ZS 7Z British Birds An illustrated monthly journal Editors Stanley Cramp 197 \ I J Ferguson-Lees PAD Hollom E M Nicholson Photograph Eric Hosking Volume 62 1969 H F & G Witherby List of illustrations PAGE Plates 1-3 Rock Thrushes Monticola saxatilis , male and female at nest, female brooding young, and habitat, Switzerland (M. D. England) facing 24 Plates 4-5 Snowy Owls Nyctea scandiaca , injured female, Yorkshire (A. Marshall); male and immature female, Shetland (R. J. Tulloch) Plate 6 Fieldfare T urdus pilaris at nest with young, Shetland (R. J. Tulloch); Little Grebe Podiceps ruficollis with Miller’s Thumb Cottus gobio stuck in throat, Hampshire (A. E. Cooper) Plate 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls Laras fuscus with white wing- patches, Iceland (Agnar Ingolfsson) Plate 8 Legs of Dunlin Calidris alpina showing growth probably due to pox virus, Flintshire (G. H. Green); oesophagus of Green- finch Car due Us cbloris with ulcers due to salmonellosis (C. Hood) facing 25 Plates 9-16 British bird-photographers — M. D. England: Spotted Fly- catcher Muscicapa striata , Surrey; female Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus , Surrey; female Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus , Norway; Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor , Spain; Fieldfares T urdus pilaris , Norway; Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola , Norway; Canada Geese Branta canadensis , Norfolk; female Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus, Spain; Wryneck Jynx torquilla , Surrey; White Wagtail Motacilla alba , Sweden; and Nuthatches Sitta europaea , Surrey (M. D. England) .facing 68 Plates 17 20 Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus, birds at or near nests. and habitat, Swedish Lapland (J. B. and S. Bottomley, and C. C. Doncaster) .facing 108 Plate 21 Examples of double-light and dark Fulmars Vulniarus glacialis found dead on cast coast of England in 1962 wreck (A. Marshall) Plate 22 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes feeding young Cuckoo Cuculus canorus, Somerset (Brian Curtis) Plate 23 Sketch of ‘ portlandica' Common Terns Sterna hi r undo, Kent (P. J. Grant); Great Skua Stercorarius skua tangled with dead Herring Gull Icarus argen/atus, Shetland (Douglas J. Chinery) Plate 24 Whitc-rumpcd Swifts Apus coffer , flying and in the hand, Spain (H. Morrcy Salmon, and Albert Penning) facing 109 List of illustrations Plate 25 Plate 26 Plate 27 Plate 28 Plates 29- Plates 37- Plate 41 Plate 42 Plate 43 Plate 44 PAGE Nests and platforms of Coots Fulica atra, Hertfordshire (B. L. Sage) facing 148 Cretzschmar’s Bunting Fmberi^a caesia , bird in hand, Shetland (R. H. Dennis); immature and male, Jordan (Eric Hosking) Downy chicks of Red Grouse Fagopus lagopus scoticus, two Willow Grouse L. 1. albus and JL. 1. leucopterus , and Ptarmigan F. mutus rupestris ; legs of day-old Scottish Ptarmigan L. m. millaisi and Red Grouse to show differences Guillemots Uria aalge with abnormal and broken bills, North- umberland (G. Howson) facing 149 -36 More examples of the best recent work by British bird- photographers: Kingfisher Alcedo atthis , Glamorgan (Carl Stockton); male Stonechat Saxicola torquata , Surrey (Frank V. Blackburn); Goldcrest Regulus regulus , Aberdeen (David A. Gowans); young Starling Sturms vulgaris and Blackbird Turdus merula , Norfolk (H. A. Hems); Redwing Turdus iliacus , Norway (A. N. H. Peach); Tawny Owl Strix aluco , Lincoln (K. W. Padley); Barn Owl Fyto alba , Essex (H. McSweeney); Stock Dove Columba oenas, Stafford (R. J. C. Blewitt); Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis , Islay (Morley Hedley); Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata, Shetland (William S. Paton); Greenshanks Tringa nebular ia, Sutherland (Andrew M. Anderson); Little Ringed Plover Cbaradrius dubius, Middlesex (J. A. W. Jones); Common Terns Sterna hirundo , Banffshire (J. Edelsten) facing 188 -40 Audouin’s Gulls Far us audouinii , adults at and near nests, and in flight, Greece (Use Makatsch); sub-adult and adults in flight and swimming, Spain (F. G. H. Allen) facing 228 Sketches of Audouin’s Gulls Farus audouinii in flight, adults, sub-adults and immatures, with immature Herring Gull F. argentatus for comparison (D. I. M. Walk.ce) Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria injury-feigning and showing extent of wing-bar (G. A. Booth); wings of Golden Plover and Grey Plover P. squatarola , illustrating the amount of paleness in each (C. D. T. Minton, and G. H. Green) Dead first- winter Little Gull Farus minutus with traces of sepia band on nape, Norfolk (Ulster Museum) Nest with three eggs of Ringed Plover Cbaradrius biaticula and four of Little Ringed C. dubius, Essex (E. D. Parrinder); hole made in snow by Jay Garrulus glandarius to recover a hidden acorn, Sweden (P. O. Swanberg) facing 229 PAGE Ust of illustrations Plates 45-52 Birds and habitats of the Ouse Washes: Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa , adults at nest, nests with eggs and young (M. D. England); washes in spring and winter, R.S.P.B. hides, summer and winter flooding, and ditch clearance (R.S.P.B. and D. A. Rook); Black-tailed Godwits in flight and on ground, taken in Netherlands (Eric Hosking, and Sidney J. Clarke); Reeve Pbilomacbus pugnax at nest, taken in Denmark (HaroldR. Lowes); and Black Tern Chlidonias niger on floating nest, taken in Netherlands (Eric Hosking) facing Plate 53 Sketches of juvenile Common Terns Sterna hirundo, Arctic Terns S. paradisaea and Roseate Terns S. dougallii (P. J. Grant) facing Plates 54-56 Cutaneous diseases of wild birds: blister on web of Common Gull Laras cams , probably caused by puffinosis; cutaneous tubercular lesions on wing of Kestrel Valeo tinnunculus (P. Hanney); cutaneous fungal infection on wing of Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrbula\ legs of Pheasant Phasianus colchicus with ‘scaly leg’; Pheasant with infestation of ticks around eyes (P. K. C. Austwick); and leg of Woodpigeon Columba palumbus showing lesions of articular gout facing Plates 57-60 Little Stints Calidris minuta , adults at nest and with young, nest and eggs, and habitat, Norway (Gosta Hakansson); and autumn migrants, Suffolk (Eric Hosking) facing Plates 61-67 British bird-photographers — D. A. P. Cooke: Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos , Hebrides; Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla , Fame Islands; Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica , Denmark; Swallow Hirundo rustica , Cheshire; Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus , Shetland; Barn Owl Tyto alba, Cheshire; male Merlin Valeo co lumbar ius , Denbighshire; Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus , Greece; displaying Ruff Pbilomacbus pugnax, Denmark; Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus, Cheshire; and