? ' T. > r * ^ «r 0 I 1 Identification of Soft-plumaged Petrel Binoculars and telescopes survey 1991 Rarities Committee news and announcements Mystery photographs • Reviews • Monthly marathon Notes • Letters • News and comment Recent reports British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David A. Christie Editorial Board Dr R. J. Chandler, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, R. J. Prytherch & Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Don Smith & Roger Tidman Art Consultants Robert Gillmor & Alan Harris Rarities Committee P. G. Lansdown (Chairman); Dr Colin Bradshaw, Alan Brown, G. P. Cadey, Peter Clement, A. R. Dean, Pete Ellis, S. J. M. Gantlett, C. D. R. Heard, R. A. Hume & J. H. Marchant; Peter Colston (Museum Consultant & Archivist); Peter Fraser (Statistician); Michael J. Rogers (Honorary Secretary) Notes Panels BKHAVIOUR Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Derek Goodwin, Dr I. Newton, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock & Dr K. E. L. Simmons; ii)F.ntii'Ic;ation Dr R. J. Chandler, A. R. Dean, T. P. Insldpp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, I. S. Robertson, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock & K. E. Vinicombe ‘British Birds’ is published by a non-profit-making company for the benefit of ornithology © British Birtls l.tci 1991 Copyright of photographs remains willi photographers. British Birds is published monthly by British Birds Ltd. 93 High Street. Biggleswade. Bedfordshire ISSN'(K)()7-()3.35 hiblLshing Manager, Production & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Felts Advertising Sandra Barnes Addresses Please keep corres|K)ndence on different items separate. Please address your envelojx* correctl). PleiLse supply SAK, if reply required. Papers, notes, letters, drawings & photographs for publication Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK+4 ;tN). Phone: Biggleswade (0767) 40025 Subscriptions and orders for back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 :tNj. Phone: Biggleswade (0767) 40467 .Ach’ertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 :iNj. Phone: Fiptree (0621) 815085 Bird news for 'Seasonal reports' Barry Nightingale & Keith Allsopp, c/o 7 Bloomsburv' (ilose, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17 9QS. Phone: Woburn (0525) 290314 (evenings); Luton (0582) 490049 (office hours) Neu>s items for ‘News and comment' Mike FAerett & Robin Piytherch, 7 Burlington Way, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon BKIH9BS Rarity descriptions M. J. Rogers, Bag F.nd, Churchtown, 'Fowednack, Cornwall I R'26 ;tAZ Special book and sound recording offers British BirdShop, NHBS, 2 Wills Road, Fotnes, Devon TQ9 3XN. Phone: Fotnes (0803) 865913 Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £38.40, 1R£42.35 or $69. (X). Personal subscriptions: UK, Europe and surface mail £31.20, 1R£34.80 or $54.00; personal: ainnail outside Europe £52.50, IR£58.35 or $94.00. Single back copies £4.(K), 1R£4..50 or $7.(K). Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may also be made directly into UK Po.st Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. British Birds publishes material dealing with original obseivations on the birtls ol the West I'aleaivlii . Kxt ept for ret ords ol rarities, papers and notes are nonniilly aceepled only on < ontlition that inatt‘rial is not In’ing o(Vert*ewritttn with double spac ing, and wide margins, and on one skle of the sheet only. Authors should t arefullv consult this issue lor slyl(‘ ol pn‘S(‘ntalion. espet ially ol referentrs and table's. Knglish .ind st ienlilit names and s<'t|uences of birtls follow I*he ‘British Bird.s* List of Birds of the Western Paleariiic (19H4): names of plants follow Dony rt al. (1980, Knglish Names of Wild Klowers); names of mammals follow Corbel ^ Southern (1977. 'I'he llandiMMik of British Mammals). I opographit at (plumagt* and strut tun*) and agt'ing tenninologt' should follow t'dilorial ircomint'iidations (/int. Hirds 74: 239-242; 78: 419-427; 80: 502). l igurc's should Im' in Indi.in ink on good-<|uality tr;u ing pii|M‘r. drviwing paper, tmn-abstrrbeni lioarti or light l)lue oi very pale grey gra[)h pa|>ei; lettering sliould lie inserted lightly in pt'iu il; captions should Im- typed on a .separate sheet, .\ulhois of main pajM'rs (but not notes or letters) n'ceive ten live copies of the journal (live eat h to two or more authors). Printed in England by N#wnorth Print Llmit#d, Kempston B#dlord -04 HIGH STREET aARNET, HERTS. SN5 5SZ PPEN MON-SAT *3m-6pm HHONE 081-449 1445 hHONE 081-441 7748 081-440 9999 in focus THE BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE SPECIALISTS BRITISH BIRDWATCHING FAIR 1991 EGLETON NATURE RESERVE ■ RUTLAND WATER NEAR OAKHAM • LEICESTERSHIRE SPONSORED BY ‘in SUPPORTING ICBP VtXx/ DANUBE DELTA PROJECT FRIDAY 30 AUG • SAT 31 AUG • SUN 1 SEPT iZtk MAIN STREET, TITCHWELL, NORFOLK PE31 8BB OPEN 7 DAYS 9am-6pm PHONE 0485 210101 ICBP WORLD ENVIRONMENT PARTNER 1991 3^ = VALLEY FIELD DAYS ^DAY DATES 10am-4Dm REGIONAL FIELD WEEKENDS SPRING 1991 nriAND BIRD OBSERVATORY 1i JULY, 11th AUGUST e summer field days at Fishers Green will our customers choose their equipment •f field conditions at this popular ’ /atchtfig site. Lee \^ley Rangers will be on to help enhance your btidwatching day efor detaris. DUNGENESS KENT SAT 29th, SUN 30th JUNE -DDAYS t..M21stJULY. SUN 18th k3UST 10am-4Dm K ocue' are pleased to offer our customers • > South and Vifest the opportunity to test, are and purchase from our full range of «nent at this famous Dorset bird •hffltory Phone for details CHEW VALLEY LAKE AVON SAT 27th, SUN 28th JULY KENFIG N.R. S. GLAMORGAN SAT 6th, SUN 7th JULY ‘in focus’ NEW SHOWROOM BLACKTOFT SANDS HUMBERSIDE SAT 3rd, SUN 4th AUGUST PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO VISITORS WITH AN INVITATION BETWEEN 10am AND 4pm EACH DAY The ideal way to test optics for birdwatching is to watch birds! These Field Weekends at well- known Reserves around the country will enable our customers to choose and select from our complete range of equipment under field conditions. You are invited to apply in writing or phone for an invitation pack to any of the above events indicating your preferred day and time of attendance. OUR NEW SHOP IN NORFOLK OFFERS UNRIVALLED VIEWS OVER TITCHWELL MARSH AND WILL BE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK. CUSTOMERS CAN CHOOSE AND SELECT FROM OUR FULL RANGE OF EQUIPMENT c 539.00 . .599.00 .189.00 219.00 269.00 289.00 31900 339 00 £ 199 00 226 00 226.00 239.00 . 15,00 628.00 628.00 626.00 £ .236.00 .259.00 305.00 509.00 589.00 599.00 639.00 729.00 . 1190.00 c iguard 8 00 Cups (Set) 16 00 Cups Hard (Set) .... 16.00 - yard ...5.00 a Lanyard 15.00 • re Case from 19.00 SJSCH & LOMB 3 6X42BGA 3 10x42BGA (torn 8x36B •tom 10x40BGA i22x60B ) 22X60BGA } 15x-45x60B ) 15x-45x60BGA ;^CA ovid Bx20BC ovid 10x25BC ovid Bx20BCA ovid10x25BCA ’ e lor Mini ovHj 7x42BGA ovid 6x42BGA ovid 10X42BA k ^L ZEISS yt8x20B yt 10x25B yt 6X20BGA yt 8x30BGAT yt 7X42BGAT yt 10X40BGAT . yt 10X40BT yt 8X566GAT 50 Porro GAT >0N x:f >CF . . )CF »OCF )DCF >5DCF )DCF »DCF )DCF KF iSCF 2x24DCF iscope II 20x60 Iscope II 20X-45 £ 69.00 79.00 85.00 89.00 . 135.00 150.00 249.00 ...279.00 .539.00 229.00 .249.00 .329,00 304 00 ...379,00 tecope ED II 20x60 555.00 45x60 4 20x 4 40x 629.00 71.00 79.00 92.00 147.00 ..20.00 10.00 168 00 45 00 45xZoom a Multi Coat Filler 3er Hood oKit -on Case ting scope 20X60GA 199 00 ting scope 20x-45x60GA 265.00 ting Scope 20x 34.95 ling Scope 20-45x Zoom 100.00 KOWA TS-601 TS-602 20xWA 25xWA, ... 20x-60x Zoom Case TSN-1 TSN-2 TSN-3 TSN-4 20x-60x 20xWA 25x . . 30xWA .. 40x 60x 77x Skua Case . .. Rear Dust Dome . Spare O.G. Cover 27xWA (Screw Fit) Case tor TSN . Pholo Adaptor OPTICRON Vega II 6x30 . . Vega II 6x40 HR 8x32MC HR 7x42MC HR8X42MC. HR 10X42MC HR lOxSOMC HR Body 60mm (New) 30xWA ,, 27x-80x Zoom .. - HR Body, 22x 4 Case HR GA. 22x 4 Case. . HR 45. 22x 4 Case HR Body, 20x'60x 4 Case HR GA. 20x-60x 4 Case HR 45. 20x-60x 8 Case 25x or 40x Classic IF60 16xWA 25x 25x HP Zoom 18x-40x Classic IF 75mm .. 22xWA 30x Zoom 22x-47x Piccolo Eye Pieces from Piccolo ED 20x60 Piccolo ED 20x-60x60 Photo Kits from Cases for Scopes Macro Monocular MIRADOR 6x32B 7x42 6x40B 10X40B 10x50B Merlin 60mmx25 . Merlin 16x-40x60 .. £ 179.00 179 00 55.00 48 00 99 00 1995 295.00 295 00 555 00 555 00 139 00 96 00 63 00 11900 63 00 96.00 99 00 39 95 15.00 6 00 59 00 24 95 99 00 £ 44 00 49 00 ,142 00 146 00 . 148 00 153 00 171.00 255.00 32 00 78.00 164.95 . 174 95 204.95 204.95 214 95 234 95 31.00 11000 24 00 24 00 27.00 61 00 140 00 24 00 .27.00 61.00 12800 .29.00 355 00 399 00 30 00 ,1500 50 00 11000 112,00 11300 115-00 .127.00 .97.00 129.00 Merlin 75mmx30. Merlin 22x-47x75 Case for Merlin ... 119.00 157 00 .1600 SWIFT £ Grand Prix 8x40 89 00 County 10x40 69 00 Triton 10x50 99 00 Trilyte 8X42BGA .135 00 Trilyte l0x328GA . 139,00 Audubon HRS 199.00 Audubon 7X35BGA . 329 00 Viewmaster 60 Body .149 00 15-45 X Zoom - 49.00 20x 20 00 Case 15 00 QUESTAR £ Field Model 3* Broad Band Coating. Supplied with 5Ox-0Ox Hood, Case 1900 00 30x-50x 120 00 80xt30x 120.00 Porro Prism .. .140.00 10x25BGA 7x42BGA 10X42BGA HABICHT 10x40 Diana 105.00 209 00 249 00 £ 372.00 OPTOLYTH Alpin 8x306GA Alpin 6x40BGA . Alpin 10x40BGA Alpin lOxSOBGA £ 205 00 . 225 00 230.00 .241 00 Touring 7x42BGA . 398 00 Tounng l0x40BGA .398 00 TBS HD Body 549 00 TBG HD Body 549 00 TBS80 Body 350 00 TBG80 Body 350.00 20x WA ,10000 30x WA 64 00 30x WW (New) . 11900 40xWA(New). 65.00 22x-60x Zoom 150.00 Soft Case 29.00 Hard Case . 35.00 Stay-Oh Case for TGS/TBG 45 00 CENTURY £ 60mm GA Body . .165,00 20x-45x Zoom 60 00 20x30x40x 20 00 Case .. 15.00 BRESSER £ Action 6x40 .69.00 Action 10x50 .79.00 Linear 8x42 11900 Linear 10x42 ...124.00 ROSS £ Cavendish 8x42B. . 139 95 Hanover 10x428... 149.95 Regent 8x42B .169 95 Kensington 10x428 179 95 MINOLTA 8x23B 90.00 9x24B. . . 95.00 10x23B 105.00 7x2lBGA .75 00 8x22BGA 8500 331 00 220 00 547.00 32xWA 20x-60x Zoom .72 00 164 00 BUSHNELL Spacemaster Body Spacemaster Body GA 15x-45x Zoom £ 145 00 165 00 49 00 . 1500 VELBON £ D400 39.95 D500 NEW FLUID HEAD 1 59 95 D600 TRIPODS 69 95 D7no _ 79 95 CULLMANN £ 49 95 Shoulder F^>d 24 95 Q/R System 9 95 SLIK £ Master D2 . 72 95 MANFROTTO £ 40,00 . .50 00 l44BBase 55.00 45.00 200 Heed 50 00 Tripod Strap 1095 5 95 ACCESSORIES £ Car Window Mount .22.00 Universal Mount 22 00 Hide Clamp 38 00 Rainguards from . 3.50 Pentax Cleaning Kit 399 Tripod Strap 6.95 Lanyards from 4.00 Also in stock Binoculars from Pentax, Fujmon, Redfield, AdlerbiicK. etc *ln focus’ CARE PLAN At a cost of )ust no any new equip- mers can be covered for a penod of 3 years from purchase In the event of equipment faibng for whatever reason it will be rectified by ourselves at no charge. Ask for full details PIRSONAL CALLIRS Can choose and select from our comprehensive range of equip- ment. Compare Zeiss with Leitz and Bausch & Lomb. Kowa with Nikon and Optolylh. We are a completely independent company, whose only concern is that our customers select the correct instrument for their personal needs. PHONB ORDERS Discuss your requirements with our technical staff and orders placed with Access or Visa Cards will be despatched same day MAIL ORDER Just add £2 to help towards P&P and insurance and your order will be sent the same day as we receive your cheque. All goods supplied on 14 days approval upon receipt of full remittance SECONDHAMD Instruments are always available. Turnover is fast so we do not pnnt a list. Phone for information. PART EXCHANGE Top prices paid for good condition Bins and Scopes. HOW TO FIND US (NORFOLK) We are 500 yds east of the RSPB Reserve at Tttchwell on the A1 49 between Hunstanton and Bran- caster, and we have our own pn- vate car parking. HOW TO FIND US (BARNET) We are 10 mins from M25 and AIM motorways and 15 mins walk from High Barnet Tube Station. TELESCOPES AND TRIPOD OUTFITS If you purchase a scope and tnpod at the same time we can offer you a very special pnce! PHONE FOR A QUOTE INTEREST FREE CREDrT ON SELECTED Zeiss, Leitz, Kowa and Nikon products Phone or write for details. SUMMER SPECIAL FREE TRIPOD WITH ANY NEW SCOPE! BUY ANY NB/V SCOPE OVER £1 40 AND W£ WILL GIVE YOU FREE OF CFIARGE ATOP QUALITY TRIPOD, NORMAL PRICE £40 OR PAY THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR CHOICE OF TRIPOD OR CLAMP E&OE (D876) National Bird News “ Are pleased to welcome “ The B.B.R.C.'s own hotline of accepted records now available All profits from this line go direct to British Birds. 0898-884-522 i “Find out which records have been accepted" N.B.N. 0898-884-500 FOR THE FASTEST RARE BIRD NEWS ANYTIME ANYPLACE ANYWHERE "TWITCH-LINE 0«98-8«4.S()r Responding after the tone in the headlines gives full site and direction details, so you only listen to what you want to hear.A large proportion of all monies recieved by National Bird News and Twitchline are donated direct to named conservation bodies, such as the BTO, the WWF, the ICBP. the BBCS ,the RSPB and to British Birds. If you have any rare bird news ring our HOTLINE on 0205-.^580.‘i(). 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BE2I SAL ('.ills iiiv charged at Op |vr min chciip rale / 44p \iaiulard-|vak r.itc inc\ A I IBOOKS FOR BIRDING onmon (NATURAL HISTORY) -8 JUl 1991 PnESENTED • We are now reputed to be one of the largest stockists kin the Midlands, of ornithological books. On our J shelves you will find the full Poyser range together « with Field Guides published by Collins, Heim, k Mitchell Beazley, Hamlyn, Kingfisher and ■ many others. The popular *Where to Watch’ series now covers a large area of the UK. If your holiday is taking you further afield, maybe one of our foreign bird kbooks would be a useful addition to your luggage. We also stock a compre- hensive range of natural history titles on associated subjects. New titles are constantly being added to tOur stock so please send for our latest catalogue lor better still pay us a visit. We know you won’t be disappointed. PRICE CHANGES: Due to the recent rise in VAT, all prices illustrated may vary. Leading specialists in quality BINOCULARSand TELESCOPES ZZEISS WEST OPTOLYTH ADLERBLICK BUSHNELL MANFROTTO ■ 10x40 BGAT*P 7x42 BGAT’P. 8x30 BGAT'P tkDttipn wltction 8x20 BT'P .. t 10x25 BT*P. , 599.00 .589.00 509.00 LEICA Trmovid 8x20 BCA Trinovid 10x25 BCA. 7x42 BA 8x42 BA 10x42 BA “iHABICHT ^Compact 8x20 8 ’•TrMlrtional 8x30 WM iTnditionat 7x42 WM I’Oim' 10x40 WM r S.L. Rvipt 7x42 ' S.L. Ranqi 10x40 SLC Rang* 8x30 AT 80 Body 22x6P 226.00 239.00 628.00 628.00 628.00 Alpin 8x40 BGA Alpin 10x40 BGA... Alpin 10x50 BGA... Touring 10x40 Roof Priim 8x56 Scopa 30x75 TBS 80 body TBGBObody 20xWA 20x30x40x 22x -60x zoom 225.00 230.00 243.00 398.00 440.00 340.00 350.00 350.00 100.00 65.00 150.00 Multicoat 8x42 169.95 Multicoat 10x42 179.95 Multicost 10x50 198.95 Add Cl 5 for rubbar armoured Multicoat Adlancopa 4S^72mm body 254.95 25x sp 73.95 Zoom eyapiace 20-60x 99.95 Spscamaatar 60mm body 140.00 Spscamaatar 60mm body RA 159.00 Spacamastar with zoom WP.._ 332.00 l5x-45xzoom 79.00 SWIFT OPTICRON Oipray 7.5x42 149.00 Audubon R.P. 7x35 BGA 329.00 Audubon 8.5x44 199.00 KOWA Compact 7x24 Compact 8x24. .. 77.00 78.00 80.00 BRESSER 144 Baiic 144 Basic Black. 190 Mini pro 190 Mini pro Black 055 Black 126 Mini vidao haad 200 CompKt V,Uhfr Ir.iii magazine (D845) Black-eared Wheatear by David M. Cottridge BIRDIINC WORLD THE BIRDERS' MAGAZINE For a free sample copy^ write to: Birding World Stonerunner Coast Road Cl^nexttheSea ^ Hoh, NorfbBt, NR25 7RZ (D871) IV FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON ALL LEADING BRANDS Focus on the friendly experts We at Charles Frank pride ourselves on giving the sort of friendly service that we enjoy receiving when we go shopping. This, coupled with extensive knowledge gained from many years in the optical business means that we’ll understand what you’re talking about. You'll also like theicompetitive prices that we offer on our wide rang|(s:M?t)inoculars and telescopes. Come to us tor service that you’ve been looking for • •A large showroom allow5|||i^ji^ii^ of binoculars, telescopes and accessorSM^rt#:b^Knsi|i^ why not use it at Minsmere ^jonly 6 mltdis away - or at other prime wildlife sites nearfif. A range of fully guaranteed used items available. Part exchange welcome. Ample free parking. Full after-sales service. • •MAIL ORDER - If you cannot visit us in person, your choice can be securely packed and quickly despatched to you Please add £3 to cover postage, packing & insurance All stock items may be returned within 14 days, in unused condition, for a full refund if unsuitable in any way. A SMALL SELECTION FROM OUR VAST RANGE OF LEADING BRANDS Charles Frank 8x42 Gold Label 121.50 22x60 WA armoured 173.50 Adlerblick 10x42 Multi-coated 182.00 Swarovski 10x40 WM Diana 372.00 Swift 8.5x44 Audubon HRS 204.50 Optolyth 10x40 Alpin 235.00 TBG/S80 body 357.50 20x WW eyepiece 102.00 Nikon 20x60 Fieldscope EDM 559.00 Zeiss 7x42 B/GAT*P Dialyt 589.00 10x40 B/GAT‘P Dialyt 599.00 Leica 10x42 BA Trinovid 628.00 Bausch & Lomb 8x42 Elite armoured 612.00 22x60 Elite armoured 299.00 Pentax 8x56 DCF armoured 289.95 Kowa TSN-1/2 body 295.00 TSN-3/4 body 555.00 20x WA eyepiece 96.00 30x WA eyepiece 119.00 Slik D2 74.50 Manfrotto 144 & 128RC head 107.50 Prices correct at 13th May 1991 Charles Frank The Optical Experts ^^INFORMATION HOTLINE (0728) 603506 Z < O OR w ‘ FOR PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL SERVICE SERVICE DIVISION & GLASGOW SHOWROOM We also have a small showroom at our Service Division in Glasgow, opposite Central Station. A full range of Charles Frank binoculars and telescopes is available together with a selection of other leading branded models. We will clean and re-align your hand held binocular or telescope for £26.50 including return P&P. Send with your cheque to; Charles Frank Service Division, 6th Floor, 93 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6LD Telephone:041 204 4301 Open;MONDAY-FRIDAY 9am to 5pm. Charles Frank , Ronald Lane, Carlton Park, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 2NL Telephone; 0728 603506 Fax: 0728 604044 Open: MONDAY - SATURDAY 9am to 5pm (D875) BIRDS OF THE STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR Clive Finlayson Clive Finlayson, presents a fascinat- ing account of the Strait of Gibraltar and its resident and transitory bird life. Coverage includes the area and geographical characteristics that make it a suitable crossing place, the migration patterns of the principle passage species showing how weather and visibility affect the route and timing of the crossing and the ornithology of the entire peninsula is summa- rized. Illustrated by Ian Willis. July 1991, c. 384 pages, £18.50 (tentative), ISBN; 0.85661.066.6 T & A D POYSER 24-28 Oval Road London NW1 7DX 071-267-4466 (D661) AUTHORISED SWAROVSKI OPTIK DEALERS AVON: London Camera Exchange. BATH 0225 462234 Ace Cameras. BRISTOL 0454 325302 BEOFOADSHinE: John Eastatf. KEMPSON HARDWICK 0234 740634 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE: Reed Photography. AYLESBURY 0296 25116 CAMBRIDGESHIRE: John Bradshaw. PETERBOROUGH 06326 376 CHESHIRE: Focalpoecially made boots to protect their feet. In France, geese are still force-fed to produce the much-desired foie gras. If man was not domesticating wildfowl, he was trapping them in specially built duck- decoys and shooting them, originally for food, latterly for sport. Duck-decoys have now virtually disappeared, except for a few preserved for catching and ringing. Wildfowling continues, however, though much better regulated than it once was, even if British waldfowlers still fiercely defend night-shooting, a practice that has long since been banned in North America and almost every other European country for the obvious reasons that quarry identification is at the very least suspect and disturbance of roosts inevitable. Conservation, research and education are the three main planks of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust’s work and these are covered in the detail they deserve. Aviculture has played an important part in the conservation of some species, and this, too, is treated thoroughly. A more contentious outcome of aviculture has been the release or escape into the wild of alien species, including the Canada Goose Branta canadensis, Mandarin Aix gaiericulata and Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis. Not all associations of wildfowl with man are benign, and among conflicts discussed in a separate chapter are those of geese and agriculture (though I was disappointed that the story seemed to end nearly 20 years ago). To describe some incidents of Pink-footed Geese Anser brachyrhynchus eating unharvested carrots in Lancashire in the 1970s as ‘one of the most serious allegations of crop damage’ is to ignore what Barnacle Geese B. leucopsis and Brent Geese B. bemicla have been doing on a far larger scale over the last decade or more. The chapter on legend, language and art is a delight, with wonderfully apposite illustrations throughout, as indeed is true of the whole book, with many by one of my favourites, Thomas Bewick. Wildfowl turn up in myth and legend all over the world and have been the subject of poetry, literature and superb paintings. There is also a rather turgid ballet score. I do have one quibble here, which is that to consult just The Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names is to ignore the equal riches that would have been found in a book on Scottish place-names. The Gaelic, too, produces plenty of examples, it being quite appropriate that the RSPB now owns Loch a’Gheoidh (Loch of the Geese) on Islay. There is a final thought-provoking chapter looking into the future, not all of it rosy. This rounds off a thoroughly readable book, full of interest, often charmingly anecdotal, and as complete a survey of its subject as one could wdsb for. M Al.coi.M Ogii.VIF. Bird Songs of Israel and the Middle East. By Krister Mild. Two cassettes, explanatory booklet and check-list of Israeli birds. Bird Recording Services, London, 1990. £26.95. This neat package scores over most compilations by 80 pages of small print in a booklet, giving details of each recording (the kind of vocalisation, place, date, whether analogue or digital, and recordist) and a description of what you hear, together with brief notes on the species’ status and habitat. This is a clear and helpful discussion, for which average field guides have insufficient space. The phonetic renderings of calls are carefully considered (and only rarely, compared with some translations, does the attempt fail in English, while no doubt being more successful in Swedish). The tapes themselves are thorough and good, with few notable omissions (Red-throated Pipit Anlhus cervinus is one), and many previously unpublished species. The bands are introduced by an unfortunately dull voice in English; with 1 14 species on four sides of tape, it takes a while to find what you want (compact discs with their skip-find facility beat cassettes easily at this). I'he recordings are mostly very good, some with a noticeable ‘halo’ of faint sound around the bird’s voice. 'lEere is a justifiable plea not to copy the tapes for a friend — ‘spare a thought for a birdwatcher with meagre financial resources trying to recover his costs’ — but the price is rather high. Rob H UMF. 266 Guillemots Uria aalge (Darren Rees, “First, and most important, this telescope is optically magnificent, with phenomenal clarity and a superbly large field of view. If you are a birder who is seeking the best possible telescope . . . the optical gain is significant, especially in the worst viewing conditions. It is an elite instrument, to be treasured by those fortunate enough to own one.” Dr J T R Sharrock, testing the Kowa TSN-3 with x20W eyepiece, British Birds June 1990. Kowa TSN Fluorite lens scope, available angled or straight. . . . A superb image ' - icially appointed distributor for Kowa Telescopes wser- SGI Ltd., Optical Equipment Division, Fircroft Way, j Jenbridge, Kent TN8 6HA. i I I ’‘i g>ssso § 0003 ^*TjTj*r)a 00 M O M M » p p p 5 5*o*o*ot> 3 g|g-3.3.5'5-5-5-^ ^ 00 ^ — — —■ 00 Cl _ M o o M j (-> —OoMMM^d M M cn cn ^ o ^ yjM cn^WtOtO^ OOV ^csjcsaeocoooii o^ootooooeooc lo dnCB •*■ OWOOOoOW p ^aw ”oog" > ^ Sggo?ggS> s="=”ii 73 0 s a a l^»»>»*> m W »*>»*»»*» H- ^ .- H» »*> — e» »*> w »»> G) 2*> 0} ^ CO eo to to N-^-.^^ ”|333ii OOi^ ft S.2.S" X m" S SSs“s^' S“g 00 CO 03 c/} >>o^* li-’i § i S®®»s'2s ^^wweog e'e’S^S 2-®o2o5^ &&®o So^gB-QQ 2£9S“9 oo'X'S o<*eooH M K ~ ®M ® eoi.: 4^50*. ®o0 oO>o®o§ 50 ?■ CD O W l^s. g •jpb.jj' “ ^ “ M « M " s& I cr I i*» »».»»» ® ® ® c *•» p»> t»> ^ jrt (rt j M m m »*) COW CD >-x ^ r*> CO 1* ^ UU M ©H M G> ^ CD ^ ® O ® O ® ® O ® 2® N©©NN f nonnoO 9 Q-rjOg*Tj*Tj Q *75 *TJ TJ CO ® ® Q >0 *0 i-B B 220 °°>< M Il8 S.S.S CO r co« ® ® •■ M ^fll^ ® 5^*75*75 -®H-C0®5J ® ® X- ® •- ® ® *0 Z 00 ©H©MKH M.^©K©HNHHOfJ **^^coeo5 w®Hco>COC3COCO ®CDtO t*> tn t»> CD * c o® £i- ® M I pS8o3|S z H Q a a “£> g if 2 2 ® 1l S O ©©0,0,330 = !ia?|ig§ « o 8 t»> (n np* cn ^ CO Co CO cn ^ o> CO ® ^ ® rlfisssIfiiiifeiiyisPHi g§iggg M CO CO * * P — ® CO CO CO > M M “ ^nd Is mil = sslrJ 5 "Sg^x ■” ►> H> »•» l*> H) t*> Jo O ^ CO ® ® *>> 0 ® ® ® ® ® ® <; m *Ti ^ ac [ '® B 2<» ® I i e.ai| M- CD as. K-n u e tJ ) 1 a ^ 507 P'g'st-i ; ^ g cr ^ S ? I’S. ■o (uesT) XII Binoculars and telescopes survey i. 1991 J. T. R. Shamrock and L. W. Sharrock This is the fifth periodic report on the views — likes and dislikes — of their optical equipment by the readers of British Birds. Previous reports were published in 1978, 1982, 1985 and 1988 {BHt. Birds 71: 429-439; 76: 155-161; 78: 167-175; 81: 149-160). The readers of British Birds probably comprise the most knowledgeable and demanding of all binocular and telescope users, certainly amongst birdwatchers. The wide range of interest of British Birds readers creates an equally wide range of uses to which they put their optical equipment, and wide range of conditions in which they are used: from the twilight of dawn and dusk on murky British winter days, or in the drizzle and seaspray of coastal seawatching for passing seabirds, to the glaring brilliance and dry heat of midday in Middle Eastern deserts; and from distinguishing seabirds or raptors at great range, to reading numbers on the rings on the legs of waders or the close-range perusal of primary positions on the wingtips of warblers. Finances allowing, the British Birds birdwatcher will own the best available optical equipment. Our successive survey reports have shown the readiness of birdwatchers at this high level of competence to change to the newest, better model. On average, 12% o{ British Birds readers buy new binoculars and 12% buy a new telescope each year, so, on average, each individual British Birds reader buys new binoculars or a new telescope every four years (‘Readership survey’, Brit. Birds ^\ \ 203-205). Thus, the trends in ownership quickly follow improvements made by manufacturers. Optical equipment can be judged by a wide variety of tests, usually in the laboratory. The results of such exercises are published elsewhere, such as in the consumer magazine Which? We consider, however, that the best test of the suitability for birdwatching of binoculars or telescopes is the performance during months and years of use (and misuse!) in field conditions, as rated by expert, critical birdwatchers. Like its predecessors, this report is based upon a cut-out/pull-out questionnaire published in British Birds (October 1990 issue, p. xviii, repeated overleaf). A total of 832 questionnaires was returned. We are aware that this is not the random sample recommended by statisticians. It will contain disproportionate numbers of those who are dissatisfied with what they own and wish to complain, and of those who are impressed by what they own and wish to praise; the owner who is ‘fairly satisfied’ will have less incentive to bother to complete and mail a questionnaire. With this bias always in mind, however, the results do reflect the opinions of a large number of the 267 [Brit, ay* 84: 267-282, July 1991] 268 Binoculars and telescopes surv^ Binoculars and telescopes survey, V SINOCULARS Wlui btitocuUrt do ro«i we? Hom' do vow rale (hew generaJ performanre* (TW*K osr tUX) If vuw purcKued a Mould vou rhooae? r.xcnJxvT vm ujuo SATnrvcTcNtv mo* vnvFoiM Do vou uru ipccuctca when birdwauKine* [Ve put your b*norui*r» world’s top birdwatchers, and, by comparison with our earlier sur- veys, reveal trends in ownership and in perception of the good and bad qualities of the various makes and models currently available. One point does need stressing. The people reporting on their opti- cal equipment are all experienced and critical birdwatchers. They will not own poor-quality binoculars or telescopes. The optical equipment named in this report will comprise the top makes and models; even the lowest-rated is in the top two or three dozen available. ‘High Street stores’ often contain a multitude of poor-quality binoculars, and tele- scopes useless for birdwatching; such items are not included in this report. In this survey, a few question- naires contained answers to some but not all questions. In consequence, the totals are not necessarily the same in each table. TCLESCOTES 1 u»< a i«tncopc? inri> O.VK •nxi vow lue a inpod Mith ii? inck oN'F. aoM Ah*«y« at ! nc«rtv atwav Rc^utariv SometiiiM OccaMOMlIv New 1 ,> 3 4 5 Alw«v« M ■ Bcariv atwav-a ReKwUrH Someume* OccaaxmaDy New 1 h 3 4 i \Vha« Kincop* do vow own? .Maic model KenenJ perfeimanrr aa incKUNRWnO: vanrACTiMr Make If vow purtbaaed a new one. vdvat leleteope would you chooac le bwv? IT vow own and uae more iban one eve^ere. pleaae enter moai weed one akwe and t Mherlil here' L Retufn before lO.i 1.90 to; 0 # T Smvn. fimitmat. L 7VI«|r 0M7I; 429-4)9; 76.- 1SS-I6I; 7» 167-179; 6lr 14^160) provided wry iniemtinf and wacful lidonnatmn on birdiaickn ticn^ W« hope that B8 awbocriben wiH a(ain help «i* by comptetmg and fetumwif ihn (wni u wa. Thank you. Binoculars Most popular binoculars The binocular most frequently owned by British Birds readers is the Zeiss West* Dialyt 10X40B (table 1). It has maintained its top position, at just over 28%, despite stiff competition, and is still around 20% clear of its closest rival. The fastest-rising star is the Zeiss West 7x42, leaping from thirteenth place three years ago into a clear second place this time. Also of note are two newcomers, the Bausch & Lomb Elite 10X42B and 8x42B, each making up less than 2% at present, but likely to rise up the table from their current eleventh and twelfth positions. Most popular makes of binocular Some manufacturers produce only a few models, but others make several suitable for birdwatching. The latter, with ownership ‘split’ many ways, are potentially (and unfairly) under-represented in table 1, so ownership by make rather than model is shown in table 2. The most popular make of binocular is the Zeiss West, which has improved its position from just over 30% to only just under 40%, with more than three times as many owners as *Formerly known as 7^ss H^esl Germany, this manufacturer is now called 7Ass Germany. 269 Binoculars and telescopes survey Table 1. Most popular binoculars The binoculars most frequently owned by knowledgeable birdwatchers in 1990 (1987 1987 Now Position position) Make & model (%) (%) 1st (1) ZEISS WEST Dialyt 10X40B 28.8 28.4 2nd (13=) ZEISS WEST 7X42 1.2 8.8 3rd (3) LEITZ Trinovid I0X4OB 7.0 6.0 4th (5) SWIFT Audubon 8.5x44 4.4 5.5 5th (6) OPTOLYTH Alpin 10x40 3.7 4.9 6th (4) OPTOLYTH Alpin 10x50 4.8 4.2 7th (2) ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 10X50 8.7 3.7 8th (8) LEITZ Trinovid 8x40B 2.5 2.8 9th (10) SWAROVSKI/HABICHT Diana 10X40 1.7 2.4 10th (9) ZEISS JENA Notarem 10X40B 2.2 1.9 11th — BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 10X42B — 1.7 12th — BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 8x42B — 1.4 13th= — LEICA 10x42 — 1.3 13th= — OPTOLYTH Alpin 8X40 — 1.3 13th= — ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 8x30 — 1.3 16 th — LEITZ Trinovid 7x42 — 1.2 17th — ZEISS WEST Dialyt 8x30 — 1.1 All others 27.6 22.4 Table 2. Most popular makes of binocular 'I'he makes most frequently owned by knowledgeable birdwatchers in 1990 (1987 1987 Now Position position) Make (%) (%) 1st (1) ZEISS WEST 30.8 39.7 2nd (3) OPTOLYTH 10.4 12.9 3rd (4) LEITZ/LEICA 10.3 12.8 4th (2) ZEISS JENA 16.4 8.4 5th (5) SWIFT 9.5 6.7 6th BAUSCH & LOMB — 3.7 7th (6) SWAROVSKI/HABICHT 2.3 2.9 8th (7) OPTICRON 1.7 2.5 9th — ADLERBLICK — 1.4 10 th (11) NIKON 0.8 1.3 All others 7.7 its nearest rival. Optolyth rises to second position, with 2.5% more owners than three years ago. Although Zeiss West shows by far the largest increase, the appearance of Bausch & Lomb in the listings should be noted, taking sixth position, with 3.7% of the market already. We predicted in 1988 that ‘By the early 1990s, we expect that well over half of the most knowledgeable birdwatchers will own either a Zeiss West or a Leitz binocular.’ By 1990, the total was 52.5%. Most highly rated binoculars All owners were asked to rate their binoculars on a six-category scale, as Excellent, Very good. Good, Satisfactory, Poor or Very poor, and these categories were scored from 6 to 1 during analysis of the survey results (table 3). Although owners’ assessments were subjective, and will have 270 Binoculars and telescopes survey Table 3. Most highly rated binoculars Performance of binoculars as rated by their owners Performance rating: 6 = excellent, 5 = very good, 4 = good, 3 = satisfactory, 2 = poor, 1 = very poor (1987 Performance rating Average per- Position position) Make & model 6 5 4 3 2 1 formance rating lst = BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 8X42B 12 Excellent 6.00 lst = — LEICA 10X42 II Excellent 6.00 lst = — OPTOLYTH 9x63 5 Excellent 6.00 4th (1) ZEISS VVE.ST 7X42 68 4 Excellent 5.94 5th (4) LEITZ Trinovid 8x40B 20 3 Excellent 5.87 6th — BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 10X42B 12 2 Excellent 5.86 7th (3) LEITZ Trinovid 7x42 8 2 Excellent 5.80 8th (5) LEITZ Trinovid I0X4OB 40 9 1 Excellent 5.78 9th (2) ZEISS WEST Dialyt 10X40B 187 52 1 1 Excellent 5.76 10th — LEICA 8x42 3 1 Excellent 5.75 llth (13) NIKON 8X30 5 2 Excellent 5.71 12th — OPTOLYTH Alpin 12x50 3 2 Excellent 5.60 13th — ZEISS WEST Dialyt 8x30 6 2 1 Excellent 5.56 14th (6) SWAROVSKI/HABICHT Diana 10x40 13 5 1 1 Excellent 5.50 15th (7) OPTICRON Elite 9x35 4 2 1 Very good 5.43 16th= (23=) OPTICRON Classic 10x42 3 2 1 Very good 5.33 16th= — ADITRBLICK 10x42 1 2 Very good 5.33 16th= — ADLERBLICK MC 10x50 1 2 Very good 5.33 16th= (14) ZEISS JENA Deltrintem 8x30 1 2 Very good 5.33 20th — ZEISS WEST 10X50 2 1 1 Very good 5.25 21st (10) SWIFT Audubon 8.5x44 17 22 6 1 Very good 5.20 22nd (II) OPTOLYTH Alpin 10x40 12 23 5 I Very good 5.10 23rd (12) OPTOLYTH Alpin 8X40 2 8 1 Very good 5.09 24th= (15) ZEISS JENA Dekarem 10x50 7 Very good 5.00 24th= — ADLERBLICK 8x42 1 3 1 Very good 5.00 24th = _ OPTICRON 8X42 3 Very good 5.00 24th= — OPTOLYTH Alpin 8X30 3 Very good 5.00 28th — OPTOLYTH Alpin 10x50 6 21 6 2 Very good 4.89 29th= (16=) PENTAX 8X40 3 Very good 4.75 29th = (9) SWIFT Osprey 7.5x42 3 1 Very good 4.75 31st (18) ZEISS JENA Jenoplem 10x50 3 19 7 2 Very good 4.74 32nd (25) ZEISS JENA Notarem 10X40B 2 8 3 1 1 Very good 4.53 33rd — OP'rOLYTH Touring 10x40 I 1 1 Good 4.33 34th (22) ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 8x30 4 6 1 Good 4.27 taken into account a very wide range of different features, they will have been made independently by the 832 owners, giving a very good indication of the quality of the different models, based upon well over a million hours of intensive use in the field. It should be noted that even the most lowly model, listed in thirty- fourth position, is still rated as ‘Good’ by its owners; as stated in the introduction, British Birds subscribers would not be using poor binoculars, and readers of this report should bear that in mind. The three top-rated models are all owned by relatively few birdwatchers at present, though that is likely to change now, as a result of this survey and word-of-mouth recommendation. The Bausch & Lomb Elite 8X42B, the Leica 10x42 and the Optolyth 9x63 all have a 100% record, with every owner considering them to be ‘Excellent’. The more-widely owned models are less likely to achieve a 100% record, but another 1 1 models come pretty close. The Zeiss West 7x42 is the most highly rated of the popular models, with only marginally less than the 100% record which it achieved three years ago. The Leitz Trinovid 8X40B is close behind, in fifth place. Indeed, there are only marginal differences between the top dozen or so models. It is noteworthy, however, that half of the top-rated models are newcomers to this table. Bausch & Lomb will be well pleased to see their Kay Optical -648 8822 OPEN 1st Floor, 89(B) London Rosd, MON - SAT 9am - 5pm MORDEN, Surrey, SM4 5HR (Mon-Fri: Lunch 1-2pm) Sales & Servicing of: BINOCULARS - TELESCOPES - TRIPODS, etc VIEWING FACILITIES for the best equipment. COMPETITIVE PRICES. LONG-ESTABLISHED WORKSHOP. (290) « ZEISS 10x25BDialyt : 8x30BGA/T(P) 7 X 42 BGA/T (P) 10x40BGA/T(P) 15X60BGA/T 8 X 56 BGA/T (without case) I BAUSCH & LOMB • 6 X 42 BA Elite 10x42 BA Elite . Custom 8 X 36 B - Custom 1 0 X 40 BGA : 22 X 60 B Elite . 22 X 60 BGA Elite 15-45x B Elite ■ 15-45x BGA Elite • SWAROVSKI • 7 X 30 SLC 5 8 X 30 SLC ' lOx 40 Diana < AT80 scope (body) 22x (WA) eyepiece : 20-60X zoom eyepiece ^ AT80 case ^ LEICA f 6 X 20 BC TrinovkJ 6 8 X 20 BCA Trinovid 10 X 25 BC Trinovid 10 X 25 BCA Trinovid ■ 7 X 42 BA Trinovid 8 X 42 BA Trinovid 10 X 42 BA Trinovid Z ZEISS (Jena) ? 8 X 32 BA Notarem S SWIFT 7 X 35 roof prism 8 8Vz X 44 HR5 Audubon F FUJINON 8 X 40 BFL s NIKON 8 X 23 waterproof 1 0 X 25 waterproof 8 X 20 F roof prism 10 X 25 F roof prism 9 X 30 roof prism £ 259 509 569 599 1.190 669 599 599 193 239 275 293 315 332 321 331 372 535 70 160 91 199 226 226 239 628 628 628 115 329 205 179 157 157 143 158 248 £ 8 X 30 ECF porro WF 229 10x35ECFporroWF 249 Fieldscope II 20 x 60 (270) 304 Fieldscope II 20-45 x 60 (340) 379 ED II 20 x 60 (485)555 ED II 20-45 x 60 (557)630 30x, 40x or box eyepieces 76 Camera adaptor 168 Mod . for other cameras 1 8 Quality filter 13 Rubber hood 8 Spotting scope 20 x 60 GA 204 Spotting scope 20-45x GA 271 KOWA TSN-1 (45^) body 295 TSN-2 body 295 TSN-3 body 555 TSN-4 body 555 25x or 40x eyepiece 63 20x (WA) eyepiece 96 30x (WA) eyepiece 1 1 9 20-60x zoom eyepiece 139 60x eyepiece 96 77x eyepiece 99 Camera adaptor 800mm 107 Camera adaptor 1 200mm 1 79 Kowa case 22 Weathershield case 36 Spare CX3 cover 5 27x (WA) eyepiece (Saew fit) 59 Eyepiece dust dome 15 VIEWMASTER 45® scope with zoom EP 199 OPTOLYTH 8 X 30 Alpin 205 8x40Alpin 225 10x40 Alpin 230 10x50 Alpin 241 12x50 Alpin 247 9x63 BGA Royal 450 TBG80 telescope body 350 TBS 80 (45®) body 350 30x, 40x eyepieces 64 20x (WA) eyepiece 100 22-60x zoom eyepiece 150 TB nylon case 35 OPTICRON 8x32 (HRII) 8x42 (HRII) 10x42 (HRII) 10x50 (HRII) 7 x 42 (HRII) 8 X 32 Dioptron 8 X 42 Dioptron 1 0 X 42 Dioptron 10 X 50 Dioptron 7 X 35 Elite 9 X 35 Elite 7 X 40 Minerva 9 X 35 Minerva 8 X 40 Minerva 10 X 40 Minerva 7 X 24 MCF HR 80mm scope body 30x (WA) eyepiece 27-80X zoom eyepiece HR 60mm scopes;* Std w/22x & case Std w/zoom & case GA w/22x & case GA w/zoom & case 45® w/22x & case 45® w/zoom & case HR Photokit Classic IF, 60mm & 75mm Piccolo body Zoom eyepiece Other eyepieces, from Nylon padded case BUSHNELL Spacemaster body 15-45x zoom EP 22x (WA) EP 25x or 40x EP Photokit Nylon padded case REDFIELD (waterproof) 7 X 30 RA roof prism 10 X 50 RA roof prism 1 5-45 X 60 RA scope FALCON 8 X 42 RA roof prism 1 0 X 42 RA roof prism £ 139 145 150 167 143 110 110 115 127 147 186 168 169 170 175 77 249 32 76 160 200 170 210 200 230 62 phone 130 77 20 15 148 72 32 30 62 15 290 310 299 110 110 SERVICE. GREENKAT £ 8 X 40 RA VISTA 56 10 X 42 RA VISTA 56 SGN-lll 60mm scope body 165 20x, 30x, 40x 50x or 60x EP 25 Close*up lens 24 Photo tube 2: Padded nylon case 15 OBSERVATION Vixen 20 X 100 750 Vixen 30 x 80 375 Greenkat 20 x 60 150 Greenkat 20 x 80 215 MONOCULARS 8 X 20 RP witfi micro. 80 8 X 30 GA RP 80 10x30 GA RP 81 NIGHT VISION Redscan infra*red scope, complete 705 Mains charger 71 Sentinel 70mm image intensifier 1.790 SOUGOR Camera lenses etc. stocked ROSS 8 X 42 ZCF Regent 174 1 0 X 42 ZWCF Kensington 184 QUESTAR Phone for quotation. Used scopes may be available. TRIPODS etc. Slik D2 75 Slik SL67 107 Manfrotto 144/200 105 Manfrotto 144/128 100 Mantrotto 190/200 93 Soligor 550 40 Universal damp 22 Hide clamp II 38 Car window mount 22 Shoulder pod 30 Cullmann hide clamp 50 T-mounts, from 8 1^ PACKAGE DEALS: Special prices are given in many cases where a combination of goods are bought. ■k SHORT-TERM IKTEREST-fREE CREDfT available on £150 and over (three payments). ■k REPAIRS carried out in our own workshops (our policy is to get your opto bird-wateh operational with minimal delay). FREE TRIPOD WORTH £40. (SOUGOR) with certain telescopes or pay the extra for different tripod, etc. is, ; -■ j We will be at the Visitor/Information Ontre in each case. Repairs can also be handed in. A^PAQHAM HARBOUR LOCAL NATURE RESERVE on the B2146 into Selsey (near Chichester, W. Sussex) on SUNDAYS 30th June. 28th July, 25th August and 29th Sept (10.30am to 4.(X)pm approx.) ★WARNHAM NATURE RESERVE just off the A24 (northern roundabout for HORSHAM) on the B2237. on SUNDAYS 14th July.HthAugust and 22nd September (10.30am to 5.(X)pm) ★SEVENOAKS WILDFOWL RESERVE, on the A25 between Riverhead and Sevenoaks Bat arxt Ball Station, on SUNDAYS 7th July, and 18th August (1 0.00am to 4.00pm) A^SUSSEX WILDUFE TRUST at WOODS MILL, Henfield, W. Sussex (A2037) on SUNDAY 8th September (10.30am to 4.00pm) We are only 15 minutes’ drive from the M25 (e.g. via the A3 and then the Merton Turn-off) or 2 minutes’ walk from Morden Underground. Parking: 1st left past our entrance (50 yds). (D865) xiii CHRISTOPHER HELM • NEW ORNIT ^ THE BIRDS OF JA^N The Birds of Japan Mark Brazil This major new work is the first comprehensive review of the status and distribution of Japanese birds since 1953, and it coincides with the centenary of the publication of the first book on Japanese birds in English. Written by the leading western expert on the subject, and superbly illustrated by Japan's leading bird artist, Masayuki Yabuuchi, it includes extensive species accounts and information, research on the English and Japanese literature, colour plates of the endemic species, distribution maps, and line drawings of the east Asian specialities. 480 pages hardback £35.00 ' iJhtsct;ucd by A Guide to the Birds of Nepal 2nd edition Carol & Tim Inskipp Nepal is well-known for its rich bird life and this book provides a wealth of up-to- date information on the 836 bird species found in the country. Breeding, habitat, behaviour and range are all covered in detail with special emphasis given to the Himalayas. "An invaluable source of reference . . . should be bought by every birdwatcher who is going to, or has an interest in, Nepal." British Birds Bi 400 pages colour plates, 703 distribution maps hardback £35.00 BIRDS 0/ NEPAL kA TiPGY BOOKS • CHRISTOPHER HELM Where to Watch Birds in I ANGLIA ■ Including ■ Bisex and Cofnbndg^ire. b' SECOND EDHION ' I Where to Watch Birds Series here are two new titles in this series of standard sferences. Each provides a wealth of practical iformation, including thorough, up-to-date details n birdwatching sites in the area, and covering habitat, pecies, timing, access and calendar. lach Book: paperback, with maps and line drawings Where to Watch Birds in East Anglia :nd edition ^feter and Margaret Clarke '^2pp £10.95 Where to Watch Birds in Devon Imd Cornwall id edition David Norman and Vic Tucker llOpp £11.95 order from your local bookseller or, in case of difficulty, contact r & C Black, PO Box 19, Huntingdon, Cambs PE19 3SF tel: (0480) 212666 (D873) Thanks to a little boy in Wales, our guarantee is probably unique. One lazy afternoon in Wales, a junior birdwatcher decided to take one of Mirador’s Merlin scopes to pieces. Unfortunately, he couldn’t put it back together again. After ten years of importing this _ excellent range of scop>es, that was the ■ only return we could remember. So, to illustrate our total confidence in them, we decided to offer a guarantee which to our knowledge is absolutely unique in the field of optical equipment. It is valid without limitation of time or owner. Unless, of course, you try to take your own scope to pieces. The scopes themselves come in a wide range with an equally wide variety of options and accessories to suit your individual requirements. And your budget. In fact, the value you get [or the money you pay is probably as unique as our guarantee. And you know we’ll never welsh on it. For further information contact: ■ VIII UVi\/l Mirador Limited 1 50 West End Lane London NW6 1SD (D869) FOR THE ELITIST From the producers of the world famous Elite Binoculars OPTICAL EXCELLENCE WITH OPTICAL ELEGANCE * NEW MODELS NOW AVAILABLE FOGPROOF TELESCOPE 'MODEL 61 2268 22x Eyepiece. Approx, length 12" weight 25’/2ozs. Rubber Armoured. 'MODEL 61 1548 15-45 Zoom. Approx, length 12’// weight 26'/?ozs. Rubber Armoured. MODEL 61-2260 22 x EYEPIECE. Approx, length 12" weight 22 ozs. MODEL 61-1545 15 x 45 ZOOM. Approx, length 12" weight 22 ozs. Fully multi-coated. Non glare matt finish. Ultra lightweight. Swift sure focus. Long eye relief. Easy carry tailored case. Fitted tripod adaptor. THE SCOPE OF THE FUTURE -AVAILABLE TOD A Y BIRDWATCHING AID THE ENTHUSIAST CAN NOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT OFFICIALLY IMPORTED ONLY BY - J.J. VICKERS AND SONS LTD UNIT 9-35. REVENGE ROAD, LORD6WOOD, CHATHAM, KENT. ME5 8DW UMITED UFET1ME WARRANTY ONLY OFFERED BY OFHCIAL SOLE DISTRIBUTORS FOR NEAREST ACCREDITED WARRANTY STOCKIST PHONE VICKERS ON 0634 201284 (D798) XVI 271 Binoculars and telescopes survey 8X42B and 10X42B models occupying joint first and sixth places, respectively, and these two models, as well as the traditional Zeiss West and Leitz/Leica, are likely to be looked at closely by birdwatchers planning to buy binoculars in the next couple of years. Other models rated as ‘Excellent’ were the Leitz Trinovid 7X42 and Trinovid 10X40B, the Zeiss West Dialyt 10X40B and 8x30, the Leica 8X42B, the Nikon 8x30, the Optolyth Alpin 12X50 and the Swarovski/Habicht Diana 10x40. Some models were more highly rated (or less highly rated) in this survey than in the one carried out three years ago. How is that possible? In some cases, users’ opinions may have changed through experience (a model may have developed a fault) or through changing requirements (increased use of telescopes leading to less need for higher-powered binoculars: 7 X , say, being preferred to lOX ) or through comparison with a new, even-better model showing up previously unrecognised inade- quacies; in others, changes may have been made to existing models, making them more (or less) suitable for birdwatching. One trend to which we have drawn attention in past reports is the increasing tendency for spectacle-wearers to put binoculars up to their spectacles rather than wasting time (and losing the optical benefits) by lifting their spectacles first. In the current survey, 38.9% of owners wear spectacles for birdwatching. Of these, 29.2% lift them and 70.7% do not. The comparable figures three years ago were 37% and 63%; and eight years ago were 41% and 58%. Thus, there is evidence that the trend towards the sensible practice of keeping spectacles in place has continued. It is likely to accelerate, through the less-skilled and less-knowledgeable birdwatchers copying those who recognise the advantage. In consequence, binocular models with a large field of view are even more in demand for birdwatching nowadays than they were in the early 1980s, and this requirement will further increase in importance in the future. In addition, over 95% of British Birds subscribers now own and use a telescope as well as binoculars (see page 274). In consequence, as noted in the previous paragraph, high magnification is now less important than it was even a decade ago. It is noticeable that more than half of the models rated as ‘Excellent’ have a magnification of 7X, 8X or 9X; this compares with the position in 1978, when 10x50 was the most popular combination, and 12 X and 15x were still in regular use. The most satisfactory binoculars Perhaps one of the best accolades that can be given to a product by any purchaser is to say, after extended use, ‘I’d buy the same again.’ Table 4 shows the proportion of current owners who say that they would buy the same make and model next time if they needed to replace their current binoculars. Readers perusing table 4 should note that some of the sample sizes are very small. All four owners of a Leica 8X42B would buy the same again, giving that model a table- topping 100% record. The second-placed Bausch & Lomb Elite 8X42B has almost as high a proportion of delighted owners. Of the popular models, Zeiss West 7x42 and Zeiss West Dialyt 10x40B both score highly. It is noticeable, however, that only eight models please more than 272 Binoculars and telescopes surv^ Table 4. The most satisfactory binoculars Proportion of current owners who would buy the same binoculars again (1987 Position position) Make & model No. (%) 1st LEICA 8X42 4/4 100.0 2nd — BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 8X42B 11/12 91.7 3rd (1) ZEISS WEST 7X42 61/73 83.6 4th — LEICA 10x42 9/11 81.8 5th — BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 10X42B 11/14 78.6 6th (2) OPTOLYTH Alpin 8x30 2/3 66.7 7th — ZEISS WEST Dialyt 10X40B 154/236 65.3 8th (11) NIKON 8x30 4/7 57.1 9th= (17=) SWAROVSKl/HABICHT Diana 10x40 10/20 50.0 9th= — OPTICRON Classic 10x42 3/6 50.0 11th — OPTOLYTH Alpin 12x50 2/5 40.0 12th= — ADLERBLICK 10x42 1/3 33.3 12th= (9) OPTOLYTH Touring 10x40 1/3 33.3 14th (7) SWIFT Audubon 8.5X44 15/46 32.6 15th (4) OPTOLYTH Alpin 10x40 13/41 31.7 16th (5) LEITZ Trinovid 7x42 3/10 30.0 17th (17=) OPTICRON Elite 9x35 2/7 28.6 18th (13) ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 8x30 3/11 27.3 19th (6) ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 10x50 8/31 25.8 20th (3) OPl'OLYTH Alpin 10x50 9/35 25.7 21st (8) LEITZ Trinovid 10X40B 12/50 24.0 22nd — LEITZ Trinovid 8X40B 5/23 21.7 23rd — OPTOLYTH 9x63 1/5 20.0 24th (12) OFLOLYTH Alpin 8x40 2/11 18.2 25th (15) ZEISS JENA Dekarem 10x50 1/7 14.3 26th — ZEISS WEST Dialyt 8x30 1/9 11.1 27th (16) ZEISS JENA Notarem 10X40B 1/16 6.3 All others 15/136 11.0 half their owners sufficiently for them to be first choice in the event of replacement, and that six of those top eight are new entries since the last survey ^r^ years ago, all with relatively few current owners. The ffiartufacturers of five makes — Leica, Bausch & Lomb, Zeiss West, Optolyth, and Nikon — will be heartened by the prospects predicted by table 4; all other manufacturers have half or fewer of their purchasers happy enough to stay loyal. The top binoculars for the future Combining the numbers of birdwatchers who plan to buy the same model again next time (table 4) with those who plan to switch to that model, we can obtain a prediction of the proportions likely to buy each model. This will, of course, be modified by the advent of new models and by advertising, but table 5 does give a good indication of current intentions. Top binocular for the future remains the Zeiss West Dialyt 10x406. Storming into second place comes the Zeiss West 7x42, just as we predicted {Brit. Birds 81: 153). The 10x406 has actually dropped a few percentage points since 1987, but these have been more than taken up by the 7X42, so it seems that the trend in favour of a larger field of view, even at the expense of a lower magnification, is the major influence. Two new entries occupy third and fourth spots: the l^ca 10x42 and the lAca 8X42. 273 Binoculars and telescopes survey The reliable Swift Audubon 8.5X44 maintains the high position, just below the leaders, which it has held for a number of years. Two more newcomers deserve mention: the Bausch & Lomb Elite 10X42B and 8X42B currently in joint seventh spot, which may underestimate their potential impact on the birdwatching scene. Table 5. Top binoculars for the future The make and model which experienced birdwatchers intend to purchase next time that they buy a pair of binoculars Position (1987 position) Make & model 1987 (%) Now (%) 1st (1) ZEISS WEST Dialyt 10X40B 36.8 28.5 2nd (3) ZEISS WEST 7x42 4.1 13.8 3rd — LEICA 10X42 — 8.8 4th — LEICA 8x42 — 4.2 5th= (2) LEITZ Trinovid 10X4OB 11.4 2.8 5th= (7) SWIFT Audubon 8.5x44 2.1 2.8 7th= — BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 10X42B — 2.6 7th= — BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 8x42B — 2.6 9th (5) OPTOLYTH Alpin 10X40 3.2 2.3 10th (10) SWAROVSKI/HABICHT Diana 10x40 0.8 1.9 11th (4) OPTOLYTH Alpin 10X50 3.9 1.8 12 th — LEICA 7X42 — 1.4 13th (6) ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 10x50 2.6 1.0 14th= (8) LEITZ Trinovid 8x40B 1.0 0.8 14th= (18) OPTOLYTH Alpin 8X40 0.2 0.8 16 th — SWIFT Audubon 7x35 0.7 17th — NIKON 8x30 — 0.6 18th= — OPTOLYTH Touring 10x40 — 0.5 18th= (9) ZEISS JENA Notarem I0X4OB 0.9 0.5 18th= (11) ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 8x30 0.6 0.5 18th= — ZEISS WEST Dialyt 8x30 — 0.5 Others or don’t know 20.4 Top makes of binocular for the future Zeiss West has strengthened its position as the birdwatchers’ most-desired make. In second position, Leitz/Leica has also increased in this respect, and Optolyth remains third. Next is Bausch & Lomb, fourth with over 5% at its first appearance. The increase in the score for Swarovski/Habicht, from 0.9% to 2.4%, may also be significant. By comparing the percentages of current owners of each make (table 2) with the percentages who want to own each make (table 6), the ownership of only three makes seems likely to increase in the next few years: Zeiss West (-1-5.4%), Leitz/Leica (-1-5.1%) and Bausch & Lomb (-1-1.7%). This same comparison looks like bad news for Optolyth (—6.8%), Zeiss Jena (—5.9%) and Swift (—3.2%). In every survey since our first, it has been clear that predicted trends actually become exaggerated. Popularity breeds popularity. Sales, fuelled by advertising, bring a model into public awareness; then, provided that it is good, word-of-mouth recommendation swiftly leads to wide ownership, and it becomes fashionable to own the model currently regarded as the best available. Sales increase with this snowball effect; continuing that analogy, even large snowballs can melt away, as seems to be happening 274 Binoculars and telescopes survey with several good and well-known makes in the face of the present-day Zeiss West-Leitz/Leica domination. It is well to remember that, in the 1950s, the two most highly regarded names were Ross and Barr & Stroud . . . Table 6. Top makes of binocular for the future The makes which experienced birdwatchers intend to purchase next time that they buy a pair of binoculars Position (1987 position) Make 1987 (%) Now (%) 1st (1) ZEISS WEST 41.3 45.1 2nd (2) LEICA/LEITZ 12.8 17.9 3rd (3) OPTOLYTH 7.2 6.1 4th — BAUSCH & LOMB — 5.4 5th (5) SWIFT 2.4 3.5 6th (4) ZEISS JENA 4.5 2.5 7th (6) SWAROVSKI/HABICHT 0.9 2.4 8th= — NIKON — 1.0 8th= (7) OPTICRON 0.5 1.0 Others or don’t know 15.1 Telescopes Back in 1978, less than two-thirds of British Birds-ctdiding birdwatchers ever used a telescope as well as binoculars, and the proportion amongst less- knowledgeable birdwatchers would have been very much lower. The percentage has risen steadily: 64% in 1978, 81% in 1982, 86% in 1985, 91% in 1987 and, now, 95% in 1990. The proportion using a telescope ‘Always’ or ‘Regularly’ increased in an equally startling fashion {Brit. Birds 81: 154), but has apparently now reached a plateau at around 85%. Constant tripod use has increased similarly, rising from a mere 22% in 1978 to 50% in 1982, 55% in 1985, 70% in 1987 and 73% in 1990. Only 7% of telescope owners now do not also own and use a tripod. Thus, from being a habit of only a few, elite, top birdwatchers, carrying a telescope-and-tripod combination has now become the norm amongst British Birds-rea.ding birdwatchers. The practice will doubtless continue to spread ‘downwards’, so that increasing numbers of even the less-skilled and less-dedicated birdwatchers feel that a telescope is an essential part of their equipment. The most popular telescopes The meteoric rise in popularity of the Kowa TSN-l/TSN-2 has continued, and this telescope is now the most frequently owned model (table 7). It appeared on the scene for the first time in the 1987 survey, when it leapt into third place with 11%; ownership has now increased to over 16%. That ‘old faithful’ the Bushnell Spacemaster has been ousted from first place, but is still owned by almost one in every eight birders. Two new telescopes are vying for third place, each with over 7%: the Kowa TSN-3/TSN-4 and the Optolyth TBS/G80. The Nikon Fieldscope EDII is also a significant new arrival, in sixth place, but the Optolyth 30X75GA, the leader in 1985 and second in 1988, has now fallen to fifth place, at least two-thirds of its 1985 owners having now replaced it with a different telescope. QUALITY PERFORMANCE & VALUE CD « X X CN c o o CO c o CN Cvl CVJ xvii (D856) E o o 3 c/5 Q-x: >. O o E.E y- 0) CM OO O ^ 0-3 3 o C TJ m m (0 0.ti 'SCOPE CITY THE NORTH WESfS ^ OPTCROH OPTICAL SUPERSTORE H'GH RESOLUTION SPECIALISTS IN OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR ALL FIELD ACTIVITIES. 8x42 MIRADOR LIGHT. COMPACT JAPANESE BINOCULAR, MAY BE COMPARED WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER £100. FOR THE LITTLE EXTRA irS PERFORMANCE IS MUCH CLOSER TO BINOCULARS AT TWICE THE PRICE ★ Cl 10.00 8x40 FUJI BFL A RATHER HEAVY AND LARGE RUBBER ARMOURED BINOCULAR BUT WITH A CRYSTAL CLEAR EDGE TO EDGE DEFINITION. ONE OF THE BEST NEW BINOCULARS I HAVE SEEN FOR YEARS. SMALL, LIGHT, EASY TO HANDLE. THESE BINOCULARS WERE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IN A RECENT WHICH’ SURVEY. £145.00 ^ 8x40 OPTOLYTH ALPIN CLASSIC RUBBER ARMOURED GERMAN QUALITY. VERY LIGHT AND VERY BRIGHT, BUILT TO UST FOR YEARS. £225.00 ^ 8x42 ROSS CAVENDISH THE IMPORTER HAS BEEN VERY SELECTIVE I FOUND A BINOCULAR WORTHY OF THIS CLASSIC NAME, MORE COMPACT THAN MOST SIMILAR JAPANESE MODELS, SOME WILL FIND IT REMINISCENT OF THE 9«35 STEPRUVA. £179.00 £139.95 SPOniNG SCOPES KOWA OPTOLYTH TSNl/2 £295.00 TBG/S 80 body £350.00 20 X wide angle EP £89.00 20 X WA eyepiece £95.00 30 X wide angle EP £109.00 15-60 X zoom £150.00 20-60 zoom eyepiece £139.00 NIKON TS601/2 body £179 00 20-60 Fieldscope II £289.00 20 X wide angle £54 00 20-60 Eieldscope II £499.00 20-60 zoom eyepiece £94.00 20 X 40 X 60 Fieldscope II OPTICRON ED £569.00 20-60 HR Picollo £204.00 NEW 25 X 60 IE Classic £168.00 22 X 60 Spotting scope £199.00 18-40 X 60 Merlin £168.00 15-45 X 60 Spotting scope £265.00 30 X 75 IE Classic 22-47 IF Classic £162.00 £187.00 TRIPODS & ACCESSORIES MIRADOR Car Window Mounts £24 95 25 X 50 Merlin £97.00 Hide Mount £24.95 18-40 X 60 Merlin £129.00 Opticron Hide Clamp £38.00 30 X 75 Merlin £119.00 Cullman Clamp Magic £37.95 22-47 X 75 Merlin £157.00 Cullman Shoulder Pod £25.95 15-60 X 60 Harrier £189.00 Shk D2 £72.95 BUSHNEU Rainguard £3.80 15-45 X 60 Spacemaster £219.00 Telescope Case 60mm £1495 BAUSCH 4 LOMB Telescope Case 75mm £15.95 15-60 X 60 Discoverer £219.00 Binocular Cases from £5.75 22 X 60 Elite £269.00 Camera T. Mount 800mm ElO Mirror Lens £329.00 (most cameras) £6.30 MAIL ORDERPHONE US LAST FOR QUICK SERVICE AND BEST PRICES. BEEORE YOU TRAVEL: PLEASE PHONE, WE DON'T JUST LIST THEM, WE STOCK THEM AND WE SELL THEM. 3 MONTHS INTEREST FREE CREDIT JUST SEND THREE CHEQUES, ONE CURRENT AND TWO POST DATED A MONTH APART (D868) 71 BOLD STREET • LIVERPOOL LI 4EZ TEL 051-709 4149 • FAX 051-709 4149 Swansea Binoculars & telescopes for bird watching, nature, yachting and marine observation IVe are stockists of : Kowa Optolyth Opticron Ranger Tokina Aico Minolta Solus Kenko Swallow Hilkinson Swift Eschenbach Bushnell Greenkat Bausch & Lomb Nikon Adlerblick Pentex Benbo Manfrotto Slik T ripods and Monopods Hide clamps & car windowclamps Op«n 9ain-5.30pni Mon-Fri / 9am- 1.00pm Sat 33 Walter Road Swansea SA1 5NW Tel: 0792-469502 (D860) for the LARGEST selection of quality optics in the Midlands at GUARANTEED lowest prices. Phone Graham on 021 -236 721 1 and ask for a quote. THIS MONTH’S SPECIALS Swift Grand Prix 8 x 40 were ,29?' £69.90 Swift Audutxjn 7 x 35 W.R were Jfc3t9 £269.90 Swift Audutxjn 85 X 44 were £499 £169.90 Kowa 8 X 42 Roof Prism were £280 £169.90 Pentax 7 x 20 Compact were JITS' £59.90 Pentax 9 x 20 Compact were JESS' £59.90 Opticron Picollo Telescope inc. Zoom was £482 £119.90 GT. WESTERN ARCADE (BACK OF RACKHAMS STORE) BIRMINGHAM B2 SHU. (D851) xviii 275 Binoculars and telescopes survey Table 7. Most popular telescopes The telescopes most frequently owned by knowledgeable birdwatchers in wee = with changeable eyepieces (1987 1987 Position position) Make & model (%) 1st (3) KOWA TSN-l/TSN-2 x77 wee 11.0 16.2 2nd (1) BUSHNELL Spacemaster X60 wee 14.9 12.2 3rd — KOWA TSN-3/TSN-4 X77 wee — 7.7 4th — OPTOLYTH TBS/G80 wee — 7.5 5th (2) OPTOLYTH 30X75 GA 13.1 6.9 6th — NIKON Fieldscope EDII X60 wee — 5.8 7th (4) KOWA TS-l/TS-2 x60 wee 6.9 4.7 8th (9) NIKON Fieldscope ED X60 wee 3.0 4.5 9th (13) OPnCRON High resolution X60 wee 1.5 3.6 10th (5=) BUSHNELL/BAUSCH & LOMB Discoverer 15-60x60 5.7 3.2 11th (5=) OPTOLYTH 30x80 GA 5.7 2.1 12th= — KOWA TS-601/TS-602 x60 wee — 1.9 12th= — QUESTAR (mirrorlens) wee — 1.9 14th — HERTEL & REUSS (all models) — 1.8 15th — NICKEL Supra (all models) — 1.2 16th (8) MIRADOR X 60 wee 3.3 1.0 17th= MIRADOR Merlin X75 wee — 0.9 17th= (11) OPTICRON Piccolo X60 wee 1.7 0.9 All others 17.3 1990 Now The most popular makes of telescope With each make having different numbers of models, a fair assessment of popularity can be made by considering ownership only by make (table 8). Kowa leads, as it did in 1987, and, indeed, has strikingly increased its lead. Oplolyth remains a very popular choice, as does Bushnell/Bausch & Lomb. Both, however, show evidence of small declines since 1987. The fastest Table 8. Most popular makes of telescope The makes most frequently owned by knowledgeable birdwatchers in 1990 (1987 1987 Now Position position) Make (%) (%) 1st (1) KOWA 24.0 35.1 2nd (2) OPTOLYTH 21.3 19.2 3rd (3) BUSHNELL/BAUSCH & LOMB 20.6 16.4 4th (7) NIKON 3.0 10.8 5th (4) OPTICRON 7.8 6.4 6th (6) MIRADOR 3.3 2.7 7th (16) QUESTAR 0.3 1.9 8th (5) HERTEL & REUSS 5.1 1.8 9th (8) NICKEL 2.8 1.2 10th (10) OPTIMA 1.4 0.9 llth= (12) CHARLES FRANK 1.0 0.6 llth= (9) SWIFT 1.6 0.6 13th= ADLERSCOPE — 0.4 13th= (13) SWAROVSKI/HABICHT 0.7 0.4 15th= (11) SCHMIDT & BENDER 1.3 0.3 15th= (15) TAMRON 0.4 0.3 15th= ZEISS JENA — 0.3 Others 0.7 276 Binoculars and telescopes survey climber is Nikon, increasing its share more than three-fold in the past three years, and seemingly likely to rise even higher in the table. There is also a significant rise in Questar ownership; still a tiny percentage of birdwatch- ers, but five times as many in this survey as in the previous one. The most highly rated telescopes Questar is unquestionably the tops in quality, every one of its owners giving it the highest rating of ‘Excellent’. It achieved this same unanimous accolade in the previous survey. Very close behind are the Kowa TSN-3/ TSN-4 and the Nikon Fieldscope EDII and ED, followed by the Nikon Fieldscope and the Optolyth TBS/G80, all of which also achieved an average rating of ‘Excellent’ (table 9). Table 9. Most highly rated telescopes Performance of telescopes as rated by their owners Performance: 6 = excellent, 5 = very good, 4 = good, 3 = satisfactory, 2 = poor, 1 = very poor (1987 Performance rating Average per- Position position) Make & model 6 5 4 3 2 1 formance rating 1st (1) QUESTAR (mirrorlens) wee 15 Exeellent 6.00 2nd KOWA TSN-3/TSN-4 X77 wee 55 4 Exeellenl 5.93 3rd — NIKON Fieldscope FOII 36 4 Exeellent 5.90 4ih (2) NIKON Fieldscope EDI 32 4 Excellent 5.89 5th — NIKON Fieldscope 1 & 11 5 2 Excellent 5.71 6ih -- OPTOI.VTH TBS/G80 wee 39 18 3 2 Excellent 5.56 7lh (4) KOWA TSN-l/TSN-2 X77 wee 62 59 3 1 Verv’ good 5.46 8th (5) OPTOI ATH 30X80 GA 7 8 1 Very good 5.38 9th = — ADI.ERSCOPF. 25x80 1 2 V'ervgood 5.33 9th = (3) SWAROVSKI/HABICHT 30x75 1 2 V'erv' good 5.33 1 Ith (6) OPTOIATH 30x75 GA 20 23 7 2 \’erv good 5.17 12th — KOWA TS-60mS-602 x 60 wee 5 6 4 Wrv good 5.07 I3th= (9) KOWA rS-l/TS-2 X60 wee 8 20 8 Very good 5.00 I3th= (7= ) OPTOI.YTH 22X60GA 1 2 1 \'erv’ good 5.00 15th (10) BUSHNRLI, Spacemaster x60 wee 14 57 19 4 V'ery good 4.86 16th (18) OPTIMA X60 wee 1 3 2 V'ery good 4.83 17th (12) OPTICRON High resolution X60 wee 3 14 1 1 V’ery’ good 4.71 18th (15) BUSHNEI.1./BAUSCH & I.OMB Discoverer 15-60x60 2 14 5 3 1 \’er)’ good 4.52 19th (22) HERTF.I. & RF.USS X60 4 6 2 Good 4.31 20th — OPTICRON Classic x75 wee 3 2 Good 4.20 2Ist = — MIRADOR Merlin X 75 wee 2 4 Good 4.14 2lst= (20) OPTICRON Piccolo X60 wee 1 6 Good 4.14 23rd (16) MIRADOR X60 wee 1 6 Good 4.00 24th (21) CHARLES FRANK (all models) 1 2 2 (iood 3.80 25th -- OPTICRON Classic x60 wee 2 2 Good 3.50 26th (24) NICKEL Supra X60 2 5 1 Satisfactorv 3.44 27th (19) SWIFT Telemaster 15-60x60 2 2 Satisfactory 3.00 The most satisfactory telescopes Almost 80% of owners of a Kowa TSN-3/TSN-4 are so pleased with their telescope that they would buy the same again. Only two other telescopes beat the 50% barrier, with more owners planning to repeat than to replace. These other well-loved ’scopes are the Nikon Fieldscope (ED and EDII) and the Questar (table 10). The top telescopes for the future The telescope most desired by today’s top birdwatchers is the Kowa TSN- 3/TSN-4, which has completely ousted the Optolyth 30X80GA from first place (table 11). In second place lies the Nikon Fieldscope ED. Also moving up the table are the Optolyth rBS/G80 and the Questar, the latter. 277 Binoculars and telescopes survey Table 10. The most satisfactory telescopes Proportion of current owners who would buy the same telescope aeain (1987 Position position) Make & model No. (%) 1st — KOWA TSN-3/TSN-4 x77 wee 47/59 79.7 2nd (1) NIKON Fieldscope EDI & II 58/76 76.3 3rd (2) QUESTAR (mirrorlens) wee 11/15 73.3 4th — OPTOLYTH TBS/G80 wee 31/62 50.0 5th — NIKON Fieldscope X60 1 & II 3/7 42.9 6th (4) OPl’OLYTH 30X80 GA 6/16 37.5 7th — ADLERSCOPE 25x80 1/3 33.3 8th (5) KOWA TSN-l/TSN-2 X77 wee 37/125 29.6 9th (12) OPTOLYTH 30x75 GA 13/53 24.5 10 th (9) BUSHNELL Spacemaster X60 wee 19/94 20.2 llth= (18) GHARLES ERANK (all models) 1/5 20.0 llth= — OPTIGRON Classic X75 wee 1/5 20.0 13th — KOWA TS-601/TS-602 X60 wee 2/15 13.3 14th (15) KOWA TS-l/TS-2 x60 wee 4/36 11.1 15th — HERTEL & REUSS X60 1/14 7.1 16 th (13) BUSHNELL/BAUSCH & LOMB Discoverer 15-60x60 1/25 4.0 17th (6) OPTIGRON High resolution X60 wee 1/28 3.6 All others 14/140 10.0 Table 11. Top telescopes for the future The make and model which experienced birdwatchers intend to purchase next time that they buy a telescope Position (1987 position) Make & model 1987 (%) Now (%) 1st KOWA TSN-3/TSN-4 X 77 wee 20.5 2nd — NIKON Fieldscope ED X60 wee 6.9 19.3 3rd — OPTOLYTH TBS/G80 wee — 9.2 4th (2) KOWA TSN-l/TSN-2 X77 wee 14.5 8.8 5th (8) QUESTAR (mirrorlens) wee 1.3 3.5 6th (5) BUSHNELL Spacemaster X60 wee 6.7 3.2 7th — KOWA TS-601/TS-602 X60 wee — 2.7 8th (3) OPTOLYTH 30X75 GA 9.1 2.3 9th (1) OPTOLYTH 30x80 GA 18.3 1.6 10th NIKON Fieldscope — 0.9 Others or don’t know 28.0 even though in the sights of only a small percentage of (presumably pretty rich) birdwatchers, has been becoming progressively a serious target: even 3.5% of birders is quite a lot of telescopes. The top makes of telescope for the future Kowa — still the make of telescope most wanted by experienced birdwatchers — has increased its lead at the top (table 12). Rising swiftly into second place is Nikon. On the other hand, Optolyth and Bushnell/Bausch & Lomb have both dropped to levels less than half of those enjoyed a mere three years ago. Birdwatchers’ desires or whims are swiftly changed when a new and better (or perceived to be better) instrument enters the market: optical manufacturers dare not rest on their laurels. 278 Binoculars and telescopes survey A comparison of current ownership (table 8) with desired ownership (table 12) produces very good news for Nikon and Questar, with twice as many birdwatchers wanting to own one of their telescopes as actually do own one. There is not such good news, however, for Bushnell/Bausch & Lomb: their new binoculars are gaining many admirers, but at least three- quarters of their current telescope owners want to change to another make. Optolyth and Opticron also have little cause for celebration. Table 12. Top makes of telescopes for the future The make which exp>erienced birdwatchers intend to purchase next time that they buy a telescope Position (1987 p>osidon) Make 1987 (%) Now (%) 1st (1) KOWA 34.9 38.4 2nd (4) NIKON 6.9 20.9 3rd (2) OPTOLYTH 28.6 14.2 4th (6) QUESTAR 1.3 4.0 5th (3) BUSHNELL/BAUSCH & LOMB 8.1 3.9 6th= (5) OPTICRON 2.3 0.4 6th= (7=) SWAROVSKI/HABICHT 0.3 0.4 8th = — ADLERSCOPE — 0.1 8th= — CHARLES FRANK — 0.1 8th= (7=) HERTEL & REUSS 0.3 0.1 8th= (7=) TAMRON 0.3 0.1 8th= ZEISS JENA — 0.1 Others or don’t know 17.3 Eyepieces Some telescopes have a single eyepiece which is an integral part of the instrument. Many nowadays, however, have changeable eyepieces, so that it is possible to use one and carry a replacement, for use in different conditions. Some still need time-consuming screwing into place, but others have a bayonet fixture, so can be substituted very quickly. Currently, most telescope-owners use just one eyepiece: 56.8% have one, 34.7% two, 7.8% three and 0.7% four. The proportion owning more than one is, in our view, likely to increase, as the advantages become widely recognised. Most eyepieces are fixed focus, but 43% of telescope users own a variable (zoom) eyepiece, and, of them, 78% usually use their zoom eyepiece more than any other (some telescope-users will, of course, own only a zoom eyepiece). The current practice, therefore, is for two-thirds of birdwatchers to make most use of a fixed magnification eyepiece and one third generally to use a zoom. Of those owning at least one other eyepiece in addition to a zoom, however, 61% choose to use the zoom most often. By far the commonest magnifications chosen for fixed magnification eyepieces are 20X(42%), 30X (29%), 22X (10%) and 25X (9%), with an extraordinary variety of other magnifications between 15x and 60 X making up the remainder. Special wide-angle eyepieces are currently used by 31% of telescope owners, a figure that is likely to increase. The commonest eyepiece choices are currently 30x (25%), 20X (23%), 20x Binoculars and telescopes survey 279 WA (19%), 25x (8%), 22XWA (5%), 22x (5%), SOxWA (4%), 27xWA (3%) and 40 X (2%). The lower magnification of zoom eyepieces owned in the survey varies from 14X (in a 14X-45X) to 25x (in a 25X-60X), and the upper magnification varies from 30 X (in a 15X-30X) to 62 X (in a 28X-62X). Four ranges, however, make up over 86% of those owned. The commonest is 20X-60X (38%), followed by 20x-45x (18%), 15X-60X (18%) and 15x- 45 X (12%). Those with more than one eyepiece may choose to have, say, one low- power wide-angle for normal use and one high-power (which inevitably has a smaller field of view) to bring into play when required; others will choose to take advantage of the versatility of a zoom for normal use and have a low-power wide-angle eyepiece to hand for substitution in closed habitats such as woodland. Of these alternatives, the latter is the more flexible. We predict increasing sales of zoom eyepieces, and of relatively low-power wide-angle eyepieces to augment them. Angled or straight-through? Most telescopes have eyepieces aligned horizontally with the objective lens. Some, however, are positioned at an angle of about 45°, which has many advantages (especially for viewing birds in flight or in treetops) and only a few disadvantages. The owners of the Kowa TSN series can make the choice (TSN-1 and TSN-3 are angled, whereas TSN-2 and TSN-4 are straight-through), thereby giving us the opportunity to assess today’s preference. With both pairs of models, the straight-through version has been chosen by 55% of purchasers. Considering that this is the ‘traditional’ form, and that choosing the angled-eyepiece version is, therefore, a bit of a gamble for birdwatchers not used to using one, the direction of this bias is not unexpected, but the percentage is surprisingly close to that of the more adventurous design. Assuming that both are still equally available, we hazard the guess that our next survey, in two or three years’ time, will show a preference for the angled version. Counting the cost Given no financial constraints, most birdwatchers would choose to own Zeiss West Dialyt 10X40B binoculars, or perhaps a Zeiss West 7x42, a Leica 10x42 or 8x42, z-Bausch & Lomb Elite 8x42B or an Optolyth 9x63 (tables 5 & 3); and a Kowa TSN-3/TSN-4 telescope, or a Nikon Fieldscope EDII (tables 11 & 9), with a couple of eyepieces, perhaps a 20X-60X zoom and a 20xWA. With a tripod, this combination would cost about £1, 100- El, 400; if today’s ultimate telescope, the Questar, was selected, then the cost would rise to over £2,500. Not everyone can afford such sums. To facilitate the selection of ‘Best Buys’ at each price level, we have summarised the opinions gleaned in this survey and arranged the choices of binocular and telescope in order of price (table 13). By looking at the approximate price which you can afford, you can pick the instruments which have the lowest numbers (highest up the ‘league tables’) and which 280 Binoculars and telescopes survey are, therefore, those graded by British Birds subscribers as being the best for birdwatching purposes. This, however, is the time to remind readers that every binocular and telescope named in this report is among the top two or three dozen available; none is less than satisfactory and most have been rated as excellent, very good or good by their users. Some makes or models that are not named may also be satisfactory (or better), but are not owned in sufficient numbers to feature in our survey; others, however, will be poor: a high price in a ‘High Street store’ is no guarantee of excellence. Table 13. Prices of binoculars and telescopes and summary of league positions Not all retailers stock every model, and prices vary from one to another; the prices of telescopes are particularly variable, and depend on whether the lens required is fixed magnification or variable (zoom); in general, the price quoted is the average of the choices available. Some of the models listed in earlier tables are now discontinued, so are not included here. Approx. The Top retail Currently Most most models price in most highly satis- for the January popular rated factory future 1991 (inch (tables (tables (tables (tables Make & model VAT) 1 & 7) 3 & 9) 4 & 10) 5 & 1 1) Binoculars BAUSCH & LOME Elite 10X42B BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 8x42B LEICA 7X42 LEICA 8x42 LEICA 10X42 ZEISS WEST Dialyt 10X40B ZEISS WEST 7x42 OPTOLYTH 9x63 ZEISS WEST Dialyt 8x30 OFLOLYTH Touring 10x40 SWAROVSKI/HABICHT Diana 10x40 SWIFT Audubon 7x35 OFI'OLYTH Alpin 12x50 OPTOLYTH Alpin 10x50 NIKON 8X30 OFFOLWrH Alpin 10x40 OFLOLYTH Alpin 8x40 OPTOLYTH Alpin 8x30 SWIFT Audubon 8.5X44 ADLERBLICK MC 10X50 OPTICRON Elite 9x35 ZEISS JENA Notarem 10X40B SWIFT Osprey 7.5x42 OPTICRON 8X42 ADLERBLICK 10x42 ADLERBLICK 8x42 BRESSER Linear 10x42 PENT AX 8X40 ZEISS JENA Dekarem 10x50 OFIICRON Classic 10x42 ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 10X50 ZEISS JENA Deltrintem 8x30 ZEISS JF:NA Jenoptem 8x30 £599 11 6 5 7= £599 12 1 = 2 7= £559 — — — 12 £559 — 10 1 4 £559 13= 1 = 4 3 £495 1 9 7 1 £489 2 4 3 2 £450 — 1 = 23 — £419 17 13 26 18= £398 — 33 12 = 18= £349 9 14 9= 10 £329 — — — 16 £247 — 12 11 — £241 6 28 20 11 £230 — 11 8 17 £230 5 22 15 9 £225 13= 23 24 4 £205 — 24= 6 — £199 4 21 14 5= £189 — 16= — — £186 — 15 17 — £179 10 32 27 18= £149 — 29= — — £145 — 24= — - — £139 — 16= 12= — £129 — 24= — — £124 — 35 — — £99 — 29= — — £99 — 24= 25 — £95 — 16= 9= — £80 7 31 19 13 £65 — 16= — — £45 13= 34 18 18= 281 Binoculars and telescopes survey Potential purchasers will wish to peruse all the tables in this report carefully for themselves before buying binoculars or a telescope, but we can give some pointers, based on table 13. Binoculars At under £50, the best choice is the Zeiss Jisria Jenoptem 8x30. In the £50-£100 range, three models appear to be good value for money: Zeiss Jena Deltrintem 8x30, Zeiss JmzJenoptem 10X50 and Opticron Classic 10X42. Just under £200, the Opticron Elite 9x35 and the Swijt Audubon 8.5X44 are well regarded. In the £200-£250 range, the Nikon 8x30 looks like a very good buy, and two Optolyth models also stand out: the 8x30 and 8x40. A price jump of at least £200 is needed to improve on these ratings. The £450-£500 range includes the Optolyth 9x63, the Zeiss West 7x42 and the Zeiss West Dialyt 10X40B. Within the highest bracket, £500-£600, there is the Leica 8x42. Table 13. (continued) Make & model Approx. retail price in January 1991 (incl. VAT) Currently most popular (tables 1 & 7) Most highly rated (tables 3 & 9) The Top most models satis- for the factory future (tables (tables 4 & 10) 5 & 11) Telescopes QUESTAR (mirrorlens) wee £1900 12= 1 3 5 KOWA TSN-3/TSN-4 X77 wee £614 3 2 1 1 NIKON Fieldscope EDII X60 £475 6 3 2 2 SWAROVSKI/HABICHT 30x75 £469 — 9= — — OPTOLYTH TBS/G80 wee £450 4 6 4 3 OPTOLYTH 30X80GA £380 11 8 6 9 KOWA TSN-l/TSN-2 X77 wee £354 1 7 8 4 OPTOLYTH 30X75GA £340 5 11 9 8 ADLERSCOPE 25x80 £300 — 9= 7 — NIKON Fieldscope II X60 £285 — 5 5 10 SWIFT Telemaster 15-60x60 £270 — 27 — — BUSHNELL/BAUSCH & LOMB Discoverer 15-60x60 £270 10 18 16 KOWA TS-601/TS-602 X60 wee £235 12= 12 13 7 OPTOLYTH 22X60GA £225 — 13= — — KOWA TS-l/TS-2 X60 wee £200 7 13= 14 — OPTIMA X60 wee £190 — 16 — — HERTEL & REUSS x60 £180 14 19 15 — OPTICRON High resolution x60 wee £180 9 17 17 — BUSHNELL Spacemaster X60 wee £175 2 15 10 6 OPTICRON Classic x75 wee £160 — 20 11 = — OPTICRON Piccolo X60 wee £160 17= 21 = — — OPTICRON Classic X60 wee £140 — 25 — — MIRADOR Merlin X75 wee £120 17= 21 = — — MIRADOR x60 wee £100 16 23 — — 282 Binoculars and telescopes survey Telescopes The two Mirador models, X75 and X60, are clearly good value at around £100. In the £150-£200 range, purchasers should consider the Opticron Classic X75, but that ‘old faithful’ the Bushnell Spacemaster X60 stands out as exceptionally well regarded and good value for money. At £200-£250, the Kowa TS-l/TS-2 and TS-601/TS-602 are good choices. The Nikon Fieldscope II X60 is the obvious buy in the £250-£300 range. Within the £300-£400 range, the Optolyth 30X80GA and the Kowa TSN- l/TSN-2 X77 stand out. Over £100 more, the Nikon Fieldscope EDII X60 is the best buy in the £450-£500 range. Top price among standard telescopes — but clearly worth it if you can afford it — is the Kowa TSN-3/TSN-4, at over £600. There is then a giant leap to the Questar, at over three times the price of its nearest rival. Take your choice! But remember, selection of binoculars and telescope is very much a personal matter. What suits one person may not suit another. Try as many models as possible in the field before you make your final decision. Acknowledgments We thank the 832 British Birds subscribers who went to the trouble to fill in the questionnaires and to the expense of posting them to us. We are also most grateful to the optical retailing company In Focus (204 High Street, Barnet, Hertfordshire F.N5 5SZ), which supplied to us and checked the prices shown in table 13. Dr J. T. R. Sharrock and Ms L. W. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ Appendix Reviews of the following models have appeared in our ‘Product reports’: Aico International 8x40 binoculars {Brit. Birds 77: 152-153) Bushnell Explorer 10x50 binoculars {Brit. Birds 75: 574-575) Bushnell Explorer II 8x40 binoculars {Brit. Birds 77: 203-204) Bushnell Spacemaster II 20-45x60 prismatic telescope {Brit. Birds 75: 282-283) Greenkat ‘Eyas’ 7x40 ZCF binoculars {Brit. Birds 79: 396-397) Greenkat SGN-3 60 mm Prismatic Spotting Scope {Brit. Birds 84: 72-73) Kowa TS-602 telescop>e {Brit. Birds 82: 70-71) Kowa TSN-3 {Brit. Birds 82: 256-258) Mirador 7X42 binoculars {Brit. Birds 79: 428) Mirador SSF60 25x60 mm telescope {Brit. Birds 79: 496) Optolyth 30X75GA prismatic telescope {Bril. Birds 76: 134-135) Swarovski/Habicht SL 10x40 (also SL 7X42) binoculars {Brit. Birds 77: 243-245) Swift Audubon HR 8.5X44BWCF binoculars {Brit. Birds 80: 53-54) Szvift 7x35 HCF Audubon binoculars {Brit. Birds 83: 146) Swift Osprey 7.5x42 binoculars {Brit. Birds 77: 348) Swift Telemaster 15-60x60 Zoom Spotting Scop»e {Brit. Birds 75: 359-360) Zeiss Hist 10X40BGAT* binoculars (model 9901)(Brit. Binis 77: 465-467) Zeiss Hist 7X42BGAT* binoculars {Brit. Birds 79: 282) FOCAI.POINI Please note our change of address from Comberbach just 2 miles to Higher Whitley - we are now very easy to find!! Tel. 0925 730399 SUPERB VIEWS! p./ex. WELCOME BAUSCH & LOMB/BUSHNELL 8x42 BGA 'Elite' C599 10x42 BGA 'Elite' E599 8x36 Custom 2189 7 X 26 Custom 2187 10x40 BGA Custom 2227 15-45 X 60 Elite 2319 15-45 x60 GA Elite 2339 ZEISS WEST 10x40 BGAT(P) ...£599 7 X 42 BGAT (P) ...2589 8x30 BGAT(P) ...2509 New 8x20 ...2295 New 10 X 25 ...2319 Full range of accessories LEICA 10x42 BGA ...E628 8 X 42 BGA ...2628 7 X 42 BGA ...e628 10x25 BGA ...£239 10x25 BC ...£226 8 X 20 BCA ...£226 8 X 20 BC ...£199 Case - miniatures £15 Preyecups old models... £16 Rainguard (old models)... £8 OPTOLYTH 12X50BGAAIpin ...£247 10 X 50 BGA Alpin ...£243 10X40 BGA Alpin ...£230 8 X 40 BGA Alpin ...£225 8 X 30 BGA Alpin ...2205 7x42 BGA Alpin ...2235 8 X 32 BGA Touring ...2358 7x42 BGA Touring ...2398 1 0 X 40 BGA Touring ...2398 TBS 80 body (45°) ...2350 TBG body (straight) ...£350 20 X WA £66 20 X WWA ...2100 30 X WA 264 22 x-60 X zoom ...2150 Skua case (stay on) £42.50 Other cases available -.p.o.a. ADLERBLICK 8 X 42 S.T.L ...2170 8 X 42 S.T.R ...2188 10x42 S.T.L ...2180 10x42 S.T.R ...2198 10x50 S.T.L ...2199 10x50 S.T.R ...2218 ROSS 8x 42 B Cavendish ...2139 10 X 42 B Hanover ...2149 NIKON specialists - all popular models in stock. All prices correct at 01.06.91 OPTICRON 8 X 40 Vega II 249 8x40 Polarex 258 10 X 40 Polarex 258 10 X 50 Polarex 262 8 X 40 ZWC F m/c WF 283 10x40ZWCFm/cWF 288 7x24 MCE 277 8x24 MCE 278 10x24 MCE 280 8 X 20 Macro Mono 249 8 X 32 Dioptron 2110 7x42 Dioptron £112 8 X 42 Dioptron 2113 10 X 42 Dioptron 2115 10 X 50 Dioptron 2127 8x32 HR 2139 7x42 HR 2143 8x42 HR 2145 10x42 HR 2150 10x50 HR 2167 9x35 Elite 2186 8x30 Minerva 2165 7 X 40 Minerva 21 68 8 X 40 Minerva 21 70 9 X 35 Minerva £165 10x40 Minerva 2175 HR -r 22 X WA -r case 2160 HR + 20-60 X zoom in case 2200 45° body add 240 Armoured — straight add 210 20 X, 25 X, 40 X, 60 x eyepiece -V BOOKS ,V EOCALPOINT now stock an expanding range of Bird and Natural History Books. Field Guides, Poysers, Collins. Macmillan, Croom Helm etc. New titles include: The Magpies (Blrkhead)...218 Birds - Costa Rica (Stiles)235 Red Data Birds 218 The Ruff 218 Status of Seabirds 220 KOWA TSN-1 (45°) TSN-2 (straight).. TSN-3(45°) TSN-4 (straight).. 20 X WWA 25 X 25 X LER 30 X WA 40 X 60 X 20x-60xzoom.. ..2295 ..2295 ..2555 ..£555 ....£96 ....£63 ...299 ..2119 ...263 .2139 ..2107 22 X WA eyepiece ..232 20 x-60 X zoom eyepiece.. ..276 Classic IF 25 x 60 ..£99 Zoom eyepiece ..£59 Classic IF 75mm £137 22 X WA or 30 X ..£23 30 X HEP ..£26 Piccolo 20 X 60 £128 Full range of eyepieces and photo adaptors for all models are in stock. CENTURY 60mm RA body with 20 x eyepiece and case £185 SWAROVSKI - HABICHT 8x30 SLC £331 10 X 40ZCF RA 'Diana' £399 Photo adaptor 800mm eyepiece cover 215 Skua Mk III case £40 Kowa case £25 Cordura case 225 TS601 (45°) £179 TS602 (straight) 2179 20 X WA 255 25 X 248 40 X 248 20x-60xzoom 294 Spare OG cap 26 Leather eyepiece case £10 QUESTAR . ..phone EOCALPOINT - Fine Art Department at THE BRITISH BIRDWATCHING FAIR RUTLAND WATER 30/31 Aug & 1 Sept Many leading Wildlife Artists will be represented by EOCALPOINT at this event. Outstanding art at reasonable prices. Telephone 0925 730399 for a full list. ,V NEW PRODUCTS .V OPTICRON. PICCOLO E.D. Fine quality, light weight, compact scope with a good range of eyepieces. Low dispersion technology at a very reasonable price. From 2323 inc case OPTOLYTH - new fluorite versions of the TBS80/TBG 80. Superb scopes with some excellent new eyepieces (which also fit the old models). Body only 2549 30 X WWA eyepiece 2122 40 X WA eyepiece £65 New Skua cases 242.50 ZEISS WEST have some new 'designer' compact models 8 x 20 and 10 X 25. Available soon at around 2300. Optically excellent. KOWA have introduced a new high power photo-attachment for the TSN senes - 1200mm f15.6 cost is £179, available in all .popular fittings. Not newl but available again the original TS1/TS2, beloveS of generations of birders, no telescope was ever made stronger! Optically unsurpassed by any newer model with in its price range. TS1 (45°) BO 2189 TS2 (straight) BO £169 27 X WA eyepieces £59 many other ^p's available. The above are just a small selection of our vast range of optics. All leading models are available from stock for you to compare. All staff and the demonstration teams are experienced birdwatchers. Used equipment is available. BIRDGUIDES 91/92 Tours to Gambia (Nov), Kenya (Feb), tel Peter Wolstenholme on 061-428 2175. DIRECTIONS M56 Jet 10 take A559 towards Northwich for 1 mile to the Birch & Bottle. Turn nght into Bentleys Farm Lane, we are on the left after V? mile. TRY & BUY! - at a FOCALPOINT Field Day. Demonstrations of top binoculars, telescopes and accessories on major nature reserves (10.30 am-4 pm). Each event will be staffed by Nationally known birders and optical specialists who are pleased to help you choose. with the W & WT LLANELLI 6th July - 2 pm-5 pm 7th July-lOam-2 pm (please note hours) with the W&WT- MARTIN MERE Nr Southport, Lancs (M6, Jet 27) Sunday 8th August with the RSPB SOUTHPORT MEMBERS GROUP (United Reform Church, Lord Street West) Saturday 21 st Sedptember with the W & WT SLIMBRIDGE Gloucestershire (M5. Jet 13) Sunday 6th October MAIL ORDER SPECIALISTS P/P & INS FREE FOCALPOINY (D866) UNITS 7 & 8, MARBURY HOUSE FARM, BENTLEYS FARM LANE, HIGHER WHITLEY, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE WA4 4QW. Telephone 0925 730399 Fax 0606 892207. 24hr answerphone on old 0606 891 098 OPEN MON-FRI 9.30-5.30 SAT 9.30-4.00 CLOSED SUNDAYS & BANK HOLIDAYS Xl\ Best Days British Birds Their most exciting birdwatching experiences, described by David Fisher David Glue Steve Madge Bill Oddie Robin Prytherch & many others Edited try Malcolm Ogihie & Stuart Winter Published by British Birds Ltd, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 :t\j Available from all good bookshops £14.95 hardback ISBN 0 9508471 3 5 | SPF.CIAI. RKOUCKD PRIC:F, IF ORDF-RFO THROUGH ‘BRITISH BiRHSHOP’ (D526) Hsland^ holidays CHRISTMAS ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND (Kingdom of the Crabs) Rare and endemic birds (including Abbott’s Booby), rainforest, and the possibility of red crab migration make this a very special Christmas. This Indian Ocean island lies south of Java and well away from its atomic namesake in the pacific. CHRISTMAS ISLAND/ COCOS (KEELING) with Roy Dennis 1 7 days departing 1 October 1 991 contrasts the rainforested Christmas Island with the coral atoll of Cocos (Keeling). A really exotic combination. For details of this and other destinations contact Island Holidays, Ardross, Comrie, Perthshire PH6 2JU. Tel: 0764 701 07 (D862) TRINIDAD and TOBAGO Stay at the famous Asa Wright Nature Centre for 6 nights. Have four tours, to the famous Caroni Swamp, Nariva Swamp and two tours of your choice. Fly to the island of Tobago and stay at the Grafton Beach Resort with 2 tours for another 6 nights. Cost of Holiday per person with flights included £1 ,300 subject to flight availability. Charlotte Nanton, 13 Millpond Court Bourneside Road, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 23A Telephone; 0932 244140 845580 Monthly marathon The bird flying towards us (plate 110) — not a view we often get — was named as 32 different species: Osprey Fandion haliaetus (32%) Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata ( 1 0%) Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (8%) Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (7%) White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura (5%) Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor (4%) with a few votes each for Manx Shearwater Puffmus pujjinus, (iannet Sula bassana, Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnijicens, Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus, Green-backed Heron Bulorides striatus, Squacco Heron Ardeola rallaides. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, Western Reef Heron Egrelta gularis. Little Egret E. garzetla, Great White Egret E. alba. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. Pallid Harrier C. macrourus. Little Bustard Tetrax telrax. Great Bustard Otis tarda. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus. Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum, Black-winged Pratincole G. nordmanni. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus. Herring Gull Ixirus argentatus. Roller Coracias garrulus, and Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra. It does have to be admitted that a bird which can be named both as a Calandra Lark and as a Magnificent Frigatebird must have been difficult to identify. Despite Osprey being the most-named species, it wasn’t even a raptor; despite Houbara Bustard being the second-commonest selection, it wasn’t a bustard; nor, despite three pratincole species being named, was it even a wader. The entrants who opted for one of the nine species of heron listed above got the closest, but nobody identified the bird in plate 110 correctly. Indeed, good reasons can be given for the bird not being each one of the listed species. It was a Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, its black crown not visible, but its white forehead and dark lores both plain to see. This individual, which occurred on Coll, Strathclyde, in April-June 1987 {Brit. Birds 81: 542), was photographed in May by Sue Anderson. With the unexpected elimination of all competitors, this fifth ‘Monthly marathon’ recommenced with everyone back on the start-line and plate 117 as the new first hurdle. The third hurdle is provided by plate 157, below. The competition to win a SUNBIRD birdwatching holiday in Africa, Asia or North America is wide open again. For a free SUNBIRD brochure, write to PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire .SGI9 IDF; or telephone Sandy (0767) 682969. 157. Fifth ‘Monthly marathon’ (twelfth stage: photograph number 61). Identify the species. Read the rules on page 16 of the January 1991 issue, then send in your answer on a postcard to Monthly Marathon, Foun- tains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ, to arrive by 15th August 1991 283 Sponsored by Notes Bewick’s Swan resembling Whooper Swan On 19th February 1989, J. A. McGeoch informed me of the presence of an interesting immature Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus near Wells, Somerset. On the following day, I obtained a photograph of the bird (plate 158). This shows the angular head and long bill typical of a Whooper Swan C. cygnus. Although not seen so well in the photograph, the bird also appeared to have a long neck and body, again resembling a Whooper Swan. The bill pattern, however, was definitely that of a Bewick’s Swan. We decided that the bird in question was a Bewick’s Swan, perhaps one of eastern origin (formerly separated as the race jankowskii) from its long bill, angular head and generally large appearance, more reminiscent of a Whooper Swan than the familiar round-headed, short-billed Bewick’s Swan of western origin. JAMES STEPHEN 27 New Street, Wells, Somerset BAS 2LE The difTerences between western and eastern Bewick’s Swans are now thought to be purely clinal, so the extremes are not separated as difTerent races. Two similar large-billed Bewick’s Swans (both adults) were recorded by the late Bernard King in Somerset in February 1956 {Wildfowl Trust Annual Report for 1958-59: 156-159). It should be noted, however, that a Bewick’s X Whooper hybrid has been reported in Iceland (Dr M. A. Ogilvie in litt.). Eds 158. Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus with long bill, angular head and large neck and body recalling Whooper Swan C. cygnus, Somerset, February 1989 {James Stephen) 284 Notes 285 Blue-winged or Cinnamon Teal? Having seen many Blue-winged Anas discors and Cinnamon Teals A. cyanoptera in North America as well as ‘wild’ female Blue-winged Teals and captive examples of both species in Britain, 1 consider that the bird shown in colour in the November 1985 issue of British Birds (78: plate 274) seems to show characteristics closer to Cinnamon Teal than to Blue-winged Teal. The bill has fairly distinct flanges overlapping on either side and, although difficult to judge from one photograph, the bill is very ‘long’ looking. The whole facial pattern is rather uniform, with an obscure, lightly streaked loral spot, an indistinct eye-stripe, which is barely visible in front of the eye, and the broken eye-ring is mottled buff and unstriking. There is little contrast between the lower part of the foreneck and the upper breast, and the fringes of the flank and mantle feathers are perhaps marginally thinner than on most Blue-winged Teals and are a warm creamy-buff colour. The general plumage tone appears a warm buff- brown, with little contrast throughout, and most notably the head pattern is rather unstriking. On a typical female/immature Blue-winged Teal, one would expect perhaps a slightly shorter, more-compact bill; a larger, bright white, unmarked loral spot; bolder, unmarked white broken eye-rings; a distinctly marked, blackish eye-stripe, particularly through the lores, further highlighting the loral spot; greater contrast between the lower foreneck and upper breast; a generally colder plumage tone, with a distinctly grey component, more contrasting throughout; and, particu- larly, a well-marked facial pattern. Clearly, there is much overlap between the two species, and many authorities acknowledge that they can be notoriously difficult to separate in the field. Even allowing for possible colour distortion in the photograph, however, the bird seems to show characteristics which weigh far more heavily on the side of Cinnamon than Blue-winged Teal. Cinnamon Teals are commonly kept in captivity and do escape infrequently. Perhaps this individual is a candidate for the first transatlan- tic vagrancy of Cinnamon Teal? I may be completely wrong and the British Birds Rarities Committee may know of other information which assert this bird’s identity, but I certainly feel that it is a long way from being a confirmed Blue-winged Teal, at least on the photographic evidence. Martin S. Garner Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism, 27 Vanbrugh Park, Blackheath, London SE3 JAG The bird in question was present at Wester Loch, Unst, Shetland, from 3rd to 23rd September 1983. The record, in the form of a full account and a detailed description (but without photographs), was submitted to the BBRC by the finder, P. J. Heath, as a Blue-winged Teal Anas discors. It was accepted as such on first circulation of the Committee and published in the ‘Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1983’ {Brit. Birds 77: 515). A year later, a photograph of the bird was published in the ‘Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1984’ {Brit. Birds 78: 567, plate 274). As a consequence, the identification was queried by several readers, including some members of the Rarities Committee, and this resulted in the 286 Notes record’s recirculation around the BBRC. This provoked a strong debate, a not unsympathetic reaction to the case for identification as Cinnamon Teal A. cyanoptera, and a general call for sight of the full range of transparencies. These were kindly provided by J. N. Dymond, a quick skin check of both species was carried out by a BBRC member at the British Museum (Natural History) at Tring, and the record was given a third circulation of the Committee. The file gathered a most useful discussion, but no firm conclusion was reached, the consensus of opinion being that an appraisal of the record should be sought from the USA. Detailed comments were forthcoming from a consultant in North America, though neither he nor a colleague was prepared to offer a firm identification. The fourth BBRC circulation contained a general plea for a detailed skin examination, and this was carried out by the Committee as a whole at its Identification Meeting at the British Museum (Natural History) in July 1989. This resulted in the confirmation of recent comments made within the file by Dave Britton and Steve Madge, and a fifth circulation of the BBRC enabled a unanimous decision to be reached to accept the record once more as Blue-winged Teal, though with a revision to the previously published age and sex of the bird (Brit. Birds: 83: 450). The key characters in the ageing, sexing and identification of this individual are the generally buff coloration, especially that of the breast; the upperwing pattern, particularly the broad, white bar across the tips of 159. Adult male Blue-winged 'l eal Anas discors in eclipse plumage, Shetland, September 1983 {J. N. l^mond) ( The inclusion of plates 158-161 In colour has been subsidised by a donation from ZF.ISS Germarn] Notes 287 the greater coverts; the bright metallic-green secondaries (the speculum); the mahogany-brown eyes; and the dull, pale yellowish legs. Juvenile and first-winter Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teals both have dull, dark greenish secondaries and greyish legs. Palmer (1976), however, stated ‘By sometime in fall, all soft-part colors approximate those of older age-classes at the same season’, a view not upheld by Cramp & Simmons (1977) or by Madge & Bum (1988), both of whom gave the change in leg colour as coinciding with the attaining of first-summer plumage. Bearing in mind that it was a September sighting, the bird is thus an adult. Females of both species at all ages have only a narrow white bar across the tips of the greater coverts, so the bird in question is a male. A drake Cinnamon Teal in non-breeding (eclipse) plumage is noticeably quite rufous-brown, and is particularly chestnut on the breast. It also has orange to scarlet eyes (even a young Cinnamon Teal attains this eye colour within about eight weeks of hatching). The Unst bird is, therefore, an adult male Blue-winged Teal in non-breeding (eclipse) plumage. The age and sex may explain what some readers considered to be a suspiciously long bill (Palmer, 1976, for males and females respectively, gave average bill lengths as 42.3 mm and 40.0 mm for Blue-winged Teal and 45.5 mm and 42.8 mm for Cinnamon Teal) and also the bird’s rather buff plumage (Madge & Burn, 1988, stated that a drake in eclipse has ‘general tone of plumage a warmer buff than a female). Peter Lansdown 197 Springwood, Llanedeym, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF2 6UG REFERENCES Cramp, S., & Simmons, K. E. L. (eds.) 1977. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. vol. 1. Oxford. Madge, S. C., & Burn, H. 1988. Wildfowl: an identification guide to the ducks, geese and swans of the world. Bromley. Pai.mer, R. S. (ed.) 1976. Handbook of North American Birds, vol. 2. New Haven. The time spent assessing this one record has been well worthwhile in determining the ageing, sexing and full identihcation criteria for the separation of the two species concerned. We are most grateful to those, including Martin Garner, whose critical questioning of the identification prompted the detailed BBRC investigations. Eds Identification of juvenile Verreaux’s Eagle In his solution to ‘Mystery photograph 150’ {Brit. Birds 83: 20-21, plate 7), Iain Robertson commented that‘. . . there is only one species of Aquila eagle which is heavily streaked on the breast: an immature Imperial Eagle A. heliaca.' While this is certainly true for those species which have major parts of their breeding range in the Western Palearctic, it may be worth pointing out that caution is required to exclude juvenile or first-winter Verreaux’s Eagle A. verreauxii, which in the Western Palearctic occurs (and occasionally breeds) only in Sinai, Saudi Arabia and exceptionally in Jordan {Brit. Birds 84: 5). As the accompanying photographs of a juvenile, taken in Nairobi National Park, Kenya, in August 1989, demonstrate (plates 160 & 161), this species has the entire throat and breast blackish brown with pale brown shaft streaks, giving the breast a streaked appearance. From a distance, it is difficult to decide whether this is pale streaking on a dark background or vice versa. Other characters, of course, make separation from young Imperial Eagles not too difficult: crown and nape are pale golden brown; belly and 288 Notes 160 & 161. Juvenile Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxii, Kenya, August 1989 {A.J. Helbig) Notes 289 ‘trousers’ are white with some rufous feathers intermingled; and there is a lot of white on the lower back, rump and in the upperwing-coverts. In flight, the extensive pale bases to all primaries resemble those of the adult plumage and are very different from the narrow ‘window’ formed by the pale inner primaries of Imperial. I have not seen any handbook or field-guide illustrations accurately portraying this juvenile plumage of Verreaux’s Eagle. Apparently, the pale streaking on the dark breast is gradually lost during the course of the first winter, and the crown and nape become more rufous brown, thus resembling illustrations in Brown et al. {The Birds of Africa^ vol. 1, plate 25), BWP (vol. 2, plate 25) and Maclean (1985, Roberts’ Birds of Southern Africa, 5th edn, plate 13). A. J. Hei.big Zoologisches Institut, University of Frankfurt, Siesmayerstr. 70, D-6000 Frankfurt am Main 11, Germany Letters The introduction of the Chukar We were very interested to read Major W. H. Payn’s letter {Brit. Birds 84: 68). The Game Conservancy agrees with him that the release of Chukars Alectoris chukar on shoots in Britain is, in effect, swamping the Red-legged Partridge A. rufa stock. We feel, however, that the situation is reversible, which is why we have, for many years, campaigned to rectify the situation. As a result, the practice of releasing Chukars and Chukar hybrids, licensed under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, is now being phased out. There will be no more licenses, and the current one expires at the end of 1992. G. R. PoTT.s Director Designate, The Game Conservancy, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 lEF A flight characteristic of recently fledged Lapwings The white wing patch on recently fledged Lapwings Vanellus vanellus is at the bases of the secondaries, not the primaries as Hector Galbraith and 1 stated in our note (/?n7. 84: 151-152). Adam Watson c/o Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Banchory, Kincardineshire ,\B3I 4BY Dr Watson has supplied a photograph of a fledgling Lapwing’s wing showing this feature. Eds. ^rbcntp-fihf pearg ago... Nf.ari.Y every recent book on British birds mentions Wiltshire as one of the counties in which the Common Curlew {Numeniu.s arquala) breeds, but 1 am of opinion that this is one of those errors which get copied from one work to another. I know no part of the county which is really suited to the requirements of the bird, and ver)- much doubt if it ever breeds here, and I believe that all records are based on Stone-Curlews (Burhinns oedintemus) which are fairly common.’ {Bril. Bird.s 10; 44-45, July 1916). Sponsored by Rarities Committee news and announcements P. G. Lansdown and the Rarities Committee ZEISS Germany Committee membership is listed on the inside front cover each month, and on the back of the title page. Following a postal vote by county and regional bird recorders and bird observatories, Dr Colin Bradshaw, Peter Clement and Pete Ellis started their terms of membership on 1st April 1991 {Brit. Birds 84: 113). The first two were already serving on the Committee, in a co-opted capacity, and Pete Ellis replaced Keith Vinicombe, who retired as the longest-serving member after a nine-year term. Keith’s identification expertise in all areas, and especially in the field of wildfowl, his frequently detailed, perceptive and instructive comments, and his humorous asides and general cheerfulness, which have been features of his work on the Committee will continue to benefit British Birds, as he has agreed to join the Identification Notes Panel. The following points of interest arise mainly from the Committee’s annual meeting at Blunham, Bedfordshire, on 6th April 1991. Photographs and the assessment of records of rarities The Committee has on several occasions sought to encourage the submission of photographs of rare birds in Britain so that they can be used during the Committee’s deliberations {Brit. Birds 80: 489, 518; 81: 537; 82: 507; 83: 441). It has been decided that, commencing with the ‘Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1990’, each accepted record supported during the assessment process by one or more photographs will, when published, have added the term ‘photographed’. The equivalent will apply for a written record supported by a video or by a tape recording. The photograph (or video or tape recording) does not have to be submitted by the finder or identifier of the bird; we hope that anyone with relevant material will send it to us for consideration at the same time as the written evidence. Rarities Committee Newsline Since March 1991, the Committee has had its own telephone information line on 0898-884522. Callers hear details of the latest accepted records of rare birds in Britain. Information permitting, the Rarities Committee Newsline is updated twice a week. Election of new member A vacancy will arise in the ranks of the Committee from 1st y\pril 1992 as a result of the automatic retirement of the longest-serving member. Fhe Committee is acutely aware that it lacks a voting member from southwest 290 \liril Hinh 84: 290-29 1 .July 1991 1 Rarities Committee news and announcements 291 England, and ideally would like the Comwall-Hampshire-Gloucestershire triangle to produce its next new member. Though there are, inevitably, other areas of Britain without regional representation, none is so large and so rarity-productive. This year, we have taken the unusual step of not proposing a nominee; as is our normal practice, we invite nominations, which should be sent to me by 31st December 1991, and we particularly encourage the Southwest to respond. If more than one nomination is received, a postal election will take place, in which county and regional recorders and bird observatories will be invited to vote. P. G. Lansdown, 197 Springwood, Llanedeym, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF2 6UG Announcements ‘BB’ in Israel 1991 The special ‘BB’-SUNBIRD trip during llth-25th September 1991 (announced Brit. Birds 83: 246-247) is already well supported, but there are still a few places remaining. The trip’s itinerary provides a unique opportunity to combine spectacular raptor- watching, searches for passerine migrants (almost anything is possible) and local specialities such as breeding Sooty Falcons Faico concolor, with a five-day pelagic trip on the Red Sea looking at seabirds. There will be a qualified instructor on board to give tuition to those wishing to snorkel or dive. The leaders will be Hadoram Sbiribai and either David Fisher or Steve Rooke. For full details, ring SUNBIRD on Sandy (0767) 682969. ‘BB’ trip to Thailand Friendly, small-group trips to Thailand in January, February or March are arranged annually for BB subscribers, jointly with the bird-tour company SUNBIRD. BB subscribers automatically obtain a 10% discount on the usual price. With West Palearctic rarities, such as Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope and Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata, almost guaranteed (and Thailand’s perfect birdwatching weather, superb food and friendly, helpful people as bonuses), it constantly surprises us that the groups on these trips remain small. That, however, is ideal for birding on the narrow jungle trails. We shall also visit the mountain ranges of the north, as well as coastal mudflats and mangroves. Several BB subscribers have already returned in two or three consecutive years on these BB trips, with quotes such as ‘The best birding holiday I’ve ever had.’ Our 1992 trip, led by Kamol Komolphalin and Phil Round, will be during 16th February to 10th March. For full details, write or phone to David Fisher/Jennifer Thomas at Sunbird, PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 IDF; telephone Sandy (0767) 682969. Princeton titles British BirdShop is pleased to announce that stocks of the following books are now always available, and can be purchased by British Birds subscribers at new low prices: Beehler et al. The Birds of New Guinea £22.95 de Schauensee A Guide to the Birds of Venezuela Paperback £22.95, hardback £46.00 Fhnt et al. A Field Guide to the Birds of the USSR Paperback £16.50, hardback £45.30 Hilty & Brown A Guide to the Birds of Golombia Paperback £26.50, hardback £60.00 Ridgeley & Gwynne A Guide to the Birds of Panama £27.50 Please use the British BirdShop form on pages xxi & xxii. 292 Announcements ’Seabirds’: special offer The 1985 revised edilion (identical to the 1989 revised edition) of the classic Seabirds: an identification guide by Peter Harrison is available exclusively to British Birds subscribers throua;h British BirdShop at the price of £19.95 (see page xxi). Prepublication offer ‘The Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe’. By Per Alstrdm & Peter Colston; illustrated by Ian Lewington. I'his new HarperC’ollins identification guide can be ordered by British Birds subscribers through British BirdShop at the prepublication price of £12.95 pos t free. This offer, giving a saving of £2.00 on the usual price, will remain open only during July-September. Please use the British BirdShop fonn on page xxi. Books in British BirdShop Please note this month's .speciai. oit'ER.s (see page 291 and above). The following books have been added this month: *.\lstrbm, Colston & Lewington The Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe SPECI.M. PREPUBi.ic:.AnoN offer *Browm & .\madon Eagles, Hawks and Ealeons of the World .SPECI.AI. ONE-VOI.UME EDFriON *Norman & Tucker Where to Watch Birds in Dei'on and Cornwall New, 2nd edition *Perrins The Hamlyn Fhotographic Guide to the Birds of the World *Roberts Birds of Pakistan vol. 1 *.Saunders Rare Birds of the British Isles Please order these recommended books by using the British BirdShop form on pages xxi & xxii. News and comment Mike Everett and Robin Prytherch Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ Ecuador tragedy We were saddened to hear of the tragic death of John Mullins in a car accident in Ecuador in March. The vehicle concerned rolled some 200 m down a steep hillside: John was killed instantly. Of his three travelling companions, Rod McCann was worst hurt, with a spinal injury — not, we understand, causing para- lysis; Jack Bailey broke a leg and his jaw, and Dave Clugston suffered a badly cut thigh (later sewn up with some glass left inside). Dave passed this news on to us — omitting to mention that, despite his in- juries, he climbed out of the wreckage and walked several kilometres to find help. John Mullins was reckoned to be one of the foremost nest-finders in the UK, a man whose birding activities went up several gears with the start of each new breeding season. He did extensive fieldwork in his native Wirral for the first Atlas and was a regular contributor to the B'l'O Nest Re- cords Scheme. He added Scarlet Rosefinch Garpodacus erythrinus to the list of British breeding birds in 1982 {Brit. Birds 77: 133- 135), during one of his regular trips to the Scottish Highlands. Our sincere sympathies go to his family. Maltese farce The Maltese company ‘Sphinx Tours’ specialises in tours for hun- ters. .Some of these have involved visits to Egypt, resulting in the killing of many protected species. Thanks to the actions of the International Council for Bird Preser\a- tion, the Malta Ornithological .Society and the Ornithological Society for Egypt, the Egyptian authorities moved in, an Egyptian tour guide was jailed, ‘catches’ were con- fiscated, and .Sphinx Tours (and Maltese hunter-tourists generally) were shown up for what they are. Now, in an ama/.ing move, they are suing the MO.S for loss of revenue. At the same time, a Maltese court has frozen the assets of the MOS. The ICBP is appeal- ing for money to keep the MOS going meanwhile, and to pay its legal fees; the R.SPB has already loaned £20,000. VVe await News and comment 293 developments — it does seem ridiculous that Maltese entrepreneurs should not only be able to export their barbarism and contempt for laws overseas, but also then take their critics to court . . . Canford reprieve One of the best pieces of news we received in March was that En- vironment Minister Michael Heseltine had revoked permission to build 200 more houses on Canford Heath, a Dorset SSSI and a Special Protection Area under EC rules. This brings to a successful end the five-year campaign by conservationists to save the heath — and, perhaps, gives just a tiny glimmer of hope for other SSSIs threatened by development. Calf Wardens Ruth Caine of the Manx Museum and National Trust has informed us that Norman McCanch took up his duties as new Warden at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory on 8th April 1990. His wife, Monica, is the new Assistant Warden. We wish them both well. More Spanish nonsense David Simpson has written to tell us of the latest develop- ments in the Madrid area, where the ban on birders has reached a new and even more ridiculous level. According to Carlos Martin of the Sociedad Espanola de Ornitologia, ‘protected species’ can be watched only from a distance greater than 200 m. Special permission to watch birds can be obtained from the Agencia de Medio Ambiente, Calle Princesa no. 3, Madrid: perhaps the Agencia should be bombarded with letters telling them how stupid and counter-productive the new rules are . . . ‘BB’ trip to Colombia Well almost! All four members of the Colombia ’91 Cambridge Rainforest Expedition, which will be spend- ing ten or more weeks at La Planada in southwestern Colombia during July- September 1991, are British Birds subscribers. The leader is Paul Salaman (who was senior Young Ornithologist of the Year in 1987, Brit. Birds 81: 138, 195, plate 104), and the other members are Jonathan Newman, Anthony Payne and Carl Downing. Field- work, which will be carried out in collabora- tion with three colleagues from the Col- ombian University of Valle, will include bird and mammal surveys and attempts to assess the attitudes to conservation of the local people and glean from them information on uses of forest products, especially plants. By the time this appears in print, the team will be active in the field, but contributions towards the expedition’s expenses will be very welcome; all contributors will receive a copy of the expedition report. Cheques payable to ‘Colombia ’9T should be sent to Jonathan Newman, Trinity Hall, Cambridge CB2 ITJ. ‘Essex Birds’ We have in the past praised this news-filled biannual magazine of the Essex Birdwatching Society. It is of interest not only to those resident in or visiting the county. For instance, it has included profiles of artists such as John Cox, George Brovm and Gary Wright, ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’/‘Richard Richardson Award’ prize- winners all; and articles on birdwatching elsewhere in the Western Palearctic (not just Essex) are regular. It is a very professional- looking publication. Write for information to the EBS, 48 Woodway, Hutton, Brent- wood, Essex CM 1.3 2JR. John Cox on view The work of Bird Illustrator of the Year winner in 1989, John Gox, will be exhibited at The Wildlife Art Gallery, 70-71 High Street, Lavenham, Suf- folk, during 1st- 16th July 1991. New bird art competition Go-sponsored by the Wildlife Art Gallery at Lavenham, Suffolk, and Bird Watching magazine, the ‘Young European Bird Artist Award’ aims to promote the work of young artists. Paintings (in any medium), collages or original prints are eligible, and this competition is intended to complement rather than compete with our ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’ and ‘Richard Richardson Award’ competitions, which are for black-and-white illustrations suitable for publication. The closing date for this year’s entries (35-mm transparencies of up to three paint- ings) has now passed (it was 30th June), but the winning paintings will be displayed at the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water, Leicestershire, during 30th August to 1st September. Details of the rules can be obtained from The Wildlife Art Gallery, 70- 71 High Street, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk COiO 9PT; phone Lavenham (0787) 248562. Polish owl stamps The Polish Post Office has just published a series of six stamps featuring portraits of owls (Little Athene noctua. Tawny Strix aluco brown phase and grey phase. Short-eared Asia flammeus. Long- eared A. otus and Bam Owl Tyto alba). A mint 294 News and comment set can be obtained for USS5 from Z. Lewartowski, the Editor of ‘f’or Bird Protec- tion’, Park l>yrekcyjny 4, 17-230 Bia+owieza, Poland, or by transferring this sum to Bank Account No. 1247783 in the name of Z. Lewartowski at the Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA, Biaf^'stok, Poland. SEBA ‘Seawatching and Birding Alterna- tives’ is what this new acronym stands for. It has just produced an intriguing booklet entitled Seabirds of Biscay — 90, an account of the species seen during crossings between Plymouth and Santander, Spain, last year. Seagoing birders will find this a useful source of reference: it is available for £3.50, including postage (cheques payable to SEBA), from Ian McNamee, West Lodge, Puddington, South Wirral 1.64 5ST. Is ringing/banding on the way out? A news release from AVID (UK) Ltd announces that ‘chip implantation through a needle under the bird’s skin causes no more pain than an ordinary vaccination. Once the microchip is in place, the bird will not even be aware of its existence. The system works efficiently for the duration of a bird’s life and because the chip is passive it does not require batteries and cannot break down. Neither accident nor injury to the bird will prevent the reading of the identity tag. ‘The tag is capable of 70 trillion unique identification code combinations and each tag is manufactured and programmed under computer control to ensure against duplica- tion of codes. Once implanted, the number can never be altered. ‘The chip is contained within a tiny bio- compatible glass capsule about the size of a grain of rice, and is programmed with a unique 10-digit identification code which can be identified by a hand-held tag reader. 