on site early afternoon. There were no birders in the area and it wasn't until I scanned Douglas Water with the 'scope, from the minor road above & to the west, that I picked up the drake Blue-winged Teal, which was loosely associating with five Teal in the middle of the small area of water. Views were constant whilst I was on site although a bit distant, but satisfactory. It was really difficult getting even a half decent photo with the distance, the blustery wind & the bird feeding quite a lot with its head below the surface.

Baikal Teal, Kilnsea Wetlands 23rd May 2019

A drake Baikal Teal was spotted arriving at Spurn yesterday morning by some visiting birders, 23rd May 2019. The bird settled on Kilnsea Wetlands, accompanied by a drake Wigeon. Although I have seen Baikal Teal in the UK previously, that was the bird at Caerlaverock on 10th March 1973. At the time this was the first UK record. However, the record was later removed. So, I made my way over to East Yorkshire, arriving mid-afternoon.

The drake Baikal Teal was on show from the hide at Kilnsea Wetlands immediately I arrived & for the whole time I was there. Range was mid-distance & with the bird feeding constantly meant most of the time its head was under water! With time good views were obtained of this colourful eastern vagrant. Hopefully, this one will be accepted!

Video by Pete Hines

Spoonbill, Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB 17th May 2019

A trip over to Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB earlier today proved very fruitful. Although there had been three Garganey on the Main Scrape, there was only one when I arrived on site, as a Peregrine cruised over the scrape pursued by a flotilla of Gulls, Shelducks & others.

Having walked round to Marsh Covert Hide, as I exited the hide a Spoonbill in full breeding plumage settled on the highest point of the Heronry, easily viewable from the path, providing excellent views. There was a Cattle Egret in full breeding plumage on the island from MCH & a Greenshank on the pool.

So, together with Grey Heron & Little Egret, four species of Heron/Egret, missing only Great White Egret. I heard only one Cetti's Warbler singing, with brief views.

Iberian Wagtail, Leasowe 28th April 2019

A race of Yellow Wagtail known as Iberian Wagtail was found on Kerr's Field at Leasowe last Friday 26th April 2019 by local birder Stan Davidson. The second record for Britain & first for Cheshire & Wirral. The bird was not seen yesterday, but appeared again today in the same place.

I was busy on Friday & couldn't make it over to Leasowe, so was very pleased to be driving over there this afternoon. There were quite a few birders on site along the road to the Lighthouse, scanning Kerr's Field. The Iberian Wagtail appeared on the edge of the field quite close to the road. However, it was often so close it couldn't be seen over the vegetation growing between the road & the edge of the field. Another obstacle was the fence, which the bird seemed to be able to hide behind whenever I tried switching from bins to 'scope. When it ventured a bit further out into the field it was a lot easier to see.

It was good to see a couple of old birding friends whilst on site, Pete Hines & Mark Garner. Mark had to shoot off sharpish, but I spent an enjoyable time catching up with Pete.

Previous record:
2015 North Yorkshire - East Lea, Filey, 22nd April (M. J. Pearson)

Video by Pete Hines

In the previous couple of weeks there had been quite a few good birds in the Leasowe area. On Wednesday 17th April I saw my first local adult male Redstart. All the others I've seen have been female/immature types. The next day, Thursday 18th April, an amazing site of a flock of 5 Ring Ouzels in the paddocks & my first local adult male Pied Flycatcher. As with Redstarts, previous sightings have been of female/immature types.

Discovery: The Chase - 2. Back From The Dead

DISCOVERY: THE CHASE - 2. BACK FROM THE DEAD (96kbs-m4a/19mb/26mins)
BBC World Service broadcast: 4th February 2019

The Night Parrot was supposed to be extinct and became a legend among birdwatchers in Australia: a fat, dumpy, green parrot that lived in the desert and came out at night. The last bird seen alive was promptly shot dead in 1912.

Over 90 years later, a decapitated Night Parrot was found beside a fence in outback Australia, and the hunt for a living bird was on. Ornithologists descended onto the arid plains of Australia’s vast arid interior, but it took another seven years for a single photograph of a live bird.

Incredibly, a population of night parrots had survived. Their exact location is kept secret, and people are still looking for more – or more precisely, listening for more, using acoustic traps to identify calls.

Dr Ann Jones from ABC Australia takes a huge microphone for a spin in the desert to join the hunt for the legendary Night Parrot.

(Photo: Ullala Boss is a Birriliburu Indigenous Ranger, Elder and Traditional Owner and knows the dreaming stories of the Night Parrot. Credit: Dr Ann Jones)

Sounds Natural - Bill Oddie

SOUNDS NATURAL - BILL ODDIE (320kbs-m4a/68mb/30mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st January 2019

From the Bar-Tailed Godwit to the Black-Winged Stilt.

Back in the days when BBC Springwatch wasn't even a twinkle in Auntie's transmitters, Bill Oddie from 'The Goodies' tells Derek Jones about his longstanding love of bird watching, and his travels to see them - aided by recordings from the BBC Sound Archive.

Producer: John Burton.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1973.

Sounds Natural - Peter Cushing

SOUNDS NATURAL - PETER CUSHING (320kbs-m4a/70mb/30mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th December 2018

Award-winning actor Peter Cushing takes a break from making horror films to discuss his enthusiasm for the British countryside and its wildlife - aided by recordings from the BBC Sound Archive.

Peter tells Derek Jones how he used to spend hours with his late wife Helen watching wild birds from their home on the estuary at Whitstable in Kent.

Peter Cushing, OBE: born 1913 - died 1994.

Producer: John Burton.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1972.

Chris Packham's Tweet Of The Week

CHRIS PACKHAM'S TWEET OF THE WEEK (320kbs-m4a/33mb/14mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 17th June 2018

Long-time Tweet supporter and stalwart Chris Packham returns to don his binoculars and guide us through his own personal perch in Tweet of the Day.

This omnibus edition contains the following repeated episodes;

Blue Tit - presented by Chris Packham
Blackbird - presented by Chris Packham
Grey Wagtail - presented by Chris Packham
Coot - presented by Chris Packham
Water Rail - presented by Chris Packham