male Wheatear Qenanthe oenanthe, Denbighshire (D. A. P. Cooke) facing Plates 68-71 Rare birds in 1968: Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda. Isles of Scilly (R. F. Coomber); Grey-checked Thrush Catharus minimus, Bardsey (H. Miles); Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata, Bardsey (H. Miles); and Scops Owl Otus scops. Calf of Man (Malcolm Wright) facing Plates 72-74 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata, female at nest in dry marshland, Spain (Carlos Melgarejo); and female near and at nest in stony desert, and nest and eggs, Jordan (Eric Hosking) facing Plate 75 Alleged skeleton of Osprey Pandion haliaetus attached to Carp Cyprinus carpio, Germany, shown to be that of buzzard Buieo sp facing 272 320 321 368 424 480 528 529 Status of Little Terns in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 R. K. Norman and D. R. Saunders Recoveries in Great Britain and Ireland of birds ringed abroad Robert Hudson Studies of less familiar birds 152 Rock Thrush Geoffrey Beven and M. D. England Suspected pox virus infection of a Dunlin G. H. Green Salmonellosis in wild birds J. W. Macdonald and L. W. Cornelius Volume 62 Number 1 January 1969 ■ 5s British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 0234 6yj j 8 Volume 62 Number i January 1969 1 Editorial 4 Status of Little Terns in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 R. K. Norman and D. R. Saunders 1 3 Recoveries in Great Britain and Ireland of birds ringed abroad Robert Hudson 23 Studies of less familiar birds IJ2 Rock Thrush Dr Geoffrey Beven and M. D. England Plates 1-3 26 Suspected pox virus infection of a Dunlin G. H. Green Plate 8a 28 Salmonellosis in wild birds J. W. Macdonald and L. W. Cornelius Plate 8b NOTES 31 Little Grebe choking to death on fish A. E. Cooper Plate 6b 3 1 Lesser Black-backed Gulls with white wing-patches in Iceland Dr Agnar Ingolfsson Plate 7 3 3 Whiskered Terns with dark shoulder-patches J. H. Taverner 33 Snowy Owls breeding in Shetland R. J. Tulloch Plates 4-5 36 Fieldfares breeding in Shetland R. J. Tulloch Plate 6a REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 37 Invasion of Nutcrackers J. N. Holly er; and M. Eriksson and J.-A. Hansson REVIEWS 38 Bird Navigation by G. V. T. Matthews Dr P. R. Evans 39 Birds oj the Atlantic Islands IV History of the Birds of the Cape Verde Islands by David A. Bannerman and W. Mary Bannerman Dr D. W. Snow 41 Birds of the Atlantic Ocean by Ted Stokes and Keith Shackleton Sir Hugh Elliott LETTERS 43 Black-headed Gulls taking olives J. D. R. Vernon 43 Reassessment of rejected rarities P. J. Oliver 4; News and comment Robert Htulson 47 Recent reports Dr J. T. R. Sharrock and 1. J. Ferguson-Lees Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. A. D. Hollom, E. M. Nicholson Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, Telford, Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon British Birds is published monthly; annual subscription £$ 5s post paid from H. F. Sc G. 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B.B., PARK STREET, CLEETHORPES 11 Volume 62 Number 1 January 1969 British Birds Editorial When the British Trust for Ornithology was founded 37 years ago, one of its main aims was the encouragement of co-operative research by amateur ornithologists. This far-sighted move was made at a time when amateurs were few (the Trust’s initial membership was 165) and the professional contribution extremely small. Now the Trust has a membership of over 4,200 and a professional staff which includes 14 ornithologists ; there are probably more than a hundred other professionals ranging from university research workers to observatory wardens and many other amateurs take part in co-operative enquiries organised by such bodies as the Wildfowl Trust and the Seabird Group or contribute observations to county reports. The vision of the pioneers has been justified and the thousands who now watch birds in this country combine their enjoyment with an essential contribution to the growth of scientific knowledge. Yet there are two main weaknesses in the present position. First, the sheer volume of data aggravates the old problem of delays in analysing the results. Thanks to the admirable network of local societies with their annual reports, Britain probably has more informa- tion about its avifauna than any other country in the world. Yet almost a quarter of a century elapsed before the pioneer 19-page analysis of distributional changes made by W. B. Alexander and Dr David Lack in 1944(5/7/. Birds, 38 : 42-45, 62-69, 82-88) was brought up to date and greatly enlarged by the much more precise information available in the stimulating 181-page survey by J. L. F. Parslow completed in 1967 and 1968 {Brit. Birds, 60: 2-47, 97-123, 177-202, 261-285, 396-404, 493-508; 61 : 49-64, 241-255) — and then only thanks to the generous financial backing of the Nature Conservancy. The British Trust for Ornithology’s Ringing Scheme has a record of growth and efficient administration second to none, but its overworked stafi have been constantly frustrated in their efforts to provide full analyses of the results available. 1 Editorial Critics of the enjoyable sport of spotting rare: birds have complained that it provides little of scientific value, not least because few at- tempts have been made to analyse the data so as to yield significant results. Since the Rarities Committee was set up in 1958, however, its annual ‘Report on rare birds . . . * has developed to the stage where interesting patterns are beginning to emerge and some of these have received preliminary discussion in the individual species comments. Now this analysis of the patterns of rare and scarce migrants is being taken a stage further by the recently announced work of Dr J. T. R. Sharrock (Brit. Birds, 61 : 470-471) who, beginning in spring 1969, will be publishing in British Birds a series of short papers examining the occurrences, during the ten years 1958-67, of 15 species of scarce migrants as well as seven of the Palearctic species and all the Nearctic waders and passerines on the Rarities Committee’s list. Secondly, although more and more observers are joining co- operative enquiries, the number of amateurs who write papers on their own studies is probably declining. This may be partly due to the fact that since the 1939-45 war an increasing number of amateurs have joined the professional ranks and partly because, with this growth in professionalism, standards have inevitably become much higher — so much so that in some fields, such as bird behaviour where amateurs of the calibre of Eliot Howard and J. P. Burkitt once made major contributions, it is almost impossible now for non-professionals to keep pace with the new developments and even the new vocabularies. Some editors of local reports