'Lhe tag reader combines portability and optimum performance in a lightweight func- tional design and is capable of more than 25,000 read operations on a single set of batteries. It has manual, remote or compu- ter controlled operational capability and is practical for use in both field and clinic environments.’ AVID (UK) Ltd suggests use for ‘rare and tropical birds’, so has clearly been aiming its marketing at the cage-bird trade. But what about the marking of w51d birds? This method might be especially useful for long-lived species which tend to lose their rings, or marine species on which ring numbers may become illegible through con- tact with seawater. Together with a long- lasting marker (e.g. non-corroding colour ring), microchip tagging could even replace the traditional numbered ring/band alto- gether. What, we wonder, does Chris Mead think? The address of AVID (UK) Ltd is 89a Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2GH. OBC award The Oriental Bird Club and Leica LIK have announced the third Forktail/Leica Award, which will be given to the best project in one of the following categories: a habitat survey useful to bird conservation; a survey or study of a globally threatened bird species; a study of a little- known protected area; or conservation edu- cation with an emphasis on birds. The award has been raised to £1,000. The closing date for applications is 1st October 1991. More information from Carol Inskipp, Con- servation Officer, OBC, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI9 2i)i.. Money for Thailand During March, ICBP was pleased to announce that Swarovski UK had helped to raise £4,500 to build a Conservation Information Centre at Khao Noi Chuchi in southern Lhailand. Lhey have also provided binoculars at the site. The Khao Noi Chuchi rainforest holds 25 pairs of Curney’s Pitta Pitta gumeyi — its only known site — and the new Centre (completed in January) is the centrepiece of a three-year rainforest-protection project run by the ICBP and the Royal Thai Forestry Depart- ment. 162. The ‘BB’-SUNBIRD group in Thailand 1991, relaxing at Khao Noi Chuchi: back, left to right, Thamatep Pintusan (Educational I ravel Center), Phil Round (leader), Sonapa Wongrattana and Uthai Treesucon; front, left to right, Alan Ball and Stephen Rumsey (/. T. R. Sharrock) 163. Kamol Komolphalin (leader), ‘BB’-SUNBIRD trip to Thailand, Februaiy 1991 (/. T. R. Sharrock) 164. Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata, Krabi, Thailand, March 1991 (Alan Ball). Note wings distinctively folded loosely over back News and comment 295 ‘BB’ in Thailand 1991 The small group visiting I'hailand during 18th P'ebruary to 10th March (plates 162 & 163) had a very successful time. Highlights among the total of 401 species recorded included stunning, prolonged views of Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata (plate 164) and Gurney’s Pitta Htta gumeyi; close encounters with flocks of Great Knots Calidris tenuirostris and Nordmann’s Greenshanks Tringa giittifer (feeding with Greenshanks T. nebularia for useful compari- sons); unusually frequent observations of White’s 4’hrushes Zoothera dauma and Red- flanked Bluetails Tarsiger cyanurus\ and a scattering of rarities such as Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis, White-throated Rock Thrush Monlicola gularis and Dark- breasted Rosehnch Carpodacus nipalensis. Recent reports Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan This summary covers the period 10th May to 13th June 1991 These are unchecked reports, not authenticated records Little Egret Egrella garzetta Lough Beg (Co. Londonderry), 10th-12th June; Corballis (Co. Dublin), 11th June. Great White Egret Egretta alba St Margaret’s Bay (Kent), 23rd May. Black Stork Ciconia nigra Elmley RSPB Re- serve (Kent), 12th May; Skomer (D)Ted), 24th May; Dungeness (Kent), 1st June. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Orkney, 27th May. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Two females, Connemara (Co. Galway), 23rd May; Eitchwell RSPB Reserve (Norfolk), 26th May; Scilly, 31st May; Cape Clear Island (Co Cork), 31st May; Rainham Marsh (Kent), 8th-13th June. Gyrfalcon Falco ruslicolus South List (West- ern Isles), 9th June. Corncrake Crex crex All-Ireland census of breeding birds in 1991 reveals continuing decline, except in Shannon Valley. Broad-billed Sandpiper I.imicola falcinellus Isle of .Sheppey (Kent), 18th-20th May; Breydon Water (Norfolk), 21st-23rd May; Krampton (Gloucestershire), 8th-10th June. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Frodsham (Cheshire), 22nd May. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Yell (Shet- land), 25lh May; Downham Market (Nor- folk), 4th June. Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus Massive passage: over 1,400 during 12th- 31 St May, including 1,300 past North L'isi (Western Isles). Laughing Gull Lams alricilla Stennes (Orkney), I6th-18th May. Franklin’s Gull / .arus pipLxcan South Nesting (Shetland), 27th May. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilolica 'I'itch- well, 27th May; Landguard Point (Suffolk), 28th May; Reclamation Pond, Teesmouth (Cleveland), 5th June. Bridled Tern Sterna anaelhetus West Fhur- rock (Essex) and Hanningfield Reservoir (Essex), 2nd June. Turtle Dove Streptopelia lurtur First report: Norfolk, 3rd May. Needle-tailed Swift Hinindapus caudacutus Wierton Hill Reservoir, Maidstone (Kent), 26th May; Blithfield Reservoir (Stafford- shire), 1st June; near Lerwick (Shetland), 1 1th June. Alpine Swift Apus melba Swindon (Wiltshire) 14th May; Southwold (Suffolk), 16th May; Ilford (Greater London), 30th May. Bee-eater Merops apiaster Five, Beachy Head (East Sussex), 22nd May; hve, Dungeness, 31st May; four, Portland Bill (Dorset), 3rd June. Yellow Wagtail Alotacilla Jlava Male black- headed Yellow Wagtail {M. f. feldegg) Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork), 31st May (hrst Irish record of this race); two ashy-headed Yellow Wagtails (M. /. cinereocapillus), Inistrahull (Co. Donegal), 2nd June. Citrine Wagtail Alotacilla citreola Eyebrook Reservoir (Leicestershire), 18th May; Haux- ley (Northumberland), 15th- 16th May. Rock Thrush Alonticola saxatilis Flambor- ough Head (Humberside), 22nd May. Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus amtidinaceus Leighton Moss (Lancashire), 8th June. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia airruca First re- port: Bedfordshire, 28th April; generally scarce. Greenish Warbler Fliylloscopits trochiloides Fetlar (Shetland), lOth June. Spotted Flycatcher Muscipapa striata \'ery few reports. Woodchat Shrike Lanins senator Marsh Benham (Berkshire), 19th May. Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus etythrinus Two, Cape Clear Island, 31st May. Lark Sparrow Chondestes gratnmacus Waxham (Norfolk), 15th-17th May. For the latest, up-to-date news, phone ‘Twitch-line’ on 0898-884-501 (34p/niin ch<*ap rate; 45p/min other times; incl. \'AT) We are grateful to National Bird News for supplying information for this news feature. ‘Flight line’ (R.SPB) supplied data on common migrants. For copies of ‘Flightline' report for 1991, send Ist-class stamp to Joan Childs, YOC Project Manager, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI 9 2DL. 296 British BirdShop ALL LISTED BOOKS ARE POST FREE TO ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ SUBSCRIBERS Books and other items are included in British BirdShop only if they are approved by British Birds and considered to be generally reliable, good value and useful additions to a birdwatcher’s library. Any item ordered through British BirdShop which fails to meet your approval can be returned and your money will be refunded without question. 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(BB808) xxviii This publication is available in microform. University Microfilms International reproduces this publication in microform; micro- fiche and 16mm or 35mm film. For information alK)ut this publication or any of the more than 13,000 titles we offer, complete and mail the coupon to; University Microfilms International, 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Call us toll-free for an immediate response; 800-521-3044. Or call collect in Michigan. Alaska and Hawaii; 313-761-4700. University Microfilms International (D525) British Birds Volume 84 Number 7 July 1991 245 Identification of Soft-plumaged Petrel J. W. Enticott 264 Mystery photographs 168 Chukar X Red-legged Partridge Peter J. Wilkinson Reviews 266 ‘Man and Wildfowl’ by Janet Rear Dr M. .4. Ogilvie 266 ‘Bird Songs of Israel and the Middle East’ by Krister Mild Rob Hume 267 Binoculars and telescopes survey 1991 Dr J. T. R. Sharrock and Ms L. W. Sharrock 283 Monthly Marathon Notes 284 Bewick’s Swan resembling Whooper Swan James Stephen 285 Blue-winged or Cinnamon Teal? Martin S. Gamer, Peter Lansdown 287 IdentiHcation of juvenile V'erreaux’s Eagle DrA.J.Helbig Letters 289 The introduction of the Chukar Dr G. R. Potts 289 A flight characteristic of recently fledged Lapwings Dr Adam Watson 289 Seventy-hve years ago . . . 290 Rarities Committee news and announcements P. G. Lansdown and the Rarities Committee Announcements 291 ‘BB’ in Israel 1991 291 ‘BB’ trip to Thailand 291 Princeton titles 292 ‘Seabirds’: SPF.ciai. oitkr 292 PRKPfBi.lCATlON OFFKR ‘The Eield Cuide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe’, by Per Alstrom & Peter Colston; illustrated by Ian Lewington 292 Books in British BirdShop 292 News and comment Mike Everett and Robin Prytherch 296 Recent reports Party Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan Line-drawings: 245 Soft-plumaged Petrel (Dave Numey); 267 binoculars and telescopes logo (P. J. Grant) Front cover: Canada Geese and Coot (David A. Cook): the original drawing of this month’s cover design, measuring 18.6 X 20.8 cm, is for sale in a postal auction (see pages 37-38 in January issue for procedure) Volume 84 Number 8 August 1991 (NAT^^Al HISTORY) 1991 N I ED t iird Illustrator of the Year Hosking OBE, Hon. FRPS (1909-1991) .ter 1990/91 uus of seabirds in northern Norway Sponsored by telescopes British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David A. Christie Editorial Board Dr R. J. Chandler, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, R. J. Prytherch & Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Don Smith & Roger Tidman Art Consultants Robert Gillmor & Alan Harris Rarities Committee P. G. Lansdown (Chairman); Dr Colin Bradshaw, Alan Brown, G. P. Cadey, Peter Clement, A. R. Dean, Pete Ellis, S. J. M. Gandett, C. D. R. Heard, R. A. Hume & J. H. Marchant; Peter Colston (Museum Consultant & Archivist); Peter Fraser (Statistician); Michael J. Rogers (Honorary Secretary) Notes Paneb BF.H.w^OLiR Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Derek Goodwin, Dr I. Newton, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sbarrock & Dr K. E. L. Simmons; IDENTIFICATION Dr R. J. Chandler, A. R. Dean, T. P. Insldpp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, I. S. Robertson, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock & K. E. Vinicombe ‘British Birds’ is published by a non-profit-making company for the benefit of ornithology © Bricish Birds Ltd 1991 Copyright of photographs remains with photographers. British Birds is published monthly by. British Birds I>td, 93 High Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire ISSN 0007-0335 Publishing Manager, Ihvduction & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Marmger Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Felts Adz'ertising Sandra Barnes Addresses Please keep correspondence on different items separate. Please address your envelope correctly. Please supply SAE, if reply required. 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Phone: Totnes (0803) 865913 Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £42.30, 1R£49.40 or $79.80. Personal subscriptions: UK, Europe and surface mail £34.40, 1R£40.20 or $64.80; personal: airmail outside Europe £57.75, IR£67.45 or $109.00. Single back copies £4.40, IR£5.15 or $8.30. Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may also be made directly into UK Post Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of the West Palearctic. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are normally accepted only on condition that material is nol Ixing offeR*d in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs and sketches are welcomed. Papers should be r\|X‘written with double spacing, and wide mai^ns, and on one side of the sheet only. Authors should carefully consult this issue for style of presentation, especially of references and tables. English and scientific names and sequences of birds follow The ‘British Birds’ List of Birds of the Western Palearctic (1984): names of plants follow Hony et al. (1980. English Names of Wild Flowers); names of mammals follow Corliet & Southeni (1977, The Handbook of British Mammals). Topographical (plumage and structure) and ageing terminology should follow editorial n'commendations {Hrit. Birds 74: 239-242; 78: 419-427; 80: 502). Figures .should be in Indian ink on good-quality tracing pa|x*r, drawing paper, non-absorbent board or light blue or very pale grey gniph paper; lettering should lx* inserted lightly in pencil; captions should lx* t>ped on a separate sheet. Authors of main papers (but not notes or letters) receive ten free copies of the journal (five each to two or more authors). Printed in England by Newnorth Print Limited, Kempsfon. Bedford V 04 HIGH STREET 14ARNET, HERTS. n;N5 5SZ )0PEN MON-SAT iaiam-6pm mhONE 081-449 1445 MHONE 081-441 7748 «^AX: 081-440 9999 in focus THE BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE SPECIALISTS A BRITISH BIRDWATCHING FAIR 1991 EGLETON NATURE RESERVE • RUTLAND WATER NEAR OAKHAM • LEICESTERSHIRE SPONSORED BY ‘in focus’ SUPPORTING ICBP DANUBE DELTA PROJECT FRIDAY 30 AUG • SAT 31 AUG • SUN 1 SEPT MAIN STREET, TITCHWELL, NORFOLK PE31 8BB OPEN 7 DAYS 9am-6pm PHONE 0485 210101 ICBP WORLD ENVIRONMENT PARTNER 1991 3^ :E-;E VALLEY FIELD DAYS ,MNDAY DATES 10am-4pm SUMMER FIELD EVENTS 1991 th AUGUST ISO summer field days at Fishers Green will o our customers choose their equipment i>- ier field conditions at this popular «4watchmg site Lee ^Bey Rangers will be on id to help enhance your birdwatching day ■)ne for details BLACtaOFT SANDS HUMBERSIDE SAT 3rd, SUN 4th AUGUST JORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY ; =1 n HAYS ABBERTON ESSEX SAT 21 St, SUN 22nd SEPT HAUXLEY NORTHUMBERLAND SAT 1 4th & SUN 1 5th SEPT KENFIG MID GLAMORGAN SAT 28th & SUN 29th SEPT HIN 16th AUGUST 10am-4Dm k focua’ are pleased to offer our customers > 16 South and Y^sl the opportunity to test, \ npare arxl purchase from our full range of >apment at this famous Dorset turd wTiervetory. Phone for details. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO VISITORS WITH AN INVITATION BETWEEN 10am AND 4pm EACH DAY The ideal way to test optics for birdwatching is to watch birds! These Field Weekends at well- known Reserves around the country will enable our customers to choose and select from our complete range of equipment under field conditions. You are invited to apply in wnting or phone for an invitation pack to any of the above events indicating your preferred day and time of attendance. BRITISH BIRDS READER SPECIAL OFFER 10% DISCOUNT ON ANY ITEM PURCHASED UNTIL 30/9/91 THIS OFFER IS TO “BB" READERS ONLY AND A COPY OF THIS ADVERT MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR ORDER. .AUSCH & LOMB lite BX42BGA 'Me 10X42BGA 'ustom 6x368 'ustom 10x40BGA me 22x60B. Ilia 22X60BGA ■lite 1Sx-45x60BGA f€ICA ‘'inovid 8x20BC inovid 10x25BC . -'■Inovid $x20BCA 'inovid 10x25BCA s ase lor Mini . •'inovid 7x42BA -'-inovid 8x42BA inovid 10x42BA *iARL ZEISS lalyt 8x20B lalyt l0x25B laiyt 8x20BGA iialyt 8X30BGAT lalyl 7X42BGAT laiyt IOx40BGAT laiyt 10X40BT . 'wialyt 8x56BGAT '•5x60 Porro GAT -ccessones 'inainguard •ye Cups (Set) ... • ye Cups Hard (Set) -enyard . Vide Lanyard -‘pare Case from £ 62900 629.00 229.00 .249.00 289.00 309.00 349 00 £ 199 00 .226 00 .226.00 239.00 ,15.00 628 00 628.00 626.00 £ .236 00 259.00 . 305.00 . 509.00 589 00 599 00 639.00 729.00 .1190,00 5 00 .16.00 .16.00 .5.00 15.00 . 19.00 ».IKON .‘X20CF £ 69 00 01250 F .79.00 .65.00 .89.00 X.-X200CF .135.00 .150.00 x*x30DCF 249.00 :.2x360CF 279.00 k«x40DCF 539.00 199.00 ,229.00 - x-12x24DCF .329 00 ^ieldscope 20x60. 265.00 -teieldscope 20x-45 ... .330.00 *leldscope EO II 20x60 , 475.00 545.00 - 5x&20x. .65.00 L Ox , . .65.00 ' '0x-45x Zoom ,147.00 < foya Multi Coal Filter .20.00 ‘ lubber Hood , .10 00 ■*hoto Kit .157 00 nlay-onCase .45 00 v'Tpotting scope 20x60GA 199 00 ■ spotting scope 20x-45x60GA .265.00 SWIFT £ Grand Prix 8x40 69 00 County 10x40 69.00 Triton 10x50 99 00 Trilyte8x42BGA 135 00 Tnlyte 10x32BGA .. 139 00 Audubon HR5 199.00 Audubon 7x35BGA .329.00 Viewmaster 60 Body 1 49 00 15-45 X Zoom. . 49 00 20x , 20 00 Case . . ..15 00 QUESTAR £ Field Model 3' Broad Band Coating Supplied with SOx-BOx Hood. Case .2200.00 30X-50X. , .. 120 00 80x-130x.. 120.00 Porro Prism 140.00 OPTOLYTH £ Alpin8x30BGA .205 00 Alpin 8X40BGA 225.00 Alpin 10x40BGA 230.00 AlpinlOxSOBGA 241.00 Touring 8x30BGA 368.00 Touring 7x42BGA 398.00 Touring 10x40BGA 396.00 TBS HD Body 549 00 TBG HD Body 549.00 TBS 60 Body .350.00 TBG 80 Body 350,00 20xWA 100.00 30xWA.. 64.00 30xWW(New) 119.00 40x WA (New) . .65.00 22x-60xZoom 150.00 Soft Case .29.00 Hard Case 35.00 Stay-cn Case for TGS/TBG 45 00 HABICKT 2Mi WTI ffi. DO’ AT8bB( '.?5ao» rcawA ,171 00 3^WA .255.00 20x":S0xZ^T .32.00 Case Zoom HR Bo t, 22x 6 Case 22x & Case ... i,^,.204 95 Spacemaster Body GA 28'..«|D4;96 . 214 96 ''i i *m234 96^ Case „ _ I'fff 'M' veredN'' ,, ^ - . ...... '-ai.95.- D500 NEW FLUID HEAD 59 95 D600 TRIPODS 69 95 D700 79 95 KOWA £ .179.00 , .179.00 20xWA 5500 25xWA 4800 20x-60x Zoom 99 00 19.95 TSN-1 295.00 TSN-2 . 295.00 •ipotting Scope 20x 34.95 L Spotting Scope 20-45x Zoom 100.00 TSN-3 . . TSN-4 20x-60x 20xWA 25x 30xWA 40x 60x . 77x Skua Case Rear Oust Dome Spare O G Cover 27xWA (Screw Fit) Case lor TSN Photo Adaptor 800mm .. Photo Adaptot 1 200mm 555.00 555 00 .139 00 .96 00 .63.00 ...119.00 63.00 96.00 .99.00 39 95 ,. .15,00 . . 6.00 .59.00 24 95 ...107 00 . .179.00 25x 24,00 ,27,00 16x-40xZoom . . .61.00 Classic IF 75mm 140.00 22xWA .. 24 00 27 00 . 61 00 Piccolo . . . , 128 00 Eye Pieces from .. .29.00 Piccolo EO 20x60 . .355.00 Piccolo ED 20x-60x60 .. .399 00 Photo Kits from 30 00 Cases for Scopes .15.00 Macro Monocular . 50.00 MIRADOR £ 8x32B . 11000 7x42 112.00 10X40B 11500 Merlin 60mmx25 . . 97.00 Merlin 16x-40x60 ... . .129.00 . .119.00 Merlin 22x-47x75 . . . 157 00 Case for Merlin .1500 CENTURY £ -.165 00 20x-45x Zoom . ,, . 60.00 20.00 1500 BRESSER £ Action 8x40 .69 00 Action 10x50 .... 79.00 Linear 8x42 . . 119,00 Linear 10x42 124.00 CULLMANN Hide Clamp Shoulder Pod Q/R System Q/R Plate . SLIK Master D2 MANFROrrO 190 Base 190B Base 144 Base 144B Base 128 Head 200 Head Tnpod Strap Spare Q/R Plate ACCESSORIES Car Window Mount Universal Mount Hide Clamp Rainguards from . Pentax Cleaning Kit Tripod Strap . Lanyards Oust Away £ 49 95 . 24 95 9.95 4 95 £ 72.95 £ 40.00 45 00 ,, 50.00 5500 45 00 50 00 1095 595 £ 22 00 . .22 00 36.00 .3.50 3.99 6.95 , from 4.00 .. .3.99 Also in stock Binoculars from Pentax. Fujinon. Redfieid. Adlerblick. etc ROSS £ Cavendish 8x42B 139 95 Hanover 10x42B .149 95 Regent 8x426 ...169.95 Kensington 10x42B 179.95 OBSERVATION BINOCULARS Opticron 20x80 390.00 Opticron 30x80 . 395 00 *\n focus’ CARE PLj^N At a cost of tust £10 any new equip- ment can be covered for a period of 3 years from purchase In the event of equipment tailing for whatever reason it will be rectified by ourselves at no charge. Ask for full details PKRSONAL CALLIRS n choose and select from our iprehensive range of equip- nf nt. Compare Zeiss with Leitz Bausch & Lomb. Kowa with N ^(ign Mieetton «25BT*P.„ 319 00 EEICA • novid 10x25 BCA.. 239.00 7x42 0A 8x42 BA 10x42 8a MABICHT .•unpKt 8x20 B 215.00 >.4di1g* 10x40 •■xEP miKON Mtarprpof 10x25 152.00 . olPrimi 10x25 F 152.00 c -ortirtg 7x35 CF 120.00 8x30 ECF 730.00 10x35 ECF 245.00 Prian 9x30 DCF 254.00 HildttDp«Mkll20-45x60 379.95 EO Mk II 20 45x60 629 95 30x40x aach 79.95 OPTOLYTH TBCaObody 350.00 20x30x40x 6500 22x -60x zoom 150 00 KOWA TS601 body. . . 179.00 TS602 body 179 00 54.00 20x -60x zoom 94 00 Ca*alor60l & 602 1995 TSN 1 body 295.00 TSN 2body 295.00 TSN -4 body 555.00 Cau for TSN 1&2 24 95 Skua MM lor TSN 39.00 O.G. Cover for TSN 4 95 Eytoiaca dome for TSN. . 1495 Photo adapior 107 00 BAUSCH 8i LOMB CuRom 10x40 RA 249.00 Eirta 10x42 RA 629.00 Elite Talaacopa 22x60 289.00 Elite Ttlaacopa.22x60 R/ 309.00 Elite Talaacopa 15-45x6( 329.00 Elite Talaacopa 15-42x60RA 349 00 ADLERBLICK Multicoat Sx42... . 169.95 Multicoat 10x42. 179.95 Multicoat 10x50 198,95 Add £15 lor rubbar armoured Multicoat Adlartcopa45^72mm body ... 254.95 25xap 73.95 Zoom eyapiace 20-60x 99 95 OPTICRON Compact 7x24 77.00 Compact 8x24 76.00 Compact 10x24 80.00 Oiopiron 6x42 113 00 Diopiron 10x42 115 00 Dioptron 10x50 127.00 H.R 8x42 145.00 H H. 10x42 150.00 H.fl. 10x50 167.00 Minaryv 8x40 1 70.00 Minarva 9x35 169.00 Minarva 10x40 175.00 Elite 9x35 185.00 TELESCOPES Clauie I.F. 25x60mm 99.95 Clauic I F 7Smm body...... 138 00 25/30xHEP - 26,00 18x-40x/22x-47x zoom.. ....... 59.00 H.fl 22x60 159.95 H.R 20 60x60... 199.96 H R. 22x60 HA 169 95 H R 20 60x60 RA 209 95 H R. 22x60 45°. 199 95 H R. 20 60x6045* 229.96 IH.R. Teletcopas include Free Cau) 15x20x22xWA 25x40x 30.00 20x-60xzoom 76.00 Soft padded cau 11.00 Universal Mount 24.50 Car Window Mount 25.50 Hide Clamp Mk II 40 00 Tripod Strap . 6.75 BUSHNELL Spacemaatar 60mm body 140.00 SpKamaitar 60mm body RA.. . . 159.00 SpKamariar with zoom WP .. 332.00 15x-45xzoom 79.00 SWIFT Oipray 7.5x42 149-00 Audubon R.P. 7x35 BGA 329.00 Audubon 8.5x44 199 00 BRESSER Action 6x40 GA 58.50 Action 10x50 GA 65 50 Rool Priim Linear 8x42 RA 120. 00 Roof Prism Linaar 10x42 RA 125.00 Luchi 10x42 189 00 Add £6 for rubber armoured MIRADOR Marlin 60mm body 79 00 Marlin 75mm body 107.00 l2/15x 18/22x 25/30x 23,00 18x'40x/22x-47x zoom 59 00 ZEISS JENA Binoctem 7x50 93,00 Daltnntem 8x30 65 00 Oakaram 10x50 102 50 Roof Prism Notaram 10x40 RA. 207.00 MANFkOTTO 144 Basic 144 Basic Black . 190 Mini pro 190 Mini pro Black 055 Buck. 128 Mini video haad 200 Compact video naan.. Tripod Strap Tripod Casa Quick ralaasa platform SLIK Tripod 1000 G Tripod 88 Tripod 02 Tripod Strap CaM 02 etc... 50.00 55.00 40.00 45.00 75.00 45.00 . 50.00 . 11.00 . 14.00 5.50 27.95 69.95 72.95 750 14.95 6.50 OPTIMA Super 60mm RA body 160 00 15x20x30x40x 25,00 20x'45xzoom 65.00 QUESTAR Field model 315 inch with Broad Band Coating and choice of 32mm or 24mm eyepiece, plus Photo Adaptor and case QUOTATION ON REQUEST Quick rataasa post ON /88 ale... CULLMAN Clamp magic 39.95 2 Way Video Haad 14.95 Shoulder Pod 25.95 Chest Pod magic 34.95 Quick Camera Raleasa 9.95 Q.R Platform 5.75 LENS CARE CALOTHERM PRODUCTS Clunirtg Kit 3.00 Oa-luxaKil 5,00 BOOKS & VIDEOS OUR RANGE IS ALWAYS INCREASING-send NOW for our latest Price List, or better still, why not visit our showroom and browse! ]COUNTRYSIDEWi>, VIEWING M Our showroom is set in seven acres oi private grounds in the very heart of our beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Testing facilities are probably the best in the country. Viewing from the showroom is across a large poo! with its various bird visitors and to more distant views of the countryside. Why not try the unhurried experience of testing the latest optical equipment in a relaxed atmosphere with experts who care! ^ndsafe parking. FOCUS OPTICS Church Lane, Corley, Coventry CV7 8BA OPENING TIMES Telephone:0676-40501 & 42476 Fax:0676-40930 % 9am 5pm Mon-Sat ACCESSORIES: Wide range of eyecups, rainguerds, lens ceps, lanyardt, cases etc. USED BARGAINS: Guaranteed secondhand equipment at bargain prices. EXPORT FACILITIES: Personal and postal export orders welcomed. PACKAGE DEALS: Attractive discounts. Phone for quotations. MAIL ORDERS: Insured postage and packing FREE OF CHARGE (U K. only). Goods are despatched promptly upon receipt of full remittance. Use your ACCESS or VISA cerd to order by telephone. E&OE (D833) Bird Illustrator of the Year competition, sponsored by Kowa Telescopes: r Red-breasted Mergansers displaying. Nik Sorrow's award winning 1990 BIY Competition ent Attracting entries from the very best British artists, the Bird Illustrator of the Year competition, sponsored by Kowa Telescopes, provides both an opportunity to display their undoubted talent and, for some, an introduction to a new and satisfying career in the world of illustrating the vast number of ornithological books published today. Kowa are delighted to sponsor, for the fourth successive year, this most prestigious competihon and to congratulate John Davis of Hunstanton near Chichester, the winner of the 1991 competition. Visitors to Birdfair '91 at Rutland Water from 29th to 31st August 1991, who purchase a Kowa telescope, will each receive a copy of the Kowa 1992 BIY calendar as a continuing reminder of the excellent standard of entries in the BIY competition. A superb image Officially appointed distributor for Kowa Telescopes Pyser-SGI Ltd., Fircroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HA (D886) British Birds VOLUME 84 NUMBERS AUGUST 199 1 The ‘British Birds’ Award for The Best Annual Bird Report Entries are invited for this new annual award, open to all clubs and societies in Britain and Ireland which publish an annual bird report. The aim of the award is to provide public acknowledgment of the high quality of publications which may generally be seen only locally, and to encourage and promote high standards in all regional bird reports. The five judges — who will comprise three members of British Birds’ Editorial Board, one Photographic Consultant and one Art Consultant — will be looking at scientific accuracy and usefulness, comprehensive treatment of common as well as rare species, layout and design, printing quality, usefulness of illustrative material, originality, and general quality of the report in both content and production. Account will be taken of the size of the club or society, and a lavish report published by a large, rich club will not necessarily win at the expense of a lean but high-quality report produced by a smaller club. V\T hope that every local bird club and society in Britain and Ireland will submit a copy of their annual report for consideration by the judges. The senior editor of the winning report will receive an inscribed book of his choice as a permanent personal memento of the award, and the club or society publishing the winning report will be authorised to use the logo of the Award on their reports and in their advertising and promotion. Entries, which need consist only of a copy of the club or society’s 1990 report and a covering note stating the number of members, should be submitted at once if available (the closing date for entries is 15th December 1991) to Bird Report Award, British Birds, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. 297 ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’ and ‘The Richard Richardson Award’ Sponsored by telescopes The day of judging the ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’ competition is one to which we all look forward with anticipation, and once again we were not disappointed. This is the fourth year of sponsorship of the competition by Kowa telescopes, and we are grateful to them for their financial assistance and for providing the splendid prizes. The winners were as follows: Bird Ii.lustr.vior of i he \ f.ar, 1991 1st John Davis (Chichester, West Sussex) 2nd Andrew Hutchinson (Guisborough, Cleveland) 3rd Andrew Shaw (Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire) The Richard Richard.son Award lst= Andrew Birch (Southampton, Hampshire) lst= Peter Leonard (Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey) RUNNERS-UP Keith Andrews (Kinlochbervie, Sutherland) and John Wright (Nether Hall, Leicester) With 67 artists taking part, we were back to the high totals of 1988 and 1989, with 268 drawings to consider. After long discussions, we finally whittled the numbers down to a short list of ten, which included, in addition to those listed above, Nik Borrow, Dan Powell and Gordon Trunkfield. John Davis, the eventual winner, had been placed third in 1986 and 1988, and both Andrew Hutchinson and Andrew Shaw have submitted work of quality in the past without having got into the lists of winners before. At ten, the number of entrants for the Richard Richardson Award for artists under the age of 21 was two down on last year, but the general standard was encouragingly high. So much so, indeed, that we could not separate Andrew Birch and Peter Leonard, and decided to make them joint winners. Andrew had previously won this award, at his first attempt, in 1987. The two runners-up, Keith Andrews and John Wright, were also runners-up last year. 298 I«nr W; '“W-ltO?. Aui{llsl I Wl | 1 Bird Illustrator of the Year 299 David Cook s imaginative creation of an award in memory of his wife Pauline, the PJC Award, gives the judges an opportunity to find a drawing of individual merit and to draw attention to the work of artists not necessarily among the prize-winners. We considered six. Peter Leonard’s drawing of Goosander Mergus merganser reflected on the water has all but the darkest tones removed, to create the effect of birds seen on a still, misty morning. One ol the two Coots Fulica atra in Michael Webb’s fine cover design (to be seen on a future issue) did not work as well as the other, and Anthony Smith’s almost Vorticist drawing of a Tawny Owl Strix aluco split the judges as to its merits as a design for British Birds. We also Rooks Corvus frugilegus in winter {John Dams) 300 Bird Illustrator oj the Year considered Andrew Stevenson’s Melodious \Y dLrhXer Hippolais polyglotta and (iary Wright’s Pallas’s Warbler Fhylloscopus proregulus (both to be used in the next twelve months), but it was Dafila Scott’s unpretentious but beautifully drawn and composed group of Coots that appealed to us all and wins this prize. For the first time, the main competition winner had submitted four drawings of the same species. Had John Davis’s fine quartet of Rooks Con'us fnigilegus not been so rich in diversity, this approach may well have worked against him in the eyes of the judges. He had, however, chosen four quite different aspects of Rook life, each drawing full of careful Kestrel Falco tinnunculiis. Poplar Park Farm, Ciuisborough, January' 1991 (Andrew Hutchinson) 301 Bird Illustrator of the Year Female Sparrowhawk Accipiler nisus and young at nest {Andrew Shaw) White-winged Black Terns Chtidonias kucoplerus at Eilat {Andrew Birch) 302 Bird Illustrator of the Year Short-eared Owl Asia flammeus {Andrew Shaw) Bird I llustrator of the Year 303 Tawny Owl Strix aliico, Garten, Scotland, 1990 (Andrew Hutchinson) Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor (Andrew Birch) Young Rook Conus Jhigilegus, early May {John Davis) Quail Cotumix cotumix on migration {Andrew Birch) Roosting Long-tailed Tits Aegilhalos caudatus (Peter M. l^onard) Rooks Conus Jhigilegus bathing in farm pond {John Davis) 304 Bird Illustrator of the Year observation and done in his splendid scraperboard technique, rich in tone and texture. Clearly, he has been studying this species, and his enthusiasm and interest shone through. We were unanimous in selecting his as the winning set. Andrew Hutchinson also has superb control of his medium, producing immaculate black-and-white drawings. We particularly noted his duck Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, sitting tight on her eggs and almost buried in 305 Bird Illustrator of the Year the surrounding vegetation. Andrew Shaw has a fine mastery of pen and ink, but his work is not so rich in tone as that of the others. For instance, we felt that his nestling Cuckoo Cuculus canorus might be rather too grey in general tone for a strong cover, but considered his Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus at the nest to be a particularly successful drawing. Each of the BIY winners, and eight others, will provide forthcoming cover designs from their entries, and many other drawings will appear Shag Phalacrocorax aristolelis on nest at Ring-necked Parakeets Psiltacula krameri, Kinlochberv'ie {Keith Andrews) Queen Mary Gravel-pits {Peter M. Leonard) Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus {Andrew Birch) Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda, St Mary’s Airfield, Isles of Scilly, October 1990 {Nik Borrow) 306 Bird Illustrator of the Year Ringed Plover Charadrius hialicula (distraction display), Salthouse, Norfolk, May 1990 [John Wright) within the magazine in coming months. Nearly one-third of the 268 drawings, by 55 of the artists, have been selected for display throughout the 28th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Wildlife Artists at the Mall Galleries from 2nd to 11th August 1991. Apart from passerines (77), the most popular subjects this year were birds of prey and owls (34), followed by seabirds (33), displacing waders (31), which had been the top group in the previous two years. They were followed by wildfowl (30). Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus appeared in eight drawings, more than any other single species. Unfortunately a few drawings were not drawn strictly to the specified sizes and were automatically disqualified. A few drawings, done in ballpoint pen, or with shading which would not be reproduced adequately in line, were also unsuitable. There were many excellent drawings which gave us pleasure, such as the flock of Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus dropping into a marsh, drawn by Tim Manolis of Sacramento, USA. Gerald Driessens of Belgium sent an immensely detailed, richly tonal drawing of a Snipe Gallinago gallinago among reed stems, and Richard Allen had made a particularly attractiv'e drawing of an Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta brooding its chicks in a rainstorm. Richard Jarvis sent an excellent batch of small birds, while Richard Fowling made good use of black-and-white in his somewhat stylised and decorative drawings. Richard Thewlis’s small drawings, particularly one of a Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus, were also tonally satisfying and made attractive use of surrounding vegetation. Mike TUF, PJC AWARD WlNNF.R: Coots FuUca atra al Welney during the cold spell, February 1991 (DajUa Scott) 307 Bird Illustrator of the Year Pollard’s drawing of Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis was another we lingered over, and Ernie Leahy’s admirable Goshd^k Accipiter gentilis wfdi^ a small masterpiece. As usual, we much enjoyed John Hollyer’s drawings. Many more artists and drawings could be mentioned. Do go to the Mall Galleries during 2nd-llth August 1991 to see not only the best in black- and-white bird-illustration, but also a remarkable array of wildlife art in all media. Robert Gillmor, Alan Harris, Keith Shackleton and J. T. R. Sharrock Product reports Items included in this feature have been submitted by the manufacturers or their agents. The reviews are the personal opinions of the reviewers; they are not the result of technical tests, but are assessments made after use in appropriate conditions (e.g. in the field). Neither British Birds nor the individual reviewers can accept responsibility for any adverse consequences of opinions stated, and items are accepted for review on this understanding. We aim, however, to be helpful both to our readers and to manufacturers of goods used by birdwatchers. Eds Tripod Tamer strap This simple, black, webbed strap is well designed for birdwatchers’ requirements when carrying a tripod. The two ends can be fitted by a loop to anywhere on the tripod. The length is easily adjustable to any position between taut and as long as anyone is likely to require, enabling the tripod to be carried in a wide variety of positions, according to personal whim. A quick-release locking catch enables any entanglement or twisting acquired during use to be eliminated quickly. In short, this is an ideal addition to the scope-and-tripod carriers’ equipment. The price (£8.50) is comparable to that of other straps, such as those designed for cameras. The colour is appropriately dark, though the manufacturer may like to consider producing a khaki version for those who prefer this traditional camouflage colour. Kamol Komolphalin [If any reader would like further details of this product, please send a SAE to Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ.] ^ebtntp-fibf ptarsi ago... ‘On July 6th, 1916, at the University of St. Andrews, Mr W. Eagle Clarke received the honorary degree of LL.D. We congratulate Mr Eagle Clarke on this well-earned reward for his many years of valuable scientific work, especially in connexion with the migration of birds, which he has studied continuously since 1884. (Brit. Birds 10: 72, August 1916). [Brit. Birds 84: 307, August 1991] Obituary Eric Hosking OBE, Hon. FRPS (1909-1991) The death of Eric Hosking on 23rd February, at the age of 81, robbed ornithology and the general public of a much-loved and much- admired figure. His work was a major contribution to ornithology and he leaves a priceless legacy in his pictures. He was the first truly professional bird photographer, and his pictures appeared in some 800 books and countless periodicals throughout the world. He succeeded in photo- graphing no fewer than 1,800 different species and had only just returned from an African photographic safari when he died peacefully at his home in north London. Eric’s dedication to bird photography began at the tender age of eight, when he took a picture of a Song Thrush at its nest, with a box Brownie. His first plate camera was a wood-framed Sanderson with a bellows extension and an 18 lens, which he bought for 30 shillings. With this, he sold his first picture — of a baby elephant-seal taken at the London Zoo. Many years later, the German and Japanese camera makers were competing for his endorsement. He finally settled on the Olympus OM2, with a variety of different lenses. He was one of the pioneers of flash photography for birds, first with powder, then with bulbs and finally with electronics, inventing a bird-operated electronic triggering mechanism for ultra-high-speed photography of the subject in flight. For this, he was honoured by the Royal Photographic Society, which awarded him its highest honour, the Progress Medal. Nevertheless, he was suspicious of all new camera developments, declaring that they took away the fun of calculating the correct diaphragm and shutter speeds. Although he made many excellent cine films, he preferred portraiture. If he had a weakness, from a serious ornithological viewpoint, it was a lack of interest in photographing the related habitat of a species, on the grounds that another bird urgently awaited his attention. He was quick to criticise the erection of a hide too near a nest or the ‘gardening’ of a site in order to expose the nest, and would always painstakingly tie back an intruding branch rather than cut it off. The safety of the bird was paramount and it is no exaggeration to say that he loved his birds and always put their interests first. He lectured about them with enthusiasm and had no difficulty in attracting a packed audience to the London Festival Hall on one occasion. His autobiography, /!;? Eye for a Bird (1970), included a whole chapter on ‘Lecturing’, written with great humour, which ought to be compulsory reading for all budding speakers. Although he disliked writing, he produced a number of books (often with co-authors) which sold well, all illustrated with his superb pictures. I had the privilege of knowing Eric for nearly 50 years. He was in charge of photography on nine of my wildlife expeditions to various countries, and was a delightful companion. Good-humoured, hard-working and eager to help his colleagues, he was invariably popular. He had never been 308 |«n7. H,nk 84: AiirusI KWI ] Eric Hosking OBE, Hon. FRPS ( 1909-1991 ) 309 165. Eric Hosking OBE, Hon. FRPS ( 1 909- 1 99 1 ) (Z)o« Smith) abroad until the first Goto Donana expedition in 1956, but thereafter he never ceased to travel — to Asia, Africa, South America and Australasia. He even accompanied me to the Antarctic and the Falkland Islands. Formality was anathema to him. Proud of his Cockney background, he treated all men as equals, be they primitive tribesmen. Bedouin chieftains or Muslim heads of state. He addressed Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrook as ‘Brookie’ during the Goto expedition, and did not hesitate to call HRH Prince Philip ‘Old boy’ when the three of us spent a weekend together photographing waders on Hilbre Island. His personality was so likeable that nobody could take offence. For 16 years, Eric was Photographic Editor of British Birds and of the New Naturalist series of books published by Collins. He was a severe critic, of his own work as much as of other people’s, but revelled in looking at good bird photographs. He enjoyed the annual judging of Bird Photograph of the Year, entertaining his fellow judges with relevant stories and enlivening the occasion with his ever-youthful enthusiasm. He was elected and served as President of the Nature Photographic Society, Vice President of the BOU, Vice President of the RSPB, Vice President of the British Naturalists’ Association, Hon. Vice President of the London Natural History Society and Hon. Eellow and Vice President of the Royal Photographic Society. Among many honours and awards, he received the RSPB’s Gold Medal in 1974, and was admitted to the Order of the British Empire in 1977. His extensive collection of ornithological books, pictures and memorabilia is valuable and deserves preservation. He was survived by his charming wife and companion on his travels, Dorothy, and by a daughter and two sons, one of whom, David, is also a highly skilled bird photographer and now manages Eric’s worldwide agency for bird pictures. Guy Mountfort Mystery photographs -g A small passerine per- ches on a dead reed and causes instant consternation. Its seed-eating bill and prominent ma- lar stripe, but otherwise drab plum- age, and the suggestion of white outer-tail feathers conhrm that it is a bunting Emberiza. No European sparrow Passer has either white outer-tail feathers or a prominent malar stripe. Vagrant American ‘sparrows’ do not show white outer- tail feathers, and the ones with prominent malar stripes — Savannah Ammodramus sandwichetisis^ Fox Zonotrichia iliaca and Song Spar- rows Z. melodia — all have their underparts heavily streaked (noticeably unstreaked on this bird). Whilst many finches (FYingillidae) show white in their tails, the only species in the Western Palearctic that has white outer- tail feathers — Chaffinch Fringilb coelebs — shows strong plumage features totally lacking on this bird. Most finches also lack the malar stripe. A critical examination of the bird in the photograph produces the following features. It is a dumpy bunting, rather big-headed and small- billed, with a straight or slightly down-curving culmen. It has an indistinct ‘facial pattern’. There is a dull cap, without any dark lateral crown-stripes, a supercilium lacking in contrast, though more obvious behind the eye, and an indistinct eye-ring. The ear-coverts are fairly uniform, with an isolated dark spot on the lower rear corner. There is a large black triangle on the side of the neck, with a small extension upwards as a malar stripe, though this does not reach the bill. The upperparts show distinct, dark- and-pale parallel lines on the mantle. There are distinct pale tips to the greater coverts, and to a lesser extent on the median coverts, forming two wing-bars. The underparts are pale, and show indistinct streaking on the flanks and across the breast. With the exception of Little Bunting E. ptisilla, adult male buntings have very distinctive plumages in spring, whilst in autumn they usually resemble females or immatures, many of which show either very strong head patterns or a very prominent eye-ring, both lacking on this bird. We can, therefore, narrow the field down to Little Bunting and autumn male, female or immature Rustic E. rustica, Reed E. schoetiiclus, Pallas’s Reed E. pallasi and Black-faced Bunting /t. spodocephala. But which is it? All bar one of the above show a dark border to the ‘cheek-patch’ starting from behind the eye, sweeping around the back of the ear-coverts, and extending as a moustachial stripe either to the eye (on Little Bunting and some Rustics) or to the base of the bill (on Reed and Black-faced Buntings). Another common feature of the last three is a malar stripe 310 I (/^n/. 310-312, August 1091 1 311 Mystery photographs reaching to the bill; it is, however, rarely as wide on the side of the neck as is shown by the mystery bird. Both Little and Rustic have prominent supercilia, submoustachial stripes and lateral crown-stripes. In addition. Little Bunting has a prominent eye-ring and is heavily streaked below, while Rustic usually shows an obvious breast-band and large, if diffuse, chestnut flank-streaks. Reed Bunting also shows a good submoustachial stripe, and is more heavily streaked below, whilst on Black-faced Bunting the broad off-white submoustachial stripe and heavy streaking below are perhaps the best field-marks on a fairly drab bird. In addition. Little, Rustic and Black-faced all have quite long, conical bills, unlike the stubby bill of the mystery bird. The bird in plates 156 & 166 is an adult female Pallas’s Reed Bunting. This is the only one of the five possible species that has cheek-patches with no border and an isolated dark spot on the rear corner. It also displays the heavy dark triangle at the base of the malar stripe. The structure of the bird, the subdued head pattern, and the parallel lines on the mantle are also recognised features of this species. Not visible on this photograph, but useful extra identification points, are cold-grey lesser coverts (shared with Little and to a certain extent Black-faced Bunting), a pinkish lower mandible (again shared with Black-faced Bunting) and a sparrow-like ‘chirrup’ call. This individual is very similar to those adult females described by Kitson (1979) and Broad & Oddie (1980), but shows several differences from the 1981 Fair Isle bird (Riddiford & Broome 1983), which was a first-winter female. That individual differed in showing quite extensive streaking below, a dark loral ‘blob’, a thin dark moustachial stripe and lack of parallel lines on the mantle. It was noted to have ‘a long-tailed appearance’, which was not a feature of the bird in our photograph, or others present at the time. Pallas’s Reed Buntings also show a pale rump, although on the southern race E. p. pallasi this is a warm buff and does not stand out as does the grey rump of the northern race E. p. polaris, which is more likely to occur in Western Europe. I photographed this individual in China in May 1990. It and others present at the time were surprisingly warmly coloured, with rich rusty brown tones to cap and ‘cheeks’. Structurally, they looked more like small sparrows, with big heads and comparatively short tails, and were noticeably paler than most other buntings, although eastern races of Reed Bunting (e.g. E. s. pawirostris) can also be very pale and show pale rumps. The underparts were virtually unstreaked, except for some indistinct chestnut streaks on the flanks and breast. They also showed a peculiar dark line from the base of the upper mandible extending onto the moustachial area, but stopping abruptly below the eye: a feature which has not been noted in other accounts. CoLiN Bradshaw REFERENCES Broad, R. A., & Oddie, W. E. 1980. Pallas’s Reed Bunting: new to Britain and Ireland. Brit. Birds 73: 402-408. Kitson, A. R. 1979. Identification of Olive-backed Pipit, Blyth’s Pipit and Pallas’s Reed Bunting. Brit. Birds 72: 94-100. Riddiford, N., & Broome, T. 1983. Identification of first-winter Pallas’s Reed Bunting. Brit. Birds 76: 174-182. 312 Mystery photographs 167. Mystery- photograph 170. Identify the species. Answer next month Review Bird Recorder: personal computer bird records system (World version). Computer disc. Wildlife Computing and Photographic Services, Colchester, 1990. 360K 5.25" or 720K 3.5". £50.00. (West Palearctic list version £37.50) Tested on a 368 Elonex PC with a 40mb hard disk. With the growth in ownership of quality personal computers comes the potential for computerising the individual’s own personal records. Bird Recorder is one product aimed at this market. It is primarily a piece of software to maintain lists; bird records are entered in a batch for one place on one date and stored in a hie for the relevant year. Other files store ‘places’ (as the package calls sites), and a list of the world’s species and their indices. A species name can be retrieved through searching three indices, as follows: first, F.nglish names, secondly, scientific names, and, thirdly, an index which follows the taxonomic order of species. Thus, Lesser Scaup Aythya affinLs could be retrieved using the strings ‘les sea’ when interrogating the English name index, (he siring ‘affm’ for the scientific index, or ‘270’ to look at the family Anatidae. The species list follows A Complete Checklist of the Ithds of the World by Howard & Moore. The retrieval time from the indices is impressively fast, although alternative English names are not indexed (e.g. Japanese Green Pigeon Treron sieholdii is called White-bellied Pigeon by the package, and (he specific name is spell seiholdii — (his was, however, (he only error (ha( I found in (he scienlific names. The species in daily records can then be added to any lists which have been deTuied by the user. Lists can be simple to define (e.g. a county/state or country, all of which are entered in each place record), or more complex (e.g. as an aggregation of places, counties or countries over time). Lists can be displayed or printed explicitly or in summary form, and, again, are calculated with impressive speed. Review 313 In general the package is easy to use and performs well the functions for which it has been designed. It deals with lists a great deal better than records for an individual species, which can be viewed only one year at a time within the geographical area defined by the list currently being interrogated. I would not, therefore, recommend this package to those who wish to undertake detailed species analysis. For those who have a keen interest in keeping their personal records from around the world on a database and maintaining a variety of lists, however, 1 can thoroughly recommend the package. There are some design features which I find awkward. There are too many key depressions to perform when entering a new site between batches of records. Using the ‘Return key’ to save records came as a bit of a shock to someone who is used to using it to move from field to field within other databases. Finally, a chunk of the manual must be rewritten to enable computer illiterates to install the package. The package is fast and good value for what it sets out to do. I shall be using it myself to keep my world list and details of foreign trips. P. A. Fr.aser [Since this review was written, the authors have released an upgraded version, which, this reviewer is assured, removes the one-year limit on the records available to the user at any one time; this should greatly improve the package’s reporting facilities. The manual has also been rewritten. PAF'] Short reviews Birds of the Outer Hebrides: a guide to their status and distribution. By Peter Cunningham. Drawings by Roger Lee. (Mercat Press, Edinburgh, 1990. 243 pages. Paperback £8.95) Revised and updated edi- tion of pocket-sized book reviewed pre- viously {Brit. Birds 76: 600). A Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Second edn. By Richard Howard & Alick Moore. (Academic Press, London, 1991. 622 pages. £22.50) This classic world list has been updated to include amend- ments resulting from publication of the last two volumes of J. L. Peters’s Checklist of the Birds of the World. As before, races are listed, with a brief note of range, under each species. The invaluable indexes to scientific names and English names comprise a total of 80 pages. The Good Birdwatchers Guide. By Peter Jennings. (Ficedula Books, Llandrindod Wells, 1991. 482 pages. Paperback £9.95) Some 2,500 birdwatching sites in Britain get three to ten lines each. Access information uses grid references, making OS maps essential. Bird information lacks any indica- tion of quality: e.g. Ouse Washes, Welney — ‘winter wildfowl and raptors, summer and passage waders’, and Coate Water Countiy' Park, Swindon — ‘passage waders and terns; passage and winter wildfowl; summer warb lers’. Addresses of Tourist Bureaux and places to stay (e.g. Youth Hostels and hotels and B&B) are given by area. Islay rates a page, containing three factual errors and two wrong and three misleading grid refer- ences out of eleven; and of three recom- mended hotels, one is closed and one I would not endorse. There are lists of county recorders and advice on binoculars, tele- scopes, and so on. The Kingfisher Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe and the Mitchell Beazley Birdwatchers Pocket Guide are listed as two of ‘the three best field guides’. A checklist and a chronological listing of rarities seen in 1990 both include, without comment, as-yet-unaccepted species. This brave attempt at a countrywide birdwatch- ing guide should perhaps be entitled The Only-Fairly-Good Birdwatchers’ Guide. [MAO] Monitoring Bird Populations: a manual of methods applied in Finland. By Pertti Koskimies & Risto A. Vaisanen. (Finnish Museum of Natural History, Helsinki, 1991. 144 pages. Paperback £12.00) This manual is an updated and more lavish version of a book first published in Finnish in 1986. It presents the standard instructions for bird censuses and other monitoring projects in Finland, ten in all, and illustrates the use of 31 different recording forms. The authors hope that publication in English will prom- ote international evaluation of the methods 314 Short reviews used in Finland, and lead towards the integration of monitoring across Europe. They admit, however, that modifications will be necessary to suit more southerly conditions. The Finnish programme is to be envied in that all the schemes are adminis- tered by the same national body, giving maximum opportunity for integration and record-sharing between them. It can be recommended as a model for new studies elsewhere, and may prove an important step towards better co-operation across Europe. [JOHN M.archant] The Art of Bird Illustration: a visual tribute to the lives and achievements of the classic bird illustrators. By Maureen Lamboume. (Collins, London, 1991. 192 pages. £19.95) The opening sentence reads ‘This book is a pictorial introduction rather than a comprehensive survey of bird illustra- tion through the centuries.’ It is the author’s personal selection, from artists who decor- ated ancient Egyptian tombs to Archibald Thorbum. One twentieth-century artist is represented: Charles Tunnicliffe, born in 1901. Lear and Richter have a dozen plates each, Audubon ten. This handsome volume, with 147 well-reproduced plates, covers all the great bird illustrators, chronologically, in seven chapters. An appendix discusses print-collecting. Each artist is introduced, with his life history and main contribution to the story of bird illustration, in a readable and interesting text. Mrs Lamboume traces the development of printing techniques and the changing styles of illustration this made possible. Although several of the plates are familiar, she succeeds in her aim of intro- ducing ‘to many newcomers some of the hidden treasures of the art of bird illustra- tion.’ [Robert Gii.i.mor] Birds of the World: songbirds. By John P. S. Mackenzie. (Swan Hill, Shrewsbury, 1990. 144 pages. £19.95) ‘. . . of the WorUf? Less than 10% of the species covered are not American (publishers in England and prin- ters in Italy, but author is Canadian). This book will be bought by those who like big, glossy, beautiful pictures of brightly col- oured (usually male) birds. Birdscape. By Bruce Pearson 8c Robert Burton. (HarpeKlollins, London, 1991. 160 pages. £15.95) “Fhe book of the FV series’ is not always a justified publication, but it most certainly is in this case. I'he book stands up solidly on its own, and is an absolute ‘must’ for anyone who enjoys bird art or natural history art. Again, unlike some other such books, Robert Burton’s text augments, explains and enhances Bruce Pearson’s paintings: his touch with the pen (or these days the word-processor key) is as deft, subtle and telling as is Bruce Pearson’s with the brush. This is an exceptional book: a delight to read and a delight to look at. It is also hard-hitting, when needs be (e.g. the desecration of the Flow Country, depicted both in words and in pictures). Let’s Look at Thailand: an Omitholidays guide. By Michael Shepherd. (Omitholi- days, Bognor Regis, 1991. 76 pages. Paper- back £4.00) This is basically a checklist for holidaymakers. Half the text provides gene- ral information, while the balance gives a view of some of the best-known birdwatch- ing sites. A first-time visitor to Thailand would find this helpful. Any serious birdwatcher, however, will find the frequent errors, in both the text and the checklist, annoying. It is a pity that the bibliography refers to eight travel guides, but does not mention the excellent check- lists which are available for Khao Yai and Doilnthanon. [S. J. R. Rumsf.y] The Enchanting Owl. By Connie Toops. (Swan Hill Press, Shrewsbury, 1990. 128 pages. £16.95) Glossy, with some nice photographs, and the sort of text suitable for those who are casually interested in birds and who (don’t we all?) like owls. Raptors in Israel: passage and wintering populations. Edited by David Yekutiel. (International Birdwatching Center, Eilat, 1991. 64 pages. Paperback $10.00) Five major papers cover raptor migration at Eilat; and at Kefar Kassem; migration of soaring birds in the Northern Valleys; win- tering raptors; and a detailed guide on where to watch raptors in Israel. With numerous figures and tables, these well- presented and eminently readable texts contain a wealth of data and thought- provoking discussion. Six black-and-white and 27 colour photographs include some marvellous shots (e.g. of a migrating juve- nile Lesser Spotted Eagle Aqnila pomaiina gliding past at eye level, presumably taken from a motor-glider). Essential for raptor enthusiasts and visiting birdwatchers. [1)AC| Monthly marathon Competitors found the eye-level, rear view of the flying raptor (plate 117) far less of a problem than the previous month’s front view of the flying Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (plate 110), which knocked everyone back to the start line. Answers were as follows: Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus (66%) Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina (7%) Griffon Vulture (7%) Black Kite Milvus migrans (6%) Buzzard Buteo buteo (5%) Spotted Eagle A. cZan^a (4%) Imperial Eagle A. heliaca (3%) Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (2%) with a few votes each for Honey Buzzard Pemis apivorus. Red Kite rapax, Bonelli’s Eagle H.fasciatus and Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Sponsored by M. milvus. Steppe Eagle A. It was indeed a Short-toed Eagle, photographed in Israel in April 1988 by W. van der Waal. Those who got this one right have now negotiated the first hurdle in the present competition. The first contestant to identify at least ten in succession and who also exceeds all other contestants’ sequences will win the prize of a SUNBIRD birdwatching holiday in Africa, Asia or North America. The next stage appears as plate 168. For a free SUNBIRD brochure, write to PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 idf; or telephone Sandy (0767) 682969. 168. Fifth ‘Monthly marathon’ (thirteenth stage: photograph number 62). Identify the species. Read the rules on page 16 of the January 1991 issue, then send your answer on a postcard to Monthly Marathon, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NI, to arrive by 15th September 1991 315 Seasonal reports Winter 1990/91 Barry Nightingale and Keith Allsopp This summary includes some unchecked reports, as well as authenticated records After the wet, stormy end to October 1990, the weather in November quietened down considerably, and the month as a whole was dry and unusually sunny, particularly in the south atul west of England. From 9th, fronts from the Atlantic brought rain in slowly from the southwest, and the weather stayed unsettled until the end of the month. December started rather dull and, as a low formed quickly over central England on 7 th, heavy rain, turning to mow, fell in marry areas, lasting until 10th: the first touch of real winter. 'Die second half of the month was very unsettled, dominated by strong westerly winds, with tornadoes reported from western counties of England. This pattern continued for the first 12 days of January, with more snow falling in Scotland and northern England. The weather in the second half of January was mainly anticyclonic, with temperatures below average and a lot of cloud cover. February started very cold over much of Britain and during 3rd- 14th there was always some part of England or Wales where daytime ma.ximum temperatures remained below freezing. The 7th in particular was believed to be the coldest February day of this century in some places. Snow also fell heavily during 7th-9th, and many waterways froze over. On and after 1 5 th, milder air from the west brought a rapid thaw to all parts, bringing flooding to areas in the north of England. The mild weather continued into March, with temperatures reaching 153C during the middle of the month. On the whole, the winter was slightly colder than usual, relatively sunny and with rainfall below normal. There were two ornithological features of this winter which will remain significant. First, there were many long-staying rarities which gave plenty of time for observers to catch up with them. Secondly, as in any winter period, the effect of a hard spell of weather, as experienced in February, provided opportunities to see some species in unusual numbers. Although the influx of Arctic Redpolls Carduelis homernarmi. Two- barred Crossbills Eoxia leucoptera and Parrot Crossbills L. pytyopsittacus all started in October, peak numbers arrived during the period now under review. Over 60 Arctic Redpolls were involved, nearly all in flocks of Redpolls C. flarnmea. Numbers started to increase during January, perhaps as a result of growing observer confidence, with a group of up to 12 in Holkham Pines (Norfolk). By the middle of March, nearly 40 were present S16 j/Jnf. Birds 84; 818-828, 1991 ] Winter 1990/91 317 Fig. 1. Arctic Redpoll Carduelis homemanni 1-4 v» N i Fig. 2. 'Fwo-barred Crossbill ^ Loxia leucoptera ' a v>' N i Figs. 1-3. Occurrences in winter 1990/91. Not all records have yet been assessed by the Rarities Committee in Britain, half of which were in a flock at Mousehold Heath (Norfolk). Ones and twos were scattered elsewhere, although very few were found away from the East Coast (fig. 1). A smaller number of Two-barred Crossbills (plate 179) was involved, probably 1 1 or so, fewer than in the influx of 1986, but more widespread. There was less of an East Coast bias (fig. 2), and some individuals were remarkably site-loyal, a female staying at Lynford Arboretum (Norfolk) from 25th November for the rest of the winter, and a male at Harwood Forest (Northumberland) from 24th December to at least 20th February. Parrot Crossbills repeated their invasion of 1982/83. By the end of March, over 200 had been reported: unprecedented numbers. The largest 318 Winter 1990/91 flocks were at Kirkby Moor (Lincolnshire), with a maximum of 44 in mid November, and at Chopwell Wood (Tyne & Wear), with 38 at around the same time. The peak, which occurred later than in 1982, was during the last three weeks of November, with further increases at the start of January. In contrast to the other two species featured here, most Parrot Crossbills were found north of a line between the Severn and the Wash, centred in Lincolnshire and the northeast of England (fig. 3). The harsh spell of weather in February displaced normally secretive species into atypical situations. A Bittern Botaurus stellaris fed around a small garden pond in Oadby (Leicestershire) and there were many records of Jack Snipes Lymnocryptes minimus and Woodcocks Scolopax rusticola sheltering in gardens. The latter clearly arrived in good numbers during the cold spell at the end of January, and large shooting bags were reported. A total of 50 was found on one moor near Bolton (Greater Manchester), despite 56 being shot there earlier, and 50 were found in Saltfleetby Dunes (Lincolnshire) on 3rd February. From Leicester, interesting observations highlighted the attractiveness of fast-flowing rivers when still waters freeze over. On a stretch of the River Soar in the city, up to 83 Little Grebes Tachybaptus rujicollis concentrated around the weirs, and eight species of duck used the river, including Scaup Aythya mania and Pintail Anas acuta. Red-necked Grebes Podiceps grisegena were reported from just a few inland counties, but one on Lundy (Devon) during 17th-24th February was only the second ever there; as usual, Lothian attracted the highest numbers, with 27 in Gullane Bay on 24th March. More impressive were the concentrations of Great Crested Grebes P. cristatus which gathered on the few waters left free of ice, reaching 1,038 at Rutland Water (Leicestershire), perhaps the highest-ever count at a British site, and 313 on 18th February at Stewartby Lake (Bedfordshire). The high total of 550 Brent Geese Branta bemicla journeyed up the River Thames to Rainham (Greater London) on 8th February, and a good local record was the 56 Barnacle Geese B. leucopsis at Sudbourne (Suffolk) on 17th February'. The largest count of Scaups received was of 2,120 at Bowness-on- Solway (Gumbria) in January, whilst 131 on the River Orwell on 23rd February was the highest in Suffolk for five years. The hard weather affected this species, with over 20 on the London reservoirs after 8th February, and also the Smew Mergus albellus, with over 50 in the Winter 1990/91 319 Wraysbury pits complex (Berkshire) on 17th February, as many as in the whole of Britain during the previous winter. Other good counts of this species were of 26 flying south past Dungeness (Kent) on 1 1th February and 26 flying past Landguard (Suffolk) during 10th-12th February. Nearby, on the River Deben, 74 Redshanks Tringa totanus were found dead along a 1 '/2-mile (2.4-km) stretch on 17th February. Divers to grebes The regular White-billed Diver Gavia adam- sii returned to Whalsay (Shetland) on 23rd November for its twelfth successive winter and was one of three that could be seen around Shetland this winter. Two others visited Orkney during 9th-21st February, and from 24th February' one was present in Holyhead harbour (Gwynedd)(plate 169). Red-throated Divers G. stellata were seen in about-average numbers, typical reports in- cluding 100 daily off Gibraltar Point (Lin- colnshire). Great Northern Divers G. immer seemed scarcer this winter, with 24 off Quendale (Shetland) on 11th November and 60 off Burray (Orkney) on 10th February' the only large concentrations noted. Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo are already a regular sight in most inland areas, but 525 leaving the roost on Queen Elizabeth 11 Reservoir (Surrey) on 15th November was impressive, as was the influx of Shags P. arislolelis into the London area after 8th December, with probably 13 involved, in- creasing to 20 in early January, and then up to 30 at Rainham until mid February. Britain’s third Double-crested Cormorant P. auritus, an immature, was at Bridgnorth (Shropshire) from 3rd-18th December. Equally sought after was a showy American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus which stayed at Marton Mere (Lancashire) from 24th Janu- ary' to the end of March (plates 173 & 176). Little Egrets Egretta garzella seem to be part of the resident scene now, at least in southwest England, and about 22 were reported during the winter. The majority were from the south coast from Cornwall to West Sussex, but there were two records from Wales, two from Ireland, three on Jersey and one in Buckinghamshire. Bewick’s Swans Cygnus columbianus were early to arrive, 1,046 at Martin Mere on 7th November probably being the highest-ever Lancashire count, whilst the maximum at Slimbridge (Gloucestershire) was 362, about average for the last few winters. Welney (Norfolk) held 4,050 in December, and about 5,000 in January, whilst an individual of the nominate North American race, collo- quially known as ‘Whistling Swan’, stayed on the South Slob (Co. Wexford) from late February to early March. Whooper Swans C. cygnus, in contrast, arrived later than usual, and there were 473 on 16th December at Martin Mere, and 554 during January at Welney. The regular November count in Shetland revealed 213, lower than in previous years, although probably affected by the late passage; the proportion of juveniles (18%) in the flock indicated an average breeding season. In Orkney, 927 were counted on Loch of Harray on 27th November, alongside 1,046 Mute Swans C. olor. Up to nine Snow Geese Anser caerulescens were found in November, some staying all winter, and included up to four in Grampian where, at Lossiemouth, a Ross’s Goose .4. rossii of unknown origin stayed from 23rd 169. White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii, Holyhead, Gwynedd, February 1991 [David Tipling/ AVIAN PHOTOS) 320 Winter 1990/91 March to the end of the month (plate 170). Six or seven Brent Geese showing the characters of the North American/Siberian race B. b. nigricans, colloquially known as ‘Black Brant’, were reported, but the only Red-breasted Goose B. ruficollis was one at button Marsh (Lincolnshire) on 20th March. Numbers of that much-unloved bird, the Canada Goose B. canadensis, reached 2,660 on Leicestershire waters during Janu- ary. Generally, numbers of Wigeons Anas pene- lope were low, but up to 18 American Wigeons A. americana were reported, includ- ing long-stayers at Stenhouse Reservoir (Fife), two in Co. Cork, and a drake at Loch Leven (Tayside). Teals A. crecca reached 4,000 at Chew X'alley Lake (Somerset) be- fore the freeze. Over 20 of the North .\merican race ,4. c. carolinensis, colloquially known as ‘Green-winged 4'eal’, were re- ported, including two at Chew Valley Lake. Shovelers 4. clypeata seemed to be present in good numbers, with 330 at Staines Reser- voir (Surrey) on 28th November worth a mention, and 552 Goldeneyes Bucephala clangula in Leicestershire during February, including 504 on Rutland Water, were also notable. About 14 Ring-necked Ducks Aylhya cotlaris were found, including three females, and were mostly long-stayers, but a small increase during January and F'ebruary was noted. Seven Ferruginous Ducks 4. nyroca were seen in November, with three more arriving in Febntary, widely scattered, but the six King Eiders Somateria speclabilis were restricted to Scottish waters. The latter were mostly returning individuals, as was the Lesser Scaup 4. qffinis in Co. Down, staying from 7th December to 24th Febru- ary, with another in Dumfries & Galloway from 29th December to 25th January. There were good counts of Goosanders Mergus merganser, with 125 at Foremark Res- erv'oir (Derbyshire) and 1 10 on Queen Mary Reservoir (Surrey), both in February, and 110 on Blithfield Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 2nd December. Reports of at least 20 Surf Scoters Melanilla perspicillata came in, with ten in Scotland, five in Ireland and four in Wales, but the most-sought-after duck of this winter was the Harlequin Duck Hu- trionicus histrionirus at Wick (Highland), which stayed from 6th February into April (plates 174, 177 & 178). Finally in this section, there were impres- sive gatherings of Ruddy Ducks Oxyura jamaicensis at their three most important wintering sites, with 528 at COiew Valley Lake on 2nd February, 750 on Rutland Water in the same month, and over 1 ,000 at Blithfield Reservoir on 30th December. Raptors It was another quiet winter for raptors. Following the glut of Black Kites Milvus migrans during 1990, a late straggler was seen in Devon on 16th November, and the only record outside Scotland of White-tailed Eagle Haliaeelus albicilia, no longer a cause of major excitement, was from the Norfolk Broads during 5th November to 14th De- cember. Several Red Kites M. milvus were reported, including some from the release programme. There were clear indications of a widespread influx from 22nd December, however, when there were reports from both Wiltshire and Suffolk, until 5th January, with up to a dozen involved, and then another, smaller influx during March. Up to six Marsh Harriers Cirats aeru^no- sus wintered in the Minsmere (Suffolk) area, with one or two records from elsewhere, including one at Golbome (Greater Man- chester) on 23rd-24th F’ebruary. Two Hen Harriers (7. cyaneus, at Bursdon Moore (Devon) and Pennington Flash (Greater Manchester), were wing-tagged and were traced back to Pitlochry (Tayside). Reports of a total of up to 12 Rough-legged Buz- z.ards Buleo lagopus came from widely scat- tered localities. Cranes to waders Cranes Grus grus flew over Wilstone Reser- voir (Hertfordshire) on 18th November and Dungeness on 1st December, and one on Guernsey in November was the first there since 1963. Avocets Recun'irostra avosetta gathered at Iken (Suffolk), with 577 on 8th January, and there was one at Staines Reservoir on 1st December, two near Bristol (Avon) on 3rd F'ebruary, and one at Shepperton (Surrey) following the snow on lOth F'ebruarv. One on the estuary of the River Kent on 22nd- 23rd December was (aimbria’s first since 1983. Flocks of up to 7,000 Lapwings Vanellus vanellus were reported from the mid- land counties of F.ngland during December, and Golden Plovers Bluvialis apricaria, with 2,500 in Leicestershire and 2,300 in Sull'olk in November, were in good numbers before the hard weather. One or two Little Stints Calidris minula overwintered, and single Whimbrels Niimeniiis phaeopus were seen, at Auskerry (Orkney) on 2 1st January and flying south past Gibraltar Point on 24tb 170. Ross’s Goose Anser rossii, Lossiemouth, Grampian, March 1991 (Steve Young) 171. Adult Ring-billed Gull Imtus delawarensis, Hayle, Gornwall, March 1991 (.4. M. Folwelt) 172. First-winter Iceland Gull Lams glaucoides, Gosport, Hampshire, March 1991 (Dominic Mitchell) The inclusion of plates 170-182 in colour has been subsidised by a donation from Carl 7.eiss-GeTmany] 173. American Bitlern Bolaunis lentigmosus, Mar(on Mere, I.ancashire, Kebruar)- 1991 (Martin S. Gamer) 174. ilailequin Duck Histnoninis lii.slriimiais, Wick, Highland, Fehniaty 1991 (David Tifding/AVIAS PHOTOS) 17,'j. Adult Ring-billed Gnll Lams delawarensis (with Black-headed Gulls /., ridibundus), L'xbridge, Greater London, I'ebruaiy 1991 (Peter Gasson) 0 I The Best Buys and the Brightest... alue and quality are two reasons Wildlife and Watching rated these Nikon Binoculars and Fieldscopes among the best in their classes. For instance, Bird Watching awarded the Nikon 8 x 30ECF WF binoculars a full five stars, their highest value-for-money rating. What’s more, they acclaimed the 8x30s “Excellent in every way optically— very sharp and bright.’’* That’s because they share the Nikon heritage of optical excellence. So take a look through the leaders today. •By courtesy of EMAP Pursuit Ltd : Quoted from an article BEST BUYS IN BINOCULARS, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Bird Wnleliiiig. May 199(J. And, BEST BUYS IN TELESCOPES, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson. Bird Witching. June 1990. By courtesy of BBC Publications; JUST THE BEST, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, H ildlifo. March 1989. 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(0723) 365024 British Birds Established over 80 years The quality independent monthly magazine for the serious birdwatcher. Unlike mo.st niagit/.ines British Birds does not have a short life. It is not read and thrown away like a newspaper or glos.sy lytrokstall inaga/ine. A staggering 99.6% of readers keep their ropy of British Birds permanently. British Birds snbsrrilx'rs not only keep their copies permanently, they devote more two days a week to hirdwatching and are preptired to spend to .support their hobby. then than (D805) X mm MitlL u 9*^ S o 0) H a; g 0) H -£5 y E S'sl^l'Ro ■• m CO OD 0> 0> 0> 0> «M M ^ CO CO («4 c*j C«t Cft 0> 003 a>090t>c00>0>0> o ^00 ® to CO -H -H CO ^ CO CJ (W M <•) c«j c«4 C«4 (4t(M t«i C4 tt, o . _ o ES es O H Q og I H .2 2 0(0 M M M M eC o m o o o o * CV3 CVJ CO CVJ ■• u« u< ^(u lu n n Ui sUUnnO s « c w-25 3 ?S“53W‘OQ O Q I « D X Xoeg x CDcbCO-^MM®® t* > > X : tJ X M Moo . • ‘ a® ® « - ' CO S “fr eg ,o ^ m eg ^ ® ^ M ® H XtO M o u> ® (0 M c c Isll a® c-.®-.-.®«wa>«« p« R ^ ^ sSSSgSlIlag.^ USii a E §0 n «,> O m g < n — Tif^ no®^0« «8 X MOegS? e5>ES 2®Koo o B"e imS 300^^ wSo2® g«® H M S t3^5 “ 5 £ s ® — ®0^t>i®®®®® eg®'d'^®®®t-«f>« egegegeg«-<>-^®®® CMCM^CMCMCMCMCMCM -C O « (0 a <<»-^"2 SSSmEm®>'<0- ««®®«3«^g®222.g.gg‘g>g'«^^o2®oppp ooegeg®®'g-Occccrr?Hpyr^,. ”r%552-e eg eg ^ ^ ^ ^ SM Moo X M ® ® ^ ^ f*» ® 2.00u.“0^n! Somoeg®eg Mo Oegcg® mc^*^ g M M Mo Xo'7 X Zr->®®^®^®® CMcMcMcM'-*'-^'^'^'^ CM CM CM CM CM Tj C ssl s. * «fl a.y« S? ,ii.s ggi” o®««S o on *10,000 pairs) bird cliffs in Norway and Svalbard are north of the Arctic Circle. Also, in winter, there are several million seabirds in the southern Barents Sea, although the diversity of species then is much less than in the breedinsr season (Anker-Nilssen et at. 1988a). Various studies (e.g. Brun 1979; Barrett & Vader 1984) and, since 1979, the Norwegian National Monitoring Programme for Breeding Seabirds (Rov 1984) have revealed that several important seabird populations in this region have recently declined dramatically. In some cases, this has been attributed to collapses in fish-prey stocks, especially those of the Atlanto-Scandian herring Clupea harengus and the Barents Sea capelin Mallotus mllosus (fig. 2) (Vader et at. 1990a). Herring and capelin are both key species in the ecosystem of the southern Barents Sea (Loeng 1989; Rottingen 1990) and constitute some of the most important prey for pelagic foraging seabirds in North Norway (e.g. Myrberget 1962; Rov 1984; Furness & Barrett 1985; Barrett et at. 1987; Barrett & Furness 1990). Fig. 2. Estimated stock size (in million tonnes) of Barents Sea capelins Mallotus villosus in autumn 1973-89 and spawning Atlanto-Scandian herrings Clupea harengus in spring 1950-89 (after Anon. 1990) The Puffin/herring problem The Atlanto-Scandian herring stock spawns off western Norway in early spring, and the larvae then drift northwards with the coastal cunent towards the main nursery grounds in the Barents Sea (e.g. Jakobsson 1985; Anon. 1990). On their way northwards, the fry reach northwestern Norway in the first half ofjuly (by which time they are 5-6 cm long), where they dominated the diet of Puffin chicks in the 1950s (Myrberget 1962). Since the collapse of the huge herring stock in the late 1960s, as a result of overfishing (Jakobsson 1985), the stock has remained at an extretnely low level for nearly two decades (Anon. 1990; fig. 2). As a result, insignificant numbers of 0-group* herrings have been available to breeding Puffins in the Fofoten area since 1969. *‘()-group’ fish arc (hose in their first calendar year. 331 Status of seabirds in northern Norway The Rost archipelago, at the southern tip of the Lofoten Islands, holds one of the largest Puffin colonies in the world (e.g. Harris 1984). In 1964, the population was estimated to be about 700,000 pairs, representing about 25% of the total seabird population in Norway at the time (Brun 1979). More recent monitoring data (hg. 3) and a new census in 1990 suggest that Brun’s (1979) figures were underestimates and that there were more than 1 million breeding pairs on Rost at the end of the 1970s (TAN unpubl. data). Since the collapse in the herring stock, the Rost Puffins have suffered severely through the lack of 0-group herrings, and during 1969-90 they bred successfully in only five seasons (1974, 1983, 1985, 1989 and 1990). In the other years, they were unable to provide their young with sufficient food, and in most years nearly all chicks starved to death (Lid 1981; Anker-Nilssen 1987; TAN unpubl. data). An intense study of Puffin breeding success along the whole Norwegian coast during 1980-83 showed that other colonies in the region also suffered to an equal or lesser extent (Barrett et at. 1987). Concomitant with the slight recovery of the herring stock in recent years (.Anon. 1990) has been an improvement in food conditions for Puffins, and 0-group herrings fully accounted for the breeding successes recorded on Rost in 1985, 1989 and 1990, and partly for that in 1983 (Anker-Nilssen 1987; TAN unpubl. data). Most Puffins are faithful to their natal breeding colony (Harris 1984). It is, therefore, not surprising that the long-term reproduction failure of the Rost Puffins has caused the population to decrease by as much as 10-15% 187. Puffin Fralercula arctica carrying herrings Clupea harengus, Rast, Norway, summer 1989 {Tycho Anker-Nilssen) 332 Status of seabirds in northern Norway Fig. 3. Changes in number of apparently occupied burrows of Puffins Fratercula arctica on Hemyken, Rost, in 1979-90 (after Anker-Nilssen & Rostad in manuscript and unpubl. data). Population size expressed as percentage of maximum (in 1979) annually during most of the last decade (fig. 3; Anker-Nilssen & Rostad in manuscript). Although a substantial recruitment of individuals which Hedged in 1983 and 1985 seems temporarily to have stabilised the population, a further decrease can be expected before the 1989 and 1990 chicks join the breeding population. In the long term, the recovery of the Puffin population in the region will depend on the recovery of the hen ing stock. In contrast, the Puffin populations in southwestern Norway (Runde) and in Finnmark (Homoy, fig. 1) seem to have remained stable during the 1980s (Nat. Monit. Progr. unpubl. data). In these areas. Puffins feed their chicks on other prey, mainly sprats Sprattiis spraltus and haddocks Melanogrammus aeglefinus in the south and capelin and sandeels Ammodytes in the northeast, and breeding success has normally been high (Barrett et al. 1987; Barrett & Furness 1990). The Guillemot/capelin problem As typical long-living seabirds, auks mature at three to six years of age and have a low annual reproduction capacity (most species lay only one egg). For species with such a life history, even small changes in adult mortality may have major consequences for population development. A text-book example of this is the recent decline in the population of the Guillemot Uria aalge during the recent capelin crisis in the Barents Sea. Since 1980, the capelin stocks steadily declined from about 5.5 million tonnes until they collapsed to 20,000 tonnes in 1987 (Anon. 1990; fig. 2). The exact causes of this collapse were not so clear cut as for the herring, but were probably a combination of heavy predation pressure by cod Gadus morhua, competition with herrings, sea-temperature changes and overfishing (Gjosaeter 1990; Rottingen 1990). Until 1985-86, the numbers of Guillemots breeding in Fast Finnmark were relatively stable (Sylte- fjord) or increasing (Hornoy), but by 1987 the numbers breeding in both 333 Status of seabirds in northern Norway Table 1. Estimated number of pairs of Guillemots Uria aalge breeding in the largest colonies (i.e. those where at least one estimate exceeds 5,000 pairs) in northern Norway and on Svalbard in 1964-90 Data are rounded values from Liitken (1965), Brun (1969, 1979), Tschanz & Barth (1978), Bakken (1989), the National Monitoring Programme (unpubl.) and K.-B. Strann {in lilt, for Hjelmsey 1985-90) Year Ved0y (Rast) Nord- Fugl0y Hjelmsuy Sylte- fjord Homny Bear Island 1960-63 11,900 _ 1963/64 — 15,000 110,000 — 730 — 1964/66 — — — 12,300 — — 1964/68 7,100 — — — — — 1966/67 — 9,000 95,000 — — — 1974 5,000 — 70,000 9,000 500 — 1975 — 4,000 — — — — 1980 4,700 — — — 4,100-1- — 1983 3,300 — — — 5,200 — 1985 — 100 14,500 13,000 5,000 — 1986 — — 6,500 10,600 — 245,000 1987 — — 1,500 1,800 1,100 36,000 1988 670 — 6,000 2,200 1,000 80,000 1989 900 100 6,000 2,400 1,300 95,000 1990 830 — 5,200 — 1,400 — Fig. 4. Relative changes in the numbers of Guillemots Uria aalge breeding in the largest colonies (i.e. those where at least one estimate exceeds 5,000 pairs) in northern Norway and on Svalbard in 1964-90 (data from table 1). For each colony, population size expressed as percentage of maximum colonies suddenly dropped by about 80% (table 1; fig. 4). Also, on Bear Island, where an estimated 245,000 pairs bred in 1986, the numbers crashed by 85% to 36,000 pairs in 1987. Now, after three seasons (1988-90) during which breeding success of all species (including the Guillemot) has been good (Barrett & Furness 1990; RTB pers. obs.), we can infer that the drop in Guillemot numbers was mostly due to adult mortality and not a result of adults simply not breeding that year (fig. 4). This is corroborated 334 Status of seabirds in northern Norway by an unusually high mortality of adult Guillemots during winter 1986/87, when thousands were washed ashore in Troms and Finnmark (Vader et al. 1990b). On Bear Island, however, it seems that part of the population did skip breeding in 1987 and 1988, as the population did recover somewhat between 1987 and 1989 (fig. 4). The overall loss of more than half the population in 1986/87 has been attributed to the Guillemot’s dependence on the one prey species, capelin, during the non-breeding season (Vader et al. 1990b). In contrast to the long-term problems faced by the Puffins in Lofoten, this recent Guillemot decline spanned only a couple of years. Even by 1988 and 1989, when the capelin stocks were still low, the Guillemots that survived the crash found sufficient food (sandeels and capelins) for successful breeding attempts (Barrett & Furness 1990; RTB pers. obs.), and, with a near full recovery of the capelin stock already documented (Gjosaeter 1990), we can hope for a recovery, albeit slow, in Guillemot numbers. The long-term Guillemot decline Unfortunately, the lack of capelins has not been the only negative factor which has hammered the Guillemot populations. Since the first censuses in the mid 1960s, there has been a long-term decrease in the largest colonies of Guillemots in northern Norway, by as much as 70-90% prior to the capelin crisis (fig. 4)(Brun 1979; Barrett & Vader 1984; Rov 1984; Bakken 1989). There are probably several reasons for this decline, but drowning in fishing gear (especially salmon nets and cod nets) seems to be the most important, with thousands or tens of thousands of birds being caught annually (Brun 1979; Vader & Barrett 1982; Strann et al. in press). Low breeding success resulting from food shortages has, however, also affected Guillemots. At Rost, all the breeding seasons during 1970-82 were poor, such that a combination of long-term low recruitment, the short- term capelin crisis and adults drowning in nets was probably the main cause of the more-than-90% decrease in the largest colony (Vedoy) between the early 1960s and 1988 (fig. 4)(Tschanz 1978; Tschanz & Barth 1978; Bakken 1989). Another negative factor is oil, although its effect on the northern Guillemot populations is unclear. Morphometric studies have indicated that significant numbers of Guillemots from the northernmost colonies winter in the North Sea (Anker-Nilssen et al. 1988b), where oil pollution is a chronic problem hitting particularly this species. For example, at least 60,000 Guillemots were killed in the Skagerrak oiling incident of Januar\- 1981, of which an estimated 19,000 (3,500 adults and 15,500 immatures) could have originated in northern Norway (Anker-Nilssen et al. 1988b). Other seabird populations in the Barents Sea region Our knowledge concerning the status of other seabird populations breeding in this area is much more limited. The monitoring programme, which is a Joint elfort of governmental bodies, research institutions and ornithological societies, has been running only since 1979 (1986 on 335 Status of seabirds in northern Norway Svalbard) and is continually short of funds. Apart from the three main target species — Puffin, Guillemot (Briinnich’s Guillemot on Svalbard) and Kittiwake — ^Gannet Sula bassana, Gormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Shag P. aristotelis, Lesser Black-backed Gull Lams fuscus and Briinnich’s Guillemot (on the mainland) are included in the programme. GANNET This species is a newcomer to northern Norway. The four existing colonies — the first of which was established in 1961 — have all been increasing rapidly and now total about 2,000 breeding pairs (Brun 1979; Montevecchi et at. 1987; RTB unpubl. data). This increase is partly due to extensive immigration from British colonies (Montevecchi et at. 1987; RTB pers. obs.). CORMORANT AND SHAG Populations of the two Phalacrocorax species have been more variable, and the capelin crisis seems to have had little effect on either of them. In Norway’s largest Shag colony, on Lille Kamoy in western Finnmark (about 2,500 pairs), no Shags nested in 1986 or 1987, but all returned in 1988 (Vader et al. 1987, 1990b). Although coincidental with the collapse in the capelin stock, their absence could equally have been caused by a shortage of sandeels also recorded in 1987 (Vader et al. 1990b). Sandeels are a common food item for Norwegian Shags, and capelins have yet to be recorded in their diet (Barrett et al. 1990). While the populations of Cormorants have fluctuated up and down in Finnmark during the last 20 years (Rov & Strann 1987; Rov 1988), there is no evidence to suggest that any of the declines registered were caused by food shortages. On the contrary, recoveries of ringed individuals show that a substantial proportion of young Cormorants drown in fishing gear (Rostad 1982). We also suspect that many Cormorants and Shags have been persecuted at salmon farms in recent years and that this direct loss from the population, plus those drowned in fishing gear, is more important than any negative effect of food shortage. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL The population of the North Norwegian subspecies L. f. fuscus has decreased during this century (Soot-Ryen 1941; Rov 1986). In Finnmark, it is now virtually absent as a breeding species (Strann & Vader in press), and the colonies in Troms and Nordland, which have had low reproductive rates for many years, are decreasing rapidly (Rov 1984; Strann & Vader in press). Severe changes in food resources, including the collapse of the herring stock, are the most probable explanation for the decline (Strann & Vader in press). KITTm’AKE This species is less specialised in its food choice than are the auks, and, in winter, individuals are spread over most of the North Atlantic (Nor- derhaug et al. 1977). Although the capelin crash did not lead to any known 336 Status of seabirds in northern Norway population declines in northern colonies, Kittiwakes all but gave up breeding in tbe largest Finnmark colony, at Sylte^ord, in 1986 (Vader et at. 1987). BRUNNICH’S GUILLEMOT Problems sucb as those described for Puffins and Guillemots have not been registered for other auks in the Barents Sea region. The population of Briinnich’s Guillemots on Bear Island was fairly stable, varying from 105,000-125,000 pairs during 1986-89 (Anker-Nilssen et at. 1988a; V. Bakken, Norw. Polar Res. Inst, unpubl. data). This is possibly due to their being less dependent on capelins than are Guillemots, and to their being 188 & 189. One of major nesting ledges for Guillemots Uria aalge, Bear Island, summer 1986 (above) and summer 1987 (below), showing disastrous reduction in breeding numbers {Norwegian Polar Research Institute) 337 Status of seabirds in northern Norway able to feed on other prey, particularly crustaceans, in winter (Bakken 1990; Erikstad 1990; Vader et at. 1990b). The comparatively small mainland population may, however, be more dependent on capelins, since it did decrease in numbers during the capelin crisis, but to a much lesser extent than did the Guillemots (Vader et at. 1990b). R.AZORBILL AND LITTLE AUK Owing to their concealed nesting habits, numbers of Razorbills Alca torda and Little Auks have not been monitored, and their status in North Norway and on Svalbard is unknown. In the case of Razorbills, this is particularly unfortunate, because their dependence on small, pelagic fish such as herrings, capelins and sandeels (Norderhaug c/ a/. 1977; Furness & Barrett 1985; Barrett & Furness 1990) could have caused difficulties in the various colonies during periods of low fish stocks. Furthermore, their susceptibility to drowning in fishing nets (Strann et al. in press) may also be having negative consequences. For Little Auks, potential population changes are more doubtful, since they are mostly planktivorous and, therefore, less vulnerable to fluctuations in fish stocks. As a minor threat, oil may constitute a problem for both Little Auks and Razorbills wintering in the North Sea (e.g. Anker-Nilssen et at. 1988b). FULMAR y\nother plankton-feeder is the Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis, the most numerous tubenose in the Barents Sea, with the largest colonies on Bear Island. On the mainland, only a few tens of pairs breed in the north and, although it is increasing in the south of the country, there are no conclusive signs of any recent population change north of the Arctic Circle (Barrett & Vader 1984). EIDER Although not a seabird in the traditional sense, the Eider S'oma/ma mollissima is one of the most characteristic birds of the Norwegian coast and is totally dependent on the sea for its food. Despite this, we know veiA' little about population trends in North Norway. Among potential threats are increasing predation by gulls and crows on the outer islands (where the age-old tradition of ‘domesticating’ Eiders for their eggs and down has virtually come to an end), oil spills (e.g. Anon. 1974; Anker-Nilssen & Rostad 1982; Rov 1982), the spread of feral minks Mustek inson, and a recent increase in drowning incidents in fish nets set for lumpsuckers Cyclopterus lumpus along the coast of Troms and Finnmark (Bustnes & Erikstad 1988; G. Henriksen in litt.). What are the prospects for these seabird populations? With some exceptions, this short summary of the status of seabirds in North Norway and on Bear Island highlights yet again the conflict between declining fish stocks, commercial fisheries and seabirds as being critical in seabird population dynamics (see, e.g., Furness & Ainley 1984; 338 Status of seabirds in northern Norway Nettleship et at. 1984). Closer to home for British readers is the continuing sandeel problem around Shetland (Heubeck 1989) and its dire conse- quences for Guillemots (Heubeck et at. in press). In recent fisheries management policies, we have repeatedly seen commercial interests overruling advice given by fisheries scientists, to the ultimate detriment of the fish stocks involved. Admittedly, fisheries scientists need to refine their methods, and workable multi-species models are still futuristic dreams. The often apparent total disregard for advice based on fisheries research by the politicians and fisheries industry is, however, unreasonable. One must, of course, keep in mind the gradual shift during this century in fisheries practice, from one targeting mainly predatory' fish (cod, haddock, etc.) to one targeting both predatory' fish and their prey (capelin, herring, etc.). Inherent in this is the possibility for changes in prey availability for seabirds and, hence, their populations. The spawning stock of Atlanto-Scandian herrings is still less than 20% of its mean level in the 1950s, and 40% below the minimum considered by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to ensure satisfactory recruitment (Anon. 1990). The present stock is even expected to decrease again in the coming years, owing to poor recruitment after 1983 (Anon. 1990). Nevertheless, pressure from the fishing industry has prevented a complete ban on the herring fishery, and, although limited and quota-regulated, the present level of cropping will slow down the stock build-up. In sharp contrast to that of the herring, the Barents Sea capelin stock is already close to its pre-collapse level, and the capelin fishery was reopened, after only three years’ closure, in 1991. This rapid recovery' is due to the capelin maturing much more quickly than the herring, good recruitment to the stock in 1988 and 1989, and an unusually rapid somatic growth of individual fish during the last few years (Gjosaeter 1990). I- group* fish, however, totally dominate (in number) the present stock. The fact that adults die after spawning means that today’s managers need to be very careful to avoid excessive cropping of young fish before they have a chance to recruit into the spawning stock over the next few years. Long-term decreases in Guillemot numbers in the north before the capelin crisis have, however, shown that other environmental constraints on these populations are serious. The life history and often extreme site fidelity of auks severely limit their ability to recover their numbers, and, in the colonies with the longest history of population decrease (e.g. Rost or Hjelmsoy), it is wishful thinking to hope for any rapid population increases, despite the recent ban on the use of salmon drift nets. Still fresh in our memories is the seabird disaster following the Exxon Valdez incident in Alaska in 1989, which, yet again, illustrated the enormous damage-potential of oil spills in cold waters. In Nonvegian waters, the offshore industry is constantly moving farther north, and exploratory drilling has started in many parts of the southern Barents Sea. The threat that this imposes on the millions of seabirds that reside in *‘I-gn)iip’ fish are those in their second calendar year. 339 Status of seabirds in northern Norway these waters throughout the year is enormous (Anker-Nilssen et al. 1988a). Our children and grandchildren have a right to inherit all the splendours of the coastline, but, unless we take the present situation seriously, they may never see it as we do. The recent declines in Guillemot and Puffin numbers are alarm signals which cannot be ignored. The destiny of all seabirds is our common responsibility, and we must not fail to do what we can to ensure that they remain an integral part of our natural heritage. Acknowledgments We are grateful to our colleagues V. Bakken, G. W. Gabrielsen, S.-H. Lorentsen, K.-B. Strann, and Prof. W. Vader for their comments on this paper. The Norwegian National Monitoring Programme for Breeding Seabirds is financed mainly by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and the Norwegian Polar Research Institute. Summary This is an updated overview of the present status for some of the most important seabirds breeding along the coasts of North Norway and Svalbard. Many of these populations have recently declined dramatically owing to collapses in the stocks of the Atlanto-Scandian herring Clupea harengus and the Barents Sea capelin Mallolus uillosus, two of their most important prey. The long-term lack of first-year herrings has brought about repeated reproductive failures for Puffins Fratercula arctica breeding along the Norwegian Sea, while the capelin crisis caused a transitory but extensive mortality of adult Guillemots Uria aalge in the Barents Sea. The recent history and the future prospects for the seabirds in this region are discussed in the context of food shortage, oil pollution and drowning in fishing gear. References Anker-Nii.s.SEN, T. 1987. The breeding performance of Puffins Fratercula arctica on Rost, northern Norway in 1979-1985. Fauna non. Ser. C, Cinclus 10: 21-38. , B.\kken, V., & Strann, K.-B. 1988a. Konsekvensanalyse olje/sjofugl ved petroleums- virksomhet i Barentshavet sor for 74°30'N. Viltrapport 46: 1-98. , Hope Jones, P., & Ro.stad, O. W. 1988b. Age, sex and origins of auks (Alcidae) killed in the Skagerrak oiling incident of January 1981. Seabird 11: 28-46. & RizlSTAD, O. W. 1982. Oljekatastrofen i Skagerrak ved arsskiftet 80/81 — omfang og undersokelser. Vdr Fugkfauna 5: 82-90. & In manuscript. Gensus and monitoring of Puffins Fratercula arctica on Rost, North Norway 1979-1988. Anon. 1974. Eiders oiled in Norway. Mar. Poll. Bull. 5: 4. 1990. Ressursoversikt 1990. Fisken Hav. 1990 (Saernummer 1): 1-80. Barren, V. 1989. The population development of Gommon Guillemot Uria aalge on Vedey, Rost. Fauna non. Ser. C, Cinclus 12: 41-46. 1990. The distribution and diet movements of Briinnich’s Guillemot Uria lamvia in ice covered waters in the Barents Sea, February/March 1987. Polar Research 8: 55-59. Barrett, R. T., Anrer-Niessen, T., Rirardsen, F., Vai.de, K., R0v, N., & Vader, W. 1987. The food, growth and fledging success of Norwegian Puffin chicks Fratercula arctica in 1980- 1983. Omis Scand. 18: 73-83. & Furness, R. W. 1990. The prey and diving depths of seabirds on Hornoy, North Norway after a decrease in the Barents Sea capelin stocks. Omis Scand. 21: 179-186. , RjPfv, N., Loen,J., & Montevecchi, W. A. 1990. Diets of Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis and Cormorants P. carbo in Norway and possible implications for gadoid stock recruitments. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 66: 205-218. & Vader, W. 1984. The status and conservation of breeding seabirds in Norway. ICBP Techn. Publ. No. 2: 323-333. Brun, E. 1969. Utbredelse og hekkebestand av lomvi {Uria aalge) i Norge. Sterna 8: 209-224. 340 Status of seabirds in northern Norway 1979. Present status and trends in population of seabirds in Norway. In Bartonf.k.J., & Nf.TTLE.SHIP, D. N. (eds.) Conservation of Marine Birds of Northern North America. US Dept of Interior, Fish Wildl. Serv'. Res. Rep. II: 289-301. Bu.STNFS, J. O., & Erik.stad, K. E. 1988. The diets of sympatric wintering populations of Common Eider Somateria mollissima and King Eider 5'. spectabilis in Northern Norway. Omis Ferinica 65: 163-168. Erik.stad, K. E. 1990. Winter diets of four seabird species in the Barents Sea after a crash in the capelin stock. Polar Biol. 10: 619-627. El'RNFSS, R. W., & .\INI.FY, D. G. 1984. Threats to seabird populations presented by commercial fisheries. ICBP Techn. Publ. 2: 701-708. & B.arrftt, R. T. 1985. The food requirements and ecological relationships of a seabird community in North Norway. Omis Scand. 16: 305-313. GJ0SAFTFR, H. 1990. Attende pa banen. Fiskets Gang 76: 8-10. Harris, M. P. 1984. Ue Puffin. Gallon. Hfubf.CK, M. (ed.) 1989. Seabirds and Sandeels. Seminar Proc., Lerwick, Oct. 1989. Shetland Bird Club. , H.arvfy, P. V., & Okii.f, J. D. In press. Changes in the Shetland Guillemot Uria aalge population and the pattern of recoveries of ringed birds, 1959-1990. Seabird 13. J.AKOBS.SON, J. 1985. Monitoring and management of the Northeast .Atlantic herring stocks. Can.J. Fish, .\quat. Sci. 42 (Suppl. 1): 207-221. Lid, G. 1981. Reproduction of the Puffin on Rest in the Lofoten Islands in 1964-1980. Fauna nom. Ser. C, Cinclus 4: 30-39. Lofng, H. 1989. Ecological features of the Barents Sea. In Rfy, L., & Ai.F.XANDFR, \\ (eds.) Proc. 6th Corf. Comite Arctique International, Leiden 13-15 May 1985, pp. 327-365. Ll'TKFN, E. 1965. Ynglefuglene pa Nord-Fugley, Nord-Norge, deres udbredelse og antal. Dansk Om. Foren. Tidsskr. 58: 166-193. Mon it.vfcchi, W. a., Barrfti , R. T., Rikardsfn, F., & Strann, K.-B. 1987. The population and reproductive status of the Gannet Sula bassana in Norway 1985. Fauna norv. Ser. C, Cinclus 10: 65-72. Myrbfrgft, S. 1962. Contribution to (he breeding biology of the Puffin, Fratercula arctica (L.). Eggs, incubation and young. Medd. Stat. viltund. Ser. 2 (11): 1-51. Nfittfsiiip, D. N., Sangfr, G. A., & Springer, P. E. (eds) 1984. Marine birds: their feeding ecology and commercial fisheries relationships. Proc. Pacific Seabird Croup Symp., Seattle 1982. NordfriiaI’g, M., Brun, E., & M0I.I.FN, G. U. 1977. Barentshavets sjofuglressurser. Norsk Polarinst. .Medd. \^A: \-\\9. Ri4s r.AD, O. W. 1982. Mortalitet hos storskarv vist ved ringmerkings-gjenfunn. Viltrapport 21: 36-41. RjTrriNGF.N, I. 1990. A review of variability in the distribution and abundance of Norwegian spring spawning herring and Barents Sea capelin. Polar Research 8: 33-42. Rj?J\', N. 1982. Olje og sjofugl pa Helgelandskysten 1981. Var Fuglefauna 5: 91-95. (cd.) 1984. Sjofugiprosjektet 1979-1984. Viltrapport 35: 1-109. 1986. Bestandsforhold hos sildemake Imcus fuscus i Norge med hovedvekt pa L. f. fusats. Var Fuglefauna 9: 79-84. 1988. BestandsutHkling og produksjon hos storskarv i Norge. Okoforsk. Rapp. 1988 5: 1-24. & Strann, K.-B. 1987. The present status, breeding distribution, and colony size of the Cormorant PhalacrocOrax carbo carbo in Norway. Fauna non'. Ser. C, Cinclus 10: 39-44. ■Soot-Ryfn, T. 1941. Egg- og dunvter i 'Froms fylke. Med tillegg om kobbeveider. Trontso Museums Arshefter 62 ( 1 939) : 1-112. Strann, K.-B., & Vadfr, W. In press. I ants f. fu.scus, a gull with tern-like feeding biolog\', and its decrease in N. Norway. Ardea. , , & Barrf.it, R. 'F. In press. Auk mortality in fishing gear in North Norway. Seabird 13. 'I'SGIIAN/, B. 1978. Untersuchungen zur Entwicklung des Trottellummenbestandes auf Vedoy (Rost, Lofoten)../. Om. 199: 133-145. & B.ARTII, E. K. 1978. Svingninger i lomvibestanden ]);i V'edov pa Rost. Fauna 31: 205- 219. Vadfr, W., Ankf.r-Nii.,s.sfn, F., Barken, V., Barrfi r, R. I'., & Si rann, K.-B. 1990a. Regional and temporal differences in breeding success and po|nilation development of Status of seabirds in northern Norway 34 1 fisheating seabirds in Norway after collapses of herring and capelin stocks. Trans. 19th lUGB Congr. (Trondheim 1989): 143-150. & Barrett, R. T. 1982. Negative factors affecting the seabird populations in Troms and Finnmark. Viltrapport 21: 6-10. > & Str.ANN, K.-B. 1987. Sjofuglhekking i Nord-Norge 1987, et svartar. Var Fuglefauna 10: 144-147. ) , Erikstai), K. E., & Strann, K.-B. 1990b. Differential responses of Common and Thick-billed Murres Uria spp. to a crash in the capelin stock in the southern Barents Sea. Stud. Avian Biol. 14: 175-180. T. Anker-Nilssen, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Tungasletta 2, N-7004 Trondheim, Norway R. T. Barrett, Zoology Department, Tromse Museum, N-9000 Tromse, Norway Notes Alert posture of Yellow-billed and Great White Egrets Great White Egrets Egretta alba occur in winter in West Africa alongside Yellow-billed Egrets E. intermedia. While a close view of the head and facial structure will serve to separate them, the two species show a similarity of bare-part colour in non-breeding plumage and can be more difficult to identify at a distance. Observations in the Gambia during the winter of 1986 suggested that the alert posture of the two species is sufficiently different to separate them at a considerable distance (fig. 1). While the Great White Egret Eig. 1. Alert postures of Great White Egret Egretta alba (left) and Yellow-billed Egret E. intermedia (right) (A. V. McCanch) 342 Notes adopts a very elongated stretched-neck pose, head, neck and body being inclined forward at approximately 45°, the Yellow-billed Egret raises its neck vertically from an upright body stance in an extended ‘S’ shape, with the head and bill parallel to the ground. The silhouette presented is significantly different and serves to help to separate the two species before bare-part colour or more subtle structural differences can be scrutinised. In addition. Great White Egrets showed a preference for feeding in open water, wading to mid-tarsus depth, while Yellow-billed Egrets tended to feed in more secluded creeks and ditches along the margins of ricepaddies. N. V. McCanch and M. McC.anch Calf of Man Bird Obsen>atory, c/o Juan Clague, Kionslieu, Plantation Hill, Port St Mary, Isle of Man As in all cases of the use of behaviour or posture in identification, stance and other jizz characteristics may be very helpful in attracting an observer’s attention to ‘something different’ and may support other identification characters, but should be used with caution. In this instance, photographs suggest that Great White Egret may sometimes adopt the posture depicted for Yellow-billed Egret; it seems possible, however, that Yellow-billed Egret does not adopt that shown for Great White Egret. Ens Common Gulls with pale irides G. Groot Koerkamp {Brit. Birds 80: 628- 629) recorded an adult winter Common Gull Lams canus in December 1983 in the Netherlands with pale yellowish-white irides. On 26th November 1989, at the Leigh-on-Sea Cocklesheds, Essex, I noted a great variation in the iris colour of the 250 or more adult Gommon Gulls present. Most were quite normal, with dark brown irides and black pupils; some had completely dark irides, with no colour being apparent; while six had bright golden-brown eyes, which appeared almost yellowy in the good light conditions. One, however, had distinctly yellow eyes, and, further- more, its head spotting was far more distinct and extensive and its red orbital ring more noticeable; nevertheless, the rest of its plumage, together with its ‘jizz’, were typical of adult winter Gommon Gull. This observation emphasises the fact that a ‘Common-type’ gull with pale irides is not necessarily a Ring-billed Gull L. delawarensis. Howard Vaughan 19 Tavistock Gardens, I ford, Es.sex IG3 9BK An editorial comment on G. Groot Koerkamp’s earlier note pointed out that, a.s well as the occasional individual of the race canus of Common Gull, the Nearctic race hrachyrhynchus often has noticeably pale irides. Mr Vaughan’s note is a helpful reminder to observers that this pitfall exists and that identification of Ring-billed Gull should not be based on Just one or two characters. Eos Yellow-legged Herring Gulls in Essex, 1973-74 A dramatic increase in the number of sightings of yellow-legged Herring Gulls iMrvs argentatus sspp. in Britain has taken place in recent years, probably reflecting both a real increase in the number of such individuals visiting Britain and increased observer interest in gulls (see Devillers 1983; Grant 1983). Between October 1972 and December 1974, counts of gulls were conducted at a number of refuse-tips and associated roosts in southeast Notes 343 Essex by the Department of Trade and Industry Ornithological Survey Unit (Deans 1982). Observers regularly scrutinised as many gulls as possible for colour rings, and during the course of this work all yellow- legged Herring Gulls seen were recorded. Small numbers of the latter were noted quite regularly in late summer and autumn (fig. 1). All were adults, except one in ‘fourth-year’ plumage on 10th July 1973, on which date an adult was also seen with orange (rather than yellow) legs; all had noticeably darker mantles than most of the accompanying pink-legged Herring Gulls, and all of those which were examined closely (the majority) had deep red orbital rings. 12n 1972 1973 1974 Fig. 1. Monthly totals of yellow-legged Herring Gulls Larus argentatus sspp. in southeast Essex, October 1972 to December 1974 ■ = recorded on weekly census □ = casual observations There were no reports of yellow-legged Herring Gulls in Essex prior to July 1973, but the above records indicate that such individuals were not uncommon in 1973-74, and before that time had almost certainly been overlooked. There have been records of yellow-legged Herring Gulls in Essex in most years since 1973 (Gox 1984), but reduced observer coverage of major gull haunts since the disbanding of the DTI survey unit probably accounts for the smaller number of sightings. David S. Melville WWF Hong Kong, GPO Box 12721, Hong Kong REEERENCES Cox, S. 1984. A New Guide to the Birds of Essex. Essex Bird Watching and Preservation Society. Deans, I. R. 1982. The Maplin Airport Project. Final Report of the Ornithological Surv^ Unit (1975). Stansted Airport Public Enquiry Paper, MATE 43. Devii.LERS, P. 1983. Yellow-legged Herring Gulls on southern North Sea shores. Bril. Birds 76: 191-192. Grant, P. J. 1983. Yellow-legged Herring Gulls in Britain. Bril. Birds 76: 192-194. As recently as 1971 (BOU, The Status of Birds in Britain and Irelaruf , there were no definite British or Irish records of subspecies other than L. cl argentatus (which then included argenteus), so this note demonstrates that yellow-legged individuals were, and probably still are, overlooked in many areas. Yellow-legged Herring Gulls are, however, expanding their range (see, e.g., Devillers 1983) and a real increase in British records seems fairly certain, although the timing of this increase is less clear. Mr Melville’s note is of value as it is based on regular statistical observations. Further contributions will be published only if they throw light on the timing of the increase in occurrences of yellow-legged Herring Gulls in Britain. Eds 344 Notes Wren excavating nest On 5th May 1987, in Lewes, East Sussex, I saw a Wren Troglodytes troglodytes fly from a hanging-basket in a porch, with a beakful of moss. Hoping to locate its nest, I watched it fly to a fence and, to my disappointment, drop its load. It returned to the basket and collected more moss. This excavation work continued for about 25 minutes, interrupted only by snatches of song from the porch roof and the fence. On 10th May, I returned and found a large cavity in the moss (which had originally filled the basket). By 17th May, the cavity had been lined, and on 28th I found a warm clutch of six eggs. Soon after, the householder filled in the hole. BWT (vol. 5) makes no mention of Wrens excavating cavities. David Harper School of Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, Palmer, East Sussex BNl 9QG Wood Warbler’s nest invaded by wood ants At about 1 1 .00 GMT on 11th June 1988, in woodland near Triscombe, Taunton, Somerset, I inspected the nest of a pair of Wood Warblers Phylbscopus sibibtrix which contained five young about ten days old. I noted that the nest was swarming with wood ants Formica rufa. One of the nestlings had about 15 of the ants crawling over it and, not surprisingly, was making vigorous attempts to shake free of them. I inspected the nest again on 13th June, also at about 1 1.00 GMT. On this occasion, I could not see any wood ants in or around the nest, and the young, which were well nourished and ready to leave, were apparently free of them. A. P. Radford Crossways Cottage, West Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3EG It is of interest that the nestlings survived this potentially lethal invasion. Eds Letter Flight calls of Two-barred Crossbill Two-barred Crossbill Loxia leucoptera has three main flight calls which are, in the vast majority of field situations, clearly distinct from those of other crossbills. Crossbill L. curvirostra and Parrot Crossbill L. pytyopsittacus possess a wide, partly overlapping spectrum of flight calls, and separating these species on call is frequently problematic. Crossbill’s ‘chip-chip’ is usually like rapidly repeated calls of Greenfinch Carduelis chbris, whilst Parrot Crossbill’s ‘kip-kip’ is rather more like a repeated woodpecker call (between those of Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major al^d 4'hree- toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus in quality). Two-barred Crossbill’s most common call is a high-pitched, liquid, bouncing, quite long ‘glip-glip’, reminiscent of part of the main call of Quail Cotumix cotumix or the ‘pwit’ flight note of Ortolan Bunting Emheriza hortubna. A second call is a rather harsh ‘chuch-chuch’, very similar to that of a Redpoll Carduelis flammea. I’wo-barred Crossbill sometimes utters a very distinctive, nasal ‘eeeaat’ in flight, a note which may also be heard as part of its song. It bears a strong resemblance to the subdued song-note of IVumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus. Letter 345 All three flight calls of Two-barred Crossbill lack the metallic tone of those of other crossbills and the emphatic, woodpecker-like quality of that of Parrot Crossbill. Whilst the first, most common call may infrequently approach the ‘chip-chip’ of Crossbill, the other two calls can hardly be confused with any call from Crossbill or Parrot Crossbill. My sincere thanks are due to Lars Edenius, Krister Mild and Lars Svensson for useful criticism of an earlier draft of this letter. Johan Elmberg Biologigrdnd 47, S-90241 Umed, Sweden Announcements ‘BB’ goes to Morocco Morocco — one of the most exciting ornithological countries in the Western Palearctic — is the destination for a British fitrdi-SUNBIRD trip in April 1992. The leaders will be SUNBIRD Director, Bryan Bland, and Rarities Committee Chairman, Peter Lansdown. The group will travel extensively along the length of the spectacular High Atlas mountain range and venture into the northern edge of the Sahara, seeking all of the Moroccan specialities, such as Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita, Tristram’s Warbler Sylvia deserticola and Desert Sparrow Passer simplex, and all of the country’s many species of lark (Alaudidae) and wheatear Oenanlhe. April is the peak month for spring passage and amazing concentrations of grounded migrants are likely to be encountered. For full details, write or phone to David Fisher/Jennifer Thomas at Sunbird, PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI9 iDF; telephone Sandy (0767) 682969. Drawings and photographs for sale Anyone washing to purchase drawings or photographs (prints or transparencies) by the artists or photographers whose work appears in British Birds can send a letter requesting details of availability or price to the person concerned c/o British Birds, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 .SNJ. We will forward the letters as a service to our contributors and our readers. Books in British BirdShop The following books have been added this month: *Bub Bird Trapping and Bird Banding *Clarke & Clarke Where to Watch Birds in East Anglia 2nd edition *Conder The Wheatear *Lamboume The Art of Bird Illustration *Pearson & Burton Birdscape *Yekutiel Raptors in Israel SPECIAL OFFERS are still available on *Alstrbm, Colston & Lewington The Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe (save £2.00) *BB/IBCE International Bird Identification (save £1.00) *Brown & Amadon Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the World (special volume) *Chandler North Atlantic Shorehirds (save £3.00) *Harrison Seabirds: an identification guide Revised edition 1985 (save £5.04) *Ogilvie & Winter Best D<^s with British Birds (save £2.00) Please use the British BirdShop form on pages xiii & xiv. Requests Entangled seabirds A one-year project has been commissioned by the 1 idy Britain Group to study six-pack and four-pack can-carriers in the marine environment. The study is concerned with the probability and methods of entanglement of seabirds by can-carriers in relation to other similar debris. Any records (or dead specimens) of entangled seabirds will be gratefully received by Chris Onions, Fidy Britain Group, Famborough College of 346 Requests Technology, Boundary Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GLM4 6SB; phone Farnborough (0252) 391278. (Any expenses incurred will be refunded, and further information is available on request.) Breeding birds of Madagascar For the preparation of an atlas of the breeding birds of Madagascar, unpublished observations, copies of published literature and infoirnation on any Madagascan birds in small museums and private collections is requested. All contributions, which will be fully acknowledged, should be sent to Steven M. Goodman and Thomas S. Schulenberg, Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605, USA (phone 312-922-9410); or to Olivier Langrand and Lucienne Wilme, WWF Aires Protegees, B.P. 738, Antananarivo (101), Madagascar. News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ British Birdwatching Fair 1991 The Fair is set to take place over the weekend of 30th August to 1st September and is expected to attract thousands of birdwatchers from all over the country. The event, sponsored by ‘In Focus’ of Barnet, is run jointly by the R.SPB and the Leicestershire and Rutland Trust for Nature Conservation (LRTNC) at the Trust’s Egleton nature reserve beside Rutland Water. The Fair offers a unique chance to see the widest range of interests that make up the contemporary birdwatching and wildlife conservation scene. There is everything from optical manufacturers to the Bird Stamp Society, from new and second-hand books to computer databases; from wildlife holidays to wildlife gardening. The Art Exhibition will contain works from most of the leading wildlife artists, many of whom will be at the Fair working alongside their paintings. British Birds will be there: come and visit our stand (number MI/27). This year, funds raised at the Fair will be used to help the Danube Delta project. 