do not do enough to encourage original papers, but others seek them in vain. British Birds has a long tradition of fostering the contributions of amateurs and we would welcome more from them than we now receive. Such contributions need not be long, ponderous or statistical to merit publication. Co-operative enquiries benefit from the enthusiasm and the geo- graphical spread of amateurs, and they provide information that cannot be obtained from professional sources. They not only make major contributions to scientific knowledge, but more and more are becoming powerful aids to conservation. This was shown most strikingly in the survey of Peregrines Fa/co peregrinus carried out for the British Trust for Ornithology by Dr D. A. Ratcliffe in 1961-62 (Bird Study, 10: 56-90 with 1963-64 and 1965-66 additions in 12: 66-82 and 14: 238-246); this demonstrated, for the first time anywhere, a startling decline in the population of one species linked with the increasing use of organochlorinc pesticides, and was followed by major restrictions on these chemicals. The Common Birds Census of the Trust, launched soon afterwards, provides not only an index of fluctuations in farmland species which could alert attention to new environmental contamina- tions, but is increasingly being used as an aid to the scientific manage- ment of reserves. In this issue we are now publishing the results of the Editorial 3 enquiry organised by the Seabird Group into the status of the Little Tern Sterna albifrons, a species which is menaced not by contamination but by an ever-growing and increasingly mobile human population, and one which is unlikely to survive except where direct protection is given ; this report is now being studied urgently by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the County Naturalists’ Trusts to see how existing measures can be strengthened and extended. In 1969 the amateur ornithological scene in Britain will be dominated by the two largest and most ambitious co-operative enquiries so far launched. The B.T.O. Atlas project enters on its second year with a full-time organiser; and the Seabird Group, after preliminary surveys in 1967 and 1968, is attempting an assessment of all our seabirds with Operation Seafarer. Both projects will add greatly to our existing knowledge and also provide a base line for conservationists seeking to measure and combat the increasing threats to our bird-life. It is essential that bird-watchers give these projects the highest priority in the coming spring and summer, at home or on holiday, if they are to be fully successful. Changes in style This issue sees a number of changes in British Birds with the aim of modernising the style last altered in January i960 and we hope that these will be welcomed. One innovation is the adoption of the wide- spread practice of giving authors’ addresses at the ends of main contributions. Several people have contributed ideas, but we wish particularly to acknowledge the hard work and expert advice of Frank Collieson and Robert Gillmor. The latter has also produced a simple flying outline of a Red Grouse to replace the cover emblem which has stood resolute in two versions for 61 years. The Red Grouse was originally chosen because it was the only British bird species not indigenous anywhere else, but nowadays it is regarded as conspecific with the northern Holarctic Willow Grouse and so the flying emblem may symbolise the less insular attitudes of ornithology today. Status of Little Terns in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 R. K. Norman and D. R. Saunders INTRODUCTION For many years there has been growing concern for the safety of’Tittle Terns Sterna albifrons nesting in Great Britain and Ireland. Recent coastal county avifaunas have noted a decrease and in some places the complete extermination of the breeding population. Such statements as ‘Year by year all reports speak of disturbance and poor nesting results’ (Payne 1962), ‘Declined as a breeding species largely owing to human interference’ (des Forges and Harber 1963) or ‘Site now destroyed by building of a power station’ (Heathcote, Griffin and Salmon 1967) all speak for themselves. Parslow (1967) recorded that a decline during the 1 9th century was followed by a period of increase in the early years of the 20th century, but that since the early 1930’s the species had steadily decreased wherever its colonies were liable to disturbance, except for a brief period during the 1939-45 war when some were in prohibited zones on beaches; as a result of this decrease and in some cases disappearance, ‘its numbers in several counties appear to be down to about one-half of those 30-40 years ago’. Because of the increasing pressures on the nesting sites of Little Terns the Seabird Group organised a survey in 1967, supported by the British Trust for Ornithology and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The aim was to determine the present distribution and status in Great Britain and Ireland. Those taking part were asked also to contribute information on the nest site, past history of the colony, hazards from disturbance and predation, and protection measures. This paper sets out the results of the survey. METHODS A standard record card was produced and observers were asked to complete this after visiting the colony at the weekend 1 7th/ 1 8th June 1967, or on the nearest possible date. As the number of pairs and colonics is relatively small, and in order to keep disturbance to a minimum, the enquiry was conducted semi-privately. In other words, individual observers were asked to visit particular colonies and no general appeals for assistance were published. This worked very well, all the known colonies in England, Wales and Scotland being reported. In Ireland, however, due to a lack of observers, barely half of the known colonies were covered. 4 5 Status of 'Little Terns results Except in the cases of well-known colonies, the actual sites are not disclosed here for obvious reasons. ENGLAND Dorset One colony (or rather a series of colonies) with some 200 pairs scattered along the nine miles of the Chesil Bank. Infrequently visited in the past so that little is known of its history. Because of the difficulty of the terrain there is little disturbance except at either end and at the isolated crossing points used by fishermen and beachcombers. The main danger seems to be disturbance associated with the proposed nuclear power station which could easily alter the area’s whole ecology. Hampshire Seven colonies (though some are very close) with 59 pairs. All are protected by wardens employed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Naturalists’ Trust: as a result, disturbance has greatly decreased since 1962. High tides are a serious threat at three colonies. Isle of Wight One colony with five pairs. Sussex Six colonies with 102 pairs. Two of these are now part of Local Nature Reserves, and human disturbance has decreased. At the other four sites increasing human disturbance was noted, but not considered excessive at present. Kent Five colonies in the Dungeness area with a population of 64 pairs. At four of these there is little human disturbance, though there is some danger from Foxes Vulpes vulpes; at the fifth site, where only two pairs nest (surprisingly both fledged young), disturbance is at a very high level due to road making and shingle extraction. At a further four colonies 28 pairs attempted to nest, but all were subjected to such human pressures that few young were reared. High tides are a danger at three colonies ; indeed, at one site the shingle spit was washed completely away. A further site normally occupied (numbers ranging from three to 24 pairs since 1949), was deserted in 1967, but reoccupied by 7-8 pairs in 1968. Essex Seven colonies with 152 pairs. All suffer a high degree of human interference; at Foulness (70 pairs), where ornithologists find access difficult, the site is regularly trampled by yachtsmen and fishermen who land on the beach. One colony is now part of a Local Nature Reserve, while another has part-time wardens and warning signs erected by the Essex Bird Watching and Preservation Society. Suffolk Nine colonies with 71 pairs. Once again a gradual decrease since the 1939- 45 war is coupled with an increase in human disturbance on the beaches. The two largest colonies each contain 15 pairs; bad weather kept people from the beaches during the incubation period and this played an important part in the successful fledging of 25 young from these two sites. Norfolk Eleven colonies with some 304 pairs; a further site which is irregularly used may have had two pairs. Blakeney Point (145 pairs) is the second largest colony in the country and, being fenced off, is relatively undisturbed. Three of the other colonies also receive some degree of protection. The remainder are subject to varying but increasing human pressures, including daily helicopter patrols and flights to off-shore drilling rigs. Lincolnshire Five colonies with 32 pairs; a site with twelve pairs in 1966 was deserted in 1967 for no apparent reason, but some 40 pairs bred in 1968. At the Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve both of the colonies have been enclosed since 1965 to prevent trampling by visitors to the beach, but these efforts have largely been nullified by the depredations of Foxes, so that in 1967 only three young fledged from 18 pairs. Further north a striking example of tenacity to nest site is shown by the five pairs which struggle annually to breed at a well-known holiday resort : the nests, needless to say, are soon trodden on or obliterated by the wheels of the beach ferry. 6 Status of Little Terns Yorkshire Two colonies with nine pairs. Six pairs nested at a site free of human disturbance, but Foxes prevented any young being reared. At the other site three pairs attempted to nest in the face of increasing human pressures. Durham One colony with four pairs. Northumberland One colony with five pairs and another possibly with two; a suggestion of a third site also, but no record received. Cumberland Four colonies with 41 pairs. One colony in a protected area, though even this suffers some disturbance. Human pressures and shingle removal have caused a decline at the other sites. Lancashire Five colonies with 18 pairs. Special protection at one site enabled two young to fledge from four pairs. At another, however, only three young are known to have fledged during the last 13 years: here human disturbance is coupled with depredations by Brown Rats Rat/ns norvegious, Weasels Mustela nivalis and Little Owls Athene noctua. ISLE OF MAN One colony with 14 pairs is now considerably disturbed. There may also be several other sites used irregularly by scattered pairs. WALES Flint Two colonies with 13 pairs. Nine young were reared at one of these, though close to a caravan site and much disturbed. Anglesey Four colonies with a total of twelve pairs, though at one site 26 birds had been seen earlier in the season before some nests were destroyed by high tides. Two colonies occupied until 1966 were deserted : both had been subjected to varying forms of disturbance, including cars on the beaches and use as helicopter training areas. Caernarvonshire One colony of seven pairs. This is an old-established site which in 1 91 1 contained some 50 pairs; the decrease has taken place even though access involves a three-mile walk or the fording of a river. Merioneth One colony with three pairs. Until very recently there have been about ten pairs here and increased human disturbance since the War Department left the area in 1965 is considered to be the reason for the decline. SCOTLAND East Lothian Two colonies with 19 pairs. Much human disturbance and some coastal erosion have caused a decrease, but protection by notices and wardens at one of the sites resulted in five young fledging from three pairs. Fife Three colonies with seven pairs, though early nests at one site where over 20 birds had been seen were washed away. High tides and wind-blown sand affect success, while human disturbance continues to increase in spite of wardens and notices. Angus One colony with some 30 pairs. Three others have recently been deserted; this has been due partly to human disturbance, but also to predation by gulls Lams spp. and crows Corvus spp. Kincardineshire One colony with 20 pairs. Only light disturbance and about 30 young fledged. Aberdeenshire Three colonics with eleven nests from which ten young fledged. One colony has decreased in recent years from a maximum of 64 pairs in 1958; this, which is now part of a nature reserve, was the only site where the observer had recorded a decrease in human disturbance and yet this was still sufficient to affect the breeding success. 