'The Fair organisers have joined forces with the ICBP, which will oversee the project, ensur- ing that the monies raised will go directly to assist bird conservation. Admission to the Fair will be £5.00 for adults, but children will be admitted free. Croup bookings of ten or more before 31st July receive a £1 discount. For further information about the British Birdwatching Fair, please send a stamped addressed envelope to Fishponds Cottage, Stamford Road, Oakham, Rutland I.F.I5 8AB. Wildlife art The annual exhibition of the Society of Wildlife Artists will be held as usual at the Mall Gallery (Trafalgar Square end of the Mall, London SWl) during 2nd- llth August 1991. It will, also as usual, display a wide selection, including the win- ning entries, of BB’s ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’ competition. Over 500 works, in all media, will be on show. 'The Gallery is open every day, including Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1992 wildlife calendar Work by members of the Society of Wildlife Artists is also featured on the Wild Europe 1992 calendar. Measuring 12x17 inches (30 X 43 cm), the calendar reproduces 12 new paintings, by Priscilla Barret, Keith Brockie, John Busby, Robert Cillmor, Matthew Hillier, Lars Jon s- son, Bruce Pearson, Darren Rees, Chris Rose, Keith Shackleton, .Simon Turv'ey and Donald Watson. This is a limited-edition calendar, sponsored by Lloyds Bank OlTshore Banking Croup, and any sold will benefit the SWLA, now a registered charity. Copies are available at £10 each, including post and packing, from Wild Europe Calen- dar, 58 Northcourt Avenue, Reading, Berk- shire Rt;2 71IQ. Checpies should be made payable to the .Society of Wikllife .Artists. News and comment 347 Rare Breeding Birds Panel membership I'he membership of the Panel has been strengthened by the addition of two new members, proposed by the present members and — as required by the Panel’s constitution — unanimously supported by the Editorial Board of British Birds, and the councils of the BTO and the RSPB. The two new members are DrJ. J. D. Greenwood and Dr D. A. Stroud. Migrants in Normandy Fancy a few days, or more, in Normandy this autumn looking for migrants? The Groupe Omithologique Normand is inviting British birdwatchers to visit the nature reserve at Garolles, Manche Department, between 9th September and 7th November 1991, during which time they hope to have continuous coverage. 'I'his site, which is 10 km south of Granville near the Mont St Michel, is important for autumn migrants, hundreds of thousands of which pass through each year. Regular visitors include Tawny Pipits Anthus campestris, Lap- land Buntings Calcarius lapponicus. Snow Buntings Pleclrophenax nivalis and Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortulana, as well as un- usual warblers, seabirds, butterflies and perhaps dolphins. Further information can be gained by writing to the Groupe Ornitho- logique Normand, Universite de Caen, 14032 Caen, France. Bulgarian announcement The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) was founded on 3rd June 1988. Its main aim is to preserve and restore the diversity and richness of Bulgarian birds through dissem- inating knowledge about birds and nature conservation in general and through co- operation with local, governmental and in- ternational agencies dedicated to the protec- tion of birds and their habitats. The BSPB will also carry out projects of its own in this respect, with special emphasis on rare and endangered species. The Society will pub- lish an information bulletin in Neophron. The BSPB is an independent, privately funded organisation and the biggest ornithological society in Bulgaria. The BSPB will appreci- ate any advice and help from other organisa- tions or individuals. The address of the BSPB and of the Bulgarian National Section of the ICBP is: 8 Blvd Dragan Tzankov, 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria; telephone 72 06 30; fax 0113592 705498. ‘Irish Birds’ The latest issue (volume 4, number 2, 1990) includes the 37th Irish Bird Report (covering 1989, and running to 27 pages) and papers on the breeding biology of Little Terns Sterna albifrons in Co. Wick- low, by Micheal O Briain and Padraig Farrelly; on bird communities of two short- rotation forestry plantations on cutover peatland, by Brendan Kavanagh; on the Mute Swan Cygnus olor in Dublin, by Richard Collins and John Whelan; on the distribu- tion of breeding waders in relation to habitat features on the River Shannon callows, by I. J. Herbert, S. Heery and C. R. M. Meredith; and on the breeding gulls and terns of the islands of Lough Derg, byj. V. Reynolds. This 140-page issue costs £5 plus £1 postage, and is available from the Irish Wildbird Conservancy, Ruttledge House, 8 Longford Place, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland. ‘Ny Vorona eto Madagasikara’ Fhis book. The Birds of Madagascar, by Lalao Rakotondra- besa, David Cemmick and Paul Thompson, was produced for distribution to schools in Madagascar, since there were no books in the Malagasy Republic on the island’s birds, and little teaching material about the en- vironment. In order to raise money to help fund free distribution of the book (32pp, A4 format, with many colour and black-and- white illustrations beautifully prepared by David Cemmick), a limited edition of 100 with a short English summary and frontis- piece line-drawing by David Cemmick is available at £10 inch p. & p. per copy. Cheques should be made payable to Mada- gascar Environmental Research Group and sent to The Secretary, MERC, c/o The Conservation Foundation, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR. More sillies We received a short note from Brian Bentley: ‘Heard in the hide recently . . . “There’s another one over there — it’s prun- ing itself’.’ A typing error on another note sent to us told of ‘unused warblers’ and a bright spark in the office suggested Phyllosco- pus immaculatus as their scientific name. Recent reports Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan This summary covers the period 14th June to 11th July 1991 These are unchecked reports, not authenticated records Little Egret Egretta garzelta Tacumshin and Lady’s Island Lake (both Co. Wexford), 6th- 7th July. Black Stork Ciconia nigra Stiffkey (Norfolk), 16th- 17th June; presumably same individual wandering Suffolk and Norfolk during 2nd- 7th July; two over Northampton (North- amptonshire) town centre, 5th-7th July; Epping f'orest (Essex), 7th July. Black Kite Milvus migrans Barton-le-Clay (Bedfordshire), 16th June. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Eswick (Shetland), 15th June; Ehomton Reservoir (Leicestershire), 28th June; W'ilstone Reser- voir, Tring (Hertfordshire), 28th-29th June. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himanlopus frimley Nature Reserve (Suffolk), 7th-llth July- Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Dru- ridge Pool, Cresswell (Northumberland), 22nd-23rd June. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidru melanotos Bann Estuary (Co. Londonderry), 16th June. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Stanley, 3()th June to 2nd July; Welbeck Nature Reserv'e, Wakefield (both West V’orkshire), 4th-5th July. Franklin’s Gull Lmtus pipixcan Reclamation Pond, 'feesmouth (Cleveland), 19th-23rd June; Breydon W’ater (Norfolk), 30th June. Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Radipole Lake (Dorset), 30th June; Benacre Broad (Suf- folk), 5th July; Breydon Water, 6th and 1 0th- 1 1 th July (all probably same indi- vidual). Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis Sum- mering individual returned to Northumberland/Cleveland, spasmodically from 5th June to 1st July; Rye Harbour (East Sussex), 16th June. Alpine Swift Apiis melba, I.amorna Cove, Penzance (Cornwall), 6th July; Landguard Point (Suffolk), 11th July. Bee-eater Merops apiaster Scarborough (North Yorkshire), 26th June; Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire), 27th June; two. Recul- ver (Kent), and single. Priory Country Park, Bedford (Bedfordshire), 29th June; three, Ravenscar (North Yorkshire), 29th-30th June; three, Flamborough Head (Humber- side), 1st July; four, Frinton-on-Sea (Essex) and single. Spurn (Humberside), 1st July; Littlehampton (West Sussex), 4th July; Ben- acre Broad, 5th July; Spurn Point (Hum- berside), 10th July; Stronsay (Orkney), 11th July- Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla West Wittering (West Sussex), 26th June to 4th July. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Grove, Canterbury (Kent), 15th-l 7th June; Portland (Dorset), 17th June. Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Sum- burgh (Shetland), 14th June. Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka Spurn, 20th June; Scarborough, 22nd-23rd June (probably same individual) Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus Irochiloides Dungeness (Kent), 20th June. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Scarbor- ough, 22nd-23rd June; Shoeburyness (Essex), 23rd-28th June; Lundy (Devon) 27th-28th June; Walton-on-the-Naze (Essex), 30th June to 1st July. Rose-coloured Starling Stumus roseus Shan- non Airport (Co. Clare), 5th July. Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus ]une influx continued: Flamborough Head, 16th June and 1st July; up to five. North Ronald- say, and single. Hoy (both Orkney), mid June; three, Cromer (Norfolk), 15th-16th June; Minsmere (SulTolk), 17lh June; two. Fair Isle (Shetland), 18th June; Wells (Nor- folk), 22nd June. Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melano- cephala Tarbel (Highland), 29th June. For the latest, up-to-date news, phone ‘Twitchline’ on 0898-884-501 (34p/min chrap rate; 4.Sp/min tnhpr limr.s; incl. \'A’n We are grateful to National Bird News for supplying information for this news feature. 348 British BirdShop ALL LISTED BOOKS ARE POST EREE TO ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ SUBSCRIBERS Books and other items are included in British BirdShop only if they are approved by British Birds and considered to be generally reliable, good value and useful additions to a birdwatcher’s library. 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Tel: 0767 682969 TRINIDAD and TOBAGO Stay at the famous Asa Wright Nature Centre for 6 nights. Have four tours, to the famous Caroni Swamp, Nariva Swamp and two tours of your choice. Fly to the island of Tobago and stay at the Grafton Beach Resort with 2 tours for another 6 nights. Cost of Holiday per person with flights included £1,300 subject to flight availability. Charlotte Nanton, 13 Millpond Court Bourneside Road, Addlestone, Surrey KT1 5 23A Telephone: 0932 244140 845580 FpOTOTEC Swansea Binoculars & telescopes for bird watching, nature, yachting and marine observation We are stockists of : Kowa Optolyth Opticron Ranger Tokina Aico Minolta Solus Kenko Swallow Hilkinson Swift Eschenbach Bushnell Greenkat Bausch & Lomb Nikon Adlerblick Pentax Benbo Manfrotto Slik Tripods and Monopods Hide clamps & car windowclamps Op0n 9am-5.30pm Mon-FrI / Qam-1. 00pm Sat 33 Walter Road Swansea SA1 5NW Tel; 0792-469502 (oseo) Hsland^ holidays FALKLAND ISLANDS Wildlife Painting with John Busby A new and very special Falklands holiday for people who enjoy painting and drawing. also Wildlife Tours with Bobby Tulloch or Roy Dennis An exciting opportunity to spend 1 7 days enjoying one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectaculars in the company of an expert guide. For full details please contact Island Holidays, Ardross, Comrie, Perthshire PH6 2JU. 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AMERICA £389 SCILLIES £55 Personal Advice and Service FREE Comprehensive Travel and Birding Information Folder lor your destination when you book with us. 1 1 0272-259999 or DICK RLBY 0603-619409 MON-Rf CflEOTT CAROS 1 ACCEPTED ABT> 65077 1 (BB812) BIRDWATCHING TOURS AUSTRALIA - Send for our Birding brochure. Tours throughout Australia from individuals to groups. We welcome enquiries from both private customers and tour agents. Falcon Tours. 1 Si- mons Drive, Roleystone, Perth, Western Aus- tralia. PH/FAX (09) 397 5125. Lie. Tour Operator. (BB791) BIRDWATCHING ADVICE LINE BOOKS THE BIRD & WILDLIFE BOOKSHOP Britain ’s leading omithobgical booksellers where you can find our comprehensive range of new and secondhand books and reports on birds and natural history, including all new tides as they are published. Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 6 pm Saturday 10 am to 4 pm Mail order catabgue avaibble on request THE BIRD & WILDLIFE BOOKSHOP 2-4 Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, London SW1Y6DS Tel: 071-287 1407 (BB830) The original BIRDWATCHER’S LOGBOOK The most concise way to record your observations. Monthly, annual and life columns for 762 species, plus 159 diary pages. Send £5.95 to: Coxton Publications, Eastwood, Beverley Rd, Walkington, Beverley, N. Humberside HU17 8RP PLANNING A BIRDWATCHING TRIP ABROAD THOMAS COOK TRAVEL AGENTS Offer you a TRAVEL ADVICE LINE:- 051 933 9810 Ask for Keith Hiller experienced Birdwatcher. Details available include: Worldwide Airfares * Car Hire * Ferries * Overseas Rail * Visas • Package Holidays * Health * Accommodation • Cruises. Individuals or Croups catered for. (BB779) BIRD REPORT ORKNEY BIRD REPORT 1990 available from Vishabreck, Evie, Orkney, £2.80 including p&p. (BB778) BIRDS IN NORTHUMBRIA 1990. £3.75p inc. p&p, from Mrs M. Cadwallender, 22 South View, Lesbury, Northumberland NE66 3PZ. (BB81 1) (BB833) FOR SALE. Hen Harrier. Peregrine Falcon, Pine Crossbills, Ducks of Britain & Europe, Wild Geese & other Poyser titles, also Donald Wat- son’s Birds of Moor & Mountain. Tel: 0245 267771 office hours. (BB819) ‘BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Free catalogue from, and offers to Briant Books, 94 Quarry Lane, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 ONJ. Tel: 0829 51804. (BB738) BOOKS ON BIRDS, MAMMALS, ETC., BOUGHT & SOLD. Also Field Sports, Big Game, Travel, Science, the Arts, etc. Catalogues issued. David Grayling, Crosby Ravensworth, Pen- rith, Cumbria CAIO 3JP. 09315 282. (BB613) TO ADVERTISE PHONE 0621 815085 LATVIAN BREEDING BIRD ATLAS now avail- able at £25.00 post free. See B.B. Mag. Jan. ’90 for full review. Also bird books bought/sold. West Coast Bird Books, 25 Heatherways, Fresh- field, Uverpool L37 7HL. Tel: 07048 71115. (BB796) SUBBUTEO NATURAL raSTORY BOOKS LTD Wide selection of ornithological and natural history titles available from stock, also travel Vn h books & maps. Mail order catalogue on request. Personal callers welcome. Low postage rates Dept BB, Ffordd y Uan, Treuddyn, Nr. Mold, Clwyd CH7 4LN Tel: (0352) 770581 (24 houis). Fax: (0352) 771590 (BB438) THE AVERAGE British Birds reader will spend over £100 on bird books yearly. They could be buying your books. To advertise, 'phone 0621- 815085. (BB683) MOROCCO. A BIRDWATCHER’S GUIDE TO MOROCCO by P & F. Bergier. £8.75. Prion Ltd (Perry). Vital for travellers to Morocco. From bookshops or N.H.B.S., 2 Wills Road, Totnes, Devon. Tel. (0803) 865913. (BB786) FOR SAIJ^ FOR SALE - Individual BB subscribers can adver- tise here FREE (up to 30 words, selling a single item, e.g. binocidar, book, set c^jcmmaJs). Quote your BB Rtf. No. and address envelope to ‘Free BB Advertis- ing'. (BB753) TRIPOD TAMER Carry your tripod in comfort with a TRIPOD TAMER the 2" wide adjustable black webbing shoulder strap that controls even the most awkward tripod. £8.50 including post from: VITAL EQUIPMENT Colwyn Bay, Clwyd LL29 SAT (Please send SAE for details) BIRD JOURNAL BACKNUMBERS SUPPLIED. (BB. Bird study. County Reports, etc.), David Morgan, Whitmore, Umberleigh, Devon. (BB740) BRITISH BIRDS SUBSCRIBERS spend between £300 and £1,000 a year on bird- watching equipment. They could be buying your equipment. To adverti.se, 'phone 0621 81,5085. (BB684) BACKNUMBERS: BB etc., cheap to clear. Also some books. Pbone for list on 0233 628547. (BB807) MAIXORCA New Guide to Bird .Sites; more de- tailed, better maps, right up to date (May 91). Only £3. .50 incl. p&rp. From (kxstours, 29 March- wood Rd, .Shellield S6 5LB. Tel: 0742 .334171. (BB816) FOR SALE: Zeiss Dialyt Binoculars. 10 x 40 BOAT - soft case. Mint condition £400. Tel: 0743 344926. (BB820) THE BIRDS OF SELSEY BILL (WEST SUSSEX) Full checklist (illustrated) with notes, £3.75 (incl. p&p). Available from: O. Mitchell, 21 Trundle View Close, Barnham, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO22 0JZ. (BB821) SIGMA 400mm F4.6 LENS/CASE Exc. cond. PENTAX ME Super FI. 7 + case v.g. cond. TELE- PLUS 7 element x 2 converter exc. cond. £240. Tel: Dave 061-728 1421 . (BB822) FAIR ISLE’S GARDEN BIRDS BY JOHN HOU LOWAY. MINT. £10. Gulls - Guide to Identifica- tion by P. J. Grant. 2nd Edition. £14. Eair Isle Bird Reports 1971-1976 £2 each. Tel: 0395 273426 evenings. (BB823) SLIK D2 TRIPOD UNUSED £65. TAMRON 500 mm F 5.6 mirror lens £145. Tel: 0533 413580. (BB824) BRITISH BIRDS 70 Back Issues vols 70-73 ('77- '80) complete. Vol 74 (Jan-Sept '81). Vol 75 (April-Dee '82). Vol 76 (Jan-April '83). Exc con- dition. £125 or £2 per copy. Tel: 0.565 632715. (BB825) JONSSON - Birds of Sea and Coast. Offers. Plus Poyser Titles, ask for details. M. B. Gray, 26 Chaucer Rd, Bath BA2 4QX. Tel: 0225 315879. (BB827) BIRDS OF THE CHUKCHI PENINSULA AND WRANGEL ISLAND. Vol 1. L. Portenko 1972 (1981) 446 p. V.G. condition. £27 incl. p&p. Tel: 0483 766517. (BB8.34) FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRD SONGS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE. Palmer and Boswell. 16 cassettes, boxed with original booklets. CXer 600 species. £55. Tel: 0622 83 1 359. ( BB835) AVIAN PHOTOS Dave Cottridge, Tim Loseby, David Tipling High quality duplicate slides £1 .50 each + 3()p p&p includes Waders, Common British Pa.sserines and Birds of Israel. 6" X 4" colour prints of Rttre Birds in Britain £1.20 each + 30p p&p. Orders over £10 POST FREE, includes Holvhead VMiite Billed Div er, Lviidford Two Barred Cro,s.s- bill, Ixtrk Sparrow, Cuckmere Red Throated Pipit. Send .SAE for catalogue to David Ti|)ling, 6 The Ridgewav, Tonbridge, Kent TNIO 4NQ. Tel: 07.32 365280. (liB83(i) XX KOWA 25x LENS for TSN Scope, Mint condi- tion £45 ono. Tel; Newport (0633) 855345. Evenings. (BB837) WANTED British Birds is most grateful to those companies which support the magazine by then- sponsorship: BOOKS BY LARS JONSSON. Birds of Sea and Coast. Birds of Mountain Regions. Phone 0909 568139. (BB818) B.W.P. VOL. in, RSPB EDITION. Scot. Birds. Volumes 1989-90 J. Hadasch, Hochstr. 31, 4900 Herford, West Germany. (BB826) COMPREHENSIVE INDEXES only for British Birds 1970/71/72 (vols 63/64/65). Please tele- phone David Kightley on 0203 384639 before 9 pm. (BB838) Please mention BRITISH BIRDS when replying to advertisements Germany. Sponsors of ‘Monthly marathon ’ Sponsors of the Rarities Committee CbxtetopliMHttlm^ Sponsors of and HaipeiCollins fil Sponsors of ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’ ‘Bird Photograph of the Year’ telescoptes Name Company/Institution This publication is available in microform. University Microfilms International reproduces this publication in microform: micro- fiche and 16mm or 35mm film. For information about this publication or any of the more than 13.000 titles we offer, complete and mail the coupon to: University Microfilms International. 300 N. Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor, Ml 48106. Call us toll-free for an immediate response: 800-521-3044. Or call collect in Michigan, Alaska and Hawaii: 313-761-4700. □ Please send information about these titles: (D373) University Microfilms International Address City State Zip. Phone J ! British Birds Volume 84 Number 8 August 1991 297 The ‘British Birds’ Award for The Best Annual Bird Report 298 ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’ and ‘The Richard Richardson Award’ Robert Gillmor, Alan Harris, Keith Shackleton and Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 307 Product reports Tripod Tamer strap Kamol Komolphalin 307 Seventy-five years ago . . . 308 Obituary Eric Hosking OBE, Hon. FRPS (1909-1991) 310 Mystery photographs 759 Pallas’s Reed Bunting Dr Colin Bradshaw Review 312 ‘Bird Recorder; personal computer bird records system (World version)’ by Wildlife Computing and Photographic Services P. A. Fraser 313 Short reviews 315 Monthly marathon 316 Seasonal reports Winter 1990/91 Barry Nightingale and Keith Allsopp 329 Status of seabirds in northern Norway T. Anker-Nilssen and R. T. Barrett Notes 341 Alert posture of Yellow-billed and Great White Egrets N. V. McCanch and Mrs M. McCanch 342 Common Gulls with pale irides Howard Vaughan 342 Yellow-legged Herring Gulls in Essex, 1973-74 David S. Melville 344 Wren excavating nest Dr David Harper 344 Wood Warbler’s nest invaded by wood ants Dr A. F. Radford Letter 344 Flight calls of Two-barred Crossbill Johan Elmberg Announcements 345 ‘BB’ goes to Morocco 345 Drawings and photographs for sale 345 Books in British BirdShop Requests 345 Entangled seabirds Chris Ordons 346 Breeding birds of Madagascar Steven M. Goodman and Thomas S. Schulenberg\ Olivier Ixingrand and Lucienne Wilme 346 News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett 348 Recent reports Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan Line-drawings: 298 Richard Richardson {Bryan Bland)\ 316 Crossbills (Phil Jones)', 317 Two- barred Crossbill (Dan Powell)', 318 Smew and Goosanders (Dan Powell); 325 Iceland Gull (Dan Powell); 327 Little Auk (Nik Borrow); 328 Waxwings (J. Wilczur); 329 Puffins (Dick Jones) Front cover: Rooks (John Davis): the original drawing of (his month’s cover design, measuring 24.8 X 27.75 cm, is for sale in a postal auction (see pages 37-38 in January issue for procedure) Tjyrr&zf: Volume 84 Number 9 September 1991 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Morocco ^Fieldwork action • Mystery photographs • Notes • Letters "News and comment • Monthly marathon • Recent reports British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David A. Christie Editorial Board Dr R. J. Chandler, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, R. J. Prytherch & Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Don Smith & Roger Tidman Art Consultants Robert Gillmor & Alan Harris Rarities Committee P. G. Lansdown (Chairman); Dr Colin Bradshaw, Alan Brown, G. P. Catley, Peter Clement, A. R. Dean, Pete Ellis, S. J. M. Gandett, C. D. R. Heard, R. A. Hume 8c J. H. Marchant; Peter Colston (Museum Consultant & Archivist); Peter Fraser (Statistician); Michael J. Rogers (Honorary Secretary') Notes Paneb BF.H.WlOL R Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Derek Goodwin, Dr I. Newton, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 8c Dr K. E. L. Simmons; iDK.NTiFiciA'noN Dr R. J. Chandler, A. R. Dean, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, I. S. Robertson, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 8c K. E. Vinicombe ‘British Birds’ is published by a non-profit-making company for the benefit of ornithology liricish Birds l.td ITOl ( iopyri^hl [iholoi^raphs remains wich jdiotoi^aphers. British Birds is puhiished immihly by British Birds Ltd, 9!^ Ifi.^h Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire I.SSN (HK)7-0;LL5 Publishing Manager, Production & Ptvmoiion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Felts Advertising Sandra Barnes Addresses Please keej) eorrespondenee on different items sepanite. Please address your envelope correctly. Please supply SAI'., if repi)- required. Papers, notes, letters, draivmgs & photographs for publication Dr,]. 1. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 ;tN]. Phone: Biggle.swade (0767) 40025 Subscriptions and orders for back copies .Mrs Erika .Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 :tNJ. Phone: Biggleswade (0767) 40467 Adi’ertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB .Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Fane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 :tNj. Phone: Fiptree (0621) 815085 Bird neu's for Seasonal reports' Bairy Nightingale & Keith Allsopp, c/o 7 Bloomsbury (ilose, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17>)QS. 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British Bircl.s publisfics malrriiil dealing with original ohsciAiitions t>n the hirtls of the West P.ilearctk. r.xcept foi n'cords of rarities. |)apers and notes are normally accepted onK on condition that nulerial is not l>eing oHeit'd in whole or in part to any other j<»umal. IMiotograpfis and skett hes are welt tmied. Pa|H‘is slmuld Ih‘ tNjiewritten with double spacing, and wide margins, r light blue or vcia piile gre\ grapli paper letteniig shtmltl be inserted lighiK in (lent il. t apt ions sfioultl Ih* t\petl on a sep.iiate sheet. \uiht>rs t>( mam p.ipers (but not notes oi letters) let ei\t' ten fiee t tipies of the journal (five eat h to twti oi inoic auihtits) Prinf«d in En9lond by N«wnorth Print Limited, KrmpUon Bedford I m HIGH STREET AARNET, HERTS. NN5 5SZ 4T>EN MON-SAT aam-6pm I HHONE 081-4491445 HHONE 081-441 7748 I HOC: 081 -440 9999 in focus THE BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE SPECIALISTS g| BRITISH BIRDWATCHING FAIR 1991 , ISD EGLETON NATURE RESERVE • RITTLAND WATER NEAR OAKHAM . LEICESTERSHIRE SPONSORED BY ‘in focus' SUPPORTING ICBP DANUBE DELTA PROJECT FRIDAY 30 AUG • SAT 31 AUG • SUN 1 SEPT AUTUMN FIELD EVENTS 1991 HAUXLEY NORTHUMBERLAND SAT 14th & SUN 15th SEPT ABBERTON ESSEX SAT 21st, SUN 22nd SEPT KENFIG MID GLAMORGAN SAT 28th & SUN 29th SEPT PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN T< BETWEEN lOsm ANC The ideal way to test optics for birdwatching is known Reserves around the country will enable complete range of equipment under Field condit for an invitation pack to any of the above ev attendance. RIVERSIDE COUNTRY PARK MEDWAY, KENT SAT 5th & SUN 6th OCT 3 VISITORS WITH AN INVITATION ) 4pm ON EACH DAY to watch birdsi These Field Weekends at well* our customers to choose and select from our ons. You are invited to apply in wnting or phone »nts Indicating your preferred day and time of MAIN STREET, TITCHWELL, NORFOLK PE31 8BB OPEN 7 DAYS 9am-6pm PHONE 0485 210101 ICBP WORLD ENVIRONMENT PARTNER 1991 3^ FORD SPRINGS FIELD NEW SHOWROOM opportunity to teat, compare and tiaee from our ful range of equipment at Tompact weil-managed reserve near '•yn Garden City. Herts. For further ’‘Station contact *ln focite'. POTTERIC CARR DONCASTER AAT 19th & SUN 20th OCT OUR NEW SHOP IN NORFOLK OFFERS UNRIVALLED VIEWS OVER TITCHWELL MARSH AND IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK. CUSTOMERS CAN SELECT FROM OUR FULL RANGE OF EQUIPMENT SWIFT £ Grand Prix 8x40 89.00 County 10x40. 89.00 Trilyle 0x42BGA ....135.00 Trilyte 10x32BGA ....139.00 Audubon HRS ...199.00 Audubon 7x35BGA ...329.00 Viewmaster 60 Body . .149.00 20.00 Case 15.00 QUESTAR £ Field Model 3’ Broad Band Coating. Supplied with 50x-80x Hood. Case . . . .2200.00 30X-50X ....120.00 0OX-13OX ....120.00 Porro Prism ....140.00 OPTOLYTH £ Alpin 6x30BGA . ...205.00 Alpin 6x40BGA ...225.00 Alpin 10X40BGA 230.00 Touhng 8x30BGA 388.00 Touring 7x42BGA 398.00 Touring 10x40BGA 398.00 TBS HD Body .. 549.00 TBGHD Body ...549.00 TBS 80 Body.. 350.00 350.00 54.00 30x WW (New) ....119.00 40x WA (New) 55.00 22x-60x Zoom ...150.00 Hard Case 35.00 Slay-on Case for TGS/TBG ..45.00 KOWA £ TS-601 .. .179.00 TS-602 ...179.00 20xWA 55.00 25xWA 48.00 20x-60x Zoom 99.00 19.95 295.00 295.00 .. .555.00 .. .555.00 20X-60X ....139.00 96.00 25x 63.00 30xWA ....119.00 63.00 96.00 77x 99.00 39,95 Rear Oust Dome 15.00 Spare O.G. Cove .6.00 27xWA (Screw Fit) S9.00 24.95 Photo Adaptor 800mm . ,..107,00 Photo Adaptot 1200mm .179.00 OPnCRON £ Vega II 8x30.. ...44.00 Vega II 8x40 ...49.00 HR 8X32MC ... .142.00 HR 8x42MC . ..148.00 HR 10x50 ,171,00 HR Body 80mm (New) 255.00 .32.00 27x-80x Zoom ...78.00 HR Body. 22x & Case .164.95 HR GA. 22x & Case ,174.95 HR 45. 22x 4 Case .204.95 HR Body. 20x-60x 4 Case .204.95 HR GA. 20-60X 4 Case .214.95 HR 45. 20-60x 4 Case .234.95 31.00 Classic IF60 ..110.00 18xWA 24.00 25xHP 27.00 ....61.00 Classic IF 75mm ..140.00 22xWA 24.00 27.00 ,.128.00 Eye Pieces from ,,,.29.00 Piccolo ED 20x60 .355.00 Piccolo ED 20x-60x60 399.00 Photo Kits from 10.00 Cases tor Scopes 15.00 Macro Monocular 50.00 MIRADOR £ ..112,00 6x40B ..113.00 ..115,00 Merlin 60mmx25 ...97.00 Merlin 18x-40x60 ..129.00 Merlin 75mmx30 ..119.00 Merlin 22x-47x75 .157,00 Case for Merlin 15.00 CENTURY £ 60mm GA Body ..165.00 20x-45x Zoom ...60.00 ...20.00 ....15.00 BRESSER £ Action 8x40 ...69.00 Action 10x50 ....79,00 Linear 8x42 .119.00 Linear 1 0x42 ..124.00 ROBS £ Cavendish 6x42B .139.95 Hanover 10x429 ..14995 Regent 8x42B .169.95 Kensington l0x42B .179.95 OBSERVATION BINOCULARS Opticron 20x80 .390.00 OpttCfon 30x80 .395.00 OAJSCH & LOMB a ) 6X42BGA .. » ) 10X42BGA 629.00 iLitom 6x36B . 229.00 mtom 10x40BGA 249.00 ■ a 22X60BGA ..309.00 a 1 15x-45x606GA 349.00 KCA £ \>^id 8x20BC ..199.00 \-K)vid 10x25BC .226.00 N>ovtd 8x20Bl;A 226.00 v-ovid 10x25BCA 239.00 Mie for Mini... 5.00 v^ovkJ 8x42BA .626.00 v>Ovid 10x42BA .628.00 ML ZEISS £ .259.00 WV 8x20BGA ..305,00 »(1yt 8X30BGAT .509.00 7x42BGAT .569.00 10X406GAT .599.00 8x56BGAT .729.00 W Porro GAT .1190.00 rwessories 5.00 ....16.00 t Cups Hard (Set) ....16.00 5.00 > e Lanyard.. ....15.00 r^re Case from ...19.00 IC'ON £ fOOCF 69.00 ?5SCF 79,00 rX3CF 65.00 ■.'•25CF 89.00 'r«BDCF .135.00 ■-^SDCF ..150.00 IV36DCF 279,00 ktiODCF .539.00 iriOCF .199.00 0t35CF 229.00 12x24DCF 329.00 cadscope II 20x60 . 265.00 ■cwJscope II 20x-4S ..330.00 •ndscope ED II 20x60... .475.00 ■‘■45x60 .545.00 ' • 420x ...65.00 .65.00 ..147.00 • 'a Multi Coat Filter 20.00 tr-iber Hood ....10.00 ^ >to Kit ..157.00 ' y-on Case .. 45.00 " Ittlng scope 20x60GA ..199.00 ' ittlng scope 20x-45x60GA .265.00 HABICHT 10x40 Diana 7X30SLC. £ 372.00 321.00 22xWA,...'. 32xWA 72,00 72,00 164.00 BUSHNELL £ Spacemaster Body 145.00 Spacemaster Body GA 165.00 15.00 30.00 VELBON £ D400 39.95 D500 NEW FLUID HEAD 59.95 D600 TRIPODS 69.95 D700 79.95 CULLMANN £ 49.95 24.95 SLiK £ 72.95 UANFROTTO £ 40.00 *5.00 50.00 55.00 *5.00 Tnpod Strap 10.95 5.95 ACCESSORIES £ Car Window Mount 22.00 Universal Mount 22.00 Hide Clamp 38,00 RalnguanSs from 3.50 Pentax Cleaning Kit... 3.99 Also in stock Binoculars from Pentax. Fujinon. RedheM. Adlert>lick. etc. l»IRSONAL CALLBfIB Can choose and select from our comprehensive range of equip- ment. Compare Zeiss with Leltz and Bausch & Lomb. Kowa with Nikon and Optolyth. We are a completely Irxlependent company, whose only concern is that our customers select the correct instrument for their personal needs. FHONI OflOIRS Discuss your requirements with our technical staff and orders placed with Access or Visa Cards will be despatched same day. MAIL OROBR Just add £2 to help towards P&P and insurance and your order will be sent the same day as we receive your cheque. All goods supplied on 14 days approval upon receipt of full remittance. MCONDHAND Instruments are always available. Turnover is fast so we do not print a list. Phone for mformation. PART tXCMANOI Top pnces paid for good corxlition Bins and Scopes. HOW TO PINO US (NORFOLK) We are 500 yds east of the RSPB Reserve at Titchwell on the A149 between Hunstanton and Bran- caster. and we have our own pri- vate car parking. HOW TO FIND US (BARNIT) We are 10 mins from M25 and AIM motorways and 15 mins walk from High Barnet Tube Station. TSLBSCOPBS AND TRIPOD OUTFITS If you purchase a scope and tnpod At the same time we can offer you > very special phcel ' ittlng Scope 20x 34.95 ' Ittlng Scope 20-45x Zoom 100.00 *ln focus’ CARE PLAN At a cost of fust £10 any new equip- ment can be covered for a pehoo of 3 years from purchase. In the event of equpmern faing for (whatever reason it will be rectified by ourselves at no chage. Ask for M detarb. <\n' iiwWi iRare breeding birds in thei i United Kingdom in 1989 |i Si!*® Robert Spencer and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel *^i>V This is the seventeenth annual report published by the Panel; the sixteenth report, for 1988, was published last year {Brit. Birds 83: 353- 390). It is, as usual, based on material submitted by county or regional recorders, supplemented by data extracted from Schedule 1 licence returns to the NCC, and from letters from observers reporting directly to the Panel. The support which the Panel has received has been most encouraging: of the more-important contributing counties in a normal year, only Devon is missing. Some Devon data are included, drawn from sources outside the recording network. [The publication of this report has been subsidised by a donation from the RSPB] [Brit. Birds 84: 349-370, 379-392, September 1991] 349 350 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Thanks to^ the publicity of bodies such as the RSPB, the NCC, the \V\VF, Greenpeace and the ICBP, we are all made aware of threats to rare or declining species. Scarcely a month passes without the attention of the public being drawn to some newly assessed danger. ‘There are now only 10,000’, we are informed about the black rhinoceros Diceros bicomis, and maybe that sounds abundant until we are also told that 30 years ago the figure was 100,000. We must not forget that the extinct Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius at one time existed in such vast numbers that a single flock is said to have taken a whole day to fly past. Clearly, if such stupendous declines can take place, it is essential to attempt to measure numbers, however approximately, and it is even more essential to examine the ecology and prospects of species which appear to be declining. Just as a stitch in time saves nine, so does an early start to ecological investigation offer the best chance of preventing that decline from becoming terminal. In a migratory population, unless pair formation occurs in winter quarters or on spring passage, the chance of isolated males and females locating each other without the aid of some far- reaching pheromone can be little greater than that of a jackpot win on the football pools. Such must be the position of any Red-backed Shrike Lanins collurio now reaching Britain. Its ancestors may have bred with us for thousands of years, for its fossil remains date back to the last Ice Age. In 1989, for the first time in millenia, no pair is known to have nested with us. Do we bear a responsibility? In compensation for the loss of the Red-backed Shrike there has been one extraordinary addition to the British list of rare breeding species: in the years since 1981, a still-tiny community of Cranes Grus gms has established a base here, after an absence of nearly 400 years. Some years ago, the Panel, when asked what it meant by ‘rare’, proposed a figure of below 300 pairs. Second thoughts showed this to be too simplistic a definition, ill suited to species such as the Hartford Warbler Sylvia undata, whose numbers each spring are much influenced by the preceding winter’s weather. In 1979, for example, there were fewer than 120 pairs, whereas for 1989 the figure was 522 pairs. To meet the situation posed by such volatile species, the threshold was redefined as ‘species normally with fewer than 300 pairs’. It was, perhaps, fortunate that no absolute ceiling was thought necessary, for of Quail Cotumix cotumix, not adopted by the Panel until 1986, more than 1,600 were recorded in 1989. Doubtless, the 1990 population will be well below 300 again. Threats to our breeding birds, rare and common alike, fall into three broad categories, which may be defined as follows: (1) ‘acts of Cod’, (ii) concomitants of legal, unavoidable or innocent activity, and (iii) deliber- ate acts. In the first category come such happenings as spontaneous heathland fires, the floods which too often wash out the nests of Black- tailed Godwits Limosa limosa, the freak storms which kill young in open nests, winter’s severe cold, and the spring tides when they sweep away the eggs of gulls and terns. Even in these cases, however, the hand of man may be at work, as a result of habitat fragmentation, altered drainage arrangements or rising sea levels caused by the greenhouse ellect. 351 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1 989 The second category of threats is in some respects the most difficult to reduce, yet potentially the most serious one in its effects. It is probably now a consensus view that legal, commonplace farming activities in the past 30 years have done much to degrade the landscape, reduce available habitat, and sometimes to harm wildlife directly. But is the harvesting of a wood in which a pair of Honey Buzzards Pemis apivorus is nesting any different in principle from mowing the meadow where Corncrakes Crex crex, Curlews Numenius arquata or harvest mice Micromys minutus are nesting? Provided that they know of the existence of nesting birds, many farmers, foresters (the Forestry Commission has its own Wildlife and Conservation Research Branch) and road engineers have often been most considerate in rescheduling their work until the young have flown. A new, inadvertent, threat is mentioned in this report; the promotion of long-distance footpaths. How can one object to an activity which fosters an appreciation of the countryside and promotes health? Yet long- distance mountain footpaths, many of which grow wider by the year with the tread of thousands of boots, pass by summits where not long ago Dotterels Charadrius morinellus were the only higher form of life present. And, as with mountains, so waters. Few are immune to the magic of following the sea’s edge, and the long-distance coastal footpath runs through prime, occupied. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus habitat. Habi- tuation is the process which enables motorwayside bird populations to ignore the constant traffic, provided that the vehicles do not stop. Dare we assume that rare breeding bird species through whose territories our footpaths lead will gradually learn to accept people passing by? And will the price of their doing so be that we are not free to stop? The third category of threat, deliberate activity, is one which the majority of observers and recorders dread most, and let us candidly admit that, in terms of numbers, though not of intention, thoughtless birdwatch- ers are potentially among the conservation problems. Not long ago, the indiscreet publishing of the locality of a long-established pair of Honey Buzzards meant that special arrangements had to be made to protect them from excessive visitation. Yet sometimes there is needless apprehen- sion about intrusion by birdwatchers, and the supposed role which this report can play in bringing unwelcome attention. Bearing in mind that a report is not published until two years after the end of the season it covers, there is, perhaps, no good case for requesting that the county name be suppressed in reporting the breeding of — say — a Firecrest Regulus ignicapil- lus, for which suitable breeding habitat is widely distributed. Where habitat requirements are specialised (e.g. reed beds, in a county with few such areas), the Panel is certainly sympathetic towards requests for secrecy. Too much secrecy, however, can be as harmful as too little: the suppression of one Honey Buzzard site (even from the landowner) resulted in the nest-tree being felled when it would otherwise proudly have been retained. Collectors remain an anachronistic threat from Victorian times. As these lines are being written, our television screens have shown pictures of camouflaged Gurkha troops brought into Wales to defend nesting Red Kites Milvus milvus from egg-thieves. Here is a species 352 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 which suffers, too, from poisoning. It matters not that the poison was sold legally, for use in a prescribed manner against legitimate pest species. The crime is that it was deliberately used in a manner which could not ensure that all other species were safeguarded. In the long term, conservation research resources must always go towards the internationally important, and to established species with small, declining populations. Newcomers, and those of spasmodic presence, may sometimes be given temporary wardening, but for the most part they have to take their chance. There were more than usual of these shooting stars in 1989: Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis, Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis, Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina and Melodious Warbler H. polyglotta, only one of which seems a likely coloniser. The Spoonbill could well become established here and might then achieve a population of international importance, for it is rare and vulnerable elsewhere in Europe. Almost as scarce was the Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus, featured after a gap of eight years. There are two disturbing accounts. The hrst is the continued decline of the Common Scoter Melanitta nigra, a decline so severe one wonders whether all regular waters were checked and reported on. Should more birds come to light, details will be included in tbe next report. The second concern is for the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, whose numbers continue to increase in a most satisfactory manner, but whose 1989 breeding success in some colonies was at a pathetically low level. In contrast, the report lists many modest successes: a good year for Garganeys Anas querqiiedula and Honey Buzzards, Hobbies Falco subbuteo at a new high level and apparently still increasing. Purple Sandpipers Calidris maritima discovered nesting on a second mountain range. Fieldfares Tardus pilaris just exceeding their previous highest total, Firecrests thriving in Wales, and a detailed survey revealing that, if only in their stronghold county of Devon, there are still more Cirl Buntings Emberiza cirlus than had been feared. The Panel The membership of the Panel remained unchanged in 1989: Dr L. A. Batten, R. H. Dennis, Richard Porter, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock and Robert Spencer (secretary). Although they reflect the interests and needs of the Panel’s sponsoring bodies, the NCC, the RSPB, the BTO and British Birds, the individual members each serve on the Panel in a personal capacity. The Panel’s work was commissioned by the NCC as part of its programme for nature conservation. "Phe Panel’s other sponsoring bodies, the BTO, the RSPB and British Birds, also supported the work financially. Acknowledgments The Panel acknowledges with gratitude the co-operation of the following: F.Nta.ANI) dyon Harvey Rose, Bedfordshire Paul I'rodd, Berkshire Peter Standley, Buckint^hamshire Andy Harding, Cambridgeshire Ci. A. K. Kirtland, Cheshire Tony Broome, Cleveland ]o\m B. Dunnet and Tony Armstrong, Cornwall S. M. Christophers, Cwnbna John Callion and Michael F. fiarrier, Derbyshire Roy A. Frost, Dotsel Martin Cktde, Durham Pony Armstrong, Essex Mike Dennis, Gloucestershire Cordon R. Avery, Hampshire F,. J. Wiseman, Hertfordshire 353 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Peter Walton, Kent Ian Hodgson, Lancashire M. Jones, Leicestershire Roger E. Davis, Lincolnshire/ South Humberside G. P. Catley, London, Greater Michael J. Earp, Manchester, Greater Peter Hill, Norfolk Michael J. Seago, Northamptonshire R. W. Bullock, Northumberland Mike S. Hodgson, Nottinghamshire John A. Hopper, Shropshire Jack Sankey, Somerset Brian Rabbitts, Staffordshire Mrs Gilly Jones, Suffolk P. W. Murphy, Surrey JefTery Wheatley, Sussex T. W. Parmenter, Warwickshire Steve Haynes, West Midlands Tim Hextell, Wiltshire Rob Turner, Worcestershire S. M. Whitehouse, Yorkshire W. F. Curtis, Huntingdon & Peterborough ]ohn S. Clark, scoti.and Borders Ray Murray, Central Dr C. J. Henty, Dumfries & Galloway Dr Edmund Fellowes, Fife Douglas Dickson, Grampian Ken Shaw, Moray-in-Grampian Martin J. H. Cook, Highland: Caithness Eric W. E. Maughan, Naim Martin J. H. Cook, Sutherland Tony Mainwood, Highland other areas Roy Dennis, Lothian, East Peter R. Gordon, Lothian, Mid & West Chris McGuigan, Orkney Chris Booth, Shetland David Suddaby, Strathclyde, Argyll & Bute Mike Madders, Tayside, Angus & Dmuiee Stuart R. Green, Perth & Kinross Mrs Wendy Mattingley, Western Isles Peter Cunningham. WAI.F.S Lffed: Cardigan P. E. Davis, Glamorgan, South Phil Bristow, Gwent B. J. Gregory, Gwynedd A om Gravett, Powys: Brecon M. f’. Peers, Powys: Montgomery Brayton Holt, Pouys: Radnor Pete Jennings. ISI.F. OF man Dr Pat Cullen. SPFCI.AI.IST CONTRIBUTORS Jake Allsop, Colin Crooke, Peter E. Davis, John Day, Roy Dennis, Dr Andy Evans, R. A. Image, John Mitchell and S. J. Petty. Systematic list Part 1. Non-passerines Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Six localities in six counties: two pairs built nests. England, E* Three localities: (1) male, at site where breeding attempted in 1988, built nest, but no female joined him; (2) one from 1 1th March to 29th August, with two present on 2nd April, and nest-building activity noted on 13th May; (3) pair from 22nd May to 7th June, with courtship behaviour, one remaining until 26th June. England, N One locality: probably same individual, in breeding plumage, at adjacent localities on 24th and 25th April. Scotland Two localities: (1) pair from 14th May to at least 14th July, built two platforms and nest, but presumably did not lay; (2) adult at regular site from 29th March to 20th April. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 133221 15 10 86 No. individuals 142231459 12 9 No. pairs 0 10 0 10 1113 3 Summer occurrences continue to be widespread. Although events in 1989 were not quite so encouraging as those in 1988 {Brit. Birds 84: 188- 191; Scot. Birds 15: 133), there must still be a good prospect that the species will soon breed successfully in Britain. Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus 39 localities: 70 pairs, 62 of which attempted breeding, and 21 of which Scotland, S One locality: one from 18th April to early May. Site also occupied in 1987 and 1988. Scotland, Mid Three localities: (1) adult from 18th April to 28th June; (2) adult on 7th June; (3) one summered, and in winter plumage by 7th September. Scotland, N 35 localities: (l)-(35) 70 pairs and four singles summered. 62 pairs bred, 2 1 of which succeeded in fledging a probable total of 49 young. *Geographic regions are as in previous years (see, e.g., Brit. Birds 83: 356-357). 354 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 27 36 35 25 44 26 40 43 39 22 39 Confirmed (pairs) 58 53 52 51 41 39 63 68 33 31 70 Possible (pairs) 19 27 19 8 38 21 18 19 6 6 8 Max. total (pairs) 77 80 71 59 79 60 81 87 39 37 78 The high figures in 1989 are the result of detailed survey work, and the Panel is much indebted to Colin Crooke of the RSPB and Malcolm Harvey. Some regularly used sites appear to have been abandoned, and a programme to safeguard sites is urgently required. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 19 localities in 15 counties: 25-40 pairs breeding. England, SE & E Six localities: (1) one on 4th, 5th and 7th May; (2) pair on 13th June had two juveniles on 29th July, one juvenile until 31st August; (3) one in full breeding plumage on 11th and 12th June at site which has formerly attracted pairs; (4) three, in breeding plumage, on 22nd May and pair on 29th May; (5) adult on 3rd-4th June; (6) two in breeding plumage on 4th June. (Sites (4)-(6) are only 20 km apart and movement between them is not ruled out.) England, Central Three localities: (1) up to four in spring, five to 12 from mid July to the end of the year, but no juveniles reported; (2) pair bred at hitherto unreported site, where breeding also occurred in 1987 and 1988; (3) pair probably bred. England, N Four localities: (1) two pairs produced eight young from three broods, at least four of which fledged; (2) one in suitable habitat on 9th and 10th June; (3) pair plus presumed male from 3rd May to at least 1st June; (4) 1 7 pairs hatched 28 young at the single most important site in Britain. Scotland Six localities: (1) one from 29th April to 4th May; (2) pair on 15th June; (3) three adults from April to July, two broods, one young fledging from each; (4) singles on 14th June and 22nd September; (5) two pairs, but no young seen; (6) two pairs and two singles on 27th March, four pairs and single on 17th April and 5th May, three pairs with broods, of 1, 2 and 3, on 18th July. 1987 England, Central One locality: pair bred. 1987 England, N One locality: adult from 4th-16th June. 1988 England, Central One locality: pair bred. 1988 England, N One locality: pair from at least 30th May to 4th June. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 6 9 7 13 19 17 17 15 19 22 19 Confirmed (pairs) 12 11 5 II 11 17 9 11 27 15 25 Possible (pairs) 2 10 7 12 21 13 13 22 12 20 15 Max. total (pairs) 14 21 12 23 32 30 22 33 39 35 40 This rare breeding species at present is more than holding its own. Whilst the total is much influenced by numbers at one key water, the species is now quite widespread in its distribution. It shows a preference for small, eutrophic, reed-fringed waters, and over the years has bred successfully even on a sewage-farm and a beet-factor)' settling-pond. The fact that the species is most successful on private waters suggests that disturbance (angling is mentioned in some reports) is a key factor. Bittern Botaurus stellaris 14 localities: 3-35 pairs bred. England, SW One locality: single flew into reed-bed on evenings of 31st July and 1st August. England, E 12 localities: (1){2) two males booming at each; (3)-(8) single males booming; (9) pair fledged young; (10) eight males booming in April; (11)(12) combined total of about eight males booming during breeding season. 355 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 England, N One locality: six or seven males booming, and two nests found. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 21 19 16 15 18 18 15 12 17 14 14 Confirmed (pairs) 1 4 1 10 5 0 0 12 3 Booming males 51 48 47 35 44 36 28 23 22 30 33 Recent research by the RSPB has revealed that a male may boom from places considerably farther apart than had previously been appreciated. The figures for booming males in the table may, therefore, suggest a population bigger than it really is. Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia One locality: one pair. England, E One locality: pair started to build nest in early July. This is the first time that this species has featured in the Panel’s reports. As it is well established in the Netherlands, colonisation of Britain is, perhaps, a realistic possibility. Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Five localities: 2-9 pairs breeding. Scotland, S One locality. BORDERS One locality: single present at least during 25th June to 3rd July. Scotland, Mid One locality. DUNBARTONSHIRE One locality: two feral pairs, one rearing a single young to at least December and the second with a weak cygnet which had disappeared by 4th June. Scotland, N & W Three localities. ARGYi.i. Two localities: (1) two summered, separately; (2) nine summered, only three of which were capable of flight; one consorted with a Mute Swan C. olor. SHETI.AND One locality: one incubated an infertile egg in a nest about 10 m from a Mute Swan’s nest with five eggs; it apparently associated with the male Mute Swan. These are the highest numbers so far reported, but they represent ‘much ado about nothing’. Pintail Anas acuta 16 localities: 11-39 pairs breeding. England, SE Four localities. ES.SEX Three localities: (1) female on 9th July and two females on 17th July; (2) single on 7th June; (3) single during July. KENT One locality: pair almost certainly bred at site also occupied in 1987. England, E Two localities. CAMBRIDGESHIRE Two localities: (1) brood in July; (2) pair in spring prospecting for nest site. England, N Three localities. CHESHIRE Two localities: (1) female from 20th June to 7th July; (2) two males and a female from 12th-25th June. YORKSHIRE One locality: female with four young in early July (the first breeding in Yorkshire since 1983). Wales Two localities. DWED 4’wo localities: (1) female with six ducklings at end of May; (2) three pairs fledged broods of 3, 3 and 4, and fourth female thought to have nested. 356 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Scotland, S One locality. BORDF.R,S One locality: pair from 16th-24th April, not seen thereafter. Scotland, N &: W F bur localities. .^RGYI.l. One locality: four to six pairs bred, four broods recorded, and possibly a fifth. ORKNEY Three localities: (1) up to six pairs, but no broods seen; (2) pair fledged three young; (3) at least ten pairs. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 19 15 16 18 23 15 17 14 16 20 16 Confirmed (pairs) 10 9 8 7 12 5 9 6 7 14 11 Possible (pairs) 31 16 23 25 20 13 12 12 14 15 28 Max. total (pairs) 41 25 31 32 32 18 21 18 21 29 39 The second highest maximum total since the Panel started keeping records in 1973. Garganey Anas querquedula 81 localities: 18-98 pairs breeding. England, SW F'our localities: 0-4 pairs breeding. England, SE 23 localities: 5-28 pairs breed- ing. England, E 33 localities: 11-43 pairs breed- ing. England, Central Flight localities: 0-8 pairs breeding. England, N Fen localities: 2-13 pairs breed- ing. Scotland, S Three localities: 0-2 pairs breed- ing. In every respect, 1989 was the best year for this species since the Panel started collecting data about it in 1980. The individual county totals are listed in the Appendix. 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 34 48 66 59 46 32 42 36 37 81 Confirmed (pairs) 4 8 10 15 4 4 8 8 11 18 Possible (pairs) 50 50 84 55 53 36 47 37 40 80 Max. total (pairs) 54 58 94 70 57 40 55 45 51 98 Pochard Aythya ferina 116 localities: 260-336 pairs breeding. England, SW Seven localities: 10-11 pairs breeding. England, SE 37 localities: 90-1 19 pairs breeding. England, E 31 localities: 67-86 pairs breeding. England, Central Ten localities: 16-19 pairs breeding. England, N 20 localities: 70-77 pairs breeding. Wales Three localities: 1-2 pairs breeding (one pair moved to a new site). Scotland, S Six localities: 4-10 pairs breeding. Scotland, Mid Two localities: 2-12 pairs breeding. 1988 England, SW Two localities: two pairs breeding. 1988 England, Central 'Two localities: 1-6 pairs breeding. 1988 England, N 'Two localities: two pairs breeding. 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 68 63 138 1 16 Confirmed (pairs) 126 130 185 260 Possible (pairs) 59 44 162 76 Max. total (pairs) 185 174 347 336 357 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 This species was not added to the Panel’s list until 1986 and it is likely that, for the first two years, some recorders were not aware of the addition. The detailed county totals, which appear in the Appendix, reveal a marked easterly bias in the distribution which does not seem to be related solely to the presence or absence of suitable, eutrophic waters. In a recent paper {Brit. Birds 84: 83-98), Dr A. D. Fox estimated the British breeding population at 370-395 pairs in 1986, considerably higher than the total suggested by the records reported to the Panel. Scaup Aythya mania Five localities: 1-5 pairs breeding. England, E One locality. I.INCOI NSHIRK (3ne locality: two females, one to at least 5th August, with first-summer male from 22nd May to at least 5th August. Scotland, Mid Two localities. ANGUS One locality: two males and a female present from 28th May to 22nd June. DUNBARTONSHIRK One locality: female with three young during last week of July. Scotland, N & W 'I wo localities: (1) pair from 14th-16th May; (2) three males and a female on 16th- 17th May, two males on 18th May, one male on 20th May. The Lincolnshire record of this northern duck should be seen in the context of successful breeding in Anglesey in 1988. Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis One locality: one individual. Scotland, Mid One locality. FIFE One locality: female present from 14th April to 22nd November (and summered again in 1990), but made no attempt to pair with a drake of any species. This is the first report to the Panel of a summering Long-tailed Duck. Campbell & Ferguson-Lees (1972, A Field Guide to Birds' Nests) noted that eggs were reported to have been taken in Shetland at least three times in the nineteenth century and in Orkney in 1911 and probably 1912, and that nesting was suspected in the Outer Hebrides in 1969. Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Seven localities: 8-40 pairs breeding. Scotland, Mid One locality: two pairs at regular site, but breeding not proved. Scotland, N & W Six localities. ARGYI.l, One locality: maximum of 14 pairs plus two additional males, three nests known and two broods seen. INVERNESS-SHIRE Three localities: (1) 14 males and eight females on 26th April, female with a recently-hatched brood of 6 on 1st August; (2) ten in May and two nests in June; (3) male on 28th May. ROSS-SHIRF. One locality: pair on 31st May. SHETLAND One locality: five males and two females throughout, two broods, of 3 and 5 ducklings, on 18th July. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 17 10 6 17 6 9 25 35 15 36 7 Confirmed (pairs) 98 7 5 14 10 17 2 8 29 14 8 Possible (pairs) 30 106 77 98 75 52 72 92 33 76 32 Max. total (pairs) 128 113 82 112 85 69 74 100 62 90 40 The population of this species has been declining for some time, but the 358 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 exceptionally low figures for 1989 arise partly because at least two important areas have submitted no data. Holidaying ornithologists seeing Common Scoters between May and early August are urged to report their observations to the relevant recorder, or, failing that, to the Panel. Goldeneye Encephala clangula Breeding mainly confined to one extensive nest-box scheme. England, SE Three localities. BUCKINGHAMSHIRK One locality: two females summered. ESSEX One locality: male from June to September. KENT One locality: one or two from 19th June throughout the summer. England, E One locality. l.iNCOl.NSHiRE One locality: up to three males and nine females to late April, a male and female to 10th May, and a female to mid August. England, N Eight localities. CHESHIRE Six localities: (1) female on 1st June; (2) female on 17th June; (3) female from 8th- ISthJuly; (4) female on 13thjuly; (5) female from 14th-26th August; (6) male on three dates between 5th June and 11th July. nCRH.AM One locality: male on 20th May. I.ANCASHIRE One locality: three feral pairs had eggs stolen from nest-boxes. Scotland, S Two localities. BORDERS One locality: female summered to at least 21st July. I.OTHI.AN One locality: single on 3rd June. Scotland, Mid 4'wo localities. ANGUS Two localities: (1) two females to 21st June; (2) one adult and five immature males on 3rd June, four individuals on 25th June, breeding not attempted. PERTH & KI.NROSS Two localities: (1) pair on 5th May; (2) ‘present’ on 7th May, with singles on 11th June and 22nd July. Scotland, N & W 1 wo localities. C.AITHNESS One locality: pair on 13th ,\pril. N.AIRN One locality: male and female present intermittently between 8th April and lOthJuly. HIGHI.AND REGION EI.SEVVHERE One extended locality: 85 nests occupied, 67 clutches incubated, and at least 460 ducklings hatched from 55 successful nests. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Confirmed (pairs) 22 26 29 27 47 53 67 77 80 90 88 Young hatched 110 165 286 220 209 311 336 390 332 427 455 The main nest-box population is steadily increasing, but, as yet, is showing few signs of colonising areas farther afield by leap-frogging in the way that the Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto did. The tendency of a few individuals, not all of them immature, to summer far to the south of the breeding range in Scotland continues unabated. The Panel is grateful to Roy Dennis and his RSPB colleagues for the detailed information on breeding in Scotland. Honey Buzzard Pemis apivoms 20 localities in 1 1 counties: 2-20 pairs breeding. Great Britain 20 localities: (1) pair fledged two young, and two immatures pre.sent in vicinity; (2) pair seen several times, and displaying once; (3) single, displaying on 27th and 29th May, at new site; (4) single on 31st July; (5) single on 15ih May, two, one displaying, on 29th May, singles on 1 7th June, and 19th and 28th .August; (6) singles on 20th and 28th May, and 23rd and 29th July, with soaring and dis])lay on May dates; (7) single soaring on 3rd June and over woodland on 24lh June; (8) one, possibly two, on 17lh .August; (9) pair on 27th and 29th May, two calling on 6th June, pair on 30th July, and singles on three dates to 28lh August; (10) single on 7th August; (II) one soaring on 7lh .August; (12) male displaying regularly from late May to early September; (13) records from late May, with pair displaying 359 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1 989 in early June: may have bred successfully as juvenile present nearby on 21st August; (14) pair in breeding season; (15) single on 16th June; (16) single on 27th August; (17) Honey Buzzard present, but nest claimed as that of Buzzard Buleo buteo\ (18) single on several occasions between 18th June and 10th August; (19) single throughout sum- mer, previous nest having been destroyed by winter storms; (20) pair in breeding season. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Confirmed (pairs) 2 3 2 2 3 2 1 1 1 12 Max. total (pairs) 4 5 9 3 5 2 4 6 710 20 These are the highest numbers which the Panel has been able to report. Data from two areas are being withheld, on the grounds of security, but six of the sites noted above do lie in those two key areas. Red Kite Milvus milvus 69 pairs and at least another 58 unmated birds. England, SW One locality: single throughout the year, joined by a second for one day only, on 21st May. Wales 69 localities: (l)-(69) 53 pairs attempted breeding, and 33 of them reared a total of 48 young, 16 other pairs mostly confirmed as non-breeding, but three or four may possibly have laid and failed early. April population was at least 195 individuals, and August population estimated at about 232. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 I’otal pairs 42 42 46 47 46 46 54 58 59 67 69 Breeding pairs 30 29 32 38 33 33 43 40 44 48 53 Successful pairs 14 21 18 19 20 13 19 23 27 27 33 Young reared 18 27 21 23 24 21 25 29 39 38 48 Another very successful season, with increases in each category. Set against this, no fewer than eight individuals, including two breeding males from pairs with eggs, were poisoned by illegally used Fenthion. This series of poisoning incidents is by far the worst recorded in any one year this century. As usual, the Panel is indebted to Peter Davis, the NCC contract worker on Red Kites, for much detailed information. The background to the current programme aimed at reintroducing Red Kites to England and Scotland was outlined in a recent paper by Dr Ian M. Evans and Dr M. W. Pienkowski {Brit. Birds 84: 171-187). These recently released individuals could breed in any suitable habitat in Britain, so the Panel requests that all summer records of this species should be submitted, preferably via the relevant county recorder. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Reintroduction. 360 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Scotland At least six pairs nested, two pairs each rearing two young and one pair rearing a single young. This is the most successful year to date, but it is still too early to be sure that the long-term future of the species in Scotland is secure. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 64 nests: at least 172 young reared. Great Britain Of 64 known nests, eight failed, and the result from two was not known. The remaining 54 successful nests produced 172 fledged young (average 2.8 per nest where result known, 3.2 per successful nest), which was, once again, the highest number of nests and young in any year this century. Eight males were bigamous. I'he reason for nest failure was not known in most cases, but one nest was flooded out and three were possibly affected by human disturbance. Despite the rapid increase in the population of this species in recent years, most nests were still in traditional strongholds in East Anglia, and few bred outside this region. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Breeding males 11 16 17 19 21 27 29 26 40 42 58 Breeding females 16 20 20 24 28 32 31 32 46 56 66 Fledged young 38 44 48 59 71 66 86 82 126 145 172 VVTen Marsh Harriers are nesting close together, it is not always easy to know when a male is paired with two females. Hence statements such as ‘47 young reared from 21 nests’, whilst making clear how many females were involved, give no indication of the number of males. 1989 again beat previous records, the species again benehting from much protection work, and sympathetic farmers. The possibility of a long-distance coastal footpath does represent a threat to a species which is not tolerant of disturbance. The panel is grateful to John Day for providing the summar) . Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus 15 localities: 7-15 pairs breeding. England, SW F ive localities: (1) pair at regular site, outcome not known; (2) ‘ringtail’ at two adjacent sites on 27th May, but reports may refer to same bird; (3) ‘ringtail’ on 29th May; (4) immature male on 21st June; (5) first-summer male on 3rd-4ih June. (Note that localities (2)- (4) are in the same county.) England, SE Three localities: (1) ‘ringtail’ on 17th July, the first record for the county concerned since 1975; (2) male, displaying and defending territoiy from 5th- 16th May, did not attract a mate; (3) female near recently used breeding site in early May, but did not remain. England, E Seven localities: (1) pair hatched five eggs, but only one young fledged; (2) up to two females and an immature male on six dales between 25th May and 4lh July, wandering extensively; (3)-(7) single females at each, these five females paired with three males, four pairs successful, fledging combined total of 13 young. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 4 8 8 7 8 2 9 10 10 14 15 Confirmed (pairs) 2 2 2 3 6 1 3 7 6 6 7 Possible (pairs) 2 6 7 5 4 1 (i 3 4 8 8 Max. total (pairs) 4 8 9 8 10 2 ») 10 10 14 15 Fledged young 7 4 4 4 9 3 7 13 15 17 14 ITe general trend since the low levels of 1974-82 has been ujiwards. riiis has not hapjxmed without careful wardening, and the sympathetic 361 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 attitude of the farmers in whose crops the species is nesting. As with the Marsh Harrier C. aeruginosus, the projected long-distance coastal footpath poses a threat to the continued recovery of this, the rarest of our nesting raptors. The Panel is grateful to R. A. Image for supplying information about numbers and breeding success in eastern England. Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 153 localities: 112-166 pairs breeding. England & Wales 124 localities involving 18 counties: (1)-(124) 91 pairs known to have attempted breeding, hatching at least 101 young, with a further 27 pairs probably attempting breeding and 19 pairs possibly doing so. Scotland 29 localities in five regions: (l)-(29) 21 pairs known to have attempted to breed, hatching about 52 young, with a further two pairs probably attempting breeding, and another six possible pairs. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. counties* 22 22 28 17 19 22 20 31 31 31 23 Confirmed (pairs) 25 17 17 24 34 36 36 57 54 108 112 Possible (pairs) 20 33 36 19 27 42 39 59 40 68 54 Max. total (pairs) 45 50 53 43 61 78 75 116 94 176 166 *Regions in Scotland Reports reaching the Panel indicate that this is possibly the most persecuted raptor in Britain. Eggs and young disappear from nests, and there is strong inferential evidence of killing by keepers. Against this background, it is perhaps not surprising that those attempting to monitor Goshawk breeding success tend to be uncommunicative. Thus, there are reasons for thinking that this report falls appreciably short of a full documentation. The Panel is particularly indebted to S. J. Petty of the Eorestry Commission Wildlife and Conservation Research Branch and his colleagues for invaluable help in making the picture as complete as it is. Osprey Pandion haliaetus 54 pairs: 36 pairs hatched 78 young. England, SE One locality: one on 27th-28th March, 20th, 21st and 29th April, and 7th and 9th May, with three on 15th and 16th May, including a displaying pair which remained until 27th May, one on five dates during 28th May to 11th June, with two on 12th June. Scotland, S Three broad localities: (1) singles on 4th and 25th April, and 14th- 16th May, with one found shot on 8th April; (2) one from 4th July to 3rd August and one on 25th August; (3) one seen in ‘May/June’. Elsewhere in Scotland A total of 54 eyries known to be occupied by pairs, an increase of one on 1988. Two nests held single adults. Two new eyries found, but two first used in 1988 were not occupied. Clutches laid in 49 nests, the same number as in 1988; 36 successful pairs reared a total of 78 young, both figures being a little down on those for 1988. The mean brood size was also lower, at 2.17 young, and productivity, at 1.44 young per occupied nest, was also on the low side. Cold weather at peak hatching time is believed to have caused chick losses, and nine nests were robbed of eggs despite efforts to protect them. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Pairs 25 25 25 30 30 31 34 42 50 53 54 Successful pairs 16 19 20 21 20 21 22 24 30 39 36 Young reared 30 41 42 45 45 47 53 48 56 81 78 Despite the events listed above, it remains unlikely that Ospreys will 362 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 nest in southern England in the foreseeable future. The boundaries of this species’ terrain in Scotland are, however, edging southwards, a process which is likely to accelerate as more Scottish-bred Ospreys reach breeding age. Hobby Falco subbuteo 384 localities: 140-390 pairs breeding. England, SW 45-97 pairs breeding, 60 young reported. England, SE 37-176 pairs breeding, 39 young reported. England, E 35-77 pairs breeding, 67 young reported. England, Central 18-29 pairs breeding, 31 young reported. England, N 2-4 pairs breeding, 4 young reported. Wales 3-7 pairs breeding, 4 young reported. 1988 England, SW One locality: pair fledged 3 young. 1987 England, Central One locality: pair with 2 young in September. 1988 England, Central Same locality as in 1987: pair with 2 young at nest. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Confirmed (pairs) 80 64 51 97 80 93 98 91 108 103 140 Possible (pairs) 52 91 109 105 182 116 148 202 164 226 250 Max. total (pairs) 132 155 160 202 262 209 246 293 272 329 390 Young reared (minima) 72 86 89 63 104 91 117 126 160 133 205 The population reported has more than doubled in ten years, and so has the number of young being reared annually. Some of the increase may be attributed to a growing awareness that the Hobby is not confined to southern heaths, but there can be no doubting that a genuine extension of range is occurring. With few potential enemies, the possibility of a milder climate as a result of the ‘greenhouse effect’, and ample suitable breeding habitat, we may expect the upward trend to continue, and perhaps the eventual removal of the species from the Panel’s list. Detailed county totals are given in the Appendix. Quail Cotumix cotumix 904 localities: 27-1,655 pairs breeding. England, SW 123 localities: 2-454 pairs breeding. England, SE 81 localities: 3-123 pairs breeding. England, E 109 localities: 3-197 pairs breeding. England, Central 199 localities: 3-279 pairs breeding. England, N 164 localities: 9-285 pairs breeding. Wales 58 localities: 1-99 pairs breeding. Scotland, Sill localities: 4-159 pairs breeding. Scotland, Mid and N & W 59 localities: 2-59 pairs breeding. 1987 England, SW One locality: pair on 23rd June. 1987 England, N Four localities: (1) one singing on 6tli-7th May; (2) one singing during 13th- 18th May; (3) one singing on 3rd-4th June; (4) pair heard and seen on 17th June. 1988 England, N Five localities: (1) two males from 2nd June to early Jidy; (2) one singing from 20th-27th July; (3) one on 1st August; (4) one from at least 31st May to 5th June; (5) pair seen and two singing throughout July and August. 1988 Scotland, S Fwo localities: (1) one singing during June to .August; (2) one singing in May and June. Only by setting out the four years for which the Panel has data can the truly remarkable size of the 1989 ‘invasion’ be made clear. It seems likely that even these figures greatly understate the true .scale of the influx. For 363 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1 989 example, the Shropshire recorder commented ‘This large response (150 maximum total) was due to appeals for information in county newspap- ers.’ Not every county will have gathered in such information from public sources. The individual county totals for 1989 are listed in the Appendix. 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 84 152 130 904 Confirmed (pairs) 1 1 5 27 Possible (pairs) 110 245 158 1,628 Max. total (pairs) 111 246 163 1,655 Spotted Crake Porzana porzana 14 localities: 0-21 pairs breeding. England, E Seven localities. CAMBRIDGESHIRE Four localities: (1) one to three singing from 25th April to 5th May; (2) maximum of six singing and at least four sites occupied from 10th May to mid June, occasionally heard in July; (3) one singing from 29th April to 2nd May; (4) two singing on 30th April. NORFOLK Three localities: (1) one singing from 13th- 15th April; (2) one singing from 9th- 14th June; (3) one singing from 8th-13th July. England, Central One locality. STAFFORDSHIRE One locality: pair from 10th June to 18th August. England, N One locality. CLEVELAND One locality: single present from 5th August, joined by second (perhaps a Juvenile) on 10th August. Scodand Five localities. ARGYLL One locality: one singing from 14th-20th June. GRAMPIAN Three localities: (1) one singing on several days, ‘probably a regular site’; (2) one singing on several dates at another site thought to be used regularly; (3) single, at site thought not to be used regularly. HIGHLAND One locality: one singing from lst-13th June. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. counties* 21313323457 No. localities 43426423 76 14 No. singing 8 4 9 3 12 10 3 4 18 10 21 *Regions in Scotland. The best year to date for this species, with an encouraging spread of counties. 364 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Corncrake Crex crex 16 localities: 0-16 pairs breeding. England, SW One locality. •■WON One locality: one singing on 21sl June. England, E Two localities. CAMBRirKiF.SMIRK One locality: one singing on 20th June. NOR THAMPTONSHIRF. One locality: one singing I'rom 16th-20th June. England, N Two localities. northi'MBF.ri.anI) One locality: one singing on 22nd May. YORKSHIRF. One locality: one singing from 1 1 lh-30th June, and twojuveniles about 1km away on 26th-28th July. Scotland, S Three localities. BORDF.RS One locality: single for at legist a week prior to 13th July, said to have been very' agitated during hay-cutting. i.o'FHi.AN Two localities: (1) one singing from 13th-25th May and on lllh June; (2) one singing from hayfield on 4th June. Scotland, Mid Two localities. r.AV.sinF. Two localities: (1) one singing in hayfield from mid June to mid July; (2) two seen in suitable terrain on a number of occasions in ,\pril and May. Scotland, N .Six localities. c:.AnilNF..S.S Six localities: (1) one heard, on a golf course, on 12th and 26th May and injuly; (2) one singing from field of oilseed rape from 13th-17(h May; (3) one seen on 1st June; (4) one heard on 5th June; (5) one heard on 27th-28th June; (6) one heard on 25th May. .'\t present the Panel is collecting records of Corncrakes only away from the Northern and Western Isles. Crane Grus grus Data have been supplied to the Panel over the past several years with the strict instruction that no information should be published in our annual reports. The book Red Data Birds in Britain has, however, included the following entr)' for this species: ‘The Crane is a rare breeding resident in Britain. It for- merly bred in East Anglia until about 1600 when it became extinct, possibly due to hunting. At least one pair has bred or attempted to breed every year since 1 98 1 , a total of four young being raised up to 1 988. Due to the need for large, undisturbed wetlands. Cranes will at best always be scarce as a breeding bird in Britain. Protection from disturbance and ground predators is essential if a colony is to be established. J'he breeding of Cranes in Britain has not been publicized in the past as adequate anangements for their protection were not then in existence.’ Phere were two breeding attempts in 1989, both unsuccessful. It is of great interest that this northerly breeding species is also attempting to breed in France. Avocet Reamnrostra avosetta 24 localities: 521-52() pairs reared at least 1,50 young. England, SE Sc E 24 l(U'alili('s: ( I ) 29 pairs l)ircl willi good siktcss; (2) four pairs summt’tTd; 365 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 (3) 24 pairs fledged 37 young; (4) 13 pairs on 42 eggs on 10th June, trampled by cattle; (5) 18 pairs fledged 12 young; (6) pair defending territory on 21st May; (7) five on 31st May and a pair mating on 2nd June, but no further evidence; (8) Havergate: 64 pairs reared only 7 young; (9) Minsmere: 91 pairs reared about 40 young; (10)-(17) total of 106 pairs reared about 22 young; (18) 35 pairs ‘fared very badly’; (19) one pair, which failed; (20) 45 pairs reared 20 young; (21) three pairs failed in breeding attempts; (22) 15 pairs bred, but fledged few young; (23) 75 pairs bred, but only about 12 young fledged; (24) one pair laid twice, but failed on both occasions. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 3 5 5 9 9 11 14 15 18 27 24 Confirmed (pairs) 147 168 201 190 238 237 269 255 341 389 521 Young reared (minima) 99 101 155 150 192 118 245 227 315 136 150 The large increa.se in the population may in part be a reflection of the good breeding season in 1987, for Avocets do not breed until they are two, or even three, years old. Whilst some numbers of chicks could have been overlooked, it is clear that breeding success in 1989 was very low. One assumes that a warm, dry spring should assist breeding, but, in parts of East Anglia, hatching coincided with the lagoons drying out. The chicks had to visit the tide’s edge to feed, but were unable to get back up the bank on to the saltings and high numbers drowned. Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Ten counties: 126-143 pairs. England, SW Three counties; 40-49 pairs, 14 young known. England, SE Three counties: 3-10 pairs, no young reported. England, E Four counties: 83-84 pairs, 65 young reported. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Confirmed (pairs) 34 8 10 8 20 19 68 103 137 126 126 Possible (pairs) 47 37 43 59 76 52 47 12 0 3 17 Max. total (pairs) 81 45 53 67 96 71 115 115 137 129 143 Stone-curlews often choose to breed in areas where the county boundaries wander across rather featureless open country. In some instances, when map-references were not supplied, it has been difficult to ensure that there has been no duplication in reporting. There are no grounds for believing that the species is increasing in numbers, and the high figures result from extensive survey work on behalf of the RSPB. Dotterel Charadrius morinellus Seven localities: 4-7 pairs breeding. England, N Two localities. CUMBRI.A Two localities: (1) male with one chick on 24th June; (2) male with two chicks on 24th June. Isle of Man One locality: single on 9th May, the third record at this site in three consecutive years (but probably merely on passage). Scotland, S Four localities. BORDERS Four localities; (1) male with three eggs on 28th May, two males with three eggs each on 3rd June, but no birds present on 14th June; (2) one, possibly two, on 5th May; (3) two males and a female on 7th May; (4) two males and three females on 10th May. In recent years the NCC field teams have discovered that the main Scottish population of this species may exceed 800 pairs. The records listed above relate only to the area south of the central lowlands of 366 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Scotland. It is probable that most such records will be of passage birds, but attempted breeding does occur annually in Cumbria. We shall publish the available details of the main Scottish population in 1989 in next year’s report. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii One locality: two young fledged. Scotland, N One locality: four or five adults on 22nd May, thereafter five. Three nests found and at least two young fledged from four broods. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 4 5 13 112 2 12 1 Confirmed (pairs) 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 2 2 Possible (pairs) 4 5 1 2 2 12 2 12 1 Max. total (pairs) 66132123543 It is fortunate that the site, which is used year after year, is relatively secure, but a species which is based on a single site must always be particularly vulnerable. Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima Two localities: 2-4 pairs breeding. Scotland, N & W Two localities: (1) adult with one downy chick on 18th July, at completely new locality, well away from main breeding area; (2) pair hatched four eggs and at least one young fledged, and two other pairs in same general area. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 0 111113 1112 Confirmed (pairs) 0 10 10 1 I 13 2 2 Possible (pairs) 0 0 10 1 12 10 0 2 Max. total (pairs) 0 1 I 1 12 3 2 3 2 4 It is encouraging to learn that this species has bred successlully on a summit well removed from the scene of the first-known nest. Ruff Fhilomachus pngnax 15 localities: 1-17 females nesting. England, .SE Six localities. 367 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 F.SSEX Four localities: (1) female and two males from April until early June, the males remaining until July, one ‘very young’ individual was present in late June and July; (2) two males and two females in May and June; (3) two males and two females in May, one of each sex in June; (4) a male and two females during June. KENT Two localities: (1) five on 30th April, one displaying, 20 on 7th May, two or three from 21st May to 2nd June; (2) 41 on 1st May, reduced to eight by 6th May, five from 27th-30th May. England, E Three localities: 1-3 females nesting. CAMBRIDGESHIRE Two localities: (1) nine lek sites, one nest incubated for three weeks, but no young seen; (2) one lek site, but no nesting proved. NOREOI.K One locality: male and female present during breeding season. England, N Six localities. I..ANC.ASHIRE Two localities: (1) two males and one female from 12th-27th May, an additional 19 females on 22nd May, lekking on 26th May; (2) three males and up to seven females from 25th March to 26th May, lekking observed several times. YORKSHIRE Three localities: (1) lekking at three sites and breeding thought to have been attempted at at least one; (2)(3) one to four males throughout June and July, but not thought to have attempted breeding. UNNAMED COUNTS’ One locality: ‘this species summered once more’. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 12 10 10 13 8 6 8 7 16 14 15 Nests 3 3 0 1 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 Max. no. females possibly nesting 22 13 13 23 32 6 8 9 69 11 17 There were probably few breed- ing birds amongst the numbers listed, and arbitrary minimum values have been given to obtain an indication of the number of females possibly nesting. The text takes precedence over the table. Black-tailed God wit Limosa lapponica 14 localities: 34-56 pairs breeding. England, SW One locality. SOMF.R.SET One locality: breeding pair from 15th March, but no nest found. England, SE Three localities: (1) three pairs attempted breeding, but all failed during incubation; (2) pair present in May and June, in area occupied in 1988, with third individual present on two June dates; (3) up to 6ve in May, at a traditional site. England, E Five localities. CAMBRIDGESHIRE Two localities: (1)21 pairs, and 15-20 young fledged from 12 broods; (2) nine pairs, four broods, three of 2 and one of 3, and nine young fledged. NOREOI.K Two localities: (1) three pairs breeding; (2) eight pairs breeding. F.I.SEWHERE One locality: one or two pairs showing territorial behaviour in May. England, N Two localities: (1) ‘small flock’ summered; (2) four displaying on 18th May, and said to have nested at this site in 1988, the eggs being taken by a collector. Scodand, Mid One locality. ANGUS One locality: four on 4th May, two on 6th, one on 13th May and two on 9th- 10th June, habitat described as being very suitable for breeding. Scotland, N Two localities. ORKNEY One locality: pair with two young about five days old on 30th May, pair still showing aggression on 7th June. SHETI.AND One locality: pair reared two young. 368 Rare Breeding birds in the UK in 1989 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 13 11 5 13 10 12 1 1 19 13 17 14 Confirmed (pairs) 39 52 22 38 32 55 22 23 28 36 34 Possible (pairs) 25 25 4 31 12 25 17 24 12 28 22 Max. total (pairs) 64 77 26 69 t4 80 39 47 40 64 56 There is very little evidence of any consistent trend in the 1980s. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus One locality. Scotland, N One locality. C.MTHNK.SS One locality: one holding territorv' on 24th June. Fhe Panel collects records of breeding-season Whimbrels only away from the Northern Isles. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Six localities: 2-6 pairs breeding. .Scotland, N .Six localitie.s. nioMi A.ND Six localities: (I) single on 6th May, two on 25th May, three or four on 13th May, two regularly in June, with young at the end of the month; (2) pair from late May to June, agitated on 4th June; (3) two on 3rd June and single on three july dates; (4) one singing on 15lh June; (5) one Hushed, calling, on 1 7th July; (6) pair on 15th June with at least two chicks two or three days old. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 3 4 1 4 3 4 3 2 3 4 6 Confirmed (pairs) 2 7 1 3 1 4 2 2 3 3 2 Possible (pairs) 2 5 0 3 4 1 1 1 1 1 4 Max. total (pairs) 4 12 1 6 5 5 3 3 4 4 6 ;\ good year, in that the species occurred in more localities than in any year since 1978, when seven were occupied and 4-10 pairs bred. Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lohatus Four localities: 13-17 pairs breeding. Scotland, N & W f'our localities. .■\R(;yi,i. One locality: pair fledged two or three young. SUKTI..\NI) Three localities: (1) 12-14 pairs, but only six broods recorded; (2) pair reared three young; (3) male on 16th July. It is good that at least one pair is still nesting awav from the species’ last, lingering stronghold in Shet- land. Mediterranean Gull I^rus melonocephahis Five localities: 6-9 pairs breeding. England, SE K our localities; (I) two pairs attempted bn-eding and hatched eggs, but no fledged young seen; (2) two adults, on difl'ereni nests, outcome not known, achilt and first- 369 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1 989 year later seen together; (3) pair attempted nesting, outcome not known; (4) two pairs, first clutches of one and two eggs, both washed out, and one replacement clutch of two also washed out, single second-summer individual also present. England, E One locality. SUFFOI.K One locality: adult in breeding plumage displaying to a Black-headed Gull Urns ridibundus on 24th May. (In addition, adult ringed in East Germany summered at Felixstowe, far from any suitable breeding habitat.) 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 3 5 4 2 6 4 3 5 3 9 5 Confirmed (pairs) 2 1 3 2 2 4 3 1 1 5 6 Possible (pairs) 1 4 3 1 6 1 5 4 2 10 3 Max. total pairs) 3 5 6 3 8 5 8 5 3 15 9 More pairs attempted breeding than ever before, but their success was poor. Little Gull Lams minutus Three localities: no known pair. England, SE I’hree localities: (1) ten present throughout June; (2) four from early May to early June; (3) four in early June. Four instances are known of this species nesting in Britain, with eggs being laid in Cambridgeshire/Norfolk in 1975, Norfolk and North Yorkshire in 1978 and Central England in 1987, but no young have ever been reared. Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis One locality: one bird reared hybrid young. England, N One locality. NORTHUMBERLAND One locality: single 7th May to 1st July {Brit. Birds 83: 468), displaying to Sandwich Tern S. sandincensis from 1st May, single egg located 30th May, hatched 19th June, adult and chick seen regularly until 1st July. (Adult and juvenile hybrid in Lothian in August and early September presumed to be these individuals: Brit. Birds 83: 468.) 1984 Northumberland One locality: single from 4th- 13th August {Brit. Birds 79: 556), posturing with Sandwich 4'erns. 1985 Northumberland One locality: single on 20 days between 16th May and 18th July {Brit. Birds 79: 556); brooding an egg, identical to Sandwich Tern’s, on 29th June, 2nd and 6th July. 1986 Northumberland One locality: single on 14th, 15th and 20th May, 1st June and 8th and 10th July {Brit. Birds 81: 567); on the July dates, it was associating with a chick in the Sandwich 4'em colony. 1987 Northumberland One locality: single from 18th May to 20th June {Brit. Birds 82: 531), and by 25th May was apparently paired with a Sandwich Tern and incuDa'ing two eggs, but nest was flooded and one egg was lost, bird sal on other until 1 1th Juik 1988 Northumberland One locality: single on 15 dates from 5th May to 5th June, and again on 13th July {Brit. Birds 82: 531); no nesting attempt made. Had the Fame Islands site not been regularly wardened, one wonders whether even the presence of the adult female would have been detected. Roseate Tem Sterna dougallii 17 localities: 172-177 pairs breeding. England, SW Five localities. CORNWAI.I. & ISLES OE SCII.I.V Two localities: ( 1 ) pair reared one young; (2) two pairs, and two young seen. DORSET Ihree localities: (1) present regularly at an otherwise deserted tem colony; (2) 370 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1 989 present in a tern colony, but no sign of breeding; (3) present all summer, but no tern colony known. England, SE Two localities: (1) two pairs bred and some young thought to have fledged; (2) pair failed in breeding attempt. England, N 'I’hree localities: (1) 25 pairs reared 21 young; (2) 12 pairs bred, 11 thought to have hatched eggs; (3) five pairs reared seven young. Wales Three localities: (1) 75 pairs, of which 70 laid eggs, mean clutch size 1.41, no information about fledging; (2) 19 pairs laid 33 eggs in 21 clutches, from which 23 young hatched and 18 fledged; (3) 12 pairs settled to breed, but reduced to seven as a result of predation by Jackdaws Corvus monedula, at least one young reared. Scotland Four localities: (1) five nests and three chicks ringed, more were perhaps hidden in dense vegetation; (2) 13 young on 4th August; (3) 12 pairs reared at least 14 young; (4) one pair hatched two young within a colony of Common Ferns Sterna hirundo. This is a particularly threatened species, and it is helpful — and encouraging — to learn of isolated pairs and small colonies, such as those along the south coast of England. Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca One locality: two females. Scotland, N & W One locality. SMK.TI..\NI) One locality: on Fetlar two females throughout year, both of which made scrapes, and one of which laid at least one, infertile, egg. A first-summer male, found exhausted on an oil platform, was released from care on 7th April, but stayed only until 9th before moving elsewhere in Shetland. (Brit. Birds 83: 470.) The release of the migrant male did not change the solitary status of the Fetlar females, at least until 1989. Wryneck jfynx torqnilla Eight localities: 1-8 pairs nesting. England, Central One locality. NOTTINGU.AMSUIRF. One locality: single singing in suitable breeding habitat from 13th-16th May. Scotland, N &: W Seven localities. Hic;m,.ANn Seven localities: (1) two on 26th May and song to mid June, one visiting old woodpecker holes; (2) one on 1 9th May; (3) one singing on 20th-2 1 st May; (4) single on 22nd July and 4th .August and juvenile on 6th August; (5) one singing on 14th and 21st May and 16th June; (6) two singing on 3rd June, three on 27th June; (7) pair singing on 23rd May. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 7 11 2 9 14 9 9 9 10 9 8 Confirmed (pairs) 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 Possible (pairs) 8 13 2 10 15 10 8 8 9 9 7 Max. total (pairs) 9 14 2 10 15 10 9 9 10 10 8 A better position than might at first appear, for three of the records involve pairs, and a juvenile was seen at a fourth site. (Continued on pages 379-392) Overseas bird tours survey If you have participated in a trip organised by a bird tour company, please complete this form and send it by 15th October 1991 to: Bird tours survey, British Birds, Freepost BF955, Blunham, BEDFORD MK44 3BR. Number of bird tours in which you have participated Please fill in, below, details of the most recent tour in which you have participated during 1986-91 (if you have accompanied more than one, please use additional photocopy(ies) of this form or blank sheet(s) to supply details of all those in which you have participated). (We are asking you to assess the arrangements made by the company, and not the standard available in the country. Some good bird areas have only poor-quality roads, or unreliable drivers, or poor accommodation. It is the performance of the travel company in making appropriate arrangements that we ask you to comment upon.) Were the company’s accommodation Excellent Very good Good Adequate Poor Very poor arrangements (tick one) Do you consider that the company’s choice of areas visited included a representative selection of the region’s habitats, and gave a satisfactory bird list? Yes No Including any couriers and leaders, how many people were in your group? the size of the group Too large Acceptable Perfect Too small was Yes No Did an ornithological tour leader accompany the group? (If more than one ornithological leader accompanied the group, please enter number here □ Would you rate the leader’s* orni- thological ability (tick one) Was the leader’s* ability to cope in a crisis (tick one) Were the leader’s* efforts to be flexible, and to ensure that the whole group enjoyed the trip (tick one) Excellent Very good Good Adequate Poor Very poor Excellent Very good Good Adequate Poor Very poor Excellent Very good Good Adequate Poor Very poor * H'e guarantee not to try to identify the individual leaders; we are assessing whether the tour companies choose appropriate leaders, not whether indiinducd leaders were good or bad. XI Taking into account possible faults in a leader*, such as selfishness when a good bird was found, or unwillingness to organise early starts on the one hand or excessive zeal on the other, did you personally find the leader’s general attitude Excellent Very good Good Adequate Poor Very poor Did you find the leader* (tick one) Too fanatical About right Too relaxed (or even lazy) Did the leader* show genuine concern for environmental matters and behave appropriately? Yes Not Noticeably No Did a courier (dealing with administrative arrangements) also accompany the tour? (If the ornithological leader acted as courier, please answer ‘No’ to this question) Yes No Would you rate the courier’s services Excellent Very good Good Adequate Poor Very poor as Was it helpful to have a courier present? Yes No As a whole, would you fjersonally rate Excellent Veiy good Good Satisfactory Poor Very poor the trip as Excellent Very good Good Satisfactory Poor Very poor In ‘value for money’ terms, was it Was any written advice and other Excellent Very good Good Adequate Poor Very poor information supplied before the tour Did the leader* arrange a meeting each evening to compile a daily bird list including participants’ observations? Yes No Was any written summary (bird list, etc.) sent to you after the tour (tick one) Excellent Very good Good Adequate Poor Very poor or none Do you think that the advantages of joining this bird tour group outweighed any disadvantages (compared with visiting the same region independently)? Do you plan to join another bird tour at some time in the future? Yes Yes No Yes No If ‘Yes’, and the bird tour company which you named above were to run the appropriate tour, would you choose to book with them again? Yes Perhaps No If you are currently saving money and holiday-time in order to join another bird tour, which country do you plan to visit next? Unless you wish to remain anonymous, please give your NAME and ADDRESS and PHONE NUMBER (to be used in the event of a query, but will NOT be published, nor revealed to anyone other than Brituh Birds editorial staff). Name Address Phone No Plea.se return this form by l.’ith October 1991 to Bird tours survey, British Birds, Freepost BF955, Blunham, BEDFORD mk44 .srr. xii Morocco Text by David Fisher Photographs by Lionel Maumary In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Morocco was a very popular spring destination for North European birdwatchers. In recent years, its popularity has been eclipsed somewhat by that of Israel. While the two have many species in common, Morocco holds a good number that Israel does not, some of which are Northwest African endemics and others isolated populations of sub-Saharan species. Perhaps surprisingly, a comprehensive two-week trip to Morocco will produce an even larger list of species than a similar trip to Israel. The aim of this article is to re- awaken interest in Morocco, particularly in the spring. Lying at the southwestern comer of the Western Palearctic and forming the northwest comer of Africa, Morocco’s avifauna reveals origins in both faunal zones. Such species as Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates, Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax, Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus, African Marsh Owl Asio capensis, Brown-throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola and Black-headed Bush Shrike Tchagra senegala are all of African origin, and most are widely distributed south of the Sahara. In addition, various African vagrants, such as Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis, Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor and Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrula alleni, have been found in Morocco, and doubtless more will be discovered in years to come. Owing to the wide altitudinal variation and a number of fairly isolated mountain ranges, a few Northwest African endemics have evolved, most of which can be found in Morocco. Even common Western Palearctic species, such as the Blue Tit Parus caeruleus and the Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, are represented by attractive and distinctive races that enliven each day’s birdwatching. Some of the forms present are clearly still evolving into separate species, an example of which might be Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker ikcus vaillantii, whose taxonomic status has varied from species to subspecies and back again in recent years. Fortunately, certain birds have undoubtedly gone all the way, and these include such delightful species as Moussier’s Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri and 371 [Bril. Birds 84: 37 1 -378, September 1991] 372 Morocco 190. I'hekla Lark Galerida theklae, Morocco, April 1990 {Lionel Maumary) Tristram’s Warbler Sylvia deserticola (plates 197-199). In the breeding season, Tristram’s Warbler is to be found on the scrub-covered slopes of the Atlas Mountains, mostly above 1,000 m. In the autumn, it moves down to lower altitudes, mainly to the south, and can be found in low scrub in semi-desert areas on the Saharan fringe. Superficially like a Hartford Warbler S. undata, it is also reminiscent of a Whitethroat S. communis, perhaps owing to its chestnut-edged wing feathers. Another attractive North African endemic is the Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara (plate 201). While this species’ range stretches as far east as western Egypt, Morocco is perhaps the easiest place to see it. One of the most striking features of Morocco’s avifauna is the diversity of larks: no fewer than 14 species breed in Morocco. Many of these do not occur in Europe, being North African and Middle Eastern specialities. The Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti is fond of rocky hillsides and slopes, while its relative, the Bar-tailed Desert Lark A. cincturus, prefers flat sandy desert. The two are not nearly so close in appearance as most field-guide illustrations would have us believe, the former being stocky and almost thrush-like, with a heavy bill, while the latter is much more like a small, lightly built lark. The aptly named Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes (plates 200 & 203) can be found in the desert fringes in southern Morocco, where its high-pitched, ascending whistle can be heard over considerable distances. The song is given just prior to a spectacular display flight, in which the male hurls himself vertically into the air, becoming momentar- ily a twisting ball of black-and-white feathers (see plate 202). Memories of cool early morning in the desert, listening to the songs of Hoopoe Larks and Bar-tailed Desert Larks, are very much part of the legacy of a spring trip to Morocco. Another early-morning singer is Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti — so early in fact, that it often gives up by dawn. Many a birder has listened to Morocco 373 191. Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris, Morocco, April 1990 {Lionel Maumary) 192 & 193. Temminck’s Homed Lark Eremophila bilopha, Morocco, April 1990 {Lionel Maumary) [The inclusion of plates 191-201 in colour has been subsidised by a donation from Carl Zeiss — Germany] 374 Morocco 194-196. Thick-billed Lark Rhamphocoris clotbey, Morocco, April 1990 {Lionel Maumary) The Best Buys and the Brightest... alue and quality are two reasons Wildlife and Bird Watching rated these Nikon Binoculars and Fieldscopes among the best in their classes. For instance, Bird Watching awarded the Nikon 8 x 30ECF WF binoculars a full five stars, their highest value-for-money rating. What’s more, they acclaimed the 8 X 30s “Excellent in every way optically— very sharp and bright.”* That’s because they share the Nikon heritage of optical excellence. So take a look through the leaders today. *By courtesy of EMAP Pursuit Ltd.; Quoted from an article BEST BUYS IN BINOCULARS, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Bird Watching, May 1990. And, BEST BUYS IN TELESCOPES, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Bird Witching, June 1990. By courtesy of BBC Publications; JUST THE BEST, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Wildlife, March 1989. Fieldscope II, Fieldscope EDII and 8 x 30 ECF have been recommended by British Birds. Nikon Binocuiars NIKON U.K. LTD. (United Kingdom) 380 RICHMOND ROAD, KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES, SURREY KT2 5PR TEL: (081) 541 4440 FAX: (081) 541 4584 Somerton Fbto Ltd. TEL: (01) 773173 xiii (The Republic of Ireland) (D864) Our 1992 brochure is now available, write to Sunbird, P.O. Box 76, Sandy, Beds, SGI 9 I OF for your copy today! (D889) XIV THE CHOICE OF THE ELITE MADE BY LEICA iLake a look on the wild side through the ‘new’ eyes of Bill Oddie henever I’m doing a serious study, 1 take my new Leica 10 x 42’s. Their timeless design id superior optical performance initially took me by surprise, but like most innovations, Kimmediately enjoyed the benefits and I soon wondered how I ever got along without them, le picture really is brilliantly sharp and bright. The extra close focus is tremendously >oeful too . . . especially if you are a naturalist who not only watches approachable birds, but >so butterflies, dragonflies, bats et al. Another good point is the independent ‘personal’ 'L'e setting. Simply lock in the number, and you never need worry about it ipping’ during use. Overall the new waterproof Leica 10 x 42’s are as you Duld expect - brilliant and a bit more besides. LEICA I0x42B LEICA 8x42B The freedom to see. LEICA IOx42B LEICA Sx42B further information on Leica products lick the appropriate Name and send the coupon to Leica, P.O. Box 10. Bunlingford, ahhtpcc ■ts SG9 9BT. Telephone a BinocularsD Leica KSD Leica R6D Leica M6D Leica ProjeciorsD Telephone and service enquiries (0908) 666663 XV (Uoyo) “IS IT MOUSTACHED, ORf IS IT A SEDGE?" are virtually hand-made. Typically containing 200 mechanical parts, 18 optical components honed by over 1500 precision operations and prisms ground to i an accuracy of 0.00003mm. It’s also why Carl Zeiss scientists devote their lives to the delicate interaction of eye and optical i instruments. Creating innovative technology like phase-corrected prisms for better image contrast I and multi-layer T'coating for markedly superior light - transmission (90% or more), giving unsurpassed i ' brilliance and contrast. Yet they’re not above considering the most practical details too. Hence sensible ideas like r special high eye-point eye-pieces (to German DIN • standards) and computer-calculated eye to lens distances, which allow the same full field of vision •• with spectacles as without. There’s even an olive ' green model to blend with your natural habitat! object at Carl Zeiss. For 100 years the aim has been simply to produce the best binoculars at ^y price. That’s why Carl Zeiss binoculars I'hi' murk of Tnrl /.risn qtialitv THE D E F I For literature, list of stockists, or advice on any aspect of binocuiar use, please contact: Carl Zeiss lOberkochen) Ltd., Dept BB, RO. Box 78, Woodfield Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 ILU. (D807) Germany All done with a thoroughness of craftsmanship] that justifies a 30-year guarantee. Carl Zeiss NITIVE BINOCULAR Not easy in the distance of a grey dawn on a dirty day, is it? But, before you tell the ‘Rarities Committee’, you do need to be 100% sure that it is the rare Moustached Warbler you’ve spotted, rather than the very similar Sedge. Apart from the fact that you want to drink in every detail of a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. Which is clearly why the readers of “British Birds’’ voted Carl Zeiss the most popular binoculars, and the top binoculars of the future. They can obviously recognise a unique combination of clarity, huge field of view and excellent close-up focus, when they see it. Even the most sceptical consumer advice magazine doesn’t demur, making them ‘Best on Test’ and excellent all round, if money is no object! Quite. But then money has never been the XVI 197-199. Male Tristram’s Warbler Sylvia deserticola, Morocco, April 1990 {Lionel Maumary) 200. Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes, Morocco, April 1990 {Lionel Maumary) 201. Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara, Morocco, April 1990 {Lionel Maumary) Morocco 377 202 Sc 203. Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alandipes in flight (below) and in songflight (right), Morocco, April 1990 (Lionel Maumary) its song, which recalls that of the Greenfinch Carduelis cA/om, just prior to day-break, then only to spend frustrating hours trying to locate one on the ground. Another unique lark is the Thick-billed Lark Rhamphocoris clotbey, accorded a genus of its own. A bird of stony deserts, it ranges widely south and east of the Atlas Mountains. Plates 194-196 show its massive bill, typical of a seed-cracker, though apparently it swallows most of the seeds it eats whole and does not have the strength that the bill size suggests. Another North African speciality is the Thekla Lark Galerida theklae (plate 190). This species is so similar to its close relative, the Crested Lark G. cristata, that many birders visiting Morocco end up putting down the numerous larks in this genus that they see each day as ‘Creklas’. With care, however, they can be told apart, the best features being the size and shape of the bill and the heaviness of the black markings on the breast. The Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris is another species represented by a distinctive subspecies (plate 191). Those that breed in the High Atlas 378 Morocco Mountains have a pinky-brown crown and nape that sets them apart from the more familiar North European Shore Larks that we see in Britain. In the desert areas to the south, the Temminck’s Horned Lark E. bilopha is of even more striking appearance. Its pale sandy upperparts contrast strongly with its black facial pattern, and the length of its black ‘horns’ has to be seen to be believed (plates 192 & 193). There is much more to Morocco than just the larks of course. It is a country of ever-changing scenery, with a wider range of habitats than any other Western Palearctic country. From the sand dunes of Merzouga, with their much-sought-after Desert Sparrows Passer simplex, to the alpine peaks of the High Atlas, home to Alpine Choughs Pyrrhocorax graculus and Crimson-winged Finches Rhodopechys sanguinea, the backdrop to one’s birding is always spectacular. Morocco is a country well worth exploring and a very different place from anywhere else in our avifaunal region. David Fisher, 56 Western Way, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI9 IDU Lionel Maumaty, GrandRue 8, CH-1095 Lutry, Switzerland This article by David Fisher was inspired by Lionel Maumary’s superb photographs. A special ‘BB’-SUNBIRD trip to Morocco, led by Bryan Bland and Peter Lansdown, is planned for 15th-30th .April 1992 {Brit. Birds 84: 345); for further details write or phone to David Fisher/Jennifer Thomas at SUNBIRD,' PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI9 IDF; phone Sandy (0767) 682969. For anyone planning to go birdwatching in Morocco, we recommend Bergier & Bergier (1990), A Birdwatcher.s’ Guide to Morocco, available through British BirdShop (see pages xix & xx). Eds Fieldwork action BTO news Are Nightjar numbers still on the way down? The first sign of a decline in numbers of Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus was in 1952, and, since the BTO Nightjar Survey of 1957-58, the trend has been one of a continuing decrease, especially in the North and West. The second BTO Nightjar Survey, in 1981, recorded only 1,784 males, with over 60% of the British population concentrated in Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey, and a further 20% in Norfolk and Suffolk. Most of the remainder is thinly scattered, although there are some other local concentrations. The time is ripe for a rvew surv'ey, which will take place in 1992, and will be run in conjunction with the RSPB. 'Fhis survey has two main objectives. First, to count and map the locations of all breeding Nightjars in Britain, and secondly to make detailed descriptions of the habitat at Nightjar breeding sites. Fhis time, the survey will include staff from both organisations, as well as volunteers. During 1991, the BTO and RSPB are evaluating technicpies, as well as making a start with surveying those counties with large populations. The surwy will be organised through the BTO’s Regional Network, in close co-operation with county and regional bird clubs and Nightjar Groups. This autumn, the BTO will distribute site lists to local organisers, so that observers can be allocated sites and sent survey maps and recording fonns well in advance of the 1992 season. For more information, contact your local B'FO Regional Representative, or write to Dr Paul (ireen, B'FO, 'Fhe Nunnery, Nunnerv' Pl.ace, Fhetford, Norfolk Ii’'i4 2l’t '. If you are not already a member, why not join the B'FO and sub.scribc to BIX) Neiv.s? 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To qualify for POST TREK please quote your BB ref. no. Ref No. Name. Address , 4'otal £ Cheque/PO enclosed ED (5iro payment made ED You can also pay using these credit cards: 1'-^ If your address for credit card puqxrses is different fnun that alxrve, gi\e it here Please debit iny AccessA^sa/MasteKlard/Kurocaixl F.xpiiy dale HI Signature You can phone in your credit card orders, buf plea.se tpiole your BB ref. uo. as well as your civdil cart! no. IT.I.. Tolnes (0803) 86.5913. F\x. (0803) 865280 ■Send order to: Briti.sh BirdShop, c/o NHBS. 2 Will.s Road, Totiies, Devon TQ9 .5XN Rare breeding birds in the United Kingdom in 1989 (continued from page 370) Systematic list Part 2. Passerines Woodlark Lullula arborea 156-210 pairs breeding. England, SW 4 -55 pairs breeding. England, SE 13-31 pairs breeding. England, E 5-120 pairs breeding. England, Central 3-4 pairs breeding. This is a classic case where, for good reasons, the concept of ‘locality’ or ‘site’ is used inconsistently. It makes ornithological sense to think of a heath, or an even larger unit such as the New Forest, or the Brecks, as an ecological whole, but it is not helpful to equate a unit of two with a unit of — say — fifty. It would be useful to know in how many different places the species is to be found breeding, but there are no accepted guidelines for defining a ‘place’. County totals are shown in the Appendix. It does appear that there has been no marked change in numbers, perhaps only changes in the amount of fieldwork. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica One locality: one individual. England, SE One locality. F..S.SEX One locality: male of the white-spotted race L. s. cyanecula singing at a flooded gravel- pit from 9th- 15th June. The damp reed-scrub fringing some gravel-pits is very reminiscent of the habitat where the white-spotted race is to be found nesting in the Netherlands. Black Redstart Fhoenicurus ochruros 56 localities: 36-82 pairs breeding. England, SW One locality: 0-1 pairs breeding. England, SE 24 localities: 16-31 pairs breeding. England, E 20 localities: 13-33 pairs breeding. England, Central Five localities: 4-11 pairs breeding. England, N Six localities: 3-6 pairs breeding. 1988 England, SE One additional locality: 6 pairs bred. 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 92 77 70 56 Confirmed (pairs) 81 46 54 36 Possible (pairs) 38 63 58 46 Max. total (pairs) 119 109 118 82 This is a difficult species to monitor thoroughly, for it often frequents places to which the public have no access, such as power stations, or urban industrial areas which offer little appeal as places to go birdwatch- 379 380 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 ing. The year table — published for the first time since the Panel reinstated the species (it was monitored up to 1976, but not during 1977-85) — gives the impression that a decline is occurring. Considering that the species first nested in Britain as long ago as 1923, the progress of colonisation has been painfully slow. All breeding-season records are important if a proper assessment is to be made, and we commend the species as being worthy of further study. The individual county totals in 1989 are listed in the Appendix. Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 12 localities: 3-13 pairs breeding. England, SE One locality. BF.RKSHIRK One locality; adult from 24th July to 1 1th August, four on 14th August and eight on 17th August. KKNT One locality: single on llthjune. England, E One locality. SUFFOl.K One locality: one, feeding with Mistle Thrushes T. mscivorus, on 20th June. England, Central Three localities. DFRBVSHIRF Three localities: (1) one, cariying food, on 28th and 30th May; (2) one on 1st June; (3) one with bad leg, hopping impaired, date(s) not reported. England, N One locality. N()R'nii:MBFRi..AND One locality: one collecting food on 20th June. Isle of Man One locality: one, very agitated, on 19(h April, and flock of about nine on 5th August, several of which were judged to be juveniles. Scotland, S Two localities. BORDFR.s 'Two localities; (1) one in full song on 17th May, but not seen thereafter; (2) one on 14th May, and alami-calling nearby on 5th June, but no other indications of possible breeding. Scotland, Mid One locality. KIFF. One locality: single, in suitable habitat for breeding, on dates between 7th June and 14th •July. Scotland, N & W Three localities. B.ANFFSIIIRF One locality: one carrying food into a dense plantation of Sitka spruce f^cea sitchensis, and alann-calling on 25th June. IN\'FRNF,S.S-SHtRF Two localities: (1) two in late June; (2) territorial adult in late Apiil and May. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 6 5 6 7 10 4 3 2 7 7 12 Confirmed (pairs) 1 1 0 2 3 0 0 2 1 2 3 Possible (pairs) 5 4 6 5 9 4 3 0 6 5 10 Max. total (pairs) 6 5 6 7 12 4 3 2 7 7 13 The best year recorded in the Panel’s files, although four j^airs were confirmed breeding in 1977. Berkshire might not be the first county to come to mind as a likely breeding area, yet in 1988 there was a rejjort of a party of four fledged young there. The Panel’s rejiorts for 1982 and 1984 gave cases of Fieldfares associating with Mistle Thrushes. The assessment of this sj^ecies’ status is comjjlicated by the jjresence of late winterers/late migrants in May and the occurrence in Britain, as early as July in some years, of juveniles reared on the Continent. Redwing Turdus iliants 38 localities: 12-51 pairs breeding. 381 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 England, SE One locality. KF.NT One locality: .single on 26th July. England, Central (3ne locality. ST.-\FFORD.SHiRK One locality: juvenile on 27th July. Scotland, S One locality. BORDF.R.s One locality: pair, male singing and then alarm-calling on 18th May, but not found thereafter. Scotland, N & W 35 localities. hic;fii..and 33 localities: (1) nest and eggs on 31st May; (2) one alarm-calling on 14thjuly; (3) pair feeding young in nest; (4) pair with clutch of two on 2nd May, eggs taken by predator by 7th May; (5) nest with young on 17th June; (6) adult carrying food in June, and two fledged young in July; (7)(8) single pairs feeding young; (9) nest with young; (10) adult carrying food; (1 1)-(33) sightings of singles, some thought to be breeding. ORKNEY One locality: one singing from at least 14th May to end of June. .SHF.ri..\Nt) One locality: pair reared two broods. 1988 England, SW gi.OUc:f,ster One locality: single from 28th May to 5th June. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 6 18 6 42 65 58 35 32 39 22 38 Confirmed (pairs) 2 7 4 30 17 31 12 20 9 10 12 Possible (pairs) 7 25 7 32 51 48 23 26 41 30 39 Max. total (pairs) 9 32 11 62 68 79 35 46 50 40 51 The numbers do doubtless vary from year to year, possibly being influenced by the weather in the previous winter (there is no evidence to show where Scottish Redwings winter), but much of the annual variation in the year table may be attributable to variations in the amount of fieldwork, or in the diligence with which the results are collected and collated. Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti 74 localities: 12-208 pairs breeding. England, SW 43 localities: 5-158 pairs breeding. England, SE Five localities: 4-7 pairs breeding. England, E 22 localities: 2-39 pairs breeding. Wales Four localities: 1-4 pairs breeding. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. counties 14 11 16 12 13 13 13 11 14 14 15 Confirmed (pairs) 46 19 56 29 90 78 59 4 31 24 12 Possible (pairs) 117 179 106 173 157 238 190 175 156 174 196 Max. total (pairs) 163 198 162 202 247 316 249 179 187 198 208 Unfortunately, no figures have been received for Devon, which in 1988 had eight localities and a maximum of 37 pairs. Thus, it would seem that two consecutive mild winters allowed the population to return to something like the peak level which had been reached prior to the severe cold of February 1986. It is noticeable that Kent, which carried a maximum of 61 pairs in 1984, has not been recolonised, yet there has been a further increase in East Anglia. The individual county totals for 1989 are listed in the Appendix. Savi’s Warbler Locus tella luscinioides 13 localities: 0-17 pairs breeding. England, SW 'f wo localities. 382 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 DORSET One locality: one singing from 22nd April to 9th May. H.WIPSHIRE One locality: one singing on 6th May. England, SE Three localities: (1) one from 2nd-5th May; (2) one from 22nd .April to 12th May, with two on 29th April; (3) one singing on 30th .April. England, E Six localities. NORFOLK Five localities: (1) first arrived 19th April, and thereafter four singing males summered; (2)-(5) singles singing. EDSEWHERF. One locality: one singing from 21st .April to 5th May, and two singing from 17th June to 8th July. England, N Two localities. YORKSHIRE One locality: one in full song from 23rd May to 5th July, but ‘very doubtful if it bred’. ELSEWHERE One locality: single from at least 24th May to 2nd June. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 15 14 8 11 12 10 12 9 16 10 13 Confirmed (pairs) 6 2 5 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 Possible (pairs) 24 27 10 18 15 12 14 II 20 13 17 Max. total (pairs) 30 29 15 18 17 12 15 12 20 13 17 It seems likely that, e.xcept in eastern England, most of these birds were typical overshoots on spring migration, but that a very few individuals do return to breed in successive years. Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Ten localities: 1 1-22 pairs breeding. England, SW One locality. ISLE OF WIGHT One locality: one singing on 13th May. England, SE Six localities: (1) one singing on lOth and 11th June; (2) up to three males present; (3) eight pairs, all of which appear to have bred successfully; (4) two successful pairs and one additional male which may have attracted a female; (5) one successful pair; (6) one singing from 29th May to 3rd June, at a site occupied in 1988. England, E One locality. C:.\.MRRIDGESHIRE One locality: one singing on 29th May. England, Central One locality. worc:e.stf.rshire One locality: one male, colour-ringed elsewhere in 1988, failed to attract a mate. England, N One locality. YORKSHIRE One locality: male from 18th-2 1st June, second male on 19th June. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 15 8 3 8 10 12 10 13 9 10 10 Confirmed (pairs) 1 2 0 2 3 4 2 5 7 4 11 Possible (pairs) 22 10 3 7 9 9 9 14 10 12 1 1 Max. total (pairs) 23 12 3 9 12 13 1 1 19 17 16 22 The records for Worcestershire, for so long the British headquarters of the species, have traditionally been omitted from the table, but, now that the centre of gravity of the population has moved elsewhere, the single Worcestershire record has been included. The Marsh Warbler is thriving in adjacent areas of the Continent, and it seems that a more vigorous population may have established a bridgehead in England. Icterine Warbler Uippolms icterinn One locality: one individual. .Scotland, N & W One locality. 383 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 HIGHLAND One locality: one singing from 5th-10th June. Nesting has been reported in 1907 and 1970, the clutches, of 3 and 3, being collected or taken by a predator, respectively, before hatching {Brit. Birds 19: 311; 83: 381). Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta One locality: one individual. England, E One locality. SUFFOLK One locality: one singing in suitable breeding habitat on 28th June, but not located again. This species has not previously featured in the Panel’s reports. Eggs of this species or Icterine Warbler H. icterina were collected in Sussex and Surrey in the late nineteenth century (Campbell & Ferguson-Lees, 1972,^ Field Guide to Birds’ Nests). Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata Five counties: 23-522 pairs breeding. England, SW 24 localities. DORSKT 15 localities: (1) five or six males; (2) two pairs; (3) about 40 pairs and at least 30 young reared; (4) two pairs; (5)-(7) two males at each; (8)(9) one male at each; (10) 28 pairs; (11) 37 pairs; (12) two pairs; (13) ‘several’ pairs; (14)(15) one pair at each. H.AMPSHIRF. Eight localities: ( 1 ) New Forest: 375 pairs or singing males located during survey, but one area not covered: ‘a total ofc. 400 pairs is indicated’; (2) seven pairs or singing males; (3) four to six pairs or singing males; (4) pair bred; (5) singing male; (6) pair with one juvenile; (7) pair feeding young on 9th and 14th May; (8) at least one pair. ISLF, OF WIGHT One locality: pair fledged three young about 5th June. England, SE 12 localities. SURREY Eight localities: (1) three pairs bred; (2)-(5) single pairs bred at each; (6) 42 pairs; (7) three pairs; (8) pair reared two young. F.LSEWHF.RF. Four localities: (l)-(3) single pairs bred; (4) pair possibly bred. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. counties 6 7 7 6 6 6 5 5 8 6 5 Confirmed (pairs) 15 19 50 8 14 11 26 15 8 26 23 Possible (pairs) 101 258 69+ 304 134 429 368 293 239 616 499 Max. total (pairs) 116 277 119+ 312 148 440 394 308 247 639 522 Unusually thorough surveys were carried out in Dorset and Hampshire, resulting in high figures. Unfortunately, no report has been received from Devon, which in 1988 held six, possibly 13, pairs. The high population indicates again that this volatile species is able to make good its numbers very quickly, given mild winters. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus 52 localities: 19-131 pairs breeding. England, SW 16 localities. DORSET One locality: two adults with six recently fledged young on 15th August. GLOUCESTERSHIRE One locality: two pairs probably bred and nine pairs possibly bred, in the best year since 1982. HAMPSHIRE 1 1 localities: (1)13 singing on 14th May; (2) two or three singing on 30th May, and pair with one juvenile on 5th August; (3)(4) single singing at each on 5th May; (5) one singing on 28th March and 3rd April; (6) one singing on 16th April, and on 1 1th June, when second individual seen; (7) one singing on 3rd June; (8) one singing on 20th May; (9) two singing on 21st April and one on 13th May; (10) one on 11th May; (11) pair bred successfully. 384 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 st)MKRSF,r One extended locality: 1 1 sinij;ing, first song on 11th March. VVll.rsHlRK Two localities: (1) song from 21st April to 13th May, with two singing on 6th May; (2) one singing on 14th and 16th May. England, SE 29 localities. BEOroRD.SHlRK Two localities: (1) two males from 21st-23rd March and one on 4th May; (2) male on 5th May. BERKSHIRE One locality: two or three singing in May. BL‘CKIN(;H.-\.MSHIRE Three localities: (1) 14 males holding territory, one brood of seven; (2) one singing on 3rd .May; (3) one singing on 26th May. ESSEX Three localities: (1) one singing from mid May into June; (2) one singing in suitable habitat on 29th May; (3) singles, thought to be one individual, singing in two areas on 13th .May. HER IFOROSMIRE Six localities: (1) pair fledged young, and second male on 9th June; (2) pair during May; (3) one singing on 6th May; (4) one singing throughout June; (5) one singing on 13th-14th June; (6) one singing from 13th-2 1st June. KENT One locality: two from 29th May to end of June. .Mii)m.E;sEX Two localities: (1) male on 2nd May; (2) one singing on 28th March. SURREY Ten localities: (1) one singing from March to June; (2) one singing in May and June; (3) two singing on 29th .April; (4) one singing on 1 1th May; (5) one singing on 16th May; (6) four singing and two more calling on 18th May; (7) one on 18th May; (8) male on 2nd May; (9) male on 1st June; (10) one singing in March and April. EIJSEUHERE One locality: single, but no further details supplied. England, E f)ne locality. st'EEOl.K One locality: male collecting food on 14th May. England, Central I'wo localities. I.Ek;e;.s I'ERSmire One locality: pair from beginning of year until 25th March, but not located thereafter. WORt'.E.STERSHIRE Two localities: (1) two pairs breeding, one carrying faecal sacs on 17th June, one carrying food on 2ntl July; (2) one singing during March. Wales Four localities. D’t'EEl) One locality: one singing in mid .April. (;\VEN T Two localities: (1)21 singing males in territory, with 1 1 pairs known to have bred, five with two broods each, and at least 75 young fledged; (2) different singing males on 1st .April and 7th May. MONTGOMERY One locality: pair, but no further details supplied. 1988 Gloucestershire One locality: two pairs probably bred, one pair possibly did. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 25 30 35 21 75 47 24 19 37 44 52 Confirmed (pairs) 9 7 15 4 6 4 5 1 8 1 1 19 Possible (pairs) 64 71 87 40 169 78 41 28 74 72 112 Max. total (pairs) 73 78 102 44 175 82 46 29 82 83 131 Not only the largest population for six years, but the best-ever record for proved breeding. The Gwent population, first commented upon in the report for 1988, is clearly making a major contribution to the national total, but the fact that at least 75 young are known to have fledged is indicative of much careful Heldwork, without which lower numbers would obtain. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 29 localities: 15-37 pairs breeding. England, .SW ( )ne locality: female seen on 9th June, and heard to utter cat-like calls on lOth June. England, SE Six localities: (I) male on 21st May, with possibly a female nearby; (2) male from 24th May to 17th J\me; (3) pair nested, and possibly laid, but deserted, a female and two males on 28th May; (4) pair bred and three males on 13th May; (5) male calling on 14th May; (6) male singing on 3()th May. 385 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 England, E 19 localities: (1) pair on many dates in breeding season, but no nest found; (2) two males singing in May, but no evidence of breeding; (3) (4) pairs each fledging at least tw'o young; (5) pair fledged at least one young; (6) two pairs bred, one of them fledging two or three young; (7) pair present until at least mid July, probably bred; (8) pair nested, but probably failed; (9) pair bred, but outcome not known; (10) pair present from 1 1th May to 24th June, probably bred; (11) family party seen with at least two young; (12) pair bred; (13) individuals present throughout May and June, probably one pair bred; (14) three pairs bred, young fledging from at least one nest, an additional male present on 3rd and 10th June; (15) individuals present throughout the season, and one pair probably bred; (16) male singing on 4th May; (17) pair probably bred; (18) pair bred; (19) singing male. England, Central One locality: heard calling on one day. England, N One locality: pair seen and heard on several dates between early and mid June. Scotland, Mid One locality: male on 25th June. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 17 17 13 12 14 11 12 13 22 35 29 Confirmed (pairs) 3 2 4 3 2 4 4 5 11 16 15 Possible (pairs) 27 26 22 18 19 14 11 11 20 25 22 Max. total (pairs) 30 28 26 21 21 18 15 16 31 41 37 Once again, the Panel is much indebted to the Golden Oriole Group, which monitors annually all known sites in East Anglia. Five localities: six individuals, but no known pairs. England E Three localities. NORFOI.K Three localities: (1) male from 18th to 21st June, at the site where breeding took place in 1988; (2) male on 10th May; (3) two females on 2nd July, one remaining until 1st August. Scotland, Mid One locality. ■ANGUS One locality: male, far inland, on 24th May. Scotland, N & W One locality. HIGHI.AND One locality: male from 14th to at least 23rd July at site occupied in previous years. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1,984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. counties 10 5 6 2 3 4 7 3 8 6 3 Confirmed (pairs) 14 23 11 5 11 6 6 4 2 1 0 Possible (pairs) 38 8 29 3 1 4 6 2 11 6 6 Max. total (pairs) 52 31 40 8 12 10 12 6 13 7 6 A decline spanning at least 150 years has brought this fine species to extinction as a breeding bird in England. Climatic change, habitat 386 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 degradation and the use of farm chemicals have all been suggested as causes. Certainly, it is not a purely English phenomenon. Suitable habitat still remains in plenty (in Essex in the 1950s, the species nested in hawthorn scrub in a railway siding), and doubtless Red-backed Shrikes will turn up irregularly in spring, but the problems of a male attracting a female when so few individuals are present seem, awesome. Brambling Fringilla montijringilla One locality: one individual. England, Central One locality. ST.AFFORDSMIRF. One locality: male in area of oak Querciis and birch Bettila scrub from 24th June to 2nd July. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 3 3 1 10 8 10 3 1 3 2 1 Confirmed (pairs) 1 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 Possible (pairs) 3 4 0 8 7 8 3 1 2 1 1 Max. total (pairs) 4 4 1 10 8 9 3 1 3 2 1 Tiny though the presence is, it is worth noting that no Bramblings at all were reported in summer in the three years 1974-76. Serin Serinus serinus One locality: 0-1 pair breeding. England, Central One locality. siiROPSHiRK One locality: pair on 1st May, the male singing, but no subsequent sight- ings. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 198b 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 0 1 35745246 1 Confirmed (pairs) 0 0 2 12 2 10 0 0 0 Possible (pairs) 0 1465353591 Max. total (pairs) 01677563591 No records were received from Devon, normally the key county, but, even allowing for that, 1989 was a very poor year for this species. It is interesting that, for the second year in succession, a pair is reported from the very inland county of Shropshire: most records come from localities close to the coast. Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythririus Three localities: three individuals. .Scotland, Mid One locality. FIFF, One locality: female with brood patch, trapped on 25th July and still present next day (coastal locality, .so perhaps most likely to be migrant). .Scotland, N & W 'I wo localities. IIKail.ANl) Two localities: (1) one singing in late May; (2) one singing on 8lh June. Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1 989 387 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 5 3 1 3 Confirmed (pairs) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible (pairs) 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 5 2 1 3 Max. total (pairs) 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 5 2 1 3 Scarlet Rosefinches have now been present in the breeding season every year since the hrst recorded breeding in 1982 {Brit. Birds 77: 133-135). It is certainly occurring more frequently in summer and the possibility of its breeding should be borne in mind. Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus One locality: one individual. Scotland, N & W One locality: female on 27th July. 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 No. localities 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Confirmed (pairs) 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible (pairs) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Max. total (pairs) 14 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 A token return after all too long an absence. Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 31-52 pairs breeding. Scotland, Mid, N & W 11 localities: (1) pair feeding young in nest on 18th July and four fledged young nearby; (2) male with a juvenile and one or two other juveniles or females nearby; (3) male singing on 1 1th June and two fully grown young on 18th July; (4)-( 10) single males; (11) three or four on 19th July. In addition to the above, with the possibility of some duplication because sites are not named with adequate precision, are the following statements: (a) ‘five pairs, all fledged’; (b) ‘13 pairs, only two nests visited, both fledged’, and (c) ‘broods ringed from 20 pairs’. Annual comparisons are meaningless because of the great variation in the amount of fieldwork on the high tops favoured by this species, and the difficulty of eliminating overlap observations. 388 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus 36-119 pairs breeding. England, SW CORNWAI.I. Four localities: (1) male singing on 16th January and 7th April; (2) male singing on 20th April; (3) pair nest-building on 12th April and male on 13th June; (4) pair in April and May, and probably to end of year. DEVON 50 tetrads: (l)-(50) 35 pairs were proved to have bred, a further 63 pairs were probably breeding, and there were another 16 possible pairs. .SOMF.R.SF.r For the first time, there were no breeding-season records from this county. England, SE One locality. ESSF.X One locality: pair in suitable habitat on 5th-6th May. The Panel is indebted to Dr Andy Evans for very precise details of the Devon population, arising from his study for the RSPB. It is sad to record the disappearance of the species from Somerset. A New Guide to the Birds of Essex (1984) gives the status of the species in that county as ‘Now a very' rare visitor: has bred’. France might be a nearer origin than Devon for the Essex pair, but the French Atlas indicates that the species becomes scarce to the northeast of the Cherbourg peninsula. Rare Breeding Birds Panel, Iredale Place Cottage, Loweswater, Cockermouth, Cumbria CAI3 OSU Appendix. Individual county totals (pairs) for 1989 for selected sjjecies For each species, the counties are arranged in alphabetical order within the regions (see Brit. Birds 83: 356-357). Garganey Arms querquedula County Localities Breeding conhrmed Breeding probable Breeding possible Maximum total .<\von 2 0 0 2 2 Cornwall 1 0 0 1 1 Hampshire 1 0 0 1 1 Bedfordshire 4 0 0 4 4 Essex 5 0 2 6 8 Hertfordshire 2 1 0 0 1 Kent 6 0 1 4 5 Cambridgeshire 5 10 0 5 15 Lincolnshire 2 0 0 2 2 Norfolk 18 1 0 17 18 Northamptonshire 3 0 1 2 3 SufTolk 5 0 0 5 5 Leicestershire 4 0 2 2 4 Nottinghamshire 2 0 0 2 2 Shropshire 1 0 0 1 1 Worcestershire 1 0 0 1 1 Cheshire 5 0 3 4 7 (Greater Manchester 2 1 0 1 2 Lancashire 2 0 0 2 2 Yorkshire 1 1 0 1 2 Lanarkshire 2 0 1 0 1 Lothian 1 0 0 1 1 389 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Pochard Aylhya ferina County Localities Breeding confirmed Breeding probable Breeding possible Maximum total Dorset 1 1 0 0 1 Hampshire 9 4 0 0 4 Somerset 1 0 0 1 1 Wiltshire 3 5 0 0 5 Buckinghamshire 1 6 0 0 6 Essex 17 37 16 1 54 Hertfordshire 4 9 1 0 10 Kent 6 11 5 0 16 Middlesex 7 26 0 5 31 Surrey 2 1 0 1 2 Cambridgeshire 2 4 0 0 4 Huntingdonshire 1 1 0 0 1 Lincolnshire 2 6 0 6 12 Norfolk 15 49 0 0 49 Northamptonshire 1 3 0 0 3 Suffolk 10 4 7 6 17 Derbyshire 1 1 0 0 1 Leicestershire 3 0 0 3 3 Nottinghamshire 4 8 0 0 8 Warwickshire 2 7 0 0 7 Cheshire 2 8 0 4 12 Cumberland 1 1 0 0 1 Greater Manchester 1 10 0 0 10 Lancashire 2 5 0 0 5 Northumberland 2 5 0 0 5 Yorkshire 11 41 1 2 44 Dyfed 3 1 0 1 2 Borders 5 4 0 5 9 Lothian 1 0 1 0 1 Angus 1 1 3 7 11 Fife 1 1 0 0 1 Hobby Fako subbuleo County Localities Breeding confirmed Breeding probable Breeding possible Maximum total Avon 5 3 1 1 5 Cornwall 1 0 0 1 1 Devon 3 2 0 1 3 Dorset 25 16 0 9 25 Gloucestershire 6 1 0 7 8 Hampshire 14 14 0 0 14 Somerset 15 4 1 10 15 Wiltshire 25 5 9 12 26 Bedfordshire 10 5 1 4 10 Berkshire 5 0 2 3 5 Buckinghamshire 18 9 6 4 19 Essex 8 1 3 5 9 Hertfordshire 47 6 8 33 47 Kent 20 1 0 19 20 Middlesex 3 2 1 0 3 Surrey 43 13 28 2 43 Sussex 20 0 20 0 20 Cambridgeshire 20 8 6 6 20 Huntingdonshire 7 3 3 1 7 390 Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 Hobby Fako subbuleo (continued) County Localities Breeding confirmed Breeding probable Breeding possible Maximum total Lincolnshire 13 7 2 4 13 Norfolk 3 3 0 0 3 Northamptonshire 21 6 11 4 21 Suffolk 13 8 0 5 13 Derbyshire 4 2 0 2 4 Leicestershire 5 5 0 0 5 Nottinghamshire 5 3 2 0 5 Shropshire 2 1 1 0 2 Staffordshire 3 1 1 1 3 Warwickshire 3 3 0 1 4 Worcestershire 6 3 1 2 6 Cheshire 2 1 0 1 2 \'orkshire 2 1 0 1 2 Glamorgan 1 0 0 1 1 Gwent 6 3 3 0 6 Quail Columix columix County Localities Breeding confirmed Breeding probable Breeding possible Maximum total Avon 5 0 0 22 22 Cornwall 31 0 3 54 57 Dorset 6 0 0 108 108 Hampshire 7 0 0 67 67 Isles of Scilly 4 0 0 5 5 Isle of Wight 1 1 0 0 1 Somerset 37 0 0 64 64 Wiltshire 32 1 39 90 130 Bedfordshire 12 0 1 14 15 Berkshire 1 0 0 4 4 Buckinghamshire 20 2 8 24 34 Essex 7 0 5 7 12 Hertfordshire 9 1 4 9 14 Kent 20 0 0 30 30 Sussex 12 0 0 14 14 Cambridgeshire 15 1 0 45 45 Huntingdonshire 12 0 17 10 27 Lincolnshire 21 0 0 53 53 Norfolk 39 0 2 37 39 Northamptonshire 18 2 0 22 24 Suffolk 4 0 6 2 8 Derbyshire 2 0 0 29 29 Leicestershire 10 0 0 10 10 Nottinghamshire 4 0 2 2 4 Shropshire 112 3 43 104 150 Staffordshire 29 0 15 18 33 Warwickshire 15 0 2 13 15 West Midlands 3 0 2 1 3 Worcestershire 24 0 23 12 35 Cheshire 35 2 0 48 50 Cleveland 5 0 0 16 16 Cumbria 30 2 0 36 38 Durham 18 1 2 47 50 Isle of Man 3 0 0 25 25 1 .ancashire 28 0 0 50 50 V'orkshire 45 4 0 52 56 Breconshire 7 1 4 7 12 391 Rare breeding birds in the UK in Quail ColumLx cotumLx (conlinued) County Localities 1989 Breeding confirmed Breeding probable Breeding possible 391 Maximum total Dyfed, Cardigan 20 0 0 41 41 Dyfed, Carmarthen 2 0 2 1 3 Gwent 8 0 3 11 16 Gwynedd 17 0 0 23 23 Mid Glamorgan 2 0 1 1 2 South Glamorgan 2 0 1 1 2 Borders 68 2 1 86 89 East Lothian 27 1 8 32 41 Lothian, Mid & West 17 1 2 26 29 Angus 4 0 0 4 4 Argyll 2 0 0 2 2 Caithness 6 0 1 5 6 Grampian 39 1 0 38 39 Tayside 8 1 0 7 8 Woodlark Lullula arborea County Localities Breeding confirmed Breeding probable Breeding possible Maximum total Dorset 6 4 6 3 13 Hampshire 13 0 40 0 40 Wiltshire 2 0 2 0 2 Berkshire 3 1 0 3 4 Surrey 15 11 8 5 24 Sussex 1 1 2 0 3 Lincolnshire 2 5 0 2 7 Norfolk 39 0 39 0 39 Suffolk 74 0 74 0 74 Nottinghamshire 1 3 0 1 4 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros County Localities Breeding confirmed Breeding probable Breeding possible Maximum total Dorset 1 0 0 1 1 Berkshire 1 0 1 0 1 Essex 4 2 2 2 6 Hertfordshire 1 1 0 0 1 Kent 4 8 0 1 9 London/Middlesex 5 2 0 3 5 Surrey 7 2 5 0 7 Sussex 2 1 0 1 2 Huntingdonshire 2 0 0 2 2 Lincolnshire 4 3 0 3 6 Norfolk 7 3 0 4 7 Suffolk 7 7 8 3 18 Derbyshire 1 1 0 1 2 Nottinghamshire 1 0 0 2 2 West Midlands 5 3 3 1 7 Lancashire 2 0 0 2 2 Yorkshire 4 3 0 1 4 392 Cetti’s Warbler Celtia cetti Rare breeding birds in the UK in 1989 County Localities Breeding confirmed Breeding probable Breeding possible Maximum total Avon 1 1 0 0 1 Cornwall 7 0 0 12 12 Dorset 11 0 31 0 31 Hampshire 12 0 93 0 93 Isle of Wight 1 0 0 1 1 Somerset 9 3 1 13 17 Wiltshire 2 1 2 0 3 Berkshire 2 2 0 1 3 Hertfordshire 2 0 1 1 2 Sussex 1 2 0 0 2 Norfolk 19 0 35 0 35 Northamptonshire 2 0 0 2 2 Suffolk 1 2 0 0 2 Dyfed 2 1 1 0 2 Gwent 9 0 1 1 2 Mystery photographs 3 he bird in the mystery photograph (plate 167, repeated here) A / ” has, proportionately, a small, narrow head; ver)' long, broad wings with fingered primaries; and a full but short tail. Although there is \Hrtt. Htrds H4: 392-394. Scptrnil>rr 1991) Mystery photographs 393 nothing in the photograph against which to estimate the bird’s size, its basic structure conhrms the initial impression that it is obviously a large raptor. Sharp-eyed readers may feel that they have seen this photograph recently. Indeed, it does bear a close resemblance to mystery photograph 155 {Brit. Birds 83; 237-238), of a Black Vulture Aegypius monachus. Could this be a vulture, too? A close look at the bird’s head enables its rather pointed profile to be seen, with the slender neck emerging from a ruff. This is confirmation that it is indeed one of the vultures, five species of which breed in the Western Palearctic, where a further two have been recorded as vagrants. Two of the breeding species, Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, may be discounted immediately as each possesses, amongst other characters, a long, wedge-shaped tail. Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus may also be disregarded at this stage. Its proportionately shorter, broader wings, with an altogether straighter trailing edge, give this rare visitor to the Western Palearctic a more compact wing-shape than our mystery bird, with its bulging secondaries and concave inner primaries. Our vulture lacks the pointed, spiky-looking tail feathers so characteris- tic of Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus, and it also lacks that species’ pointed secondaries, a feature shared with Black Vulture, which also has a broader neck and somewhat longer and usually rather more pointed tail than our bird. With these two Western Palearctic breeding vultures thus eliminated, we are left with Griffon Vulture Gyps julvus and RiippeH’s Vulture G. rueppellii, the former a breeding bird of the region and the latter a vagrant. These two species are very similar structurally, so it is necessary to resort to plumage contrast to identify the mystery vulture. This has been ignored so far because of the uncertainties of whether the bird’s dark areas of plumage are genuinely so or just the product of its being silhouetted against a light sky. A close examination of the mystery photograph reveals the suggestion of a pale head and the barest hint of pale lines across the underwing-coverts. These characters are common to both species, but the pattern of the pale lines on the underwing-coverts of the mystery vulture (a short, relatively distinct line in front of a longer, broader, less contrasting band) is diagnostic of adult Griffon Vulture. (If these features — which are hardly discernible on the original photographic print — are absent from the printed version shown here, readers can count themselves as successful if they settled for Griffon/Riippell’s.) Griffon Vultures are gregarious birds that hunt in flight ‘squadrons’, with the flock flying in the same direction and spreading out over the same area. At the excellent Gamla Reserve in Israel, where I photographed this Griffon Vulture in December 1989, we saw a flight of over 30 Griffons slowly hunting in their distinctive manner, with their heads down, constantly scanning for carrion. As they flew, the wings were held in a shallowV. Dave Odell 74 The Links, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7LT 394 Mystery photographs 205. Mystery photograph 171. Identify the species. .Answer next month Notes Black-throated Diver attacking Great Crested Grebe On 29th December 1984, on the Egleton reserve at Rutland Water, Leicestershire, we watched a Black- throated Diver Gavia arctica dive close to a Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus which was swimming past, and apparently attack the grebe below the water. Once the diver surfaced, it lifted its breast out of the water, with wings outstretched, and attacked the grebe fiercely, stabbing with its bill. The grebe was left looking injured, lying with its neck at or below surface level and its left leg waving in the air. The diver then swam away. Some ten or so minutes later, the Great Crested Grebe regained an upright posture, though it still swam with its neck bent. The attack appeared unprovoked, and no further interaction between the grebe and the diver was noted. }. B. HlGGOl l and A. j. M.\gr.\Y 26 Link Road, Anstey, Ixicestershire LF7 7/?lf Great Crested Grebe in winter plumage in mid April On 18th .\pril 1986, at Stodmarsh NNR, Kent, 1 was watching Great Crested (irebes Podiceps cristatus, several pairs of which were displaying and indulging in territorial confrontations. At 10.17 GM T, my attention was drawn to a pair displaying with particular vigour, demonstrating false preening, head- shaking and a typical weed dance. Although one bird of this pair was in Notes 395 normal breeding plumage, the other was still in typical winter plumage; prolonged observation confirmed that the two were paired, but no nest wasobserved. N. V. McCanch of Man Bird Observatory, c/o Juan Claque, Kionslieu, Plantation Hill, Port St Mary, Isle of Man Dr K. E. L. Simmons has commented: ‘Great Crested Grebes often display during the winter, when in winter plumage. The interesting point here is that one of a pair was still in winter plumage as late as 18th April. One would have lilced to know whether (and when) it acquired its head plumes. Perhaps it was a first-year bird?’ Ed.s Rooks attacking Oystercatcher in water At 14.30 hours on 18th March 1984, at a small lake near Newburgh, Aberdeen, Grampian, A. Haland, M. Ugelvik and I watched an Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus being attacked by two Rooks Corvus frugilegus. The wader was preening at the water’s edge, about 30 m from a flock of seven other Oystercatchers, and was easily recognisable by marked differences in plumage characteristics; in addition, it appeared to be exhausted and unable to fly. Suddenly, the Rooks approached and chased it into the water, where they both proceeded to peck at it. The Oystercatcher ‘dived’ at every attack, and resurfaced not far away. This continued for about five minutes, until the Rooks, probably because of our presence, flew to a vantage point a short distance from the lake. The Oystercatcher then swam away and disappeared into dense vegetation. Odd W. Jacobsen Department of Animal Ecology, Zoological Museum, University of Bergen, N-5000 Bergen, Norway Letters Roosting behaviour of seabirds It is human nature to avoid raising even obvious questions when no answer appears to be in sight. I nevertheless raise such a question here. Birds of the open ocean, far from land, must not only roost but also sleep on the surface of waters that contain sharks or other predatory fish. Surely they have some means of escaping death from undersea attack, but what can it be? LouisJ. Halle Place de la Taconnerie 1, CH-1204 Geneva, Switzerland Reaction of human beings to sudden noise and needless disturbance of Blackcaps May we express our sympathy with the Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla recently shocked by the experimental discharge of firearms by German scientists {Brit. Birds 84: 68-69)? First, we have to admit that, just like Blackcaps, we are both upset and frightened by sudden noise. Secondly, we wish to express our total disquiet that caged and sitting Blackcaps should be tested routinely with unnatural phenomena (including constant noise of 75-80 decibels). Thirdly, we want to record our astonishment that you should have 396 Letters effectively canvassed the fusillade and published it without so much as a blush. We shall be saving up our biggest paper bags, and hoping that we will be in good puff, should Prof. Dr Berthold and Herr Querner stage another ‘acoustic irradiation’ exercise near either of us. D. I. M. Wall,\CE and R. A. Hi ME Elton House, Chapel Lane, Newborough, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DEIS 8SQ The letter by Prof. Dr P. Berthold and U. Querner {Brit. Birds 84: 68) is an intriguing combination of thoughtless ornithology and bad science which I find very difficult to comprehend. Whilst it is obviously quite proper to record reactions to alarming stimuli obtained serendipitously, how on earth can the authors justify discharging shotguns near nesting birds which were incubating eggs? Six highly dubious experiments represents much too small a sample from which to make any meaningful deductions. I can guarantee that, if such experiments were carried out near six adult human females and their offspring, an equally wide variety of responses would be obtained. All I have gained from this letter is a lesson in the use of euphemism. Any people who can describe a shotgun blast from 10m as ‘acoustic irradiation’ must truly be experts. Huw Edwards Itchen College, Middle Road, Bitteme, Southampton S09 34X Announcements Rare Breeding Birds Panel The work of the Panel has been supported since its inception in 1973 by British Birds, the BTO, the NCC and the RSPB. In April 1991, however, the NCC ceased to exist, its functions being taken over by three separate bodies: English Nature, the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, and the Countryside Council for Wales. Each of these is nationally oriented, so, for the purpose of a United Kingdom oversight, a Joint Nature Conservation Committee has been established. The JNCC will be replacing the NCC as the Panel’s chief provider of financial support, and a member of its staff. Dr David Stroud, currently serves on the Panel. I’he relationship between the Panel and the NCC was a happy and fruitful one, lasting 18 years. The Panel regrets the demise of the NCC, but now looks forward to a productive future working with, and supported by, the JNCC. Overseas bird tours survey In 1986, we canvassed readers’ opinions of the overseas bird tours in which they had participated. I'he results (Brit. Birds 79: 622-641) showed that eight tour operators were all highly rated by BB readers: Birding, Birdcpiest, Caledonian Wildlife, Cygnus Wildlife Holi- days, the Field Studies Council, Ornitholi- days, Sunbird and I'om Cullick. Announcements 397 Since the last survey, participation in overseas bird tours has increased, and, in particular, the number of commercial companies offering tours has mushroomed. VVe are, therefore, repeating the survey of RB readers’ opinions. This is with the encouragement of the major companies concerned, all of whom feel that they have improved their service to birdwatchers. If you have participated in one or more commercial overseas bird tours during the past five years (since June 1986), please help to make our survey comprehensive by completing the form on pages xi & xii (between pages 370 and 371). You can send it to us POST FREE (though you will save British Birds the money if you do use a stamp). Please send in your form (plus photocopied extra forms if you have taken part in more than one tour), to arrive by 15th October 1991, to Bird tours survey, British Birds, Ereepost BE955, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3BR. Senegal expedition 1991/92 There are still some places available for participants (qualified ringers and also those interested in bird-survey work) in this year’s international expedition, which is sponsored by Euring and ICBP. Costs (including air fares): £450, plus £25 per week for food. Departures from London Gatwick fortnightly from 5th November. Anyone interested should contact S. J. R. Rumsey, BZW, Ebbgate House, 2 Swan Lane, London F.C4R 3TS. Addition to the British and Irish List Already accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee, the following record has now also been accepted by the BOU Records Committee and will be added to Category A of the British List when published in the Records Committee’s sixteenth report {Ibis in prep.): Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni Greater London Chingford, first-year cf, T. n. naumanni, 19th January to 9th March 1990. The nominate race was not previously recorded in Britain and Ireland. There are several records of the only other race, T. n. eunomus. Italian Congress The sixth Italian Congress of Ornithology will be held in Turin during 8th-llth October 1991, organised jointly by the GPSO (Gruppo Piemontese Studi Ornitologici), the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences and the CISO (Centro Italiano Studi Ornitologici). The programme will be divided into the following sections: Population studies, Systematics, Conservation, Biogeography, and Alpine ecology. For further details, write to Segreteria VI Convegno Italiano di Omitologia, Museo di Scienze Naturali di Torino, Via Giolitti 36, 10123 Torino, Italy. Books in British BirdShop The following books have been added this month: * Brooke & Birkhead Cambridge Encyclopedia of Ornithology *Jobling A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names *Lekagul, Round, Wongkalasin & Komolphalin A Guide to the Birds of Thailand *Parmenter & Byers A Guide to the Warblers of the Western Palearctic Please use the British BirdShop form on pages xvii & xviii. ^fbentp-fibe pears ago... ‘A PAIR of Hobbies (Faleo s. subbuteo) nested and reared a brood of young in a wood not far from Leicester in the summer of 1915. I saw both parents as well as the young. The female was unfortunately shot in August 1915, and came into my possession in the flesh. It has been submitted to the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, who states that it is an immature bird, having the feathers of the mantle and wings edged with pale rusty brown. Early this year [1916] a pair again arrived at the same wood, but apparently the female was trapped in May, for a wing found in a trap corresponded with the skin in my collection. Eor a few days after the male was seen flying about in the neighbourhood, but then disappeared. Early in August it was reported that four “blue hawks’’ were living in a plantation some distance away, and on August 15th the keeper brought me a splendid adult male Hobby and a young female, which could not have left the nest long. He had, I regret to say, killed all four birds in four shots.’ {Brit. Birds 10: 95, September 1916). News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ Definitely a record After an astonishing total of 37 years, Mrs N. D. Blamire will no longer be compiling the annual index of British Birds. Diana started way back in 1953 (for the first three years as Miss N. D. Giffard) and each year since has provided her detailed and accurate indexes. Many readers use these on a regular basis and know that they are a reliable reference to the contents of BB. Heartfelt thanks from us all to such a dedicated supporter. In recogni- tion of this long service, the Editorial Board has presented to Diana an inscribed copy of her choice of book: the Best Bird Book of the Year in 1989, Owb of the Northern Hemisphere by K. H. V’oous. New bird group A recent public meeting of birdwatchers in Northern Ireland resulted in the formation of a new group, to be known as the Northern Ireland Birdwatchers’ Asso- ciation (NIBA). I’he first objective of the NIBA is to publish a Northern Ireland Bird Report covering the years 1986-90. All birdwatchers are requested, as a matter of urgency, to send all records for those years to the Records Secretary: George Gordon, 2 Brooklyn Avenue, Bangor BT20 5RB. I'he NIBA will be working closely with ‘Flight- line’, the telephone recording service for rare or interesting sightings in Ireland (lis- ten on 0247 467408 and report your own sightings). For further information, please contact the Secretary Diana Blamire, 3 Granmore Gardens, Belfast bt9 6JI.; phone Belfast (0232) 669286. So now we know what Diana will be doing with her spare time. More on madness in Malta The Maltese tour company ‘Sphinx Tours’, which spe- cialises in trips for shooters and other bird- hunters, claimed to have lost revenue as a result of intervention by the Malta Ornitho- logical Society (MOS) with the Egyptian government {Brit. Birds 84: 292-293). They are suing the MOS for £52,000. When the case came to court recently, the representa- tive of Sphinx Tours did not turn up in court. A sign, perhaps, that they do not intend to pursue the matter? Eet us hope so. If you would like to help the MOS with money or want further information, please 398 contact Georgina Green at the ICBP on Cambridge (0223) 277318. Bonelli’s Eiagle The Fund for Birds of Prey (FIR) is very concerned about the future of Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus. It is appealing to interested ornithologists to help with the formation of an International Bonelli’s Eagle Group to safeguard the eagle. If you are interested write to FIR, BP 27, La Garenne Colombe, France 92250. The new NCCs As the new national versions of the old NCC slowly establish their organisations, we may be able to provide some morsels of information about their structure and activities. In Scotland, the new body is to be called the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland. A Main Board, a Science Research & Development Board and four Regional Boards will direct the activities of the NCCS. It gives some encouragement to note that well-known ornithologists (professional and amateur) have been appointed to each of the Boards. As well as Magnus Magnusson, who is Chairman of the NCCS, there is Professor George Dunnet, Dr Pat Monaghan and Professor Chris Smout on the Main Board (the first two also on the SR & D Board, of which George Dunnet is Chairman); Findlay McQuarrie and Dr Malcolm Ogilvie (South West Region); John Arnott and Dr John McManus (South East Region); David Lea and N. J. O. Graham (North East Region); and, finally, Roy Dennis and Peter Peacock (North West Region). Congratulations to them all. Under the influence? A piece in The Observer in July has probably brought us more ‘misprint reports’ than any other published piece that we have seen recently. Describing how barley grain left-overs from an Islay distillery are used as bulk feed for cattle on the RSPB reserx'e at Loch Gruinart, it makes the point that this ‘. . . has turned traditional fanning upside down’. That’s not all that has happened, it seems. After some comments on Barnacle (Jeese, the piece ends: ‘ The reserve encourages other species of birds, particularly white and green News and comment 399 fronted geese, choughs, greenshank and grey clover. Rather than draining some fields there are flooded areas managed as wild pastures for juncos.’ Hie! Surprise dip We have received a note from G. Carr of Ossett, West Yorkshire, in which he says that, following an unsuccessful twitch to the Yorkshire coast, he noticed a roadsign at North Cave (see plate 206) which brought no comfort whatsoever. On another occasion later in the year, this time after a successful day’s birding, he noticed that the roadsign had been removed. A coincidence? Or maybe there were dark forces at work? Now, we hear, the roadsign is back . . . Hidden ft ! 206. The roadsign that C. Carr should have seen on his way to an unsuccessful twitch. See ‘Surprise dip’ (G. Carr) Sponsored by Monthly marathon 4 A nice easy one for a change.’ That, we mM. suspect, is what many contestants thought as they hastily wrote ‘Shore Lark’ on their postcards. The votes were as follows: Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris (50%) Temminck’s Homed Lark E. bilopha (50%) with a few votes for Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula and Little Ringed Plover C. dubius. The entrants who looked that little bit longer and more closely at plate 135, and identified it as a Temminck’s Homed Lark, were right; this one was photographed by Dave Odell in Morocco in February 1989. The winner of this monthly competition will be able to choose a SUNBIRD birdwatching holiday in Africa, Asia or North America. The next stage appears as plate 207. For a free SUNBIRD brochure, write to PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 IDF; or telephone Sandy (0767) 682969. 400 Monthly marathon 207. Fifth ‘Monthly marathon’ (fourteenth stage; photograph number 63). Identify the species. Read the rules on page 16 of the January 1991 issue, then send in your answer on a postcard to Monthly Marathon, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 ,3NJ, to arrive by 15th October 1991 Recent reports Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan This summary covers the jjeriod 12th July to 15th August 1991 These are unchecked reptorts, not authenticated records White-billed Diver Gav’a adamsii Gosford Bay, 31st July, and Aberlady Bay (both Lothian), sporadically, 4th-14th August. Little Shearwater Pujjinus assimilis Filey Brigg (North Yorkshire), 30th July; between Cornwall and Scilly, 8th August. Black Kite Milvus migrans Sheringham, 29th July; one off sea. Horsey (both Norfolk), 2nd August; Broadstairs (Kent), 3rd August. Booted Eiagle Hieraaetus pennatus Pale-phase in off sea. North Foreland (Kent), 14th August (potential first for Britain and Ire- land). American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica Fair Isle (Shetland), 15th August. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva North Ronaldsay (Orkney), 14th-16th July, another 8th-9th August. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Kilnsea (Humberside), 28th-29th July. White-rumped Sandpipter Calidris juscicollis Kilnsea, 2nd August; Cley (Norfolk), 3rd- 7th August; Ballycotton (Co. Cork), 4th to at least 13th August; Tacumshin (Co. Wex- ford), 13th August. Baird’s Sandpip>er Calidris bairdii Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall), 7th August. Cull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Hornsea (Humberside), 13th July; Burnham Norton (Norfolk), 14th July; Cullercoats (Tyne & Wear), 24th July; New Passage (Avon), 7th August. Roller Coracias garrulus Holkham Meals (Norfolk), 29th July; near Fishguard (Dyfed), 8th August. Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris Lowestoft (Suffolk), 19th-20th July. Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Trap- ped, Youghal (Co. Cork), 6th ,\ugust (potential first for Ireland). Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Waxham (Norfolk), 14th August. Black-headed Bunting Emheriza nielano- cephala Male, Loop Head (Co. Clare), 17th- 18th July. For the latest, up-to-date news, phone ‘Twitchline* on 0898-884-501 (.36p/min cheap rate; 48p/min other times; incl. V'.A'I ) We are grateful to National Bird News for supplying infonnalion for this news feattire. THE ULTIMATE THE EL TE 8 X 42 ELITE S 1999 'aORLDWIDE SPONSORS li992 OLYMPIC GAMES For further details contact: J. J. VICKERS & SONS LTD. IT 9, 35 REVENGE ROAD. LORDSWOOD, CHATHAM. KENT ME5 8DW. Tel: (0634) 201284 Fax: (0634) 201286. Telex 896789 TAGS G L XIX ORNITHOLIDAYS 1992 MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS Holidays Organised by Birdwatchers for Birdwatchers Twenty-seven years’ service to birdwatchers & naturalists Kenya Botswana Namibia The Seychelles The Gambia Egypt Madagascar N. India Thailand Venezuela Costa Rica Brazil Chile Trinidad & Tobago Ecuador & The Galapagos Falkland Islands Arizona & New Mexico California & the Sea of Cortez Canadian Rockies Alaska Japan Tropical Australia Israel Cyprus Turkey N.E. Greece Yugoslavia Lake NeusiedI Hungary Poland Iceland The Camargue Majorca The Spanish Pyrenees Write or ’phone for a brochure to: ORNITHOLIDAYS DEPT. 2, 1-3 VICTORIA DRIVE, BOGNOR REGIS, WEST SUSSEX, P021 2PW Tel: 0243 821230 (D891) ATOL LICENCE No.743 ''W ABTA VISIT WILD RUSSIA Watch .spring migration around The urcalesi wader show on earth'.. .over 40 species are possible includinii Asiatic Dowiicher. Nordmann's Cireenshank. (irev-tailed Faiiler and hopelulK the elusi\c .Spoon-hilled Sandpiper. Leaders; Jon Dunn. Richard l.ewihwaile. Steve Rooke and Marlin Williams BEIDAIHE 2-18/25 May from £1150 \'isn C hina to witness Palearclic migration at its best - around 200 species o( eastern migrants are likelv including most ol the Asian vagrants on the British list! Leaders; Paul Moll and Martin Williams. POINT PELEE 9-23 May from £1000 A spring fall ol North American warblers is one ol the great birding spectacles. I Apericnee this and much more at Canada's premier migration waich point. Leaders Sean McMinn and Sui I ingicy. Dctiiils from Sunbird, P<) Box 76, Siuidy, Bedfordshire S<; 19 I l)K lei: 0767-682969. (RU'nsi* specify which event you are interested in). (D900) New areas of the Soviet Union are being opened to tourists. Be among the first to discover the natural wonders of the world’s largest country. Fully inclusive holidays will be led by experi- enced experts on the birds of the USSR this spring and summer. Several exciting destinations will include Russian forests, Caucasus, Central Asian mountains and deserts, the Altai, high Arctic latitudes of Taimyr, Ussuriland and unin- habited western coasts of Kamchatka peninsula. Among the species we will see are the Red- Breasted Goose on its breeding grounds, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper on migration, the Cau- casus, Altai and Himalayan Snowcocks and of course the Ibisbill. Several tours will he led by Dr Algirdas Knys- tautas, the author of The Natural History of the USSR and The Birds of the USSR. Individual and research trips arranged at com- petitive rates. For our 1992 brochure, please contact us at any time (24 hour, answer machine): RUSSIAN NATURE TOURS Achterom 3 1 1621 KR Hoorn Netherlands ph. 02290-19883 fax 02290-19969 (D9(M)^ XX u^oocor^rooooooooQ ^04<*404MMC>J04g4 rf in o CNJ 0) CNJ 1- h 00 3 I- in o o m o X o o CO 00 r — M (o O 5 S O T3 •a 00 CN eg c <» - o o ^ TO CO $ o ^ m 5 Q, _u) *0 io 55555 X o o y X X X X X - LU H- Q- Z] o < <-> 5 oi Cygnus WiMllfe f99-2 f)AMyiamme eico^Ued Ju/iduMdcJu*^ Ucdulcuf^ Destinations January - N. India Photographic £1390 Northern India £1450 Sri Lanka £1375 Tiger Special £1590 Venezuela £2590 Texas £1250 Majorca £545 Morocco £790 June include: Austria £690 Camargue £790 Hungary £825 Poland £790 Soviet Central Asia and Siberia £1 980 Siberia and Soviet Far East £2100 Pyrenees £840 Other departures later in the year include Arizona and California, Gambia, Argentina, Ecuador and Galapagos Islands, Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada, Australia, and Nepal. Tour groups have a maximum of 1 6 participants, are escorted by experi- enced leaders and we cater for all level of expertise. If you would like fur- ther information about any of these holidays, we will be delighted to receive your enquiry at the following address: CYGNUS WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS, 57 FORE STREET, KINGSBRIDGE, DEVON TQ7 1 PG Telephone 0548 856178 Fax: 0548 857537 Best Days British Birds ^ Their most excitintr birdvvatchintr experiences, described by David Fisher David Glue Steve Madge Bill Oddie Robin Prytherch & many others Edited by Malcolm Ogihne & Stuart Winter Published by British Birds I. id, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mkm :t\| Available from all good bookshops £14.95 hardback I.S8N 0 9.SOH47I I I SPKC:iAI, RK.DUCKI) PRICK, IF ORDKRKI) I MROl '(ill ‘BRI I ISII HIRDSmOP’ (D526) xxiii Fax: 0723 363334 American Express/Access/Visa. Post & Packing please add £2.50 Prices cotrecl 1.8.91 — Subject to availability — Open 6 days 9am-5.30pm Fax: 0723 363334 CARL ZEISS BINOCULARS 8 X 20 B and Pouch £295 10 X 25 B and Pouch £319 8 X 30 BGA £509 8 X 56 BG AT £669 7 X 42 BG AT £589 10 X 40 BGA CF £599 15 X 60 BGA £1190 8 X 20BT-PNEW £295 10 X 25 BT-P NEW £319 ZEISS JENA BINOCULARS 8 X 30Deltrintem £65 10 X 50 Jenoptem £78 10 X SODekarem £95 8x32 Notarem Armour SPECIAL £ 1 25 10 X 40 Notarem Armour SPECIAL £175 8 X 50 Octarem B, or BGA SPECIAL £165 12 X 50 Dodecarem B, or BGA SPECIAL £195 SWIFT Supplied with case & straps Grand Pnx 8 x 40 £89 County 10 x 40 £94 Tnton 10 x 50 £99 Red Spot 8 X 40 £114 Red Spot 10 X 50 £124 Saratoga 8 x 42 £149 Newport 10 X 42 £159 Audubon 8.5 x 44 £199 Tnlyte7x42 I £129 Tnlyte8x42 ^ NEW £134 Tnlyte 10x42 J £139 Viewmaster Body 45% Angle £149 20 X Eyepiece £29 Zoom 15X-45X £49 ROSS - LONDON Cavendish 8 x 42 £1.39 Hanover 10 x 42 £149 Regent 8 x 42 £169 Kensington 10 x 42 £179 BUSHNELL Spacemastcr Body P Spacemaster 11 Bixiy U Spacemaster Armoured Spacemaster Waterproof & 15 X-45X Q 22x Wide Angle ^ 25 X, 40x, 60x Lenses £ BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 8 X 42 £628 Elite 10 X 42 £628 ADLERBLICK— Multi-coated 8 x42 £169 10 X 42 £179 lOx 50 £189 8 X 42 Armour £184 10 X 42 Armour £194 10 X 50 Amiour £209 RUSSIAN BINOCULARS 7 X 35 £27 7 X 50 rvFW J130 8 X 40 ^ ^ RECOMMENDED 20 X edZZZZZ. ZZZ.n\ LEITZ Trinovid8 X 20 BC £199 Trinovid 10 x 25 BC £226 Trinovid 1 x 42 BA £628 Trinovid 8 x 42 BA £628 Trinovid 10 x 42 BA £628 PF3NTAX Highly recommended Ultra Compact 8 x 24 £69 Ultra Compact 10 x 24 £79 Ultra Compact 12 x 24 £89 Compact DCF 117X20 £84 Compact DCF [I 9 x 20 £99 Roof Prism DCF 8 X 42 10% £169 Roof Pnsm DCF 10 x 42 DISCOUNT X189 Roof Prism DCF 8 x 56 ON £289 Roof Prism DCF 9X63 PENTAX £349 Armoured DCF 7 x 50 £99 Armoured DCF 8 x 40 £99 Amioured DCF 10 x 50 £104 Armoured DCF 12 x 50 £109 Armoured DCF 16 x 50 £1 19 KOWA TELESCOPES TSNl &TSN2 Body £295 TSN3&TSN4 Body £555 20X Wide £96 .30 x Wide £119 25X and40x £63 TSN Zoom £139 60X £96 77x £99 TS601 & TS602...£179 Photo Adapter ...£107/£179 25x and 4<)x £48 20x Wide £55 THESE PRICES WERE CORRECT EARLY AUGUST, BUT PLEASE PHONE DAVE. BAS OR MIKE FOR A BETTER DEAL (D901) 68-70 St. Thomas Street • SCARBOROUGH • you i DU • Tel. (0723) 3615024 British Birds Established over 80 years The quality independent monthly magazine for the serious birdxuatcher. Unlike most magazines British Birds does not have a short life. It is not read and then thrown away like a newspaper or glossy bookstall magtuine. A staggering 99.6% of readers keep their copy of British Birds permanently. British Birds .siibsc rihers not only keep their copies permanently, they devote more than two days a week to hirdwatching and are prepared to spend to support their hobby. (D0Q5) XXIV To advertise - phone 0621 815085 Classified Advertisements All advertisements must be PREPAID and sent to British Birds Advertising Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Telephone 0621 815085 Fax 0621 819130 Rates (including 17V2% VAT) £2.94 a line — average of 6 words £9.98 a centimetre — min. 2 centimetres Box Number counts as 2 words is £1 .00 extra per insertion Replies should be sent to the above address Series Discounts 3 insertions for the price of 2 6 insertions for the price of 4 Copy Date October Issue September 5th Please post early to avoid disappointment British Birds is most grateful to those companies which support the magazine hy their sponsorship: Germany Sponsors of ‘Monthly marathon ’ and HaxpexCoUins fil Sponsors of ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’ Sponsors of the Rarities Committee Sponsors of ‘Bird Photograph of the Year’ telescopes Christopher Helm British Birds has over 10,000 subscribers: a total of around 40,000 readers in 63 coun- tries, and 99.6% of them keep their copies of ‘BB’ permanendy, for future reference. HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION ENGLAND Tur Beautiful Georgian Hotel wliit, LuxDou Food & Accommodation CLEY 5 miles ums WTEL Hoh, Norfolk. (0263)713390 3 gowns commended Bargain Breaks (BB525) CLEY. Attractive house in village, four bed- rooms, large garden, garage, c.h. Available all year. Details from Mrs E. Album, 47 Lyndale Avenue, London NW2. Tel: 071-431 2942. (BB496) NORFOLK. WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA. B&B. Comfortable accommodation in quiet surround- ings. Full C H & HG in all rooms. Twixt Cley and Titchwell. Lodore Warham Rd. Tel: 0328 710470. (BB828) LAKE DISTRICT - RYDAL. Two cottages, sleep 6 each, weekly lets. Fisher Hoggarth, 52 Kirk- land, Kendal. Tel: 0539 722592 in office hours. (BB609) YORKSHIRE DALES (GRASSINGTON). BB & EM. Eileen & Allan invite you to share their idyl- lic 17c. riverside cottage. Private fishing. (Bird- watching courses.) Brochure (0756) 752463. (BB607) WEST SUSSEX, Pagham Harbour/Selsey. Beau- tiful Georgian Farmhouse, with purpose built B&B accommodation. All facilities provided. Warm, friendly atmosphere, children welcome. Open all year. Tel: 0243 602790. (BB530) CHRISTCHURCH, MUDEFORD, DORSET. Bed and breakfast, 200 yds from nature reserve. Excellent bird watching. Salt and freshwater marshes. Spring and Aummn migrations. Phone 0202 473908. (BB853) WEYMOUTH, Birchfields Licensed Guest House, close to RSPB reserves. BB from £14. Evening meal optional. Ideal winter/spring breaks. Parties welcome. For details phone 0305 773255. (BB854) ISLES OF SCILLY, Mincarlo Guest House, St. Mary’s. Superbly situated in own grounds over- looking the harbour. Write to: Colin Duncan or Tel: 0720 22513. (BB855) CLEY. 3 Quality cottages (sleep 4, 6 and 6 + 2). Quiet. Comfortable. Excellent value. Brochure: (0353) 740770. (BB858) XXV To advertise - fax 0621 819130 EXMOOR for country and animal lovers. Farm- house accommodation, bed and breakfast and evening meal, or self-catering cottage. Details from: French, Brendon Barton, Lynton, Devon. Tel: 059 87 201. (BB793) BIRDWATCHERS travel many miles in the pursuit of their hobby. Over half of British Birds subscribers use hotel or guest house accommodation. Phone 0621 815085 for advertising details. (BB68 1 ) FARM COTTAGES between Lindisfarne Reserve and The Fames. Comfortable and well equipped. Sorry no p>ets. Brochure: MrsJ. Sutherland, Ross Farm, Belford, Northumberland NE70 TEN. Tel: 0668 213336. (BB766) EXMOOR. Peaceful s/catering c/heated holiday homes in Nauonal Trust Village. Marshes, woods and moorland — rich in birdlife. Reduced spring/autumn terms. Open all year. Stamp to Sheila Wright, Pack Horse, Allerford, nr Mine- head. Tel: 0643 862475. (BB801) GARA MILL. Slapton, Devon. Self-catering for 2- 7 in secluded four acres overlooking river and woods. Eight detached cedar lodges plus 2 CH flats in 16th c. cornmill. Near Slapton Ley. TVs. Dogs welcome. Free brochure: (0803) 770295. (BB568) NORFOLK. Cley next the Sea 1 mile. Flintstones Guest House, Wiveton, Holt. Full C.H., tea/cof- fee making, colour TV. Private facilities all rooms. Evening meal optional. Open all year. Sorry no smoking. Tel: 0263 740337. (BB81 7) NORTH NORFOLK COAST, Burnham Overy Staithe, Domville Guest House B&B + EM (opt), double/twins (2 en suites) singles (4). TV lounge. Close to major reserves. For details ring (0328) 738298. (BB612) SCOTLAND THE HOTBX, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll PA61 7YP. Demi-pension (Private bath) from £38.00. De- tails, brochures, map (bird list on request). Tel: 09512 316. (BB526) SPEY VALLEY. Maureen and Larry once again invite guests to sample their highland hospitality. Set in five acres, our home has uninterrupted views of the Cairngorms. Bird register available. Good home cooking and a warm welcome await you. D/B/B £120.00 p.w. (All rooms en-suite). Brochure: Maureen Taulbut, ‘Braes of DuthiP, Duthil, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire PH23 3ND. 047984 395. (BB713) NEAR AVIEMORE. Comfortable guest house run by birders for birders. I.atcst sightings and helpful information, plus daily bird trips. B&B, EM. Heatherlea, Boat of Garten. Tel: 0479 83674. (BB806) SPEY VALLEY. Beautiful secluded informal country hotel, 2 miles from village of Carr- bridge. Home cooking, full central heating. All rooms en-suite. Perfect base for birdwatchers and walkers. Discount available for parties. Terms from £160.00 p>er week DB&B. Brochure from Mrs Y Holland. The Old Manse Hotel, Duthil, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire. Tel: 0479 84278. (BB829) SPEY VALLEY. Uninterrupted views of the Cairngorms. All rooms en-suite; tea and coffee making facilities: Db&b £120. Brochure from: Penny Bailey, The Lodge, Easter Duthil, Car- rbridge, Inverness-shire. (BB840) WALES ANGLESEY. Superb beachside hotel with mag- nificent views. Ideal centre for bird watchers and botanists in area noted for its lakes, reserves and coasdine of outstanding beauty. Come to ‘High- ground’ AA/RAC listed, licensed, for warm wel- come, excellent food and accommodation Brochure: Mrs Karen Hayter, Highground, Ravenspoint Road, Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd LL65 2YY. Tel: 0407 860078. (BB792) RED KITE COUNTRY. Tregaron — Guest- House standing in 22 acres, overlooking the Cambrian Mountains and on the doorstep of the Cors Caron Nature Reserve. Central for Dinas and Ynys-hir RSPB reserves. Parties welcome. WTB — 3 crowns. For brochure, phone Mar- garet Cutter, 0974 298965 or 298905. (BB831) SOUTH STACK, ANGLESEY. Tan-y-Cytiau Country Guest House. Lovely comfortable Edwardian house peacefully situated on slopes of Holyhead Mountain. Gardens bordering South Stack RSPB Reserve. Friendly atmo- sphere, excellent fresh cuisine. Licensed. S.C. Lodge in grounds sleeps 7. Phone Pam or Stan KeaUng on 0407 762763 for brochure. (BB832) OVERSEAS SOUTH-WEST BRITISH COLUMBIA, C^mada. Bed 8c Breakfast, field trips; 200+ local species, B.C. total 400+. Write/ phone for brochure, checklist: D. Solecki, 3672 West 1st Avetiue, Van- couver, B.C., Canada V6R 1H2 (604) 7.36-9471. (BB795) Please mention BRITISH BIRDS when replying to advertisements XXVI To advertise - phone 0621 815085 BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS HOBBY holidays 1 1 , Walton Heath Road Stockton Heath Warrington WA4 6HZ COME BIRDING IN STYLE -to the United Arab Emirates Middle Eastern promise with Colin Richardson, author of "Birds of the United Arab Emirates". 2 week itinerary March/April '92 at the peak of spring migration. Guaranteed 'goodies' include Hume's Wheatear, Crab Plover, Purple Sunbird, etc. Direct flights to Dubai, 1st class accommodation, experienced Middle East birders and guides. Future tours include Iran, Oman and Yemen. Send now for full details and costs. (BB867) OVER HALF of British Birds subscribers travel abroad birdwatching each year, averaging 19 days per trip. To reach this audience, phone 0621 815085 for advertising rates. (BB682) COSTA RICA INDIVIDUAL BIRDING HOLIDAYS - brochures: TRANSWORLD, Apt 6951, San Jose, COSTA RICA (BB6S0) BIRDWATCHING IN NORTHERN SPAIN - best local guides. Fullboard and lodgings in historical house (Sierra de Guara) . Jacobo Scheltus, 22192 Castilsabas (Huesca) Spain. (BB790) The Travel Agency for Bird Watchers Discount Airfares & Car Hire...Woridwide Telephone us lor your quote, ANY destination, we otter the widest range ol airtares. CURRENT RETURN FARES FROM: ISRAEL El 65 GAMBIA C208 MOROCCO El 55 DAKAR £300 KENYA £334 S. AFRICA £549 EGYPT £187 INDIA £379 THAILAND £385 HONG KONG (April 92) £519 wrm FREE STOP BANGKOK NEPAL £445 MALAYSIA £459 COSTA RICA £phone ECUADOR £493 BELIZE £489 ARGENTINA £599 VENEZUELA £389 USA £239 AUS/NZ £549 SCILLIES £56 ANTARCTICA BIrdIng tours Irom only £2795. 91/2 & 92/3 booking now. Brochure and Video available. Always phone us tor the ■21 very latest prices/otfers. Discounts on Package Holidays and Cruises. Sava tZts • Ask for leaflet detailing our services. 0272-259999 MON-nV CREDfT CARDS or DICK FILBY 0603-767 757 accepted ABT A 65077 (BB864) BIRD INFORMATION NEW! RARE BIRD ALERT The Paging Service for INSTANT Rare Bird News. For Details phone:- 0603 76 77 99 (BB859) BIRDWATCHING TOURS AUSTRALIA - Send for our Birding brochure. Tours throughout Australia from individuals to groups. We welcome enquiries from both private customers and tour agents. Falcon Tours. 1 Si- mons Drive, Roleystone, Perth, Western Aus- tralia. PH/FAX (09) 397 5125. Lie. Tour Operator. (BB791) DIVISION OF NICK'S TRAVEL 100 LONDON ROAD, LEICESTER LE2 OQS ‘FLIGHTS FOR BIRDWATCHERS’ EXPERTS IN LOW COST AIRFARES - WORLDWIDE. DISCOUNT CAR HIRE/INSURANCE SPECIALIST ADVISOR - ANDY HOWES 0533 881318 (EVES) RING US FOR BEST QUOTE (BB794)4 BIRD REPORT ORKNEY BIRD REPORT 1990 available from Vishabreck, Erie, Orkney, £2.80 including p&p. (BB778) BIRDS IN NORTHUMBRIA 1990. £3.75p inc. p&p, from Mrs M. Cadwallender, 22 South View, Lesbury, Northumberland NE66 3PZ. (BBS 11) NORFOLK BIRD AND MAMMAL REPORT 1990 now available from Mrs M J Dorling, 6 New Road, Hethersett, Norwich NR9 3HH. £4 inc p&p. (BB865) xxvii To advertise - fax 0621 819130 BIRDWATCHING ADVICE LINE PLANNING A BIRDWATCHING TRIP ABROAD THOMAS COOK TRAVEL AGENTS Offer you a TRAVEL ADVICE LINE:- 051 933 9810 Ask for Keith Hiller experienced Birdwatcher. Details available incluxle: Worldwide Airfares * Car Hire • Ferries * Overseas Rail * Visas * Package Holidays • Health ’ Accommodation * Cruises. Mividuals or Croups catered for. (BB779) BOOKS NEW NAT. No. 77 LARKS, PIPITS & WAG- TAILS. Due Oct. @ £30.00. Reserve your copy now for POST FREE delivery immediately upon publication. Bird books bought/ sold. West Coast Bird Books, 25 Heatherways, Freshfield, Liver- pool L37 7HL. Tel: 07048 71 1 15. (BB856) TO ADVERTISE PHONE 0621 815085 THE BIRD & WILDLIFE BOOKSHOP Britain ’s leading ornithological booksellers where you can find our comprehensive range of new and secondhand books and reports on birds and natural history, including all new titles as they are published. Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 6 pm Saturday 1 0 am to 4 pm Mail order catalogue available on recjuest THE BIRD & WILDLIFE BOOKSHOP 2-4 Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, London SW1Y6DS Tel: 071-287 1407. (BB839) THE AVERAGE British Birds reader will spend over £100 on bird books yearly. They could be buying your books. To adverti.se, ’phone 0621- 815085. (BB683) The original BIRDWATCHER’S LOGBOOK The most concise way to record your observations. Monthly, annual and life cdlumns for 762 species, plus 1 59 diary pages. Send £5.95 to: Coxton Publications, Eastwood, Beverley Rd, Walkington, Beverley, N. Humberside HU17 8RP (BB833) ‘BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Eree catalogue from, and offers to Briant Books, 94 Quarry Lane, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 ONJ. Tel: 0829 51804. (BB738) BOOKS ON BIRDS, MAMMALS, ETC., BOUGHT & SOLD. Also Field Sports, Big Game, Travel, Science, the Arts, etc. Catalogues issued. Da\”id Grayling, Crosby Ravensworth, Pen- rith, Cumbria CAIO 3JP. 09315 282. (BB613) LATVIAN BREEDING BIRD ATLAS now avail- able at £25.00 post free. See B.B. Mag. Jan. '90 for full review. Also bird books bought/ sold. West Coast Bird Books, 25 Heatherways, Fresh- field, Liverpool L37 7HL. Tel: 07048 71115. (BB796) ALAUDA Journal of the SocUU d’Etudes Omithologique * 4 issues a year, 320 pages * scientific articles on field studies of wild birds, ethology, breeding biology, ecology, population dynamics, vocal behaviour etc. * coverage is world-wide but mainly western palearctic and particularly French. * papers have an English summary * illustrated with photographs, both black and white and colour Annual subscription of 260 FT Also available : sound recordings of some of the more difficult West African birds — a complete set of 1 1 LP records and accompa- nying notes : 8.50 FF .S.E.O. - ALAUDA MuiiFum National d'HlstoIrr Naturrile 4, avenue du petit chkteau — 41800 Brunoy FRANCE (D791) xxviii WILDLIFE & TRAVEL SPECIALISTS Wide selection of ornithological & natural history titles available from stock, also travel books & maps. FREE Mail order catalogue on request Tel: 0352 770B81 Subbuleo Natural History Books Ltd. (BB) Fax: 0352 771890 Treuddyn. Mold. Clwyd, North Wales. CH7 4LN (BB868) MOROCCO. A BIRDWATCHER’S GUIDE TO MOROCCO by P & F. Bergier. £8.75. Prion Ltd (Perry). Vital for travellers to Morocco. From bookshops or N.H.B.S., 2 Wills Road, Totnes, Devon. Tel. (0803) 865913. (BB786) REGULAR CATALOGUES of secondhand and antiquarian books on all aspects of Natural His- tory and Countryside. Little Holcombe Books, 52 Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire BLO 9AQ. Tel: 0706 825322. (BB622) FOR SALE FOR SALE - Individtud BB subscribers can adver- tise here FREE (up to 30 words, selling a single item, e.g. binocular, book, set cf journals). Quote your BB Ref. No. arui address envelope to ‘Free BB Advertis- ing’. (BB753) BIRD JOURNAL BACKNUMBERS SUPPLIED. (BB. Bird study. County Reports, etc.), David Morgan, Whitmore, Umberleigh, Devon. (BB740) BRITISH BIRDS SUBSCRIBERS spend between £300 and £1,000 a year on bird- watching equipment. They could be buying your equipment. To adverdse, ’phone 0621 815085. (BB684) BACKNUMBERS: BB etc., cheap to clear. Also some books. Phone for list on 0233 628547. (BB807) MALLORCA. New Guide to Bird Sites; more de- tailed, better maps, right up to date (May 91). Only £3.50 incl. p&p. From Gostours, 29 March- wood Rd. Sheffield S6 5LB. Tel: 0742 334171. (BBS 16) TWITCHING, BBRDING WORLD & BRITISH BIRDS JOURNALS. Odd back issues for sale. Telephone 0395 273426 evenings only, for de- tails. (BB841) BIRD BOOKS. Collector selling off many scarce and hard to 6nd duplicates. List includes general natural history items. Clugston, 14 Rosewood Ave, Paisley, Renf PA2 9NJ. Tel: 041-884 4835. (BB842) B.B. BOUND 1946, 1952, 53, 54 £10 per year. B.B. unbound 1969, 70, 74, 76 £7 per year. M. B. Gray, 26 Chaucer Rd, Bath BA2 4QX. Tel: 0225 315879. (BB843) TRIPOD TAMER 2" wide black webbing shoulder strap only £8.50 inc. post from: Vital Equipment, Colwym Bay, Clwyd LL29 SAT (sae for details). (BB857) NOVAFLEX - LENS 400mm/f5.6. Incl. convertor l,5x, case and guarantee. Excellent condition. Tel: 01751 79143 (Holland), Peter Braam. (BB851) KOWA 20 X WA LENS for TSN 'scope. Excellent condition. £65. Telephone 0689 (Orpington) 26301. (BB852) KOWA TSN2 TELESCOPE with 20 W.A. and 20 X 60 zoom eyepieces with Kowa case and Slik master tripod. V.G.C. £350 o.n.o. Tel: Cranbrook (0580) 713585. (BB844) BRITISH BIRDS 1951 to 1954 and 1956, with indices, unbound. Also 1955 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 12 + index, 1957 - 1 . Offers. Tel: 0796 2753. (BB845) SHEARWATERS R. M. Lockley. Second impression 1947. Mint with d/w (small tear). Offers. Tel: 0796 2753. (BB846) RARE BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND, Sharrock, 1976. £18 + p&p. Also, wanted, any books by D. A. Bannerman. Telephone 0760 725486. (BB847) BIRD NOTES (the RSPB journal) vols 25-31 (1951-64) inclusive and complete in parts as issued. Excellent condition. Offers to Graham Bell. Tel: 06684 232. (BB848) KOWA TSN 2 + 25x LENS, Slik tripod and skua case. Almost as new; hardly ever used. £350. Tel: 081-777 3982. (BB849) BIRDWATCHERS YEAR - POYSER. L. Batten - V. g. in dustwrapper. £33 inc. p&p. Tel: 0483 766517, after 7pm. (BB860) FOR SALE. Copies of Wildfowl (Journal of the Wildfowl Trust) Nos. 9-33, 1956 to 1982. All in good condiuon. Tel. 0992 39956. (BB861) KOWA 800mm TSN 2 camera attatchment , £70; Kowa x40 TSN 2 eyepiece, £30; Velbon Victory 150 tripod, £20. All excellent condition. Tel: 0279 816944 eve. (BB862) RED DATA BIRDS IN BRITAIN. Original line drawings £25 to £75. Ian Willis, 20 Albert Street, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire DG5 4JP. Tel: 0556 611158. (BB863) OLYMPUS OMIO SLR. Manual adapter, case, 50mm fl.8 Zuiko lens. Excellent condition. Ideal second camera! £80. Tel: (0234) 712983 Evenings, w/e. (BB866) TO ADVERTISE PHONE 0621 815085 FAX 0621 819130 WANTED WHERE TO FIND BIRDS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA by Beruti & Sinclair - secondhand or new. Tel: 0883 723540. (BB850) British Birds Volume 84 Number 9 September 1991 349 Rare breeding birds in the United Kingdom in 1989 Robert Spencer and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel 371 Morocco David Fisher and Lionel Maumary 378 Fieldwork action BTO news Dr Paul Green 392 Mystery photographs 170 Griffon Vulture Dave Odell Notes 394 Black-throated Diver attacking Great Crested Grebe /. B. Higgotl and A. J. Alackay 394 Great Crested Grebe in winter plumage in mid April N. V. McCanch 395 Rooks attacking Oystercatcher in water Odd IV. Jacobsen Letters 395 Roosting behaviour of seabirds Professor ImuLs J. Halle 395 Reaction of human beings to sudden noise and needless disturbance of Blackcaps D. I. M. Wallace and R. A. Hume; Huw Edwards Announcements 396 Rare Breeding Birds Panel 396 Overseas bird tours survey 397 Senegal expedition 1991/92 S. J. R. Rumsey 397 Addition to the British and Irish List 397 Italian Congress 397 Books in British BirdShop 397 Seventy-five years ago . . . 398 News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett 399 Monthly marathon 400 Recent reports Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan Line-drawings: 349 Black Redstart (Andrew Stock); 353 Slavonian Grebe (Dan Powell); 355 Pintails (Andrew Slock); 356 Garganeys (Guy Thompson); 359 Honey Buzzard (Norman .Arlotl); 363 Spotted Crake (Dan Powell); 364 Cranes (R. A. Hume); 366 Dotterels (F. J. Ha/tow); 367 Ruff (Dave Numey); 368 Red-necked Phalarope (Norman Arlott); 371 Desert Sparrows (Bryan Bland); 385 Red-backed Shrike (Richard Allen); 386 Serin (Dave Numey); 387 Snow Buntings (Stephen Message); 388 Girl Buntings (Dave Numey) Front cover: Yellow-browed Warbler {Gordon Trunkfield): the original drawing of this month’s cover design, measuring 18.6 X 20.8 cm, is for sale in a postal auction (see pages 37-38 in January issue for procedure) Volume 84 Number 10 October 1991 Pf ISEUM '^ISTORY) p »T 1991 THING UBRARY m ^wVsv-: W \ >J The ‘British Birds’ Best Bird Book of the Year Eastern vagrants in autumn 1988 Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs Identification of Spectacled Warbler Status of Spectacled Warbler in Britain Viewpoint: Sir Derek Barber Reviews • Mystery photographs • Fieldwork action ■ Monthly marathon Notes • Letters • News and comment • Recent reports British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David A. Christie Editorial Board Dr R. J. Chandler, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, R. J. Prytherch 8c Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Don Smith & Roger Tidman Art Consultants Robert Gillmor 8c Alan Harris Rarities Committee P. G. Lansdown (Chairman); Dr Colin Bradshaw, Alan Brown, G. P. Catley, Peter Clement, A. R. Dean, Pete Ellis, S. J. M. Gantlett, C. D. R. Heard, R. A. Hume 8c J. H. Marchant; Peter Colston (Museum Consultant & Archivist); Peter Fraser (Statistician); Michael J. Rogers (Honorarv- Secretary ) Aoto Panels BKtiAVloi’R Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Derek Goodwin, Dr I. Newton, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock & Dr K. E. L. Simmons; IDF.N'nFlC.vnON Dr R. J. Chandler, A. R. Dean, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, I. S. Robertson, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 8c K. E. Vinicombe ‘British Birds’ is published by a non-profit-making company for the benefit of ornithology © British Birtis Fid littll Copyright of pholographs remains wilfi photoi^aphers. Mritisfi Birds is published monthly by British Birds Ltd, 9!^ Hit'll Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire ISSN Publishing Manager, Production & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Ciradation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Felts Ach’ertising Sandra Barnes Addresses IMease keej) correspondence on dinerenl items separate. Please address your en\eIo|M‘ correctly. Pletise supply SAK, if reply retphred. Papers, notes, letters, drawings & photographs for publication Dr J. i'. R. .Shanock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK+4 ;iNj. Phone: Biggleswade (0767) 40025 Subscriptions and orders for back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 :tN). Phone: Biggle.swade (0767) 40467 Advertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 Phone: Fiplree (0621) 815085 Bird neivs for 'Seasonal reports' Barr)' Nightingale & Keith Allsopp, c/o 7 Bloomsbuiy Cilose, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17s and comment' Mike Everett & Robin Prytherch, 7 Burlington Wav', Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon l*F.l»!»BS Rarity descriptions M. J. Rogers, Bag End, C.hurchtown, I'owednack, Ciomwall I R'.'ti Special book and sound recording offers British BirdShop, NHBS, 2 Wills Road, I'otnes, Devon TQH hXN. Phone: 'Fotnes (0803) 865913 Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £42.30, IRL49.40 or S79.80. Personal subscriptions: LIK, Europe and surface mail £34.40, 1R£40.20 or $64.80; personal: airmail outside Europe £57.75, IR£67.45 or $109.00. Single back copies £4.40, 1R£5. 15 or $8.30. Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may also be made directly into UK Post Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. British Bird.s pulilishrs material dealing with original observations on the bitxis ol the West Paleart lit . I'xcepl for records of rarities, papers and notes ;ire normally Jiccepted only on condition tlut m.iteriiil is not lieing t>llen‘d in whole or in [larl to any other journal. Pholographs and sketches are welcomed. Papers slnmld 1m* in jiewrilten with doubii‘ spacing, and wide margins, and on one side of the sh(‘et only, .\uthors should carelulK consult this issue fot style of presentatitm, es[)t*tially ol lefereiices .ind tables. I'nglish and scienlifit n.unes and se(|ut*iufs of birds lolittw The 'British Birds’ Li.st of Birds of the Western Palearctic { 19H4); uiunes of pl.tnis Ittlltm l)k of British Mammals). I o]K)graphi( al (plumage and stnictun*) and ageing t<‘nninolog\ should follow etiitorial n’coimnend.itions {lint. Hints 74: 2!i9-242; 78: 419-427; 80: .'i02). I igim*s should be in Indian ink on gofHONE 081-441 7748 I AAX: 081-440 9999 X^FORD SPRINGS FIELD MNDAY DATES 8th SEPT, irth OCT & 10th NOV 'TILL 4 EACH DAY ' ' 1 ideal oppoftunity to test, compare and ' 4hase our full range of equipment at compact well-managed resenre near Garden City. Herts. For further i-ination contact 'In focus'. in focus THE BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE SPECIALISTS AUTUMN FIELD EVENT PROGRAMME The ideal way to test optics for birdwatching is to watch birds! Our field events at well known Reserves countrywide will enable customers to test and select from our complete range of equipment. Information packs are available on all events - please apply in writing or by phone. Two day events are usually run on an appointment basis and preference will be given to those with an advanced booking. All events open between 10 am - 4 pm daily MAIN STREET, TITCHWELL, NORFOLK PE31 8BB OPEN 7 DAYS 9am-6pm PHONE 0485 210101 ICBP WORLD ENVIRONMENT PARTNER 1991 KENFIG MID GLAMORGAN SAT 28th & SUN 29th SEPT RIVERSIDE COUNTRY PARK MEDWAY, KENT SAT 5th & SUN 6th OCT BLACKTOFT SANDS HUMBERSIDE SAT 1 6th & SUN 1 7th NOV POTTERIC CARR DONCASTER SAT 19th & SUN 20th OCT DUNGENESS KENT SAT 26th, SUN 27th OCT NORTHUMBERLAND BIRDWATCHING FESTIVAL -DRUBRIDGE BAY SAT 23rd & SUN 24th NOV LODMOOR DORSET SAT 2nd & SUN 3rd NOV OXFORD ISLAND CO. ARMAGH, N. IRELAND FRI 8th SAT 9th NOV CHEW VALLEY LAKE AVON SAT 30th NOV & SUN 1 st DEC MUSCH&LOMB £ i»te8x42BGA 629 00 I'.te 10X42BGA 629 00 .'istom 8x36B 229.00 .visiom 10x40BGA 249 00 --le22x60B 289.00 •te22x60BGA 309.00 •te 15x-4Sx608GA 349 00 E^ICA £ '\novid 8x20BC .199 00 -\novid 10x25BC 226.00 :novid 8X20BCA . . 226.00 -novid 10X25BCA . . ,239.00 >'4Se for Mini. 15.00 ■\novid 7x42BA ,628 00 •\novid 8x42BA 628 00 .novKj 10X42BA 628.00 A^RL ZEISS £ •*elyt8x20B. 236 00 ^^lyt 10x25B 259.00 «elyt8x20BGA .305.00 «aly1 8X30BGAT 509 00 4<3lyt 7X42BGAT 589 00 eelyt 10X40BGAT 599.00 • alyt10x40BT 639.00 »alyt8x56BGAT .729.00 S-x60 Porro GAT .1190.00 :.:tce$sones » unguard . .5.00 r*e Cups (Set) 16.00 n e Cups Hard (Set) 16.00 r.nyard ...5.00 '’MJe Lanyard .15.00 >>are Case from. .19.00 1 1 >KON £ .'20CF 69.00 >25CF 79 00 i:23CF , .. 85.00 Vx25CF 89 00 IT20DCF 135.00 '*:x25DCF .. 150.00 XSOOCf . ... .249.00 ?'?x36DCF .279.00 >40DCF 539 00 UOCF .199.00 /x35CF 229.00 -12x24DCF .329 00 '>')ldscope II 20x60 265.00 •sidscope II 20x-45 330.00 ••^Idscope ED II 20x60 475 00 x-45x60 54500 x&20x 65.00 X & 40x 65 00 ...65 00 ■ x-45x Zoom .147.00 • )ya Multi Coal Filler .20.00 Jbber Hood 10.00 foto Kit 157.00 ' ay-on Case 45 00 ' ratting scope 20x60GA. 199.00 ' ratting scope 20x-45x60GA 265 00 ' ratting Scope 20x . 34 95 ^ ratting Scope 20-45x Zoom 100.00 SWIFT Grand Prix 6x40 County 10x40 Triton 10x50 ... £ 89 00 89.00 99 00 Trilyte 6x42BGA .135.00 Trilyte 10x328GA .. 139.00 Audubon HR5 . 199.00 Audubon 7x35BGA 329.00 Viewmaster 60 Body 149.00 15-45 X Zoom 49 00 20x 20.00 Case 15 00 QUESTAR £ Field Model 3* Broad Band Coating. Supplied with 50x-80x Hood. Case 2200 00 30x-50x .. . 120.00 0OX-13OX. 120.00 Porro Prism ,140.00 OPTOLYTH £ Alpin 8x30BGA 205 00 Alpin 8x406GA 225.00 Alpin 10x40BGA 230 00 Alpin lOxSOBGA 241.00 Touring Bx30BGA 368 00 Touring 7x42BGA 398.00 Tounng 10x40BGA 398 00 TBS HD Body 549 00 TBG HO Body 549 00 TBS 60 Body 350 00 TBG 80 Body 350.00 30xWA .... .64.00 30x WW (New) 119.00 40xWA(New). .65,00 22x-60x Zoom 150 00 Hard Case. . .35,00 Stay-on Case for TGS/TBG ..45.00 KOWA £ .179.00 TS-602 .179.00 20xWA .55 00 46 00 20x-60x Zoom 99 00 .19.95 295,00 295.00 555.00 20x-60x . 139.00 .63.00 40x .. . 6300 96 00 99 00 Rear Dust Dome 15 00 Spare O G Cover .6.00 27xWA (Screw Fit) .59 00 Case lor TSN 24 95 Photo Adaptor 000mm 107 00 Photo Adaptol 1200mm 179 00 OPTlCflON £ Vega II 8x30 44 00 Vega II 8x40 49 00 HR8x32MC ...142.00 HR 7x42MC 146.00 HR6X42MC 148 00 HR10X42MC 153 00 HR 10x50 .171.00 HR Body 80mm (New) .255.00 30xWA . 32.00 27x-80xZoom 78 00 HR Body. 22x & Case ...164 95 HR GA. 22x & Case 174.95 HR 45. 22x & Case 204 95 HR Body. 20x-60x & Case . 204.95 HR GA. 20-60X & Case 214 95 HR 45. 20-60X & Case 234.95 25xor40x .31.00 Classic IF60 . . 110.00 18xWA .2400 25x 24.00 25x HP ,27.00 18x-40xZoom 61.00 Classic IF 75mm 140 00 22xWA 24 00 30x .. .27.00 22x-47xZoom ...61.00 Piccolo . .128.00 Eye Pieces from.. .29.00 Piccolo ED 20x60 355.00 Piccolo ED 20x-60x60 399 00 Photo Kits from 30.00 Cases tor Scopes .15.00 Macro Monocular .50.00 MIRADOR £ 8x32B .110.00 7x42 112.00 8x40B 113.00 10X40B .. . 115,00 10x50B. . 12700 Merlin 60mmx25 .97,00 Merlin 18x-40x60 129.00 Merlin 75mmx30 119 00 Merlin 22x -4 7x75 157.00 Case for Merlin 15.00 REOF1ELD £ 7x35BA .199.00 10X50BA... , 249.00 20-45X60GA . . . 20.00 PENTAX £ 8X40PCF .99 95 lOxSOPCF 104 95 l2x50PCF 10995 BRESSER £ Action 8x40 69,00 Action 10x50. 7900 Linear 8x42 119 00 Linear 10x42 124 00 ROSS £ Cavendish 8x42B 139.95 Hanover 10x426 . 149 95 Regent 6x42B .169 95 Kensington 10x42B 179.95 OBSERVATION BINOCULARS Opticron 20x80 390 00 Opticron 30x60 395 00 HABICHT £ 10x40 Diana 372 00 7x30SLC 321 00 8x30 SLC 331 00 8x20B 220 00 AT60 Body 547 00 22xWA 72 00 32xWA 72 00 20x-60xZoom. 164.00 93,00 BUSHNELL £ Spacemaster Body 145 00 Spacemaster Body G A 165 00 15x-45xZoom 49.00 22xWA .32.00 Case 15.00 Photo kit 30.00 VELBON £ New Fluid Head Tripods Victory 350 . 39 95 D-500 59.95 D600 69 95 D700 79.95 CULLMANN £ Hide Clamp 49 95 Shoulder Pod 24 95 Q/R System 9 95 Q/R Plate 4 95 SLIK £ Master D2 .72.95 MANFROTTO £ 190 Base .40 00 190B Base 45 00 1 44 Base 50.00 1446 Base 55 00 1 26 Head 45.00 200 Head . ,50 00 Tnpod Strap 10.95 Spare Q/R Plate .5.95 ACCESSORIES £ Car Window Mount 22 00 Universal Mount 22 00 Hide Clamp 38 00 Rainguards from 350 Pentax Cleaning Kit 399 Tnpod Strap 695 Lanyards . . from 4.00 Dust Away 3.99 Double Eyepiece Case 9 95 Tamrac6O/0Omm Scope Case 24 50 Also in stock Binoculars from Pentax. Fujinon. Redtield. Adlerblick. etc IN FOCUS CAR! PLAN At a cost of |ust t15 any rww eQmpment can be covered lor a period of 3 years from purchase In the event of equipment failing for whatever reason it will be rectified by ourselves at no charge Ask for ful details PERSONAL CALLERS Can choose and select from our comprehensive range of equip- ment Compare Zeiss with Leitz and Bausch & Lomb, Kowa with Nikon and Optolyth We are a completely indepertdent company, whose only concern ts that our customers select the correct instrument for Iheir personal needs PHONE ORDERS Discuss your requirements with our technical staff and orders placed with Access or Visa Cards will be despatched same day MAIL ORDER Just add £2 to help towards PAP and insurarx:e arxt your order will be sent the same day as we recewe your cheque AM goods suppked on 14 days approval upon receipt of fun rermttance SECONDHAND Instruments are alvrays available Turnover IS fast so we do not pnnt a bst Phone for informaon PART EXCHANOE Top pnces paid for good condlion Bins and Scopes. HOW TO FIND US (NORFOLK) We » 500 yds east of the RSPB Reserve at Titchwell on the A149 between Hurtstanton and Brancaster. and we have our own pn- vate car parking HOW TO FIND US (BARNET) We are 10 mms from M25 and AIM motorways and IS mms walk from High Barnet Tube Station TELESCOPES AND TRIPOD OUTFITS ff you pixchase a scope and tnpod at the same time we can offer you a very special pnce* PHONE FOR A QUOTE INTEREST FREE CREDIT ON SELECTED Zeiss, Leitz, Kowa and Nikon products Phone or write for details. AUTUMN SPECIAL FREE TRIPOD WITH ANY NEW SCOPE! BUY ANY NEW SCOPE OVER £1 40 AND WE WILL GIVE YOU FREE OF CHARGE A TOP QUALITY TRIPOD. NORMAL PRICE £40 OR PAY THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR CHOICE OF TRIPOD OR CLAMP E&OE (D922) Birdivatching Holidays Worldwide Birdquest’s 1992 programme of 40 different tours spans all seven continents. Whether you are interested in such classic destinations as Morocco, Kenya, the Okavango, India, Thailand, Canada, Argentina, Venezuela and Costa Rica, in travelling to areas that are off-the-beaten-track like Cameroon, Madagascar, Bolivia, the Australian Outback and Antarctica, or in pio- neering journeys to places visited hy few if any other birdwatchers such as Arctic Siberia, Irian Jaya and the Tibetan Plateau, Birdquest have some- thing special to offer you. Join one of our friendly, professionally-guided, small group tours for an unforgettable holiday and see for yourself why Birdquest are acknowledged to he ‘First in the Field’. Tibetan Sandgrouse -just one of the special birds we shall he looking for duririgour pioneering Birdquest to ‘The Roof of the World’. For our brochure please contact: Birdquest Ltd., Two Jays, Kemple End, Birdy Brow, Stonyhurst, Lancashire BB6 9QY. Tel:0254'826317. Fax: 0254-826780. (0924) IJUYING NEW OPTICAL EQUIPMENT? COU GET MORE FROM FOCUS OPTICS tthe specialists professionals recommend! I Unhurried testing and viewing facilities - k lots of time to choose and discuss options. F Friendly expert advice from specialists ■iwho know and really care. CCentrally located showroom - easy to f find and plenty of free safe parking. '■We stock a wide range of accessories, Ctripods, bird books, videos and audio ^ cassettes. (Quick, efficient mail order service with FFREE postage and packing - UK only. FFirst class dependable after sales service. Leading specialists V in high quality BjNOCULARS&TELESCOPES UVide range 'Top quality Discount prices Select from the World's finest Optical instruments ZEISS (WEST) • LEICA- HABICHT • NIKON • OPTIMA QUESTAR • OPTOLYTH • KOWA • SWIFT 4XDLERBLICK • BRESSER • BAUSCH & LOMB • BUSHNELL OPTICRON • ZEISS (EAST) • MIRADOR • PENTAX TRIPODS:- SLIK'UANFROnO and CULLMANN High quality Barometers NOW IS THE TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR EQUIPMENT WITH THE VERY LATEST IN QUALITY QPTICS. ALL AT UNBEATABLE PRICES. We carry one of the most extensive ranges of Binoculars and Telescopes in the country, with the needs of the ^ discerning ornithologist in mind. 20% discount on selected models of Binoculars and telescopes -leading brand names - limited availability . Please phone or write for details. Our showroom is set in seven acres of private grounds in the very heart of our beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Testing facilities are probably the best in the country. Viewing from the showroom is across a large poo! with its various bird visitors and to more distant views of the countryside. Why not try the unhurried experience of testing the latest optical equipment in a relaxed atmosphere with experts who caret Ample free and safe parking. ■ OwUS OPTICS Church Lane. Cor'ey, Coventry CV7 8BA Telephone:0676-40501 &42476 Fax; 0676-40930 WE WILL BE PLEASED TO QUOTE YOU OUR LATEST PRICES! ACCESSORIES: Wide range of eyecups, rainguards, lens caps, lanyards, cases ate. USED BARGAINS: Guaranteed secondhand equipment at bargain prices. EXPORT FACILITIES: Personal and postal export orders welcomed. PACKAGE DEALS: Attractive discounts. Phone for quotations. MAIL ORDERS: Insured postage and packing FREE DF CHARGE (U.K.only). Goods are despatched promptly upon receipt of full remittance. Use your ACCESS or VISA card to order by telephone. E&OE (D923) "Chosen by British Birds as the Best Bird Book of the Year" Distribution and Taxonomy of the Birds of the World CHARLES G. SIBLEY and BURT L. MONROE, Jr. In this book two eminent ornithologists, Charles G. Sibley and Burt L. Monroe, Jr., present authoritative and comprehensive descrip- tions of the geographic distributions, and comments about the species-level taxonomy, of the living birds of the world. The accounts of the 9672 species are arranged according to the classification developed by Sibley, Monroe, and Jon Ahlquist. Sibley and Monroe provide new and detailed information on the distribution of each species and an appendix includes twenty-four maps and a gazetteer giving the positions of the localities mentioned in the text. 1136pp. 24 maps £75.00 YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS 23 Pond Street • London NW3 2PN (D920) AREAS COVERED INCLUDE: ISLES OF SCILLY. CORNWALL, DEVON. DORSET. AVON, WILTSHIRE. SOMERSET, ALSO GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND WEST HAMPSHIRE ENQUIRIES: Please write to 3 Alverton Cottage Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 4TG BIRDING SOUTH WEST 0898 884 500 NATIONAL NEWS SUMMARY - LATEST S.W. REGIONAL NEWS - S.W. REGIONAL DETAILS EVENTS & INFORMATION ALL ON ONE BIRDLINE BIRDING S.W. DONATES ALL PROFITS TO LOCAL CONSERVATION TO REPORT YOUR SIGHTINGS PLEASE PHONE OUR HOTLINE ON 0426923923 ICALLS CHARGED AT LOCAL RATES FROM ANYWHERE IN THE UK ENQUIRIES 0736 331222 Graham Walbridge, Franko, John Ryan Calls charged at 36p/min Cheap Rate - 48p/min at all other times, inc VAT IV A GUIDE TO THE WARBLERS OF THE WESTERN PALEARCTIC OCTOBER &21.00 ISBN 1 872842 01 1 BRUCE COLEMAN BOOKS T W Parmenter • Clive Byers ■ A new comprehensive field guide to the warblers of Europe, the Near East and northern Africa. ■ Over sixty species described and illustrated. ■ Extensive information on song and plumage variation. ■ Detailed maps and distribution notes. (D912) A FOUR STAR SERVICE FROM BIRDLINE NORTHEAST isr 0898 700246 FOR THE FASTEST, MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND COST EFFECTIVE BIRD NEWS SERVICE Whether in a phone box or by the phone at home, when listening to the Birdline North East message service - for an update on the next file simply press the star symbol and then the digit required to move on... then [2^ FOR INSTANT ACCESS TO FURTHER DETAILS & DIRECTIONS then [3j FOR THE DAYS NATIONAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS then FOR A SUMMARY OF RECENT SIGHTINGS then [j^TO RETURN TO THE DAYS MAIN REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS BIRDLINE NORTH EAST OFFERING THE FOUR STAR SERVICE - FOR MORE GENERAL INFORMATION ON BIRDS & BIRD WATCHING IN THE NORTH EAST PHONE: 0898 700257 NOTE: YOUR TELEPHONE MUST GENERATE A TONE SIGNAL TO ACTUATE THE RAPID ACCESS SYSTEM - FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SEND SAE TO: BIRDLINE NORTH EAST -8 HARRISON GROVE ■ HARROGATE HG1 4QJ ALL CALLS TO 0898 NO'S ARE CHARGED AT 36p PER MIN CHEAP RATE AND 48p AT ALL OTHER TIMES] (D916)l; August highlights inc. Goshawk and Sparrowhawk FOCALPOINl Please note our change of address from Comberbach just 2 miles to Higher Whitley - we are now very easy to find!! Tel. 0925 730399 SUPERB VIEWS! p./ex. WELCOME TRY & BUY! at a FOCALPOINT Field Day. Demonstrations of top binoculars, telescopes and accessories on major nature reserves (10.30 am-4 pm). Each event will be staffed by Nationally known birders and optical specialists who are pleased to help you choose. withIheW&WTat SUMBRIDGE, GLOS. (M5, Junction 13) Sunday 6th October with the W & WT LLANELLI, DYFED (M4, Junction 48) Sunday 12th October RSPB 'mini demo'. Leighton Moss. N. Lancs (M6, Junction 35A). Tel Paul on 0925 730399 for appt. (this event only) Sunday 3rd November withtheW&WTat MARTIN MERE, SOUTHPORT, LANCS 16th & 17th November A MAJOR EVENT BAUSCH & LOMB/BUSHNELL 8x42 BGA 'Elite' £629 10x42 BGA 'Elite' £629 8 X 36 Custom £229 7 X 26 Custom £199 10 X 40 BGA Custom £249 15-45 x 60 Elite £319 15-45 X 60 GA Elite £339 ZEISS WEST 10x40 BGAT(P) ....£599 7x42 BGAT(P) ....£589 8 X 30 BGAT (P) ...£509 New 8x20 .,.£295 New 10x25 ...£319 Full range of accessories LEICA 10x42 BGA (instock!).. ...£628 8 X 42 BGA ,..£628 7x42 BGA . ... 10x25 BGA ...£239 10x25BC ...£226 8 X 20 BCA .,,£226 8x20 BC ...£199 Case - miniatures £15 Preyecupsold models... £16 Rainguand (old models)... £8 OPTOLYTH 12X50BGAAIpin ...£247 10 X 50 BGA Alpin ...£243 10X40 BGA Alpin ...£230 8 X 40 BGA Alpin ...£225 8 X 30 BGA Alpin ...£205 7x42 BGA Alpin ...£235 8x 32 BGA Touring ...£358 7 X 42 BGA Touring ...£398 1 0 X 40 BGA Touring ...£398 TBS 80 body (45°) ...£350 TBG 80 body (straight) ... ...£350 20xWA £66 20 X WWA ...£100 30 X WA £64 22 x-60 X zoom ...£150 Skua case (stay on) £42.50 Other cases avaiiable ..p.o.a. ADLERBLICK 8x42S,T.L ...£170 8 X 42 S.T.R ...£188 10x42 S.T. L ...£180 10x42 S.T.R ..£198 10x50S.T.L .,£199 10x50 S.T.R ..£218 TRIPODS? All the popular models in stock NIKON specialists - all popular models in stock. All prices correct at 04.09.91 OPTICRON 8 X 40 Vega II £49 8 X 40 Polarex II £71 10x40Polarexll £72 lOx 50 Polarex II £76 8 X 40 ZWCF m/c WF £90 10x40ZWCFm/c WF £92 7x24 MCFSTL £79 8x24 MCFSTL £80 10x24 MCFSTL £82 8 X 20 Macro Monocular £49 8 X 32 Dioptron £112 7 X 42 Dioptron £114 8 X 42 Dioptron £116 lOx 42 Dioptron £118 10 X 50 Dioptron £130 8x32 HR £142 7x42 HR £146 8x42 HR £148 10x42 HR £153 10x50 HR £171 8 X 24 Compact H.R. NEW 90 9x35 Elite (last chancel). ..£186 8x30 Minerva £168 7 X 40 Minerva £172 8x40 Minerva £174 9x 35 Minerva £1 73 10 X 40 Minerva £179 HR + 22 X WA + case £165 HR + 20-60 X zoom in case £205 45° body add £40 Armour^ — straight add £10 Eyepieces fixed 15x, 20x, 25x, > BOOKS > FOCALPOINT now stock an expanding range of Bird and Natural History Books. Field Guides, Poysers, Collins, Macmillan, Croom Helm etc. New titles include: The Magpies (Birkhead)...£18 Birds - Costa Rica (Stiles)E35 Red Data Birds £18 The Ruff £18 Status of Seabirds £20 22 X WA eyepiece ...£33 20 x-60 X zoom eyepiece... ...£78 Classic IF 25 X 60 .£102 Zoom eyepiece ...£61 Classic IF 75mm .£140 22 X or 30 X eyepiece ...£24 30 X HEP ...£27 Piccolo Mk II 20 X 60 £131 Full range of eyepieces and photo adaptors for all models are in stock. BUSHNELL Spacemaster inc. R.A. waterproof in stock SWAROVSKI-HABICHT 8x30 SLC .£331 KOWA TSN-1 (45°) TSN-2 (straight) TSN-3(45°) TSN-4 (straight) 20 X WWA 25x 25 X LER 30 X WA 40x 60 X 20x-60xzoom Eyepiece cover Photo adaptor 800mm.. Skua Mk III case Kowa case Cordura case TS601 (45°) TS602 (straight) 20 X WA 25x 40x 20 x-60xzoom Spare OG cap Leather eyepiece case.. ..£295 ,.£295 ,.£555 ..£555 ....£96 ....£63 ....£99 ..£119 ....£63 ....£89 ..£139 ....£15 .£107 ....£40 ....£25 ....£25 ..£179 ..£179 ....£55 ....£48 ....£48 ....£94 £6 ..,.£10 10x40ZCFRA'Diana' £399 QUESTAR phone The above are just a small selection of our vast range of optics. All leading models are available from stock for you to compare. All staff and the demonstration teams are experienced birdwatchers. Used equipment is available. FOCALPOINT have an unbeatable range of top quality and reasonably priced binoculars, telescopes & accessories in stock. Purchasers are able to field test these instruments under ideal viewing conditions with help from experienced birdwatchers. We also have a good range of books, waterproof clothing, birdwatchers multi-pocket waistcoats and Limit^ Edition Art by leading artists. We are sure that you will enjoy your trip to FOCALPOINT! > NEW PRODUCTS A OPTICRON, PICCOLO E.D. Fine quality, light weight, compact scope with a good range of eyepieces. Low dispersion technology at a very reasonable pnce. From £323 inc case. New, SKUA stay-on-the- scope cases now available. OPTOLYTH - new fluorite versions of the TBS807TBG 80. Superb scopes with some excellent new eyepieces (which also fit the old models). Body only £549 30 X WWA eyepiece £122 40 X WA eyepiece £65 New Skua cases £42.50 NIKON FOCALPOINT now have available a stay-on-the-scope case for NIKON telecopes. The case fits all Fieldscopes & Fieldscope ED Mkl and Mkll (But not the rubber armoured new spotting scopes.) FOCALPOINT FINE ART DEPARTMENT At the Gallery, Martin Mere W & WT Reserve, Southport, Lancs. A large display of Original and Limited Edition Artwork by some of the world's finest Wildlife Artists. For the whole of November - Don't miss the MAJOR optics show at the same venue on 16th & 17th November 1991. BIRDGUIDES 91/92 Tours to Gambia (Nov), Kenya (Feb), tel Peter Wolstenholme on 061 -428 2175. DIRECTIONS M56 Jet 1 0 take A559 towards Northwich for 1 mile to the Birch & Bottle. Turn right into Bentleys Farm Lane, we are ^ on the left yy after Vi mile. MAIL ORDER SPECIALISTS P/P & INS FREE FOCAiPOINI (D921) UNITS 7 & 8, MARBURY HOUSE FARM, BENTLEYS FARM LANE, HIGHER WHITLEY, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE WA4 4QW. Fax 0606 892207 Telephone 09^ 730399 OPEN MON-FRI 9.30-5.30 SAT 9.30-4.00 CLOSED SUNDAYS & BANK HOLIDAYS \11 Bird Illustrator of the Year competition, sponsored by Kowa Telescopes “First, and most important, this telescope is optically magnificent, with phenomenal clarity and a superbly large field of view. If you are a birder who is seeking the best possible telescope . . . the optical gain is significant, especially in the worst viewing conditions. It is an elite instrument, to be treasured by those fortunate enough to own one.” Dr J T R Sharrock, testing the Kowa TSN-3 with x20W eyepiece, British Birds June 1990. Kowa TSN Fluorite lens scope, available angled or straight Ci •Q Q (> it Dt h Fn Gr Ha 'Ha 1 • A superb image Officially appointed distributor for Kowa Telescopes Pyser-SGI Ltd., Fircroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HA L' tt ^ (D915) British BirdShop ALL LISTED BOOKS ARE POST FREE TO ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ SUBSCRIBERS Books and other items are included in British BirdShop only if they are approved by British Birds and considered to be generally reliable, good value and useful additions to a birdwatcher’s library. Any item ordered through British BirdShop which fails to meet your approval can be returned and your money will be refunded without question. It is our aim to provide British Birds subscribers with the best and most reliable service possible. Items ordered through British BirdShop are despatched for British Birds subscribers by the Natural History Book Service. All correspondence concerning British BirdShop should be sent to British BirdShop, c/o NHBS, 2 Wills Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5XN. Books All listed books are POST F REE. Newly listed books and special offers marked * ^ All & Ripley A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of t!u InSan Subcontinent (OUP) £22.50 D All & Ripley Compact Handbook ofthe Birds of India and Pakistan. New, revised edition (OUP) £75.00 [~~1 *Alstr6m, Colston & Lewington The Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe (HarperCollins) (due OCTOBER) . . . Prepubi.ication PRICE (full price £14.95) £12.95 D Bergier & A Birdwatchers’ Guide to Morocco (Prion) Paperback £8.75 D Birkhead The Magpies (Poyser) £18.00 I I BriizW Birds of Japan (Vie\m) £35.00 CH *British Birds/IBCE Intematiorml Bird Identification (u.SUAu.y£10.50) Paperback £9.50 EH Brooke & Birkhead Cambridge Encyclopedia of Omithologp (CUP) (duecx:tober) £24.95 EH *Brown & Amadon Eagles, Hawks and Ealcons of the World Single combined vol. (originally 2 vols) Special offer Hardback £47.50 EH Bub Bird Trapping & Bird Banding Cornell £45.00 EH Campbell & l^cVADictiormry of Birds [Poyser) £49.50 EH *Ch&nd\er North Atlcmlic Shorebii^ (Macmillan) Exci.usiW, REDUCED price (usually £12.95) £9.95 EH Clarke & Clarke Where toWatch Birds in East Anglia 2nd edn(V{e\m) Paperback £10.95 EH Cramp Birds of the Western Palearctic vol. 1 £85 EH vol. 2 £85 EH vol. 3 £85 EH vol. 4 £85 LH vol. 5 £85 EH de Schauensee A Guide to the Birds of Venezuela (Princeton) Paperback £26.00 [H Hardback £60.00 EH Duff, Hatton, Stirrup & Williams NotBB V Paperback £2.50 EH Dymond, Fraser & Ganilett Rare Birds in Britain and Irelard (Poyser) £19.00 EH Fjeldsa & Krabbe Birds of the High Amies (Ajxillo) £85.00 EH Flint riot A Field Guide to the Birds of the USSR (Princeton) Paperback £22.75 EH Hardback £60.00 EH Fry, Keith & Urban The Birds of Africa (Academic Press) vol. 1 £81.00 EH vol. 2 £81.00 EH vol. 3 £76.50 EH Grant Gulls: a guide to identification (Poyser) £17.50 EH Harris, Tucker & Vinicombe The Macmillan Eield Guide to Bird Identification (Macmillan) £14.95 EH ‘Harrison Seabirds: an identification guide Revised edn 1985 (Croom Helm) Bf.st Bird Book OF 1983 Specialoffer £19.95 EH Harrison S'citAirds; an identification guide Revised edn. 1991 (Helm) Bf.st Bird Book OF 1983 £24.99 EH Hayman, Marchant & Prater Shorebirds: an identification guide to the waders of the World (Helm) Bfst Bird Book OF 1986 £24.99 EH Hilty & Brown A Guide to the Birds of Colombia (Princeton) Paperback £30.00 EH Hardback £60.00 EH Hollom etal. Birds of the Middle East ami North Africa (Poyser) £16.00 EH Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. 2nd edn. (Academic Press) Hardback £22.50 EH Hume, Wallace, Rees, Busby & Partington Birds ty Character: the fieldguide to fizz identification (Macmillan) Paperback £7.99 EH Hardback £12.95 EH Inskipp & Inskipp Guide to the Birds of Nepal (Helm) 2nd edn £35.00 EH ]oh\\r\gADictionary of Scientific Bird Names (OUP) £19.95 EH Johnsgard Bustard, Hemipodes and Sandgrouse: birds of dry places (OUP) £60.00 EH Lack The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain andirelcmd (Poyser) £22.50 EH Langrand Guide to the Birds of Madagascar (Y ale UP) £35.00EH ‘Lekagul, Round, Wongkalasin & Komolphalin A Guide to the Birds of Thailand (Saha Kam Bhaet) FOR THREE MONTHS ONLY £30.00 EH Lloyd, Tasker & Partridge The Status of Seabirds in Britain and Ireland (Poyser) £20.00 EH Madge & Bum Wildfowl: an identification guide to the ducks, geese and swans of the World (Helm) Be.st Bird Book OF 1988 £22.99 EH National Geographic A Eield Guide to the Birds of North America £ 1 0.95 EH NCC/KS)Ph Red Data Birds in Britain (Poyser) £18.00 EH Please use the British BirdShop form on page x to complete your order. IX (continued) British BirdShop ALL LISTED BOOKS ARE POST FREE TO ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ SUBSCRIBERS Please tick ✓ Kewman. Xewman’s Birds of Southern Africa (Southern Books) Paperback £13.95 CH Nonnan & Tucker HTiereto Watch Birds in Devon and Cornwall 2nd edn. (Helm) Paperback £1 1 .95 CH *()gil\ie& Winter Best Days uhlh British Birds {Brilmh Birds) F,xc:i.rsi\T.RF.nic:F.m'RK:F, (usually £14.95) £12.95 Ul Parmenter & Byers .4 Guide to the Warblers of the Western Palearctic (Bruce Coleman) (niFocrroBFR) £21.00 CH Pearson & Burton /)ird(ca/)e(HarperCollins) £15.95 C] Perrins The Handyn Photographic Guide to the Birds of the World £20.00 CH Porterria/. Plight identification of European Raptors (Poyser) £16.50 CD R.AOL' 'Die Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and .-inlarclic Birds \ oi. 1 (R.AOU/OL’P) £125.00 CD Ridgeley & Gwynne .4 Guide to the Birds of Panama ( Princeton) £32.00 CD Ridgely & Tudor The Birds of South America (OL'P) (4 vols.) vol. 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Name.... ,\ddress Ref No. Total £ Gheque/PO enclosed CD Giro payment m ade CD 5'ou can also pay using these credit cards: If your address for credit card purposes is different from that alxtve, give it hem Plea.se debit my AccessA''isit/MasteK'.ard/F.urfx aixl F.xpiry date Signature You can phone in your credit card orders, but please c|tiote your BB ref no. as well its yotir credit card no. iT.i . Totnes (0803) 865913. f.\x. (0803) 865280 Send order to: British BirdShop, c/o NHBS, 2 Wills Road, Totnes, Devctn TQ9 5XN X British Birds VOLUME 84 NUMBER 10 OCTOBER 1991 BPmSH MUSEUfV |M HISTORY) (j 7 QCT 1991 I ED imm LIBRARY The ‘British Birds’ Best Bird Book of the Year Fior the benefit of those who may wish to acquire (or give as a present) just one of the many bird books published each year, British Birds selects annually its choice of the ‘Best Bird Book of the Year’ from those reviewed in the journal during the previous 12 months. The winner may, in one year, be an important, erudite scientific treatise and, in another, a lighter, less academic work, but it will always be reliable, well produced and thoroughly worthy of inclusion in any birdwatcher’s library. Our choice for BEST BIRD BOOK OF 1991 is Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. By Charles G. Sibley & Burt L. Monroe, Jr. Yale University Press, New Haven and Lon- don. £75.00. (Review: Brit. Birds 417-419) Three other books were close contenders and are also recommended by us; Birds and Forestry. By Mark Avery &c Roderick Leslie. T. & A. D. Poyser. £18.00. (Review: Brit. Birds 84: 199-200) Red Data Birds in Britain: action for rare, threatened and important species. Edited by L. A. Batten, C. J. Bibby, P. Clement, G. D. Elliott 8c R. F. Porter. Illustrated by Ian Willis. T. & A. D. Poyser. £18.00. (Review; Brit. Birds 84: 415-416) Population Trends in British Breeding Birds. By John H. Marchant, Robert Hudson, Steve P. Carter 8c Phil Whittington. British Trust for Ornithology. £12.00. (Review; Brit. Birds 84: 32-33) [Bril. Birds 84: 40 1 , October 1991] 401 Eastern vagrants in Britain in autumn 1988 Norman Elkins The autumn of 1988 was remarkable for the arrival of eastern Palearctic vagrant passerines in Britain (Rogers et al. 1989), and second only to 1982 in numbers (see Howey & Bell 1985). Of those central Asian passerines whose breeding range is no closer to Europe than the Urals, approximately 100 individuals were recorded (excluding Richard’s Pipits Anthus novaeseelandiae and Yellow-browed Warblers PhyUoscopus inomatiis). The two commonest Asian vagrants in 1988 were Pallas’s Warbler P. proregulus (64 individuals) and Radde’s Warbler P. schwarzi (21). Meteorologically, October 1988 over central Asia was characterised by an intense anticyclone which extended much farther west into Europe than normal, and which created a strong mean easterly airflow on its southern flank as far west as the Black Sea. Low-level easterlies were also more frequent as far west as the mid Atlantic between 40°N and 55°N. At higher altitudes, this corresponded with a much weaker westerly airflow than normal between central Asia and the Caspian Sea in September, and central Europe in October. With the presence of such a strong easterly wind flow, it is not surprising that large numbers of central Asian passerines were drifted towards Europe. The precise orientation mechanism is not clear, but meteorological and other evidence must now be overwhelmingly in favour of most vagrants being birds of the year (first-winters and juveniles) on non-oriented exploration movements. The arrivals in Britain occurred in two discrete periods: 12th- 15th October and 20th-25th October, with no records on 18th and 19th. Only two occurred prior to 12th, and a few after 29th. The first fall began on 12th in northeastern England, with later records from farther north. These were associated with an occlusion moving north over the North Sea and eastern Britain, with the arrivals on its northern side. Back-tracking calculations of bird flight pose inherent difficulties, and many assumptions must be made, but I carried out such a calculation assuming that the vagrants which arrived on 12th had travelled non-stop at an altitude below 1 km at a flight speed of 10 m/s. The calculation showed a route across Europe with a flight-time of 30 hours, having moved across, or departed from, the Crimea at around 00.00 hours on 11th. Phe route along which they are likely to have travelled was one taking them west over or Just to the north of the Caspian and Black Seas, and then across central Europe through a weak frontal zone which farther west began to move north into the North Sea (see figs. 1 & 2). 402 \Hril. R4: 4<)2-4(M, October 19911 403 Eastern vagrants in autumn 1988 An easterly airflow is frequently induced or strengthened in the region of the Black Sea by a trough of low pressure or a depression forming to the lee of the Caucasus mountains, funnelling any birds westwards to the north of the range. In October 1988, such a feature was present on all days except 7th-9th, 23rd-25th and 30th-31st. These periods coincide well with breaks in the main arrivals in Britain, but, of course, a connecting flow from this region across Europe must also be present. Such a flow formed during llth-12th, 14th-21st and on 26th. The period from 9th-12th October was particularly notable, with a depression over the Black Sea developing on 9th- 10th. On 10th and 11th, an anticyclone built eastwards over the Baltic with a strong southeast airstream below 1.5 km altitude becoming established from central Europe to Britain from early on 11th to late on 12th, veering southerly by 13th (see fig. 1). The next fall also occurred ahead of northward-moving fronts in the period from 19th, with the airflow veering west of south by 26th. It is likely that the latter fall included many migrants already in Europe, unlike those arriving earlier, which probably made a faster and more direct crossing of the continent. Previous accounts of far-eastem-vagrant arrivals in northwest Europe (Baker 1977; Howey & Bell 1985; Elkins 1988) have all drawn attention to the presence of easterly winds in central Asia as a mechanism for initiating westward movements. With the bulk of land south of 50°N in central Asia at an altitude of well over 1,000 m (900 mbar), sea-level atmospheric-pressure patterns may not always be representative of low- level winds. More realistic indicators of such wind directions are surface streamlines. A streamline is a line parallel to the surface-wind vector at all points, but streamline charts are not readily available. Bryson (1986) produced mean monthly streamline charts for Asia, and showed that in September easterly surface winds exist south of 50°N westwards from 100°E, which, apart from a short break or two, reach as far west as 30°E by October (see fig. 2). During these two months, the latitude of 50°N 404 Eastern vagrants in autumn 1988 Fig. 2. Routes of vagrants: double-line arrow = route of vagrants in mid October 1988 as inferred from low-level winds; dotted-line arrows = routes of vagrants in October 1982, from Howey & Bell (1985); single-line arrows = October mean streamlines, from Bryson (1986). Land over 1,000 m above sea level enclosed by dotted line between central Europe and central Asia marks the approximate southern boundary of southwesterly surface winds. Provided that European airflows are suitable for assisting vagrant passerines towards Britain and northern Europe, I would theorise that central Asian airflows are such that non-oriented migrants dispersing downwind normally funnel around the mountain ranges and across Kazakhstan and thence into the Ukraine. This route has already been shown by Howey & Bell (1985) to have been implicated in the vagrant movements of October 1982, although in that case they appear to have been deflected northwestwards over Kazakhstan to arrive from a more eastern point than those in 1988 (see fig. 2). The winds in southwest Asia must also be those utilised by the many migrant populations of Asia which winter in Africa. It is of interest that, in autumn 1988, multiple arrivals of some of these passerines were recorded from Yugoslavia and Hungary (Brit. Birds 82: 349-355), supporting this theory of a southern approach to Britain. Unlike 1982, few were recorded from the Scandinavian region. References Baker, K. 1977. Westward vagrancy of Siberian passerines in autumn 1975. Bird Stitdy 24: 223-242. Bryson, R. A. 1986. Airstream climatology of Asia. Proc. Int. Symp. on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and Mountain Meteorology, pp. 604-609. Beijing. Ei.KINS, N. 1988. Weather and Bird Behaviour. 2nd edn. Calton. Howey, D. H., & Bei.I., M. 1985. Pallas’s Warblers and other migrants in Britain and Ireland in October 1982. Brit. Birds 78: 381-392. Roc;ers, M. J., & THE Rarities Commutee. 