7 Status of Little Terns Morayshire One colony with three pairs where 40 pairs nested in 195 8. Disturbance seems to be restricted to egg-collecting, though this is primarily aimed at gulls and the larger terns. Sutherland One colony with a single pair whose nest was destroyed by a spring tide; the maximum here in recent years has been six pairs. Constant disturbance by holidaymakers is blamed for the decrease. Caithness Two colonies with five pairs where human disturbance is considered negligible. Ross-shire Two colonies with eight and three pairs, these having remained stable for many years. Virtually no disturbance at present, though high tides are a danger at one site. Inverness Five colonies with 14 pairs. Human disturbance considered insignificant, but high tides at one site and avian predators a menace. Argyll Four colonies with 41 pairs. Little or no disturbance, but wind-blown sand a potential hazard at one site. Ayrshire One colony with seven or eight pairs. Despite some disturbance from egg-collecting this has increased recently from two, three or four pairs. Wigtownshire Two colonies with one pair each. Both were unsuccessful. IRELAND Louth One colony known, but no recent information. Dublin One colony with three pairs in 1966. Wicklow Four colonies, but reports on only two, both single pairs. In each case human disturbance has increased and at one of the two sites this is probably the cause of a decline from 15 pairs in 1958. The most recent counts at the third and fourth colonies were six and five pairs in 1958 and 1961 respectively. Wexford Ten colonies, with 37 pairs at the seven reported; one of these had decreased from about 100 pairs in 1961 to twelve. For the three colonies not reported there was no recent information in one case, while the others held five and 15 pairs in 1962 and 1963 respectively. Cork Two colonies with eleven pairs, both heavily disturbed. Kerry One colony with eleven pairs. The first breeding record for the county. Limerick Possibly one colony, but no information. Galway Three colonies, with 13 pairs at one. No recent information for the other two. Mayo Seven colonies (though two doubtful), with 13 pairs at the two reported. In four cases there is no recent information, while at the last ‘a few’ were recorded in 1966. Sligo Two colonies, but neither reported. There is no information for one, while ten pairs were noted at the other in 1955. Donegal Nine colonies (one doubtful), but none reported. All but three of these have been recorded since i960, the largest containing 20 pairs in 1961. Derry Two colonies with 20 pairs. One with twelve pairs is now protected, while the other with eight pairs has not been recorded previously. DISTRIBUTION AND SIZE OF COLONIES The reported population of Little Terns in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 was 1,425 pairs (table 1). Even allowing for those colonies not visited, mainly in Ireland, the total cannot have been in excess of 1,600 pairs. Between two-thirds and three-quarters of these are in the south- 8 Status of Little Terns Table i. Number of oolonies and pairs of Little Terns Sterna albifrons in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 The total for Ireland is low because of the lack of observers; indeed, of the 43 colonies known there, only 17 were visited in 1967. Nevertheless, Oscar J. Meme (in lift.) estimates the total population to be no more than 250 pairs Total counties Total colonies Total pairs England 14 69 1,094 Isle of Man 1 1 14 Wales 4 8 35 Scotland 13 28 172 Ireland 12 43 no TOTALS 44 149 L425 eastern counties from Dorset to Lincolnshire. There are few in the northern counties of England and only small populations in Wales, Scotland and Ireland (fig. 1). Numbers in Wales are dangerously low and it seems that urgent action is required before the Little Tern ceases to breed there. Most of the colonies are small (table 2) and even the largest, that on the Chesil Bank, is really comprised of a number of smaller units. Some of those colonies now struggling with a handful of pairs were once thriving communities and, unless some protection can be given, they will soon cease to exist. NEST SITE Witherby et aL (1938-41) noted that on the Continent Little Terns frequently nest away from the sea on suitable river banks and on the shores of inland lakes. In Great Britain and Ireland, however, this species seems to be virtually confined to sea shores and instances of inland breeding are rare (e.g. Hudson and Pyman 1968). The favoured nest site seems to be an open beach where there is usually, though not always, some shingle. A few colonies were recorded on pure sand, but most seemed to prefer the presence of shingle or Table 2. Sizes of colonies of Little Terns Sterna albifrons in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 Though 43 Irish colonies are known, only 17 visited in 1967 are detailed here Total colonies i-5 6-10 n-15 NUMBER OF PAIRS 16-25 26-50 5I-IOO 101-150 151-f- England 70 3i 13 13 4 5 2 1 1 Wales 8 6 2 — — — — — — Scotland 28 20 3 1 3 1 — — — Ireland 43 7 6 4 — — — — TOTALS 149 64 24 18 7 6 2 1 1 Status of Little Terns 9 Fig. i . Status by counties of Little Terns Sterna albifrons in Britain and Ireland in 1 967 broken shell. Several sites were noted on sandbanks or small islands in river estuaries. There is usually little vegetation and at the majority of colonies none at all. Three colonies were not situated on beaches, though were very close to the shore line. One (which unfortunately can only be temporary) was in Kent where dredging material was being pumped in order to raise the level of an area for development. A second was in Scotland where a thriving colony of some 2 1 pairs nests on a civil airfield on the crumbled foundations of wartime Royal Air Force hangars. The third was in Co. Wexford where a single pair nested on the shore of a coastal lagoon. The majority of colonies are very close to the high water mark, both io Status of Little Terns Table 3. Heights above high water and distances inland of colonies of Little Terns Sterna albifrons in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 FEET ABOVE HIGH WATER/YARDS INLAND 0-5 6-10 11-20 21-30 31-f Number of colonies at each height above high water 64 17 6 2 Number of colonies at each distance inland 27 19 14 15 20 in terms of height and distance (table 3). It is not surprising, therefore, that high tides during inclement weather are a danger at some sites, or that other sites are subject to the effects of coastal erosion. The maxi- mum distance from the sea is at the Scottish airfield mentioned above and even that is only 300 yards inland. HAZARDS TO COLONIES The dangers confronting Little Terns nesting along our shores are numerous, but it is not surprising that, in the middle of Britain’s playground, human disturbance is the most potent factor of all (table 4). This may take many forms, from casual picnicking (by people who barely notice the birds as they play cricket or sun-bathe in the midst of the colony) to deliberate egg-collecting and vandalism. People landing from boats are a problem even when the colony is wardened from the landward side. Fishermen quietly sitting at the edge of the sea may Table 4. Disturbance and predation at colonies of Little Terns Sterna albifrons in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 NUMBER OF COLONIES AFFECTED England Wales Scotland Ireland Human disturbance High tides Vehicles on beach Helicopters Coastal erosion Shingle removal Wind-blown sand Aircraft Horses Foxes Vulpes vulpes Brown Rat Kattus norvegicus Weasel Mustela nivalis Kestrel Valeo tinnunculus Little Owl Athene noctua Gull Lams sp. Crow Corvus sp. 57 6 10 12 1 5 222 4 1 — 3 — 1 1 — 3 — 1 — — 1 Status of Little Terns 1 1 keep the terns off their nests for hours at a stretch (this can happen in foul weather as well as fine, for the angler is a hardy beast). Ornithol- ogists can be a problem too and, even when they go about their activities correctly, they may attract others less careful. At two sites an increase in breeding success over previous years was considered due to an absence of people from the beach during wet and cold weather in May. High spring tides are a hazard, particularly as the eggs of a whole colony may be washed away. Replacement clutches after such a disaster are more open to human disturbance than those laid early in the season. Aircraft were noted as causing disturbance at two colonies, but at several others, though passing close, were not considered a menace. There is no doubt, however, about the effect of helicopters. Whirling low along the shore they create utter confusion among the nesting birds. The East Anglian coast, where coastal patrols and flights to off-shore drilling rigs are now very much a permanent feature, seems particularly open to this hazard. Mammal predators were observed rather infrequently, and then chiefly from wardened colonies where such less noticeable factors are more likely to be observed. The chief menace is the Fox, which at several colonies has completely nullified protection measures against human intruders. PROTECTION MEASURES In 1967 some of the Little Tern colonies were already receiving varying degrees of protection (table 5). A few, such as those on the Norfolk coast, have been wardened for many years, though of course not specifically for this species alone. Unfortunately, because of the nature of their breeding colonies, Little Terns are not easy to protect. Access can rarely be rigidly controlled and reserve establishment is rarely possible. Other methods have therefore to be tried. In Lincolnshire two colonies have been enclosed by a single strand fence which acts only as a marker; at intervals signs have been erected informing people that terns are nesting and asking them to keep outside the colony. This procedure has also been tried in Hampshire by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Naturalists’ Trust, in Northern Ireland by a local field club, and in a few other areas. In many instances Table 5. Colonies of Little Terns Sterna albifrons receiving a degree of protection in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 NUMBER OF COLONIES (TOTAL PAIRS IN BRACKETS) England Wales Scotland Ireland Protection through wardens 22(442) 1(3) 4(15) 1 (12) Difficult of access 4(234) 1(7) 12(69) ? 2 Status of Little Terns Little Terns nest thinly scattered on the beach and it would be im- practicable to. fence in the whole colony. Even so, it is often possible to provide protection for a part of the colony and in time other pairs may move into this quieter section. In some counties, such as Norfolk and Essex, part-time wardens are provided. This- does have a measure of success, but the results are often disappointing. When the warden is absent the egg-thieves descend or a careless picnic party destroys in a few minutes a season's labours. To receive proper protection, chosen Little Tern colonies require the attentions of full-time wardens for the whole of their brief breeding season. In Sussex the various protection measures have received the sym- pathetic help of the River Board at one site and have generally been very much a joint effort. There too, the Sussex Naturalists’ Trust has worked in close co-operation with the Sussex Ornithological Society and a local Wildfowlers’ Association. It seems that only by enlisting the aid of a wide range of organisations will success be achieved. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves have been considering ways in which protection can be extended to further Little Tern colonies. Experiments have been carried out with posters and simple fences and it is hoped to extend the scheme considerably in 1969. If the general public can be informed of the plight of the Little Tern, and what they can do to help, then protection measures will really begin to work. This means enlisting the sympathy and aid of all who use our beaches, whether they be holiday makers from a caravan camp near-by, anglers from a local town or yachtsmen from a club up-river. The more people who know why it is necessary to keep outside a particular area for this short period, the better. Only by educating the general public is there a chance that Little Terns will continue to nest on many of our beaches. More colonies are certain to vanish, but, if each county sets out in a determined manner to preserve at least some of its Little Terns, it is to be hoped that those which are protected will begin to spread. Action is needed now. The results of the 1967 enquiry clearly show that we cannot afford to delay any longer. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are greatly indebted to the many observers who contributed to the enquiry, and who answered our further questions concerning conservation measures being un- dertaken at some colonies. To M. J. Everett, Oscar J. Merne and E. I. S. Rees we express particular thanks for collecting information from Scotland, Ireland and Wales respectively. We arc exremcly grateful to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, who kindly provided a grant enabling the enquiry to be carried out. Our sincere thanks arc also due to Dr W. R. P. Bourne, Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson- Lecs and David Lea, who provided much helpful criticism of the earlier drafts of this paper. Status of 'Little Terns SUMMARY Concern for the present status of the Little Tern Sterna albifrons in Great Britain and Ireland prompted the Seabird Group to organise an enquiry in 1967. The results gave a total population of not more than 1,600 pairs, mostly nesting in south-east England. The vast majority of colonies are small; in fact, in 1967 just over 50% contained five pairs or less. The trend of the population during the past few years has been one of decrease. Most Little Terns nest on open beaches, and in 1967 only three colonies were recorded in other situations. Various forms of human disturbance are by far the biggest hazards to colonies, but other dangers include high tides, helicopters and sand removal. Of the predators recorded, the Fox Vulpes vulpes is easily the most serious. Examples are given of the various protection measures being tried at some colonies. REFERENCES des Forges, G., and Harber, D. D. 1963. A Guide to the Birds of Sussex. Edinburgh and London. Heathcote, A., Griffin, D., and Salmon, H. M. 1967. Birds of Glamorgan. Cardiff. Hudson, R., and Pyman, G. A. 1968. A Guide to the Birds of Essex. Chelmsford. Parslow, J. L. F. 1967. ‘Changes in status among breeding birds in Britain and Ireland. Part 3’. Brit. Birds, 60: 177-202. Payn, W. H. 1962. The