1989. Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1988. Brit' Birds 82: 505-563. Norman Elkins, 18 Scotstannt Vieu>, Cupar, Fife KYI 5 4I)X Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs In recent years, it has become clear that most bird-photographers work in colour, and, as a consequence, the number submitting prints for consideration for this feature has fallen. There still remains a number of aficionados, however, who enjoy working in the medium and are attracted by the total control over their work that they can obtain by carrying out their own processing of the film, and then printing their own enlarge- ments. There is, too, considerable aesthetic satisfaction to be obtained from the tones and degrees of contrast obtainable in black-and-white work, and in the manipulation of these to achieve the photographer’s desired result. As will be seen from the following, we have again been able to make an interesting and varied selection of black-and-white bird-photographs for this thirty-second annual display. There may be fewer workers in the medium, but the quality of the prints which they produce is well up to the standard of previous years. The work of five photographers is represented: Harold Grenfell and Tony Hamblin have both had four prints selected, and there are three examples of Tony Bond’s work, two of Dr Kevin Carlson’s and one of Mike Weston’s. From the two extremes, Mike Weston’s work appeared for the first time only last year, while Kevin Carlson is represented for the nineteenth occasion. As our readers will know, we try — other factors being equal — to add further bird species that have not previously featured in this series. This year we are able to include no fewer than five ‘new’ species: Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Gadwall A. strepera, Lapwing Vanellus vanellns and Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis. The first photograph (plate 208) is of one of these new species: two Spoonbills at the nest. The off-duty bird is preening, a task that should be awkward with that long, spatulate bill, but which is in fact carried out with great dexterity. This photograph represents quite an achievement by the photographer, Kevin Carlson, who installed the hide in 2 m of water. The end of summer is epitomised by the next photograph (plate 209), which Harold Grenfell took by stalking, using a monopod to support his camera. The result is an attractive and instructive group of Sandwich Terns: four adults with a juvenile for comparison. The preoccupation of the terns with preening — or simply just roosting — and their obvious lack of concern at the presence of the photographer displays all that is best in this type of bird-photography. Kevin Carlson’s Linnet Carduelis cannabina (plate 210) was photographed from a hide, but, since the bird is not carrying food, we guess that the hide was set up for wait-and-see work, perhaps close to water. This can be an exciting and rewarding form of bird-photography, and we commend the method to other photographers. Waders, too, lend themselves to wait-and-see photography. Tony Hamblin’s Little Ringed Plover Charadrins dubius (plate 211), taken in 405 [Bril. Birds 84: 405-4 1 5, October 1 99 1 ] 406 Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs Menorca, Spain, is another attractive example of the genre, the shells providing an indication of the very small size of this wader. We like Mike Weston’s Woodpigeon Columba palumbus (plate 212), because the bird in the photograph seemed so typical of the species: cautious and wary, taking great care to ensure that it is safe for it to venture beyond the pear tree in which it is perched. Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis are not difficult to photograph, providing you can get a good view of their nesting ledge, but Tony Bond’s shot (plate 213) is a particular delight, the birds allopreening, pigeon-like. An added attraction of the photograph is the flower heads of thrift Armeria maritima, ]\xs\. in the frame at the top of the picture. Another striking photograph is provided by Tony Hamblin’s Lapwing (plate 214): a female, feeding in calm water, with one of the most striking reflections that we can remember seeing. The circular ripple adds an ephemeral touch to what might otherwise almost be a still-life pose. Two wildfowl follow, both the work of Tony Bond. We much admired the Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus (plate 215); it is all too easy to bum out the feather detail on white birds, but Tony has retained this, while at the same time providing action in the form of ripples and a dribble of water from the bill as the bird raises its head after a bout of feeding. The pair of Gadwalls (plate 216) is most attractive, particularly the drake, whose vermiculated flanks show the considerable detail that Tony has managed to achieve in this shot. We also enjoyed Harold Grenfell’s Mallard (plate 217), another photograph which is improved so much by the reflection. This is another result of Harold’s wait-and-see hide work, other examples of which we have shown in the past. A similarly watery photograph, with yet another engaging reflection, is provided by Tony Hamblin’s bathing female Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (plate 218). Though many raptors bathe regularly, they are not often photographed doing so. There are many bird- photographers who will envy Tony this well-composed shot. In July, adult Greenshanks Tringa nebularia reappear in southern Britain as they move southward towards their wintering grounds. At this time of the year, their plumage is worn, and, as a consequence, they look considerably darker than the juveniles that will follow two or three weeks later. One of these adults has been well caught by Harold Grenfell (plate 219) at his wait-and-see hide; this type of shot makes the sometimes interminable waits of this type of photography well worthwhile. Wait-and-see photography at wetland localities often results in Black- headed Gulls Larus ridibundus appearing in front of the hide; this juvenile (plate 220) was particularly obliging for Harold Grenfell, paddling vigorously to maintain its position against the falling tide in an estuary- stream whilst it fed from the water surface. In recent years, a number of photographers have exploited the ability of wide-angle lenses to show birds in their habitat. We particularly liked the example, by Tony Hamblin, showing a winter Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major in a woodland area (plate 221), taken using remote control with a 28-mm lens. 108. Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia, Portugal, May 1990 {Kevin Car/lfon) (Nikon FE; 300mm Nikkor; Ilford FP4) '109. Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis, Dorset, September 1990 {Harold E. Grenfell) {Nikon-, 300mm Nikkor with 1.4X converter; Ilford XPl) 210. Linnet Carduelis cannabina, Portugal, June 1990 (Kevin Car^on)(Nikon 1E2; 600mm Novoflex; Ilford FP4) 211. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, Menorca, May 1990 (Tony Hamblin) (Canon 190; 500mm Canon; Ilford XPl) J12. Woodpieeon Columba balumbus, Netherlands, Auejust 1990 (Mike Weston) (Cdinon A-1; 600mm Canon; Ilford XPl) J13. Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis, Islay, June 1990 {Tony Bond){Ca.non A-1; 500mm Canon; Ilford XP2) 214. Female Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Derbyshire, May 1990 (Tony HarnhHn)(V. Anon 190; 500min Canon with 1.4X converter; Ilford Xl’l) ,215. Whooper Swan Cygrius cygnus, Lancashire, January 1990 (Tony Bond){CAnon A-1; 500mm Canon; Ilford FP4) .216. Pair of Gadwalls Anas slrepera, Norfolk, May 1990 (Tony Zlon(/)(Canon A-1; 500mm Canon; Ilford FP4) 217. Mallard .4ned)at k £5.95) Pfaffchen: Finkenammem Mittel- und Siidamerikas. By Karl Sabel. (F.ugen I4mer, Stuttgart, 1990. 165 pages. Paperback DM38.00) Between Earth and Paradise. By MikeTomkies. (Jonathan Gape, London, 1991. 2nd edn. 224 pages. £12.99) (1st edn reviewed lirit. liirds 74: 407) Wildcats. By MikeTomkies. (Whittet Books, London, 1991. 108 pages. £6.95) Mystery photographs mOur mystery bird (plate 205, repeated here) is obviously a fairly large raptor, flying with wings held up in a shallow V. This posture is highly suggestive of either the true buzzards Buteo or the harriers Circus, both of which are noted for their tendency to soar and glide with wings raised. This individual’s long tail and relatively long, slightly tapered wings do not fit the former, but are right for the latter. Clearly, we are looking at a harrier. The combination of strongly barred underwing and white rump eliminate Marsh Harrier C. aeruginosus, and also adult males of the other three: Hen Harrier C. cyaneus, Montagu’s Harrier C. pygargus and Pallid Harrier C. macrourus. We are left, therefore, with the possibility of a female or immature of one of these three, a so-called ‘ringtail’ harrier. This individual does not have the hefty, broad-winged appearance of particularly the female Hen, neither is it obviously tem-like or gull-like, descriptions often applied to Montagu’s and Pallid, especially males. If the outermost (tenth) primary is ignored, however, only the next three are clearly fingered, with the sixth primary appreciably shorter. This creates a more tapered look to the wing and is a feature of Montagu’s and Pallid, but not Hen. Even with a side-on view such as this, one would expect a more extensive, clearer white patch on the uppertail-coverts on a Hen Harrier, and, for that species, our bird’s facial markings are too contrasting, more of which anon. Although the black-and-white plate denies us the opportunity to check for the rusty underparts of Montagu’s and Pallid in fresh juvenile plumage, the conspicuous dark neck is indicative of immaturity. Unlike Montagu’s, juvenile Pallid is said never to have dark shaft streaks on the underparts, and the mystery bird certainly does appear to have a significant degree of streaking on the breast. Are we, therefore, looking at a young Montagu’s Harrier? A glance at the underwing shows a general darkening across the secondaries despite which it is quite easy to determine at least two dark 421 [Brit. Birds 84: 421-422, October 1991] 422 Mystery photographs bars, in addition to the dark trailing edge, so that the hindmost pale bar across the secondaries is fairly narrow. These features, clearly illustrated in Delin & Svensson’s Photographic Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe (1988) are in fact diagnostic of Pallid Harrier, which, females especially, tends to have a slightly broader wing base and shorter hand than Montagu’s. Returning to the age question, it is helpful now to know that the picture was taken in spring, by which time a young female Pallid would, as in the photograph, show some dark (rufous-brown) shaft streaks on the throat and breast as a result of post-juvenile body moult. Young males, of both species, should by this time show an obvious infiltration of grey in the plumage. The evidence now points heavily towards a female Pallid in its second calendar year and, for final confirmation, we can turn to what is frequently regarded as the best method of separating the two species, views permitting: the facial markings. Our bird displays an obvious white area beneath the eye, bordered by a striking dark crescent which, in turn, is separated from the prominent dark neck side by a clear white ruff. A dark line through the eye is just discernible. These characters, especially the last two, clinch the identification as Pallid Harrier, an accidental visitor to Britain and Ireland, with only three occurrences, and none since 1952. Phis individual glided past my camera at the famous sandgrouse drinking pool at Sharm el Sheik in the southern Sinai desert on 20th April 1981. Subsequently, Richard Porter was kind enough to examine the photograph and make helpful comments. Simon Cox 754 St John's Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex C016 8BN 223. Mystery photograph 172. Identify the species. Answer next month pears ago... pair ofHoopoes (Upupa e. epops) nested near I aplow in 1916. They were noticed by Mr and Mrs VV. R. Dunstan frecpiently in a rather secluded garden, and towards the end ofthe third week in May a single young bird was seen accompanving its parents.’ (Brit. Birds 10: 122, October 1916). Identification of Spectacled Warbler Hadoram Shirihai, Alan Harris and David Cottridge The British Birds Rarities Committee has recently re-assessed all previously accepted records of Spectacled Warbler conspicillata in Britain. None remains acceptable after review, although some recent claims are still being considered. An explanation of these re-assessments follows this paper {Brit. Birds 84: 431-432). Past claims of Spectacled Warbler have resulted from confusion with, or non-positive elimination of, first-winter female Subalpine Warbler S. cantillans showing an unusually rufous wing panel, or Whitethroat S. communis in both spring and autumn plumages. This paper, rather than embracing all aspects of Spectacled Warbler identification, deals instead with these specific problems. 224. Adult male Spectacled Warbler Sylma conspicillata, Portugal, May 1989 {Kevin Carlson) [Brit. Birds 84: 423-430, October 1991] 423 424 Identification of Spectacled Warbler 225. Above, first-winter female Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans, Portugal, September 1987 (Hadoram Shirihai) 226. Above, first-winter female Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata, Corsica, September 1988 {Hadoram Shirihai) 227. Above, first-winter female Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Portugal, September 1987 (Hadoram Shirihai) 228. Opposite page, top left, first-winter female Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Portugal, September 1987 (Hadoram Shirihai) 229. Opposite page, top right, first-winter female Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata, Corsica, September 1988 (Hadoram Shirihai) 230. Opposite page, bottom, first-winter female Whitethroat Sylvia communis (left) and first- winter female Spectacled Warbler ,S'. conspicillata (right), Portugal, September 1987 (Hadoram Shirihai) 7^ The Best Buys and the Brightest... alue and quality are two reasons Wildlife and Bird Watching rated these Nikon Binoculars and Fieldscopes among the best in their classes. For instance, Bird Watching awarded the Nikon 8 x 30ECF WF binoculars a full five stars, their highest value-for-money rating. What’s more, they acclaimed the 8 X 30s “Excellent in every way optically— very sharp and bright.”* That’s because they share the Nikon heritage of optical excellence. So take a look through the leaders today. *By courtesy of EMAP Pursuit Ltd.: Quoted from an article BEST BUYS IN BINOCULARS, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Bird Watching, May 1990. And. BEST BUYS IN TELESCOPES, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Bird Witching, June 1990. 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WWARNHAM NATURE RESERVE lust off the A24 (northern roundabout for HORSHAM) on the B2237, on SUNDAYS 13th October, 3rd November and 15th December (10.30am to 5.00pm) n try and buy our equipment IN TH airs can also be handed in. ★SEVENOAKS WILDFOWL RESERVE, on the A25 between Riverhead and Sevenoaks Bat and Ball Station, on SUNDAYS 20th October, 10th November and 8th December : FIELD are given below. ★BOUGH BEECH NATURE RESERVE/RESERVOIR, about, 4 miles south of the A2^A21 (unclxxi (with access from the B2042 or B2(C7; the oast house Intomalxxi Centre s to the north of the reservar) on SUNDAYS 1st December and 19th January. 10.(X) am to 4.00 pm. We are only 15 minutes’ drive from the M25 (e.g. via the A3 and then the Merton Turn-off) or 2 minutes’ waik from Morden Underground. Parking: 1st left past our entrance (50 yds). (D925) xii “IS IT MOUSTACHED, OR IS IT A SEDGE?” Not easy in the distance of a grey dawn on a I dirty day, is it? But, before you tell the ‘Rarities Committee’, < you do need to be 100% sure that it is the rare I Moustached Warbler you’ve spotted, rather than the I very similar Sedge. Apart from the fact that you want to (drink in every detail of a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. Which is clearly why the readers of “British I Birds” voted Carl Zeiss the most popular binoculars, . and the top binoculars I of the future. They can obviously recognise a unique (combination of clarity, huge field of view and (excellent close-up focus, when they see it. Even the most sceptical consumer advice (magazine doesn’t demur, making them ‘Best on Test’ land excellent all round, if money is no object! Quite. But then money has never been the • object at Carl Zeiss. For 100 years the aim hhas been simply to produce the best ((binoculars at^y price. That’s why Carl Zeiss binoculars ^ 1 The mark of (]arl Zeisit quality are virtually hand-made. 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Germany Carl Zeiss THE DEFINITIVE BINOCULAR For literature, list of stockists, or advice on any aspect of binocular use, please contact: Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen) Ltd., Dept BB, RO. Box 78, Woodfield Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 ILU. (D807) xiii People who know the country, know why they need BarbOUf” COUNTRY CLOTHING The best British clothitiR for the worst British weathe (0784) ( fur now ( ountrv ( lolhim; broi htirr jvjibMr f ill ynuf free i i»pv pleave w riU' li> • Ifepl I f I Ibiboui Jii Sonv I l«l . Simon^ulr. South ShH'l«)» I\ nv K \\V«t, Nl M 'MM f 426 Identification of Spectacled Warbler Fig. 1. First-winter female Sylvia warblers in autumn: Subalpine Warbler S. cantillans (top), Spectacled Warbler S. compicillala (centre), Whitethroat S. communu (bottom). Note Spectacled Warbler’s short primary projection, with fewer primaries visible beyond tertials; thinner bill; eye-ring thicker above than below eye; dark, clean ‘arrowhead’ pattern of central tertial; uniform pale bulT underjiarts posterior to throat; and paler legs; see text for precise details {Alan Harris) The confusion which has occurred between Spectacled and Subalpine Warblers and between Spectacled Warbler and Whitethroat may surprise observers familiar with these species; both in the field and in the hand, they each have plenty of distinctive features. The problem may well have arisen from the lack of good descriptions of Spectacled Warbler in the various field guides. ^ A (lotialion from Carl /.eiss-tJeniiany Ii:ls .suhsidi.sed the inciti.sion ol plairs '221-2!tO and (ig. I in colour. Identification of Spectacled Warbler 427 Spectacled and Subalpine Warblers in first-winter and first-summer plumages Structure and behaviour Spectacled Warbler is usually smaller than Subalpine (total length 115- 123 mm, compared with Subalpine’s 120-130 mm). In structure, it is closer to those Sylvia warblers with relatively short, rounded wings and a short primary projection (on Spectacled averaging 8 mm: about one-third the length of the tertials), and only four or five primaries are visible beyond the tertials. Measurements indicate a short tail, but it actually appears long in comparison with the wings and body size. The bird itself is small and delicate, with a rounded head shape and steep forehead; in general, its body structure is closest to that of Desert Warbler S. nana. Subalpine, in comparison, has a more solid body structure than Spectacled (although still rather delicate), with a relatively short tail and a longer, sharper wing and primary projection (average 12 mm: about half or slightly over half of the length of the tertials), with five or six primaries easily visible beyond the tertials; its head is flatter and less rounded, and its general structure is closest to that of Ruppell’s Warbler S. meppelli, but on a smaller, more delicate scale. Both species have a similar bill length, but Spectacled’s bill is thinner and sharper and therefore gives the impression of being longer than Subalpine’s. In general. Spectacled Warbler prefers low, sparse bushes and frequently hops along the ground in a manner similar to Desert Warbler, as well as raising its tail and vigorously wagging it from side to side. In contrast, Subalpine prefers taller, denser vegetation and trees, and does less tail-wagging. Although Subalpine can be seen on low bushes. Spectacled is very seldom seen on tall bushes or trees. Head pattern In first-winter plumage, the two species have a fairly similar head pattern (fig. 1), but most first-winter female Subalpines have a paler line along the upper edge of the lores. The eye-ring is similar on both, and not, as some field guides imply, larger on Spectacled (in fact, it can be slightly broader and more noticeable on some individuals of Subalpine). The major difference in this feature between the two species is that the eye-ring on Spectacled appears thicker and wider above the eye than below it, which causes the eye-ring pattern to stand out in the field, whereas on Subalpine it looks uniform in width throughout. Wing pattern Spectacled Warbler has fairly extensive rusty edges to the outer webs of the secondaries and inner primaries, and the tips of the median coverts and edges of the greater coverts and tertials have large, wide rusty areas, forming a prominent, very rusty wing panel on the closed wing. The pattern of the middle tertial is most important: Spectacled Warbler has a sharply demarcated central area of dark brown or black, wide at the visible base and tapering cleanly to a sharp point along the feather shaft, showing from above as a clean ‘arrowhead’. Subalpine Warbler lacks the obvious 428 Identification of Spectacled Warbler rusty wing panel of Spectacled, having narrower pale edges (sandy or rusty-brown in colour) to the greater coverts and tertials and narrower rusty margins to the outer webs of the secondaries; the dark tertial centres are not clear-cut, but diffuse, and end in a more rounded shape. General body plumage The coloration and pattern of nape, mantle, back, scapulars, rump and uppertail-coverts can be similar on both species. Apart from head and wing patterns described above, there are also some differences in underparts colour. First-winter female Spectacled has slightly pale buff underparts, which appear fairly uniform and pale. Subalpine’s breast- sides, flanks and vent are buff, and clearly contrast with the whitish throat and centre of belly; occasionally, a clearer white submoustachial stripe contrasts with the dingier throat centre. Tail pattern The two species show' very different patterns to the spread tail (when comparing the original juvenile tail feathers, which are normally retained during post-juvenile and first pre-breeding moults). The rectrices of Spectacled Warbler generally have a contrasting pattern, with black base and centre and a large area of white on both inner and outer webs of the outer feathers; the next-to-outermost pair has clear white tips and edges to the outer webs. When perched with tail closed, this produces a fairly white tail when seen from below; in flight, the contrasting pattern is apparent. The spread-tail pattern of Subalpine Warbler up to and including first-summer plumage is much poorer and lacks strong contrast: the outer and next-to-outer tail feathers have only relatively small sandy tips and edges, which merge into the centres of the feathers; from below', the tail is almost uniformly brown-grey, with no distinct pattern. There is also considerable difference between the two species’ tails when seen from above: Spectacled’s closed tail appears very dark and contrasts with the rest of the upperparts, whereas Subalpine’s tail is brown and almost uniform with the upperparts. It should be noted that Subalpine may occasionally lose its original tail feathers in an accident and will grow new feathers more like those of the adult. Their pattern is then somewhat similar to that of Spectacled, but again the tail feathers are not black, the white tips and edges merge into the darker centres, and the total pattern still remains different. Bare parts Up to and including first-summer. Spectacled Warbler has a pale fleshy yellowish-brown tarsus, whereas Subalpine’s is a much darker fleshy- brown. In general, there is no difl'erence between the two species in bill and iris colours. Some first-winter female Subalpines, however, already show a reddish tone to the orbital ring, while Spectacled’s orbital ring is black or brown. Call 4Te two species have very different calls. Spectacled has a drawn-out, 429 Identification of Spectacled Warbler even ‘tchhh, tchhh’. Subalpine gives a ‘tak tak’; hard, ticking calls; and a more bubbly rattle like that of a Wren Troglodytes troglodytes or a Red- breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva: a fast rattling ‘terrr’, ‘tunrr’ or ‘prrrt’. Spectacled Warbler and Whitethroat It is perhaps surprising to find that a fair number of experienced observ'ers misidentify first-winter individuals of these two species in the field in autumn, and difficulties have been known to occur with females and males in both spring and autumn. Structure and behaviour Whitethroat is larger and more robust than Spectacled Warbler, and its bill is longer, thicker and heavier. An excellent distinguishing mark in the field is the primary projection: Whitethroat’s is quite long, just over half the length of the tertials (six or seven primary tips visible beyond tertials), whereas on Spectacled it is about one-third the length of the tertials (only four or five primary tips visible). Spectacled Warbler raises its tail and wags it from side to side, and appears quite excitable, whereas Whitethroat moves its tail very little. Upperparts and underparts Apart from wing and tail patterns (see below), the plumages of (mainly) first-winter individuals of these two species are generally very similar. The distinctive head patterns are present only on males, primarily in spring. Almost all first-summer and adult male Spectacled Warblers show an area of dark blackish on the lores and forehead, which also emphasises the white eye-ring; this feature is more noticeable in spring, when the pale feather tips are worn off to reveal the blackish bases. Adult male Whitethroats always lack this darker forehead: their head pattern thus corresponds to that of most first-winter and a very few first-summer male Spectacled Warblers, which also lack the darker forehead, and appear to have a uniform head pattern. Some male Spectacled, chiefly in spring and mainly second-winter or older, also have a darker grey throat and breast, and often a clear submoustachial stripe bordering the grey throat. Wing pattern Spectacled Warbler has broader rusty edges to the tertials and greater coverts, producing a more complete rusty wing panel, with the dark centres of the greater coverts being almost invisible; the edges of the median coverts are also broad and rusty, causing the wing panel to cover a greater area, and only the centres of the tertials appear sharply demarcated black, and are small in extent. The rusty edges to Whitethroat’s greater and median coverts are less broad, and some dark centres to the feathers are usually visible, this breaking up the rusty wing panel and reducing its impact; the rusty tertial edges are also thinner and cover a smaller area, and the dark centres are more rounded in shape and not sharply demarcated as on Spectacled. 430 Identification of Spectacled Warbler Tail pattern Whitethroat’s tail is generally light brown and more uniform in colour with the upperparts, and its tail pattern is poorly defined: the edges of the outer tail feathers, of a faded sandy tone, merge into the centres and cover only a relatively small area, \drtually just the outer webs. Spectacled Warbler has a dark tail contrasting with the upperparts, and shows more clear white on the edges of the outer tail feathers (see description above). Bare parts In general, the bare parts are similar on both species, although Spectacled Warbler’s tarsus usually appears more pinkish-yellowish, with a slight reddish tone, whereas Whitethroat’s tarsus is slightly darker, more yellowish-brow n. Spectacled usually has less black at the tip of the bill and on the culmen, so that the pale pinkish-yellowish of the rest of the bill includes the relatively large base and the centre of the lower mandible; the black tip is quite small. On Whitethroat, however, the entire upper mandible is dark and the dark area at the bill-tip is larger. Call VV'hitethroat’s usual call is a long drawn-out ‘chchh’, ‘chuck’ or ‘chc’, very different from the call of Spectacled (described above). Acknowledgments Our thank.s are due to Steve Madge, who commented on an earlier draft of thi.s paper; to Peter Lansdown, who provided us with information regarding the deliberations of the British Birds Rarities Committee; and to Dr J. 1. R. .Sharrock, for encouraging us to publish our thoughts on .Spectacled Warbler in these pages. .Special thanks are due to Clenis V'owles for cheerfully allowing us to invade her house and property in Portugal in the course of our studies into these species, and to Jason Bishop for typing the early drafts of this paper. Summary Difficulties have been experienced in the field-separation of Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillala from first-winter female Subalpine Warbler .S', canlillans in autumn, and from Whitethroat S. communis in both spring and autumn. The primary- reason for these identification problems is the lack of good descriptions of Spectacled Warbler, together with a failure to realise the extremes of first-winter female .Subalpine Warbler’s wing colour. This paper treats only the separation of Spectacled Warbler from these two other species. I'he most important features which must be checked in the field are wing pattern, primarv' projection, tail pattern, and structure, size and actions. References CUDWORTH, J., & SpkNCK, B. R. 1978. Spectacled VN’arbler: new to Britain and Ireland. Brit. Birds 71: 53-58. H.\RRI.S, a., Tuc:KK,R, L., & Vinicombe, K. 1989. The Macmillan Field Guide to Bird Identification. London. JoBSON, G. J. 1978. Spectacled Warbler in Cornwall. Brit. Birds 71: 84-85. JONSSON, I.. 1980. Birds of the Mediterranean and Alps. London. SltiRlilAl, M. 1988. Iris colour of Sylvia warblers. Brit. Birds 81: 325-328. Hadoram Shirihai, BO Box 4168, Eilat 88102, Israel Alan Harris, 60 East Bark, Harlow, Es.sex CMI7 OSF David Cot fridge, 6 Sutherland Road, Tottniham, London \’17 0B\ Status of Spectacled Warbler in Britain* At one time there were three accepted records of Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata in Britain: Spurn, Humberside (then Yorkshire), 21st-31st October 1968, trapped 21st {Brit. Birds 62: 479; 71: 53-58); Porthgwarra, Cornwall, male, 17th October 1969 {Brit. Birds 63: 286; 71: 84-85); and Fair Isle, Shetland, male, 4th-5th June 1979 {Brit. Birds 73: 523). During 1980 and 1981, the Rarities Committee received three signi- hcant records, all accompanied by either colour photographs or trans- parencies, each of which was subsequently accepted as involving a hrst- winter female Subalpine Warbler S. cantillans: Reay, Highland, 8th-29th September 1979, trapped 8th {Brit. Birds 74: 485); St Mary’s, Scilly, 24th October to 2nd November 1980, trapped 28th {Brit. Birds 75: 521; 76: 515); and Low Hauxley, Northumberland, 26th-27th October 1980, trapped 26th {Brit. Birds 75: 521). In each case, at least some of the original observers were of the opinion at hrst that they were looking at a Spectacled Warbler. This confusion between Spectacled Warbler and first-winter female Subalpine Warbler was the result of much of the literature available not accurately describing the colour, contrast and extent of the paler fringes to the greater coverts and tertials of Subalpine Warbler nor describing a white eye-ring for any age or sex of this species. The Rarities Committee considered that it should review the past- accepted British Spectacled Warbler records in the light of this first-winter female Subalpine Warbler pitfall. The necessary research was carried out by Roy Dennis and the late Peter Grant at the British Museum (Natural History) at Tring and by Brian Little, and the three records were then recirculated to the Committee. On the colour and pattern of the greater coverts and tertials, the outer rectrices and the underparts, and on leg colour, it was clear that the warbler at Spurn in October 1968 was indeed a first-winter female Subalpine Warbler and it was formally accepted as such {Brit. Birds 78: 575). It was equally obvious that the Porthgwarra bird of October 1969 was not a first-winter female Subalpine Warbler, as it had a bluish-grey head and mantle and a wing which resembled that of a Whitethroat S. communis. A lack of detail within the descriptions, particularly regarding the wings, and the transcription of this individual’s call, led, however, to the Rarities Committee’s decision that the identification as Spectacled Warbler could no longer be upheld. The first-winter female Subalpine Warbler pitfall did not, of course, apply to the report of a male on Fair Isle in June 1979. Following the non- acceptance of the Spurn and Porthgwarra Spectacled Warbler records, p; — *This is a publication of the Rarities Committee, the work of which is sponsored bv 4 Carl Zeiss — Germany. 431 432 Status of Spectacled Warbler in Britain however, this remained the sole British record, and, as such, required to be reconsidered by the Rarities Committee and circulated for the first time to the British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee. The submitted descriptions quite naturally varied in detail and content, but, in general, the following points in combination were considered to count against conclusive identification as Spectacled Warbler: lack of a predominantly pale lower mandible, lack of a prominent blackish area around the front half of the eye and on the lores (in most descriptions), the completeness of the eye-rings and their drawn-out horizontal ‘spurs’, the comparative narrowness of the rufous fringes to the greater coverts and tertials, and the lack of a broad, grey centre to the throat. Unfortunately, the bird did not call. It must be emphasised that neither committee was unanimous in its decision that the record should no longer stand, and that no individual amongst the 22 voters during the record’s six circulations of the BBRC and single circulation of the BOURC was of the opinion that an error had been made. It was simply a matter of a significant number of the members considering that the descriptions were not sufficiently watertight to permit positive acceptance as Spectacled Warbler. To summarise, all three previously accepted British records of Spectacled Warbler have been found unacceptable following research and reconsideration. Spectacled Warbler is no longer on the British and Irish list {Brit. Birds 83: 482-483; Ibis 133: 219-223)." Peter L.vnsdown and riiE R.VRn iE.s Commeetee 197 Springwood, Llanedeym, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF2 6VG Viewpoint Birds and some political influences Derek Barber Both the public and the private agencies concerned with the countryside and the protection of birds and their habitats have a good — even brilliant in parts — record over the past decade or so. Kvery advantage has been taken of ‘he full flooding of the tide of public opinion on environmental issues, d’he voluntary members and their money have come rolling in to buttress funding by the State. 'The bird interest has prospered. During 15 consecutive years at two of the main ‘coalfaces’ of conservation, first as Chairman of the RSPB Council and then, overlap- |iing, at the helm of the Countryside (k)mmission for Kngland and W ales, 1 saw, from 197fi to 1991, a lot of the scene from both private and |niblic stand|ioints. Although wisdom is by no means the automatic derivative of 1«I1/ /(»* Ht: Oi iolxT I'l'll] Viewpoint: Sir Derek Barber 433 such an experience, these two posts do allow an intimacy on a day-to-day basis with what is actually happening, and judgments can therefore be made on practical knowledge. With the benefit of this hindsight, I offer three or four thoughts to those attempting to play their conservation hands with as much effect as possible. It is an offering born of humility and a recognition of the complexity of the issues facing the conservation camp, in a world which is undergoing rapid change. In the field of bird protection — and wildlife and landscape generally — there is a large, amorphous area rarely discussed in any open, detailed and enlightened way. It is an area where battles have frequently been lost because those who entered the fray did so with unseeing eyes and wearing heavy hobnailed boots. It is the area which embraces politics in general, party politics, the parliamentary process, public relations and diplomacy. Not least, it includes the relationships which the agencies can, and should, be forging with Ministers of the Crown in whose hands often resides the sole power of decision as to whether the mudflats should be spared the rubbish-dumping, and the Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus the bungaloid growth. Take, for example, the component of political beliefs. In conservation circles this is a subject either regarded as a matter of no account or brushed delicately under the nearest carpet. Very properly, an indi- vidual’s choice at the ballot box is his or her business and no one else’s. Appointment boards are put in peril if such discreet topics are aired, whilst charitable bodies steer well clear of the minefield. Yet should this always be the case? For the simple fact is that here is a management problem demanding sensitive action to enable practical environmental protection to be achieved. Many of those who work in conservation believe that the politics of the right, the market economy and laissez-faire, indeed capitalism generally, cannot adequately deliver en- vironmental objectives. When they see something precious being lost on which they place their own highest values, be it parts of the Flow Country going to commercial trees, or the unchecked rampagings of some new and arrogant land-occupier, they yearn, not unnaturally, for more severe. State interventionist policies. To many of these men and women suffused with admirable, evangelical zeal, the perceived public interest must prevail in all circumstances over the private. In practical terms, the mix of tenth-generation landowner and 22-year- old ecology diplomate cannot always be labelled as cordon-bleu when important land and bird managements are to be discussed. Both may hold perfectly laudable bred-in-the-bone beliefs and judgments, yet may be totally unable to communicate with each other. If these rigidities, which stem, let us not be mealy-mouthed about it, from differing political postures more often than not, had been more bravely tackled head on, many deep and divisive troubles might have been avoided. Because of default by managements, the tensions continue to the detriment of the cause of wildlife protection. The House of Lords Hansard for July 1991 provides the evidence. 434 Viewpoint: Sir Derek Barber Another area of confused and unimaginative thinking concerns both the voluntarv' bodies and the statutory agencies whose duty it is to advise governments. It can be demonstrated in a question and answer. It is simply: ‘When urging a conservation course of action, to what extent, if any, should account be taken of the other interests involved, the consequences to them of the birds winning the battle, and the dilemma of the Minister responsible?’ A majority of those asked would, I am sure, respond by arguing that their job is to set out their case singlemindedly. It is then for the Minister to make his political decision in the light of all the information at his disposal. I disagree vehemently with the majority. Ministers are grossly overworked creatures, always anxious to be loved, and not infrequently faced with problems that are virtually insoluble. More overt sympathy and an understanding of the difficulties, replacing hostility and belligerence, together with an acknowledgment of ‘Where on earth do you put the installation displacing the birds?’, might work wonders. And some covert horse-trading sometimes would also work wonders. But the protection bodies tend to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude, and the opportunities are lost. .Also lost, all too often, is the benefit arising from Government and Ministers being wamdy congratulated on some beneficial action they have taken. When the praise comes, it is nearly always grudging and uttered in words of surprise and implying that there must be some catch, as yet undiscovered, in the good news. Here, surely, must be a case of prejudice, if not naivete, bludgeoning effective public relations? There is a connecting link with the operational style of the societies and agencies. Is it still good politics and practice in 1991 to convey messages which appear to be totally doom-laden? In view of the manifest success of the voluntary bodies in recruiting resources, it is almost an impertinence to address the question to them. But are times changing and with them public perceptions? Is it still good business for the conser\ation cause to portray, almost exclusively, the disaster scenario? At a meeting in summer 1991 of the great and the good in conser\ ation, a senior official of a major body spent a wearisome time on a catalogue of apocalyptic woe: the countryside was fast disappearing; the estuaries were weighed down with human sludge, marinas and oil spillages; the Lesser Sprogwort was all but gone. The audience departed in thoroughly depressed mood, not necessarily because of the catalogue, but because it sensed that, without a better-balanced intake of profit and loss, an increasingly sophisticated public, fed on a daily diet of environmental care in the media, may become restive. The time may come when to keep crying ‘WollV when onlv a rabhit is involved will incur penalties in reduced faith in the integrity of conservation bodies. It is not as though there were insullicient wolves to attack. In the case of the international trade in wild birds and the slaughter of migrants associated with the perfidy of some Mediterranean governments, the obscenities are impossible to exaggerate. fhe ‘Wolf syndrome’ is seen at its worst in sloppy advertising. Two Viewpoint: Sir Derek Barber 435 difTerent bodies ran disaster’ advertising this year for the purpose of membership recruitment. Both included statements which were palpably untrue or unsubstantiated. In each example, when the inevitable criticism arrived, staff, and, in one instance, members of the governing body, shrugged off the matter as being of slight account. This is no way to preserve the dignity, authority and effectiveness of any organisation. It is putting its political clout in jeopardy and is indulging in poor manage- ment practice. Two further political issues need to be addressed. The first is the developing and, as yet, not fully recognised conflict of interest between the countryside-access voluntary bodies and the bird institutions. Some leaders of the former seem to be keen on rubbishing the thought that there can be any undesirable impacts on birds resulting from their programme of establishing freedom of access everywhere. The latter are bereft of good, hard evidence and data on the varying susceptibility of species to human disturbance. Action to be taken, surely, ‘this day’? But the final item is the most basic of all: to what extent is it desirable, practical and politically possible to adopt strategic planning for the land surface of these islands? At long last, the Common Agricultural Policy is about to be re-cast, with consequences for farmland and birds that cannot be properly perceived. But a fundamental upheaval is clearly on the cards, of a kind that is simply so big that its ramifications cannot yet be plotted. On farms, on urban fringes, in cities and elsewhere, we need to think through the degree to which a land-use strategy might be applied. What a pity that, at this momentous stage, we do not have the necessary understanding to ensure that Lapwings Vanellus vanellus and cereals. Snipes Gallinago gallinago and bungalows. Linnets Carduelis cannabina and industry', and conifers and Merlins Falco columbarius might somehow manage to live and prosper together in a better-designed world. Sir Derek Barber, Chough House, Gretton Road, Gotherington, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 4QLJ Submission of short texts on any subject relating to birds, bird conservation or birdwatching is open to any British Birds subscriber for publication in our feature ‘Points of view’. 'Phis feature, ‘Viewpoint’, however, is devoted to longer articles, which are generally submitted by invitation. Eds Fieldwork action BTO news Did you know that 20% of wintering Redshanks Tringa totanus at a site on the East Lothian coast are eaten by raptors each year? Or that some birds hunt by smell? That owls can breed in baskets, and Merlins Falco columbarius in places you wouldn’t think? Find out more from exciting speakers such as Dr Ian Newton, who gives the low-down on what keeps 436 Fieldwork action raptor numbers down, and hear what the Game Consenancy has to say on the efTects that Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus have on Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus populations. Roy Dennis can be heard talking about Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos and Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, hut, if raptors aren’t for you, wader-man John Goss-Custard talks about the importance of scale in the lives of birds. Where does all this take place? In Derbyshire, in December, at the annual Birdwatchers’ Conference, where you can go on guided birdwatching trips, try out and buy optical equipment, buy books, paintings, wildlife sounds, bird-food and feeders, and enter any of several competitions to test your expertise. You can go to discos, music sessions, workshop sessions, see posters, chat to BTO staff as well as fellow birdwatchers, hear about the latest fieldwork projects, and much, much more. Write to Dr Paul Green at the BTO for a programme, but hurry: there are only 350 places. The date, 6th-8th December 1991. British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnerx, Nunner\ Place, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU; phone Thetford (0842) 750050. Monthly marathon This monthly competition to win a SUNBIRD birdwatching holiday in Africa, Asia or North .Africa goes from strength to strength, with more and more entries being submitted. ITe number of postcards naming the bird in plate 157 was an all- time record. Answers given were: Shore Lark Eretnophila alpestris (77%) Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus (7%) Snow Ptunixng^ Plectroplmiax nivalis (4%) witli a few voles (or Short-toed Lark Catandrella himlydaclyla, Indian Sand Lark (.. raytal. 'Letnminck’s Horned Lark Eretnophila bilopha, Wliinchal Saxirola ridteiro, Arelie Red|)oll Carduelis honiemanni. Scarlet Kosefinch Carpodacus eiythiimis, CliesinnI-sided W'aiLler Dcndroka pensylvanica, C^onimon \’ellowthroal (lenlhlypis Irichas, ^'ellowllanlmer Emheriza dlriiietla, C:inereons Hunting A’, rineracea. Rustic Hunting E. ni.'iliai and ^'ellow-l)reasled lUinling E. aureola. It was indeed a Shore Lark, photographed in Norfolk in March 1988 by Dave Odell. "Phe next hurdle in this fifth Marathon is provided b\ plate 231. For a lice SL'NHIRl) Inochure, write to P() Itox 7(>, Sandy, Itedlordsliire sent ini ; or lele|)lione .Sandy (07(i7) ()82‘)(i0. Monthly marathon 437 231. Fifth ‘Monthly marathon’ (fifteenth stage: photograph number 64). Identify the species. Read the rules on page 16 oj the January 1991 issue, then send in your answer on a postcard to Monthly Marathon, Fountains, Park Fane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 ;5NJ, to arrive by 15th November 1991 Notes Partial albinism of Storm Petrel The notes on leucism and partial albinism of Manx Shearwaters Pujjinus puffinus {Brit. Birds 81: 235-236; 83: 22-23) have prompted me to send a rather poor photograph (plate 232) of a partially albinistic Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus which was caught for ringing on Filfla Islet, Malta, on 1st July 1978. Two to three ringing 232. Partially albinistic Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus, Malta, July 1978 (/or Sultana) 438 Notes expeditions have been organised annually to the islet since 1968, and over 15,000 Storm Petrels have been handled for ringing, but only this one bird was partially albinistic. JOE SULT.WA 3 Sciberras Flats, Fleur-de-Lys Junction, B’Kara, Malta The white patches might perhaps have been mistaken for pale covert-bars during a brief ‘fly-by’ observation, creating an identification pitfall. Further similar records will be filed for reference purposes. Eos Dark-morph Marsh Harriers in western France \V. S. Clark {Brit. Birds 80: 61-72) gave the first proper description of the dark-morph plumage of the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, and suggested that this morph may be more frequent in eastern Europe and western Asia, with only one west European record known to him (an adult male collected in Sussex in 1867). It is therefore useful to mention some records of dark-morph individuals breeding in western Erance. One male, breeding from 1987 at least in Baie d’Audierne, Brittany (Bargain, in Bavoux et ai, Alauda 56: 246-260, and pers. obs.), was identical to the adult males described by Clark. Another, breeding in 1989 at Noirmoutier, Vendee, was also identical, with very limited rufous streaking on the nape and back, visible only at close range, and yellow irides standing out in the all-dark ‘face’. Its three offspring were also melanistic, with more rufous streaks than there were on the adult and a small whitish patch on the nape; it must be stressed that their general appearance was very' much darker than that of occasional ‘all-brown’ juveniles. Another adult male, observed in May 1990 at Noirmoutier, was remarkable, as its dark brown head, body, upperwing-coverts and underwing-coverts contrasted with its black primaries, a contrast not mentioned by Clark. On the underwing, the patch at the base of the primaries was tawny, not contrasting markedly, and apparently not extending to the bases of the secondaries. The tail was grey, with a brownish cast. Bavoux et al. observed at least sev'en dark-morph individuals (three males and four females) among the breeding population which they are studying in Charente-Maritime, but have given no description. Although infrequent, the dark morph is obviously not so rare in western Europe as was suggested by previously published reports. Michei. Bouquet and Pierre Vesou OJJice National de la Chasse, Centre National dFltude et de Recherche .\ppliquee sur VAvifaune Migratrice, 85340 L'lle d'Olonne, France Kurllier similar reports will be filed for eventual summary, not publisbed individually. El)S Melanistic Montagu’s Harrier On 26th May 1982, 1 saw a curious, all- dark harrier Circus over an area of open barley fields near Papworth Everard, Ckimbridgeshire. At first sight, it looked like an immature Marsh Harrier C. aeruginosus, but its light build and easy flight, plus several plumage features, showed it to be a dark-phase female Montagu’s Harrier C. pygargus. Such birds are relatively rarely seen in Britain and, since it Notes 439 V/iiWe Check mdrk I ^ Poorly dePtr £d v/iiile t^f o^cn . Darkest f>8Tt. of onderwtAy Only trices of bATrly Secor\d^ies ffiuio/]aJlu d&rk^ t/ia/i rest of un itrsfjrfbces Alrnci5t. orufhnrrr ^ovc., fU'yht fksdyers .S(y^Ciohit: d^rU^ Td4l ^ barely discernit>l^^ Oo lilrubt OO Cump Fig. 1. Plumage features of dark-phase Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus, Cambridgeshire, May 1982. Redrawn from original field sketches, using outlines in Porter et al. (1981) (M. J. Everett) differed in several respects from those described and illustrated in Porter et al. (1981), it is described below and illustrated (fig. 1). The harrier was almost uniformly dark above and below, with slightly darker flight-feathers, but was certainly not as dark around the head and breast as the bird shown in Porter et al. (pp. 94-95): indeed a very much darker cheek-crescent was clearly visible, even at quite long range. The upperside of the tail was only slightly paler brown than the mantle and rump (which showed no white at all), with only barely discernible dark bars; the undertail was similar, contrasting hardly at all with the general colour of the underparts, but the dark tail bars were slightly more conspicuous, especially when the bird banked away. The third difference from illustrations in Porter et al. related to the pale area around the base of the primaries visible on the underwing, which was smaller in extent and light brown rather than greyish-white; it was not particularly conspicuous. There were clear traces of dark barring, which is a variable feature and may be absent altogether on more ‘normal’ dark-phase females. Within reasonably defined limits, there is considerable variation in plumage details among normal female Montagu’s Harriers, especially on the underparts and underwing. The same may be true of the dark phase. To what extent intermediate forms occur, if at all, is not clear. M. J. Everett 7 Burlington Way, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon PEIS 9BS REEERENCE Porter, R. F., VVii.us, I., Christensen, S., & Niei-SEN, B. P. 1981 . Plight Identification of European Raptors, 3rd edn. Calton. Guillemots with dark neck bands The note, photographs and sketches of Guillemots Uria aalge with dark neck bands {Btit. Birds 82: 271-274, fig. 1 and plates 1 75- 1 78) prompted me to examine my collection of skins of this species. In my experience, quite a large percentage of those in winter 440 Notes plumage shows some neck band, and, of the 40 winter-plumage skins examined, only three showed none at all. The majority had the normal dark area at each side of the neck, as does Razorbill Alca torda, but joined across the neck by dark-tipped feathers producing neck bands of varying intensity, a character also exhibited, albeit faintly, by one of 20 winter- plumaged Razorbills. The feature was more pronounced in the northern race U. a. aalge, although four specimens of the southern race U. a. albionis showed bands as pronounced as those on some northerns (see plate 233). 233. Guillemots Uria aalge, illustrating variations of dark neck bands, all except one (Merioneth, November 1965) found dead on Yorkshire beaches. Top row: U. a. aalge in winter plumage. Bottom row: left four U. a. aalge adults moulting to summer |3lumage, right four U. a. albionis in winter plumage. Of the 13 birds illustrated in full winter plumage, 12 show the most prominent neck bands of the 37 skins which possessed this feature, the top right-hand bird being one of only three which had no band at all. l op row, left to right: Ist-winter cf, Feb. 1981; adult $, Dec. 1960; Ist-w. ^ep. 1968; ad. 9i Mar. 1964; Ist-w. O", Jan. 1979; Isi-w. O”, Jan. 1964; Ist-w. O', Dec. 1967; ad. 9> Mar. 1968; Ist-w. 9i 1983. llottom row, left to right: ad. O', Feb. 1983; ad. 9, Mar. 1966; ad. 9, Feb. 1964; ad. 9, Feb. 1964; ad. 9, Nov. 1965; Ist-w. O, Jan. 1964; Ist-w. 9> Nov. 1965; Ist-w. O, Feb. 1983 (Tennanl Ihvwn Fholograpliy) The neck band is formed by dark tij3S lo the while featliers o( winter jjiumage, and should not be confused with the early stages of moult lo summer dress, in which the new feathers are all-dark and the neck apjH'ars mottled or patchy, as ojjposed to the smooth, graded elfecl of dark-necked winler-plumaged individuals. On two specimens of O. a. aalge, one adult Notes 441 and one first-winter, some feathers on the sides of the breast and on the lower flanks also had dark edges at their tips. There appears to be no correlation between dark neck bands and age, both adults and first-winters showing the character. It would seem that the feature is less unusual than was supposed, and it should cause no significant identification problems in the field. John R. M.ather Eagle Lodge, Aspin Lane, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 SEP With Mr Mather’s useful and authoritative statement, this subject is closed. El)S Willow Warbler attacked by hawker dragonfly At about 1 1.30 GMT on 1st August 1988, by a pond near West Quantoxhead, Somerset, I saw an adult Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus feeding among the leaves at the end of a branch of a common sallow Salix atrodnerea. A mature male southern hawker dragonfly Aeshna cyanea, which was flying and hovering over the water nearby, suddenly flew at and buffeted the Willow Warbler, which quickly retreated into the centre of the sallow. The dragonfly resumed its flights over the water, and the warbler gradually returned to investigate and feed from invertebrates on the leaves of the same sallow branch. When the warbler had reached the end of the branch, almost above the pond water, it was again flown at directly by the dragonfly; although it was not struck on this occasion, it flew away, and had still not returned five minutes later. The dragonfly was clearly guarding a territory. It is interesting that the southern hawker, with a length of about 70 mm, was able to displace the intruding Willow Warbler, which was, presum- ably, about 105 mm in length; at that stage of the summer, however, the bird probably had a declining urge to maintain a breeding territory. A. P. Radeord Crossways Cottage, West Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3P:g R. A. Frost has also sent us details of an observ'ation in July 1987, in Dorset, in which a Willow Warbler reversed the roles and twice pursued, for several seconds, a southern hawker which was carr>'ing a cranefly Tipula; the dragonfly managed to evade the warbler’s attacks. .\ letter on warblers fleeing from attacks by a swallowtail butterfly Papilio papilio appears on pages 444-445. Ens Magpie nests composed of metal During a study of the ecology of urban Magpies Pica pica in Zielona Gora, Poland, a number of nests has been found either wholly or partly constructed of wire and other metal objects, from fencing material to light securing wires and even a bed spring. The bowls of the nests were composed of a normal clay layer. The nest shown in plate 234 was built in spring 1988 and lacks a dome. The same nest was photographed in September 1988, when the bowl and all other organic materials had been removed by natural weathering (plate 235); as can be seen, the metallic portion of the nest is extensive. These metal nests were all found in close proximity to human habitation where natural materials such as twigs are also readily available. Of a total of 22 Magpie nests examined in the suburbs of Zielona Gora in 1988, five (22.7%) had metal objects in their construction; four of these were renovated from previous seasons, the fifth being newly built that year. Metal nests have been 442 Notes observed in this area since 1984 (LJ, personal observations), thoiiejh they may have existed before this. Rags, tissue paper and threads have been found in Magjjie nests in other areas of Poland (Kulczycki 1973), but nests with metal have been reported only from northern Nomay (Nagy 1943) and Poland (Michalak 1988); in studies in Dublin, Ireland (Kavanagh 198(i), and in South Yorkshire (Birkhead 1989), no nests containing man-made objects were recorded. The colonisation of the urban environment by Magpies has resulted in a number of adaptive developments, such as the use of man-made nesting sites (Kavanagh 1987), an incn'ased tendeiuy to renovate old nests Notes 443 (Tatner 1982), and an increase in the incidence of open nests (LJ in prep.); these may be a response to a change in predation pressure in urban areas compared with the more traditional rural habitats. The extensive use of man-made materials in the construction of nests is viewed as yet another adaptive development in response to environmental opportunities. We would be grateful for any information on the occurrence of man- made objects in urban or non-urban Magpie nests in other areas. Leszek Jerzak and Brendan Kavanagh ul. Sportowa 12/1, 65-177 Zielona Gora, Poland Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, St Stephen’’ s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland REEERENCES Birkhead, T. R. 1989. Studies of West Palearctic birds. 189. Magpie. Brit. Birds 82: 583-600. K,aV.\NAGH, B. 1986. Population dynamics of the Magpie {Pica pica) in an urban environment. Unpublished PhD thesis, Dublin University. 1987. Magpies using telegraph poles as nest sites. Brit. Birds 80: 383. Kui.C7.YCK1, a. 1973. Nesting of the members of the Corvddae in Poland. Acta Zoologica Cracnviensia 18: 583-661. Michai.ak, I. 1988. Nietypovs^e gniazda sroki. Pica pica L. [Atypical nests of the Magpie.] Preseglad Zoobgiczny 32: 105-106. Nagy, E. 1943. Interessante niedobiologische Falle an der Eismeerkiiste in Finnmarken. [Interesting nesting biological events on the Arctic coast in Finnmark.] Beitr. Fortpfl. Vogel, Berlin 19: 9-13. T.atner, P. 1982. The breeding biology of Magpies Pica pica in an urban environment. /. Zool. London 197: 559-581. Previous notes {Brit. Birds 63: 36-37; 64: 77-80) have recorded wire nests built by feral Rock Dove Columba lima, Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto, Raven Corvus corax, Brown-necked Raven C. ruficollis, and Black Crow C. capensis, with second-hand reports concerning Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, Rook C. fnigilegus and Magpie. Eds Letters The death of a Hume’s Short-toed Lark In Hadoram Shirihai and Per Alstrdm’s recent paper {Brit. Birds 83: 262-272), it was stated that a Hume’s Short-toed Lark Calandrella acutirostris was held captive and subsequently died. This unfortunate incident holds parallels with the shooting of uncommon birds for identification in the nineteenth century. Must we go back 100 years in time solely to obtain a ‘tick’ for the Western Palearctic? If the bird could eventually be identified by comparisons in skin collections, then there should also have been a fair chance of identification without the corpse, by using detailed plumage notes and photographs. If a bird cannot be identified in the field or in the hand without having to resort to having it ‘sent’ (first-class or otherwise) to an institution for further studies, then so be it. Surely the welfare of the bird comes first? J. C. Wood 199 Hough Fold Way, Harwood, Bolton, Lancashire BL2 SLR 444 Letters We also received letters expressing the same views from P. Boobyer, Peter K. Dedicoat, David Emley, Stuart Jobbins, Brian H. Stone & Karen Stone, Edward Towne, and James Wilde & Peter Wilson. All the correspondence was passed to Hadoram Shirihai, whose reply is published below. Ed.s In response to the letters from J. C. Wood and others on the matter of the Hume’s Short-toed Lark at Eilat, I wish to express my regret at the bird’s death and to clarify a few points. The purpose of sending the bird alive to the Tel A\Jv University Zoological Garden was for identification and observation; its death was an unfortunate accident. During the years when I was in charge of the ringing station in Eilat, up to 1986, I was under constant pressure from my superiors, at the Tel Aviv University and at the Israel Nature Reserves Authority, to collect specimens, of rare or unusual species caught at the station, for the University skin collection. I refused on principle to do this, and the sending of the lark alive to Tel Aviv was an unsuccessful attempt to take some of the pressure off. This situation led to arguments and even reached a stage where scientists demanded the closure of the ringing station because of our refusal to collect specimens. The staff of the International Birdwatching Center were unanimously against such practices, and in some cases we were forced to ‘excuse’ our not killing birds on the grounds of the probable response of visitors and tourists. Tel Aviv University, like most scientific institutes, strives to enlarge its collection for scientific purposes; at the same time, the University takes an active role, together with the Nature Reserves Authority, in conserving nature, and many successes stand to their credit (e.g. the conservation of the Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata and other rare breeding birds). .As your readers will probably be aware, many museums in Britain and elsewhere have extensive sets of skins of birds from Israel, collected by visiting ornithologists. Despite the existence of zoological collections in Israel, many noted British, European and American ornithologists preferred to take the bird specimens home with them, and this is one reason for the incompleteness of the Israeli national collections. Neverthe- less, the IBCE and the Israel Rarities Committee are against collecting rare bird specimens. We regret the accidental death of the Hume’s Short- toed Lark. A couple of further matters for thought arise from the subject: most of the field guides which we all use are based on the study of skins; and all ornithological research, including ringing, has some impact on birds. I commend J. C. Wood and the other correspondents on their conscientious approach, which should be an example to all those involved in bird conservation on a large or small scale. Hadoram S iiirih.m PO Box 4168, 88102 Eilat, Israel Warblers fleeing from attacks by swallowtail butterfly B. D. Harding’s note {Brit. Birds 81; 239) provided evidence that the swallowtail butterfly Papilio papilio pursued Acrocephalus warblers, but not that the warblers fled from it. Observation of almost any reedbed in East Anglia during tbe summer will show that warblers of this genus behave in the manner described, whether butterflies are present or not. It is illogical to assume Letters 445 that, because B follows A, A is fleeing from B. Cattle will often follow a human being walking across the field in which they are grazing, but only in exceptional circumstances will the walker be ‘put to flight’. John Parker Clavering House, Oxborough, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE33 9BL We have also received an observation from D. S. Flumm describing how, on a hot, sunny day in April 1974, in West Sussex, a peacock butterfly Inachis io pursued in flight, successively, a bumble bee Bombus, a Greenfinch Carduelis Moris and a Blue Tit Pants caemleus; in each case, the butterfly had been sunning itself before suddenly responding to the passing bee or bird, all of which were pursued for some distance. A note on a Willow Warbler Phylloscopus troMlus being attacked and dislodged by a southern hawker dragonfly Aeshna cyanea is published on page 441. Eos. Announcements Addition to the British and Irish List In its forthcoming fifteenth report {Ibis in press), the BOU Records Committee will publish its recognition — following the recommendations by Bourne et al. and Yesou et al. {Brit. Birds 81: 306-319; 83: 299-319) — of Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus and Mediterranean Shearwater P. yelkouan as separate species {P. yelkouan including the races yelkouan and mauretanicus, of which only the latter has certainly been recorded in Britain and Ireland; P. puffinus being monotypic). When the Records Committee’s report appears in print, Mediterranean Shearwater will officially be added to the British and Irish List, bringing the total to 542 species. Books in British BirdShop Please check the forms on pages ix and x for new books and special offers, such as A Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe, A Guide to the Birds of Thailarul and A Guide to the Warblers of the Western Palearctic. News and comment Mike Everett and Robin Prytherch Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ The oldest bird We hear from a Royal Society press release that Professor Sankar Chatterjee, a palaeontologist working at Texas Tech University in the USA, has discovered a new fossil ‘protobird’ which predates Archaeopteryx by at least 75 million years. The new find also gives new insight into the origins and early radiation of birds, their links to early dinosaurs and the tempo and mode of bird evolution. Previously, Archaeopteryx lithographica, discovered in 1863, was regarded as the oldest known bird; it has been the subject of much debate on evolutionary links with reptiles and the development of flight. Named Protoavis texen- sis, the new bird has been described from two fossil skeletons found side by side in a Texas quarry in Late Triassic deposits estimated to be 225 million years old. It was apparently a predatory protobird, about the size of a modern pheasant, with many advanced avian features placing it closer to the ancestry of today’s birds than Archaeop- teryx. The latter, indeed, seems to have been pushed into a side-branch in bird evolution - a ‘living fossil’ in its own lifetime, perhaps. 446 News and comment For more of this fascinating story, read Prof. Chatteijee’s paper in Series B of the Royal Society’s Philosophical Transactions (obtainable from The Publications Sales Department, The Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Ter- race, London SWIY 5AG). A fine attitude Readers will need no reminding of the continuing threats to southern heathland and its wildlife, so they will not be particularly surprised to hear that Egdon Heath, in Dorset, is now at risk. Egdon, made famous in Thomas Hardy’s Return of the Native, looks like losing part of its area to English China Clays, who want to extract some 250,000 tonnes of gravel there. What will happen remains to be seen. What particularly annoyed us, though, was the attitude of the ECC spokesman reported in The Observer in July: he said ‘The not-so- pretty parts of Dorset have all been worked out. Now the prettier parts must be worked.’ Tim Andrews Memorial Appeal Readers will have noted the reports in previous issues of the tragic deaths of Tim Andrews and Mike Entwistle, whilst birdwatching in Peru last year {Brit. Birds 83: 515, 567; 84: 239). fim moved to Ware, in Hertfordshire, at an early age, and spent his formative years as a birdwatcher in the Lee Valley. In his early teens, he was a very active member of the local YOC group, based at the RSPB’s Rye House Marsh Reserve. Latterly, he developed a taste for foreign birding trips, and travelled widely abroad. Tim’s mother, Mrs Katie Leskovych, would like to provide a memorial to Tim, preferably in the form of a birdwatching hide, somewhere in the Lee Valley. Anyone washing to make a donation to Tim’s memo- rial should contact Tony Aberdein at Ceor- gian Cottage, High Street, Cley, Norfolk NR2.5 7RG; phone Cley (0263) 741044. Gurney’s Pitta latest ‘Children’s Tropical Forests UK’ has raised more than £15,000 towards the ICBP Gurney’s Pitta Project. The money, raised by schoolchildren as well as given by hundreds of CTF’s supporters, is funding the construction and equipping of the Children’s Tropical f’orests Protection Centre in the heart of the Khao Noi Chuchi reserve, providing essential accommodation and equipment for the park wardens. The response to the appeal has so far been very encouraging. ‘'Fhe support of Children’s I'ropical Forests UK is a major step forward for the project’, said ICBP’s Mike Parr. British birders visiting Khao Noi Chuchi will now see real results of the considerable efforts being made to save the site. Thanks to CTF UK, the future for Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gumeyi is looking brighter, but further funds are still needed to reach the final target of £35,000 to complete the protection centre. To help the project, please send donations to Children’s Tropical f'orests UK, c/o Tina Joliffe, The Old Rectory, 13 Church Street, Market Deeping, Peterbor- ough PF.6 8DA. Seychelles Magpie Robin With only 23 individuals left (July 1991), all on the island of Fregate, the Seychelles Magpie Robin Copsychus sechellarum is one of the rarest birds in the world. It is insectivorous, its food including ants and cockroaches, and it feeds around and even inside buildings; this ren- ders it very susceptible to insecticide poisoning, so it was good to hear from the International Council for Bird Preservation in July that two new, safe, tested pest- control compounds are being brought into use: methoprene and hydroprene. lire ICBP has been working on the robin since 1978 and, with funding from the RSPB, has been running a full-scale recovery programme since last year. The programme involves habitat restoration, the provision of nest- sites and supplementary feeding, as well as concern over insecticide use, but the chemi- cals problem is an important one to solve since it appears that robins feeding around human habitations have experienced greater mortality than those in forest. The new compounds have been developed at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Central Science Laboratory. Along with the manufacturers, the Zoecon Corporation, the MAFF have given generous support to the Seychelles project, as have .AgriSense (BC'S), Killgerm Chemicals and the British Agrochemical Association. First conservation stamp .At the Sunday Times Environment, Wildlife and Conserva- tion Exhibition at Olympia in July, Ihider Secretary of State for the Environment, Tony Baldly, launched the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust’s new conseivation stamp programme, the first of its kind in the L'K. Support for the scheme has already been expressed by, among others, the Depart- ment of the Environment, English Nature, the International Wildfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau and the Prince of Wales. Fhe inaugural stamp show's a pair of Wi- geons .4no.v penelope, painted by American News and comment 447 award-winning artist Daniel Smith. The stamps are on sale at all WWT centres and the monies raised will be used for its conservation work. SWLA awards At its 28th Annual Exhibi- tion, at the Mall Galleries in August, the Society of Wildlife Artists announced its major award winners. The World Magazine Wildlife Artist of the Year Award went to Bruce Pearson for his remarkable underwa- ter scene ‘The Old Cortina’, while the Natural World Art Award was won by Andrew Haslen for his watercolour of a Great Spot- ted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major. Two awards are made by the RSPB and the WWF for paintings which can be reproduced on their Christmas cards. This year’s winners were John Davis, with his Red Kite Milvus milvus in a snowstorm and James Williamson-Bell for his painting of two giant pandas Ailuropoda melanoleuca, also in snow. John, of course, also won the British Birds Bird Illustrator of the Year competition this year, the title won by Bruce Pearson in 1984. Bird Photograph of the Year 1991 Over 90 photographers, members of the Press and guests were present at the Artworkers Guild, Queen Square, London, for the 1991 award presentation to Philip Perry (plate 236), whose portrait of a family of Mute Swans Cygnus olor {Brit. Birds 84: plate 1 19) won this year’s award. The presentations were made by Mrs Dorothy Hosking, maintaining the link between this British Birds competition and the Hosking family which has existed since its inception. Wildfowl Counters’ Conference The Wildfowl Counters’ Conference will take place during 29th November to 1st Decem- ber 1991 at the Caimdale Hotel, Dumfries, Scotland. Details are available from Joanne Ferns, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slim- bridge, Gloucester GL2 7BR; telephone Durs- ley (0453) 890333. ‘Birding South West’ A new, independent telephone information service has been formed, giving a brief summary of the latest national rarities and up-to-date news of rare, interesting and migrant birds in the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Avon and Gloucestershire. The number to phone to find out the latest news is 0898-884500; the number to call to report your own sightings is 0736-331222. All profits from ‘Birding South West’ are being donated to conservation in the South- west. More sillies Although we have had a fairly large post, the misprints brought to our notice since the last issue went to press have been few and far between. The best were Black-tailed Gods {Liverpool Daily Post), Sud- den Golden Sparrow {Bird Watching) and Shuffler ducks {The Times). 236. Bird Photogr.^PH of the Yf..\R 1991 . Award presentation at Press Reception in London, June 1991: left to right: Chris Knights (2nd), Dorothy Hosking (Guest Presenter), Philip Perry (Winner, with salver), David Tipling {3rd){R.J. Chandler) 448 News and comment ‘Essex Birds’ In our recent piece on this excellent publication [Brit. Birds 84: 293), we gave an incorrect contact: for more informa- tion, you should actually get in touch with M. A. Adcock, 53 Victoria Drive, Great VVakering, Southend-on-Sea, Essex ss:? OAT. New County Recorder Rob Young, 28 Tring Road, Long Marston, Hertfordshire Recent reports HP23 4QI., has taken over from Peter Walton as County Recorder for Hertfordshire. Change of address of County Recorder R. W. Bullock, County Recorder for North- amptonshire, now lives at 81 Cavendish Drive, Northampton NN3 3HI.; phone North- ampton (0604) 27262. Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan This summary covers the period 16th August to 12th September 1991 These are unchecked reports, not authenticated records Soft-plumaged Petrel Pterodroma mollis St John’s Point (Co. Down), 20th August; two, Flamborough Head (Humberside), 6th September. Black-winged Stilt Himanlopus himanlopus Two, Havergate Island (Suffolk), 25th .■\ugust. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius kschenaullii Don Estuary', .\berdeen (Grampian), 18th- 19th .August. American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica Adult, Douglas Estuary (Co. Cork), 25th August to 3rd September. Lea.st Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Landulph Marsh, near Saltash (Cornwall), 25th August. Baird’s Sandpiper C. bairdii Hayle Estuary (Cornwall), I6th .“Xogust; Southport (Merseyside), 12th September; Fair Isle (Shetland), 5th to at least 12th September. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Three in Co. Cork: Cape Clear Island, 18th-19th August; Youghal, 7th-9th September; and Ballycotton, 7th September. Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus Massive inshore movements during 5th- 12th September, with most on British east coast, and unusual numbers on east and south Irish coasts. Caspian Tern Slema caspia Bacton (Norfolk), 1st September. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias kucop- terus Stanpit Marsh (Dorset), 1st September. Roller C ararias gamdus Orford Ness (Suf- folk), 8th to at least 12th September. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla St Martin’s (Scilly), 27th August to 8th September. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Wax- ham (Norfolk), 12th September. Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi Fair Isle, 12th September. Booted Warbler Hippolais caligala Spurn (Humberside), 2nd-6th September. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus Irochiloides Fair Isle, 25th August-2nd September; Brownsman Island (Northumberland), 22nd August; Blakeney Point (Norfolk), 1st Sep- tember; Newburgh (Grampian), lst-2nd September. Arctic Warbler P. borealis Hartlepool Head- land (Cleveland), 3 1st August to 2nd Sep- tember; two. Fair Isle, 12th September. Bonelli’s Warbler P. bonelli Crookhaven (Co. Cork), lst-2nd September; Great Saltee (Co. Wexford), 2nd-3rd September. Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus Dungeness (Kent), 26th August. Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor Potter Heigham (Norfolk), lst-8th September. Woodchat Shrike L. rena/or Juvenile, Cape Clear Island, few days from 18th August; adult, St Mary’s (Scilly), 22nd-24th August; immature, Marazion Marsh (Cornwall), 26th-28th August; Nanquidno (Cornwall), lOth-llth September. Rose-coloured Starling Stumns roseus Ju%’e- nile. Cape Clear Island, 20th .August to at least 8th September. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola Fair Isle, 6th September, three on 12th. For the latest, up-to-date news, phone ‘Twitchline’ on 0898-884-.501 (36p/min cheap rate; 48p/miii other time.s; incl. T) We are grateful to National Bird News for sup|)lying information for this news feature. liJiS I— CO X X X X to •CT in 3 CO CM ' 0) CN 00 in x: o O ■D 0) eg CQ eg (O eg eg *- O C -c O Q- Q. cn >- m I- Q. ^ O < <-> ^ V> mcocor^cooooooiooo ^tOcOCOLDh— ^OJC*JC*Jt-^^COC*>COC\JC^CO >« ■o o S 5 p<<<<0<<0 oCJOOOScjoS S o o in o X o o X o"-- CO^X^COXXXXIOxX^ CO o o o Kj o o o CM oi o CM in I— CNJCOirCMCOCOCOCMCMOOCM^ s. >^ c CO C/D CQ *D 00 9? =r c 0) (D ^ XV (D856) Cygnus WiMUie Destinations January - N. India Photographic £1390 Northern India £1450 Sri Lanka £1375 Tiger Special £1590 Venezuela £2590 Texas £1250 Majorca £545 - June include: Austria £690 Camargue £790 Hungary £825 Poland £790 Soviet Central Asia and Siberia £1 980 Siberia and Soviet Far East £2100 Pyrenees £840 Morocco £790 Other departures later in the year include Arizona and California, Gambia, Argentina, Ecuador and Galapagos Islands, Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada, Australia, and Nepal. Tour groups have a maximum of 16 participants, are escorted by experi- enced leaders and we cater for all level of expertise. If you would like fur- ther information about any of these holidays, we will be delighted to receive your enquiry at the following address: CYGNUS WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS, 57 FORE STREET, KINGSBRIDGE, DEVON TQ7 1 PG ^62!^ Telephone 0548 8561 78 Fax: 0548 857537 TWITCH-UNE For the very latest Fare dlrd News Just Call 0898-884-501 King in your eigntingo on 0205-353050 All profits from this line go directly to Conservation. Grills Charged at 36p cheap rate and 48p at other times inc. VAT Conservation Concepts Ltd, Eagle House, Boston, PE21 8AL (0903) BUY A TSN-1 , 2, 3 OR 4 WITH ANY EYEPIECE (at prices below) AND GET A FREE VELBON D-600 TRIPOD WORTH £69.95! BINOCULARS For all the Rare Bird News BIRDUNE 0898 700 222 To report your sightings phone 0263 741 140 ,, News you can trust from the team you know ____________________ NEW! Personal paging service write for details now BIRDLINE SOUTH WEST 0898700241 To report your sightings phone 0272 253320 CMtSTOAUn9iNIMBiSCOST36|yWCHEAPUTE,4^ eRDirOI)MTI()NSBIVICE.STOICf)llKf!.C^ (D910) T W I C K E R S WORLD The natural world THE BEST OE INDIA 6 Nov and 5 Feb '92 Wildlife of India and Nepal £2445 for 22 days, mostly F/B, 1st class hotels. One of the sub-continent’s finest wildlife tours. 15 Nov India's Ancient Elephant Eair, the Sonepur Mela. From £2095 for 15 days F/B, de luxe hotels. The only annual departure, exclusive to Twickers World. Please contact us for brochure with 22 Church Street, Twickenham, TWl 3NW Telephone 081-892 8164 24 hour brochure service 081-892 7851 Fax 081-892 8061 ABTA No 60340 xviii BIRDWATCHING IN ISRAEL GUIDED BY THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURE IN ISRAEL SPRING MIGRATION 15-29 March 1992 AGTGMN MIGRATION 6-20 September 1992 Led by David Cottridge, Bird photographer and lecturer FLORA & FAGNA 23 February - 8 March 1992 For further details contact; The Anglo Israel Association, 9 Bentinck Street, London W1M5RP. Telephone 071-486 2300 (D909) THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE by J.N. DYMOND Due end of 1991 A comprehensive authoritative check-list for Europe's premier bird observatory, giving full status to 345 species. All occurrences to the end cot 1990, including relevant historical records, are summarised in detail, with histograms of migration cpatterns for 193 species and graphs of breeding numbers for 15 species. 40 vignettes by D. M. Pullan. 180 pages. THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE fPRE-PUBLICATION OFFER: £9.50 including postage (full price £1 1 .95) SSend cheque/postal order, payable to J. N. Dymond (FIBO), to:- '•Nick Dymond, Burgadies, South Funds, Levenwick, Shetland, ZE2 9HX. (D908) xix ‘NAMEand ADDRESS:, Fax: American Express/Aecess/Visa. 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ZZ.sn\ LEITZ Trinovid 8 X 20 BC £199 Trinovid 10 x 25 BC £226 Trinovid 7 x 42 BA £628 Trinovid 8 x 42 BA £628 Trinovid 10 x 42 BA £628 PENTAX Highly recommended Ultra Compact 8 x 24 £69 Ultra Compact 10 x 24 £79 Ultra Compact 1 2 x 24 £89 Compact DCF 11 7 X 20 £84 Compact DCF 11 9 X 20 £99 Roof Prism DCF 8 X 42 10% £169 Roof Prism DCF 10 x 42 DISCOUNT £189 Roof Prism DCF 8 x 56 ON £289 Roof Prism DCF 9 X 63 PENTAX £349 Armoured DCF 7 x 50 £99 Armoured DCF 8 x 40 £99 Armoured DCF 10 x 50 £104 Armoured DCF 12 x 50 £109 Armoured DCF 16 x 50 £119 KOWA TELESCOPES TSNl &TSN2 Body £295 TSN3 & TSN4 Body £555 20X Wide £% 30x Wide £1 19 25X and40x £63 TSN Zoom £139 60X £96 77 X £99 TS60I & TS602...£179 Photo Adapter ...£I07/£I79 25X and 40x £48 20x Wide £55 THESE PRICES WERE CORRECT EARLY SEPTEMBER, BUT PLEASE PHONE DAVE, BAS OR MIKE FOR A BETTER DEAL (D9I3) 68-70 St. Thomas Street • SCARBOROUGH • you mu • Tel. (0723) 365024 British Birds is most grateful to those companies which support the magazine by their sponsorship: ZEISS Germany Sponsors of the Rarities Committee Sponsors of 'Monthly marathon ’ Sponsors of ‘Bird Illustrator of telescopes the Year' Christopher Helm ^ and HarperCoOiiis Sponsors of 'Bird Photograph of the Year' XX NATURETREK BIRDING TREKS & TOURS in NEPAL- KASHMIR LADAKH ■ ZANSKAR BHUTAN ■ CHINA ROMANIA • PYRENEES INDIA - INDONESIA MALAYSIA - TURKEY GREECE • CYPRUS KENYA - TANZANIA EGYPT ■ ETHIOPIA BOTSWANA • ZAMBIA AUSTRALIA ■ MALAWI NAMIBIA - MOROCCO RWANDA - ZAIRE GALAPAGOS - CRETE NEW ZEALAND NEWFOUNDLAND Independent Travel • Tailor-made Tours ■ Private Safaris • Flights For our brochure/expert advice phone 0962 733051 CHAUTARA, BIGHTON, Nr.ALRESFORD, HANTS. S024 9RB (D917) THE NATURAL HISTORY OF WALNEY ISLANO by Tim Dean This excellent publication reviews all that is known about the natural history of this varied and fascinating island, one of England's largest. Coverage of birds takes up almost two- thirds of the book. 304 pages 48 colour photos 100 line drawings Maps Paperback £11.99 inc p&p available from; TURNER & EARNSHAW LTD. Westway House, Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, Lancashire BB1 2 6QP (D919) YOUR HOME DESERVES AN OIL PAINTING . . . Whether it be the lounge, study, bedroom or dining room, bad you ever considered filling that blank wall with an original oil painting? A painting of something or someone you cherish - a painting specially created for your pleasure, it could he a portrait, landscape, animal study, vintage car, plane or train; in fact anything and any size. fust write for further details, including our no catch money back guarantee R & S Arts 71 Kitchener Crescent Poole - Dorset 13H17 71 lY ;l)90/) ^VISIT WILD RUSSIA^ New areas of the Soviet Union are being opened to tourists. Be among the first to discover the natural wonders of the world’s largest country’. Fully inclusive holidays will be led by experi- enced experts on the birds of the USSR this spring and summer. Several exciting destinations will include Russian forests, Caucasus, Central Asian mountains and deserts, the Altai, high Arctic latitudes of Taimyr, Ussuriland and unin- habited western coasts of Kamchatka peninsula. Among the species we will see are the Red- Breasted Goose on its breeding grounds, the Spoon-hilled Sandpiper on migration, the Cau- casus, Altai and Himalayan Snowcocks and of course the Ihishill. Several tours will be led by Dr Algirdas Knys- tautas, the author of The Natural History of the USSR and The Birds of the USSR. Individual and research trips arranged at com- petitive rates. For our 1992 brochure, please contact us at any time (24 hour, answer machine): RUSSIAN NATURE TOURS Achterom 3 1 1621 KR Hoorn Netherlands ph. 02290-19883 fax 02290-19969 (D904)^ XXI To advertise - phone 0621 815085 British Birds has over 10,000 subscribers: a total of around 40,000 readers in 63 coun- tries, and 99.6% of them keep their copies of ‘BB’ permanendy, for future reference. HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION ENGLAND Beautiful Georgian Hotel wltit. ExccUeni Food & .Accommodaoon Lawns HoH, Norfolk. (0263)713390 3 oowns commended hpitL CLEY 5 fniles Bargain Breaks (BB525) CLEY. Attractive house in village, four bed- rooms, large garden, garage, c.h. Available all year. Details from Mrs E. Album, 47 Lvndale Avenue, London NM'2. Tel: 071- 431 2942. (BB496) NORFOLK. WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA. B&B. Comfortable accommodation in quiet .surround- ings. Full C H & HG in all rooms. Twixt Cley and Titchwell. Lodore Warham Rd. Tel: 0328 710470. (BB828) LAKE DISTRICT - RYDAL. Two cottages, sleep 6 each, weekly lets. Fisher Hoggarth, 52 Kirk- land. Kendal. Tel: 0539 722592 in office hours. (BB609) YORKSHIRE DALES (GRASSINGTON). BB & EM. Eileen Sc Allan invite you to share their idyl- lic 17c. riverside cottage. Private fishing. (Bird- watching courses.) Brochure (0756) 752463. (BB607) WEST SUSSEX, Paghant Harbour/Selsey. Beau- tiful Georgian Farmhouse, with purpose built B&B accommodation. All facilities provided. Warm, friendly atmosphere, children welcome. Open all year, tel: 0243 602790. (BB530) CHRISTCHURCH, MUDEFORD, DORSET. Bed and breakfa.st, 2(X) yds from nature reserve. Excellent bird watching. Salt and freshwater marshes. Spring and Autumn migraUon.s. Phone 0202 473908. (BB853) WEYMOUTH, Birchfields Licensed Guest House, close to RSPB reserves. BB from £14. Evening meal optional. Ideal winter/spring breaks. Parlies welcome. For details phone 0305 773255. (BB854) ISLES OF SCILLY, Mincarlo Guest House, St. Mary's. Superbly situated in own grounds over- looking the harbour. Write to: Colin Duncan or Tel: 0720 22513. (BB8.55) CLEY. 3 Quality cottages (sleep 4, 6 and 6 + 2). Quiet. ComforUiblc. Excellent value. Brochure: (0.353) 740770. (BB8.58) EXMOOR for country and animal lovers. Farm- hou.se accommodation, bed and breakfast and evening meal, or self-catering cottage. Details from: French, Brendon Barton, Lynlon, Devon. Tel: 0.59 87 201. (BB793) BIRDWATCHERS travel many miles in the pursuit of their hobby. Over half of British Birds subscribers use hotel or guest house accommodation. Phone 0621 815085 for adverusing details. (BB68 1 ) FARM COTTAGES between Lindisfarne Reserve and The Fames. Comfortable and well equipped. Sorrv no pets. Brochure: MrsJ. Sutherland, Ross Farm, Belford, Northumberland NE70 7EN. Tel: 066S 213336. (BB766) EXMOOR. Peaceful s/catering c/heated holiday homes in National Trust Village. Marshes, woods and moorland — rich in birdlife. Reduced spring/aulumn terms. Open all year. Stamp to Sheila Wright, Pack Horse, Allerford, nr Mine- head. Tel: 0643 862475. (BB801) NORFOLK Cley next the Sea 1 mile. Flintstones Guest House, Wiveton, Holt. Full C.H., tea/ cof- fee making, colour T.V, Private facilities all rooms. Evening meal optional. Open all year. Sorry no smoking. Tel: 0263 740337. (BB817) NORTH NORFOLK COAST, Burnham Overy Staithe, Domville Guest House B&B + F'M (opt) , double/twins (2 en suites) singles (4). TV lounge. Close to major reserves. For details ring (0.328) 7.38298. (BB612) GRACIOUS GEORGIAN HOUSE in private grounds. Central to the Yorkshire Dales, Gouih- waite. Scar and Angram reservoirs. High stan- dard of accommodation. Private bathrooms. Interesting home cooking. Friendly quiet atmo- sphere. Residential licence. Ideal birdwatching area. Sae: brochure: Mrs P. B. Garforth, Grass- fields Country House Hotel, Pateley Bridge, Har- rogate. Tel: Harrogate 71 1412. (BB621) NORTH NORFOLK - Glavenside guest house in I^theringsett, 5 miles inland from sea at Blak- eney, Gley and Salthouse. River Glaven works ad- joining mill & flows through 4 acres of garden on its way to sea at Cley. Tel: Holt (0263) 713181. (BB619) SCOTLAND THE HOTEL, Isle of Colonsav’, .\rg\ll PA61 7\P, Demi-pension (Private bath) from £.38.00. De- tails, brochures, map (bird list on request). Tel: 09512 316. (BB.526) NEAR AVIEMORE. Comfortable guest house run by birders for birders. Latest sigbtings and helpful information, plus dailv hird trips. B&B, EM. Healherlea, Boat of Garten. Tel: 0479 83674. (BB806) SPEY VALLEY. Beautiful secluded informal country hotel, 2 tniles from village of Can- bridge. Home cooking, full central heating. All rooms en-suite. Perfect hase for birdwatchers and walkers. Discount available for parties. Terms from £160.(K) per week DB&B. BuK hure from Mrs Y. Hollatul. fhe Old Matise Hotel, Dtithil, Garibridge, Inverness-shire. Tel: 0479 84278. (BB829) XXII To advertise - fax 0621 819130 SPEY VALLEY. Uninterrupted views of the C'.airngorms. All rooms en-suite; tea and coffee making facilities: Db&b £120. Brochure from: Penny Bailey, The Lodge, Easter Duthil, Car- rbridge, Inverness-shire. (BB840) SPEY VALLEY. Maureen and Larry once again invite guests to sample their highland hospitality. Set in five acres, our home has uninterrupted views of the Cairngorms, Bird register available. Good home cooking and a warm welcome await you. D/B/B £130 p.w. (All rooms en-suite). Brochure: Maureen Taulbut, “Braes of Duthil', Duthil, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire PH23 3ND. 047984 395. (BB879) WALES RED KITE COUNTRY. Tregaron — Guest- House standing in 22 acres, overlooking the Cambrian Mountains and on the doorstep of the Cors Caron Nature Reserve. Central for Dinas and Ynys-hir RSPB reserves. Parties welcome. WTB — 3 crowns. For brochure, phone Mar- garet Cutter, 0974 298965 or 298905. (BB831) SOUTH STACK, ANGLESEY. Tan-y-Gytiau Gountry Guest House. Lovely comfortable Edwardian house peacefully situated on slopes of Holyhead Mountain. Gardens bordering South Stack RSPB Reserve. Friendly atmo- sphere, excellent fresh cuisine. Licensed. S.C. Lodge in grounds sleeps 7. Phone Pam or Stan Keadng on 0407 762763 for brochure. (BB832) ANGLESEY. Superb beachside hotel with mag- nificent views. Ideal centre for bird watchers and botanists in area noted for its lakes, reserves and coasdine of outstanding beauty. Come to 'High- ground' AA/RAC listed, licensed, for warm wel- come, excellent food and accommodation. Brochure: Mrs Karen Hayter, Highground, Ravenspoint Road, Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd LL65 2'yV Tel: 0407 860078. (BB883) OVERSEAS Australia Birdwatching in North Australia is excellent. Brittania charters to Cairns. Stay in comfort at Cassowary House and tour with; John Squire, Cassowary House, Kuranda, Queensland 4872 Australia. (BB653) BIRDWATCHING TOURS AUSTRALIA - Send for our Birding brochure. Tours throughout Australia from individuals to groups. We welcome enquiries from both private customers and tour agents. Falcon Tours. 1 Si- mons Drive, Roleystone, Perth, Western Aus- tralia. PH/FAX (09) 397 5125. Lie. Tour Operator. (BB871) xxiii BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS HONG KONG. Superb birding September to May - variety of accommodation - trips into China. Richard Lewthwaite, 2 Villa Paloma, Shuen Wan, Tai Po NT, Hong Kong. Phone/Fax: (HK) 665 8190. (BB877) HOBBY holidays 1 1 , Walton Heath Road Stockton Heath Warrington WA4 6HZ COME BIRDING IN STYLE - to the United Ar^ Emimtes Middle Eastern promise with Colin Richardson, author of "Birds of the United Arab Emirates". 2 week itinerary March/April '92 at the peak of spring migration. Guaranteed 'goodies' include Hume's Wheatear, Crab Plover, Purple Sunbird, etc. Direct flights to Dubai, 1st class accommodation, experienced Middle East birders and guides. Future tours include Iran, Oman and Yemen. Send now for full details aixl costs. (BB867) OVER HALF of British Birds subscribers travel abroad birdwatching each year, averaging 19 days per trip. To reach this audience, phone 0621 815085 for adverusing rates. (BB682) The Travel Agency for Bird Watchers Discount Airfares & Car Hire... Worldwide Telephone us for yourquote, ANY destination, we offer the widest range of airfares (over 10.000 with more than 150 airlines) CURRENT RETURN FARES FROM: HONG KONG April C519 (FREE stopover Thailand!) BEIJING May E465 DELHI Jan £399 PT. PELEE (Toronto) May C.E199 MOROCCO £139 GAMBIA £208 ISRAEL £165 COSTA RICA £phone S. AMERICA £399 AUS/NZ £549 S. AFRICA £549 USA £199 SENEGAI £300 * Discounts on Package Holidays and Cruises. Save £££s • Ask for leaflet detailing our services. Personal Advice and Service •mAILAND C385 NEPAL £445 ANTARCTICA Birding Tours from ONLY £2795. 91/2 & 92/3 Bcx>kJng Nowl Brochur$ and Video available. •a* Atways phone us for the very latest prices/otfers. FREE Comprehensive Travel and Birding Information Folder for your destination when you book with us. 0272-259999 or DICK RLBY 0603-767757 ABTA 65077 (BB893) To advertise - phone 0621 815085 DIVISION OF NICK S TRAVEL 100 LONDON ROAD, LEICESTER LE2 OQS ‘FLIGHTS FOR BIRDWATCHERS’ EXPERTS IN LOW COST AIRFARES - WORLDWIDE DISCOUNT CAR HIRE/INSURANCE SPECIAUST ADVISER - ANDY HOWES 0533 881318 (EVES) BEST QUOTES / 1992 GROUP RATES (BB876) Small-group Binding Don't follow a crowd. Come with David Gosney to Lapland. Morocco, Kenya, Turkey, Israel, Egypt etc. Maximum group size is 6. From £495. Why pay more to he in a larger group? For details write to GOSTQUR^ V 29 Marchwood Road Sheffield S6 5LB 7 - -■ ^ (BB872) BIRDWATCHING ADVICE IJNE PLANNING A BIRDWATCHING TRIP ABROAD THOMAS COOK TRAVEL AGENTS Offer you a TRAVEL ADVICE LINE:- 051 933 9810 Ask for Keith Hiller experienced Birdwatcher. Details available include; Worldwide Airfares * Car Hire * Ferries * Overseas Rail * Visas • Package Holidays * Health • Accommodation * Cruises. Individuals or Croups catered for. (BB779) BIRD REPOR T NORFOLK BIRD AND MAMMAL REPORT 1990 now available from Mrs M | Dorling, 6 New Road, Hethcrsett, Norwich NR9 .31 IH. £-1 inc p&p. (BBHb,')) AVON BIRD REPORT 1990. £3 post paid from (. l ully, 6 Falcondale Walk, Biistol B.S9 3]G. '(BB870) ‘OUTER HEBRIDES BIRD REPORT 1989 & 1990’. The First Ever. Articles, Rarity Descrip- tions, etc. Available from 2 Drimsdale, S. Uist PA81 5RT. Price £3.75 inc p&p. (BB880) BIRDS OF BERKS 1989. inch note on 1991 cty boundary changes. £3.30 inch p&rp from 7 Llan- sair Dr, S. Ascot, Berks SL5 9HS. (BB882) BII^ INEORAUTION ALL THE RARE BIRD NEWS AS SOON AS IT BREAKS! paged directly to the screen of your pocket pager . . . Nationwide RARE BIRD ALERT The Paging Service for INSTANT Rare Bird News Call now for full details and find out how to get the Best Deal! 0603 76 77 99 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER (BB892) BOOKS ‘BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Free catalogue from, and offers to Briant Books, 94 Quarry lane, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 ONJ. Tel: 08‘29 51804. (BB7.38) BOOKS ON BIRDS, MAMMALS, ETC., BOUGHT & SOLD. Also Field Sports, Big Game, Travel, Science, the Arts, etc. Catalogues issued. David Grayling, Crosby Ravensworth, Pen- rith, Cumbria C'AIO 3JP. 09315 282. (BBhl3) MOROCCO. A BIRDWATCHER’S GUIDE TO MOROCCO by P. Sc F. Bergier. £8.75. Piion Ltd (Perry). Vital for travellers to Morocco. From bookshops or N.H.B.S., 2 Wills Road, Totncs. Devon. Tel. (0803) 865913. (BB881) REGULAR CATALOGUES of secondhand and antiquarian books on all aspects of Natural His- tory and Countryside. Little Holcombe Books. 52 Bridge Street, Rttmsbottom. Bury. lanctLshire BLO 9AQ. Tel: 0706 825322. (BB622) THE AVERAGE British Birds reader will spend over £100 on bird books yeaily. Tbev could be btiying your books. To advertise, 'phone 0621- 81.5085. (BB683) Wide sdccliun of ornithologfcaJ & natural history titles available from slock, also travel books & maps. FREE Ataf/ order rafa/ogue on requml Tal; 0352 7T0M1 Fax: 0352 771E90 WILDLIFE K TRAVEL SPECIAIIMS Subbuteo NMural Hisiory Boohs Ltd (BBl Treuddyn, Mold, Clwyd. North Wales CH7 4LN (BB868) XXIV THE BIRD & WBLDUFE BOOKSHOP Britain 's leading ornithological booksellers where you can find our comprehensive range of new and secondhand books and reports on birds and natural history, including all new titles as they are published. Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 6 pm Saturday 1 0 am to 4 pm Mail order catalogue available on recjuest THE BIRD & WILDLIFE BOOKSHOP 2-4 Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, London SW1Y6DS Tel; 071-287 1407 (BB869) The original BIRDWATCHER’S LOGBOOK The most concise way to record your observations. Monthly, annual and life columns for 762 species, plus 159 diary pages. Send £5.95 to: Coxton Publications, Eastwood, Beverley Rd, Walkington, Beverley, N. Humberside HU17 8RP (BB833) FOR SAJ^ FOR SALE - Individual BB subscribers can adver- tise here FREE (up to 30 words, selling a single item, e.g. binocular, book, set of journals}. Quote your BB Ref. No. and address envelope to ‘Free BB Advertis- ing’. (BB753) BIRD JOURNAL BACKNUMBERS SUPPLIED. (BB. Bird study, County Reports, etc.), David Morgan, Wliitmore, Umberleigh, Devon, (BB740) BRITISH BIRDS SUBSCRIBERS spend between £300 and £1,000 a year on bird- watcbing equipment. They could be buying your equipment. To advertise, 'phone 0621 81.5085. (BB684) MALLORCA. New Guide to Bird Sites; more de- tailed, better maps, right up to date (May 91). Only £3.50 inch p&p. From Gostours, 29 March- wood Rd, Sheffield S6 5LB. Tel: 0742 334171. (BBS 16) TRIPOD TAMER 2" wide black webbing shoulder strap only £8.50 inc. post from: Vital Equipment, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd LL29 SAT (sae for details) . (BB857) RED DATA BIRDS IN BRITAIN. Original line drawings £25 to £75. Ian Willis, 20 Albert Street, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire DG5 4JP. Tel: 0556 611158. (BB863) ‘BIRDCATCHER-PC’: New version for all PC compatibles. Program for recording bird sightings. User friendly Birdcatcher still available for Amstrad PCWs. State computer model, £18 or SAE details. Davis and Makohon, 12 St Mary’s Close, Albrighton, Wolverhampton WV7 3EG. (BB878) BAUSCHE & LOMB Elite 8 x 42 binoculars 1 year old, practically as new. £399. Tel: M. Clark on 0454 325555 during working hours, 0454 413231 evenings. (BB884) ZEISS WEST DIALYT 10 x 25 B. Excellent. £150. Tel: 0628 824252. (BB885) BATES & LOWTHER - Breeding Birds of Kashmir - 1952, 1st edition v.g. condition in rettsonable D/W. £35 inc p&p. Tel: 0483 766517 after 7 pm. (BB887) NIKON F301 with remote cord, long extension lead and base plate for tripod, with Nikkor 80- 200 4.5 AI lens. Excellent condition £350. Tel: 025 125 3368 (Surrey). (BB889) BRITISH BIRDS 1946-1978 inclusive. Missing 1969. 32 volumes all in standard binding and good condition. Best offer accepted. Tel: 081-393 6608 anytime. (BB890) S. D. RIPLEY - Rails of the World 1977. Mint condition as unopened. £70. Tel: 081-393 6608 anytime. (BB891) THE REDSTART, New Naturalist Monograph 2, by John Buxton. First edition 1950. Very good copy with d/w. Offers. 0796 2753. (BB874) BINOCULARS: Leitz Maroctit 8 x 60 and Leitz Mardocit 12 x 60. Each £550. Phone 010-31-5759- 1435. (BB875) OPTOLYTH 30 x 75 TELESCOPE, mint con- dition, with leather case £175. Tripod also available. Tel: 08444 3004 evenings. (BB873) RARE BIRD PHOTOGRAPHS Photographs of recent rarities are not only supplied regularly to British Birds, but are also for sale, price £1.20 for a 6" x 4" print, plus 30p p&p. Send a SAE for list of those available, to Jack Levene, 6 Fiddlers Lane, East Bergholt, Colchester C07 6§f (BB789) WANTED WANTED: Uher IC 4000 m three head tape recorder - in good condition. Tel: Dunstable (0582) 604253. (BB886) ‘THE GYR FALCON ADVENTURE’ by S. Cerely and ‘Identification Guide to European Passerines’ by Lars Svensson (3rd Edn revised). Tel: 0252 713926. (BB888) British Birds Volume 84 Number 10 October 1991 401 The ‘British Birds’ Best Bird Book of the Year 402 Eastern vagrants in Britain in autumn 1988 Notvian Elkins 405 Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs Dr R. J. Chandler, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock and Don Stnith Reviews 415 ‘Red Data Birds in Britain: action for rare, threatened and important species’ edited by L. A. Batten, C. J. Bibby, P. Clement, (i. 1). Klliott & R. F. Porter /> A.Vhhv Taylor 416 ‘Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: a study in molecular evolution’ by Charles C. Sibley & Jon F,. Ahlquist Dr David T. Parkin 417 ‘Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World’ by Charles G. Sibley & Burt I,. Monroe, Jr Tim hiskipp 419 Short reviews 421 Mystery photographs 171 Pallid Harrier Dr Simon Cox 422 Seventy-five years ago . . . 423 Identification of Spectacled Warbler Iladoram Shirihai, Alan Hams and David Cottridge 431 Status of Spectacled Warbler in Britain Peter Lansdown and the Rarities Committee 432 Viewpoint Birds and some political influences Sir Derek Barber 435 Fieldwork action B fO news Dr Paul Creen 436 Monthly marathon Notes 437 Partial albinism of Storm Petrel Joe Sultana 438 Dark-moqjh Marsh Harriers in western France Michael Touquet and Pieire Yesou 438 Melanistic Montagu’s Flarrier M.J- Pverell 439 (millemots with dark neck bands John R. Mather 441 Willow Warbler attacked by hawker dragonfly Dr A. P. Radford 441 Magpie nests composed of metal I^.tzek Jerzak and Dr Rrendan Ravanagh Letters -143 The death of a Hume’s Short-toed Lark /. C. Wood: Hadoram Shirihai 444 Warblers fleeing from attacks by swallowtail buttedly John Parker Announcements 445 Addition to the British and Irish List 445 Books in British BirdShop 445 News and comment Mike Everett and Robin Prytherch 448 Recent reports Barry Nightingale and Anthony McCeehan Line-drawings: 402 Radde’s Warbler {Dave /Vi/nicv); 423 Spectacled Warbler (Alan ttanis) Front cover: Pallas’s Warbler (Cary IVright): (ho original drawing of this month’s cover design, measuring 18.5 X 20.7 cm, is for sale in a postal auction (sec pages 37-38 in Januaty issue for procedure) Volume 84 Number 11 November 1991 (NATO^i^ I HIST^ -4 NOV 1991 TR8AIG LIBRARY re birds in Great Britain in 1990 Sponsored by J • Letter • ICBP news • Fieldwork action 1 sstery photographs • Reviews • News and comment I mthly maraAon • Recent reports ZEISS Germany British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David A. Christie Editorial Board Dr R. J. Chandler, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, R. J. Prytherch & Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Don Smith & Roger Tidman Art Consultants Robert Gillmor 8c Alan Harris Rarities Committee P, G. Lansdown (Chairman); Dr Colin Bradshaw, Alan Brown, G. P. Catley, Peter Clement, A. R. Dean, Pete Ellis, S. J. M. Gantlett, C. D. R. Heard, R. A. Hume 8c J. H. Marchant; Peter Colston (Museum Consultant & .\rchi\ist); Peter Fraser (Statistician); Michael J. Rogers (Honorary Secretary) Notes PaneE behaviour Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Derek Goodwin, Dr I. Newton, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 8c Dr K. E. L. Simmons; iDF.N'nFicvvnoN Dr R. J. Chandler, A. R. Dean, T. P. Insldpp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, I. S. Robertson, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock & K. E. Vinicombe ‘British Birds’ is published by a non-profit-making company for the benefit of ornithology © British Birds I.td 1991 Copyright of photographs remains with photographers. British Birds is published monthly by British Birds Kid, 93 High Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire ISSN (K)()7-0335 Publishing Marmger, Production & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Felts Advertising Sandra Barnes Addresses Please keep eorresjxindence on diflferenl items separate. Please address your envelojx* correctly. Please supply SAK, if reply required. Papers, rwtes, letters, draumgs & photographs for publication Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44:1NJ. Phone: Biggleswade (0767) 4(K)25 Subscriptions and orders for back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Phone: Biggleswade (0767) 40467 Advertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Phone: I'iptree (0621) 813085 Bird news for ‘.Seasonal reports'’ Barry Nightingale & Keith Allsopp, c/o 7 Bloomsbury Close, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17 9QS. Phtme: Woburn (0525) 290314 (evenings); Luton (0582) 49(X)49 (office hours) News items for ‘News and comment’ Mike Everett & Robin Prytherch, 7 Burlington Way, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon PF18 9BS Rarity descriptions M. J. Rogers, Bag End, Cihurchtown, Fowednack, Cornwall FR26 3A7. Special book and sound recording offers British BirdShop, NHBS, 2 Wills Road, Fotnes, Devon TQ9 5XN. Phone: Totnes (0803) 865913 Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £42.30, 1R£49.40 or $79.80. Personal subscriptions: UK, Europe and surface mail £34.40, 1R£40.20 or $64.80; personal: airmail outside Europe £57.75, 1R£67.45 or $109.(K). Single back copies £4.40, IR£5.15 or $8.30. Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may also be made directly into UK Post Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. British Birds publishes material dealing with original tibserv’ation.s tin the birxls of the West Palearetii . Kxeept ftii records' of rarities, pa{K*rs and notes an* normally accepted only on condition that material is nt>t l>eing oHen*d in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs and sketches an* welcomed. PajR*rs should lx* tvjx*written with doubit* spacing, and widt* margins, and on one siih* o( tin* she<‘t only, .\uthors should can*lully c onsult this issue for style of presentation, esjx*cially of references and tables, Knglish and scientific names and sequences of binls Ibilow The 'Briti.sh Bird.s* Lis! of Birds of the Western Palearctic (1984): names of plants follow Donv rt al. (1980. Knglish Names of Wild Flowers); names of mammals follow ()orl>el ik .Southern (1977. The llandUMtk of Briti.sh Mammals). ro|H>graphical (plumage and stniclure) and ageing tenninology should follow editorial ireommendations {/iril, Hinls 74: 239-242; 78: 419-427; 80: .502). I'igun*s should Ik* in Indian ink on goii|K*i. drawing pa{K*r, non-absorlM*nt Ixtard or light blue or ver\- jiale gn*y graj)h pa|K*r; lettering should Ik* inserted lightly in pern il; c aptions should Ik* typc*d on a sc*parate sheet. Authors ol main [laiK'iN (but not notes or letlc'rs) n*c »*ive ten fri*e c cipies of the journal (five ea< h to two or imm* authors). Printed in fnglond by N^wnOfth Print Limited, Kempiton, Bedford I I 2004 HIGH STREET MARNET, HERTS. EKN5 5SZ DOPEN 7 DAYS ^m-6pm PfHONE 081-4491445 PfHONE 081-441 7748 FfAX: 081-440 9999 in focus MAIN STREET, TITCHWELL, NORFOLK PE31 8BB THE BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE SPECIALISTS AUTUMN FIELD EVENT PROGRAMME The ideal way to test optics for birdwatching is to watch birds! Our field events at well known Reserves countrywide will OPEN 7 DAYS 9am-6pm PHONE 0485 210101 enable customers to test and select from our complete range of equipment. Information packs are available on all events - please apply in writing or by phone. Two day events are usually run on an appointment basis and preference will be given to those with an advanced booking. All events open between 10 am - 4 pm daily eEMSFORD SPRINGS tSLO DAYS IIUNDAY DATES 10th NOV ; ; ■ TILL 4 EACH DAY ; • 4 tdoal opportunity to test, compare and \ f chase from our full range of equipment at i I -compact well*managed reserve near I MvYyn Garden Crty. Herts. For fwther I b-YTTiationconUctMn focus*. LODMOOR DORSET SAT 2nd & SUN 3rd NOV. BLACKTOFT SANDS HUMBERSIDE SAT 1 6th & SUN 17th NOV. OXFORD ISLAND CO. ARMAGH N. IRELAND FRI 8th & SAT 9th NOV. CHEW VALLEY LAKE AVON SAT 30th NOV. & SUN 1st DEC. ICBP WORLD ENVIRONMENT PARTNER 1991 %£* NORTHUMBERLAND BIRDWATCHING FESTIVAL DRURIDGE BAY SAT 23rd & SUN 24th NOV. 1 1 am - 3pm each day I UAUSCH ft LOMB C i : oite 8X42BGA 629 00 I ; 'Ite 10X42BGA .629.00 I .sjatom 8x36B 229.00 ^ !.4USt0m 10x406GA 249 00 I tfigacy 6x24 89 00 I 22x606 289.00 i| :Nite22x606GA 309.00 I : file 15x-45x606GA .349.00 I .FE1CA £ i '-nnovid 8x20BC 199.00 1 ^'inovid 10X25BC 226.00 i ^nowd 8X20BCA 226 00 It Y-inovId 10X25BCA .239 00 ( I staaa lor Mini 15.00 , : -rinovid 7x42BA 628.00 i •winovid8x42BA . 628 00 I '-^novid 10x42BA 628.00 i tiARL ZEISS £ Tseltnntem 8x30B 129.00 vrolarem 8x32B . . 365.00 notarem 10x40B .395.00 li Setasigner 8x20BT*P 295.00 I )«r«8igner10x25BT*P 319.00 I >«iatytex20B 236.00 I >«ialyl 10x25B . 259.00 I Sialyl 8X206GA . 305.00 'eial^SxSOBGAT 509 00 ' >*iatyt7x42BGAT 589.00 Vial^ 10X4OBGAT 599 00 . )«ial^ 10X40BT 639 00 , >4iaty10x56BGAT .. 729 00 I t«5x60 Porro GAT 1190.00 |i Lvccessones J Walnguard 8.00 , ; •♦.ye Cups (Set) 1 6.00 I : *ye Cups Hard (Set) 1 6.00 ji j^nyard 5,00 I* >s7ide Lanyard 15.00 ■I sc»pare Case from 19.00 h eelKOH £ I ’tA20CFIII 69 00 II k3(25CFIII. . 79 00 hA2XFII 85 00 f- ^»x25CFII . 09 00 : IO<200CF 135.00 X>x25DCF 150.00 •McSODCF 249.00 h2x36DCF 279 00 Mt40DCF 539 00 liAt30DCF 199.00 ‘»*35E 199 00 hVSOE 229.99 .■iOx35E 249.00 '.N0X35CF 229.00 X-12X240CF 329.00 ^eldscope II 20x60 304,00 •ieldscope II 20x-45x 379.00 '*teld$cope ED II 20x60 555.00 *ry)x-45x60 629 00 •5xft20x 65.00 t'Ox4 40x 65.00 i.‘0x 65.00 ••^)x-45x Zoom 147.00 • ioya Mulli Coat Filter 20.(W ■ rubber Hood 10.00 ’■ hotoKit 160.00 Stay-on Casa 45.00 Spotting scope 20x60GA .199.00 15x-45x60GA 265.00 15-45X Zoom. 100.00 SWIFT £ County 10x40. 89 00 Tnton 10x50 99 00 Tnlyte 7k42BQA. 132.00 Tnlyte 6x42BGA 135.00 Tnlyte 10x42BGA. .139.00 Audubon HR5 . 199 00 Audubon 7x35BGA . . 329.00 Viewmaster 60 Body 149.00 15-45X Zoom 49.00 20.00 15.00 OUESTAR £ Field Model 3* Broad Band Coatirrg Supplied with; 50x-80x Hood. Case 2200.00 80X-130X . 120.00 Erector Pnsm .289.00 OPTOLYTH £ Alpin Sx306GA 205.00 Alpin 7X42BQA 238 00 Alpin 6X406GA 225 00 Alpin 10x4060 A 230 00 Alpin lOxSOBGA 241.00 388.00 Tounng 7x42BGA 398.00 Touring 10x40BGA. 390.00 TBS HO Body .. .. . 549.00 549 00 TBS 80 Body 350.00 TBG 80 Body 350 00 20x WA 100 00 . 64.00 30x WW (New) 119,00 40x WA (New) 65 00 22x-60x Zoom . 150.00 Soft Case .29.00 Hard Case . .35,00 Stay*on Case lor TGS/TBG . 45.00 KOWA £ 179 00 TS-602 179.00 55.00 25xWA .48.00 20x-60x Zoom 99.00 1995 295.00 TSN-2 .295.00 TSN-3 .. 555.00 TSN-4 555.00 20x-60x . .139.00 20xWA .96.00 ...63.00 30xWA 119.00 40x .63.00 .96.00 99.00 Skua Case 39 95 Rear Oust Dome 15.00 Spare O.G. Cover 6.00 27xWA (Screw Fit) 59.00 Screw/Bay Adaptor . . .15.00 Case for TSN 24.95 Photo Adaptor 800mm .. . 107.00 Photo Adaptor 1 200mm . 1 79.00 OPT1CRON £ Vega II 8x30 .44 00 Vega II 8x40 49 00 MR8X32MC 142 00 HR7X42MC .. 146 00 HR8X42MC 148.00 HR10X42MC 153.00 HR 10x50 MC 171,00 HR Body 00mm 255.00 30xWA .32.00 27x-0OxZoom 78.00 HR Body, 22x & Case 164 95 HR GA. 22x & Case 174.95 HR 45°, 22x ft Case 204.95 HR Body. 20X-60X ft Case . 204.95 HR QA. 20x-60x ft Case . 214 95 HR 45°. 20X-60X ft Case 234.95 25x, 40x, 22x WA 32,00 Classic IF60 110.00 18xWA 24.00 25x -24.00 26xHP 27.00 10X-4OX Zoom 61 00 Classic IF 75mm 140.00 22xWA 24.00 30x 27 00 22x*47xZoom 61.00 Piccolo 120.00 Eyepieces from 29.00 Piccolo ED 20x60 355.00 Piccolo ED 20x-60x60 .399 00 Photo Kits from 30 00 Cases for Scopes 15.00 Macro Monocular . .....50.00 M1RAOOR £ 6x32B .110.00 7x42B 112.00 8x42B 113.00 10X428 115,00 10x506 .127.00 Merlin 60mmx25 97.00 Merlin 18x-40x60 . .129.00 Meilin 75mmx30 .119.00 Merim 22x-47x75 157.00 Case for Merlin ..15.00 REORELO £ 7x35BA 199.00 lOxSOBA .249.00 20-45X60GA 299.95 PENTAX £ 8X40PCF . 99.95 10X50PCF , 104.95 12XS0PCF . 109 95 BRESSER £ Action 8x40 69 00 Action 10x50 79.00 Unear 8x42 119.00 Linear 10x42 124.00 ROSS £ Cavendish 8x42B 139.95 Regent 8x426 . 169 95 Kensington 10x426 179.95 OBSERVATION BINOCULARS Opticron 20x00 . 390 00 395 00 HABICHT £ 10x40 Diana 372 00 353 00 0x30 SLC 365 00 220 00 AT80 Body 547.00 20x-60x Zoom . . 164.00 BUSHNELL £ Spacemaster Body .. 145.00 Spacemaster Body QA . 165.00 15x-45x Zoom . 49 00 VELBON £ New Fluid Head Tripods D-500 59.95 69.95 CULLMANN £ Hide Clamp . .. 49 95 24.95 . .. 9 95 ... , 4.95 SLIK £ Master D-2 7295 MANFROTTO E 75 00 . ...50.00 45.00 Tnpod Strap 10.95 ACCESSORIES £ Car Window Mount .. ...22.00 Universal Mount. .22.00 Hide Clamp 38 00 RainguanJs from . .3.50 Pentax Cleaning Kit 3 99 Tripod Strap 6.95 Lanyards from 4.00 Oust Away 3-95 Double Eyepiece Case .. 9 95 Tamrac 60/80mm Scope 2450 Also in stock Binoculars from Fujlnon, Ranger. Adlertlick, Minolta etc. BARNET SHOP NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK IN FOCUS CAM KAN At a cost of |ust £15 any new equipment can be covered lor a period of 3 years fiom purchase In the event of equipment tailing for whatever reason it will be rectified by ourselves at no chaige Ask for fun detafs MMONAL CALLIM Can choose and select from our comprehensive range of equip- ment Compare Zeiss with Leitz and Bausch & Lomb, Kowa with Nikon and Optofyth We are a completely independent company, whose only concern a that our customer select the correct instrument for their personal needs PNOM ONMM Discuss your requirements with our technical staff and orders placed with Access or Visa Cards wiD be despatched same day MAIL ORDIN Just add £2 to help towards P&P and instrance and your order wril be sent (he same day as we receive your cheque Afl goods supphed on 14 days approval upon recaxTt of ful lemittance HCONDHANO Instruments are always available Timover e fast so we do not pnnt a kst. 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OPEN MON-FRI 9.30-5.30 SAT 9.30-4.00 CLOSED SUNDAYS & BANK HOLIDAYS 11 r ^KSNCONCMNOJinPCO ^ 04 W W C\J 04 : : : 04 ^ ^ CO ^ 04 04 M 04 aaa rr in 3 CO C>J O(3i0 xooin Koo X Qcocor^Q(£)t£>Q (OHKXlfXX'f CVJOOOCMOCVCM OUlOtOCOWCOMt- in x: 5$ o O T3 k- X m CM CM C *- O i? CO $ o 9- Q. a> gj ^ X = « 5? o oa oi i-e ^ (D ^ CO C/5 03 CD X U (D 5 g 03 ^ t£ C\J r* ^ «? r* ® K cj S. CO h*. in r- eg CO r*. in c*4 ^ C*l t- 04 T- : C*4 : C*4 : C»4 UJ ^ W ^ R ^ ^ (D936) ^3fOIO(00£A cn >- Ui I- Q. :□ o 5 cn o X oc t X ^ o t Cygnus Wildlife f99-2. pm wi.sh to thank most sinterely all ohsemTs and coimly and regional iTCorders, hint observatoiy wardens and reserve wardens and their committees (dr their continued co- operation, upon which the day-to-day work of the Rarities Committee and this report’s Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 451 accuracy and completeness are entirely dependent. We are grateful also to the Irish Rare Birds Committee and its secretary, Patrick Smiddy, for permission to include in the report all accepted records of rare birds in Ireland and for supplying the details which enable us to provide a complete review of all rare bird records and running totals of all rare species in the geographical unit of Britain and Ireland. In addition, we are indebted to many individuals and organisations for assistance during the past year. Once again, Mike Rogers has carried out the enormous task of compiling the report. As with the 1989 report, the species comments have been written jointly by Rob Hume (non-passerines) and Chris Heard (passerines), and the running totals for each species have been compiled by Peter Fraser and Dr John Ryan. Since the previous report, the recent statistics have been checked for all species and some, mainly minor, adjustments have been made to the totals for past years. The Seabirds Advisory Panel, whose members are Peter Colston, Bill Curtis, Jim Enticott, Steve Madge and Tony Marr, continued to provide the Committee with specialist advice, as have Per Alstrdm, Jon Curson, Richard Porter, Ian Sinclair and Lars Svensson. The BTO, the NCC, the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, the RSPB and the British Museum (Natural History) have liaised over various matters. Photographs and transparencies, whether or not of sufficient quality for publication, always greatly assist the record assessment process. For the first time, this is being acknowledged within the report, with each accepted record supported during assessment by one or more photographs having the term ‘photographed’ added. We continue to encourage the submission of photographs and transparencies, though not as substitutes for the written record, and thank all photographers who have sent us pictures of rarities, a selection of which enhances this report. We should like to draw attention to the newly instituted ‘The Carl Zeiss Award’ (see Announcement next month), which we hope will encourage even more photographers to submit prints or transparencies to the Committee. We are grateful also to those observers who included drawings of rarities in their record submissions. Field sketches, regardless of the level of artistic merit, are also of great value to the Committee. Finished paintings, unless accompanied by the draft field sketches, are of no value to the Committee, since all drawings and paintings need to be representations of the bird in question and not of the species in general. Some of the drawings submitted with records are included in this report. PGL Systematic list of accepted records The principles and procedures followed in considering records were explained in the 1958 report {Brit. Birds 53; 155-158). The systematic list is set out in the same way as in the 1989 report (83: 439-496). The following points show the basis on which the (i) The details included for each record are (1) county; (2) locality; (3) number of birds if more than one, and age and sex if known (in the case of spring and summer records, however, the age is normally given only where the bird concerned was not in adult plumage); (4) if photographed, trap- ped or found dead and where specimen is stored, if known; (5) date(s); and (6) obser- ver(s) up to three in number, in alphabetical order. (ii) In general, this report is confined to records which are regarded as certain, and ‘probables’ are not included. In the case of the very similar Long-billed Limnodromus scolopaceus and Short-billed Dowitchers L. griseus, however, we are continuing to pub- lish indeterminate records, and this also list has been compiled, applies to those of pratincoles Glareola, albatrosses Diomedea and frigatebirds Fregata. (Hi) The sequence of species, English names and specific nomenclature follow The ‘British Birds' List of Birds of the Western Pcdearctic (1984). Any sight records of subspecies (including those of birds trapped and re- leased) are normally referred to as ‘showing the characters’ of the race concerned. (iv) The three numbers in brackets after each species’ name refer respectively to the total number of individuals recorded in Britain and Ireland (excluding those ‘At sea’) (1) to the end of 1957, (2) for the period since the formation of the Rarities Commit- tee in 1958, but excluding (3) the current year. The decision as to how many indi- viduals were involved is often difficult and 452 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 rather arbitrary, but the consensus of mem- bers is indicated by ‘possibly the same’ (counted as different in the totals), ‘prob- ably the same’ (counted as the same in totals), or ‘the same’ when the evidence is certain or overwhelming. An identical approach is applied to records of the same species recurring at the same locality after a lapse of time, including those which occur annually at the same or a nearby site. In considering claims of more than one indi- vidual at the same or adjacent localities, the Committee usually requires firm evidence before more than one is counted in the totals. A detailed breakdown of the figures for previous years is held by the Honorary Secretary. (v) The world breeding range is given in brackets at the beginning of each species comment. White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii (18, 117, 3) Orkney See 1989 Orkney below. Scilly OffBryher and Samson, first-summer, 6th May (F. K. Hammond, Dr M. E. Witherick et ai). Shetland Whalefirth, Yell, near-adult, 16th-23rd June (W. Stoopendaal, T. Vemooy per T. Prescott et ai). Whalsay, adult, since 1989 {Bril. Birds 83: 441) to 20th April; again, 23rd November to 1991 (Dr B. Marshall, N. D. Poleson, W. Simpson ei al.). Western Isles Balranald, North Uist, adult, 20th May (R. J. Amfield, N. J. Hallam, R. Riddington). 1988 Humberside Bridlington, adult, 14th March (P. Piringer), presumed same as Filey, North Yorkshire, llth-12th (Bril. Birds 82: 508). 1989 Orkney Rousay, adult, 28th November to 16th February 1990 (J. B. Ribbands et al.). (Arctic Russia eastwards to Arctic Canada) A remarkable May record from Scilly; the returning Shetland individual is now on some seen-from- window lists. Black-browed Albatross Diomedea melanophris (2, 24, 0) Shedand Hermaness, Unst, individual last recorded 2nd July 1987 (Brit. Birds 8\: 539), 27th March to 7th April (M. G. Pennington et al.), 26th, 31st May, 10th June (N. & Mrs L. Pleass et al.). (Southern Oceans) The loneliness of the long-staying albatross continues; the only worse possibility for it would be the sudden appearance of another of the same sex. Little Shearwater Puffintis assimilis (5, 75, 3) Cleveland Hartlepool, 7th September (S. J. Hinley, G. Joynt, S. Ryan). Lothian Musselburgh, showing characters of P. a. baroli, dead, 9th December, now at Royal Scottish Museum (M. Griffin, B. A. Hickman et al.). Western Isles Butt of Lewis, 29th July (K. D. Shaw). (Atlantic south from Madeira and Caribbean, southern Pacific and Indian Ocean) Other reports of this difficult species keep the Committee collectively scratching its head for another year. Wilson’s Petrel Oceanites oceanicus (4, 1 0, 1 ) (Southern Oceans) None in Britain. In Ireland there was one at Bridges of Ross, Co. Clare, on 15th August. American Bittern Botaurus kntifdnosus (50, 8, 1) (North America) None in Britain. In Ireland, one was killed by a dog at Killag, Co. Wexford, on 21st January. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (150, 103, 2) Dorset Hinton Parva, IBlh May (Dr G. P. Gn'cn). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 453 (West Eurasia, Africa and Australia) In Ireland, a female was found exhausted, and subsequently died, at Ballycotton, Co. Cork, on 16th March. Another poor year for a species that, not so long ago, seemed set to be an intermittent breeder here. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (165, 240, 46) Cambridgeshire Ouse Washes, second-summer, 4th May (J. A. Rowlands, R. Spowage). Cornwall Copperhouse, Hayle, adult, 20th March (L. P. Williams). Loe Pool, first-summer or second-summer, 20th-21st March (S. Bury, A. R. Pay, M. J. Southam). Par, adult, 24th March to 7th April; probable second-summer, 26th March to 10th April (S. M. Christophers, G. R. & M. White et ai). St Austell, adult or second-summer, at least 29th March (S. M. Christophers et at.). St Clement, Truro, adult, 29th March to 13th April (J. A. Jane, W. A. R. Wolfenden el al.). Devon Lundy, adult, 16th March (A. Gibson, A. M. Jewels, J. Steer). Radford Park, Plymouth, adult, 17th March to 13th April (J. F. Babbington, R. W. White el al.). Barnstaple, adult, 5th-6th April, dead 7th, photographed (M. Preston, M. Williams, M. Woollacott). Dorset Portland, adult, 4th April (M. Cade, P. Howlett et ai.). Dyfed Bosherston Ponds, adult, 15th March (C. J. Orsman), possibly same, Westfield Pill, 16th-17th (A. J. Hansen el al.), probably same, Rosemarket, 15th April (A. & A. J. Hansen). Fig. 1. Adult Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, Cley, Norfolk, May 1990 {John R. Williamson) 454 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Skomer, adult, 17th March, found dead, killed by gulls, 21st (A. C. & S. J. SutclifTe, H. A. Williams et at.). St Ishmaels, adult, three days in late March (P. & Mrs M. Edg^ngton). Trecwn, age uncertain, 21st March, photographed (J. R. Hadfield, R. Harris). Near St Nicholas, adult, 29th March (R. Poole). 'I'eifi Marshes, three adults: two 20th March, two and one dead 6th April, two 29th April (M. H Baines, J. 'I'homas el al.). Ffairfach, adult or second-summer, 16th-21st July (J. Friese, N. R. Matthew, P. Metcalfe et al.). Essex Holland Haven, adult, 7th May (C. .’Vtkins). Glamorgan, West Wern Halog, Gower, first-summer, 26th March (W. E. Jones, K. R. Lloyd). Oxwich, adults, 21st .April, presumed same, 4th-7th May, two, 6th (K. Burdett, W. Howard, R. Jarman). Hampshire Near Ibsley, adult, 24th-25th February (J. M. Clark, J. A. Eyre). Kent Dymchurch, adult, 25th March (H. Goodwin, D. Walker). Dungeness, adult, 16th April (P. Wells et al.)\ two adults, 29th (D. Sydall, R. R. Thomson, G. Thomson), same, Fade, 29th (N. R. Davies et al.). Lancashire Heysham Harbour, first-summer, 18th March (W. Cross, P. J. Marsh el al.). Lincolnshire Frampton, 25th March to 4th .April (.A. McKeenan, R. Nowicki). Norfolk Cley, Salthouse and Kelling, adult, lOth-1 1th May (J. R. Williamson et a/.). (fig. 1). Northamptonshire Pitsford Reservoir, juvenile or first-winter, 28th .August (E. K. McMahon). Suffolk .Southwold, adult, 13th-20th May (P. H. Wilkinson et al.). Sussex, Eiast Rye, adult, 27lh .April to 1st May (1). J. Funnell, H. M. J. faffs, Dr B. J. Yates et al.), two, 2nd May (A. F. & .Mrs S. J. Burtenshaw et al.); adult, 23rd June (D. J. f'unnell. Dr B. J. Yates et al.). Sussex, West Littlehampton, adult, I5th-16th .April (R. Butler, .A. S. Cook, R. J. L. Kemp et al.). West Midlands Hay Head Wood, Walsall, adult, 16th-22nd April, photographed (J. Hollian, S. M. Whitehouse et al.). Wight, Isle of Porchfield, adult, 26th-28th March (A. Atirill, D. J. Hunnybun, J. W. Willmot). Wiltshire Choate Water, adult, 7th May ((!. A. J. & P. A. Deacon et al.). Yorkshire, South Denaby Ings, adult, 15lh June to at least 5th August (K. ,A. Dutton, 'F. Feltham el al.). Yorkshire, West Angler’s Country-park, Wintersett, Juvenile, 25th July (1). (Jrist, Miss V. Holmes, (L J. Speight et al.). 1988 Somerset Cheddar, adult, 16th to at least 19th September {lirit. Birch 82: 510), relocated February' 1991, apparently ringed Berger Zoo, .Arnhem, Netherlands, not Edinburgh as previously reported (per B. Rabbitts). (South Eurasia, Africa and the Americas) In Ireland, there were P' '' at Carritrrohane on the River Lee, Co. Cork, on 19th March. One in Northumberland in July was proved to be a free-flyer from Edinburgh Zoo, and some published here could have been escapes, too. The 1988 Somerset record implicates at least one more zoo in the plot. Nevertheless, there was a clear influx in the southwest and south of England and Wales in spring, with some spill-over farther north. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloide.^ (95, 25, 5) Cambridgeshire Nene Washes, 2()lh June (M. & S. F. Davies, G. R. & Mrs H. W’elch). Devon Near Dartmouth, at least 6th-24th June, photographed (1). Howard, P. Sanders, K. i!t Mrs C. .Stone). Kent Elmley, 7th- 14th May, photographed (P. K. J. Cihun el al.). ■Scilly .Si Mary’s, 20th March to 9lh April, photogra|)hed (W. H. Wagstalf e/ n/.)(plate 258). IJryher, 15th May, presumed same, .St Martin’s, 16th to 1st June (W. 11. WagstafVet al.). (Southern P’.urope, Southwest Asia and Africa) With only twt) others since 198.3, there is perhaps as yet no great cau.se for optimism that this declining heron is likely to reverse its long-term downward trend. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 455 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (2, 49, 2) Norfolk Walpole St Andrew, 25th April (G. M. Kirwan). Wight, Isle of Calboume Mill, 12th April (K. Lover). (Almost cosmopolitan in tropics; nearest breeders in south of France) A minor revival, after the decline in 1988 and absence in 1989. Little Egret Egretla garzetta (23, 589, 113) Avon Chew Valley Lake, 10th-21st October (R. Higgins et al.), also in Somerset. Cambridgeshire Fen Drayton, 7th May (R. 1. Allison, J. S. Hargreaves, MissJ. Morrow). Clwyd Oakenholt Marsh, 1 1th May (Dr N. 1’. Man, G. E. Morris), probably same, 23rd (H. Birch, 1. Higginson). Cornwall About six from 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 443), about 32 additional: Lynher and Tamar Estuaries, St John’s Lake, one from 1989 to at least 14th January, another 3rd March to 28th April; 15th July to end of year, two, 21st July to 17th August, end October onwards, three, 28th August to end October, four, 18th-27th August (S. C. Madge et al. per S. M. Christophers). Eowey Estuary, one from 1989 to 18th March, another, 28th January to 18th March; two, 10th October to 1991, another, 21st December (per S. M. Christophers). Eal Estuary: Devoran, since 1989 to 23rd April, three, 12th- 15th March, presumed one or other, Ruan Lanihorne, 4thjanuary, fresillian, 14th March, Penryn, 31st (per S. M. Christophers); Ruan Lanihorne, 9th August to 11th September, three, 13th-14th October, one, lst-27th November, two, 23rd December; up to three, Truro River, intermittently, 19th August to 18th December, presumed same (per S. M. Christophers). Hayle Estuary, three since 1989 to 30th January, another, 1st January, one found dead, two to 2nd May, one to 5th; two, 5th July to 31st August, another, 26th July; one to end of year, another, 30th September (I). S. Flumm, L. P. Williams et al. per S. M. Christophers). Gannel Estuary, two since 1989 to 22nd April; one, 25th October to 1991 (S. M. Christophers et al.). Camel Estuary, 8th March to 15th April; two, 26th July to 1st August, one to 30th (per S. M. Christophers). Helford Estuary, 21st March. Poldhu and Cunwalloe, 21st April. Croft Pascoe, 27th July. Rame Head, 4th August (all per S. M. Christophers). Par, two, 30th September (D. Jackson). Drift Reservoir, 8th September to 6th October (M. Southam et al.), probably from Hayle. Cumbria Duddon Estuary, 19th-20th July, photographed (R. I. Kinley, D. Thexton et al.). Devon 4’hree from 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 444), about 1 1 additional, but one also in Cornwall: Kingsbridge Estuary, since 1989 to at least January. Avon Estuary, 8th Eebruary (K. Goatly); 17th August (J. C. Lowen). Erme Estuary, 16th April, 5th May, 14th August (A. S. C. Barker, A. J. Pomroy); at least four, possibly six, 18th August to 7th September, one, 4th October (J. E. Babbington, J. C. Lowen, V. R. Tucker et al.); one, 21st October (A. J. Pomroy). Ta\7 Estuary, 6th to at least 23rd May, presumed same as Firme, two from 1 1th, three, 23rd (P. Edmonds), one presumed also in Cornwall, presumed one of same, Plym Estuary, 7th May (M. Simmonds). River Yealm, two, 15th December to 1991 (A.J. Pomroy). River Otter, 16th January to at least 4th February (J. F. Capper, G. H. Gush el al.), probably 1989 Exe Estuary individual; 28th-29th June (E. Brooks, K. Pellow); 10th-21st August, four, 12th, three, 15th, two, 21st (K. Pellow et al.). Exe Estuary, 25th August to 22nd September, two, 25th-27th August, 16th September, three, 20th-22nd September, six, 9th September (M. D. Elcoate, R. H. Montgomery, R. C. Thomett et al.); one, 29th September (T. H. Smith). Teign Estuary, 10th, 13th August (S. E. Barbato), presumed same as Exe. 'Law and 'Forridge Estuaries, since 1989 to at least June; 5th August; two, 1st September, three, 3rd (D. Churchill, D. Davies, C. Snook et al.). Dorset One since 1989 {Bril. Birds 83: 444), about 14 additional: Poole Harbour, principally Brand’s Bay and Studland, monthly maxima: four, January; three, Eebruaiy to May; one, June; four, July; 14, August to October; 11, November; seven, December (S. J. Morrison el al.). Christchurch Harbour, 2nd, 6th May, 21st July, 11th .August, 12th, 24th October, six, 28th August (I. Rabjohns, D. N. Smith el al. per M. Cade). .Abbotsbuty, 19th, 29th June, 12th, 15th-I7th, 2()lh July (S. A. Groves el al.). Langton Herring, 8th July, 23rd September (per M. Cade). East Fleet, 15th-16th June (P. M. Harris el al.). Radipole, 16th June, photographed, 9th- 1 1th, 30th September (B. Spencer et al.). Portland, 22nd September (per M. Cade). All presumed Poole Harbour individuals. Dyfed Feifi Marshes, 3rd-5th April (M. E. Baines, J. Higgins, W. Lee el al.), probably one or other of 1989 Dyfed individuals {Bril. Birds 83: 444, and 1989 Dyfed below). Gann Estuary, 14th April to 10th May (J. W. & Mrs J. E. Donovan, ,A. H. Hansen), possibly same. West 456 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Williamston, 6th May (P. Howe et al.). Pen-claw'ydd, 6th August to at least 29th September, two from 8th August, four, 9th- 18th, five, 13th, three, 23rd to 6th September, two, 8th (M. C. Powell, A. Richardson, B. Stewart el al.). Kidwelly, 24th November (F. B. Jenkins), presumed same. Dale Pools, 27th (J. VV. & Mrs J. E. Donovan). Essex Old Hall Marshes, 2nd May (M. & Mrs J. Stott). Fingringhoe Wick, 29th July (J. A. Norgate et al.). Glamorgan, West Landimore Marsh, 16th December to 1991 (H. E. Grenfell). Gloucestershire Cotswold Water Park, three, 6th May (R. G. Baatsen, G. C. Clutterbuck, N. R. Smart et al.). Hampshire I’imsbury, 4th February (D. A. Thelwell), probably since 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 444-445). Farlington Marshes and Langstone Harbour, 13th May (T. D. Codlin, P. M. Potts et al.). Pennington Marsh, 23rd-24th June (M. C. & P. Combridge et al.). Northwest Solent from Hurst Spit to Sowley Shore, up to four, 5th August to 28th October (M. C. & P. Combridge el al.). "Fanner’s Creek, Lymington, 21st November (S. G. Keen). Kent Dungeness, 13th April (W. Gorst, T. Strudwick, C. Thain et al.). Lincolnshire Kirkby-on-Bain, 6th May (P. A. Hyde). Merseyside Leasowe, 21st May (M. R. Gough), same. Red Rocks, 21st (Dr J. E. & M. G. I'urner el al.), presumed same as Clwyd. Norfolk Welney, two, 7th-9th .May, one to lOth (J. B. Kemp, D. Revett, K. Warrington), presumed same, Denver Sluice, 7th-9th (Dr J. Lines, M. Rae). Northamptonshire Stanwick, 12th-13th May (}. 1. Blincow, R. W. Bullock, S. Layton et al.). Northumberland Bamburgh, 23rd June (1). G. Bell, G. Russell et al.), same, Budle Bay, 24th, lst-1 1th July (D. McKeown et al.), same, Tweed Estuary, 18th (J. R. Irving, W. T. Logan, E. Slack). Orkney Loch of Banks, 14th June to end July, same. Loch of Hundland, 9th August to at least 4th September (C. J. Booth, R. Cryer, P. Reynolds et al.). Scilly St Mary’s, 17th-25th December (D. J. 1). Hickman, R. Symmons, W. H. WagstalT). Somerset West Sedgemoor, at least 13th March (B. D. (iibbs, R. L. Musgrove, S. Rogers). Cheddar Reservoir, 7th to at least 8th October ( F. A. Box, B. Rabbitts et al.), also in Avon. Strathclyde Danna, Argyll, 28th May (J. Blatcher, Ms C. Pollock). Suffolk Minsmere, 16th-17th May (C. Seagrave). Havergate, 2nd to at least 30th .\ugust (N. Green et al.). Sussex, East Pett Level, 12th May (C. H. Dean,J. A. B. Gale). Sussex, West Chichester Harbour, 13th January, presumed since 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 445), 15th February, 4th March, 30th April to 3rd May (C. B. & Mrs M. A. Collins et al.), presumed same, Pagham Harbour, 28th April (C. R. Janman); 18th August, 5th September to 6th October, two, 1 1th, 23rd September, 5th October; 4th November to at least 28th December, two, at least 4th-5th November, 4th-5th December (C. B. & Mrs M. A. Collins et al.), presumed one of same, Pagham Harbour, 13th, 15th August, 10th, 25th November (.\. F. & Mrs S. J. Burtenshaw, C. M. & Mrs B. James, C. R. Janman el al.). Wight, Isle of Lakeside, 16th August (P. J. Barden, K. Lover), presumed from Flampshire. Yorkshire, North Southwold, 9th May (P. J. Dunn), possibly same as Lincolnshire. 1989 Cambridgeshire Sacrewell, at least one, at least 26th August, probably mid August to mid September (C. Leon, D. K. J. Withrington et al.). 1989 Cheshire/Clwyd Inner Marsh Farm and Burton Marsh, Cheshire, 9th- 1 1th May (,S. P. Lloyd, C. J. & S. R. Williams et al.), presumed same, 18th-20th (fi. 1 1. Rhodes et al.), probably same as 1989 (iwynedd {Brit. Birds 83: 444). 1989 Dorset Abbotsbury, two, 23rd May (S. A. Groves et al.); 14th, 21st-29th July, two, 21st, 20th August, 9th December (S. A. (Jroves el al.), both probably from Poole Harbour {Brit. Birds 83:' 444). 1989 Dyfed Capel Bangor, 12th December (E. Moore), same, Aberystwyth, 16th December to mid January 1990, photographed, Dyfi Estuaiy to about mid March 1990 (P. .\. GregoiS', P. M. Miles el al.), probably one or other of Nevern Estuaiy' individuals {Bril. Biids 83: 444). Gwendraeth Estuary, Cardiganshire {Bril. Birds 83: 444), locality is in Cannarthenshire. 1989 Hampshire Langstone Harbour, 24th May (C. J. Clover, C. J. Fyas). 1989 Kent Dungeness, 13th ,\ugust intermittently to 6th .September (D. Walker el al.), same as East .Sussex, Lade, Kent, individuals {Bril. Biids 83: 445). Elmley, 1 1th .August (R. L. Morgan el al.), presumed same as Stodmarsh, 17th {Bril. Biids 83: 145). 1989 Norfolk Sallhouse, 20th September (F,. F. Myers), same as Blakenev Point, 21st {Bril. Birds 83: 445). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1 990 457 1989 Somerset Cheddar Reservoir, 16th to at least 18th August (D. L. Buckingham, B. Rabbitts el ai). 1989 Sussex, West Knepp Millpond, Shipley, 26th October (M. Hulme, C. W. Melgar, S. C. Richardson). 1989 Wight, Isle of St Helen’s Millpond, up to two, intermittently, 5th-13th August (E. J. & M. Crinage, J. C. Gloyn, D. &J. Numey el al.). Newtown Estuary, 9th-13th August, two 13th (J. W. Willmott et al.). Wootton Creek, llth-15th September (J. C. Gloyn, G. R. & M. S. Sparshott). All probably from Hampshire (Bril. Birds 83: 444-445). (South Eurasia, Africa and Australia) In Ireland, there was one at Clonakilty on 25th March (probably the same as the late report of one there on 25th December 1989); one at Castletownsend on 19th March, joined by a second individual on 31st March; two at Carrigaline on 11th April, one remaining until 24th; two at Ballycotton on 11th May; one at Ballymacoda during 19th June to 25th November, joined by a second on 30th September; one at Roscarbery from 29th September until late October; one at Lough Beg on 1st October; and one in Cork Harbour from 2nd December into 1991 (all Co. Cork); one at Ballray, Co. Louth, on 8th April; one at Dundrum Bay, Co. Down, on 23rd July, joined by a second from 31st July to 18th August; one at Lady’s Island Lake, Co. Wexford, on 5th May. The occasional misidentified distant gull or paper bag probably has little statistical significance in the recent flood of records of this species. It is, however, a lovely bird, so don’t knock it. Little Egrets also remain good finds inland and Avon, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, North- amptonshire and Somerset records are noteworthy among the plethora of coastal reports. Lrom the start of 1991, records of Little Egret, recently our most numerous rarity, will no longer be considered by the Committee, though records should continue to be submitted to county recorders. Great White Egret Egretta alba (10, 35, 5) Cleveland Scaling Dam Reservoir, 19th July (M. A. Blick). Highland Near Maryburgh, Cromarty Firth, 4th June (A. S. & J. A. Sweetland). Kent Dungeness, 8th August, photographed (Miss P. Miller, T. Strudwick). Stodmarsh, 23rd August to at least mid October (D. Feast el at.), presumed same as Dungeness individual, also in Sussex, below. Leicestershire Rutland Water, 26th May (D. J. S. Gamble, A. H. J. Harrop, A. J. Mackay el al.). Norfolk Welney, 2nd July Q. B. & L. Kemp, D. Revett); presumed same, 23rd-24th (J. Arbon,J. B. Kemp). Hickling, 15th July (J. FI. Marchant, Dr M. J. Proven). Joist Fen and Decoy Farm area, 4th August, possibly since late July (P. J. Dolton, J. M. Garner), all presumed same individual, also in Suffolk, below. Suffolk Northwest, 27th and 29th July (E., J. & R. Seeker), same as Norfolk. Sussex, West Pagham Harbour, 5tli August (N. A. Driver el al.), presumed same as Kent and Isle of Wight. Wight, Isle of Newtown, 6th August (G. Burland, K. Lover, J. Willmot el al.), also in West Sussex and Kent. 1989 Yorkshire, West Bretton Lakes, 10th May, photographed (J. B. Baxter, M. Tunmore, M. J. Watson el al.)(Bril. Birds 82: plate 297). (Almost cosmopolitan, extremely local in Europe) Wandering indi- viduals probably exaggerate the impression, but this was another good year for this eyecatching heron. Black Stork Ciconia nigra (26, 48, 8) Dorset Radipole, juvenile, 14th-15th September, photographed (B. Spencer, D. Wilson el al.). 458 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Essex Old Hall Marshes and Hamford Water, juvenile, 25th-26lh August (M. Stott, R. Turner el at.), also in SufTolk. Greater London Kennington, 25th August (G. Davey, H. S. & Mrs B. J. JollifTe), also in Essex and SufTolk. Hampshire New Forest and Avon \'alley area, adult, 7th April to at least 17th June (1). J. Burges, M. C. & P. Combridge, M. J. Mockler el ai). Hertfordshire Tyttenhanger Gravel-pits, adult, 16th April (R. Evershed), presumed same, near Hemel Hempstead, 2nd May (R. Nye), also in Surrey. Lancashire Leighton Moss, adult, 2 1st June (M. S. Hill, G. Taylor), possibly also in Orkney. Norfolk Flitcham, probably first-summer, 6th June (E. Cross). Northamptonshire Barnwell Brook, Juvenile, 27th-28th July, photographed (M. Duerden, J. W. W. Metcalfe el al ), also in Sufl'olk. Orkney Sanday, adult, 23rd-24th June, photographed (F. Muir, R. Thorne)(plates 237 & 238), possibly same as Lancashire. 237 & 238. Adult Black Stork ('Aconia nigra, flying with Oystercatchers Haemalopus ostrale- gus, Sanday, Orkney, June 1990 {Roderick Thome) Powys/Shropshire Upper Feme Valley area, adult, 30th August to 6th September, possibly since 9th .\ugust (P. P. Jennings, Dr R. H. Townsend el al.). Shropshire See Powys/Shropshire. Suffolk Ellough and Sotterley area, juvenile, 28th-29th July (C. A. Buttle, M. Parker, R. Walden el al.), same, 16 further localities, various dates to at least 1st September (per P. W. Murphy), also in Essex and Norlhamjjtonshire. Surrey Pirbright Common, 2nd May (P. M. Troake), also in Hertfordshire. (Eurasia and Southern Africa) Another species of which individuals are likely to be seen in a number of localities, even perhaps several counties, but which is clearly enjoying a minor boom. Glossy Ibis Flegadis Jalcinellus (many, 55, 2) Cambridgeshire Ouse Washes, 30th November to 2nd December (\. Davenhill, J. ,\. Rowlands el al.), also in Norfolk. Kent .Stodmarsh area, 1989 individual {lliil. Birds 83: T17), 1st januaiy to mid March, intermittently May to end August, regularly to end of year; same, Shepjtey, 20th .April (per T. Hodge). Brookland, 14th May (N. R. Davies, M. Tickner), presumed not Stodmarsh individual. Norfolk Ouse Washes, 19th December, same as (Cambridgeshire. (Almost cosmopolitan, nearest breeders Balkans) There is a con- tinuing trickle of reports considered not to refer to the regtilar Kent individuals. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 459 Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus (0, 6, 1) (Northern Holarctic) In Ireland, there was an adult showing the characters of the nominate North American and Siberian race at the North Slob, Co. Wexford, on 29th December. Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (47, 76, 0) 1989 Tayside Menmuir, adull, at least 13th-14th December, photographed (M. Andrews et al). (Northeast Europe and Siberia) The only report for 1989, but the species still took 1990 as a year off. Brent Goose Branta bemicla ( 1 , 46, 5) Individuals showing the characters of the North American and East Siberian race B. b. nigricans were recorded as follows; Essex Kirby-le-Soken, adult, 15th-20th January (Dr S. & Mrs P. A. Cox, M. Hutchings), same, Hamford Water, 1st February (B. I). Gee). Essex/Greater London King George V Reserv'oir, adult, 18th March (A. J. Gray, P. J. Vines et al.). Greater London See Essex/Greater London. Hampshire See West Sussex. Norfolk Breydon Water, adult, 6th November to at least 22nd December (P. R. Allard, J. Oates el al.). Sussex, West Thorney Deeps and Pilsey Island, Chichester Harbour, adult, 1 2th October to 1991, also Hayling Island, Hampshire (C. B. Collins et al.), presumed returning individual (Brit. Birds 83: 448). 1985 Norfolk Thornham, adult, 19th November (Brit. Birds 80: 525), Thornham/Holme area, 12th- 13th December (V. Five). (Arctic North America and East Siberia) In Ireland, there were single adults at Killough on 18th March; at Dundrum Bay on 15th- 16th March, and again from 18th December to 19th January 1991 (all Co. Down); at Rogerstown, Co. Dublin, from mid April until 30th April; and at the Bann Estuary, Co. Londonderry, on 30th September. Also, a belated record of an adult at Faughanvale, Lough Foyle, Co. Londonderry, on 25th October 1988, and again at the same site on 3rd-8th October 1989. An expected pattern, with no particularly noteworthy events. American Wigeon Anas americana (22, 195, 17) Borders Coldstream, cf, 4th-5lh May (R. R. F.lliot, J. F. McConnell et al.). Cheshire/Clwyd Inner Marsh Farm, cf, 30th November lo 26th December (I. Higginson el al.). Cleveland Hartlepool, hrst-winter cf, llth-16th March (G. Joynt el al.). Clwyd See Cheshire/Clwyd. Cumbria Leven Estuary, cf, 13th to at least 25th Februaiy (D. Jewel, C. Raven et al.). Devon Exmouth and Dawlish Warren, cT, 24th December to at least 5th Januaiy' 1991 (B. B. Heaseman el al.). Fife Stenhouse Reservoir, O", 9> *2th to at least 13th November 1989, first-winter cf, 13th, same three, Lochgelly Loch, 24th to 1990 (Brit. Birds 83: 448), same three, Stenhouse Reservoir, to 19th January, O'. 27th, first-winter O' to 4th February; O' returned 12th October, all three by 21st November, O', 9 December (J. S. Nadin el al. per D. Fi. Dickson). Gloucestershire Dudgrove, Cotswold Water-park, O', 16th December to 24th Januaiy' 1991 (N. Pleass et al.). Highland Handa Island, O', 19th May (M. SelQ- Humberside Messingham, O', 14th -September intemiittently to 1st December (G. P. Catley, 460 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 J. T. Harriman, C. Nimick et al.), same, Kirton Lindsey, 4th October, photographed (J. T. Harriman). Lancashire Martin Mere, cf, 11th February to 24th March; another, 4th-8th March; first- winter o', 20th February' to 8th March (G. R. Clarkson, T. P. Drew, D. J. Rigby et al.). Lothian Gladhouse Reservoir, O', 3rd February to 18th April, presumed same, Rosebery Reservoir, 10th-27th February, Musselburgh, 18th March; Bavelaw Reserv'oir, 24th-27th March; presumed same, Gladhouse and Rosebery Reservoirs, 17th October to 1991 (T. Gillies, A. O’Connor et al.). Norfolk Cley, O', 14th-18th March (T. R. Dean et al.). Bemey Marshes, O', 10th April (P. R. Allard et al.). Northumberland Fenham-le-Moor, Lindisfame, Cf, 3rd- 15th October (M. Parsons, S. Percival, R. M. Ward et al.). Yorkshire, South Wath Ings, O', 6th September (J. M. Turton et al.). 1987 Dorset Stanpit Marsh and Brownsea Island, 3rd-5th May (Brit. Birds 83; 449), 2nd (S. E. Barbato). (North America) In Ireland, there were returning males at Ballycotton, Co. Cork, from 12th October 1989 to March 1990, and again from 6th October 1990 into 1991; at Ballintubbrid, Co. Cork, from 2nd October 1989 to 1990 and again from 1st November 1990 into 1991; and at Greysteel, Lough Foyle, Co. Londonderry, from 4th to 19th November 1989. Also a male at Sligo Harbour, Co. Sligo, on 24th November 1990. An intriguing trio in Fife enlivens an otherwise fairly standard (but quite widespread) list here. There have been occasional ageing difficulties with ‘immature’ males showing ‘adult’ white forewings, which do not fit the established pattern of moult, in which the wings should be the last to change. Teal Anas crecca (13, 295, 19) Drakes showing the characters of the North American race A. c. carolinensis were recorded as follows: Avon Chew Valley Lake, 3rd February, presumed same, 29th September to 23rd February’ 1991 (K. E. Vinicombe et al.), presumed returning individual last recorded 7th December 1989 (Brit. Birds 83; 449). Central Loch Lubnaig, 13th February (D. Garratt, R. Saville). Cornwall Copperhouse Creek, Hayle, 12th- 15th February (D. S. Flumm, L. P. Williams et al.). Gloucestershire Slimbridge, 2nd February (G. Richards et al.). Hampshire Fitchfield Haven, to 4th March, same, Farlington Marsh to at least 2nd January' (Brit. Birds 83; 449). Kent Sevenoaks, 6th February to 4th March (P. Larkin, T. Laws et al.). Lancashire Martin Mere, 28th October to 1991 (T. P. Drew, D. J. Rigby et al.), also in Merseyside; first-winter, 2nd-17th November (J. & T. P. Drew, D. J. Rigby), also Merseyside. Merseyside Marshside Marsh, 13th January (P. 1. Holt et al.), presumed same 25th-28th March, 29th December to 1991 (B. McCarthy et al.), also in Lancashire; first-winter, 29th December to 1991 (Miss S. Gullane, P. I. Holt et al.), also in Lancashire. Norfolk Welney, 15th- 16th March (J. Arbon, L. Butler, J. B. Kemp). Berney Marshes, 17th- 22nd March (P. R. Allard et al.). Northamptonshire Daventry C. P., 15th January (G. Pullan). Northumberland Holywell Pond, 8th-22nd May (1. J. l ams et al.). Nottinghamshire Lound, lst-9th April, |>hotographed ((L & P. Hobson et al.). .Shetland Trondra, 12th-17th March (P. Barry et al.). .Scatness, 16th December to at least January 1991 (1). .Siiddaby et al.). Somerset Wet Moor, 9th March (D. J. Chown). Durleigh Reseivoir, at least 4th November (J. G. Hole, S. Rogers et al.). Staffordshire Blithfield Reservoir, 1 l(h November to at least 26th January 1991 (W. J. Low et al.). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 461 Strathclyde See 1989 Strathclyde below. Warwickshire Draycote Water, 4th February (A. R. Dean et ai). 1989 Cheshire Rostheme Mere, 28th January to 12th February (M. Bailey, T. P. Drew el ai). 1989 Fife Cameron Reservoir, 22nd October (T. C. Smout et al.), presumed same as Eden Estuary individual, 16th February 1988 (Brit. Birds 82: 515). 1989 Lancashire Martin Mere, 29th September discontinuously to 2nd March 1990 (E. J. Abraham, G. R. Clarkson, D. J. Rigby et al.), presumed returning individual last recorded Marshside Marsh, Merseyside, 8th-16th April 1989 (Brit. Birds 83: 449), presumed same also in Merseyside, above. 1989 Northumberland Castle Island, River Wansbeck, 17th December Q. R. Todd). 1989 Strathclyde Easter Ellister, 31st March to 3rd April (Brit. Birds 83: 450), presumed same Ardnave Loch, Islay, 25th December, Easter Ellister, 24th-25th January 1990, Loch Indaal, 30th (P. Cashman, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, C. Smout el al.). (North America) In Ireland, there were two males at Lough Beg, Co. Cork, on 19th January. Within a typical sort of list, there are still surprises, such as the Northamptonshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire records in areas where this race is still exceptionally rare. American Black Duck Anas rubripes (1, 16, 1) Shedand Loch of Spiggie, cf, 4th February to 29th April (R. L. Howells, M. Mellor et al.). (North America) In Ireland, a late acceptance concerns a female at North Slob, Co. Wexford, during 21st February to 13th March 1989. Remaining unpredictable and rare, this is one of the harder wildfowl to get to grips with in years when the occasional long-stayers fail to show up. Blue- winged Teal Anas discors (19, 146, 2) Norfolk Cley, cT, 22nd June to 12th July (M. A. Golley et al.), probably same, Titchwell, 20th-30th August, 20th to at least 29th September (J. B. Kemp, R. Q. Skeen, K. Warrington et al.). 1988 Berkshire See 1989 Berkshire. 1988 Cambridgeshire Fen Drayton, 9 paired with Shoveler A. clypeala (Brit. Birds 83: 359), 6th August to 8th October, possibly since June; male-type hybrid, 17th December (R. M. Patient et al.). 1989 Berkshire Theale, cf, 19th May (Brit. Birds 83: 450), was in 1988. 1989 Warwickshire Brandon Marsh, 9> 20th August to at least 12th November (F. Stokes, J. Walton, T. W. Willey et al.). (North America) In Ireland, there was an adult male at Ballymacoda, Co. Cork, from 16th November into 1991. Whether escapes are more likely in June, or more likely than true vagrants to pair up with Shovelers A. clypeata, are matters for speculation with no firm evidence. We leave you to draw your own conclusions. Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (1, 272, 24) Cornwall Drift Reservoir and Marazion, hrst-winter cf, last recorded 28th December 1989 (Bril. Birds 83: 451), again, Marazion, 20th January, 20th February, Drift Reservoir, 19th February, 4th-5th March (S. M. Christophers, DrJ. F. Ryan et al.). Drift Reservoir, cfcT, 4th- 27th December, two, 5th-27th (DrJ. F. Ryan et al.), one of same, Marazion, 28th December to 1991 (R. Hathway et al.). Loe Pool, two cfcl, 29th September to 23rd October, two, 18th November to 1st December, one to 6th, same as Drift Reservoir/Marazion individuals, 9 or juvenile, 29th September to 19th October (S. Bury, DrJ. F. Ryan et al.). Stithians Reservoir, first-winter (f, 24th-27th September (F. H. Honeychurch, DrJ. F. Ryan el al.). Devon Huntsham Barton, cf, 18th December 1989 to at least 3rd March (Bril. Birds 83: 451). Kitley Pond, 9> 10th-24th March, photographed (A.J. Pomroy). Dorset Poole Park, O’, 10th to at least 22nd November (Mrs J. V. Bale, Dr G. P. Green et al.). 462 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 presumed returning individual of 9th December 1989 to 1990 {Brit. Birds 83: 451); same, Littlesea, 16th- 17th December (S. J. Morrison). Durham Shibdon Pond, 31st May (per T. Armstrong), also in Tyne & Wear. Dyfed Llyn Fanod, 13th January intermittently to early March (P. E. Davies, P. A. Gregory, I.. James et al.). Hereford 8c Worcester l.ower Bittell Reser\'oir, Worcestershire, cf, 28th March (K. G. Clifford, G. J. Mant, S. M. Whitehouse et al.). Highland Loch Pityoulish, cf, 18th February (N. A. Bell, I. Crowther, C. P. Musgrave). Lancashire Camforth, 9, 26th October to 1991 (R. Homan, P. J. Marsh, T. Wilmer et al.), same, Leighton Moss, at least 13th November (per P. J. Marsh). Northamptonshire Pitsford Reservoir, 9, 16th, 22nd-23rd September (D. J. Burges, R. D. Gossage et al.), same. Billing Gravel-pits, 30th September (R. W. Bullock, M. L. Overton, A. J. Whitehouse). Northumberland Cresswell Pond, 9> 6th January (A. D. McLevy), same, Holywell Pond, intermittently, 10th March to 3rd May (P. A. Buskin, J. R. Fodd, K. W. York et al.), also in Tyne & Wear. Nottinghamshire Clumber Park, cf, 26th April intermittently to 14th May (R. Overton et al.). Scilly 'Fresco, d", 8th-17th October (B. Orr et al.). Somerset Cheddar Reservoir, cT, 8th March (T. A. Box, J. G. Hole, B. Rabbitts). Westhav Moor, 0", 28th May (B. Rabbitts). Strathclyde Bogton Loch, Dallmelington, Ayrshire, cf, 9th- 10th October (E. M. Hissett et al.). Tyne & Wear Marden Quarry, 9i 28th January to 18th February, intermittently 29th May to 17th October; same, Fynemouth Park, 24th-29th September (C. & F. K. Bradshaw, M. S. Hodgson et al.), presumed returning individual last recorded Druridge Ponds, Northumber- land, 1st August 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 452), also in Durham. Marden Quarry, cT, intermittently 28th January to 18th February (C. Bradshaw, A. Hutt et al.), presumed same as Northumberland individual last recorded 29th November 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 452), also in Durham and Northumberland. Marine Park Lake, South Shields, O', intennittently, 11th April to 7th May, 31st October, llth-12th December (plate 257) also in Durham; 9> intermittently, 25th February to 12th April ('F. I. Mills et al. per 'F. Armstrong) (finV. Birds 83: plate 190), also in Northumberland. Western Isles Liniclate, Benbecula, O', 11th April (P. S. Read). Yorkshire, West Swillington Park Lake, O', 31st March (M. J. Hobbs, J. G. Lowen, A. J. Musgrove). Angler’s Reservoir, Wintersett, O', 31st August to 1 1th September (J. M. 'Furton et al.). 1986 Dyfed Skokholm, 9, 12th October (J. Hayes, S. J. Sutcliffe et al.). 1989 Derbyshire/South Yorkshire Rother Valley Country Park, O', 8th-28th September (D. Hursthouse), presumed returning individual, last recorded Catcliffe Flash, South Yorkshire, 8th June to 9th November 1988 {Brit. Birds 83: 453). 1989 Shetland Loch of Collaster, Sandness, 9i 22nd January to 13th February (M. Mellor, D. Suddaby). 1989 Yorkshire, South See Derbyshire/South Yorkshire. (North America) In Ireland, there are belated records of four juveniles at Tacumshin, Co. Wexford, on 17th October 1987; a male at Inch Lake, Co. Donegal, on 28th May 1989; and a female at Vartry Reser\oir, Co. Wicklow, from 8th January to 26th February 1989. In 1990, there were an adult male and four females at Carrigadroghid Reservoir, Co. Cork, from 10th February to 19th March, Joined by a second adult male from 25th February; a male at J’he (jearagh, Co. Cork, from 5th April to 10th May and again on 22nd November (these possibly involving one of the Carrigadroghid birds); a female at Rostellan, Co. Cork, from 27th December to 2nd January 1991; a female at Blanket Nook, Co. Donegal, on* 7th April; and an adult male at North Slob, Co. Wexford, on 14th January. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 463 One or two of these were sometimes rather tame, but associated with perfectly wild Tufted Ducks A.Juligula and Pochards A.ferina, which came for bread with the local Mallards Anas platyrhynchos (as I^ng-neckeds do in the USA), and could not logically be ruled out on that score. Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis (0, 2, 1) Nottinghamshire Lound, cf, 22nd-23rd April, photographed (G. & P. Hobson et al.). (Western North America) In Ireland, the returning male was present at a number of sites in Co. Armagh and Co. Down from 13th February until 14th April 1988; from 4th September 1988 to 3rd May 1989; from 13th December 1989 to 27th April 1990; and again from 7th December 1990 to at least February 1991. After the first in 1987, this neat duck is becoming almost expected in these listings, but noticing one and then settling its identity remains a creditable achievement. King Eider Somateria spectabilis (62, 149, 4) Fife Tayport, cT, intermittently to 31st March (N. Mann per D. E. Dickson), same as Ythan Estuary, Grampian, individual, 25th November 1989 to at least January {Brit. Birds 83: 454), same, 28th November (R. McCurley per D. E. Dickson), also in Grampian, below. Grampian Ythan Estuary, cT, first recorded 25th November 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 454) to 25th Eebruary (S. A. Reeves et al.), presumed same, Donmouth, 8th March to 15th April (per K. D. Shaw), 23rd December to 1991 (L Carter, A. Webb et al.), also in Fife, above. Additional cf, last recorded 6th June 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 454), 1st April to 10th June, photographed (B. J. Stewart et al.), presumed same, 19th July to 13th October (K. D. Shaw et al.)\ further cf, 19th to at least 25th May, photographed (P. Larkin, I. Merrill et a/.)(plate 256), probably one of Donmouth individuals below. Donmouth, two cTcT, 2nd April (S. Holloway). Murcar, cf, 6thjune, 16thjuly (K. A. & K. D. Shaw), probably one of Donmouth individuals above; possibly same, Girdleness, 2nd-31st August (I. M. Phillips, S. A. Reeves et al.); cf, 6th October to 5th November (M. G. Pennington, J. L. & M. Swallow et al.), probably other of Donmouth individuals above, probably same, Donmouth, 22nd November to 3rd December (G. M. Buchan). Orkney Deemess, cf, 27th to at least 29th May (Mrs Manson, E. R. Meek et al.). Shetland Fair Isle, cf, 19th July to at least 13th December (P. V. Harvey et al.), presumed returning individual last recorded 5th November 1989 {Brit. Birds 83: 454). 1988 Highland Loch Fleet, cf, 23rd March (C. G. Bradshaw et al.). 1989 Gwynedd Aber Dyssini, 9, 13th August (S. N. G. Howell, J. P. Martin et al.), presumed same as Black Rock Sands, 28th January to 23rd September 1989 {Brit. Birds. 83: 454). (Circumpolar Arctic) Returning and wandering individuals weave a difficult maze, through which careful observers manage to tread a moderately clear path, but there is inevitably some risk of duplication. Shetland observations show some tricky characters when it comes to ageing immature males. Common Scoter Melanitta nigra (0, 6, 0) An individual showing the characters of the North American and East Siberian race M. n. americana was recorded as follows: 1989 Dumfries & Galloway Loch Ryan, cf, 16th February (P. M. Hill, J. M. Mottishaw). (Northern Holarctic) Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata (75, 274, 14) Cleveland Hartlepool, Cf, 17th September (D. Cowton, M. N. Diswell). Clwyd Llandulas, first-winter cf, 2nd- 15th December (R. D. Corran, C. Rowley et al.). 464 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Dyfed Skokholm, cT, 25th October (M. Betts). Fife St Andrew’s, two eScf, at least 16th, 19th, 25th February; first-winter cT, at least 16th, 19th February; 9; at least 16th, 19th February (G. M. Cresswell, J. S. Nadin, D. R. Stewart per D. E. Dickson et at.). Largo Bay, CfcT, two, 25th March, four, 19th April, three, 21st, 26th; 99> 19th April, one, 21st, 26th (J. S. Nadin, M. Ramage per D. E. Dickson). All adults presumed returning 1989 Hfe and I-othian individuals (Brit. Birds 83: 455-456). Grampian Murcar, hrst-winter cT, 28th April to 3rd May (K. D. Shaw, M. G. Watson et al.); Cf, 2nd-4th June (K. D. Shaw et al.). Gulbin Bar, cf, 6th November to 16th December (A. Mee, D. M. Pullan, I. J. Rowlands). Burghead Bay, d", 13th-16th December (P. Coulson, R.J. Evans, D. M. Pullan). Latter two presumed returning 1989 Grampian and Highland individuals (Brit. Birds 83: 455). Humberside Flamborough Head, cf, 21st January (M. Newsome, B. Richards, P. J. Willoughby et al.). Lothian Gosford Bay, cTcT, 30th March to 14th May, two, 7th-8th April; hrst-winter cT, 28th March to 14th May, probably same as Fife individual, February, above; 9) 30th March to 14th May (A. Brown, P. R. Gordon et al.). Musselburgh, cf, 9> 5th-7th May, probably from Gosford Bay (P. Bould et al.). Fisherrow and Musselburgh, two cfcf, 9> 15th-28th December (A. Brown, J. O’Connor, J. Peters et al.). Prestonpans, two cfO", 23rd December, probably from Musselburgh (1. Gordon, D. J. Kelly). .\11 adults presumed returning individuals (Brit. Birds 83: 455-456). Northumberland Holy Island, cT, 18th April (P. Howlett, F. M. Hunter). Seaton Sluice, cf, 3rd-4th November (R. Fairhurst, K. W. Regan et al.). Shedand Voe of Cullingsburgh, Bressay, cT, 31st May to 7th June (D. Suddaby, D. G. & Mrs J. C. Wellings et al.), presumed same Noss Sound, 15th-28th August (A. F. Silcocks et al.). Strathclyde Loch Indaal, Islay, d", llth-13th May (Dr M. A. Ogplvie et al.). Tayside Lunan Bay, O", 12th September (K. D. Shaw). (North America) In Ireland, there are belated records of two males and one female at Mountcharles, Co. Donegal, on 5th November 1988 and a female at Broad Strand, Co. Cork, from 1989 until 25th March 1990. Other 1990 records involve an adult male at Bundoran, Co. Donegal, on 10th November; two males at Dundrum Bay, Co. Down, on 30th November, one remaining to 19th December; and a male at Tyrella beach, Co. Down, on 16th December. Alan Brown suggests that the cautious treatment of all the 1990 Fife and Lothian adults, as returning individuals, reflects the minimum of ten adults in the Forth in 1989 and the known movements of those in that area. Both 1989 and 1990, however, saw new first-years arrive and the general picture is impossible to assess with certainty. Records of this species after the end of 1990 will no longer be considered by the Committee, but will continue to be welcomed by the county recorders. Black Kite Milvns migrans (5, 131, 11) Cornwall Buryas Bridge and other localities, west Cornwall and Land’s End area, 2nd October to 17th November (DrJ. F. Ryan, M. P. Semmens et a/.)(plate 239). Devon Haldon Forest, 3rd May (R. Khan). Kenton, 16th November (D. Smallshire). Dorset Yetminster, 26th March (B. J. Matthews, R. Newton). Dyfed Skokholm, 20th May (M. Betts et al.). Scilly St Agnes, 21st May, same, St Mary’s, 21st May to 4th June, photographed (D. J. D. Hickman, J. Pellow et fl/.)(plates 240 & 241). St Mary’s, 13lh-14th July (D. J. D. Hickman et al.). Suffolk Benacre, 29lh April (R. Walden). Wanlisden, 6lh May (M. G. Marsh, S. H. Piotrowski). Reydon and Easton Broad, 16lh June (R. Walden). Sus.sex, East Pelt and Icklesham area, 7lh July (1). P. Bulleriield, 1. 1). Hunter, S. J. R. Rumsey et al.). 1988 Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, 17lh April (1). R. Bromwich, P. M. I'roake). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 465 239. Black Kite Milvus migrans, Buryas Bridge, Cornwall, October 1990 {David Tipling/ Avian Photos) 240 8c 241. Black Kite Milvus migrans, St Mary’s, Scilly, May 1990 [left. Jack Levene; right, K. Fellow) (Most of Eurasia, Africa and Australia) Early (Dorset), late (Cornwall and Devon) and average ones are all here, although numbers eased off a little after the 15 in 1989. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (many, 18, 3) Humberside Sammy’s Point, Kilnsea, immature, 23rd October (B. Richards, R. VVinspearct ai). Kent St Margaret’s, immature, 22nd October (A. J. Greenland, 1. P. Hodgson, R. S. Kelly et ai). Lincolnshire Wyberton, immature, 27th October (J. Wheldon), Frampton Marsh, 27th (P. A. Hyde per G. P. Galley). Norfolk King’s Lynn and Messingham Heath area, immature, 1st Januaiy' to 1st Februaiy' (H. Birkbeck, R. G. Dawson, J. B. Kemp et ai), same, Titchwell, 10th January (T. Strudwick), Haddiscoe Island and Halvergate Marshes area, 10th February to 15th March (K. & M. Robertson et al.), also in Suffolk. Hickling Broad area and northeast Norfolk, immature, 30th October to 14th December (D. Herrieven, J. R. Williamson et o/.)(plate 242), presumed same as Humberside and Lincolnshire. Suffolk Minsmere, 4th, 15th February, 12th March (I. Robinson et al.), Walberswick, 11th March (A. Gooding), same as Norfolk. 1985 Norfolk Filchwell and Brancaster, 16th- 19th November {Brit. Birds 80: 531), Holme, 16th (per V. Eve). 466 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 242. Immature White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, Hickling, Norfolk, November 1990 {Jack tyevene) (Southwest Greenland, Iceland and northern Eurasia) As observers’ descriptions of individual birds can differ considerably, the Committee is not always confident that it can trace wanderers from county to county, but there are obvious possibilities here. Remember that, to some extent arbitrarily, Scottish reports ‘don’t count’ because of likely confusion with the introduced stock now breeding north of the border. Lesser Kestrel Fako naumanni (11, 11,0) 1989 Kent Dover, cT, dead, 20th April (R. Jacobs, C. Matthews per I. P. Hodgson). (South Europe, West-central and East Asia and Northwest Africa) d’he first since 1987 and only the second since 1983, this individual was recorded in strange circumstances, being found dead in a building at Dover Castle. The date is surprisingly early (June and late autumn being more typical), but pre-1958 records include a f’ebruary report. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespcrtinus (100, 352, 17) Cleveland Seal .Sands, Cf, lOth May (.S. D. Keighiley el at.). Cornwall Croft Pascoe, first-summer 9i 27lh-2ttth May, photographed (Dr J. K. Ryan, M. .Southam, R. Wilkins el at.). Derbyshire LInslone, 9> 21st-27th May, photographed (M. A. Heevers, ). Hradbury, Miss J. 1',. Eoulkes el rt/.)(plate 243), presumed same, l.angley Mill Plashes, near Stoneyford, Ibth- 17th July (Dr P. Haggnley el at.). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 467 Dorset East Stoke, Wareham, cf, 7th-8th May (J. H. Blackburn, Dr J. F. Wright el ai). Essex Bradwell-on-Sea, 9> 27th May (G. Smith el al.). Sandon, Boreham and Little Baddow area, first-summer 9, 19th June to lOthJuly (J. R. Ekins,J. Miller e/ ai). Hadleigh Downs, 9, 12lh August (C. Todd). See also Greater London/Essex. Greater London/Essex Rainham Marsh, first-summer 9> 31si May to 17th June, photographed (S. Connor el al.). Hampshire Fernycrofts and Beaulieu Road, first-summer cT, 30th May (B. & R. J. Small). Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, 9> 4th-15th June, photographed (P. R. Davey, K. M. Wilson el al.). Norfolk Cley, 9i 20th May (D. C. Davies, M. A. Golley, S. Harris el al.)-, first-summer O', 23rd June (M. A. Golley). Northamptonshire Kislingbury Gravel-pits, first-summer 9> 6th May (D. A. Campbell, D. A. Christie). Shetland Sand, O’, 29th July (D. & Mrs R. K. Suddaby). Somerset Wet Moor, 9i 3th May (D. J. Chown, J. Porter), probably same, Westhay Moor, 13lh-14th (A. R. Ashman). Sussex, East Balsdean, 9, 20th May (G. A. Sutton el al.). Wiltshire Cotswold Water Park, first-summer O', 27th-29th May (M. & N. Bronless, R. Simpson el al.). Yorkshire, North Bransdale Moor, 9> 29th June (A. McDermid, A. D., Mrs J. & Miss I,. Watson). 1989 Berkshire/Hampshire Mortimer and Mortimer West End, O', 4th June (J. A. Lucas). 1989 Cambridgeshire Little Paxton, first-summer O', at least 28th-30th May (R. .\. Hume, L. Rose el al.)(Bril. Birds 82: plate 296). 1989 Hampshire See 1989 Berkshire/Hampshire. 1989 Kent Warehome, 9> 9th May (N. R. Davies); Brookland, first-summer 9> 12th-14th May (N. R. Davies, M. Tickner el al.). 1989 Norfolk Sheringham, 9> 23rd May (S. J. M. Gantlelt, R. G. Millington el al.). (East Europe to central Siberia) A sub-adult male at Lough Money, near Downpatrick, Co. Down, on 4th-8th June 1989 was only the fifth record for Ireland. A typical spread. This species has a strange tendency to reappear at particular sites, such as Cotswold Water Park (after one in 1988 and two in 1989) and at Little Paxton, Cambridgeshire, where the 1989 male duplicated a 1987 occurrence by being discovered during an RSPB ‘community birdwalk’ before breakfast. There were noteworthy spring influxes in Denmark and France in 1990 {Brit. Birds 84: 5). 243. Female Red-footed Falcon Fako vesperti- nus. Unstone, Derbyshire, May 1990 (/. Bradbury) 468 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus (many, 93, 2) Orkney Hoy, 24th May to at least 7th June (M. Barker, M. Gray et al.). Shetland IVondra and Tingwall, 16th-17th April (P. M. Ellis, J. D. & Mrs G. Okill et al.). (Circumpolar Arctic) Two big white ones — the easy sort. Black- winged Stilt Hhnantopus himantopus (98, 145, 23) Devon Buckland Beacon and Haytor, Dartmoor, 25th to at least 27th March, photographed (R. J. Campey,J. & Mrs D. Llewellyn). Taw Estuary' and Northam Burrows, 31st March to 3rd April (L. F. & S. D. Bruce, D. Churchill, E. A. Dobinson), possibly same as Dartmoor individual. West Charleton Marsh, 27th April (D. A. Cope), possibly same as above. Dorset Burton Mere, at least 31st March to 1st April, photographed (M. Cade, R. Lambert, P. Seagrave). Dyfed Penally, 19th to at least 27th March (J. Friese et al.)(Brit. Birds 83: plate 294). Skokholm, 7th-8th May, photographed (M. Betts, Mrs E. Cynn et al.). Norfolk Litchwell, first-winter, 5th November (N. Sills, R. Q. Skeen). Scilly Tresco, 18th March to 16th April (R. Gleadle, W. H. WagstafT et al.). (Southern Eurasia, Africa, the Americas and Australia) In Ireland, a remarkable influx involved at least 15: six at Ballycotton on 17th March; two at the Douglas Estuai*)' on 24th-25th March; three at Rostellan on 19th March, with two there on 25th-30th March; one at Bateman’s Lake on 1st April and two at Garretstown on 7th-8th April (all Co. Cork); one at Aughrus Point, Co. Galway, on 17th-20th March; one at The Cull on 17th March to 8th y\pril and one at Lady’s Island Lake/Tacumshin on 7th-8th April (both Co. Wexford). The November report from Norfolk is more unexpected than the early ones in spring. In the Netherlands, the year 1990 was the fourth best this century for breeding pairs (Brit. Birds 84: 5), with 22 breeding attempts. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (30, 46, 0) 1977 Leicestershire Rutland Water, 3rd July, photographed (T. P. Appleton, C. Park, T. Pridmore). (South Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa) The photograph was presumably a long time at the chemist’s, but it is better to record the occurrence late than not at all. American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica (3, 137, 8) Cornwall Sennen, juvenile, 29th October to at least lOth November (R. J. & Mrs B. C. Lowe et al.). Gloucestershire Frampton-on-Severn, first-winter, 9lh-20th .April (,\. Jayne et at.). Orkney North Ronaldsay, 30th August to 2nd September, photographed (P. 1). Bloor e/ a/.). Scilly Tresco, juvenile, llth-13th October (plate 75), same, St Martin's, 13lh-17ih (R. Boatsen, .S. Langsbury, N. Pleass et al.). Shetland Fetlar, adult or first-summer, 7th-14lh May (1. Hawkins et al.). Eoula, adult or first- summer, Lst-2nd September (P. M. Ellis, J. 1). Okill et al.). .Scatness, juvenile, 20th September (P. M. Ellis, M. Mellor). Strathclyde Barassie, juvenile, 7th October (R. H. Hogg, P. P. McEwan, (L Mitchell). 1987 Cornwall Davidstow Airfield, adult, 17th-22nd October (Brit. BirdsiU: 556), 23rd (H. R. Harrop et al.). (Arctic North America and extreme Northeast Asia) fhere were no spring reports during 1958-68, but then 12 during 1969-88; the (Jlouces- tershire and Eetlar, Shetland, records are therefore not altogether exceptional, but certainly unusual. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 469 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (3, 9, 3) Dorset Stanpit Marsh, adult, 25th-27th July, photographed (G. Armstrong, E. J. King et ai). Norfolk Cley, adult, 7th-8th August (S. J. M. Gantlett, M. A. Golley, R. G. Millington et al.). (North and Northeast Asia) In Ireland, there was one at Ring Marsh, Co. Wexford, on lst-2nd July. Alternate identification papers tend to come up with new ideas and dire warnings about the wisdom or ease of separating this species from the previous one. The late-summer peak may now be obscuring occasional late-summer Americans if people tend towards exaggerating the import- ance of date. Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria (5, 27, 1) Cambridgeshire See Norfolk. Norfolk Welney, first-winter, 15th-30th October, photographed, also, intermittently, at nearby Cambridgeshire localities (Mrs L. Butler, J. B. Kemp, K. Warrington el al.). (Southeast Russia and West-central Asia) A classic date for this visitor: unpredictable, but, when it does come, usually conforming to a definite late-autumn pattern. Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris (0, 1, 0) 1989 Shetland Scatness and Pool ofVirkie, adult, 15th September (P. M. Ellis, P. V. Harvey el al.). (Northeast Siberia, wintering in India, China, Australia) Many wader- watchers will be disappointed as another chance of potential glory has gone, with one more species added to the British List by someone else. The lucky few who saw this bird, though, will remember it until the lifetime guarantees on their Carl Zeiss binoculars finally run out. What a bird! Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla (2, 58, 2) Avon Oldbury-on-Severn, adult, 12th- 14th August (K. E. Vinicombe et al.). Glamorgan, Mid Ogmore Estuary, juvenile, 6th-17th September (D. A. Hunter, C. Hurford et al.). 1989 Cornwall Camel Estuar)', juvenile, lst-4th September (G. Day, J. R. Smart et al.). 1989 Norfolk Cley, 14th-17th May (R. H. Chittenden, S. J. M. Gantlett et al.). (North America) More good birds, well studied and carefully reported, as this challenging species always demands. White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis (24, 298, 12) Cleveland South Gare, adult, 13th July (M. A. Blick, 1. Boustead). Norfolk Cley, adult, 3rd-14th August (M. A. Golley, Ms B. Veevers, Ms P. F. Walton et al.). Orkney North Ronaldsay, adult, 14th September (l. Fisher, A. D. Mitchell et al.). Scilly St Agnes, juvenile, 17th September, photographed (R. Fletcher, J. Wilson et al.). Suffolk Minsmere, adult, 24th-30th August (S. Gillings et al.). Sussex, West Sidlesham, adult, 20th-26th August (A. S. Cook, D. J. Smith et a/.)(plate 72). Tyne & Wear Whitburn, adult, 15th-27th August (G. K. Gordon et a/.)(plate 73). Yorkshire, West Blackmoorfoot Reservoir, adult or first-summer, 19th-20th July (M. L. Denton, T. Duckworth, J. M. Pinder el al.). (North America) In Ireland, there was an adult at Tacumshin and Lady’s Island Lake during 21st-28th July (both Co. Wexford); an adult at Ballycotton on 8th-13th August; a juvenile there on 14th-19th October; and a different juvenile at Lough Beg on 14th October (all Co. Cork). 470 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Very much an average sort of year, with a scatter oflate-summer reports not breaking into double figures in Britain. Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii (5, 149, 4) Grampian Annachie Lagoon, Pelerhead, juvenile, 6th-17lh September (G. Christer, D. Smith, C. Westlake et al.)\ another juvenile, 15th-18th (C. Barton, A. G. Clarke et a/.)(plate 71). Highland Dunnet Bay, juvenile, 23rd-25th September (S. Manson, E. \V. E. Maughan, J. Smith). Suffolk Benacre, juvenile, 23rd September (J. Austin, C. A. Buttle, B. & MrsJ. Small)(fig. 2). Eig. 2. Juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii, Benacre, Suffolk, September 1990 {Brian Smalt) (North America and Northeast Siberia) In Ireland, there is a belated report of a juvenile at Sherkin Island, Co. Cork, on 14th-15th September Two in succession anywhere would be remarkable, but in Crampian it is particularly so. The list slips back to 1987 levels, after a couple of years when Baird’s was more frequent than White-rumped. Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus (23, 125, (i) Grampian Kingston, 17lh June (1). & 1*. Agnew, M. J. 11. (k)ok, B. & R. J. Lowe). Humberside Hornsea Mere, adult, 22nd July (G. R. Bennetl H at). Lincolnshire (Jibraltar Point, adult or lirsl-summer, 2()lh-27th July (P. R. Davey, K. M. Wilson et at). Norfolk (3ey, 6(h June (M. A. Golley el at), probably same, Titclnvell, 7th (C. Williams). Cley, 2Hlh July to filh Augttst (E. T. Myers et at), same, Blakeney Point, r)th-6lh (A. M. Storldart). 1989. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 471 (North Eurasia) In Ireland, there was an adult at Tacumshin, Co. Wexford, on 5th May. In the 1987 report, comment was made that this used to be a July/ August bird, rather than the late-spring one of recent years. Here we may have a tendency towards a reversion to the older pattern — or was it just a single wandering individual involved in those two months? Stilt Sandpiper Micropalama himantopus ( 1 , 21, 1 ) Suffolk rrimley St Mary, adult, 7th- 19th August, photographed (S. H. Piotrowski et «/.)( plate 260). (North America) A normal sort of date for this elegant Nearctic shorebird. Great Snipe Gallinago media (180, 65, 0) 1989 Humberside Sammy’s Point, 28th-29lh May (D. Dean, R. S. Smith, D. Sneap et ai). (Northeast Europe and Northwest Asia) Numbers fluctuate quite a lot with this difficult (in every sense) wader, but it is rare that a year fails altogether, as did 1990. Long-billed Dowitcher Lirnnodromus scolopaceus (9, 138, 10) Cheshire Frodsham, adult, 8th-13th August (R. Gordon, W. S. Morton, Mrs A. J. Smith et a/.) (plate 77). Devon Braunton, at least 22nd October (L. P. & Mrs S. D. Bruce et ai). Hereford & Worcester Westwood Great Pool, Droitwich, juvenile moulting to first-winter, 9th-20th October (S. M. Whitehouse et ai). Norfolk Lynn Point, juvenile, 25th September to 16th October, photographed (J. B. Kemp et a/.) (plate 261 ). Shetland Fair Isle, juvenile moulting to first-winter, 14th-15th September (C. Donald, S. Jackson, C. J. Wilkins et ai). Strathclyde Sliddery, Arran, juvenile, 15th-17th September, photographed (J. Rhead et at.). 1989 Shedand Baltasound, Unst, first-winter, since 6th December 1988 to 29th .‘\pril (Brit. Birds 82: 526). (North America and Northeast Siberia) In Ireland, there was a juvenile at Garretstown, Co. Cork, on 14th October; a juvenile at Lough Beg, Co. Londonderry, on 14th October; a juvenile at North Slob, Co. Wexford, on 29th October to 13th November; and a first-winter at Belfast Harbour Estate, Co. Down, on 27th October to 31st December. Of these, the inland, Hereford & Worcester record is the most unexpected by far. Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda (15, 26, 1) Scilly St Mary’s, first-winter, 10th-24th October, photographed, same, St Agnes, 15th, Tresco, 20th (I. Gardner et a/.)(fig. 3, plate 259). (North America) A ‘typical’ late-autumn island-hopper in Scilly, although even there it is a very rare bird. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis (12, 52, 7) Cheshire Sandbach, 20th-21st May (A. M. Broome, D. Norbury, Mr Swallow et ai). Devon Bantham, 5th May (D. J. Astins, J. F. Babbington, D. E. Balmer et at.). Dyfed Pen-clacwydd, 19th May, photographed (B. Stewart et at.). Kent Dungeness, adult, 5th August (T. Strudwick). 472 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Norfolk Lakenheath Flash, 16th May (G. Talbot, R. J. Walker). Burnham Norton, 22nd-24th May (V. Eve, D. Henshilwood, M. E. S. Rooney). Sussex, West Sidlesham Eerry, adult, 30th June to 9th July (1). Howie, C. R. Janman et at.). (Southeast Europe, West and East Asia) This is a slight surge above the usual two or three per year, although the pattern is more or less predictable. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa fiavipes (35, 170, 4) Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, 15th June, photographed (P. R. Davey, P. Palmer, K. M. Wilson et at.). Surrey Staines Reservoirs, adult, 21st August to 8th September (D. J. Morris et al.). 1989 Cornwall Stithians Reservoir, juvenile, 30th September to 4th October (A. Harris, F. H. Honeychurch et al.), presumed same, 5th, 8th-9th November (M. K. Ahmad et al.), presumed same, Hayle, 5th October to 7th November, 10th-20th November (per S. M. Christophers). (North America) In Ireland, there was one at Ballycotton, Co. Cork, on 12th-20th October, and a juvenile at Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, on 7th-12th November. Also, a late record for 1989 of a Juvenile at Strand Lough, Co. Down, on 9th- 14th September. June is one of the least likely, although not quite unprecedented, months in which to find one of these elegant waders. Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria (6, 21, 1) Western Isles Malaclete, North Uist, juvenile, 20th October (T. J. Dix, W. D. Oldham). (North America) Just the one, of course, but way out of the usual range in southern Britain and Ireland. LAR&e. DlSTIhJCT CALL'-' A FAR- A^/\Twlfr Di Tax/- AGMWST Plaivj' FACt CRcujrv) stripe XB, OCT Bo Fig. 3. First-winter Upland Sandpiper Hartramia lon^rauda. Si Mary’s, Scilly, October 1990 {Ian Gardner) Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 473 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus (3, 32, 1) Norfolk Breydon Water, 30th-31st May (P. R. Allard el ai). Northumberland North Blyth, adult, 22nd-29th November 1989, January to at least April 1990 (Brit. Birds 83: 464), 11th January to 13th May, same, Castle Island, River Wansbeck, 9th May (per B. N. Rossiter), Shankhouse, near Cramlington, 17th (L. J. McDougall), Blyth Estuary, through September (A. M. Bankier el al. per B. N. Rossiter), through December to at least 5th January 1991 (H. Garrod el al. per B. N. Rossiter). (Northeast Europe and Siberia) No-one would really have predicted a long-stayer, hopping from place to place, although wintering had happened before. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia (6, 89, 3) Cumbria See 1989 Cumbria. Oxfordshire Farmoor Reservoir, adult, 3rd-4thjuly (N. J. Hallam, S. Heath, P. Townsend). Yorkshire, West Elland Gravel-pits, adult, 31st May to 25th June (N. C. Dawtrey, A. Zabukas el al.). 1989 Cumbria Barrow-in-Fumess, adult, 3rd November to 1st May 1990 (C. Raven el a/.) (plate 244). 244. Adult Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia in summer plumage, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, April 1990 (Mike K. Watson) (North America) In Ireland, there was one on Mid Calf Island, Co. Cork, on 11th July. Recent years, with wintering, then autumn appearances, and now summer ones, have shown an erratic, unpredictable ‘pattern’. Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor (1, 227, 4) Cornwall Hayle, adult, 18th-28th August (S. M. Whitehouse et a/.)(plate 79). Gloucestershire Slimbridge, 9, 7th-10th June, photographed (T. J. Davis et al.). Lancashire Bank’s Marsh, juvenile moulting to first-winter, 23rd September (P. Abrams, R. Lambert). Martin Mere, juvenile moulting to first-winter, 27th September to 1st October (G. R. Clarkson, D. J. Rigby, A. Shaw et al.), presumed same as Bank’s Marsh. 1988 Shetland Norwick, Unst, llth-19th October, photographed (Brit. Birds 82: 527), now considered juvenile moulting to first-winter. 1989 Gwynedd Gian Conwy, 4th October, believed present 22nd September to 31st October, late November to 8th December (P. G. Lansdown et al.). (North America) In Ireland, there was one at Duncrue Street Marsh, Co. Antrim, on 9th- 11th September. No particular resurgence for this wader that showed signs of a 474 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 considerable increase in the 1970s and 1980s, but which has since slumped somewhat. Laughing Gull Lams atricilla (2, 54, 1) Cornwall Polperro, adult, 7th May (D. G. Morrison), presumed same. Mount’s Bay, 8th- 19th, photographed (M. Southam et al.). (North America and Caribbean) With its jet-black hood and slaty back, this is a beautiful gull in summer plumage; surprisingly, the southwest of England is not a great place for the species, which has a rather odd, more northerly distribution across the middle of Britain. Franklin’s Gull Lams pipixcan (0, 15, 3) Shetland Lochs of Spiggie and Hillwell, second-winter/second-summer, lOth-llth May (P. M. Ellis, Dr C. F. Mackenzie el al.). Somerset Sutton Bingham Reservoir, adult, 9th-10th July (1). J. Chown, N. Grace et a/.)(fig. 4). ' aX rest vw.P' L:xXci me Fr,iak.'i/iS quil frtiw sVtcKes wkujl: ik,;^ Krot Fig. 4. Adult Franklin’s Gull I Mru.'^ pipixcan, .Sutton Bingham Reservoir, Somerset, July 1990, shown al rest, with Black-headed Gull /.. ridibundu.s for comparison, and in flight (/). /. (^hotvn) Sussex, East Brighton Marina, adult, 29th December (M. Kenefick, 1 . J. Wilson). (North America) Previous records have been totally unpredictable, and these follow that random scatter in both date and place. Bonaparte’s Gull Lams Philadelphia (11, 52, 10) Cheshire/Clwyd Inner Marsh Farm, adult, 2nd December (G. & 1). Roberts). Clwyd See Gheshire/Glwyd. Cornwall Marazion, first-winter, 8th February (B. Gave), same or another, l.'ith (M. Southam), same or another, 7th-25th March (Dr J. F. Ryan et fl/.)(plate 24,')); another first- winter, Ilth-I7th (S. M. Christophers, Dr j. F. Ryan, M. Southam e/ «/.). Sennen, first-winter, 1 4th January (I). ,S. Flumm, M. R. Kenefick), presumed later at Marazion above. (Junwalloe, first-winter, 22nd February (A. R. Pay). Foe Pool, first-winter, l.'ith March (B. Cave). Swanpool, Falmouth, first-winter, 20th-2lst March (B. Gave). (a>rnish records listed above probably refer to three individuals. St John’s Lake and Millbrook, first-summer, 4th May, Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 475 presumed same, as second-winter, 22nd July to 9th September (R. VV. Gould, S. C. Madge, K. Fellow el al.), also in Devon. Devon Plymouth Hoe, 21sl February, presumed same, Erme Estuary, 24th-28th (1). J. Astins, D. E. Balmer el al.), presumed same, Plym Estuaiy', 4th-7th April, 17th April to 8th May (M. K. Ahmad, P. A. St Pierre, R. W. White el al.), same as St John’s Lake, Millhrook, Cornwall, individual. Merseyside Seaforth, adults, 6th-17th April (S. A. Rothery' el a/.)(plate 246); 12th April to 1st May (J. &J. Oates el al.). New Brighton, adult, 22nd, 24th, 29th April (E. J. Abrahams, A. M. Broome, Dr J. E. Turner el al.), probably same as second Seaforth individual. Warwickshire Kenilworth, first-winter, 10th-28th March (M. J. Mason el al.){Bril. Birds 83: plates 198, 202 & 203), same, Draycote Water, four dates, 18th-29th March (A. R. Dean el al.). (North America) In Ireland, there was a first-winter at Nimmo’s Pier, Co. Galway, on 22nd April, and another at Lady’s Island Lake, Co. Wexford, on 10th June. With six in 1988 (but just two in 1989), there has been a slight sign of increase for a few years, but 1990 sees an entirely new scale of occurrence. At least one more remains under consideration, and there are several noteworthy reports listed here. The Warwickshire individual, found by a young birdwatcher on his local park lake and then, equally creditably, looked for and discovered at a huge reservoir roost, was perhaps the most unusual. 245. First-winter Bonaparte’s Gull Imtus Philadelphia, Marazion, Cornwall, March 1990 (Mike K. H'alson) 246. Adult Bonaparte’s Gull Imtus Philadelphia, Seaforth, Merseyside, April 1990 (Stei’e Young) 476 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Iceland Gull iMrus glaucaides (0, 9, 1) (Baffin Island and northwest Ungava Peninsula, Canada) In Ireland, adults of the North American race L. g. kumlimi have been accepted for Galway dump, Co. Galway, on 12th January to 18th February 1989, and Ballycotton, Co. Cork, on 25th Februai*)' 1990. Ivory Gull Pagophila ebumea (76, 33, 2) Gloucestershire Frampton Sands, first-winter, 30th December to 1st January 1991 (G. R. & Mrs M. Avery, R. T. Philips, N. R. Smart). Shetland Lerwick Harbour, first-winter, 10th-20th December (G. Petrie et at.). (Arctic) Lerwick we can take, but the Severn estuary? See how it cleverly stayed to get onto two year-lists. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica (52, 185, 1) 1968 Lothian Aberlady, 22nd March {Brit. Birds 62: 473), now not considered acceptable. (Almost cosmopolitan, nearest breeding colony Denmark) In Ireland, there was one at Tacumshin, Co. Wexford, on 30th June to 2nd July. A somewhat negative report. It seems this really is a very rare bird, after all. Caspian Tern Sterna caspia (30, 1 70, 6) Greater Manchester Sale Water Park, 16th July (J. Baldwin, I. & R. McGeorge, K. Parker e/ at.) Kent Dungeness, 15th July (J. R. Hopkins, A. 1). Hughes, D. Walker e/ at.). Norfolk Cley, 22nd July (M. A. Golley, R. (L Millington). Strathclyde Martnaham and Kerse Lochs and Doonfoot, 4th-6th August (D. Given, B. Orr, J. & J. Woods et at.). Sussex, Eiast Hastings, 31st March (A. S. & M. R. Grace). Sussex, West Weirwood Reservoir, 19th August (S. B. Rix). 1988 Norfolk Holme, 26th May (W. Rutherford). (Almost cosmopolitan, everywhere local) There are one or two others still being considered, but this is already a reasonable year, following the familiar pattern. Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis (0, 4, 0) Cleveland Hartlepool, 10th June (C. Bielby, A. McLee), Reclamation Pond, 9th-l 1th July (J. B. Dunnett et at.), Seaton Snook, 12th, 13th July, photographed (M. A. Blick et at.), all presumed same as Northumberland. Northumberland Fame Islands, 9> 30th April to 19th August, presumed returning 1989 individual {Brit. Birds 83: 468), paired with Sandwich Tern Sterna saruhncensis, one young hatched, not reared to fledging stage (A. P. Cotton, D. C. Richardson et at.). (North and East Africa, east to Australia) A few years ago, one of these would have had everyone heading for the coast overnight, but now it has become a fixture in this annual report, although the numbers in brackets have not moved on. Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri (0, 17, 1) Cornwall Par, 9lh October (R. Lane et at.). (North America) In Ireland, there were two in Wexford Harbour, Co. Wexford, on 18th October 1987, and both birds were present from 21st January into May 1988 (this corrects previous statements, lint. Birds 81: 567; 83: 468). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 47 7 One lonely newcomer, almost as usual; another species now treated annually but not long ago quite unexpected. Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus (3, 9, 1) Yorkshire, North Scarborough, 18th October (R. H. Appleby). (Caribbean, West Africa, Red Sea, Indian and Pacific Oceans) There were November records in 1931 and 1953 and October dates in 1958 and 1982, but October still seems late, somehow, for this long-distance wanderer. Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata (16, 9, 0) 1966 Norfolk Scolt Head Island, 14th-19th June, 11th July {Bril. Birds 60: 332), now considered probably same as Suffolk individual below. 1966 Suffolk Minsmere, 11th June (Brit. Birds 60: 332), see 1966 Norfolk above. (Subtropical and Tropical Oceans) The 1966 reports were long considered by some people to relate to one individual and this clarifies the position for the record. White- winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (50, 516, 6) Avon Ausi, 3rd May (P. J. Chadwick), also in Somerset. Cornwall Landulph, 21st April (R. M. Belringer). Essex West Thurrock, juvenile, 27th August to 6th September (T. W. Broom, M. K. Dennis, S. R. Pickering et al.), same. Tilbury, 30th-31st August (A. J. Kane, C. Rose el al.). Orkney North Loch, Sanday, 24th May (C. Freeborn). Somerset Bumham-on-Sea, 2nd May (B. J. Hill), also in Avon. 1980 Norfolk Titchwell, Juvenile, 20th to at least 31st October (Brit. Birds 74: 477), same. Holme, discontinuously, 17th October to 3rd November (per V. Eve). 1987 Leicestershire Rutland Water, 9th June (M. Lester, D. J. Odell, M. J. Palmer et al.). (Southwest Europe, West and East Asia) In Ireland, there was a juvenile at Charleville Lagoons, Co. Cork/Co. Limerick, on 28th October, and an adult at Tacumshin, Lady’s Island Lake and Ring Marsh, Co. Wexford, on 21st-24th July. Another poor year, with an especially unproductive autumn, as this species makes a very strong bid to retain its place on the list of species considered by this Committee. At one time, it risked being knocked off through being too common, but late 1960s and late 1970s peaks were both followed by marked recessions. Pallas’s Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus (many, 6, 1) Shetland Hillwell and Quendale area. S', 19th May to 4th June, Spiggie, 22nd, photographed (M. Heubeck, M. Mellor, K. Osborn, D. Suddaby et a/.)(plate 262). (Central Asia east to Manchuria and China) The first of several major rarities to occur during a magical purple patch in late May/early June, it was subsequently overshadowed by such astonishing vagrants as Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus and Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor (both still under review). The majority of the nineteenth-century irruptions occurred during May and the last British record was in May 1975 (on the Isle of May!). Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius (6, 24, 2) Devon Lundy, age uncertain, 24th February, photographed (C. Bray, M. Gade, A. Gibson et al.). 478 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Sussex, West Shoreham Airport, first-summer, 4th April to 1st May, photographed (R. J. Fairbank, R. A. Ives, D. 1. Smith el al.)(Brit. Birds 83; plate 297). (South Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa) The Lundy individual is the earliest-ever record for Britain and Ireland. Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (4, 8, 1 ) Scilly St Mary’s, 10th October, dead 11th (L. .\mery el at.). (North America) Five of the nine since 1958 have been found dead or dying. This one survived just long enough to find its way onto many life- lists. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus (22, 31, 1) Bedfordshire Sandy, recently dead, 6th December (M. Kemp, W. F,. Oddie, 1. Pruden el at.), skin retained by .M. Kemp. (North America) An odd record in several ways, this is only the second in December since 1958 and the first to turn up so far inland. Scops Owl Otus scops (64, 17, 1) Dorset Caught aboard fishing vessel about 2.4 km off Portland Bill, taken to Portland Bird Observatory, ringed and released, 2()th March (M. Cade, M. Rogers el a/.)(plate 265). (South Europe, Russia, West Asia and Northwest Africa) Recovered sufficiently close inshore to avoid becoming a ‘Category E’ record, this is the earliest ever. Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca (many, 95, 3) Humberside Fhornton Curtis, first-winter O", 13th December, photographed (1). \. Robinson el at.), also in Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire Wainfleet and Froskney area, 24th December to 1991 (J. .\tkinson, P. R. Davey, M. Worth el at.), same as Humberside. Shetland Fetlar and Unst, two from 1989 {Brit. Bird.s 83: 470) through most of year (per 1). Suddaby). Fair Isle, O", 12th-18th May (P. V. Harvey, S. 'fhomson Jnr). .Scatness and Sumburgh area, first-winter cf, 22nd September (P. J. Heath, H. Loates el at.), presumed same, V'irkie, 25th November to end of year (J. McKee el at.). (Circumpolar Arctic) The Lincolnshire/Humberside individual was the first to be recorded in England since 1981 and consequently attracted much attention from the media as well as from birders. Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius ( 1 , 1,0) 1984 Dorset Portland, 10th June (G. Waibridge). (Africa and Southwest Asia) Flushed several times at close range and in daylight; the good fortune of the above observer will be widely envied. 4’he only previous record was also in June: in Nottinghamshire in 1883. Pacific Swift Apus pacificus (0, 0, 0) (Asia from Kamchatka west to northern India) JJie above statistics correct those published previously {Brit. Birds 76: 503-504); since the individual concerned was caught on an offshore gas platform, and reached land only with human assistance, this constitutes a ‘Category^ E’ record and so should not be counted in the statistics. Alpine Swift Apus melha (150, 282, 7) Cornwall Thr Li/.ard, 29lh Ajiril (Dr J. F. Ryan). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 479 Dorset Rope Lake Head, 26th March (S. J. Morrison, P. Williams et at.). Hertfordshire Hilfield Park, 30th April (G. D. Goater), same, Watford, 30th (R. L. Harris). Kent .Sandwich Bay and Kingsdown, 26th April (P. W. J. Findley, W. E. Fletcher, R. A. Morton). Lancashire River Brock, near Preston, 4th June (M. Bennett). Lincolnshire Stamford, 20th-21st March (J. & N. Murray, P. J. Precey). Sussex, Blast Crumbles, Eastbourne, 25th March (D., J. F. & Mrs D. R. Cooper et at.). 1989 Highland Th urso, 20th-2 1st July (D. Omand), possibly same as Boat of Garten, 24th (Brit. Birds 83: 470). (South Eurasia, Northwest and East Africa) Another three March records, following those in 1988, but not unexpected in this remarkably early spring. Bee-eater Merops apiaster (154, 312, 12) Devon Hartland Point, 14th July (M. Darlaston, A. Rennells). Essex Great Wakering, 19th July (A. R. Perkins). Humberside Spurn, 23rd May ('F. Collins, B. R. Spence et ai), probably same, 29th (J. Cudworth). Merseyside Red Rocks, at least 25th April (Dr J. E. & M. G. Turner). Scilly St Mary’s, 22nd May (C. I. Bushell et al.)\ presumed another, 27th (P. Pearson, A. S. Rhodes et ai). Bryher and Tresco, adult, 23rd October to 9th November (D. R. Collins, H. Taffs, P. Trodd et ai), same, St Mary’s, 31st October, 2nd November, St Agnes, 24th October (per W. H. Wagstaff). Shedand Vidlin, two, 9th-21st May (D. Coutts, K. Pearson, D. .Suddaby el at.). Suffolk ,\ldeburgh, 26th May (J. A. Davies). Sussex, East Pett Level and Icklesham, 20th May (C. H. Dean, I. D. Hunter). 1986 Surrey Milford, 1 1th May (Dr E. E. J. Garcia). 1988 Norfolk North coast localities, juvenile, 3rd-4th September (Brit. Birds 82: 535), Holme, 4th (per V. Eve). 1989 Shedand Kergord, 24th May (Bril. Birds 83: 472), observers were P. R. Flint et ai.; another, Scalloway, 21st-22nd July (Brit. Birds 83: 472), observers were L. Dalziel et at. (South Europe, Southwest Asia and Northwest Africa) In Ireland, there was one at Murrinstown, Co. Wexford, on 26th May. The late stay of the adult in Scilly recalls that of the juvenile there in 1985, though the 1990 individual stayed eight days longer, to become the second-latest ever. From the start of 1991, records of this species will no longer be considered by the Committee and should be submitted to the relevant county recorders. Roller Coracias garrulus (135, 80, 2) Bedfordshire Near Arlesey, 3rd May (N. Blake). (South and East Europe, West Asia and Northwest Africa) In Ireland, one at Duncormack, Co. Wexford, on 2nd July. The Bedfordshire individual is the earliest since the formation of the Rarities Committee in 1958. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (40, 311, 12) Cornwall Predannack, 6th May, photographed (A. R. Pay et ai). Treen, 23rd October (D. J. Rigby et at.), possibly same, St Just, 24th-25th (DrJ. F. Ryan, M. Southam et ai). Norfolk Blakeney Point, 7th-10th May (M. 1. Eldridge, M. Kavanagh, A. M. Stoddart et ai.). Orkney North Ronaldsay, 3rd October (P. J. Donnelly, M. Gray et at.); 5th-12th October (A. E. Duncan, M. Gray). Scilly St Agnes, 14th October (E. Jones, C. J. Mclnery, C. R. Wills el ai). St Mary’s, 21st October (P. 1. Holt). 480 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Shetland Fair Isle, 9th May (C. Donald, R. Proctor); 27th May to 6th June (R. J. Amfield, T. M. Baldwin, C. Donald et ai). VVhalsay, 1st October (A. F. 'F. & G. J. Fitchett et ai). 1983 Shetland Fair Isle, 2nd-5th October (J. M. Dickson, D. Suddaby, T. J. Toohig et ai). (South Eurasia and North Africa) In Ireland, there was one at Great Saltee, Co. Wexford, on 19th-2Ist May. Another unremarkable year for this species. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica (7, 182, 28) Cornwall St Erth, 8th ,\pril (T. Polglase, P. A. & Mrs J. Rutter et ai). The Lizard, lOth April (I). & Mrs R. Powell), presumed same, Kynance Cove, 10th (R. ,\. Ford), possibly same as St Erth individual. Devon Cory ton, 2nd-3rd April (J. Hale). Dorset Swanage, llth-12th November (G. &J. Barnes, S.J. Morrison). Dyfed .Skokholm, 30th April (H. Morgan). Essex Gunner’s Park, Shoeburyness, 11th May (J. Miller, J. Saward, R. Young). Hadleigh, 2nd October (A. R. Mead). Layer-de-la-Haye, llth-17th November (J. H. Smith, A. P. 'I'hompson et ai). Highland St John’s Eoch, Caithness, 18th May (J. Smith et ai). Humberside Spurn, 5th May (N. A. Bell, C. P. Musgrave). Kent Stodmarsh, 14th-22nd .\pril, photographed (I). Sydall, R. R. I'hompson et al.). Dungeness, two, 22nd .April (.S.J. C^tlsell, A. Stroud et al.); 4th May (R. Gomes, D. Walker et al.). Fhanet, 28th .April (K. D. Ford). Lothian Fyninghame, two, 27th October (I). Brown, D. Garratt, F. Piggott et al.). Norfolk Cromer, 4th May (S. C. V^otier). Cley, 1 1th May (R. Aberdein, S.J. M. Gantlett). Overstrand, 25th October (B. J. Murjihy). Orkney North Ronaldsay, 18th October (M. Gray et al.). Shetland Pool of Virkie and Sumburgh, 2nd-4th May (K. Osborn, D. Suddaby et al.). Suffolk Minsmere, 13th- 14th April (1). R. Newton et ai.), same, Walberswick, 13th (C. S. Waller et al.). Reydon, 8th May (D. R. Eaton). Sussex, West .Selsey Bill, 29th April (C. R. Janman, O. Laughame). (South and East Eurasia and Africa) In Ireland, there was one at Firkeel, Co. Cork, on 13th October, and two juveniles at Newcastle, Co. Down, during 9th-llth November. J'he second-best annual total, notably boosted by the nine in April. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni (1, 71, 42) Cleveland Boulby ClifTs, 2()th October (M. A. Blick, 1. Boustead). Dorset Portland, two, 14th October (M. Cade, R. Newton, E. T. W'elland et al.). Lincolnshire Donna Nook, 18th-20lh October (G. P. Catley et al.). Skegness, trapped, 20th October, photographed (A. G. Ball, N. Vessey). Norfolk Blakeney Point, 18th October (G. M. Cresswell, S. (F Joyner, A. M. .Stoddarl et al.). Northumberland Low Hauxley, trapped, died, 18th October, photographed (S. W. Anderson, A. M. Bankier, M. Davison). Newbiggin, 21sl-23rd (\tober (.A. H. Banks, P. R. Jones, J. G. .Steele et a/.)(plate 104, fig. 5). Orkney North Ronaldsay, 29th .September to 5lh October, trapped 29th (.A. E. Duncan, M. Gray, Dr K. F. Woodbridge et al.). Stronsay, 1st October (J. F. & Mrs .S. M. Holloway). Scilly 'Fresco, 13th October (L. Lock et al.). .St Mary’s, 15th October (R. ,A. Hargreaves, 1). Numey); two, 24th (C. 1). R. Heard et al.); presumed another, 26th (B. 1). Gee); 2nd-5th November (S. Nichols et al.). .St Agnes, 19th October (J. 1). (ieeson, P. J. Milford); presumed another, 24th-25th (1). Bradshaw, B. Wooton et al.). St Martin’s, at least lst-2nd November (W. 11. Wagstafl et al.). Shetland Fair Isle, 23rd .September to 1st Octoix’r ( F. (F Francis, 1). Page el al.); 25th-28th .September (11. R. Harrop, R. Proctor, J.J. .Sweeney et al.); 26th September to 1st Oetober (P. V. Harv'ey, D. Page el al.); lst-2nd (1). .Suddaby et al.); Kith (1. Fisher et al.); 18th (P. \’. Harvey et al.); 2()th (I. Fisher el al.); 24th-28th (K. Bowey, I. Fisher, P. \’. Harvey et al.); 24th- 31st (K. Bowey, 1. Fisher, P. V. Harvey). .Sumburgh, 26th-30th .September (). M. Dickson el al.); 27th October (Dr C. F. ik R. Macken/.i<‘). Whalsay, 3rd- 1th ( )ctober (1). Suddaby el al.); Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 481 29th (J. L. Irvine). Kergord, 3rd-7th October, two, 3rd-4th, one trapped 4th (A. F. T. & G. J. Fitchett, A. F. Silcocks el at.). Vidlin, two, 3rd-5th October (S. J. Huggins el at.). Geosetter, 6th October (P. J. Heath, D. Suddaby). Yorkshire, North Kettleness Point, 21st October (T. J. Barker, R. S. Slack, A. Wilson). Whitby, 21st (T. J. Barker, R. S. Slack, A. Wilson). (Northeast Russia to Central and East Asia) Ireland received its second, third and fourth records during 1990: at Dursey Island, Co. Cork, on 14th October, and on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 14th October, with another there on 29th October. This unexpected avalanche is twice as many as in any previous year and more than half the previous British and Irish total; it is all the more remarkable when one considers that Sweden, for instance, managed onlv its third-ever record around this time. Fig. 5. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni, Newbiggin, Northumberland, October 1990 {J. G. Sleek) Pechora Pipit Anthns gustaii (13, 19, 1) Shetland Scalloway, 25th September (I. Sandison, D. Suddaby el al.). (Northeast Russia, Central and East Asia) Somewhat surprisingly, this is only the second Shetland record away from Eair Isle. Several other 1990 records, away from Shetland, are still in circulation. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus (30, 191, 8) Cornwall Freen, 28th October (P. H. Aley, P. J. Bawden, S. J. Cox). Devon Chelson Meadow, Plymouth, 13th-14th October (R. W. White el al.). Merseyside Red Rocks, 16th-18th September (DrJ. E. & M. G. Turner, E. Williams). Scilly St Mary’s, 16th-20th October, photographed (G. K. Gordon, P. Higson el al.). Shetland Fair Isle, 29th May (P. V. Harv'ey el al.); 2nd October (P. Bristow, H. R. Harrop, J. P. Hunt el al.). 1989 Norfolk Cley, 2nd-3rd May (S. }. M. Gantlett, R. G. Millington el al.). (Arctic Eurasia) In Ireland, there was one on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 13th October, and one on Fota Island, Co. Cork, on 2nd November. Also, an additional Irish record concerns one at Hook Head, Co. Wexford, on 5th-6th November 1988. 482 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 As with the last species, several other claims for 1990 are still to be processed. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (2, 48, 3) Shetland Fair Isle, first-winter, 27th-30th August (C. Donald, P. V'. Harv'ey el al.)\ first- winter, 1 1th- 13th September (P. V. Harvey, S. C. Votier el ai). Quendale, first-winter, 29th- 30th September (A. F. T. & G. J. Fitchett el ai). (Northeast and East Russia, West Siberia, West and Central Asia) The Quendale individual is the fourth Shetland record away from Fair Isle. Grey-and-white forms of Yellow Wagtail M.Jiava, some of them with harsh calls resembling Citrine (and perhaps involving birds of an eastern race), continue to be a major hurdle for claims of this species. Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris (29, 6, 2) Cornwall Rough Tor, 4th November (B. & Mrs A. Boothroyd). Wight, Isle of Fhe Needles, 27th May to 6th June, photographed (R. P. Attrill, S. R. Colenutt, D. J. & M. Hunnybun el al.)(Bril. Birds 83: plate 296). (Mountains in Iberia and Northwest Africa, the Alps east to Japan) The Isle of Wight individual was the hrst British record for 12 years, so caused a major pilgrimage across the Solent. The Cornish record is only the second in autumn since 1958. Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia (2, 89, 2) Fife Isle of May, first-summer, 19lh-20th May, trapped 19th, photographed (I. English el al.). 1989 Cleveland Hartlepool, 23rd May (M. J. Gee, G. Joynt el al.). (Scandinavia, East Europe and West Asia) The second record for Ireland occurred on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 26th October — at the same site and almost as late as the first Irish record there in 1989; these are far and away the latest records for Britain and Ireland. May is the usual month. White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis (0, 1, 1) Dyfed Skokholm, 9, 27th-30th .May (M. Belts, 1. W. Donovan, D. A. I’helwell el al.){Bril. Birds 83: plate 295). (Turkey to Iran) At most other times, a second record for Britain and Ireland would be major news, but this one was somewhat overshadowed by several other major rarities that hit the headlines around this time. Stonechat Saxicola torquata (1,1 24, 1 0) Individuals showing the characters of one or other of the eastern races A t. maura or .stejnegeri were recorded as follows: Cornwall Renidjack, O', 18tli-19th October (Dr J. F. Ryan el al.). Grampian Gruden Bay, 9 immature, 21sl October (S. Gable, M. G. Pennington el al.). Lincolnshire Skegness, 9 immature, 21st-25th October, |)hotograpbed (K. Durose el al.)\ another, 23rd-25th (K. Atkin el al.). Northumberland St Mary’s Island, 9 <>f immature, 18tb October (G. P. Bull, M. P. Frankis, A. S. Jack). Shetland Fair Isle, first-summer cf, 28tli-30tb .April, trapped 28th (G. Donald, P. \'. Harvey, R. Proctor); first-winter O", 26th-28th September (S. J. M. Gantlett el al.). Scatness, 9 immature, I8lh-2lst October (M. Mellor rt o/.). Tayside Garnoustie, 9 of immature, 22nd October (M. .S. .Scott). (White Sea, easlwartis across Siberia, Easl Caucasus and Norlhern Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 483 Iran) In Ireland, there was one at Galley Head, Co. Cork, on 20th October. A welcome return to form by this pallid wanderer. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina (1,4, 1 ) Humberside Kilnsea, first-winter, 21st-23rd October (J. Crist, J. McLoughlin et ai). (Southeast Europe east to Mongolia) The third to be found in October. The well-watched individual on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, during October is still under consideration. Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka (3, 17, 2) Norfolk Holme, first-winter O', 19th-21st October, video-taped (R. L. K. & R. Jollifie et ai). Sussex, East Newhaven, O', 7th-9th July (C. J. Fox, C. R. Janman, Dr A. B. Watson et a/.)(plates 98 & 99). (Southeast Europe and South-central Asia) The one in Norfolk was discovered on a typical date and place, but the Sussex individual is the first July record for Britain and Ireland; one cannot help wondering by what route it arrived here and where it went after such an apparently short stay. Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica (15, 31, 2) Western Isles Howmore, South Uist, O', 23rd April ( F. J. Dix, R. J. & Mrs A. Evans). Wight, Isle of Brighstone, O, 21st May (J. C. Gloyn, I). J. & M. Hunnybun, 1. Ridett et al.). (Southern Europe, Northwest and Southwest Africa) This species gets no commoner here, even though its close congener Pied Wheatear 0. pleschanka shows a steady increase in the number of observations. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti (11, 22, 3) Suffolk Easton Bavents, age/sex uncertain, 29th November to 14th December, probably since 27th, photographed (D. Eaton et aA)(plates 181 & 182). 1989 Greater London Bam Elms Reserx'oirs, first-summer O, 13th- 14th .\pril, photo- graphed (B. Aris et al.)(Brit. Birds 82; plate 290). (North Africa, Northwest Arabia, east to Mongolia) The first and second records for Ireland involved a first-summer male at Camsore Point, Co. Wexford, during llth-21st March and an adult male at Red Strand near Galley Head, Co. Cork, during 27th October to 2nd November (Brit. Birds 84: plate 101). The year 1990 thus becomes the second-best-ever after 1989, which leads with five. White’s Thrush Zoothera dauma (29, 12, 2) Orkney Stronsay, 3rd October, photographed (J- Cooper, J. F. & Mrs S. M. Holloway et «/.)(fig. 6). Shetland Sumburgh, 22nd September, photographed (L. Dalziel, I. Sandison, D. Suddaby et a/.)(plate 247). 484 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 St ipiirt.'/ 1>( tttllCi fi-3 txPK- CCi'i To oi’^ tM't / OaTca rc ' ( Pfil. I>n>(C / \ TtlTtl ir ■ - SHouirjc, rttironc-. t • .1\ • Fig. 6. White’s Thrush Zoothera dauma. Stronsay, Orkney, October 1990 (/. F. Holloway) 247. The one that nearly got away: White’s Thrush Zoolhera dauma, Sumburgh, Shetland, September 1990 (/-. Dalziel) (Northern and Clentral Siberia) Two typically short stays by this tantalising thrush. 4’his is the first time since 1958 that more than one has occurred in any year, which could provide a ray o( hope for tlutse who tried and failed to see this species in 1990. The fact remains, however, that this is one rarity that appears to be getting rarer iti real terms. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 485 WcKxl Thrush Hylocichla mustelina (0, 1, 0) 1987 Scilly St Agnes, first-winter, 7th October (P. A. Dukes, R. McCann el ai). (North America) The last of the not-predominantly-Mexican North American thrush species to be recorded here, this one was seen by only a comparatively few of the Scilly regulars. The severe weather at the time — which elsewhere in the country produced an unprecedented influx of Sabine’s Gulls Lams sabini — meant that no bribes could persuade the St Mary’s boatmen to venture across the narrow strait to St Agnes (a road- bridge seems the only answer). Swainson’s Thrush Cathams ustulatus (1, 12, 4) Scilly St Mary’s, 10th-24th October, photographed (S. J. Broyd et a/.)(plate 264), another 13th- 17th, 23rd (P. 4’. Bell, R. G. Mielcareck el ai). Shetland Fair Isle, 30th September to 6th October (H. R. Harrop, J. P. Hunt el a/.)(plate 267). (North America) In Ireland, there was one on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 8th October. The sixth and seventh records for Scilly, but the first for Fair Isle. Gray-cheeked Thrush Cathams minimus (1, 33, 4) Gloucestershire Slimbridge, found dead, 14th October (B. Hughes, G. Richards el al.), skin retained by Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Scilly St Agnes, 7th-8th October, photographed (P. D. Hyde el al.). St Mary’s, 19th-25th October (S. M. Whitehouse el al.). (North America and Eastern Siberia) In Ireland, there was one on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 6th-7th October. All records have been in October apart from one, found dying, in Morayshire on 26th November 1965. Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obscums (0, 11, 1) Scilly Tresco, 9 or first-winter O”, 21st October (S. J. Broyd e! al.). (Siberia and eastern Asia to Japan) The fifth record for Scilly, four of which have been in October; the other Scilly record was on 5th December 1964. Most of the British records have been one-day jobs. Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni (1, 7, 1) Greater London Woodford Green, cf, showing characters of nominate race, 19th January to 9th March (K. Murray, P. Vines et al.){Rrit. Birds 83: plate 195; 84: plate 263). (Northern and Central Siberia) The first British and Irish record of this attractive race did in fact attract huge numbers of admirers during its long stay. Black-throated Thrush Turdus mficollis (3, 17, 2) Orkney North Ronaldsay, first-winter, 26th-28th September, trapped 26th, photographed (A. D. Mitchell et al.). Yorkshire, North Kellington, cT, probably first-winter, 28th January to 4th February, photographed (Mrs J. Harrison el a/.)(plates 248 & 249). (Central Asia) Yorkshire gardens appear to have a special attraction for 486 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 this species — this is the third such record since 1986 and they have all been in Januarv . The North Ronaldsay record is the hrst for Orkney (whereas Shetland has had eight). 248 & 249. Male Black-lhroaled Thrush Turdus ruficollis, probably first-winter, Kellington, North Y orkshire, February 1990 (per J. Harrison) Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola (3, 9, 1) (Western Siberia and Central .\sia tojapan) None in Britain. In Ireland, there was one on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 8th October. The only previous Irish record was at Rockabill Lighthouse, Co. Dublin, on 28th September 1908. FAC:iN(; PAGF, 250. Top left, Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus. Cot Valley, Cornwall, .September 1990 (Mike K. Watson) 251. Top centre, Bonelli’s Warbler Fhylloscopus honelli, Isle of (Jrain, Kent, August 1990 (David Tipling) 252. Top right. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla, Dungeness, Kent, November 1 990 (Jack l^’ene) 253. Centre, Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo fiavifrons, Kenidjack Valley, St Just, Cornwall, .September 1990 (Ren Hathway). THIS rfxord is sfii.i, undkr considf.ration by fiif, boi RKCORDS COMMriTF.F. 254. Bottom left, Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata, St Mary’s, Scilly, October 1990 (David Cottridge/Ainan Photos) 255. Bottom right. Little Bunting Kmberiza pusilla, .St Mary’s, Scilly, October 1990 (David Cottridge/Ainan Photos) CF.NTRF. SPREAD, I.EFT-HANI) PAGF. 256. Top, male King Eider Somateria spectabilLs, V’than Estuary, (Jrampian, May 1990 (K. li. WilLs) 257. Centre, male Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris, .South .Shields, Tyne & Wear, March 1990 (Mike K. M W/.ro«) 2.58. Bottom, Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, St Mar)’’s, Scilly, March 1990 (R. /. IT(j//.v) CF.NTRF. SPREAD, RKtllT-IIAND PAGE. 259. Top left, first-winter Upland .Sandpiper Rartrarnia lonfpcauda, St Mars's, Scilly, October 1990 (jack l,et'ene) 260. Top right, adult Still .Sandpiper Mirropalama hirnantopus, Trimlev Marsh, Sullirlk, .Xiigusi IfffM) {/aek l,evene) 261. Centre, Juvenile Long-billed Dowilcher Pimnodromus sroloparetu., Lynn Point, Norfolk, October 1990 (G. P. Catley) 262. Bottom, male Pallas’s .Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus, Quendale, .Shetland, May/June I9f>0 (/„ i)alzieD The Best Buys and the Brightest . . 8 X 40DCF WP alue and quality are two reasons Wildlife and Bird Watching rated these Nikon Binoculars and Fieldscopes among the best in their classes. For instance, Bird Watching awarded the Nikon 8 x 30ECF WF binoculars a full five stars, their highest value-for-money rating. What’s more, they acclaimed the 8 X 30s “Excellent in every way optically— very sharp and bright.’’* That’s because they share the Nikon heritage of optical excellence. So take a look through the leaders today. *By courtesy of EMAP Pursuit Ltd.: Quoted from an article BEST BUYS IN BINOCULARS, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson. Bird Witching, May 1990. And, BEST BUYS IN TELESCOPES, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Bird Witching, June 1990. By courtesy of BBC Publications: JUST THE BEST, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Wildlife, March 198f Fieldscope II. Fieldscope EDII and 8 x 30 ECF have been recommended by British Birds. Mfton Binoculars NIKON U.K. LTD. (United Kingdom) 380 RICHMOND ROAD, KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES. SURREY KT2 5PR TEL: (081) 541 4440 EAX: (081) 541 4584 Somerton Foto Ltd. (The Republic of Ireland) TEL (01) 773173 XI (D864) Our 1992 brochure is now available, write to Sunbird, P.O. Sandy, Beds, SG 19 1 OF for your copy today! (D889) Kay Optical 1st Floor, 89(B) London Road, MORDEN, Surrey, SM4 5HR 081 -648 8822 (24 HR) FAX: 081-687 2021 OPEN MON - SAT 9am - 5pm (Lunch 1-2pm) Sales & Servicing of: BINOCULARS - TELESCOPES - TRIPODS, etc VIEWING FACILITIES for the best equipment. (COMPETITIVE PRICES. LONG-ESTABLISHED WORKSHOP. CALLERS WELCOME. 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Repairs can also b ★SEVENOAKS WILDFOWL RESERVE, on the A25 between Riverhead and Sevenoaks Bat and Ball Station, on SUNDAYS 10th November, 8th December and 5th January (1 0.00am to 4.00pm) N THE FIELD are given below. e handed in ★BOUGH BEECH NATURE RESERVE/RESERVOIR, about. 4 miles south of the A25/A21 junction (with xcess from the B2042 or B2027; the oast house Information Centre is to the north of the reservoir) on SUNDAYS 1st December and 19lh January, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Access We are only 15 minutes’ drive from the M25 ] Via Xn6 MO ana men me ivienon iijrn~OTT/ or 2 minutes’ walk from Morden Underground. Parking: 1st left past our entrance (50 yds). VFSA — J (D931) xiii ii IS IT A SEDGE?” Not easy in the distance of a grey dawn on a dirty day, is it? But, before you tell the ‘Rarities Committee’, you do need to be 100% sure that it is the rare Moustached Warbler you’ve spotted, rather than the very similar Sedge. Apart from the fact that you want to drink in every detail of a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. Which is clearly why the readers of "British Birds’’ voted Carl Zeiss the most popular binoculars, and the top binoculars of the future. They can obviously recognise a unique combination of clarity, huge field of view and excellent close-up focus, when they see it. Even the most sceptical consumer advice magazine doesn’t demur, making them ‘Best on Test’ and excellent all round, if money is no object! Quite. But then money has never been the object at Carl Zeiss. For 100 years the aim has been simply to produce the best binoculars at ^y price. That’s why Carl Zeiss binoculars -I I hr mark of Germ any are virtually hand-made. Typically containing 200 mechanical parts, 18 optical components honed by over 1500 precision operations and prisms ground to an accuracy of 0.00003mm. It’s also why Carl Zeiss scientists devote their lives to the delicate interaction of eye and optical instruments. Creating innovative technology like phase-corrected prisms for better image contrast and multi-layer T'coating for markedly superior light transmission (90% or more), giving unsurpassed brilliance and contrast. Yet they’re not above considering the most practical details too. Hence sensible ideas like special high eye-point eye-pieces (to German DIN |r' standards) and computer-calculated eye to lens distances, which allow the same full field of vision^ with spectacles as without. There’s even an olive green model to blend with your natural habitat! All done with a thoroughness of craftsmanship that justifies a 30-year guarantee. Carl Zeiss (.arl /cinn <|iialilv For literature, list of stockists, or advice on any aspect of binocular use, please contact: Carl Zeiss (Oberkochenl Ltd., Dept BB, RO. Box 78, Woodfield Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 ILU. (0807’ Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 491 Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata (9, 38, 2) Shetland Fair Isle, 23rd September (C. Donald, I. J. Hawkins, T. Prescott et al.); first-winter, trapped, 30th September (P. V. Harvey, R. B. & Mrs L. H. Hastings el o/.)(plate 269). (East Eurasia from Central Russia to North Japan) During the 1970s there were many who predicted that this species would be more widely discovered in the future. If so many had appeared on Fair Isle, they argued, then there must be plenty passing elsewhere through Britain and, surely, the expanding corps of birders would start digging them out? Well, there have subsequently been two fished out of nets (in Hampshire and in Tyne & Wear) and also a single on the Isle of May. Fair Isle, meanwhile, maintains its virtual monopoly on this species. 269. First-winter Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata. Fair Isle, Shetland, 30th September 1990 {Alan Roberts) Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum (9, 8, 0) 1989 Orkney North Ronaldsay, trapped 4th October (A. E. Duncan, J. Vaughan et al.). (Northeast Europe, across Asia to Lake Baykal) The six records during the 1980s were all of trapped individuals, and the last accepted sight record was in 1975. Any finder of this species, without a net, will need to submit meticulous field notes. FACING PAGE 263. Top left. Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni of nominate race, Chingford, Greater London, February 1990 {Jack Levene) 264. Top right, Swainson’s Thrush Cathanis ustulatus, St Mary'’s, Scilly, October 1990 {Jack Levene) 265. Centre left. Scops Owl Otus scops, caught on fishing vessel 2 km off Portland Bill, Dorset, March 1990 {Martin Cade) 266. Centre right, Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor, St Mary’s, Scilly, June 1990 {Jack Levene). THIS RECORD IS STII.I. UNDER CONSIDER ATION BY THE. BOU RECORDS COMMOTEE 267. Bottom left, Swainson’s Thrush Cathanis ustulatus. Fair Isle, Shetland, September 1990 {David Tipling) 268. Bottom right. Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica, Sumburgh, Shetland, May 1990 (Jack iMene) 492 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus (23, 133, 5) Humberside Sammy’s Point, Kilnsea, 6th-9th May (A. J. Booth, N. Stewart et al.). Lothian Aberlady, in song, 17th May (J. R. W. & P. R. Gordon, A. Mathieson). Northumberland Caistron, in song, tape-recorded, 12th-20th June (E. J. Steele et al.). Suffolk Iken, in song, 14th June (G. C. Backhurst, D. J. Pearson). Tyne & Wear Big Waters, trapped 24th October (M. P. Frankis, A. J. Johnson, D. McKeown). (Europe, Southwest and East Asia and North Africa) The Tyne & Wear individual is only the third ever in October and the first such record for 12 years (the only later record was one at Thurlestone, Devon, on 15th November 1972). Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida (2, 12, 1) (Iberia and Northwest Africa, discontinuously east to Kazakhstan) One on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 17th October was the third for Ireland. There have been no accepted records in Britain since 1985. Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata (1, 29, 1) Northumberland Inner Fame, 19th October (G. W. Allison el al.). (Northwest Russia, east to Mongolia and south to Iran) This is the first for Northumberland, although there have been previous East Coast records from Norfolk and Eincolnshire, and Yorkshire has had four. Subalpine Warbler Sylina cantillans (12, 239, 9) Cornwall Caerthillian, cf, 30th March to at least 1st April (B. (]ave,J. A. Jane, J. E. Millett et al.). Dyfed Skomer, cf, 3rd May (J. W. & Mrs J. K Donovan, Mrs A. C. SutclifTe, C. & S. Wye et al.)\ cf, 26th May (C. J. Orsman et al.). Skokholm, 9> lllh May (M. Betts el al.). Norfolk Blakeney Point, Cf, 20th-21st May (M. 1. Eldridge et al.). Orkney North Ronaldsay, trapped 28th May (A. E. Duncan, Dr A. M. Hanby et al.). Scilly St Mary’s, 9> 16th May (R. E. Innes, C. 1). R. Jones). 1987 Devon Lundy, cf, 31st May to 4th June (R. J. Campey, K. E. Mortimer). 1989 Lancashire Lancaster, cf, 9th May (1). Carter, A. Dawson). 1989 Scilly St Mary’s, 2nd-5th October (P. Maker, J. P. Martin, S. Rogers et al.). (South Europe, West Turkey, Northwest Africa) In Ireland, there was a female at Killough, Co. Down, on 20th May and a male on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, during 2nd August to 17th September. The above list includes the third to occur in March, but is otheruJse a predictable set of records. Sardinian Warbler Sylifia melanocephala (1, 18, 4) Cornwall Stratton, cT, 8th-22nd March (G. Day et al.). Cot Valley, cT, 16th October (B. F. Forbes, O. Mitchell, D. 1. Smith); probably same, near Treen, 23rd-25th (J. D, Bryden, B. J. Robinson et al.). Sussex, East Icklesham, 9> trapped 3rd July (J. Willsher et al.). Yorkshire, North Scarborough, 27th October (J. M. England, R. Hopper et al.). 1988 Devon Lundy, 9> 8th June (P. Campbell, R. J. Campey et al.). (South E.urope, Middle East and North Africa) I'he years 1988 and 1990 become the best, with five and four respectively; the latter total includes the first for March. Riippell’s Warbler Sybna rneppelli (0, 2, 1 ) .Shetland Whalsay, cf, 3rd-19th October, trapped 3rd (|. L. livine. Dr B. Marshall, M. Williamson et al.). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 493 (Coastal regions of east Mediterranean) Only the third British record, and the first to occur in autumn, it proved to be a welcome consolation prize for those who had travelled north hoping to see the White’s Thrush Zoothera dauma in Orkney. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides (13, 178, 8) Dorset Portland, 15th-16th June, trapped 15th (M. Cade, M. Rogers et at.). Dyfed Skomer, 19th June (C. J. Orsman, H. A. Williams). Kent Reculver, 25th August (M. J. Baldock, T. N. Hodge et at.). Norfolk Blakeney Point, 25th August (M. I. Eldridge). Shetland Fair Isle, first-winter, trapped 16th August (C. Donald, J. N. Dymond, P. V. Harvey et at.). Norwich, Unst, first-winter, trapped 27th August (P. M. Ellis, M. G. Pennington, D. Suddaby et al). Suffolk Between Minsmere and Sizewell, 27th-30th August (D. R. Newton, 1. Robinson, B. Small et ai.)(fig. 7). hlrrnU' fit tchfAni T iii> Miff ^ ^ Am4C . ymmtivt ^ pdki, ' ^ KtlivicS. ' IMvdl*'- W i'Sti/iie' .'If ,{.«p-r ;:A^ivkr ^ Srte }htyv* , /kP/v'k Hfptr rp-nviMlh'U^ 'f pfi/U ^'h-etpi'ten, imt-r ^ U t U-cs ' SyifMr*- 7-yJA'hupj ^TiPk-fCt' , ’TivyiUv] ‘r> •xjA .'r'a'T'r . frc*H .fWK'' .’>r(e.n Cmpi'tft'iryr\A 'i pt - n>k>. n i. -JS.X - '3S»S27>; : 21st-23rd October, trapped 21st, photographed (C. Hill, C. C. McGuigan, O’Connor et al.). Orkney Stronsay, 24th October (J. F. Holloway). Stromness, 26th October (M. Gray). Scilly St Mary’s, 23rd October (D. J. D. Hickman, D. Hutton, P. G. Lansdown et al.). Shetland Whalsay, 14th October (Dr B. Marshall). Eswick, 15th- 16th October (T. D. Rogers et al.). Sumburgh, 21st-22nd October, trapped 21st (P. M. Ellis, J. D. Okill, G. W. Petrie et al.). Suffolk Dunwich, 9> trapped 4th November, photographed (Sir A. G. Hurrell et al.). Benacre, lst-2nd December (B. Botwright, R. C. Smith). Sussex, E^t Balsdean, 12th November (M. H. Port, J. Reaney, G. A. Sutton). Tyne Sc Wear Prior’s Park, 19th-22nd October, trapped 19th (C. Bradshaw, M. P. Carruthers et al.). Wight, Isle of Alum Bay, 27th October (.S. R. Golenutt, M. Hunnybun et al.). St Catherine’s Point, 28th October (S. R. Golenutt, D. Swensson). Yorkshire, North Filey, 19th October (P. J. Dunn). Filey Brigg, 19th (R. S. Baker, P. M. Scanlan, I. S. Williams et al.)', 19th-23rd (D. j. & P. M. Scanlan et al.)', 28th-29th November (S. Cochrane, P. J. Dunn et al.). Scarborough, 18th October (R. H. Appleby). 1989 Fife Fife Ness, 29th-30th October (N. Mann et al.). 1989 Scilly St .Agnes, 18th-23rd October, photographed (G. C. Bond, R. Butts, the late J. C. Eyre-Dickinson et al.). 1989 Surrey Windlesham, 18th October (S. Abbott). 1989 Wight, Isle of St Catherine’s Point, 12th November (S. R. Golenutt, J. C. Gloyn, G. C. Stephenson et al.). (Central, East and Southern Asia) The Highland individual is only the second record for the west coast of Scotland. Although exceptional inland, the Surrey individual does recall the one on Wandsworth Common, Greater London, on 29th October 1985. It might be sad to see the end of this species as ‘a PP rarity’ (see Prit. Pirds 83: 41 1-412), but, in truth, it is no longer the rarity that it once was. Radde’s Warbler PhylbscopiLS schwarzi (1, 92, 8) Lincolnshire Donna Nook, first-winter, 21st-22nd October, photographed (.\. H. J. Harrop, J. Walton et al.). Fheddlethorjje Dunes, trapped 24th October (M. & Mrs F. E. Buddy). Ia>thian Barn’s Ness, 15th October (A. Brown). Norfolk Holkham Meals, 19th October (A. Bloomfield, M, E. ,S. Rooney). Northumberland (raster, 27th October (T. R. Cleeves, M. Hepple et al.). Scilly I're.sco, 8th October, photographed (1). jelTeries, W. H. \Vagstal1' W al.)', 26th-28th October, photographed (A. P. Goddard, J. Miller et al.). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1 990 49 5 (Central and East Asia) In Ireland, there was one at Ballagan Point, Co. Louth, on 2 1 St October. Another species which is becoming expectable: it has now been found annually on the Isles of Scilly for the last seven years. Dusky Warbler Phylloscopns fuscatus (1, 76, 15) Humberside Easington, 23rd October (D. Hursthouse, C. Slator). Lincolnshire North Cotes Point, 19th October (H. Bunn). Saltfleet, 19th-20th October (G. P. Catley, .S. Routledge et ai). Norfolk Holkham Meals, 19th-20th October (M. E. S. Rooney). Wiveton, 24th-27th October (E. T. Myers et al.). Burnham Norton, 7th November (M. E. S. Rooney). Holme, 5th-llth November (S. C. Harrap et al.). Northumberland Inner Fame, 18th-19th October (G. W. Allison, N. B. Baskerville, S. R. Wotton et al.). Druridge Bay, trapped 20th October (M. L. & T. A. Cadwallender, B. Little). Shetland Fair Isle, first-winter, trapped 30th September (P. V. Harvey, B. A. Ryan, D. J. Tipling et al.)-, 19th October (I. Fisher, J. Hunter, J. McKee et al.). Frakkafield, 29th October to 1st November (A. McCall, D. Suddaby et ai). Tyne & Wear St Mary’s Island, 18th October (P. Hartley, J. Todd et al.). Yorkshire, North Filey Brigg, first-winter, 20th-21st October (C. C. Thomas et al.). (Central and Northeast to Southern Asia) The second-best yearly total and including only the second-ever in spring: one in Ireland on Great Saltee, Co. Wexford, on 8th-9th May. Interestingly, the first spring record, on the Calf of Man in May 1970, was found dying in Ireland, near Limerick, in the following December. Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli (3, 104, 2) Kent Isle of Grain, 26th-27th August, photographed (P. Larkin, K. J. Thornton et a/.)(plate 251). Scilly St Agnes, 19th October (J. F. & Mrs D. R. Cooper et al.). (Central, West and South Europe, Levant and Northwest Africa) If migrants of this species called more often, we might have a chance of discovering whether the wide span of occurrence dates reflects their racial origin. Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis (0, 1, 0) Norfolk See 1989 Norfolk. 1989 Norfolk Holkham Meals, 13th October to 6th May 1990 (R. & MrsJ. Aley, D. Hatton, P. Vamey et al.)(Brit. Birds 83: plates 92-94, 196). (North America) A classic example of the mixed blessings at a big ‘twitch’ — the large number of observers meant that, when it disappeared, it was often quickly relocated, but then there was a desperate squeeze as one arrived at the scene of the latest sighting. Though widely assumed to have been a male, there was in fact nothing to suggest that it was not a bright female. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla (0, 7, 3) Kent Reculver, $, trapped 29th July (C. Hindle et al.). .St Margaret’s Bay, trapped 14th October (J. R. H. Clements, I. P. Hodgson et a/.)(plate 270). Dungeness, 18th-24th October, 6th November to 16th January 1991, trapped 18th, 20th October, 6th November (D. Boyle, D. Walker et o7.)(plates 252, 271 & 272). 496 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 (Central and South Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa) Several past records may be held up in the adjudication process, but these three were all conclusively estab- lished. 270. Short-toed I'reecreeper Certhia brachydactyla, St Margaret’s Bay, Kent, October 1990 (/. P. Hodgson) 271 & 272. Short-toed I’reecreeper Certhia brachydactyla, Dungeness, Kent, December 1990 {left, D. Walker; right, David Tipling/Avian Photos) Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 497 Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus (0, 35, 4) Cambridgeshire Ely, at least two, including one first-winter, 13th October (R. D. P. Milwright, Dr M. Stahl). Norfolk Cley, adult, 13th October (R. Aberdein, S. Chidwick, R. Robinson). Suffolk Minsmere, adult, 4th April (M. Forbes, N. Gartshore, R. J. Price et al.). (Western Europe to Manchuria) The first breeding attempts are, surely, not far off? Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus (1, 29, 1) Lincolnshire Donna Nook, first-winter, showing characters closest to L. i. phoenicuroides, 14th- 15th October, photographed (G. P. Catley, C. A. Ellis, S. C. P. Wilhams et at.). (South Asia to China) With continued worries about the possibility of hybrids with Red-backed Shrike L. collurio, this can be a difficult species to describe conclusively; in the past, even photographs have left members unconvinced. Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor (32, 103, 3) Essex Old Hall Marshes, O', 26th June to 5th July (J. Miller, R. Price, M. Stott et al.). Lincolnshire Kirton Marsh, O', 12th May, photographed (R. & Mrs K. Heath, S. Keightley, G. M. Orton et al.). Shedand Whalsay, sex uncertain, 26th September to 20th October (J. L. Irvine, Dr B. Marshall et al.). (South and East Europe and Southwest Asia) This species moves towards its third decade of at-least-annual occurrences. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator (101, 460, 20) Cornwall Morvah, 8th- 12th April (S. G. Rowe, Dr J. F. Ryan, V. A. Stratton et al.). Predannack, 13th-14th May (S. Bury, A. R. Pay, S. Pilbeam). Devon JennyclifT, Plymouth, 17th March to 7th April, photographed (C. J. Vines et al.). Thurlestone, 19th-20th March (H. & Mrs J. Huggins, P. Sanders et al.). Hojse’s Nose, at least 22nd March, photographed (D. W. Greenslade et al.). Prawle Point, 7th May (S. M. R. Young et al.). Dorset Portland, 17th March to 8th April, trapped 19th March (M. Cade, M. Rogers, P. Seagrave et al.). Dyfed Skokholm, 12th June (H. Morgan, M. Westland et al.). Essex Foulness, 7th May (Mr & Mrs A. W. Ellis). Humberside Spurn, 29th-31st May, trapped 29th, photographed (I. Crowther, R. Gilbert et al.). Orkney Flotta, 8th-9th June (Miss S. Ellis, K. Fairclough, M. Gray). Scilly St Martin’s, adult, 21st August to 7th September (D. J. D. Hickman et al.). Shedand Fair Isle, juvenile, trapped 11th September (J. N. Dymond, P. V. Harvey, R. Proctor et al.). Sussex, West Littlehampton, 22nd April (R. M. Shaw et al.). Thomey Island, 11th May (C. B. & Mrs M. A. Collins, C. J. Tyas). Rackham Marsh, adult, 14th September (R. J. & Mrs A. Sandison). Yorkshire, North Filey, 25th May (P. J. Dunn); juvenile, trapped 27th August, photo- graphed (P. J. Dunn, R. E. Harbird et a/.)(plate 273). 1988 Cornwall The Lizard, 6th May (E. Grace per S. M. Christophers). 1989 Berkshire Theale, 21st May, photographed (B. T. Bennett, R. Crawford, P. Hickman et al.). 1989 Oxfordshire Near Little Wittenham, 24th May (I. Lewington, D. Wells et al.). (West, Central and South Europe, Southwest Asia and North Africa) In Ireland, there was one at Clonea, Co. Waterford, on 18th March and one at Howth Head, Co. Dublin, during 17th to 31st March. There are no previous March records, so the above six, from Devon, Dorset and Ireland, are particularly noteworthy. 498 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 273. Juvenile VVoodchat Shrike I Mnius senator, Filey, North Yorkshire, August 1990 (F. J. Dunn) County recorders will continue to welcome records of this species though, with effect from the start of 1991, it is no longer ‘a BB rarity’. Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes (45, 352, 0) 1971 Borders Near F^ddleston, five, 28th .August (Bril. Birds 65: 340), now considered not acceptable. (Eurasia from Scandinavia and the Alps to Kamchatka and China) Rose-coloured Starling Stumus roseus (160, 193, 5) Cornwall Illogan, Redruth, adult, since 26th October 1989 (Brit. Birds 83: 487) to 30th March. Davidstow Airfield, juvenile, 15th-17th September (M. J. Barlow, 1). A. & Mrs I. M. F,. Conway, S. W. Holmes). Dorset Portland, adult, since 30th August 1989 to at least February (Bril. Birds 83: 487). Dyfed Skomer, Juvenile, 28th September (C. Orsman, S. J. Sutclifl’e, H. A. Williams). Fife Crail, Juvenile, 27th October to 2nd November, photographed (D. K. Dickson et al.). Orkney .Stronsay, adult, 12th July, photographed (J. F. Holloway, K., N. & Mrs K. Kent). 1989 Devon Torcross, Juvenile, 29th September to 2nd October (per P. W. F’.llicott). (Southeast Europe and Southwest Asia) In Ireland, there was a juvenile on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 8th October. Also two additional records for 1989 concern an adult at St John’s Point, Co. Down, during 24th June to 8th July and a juvenile at the Old Head of Kinsale, Co. C-ork, on 25th October. I’here have been several previous records on isolated winter dates, but the above Portland and Redruth individuals are only the third and fourth to be proved to overwinter successfullv here. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 499 Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus (1, 56, 8) Cornwall Cot Valley, 21st-30th September (H. & M. Frankham, E. Walker et 250). Devon Lundy, first-winter, 16th-18th October, trapped 16th, photographed (T. J. Chinn, 1. Smith et al.). Humberside Kilnsea, 30th September to 1st October, trapped 30th, photographed (A. Dixon, B. R. Spence et al.). Scilly Tresco, 29th September (B. Cave). (North America) Ireland had its best-ever year for this species, with individuals on Dursey Island, Co. Cork, on 23rd September; on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 30th September; at Dunquin, Co. Kerry, on 29th-30th September; and at Belmullet, Co. Mayo, on 7th October. The Humberside individual is the first for that region and only the second in the Northeast. Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus (0, 2, 0) (North America) The individual on Tresco, Scilly, from 10th to 13th October 1987 {Brit. Birds 81: 588) can no longer be regarded with certainty as a first-winter, ageing in the field in autumn being considered unsafe, as it is for Red-eyed Vireo V. olivaceus {Brit. Birds 82: 555). Arctic Redpoll Carduelis homemanni (30, 142, 25) Essex Tollesbury Wick, 16th-17th December (A. Beardswell, J. Torino, C. Undrill et al.). Lincolnshire Donna Nook, 18th-21st October (G. P. Catley). Norfolk Blakeney Point, 18th October (G. M. Cresswell, S. C. Joyner, A. M. Stoddart et al.); 18th-21st October (M. S. Cavanagh, P. J. Heath, A. M. Stoddart el al.)\ 20th October (M. S. Cavanagh, M. 1. Eldridge, A. M. Stoddart et al.). Cley, 29th October (M. A. Golley). Holkham Meals, 30th November to January 1991, two, 2nd to at least 15th December, three, 7th-8th, 15th and 29th (A. Bloomfield, D. Foster, M. E. S. Rooney et al.)', four, 8th December, three to at least 15th (M. I. Eldridge, A. M. Stoddart et a/.). Syderstone Common, two, 24th December (A. Bloomfield, J. R. McAllum). Orkney Stronsay, 21st October, at least one other, 23rd (J. F. Holloway). Shetland Fair Isle, 23rd April (P. V. Harvey). Fetlar, 28th September, photographed; two, 6th October (I. Hawkins). Whalsay, 30th September to 4th October (P. M. Ellis, .\. Heavisides et al.); another, same dates (A. F. T. & G. J. Fitchett el al.); another, same dates (P: J. Heath, D. Suddaby et al.). Norwich, Unst, three, 6th October (K. Osborn). Suffolk Southwold, 26th November (M. Forbes, A. Riseborough, T. Shields et al.). 1989 Tayside Carnoustie, 27th December 1988 to at least 19th April {Bril. Birds 82: 555) to 30th (per M. S. Scott). (Circumpolar Arctic) This bumper influx is second only to the 33 during 1984. Observers can be a little more confident in the identification of this species, following the publication of the paper by Peter Lansdown, Nick Riddiford and Dr Alan Knox {Brit. Birds 84: 41-46). A number of old, unaccepted, sight records have been reviewed, but no grounds emerged for changing their status. Two-barred Crossbill Loxia leucoptera (40, 50, 15) Kent Bedgebury, juvenile or first-winter 7th October to 11th November, photographed (K. R. Burch, C. Hindle, K. A. & Mrs M. A. Hook et al.). Norfolk Lynford Arboretum, 24th November to at least April 1991, photographed (C. G. R. Bowden, P. J. Dolton). Northamptonshire Wakerley Great Wood, (f, 21st-29th November (M. H. Rodgers et al.); 9, 24th December (M. C. Hall, S. M. Lister). Orkney Hoy, 9> 31st July to 6th August (M. Gray et al.). Evie, two juveniles, 18th August, photographed, three, 19th-21st (C. J. Booth, P. Reynolds et al.). Sandwick, juvenile, 26th- 27th August, photographed (Miss A. Cook, E. R. Meek, Miss L. F. Thomson et al.). 500 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Shetland Fair Isle, cT, $, 25th-31st July, photographed (C. Donald, P. V. Harvey, R. Proctor et al.); juvenile, 16th August, photographed (Miss J. Estaphanos, R. Schofield, C. M. Sharpies); juvenile, 23rd August (C. Donald, P. V. Harvey et al.)', 9, 20th October (P. V. Harvey). Kergord, juvenile, trapped 22nd September, photographed (G. W. Petrie et al.). (Northeast Europe, North-central Asia, northern North America and West Indies) This represents the second-best year (after 1987), and this time England shared in the influx. Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus (10, 221, 106) Cleveland Lockwood Beck Reservoir, at least six: three cTO", first-winter cf, two 99> November to 1991 (M. A. Blick, G. Boyce et al.). Humberside Humberstone Fitties, 9> 20th-23rd October, photographed (K. Atkin, H. Bunn, G. P. Catley). Lincolnshire Donna Nook, five, including at least one O" and two 99> October, cf, 9j 19th-20th (G. P. Catley, S. Routledge). Gibraltar Point, cf, two 99> 19th-25th October, 9 photographed, two 99) 26th (M. R. Briggs, K. M. Wilson et al.). Kirkby Moor, four, 4th November, forty-four, 11th, up to thirty-five to end November, up to twenty to 1991 (S. P. Botham, K. Durose et al.). Willingham Forest, fourteen, 2nd, 20th December, sixteen, 4th, seventeen, 16th, at least nine to at least 10th January 1991 (S. P. Botham, K. Durose et al.). Laughton Forest, ten cTcf, nine 99 o’" immatures, 2nd December to at least 1st March 1991 (W. Gillatt, J. T. Harriman et al.). Norfolk Holme, two cTcT, two 99> least 21st October (R. Burrows, D. J. & T. Girling et al.). Holkham Meals, 9> November (A. Bloomfield, D. Foster). Lynford Arboretum, 9> 5th December (P. J. Dolton). Northumberland Brownsman, Fame, 9) 20th October (P. J. H. Bush, A. P. Cotton, J. W. Dodds). Shedand Fair Isle, 9> 23rd-24th September, trapped 24th, photographed (P. V. Harvey, R. Proctor, N. J. Riddiford et al.). Whalsay, 9> October (Dr B. & Mrs L. Marshall). Yorkshire, South Hollingdale Plantation, two cTcf, 4th November (D. Hursthouse, T. Rogers). At sea Sea area Humber, 53'' 50' N 00° 26' E, 32 km east of Spurn Point, Humberside, cT, 9> 19th October (A. F. Johnson). 1982 At sea Sea area Forties, 57° 35' N 02° 03' ti, first-winter cf, first-winter 9, both dead, 14th October, now at British Museum (G. P. Crossland). (Northern Europe from Norway east to Russia and south to Estonia) These records are the first to be accepted since 1987 and also represent far and away the biggest influx yet recorded. Perhaps what is most intriguing, though, is that, for the first time, this coincided with an influx of Two- barred Crossbills L. leucoptera and also an influx of Arctic Redpolls Carduelis homemanni. \e\\oy^ yN20ch\eT Dendroica petechia (0, 1, 1) Shedand Helendale, Lerwick, O", 3rd-4th November (Mrs M. Leslie, D. Suddaby et o/.)(plate 97). (North America) The previous record, 26 years ago, was from Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, in late August {Brit. Birds 58: 457-461), so for the second to appear in November was most unexpected; its sudden departure on 4th also came as a shock to many. Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata (0, 26, 2) Scilly St Mary’s, 22nd-25th October (J. M. & Mrs H. C. Gardner, K. Pellow et ymond, G. Oldroyd, R. Proctor et a/.)(fig. 8). (Northeast Europe across North Asia) The poorest showing for 20 years. Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala (9, 78, 1) Dyfed Marloes, Cf, 28th-30th May, photographed (Mr & Mrs K. Deakin, J. W. Donovan et al.). (Southeast Europe and Southwest Asia) Late May is the peak time for this species. While an increasing number of species seem to be vexed by the escape problem, the recent occurrences of (his bunting all seem to support a wild origin. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 503 Cv©-— Vi. Fig. 8. Female/immature Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola. Fair Isle, Shetland, September 1990 {R. Proctor) Appendix. List of records not accepted This list contains all current records not accepted after circulation to the Committee. It does not include (a) those withdrawn by the observer(s) without circulation, after discussion with the Honorary Secretary; (b) those which, even if circulated, were not attributed by the observer(s) to any definite species; or (c) those mentioned in the monthly summaries in this journal, if full details were unobtainable. Birds considered to be certain escapes are also omitted. In the vast majority of cases, the record was not accepted because we were not convinced, on the evidence before us, that the identification was fully established; in only a very few cases were we satisfied that a mistake had been made. 1990 White-billed Diver Haverigg Point, Cumbria, 19th October. Black-browed Albatross Dungeness, Kent, 25th April. Litde Shearwater Lossiemouth, Grampian, 20th September; Pendeen, Cornwall, 21st September. Night Heron Hull, Humberside, 10th May. Great White Egret Exe Estuary, Devon, 12th August. Black Stork Bratton Clovelly, Devon, 14th March; Kirkambeck, Cumbria, 15th May; Almondsbury, Avon, 3rd September. Lesser White-fronted Goose Poole Park, Dorset, 17th January. American Wigeon Titchwell, Norfolk, 12th September; Belper, Derbyshire, 22nd October. Blue-winged Teal Logan, Dumfries & Galloway, 1st September. Wng-necked Duck Chew Valley Lake, Avon, 4th February. King Eider Fife Ness, Fife, 21st April. Black Kite Yetminster, Dorset, 29th March; Newton Abbott, Devon, 2nd April; Compton Dando, Avon, 7th May; Apuldram, West Sussex, 10th May; Barnwell, Northamptonshire, 25th June; Aston Abbotts, Bucking- hamshire, 25th July; Sompting and Steyning area. West Sussex, 18th August. White-tailed Eagle Great Maplesford, Essex, 31st January; Cley, Norfolk, 15th May<. Lesser Kestrel Cheddleton, Staffordshire, 18th January-24th April; Cley, Norfolk, 20th March; Lon^ord, Gloucestershire, 10th July. Red-footed Falcon Rye, East Sussex, 18tl' April; Witham Mouth, Lincolnshire, 13th May; North Chideock, Dorset, 20th May; St Osyth, Essex, 7th June; Scolt Head, Norfolk, 23rd June; Foreness, Kent, 27th June; Great Wakering, Essex, 11th July; Snettisham, Norfolk, 13th July; Tregardock, Cornwall, 1 7th July-lOth August. Gyrfalcon Isle of May, Fife, 1st October; Ho^ord, Highland, 10th October; Grutness, Shetland, 11th October; Strumble Head, Dyfed, 12th October. Little Crake At sea. Sea area Humber, 18th October. Pratincole Kegworth, Nottinghamshire, 7th October. American Golden Plover Lydd, Kent, 28th-29th May. Pacific Golden Plover Abberton Reservoir, Essex, 25th July. Killdeer St Agnes, Scilly, 6th August. White-rumped Sandpiper Great 504 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Yarmouth, Norfolk, 3rd November. Baird’s Sandpip>er VVhiteholme Reservoir, West Yorkshire, 12th July; Hartland Point, Devon, 26th-28th October. Stilt Sandpiper I.andguard Point, Suffolk, 17th August. Great Snip>e Balmedie, Grampian, 22nd October. Dowitcher South Mills, Bedfordshire, 5th-8th November. Marsh Sandpipter Rudyard Lake, Stafford- shire, 5th July; Eden Eistuary, Eife, 27th-28th August; Elodbarrow, Cumbria, 1 1th September. Greater Yellowlegs Easington Lagoons, Humberside, 16th May. Lesser Yeilowlegs Arundel, West Sussex, 4th May. Bonaparte’s Gull Portreath, Cornwall, 26th January; Oakenholt Marsh, Clwyd, 27th January'; Newlyn, Cornwall, 15th Eebruary; Loe Bar, Cornwall, 18th Eebruary; Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria, 28th Eebruary, 5th March; Oldbury-on-Severn, Avon, 23rd June. Grey-headed Gull Eolkestone, Kent, 14th July. Slender-billed Gull Northam Burrows, Devon, 16th July. Ross’s Gull Eingringhoe, Essex, 26th October. Gull-billed Tern Selsey Bill, West Sussex, 10th April, two, 27th; Scolt Head, Norfolk, 8th July; Cley, Norfolk, 23rd July; Deben Estuary, Suffolk, 29th September. Forster’s Tern Gosford Bay, Lothian, 17th March. Whiskered Tern Hengistbury' Head, Dorset, 30th June; Keyhaven Marsh, Hampshire, 8th September; E’lton Reservoir, Greater Manchester, 17th September; Strumble Head, Dyfed, 3rd October. White-winged Black Tern Cley, Norfolk, 27th August; Colwick, Nottinghamshire, 29th August; Blakeney Point, Norfolk, 2nd September. Briinnich’s Guillemot At sea. North Sea, 9th January. Great Spotted Cuckoo Hope Cove, Devon, 23rd Eebruary. Black-billed Cuckoo Bryher, Scilly, 14th October. Red-necked Nightjar Brampford Speke, Devon, 26th March. Pallid Swift Holme, Norfolk, 14th October. Alpine Swift Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 29th May; Colliford Reserv'oir, Cornwall, 2()th June; Haldon, Devon, 1 1th July. Bee-eater Moor Green, (iloucestershire, 17th June; Ipswich, Sufl'olk, 20th July. Short-toed Lark Meall Dearg, Highland, 12th June; l.amba Ness, Shetland, 19th August. Red-rumped Swallow Winterton, Norfolk, 30th April; Cippenham, Berkshire, 1st May; Sidlesham Eerry, West Sussex, 18th May; Lydney, Gloucestershire, 31st August. Olive-backed Pipit Stronsay, Orkney, 24th October. Pechora Pipit Skomer, Dyfed, 20th May. Red-throated Pipit Motcombe, Dorset, 23rd August; Greshomish, Skye, Highland, 28th August; Holyport, Berkshire, 27th-30th October. Black-headed Yellow Wagtail King’s Lynn, Norfolk, 23rd May. Citrine Wagtail Eiyebrook Reservoir, Leicestershire, 9th April; Sandwich Bay, Kent, 13th May; Hodbarrow, Cumbria, 1st August. Alpine Accentor At sea. North Sea, 22nd October. White-throated Robin Pensarn, Clwyd, 8th September. Siberian Stonechat Llanfairfechan, Gwynedd, 17th-18th October. Black-eared Wheatear Rossendale, Lan- cashire, 30th June. American Robin Newquay, Cornwall, 9th Eebruary; Ardargie, 'Eayside, 6th December. Olivaceous Warbler Hengistbury Head, Dorset, 9th September. Greenish Warbler Cromer, Norfolk, 24th August; Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire, 9th September. Arctic Warbler Radipole, Dorset, 1st September; Haverhill, Suffolk, 11th October. Dusky Warbler Eheddlethorpe Dunes, Lincolnshire, 23rd October; St Abbs, Borders, 24th October; St Mary’s, Scilly, 24th October. Bonelli’s Warbler Holkham Meals, Norfolk, 9th September; Sheepwash Urban Park, West Midlands, 12th September. Isabelline Shrike Erodsham, Cheshire, 13th November. Rose-coloured Starling Coulsdon, Surrey, two, 28th March. Citril Finch Near Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, four, 27th November. Parrot Crossbill Balephetrish, Tiree, Strathclyde, 5th September; 'Eheddlethorpe Dunes, Lincoln- shire, 26th October. Pine Grosbeak 'Eorridon Eorest, Highland, 17th July. Little Bunting Cley, Norfolk, 1 1th Eebruary; Upchurch, Kent, two, 27th-3()th March; West High Down, Isle of Wight, 29th April. 1989 Soft-plumaged Petrel Dungeness, Kent, 12th March; Prawle Point, Devon, 18th .\ugust. Bulwer’s Petrel I owan Head, Cornwall, 23rd July. Wilson’s Petrel Holmplon, Humber- side, 8th October; St Mary’s, Scilly, 24th December. Ring-necked Duck Crowan Reseivoir, Cornwall, 26th December. Canvasback Gian Conwy, Gwynedd, 2nd October. Black Scoter AInmoulh, Northumberland, 19th Eebruary. Baillon’s Crake (dey, Norfolk. 21sl May. Baird’s Sandpiper Erodsham, Cheshire, 6lh-7lh September; River Lynher, Cornwall, 14th November. Stilt Sandpiper (Yoxton Pond, Humberside, 20th July. Marsh Sandpiper Rhyl. Clwyd, 22nd August. Laughing Gull Portland, Dorset, 2()lh November. Gull-hilled Tern Weymouth, Dorset, 17th September. Whiskered 'Fern Alvecote Pools, Warwickshin*, 17th June. Alpine Swift Water End, Hertfordshire, 4lh Se|)lember. Bee-eater Dungeness, Kent, Rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 505 28th August. Isabelline Wheatear Burry Port, Dyfed, 6th May. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Skokholm, Dyfed, 25th September. Bonelli’s Warbler Harlyn Bay, Cornwall, 8th April; Sevenoaks, Kent, 12th August. Arctic Redpoll Towyn, Clwyd, 16th April. Litde Bunting Blakeney Point, Norfolk, 22nd April; Sanday, Orkney, 24th September. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Cot Valley, Cornwall, 13th November. 1988 Albatross At sea. North Sea, two, 26th May. Bulwer’s Petrel Meols/Moreton, Merseyside, 9th October. Hooded Merganser Ixworth, Suffolk, 7th May. Gyrfalcon Bembridge, Isle of Wight, 8th March. Great Bustard Heacham, Norfolk, two, 1st May. Cream-coloured Courser At sea. North Sea, 21st September. Pallid Swift Reculver, Kent, 13th November. Bee-eater Lochinver, Highland, 31st May. Crag Martin Oldbury, West Midlands, 9th August. Olivaceous Warbler Kelling, Norfolk, 4th May. Subalpine Warbler Bognor Regis, West Sussex, 5th September. Orphean Warbler Benington Marsh, Lincolnshire, 16th October. Nutcracker Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, two, 29th September. 1987 Gyrfalcon Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, 3rd February. Black-winged Stilt St Mary’s, Scilly, seven, 27th April. Terek Sandpiper West Kirby, Merseyside, 5th April. Pallas’s Warbler Durlston, Dorset, second individual, 21st-22nd October. Bonelli’s Warbler Hengistbury Head, Dorset, 21st June. Song Sparrow Point of Air, Clwyd, 17th December. 1986 Ivory Gull Cley, Norfolk, 2nd or 3rd October. 1985 Black-winged Stilt Plymouth Hoe, Devon, 2nd July. 1984 Sooty Tern Spurn, Humberside, 30th September. 1983 Lesser Golden Plover Barbrook Reservoir and Middleton Tailings-lagoon, Derbyshire, 6th August; Ogston Reservoir, Derbyshire, 29th October. 1982 Rufous Turtle Dove Barn’s Ness, Lothian, 2nd October. 1981 Whiskered Tern Scotsman’s Flash, Greater Manchester, 10th August. 1978 Isahelline Wheatear Cley, Norfolk, 12th September. 1976 Desert Warbler Crowle Moors, Humberside, 27th August. M. J. Rogers, Bag End, Churchtown, Towednack, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 3AZ ^ehentp-fihe pearg ago... ‘Mr W. J. E. Dawson states that he discovered a pair of Lamm collurio near Athlone about the end of April, 1916. Mr Dawson has kindly sent us further details of the birds he saw and we feel sure from what he says that he was mistjiken in his identification of these birds as Red- backed Shrikes.’ (Brit. Birds 10: 145, November 1916). Notes Herons alighting on sea On 31st August 1985, from the Zuluf offshore oilfield in the Persian Gulf, N. J. S. Drummond and I observed a migrating flight of seven Purple Herons Ardea purpurea flying very low over the sea. One of them suddenly alighted on the sea surface, swam for a few seconds, and then took off and rejoined the others. On 30th September 1985, at the same site, one individual from a flock of 12 Grey Herons A. cinerea migrating low above the water behaved in exactly the same way. On both occasions, the weather was fine, with good visibility and a slight sea running. There are no shoals in this area, and the average water depth is over 45 m; the bottom is therefore invisible. There are, however, numerous platforms and wellheads close at hand, which the herons could have interpreted as small islets indicating possible wading depths. We wonder if, in each case, one individual was ‘elected’ to sound out the water depth. D. M. Simpson MS Pacific Bear, Swire Pacific Offshore, PO Box 8127, Dubai, UAE Derek Goodwin has commented: ‘I feel sure that no “election” was involved. Grey Heron usually alights on land and then walks to, and often into, the water when seeking food . . . but it would be interesting to know why the individuals “fell out” and alighted. Perhaps they were investigating /or themselves.' Eds Insect-feeding by Marsh Harriers The Marsh Harrier Circus aemginosus usually hunts near ground level (Brown 1976; Cramp & Simmons 1980) and takes few insects (Thiollay 1968; Schipper 1973). The following account documents what we believe to be the first record of Marsh Harriers catching insects in flight, and relates this to information on insects in winter prey remains from Donana, southwest Spain. Shortly before midday on 6th February 1987, in fine weather following several rainy days, approximately 2 km from the Palacio of Donana, a female Marsh Harrier at 15-30 m altitude was watched from some 40 m. Within seven minutes, she abruptly extended her talons three times; twice, she subsequently passed her talons forward to her bill, apparently to feed. The prey must have been small because, despite ideal observation conditions, we could not see it. At about the same time, from the same vantage, single female and male Marsh Harriers, a Red Kile Milvus niilvus and a Kestrel Falco tinnunculus were seen nearby; we suspect that these, and a loosely circling group of kites about 1 km away, were also catching flying insects. Of 210 prey items identified from Marsh Harrier pellets collected at a Donana roost in February 1984, five (2.4%) were insects. In a larger sample of 685 identified prey items from pellets collected in November, February and March, 29 (4.2%) were insects, of which 12 (41.3%) were ants (Formicidae)(JIXJ, unpubl.). 506 Notes 507 Insects seem to be more important in the diet of raptors in Donana and southern Spain than at higher latitudes (see Herrera & Hiraldo 1976; Valverde 1984). Ants are well known to swarm after periods of rain, and, although we have no precise information on the emergence of such swarms in Donana in 1987, the harrier we observed may have been exploiting such a temporarily abundant food source. Rain can reduce prey availability for raptors, and marked Red Kites in Donana show reduced hunting activity and food intake in rainy weather (F. Hiraldo verbally). Insects which swarm after rain may be of particular importance as a food source. The capture technique used, snatching with talons, and feeding in circling flight are similar to methods described for other raptors and noted by us for Red Kites, sometimes at greater heights, in winter in Donana (see also Blanco et al. 1987). Fellowships from the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencias and financial support from CAYCIT project 944 are gratefully acknowledged. Observations were made during tenureship by AMJ of an honorary research fellowship from Aberdeen University. VVe are particularly grateful to Fernando Hiraldo and the staff of the Biological Station of Donana forsupport. ^ jyj JqnES, J. ViNUELAand J. L. GONZALEZ RSFB Highlands Office, Munlochy, Ross & Cromarty IV8 8ND REFERENCES B1.ANCO, J. C., Hirai.do, F., Heredia, B., & Garcia, L. 1987. Alimentacion invemal del Milano Real Milvus milvus (L. 1758) en el Parque Nacional de Donana. Boletin de la Estacion Central de Ecologia (Madrid) 16: 93-97. Brown, L. 1976. British Birds of Prey. London. Cramp, S., & Simmons, K. E. L. (eds.) 1980. The Birds of the Western Pakarctic. vol. 2. Oxford. Herrera, C. M., & Hiraedo, F. 1976. Food niche and trophic relationships among European owls. Omis Scand. 7: 29-41. St^HIPPER, W. J. A. 1973. A comparison of prey selection in sympatric harriers Circus in Western Europe. Gerfaut 63: 17-120. Thioi.E.W, J. M. 1968. Le regime alimentaire de nos rapaces: quelques analyses franqaises. Nos Oiseaux 29: 249-269. Valverde, J. A. 1984. Estructura de una comunidad mediterranea de vertebrados terrestres. Monografias de la Estacion BiolSgica de Donana 1 . Great Skua killing Brent Goose On 18th October 1988, at Spurn Bird Observatory, North Humberside, I watched a Great Skua Stercorarius skua chasing a Brent Goose Branta bemicla and then forcing it down into the water. The skua then made repeated attacks at the goose’s head, at the rate of one or two every minute. Although the goose made attempts to fend off its attacker, it did not try to fly again. In one attack, the Brent Goose was all but lifted clear of the water by its head. Finally, the skua, with wings raised, straddled the goose’s back and drowned it. The skua was not seen to feed on its victim, and 15 minutes later it flew off out to sea. The whole episode lasted 20-30 minutes. P. Darling 51 Newmarket Road, Stow-cum-Quy, Cambridge CBS 9AG The Great Skua’s behaviour described here is fairly typical. BWP (vol. 3) includes Greylag Goose Anser anser and Shelduck Tadoma tadoma among a long list of species killed by Great Skuas, so Brent Goose is not an unexpected victim. Eds 508 Notes Feeding association of Slender-billed Gulls with Greater Flamingos At midday on 5th May 1988, a day with bright sunshine and no wind, there were about 200 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber, 20 Shelducks Tadoma tadoma, ten Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta, 70 Slender-billed Gulls Lams genei, 50 Black-headed Gulls L. ridibundus and about 300 Little Gulls L. minutus in a saltwater lagoon at the salines of Aigues-Mortes on the Mediterranean coast of France. About 30 of the flamingos were feeding in deep water, with a group of 25 Slender-billed Gulls swimming close behind, ‘picking’ individual food items from the surface of the water. 1 presumed that the flamingos, while feeding on brine-shrimps Artemia, were making this food available to the gulls on the surface (the lagoon was rich in brine-shrimps). As well as this instance of ‘collective commensalism’, other Slender- billed Gulls were feeding similarly on a one-to-one basis: one feeding flamingo being followed by one gull. 1 saw no other instances of commensalism in the remaining parts of the salines that I visited. Feeding aggregations of flamingos, Shelducks, Avocets and other waders and gulls often occur on windy days, and usually close to the windward shore; under these conditions, brine-shrimps are brought to the surface or concentrated against the shore, and are therefore available to all species present. On such occasions, it is unlikely that one species is benefiting from the presence and feeding method of another. As there are no references to this particular behaviour by Slender-billed Gulls in Glutz & Bauer (1982) or in Cramp & Simmons (1983), I asked other ornithologists to watch out for similar instances. Two months later, M. Smart informed me (in litt.) that on 13th July 1988, at Rades in northern Tunisia, he saw a group of ten adult Slender-billed Gulls feeding in association with about 40 Greater Flamingos, in exactly the same manner as those at Aigues-Mortes. It seems likely that the feeding behaviour described above is not unusual. The breeding population of Slender-billed Gulls on the Mediterranean coast of France has increased in recent years, to about 300 pairs; as a result of this increase there are now more opportunities for observingtheirfeedingbehaviour in this region. John G. Wai.MSLF.y Station Biologique, La Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, France REFERENCES Cramp, S., & Sfmmons, K. E. L. (eds.) 1983. The Birds of the Western Falearctic. vol. 3. Oxford. Ci.UTZ voN Bl.OTZHF.iM, U. N., & Bauf.r, K. M. 1982. Handbuch der Vogel Mitteleumpas. Band 8, part 1. Wiesbaden. Sand Martin and Kingfisher nesting in peat-cuttings PIVP gives no records of either Sand Martin Riparia riparia (vol. 5) or Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (vol. 4) breeding in the vertical faces of peat-cuttings. Details of Sand Martins exhibiting such behaviour, in Yorkshire, Somerset and Ireland, have, however, been summarised recently (Naturalist 108: 107), while Sand Martin nests in stacked peat have been recorded in Ireland (Sharrock, 1976, The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland). Notes 509 In 1974, in the South Yorkshire part of Thome Moors, fish bones were found outside a hole bored into a 1.5-m-high face of cut peat, and a Kingfisher was seen to leave the hole on 3rd June. On 4th May 1975, there were remains of fish bones and fins in the hole, and fragments of white eggshell beneath it, but no evidence of young birds. On 26th June 1976, a Kingfisher was flushed from a second hole alongside the first, and later in the year an adult and juvenile were seen along the perimeter drain (Limbert, Mitchell & Rhodes, 1986, Thome Moors: Birds and Man). Martin Limbert 23 Brockenhurst Road, Hatfield, Doncaster DN7 6SH Although peat-cuttings are not mentioned specifically as nesting sites of Kingfisher and Sand Martin, it should be noted that filTP deliberately does not list all aberrant nest sites for any species. Eds Sand and House Martins eating whitewash flakes On 14th June 1988, while driving through Ballyporeen, Co. Tipperary, I saw several Sand Martins Riparia riparia and House Martins Delichon urbica on the ground beneath a whitewashed wall. At first, I thought that they were feeding on insects, but on closer inspection I noted that they were eating flakes of whitewash that had fallen from the wall. I assumed that they were taking advantage of a convenient supply of calcium for egg-shell production. Kevin Collins 2 Prior Park Drive, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland Derek Goodwin has commented: ‘I have seen Budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus in a public park aviary, where they were given no source of calcium, desperately fluttering up to the smooth whitewashed back of an open cage inside the aviary, pecking at the whitewash and eagerly eating any small flakes that they managed to dislodge: a proceeding, since they could not cling to the whitewashed surface, very costly in energy.’ Eds Redstarts attacking and wounding Little Owl On the evening of 14th June 1988, while carrying out a census of breeding Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicums in the Bosley area of Cheshire, I was watching a pair of adult Redstarts feeding three recently fledged young among the lower branches of an old oak tree Quercus when I noticed a Little Owl Athene noctua some 20 m away on a fence post, taking a similar interest in the family party. At a time when all three fledglings were close together on one branch, the owl glided off its perch, flew straight at the family group and scattered the young as it landed among them, although failing to make contact with any individual. Both adult Redstarts immediately, and very noisily, attacked the owl with such ferocity that not only was the latter forced face down on the ground, but, with a further male Redstart from the neighbouring territory joining in, at one point two male Redstarts were actually perched on the back of the prostrate owl and delivering substantial pecks to its back and head. Within 10-15 seconds, the owl had recovered sufficiently to turn over, presenting its claws and bill, whereupon the Redstarts retreated noisily back into the tree canopy. After a further half minute, the owl took flight, landed back near its original perch and commenced vigorous preening. I could see from its plumage and displaced feathers 510 Notes that it was bleeding from several wounds on its back and head. I have watched owls and raptors being mobbed by prey species and by other birds, such as crows Corvus or gulls Lams, but I have never observed a physical attack of such force on a bird of prey. It is also of interest that the male Redstart from the adjoining territory joined in the attack, the routine territorial behaviours forgotten in the attempt to drive off a common antagonist. y\. HUGH PULSFORl) 21 Swaledale Avenue, Congleton, Cheshire C\\'12 2RY Calls of Wood Warbler in response to probable ground predator The note by Vic Lewis on an unusual form of song by a Wood Warbler Fhylloscopus sibilatrix in the presence of a Cuckoo Cuculus canoms {Brit. Birds 81: 646-647) prompts me to record the following. At about 04.00 CM T on 10th June 1987, in mature mixed woodland near West Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset, my attention was drawn to two Wood Warblers which were fluttering, diving and calling over a patch of low, dense brambles in a glade. Almost certainly, a ground predator, probably a stoat Mustela erminea or a weasel M. nivalis, was present, but was well concealed from me by vegetation. Two types of call were heard from the Wood Warbler pair. The first was the normal anxiety note, sounding like the plaintive call of a Bullfinch Fyrrhula pyrrhula, while the second was a repea<^ed, hissing rasp. These urgent, rasping cries were given only in flight; if one of the warblers perched briefly on a nearby branch, it uttered the plaintive call. After a few minutes, the warblers ceased their fluttering and calling and started to feed their well-grown young in a nest a few metres away; presumably, the ground predator had left the area. The rasping cries, which had distinct hissing qualities, were sounds I had not heard previously from Wood Warblers. I was able to tape-record these calls, and a copy of the tape has been deposited at the British Library of Wildlife Sounds (reference number 18602). A. P. R.\1)F0R1) Crossways Cottage, West Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset T.\4 3EG Interactions between Goldcrest and Firecrest On 29th November 1979, in mixed deciduous woodland at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwwn Bay, Clwyd, I found a Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus being pursued by a (ioldcrest R. regulus through a thicket of rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum. Both birds were initially located by their calls, more frenzied than usual, and the Goldcrest was showing signs of agitation. The two passed by at surprising speed, the Goldcrest following the Firecrest relentlessly. On 30th November 1987, in mixed deciduous woodland at Aberogwen, Gwynedd, I again identified a f irecrest by its calls, and found an agitated Goldcrest in close attendance. On lOth November 1988, along a shrubby border in Cfliester Zoo, Cheshire, I came across a trio of Goldcrests behaving in an agitated manner and soon discov'ered a silent Firecrest to be the centre of their attention. In each instatice, the Goldcrests’ behaviour consisted of wing-flicking, tail-spreading ancl, most olivious of all, flaring of the crown feathers. The Firecrests’ only apparent reactions Notes 511 to the harassment were to move along at a sharper pace, although, in the final observation, the individual concerned appeared distinctly larger in size than the accompanying Goldcrests, as if fluffed out in a gesture suggestive of threat. In none of these encounters did I see any physical contact between the two species. P. I. Morris Caughall Farmhouse Cottage, Caughall Road, Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire CH2 4B\V Blue Tits with deformed bills The note by Geoffrey T. Newton on Blue Tits Parus caeruleus with bill deformities {Brit. Birds 81: 648-649) recalled observations which I made in my garden at Hinckley, Leicestershire, in 1969 and 1971 and recorded in my notebooks at the time. During March 1969, a rather dirty-looking Blue Tit with a deformed bill occasionally visited my garden. It had both upper and lower mandibles extended in an upwards curve, the extension being thin and appearing rather flat in end-on views; the upper-mandible extension looked broad, flat and rounded at the tip, and the bill was thin at the juncture between normal bill tip and extension. The tit’s behaviour seemed mostly normal, although it appeared timid in the presence of other Blue Tits, but it avoided peanuts and preferred to feed from a ball of food containing a mixture of nut chippings, fat, sunflower seeds and so on, suspended in a plastic net bag. It had some difficulty in dealing with larger pieces of food; sometimes it knocked off a small piece with the tip of its bill and caught this in the more normal basal part of its bill. After feeding, it wiped ks bill on a twig, when the extension appeared strong and showed no signs of breaking. During 17th-18th March, I watched the tit closely as it fed on the food mixture: it turned its head to the left while dropping its right cheek, as if to see the food better; sometimes, when it caught a portion of food near the thin part of its bill, it flew to a perch in a lilac tree and carefully let the food down into the basal part of the bill, where the morsel was more easily cracked and eaten. On 31st, it attacked the food pudding as before, but this time it took pieces into the lilac tree and placed them under its toes; the lower-mandible extension was allowed to pass under the twig, while the food was pecked by the upper mandible and base of the lower. That Blue Tit was not seen again. During January-November 1971, an adult Blue Tit visiting my garden had a bill about twice the normal length and with a slight gap between the mandibles. The tip of the upper mandible was curved sideways and downwards, while the lower mandible was slightly longer than the upper and slightly upturned at the tip, the two mandibles thus crossing at the tips. Its plumage was normal and it preened in the usual way. It made off from the feeder with quite large lumps of nut or biscuit. On 3rd January, it carried a peanut into the lilac, holding the nut in the middle of its bill; it then clasped the nut firmly between its toes and hammered at it rapidly with its bill, while performing very frequent bill-wiping. The tit seemed to have little difficulty in picking up suitably sized shelled peanuts, which it held between its mandibles with the curved tips wrapped around the nut. 512 Notes It always took the nut into the lilac tree and held it hrmly beneath its toes; it then gouged away at the nut, with its head slightly turned. The working part of the bill seemed to be the point where the mandibles crossed; as the tit worked, the squashed nut would move to the bill tip, so frequent bill- wiping occurred. In early September, this Blue Tit picked up tiny pieces of food from concrete slabs on the ground by turning its head to one side and using the side of its bill as a scoop; this may possibly not have allowed it to see the food, unless with the eye just above the ground. It also hung on the side of a wire peanut-feeder and took morsels of nut; it once took a piece to a twig in the lilac, placed it beneath its toes and pecked at it with head on one side. When feeding on potato, it used its bill in the normal manner, wiping it afterwards on the wood of a nestbox. On 3rd October, I placed a few peanuts on a sawn-off stump of the lilac, and the tit grasped a nut with its crossed mandible tips and flew off with it. This Blue Tit was not seen again after the end of November. D. E. Pomeroy {Brit. Birds 55: 49-72) remarked that such bill deformities probably grow slowly, thus allowing the bird time gradually to learn adaptive ways of feeding. The 1969 Blue Tit must have been nine or ten months old, while the 1971 adult would have been at least 19 months old. D. E. Jebbett 70 Upper Bond Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire UJO IRJ Dr Ian Newton has commented as follows: ‘The interest of these observations is that, ^ven an odd bill, birds can learn to feed in novel ways, d’his is instructive on how normal feeding behaviour develops — i.e. morphology predisposes the development of particular feeding methods. Without these odd bills, it would be hard to separate this from the alternative view, that the feeding actions of each species are wholly “instinctive”.’ Eds Treecreepers foraging away from trees K. Peter’s note on a Tree- creeper Certhia familiaris foraging on a treated larch fence {Brit. Birds 81: 649) prompts me to record three occasions, in Cricklade, Wiltshire, when I have seen this species feeding away from trees. On 25th Eebruary 1984, 1 watched a Treecreeper searching for food on the sides and under the eaves of our garden shed, and then on our garden fence (no Treecreepers are normally seen within 275 m of the garden). On 9th January 1985, one was seen ‘wallcreeping’ on the side of an old stone bridge, where it apparently found small food items among the patches of moss. These two sightings were during periods of cold weather in winter, but the third occurred during the breeding season: on 2nd June 1987, I watched a Treecreeper foraging on the side of a stone wall beside the River Thames; after a minute or so it caught a large insect resembling a mayfly (Ephemeroptera) and flew off, presumably to feed young. Subsequently, on 27th July 1990, I have also obser\'ed a Treecreeper foraging on rocks at Scarlett Point, near Castletown, Isle of Man, many hundreds of metres from any trees. Robin (iRlFFiril.s 2 Hallspeld, Cricklade, IVilt.sliire .SN'd ULS Treecreeper foraging on churchyard wall At 13.30 CM F on 1st March 1986, at Weston-under-Eizard, Shropshire, 1 saw a rreecreeper Cetlhia Notes 513 familiaris foraging on a churchyard wall. It climbed in a zigzag within a vertical section about 40 cm wide until it reached the stone coping, before flying down diagonally to the bottom, each time moving along about 3 m. I watched this behaviour pattern 1 1 times, before the Treecreeper flew off over the highest part of the wall, which varies in height from 1.2 m to 2.7 m. The wall is of red brick and has many nooks and crannies in its surface. There was no lack of natural habitat in the area, with a wide variety ofmature trees within only a few metres. Keith Verrall 1 Village Lodge, Weston-under-Lizard, near Shijnal, Shropshire TFII 8IJi The above two notes confirm the fact that Treecreepers will forage on surfaces other than trees. Any further notes or correspondence will be held on file for reference, but not published separately. Eds Magpies nesting on television aerials The note by Brendan Kavanagh on Magpies Pica pica nesting on telegraph poles {Brit. Birds 80: 383) recalled the following. In July 1971, in the small fishing village of Scarsvag at the North Cape, Norway, I noted that all the wooden houses had old- fashioned television aerials fixed to the roof-ridge, sticking up in an ‘H’ shape. I was surprised to see that three or four of the houses had Magpie nests built in their aerials, and recorded in my notebook that ‘one nest was built under the gable end of a house and partly supported by the TV aerial’. William H. Payn River Close, Ixworth, Suffolk IPS I 2HT Letter Identification of Meadow and Red-throated Pipits In a ‘Mystery photographs’ text {Brit. Birds 79: 34-40), the late P. J. Grant discussed the identification of Meadow Anthus pratensis and Red-throated Pipits A. cervinus, prompted by a series of photographs taken in Switzerland. The conclusions remained a little unclear, but most features fitted Meadow Pipit, although a ‘cream-coloured breast’ was mentioned as a contradic- tory point in favour of Red-throated. I have, however, in examining a series of 200 skins at the Universitets Zoologiske Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark, found one March individual which in all aspects, including measurements and plumage features, matched Meadow Pipit, but showed a contrasting cream-coloured breast, clearly standing out against an otherwise normal greyish ground coloration to the rest of the pale parts on the underparts. Such a bird could easily be misidentified as Red-throated Pipit, but, on this individual, the breast coloration was less strikingly reddish than on an adult Red-throated. Nevertheless, it was the only individual that showed any clear contrast in underparts coloration: all other Meadow Pipits showed more-uniform pale (greyish brown, yellow- ish brown or pale grey) underparts. 514 Letter Another feature on the Swiss ‘Mystery photographs’ bird clearly pointing towards Meadow Pipit is the rather pale ear-coverts, in slight contrast to the darker eye-stripe and traces of supercilium. Most Red- throated Pipits lacking red show more solidly brown ear-coverts, darker (on most, either more olive-tinged or warmer rusty-tinged) in coloration than the greyish brown, often rather pale ones found on Meadow Pipits, which have reminded at least one observer (Q. L. Slings, Dutch Birding 1 : 1 19-120) of the ear-coverts of Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla. Many Meadow Pipits, however, show rather uniform ear-coverts. Other head features may prove to be of value. Meadow Pipit often shows a rather ‘clean’ ‘face’, with only a hint of a paler supercilium. On the individuals showing a more prominent supercilium, it is usually pale greyish brown along its whole length, often matching the coloration of the palest part of the ear-coverts, making the darker eye-stripe stand out (see Brit. Birds 79: plates 38 & 39). On Red-throated, there is more often a clear supercilium, somewhat more warmly coloured (creamy-white to white, often with a rusty tinge) and usually paler behind the eye. The moustachial stripe is variable on both species, but is often rather thick. Although there may have been some variation, photographs and skins reveal that on a number of Red-throated Pipits it penetrates towards the lores, creating a diffuse half-moon-shaped spot (see, e.g., Brit. Birds 79: plate42). Klaus Mauling Olsen Mollegade 21, st.t.h., DK 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark Al our invitation, David Britton has commented as follows: ‘Peter Grant’s text, and much of Klaus Mailing Olsen’s discussion, concerns winter-plumaged birds. As Olsen indicates, the darker ear-covert feature applies only to ‘non red’ individuals. By March, when Olsen’s cream-breasted Meadow Pipit was obtained. Red-throated Pipits have already acquired their breeding throat and upper-breast coloration as a result of their unusually early pre-breeding partial moult. In extreme cases, breeding-plumaged Red-throated Pipits have very pale ear- coverts, almost concolorous with throat and supercilium. 'I’he speculative moustachial/lores point also relates only to winter plumage, but, as the strength of loral and malar-stripe markings varies with angle (compare Brit. Birds 79: plates 38 and 40), this may be of limited value. ‘Meadow Pipits with throat, and sometimes upper breast, even more strikingly marked than Olsen’s bird, and strongly recalling Red-throated Pipit, occasionally occur in northeast England in March and early April. They often coincide with small influxes of ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipits A. littoralis petrosus. This suggests Scandinavian origin, but nominate .4. p. pratensis populates the species’ entire European range (excluding that of .4. p. theresae of Iceland) and differences between English and Scandinavian Meadow Pipits are slight and clinal. ‘An extreme example of a “red-throated” Meadow Pipit was photographed by chance at Greenabella Marsh, Cleveland, in March 1990. The photographs were later examined by birders and initially identified as Red-throated Pipit in full summer plumage. It has a remarkable apricot or pale-brick-red throat extending patchily onto the entire breast, which is well covered with Meadow-Pipit-like dark spots and short streaks. These do not fomi the long lines characteristic of Red-throated Pipit, the crown is quite pale and the supercilium and submoustachial areas are white. It was photographed, facing the camera, perched on a tall plant, suggesting the holding of territory (both species perch above ground far more in breeding territory than on passage). I’his, and the date, provided the initial clues as to its true identity. Great caution is clearly required when identifying Red-throated Pipit early in spring.’ Colour prints of the extreme Cleveland individual were supplied for our penisal, but wen* not suitable for |>ublicalion. El)S ICBP news In response to a request from the International Council for Bird Preservation, we shall be publishing a regular short feature on international bird conservation topics, in addi- tion to those which we have always included in ‘News and comment’. Eds Vietnam — rich in birds, poor in protection Vietnam is full of excitement for an ornithologist, the pleasure of which is dulled by the current status of, and prospects for, the wildlife. The once-wide spread forests, with their very diverse avifauna, have been devastated by both war and human pressures, and there are now 34 bird species that are classified as threatened. Aware of the situation, the Vietnamese government has plans for a network of protected areas, and has formed a Forest Birds Working Group (FBWG) which, in collaboration with the ICBP, has been gathering crucial information on the country’s little-known birds. This spring, Jonathan Fames and Craig Robson from the ICBP returned to Vietnam for the third time to work with Dr Nguyen Cu and Truong van La of the FBWG. The team focused its efforts on surveying threatened species and identifying areas for inclusion in the proposed protected-areas system. Possibly the most important discovery was of three displaying White-shouldered Ibises Pseudibis dauisoni in Nam Bai Cat Tien National Park. This little-known species was once widespread in Southeast Asia, but has declined or disappeared from much of its range, and the only recent records were from Kalimantan, Indonesia. The ibises were found in the same area as that in which the team last year found White- winged Duck Cairina scutulata — the first record of the species in Vietnam for nearly 60 years. Although clearly of great international significance and within a national park, these wetlands are severely threatened by disturbance from fishermen. Conflict between the park staff and the fishermen is intense, and earlier this year led to a shoot-out in which a park guard and a fisherman were killed. Such incidents demonstrate only too well the complex difficulties frequently facing conservation in inhabited areas. Another exciting find was an undescribed fulvetta Alcippe, on a previously unexplored mountain in forest near Da Lat. The area has the greatest degree of avian diversity in Indo- China, with four endemic species and perhaps 40 endemic subspecies. The taxonomic status of the team’s discovery awaits confirmation. The expedition was also able to locate Black- hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti and Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea, and to confirm the presence of Crested Argus Rheinartia ocellata. Fortunately, these highland forests are not imminently threatened, but it is vital that a protected area is established on the plateau as soon as possible. News of Edwards’s Pheasant Lophura edwardsi is not so encouraging. Endemic to central Vietnam, the species was originally collected from lowland forest in the coastal plain of the country. Sadly, during two weeks of searching, the team did not find any habitat suitable for the pheasant, and concluded that it has almost certainly become extinct in the southern part of its range. Results of the surveys will be used by the FBWG and the ICBP to recommend to the Vietnamese government areas of highest priority for birds, and those most in need of protection. Georgina Green ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge CBS opj Fieldwork action BTO news Regional Development Officers During 1992-93, the BTO will be setting up a new regional network. This will consist of BTO members keen to promote the BTO at the local level in a systematic way. The new volunteers will be called Regional Development Officers (RDOs) 515 516 Fieldwork action and will work alongside the existing network of 133 Regional Representatives. The RDOs will take the pressure off the RRs, who will be left to concentrate on organising the survey work co-ordinated by the BTO. Fhe RDOs’ main task will be to maintain the interest of existing members and to recruit new ones. They will do this by organising a local programme of events, raising the Trust’s profile, liaising with the local press and other media, and forming a local cell of BTO activists. RDOs do not need to be expert birders, but they will be very enthusiastic about the work of the BTO and be extrovert characters who get on well with other people. A small handful of Regional Reps will retain both functions. We shall be starting to recniit in a few key areas, but if you are keen to start on this work, to promote the BTO and to increase its profile then contact Paul Green at BTO HQ to see if there is a vacancy in your region. P.'MJI. Grf.EN BTO, The Nunnery, Nunnery Place, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PC Mystery photographs A brief glance at the bird in plate 223 (repeated here) and the brain whirrs into action. Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis? No; what about a Siberian vagrant? It looks a bit like that Daurian Starling Stumus stuminus on Fair Isle (Brit. Birds 82: 607, plate 366), but no, it’s not that either. How about a Nearctic vagrant? Plenty of choice there. Or an escaped cage-bird? The possibilities are endless. When confronted by a strange bird, there is the temptation to tr\' to put a name to it at once, or at least instantly to narrow the choice to a handful of species. Better by far, however, to look at it slowly, carefully and analytically. The bill and general structure of this bird and its posture should have led you firmly towards the finches (Fringillidae). Apart from its white head, there is something horribly familiar about the rest of the bird’s plumage, such as those distinctive white wing-bars. 5’es, it is one of the UK’s commonest birds: the humble Cfiiaflinch Ftingilla coelehs. I’his individual was photographed by F.ddie Franklin in Ch). Antrim, Northern Ireland, in Aj)ril 1990. linds H4: .'ll (;-.■> I 7, Nc.vrmli<-i IWI] Mystery photographs 517 An albinistic individual such as this can create all sorts of identification problems and the most dreadful howlers, especially if views are brief on a wet, windy day with migrants around and every oddity a potential vagrant. There is less problem at the garden birdtable, but even there such birds create problems for BB readers, as evidenced by the small but regular flow of descriptions, drawings and photographs of problem birds sent in by puzzled observers seeking advice. There is one lesson from this atypical mystery photograph: not every exotic-looking bird is a rarity. Dave Allen c/o RSPB, Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 4QT, Northern Ireland 277. Mystery photograph 173. Identify the species. Answer next month Announcements To Thailand with ‘BB’ There are still spaces available on the one-week/ two-week/three- week trip to Thailand during 16th February to 10th March 1992. Guaranteed no more than eight people in the group, to be led by Thailand’s top birders: A Guide to the Birds of Thailand author Phil Round and artist Kamol Komolphalin, together with BB's Tim Sharrock. Write or telephone for details to David Fisher, Sunbird, PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI9 IDF; telephone Sandy (0767) 682969. Books in British BirdShop New books this month are: Alerstam Bird Migration, Bolund Nest Boxes for the Birds of Britain and Europe, Clements Birds of the World: a check list. Dean The Natural History of Walney Island, Dymond The Birds of Fair Isle, Finlayson Birds of the Strait of Gibraltar, Skerrett & Bullock A Birdwatcher's Guide to Seychelles and Warham The Petrels: their ecology and breeding systems. Please make use of the British BirdShop order form on pages xv & xvi. Requests New computer, new labels, longer reference number The staff in BB's circulation department can work more efficiently and speedily if you can quote your BB reference number (printed at the top right-hand side of your address label). Our new computer generates longer reference numbers (e.g. ‘BBSEAC 9010A06’ instead of ‘EAC 9010A6’). It does not matter whether you quote your old number or your new one, but it is a big help if you give us one or the other. Thank you. ABC 11 9/91 1 BBJiEAC; 901 OAO/ EFUIKA SHARROCK FOUNTAINS PARK LANE eUJNHAN BEDFORD 11K44 3N..T 0071 0 Red Kite Reintroduction Project A further 20 Swedish Red Kites Mik’us milvus were released in Scotland from 27th July 1991. These birds are in addition to the previous releases of six in 1989 and 19 in 1990. The 1991 individuals are carrying yellow wing-tags with letters from E to Z (excluding I and O); 1989 wing-tags are orange; and 1990 tags blue. The RSPB would be grateful if observers would report all sightings by telephone, with location and, if possible, wing-tag colour and letter, to either Dr Tim Stowe or Duncan Orr-Ewing at the North Scotland Regional Office (0463 81) 496, so that the information can be followed up immediately. Wing-tagged Hen Harriers As part of a population study of the species, young Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus were again wing- tagged this summer on their breeding grounds in Scotland and Wales. Each bird is fitted with two tags, one on each wing, and these are distinctly coloured and bear a number or letter. Any report of tagged harriers, however scanty the details, would be gratefully received by Brian fZtheridge, RSPB, Munlochy, Ross-shire rv8 8ND. Reviews Bird Migration. By Thomas Alerstam. Translated by David A. Christie. Cambridge University Press, C"ami>ridge, 1990. 120 pages; two black-and-white plates; 137 line diagrams; 31 tables. £53.00. The seasonal comings and goings of migrant birds are among the most stimulatitig events of the ornithological calendar. Although aware of the con.se<|uences ofstich activity, how many 518 Reviews 519 of US stop to think how or why these events occur? Why do some species migrate by day and others by night? Why do so many summer migrants scrape a winter existence in the inhospitable Sahel zone when just a few hundred kilometres to the south lie lush West African rainforests? This book provides a fascinating insight into the varied lifestyles of migrant birds, explaining how migration is an inevitable consequence of the ecological constraints imposed upon them and its relationship with other aspects of life history, such as reproductive rates, sexual maturity and moult. This book was first published in Swedish in 1982. Population estimates have been updated and extra paragraphs inserted to report on the most important research findings made in the intervening period. The book is split into three sections. The first covers the ecology, life history and migratory habits of selected species of birds, all well known to British birdwatchers and each chosen to illustrate a different migration strategy. After reviewing methods used to study migration, the next section investigates flight behaviour, fuel economy, flocking and the influence of wind and weather, including a discussion of wind drift and vagrancy. The final section deals with orientation and navigation, currently the subject of intensive research, but results are conflicting and much remains to be discovered. The use of numerous line-diagrams facilitates understanding of more technical aspects of the book. The book is packed with information, fascinating facts abound: the intestine of a Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus doubles in weight in winter when its diet is switched from insects to seeds; individual Nutcrackers Nucifraga caryocatactes store up to 30,000 Cembra pine seeds in caches for winter food; Eleonora’s Falcons Falco eleonorae breeding in the Mediterranean and north west Atlantic kill two million migrants each autumn. There are few factual errors, but I suspect that some of the author’s ideas, particularly in those areas where research remains inconclusive, will be challenged. I would like to have seen more discussion on the movements undertaken by tropical species. Throughout, the author conveys a great passion for his subject matter, and the book is very readable and can easily be dipped into. There is no comparable work currently available, and I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone fascinated by the spectacle of migration. Unfortunately, the cost seems a trifle steep for what is a comparatively slim volume, and I suspect that many will opt to borrow a library copy rather than purchase their own. P.^Ui. V. H.vrvf.v The Birds of Japan. By Mark A. Brazil. Illustrated by Masayuki Yabuuchi. Christopher Helm Ltd, London, 1991. 466 pages; six colour plates; 65 line-drawings; 174 distribution maps. £35.00. This book documents the status and range ofjapanese birds and is the first attempt to treat the subject since The Birds of Japan: their status and distribution, by O. L. Austin and N. Kuroda (1953). The area examined comprises all territories presently administered by Japan, trom northern Hokkaido to the Senkaku Islands in the westernmost Nansei Shoto (the chain of islands between Kyushu and Taiwan) and the Ogasawara and Iwo islands in the south. Pelagic waters are included, but the Soviet-occupied southern Kuriles are not. A total of 583 species, including ten which are either extinct or extinct within Japan, and 1 1 established exotics, are treated. The main aim has been to review contemporary status and distribution, but historical changes are treated in detail, where appropriate. Happily, the somewhat hypnotic series of dates and locations, which are necessarily central to any work on status, are frequently relieved by a text which provides much to capture the reader’s interest. General sections provide brief introductions to the customary topics: situation, topo- graphy, seasonal climate, notable weather phenomena, habitats, sketches of Japan’s ten best birding areas and background ornithology. The last categor)' comprises sections offering broad ‘ornithological orientation’, treating the complex zoogeography of the Japanese avifauna, trends in regional distribution, changes in status, migration and the history of Japanese ornithology. These accounts are especially valuable, since such information has long remained largely unavailable to most non-Japanese ornithologists. The species accounts, comprising most of the book, are extremely detailed and extensively referenced. 520 Reviews They examine breeding and non-breeding distribution, the timing, frequency and volume of movements, specific records, and trends. Issues inadequately understood and topics requiring further research are spotlighted and discussed. Endemic, scarce and threatened species are extensively treated. The expansive species-accounts summarise almost every- thing that a visiting birder might need to know to locate the species. The texts include information on a wide range of subjects, such as breeding biology, habitat, ecology, behaviour and vocalisations, taxonomy, migration routes, and the symbolic role played by certain species in Japanese culture and mythology. Distribution maps depict seasonal ranges, record locations for most vagrant and accidental species and migration routes. Possible additions to the Japanese list and currently unestablished exotics are mentioned in appendices. I'he emergence of birdwatching as a popular leisure pastime in Japan has enabled a much- improved understanding of patterns of occurrence, especially amongst scarce migrants. The perceived status of a large number of species has changed dramatically in recent decades, particularly over the last ten years. A few examples best illustrate how badly an update of the Japanese avifauna was needed. I'he fate of populations has ranged from catastrophic decline (e.g. Baikal Teal Anas formosa and Japanese Quail CotumLx japonica) to vigorous expansion (e.g. White-breasted Waterhen Amauromis phoenicurus) . I'he apparent status of some transient or wintering waders (e.g. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii, Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Wandering Tattler Heleroscelus incanus), certain wintering gulls (e.g. Saunders’s Gull Imtus saundersi) and numerous scarce migrant passerines has been entirely revised over the last decade. Gertain vagrants unknown as ‘Japanese’ birds in 1953 have now been recorded a surprising number of times (e.g. Savannah Sparrow Ammodramus sandwichensis) . Many new developments are so recent that more-extensive series of records will be required before a clear picture can emerge. Notable events include the discovery' of Okinawa Rail Gallirallus okinawae, described as a species new to science in 1981, and widespread recognition that Amami Woodcock Scolopax mira is a good species, quite different in structure, plumage and behaviour from Woodcock 5. rusticola. Populations of several scarce seabirds (e.g. Red-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax urile, Spectacled Guillemot Cepphus carbo, Tufted Puffin l.unda cirrhata) have undergone alarming declines. Recent taxonomic studies propose Ryukyu Serpent Eagle Spilomis perplexus, Ryukyu Scops Owl Oius elegans and .\mami Thrush Zoothera amami as good species, while Owston’s or Amami Woodpecker, currently treated as a race of White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos owstoni, endemic on .Amami-oshima, apparently has good credentials, but awaits attention. Even a previously unknown flyway — an autumn passage of Chinese Goshawk Accipiler soloensu from the Korean Peninsula through Kyushu and the Nansei Shoto — has been discovered. The text is thorough, comprehensive and extensively referenced, while 60 black-and-white drawings, scattered throughout the book, and beautifully executed colour paintings of 35 Japanese/East Asian specialities by Masayuki Yabuuchi, make it most attractive. The paintings are, I believe, the finest collection of illustrations of these species available. If reviewers are expected to point to faults and shortcomings, then I should mention that introductory lines relating to Redwing Turdus iliacus reappear, two species later, under Stub- tailed (or Short-tailed) Bush Warbler Cettia squameiceps. Consequently, an unknown amount of text for the latter is absent. An erroneous bird name, surrounded by a blank area, positioned in the centre of the map for Black-tailed Gull Ixirus crassirostris, presumably results from an errant map-label becoming caught up in the production process. Taken together, these points invite speculation that the final proofs received hasty treatment, but there are apparently no other major examples of associated errors. My only other quibble concerns the lack of a summary of extralimital range for each species. One might not expect to need to turn elsewhere for information on: from where endemic breeders such as Japanese Night Heron Gorsachius goLsa^ are migrating into the region, or where the (somewhat misnamed) Japanese Crested Ibis Nipponin nippon, which has perished in Ja|tan, remains extant. Many beginners using the book, especially, I suspect, in Japan itself, would have found it helpful if vagrants from North America had been distinguished from those ol Eurasian origin. .Similarly, it is dilTicnlt to achieve the best inter|iretation of mapped vagrant record distributions without information on broad continental ranges. These points are, however, of little significance, given that this book justly deserxes the title ‘milestone’ or ‘landmark’. It will be a conqnilsory reference for anyone interested in the birds of Palearctic Eastern Asia for the foreseeable future. R on M A R I INS Reviews 521 The Natural History of Walney Island. By Tim Dean. Faust Publica- tions, Burnley, 1990. 304 pages; 48 colour photographs; 100 line- drawings; 2 maps. Paperback £20.00 (now £11.99). This excellent publication reviews all that is known about the natural history of this varied and fascinating island, one of England’s largest. Many groups, ranging from the intertidal invertebrates and seaweeds through to beetles, plants and fungi, are covered, but, as might be expected, coverage of birds takes up almost two-thirds of the book. Records for the island are painstakingly documented right back to the last century, with some fascinating details of tern Sterna, gull Larus and Eider Somateria mollissima breeding populations. Other species are fully documented, drawing on the 26 years of records of the South Walney Bird Observatory to indicate population trends and occurrences. One interesting and commendable feature is a short, but stimulating explanation of how and why the available counts and records are presented, an example that could usefully be copied by other checklist authors. Besides an introduction to the island and the two Cumbria Wildlife Trust reserves, there are two very readable accounts covering the ornithological year: one details the whole island and the other the well-watched South Walney Reserve. Details of ringing totals and occurrences of rare birds are all included, even the trapping and sighting times of rarities, which leads the author to suggest, surprisingly, that late morning or early afternoon is the time to visit Walney for rarities. Maps of the island are included, but the one for South Walney would be more useful if a key and the visitor route had been included. The author is to be congratulated on producing such a well-researched and exhaustive account. Well produced, with some attractive black-and-white sketches and excellent colour photographs, it is a must for all visitors to Walney, and deserves a wider readership. All those with interests in migration, seabirds and rarities will find it a worthwhile buy. JOHN WlI.SON The Petrels: their ecology and breeding systems. By John Warham. Academic Press, London, 1990. 448 pages; 31 black-and-white plates, many graphs and line-drawings. Hardback £28.50. The petrels (which in the context of this book means the Procellariiformes) must be regarded as one of the most successful groups of birds on the planet. In their various forms, they can survive in almost all parts of every ocean, and breed in locations ranging from hot deserts to the interior of Antarctica. Little is known about several species, including, in some instances, where they nest. Others are more familiar, and have attracted long-term studies. John Warham has spent much of his life studying the petrels, and the first part of this splendid book summarises the characteristics of the group, genus by genus, followed by a more detailed account of their breeding biology. The book does not cover in any detail the many arguments that taxonomists have about this group, but I am sure those who are worried about such aspects will find something to criticise in the classification used. Although summaries are presented in this book, a future volume will apparently cover such subjects as energetics, food, distribution and conservation. As with much of the rest of the Academic imprint, this book is aimed at the serious amateur or professional ornithologist. Scientific and English names are used interchangeably throughout the book, perhaps a little disconcerting until the reader has learned the former thoroughly. This book is not one to read through from cover to cover, but will prove very useful for reference. The author has assembled a vast volume of information (as shown by the 40-page bibliography) and distilled it into the various categories covered by each chapter. Many aspects of their biology relate to the ability of the petrels to exploit a patchy and mobile food resource found in a hostile environment. Many readers will know of the petrels’ ability to manufacture stomach oil, a relatively light and energy-rich food-storage medium, but how many know that petrel body temperatures are on average 3°C lower than that of other groups? This feature has the advantage that less energy is needed to keep the bird alive, but the disadvantage that it takes a comparatively long time to incubate the single egg. Contrasts and comparisons are drawn between various aspects of petrel breeding biology. I found this aspect most interesting, especially when the author allows himself a little speculation and suggests reasons behind various patterns or anomalies. I found the book hard going in places, but am pleased that there is now an extremely accessible, comprehensive volume on this fascinating group. I recommend it to all serious seabird ornithologists or those wanting a good summary of petrel biology. Mark L. Taskf.R News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett Opinions expressed in this feature are Birdwatching Fair The third British Bird- watching Fair, held at Rutland Water from 30th August to 1st September 1991, was a resounding success, with over 9,000 people attending during the weekend. The five marquees were filled with the stands of societies such as the BTO and the Oriental Bird Club, magazines such as Bird Watching and ourselves, bird-tour companies such as ‘Birdquest’, ‘Cygnus’, ‘Ornitholidays’ and ‘Sunbird’, manufacturers such as the optical firms ‘Carl Zeiss’, ‘Kowa’ and ‘Swarovski’, booksellers, art displays, photographic agencies, individual artists, and everything that you can imagine connected with bird- watching. The throngs of people attending included most of the well-known names in British ornithology, from the suited organis- ers (Tim Appleton and Martin Davies) to the shorted Ian Lewington and the kilted Ian Wallace. A splendid day out, and, if you didn’t go this year, there will be another in 1992 — put 4th-6th September in your diary now. The BB stand was manned by Sheila Cobban, Ali Gathercole, Sue Holden, Erika Sharrock, Bonny Shirley and Sarah Shirley. I'he winners of bottles of champagne in our daily mystery photographs competition were Mrs E. L. Darling, Andrew Daykin and Philip Gibson. Rarities Committee identification meeting The BBRC* holds an annual meeting at which policy and other general matters are discussed (e.g. see Bril. Birds 84: 290-291). In most years, a second meeting takes place to research identification problems related to the Committee’s current and anticipated work. 'Fhe 1991 identification meeting was held on 3rd August at the British Museum (Natural History) at Iring. The BBRC is much obliged to the British Museum for this facility, and for allowing a wide sample of all relevant skins to be made available for study. Discussion look place on Yellow-nosed Albatross Diomedea chlororhynchos and Grey- V A ^ The work of die Rarilie.s Conimitlce i.s s lot necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ headed Albatross D. chrysostoma (and their separation when sub-adult and adult). Cape Gannet Sula capensis (compared with Gannet S. bassana), ‘Black Brant’ Branta bemicla nigri- cans (compared with Brent Goose B. b. bemicla), American Wigeon Anas americana (first-winter males). Harlequin Duck His- trionicus histrionicus (the separation of first- winter females and adult females), Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae (tail-pattern variation). Marsh Sandpiper Tringa .stagnalilis (upperparts in summer). Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamalor glandarius (ageing). Snowy Owl Nyclea scandiaca (ageing of first-years and second-years). Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (identification of adult females). Black-eared Wheatear Oenanlhe hispanica (females of the race melanoleuca in autumn and their separation from Pied W'heatear O. pleschanka), Red-throated Thrush Turdus mficollis ruficollis (identification of other than adult males). Great (Jrey Shrike Lanius excubilor (separation of the races pallidirostris and homeyeri), Arctic Redpoll Carduelis home- manni exilipes (compared with ‘Mealy Red- poll’ C. Jiammea flammea), Two-barred Cross- bill iMxia leucoptera (compared with Cross- bills L. curvirostra with wing bars) and Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos (compared with V'ellowhammer E. cilrinella). The Committee also looked at trans- parencies of rarities in 1990 and earlier years submitted since the previous identification meeting. Understandably, a number of these had not arrived in time to be circulated with the record. The meeting’s mixture of study- ing skins, viewing transparencies and exchanging views on numerous topics, in- cluding identification, ageing and various matters of policy, resulted in a productive and thoroughly absorbing day. {Contributed by Peter Iximdown) Falconry to be outlawed? East July, the League .Against Cruel Sports called for the abolition of falconiy, branding it an ancient bloodsporl. I'he League used a report into falconry which it commissioned from Peter i-(l liy C.nrl '/.riss- (Irrmanx 522 News and comment 523 Robinson to support its opinion. Peter Robinson, formerly the Senior Investiga- tions Officer of the RSPB, did not make a recommendation for abolition, but he did make a number of serious criticisms of how the Department of the Environment is hand- ling the Government’s Bird of Prey Registra- tion Scheme. Peter used information pro- vided by the RSPB to substantiate his thorough and detailed report, which made 13 recommendations to improve the present legislation. Unfortunately, some people have attributed calls for abolition of falconry to Peter Robinson and/or the RSPB. It is a pity that they take more notice of hearsay than of the written accounts. Gill-net phone-in In view of a possible continuing toll of seabirds which unintentio- nally get caught up and die in synthetic gill nets, the RSPB is undertaking an investiga- tion of their use around the coasts of England and Wales. A previous study into the use of gill nets around the southwest coast of England revealed that at least 1,800 birds had been drowned during 1988-91. If anyone has information about the use of gill nets and their effects on birds and other marine life, or witnesses an incident, they are urged to ring Sandy (0767) 680551 and ask for the Gill Net Hot-Line, or write to Dr Nancy Harrison, RSPB Marine Policy Officer, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedford- shire SG19 201,. All information received will be treated in the strictest confidence. East Anglian conservation In summer 1991, ‘Birdline East Anglia’, which is run by Robin Chittenden and Dave Holman, made donations towards a new CB system at Cley Norfolk Naturalists’ Trust Reserve, towards farmers setting aside part of their fields to create habitat for Stone-curlews Burhinus oedicnemus, and towards the University of East Anglia Talibu Expedition. East Anglian organisations which would appreciate a donation are invited to send written details of conservation projects in the East Anglian region (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Bedfordshire). The money is raised by callers phoning in bird news to BEA’s 24-hour answer-phone hot-line on Norwich (0603) 763388; if the information is then used on the main East Anglia Bird- line message (0898 700245), BEA makes a donation to the conservation fund. Written requests should be made to Robin Chitten- den at 65 Sandringham Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 3RZ. Poisoning at bay In September, the De- partment of the Environment, in conjunc- tion with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, launched a new cam- paign to stop the illegal poisoning of vsdld- life. Increasing illegal use of pesticides is making a serious impact on many species — the Red Kite Milvus milvus being a sad, but classic example. Most of this activity stems from outdated, ingrained attitudes to pre- dators, and the campaign hopes to bring a greater awareness of the problems and truths to the public and also to gamekeep- ers. Perhaps the campaign will also espe- cially target landowners, who are, surely, the most important people to be made aware? This campaign deserves every support and we wish it all success. Jackdaws may spread infection David Howes has sent us details of an interesting note in The Lancet of 12th May 1990. It gives an account of the occurrence of 58 cases of Campylobacter enteritis, identified over a three-month period in Gateshead. Most of the victims could remember, in the week before onset of symptoms, drinking cold milk from bottles whose tops had been pecked by birds, and, furthermore, milk was the only common food in all cases. Subse- quent observations revealed that Jackdaws Conus monedula were attacking the milk bottles. Damaged bottles were inspected by the Public Health Laboratory, and Campylo- bacter jejuni (the most commonly reported cause of acute diarrhoea in the UK since 1981) was isolated. Undamaged bottles were not contaminated. Wild birds constitute an extensive reservoir of C. jejuni. The full reference, for those who wish to know more, is; Hudson, S. J., Sobo, A. O., Russf.i,, K., & Lightfoot, N. F. 1990. Jackdaws as poten- tial source of milk-bome Campylobacter jguni infection. The Lancet (1990): 1 160. New Chairman of JNCC On 5th Septem- ber, the Earl of Selbome, KBE, FRS, took over from Professor Sir Frederick Holliday as the new Chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. This is a key position for conservation in Britain, since the JNCC co-ordinates the work of the three national conservation bodies created when the Nature Conser- vancy Council was hung, drawn and quar- tered (or, rather, ‘thirded’) to form English Nature, the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and the Countryside Council for Wales (Bnt. Birds 82: 629-630; 83; 36; 84: 396). 524 News and comment New Guernsey stamps The Guernsey Post Office has published new sets of 1st and 2nd class stamps which will promote the in- terests of nature conservation in the Baili- wick. The stamps show some plants and birds of L’eree Shingle Bank, Guernsey — a nature reserve on the west coast of the island, and the best surviving example of a shingle bank on the island. The designs of both values are of particular interest as they spread across a strip of five stamps and yet each stamp, when separated, is a satisfying design in itself; they have been designed by Wendy Bramall. The 1st class (2 Ip) stamps show typical vegetation and the 2nd class (15p) stamps five species of bird, all waders. The latter are, left to right, Oystercatcher Haematopus o.stralegus, Turnstone Armaria inler- pres, Dunlin Calidris alpina, Curlew Nummius arquata and Ringed Plover CharadritLs hiatkula, all of which can be seen at L’eree Shingle Bank and either breed or occur commonly on Ciuemsey. 'fumstone numbers in winter are of international importance. I’he stamps were issued in October, in sheets of 20. New IWC Director The Irish Wildbird Conservancy has appointed Dr Micheal O’Briain as Director, in succession to the recently appointed Jenny Haines {Bril. Birds 83: 340), who resigned for personal reasons in June. We send Dr O’Briain our best wishes for a satisfying and successful time at the reins of the IWC team. New ‘IWC News’ Eiditor Long-time friend of BB, Bobbie Reeners has given up the editorship of fWC Neui.i. We feel sure that her enthusiasm and energy will by now have been harnessed somewhere in ornithology or conservation. Her successor is Coilin Macl.ochlainn. I'he lW(i address is Rutt- ledge House, 8 Longford Place, Monks- town, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Top repellent In tests on nearly 50 insect repellents, ‘Wildlife Stick’, produced by BCB International Ltd, was awarded a ‘Best Buy’ accolade by the Consumers’ Associa- tion in its magazine Which? Repellent sticks were reported to have the longest staying power, as well as being the easiest to carry around. ‘Wildlife Stick’ contains a high concentration of diethyltoluamide, said by Which? to give the most effective protection against midges and mosquitoes. ‘Wildlife Sticks’ retail for around £1.30 for 20g and are available from many retail and camping shops. Scotland, Iceland and Canada, here we come! Who has been subscribing to ‘BB’ the longest? The late Horace Alexander (obitu- ary: Brit. Birds 83: 160-162) had subscribed to BB since vol. 1 no. 1, achieving a record (we think) of 82 years four months. Who is now our longest-standing supporter? Is it you? Please write and tell us. There must be quite a number of readers wbo started with BB in the 1930s. Are there any who have sub- scribed continuously since the 1920s or even the 1910s? Silly comer A. ]. Welch has drawn our attention to a letter published in Ihe Indepm- denl: ‘Sir: I write as a puffin from Skokholm who was made aware of your recently published photo by Ian Ball (It) July), under which the caption read “the birds catch eels in their serrated bills as they My just above tbe water”. ‘Unfortunately, the eels do not jump out of the water for us, we actually catch them under water. Perhaps you could advise your readers of this; otherwise we might be itiundated with visitors looking for Hying sand eels and atpia-batic piilfins.' The letter was sigtied by ‘Mr Kratercula arclica’, with the address of Dyfed Wildlife I'nist, Haveri'ordwest, Dyfed. Well dotie Dyfed Wildlife I'nist, and I'he Indefrendmt. Monthly marathon That blotchy-breasted passerine (plate 168) was named as a whole range of blotchy- breasted passerines; Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax (25%) Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia ( 1 8%) Black/Red-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis{ 1 3%) Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus ( 1 0%) V eery C.Juscescens (6%) River Warbler jiuviatilis (5%) Barred Warbler 5'. nworia (4%) Fieldfare T. (3%) Sponsored by with a few votes each for Red-throated Pipit Anthiis cetvinus, Rock Pipit A. petrosus. Rufous Bush Robin Cercolrichas galactoles. White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis, Hermit Thrush Catharus guUalus, Blackbird Turdus merula. Dusky Thrush T. naumanni, Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti, Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus and Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea. Although the majority of entrants got it wrong, the most-frequently named species was the correct answer. This Cyprus Warbler was photographed by Michael Tarrant in Israel in March 1987. This was the thirteenth hurdle in the current, fifth ‘Marathon’, but nobody has yet achieved better than four correct identifications in a row*, so we are still some way from finding the next winner of a SUNBIRD birdwatching holiday in Africa, Asia or North America. The next hurdle appears on plate 278. Have a go! For a free SUNBIRD brochure, write to PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI9 IDF; or telephone Sandy (0767) 682969. 278. Fifth ‘Monthly marathon’ (sixteenth stage; photograph number 65). Identify the species. Read the rules on page 16 of the January 1991 issue, then send in your answer on a postcard to Monthly Marathon, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford \fK44 3NJ, to arrive by 15th December 1991 •Fourteen contestants are currently tied on four-in-a-row sequences: G. P. Catley (Lincolnshire), P. A. Clark (Hertfordshire), A. R. Dean (West Midlands), R. J. Fowling (Cambridgeshire), Axel Halley (Germany), Roy Hargreaves (Hertfordshire), C. D. R. Heard (Berkshire), Martin Helin (Finland), Erik Hirschfeld (Bahrain), Hannu [annes (Finland), P. G. Lansdown (South Glamorgan), PekkaJ. Nikander (Finland), Dave Numey (Isle of Wight) andjouni Riihimiiki (Finland). 525 Special announcement The Peter Grant Memorial Award In celebration of the life and work of the late Peter Grant, who was Chairman of the Rarities Committee during 1976-82 and a member of the British Birds Editorial Board during 1979-87, the Trustees of the Peter Grant Memorial Trust have announced a new award which aims to ‘stimulate birders to produce articles of a high standard on matters of identification.’ Prizes will be awarded for the best papers or other articles (of any length, but written in English) published during the year, in two categories; (1) Palearctic, with prizes of £500 and £150, and (2) Nearctic, with prizes of $1,000 and $300. Entries will be submitted on the authors’ behalf by the editors of the journals in which the papers or articles are published, and the first awards will be made in March 1993, relating to those published in 1992. The Award is sponsored by the American bird-tour company Hings, with which Peter Grant was associated. For further information, and for a copy of the guidance notes for prospective authors and editors, write (enclosing a SAE) to Mrs D. Grant, 14 Heathfield Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8QD. Recent reports Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan This summary covers the period 13th September to 17th October 1991 These are unchecked reports, not authenticated records Pied-billed Grebe Podxlymbus fwdiceps I.och Inbhair (Central), 14th October. Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser etythropus Mar- tins Mere (Lancashire), 4th-5th October. Sora Porzana Carolina St Mary’s (Scilly), at least 15th- 16th October. Sandhill Crane Crus canadensis Kxnaboe (Shet- land), 17th September to 2nd October. Sociable Plover Cheltusia gregaria Chatteris/ .Somersham (Cambridgeshire), 6th-7th October. Stilt Sandpiper Micropalama himanlopus Clonakilty/ Rosscarbery (Co. Cork), 19th .September. Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda Dursey Island (Co. Cork), 18th-25th September. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus f ound dead. North Ronaldsay (Orkney), 25th September. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni At least ten during 10th- 15th October. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola North Ronaldsay, 14th- 15th October. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Gugh, St Agnes (.Scilly), 15th- 16th October. Pied Wheatear O. plescharJca Sumburgh, 9th- 12th October; Lerwick (Shetland), 17th. Desert Wheatear O. deserii Port Henderson (High- land), 26th September; Portland Bill (Dorset), 9th- 12th October; Donna Nook (Lincolnshire), 10th- 13th; Lowestoft (Suffolk), 12th. White’s Thrush '/jmthera dauma Brora (Highland), 27th-29th .Septeml«‘r. Swainson’s Thrush Catharus uslulatm St Mary’s, 8th October. Gray-cheeked Thrush C. minimus St Agnes, 22nd- 26th September and 16th October; Loop Head (Co. Clare), 1 3th. F.ye-browed Thrush Tardus nhscurus St Mary’s, I2th-13th October; Tresco (Scilly), 15th-16th. Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolala Fair Isle, 28th-29th September, 2nd-3rd, 5th and 10th Octo- ber; Blakeney Point (Norfolk), 29th September. Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola Freshly dead. Galley Head Lighthouse (Co. Cork), 13th October. Olivaceous Warbler Hippolavi pallida St Mary’s, 23rd-24th .September. Desert Warbler Sylvia nana Flamborough Head (Humberside), 13th- 16th October. Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus .At least seven during 12th- 1 6th October. Radde’s Warbler P. schwarzi At least 18 during 5th- 15th October, including one inland, trapped at Priory Country Park (Bedfordshire), on 12th. Dusky Warbler P. Juscatus Blakeney Point, 10th October; Flamborough Head, 13th- 16th. Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus Priory Country Park, 18th- 19th September; two. Sandwich Bay (Kent), 9th-10th October; two or three, (’hapel St Leonards (Lincolnshire), I4th-I5lh October, l-esser Grey Shrike Ijinius minor Dungaivan ((’o. Waterford). 22nd-24th September. Ro.se-coloured Starling Stumus rosetus .At least 1 1 during 3rd- 17th October. Red-eyed Vireo l irro olivaceus .At least six during 22nd September to 16th October. Blackpoll Warbler Drndroica striata Fair Isle, 30th September. Pine Bunting Kmheriza leucocephaios North Ronald- say, 1 2th- 1 3th October; female, Flamborovigh Head, I3lh. Bobolink Dolichonyx oiyzivorus -Soar Warren (De- von), 17th-23rd September; St .Agnes, 8lh October; St Mary’s, I2th-I llh. For the latest, up-to-date news, phone ‘Twitehline’ on 0898-884-501 (;t6p/inin cheap rate; 4Hp/inin other tiiites; iiicl. 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XV British BirdShop (continued) ALL LISTED BOOKS ARE POST EREE TO ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ SUBSCRIBERS Please tick NCCIRSPB Red Data Birds in Britain (Poyser) £18.00 D Newman Newman’s Birds of Sou them Africa (Southern Books) (1991 edn.) Paperback £15.95 d Norman & T ucker Where to Watch Birds in Devon and Cornwall 2nd edn. {He\m) Paperback £1 1.95 CZ! *Ogilvie & Winter Best D(^s with British Birds {Writish Birds) Exci.LsrvT.RF.UL CF.i) PRICE (usually £14.95) £12.95 d Parmenter & Byers A Guide to the W'arblers of the Western Palearctic (Bruce Coleman) £2 1 .00 d Perrins The Hamlyn Photographic Guide to the Birds of the World £20.00d Porteretal. Flight identification of Eun^ean Raptors {Poyser) £16.50 d RAOU The Handbook of Austrcdian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds vo\. 1 (R,\OU/OUP) £125.00 d Ridgeley & Gwynne/1 Guide to the Birds of Parmma (Princeton) £32.00 d Ridgely & Tudor Ttie ftr o> O) O) ' t~i ^ ^ ^ to 5? («4 (4 M M 8°888t ^ T3 to to qSqdq'H oa c c c c c S Q o o o o o S, Maaaaa ? w>>>>>> o s o s£s o> oa o> o> o o> o> o> O) ^ o CO 00 « wi eg M M c«4 (O t«a CU ** c uSuCOHMMf CO CO C*« -H S 2 u f! o o a« .* a M ^ A e §2 ** Ngl S OO H M D ® PffOOOegA -•Hegco^egE^MW o>a>toco(otocDcoo>co eit^o>o)cotoa>cD<>«cD — — cgcgtocowt** — («a C4 M t«< (*4 (W M >« >• •OTJ o o >« ffl ® *0 *0 *0 *0 to -.rgOOOO-* — Oi S CD CD — eg CO !> > pgZZiZZZjZXHMK 2Ssej2Si2J2SS8S to^'«o>ocoa>a> cooQco^c* t/> O O O lA m IsgSSSs ^ oaaissSa 38i i§ S-' x»“ (4^ ^ U aa Luau-^fc B O ftotooegcoeg Mo ^ Ucgcgeg ^cg ^cg*^ dpMMMQMQ'^M O Zc'a^oo'^cDa o>cooegcotor'«cococoot'0>0)D>0> d)t*coO'^a 2 00 0> 0> O) O) 00 e-< CD eg eg (*a c«a c«a c«4 c«« i-J-~””tO''‘0 ■ otoeg^egoto h — gnegeg Hco^ HMMMqMq—M ^ 2 t~x CD o> r~* t*» O eg o ^ ^ o eg « CD M M'^ Htgeo 0 0^0*^*^ — 00 CO 03 CO O) 03 eg CO 03 CD — — « eg c«4 c«t CM (M M W t*" W •• Zm p p p p cS?22*<'« ^®00000'^^^MM m o a a a a an m n ^ 2 2 2-2-2aaaaa SqqqqqqSSSSS S a aaaa« aco ^ fcj < g<<<0**'2^ o05000a0effl QajaSaaao«n“ oegoooegco^ooeg g ^ eg eg CO ^ to ^coeg ^ 4oMMMMMoMKo 0 — aaae-a — t'** — M o < I I g>S' o *3 ^ *a = g g g 5 g g | g t >»< ►«< aaaaaS 3 3 ft o o o o CO to CO 03 03 c*x fx r~i CM CM CM ° “ ssl “ a aa& s; H eel M O ©O Oir £■ 2 ® g « g M Mo O > 5 > SeH® — E^l^i:f5E5o OQ Q sss ^ |TT^ 1 CO CO C7) a CX4 M .E&" CL iit P ^ ,3 " o 3 rt a?:; »«j3ja ^ cQ cn o' For all the latest bird news in your area phone your Birdline 700H PHONE IN YOUR SIGHTINGS ON: - SCOTLAND - 0292 611994 - NORTH EAST- 0423 881611 -NORTH WEST- 051 336 6188 -MIDUNDS- 0905 754154 SUPPORTING LOCAL CONSERVATION (D940) IS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING A HEADACHE TO YOU? The cure is obvious - come to Focus Optics. We have gifts from £1 .00 - upwards. Natural History and Bird Books, Videos, Lens Cleaning Kits, Hand Lenses, Magnifiers,^ and of course, ‘Scopes and Bins' with their appropriate accessories. We will even gift wrap your purchase Leading |l specialists in if required ! BINOCULARSand TELESCOPES ZEISS WEST KOWA HABICHT .10x40 BGAT*P .599.00 TS 601 Body 179.00 .509.00 20xWA ODesign (election . 295.00 25x40x . 47.00 10x25 BT«P LEICA Trinovid 8x20 BCA ■ Trinovid 10x25 BCA 7x42 BA 8x42 BA 10x42 BA 319.00 Case for 601 and 602 TSN-1 Body TSN-2 Body TSN -3 Body 19.95 295.00 295.00 . 226.00 TSN -4 Body 555.00 .239.00 . 628.00 20xWA 30xWA . 96.00 119.00 . 628.00 25x40x. 63.00 139.00 OPTOLYTH Case for TSN 1and2 Skua case for TSN : 24.95 39.00 • Alpin 8x40 BGA . 225.00 107.00 • Alpm 10x40 BGA . 230.00 Compact 8x20 B .... 'Diana' 10x40 WM . S.L. Range 10x40 .. SLC Range 8x30 ... AT BO Body .. ■ Touring 10x40 398.00 •TBS/G 80 Body 350.00 T0S/G eOFluoritt 549.00 .'20x30x40x 65.00 ' 22x-60x zoom 150.00 30xWA 119.00 NIKON ■ 7x20 CF ll.„ j Sporting 8x30 ECF 10x35 ECF.. Fieldscopa Mk II 20-45x60. PHONE ED Mk II 20-45x60...... f O" 30x40x PRICES ) Spotting (Cope 20x60 RA .... 20-45x60 RA ADLERBLICK k Multicoat 8x42 169.95 \ Mullicoat 10x42 179.95 I Multicoat 10x50 198.95 : Add £15 for rubber armoured Multicoat Compact 7x24 77.00 Compact 8 x 24 78.00 Compact 10x24 80.00 H.R, 8x42 145.00 H.R. 10x42 150.00 H.R. 10x50 167.00 TELESCOPES Classic I.F. 25x60mm 99.95 Classic I.F. 75mm Body 138.00 25/30xH.E.P 26.00 18x-40x/22x-47xzoom 59.00 H.R. 22x60 159.95 H.R. 20-60x60 199.95 H.R. 22x60 RA 169.95 H.R. 20-60x60 RA 209.95 (H.R.Telescopes include Free case) 1Sx20x22xWA 25x40x 30.00 20x-60x zoom 76.00 Universal Mount 24.50 Car Window Mount 25.50 Hide Clamp Mk II 40.00 .220.00 . 372.00 .440.00 ..325.00 .547.00 22x6P 72.00 20-60X ZEP 164.00 BAUSCH&LOMB Custom 8x36 229.00 Custom 10x40 RA 249.00 Elite 8x42 RA 629.00 Elite 10x42 RA 629.00 Elite Telescope 22x60 RA .... 309.00 Elite Telescope 15-42x60RA 349.00 BUSHNELL Spacemaster 60mm Body 140.00 Spacemaster 60mm Body RA. 159.00 15-45xzoomEP 79.00 SWIFT Audubon 8.5x44 199.00 ROSS Regent 8x42 169.95 Kensington 10x42 179 95 TRIPODS MANFROTTO 144 Legs.. 52.00 190 Legs 41.00 055 Legs 72.00 200 Video Head 52.00 128 RC Video Head 49.00 SLIK D2 72.95 CULLMAN 2901 63.95 3400 102.95 Clamp Magic B&S 39.95 2 Way Video Head 14.95 Shoulder Pod 25.95 Wide range Top quality Discount prices We also stock : QUESTAR -FUJINON-FUMOTO MIRADOR -BRESSER-PENTAX REDFIELD -OPTIMA- PRAKTICA ZEISS JENA BOOKS & VIDEOS We stock books from the leading natural history publishers. Poyser, Helm, Collins, RSPB, Hamlyn, Macmillan, Mitchell Beaziey, Oxford University FVess, Whittet, Witherby, Kingfisher, etc. Also videos from RSPB, World of Survival, BBC, and National Geographic. Send for a price 1 1st or come and browse ! [,Focm5 Optics- The friendly experts professionals recommend ! ]COUNTRYSIDE VIEWING Our showrooms is set in seven acres of private grounds in the very heart of our beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Testing facilities ere probably the best in the country. Viewing from the showroom is across a large poo! with its various bird visitors and to more distant views of the countryside. Why not try the unhurried experience of testing the latest optical equipment in a relaxed atmosphere with experts who caret Ample free safe parking. FOCUS OPTICS Church Lane, Corley. Coventry CV7 8BA R Telaplione:0676-40S01 142476 Fax: 0676-40930 ACCESSORIESiWide range of rainguards, lens caps, lanyards, cases etc. USED BARGAINS: Guaranteed secondhand equipment at bargain prices. EXPORT FACILITIES : Personal and postal orders welcomed. PA CK A G E D EA LS : Attractive discounts. Phone for quotations. MAILORDERS: Orders over £1 00 insured P& P free of charge. (UKonly). Orders lessthan £100 P&PE2.00. Goods are despatched promptly upon receipt of full remittance. Use your ACCESS or VISA card to order by telephone. E&OE (D937) Fax: American Express/Access/Visa. Post & Packing please add £2.50 Fax: 0723 363334 Prices correct 1 . 10.9 1 — Subject to availability — Open 6 days 9am-5.30pm 0723 363334 CARL ZEISS BINOCULARS 8 X 20 B and Pouch £295 10 X 25 Band Pouch £319 8 X 30 BGA £509 8 X 56 BG AT £669 7 X 42 BG AT £589 10X40 BGA CF £599 15 X 60 BGA £1190 8 X 20BT-PNEW £295 10 X 25 BT-P NEW £319 ZEISS JENA BINOCULARS 8 X 30 Deltrintem £69 10 X 50 Jenoptem £79 10 X 50 Deki’em £95 8 X 32 Notarem Phone 10 X 40 Notarem Phone 8 X 50 Octarem B, or BGA SPECIAL £165 12 X 50 Dodecarem B, or BGA SPECIAL £195 SWIFT Supplied with case & straps Grand Prix 8 x 40 £89 County 10 x 40 £94 Triton 10 X 50 £99 Red Spot 8 X 40 £114 Red Spot 10 X 50 £124 Saratoga 8 x 42 £149 Newport 10 x 42 £159 Audubon 8.5 x 44 £199 Trilyte7x42 1 £129 Trilyte 8 x 42 i NEW £134 Trilyte 10X42 J £139 Viewmaster Body 45% Angle £149 20X Eyepiece £29 Zoom 15X-45X £49 ROSS - LONDON Cavendish 8 X 42 £139 Hanover 10 x 42 £149 Regent 8 x 42 £169 Kensington 10 x 42 £179 BUSHNELL Spacemaster Body P Spacemaster II Body „ Spacemaster Armoured ** Spacemaster Waterproof & 15X-45X Q 15x^5x Zoom 22X Wide Angle 25 X, 40x, 60x Lenses E BAUSCH & LOMB Elite 8 X 42 £628 Elite 10 X 42 £628 ADLERBLICK— Multi-coated 8 X42 £169 10 X 42 £179 lOx 50 £189 8 X 42 Armour £184 10 X 42 Armour £194 10 X 50 Armour £209 RUSSIAN BINOCULARS 7 X 35 £27 8 X 30 *^26 8 X 40 V £30 10 X SO rlUjMLl [2 X ^ RECOMMENDED ^33 20 X 6oZ”ZZZ’ ZIZai LEITZ Trinovid 8 X 20 BC £199 Trinovid 10 x 25 BC £226 Trinovid 7 x 42 BA £628 Trinovid 8 x 42 BA £628 Trinovid 10 x 42 BA £628 PENTAX Highly racommended Ultra Compact 8 x 24 £69 Ultra Compact 10 x 24 £79 Ultra Compact 1 2 x 24 £89 Compact DCF 11 7 x 20 £84 Compact DCF 11 9 x 20 , „ „ £99 RoofPrismDCF8 x42 W% £169 Roof Prism DCF 10 x 42 DISCOUNT £189 Roof Prism DCF 8 x 56 ON £289 Roof Prism DCF 9 x 63 PENTAX £349 Armoured DCF 7 x 50 £99 Armoured DCF 8 x 40 £99 Armoured DCF 10 x 50 £104 Armoured DCF 12 x 50 £109 Armoured DCF 16 x 50 £119 KOWA TELESCOPES TSN1&TSN2 Body £295 TSN3 & TSN4 Body £555 20X Wide £96 30x Wide £1 19 TSN Zoom £139 77 X £99 Photo Adapter ...£107/£179 20X Wide L55 25 X and40x £63 60X £96 TS60I &TS602...£I79 25 X and40x £48 THESE PRICES WERE CORRECT EARLY SEPTEMBER, BUT PLEASE PHONE DAVE. BAS OR MIKE FOR A BETTER DEAL (D913) 68-70 St. Thomas Street • SCARBOROUGH Tel. (072.T) ;U)!;024 British Birds is most grateful to those companies which support the magazine by their sponsorship: ZEISS Germany Sponsors of the Rarities Committee Sponsors of ‘Monthly marathon ' Sponsors of ‘Bird Illustrator of telescopes the Year’ Chziatopher Helm ^ and HaipeiCoIliiis Sponsors of ‘Bird Photograph of the Year' XX NATURETREK BIRDING TREKS & TOURS in NEPAL- KASHMIR LADAKH - ZANSKAR BHUTAN - CHINA ROMANIA - PYRENEES INDIA - INDONESIA MALAYSIA - TURKEY GREECE - CYPRUS KENYA • TANZANIA EGYPT • ETHIOPIA BOTSWANA - ZAMBIA AUSTRALIA - MALAWI NAMIBIA - MOROCCO RWANDA - ZAIRE GALAPAGOS - CRETE NEW ZEALAND NEWFOUNDLAND Independent Travel Tailor-made Tours ■ Private Safaris ■ Flights For our brochure/expert advice phone 0962 733051 CHAUTARA, BIGHTON, Nr.AliRESFORD, HANTS. S024 9RB (D917) island holidays WINDWARD ISLANDS (St Lucia & Dominica) A relaxed birding holiday with Ann & Bob Scott Fed up with Crested Hummingbirds? Then look for three parrots found nowhere else in the world! A very special holiday Please write or telephone for detailed information to: Island Holidays, Ardross, Comrie, Perthshire PH6 2JU. Tel: 0764 701 07 (D929) YOUR HOME DESERVES AS OH PAISTISG . . . Whether it be the lounge, study, bedroom or dining room, had you ever considered filling that blank wall with an original oil painting? A painting of something or someone you cherish - a painting specially created for your pleasure, it could be a portrait, landscape, animal study, inntage car, plane or train; in fact anything and any size. Just write for further details, including our no catch money back guarantee R & S Arts 71 Kilclu'iuT Cri'scont Poole - Dorset D1 1 1 7 71 h' (D907) ^VISIT WILD RUSSIA^ New areas of the Soviet Union are being opened to tourists. Be among the first to discover the natural wonders of the world’s largest country. Fully inclusive holidays will be led by experi- enced experts on the birds of the USSR this spring and summer. Several exciting destinations will include Russian forests, Caucasus, Central Asian mountains and deserts, the Altai, high Arctic latitudes of Taimyr, Ussuriland and unin- habited western coasts of Kamchatka peninsula. Among the species we will see ate the Red- Breasted Goose on its breeding grounds, the Spoon-billed Sandpipet on migration, the Cau- casus, Altai and Himalayan Snowcocks and of course the Ibisbill. Several tours will be led by Dr Algirdas Knys- tautas, the authot of The Natural History of the USSR and The Birds of the USSR. Individual and research trips arranged at com- petitive rates. For our 1992 brochure, please contact us at any time (24 hour, answer machine): RUSSIAN NATURE TOURS Achterom 3 1 1621 KR Hoorn Netherlands ph. 02290-19883 fax 02290-19969 XXI 1 RARE BIRD ALERT I THE BIRD PAGING SERVICE For News of all rare birds, ALL you need is a RARE BIRD ALERT MESSAGE PAGER. We transmit all the rare bird news, as it breaks, to all pagers simultaneously. Keep your pager with you in the office, on the road, at home, or in the field. So you need never wonder what the latest rarity news is. SPECIALOFFER SAVE £20 before November 15th. For information pack phone FREE 0800 246 246 or write to: Inter-City Paging Ltd., Marsh House, 500 Montagu Road, Edmonton, London. N9 OVR. lip INTER-CITY PAGINGI BHARATPUR^^*"£975 Leader: Steve Rooke EILAT £435 Leaders: Killian Mullamey and Steve Rooke HONGKONG^rt1060 Leaders: Jon Dunn and Steve Rooke BIEDAIHE Tr £1150 Leaders: Paul Holt and Martin Williams Details from Siinhird, 1*0 Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire S(09 IDK. lei: 0767-682969. (PleaM’ spei'if> which event you lire interested in). (D930) Please order all your BIRD BOOKS from ‘BRITISH BIRDSHOP’ Please use the form on the cut-out page in this issue. The purchase of hooks and recordings through ‘British BirdShop’ subsidises every subscription, and adds extra pages and extra photographs to every issue of llrilhh Umis XXII To advertise - phone 0621 815085 Classified Advertisements All advertisements must be PREPAID and sent to British Birds Advertising Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Telephone 0621 815085 Fax 0621 819130 Rates (including 17V2% VAT) £2.94 a line — average of 6 words £9.98 a centimetre — min. 2 centimetres Box Number counts as 2 words is £1 .00 extra per insertion Replies should be sent to the above address Series Discounts 3 insertions for the price of 2 6 insertions for the price of 4 Copy Date December Issue November 5th Please post early to avoid disappointment British Birds has over 10,000 subscribers: a total of around 40,000 readers in 63 coun- tries, and 99.6% of them keep their copies of ‘BB’ permanently, for future reference. MOITDA V ACCOMMODATION ENGLAND TTjr Beautiful Georgian Hotel r iiiL, Excellent Food & Accommodation Lawns HoH, Norfolk, HOTEL , 1 i I 3 crowns commended CLEY 5 miles Bargain Breaks (BB525) LAKE DISTRICT - RYDAL. Two cottages, sleep 6 each, weekly lets. Fisher Hoggarth, 52 Kirk- land, Kendal. Tel: 0539 722592 in office hours. (BB609) YORKSHIRE DALES (GRASSINGTON). BB & EM. Eileen 8c Allan invite you to share their idyl- lic 17c. riverside cottage. Private fishing. (Bird- watching courses.) Brochure (0756) 752463. (BB607) WEST SUSSEX, Pagham Harbour/Selsey. Beau- tiful Georgian Farmhouse, with purpose built B&B accommodation. All facilities provided. Warm, friendly atmosphere, children welcome. Open all year. Tel: 0243 602790. (BB530) CHRISTCHURCH, MUDEFORD, DORSET. Bed and breakfast, 200 yds from namre reserve. Excellent bird watching. Salt and freshwater marshes. Spring and Autumn migrations. Phone 0202 473908. (BB853) WEYMOUTH, Birchfields Licensed Guest House, close to RSPB reserves. BB from £14. Evening meal optional. Ideal winter/spring breaks. Parties welcome. For details phone 0305 773255. (BB854) ISLES OF SCHLY, Mincarlo Guest House, St. Mary’s. Superbly situated in own grounds over- looking the harbour. Write to: Colin Duncan or Tel: 0720 22513. (BB855) CLEY. 3 Quality cottages (sleep 4, 6 and 6 + 2). Quiet. Comfortable. Excellent value. Brochure: (0353) 740770. (BB858) EXMOOR for country and animal lovers. Farm- house accommodation, bed and breakfast and evening meal, or self-catering cottage. Details from: French, Brendon Barton, Lynton, Devon. Tel: 059 87 201. (BB793) BIRDWATCHERS travel many miles in the pursuit of their hobby. Over half of Briush Birds subscribers use hotel or guest house accommodation. Phone 0621 815085 for adverusing details. (BB681) CLEY. Attractive house in village, four bed- rooms, large garden, garage, c.h. Available all year. Details from Mrs E. Album, 47 Lyndale Avenue, London NW2. Tel: 071-431 2942. (BB918) FARM COTTAGES between Lindisfarne Reserve and The Fames. Comfortable and well equipped. Sorry no pets. Brochure: MrsJ. Sutherland, Ross Farm, Belford, Northumberland NE70 TEN. Tel: 0668 213336. (BB766) EXMOOR. Peaceful s/catering c/heated holiday homes in National Trust Village. Marshes, woods and moorland — rich in birdlife. Reduced spring/autumn terms. Open all year. Stamp to Sheila Wright, Pack Horse, Allerford, nr Mine- head. Tel: 0643 862475. (BB801) fcLEY NATURE RESERVE 1 milel Small guest house offers you warm welcome. B&B and optional evening meal. Colour TV. tea-making facilities, all private facilities and central heating in all rooms. Parking facilities and sorry, no smoking. IDEAL FOR BIRDWATCHERS THE FUNTSTOMES, WIVETON, HOLT. NORFOLK 0263 740337 (BB903) ^ ^ SCOTLAND THE HOTEL, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll PA61 7YP. Demi-pension (Private bath) from £38.00. De- tails, brochures, map (bird list on request). Tel: 09512 316. (BB526) xxiii To advertise - fax 0621 819130 NEIAR AVIEMORE. Comfortable guest house run by birders for birders. Latest sighungs and helpful information, jJlus daily bird trips. B&B, EM. Heatherlea, Boat of Garten. Tel: 0479 83674. (BB806) SPEY VALLEY. Uninterrupted views of the Cairngorms. All rooms en-suite; tea and coffee making facilities: Db&b £120. Brochure from: Penny Bailey, The Lodge, Easter Duthil, Carr- bridge, Inverness-shire. (BB840) SPEY VALLEY. Maureen and Larry once again invite guests to sample their highland hospitality. Set in five acres, our home has uninterrupted views of the Cairngorms. Bird register available. Gotxl home cooking and a warm welcome await you. D/B/B £130 p.w. (All rooms en-suite). Brochure: Maureen Taulbut, “Braes of Duthil’, Duthil, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire PH23 3ND. 047984 395. (BB879) SPEY VALLEY. Beautiful secluded informal country hotel, 2 miles from village of Carr- bridge. Home cooking, full central heating. All rooms en-suite. Perfect base for birdwatchers and walkers. Discount available for parties. Terms from £180.00 p>er week DB&B. Brochure from Mrs Y. Holland. The Old Manse Hotel, Duthil, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire. Tel: 0479 84278. (BB920) OVERSEAS HEART OF CAMARGUE. Secluded well equipped farm cottage. Mas d’Auphan, Le Sam- buc, 13200 .ARLES, France (01033) 90972041. (BB901) BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS HONG KONG. Superb birding September to May - variety of accommodation - trips into China. Richard Lewthwaite, 2 Villa Paloma, Shuen Wan, Tai Po NT, Hong Kong. Phone/Fax: (HK) 665 8190. (BB877) BIRDING IN SOUTHEAST AUSTRALIA. The diversity of habitats makes Gipsy Point an ideal place to begin your Australian holiday, with over 100 species likely to be seen during a relaxing four day stay. Regular pelagic bird trips. Gipsy Point Lodge, Gipsy Point, Victoria 3891 Aus- ualia. (BB897) WAREN HOUSE HOTEL RAC ^ ^ ^ AA ★ ★★ HIGHLY COMMENDED ★★ Beautiful traditional country house hotel. 6 acres wooded grounds at Budle Bay Bird Sanctuary. 