Birds of Suffolk. London. Witherby, H. F., et al. 1938-41. The Handbook of British Birds. London, vol 5. The Seabird Group, c/o The British Ornithologists’ Union, The Bird Boom, British Museum ( Natural History), Cromwell Road, London SWy Recoveries in Great Britain and Ireland of birds ringed abroad Robert Hudson This list is based on 632 recoveries of 69 species of foreign-ringed birds reported during 1967; these are tabulated on page 14. Only one new species was added in that year, but it was a striking one; a Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes ringed in south-east Germany and recovered in, of all improbable places, Shetland. Several other notable ‘firsts’ deserve special mention. A good series of Pochard Aythya ferina included one from Switzerland recaptured in Essex. An Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus found dead in Norfolk had been ringed at Kandalaksha, Russia, by far the most distant origin yet for a bird of this species moving to or from the British Isles. An Icelandic Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus was recovered on the Solway Firth. A Sand Martin Riparia riparia caught in Northamptonshire had been ringed in Denmark and was our first from that country. An above-average quota of Siskin Carduelis spinus recoveries included one from Kaliningrad in the Soviet Baltic. 14 Foreign-ringed recoveries Other particularly interesting 1967 recoveries were six Brent Geese Branta bernicla from Denmark (we get few recoveries of this species) ; a Dutch Ruff Bhilomachus pugnax found dead as far west as Pembroke- shire; a Little Gull Larus minutus from Finland; and a Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto from south-west Germany. A Woodpigeon Columba palumbus ringed as a migrant on Heligoland on the very early date of 30th August was shot five years later on its nest in Norfolk; and a Whinchat Saxicola rubetra from Heligoland was found six days later in Kent. Finally, an above-average number of warbler recoveries included a Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla ringed in the Netherlands in October and found off the coast of Berwickshire, well to the north-west , just 1 3 days later. Table 1. Foreign-ringed birds reported in Great Britain and Ireland in 1967 and the totals for these species during 1906-67 1967 Total 1967 Total Storm Petrel 1 2 Arctic Tern 1 16 Gannet 1 16 Sandwich Tern 1 19 Heron 2 229 Woodpigeon 1 5 Mallard 6 358 Collared Dove 4 14 Teal 33 i,533 Short-eared Owl 1 4 Wigeon 6 202 Swallow 19 57 Pintail 5 7i Sand Martin 32 144 Shoveler 3 72 Rook 1 47 Tufted Duck 6 88 Jackdaw 2 12 Pochard 9 40 Fieldfare 2 80 Shelduck 4 89 Redwing 2 82 White-fronted Goose 17 230 Blackbird 17 326 Pink-footed Goose 3 2,024 Whinchat 1 2 Brent Goose 6 11 Redstart 1 6 Barnacle Goose 41 228 Robin 2 18 Whooper Swan 3 14 Reed Warbler 1 5 Moorhen 8 52 Sedge Warbler 1 4 Oystercatcher 5 55 Blackcap 1 6 Lapwing 1 278 Garden Warbler 2 6 Ringed Plover 1 19 Willow Warbler 1 5 Golden Plover 1 91 Chiffchaff 1 3 Snipe 4 127 Goldcrest 1 2 Woodcock 1 67 Spotted Flycatcher 1 7 Curlew 8 175 Pied/White Wagtail 1 10 Redshank 1 25 Yellow Wagtail ssp. 1 4 Knot 4 59 Starling 61 L961 Dunlin 93 507 Hawfinch 1 1 Ruff 1 3 Greenfinch 3 24 Great Black-backed Gull 6 127 Goldfinch 3 18 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 29 Siskin 5 17 Herring Gull 3 93 Linnet 9 30 Common Gull 15 812 Chaffinch 3i 242 Little Gull 1 4 Brambling 7 32 Black-headed Gull no 2,108 Tree Sparrow 2 4 Common Tern 2 29 *5 ' oreign-ringed recoveries he following species did not provide foreign-ringed recoveries in 1967, though they have done ► in previous years: Red-throated Diver (2), Great Crested Grebe (1), Slavonian Grebe (1), Little rebe (1), Manx Shearwater (2), Fulmar (1), Cormorant (7), Shag (3), Bittern (7), White Stork (2), )oonbill (3), Garganey (12), Gadwall (18), American Wigeon (1), Scaup (64), Mandarin (2), oldeneye (12), Eider (1), Velvet Scoter (2), Common Scoter (2), Red-breasted Merganser (7), oosander (3), Grey Lag Goose (25), Bean Goose (2), Mute Swan (3), Bewick’s Swan (2), Rough- gged Buzzard (1), Sparrowhawk (14), Marsh Harrier (2), Hen Harrier (2), Montagu’s Harrier (1), 'sprey (8), Hobby (1), Peregrine (8), Merlin (7), Kestrel (15), Water Rail (8), Coot (13), Grey [over (1), Turnstone (21), Jack Snipe (4), Whimbrel (3), Bar-tailed Godwit (13), Common mdpiper (1), Spotted Redshank (1), Greenshank (1), Purple Sandpiper (1), Little Stint (3), emminck’s Stint (1), Curlew Sandpiper (2), Sanderling (9), Avocet (2), Great Skua (3), Arctic sua (2), Iceland Gull (2), Kittiwake (37), Black Tern (1), Caspian Tern (1), Razorbill (5), Guillemot 4), Black Guillemot (1), Puffin (7), Stock Dove (2), Turtle Dove (3), Cuckoo (1), Long-eared Owl 3), Swift (1), Skylark (6, House Martin (3), Hooded Crow (10), Great Tit (4), Blue Tit (3), Bearded it (9), Song Thrush (5 2), Wheatear (4), Black Redstart (1), Whitethroat (5), Lesser Whitethroat (1), ied Flycatcher (4), Dunnock (3), Meadow Pipit (4), Rock Pipit (5), Grey Wagtail (2), Waxwing (5), wite(i). Redpoll (5), Bullfinch (1), Reed Bunting (3), and Snow Bunting (1). elected list of recoveries reported during 1967 ’he symbols and terms are the same as those used in the ‘Report on bird-ringing Dr 1967’ (see page 488 in Brit. Birds, 61: 477-523), with the exception that the ;rm ‘juv.’ cannot always be relied upon to signify a young bird able to fly freely; wing to lack of unanimity in the various ringing schemes, this term may sometimes lean a chick (= pullus). Abbreviations used for ringing schemes 1. Vogeltrekstation Arnhem is Statens Viltundersokelser, As (Oslo) Natural Sciences Institute, Brussels mo Brno Academy Copenhagen Museum L Vogelwarte Helgoland le. Vogelwarte Hiddensee Iki. Helsinki Museum . Societe Jersiaise '. Vildtbiologisk Station, Kalo, Denmark L Moscow Ringing Bureau Md. Ministry of Agriculture, Madrid Od. Ringmaerkestation, Odense, Denmark P. C.R.M.M.O., Paris P.V. Stacja Ornitologiczna, Poland R. Vogelwarte Radolfzell Rk. Reykjavik Museum S. S. Grupo Aranzadi, San Sebastian, Spain Semp. Vogelwarte Sempach, Switzerland Stav. Stavanger Museum St. Riksmuseum, Stockholm itorm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus . ad. 22.7.66 ’2051 v 27.8.67 jannet Suia bassana pull. 31.7.64 X (27A.67) Heron Ardea cinerea tav. pull. 27.5.65 12057 X c. 20.3.67 )d. pull. 20.5.65 J2/8 X 23.10.67 Burhou: 49°44'N. 2°i5'W. (Alderney) Channel Islands Skokholm: 5i°42,N. 5°i6'W. (Pembroke) Les Etacs: 49°42'N. 2°i5'W. (Alderney) Channel Islands Worthing: 5o°48'N. o°23'W. (Sussex) Rennesoy: 59°07'N. 5°38'E. (Rogaland) Norway near Stornoway: 58°io/N. 6°25'W., Outer Hebrides near Otterup: 55°3o/N. io°25'E. (Fyn) Denmark Warnford: 5i°oo'N. i°o6'W. (Hampshire) i6 Foreign-ringed recoveries Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Af. pull. 30-5-65 )K 17288 + 19.10.66 Lake Engure: 57°i7'N. 23°07'E., Latvian S.S.R. Kelling: 52°56'N. i°o7'E. (Norfolk) Teal Anas crecca Af. ad. (J 26.7.66 E622338 + 1.1.67 Wigeon Anas penelope M. ad. $ 29.6.66 E6l2}JZ FI 21.10.67 Hki. juv. 17.7.65 H55304 + 24.11.65 Pintail Anas acuta M. pull. 29.5.67 Ci 16244 + 16.10.67 Shoveler Anas clypeata M. pull. 1.6.65 yKizzii Vc? 15.7.67 Tufted Duck Ay thy a fuligula Af. pull. 21.6.66 )K 177b + (9.2.67) Hki. ad. $ 12.7.62 H43539 + 28.11.67 Hki. ad. $ 5.7.65 H60J79 X 31.7.65 A. pull. 22.7.67 5027126 FI 1 1.10.67 P. ayr. $ 16.3.66 DAi 1080 + 28.9.67 Aid. f-g- d 27.2.65 E7274 4- 21.1.67 Pochard Aythya ferina Af. pull. 21.7.66 Z24)o v$ 7.1.67 + 27.10.67 Af. f-g-C? 1.8.64 E606657 + 28.1.67 Hki. ad. 9 15.6.64 H47025 + 31.1.66 Brno pull. 12.6.66 23*5 + 30.12.67 R. pull. 12.7.64 P14245 + 31.1.66 Stmp. ad. £ 31.1.66 Z4388 V 26.4.67 Kandalaksha Bay: 66°32'N. 33°25'E. (Murmansk) U.S.S.R. near Tipperary: 52°3o'N. 8°io'W. near Kandalaksha: 67°02'N. 32°35'E. (Murmansk) U.S.S.R. Eday: 59°ii'N. 2°47'W. (Orkney) near Vaala: 64°33'N. 27°o2'E. (Oulu) Finland Frampton-on-Sevem : 5i°46,N. 2°22/W. (Gloucester) Lake Engure: 57°i7'N. 23°07'E., Latvian S.S.R. Neston: 53°i8'N. 3°o4'W. (Cheshire) Lake Engure: 57°i7'N. 23°o7/E., Latvian S.S.R. Abberton: 5i°5o/N. o°53'E. (Essex) Lake Engure: 57°i7'N. 23°o7,E., Latvian S.S.R. Kirkcaldy: 56°o7/N. 3°io'W. (Fife) Matalakari: 6o°07/N. 25°o8'E., Helsinki, Finland near Chippenham: 5i°25'N. 2°o8'W. (Wiltshire) near Bjorkoby: 63°25/N. 2i°05'E. (Vaasa) Finland Birtley: 55°07/N. 2°i2'W. (Northumberland) near Zandvoort: 52°2i,N. 4°32/E. (Noord Holland) Netherlands Loch Yetholm: 55°33/N. 2°i9'W. (Roxburgh) Le Sambuc: 43°30/N. 4°4o'E. (Bouches du Rhone) France Lough Neagh: f.54°4o'N. 6°20/W. (Antrim) Coto Donana: 37°02'N. 6°27'W. (Huelva) Spain Yateley: 5i°2o'N. o°49'W. (Surrey) Lake Engure: 57°i7'N. 23°07'E., Latvian S.S.R. Abberton: 5i°5o'N. o°53'E. (Essex) Langenhoe: 5i°49'N. o°59'E. (Essex) near Kanevskaya: 46°o6'N. 38°58'E. (Krasnodar) U.S.S.R. Tynan Abbey: 54°20,N. 6°5o'W., Keady (Armagh) near Reposaari: 6i°35/N. 2i°3o'E. (Turku & Pori) Finland Bembridge: 5o04i,N. i°05'W., Isle of Wight wwrBohdanec: 50°o6'N. 1 5 °38'E. (Pardubice) Czechoslovakia Latimer: 5i°4i'N. o°35'W. (Buckingham) Bicngarten: 49°4o'N. io°49'E. (Bayern) Germany Loughrea: 53°i2/N. 8°34'W. (Galway) Obcrkirch: 47°i9'N. 8°07'E. (Luzern) Switzerland Abberton: 5i°5o'N. o°5 3'E. (Essex) i7 Foreign-ringed recoveries Pink-footed Goose A.nser fabalis brachyrhyncbus Rk. \ pull. 16.7.53 Thjorsarver : f. 64°33'N. i8°47'W., Iceland 26755 + 24.1.67 Solway Firth: c. 54°5 5/N. 3°30/W. The indications are that few of the Pink-footed Geese ringed by the Wildfowl Trust’s Icelandic expeditions of 1951 and 1953 are still surviving, but this one lived for 13! years. Brent Goose Branta bernicla K. ad. 13.4.61 Jordsand: 5 5°oi'N. 8032'E. (Jutland) Denmark 305646 X 31.1.63 Northey Island: 5i°44'N. o°44'E. (Essex) K. ad. 11. 10.61 Jordsand, Denmark 306911 + 26.12.61 Helford River: 5o°o5/N. 5°i7'W. (Cornwall) K. ad. 22.4.62 Jordsand, Denmark 306950 X 16.2.63 Hullbridge: 5i038'N. o°37/E. (Essex) K. ad. 1.5.62 Jordsand, Denmark 306984 X (9.4.63) West Mersea: 5i°46'N. o°56'E. (Essex) K. ad. 24.4.63 Jordsand, Denmark 307018 X 7.2.65 Freiston: 52°58'N. o°05/E., The Wash (Lincoln) K. ad. $ 24.4.63 Jordsand, Denmark 307019 X 0.1.65 Frampton Marsh: 52°56'N. o°o4'E. (Lincoln) Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis The following are published because of their inland recovery localities: C. ad. 71260 + c. ad. 277192 + c. ad. 179726 + As ad. 20062 V V + As ad. 20332 V + 28.7.63 Pingels Dal: 7i°35/N. 23°o5'W. (Scoresbysund) Greenland (16.12.66) Meigle : 56°35/N. 3°io'W. (Perth) 28.7.63 Pingels Dal, Greenland 24.1.67 Dunblane: 56°i2'N. 3°59'W. (Perth) 12.7.63 0rsted Dal: 7i°5o/N. 23°io/W. (Scoresbysund) Greenland 1 3. 1 1.65 Pontrhydfendigaid : 52°i7/N. 3°5i'W. (Cardigan) 20.7.62 Hornsund: f.77°oo'N. i403o'E., Spitsbergen 2.2.63 Caerlaverock : 54°58'N. 3°26'W. (Dumfries) 24.7.63 Hornsund, Spitsbergen (13.10.67) Aysgarth: 54°i7'N. 2°oo'W., Askrigg (York) 20.7.62 Hornsund, Spitsbergen 2.2.63 Caerlaverock: 54°58'N. 3°26/W. (Dumfries) 21.12.66 Carham: 55°38'N. 2°i8'W. (Northumberland) Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Rk. 0216 Rk. 070 (age?) 6.8.65 X 0.5.67 pull. 9.8.63 X (wires) 1 1.11.67 Amarvatnsheidi : 64°54'N. 2o°35'W. (Myrasysla) Iceland Glendalough: 53°o2/N. 6°i6'W. (Wicklow) Amarvatnsheidi, Iceland Stichill: 55°39'N. 2°25'W., Kelso (Roxburgh) R£. f.g. $ 16.8.63 Amarvatnsheidi, Iceland 0150 X f.5.3.67 Carron: 530o3'N. 9°o5/W., Corofin (Clare) Moorhen Gallinula chloropus C. f.g. 7.10.65 Nakskov: 54°5o'N. ii0io'E. (Lolland) Denmark 748448 X (car) 8.1.67 Burnham Market: 52°57'N. o°44'E. (Norfolk) H. 455539 pull. 20.7.65 r.15.3.67 Wangerooge-Ost : 53°47'N. 7058'E., East Frisian Islands, Germany Holton St. Mary: 5i°59'N. i0oo'E. (Suffolk) X i8 Foreign-ringed recoveries Oystercatcher Haem at op us ostralegus M. pull. 24.6.67 near Kandalaksha: 6y°02/N. 3 2°3 5 'E. (Murmansk) U.S.S.R. E622701 X mid-9.67 Salthouse: 52°57'N. i°o5'E. (Norfolk) This is by far the most northerly origin yet for a foreign-ringed Oystercatcher found in these islands. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Hki. pull. 2.6.64 near Larsmo: 63°46'N. 22°37/E. (Vaasa) Finland B40720 v c. 1 5.1.66 Causeway: 52°25'N. 9°44'W. (Kerry) Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula H. ad. 27-5*67 Uthorn/Sylt: 5 5°o2'N. 8°26'E., North Frisian Islands, Germany 80171092 v 20.8.67 Murston: 5i°22'N. o°46/E. (Kent) Golden Plover Pluvialis apricarius R>fe. f.g. 8.10.66 Midnes: 64°o4'N. 22°43,W. (Gullbringu Sysla) Iceland 716071 + 7.10.67 war Lanark: 5504o'N. 3048'W. Woodcock Scolopax rusticola A. f.g. 5.11.62 Rijsterbos: 52°52'N. 5°29'E. (Friesland) Netherlands 1014132 -j- 30.11.67 Peasmarsh: 5 o°58'N. o°4o'E., Rye (Sussex) Redshank Tringa totanus Kk. pull. 13.7.67 718617 X 31.8.67 Knot Calidris canutus Kk. ad. 27*5*57 611224 V 3.9.67 Dunlin Calidris alp ina M. ad. $ 26.5.67 X230611 V 9.9.67 M. ad. $ 16.5.67 X778588 V 7.9.67 Af. ad. 6.6.66 X939859 V 21. 11. 67 Raudasandur: 65°3o'N. 24°07'W. (Bardastrandar S^sla) Iceland Ravenglass: 54°2i'N. 3°25'W. Midnes: 64°o4'N. 22°43'W. (Gullbringu Sysla) Iceland Snettisham: 52°53'N. o°30/E. (Norfolk) Great Ainov Island: 69°5o'N. 3i°35,E. (Murmansk) U.S.S.R. Terrington Marsh: 52°47'N. o°i7'E. (Norfolk) Great Ainov Island, U.S.S.R. Dawsmere: 52°5i,N. o0o7,E., The Wash (Lincoln) Great Ainov Island, U.S.S.R. Spurn Point: 53°35/N. o°o6'E. (York) Ruff Philomachus pugnax A. ad. d 22.7.67 Watergang: 52°26'N. 4°57'E. (Noord Holland) Netherlands 2072727 X (wires) 23.11.67 Haverfordwest: 5i°49'N. 4°58'W. (Pembroke) Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Af. C117608 pull. X 13.6.65 23.8.67 Great Ainov Island: 69°6o'N. 3i°35/E. (Murmansk) U.S.S.R. Lydd: 50°57