5 miles from Fame Islands and Holy Island. Peace and tranquility assured. No children or pets. All rooms No Smoking except Library WAREN MILL, BELFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND NE70 TEE. Tel: Bainburgh (06684) 581 (BB900) WALES SOUTH STACK, ANGLESEY. Tan-y-Cytiau Country Guest House. Lovely comfortable Edwardian house peacefully situated on slopes of Holyhead Mountain. Gardens bordering South Stack RSPB Reserve. Friendly atmo- sphere, excellent fresh cuisine. Licensed. S.C. Lodge in grounds sleeps 7. Phone Pam or Stan Keadng on 0407 762763 for brochure. (BB832) ANGLESEY. Superb beachside hotel with mag- nificent views. Ideal centre for bird watchers and botanists in area noted for its lakes, reserves and coastline of outstanding beauty. Come to ’High- ground’ AA/RAC listed, licensed, for warm wel- come, excellent food and accommodation. Brochure: Mrs Karen Hayter, Highground, Ravenspoint Road, Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd 1L65 2YY. Tel: 0407 860078. (BB883) RED KITE COUNTRY. Tregaron — Guest- House standing in 22 acres, overlooking the Camhrian Mountains and on the doorstep of die Cors Caron Nature Reserve. Central for Dinas and Ynys-hir RSPB reserves. Parties welcome. WI'B — 3 crowns. For brochure, phone Mar- garet Cutter, 0974 298965 or 298905. ( BB9 1 9) The Travel Agency for Bird Watchers Discount Airfares & Car Hire...Woridwide Telephone us for your quote, ANY destination, we offer the widest range of airfares. CURRENT RETURN FARES FROM; EUROPE £69 AFRICA £99 MIDDLE EAST £139 N. AMERICA £199 CARIBBEAN £289 ASIA £299 C&S AMERICA £369 AUSTRALASIA £549 Travel News . . . EILAT New direct charter flight from £179 return COSTA RICA Winter return fares from £369. ANTARCTICA Birding & Wildlife Tours from only £2795. Last few places 19 December 91 . 92/3 now on sale too! Brochures and video available. (BB896) * Discounts on PacKage Holidays and Cruises. Save £C£s • Ask tor leaflet detailing our services. 0272-259999 MON ■ FRI CREDIT CARDS or DICK FILBY 0603-767 757 accepted £ ^^41 ABTA 65077 XXIV To advertise - phone 0621 815085 OVER HALE of British Birds subscribers travel abroad birdwatching each year, averaging 19 days per trip. To reach this audience, phone 0621 815085 for advertising rates. (BB682) DIVISION OF NICK'S TRAVEL 100 LONDON ROAD, LEICESTER LE2 OQS ‘FLIGHTS FOR BIRDWATCHERS’ EXPERTS IN LOW COST AIRFARES - WORLDWIDE. DISCOUNT CAR HIRE/INSURANCE SPECIAUST ADVISER - ANDY HOWES 0533 881318 (EVES) BEST QUOTES / 1992 GROUP RATES (BB876) mn{ Small-group Poland You can enjoy Poland's unique hirdlife with David Gosney and a Polish guide for only £695. Maximum group size is 6. Why pay more to he in a larger group? For details of this and many other special holidays write to.... GOS‘ 29 Marchwood Road Sheffield S6 5LB (BB894) tamingo "glidays TAKING BIRDWATCHERS TO EUROPE AND BEYOND SIBERIA • NEPAL • GAMBIA SPAIN • MAJORCA • KENYA BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS IN SMALL GROUPS WITH EXPERT LEADERS FREE BROCHURE, PHONE OR WRITE TO: 0532 586555 (EVENING) 59 HUNGER HILLS DRIVE, LEEDS LS18 5JU (BB928) GUIDED BIRDWATCHING. Kenya 1st March, one week safari, one week Malindi, Full guidance 1st March £1520. Eastern Turkey Two weeks internal flights, transport. Full guidance by 1. Green, who is writing book - Birdwatching in Turkey. May £980, Spanish Pyrenees One week June 12th £550. Activity Holidays, Tall Trees, Ball Rd, Ryhall, Stamford, Lines PE9 4NT or answerphone 0780 66280 (state birdwatching). (BB914) BIRDWATCHING TOURS AUSTRALIA - Send for our Birding brochure. Tours throughout Australia from individuals to groups. We welcome enquiries from both private customers and tour agents. Falcon Tours. 1 Si- mons Drive, Roleystone, Perth, Western Aus- tralia. PH/FAX (09) 397 5125. Lie. Tour Operator. (BB871) BIRDWATCHING ADVICE LINE PLANNING A BIRDWATCHINC TRIP ABROAD THOMAS COOK TRAVEL AGENTS Offer you a TRAVEL ADVICE LINE:- 051 933 9810 Ask for Keith Hiller experienced Birdwatcher. Details available include; Worldwide Airfares * Car Hire * Ferries * Overseas Rail * Visas * Package Holidays * Health * Accommodation * Cruises. Individuals or Groups catered for. (BB779) BIRD INFORMATION (BB892) PHONE-LINES Latest rare bird news: 0898-884-501 Latest Rarities Committee* decisions: 0898-884-522 (36p/min cheap rate; 48p/min other times) * The Rarities Committee is sponsored by Cari Zeiss - Cifrmany XXV To advertise - fax 0621 819130 VIDEO’S LATEST RARE BIRD VIDEO The very best, high-tech, moving pictures of most re- cent rarities (1990/91 ). Commentaiy' and index. Satis- faction, or money refunded. £20, from Alan Shaw, Holmfields, Breach Lane, Melbourne, Derby. DE7 IDF. Send SAE for list, or telephone 0332 862075 for details. (BB916) BIRD REPORT NORFOLK BIRD AND MAMMAL REPORT 1990 now available from Mrs M J Dorling, 6 New Road, Hethersett, Norwich NR9 3HH. £4 inc p&rp. (BB865) OUTER HEBRIDES BIRD REPORT 1989 & 1990’. The First Ever. Articles, Raritv Descrip- tions, etc. Available from 2 Drimsdale, S. Uisl PA81 5RT. Price £3.75 inc p&p. (BB880) HAMPSHIRE BIRD REPORT FOR 1990. With colour plates available November, £4 post inclu- sive. Chris Lovett, Sales Officer, HOS Teal Cot- tage, Salisbury l-ane. Over Wallop, Stockbridge, Hants SO20 sjj. (BB898) BIRDS IN NORTHUMBRIA 1990. £3.75p inc. p&p, from Mrs M. Cadwallender, 22 South View, l.esbury, Northumberland NE66 3PZ. (BB899) ‘BIRDS IN CORNWALL 1990’ available price £4 from Stanley Christophers, 'Bramblings', Rachel's Way, St Columb Major, Cornwall, TR9 6EP. (BB915) BOOKS BOOKS ON BIRDS, MAMMALS, ETC., BOUGHT & SOLD. Also Field Sports, Big Game, Travel, Science, the Arts, etc. Catalogues issued. David Grayling, Crosby Ravensworth, Pen- rith, Cumbria CA 10 3JP. 09315 282. (BB613) MOROCCO. A BIRDWATCHER’S GUIDE TO MOROCCO by P. & F. Bergier. £8.75. Prion Ltd (Perry). Vital for travellers to Morocco. From bookshops or N.H.B.S., 2 Wills Road, Totnes, Devon. Tel. (0803) 865913. (BB881) REGULAR CATALOGUES of secondhand and antiquarian books on all aspects of Natural His- tory and Countryside. Little Holcombe Books, 52 Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Bury, l.ancashire BLO 9AQ. Tel: 0706 825322. (BB622) Wide TClectiun of ornilholoefcal A natural history titles available from stock, also travel books & maps. FREE Moil order t otoloffue on reqattt Tat; 0352 770M1 Fax; 0352 771S90 WILDLIFE & TRAVEL SPECIALISTS Subbuleo Natural History Books Ltd (BB) Treuddyn, Mold. Owyd. North Wales CH7 4LN (BB868) THE AVERAGE British Birds reader will spend over £100 on bird books yearly. They could be buying your books. To advertise, 'phone 0621- 815085.' (BB683) ‘BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Free catalogue from, and offers to Briant Books, 94 Quarry Lane, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW'6 ONI. Tel: 0829 51804. (BB917) THE BIRD & WILDLIFE BOOKSHOP Britain 's leading ornithological booksellers where you can find our comprehensive range of new and secondhand books and reports on birds and natural histor)', including all new tides as they are published. Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 6 pm Saturday 1 0 am to 4 pm Mail order catalogue available on request THE BIRD & WILDLIFE BOOKSHOP 2A Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, London SW1Y6DS Tel: 071-287 1407 (BB895) The original BIRDWATCHER’S LOGBOOK The most concise way to record your observations. Monthly, annual and life columns for 762 species, plus 1 59 diary pages. Send £5.95 to: Coxton Publications, Eastwood, Beverley Rd, Walkington, Beverley, N. Humberside HU17 8RP (B8913) EOR SAIP FOR SALE - Indhndual BB rubscribers can aditr- tise here FREE ( up to 30 words, setting a sin^e item, e.g. binocular, book, set of journals). Quote your BB Ref. No. and address erwetope to ‘Free BB Adi’ertis- ing’. (BB753) BRITISH BIRDS SUBSCRIBERS spend between £300 and £1,000 a year on hird- walehiiig equipment They could Ik- buying yonr equipment. To adverti.se, 'phone 0621 81.5085. (BBf>84) XXVI World Bird Recorder The Complete Computer Fackuf'e For Hirders Why compromise when you can have the best? Bird Recorder is the proven, user friendly bird records system for iBM compatible PCs. Not just an- other computer “tick” list but a complete system for recording all your birding trips and sightings while automatically keeping up to 255 lists. As used by birders in tbe UK, 9 European countries, tbe \ I USA and Australia. j i Comes complete with comprehensive user documentation and full World Species Database at £55, Western j Palearctic species version £40. Prices include UK postage. Can also be used to record other natural history H sightings, European Butterfly Database available at £10. ' What the Press Say..."Probably rhe most comprehensive birdwatching software ... easy to use and comprehensive" Bird Watch- ing, August 1991. “The retrieval time from the indices is impressively fast ... The package is easy to use and performs well the functions for which it has been designed...! can thoroughly recommend the package." British Birds, August 1991. "Bird Recorder represents good value for money... For the individual birdwatcher it represents a good choice" BTO News, May/June 1991. Wildlife Computing Services, 6 Fiddlers Lane, East Bergholt, COLCHESTER C07 6SJ Tel. 0206 298345. Overseas add postage £3 for Europe, £7 rest. Make cheques payable to WCPS and state disks required 5.25 or 3.5 inch. Send S.A.E. for full details. (BB929) TRIPOD TAMER 2" wide black webbing shoulder strap only £8.50 inc. post from: Vital Equipment, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd LL29 SAT (sae for details). (BB857) RED DATA BIRDS IN BRITAIN. Original line drawings £25 to £75. Ian Willis, 20 Albert Street, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire DG5 4JP. Tel: 0556 611158. (BB863) ‘BIRDCATCHER-PC’: New version for all PC compatibles. Program for recording bird sighdngs. User friendly Birdcatcher still available for Amstrad PCWs. State computer model, £18 or SAE details. Davis and Makohon, 12 St Mary’s Close, Albrighton, Wolverhampton WV7 3EG. (BB878) AVIAN PHOTOS Dave Cottridge, Tim Loseby, David Tipling Duplicate Slides £2.00 each -i-30p p&p, includes Common British Passerines, Waders, Birds of Israel, Costa Rica, East Africa. 6" X 4" colour prints of rare birds in Britain including Autumn Scillies 1991, Devon Bobolink, Potter Heigham Lesser Grey Shrike and many more £1.50 each +30p p&p. Orders over £10.00 post free. Send S.A.E. for catalogue to David Tipling, 6 The Ridgeway, Tonbridge, Kent TNIO 4NQTel: 0732 365280 (BB922) BIRD JOURNAL BACKNUMBERS SUPPLIED. (BB. Bird study. County Reports, etc.), David Morgan, Whitmore, Umberleigh, Devon. (BB921) PENTAX 500mm. F4.5 lens & case, hardly used. £350. Telephone Addington 0234 228420 Mon- Friatwork. (BB923) ZEISS DIALYT 10 X 40BT’* - hard and a soft case. £300. Tel: Medway (0634) 200094. (BB924) UHER 4000 REPORT IC AUTOMATIC, carry- ing case and handle, with Uher transformer and connection cable, parabolic reflector and Grampian DP4 mike. Very good condidon £200. Tel: 025-125 3368 (Surrey). (BB925) NICKEL SUPRA ZOOM TELESCOPE 20-60x, £45 with case. Zeiss Notarem 10x40 binoculars £55, both excellent condition 051-324 2815. (BB926) BIRDING CB SPECIAUSTS Hishly rec. MIDLAND PORT-A-PAC CB £99 -^ £3.50 pp. Mobiles from £58 * H/held from £69 * Base Stat. from U59 SAE for- Details/Price List Rech Batts (1 0 x AA) £1 0 Cheques payable * Omega Systems 43 Hemlington Rd, Stainton, Middlesbrough, Cleveland TS8 9AG 0642 595845 (BB902) B.W.P 1 TO 4. Excellent condiuon. £140.00. Tel: 0580 713585. (BB927) BIRD STUDY (unbound) excellent condition. Volumes 21-37 (1974-1990 inclusive) £50 o.n.o. Frank Dunn 0429 272867. (BB907) OPnCRON SCOPE HR/GA w/zoom with case and Slik D2 tripod, both unused, still under guarantee. £200. Tel: 081-788 3084. (BB908) BANNERMAN & LODGE, Birds of the Briush Isles. Full set complete with d/w, excellent con- diuon, £275. Alton (0420) 542067. (BB904) ZEISS 8 X 30 BGA and 7 x 42 BGAT binoculars -t pouch, mint. £250 and £400 respectively. Tel: 0472 750970. (BB905) KOWA TSN2: 20x WA and 20-60x zoom eye- pieces, Skua case. £300. Tel: 0677 424446 (Work No. ask for Jon). (BB909) B.W.P. VOLS I-V: Brand new, in boxes. £275. Tel: 086 730 7308. (BB910) NOVOFLEX OUTFIT. 400-600-1 200mm lenses plus extras, £450. B. Wright. Phone 0472 750970. (BB911) POYSER COLLECTION FOR SALE. Many out of print titles and more recent books available. Tel: 0760 725486. (BB912) HAND PAINTED PORCELAIN BIRDS from the Isle of Arran. £12.50 (inc. p&p). Tel: Mon, Tues, or any evening for free coloured brochure. Tel. 07707 554. (BB930) WANTED WANTED. Eyepieces for Kowa TS2 + front lens cap. Tel 0472 750970. (BB906) British Birds Volume 84 Number 11 November 1991 449 Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1990 Michael J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee 505 Seventy-five years ago . . . Notes 506 Herons alighting on sea Captain D. M. Simpson 506 Insect-feeding by Marsh Harriers Dr A. M. Jones, J. Vinuela and J. L. Gonzalez 507 Great Skua killing Brent Goose P. Darling 508 Feeding association of Slender-billed Gulls with Greater Flamingos John G. Walmsley 508 Sand Martin and Kingfisher nesting in peat-cuttings Martin Limbert 509 Sand and House Martins eating whitewash Hakes Kevin Collins 509 Redstarts attacking and wounding Little Owl A. Hugh Pulsford 510 Calls of Wood Warbler in response to probable ground predator Dr A. P. Radford 510 Interactions between Goldcrest and Firecrest P. I. Morris 511 Blue Tits with deformed bills D. E. Jebbett 512 Treecreepers foraging away from trees Robin Griffiths 512 Treecreeper foraging on churchyard wall Keith Verrall 513 Magpies nesting on television aerials Major William H. Payn Letter 513 Identification of Meadow and Red-throated Pipits Klaus Mailing Olsen 515 ICBP news Georgina Green 515 Fieldwork action BTO news Dr Paul Green 516 Mystery photographs 172 Chaffinch Dave Allen Announcements 517 To Thailand with ‘BB’ 517 Books in British BirdShop Requests 518 New computer, new labels, longer reference number 518 Red Kite Reintroduction Project Dr Tim Stowe and Duncan Orr-Ewing 518 Wing-tagged Hen Harriers Brian Etheridge Reviews 518 ‘Bird Migration’ by Thomas Alerslam Paul V. Harvey 519 ‘'fhe Birds of Japan’ by Mark A. Brazil, illustrated by Masayuki Yabuuchi Rod Martins 521 ‘The Natural History of Walney Island’ by Tim Dean John Wilson 521 ‘'Fhe Petrels: their ecology and breeding systems’ by John Warham Mark L. Tasker 522 News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett 525 Monthly marathon 526 Recent reports Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan Front cover: Great Grey Shrike and blackthorn {Dan Powell): this cover design is not for sale Volume 84 Number 12 BRITISH MUSEUM (1^;'^' "I HISTORY) -2 DEC 1991 Fi&^v^cl^TcD _ TRiSMG LIBRARY Becembei-"i-99i" Identification of brown flycatchers PhotoSpot: Marsh Owl Spring 1991 Studies of Swallows (onthly marathon • Mystery photographs • Notes • Letters u^iews • News and comment ■ Diary dates • Recent reports British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David A. Christie Editorial Board Dr R. J. Chandler, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, R. J. Prytherch & Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Don Smith & Roger Tidman Art Consultants Robert Gillmor & Alan Harris Rarities Committee P. G. Lansdown (Chairman); Dr Colin Bradshaw, Alan Brown, G. P. Cadey, Peter Clement, A. R. Dean, Pete Ellis, S. J. M. Gandett, C. D. R. Heard, R. A. Hume & J. H. Marchant; Peter Colston (Museum Consultant & Archivist); Peter Fraser (Statistician); Michael J. Rogers (Honorary’ Secretar)') Notes Panels BF.n.wiot'R Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Derek Goodwin, Dr I. Newton, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock & Dr K. E. L. Simmons; ii)F,NTiric:ATlON Dr R. J. Chandler, A. R. Dean, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, I. S. Robertson, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock & K. E. Vinicombe 'Bridsh Birds’ is published by a non-profit-making company for the benefit of ornithology © British Birds l.td IWI Copyright of pholoj^raphs remains wilfi pholojfraphepi. Bricish Birds is published monihly by Briiisb Birds l.td, 93 Hi^h Street. Bigj;leswade, Bedfordshire ISSN Publishing Manager, Production & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Felts Adi'ertiang Sandra Barnes Addresses Please keep com*spondeiue on difl'erent items separate. I*lease addrt‘ss your envelope correctly. Please supply SAP, if reply required. Papers, notes, letters, drawings & photographs for publication Dr J. f. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3N). Phone: Biggleswade (0767) 4(X)25 .Subscriptions and orders for back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford NfK+t 3NJ. Phoiw: Biggleswade (0767) 40467 .■Xdi’ertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, c/o f'ountains. Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Phone: Fiptree (0621) 815085 Bird news for \Sea.sonal report.s' Barry Nightingale & Keith Allsopp, c/o 7 Bloomshurv' C4ose, Woburn, Bedfordshire MKI7 9QS. Phone: Woburn (0525) 290314 (evenings); Luton (0582) 490049 (office hours) News items for ‘News and comment’ Mike Everett 8l Robin Prytherch, 7 Burlington Way, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon PFI8 9BS Rarity descriptions M. J. Rogers, Bag End, C^hurchtowTi, Fow'ednack, C'omwall rR2(i ;tA/ Special book and sound recording offers British BirdShop, NHB.S, 2 Wills Road, Fotnes, Devon TQ9 5XN. Phone: Fotnes (0803) 865913 Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £42.30, 1R£49.40 or $79.80. Personal subscriptions: UK, Europe and surface niiiil £34.40, 1R£40.20 or $64.80; personal: airmail outside Fiurope £57.75, 1R£67.45 or $109.(K). Single back copies £4.40, 1R£5.15 or $8.30. Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may al.so be made directly into UK Po.st Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. Brili.sh Bird.s publishes material dt'aling with ori^nal observiitions on the birds t»f the W est Palean tic. I.xcept for records of ranties. papers and notes are nomially accepted only on condition that material is no! I>einj» t»IVeit*d in whole or in part to any other journal. Photojjraphs and skeu hes an* welcomed. Ba[M*rs shoultl l>e tv|K’written with double s|)acin^. and widt‘ mar^ns, and on one side of the sheet only. .Authors should carfd'ullv ctmsult this issue for style of presentation. es|M*cially of refen*nces and tables. Kn^lish atid scientific names and sequences of binis follow The ‘Briti.sh Birds' List of Birds of ihi' Western Palearctic { 19H4); names of plants fttllow l)onv ft al. ( I9H0. F.n^lish Names of Wild Flowers); names of mammals follow ()ori>et ^ Southern {1977. The llandlMK>k of British Mammals). 'r<>}>oy(raphi( al (plumat ir.u ing p.qM'i, dr.iwing pajXT. non-absorl)ent boaixl or light blue or very pale gn*y graph pa|MT; lettering slmuld be inserteil lightly in pencil; captions should lx* typrul on a separair* sherM. .Authors of main jraprTs (Init not m»t«*s or lettr’rs) nveive ten free t opies of the journal (fi\i' each to two or mon* authors). Printed in England by N«wnorth Print Limited, Kemption Bedford 3! miGH STREET li fWET, HERTS, i 55SZ < rN 7 DAYS < -t6pm f iNNE 081-4491445 U NNE 081-441 7748 I C081 -440 9999 U K^ORD SPRINGS H SI WY DATES 8th DEC., iVg. and 9th FEB. 1(1 44 EACH DAY Tni aoportunity to test, compare and pt* - CDAYS :im our full range of equipment a r :rt well-mar^aged reserve near r^den City, Herts. For further ; contac:t ‘In focue'. in focus THE BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE SPECIALISTS AUTUMN FIELD EVENT PROGRAMME The ideal way to test optics for birdwatching is to watch birds! Our field events at well known Reserves countrywide will enable customers to test and select from our complete range of equipment. Information packs are available on all events - please apply in writing or by phone. Two day events are usually run on an appointment basis and preference will be given to those with an advanced booking. All events open between 10 am - 4 pm daily CHEW VALLEY LAKE AVON SAT 30th NOV. & SUN 1st DEC. BOWLING GREEN MARSH, EXETER SAT 4th & SUN 5th JAN. ABBERTON ESSEX SUN. FIELD DAY 8th DEC. BARONS HAUGH MOTHERWELL SAT 1 8th & SUN 19th JAN. MAIN STREET, TITCHWELL, NORFOLK PE31 8BB OPEN 7 DAYS 9am-6pm PHONE 0485 210101 ICBP WORLD ENVIRONMENT PARTNER 1991 3^ RUTLAND WATER RUTLAND SAT 1 4th & SUN 15th DEC. ADUR ESTUARY SHOREHAM SAT 25th & SUN 26th JAN. LEA VALLEY WINTER BIRDWATCH FISHERS GREEN SUN 5th JAN. GRAFHAM WATER CAMBS. SAT 1st & SUN. 2nd FEB. I & LOMB Ei.-^BGA «.12BGA 1>ix36B 0X40BGA )}x20BC I 10x25BC ^ .Jx20BCA T l0x25BCA ( ^ini "x42BA If <)x42BA II :i0x42BA I i\ss 8x20BT'P . 10x25BT'P 108 .'<258 -20BGA I *30BGAT ! '<.12BGAT [ :-«40BGAT ( :>«<40BT C :^68GAT 1 ^->r^o GAT r-ies: r- d i (Set) ') Hard (Set). I li II 1 \ r.tyard I 4s(se from . £ .629 00 629 00 .229 00 24900 89 00 .289 00 . 309 00 349.00 £ 199.00 .226.00 226.00 239.00 15.00 .62800 .628.00 62800 £ .295.00 ...319,00 .236.00 .259.00 .305.00 .509 00 .589.00 599.00 .639.00 729.00 1190.00 Spotting scope 20x60G A 199.00 15x-45x60GA 265.00 20x 34 95 l5-45xZoom 100 00 SWIFT £ County 10x40 89 00 Triton 10x50 99 00 Trilyte 7X42BGA.. .132.00 Trilyle 8x42BGA 135,00 Trilyte 10X42BGA 139.00 Audubon HRS. 199.00 Audubon 7x35BGA 329.00 Viewmaster 60 Body . 149 00 15-45xZoom. 49 00 20x 20.00 Case . 15 00 QUESTAR £ Field Model 3* Broad Band Coating. Supplied with 50x-80x Hood, Case 2200.00 30X-S0X 120.00 80X-130X 120.00 Erector Pnsm . ... 289.00 £ .205.00 238 00 .225.00 .230.00 .241.00 OPTOLYTH Alpin 8x30BGA Alpin 7x42BGA . Alpin 8X40BGA .. Alpin 10x40BGA . Alpin 10x50BGA Touring 6x30BGA 388.00 Screw/Bay Adaptor 1 5 00 Case for TSN 24 95 Photo Adaptor 800mm 1 07 00 Photo Adaptor 1 200mm . 1 79 00 OPTICHON £ Vega II 8x30 44 00 Vega II 8x40 49 00 HR8X32MC 142 00 HR7x42MC .146.00 HR8X42MC 148 00 HR10X42MC .153 00 HR 10x50 MC 17100 HR Body 80mm 255.00 30xWA 32,00 27x-80x Zoom 78 00 HR Body. 22x & Case 164 95 HR GA. 22x & Case 174 95 HR 45®, 22x 4 Case 204,95 HR Body, 20x-60x 4 Case 204 95 HR GA. 20X-60X 4 Case . 214.95 HR 45®. 20X-60X 4 Case . 234,95 25x. 40x, 22x WA .32.00 Classic IF60 110,00 18xWA 24.00 25x 2400 Regent 8x42B 169 95 Kensington l0x42B 179 95 OBSERVATION BINOCULARS Opticron 20x60 390 00 Opticron 30x60 395.00 HABICHT £ 10x40 Diana 7X30SLC 6x30 SLC . 6x20B AT80 Body 22xWA 372.00 353.00 365.00 .220 00 547.00 .72.00 i » DCF >e II 20x60 ' >e II 20x-45x >e ED II 20x60 0 2oom 111 Coat Filter . food .8.00 16.00 16.00 .5.00 15.00 19.00 £ 69.00 79.00 85 00 . 89.00 .135.00 .150.00 249.00 .279.00 539.00 .199.00 199.00 .229.99 .249.00 229 00 . 329 00 304 00 379.00 .555 00 .629.00 . .65.00 .65.00 65.00 .147.00 .20.00 ...10.00 166 00 ...45.00 Touring 7x42BGA . Touring i0x40BGA TBS HD Body , TBG HO Body TBS 80 Body TBG 80 Body 20x WA 30x WA 30x WW (New) 40x WA (New) 22x-60xZoom. Soft Case Hard Case 398 00 .398.00 .549.00 .549.00 350.00 .350.00 . 100.00 .64.00 119.00 . . 65.00 150.00 29.00 35.00 Siay-on Case for TGS/TBG .45.00 KOWA TS-601 TS-602 20xWA 25xWA 20x-60xZoom Case TSN-1 TSN-2 . . TSN -3 , TSN-4 . 20x-60x Zoom 20xWA . 25x 30xWA 40x 60x 77x Skua Case Rear Dust Dome . Spare O G Cover 27xWA (Screw Fit) £ . 179.00 179.00 55.00 .48 00 .99.00 , 19.95 295.00 295.00 556.00 555 00 139 00 96 00 63 00 .119.00 63.00 96.00 99.00 39.95 15.00 6 00 59.00 18x-40x Zoom 61.00 Classic IF 75mm 140.00 30x , . 27,00 61.00 Eyepieces Irom 29 00 PiCCX>lo ED 20x-60x60 399.00 Macro Monocular . . 50.00 MIRADOR £ 11000 113 00 11500 10x50B. 12700 97 00 Merlin 18x-40x60 129 00 Merlin 75mmx30 119.00 Merlin 22x-47x75 157.00 Case for Merlin .15.00 REOFIELD £ 199.00 . 299 95 PENTAX £ 8x40PCF 99 95 lOxSOPCF 104 95 109 95 BRESSER £ Action 6x40 69 00 Action 10x50 79 00 Linear 8x42 11900 Linear 10x42 124 00 ROSS £ Cavendish 6x42B 139 95 20x-60x Zoom 164 00 BUSHNELL £ Spacemaster Body. 145.00 Spacemaster Body GA .. .165.00 15x-45x Zoom 49.00 VELBON £ New Fluid Head Tripods CULLMANN £ Hide Clamp 49 95 Shoulder Pod 24 95 Q/R Plate . . 4 95 SLIK £ Master D-2 .72 95 MANFROTTO £ 055 Base 70.00 055B Base 190 Base 190BBase 144 Base 144BBase 128 Head 200 Head Tnpod Strap Spare Q/R Plate. .75.00 .40 00 45 00 .50.00 .55 00 45 00 50 00 . 10-95 5.95 Hanover 10x42B . ACCESSORIES £ Car Window Mount .22 00 Universal Mount 22 00 Hide Clamp 36 00 Rainguards from 3 50 Pentax Cleaning Kit 3 99 Tnpod Strap . 6 95 Lanyards from 4 00 Dust Away . . 3 95 Double Eyepiece Case 9 95 Tamrac 60/80mm Scope Case .24 50 Also In Slock Binoculars from Fujinon. Ranger. Adlerblick, Minolta etc IN FOCUS CAM PLAN At a cost of just Cl 5 any rww equipment can be covered tor a period of 3 years from pi/chase In trte event of equipment failing tor whatever reason it will be rectif«d by ourselves at no charge Ask tor full details PIRSONAL CALLIRS Can choose and select from our comprehensive range of equipment Compare Zass with Lert2 and Bausch & Lomb, Kowa with Nikon and Opiolyth We are a completely independent company, whose only concern is that oir customers select the correct instrument for their personal needs PHONI ORDIRt Discuss your requirements with our technical staff and orders placed with Access or Visa Cards will be despatched same day. MAIL ORDIR Just add £2 to help towards PSP and insurance and your order wiR be sent the same day as we receive you cheque AH goods supplied on U days approval upon receipl of ful remittance UCONDHAND instTLxnents are always available Turnover IS fast so we do not pnnt a kst. Phone for informatpn PART IXCHAROI Top pnces paid tor good condition Bins and Scopes HOW TO PINO US (NORFOLK) We are 500 yds east of the RSPB Reserve at Titchwell on the A149 between Hunstanton and Brancaster, and we have cur own pn- vate car parking HOW TO FIND Uf (BARNIT) We »e 10 mins from M25 and AIM motorways and IS mins walk from High Barnet Tube Station TILESCOPU AND TRIPOD OUTFITS If you puohase a scope vxj tnpod at the same time we can offer you a very specal pnce' PHONI FOR A OUOTI INTEREST FREE CREDIT ON SELECTED Zeiss. Lettz, Kowa and Nikon products Phone or write for details. BARNET SHOP NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK E&OE (D949) MAIL ORDER SPECIALISTS P/P & INS. 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A superb image Officially appointed distributor for Kowa Telescopes Pyser-SGl Ltd., Fircroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HA (D915) British Birds VOLUME 84 NUMBER 12 DECEMBER BRITISH MUSEUM H HISTORY) -2 DEC 1991 Ph£.<»cl« I cD thing library Identification of brown flycatchers C. Bradshaw, P. J. Jepson and N. J. Lindsey The genus Muscicapa contains a group of brown flycatchers which consists of the familiar Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata and three species that have not yet occurred in Britain, but which have been predicted as potential vagrants (Wallace 1980): Brown Flycatcher M. dauurica (formerly latirostris) , Siberian Flycatcher M. sibirica and Grey- streaked Flycatcher M. griseisticta. The Brown Flycatcher has been reported in the Faroes (Williamson et al. 1951), Norway (Hyatt & Mylne 1952) and Denmark (Christensen 1960), although Nisbet & Neufeldt (1975) consi- dered that none of these records was adequately documented. Subse- quently, Brown Flycatchers have been trapped and photographed on Heligoland, Germany, in August 1982 and in Sweden in September 1987 (Fleet 1982; Douhan 1989). One old specimen and two sight records of this species in Britain have been rejected (BOURC 1963, 1971). Despite the possibility that these species may occur in Western Europe, there is very little detailed information on their identihcation in the literature. King et al. (1975) summarised the main points, and Nisbet & Neufeldt (1975) and Svensson (1984) provided useful information on the identihcation of Brown Flycatcher; while this paper was in typescript, the same topic was surveyed in Swedish by .\lstrdm & Hirschfeld (1989). Taxonomy and distribution The subfamily Muscicapinae contains a large and diverse group of Old World flycatchers, which is split into a number of genera. The status of some of these is rather questionable, but all authors place the four species This paper has been in proof since July, and we apologise to the authors for the delay in publication. Eds [Brit. Birds 527-542. December 1991 ] 527 528 Identification ofhrownfiycatchers under consideration in the tj;enus Muscicapa. The taxonomy of Brown Flycatcher is complicated. There are several races which are short- distance migrants. One. M. d. wiiliamsom, is regarded as a separate species bv some authors. The nominate race is the only long-distance migrant and is the only race likely to occur in Western Europe; our discussions will, therefore, consider onlv this race. Fi^. 1. Breeding; distributions of Spotted Vliuacapa stnata. Brown M. dauunca. Siberian \l. ■ibmca and (irev-streaked Flvcatchers M. Ranges ot non-migratorv Himalayan races ol Brown and Sibenan not shown. Spotted winters in .Africa; Brown and Siberian winter in southeast .Asia. I’hilippines and west Indonesia; (Jrev-streaked winters in Philippines, east Indonesia and New (Juinea (after V'ooiis 1060, Harrison 1982, and Wild Bird Society of japan 1982) Brown and Siberian are largely svmpatric (Hg. I), but are separated ecologically. When breeding. Brown is found mainly in broad-leaved forest, whilst Siberian ts normally found in conifers (Dementiev & Gladkov 19.54). Flint et at. (1984) described Grey-streaked as uncommon in the USSR. On the wintering grounds, all species inhabit a variety of forest and woodland types. Brown also being found commonlv in parks and gardens (King et at. 197.5). Moult In fresh plumage, all four species show pale fringes to the wing-coverts, tertials and secondaries, which wear olf with time. This creates variations m plumage at dilTerent times of the year, so an understanding of moult patterns is pertinent to identification. There is usually a complete moult after the birds arrive in their winter quarters. This is certainly the case for Spotted and .Siberian, but no information is available for Grey-streaked. Brown is exceptional in that it undergoes a complete moult prior to the autumn migration. I'hus, in winter and spring. Brown looks more worn than the other species. During the autumn migration, all Brown Flycatchers are in fresh plumage, unlike the adults of the other three species. Identification of brown flycatchers 529 Identiiication These four species comprise a remarkably uniform group of brown flycatchers, all with pale underparts. Given the difficulty of putting subtle colour variations into words, we feel that it is better to use a combination of plumage pattern and jizz to separate them. Species pairs For identification purposes, the four species fall rather neatlv into two species pairs: Spotted and Grev-streaked, and Brown and Siberian (table 1). Each pair shares a number of field characters, and it is perhaps best to place any member of this group into a species pair before attempting specific identification. Spotted and Grey-streaked are both rather elongated flvcatchers, with slim outlines. They have conical-shaped bills, which show onlv a small amount of yellow at the base of the lower mandible. The most important shared feature is the clearly defined streaking on the breast and forehead. In contrast, both Brown and Siberian are smaller, and look plumper, with a more-rounded head shape. They both have a noticeably broad base to the bill. Except in extremely close views, the crown and forehead appear unmarked. 279. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, SufFolk, June 1930/31 [David & Eric Hoskin^) 530 Identification of brown fiycatchers Figs. 2 & 3. Four brown flycatchers Musckapa: (irey-streaked M. grisristicta. Spotted ,\t. striata, .Siberian M. sibirica and Brown M. dauurica (Colin Bradshaw) Specific identification SPOITEI) .\NI) GRF,Y-S rRF,AKF.I) FI.YC.ATCHF.RS Although they are very similar, the ramiliarity of Spotted to Kuropean observers should enable these two species to be separated without much difficulty. The main structural difTerence between them is the wing-to-tail ratio. The wings of (irey-streaked are noticeably long, extending almost to the tip of the tail, whereas those of Spotted extend to no more than halfway down the tail. Although the brown u|iperparts of (Irey-streaked are darker than the grey-brown uppeiparts of Spotted, it is the ‘face’ and underparts pattern to which partiddar attention should be paid, (uey- streaked shows a triangidar, clear, white throat patch, which extends from the bill to the well-demarcated line of streaks on the upper breast; Spotted 531 Identification of brown flycatchers does not show this feature, since the throat is covered by fine, brown streaking. A malar stripe is present on both species, but is much finer on Spotted. The breast streaking is darker brown and broader on Grey- streaked. Both species have streaking on the flanks. On Grey-streaked, the white of the belly extends to a point, creating a well-defined inverted V, which is absent on Spotted. Spotted frequently shows a pale-buff wash across the breast, becoming richer on the flanks, unlike Grey-streaked, which has a clear, white ground colour to the breast and a greyish wash to the flanks. The head pattern provides more identification features, the most striking being the clear white eye-ring and loral patch of Grey-streaked. This contrasts with the fine, ill-defined, greyish-buff colour of these features on Spotted. The streaking on the crown is usually less extensive on Grey-streaked, being confined to the forehead and forecrown, whereas it extends on to the nape of Spotted. Spotted shows fine streaking in the submoustachial region, unlike Grey-streaked. 532 Identification of brown flycatchers 280. Spotted Flycatcher Musckapa striata, Berkshire, July 1971 {Gordon IjOnf^sbury) 281. First-winter male Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa ^^seisticta,ydpnn, September 1983 (Takao Hal)a) Identification of brown fiy catchers 533 282. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, Warwickshire, July 1986 {Mark Hamblin) 283. First-winter male Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta,]dcpdcn, September 1983 {Takao Baba) 534 Identification of brown fiy catchers 284. (irey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta, ]2Lpa.n, October 1980 {Takao Baba) BROWN AND SIBERIAN FLYCATCHERS The separation of these two species is complicated by the subtle differences between them and the alterations in appearance caused by variations in wear and light intensity. The safest characteristics are structural. First, the wing-to-tail ratio differs. On Siberian, the wing extends at least three-quarters of the way along the tail, and sometimes reaches the tip — whereas on Brown the wing does not extend more than halfway along the tail. The general effect is to make Siberian appear short- tailed. Secondly, the bill shape and bill colour differ. Siberian has a broad- based, short bill, and, although there is some yellow, this is rarely visible 285. First-winter Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica, I'hailand, October 1988 (P. D. Round) 535 Identification of brown fiy catchers in the field. Brown has a longer, broad-based, vertically compressed bill, of which at least the proximal half of the lower mandible (and sometimes all but the tip) is yellow. The underparts of Siberian show a sooty-grey suffusion across the breast and down the flanks, with a well-defined, but narrow, white, inverted V extending from the belly to the centre of the 286. Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauuiica, Thailand, March 1987 {Protpimol Sukhavanija) 287. Siberian Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica, Thailand, April 1981 {P. D. Round) 536 Identification of brown fiy catchers 289. Adult Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica, 'I'hailand, October 1988 (P. I). Round) lower breast. While Brown shows a basically similar pattern, the sufTusion is never so dark, and the inverted V is, therefore, never so well defined. Both species show blurred streaking on the breast, which is often obvious in fresh plumage, but which wear may eliminate completely. Both species show a white throat, but on Siberian the broader and darker malar stripes make it appear narrower and more contrasting than on Brown. d'he head patterns of the two species arc also similar, both showing a 288. Siberian Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica, Thailand, April 1981 (P. D. Round) Identification of brown fiycatchers 537 290. Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica, China, 1986 (M. Turton) 291. Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica, Thailand, March 1986 (Protpimol Sukhavanija) white eye-ring and loral patch. On Siberian, both features are narrower and more distinct, the latter being due to the slightly darker colour of the rest of the head. On Brown, the loral patch extends to the top of the broader eye-ring, and both features are more diffuse along their margins. Both species show a pale submoustachial stripe, which is often bisected by an upturn in the brown malar stripe. In autumn plumage, the presence, absence, or relative extent of the 538 Identification of brown flycatchers 4 ‘-r- ■ 292. First-winter Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica, Thailand, October 1988 (P. D. Round) 293. Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica, Hong Kong, September 1986 (Rav Tipper) wing-bars are in our opinion of no value as specific identification features. In spring plumage, however, there is a marked difference. Siberian has broad, off-white fringes to the tertials and wing-coverts, giving a noticeable, pale wing-bar. The pattern recalls that of Spotted Flycatcher. On Brown Flycatcher, all the pale fringes to the wing feathers have been lost through abrasion, and it has, at best, only very difluse markings. The upperparts of Siberian are a darker sooty-brown, compared with the mid to pale brown of Brown. This difference is, however, not always marked. Identification of brown fiycatchers 539 294. Siberian Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica, China, 1986 (M. Turton) 295. Siberian Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica, China, 1986 {M. Turton) Other useful pointers to Brown include its more rotund appearance, noticeably larger-looking eye, and more-rounded crown. The recent Swedish paper by Per Alstrdm and Erik Hirschfeld (1989) has drawn attention to the problem of separating unusually streaked Siberian from Grey-streaked. They suggested a number of points for 540 Identification of brown flycatchers Table 1. Summary of plumage and other identification features of four flycatchers Spotted M. striata Aluscicapa Grey-streaked A/, griseisticta Brown M. dauurica Siberian M. sibirica Crown Grey-brown, Brown; streaking Pale-brown; some Sooty-brown; forehead pale on forehead only mottling on mottling on brown, feather forehead visible forehead slightly shafts forming at very close more extensive clearly visible quarters than on Brown streaks, which become broader and more diffuse on nape Lores and eye-ring Narrow, diffuse. Distinct white Conspicuous pale Whitish eye-ring; pale eye-ring; eye-ring; (white to buff) thinner, pale loral white or pale-buff triangular, white eye-ring; stripe, an loral patch loral patch triangular. extension of eye- whitish loral ring patch i’hroat and ear-coverts Sub-moustachial Broad white sub- area white to moustachial buff, finely stripe, finely streaked brown; dotted brown at thin, dark malar front; broad. stripe; throat off- brown malar white with stripe, curving variable amount upwards to ear- of streaking coverts; throat clear white from bill to upper breast Off-white sub- moustachial stripe; brown malar stripe, which sometimes curves upwards like that of Grey- streaked Similar to Brown, but malar stripe usually broader and whitish throat patch narrower Underparts Breast and flanks streaked brown; often shows huffish wash on flanks fake Spotted, but streaking darker and broader; well-defined demarcation between white throat and start of streaks; ground colour clear white, with gp"ey wash on flanks; white of belly extends to centre of lower breast, producing ill- defined, inverted V Variable, from clear white to pale-brown wash across breast and flanks; fades to white from centre of breast to belly Well marked, with heavy, sooty- grey suffusion along flanks and across breast; white of belly extends to centre of lower breast, to produce obvious, narrow, white, inverted V Undertail- coverts White to pale White White buff-brown While, occjisionally with dark crescents 541 Identification of brown fiy catchers Spotted M. striata Grey-streaked M. griseisticta Brown M. dauurica Siberian M. sibirica Mantle and rump Grey-brown, with some streaking on mantle; first- years often have uppertail-coverts tipped white Grey-brovvn Grey-brown Mid-brown; sometimes shows white tips on sides of rump Tertials Brown, with pale Darker than Brown, slightly Like Brown (see inner web and Spotted, with darker than text for narrow pale well-defined. mantle; white separation in fringes in fresh plumage narrow, white fringes fringes broader than on Spotted or Grey-streaked spring) Wing-coverts Grey-brown; Similar to In fresh plumage. Like Brown (see extent of pale Spotted, but more shows narrow text for fringes contrasting. wing-bar on separation in dependent on amount of wear; in fresh plumage, pale tips create wing-bar, although this disrupted by fringes; on worn adults, uniform grey-brown owing to darker ground colour greater coverts, but this lost with wear; indistinct, fine fringes to median and greater coverts often not visible in field spring) Remiges In fresh plumage, pale fringes to secondaries form wing-panel, which is lost with wear; primaries dull brown Like Spotted, but whole wing darker Primaries darker brown than secondaries Like Brown Lower mandible Pale yellowish Like Spotted, but. On average, has Small amount of base, extent of on average, pale the most pale yellow. which varies, but base less extensive pale- usually not visible always less than half length of bill extensive yellow base; frequently appears to be dark only at tip in field separating them. First, although Siberian is streaked, this is never so distinct or extensive as on Grey-streaked; furthermore, the streaking on Siberian is against a brown background as opposed to a white one on Grey-streaked. Secondly, Grey-streaked is larger, with a larger bill. Thirdly, the submoustachial stripe is less distinct on Grey-streaked. Fourthly, Siberian has dark crescents on the undertail-coverts, a charac- teristic exclusive to this species; this is, however, not always visible in the field, and its apparent absence does not eliminate Siberian. 542 Identification of brown flycatchers Acknowledgments We should like to thank I'ony Baker, Alan Dean, Simon Harrap, Chris Heard, Tim Inskipp, Steve Madge, Tony Marr, Phil Round, Graham Speight and Mick Turton for supplying information and advice. Summary The identification of four species in the genus Muscicapa — Spotted M. striata. Brown M. dauurica, Siberian M. sibirica and Grey-streaked Flycatchers M. griseisticta — is discussed. The main criteria for separating the species are the patterns of streaking on the breast and the wing-to-tail ratios. The characteristics of the four species are listed in table 1 . References Ai.strom, P., & Hir.schff,I.D, E. 1989. Bestamning av tre nordbstasiatiska Muscicapa- flugsnappare. Vdr Fdgelv. 3: 127-138. Britfsh Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee. 1963. Fourth report. Ibis 1 15: 291. 1971. Fifth report. Ibis 123: 143. CllRl.STENSEN, N. H. 1960. Brun Fluesnapper (Muscicapa latirostris Raffles) ved Blavand efterar 1959. Dansk Om. Foren. Tidsskr. 54: 36-40. Dementiev, G. P., & Gi..\dkov, N. A. (eds.) 1954 (translated 1966). The Birds of the Soviet Union. vol. 6. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem. DoUH.vN, B. 1989. Glasbgonflugsnappare Muscicapa dauurica for fbrsta gangen antraffad i Sverige. Vdr Fdgelv. 48: 123-126. Fleet, D. 1982. Brown Flycatcher in BRD in August 1982. Dutch Birding 4: 97-98. Flint, V. E., Boehme, R. L., Kos fin, Y. V., & Kuznetsov, A. A. 1984. The Birds of the Soviet Union. Princeton. H.vrrlson, C. 1982. An Atlas of Birds of the Western Palaearctic. London. Hy.vtt, J. H., & Mylne, C. K. 1952. Ornithological observations from Lista, 1951. Opusc. Stavanger Mus. ZooL, No. 7. King, B. F., Woodc(x:k, M. W., & Dickinson, E. C. 1975. A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. London. Nisbet, I. C. T., & Neufei.dt, I. 1975. Studies of less familiar birds. 75: Brown Flycatcher. Brit. Birds 68: 68-75. SvTNS.SON, L. 1984. Identification Guide to European Pa.'iserines. Stockholm. W.AI.L.ACE, D. I. M. 1980. Possible future Palearctic passerine vagrants to Britain. Brit. Birds 73: 388-397. VOOUS, K. H. 1960. Atlas of European Birds. London. Wild Bird Societt' ofJap.\N. 1982. A Field Guide to the Birds of Japan. Tokyo. Wii.i.i.am.son, K., Peter.son, a., & Botni, F. 1951. Fugletraek pa Faeroeme: 1949. Daruk Om. Foren. Tidsskr. 45: 126. Dr C. Bradshaw, 9 Tynemouth Place, North Shields, Tyne & Hear NE30 4BJ P. J. Jepson, 6 Habbersley, near Pontesbury, Shropshire SY.’i OTP Dr N. }. Lin^ey, Flat 2, 6 Parkers Road, Broomhill, Shefpeld SIO IB.\ pcarst ago... ‘NorwmiSTANDlNG the many difficulties and preoccupations imposed upon us all by the war, the number of birds ringed under the British Birds scheme during 1916 has been very salisfactory. We know that many of our “ringers” have often been glad of such an occupation as this by way of a relaxation from sterner duties, and to them and all others who have so loyally supporled the scheme we tender our hearty thanks. The following are the grand totals of birds ringed: ... 1913 14,843, 1914 13,024, 1915 7,767, 1916 7,107.’ (Brit. Birds 10: L50, December 1916). BIRDS AT THEIR BEST BIRDWATCH is Britain’s leading new quality maga- zine about birds and birding. 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(0723) 365024 British Birds is most grateful to those companies which support the magazine by their sponsorship: Germany Sponsors of the Rarities Committee Sponsors of 'Monthly marathon ' Sponsors of ‘Bird Illustrator of telescopes the Year' Christopher Helm ^ and Harper Collins til Sponsors of ‘Bird Rhotogmph of the Year' XII Monthly marathon That streaked passerine atop the hedge (plate 207) was named by contestants as: Y ellowhammer Emberiza citrinella (33%) Little Bunting E. pusilla (25%) with a few votes for Richard’s Pipit Anlhus novaeseelandiae, Pechora Pipit A. guslavi, Meadow Pipit A. pratensis, Red- throated Pipit A. cervinus, Serin Serinus serinus, Greenfinch Carduelis chloris, Linnet C. cannabina. Redpoll C. jiammea. Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus, Girl Bunting E. drills, Ortolan Bunting E. hortulana. Rustic Bunting E. ruslica, Reed Bunting E. schoenidus and Gom Bunting Miliaria calandra. It was indeed a Yellowhammer, photographed by Graham Catley in the Western Isles in April 1989. This takes a dozen contestants on to five-in-a- row sequences, halfway towards winning that SUNBIRD birdwatching holiday in Africa, Asia or North America. The next stage in the competition appears in plate 296. For a free SUNBIRD brochure, write to PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI9 idf; or telephone Sandy (0767) 682969. 296. Fifth ‘Monthly marathon’ (seventeenth stage; photograph number 66). Identify the species. Read the rules on page 16 of the January 1991 issue, then send in your answer on a postcard to Monthly Marathon, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ, to arrive by 15th January 1992 Mystery photographs m Obviously a duck, with its long boat-shaped body and ‘duck bill’, last month’s mystery bird (plate 277, repeated here in full) also has a noticeably large head, stiff, prominent, though fairly short tail and unfeathered, deep bill base: pointing to the tribe Mergini — the sea ducks. With that peculiar lumpy head, neat triangular bill and pale iris, we have a choice of Goldeneye Bucephala clangula or Barrow’s Goldeneye B. islandica. The full photograph (reproduced overleaf), with resplendent male Barrow’s in attendance, seems to leave little room for speculation. Beware: Barrow’s Goldeneye and Goldeneye occur in mixed flocks, and 543 [Brit. Birds 84: 543-547, December 1991] 544 Mystery photographs 297. Captive pair of Barrow’s Goldeneyes Bticephala islaridka, Netherlands, June 1981 (Hans Schoulen) hybridisation between the two has occurred, albeit rarely. So, assumption aside, let us identify our bird on its own merit. In goldeneye identification, the two basic, most consistent features are bill and head shapes. Here, the bill is short and stubby, with quite a steep upper mandible in profile. The forehead rises almost vertically from the bill base to a peak above the eye, and the crown to rear crown looks squarish and flat-topped, dropping down at the rear crown/nape and forming a rather shaggy ‘mane’ at the lower nape. These features strongly indicate Barrow’s Goldeneye. Goldeneye normally shows an obviously longer bill, with less steep upper mandible in profile; its more gently sloping forehead forms a slightly concave curve continuous with the bill, up to a high, rounded mid-crown peak above and behind the eye, and the rear-head feathers are shorter, thus lacking the maned efiect of Barrow’s. The whole head shape of Goldeneye appears vaguely triangular, somewhat recalling a Pochard Aythya ferina. Note, however, that these features can be subtle and must be checked carefully. A diving bird can lose the integrity of its head shape, appearing more flat-crowned; and the skulls and bills of first-year birds are still developing, so they may not show such definitive head and bill shapes as adults. Ageing and sexing are therefore also important factors in goldeneye identification. This bird’s uniformly dark head, scapulars and flanks indicate a female or an eclipse or immature male, and the inner upperwing pattern (sufficiently well shown here) further helps to age and sex this individual, as well as being species-distinctive. Diflerences in upperwing pattern between the two species can be marginal and difficult to observe, with adult and immature females being most similar. J'he following tendencies, however, can be noted. All Barrow’s have four to six white secondaries, while (loldeneyes have seven to eight. Adult males have extensively white forewings throughout 545 Mystery photographs the year, Goldeneyes showing an almost continuous white inner wing, which on Barrow’s is broken by a black bar (visible bases of greater coverts). Adult female Barrow’s shows white speculum and white greater coverts separated by a broad black bar, formed by tips to the greater coverts (as here); this bar is usually obviously broader and more uniform in width than on female Goldeneye. The forewing of Barrow’s varies, from being wholly unmarked grey-brown to having (as here) the lower row of lesser and some median coverts broadly tipped grey-white. Adult female Goldeneyes show more extensive white on some lesser and median coverts (dark bases obscured), forming a conspicuous dingy-white patch across the forewing. First-year individuals (up to first wing moult, in their second autumn) show poor examples of adult-type patterns. The hindwing tends to have completely unmarked white secondaries and greater coverts, with at most only a thin, faint black bar. Forewing markings are similar to those of adults, though much sullied and reduced, with median and lesser coverts often appearing wholly dark on females. The mystery bird’s combination of head and bill shapes and upperwing pattern therefore indicates an adult female Barrow’s Goldeneye. The slight difference in head shape between the sexes apparent in plate 297 is caused partly by the elongated ‘mane’ feathers running on the male from the forecrown and on the female from the rear crown. 298. Adult female Barrow’s Goldeneye Bucephala islandica, Martin Mere, Lancashire, December 1978 (C. F. Oldershaw) 546 Mystery photographs Two other pro-Barrow’s features in the mystery photo are the extent of head colour (extending slightly farther down the neck than on Goldeneye) and the apparently slightly larger-looking nostril. The neck-ring, normally an obvious bright white ring on adults, is unusually sullied on this bird (as on first-years). In real life, Barrow’s shows a subtle darker velvety ‘plain- chocolate’ brown head, which is slightly paler ‘milk-chocolate’ on adult female Goldeneye (less useful in eclipse and immature plumages). Both sexes of Barrow’s average slightly larger and heavier than Goldeneye, though this is of little use except in mixed-species groups. In addition, a head-on view of this bird should reveal the bill tapering somewhat towards the tip; on Goldeneye, the bill is rather uniform in width with a more rounded tip. Finally, also on the bill, two particularly helpful features can be the extent of yellow colouring and the shape and size of the black nail. Adult female Barrow’s normally have bicoloured bills (with more yellow than on Goldeneye) or all-yellow bills (except nail), this yellow becoming duskier in summer; the black nail is larger, being conspicuously raised, and longer and more elliptical in shape than on Goldeneye (an understated aid in identification; see plate 298). The bill of our mystery bird, however, allowing for photographic effects, appears all-dark and the nail not really discernible. From limited investigation, it seems that Icelandic Barrow’s vary mostly from adult females with classic bills and large raised black nails (plate 298) to those with all-dark bills and sometimes a less raised black nail (e.g. the mystery bird). Nevertheless, the apparent shape and conspicuousness of the nail is likely, on both species, to be influenced by the extent of yellow near the bill-tip. Further, most literature states that Barrow’s Goldeneyes with all-yellow bills occur only in the western Nearctic. Palmer (1976, Handbook of North American Birds, vol. 3), however, noted individuals in northeast North America with essentially all-yellow bills, and Di Labio & Pittaway {Birding 19: 20-22) pointed out that all of 50 adult female Barrow’s seen in eastern North America had ‘mostly orange bills’; while in the Lake MyAatn area of Iceland, where about 800 pairs of Barrow’s breed. Dr Ami Einarrson {in litt.) noted the number of all-yellow-billed females in the late winters and springs of 1981-83 to be somewhere between two and five. In addition, a few female Goldeneyes have been observed with almost entirely yellow- orange bills (Tobish, 1986, Birding 18: 17-27). Can anybody throw more light on these points? There seems much still to be learned about Barrow’s Goldeneye, and it does not help when we consider that Goldeneyes have hybridised in the wild with Scaup Aythya marila. Pochard, Velvet Scoter Melanitia fusca, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Smew Mergus albellus, Hooded Merganser M. cucullatus and Goosander M. merganser. This vivid photograph of a pair of captive Barrow’s Goldeneyes was taken by Hans Schouten in the Netherlands in June 1981. Marun S. Garner 15 Ixincing Road. Ltdon. Bedfordshire W2 8JN “IS IT MOUSTACHED, OR IS IT A SEDGE?” Not easy in the distance of a grey dawn on a (idirty day, is it? But, before you tell the ‘Rarities Committee’, yyou do need to be 100% sure that it is the rare ^Moustached Warbler you’ve spotted, rather than the •very similar Sedge. Apart from the fact that you want to ddrink in every detail of a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. Which is clearly why the readers of “British ^Birds’’ voted Carl Zeiss the most popular binoculars, land the top binoculars /*? .'of the future. They can obviously recognise a unique ccombination of clarity, huge field of view and (excellent close-up focus, when they see it. Even the most sceptical consumer advice imiagazine doesn’t demur, making them ‘Best on Test’ land excellent all round, if money is no object! Quite. But then money has never been the obbject at Carl Zeiss. For 100 years the aim b.ias been simply to produce the best bainoculars at^y price. That’s why Carl Zeiss binoculars Thf mark of carl Zeiss quality are virtually hand-made. Typically containing 200 mechanical parts, 18 optical components honed by over 1500 precision operations and prisms ground to an accuracy of 0.00003mm. It’s also why Carl Zeiss scientists devote theii lives to the delicate interaction of eye and optical instruments. Creating innovative technology like phase-corrected prisms for better image contrasi and multi-layer T'coating for markedly superior lighi transmission (90% or more), giving unsurpassed brilliance and contrast. Yet they’re not above considering the mosi practical details too. Hence sensible ideas like special high eye-point eye-pieces (to German DIM standards) and computer-calculated eye to lens distances, which allow the same full field of visior with spectacles as without. There’s even an olive green model to blend with your natural habitat! All done with a thoroughness of craftsmanship that justifies a 30-year guarantee. 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FREE TRIPOD WORTH £40. (SOLIGOR) with certain • telescopes or pay the extra for different tripod. ' FIELD DAYS: Alterr We W ★MQHAM HARBOUR LOCAL NATURE RESERVE on the 821 45 into Selsey (nr Chichester. W. Sussex) on SUNDAYS 24th November, 22nd December and 26th January (1 0.30am to 4.00om aoDTOx.) lative venues to Morden, at wtiicti ill be at the Visitor/lnformation Cent * WARN HAM NATURE RESERVE just off the A24 (northern roundabout for HORSHAM) on the B2237, on SUNDAYS 15th December and 12th January (10.30am to 5.00pm) ou can try and buy our equipment re In each case. Repairs can also b W8EVENOAK8 WILDFOWL reserve, on the A25 between Riverhead and Sevenoaks Bat and Ball Station, on SUNDAYS 8th December and 5th January (10.00am to 4.00pm) N THE FIELD are given below e handed in. WBOUQH BEECH NATURE RESERVE/RESERVOm. dxxit, 4 nnes south of the A25/A21 junction (with access from the 82042 or B2(K7; the oast house Information Centre Is to the north c4 the reservoir) on SUNDAYS 1ft December and 19th January, 10.00 am to 4,00 pm. We are only 15 minutes’ drive from the M25 (e.g. via the A3 and then the Merton Turn-off) or 2 minutes’ walk from Morden Underground. Parking: 1st left past our entrance (50 yds). XIV Mystery photographs 547 299. Mystery photograph 174. Identify the species. Answer next month PhotoSpot 32. Marsh Owl The Marsh Owl Asio capensis is the African counterpart of the Short- eared Owl A. flammeus, sharing similar (though often wetter) habitat: marshy ground and swamps. The Marsh Owl is widely distributed in southern Africa, but in the Western Palearctic it occurs only in northwest Morocco, where the population is very small and locally distributed. This individual was photographed in midwinter at Meija Zerga, where it and five others were roosting in eucalyptus trees. They showed little concern for human presence and seemed quite tame, allowing a close approach. The bird’s dark eyes and eye-ring, contrasting with its white face, produce a sad expression, while the plain, dark brown body is unique among Western Palearctic owls. The Marsh Owl has similar habits and flight action to those of the Short-eared Owl, though it seems to be more strictly nocturnal. In winter, in Morocco, both species can be seen together, the Marsh Owl easily distinguishable by its more contrasting, orange patch on its wing, and its dark body. The status of this owl in Morocco is uncertain. Apart from a few isolated protected areas where it breeds regularly, its traditional habitat is subject to change, and human pressure leaves little place for this beautiful and phantasmal bird. Lionel Maumary Grand’ Rue 8, 1095 Lutry, Switzerland [Brit. Birds 84: 547-548, December 1991] 548 PhotoSpot 300 & 301. Marsh Owl Asia capensis, Morocco, January 1990 {Lionel Maumary) This report includes some unchecked reports as well as authenticated records Seasonal reports Spring 1991 Keith Allsopp and Barry Nightingale General weather pattern and spring movements Less is known about spring migration than autumn, mainly because far fewer birds are involved after the normal very high mortal- ity of first-year birds. The consequent com- petence of the surviving population in suc- cessfully achieving the return to breeding sites also shows in less susceptibility to adverse weather. An ideal spring migration for the birds would, however, induce a severe depression amongst many watchers. Fortunately for them, some birds, like hu- man beings, can go mad. Comments this spring have generally been ‘Where are all the birds?’, and indica- tions are that there has been a significant reduction in our summer visitors and also a bad breeding season for the resident birds. March, after a cool first three days, had above-average temperatures, as unsettled southwesterlies brought mild Atlantic air until 20th. Wheatears Oenanlhe oenanthe started to arrive on 4th along the South Coast and Chiffchaffs Phylloscoptis collybita on 6th, both species being noted in small numbers subsequently farther north. An anticyclone developed to the west, dragging southward cold Arctic air on 21st but, as the centre of pressure moved to the north by 25th, warmer easterlies followed to 30th. Wintering passerines had many opportuni- ties to leave during March, and some local concentrations were reported on the British east coast, 2, 1 25 Chaffinches Fringilla coelebs at Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire) on 10th being exceptional, and flocks of 1,000-2,000 Fieldfares Turdus pilaris collected in North- umberland during the adverse easterlies late in the month. Water Pipits Anlhus spirwletta were reported widely during March and early April. With the high pressure drifting off to the southwest, unsettled westerlies returned at the beginning of April, with vigorous depressions tracking slowly east- wards bringing in cold northwesterly air until 8th. The Azores anticyclone then moved over France for four days, and temperatures rose as warm air arrived from the southwest and conditions were good for migration to the northeast. Garganeys Anas querquedula had arrived in good numbers, and, as expected, few birds were grounded until 12th, when a developing wave depress- ion crossed England, and Spurn (Humber- side) had one of its few ‘fall’ days. By 13th, high pressure to the northwest began to dominate the weather, winds turned to north-easterlies, 1,000 Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus were estimated to be on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, and noticeable increases of this species had been reported from 12th north to Derbyshire and Lan- cashire. Temperatures began to drop quickly as Arctic air spilled southwards over western Europe, these very cold northerlies predominating until 24th, when southeas- terlies developed as pressure rose on the Continent. Temperatures were still low from this air mass and the summer visitors arrived, but in noticeably lower-than-usual numbers, and by 1st May the cold north- erlies had returned, and persisted until 10th. Returning Icelandic migrants showed some signs of being held up: Black-tailed God- wits Limosa limosa, 550 having collected at Elmley (Kent) and 400 at Marshside (Merseyside) during April, paused at Mid- land reservoirs, with 55 being an exceptional flock at Rutland Water (Leicestershire) on 24th; Pied Wagtails Molacilla alba of the nominate race first started to arrive along 549 [Brit. Birds 84: 549-554, December 1991] 550 Spring 1991 the South Coast in early March, and were noted generally throughout April in western coastal areas, 130 being at Shotwick (Cheshire) on 21st. Greenland Wheatears O. 0. leucorhoa were also noted on passage, but many April records do not distinguish the subspecies. Arctic Terns Sterna paradis- aea, passing overland, called in at Midland reserv'oirs over this cool period: 104 were seen at Draycote Reservoir (Warwickshire) on 20th April, 300 at Pitsford Reservoir (Northamptonshire) on 30th, and 280 at Eye Brook Reservoir (Leicestershire) on 5th May. A few Black Terns Chlidonias niger were also seen inland after the southeasterlies of 25th April. With pressure remaining high to the west until the end of May, westerly to northerly winds predominated, tempera- tures slowly increased as air from this warm anticyclone was pulled across Britain and Ireland, but western F.urope remained cold, 2° to 3°C below average. An intrusion of this colder air on 22nd grounded migrants at Spurn Point, including 90 Wheatears with most of them being ‘Greenland’, and a further 41 were also recorded at Gibraltar Point on the same day. Ehe arrival of summer migrants was further inhibited, and probably many had lost the urge to travel north. Swallows Hirundo rustica appeared to be particularly affected, with their depend- ence on flying insects. The Atlantic high stayed farther south during June, but so did the jet-stream, marking the division between the polar air and the warm southerly air mass and steering the depressions across Britain and Ireland, with consequent dull cloudy weather and temperatures 2°C below average, prolonging the poor weather for breeding. I'he occasional Red-backed Shrike iMnius collurio hung around, including a male at a former regular site (plate 302), but remained lonely. In May, the Jet-stream had been farther north, crossing northern Scotland before turning southward across the North Sea. On several days, the polar weather front span- ned the Atlantic, west to east, with wave depressions travelling eastwards at 50 knots. Crossing in two days, hitching a ride, came hundreds of Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudm, arriving off Aird an Runair, North Uist (Western Isles), with 424 on 12th, 60 on 18th, 502 on 19th, 67 on 20th and 180 on 21st, with 107 also on 21st off Shetland. A Lark Sparrow Chondestes gram- macus at Waxham (Norfolk) on 15th to 17th (plates 306 & 307) probably got all the assistance from the wind it needed to cross the Atlantic. So, too, could have a Buff- breasted Sandpiper Tryngiles subrujicollis at Brancaster Golf-course (Norfolk) and a Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopa- ceus at Aberlady Bay (Lothian) on 12th May. Nearctic gulls appearing in the same period were Laughing Gulls Larus atricilla in Orkney on 16th to 18th and at Musselburgh (Lothian) on 26th, and a Franklin’s Gull /,. pipixcan in Shetland on 27th. Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus started to arrive inshore earlier, from 19th April: 129 were seen in the Solway Firth (Cumbria) from 23rd to 15th May, 38 off Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) from 26th to 29th April, and over 250 in the English Channel between 21st April and the end of May, with 99 olT Seaford (East Sussex) on 21st May. Totals of 622 were seen in the skua movements at Aird an Runair, between 1 1th and 22nd May, 93 off Shetland between 14th and 23rd May and 19 off the northeast coast of England during May and early June. 302. Male Red-backed .Shrike Lanius collurio, .Santon Downham, Norfolk, June 1991 {lack l^’ene) 303. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cennnm, Seaford, East Sussex, June 1991 {li. R. Mitchell) 304. Male Pied VJheiiie<\.r Oenanthe pleschanka, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, June 1991 {Steve Young) ^ A donation from Carl '/Ass-Cermany has sul>sills Carduelis home- manrd, 40 still remained in March, but few stayed into April. Late drift-migrants Twelve Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervitms were found from the middle of May to early June (plate 303), from the Isles of Scilly to Shetland, with most on North Sea coasts, and including an exceptionally early one on Lundy (Devon) on 24th April. Most of the 15 Bluethroats Luscinia svecica seen in May to early June were also on the East Coast, and all were of the red-spotted race L. s. svecica, but a late-March record at Elamborough (Humberside) was of the central European, white-spotted form L. s. cyanecula. Of the nine Icterine Warblers Hippolau kterina in late May and June, five were in Orkney and Shetland, but two in Norfolk were in song in June, as was a Greenish Warbler Pfylloscopus trochiloides at Dungeness (Kent) on 20th. Most of the 35 reports of Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacm erylhrinus over the same period were distributed along the East Coast and on Orkney and Shetland. Exodc vagrants Exciting vagrants continue to grab the news and fuel the fantasies. The list included eight White-winged Black Terns CMidonias leucopterus, all — except one in Highland and another in Gwent — were in southern Eng- land at the end of May into June. A mercurial Needle-tailed Swift Hirundapus caudacutus displayed at Wierton Hill Reser- voir (Kent) on 26th May (plate 305), swept through Hlithfield Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 1st June and appeared hauntingly at the Noup of Noss (Shetland) on 1 1th and 14th. Five Bee-eaters Merops apiaster at Beachy Spring 1991 Head (East Sussex) on 22nd heralded a small influx, with a further 19 seen north to Yorkshire through June. Hoopoes Upupa epops arrived in southern areas of Britain and Ireland from early March and were subse- quently logged north to Shetland by June, with a grand total of 35 for the spring. Another will-o’-the-wisp species, the Red- rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica, also tan- talised watchers, 12 being glimpsed between mid April and mid June. Finally, a resplen- dent male Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pUschanka brightened 20th June at Spurn Point, where it was caught and ringed, after which it disappeared, but was later found at Scarbor- ough Castle (North Yorkshire) on 22nd, leaving on 23rd (plate 304). Acknowledgments This summary was compiled from contribu- tions from: J. C. Barker, M. Betts, J. Fraser, J. & S. Holloway, A. M. Jewels, I. Kinley, E. R. Meek, P. Murphy, M. Wallen; and published information including that in the newsletters of the Bristol Ornithological Club, Buckinghamshire Bird Club, Derby- shire Ornithological Society, Devon Bird- watching & Preservation Society, Leicester- shire and Rutland Ornithological Society, Leigh Ornithological Society, London Natu- ral History Society, Shetland Bird Club, Societe Guemesiaise, Societe Jersiaise, South East Scotland Bird Bulletin, Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group, Cape Clear Bird Observatory, Fair Isle Bird Observatory, Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory and Spurn Bird Observatory. We are especially grateful to National Bird News, which supplied copies of all the records reported to its phone service ‘Twitch-line’. Request We seek to make these quarterly summaries as comprehensive as possible. Please send all reports to us at the address below, or telephone BN on the numbers listed each month on the inside front cover. Keith AUsopp & Harry Nightingale, 7 Bloomshuty Close, U 'olmm, liedfoixLshire MK17 9QS Studies of West Palearctic birds 190. Swallow Angela K. Turner Traditionally a bearer of good fortune, a sign of the coming of spring, and generally admired for its swiftness and elegance, the Swallow Hirundo rustica is one of the most welcome and well-liked of birds. It has been dubbed a selfless and virtuous bird: ‘inoffensive, harmless, entertaining, social and useful’, as Gilbert White (1789) wrote. In many legends, it features as a bird that helps human beings, and that consoled Christ on the cross (its Swedish name, Svala, means ‘to console’). It is said to have gained its forked tail, for example, as a result of stealing fire from the gods to bring to people: a wrathful god fired an arrow or firebrand at the bird, hitting and destroying the middle tail feathers. As scientists delve into its habits, however, a more prosaic and selfish aspect is being unearthed: an aspect featuring such behaviour as cuckoldry, egg- dumping, deception and infanticide. Distribution, habitat and migration The Swallow has a broad geographical range, breeding in Asia, Europe, North Africa and North America, and wintering in southern and southeastern Asia, northern Australia, Africa, and Central and South America. There are six subspecies, varying mainly in the intensity of rufous colour on the underparts and the extent of the blue breast band (Turner & Rose 1989). Our British Swallows, in common with others from Europe and northern Asia, have creamy underparts, but those in North Africa, central Asia and North America have these areas rufous-cinnamon or chestnut. There is also a decline in size, with the largest birds in the north and smaller ones in the south and east of the range. Swallows favour open habitats — such as farmland with pastures, meadows and parkland — with water close by, over which they can hunt insects, and with buildings, in which to nest, and trees or wires, on which to perch. Eorested and wooded areas are generally avoided. They breed at altitudes of up to 1,800 m in the Alps and 3,000 m in the Caucasus. A wide variety of artificial structures, such as houses, sheds, outhouses and bams, culverts and bridges, are used as nest sites, as well as the occasional mine shaft, well, underground depot or vehicle. Consequently, Swallows have 555 [Bril. Birds 84: 555-569, December 1991] 556 Studies of Swallows bene6ted enormously from the widespread clearance of forests by human beings, and now' usually nest in close proximity to us. They were once, probably, restricted to coasts and upland areas or grasslands, where caves and rocky crags or banks and hollow trees would provide natural sites for nesting. Swallows usually leave the more densely populated towns and cities to the House Martin Delichon urbica and the Swift Apus apus, but they will construct their nests under the eaves and in the porches of houses, in villages. In some places, such as Honshu in Japan, they are much more urban than in Britain. Before the advent of centrally heated homes, they would frequently nest on the ledges of large chimneys in old houses (Forster 1817). The Swallow’s European names, such as Rauchschwalbe in Germany and Hirondelle de cheminee in France, its North American name of ‘Bam Swallow’, and even a former name in Britain, ‘House or Chimney Swallow’, attest to its liking for human habitation. Swallows are common in Britain (with about 500,000 to 1 million pairs) and the rest of Europe, although population levels fluctuate widely and have declined recently in some areas, including Britain (Glutz von Blotzheim & Bauer 1985; Cramp 1988). Numbers are particularly influenced by the weather. Since there are few or no flying insects for them to catch in such conditions, they can be hard hit by a sudden snap of cold, wet weather. Bad weather during migration has also led to large-scale mortality. Pesticides can be a problem, and a decline in the population in Israel in the 1950s was attributed to this cause. Being so conspicuous and fearless, the Swallow has long attracted the attention of European scholars, naturalists and scientists. Its disappear- ance in autumn and reappearance in the spring were once regarded as particularly mysterious events. The opinion of many, including Pliny and Linnaeus, was that Swallows crept into crevices in rocks or into the mud at the bottom of ponds and lakes to spend the winter in a torpid condition. Even Gilbert White was equivocal on the subject. The idea was probably given credence by the habit of Swallows of huddling together inside crevices in walls and buildings in cold weather, early in spring for example. It was not until the end of the eighteenth century that the possibility of Swallows migrating came into favour, when records of their being seen out at sea built up (Forster 1817). Extensive ringing has now, of course, provided a detailed picture of the movements of Swallows. The main passage south is in September and October, with the return to the breeding grounds in April and May. Those from western and continental Europe winter mainly in Central Africa, while those from more northern and easterly areas migrate to Central and East Africa and eastern South Africa (Zink 1970). Some of the populations do mix, however, with west, central and east European birds all wintering in Namibia and Botswana (Eoske 1986). Swallows from Britain, together with those from Russia and Central Europe, winter in eastern and southern South Africa. Since the winter of 1962/63, British Swallows have extended their winter range west into Cape Province (Rowan 1968; Mead 1970). Small numbers winter in the southern parts of the breeding range, and a few aberrant individuals will hang about even as far north as Britain. 557 Studies of Swallows Feeding behaviour and diet When feeding, Swallows typically skim low, only some 7-8 m above the ground or water surface (Waugh 1978), frequently banking and turning to pursue an insect. They fly fast, averaging 10 m per second, using mainly flapping rather than gliding flight (Waugh 1978; Turner 1980). Swallows are particularly fond of feeding around grazing animals because these both attract flies and disturb other insects from the vegetation. The saying that Swallows feeding low presage bad weather is only partly true: in fine weather, they feed both close to the ground, chasing the large flies found there, and high in the air, to intercept, say, a swarm of aphids, whereas in cold, wet weather they must keep low, particularly over water, as small insects tend to fly lower as the humidity increases. In very bad weather, they will even hover over, or perch on, foliage to pick off insects and spiders from the leaves, or feed from the ground. Very rarely, they will take plant material, such as berries (see, e.g., von Vietinghoff-Riesch 1955). I have also recorded them taking caterpillars, such as those of the small moth Ypsolopha parenthesella, which hang down on a thread from a leaf when disturbed; the Swallows may have brushed the foliage, thus disturbing the insects and facilitating their capture (Turner 1981). Swallows feed close to their nest site, usually within 200 m when feeding nestlings, as they then have to return to the nest frequently, but often up to 600 m or even farther earlier in the season and when the weather is bad (Bryant & Turner 1982). Where they feed depends largely on th^ weather and food supply, as insects are often confined to local bodies of water in cold, wet weather and to behind trees and shelterbelts in windy weather, restricting the Swallows’ feeding options (Waugh 1978). Although several pairs may forage over a common area, they feed singly (or in pairs during the egg-laying period). When feeding nestlings, the Swallows at my study site, near Stirling in Scotland, collected 18 bluebottle-sized insects on average per trip, but would bring back small loads containing lots of small prey, such as midges, in bad weather, when large insects were not flying (Bryant & Turner 1982). In fine weather, they selected large flies in preference to small ones, but when small insects, such as swarming plant bugs, were abundant, particularly when relatively more abundant than other insects, they also took large numbers of these (Turner 1982). A lot of sifting through droppings has revealed that, during the breeding season, the adults eat medium-sized to large flies themselves, but also take a lot of beetles as well as smaller flies, parasitic wasps, ants, bees and moths (Waugh 1978; Turner 1980). In their wintering quarters, however, it is ants and similar insects that are the chief food, forming half of the diet, with smaller numbers of beetles, termites, grasshoppers, plant bugs, moths and flies (Waugh 1978). The change in diet is probably simply the result of differences in availability of ants and flies in the breeding and wintering areas. The diet of my Scottish nestlings consisted principally of large flies, such as hoverflies, horseflies, robber-flies and blowflies. Plant bugs, such as aphids, made up nearly a quarter of the diet, and other small flies, beetles, parasitic wasps, caterpillars, mayflies, caddisflies, dragonflies. 558 Studies of Swallows 308. Swallow Hirundo ruslica feeding fledgling, Dumfries & Galloway, September 1969 {Robert T. Smith) grasshoppers and lacewings were also taken. The nestlings are fed larger insects than the adults catch for themselves (Waugh 1978; Turner 1980). Throughout the breeding range, the nestlings’ diet is similar, with large flies predominating (e.g. Wang 1959; Kozena 1979, 1980). Moths were sometimes taken in late summer in generally poor weather, or at dusk when they were attracted to lights around the farms, but they were difficult for the birds to handle and I often saw escaped moths below the nest. Swallows have been accused of depredating bee-hives; in his Parliament of Fowls, Chaucer called the Swallow a ‘murderer of the fowles small/that maken honey of flowers fresh of hue’. 1 found, however, that most of the bees caught were stingless drones, not workers. Breeding biology Although Abraham Cowley, in his poem ‘The Swallow’, considered it a ‘tuneless serenade’, the male’s song is more usually described as a melodious twittering or babbling mixed with a grating rattling. It is sung during flight or when the male is perched, and lasts 3-15 seconds, seiz ing mainly to attract females. Males continue to sing, however, once they have a mate, until the eggs are laid and incubation has started, perhaps as a warning to keep intruders away from the female (Moller 1991a). Swallows have a number of other calls (Cramp 1988), including a chirping contact call used to keep the members of a pair, or later the family, together; a wheezing enticement call, used by males to attract a female; an ‘it it it’ call used during pair-bonding; a whine, uttered during copulation; a stuttering ‘witt titititi’, used as a threat; and a variety of harsh alarm calls, usually a disyllabic ‘tsi wit’, used particularly when a potential predator is about. Females do not sing the full song of the male, but both will twitter gently in the same contexts as that in which the contact call is given. 559 Studies of Swallows The male arrives first at a nest site. Once he has laid claim to a nest or a site for a new nest, he is aggressive to other males entering his territory and he displays to attract passing females (Ldhrl 1962). He sings while circling high above the site, with his tail fanned out, then flies down to land at the nest site. He entices females to come close with a wheezing ‘wi- wi-wi’ call, then resumes his singing. Once the female has landed, he shows her the nest or nest site by pecking towards it. Both sexes build the nest, spending about two hours a day and taking a week or so over it, but the female generally does more work than the male, and she adds the lining of dry grass and feathers. The nest is constructed of mud pellets and straw or other vegetation, forming a deep, open bowl, usually attached to a projection on a wall or beam, or under eaves, most often a few metres above the ground. It is strong enough to last many years, with a little repairing and building-up taking place each season. Swallows arriving early usually re-use an old nest, although they avoid nests infested with parasites (Moller 1990a); late-comers, the younger birds, generally make a new one, which is often quite shallow (Turner 1980). The timing of breeding is determined by the weather and the food supply. The availability of flying insects depends a great deal on the weather; few insects, particularly the large ones favoured by the Swallow, fly when it is cold and wet, and a sudden spell of bad weather can reduce their numbers considerably. Insects become gradually more abundant during the spring, and the likelihood of bad weather occurring decreases as the season advances. At my study site, the risk of bad weather was considerably less after the first half of May than before, so Swallows laying eggs and incubating at that time were reasonably certain of having a good food supply during this critical period. It did not always turn out like this, of course. As chance would have it, my first summer at Stirling, in 1977, although it started fine, turned out to be very cold and wet, with snow in June. The Swallows laid at the usual time, but during incubation were forced to spend unusually long periods away from the nest, searching for food. In Britain, the female lays an average of four or five eggs, but can lay up to seven. Older females have larger clutches than first-years. The eggs are laid one a day, with sometimes a gap of a day if the weather is bad and food, therefore, scarce. There is often a second clutch, somewhat smaller than the first. Clutch size also decreases with increasing latitude (Moller 1984). The second clutch may be smaller because there are fewer daylight hours available later in the season for feeding the nestlings. In extreme northern latitudes, there may be time for only a single clutch; but elsewhere the female occasionally manages a small third clutch. The eggs are white, with reddish or purplish-brown speckles and some lilac or grey. The markings are variable, differing between clutches. The female incubates the eggs for 14-16 days, covering them for about 80% of the daylight hours and going out to feed only a few minutes at a time. The male has occasionally been seen on the nest. I have seen two males, on one occasion each, sitting on the nest for less than a minute each time. In 560 Studies of Swallows 309. Male Swallow Hinindo rustica feeding nestlings, Surrey, July 1974 (Michael IV. Richards) contrast, once, when I had caught and temporarily detained an incubating female, her mate just peered at the eggs, went away, and returned with another female! On this side of the Atlantic, the male makes no serious contribution to incubation. Indeed, he does not have a brood patch with a rich blood supply, so could not warm the eggs as the female does. His North American counterpart, however, will do up to a quarter of the incubation (Ball 1983). Once the nestlings have hatched, the female broods them for considerable periods for the first few days while the male helps to collect food for them. After the first week, the male and female feed the nestlings about equally when the weather is fine and insects abundant, although males take a smaller share in feeding small broods than large ones. When feeding is difficult, however, the male acts more selfishly: the female spends as much time feeding her brood as she does looking after herself, whereas the male puts relatively more effort into seeing to his own needs (Turner 1980;Joites 1988). The young Swallows leave the nest 18-23 days after hatching, riieir parents split the brood between them, the male feeding some nestlings and the female the others (Moller 1991c). They may stay near the nest site for a month or so, at first sometimes roosting in the nest, hut the adult male chases off the first brood when starting on the second one. Breeding success is usually high ((But/, von Blot/.heim & Bauer 1983; Cramp 1988). J’ypically, over 90% of eggs hatch, and 70-90% of eggs laid produce fledglings. Most adults live only a few years, the annual mortality being 40-70% for adults and 70-80% for first-years. 561 Studies of Swallows During the breeding season, the adults and juveniles roost in the nest or close by. After breeding, they gather in communal roosts, sometimes of hundreds or thousands of individuals, in reedbeds, crops or other tall vegetation. In the winter quarters, roosts can hold up to 1 million birds. These can be in natural sites or, more rarely, in urban areas, such as the famous one in Bangkok, Thailand {Brit. Birds 78: plate 12; 82: 282). Swallows have a spectacular pre-roosting display, bunching together and passing to and fro over the roost site before sweeping down into the vegetation. Adults usually come back to their nest site of the previous year, and often to the same nest. First-years, particularly males, often return to within 3 km of where they were hatched, and nearly all return to within 30 km (Davis 1965; Christensen 1981). Females breed in their first year back, but males occasionally remain without a mate until their second year (Moller 1988c). Swallows often breed in solitary pairs. Where several potential nest sites are situated close to each other, however, in a large barn for example, at a site where insects are plentiful. Swallows will nest in loose aggregations of several pairs or even tens of pairs. At my own study site near Stirling, the average number was only four pairs per farm. Von VietinghofF-Riesch (1955) recorded a group of 120 pairs at one site and 280 at another, but such numbers are exceptional. Unlike the truly colonial House Martin, whose nests are built touching each other, a Swallow prefers to keep several metres between its nest and that of a neighbour. Both male and female are aggressive at the nest, chasing away intruders; threatening, with feathers sleeked, wings raised and bill open; or even fighting fiercely. Females are particularly aggressive towards other females who may be looking for a nest in which to dump an egg (see below). Males attack other males interested in their females, but will court females approaching the territory. Some intruders are also infanticidal: Anders Moller (1988c) found that 5% of broods in his Danish population suffered from this. For a few days after the nestlings have hatched, unmated males are frequent visitors to the nest. One way that such males can acquire a mate is to kill the young nestlings, break up the established pair bond, and then pair with the females who have to start a new family. Moller (1988c) recorded several instances of males killing nestlings of 1 to 4 days old. At three nests, unattended by their owners, he watched a male remove a whole brood, by picking up each nestling, flying some distance away and then dropping it on the ground. Infanticide was suspected at 1 1 other nests during the study. In all 14 cases, an unattached male seen visiting the nest, and apparently responsible for the deaths of the nestlings, paired with the female; 12 of them successfully reared a brood with their new mate. Moller attributed one-third of the deaths of nestlings to such infanticide. Mate choice How a female chooses which male to visit, and eventually pair with, has 562 Studies of Swallows 310. Swallow Hirundo rustica with tail fanned, Worcestershire, August 1980; note white spots and long outer tail feathers {Charles Robinson) been elegantly demonstrated by Moller (1988a). The male Swallow has much longer outer tail feathers than does the female (the male’s averaging 105 mm, compared with the female’s 95 mm). When Moller artificially increased the length of the outer tail feathers of some males, he found that they attracted females sooner than short-tailed males. Naturally long- tailed males arrive early in the spring, attract a mate and start breeding early (Moller 1990c). Since they mate earlier, they are also more likely to have the time to rear a second clutch. In addition, long-tailed males are more likely to survive to the following breeding season (Moller 1991e). In general, therefore, long-tailed males are more successful than short-tailed males. Adult male birds often have ornaments such as an elongated tail, "fhe ornament may indicate that its owner is a high-quality male who is in good condition; females mating with such a male will benefit by producing high-quality offspring, who will themselves be successful at breeding. Growing a long tail or other ornament is likely to be costly, however, diverting energy from other uses, so only the best males will be able to afford to grow otie. 563 Studies of Swallows One indication of the ability of a male Swallow to grow a long tail is the degree of symmetry of the tail. The outer tail feathers are normally the same length as each other, but if a male in poor condition tries to grow a long tail he will not have the resources to grow a perfectly symmetrical one: one side or the other will be short. Short-tailed males are, thus, more likely to have asymmetrical tails. Moller (199 Id) designed an experiment to test the manoeuvrability of male Swallows with tails differing in their symmetry. By cutting the tail feathers, he made the tails more (or less) asymmetric; he then dyed the front edge of the wings with a slow-drying ink and released the Swallows in a room with barriers made of netting. Swallows brushing the barriers left a clear, inky, mark. Moller found that asymmetrical tails impaired the Swallows’ ability to fly without touching the barriers. The males with naturally short tails were also less adept at manoeuvring than naturally long-tailed ones. The Swallow’s forked tail is not merely an ornament, of course. The fork makes the bird more manoeuvrable, allowing it to follow the twists and turns of its insect prey (Waugh 1978). A square-tailed hirundine, such as the Sand Martin Riparia riparia, is less able to catch large, fast prey, and concentrates on small, weak-flying insects, such as midges. The female Swallow’s tail is ideal for hunting insects, but, as already noted, the long tail of the male has the extra function of attracting females; its primary function of improving manoeuvrability is thus compromised. Perhaps as a result of this, males bring back smaller loads of prey to their chicks than do females (Jones 1987). Moller’s Swallows with experimentally length- ened tails became less efficient at capturing large prey and brought smaller prey back to the nestlings; they seemed to be less able to feed themselves adequately than were the short-tailed individuals, and in the next moult they could grow only short tail feathers (Moller 1989). Good-quality male Swallows, it seems, have the ability to grow long, symmetrical tails, while still being good at hunting insects. Poor-quality males that tried to grow a more attractive long tail would be unable to grow a symmetrical one, and their ability to catch insects would suffer. A long, symmetrical tail is a general advertisement of high quality and good condition. There are several reasons why a female should choose a long-tailed male. The tail could, for example, indicate that the male is a good hunter of insects (and, thus, potentially a good provider of food for the offspring) or that he is healthy, in particular free of debilitating parasites (and thus he would pass on his genetic resistance to parasites to his offspring as well as avoiding infecting his own nest, mate and offspring with the parasites). Swallows have a variety of parasites living in the nest and in their plumage. A common parasite is the blood-feeding mite Omithonyssus bursa, which feeds on both the nestlings and the adults. The mites reproduce quickly, passing through some ten generations during a single breeding cycle of their hosts, with numbers sometimes building up to several thousands. Moller (1990a) added mites to nests to see what effect a heavy infestation would have. The mites harmed the nestlings, which did not put on as much weight as nestlings in nests free of mites. Nestlings from nests 564 Studies of Swallows with large numbers of mites were also more likely to die in the nest or soon after they fledged. Thus, adults whose nests were heavily infested produced fewer independent fledglings from their first clutches and had smaller and less-successful second clutches as well. The adults are also directly harmed. The mites make their hosts anaemic, which might affect their stamina; infected males, for example, cannot sing for long (Moller 1991a). Males breeding in heavily infested nests were also restricted in the length to which they could grow their tails during the next moult (Moller 1990b). Thus, it pays a female looking for a mate to avoid a male infected with mites. An infected male is likely to be in poor condition himself, the pair will be unable to rear as many offspring as they otherwise could, and the offspring will also suffer, when adults, from the attentions of parasites. In an experiment in which he cross-fostered nestlings between broods, Moller (1990b) found that the number of mites on the nestlings was related to the number on their true parents rather than to the number on their foster parents, indicating a genetic resistance to the mites. Long- tailed males also had offspring with fewer mites. A female choosing an uninfected male is thus likely to be choosing one that is naturally resistant to these parasites. She can choose a healthy, uninfected male by choosing one with a long tail; he will have proved his vigour and resistance to parasites. Mate-guarding and cuckoldry Although Swallows breed monogamously (males pairing with two females are rare), a certain amount of promiscuity goes on. Males want to sire as many offspring as possible and, potentially, they can sire more than just the clutch laid by their mates, d hey therefore gain by copulating with other females and letting them and their mates rear the chicks. A female 311. Male Swallow Himndo nistica collecting nest material from roadside, Northumberland, June 1987 (A. R. Hamblin) 565 Studies of Swallows might also sometimes want to copulate with a male other than her own mate; for example, she might not have the pick of males when she arrives at a nest site because some males (the older, high-quality males that arrived first) have already got partners. By copulating with the older birds, while pairing with another male, her offspring will benefit from the good genes of the former while she still has her own mate to help rear the chicks. A male Swallow may thus end up rearing nestlings that have been sired by another male. On average, about one-quarter of the chicks are sired by a male other than the one feeding them (Moller 1987a, 1989). Understandably, therefore, male Swallows try to protect their interests by guarding their mates from the attentions of other males (Moller 1987a, 1987b). A male need not guard his mate for the whole season, but just when she is carrying developing eggs that can be fertilised, from some five days before she starts laying until the day before she lays her last egg. The male Swallow guards her for about a fortnight over this period, for both first and second clutches. He shadows her movements, keeping within a few metres of her, both around the nest and while away foraging. When she goes to fetch some feathers to line the nest, he follows, but does not help with her chores. Any approaching males are quickly seen off. Sometimes, an intruding male will get close enough to a female to try to mount and copulate with her, but if her mate is close by he will interfere and chase off the interloper. If a male does lose sight of his mate during the egg-laying period, he has another trick to stop her copulating with other males: he gives an alarm call, apparently warning of the presence of a predator, but in the absence of any such threat (Moller 1990d). He flies around the site where the group is nesting, calling intensely, which causes all the other Swallows in the vicinity to fly out into the open; any surreptitious mating attempts are thus curtailed. Males are, however, sometimes successful at extra-pair copulations. They take note of when a male temporarily leaves his mate, perhaps to chase off another rival, and take the opportunity to copulate with her. After such an extra-pair copulation, the female’s mate copulates with her frequently, to dilute the rival’s sperm and so increase his chances of being the father of her offspring (Moller 1987c). Most of the extra-pair copulations are by neighbours of the female and occur in her fertile period, when they are most likely to be successful. The female also benefits from being guarded by her mate because she is disturbed less by other males at a critical time when she has to find extra food for the developing eggs. She may thus actively encourage him to guard, so that any unwanted male suitors are kept away. To see how well the guarding male protects his female from harassment from other males, Moller (1987a) temporarily removed some males from a group of Swallows. He found that females without guarding mates were involved in more chases and copulations by other males than those being guarded, so mate-guarding is effective. Following the female in this way is costly, since it interferes with other activities, such as feeding. The male can feed at the same time as the female, but not so efficiently. She is likely to frighten off insects before the 566 Studies of Swallows 312. Swallow Hirundo rustica, Cheshire, August 1983 {Anthony J. Bond) male has a chance to catch them, and he is restricted to feeding where she has already fed. As a result, only males in good condition can continue to guard for a long time, and even they lose weight at this time (Moller 1987b, unpublished data, cited in 1991e). Males also cannot both guard their females and partake in copulations with other females. When their mates are no longer fertile, however, and are occupied in incubating their eggs, the males can go off in pursuit of other females. Thus, it is usually old, early-breeding males whose mates are already incubating, and young, late-breeding females at the laying stage that are involved in extra-pair copulations (Moller 1985). This may explain why the females do not always reject the intruder: an early- breeding male is likely to be a better-quality one than her own mate and may, therefore, be a welcome copulation partner. Once the eggs are being incubated, the male Swallow can do nothing more about protecting himself from cuckolders. He still, however, need not waste time and energy looking after offspring that are not his. It is unlikely that he knows which offspring are his and which are the result of other illicit unions, but there may be clues to indicate that some chicks are not his own. Thus, if he saw his mate being chased by another male, or if he lost contact with her during her fertile period, then he may be uncertain whether he was the father of the chicks. In such a case, he might spend less time and energy wearing himself out feeding his mate’s brood. Studies of Swallows 567 perhaps thereby remaining in good health and so improving his prospects of surviving to the next breeding season. This is just what does happen. Moller (1991b) temporarily detained some group-breeding male Swallows during their females’ fertile period and recorded how willing they were, later, to defend their brood against a potential predator, a stuffed Little Owl Athene noctua. While their mates were absent, the females were involved in more extra-pair copulations than other females whose mates were present. The experimental males subsequently engaged in less alarm-calling and mobbing and refrained from approaching the stuffed predator as closely as did other males. Males also varied in how much effort they put into feeding the brood, depending upon how unfaithful their partners had been (Moller 1988b). The more often a male copulated with his mate, the more feeds he brought to the chicks. The more often she was chased by other males (and presumably copulated with them), the less food he brought. The experimental males that had been detained during their mates’ fertile period also fed the chicks less, and some of their chicks died of starvation. Female Swallows can also be uncertain of whether they are the true mothers of the eggs they incubate because some females dump eggs into the nests of other females, leaving the latter to incubate them and rear the chicks (Moller 1987d). Swallows lay only one egg per day, but occasionally two turn up in the nest on the same day; Moller found that the markings of these extra eggs did not match those of the rest of the clutch, but, in 42 out of 47 cases, did match the eggs of the nearest female neighbour. Alien eggs added before the nest-owner has laid are ejected, but those laid during egg-laying and incubation are kept, perhaps because the female cannot identify which eggs are hers and which belong to another female. Moller found that 16% of nests were parasitised in this way. Females breeding in large groups, and therefore with lots of neighbours, not surprisingly suffered the most from such parasitism. Parasitised females ended up with small broods of their own, fledging an average of only three young, whereas parasitic females did well by rearing their own broods as well as having chicks reared in other nests, and thus having 4.5 fledglings on average. Group-living Breeding in a group can be a severe disadvantage for a male Swallow, particularly a young male, because of the increased opportunity for his mate to copulate with other males. Chases, copulations and extra-pair copulations, as well as territorial intrusions, are all more frequent in groups than for solitarily breeding Swallows (Moller 1985, 1987e). Accordingly, a group-breeding male has to guard his mate for a few days longer than does a solitarily breeding male, and he stays with her for longer during each day as well (within 5 m for 77% of the time, compared with 63%: Moller 1987b). The male who is part of a large group also spends more time singing, perhaps to deter intruders (Moller 1991a). For both males and females, there are also other costs resulting from being in a group, such as greater risks of food shortage and of suffering from mites, egg-dumping and infanticide (Moller 1987e). 568 Studies of Swallows So, why do Swallows bother to breed together? They do not benefit from any advantages of group foraging, since they feed alone or in pairs and there is less food available per bird for Swallows breeding in groups (Turner 1980; Moller 1987e). They also gain little from improved defence, since predation tends to be low anyway, although any predator such as a cat or Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus may be spotted more quickly by a group (Moller 1987e). Some individuals do benefit, however (Moller 1987e): males that arrive early, for example, have the opportunity to copulate with more partners than if they bred solitarily; unmated males may obtain some copulations in a group, from widows or by killing chicks and inducing the female to desert her current mate; females can dump eggs in the nests of other females; and young females can copulate outside their pair bond with older, better-quality males. As with many other aspects of their lives, the abundance of insects probably influences how close together Swallows breed. Groups are large when insects are locally abundant (Moller 1987e) and when the population density of Swallows is high (Moller 199 Id). A good food supply may thus attract and maintain a large number of Swallows. Swallows that arrive early may be able to choose the best site for food and for a nest, but late-comers may be more limited in where they can find suitable feeding sites, nest sites and mates. Thus, they might have to go to those places where some pairs are already established. A group of Swallows on a farm may thus be a sign not only of good fortune, but also of a healthy insect population. References Bai.I., G. F. 1983. Functional incubation in male Barn Swallows. Auk 100: 997-998. Bryant, D. M., & Turner, A. K. 1982. Central place foraging by swallows (Hirundinidae): the question of load size. Anim. Behav. 20: 845-856. CttRlSTF.NSEN, P. V. 1981. Recoveries of Danish Swallows, Hirundo rustica. Dansk Om. Foren. Tidsskr. 75: 47-50. Cramp, S. (ed.) 1988. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. vol. 5. Oxford. D.avis, P. 1965. Recoveries of Swallows ringed in Britain and Ireland. Bird Study 12: 151-169. Forster, 'F. 1817. Observations of the Natural History of Swallows; with a Collateral Statement of Facts Relative to their Migration and to their Brumal Torpidity. 6th ed. London. Ci.UTZVON Bi.otzheim, U. N., & Bauer, K. M. 1985. Handbuch der Vogel Mitteleuropas. vol. 10. Wiesbaden. Jones, G. 1987. Parental foraging ecology and feeding behaviour during nestling rearing in the .Swallow. Ardea 75: 169-174. 1988. Concurrent demands of parent and offspring Swallows Hirundo rustica in a variable feeding environment. Omw .SVanrf. 19: 145-152. Kozena, I. 1979. A study of the qualitative composition of the diet of young Swallows {Hirundo rustica) in an agricultural farm. Folia Zoo/. 28: 337-346. 1980. Dominance of items and diversity of the diet of young Swallows (Hirundo natica). Folia Zool. 143-156. I,()IIRI., H. 1962. Paarhildung und Polygamic der Rauchschwalhe. Vogelivelt 83: 1 16-122. Loske, K.-H. 1986. Fhe origins of Furopean .Swallows wintering in Namibia and Bot.swana. Ring. Migr.l: \\Si-\2\. Mead, C. 1970. Winter quarters of British Swallows. Bird Study 17: 229-240. Myil.I.ER, A. P. 1984. Geographical trends in breeding parameters of .Swallows, Himndo m.stica, and House Martins, Delichon urbica. Om. Scand. 15: 43-54. Studies of Swallows 569 1985. Mixed reproductive strategy and mate guarding in a semi-colonial passerine, the Swallow Hirundo rustica. Behav. Ecol. Sodobiol. 17: 401-408. 1987a. Mate guarding in the Swallow Hirundo rustica. Behav. Ecol. Sodobiol. 21: 1 19-123. 1987b. Extent and duration of mate guarding in Swallows Hirundo rustica. Omis Scand. 18: 95-100. 1987c. Behavioural aspects of sperm competition in Swallows, Hirundo rustica. Behaviour 100: 92-104. 1987d. Intraspecific nest parasitism and anti-parasite behaviour in Swallows, Hirundo rustica. Anim. Behav. 35: 247-254. 1987e. Advantages and disadvantages of coloniality in the Swallow, Hirundo rustica. Anim. Behav. 35: 819-832. 1988a. Female choice selects for male sexual tail ornaments in the monogamous Swallow. Nature 322: 640-642. 1988b. Paternity and parental care in the Swallow, Hirundo rustica. Anim. Behav. 36: 996- 1005. 1988c. Infanticidal and anti-infanticidal strategies in the Swallow, Hirundo rustica. Behav. Ecol. Sodobiol. 22: 365-371. 1989. Viability costs of male tail ornaments in a swallow. Nature 339: 132-135. 1990a. Effects of parasitism by a haemotophagous mite on reproduction in the Barn Swallow. Ecology 1 1 : 2345-2357. 1990b. Effects of a haemotophagous mite on the Barn Swallow {Hirundo rustica): a test of the Hamilton and Zuk hypothesis. Evolution 44: 771-784. 1990c. Male tail length and female mate choice in the monogamous Swallow Hirundo rustica. Anim. Behav. 39: 458-465. 1990d. Deceptive use of alarm calls by male Swallows, Hirundo rustica: a new paternity guard. Behav. Ecol. 1: 1-6. 1991a. Parasite load reduces song output in a passerine bird. Anim. Behav. 41: 723-730. 1991b. Defence of offspring by male Swallows, Hirundo rustica, in relation to participation in extra-pair copulations by their mates. Anim. Behav. in press. 1991c. Double broodedness and mixed reproductive strategies by female Swallows. Anim. Behav. in press. 199 Id. Density-dependent extra-pair copulations in the Swallow Hirundo rustica. Ethology 87: 316-329. 1991e. Viability is positively related to degree of ornamentation in male Swallows. Proc. R. Soc. Land. B 243: 145-148. Rowan, M. K. 1968. The origins of European Swallows ‘wintering’ in South Africa. Ostrich 39: 76-84. Turner, A. K. 1980. The use of time and energy by aerial feeding birds. PhD thesis. University of Stirling. 1981. Lepidopteran larvae in the diet of the Swallow. Bird Study 28: 65. 1982. Timing of laying by Swallows {Hirundo rustica) and Sand Martins {Riparia riparia).J. Anim. Ecol. 5 1 : 29-46. & Rose, C. 1989. A Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the World. London. VON Vietinghofe-Rie.SCH, a. 1955. Die Rauchschwalbe. Berlin. Wang. 1959. Preliminary studies on the life-history of the House Swallow. Acta Zool. Sinica 1 1 : 138-144. Waugh, D. R. 1978. Predation strategies in aerial feeding birds. PhD thesis. University of Stirling. Who’E, G. 1789. The Naturcd History of Selbome. Zink, G. 1970. The migrations of European Swallows to Africa from data obtained through ringjing in Europe. Ostrich Suppl. 8: 21 1-222. Dr Angela K. Turner, School of Biohgical Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BNl 9QG Notes Treetop hunting by Hen Harriers On 14th February 1988, we observed an adult male Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus hunting for about 15 minutes through the top of the canopy of a belt of mature Scots pines Pinus sylvestris bordering a Breckland communal roost site of this species in Suffolk. The trees were about 15 m tall and the canopy was mostly closed. The harrier foraged carefully, flying slowly along the belt among the treetops with his head lowered. PH observed the same behaviour at this site by a male Hen Harrier on 12th March 1988, when two unsuccessful strikes were seen; and for eight minutes by two males on 21st March, after one had been observed hunting over a conifer plantation 1 km away. This slow, quartering type of bird-hunting is in contrast to the fast, ground-level flight described by Wassenich (1968), Schipper et al. (1975) and N. Picozzi (in Cramp & Simmons 1980), which we, too, have observed, but both methods seem to be practised mostly by the smaller and more agile male Hen Harrier. Analysis of pellets from winter roosts of Hen Harriers in Breckland and in the New Forest, Hampshire (proportions of grey males ranging from 41% to 69%), revealed that woodland species such as Goldcrest Regulus regains, Coal Tit Parus ater. Blue Tit P. caeruleus. Great Tit P. major. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs. Crossbill Loxia curvirostra and Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula feature in the prey taken in these well-wooded areas (Clarke & Palmer 1987; Clarke et al. 1988; Clarke unpubl.). Our observations suggest that these may be captured by quartering of treetops. R()c;er Clarke and Peter Hadrill New Hythe Home, Reach, Cambridge CBS 0](l REFERENCES Cl ARKE, R., COMBRIDGF., M. C., & CoMBRilxJE, P. 1988. The diet of Hen Harriers roosting in the New Forest. Hampshire Bird Report 1987: 78-82. , & Pai.MF.R, D. 1987. The diet of Hen Harriers roosting on a Breckland heath. Suffolk Birds 36: 71-75. Cramp, S., & Simmons, K. E. L. 1980. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. vol. 2. Oxford. SCHIPPFR, W. J. A., Buurma, L. S., & Bossfnbrofk, P. H. 1975. Comparative study of wintering Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus and Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus. .Ardea 63: 1-29. Wassfnich, V. 1968. Durchzug und Uberwinterung der Komweihe. Regulus 9: 214-225. Swallow aggressively attacking Common Sandpiper On 30th August 1988, at Hay-a-Park Gravel-pits, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, 1 was watching a Common Sandpiper ArhYw hypoleucos flying low across the water towards me when a Swallow Hirundo rmtica suddenly came into the field of view of my binoculars, apparently chasing the wader, "fhe Swallow rapidly came closer and swerved directly at the sandpiper, which took evasive action; this was repeated, and on the second occasion the Swallow hit the 570 Notes 571 wader s tail. As the birds approached the shore, the Swallow pulled away and allowed the sandpiper to land unmolested. Stephen M. Root 21 Aspin Park Drive, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8EY This attack by the Swallow, involving actual contact, appears to have been unusually aggressive. See the editorial comment to the note by Michael Hamzij below. Ens Swallow chasing Kingfisher On 23rd August 1982, at high tide at Llandulph, Cornwall, 1 watched a Swallow Hirundo rustica chasing a Kingfisher Alcedo atthis over water, near the water’s edge, beneath the sea wall. Several times, the chase passed right below me over a distance of approximately 50 m, the Kingfisher diving beneath the water on a number of occasions in an effort to escape its pursuer; each time that the Kingfisher surfaced, the Swallow continued the chase, before both birds disappeared from view. BWP (vol. 5) states that Swallows commonly chase birds of various other species, especially food competitors, in late summer and autumn. I would be interested to learn whether there have been any previous records involving Kingfishers. Michaee Hamzij 13 Haljway Close, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BAM 7HQ Dr K. E. L. Simmons has commented; ‘In Brit. Birds 44: 369-371, I recorded what I termed “interspecific flight-reactions” in autumn by a number of species, including the pursuit by Swallows of Kingfisher (two records) and of Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (one record); in one instance, a Swallow followed a Kingfisher’s course “low down, straight and fast over the water for about 150 yards”. 1 interpreted such behaviour as a type of “exaggerated social response” triggered automatically by the sight of a flying bird close by. The incidents described by Mr Hamzij, and Mr Root involving Common Sandpiper (above), however, seem to involve rather more than mere following.’ Eds Swallows feeding in company with Starlings On 1st September 1988, at Northam Burrows, Devon, I watched about 20 Swallows Hirundo rustica apparently feeding on flying insects immediately above a flock of at least 100 Starlings Stumus vulgaris. The Starlings were feeding as they moved across short grazed grass in a tight flock facing into a strong (force 6-7) southwest wind. The Swallows made frequent laboured flights into the wind about 0.5 m above the Starlings; on reaching the front of the Starling flock, they drifted with the wind to the rear and repeated their feeding flights. During 20 minutes’ observation, the Swallows kept immediately above the Starling flock. On 2nd September, in similar wind conditions, at a site 300 m away, ten Swallows were attending a feeding Starling flock and behaving in the same way. Since the Swallows kept in very close proximity to the Starlings, it would seem that they were feeding on insects disturbed by the latter. The only reference in BWP (vol. 5) to Swallows taking advantage of insects disturbed by other birds concerns their feeding around a party of Ruffs R. M. R. James 43 Briar Lea Close, Sinjin, Derly DE2 9PB Dr Angela Turner (1989, A Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the World) stated that Swallows often catcb insects disturbed by other birds and mammals, including man, and Swallows have been recorded persistently following man for this purpose (e.g. Brit. Birds 52: 164, 269). This behaviour is not, therefore, uncommon, but Mr James’s observations provide an excellent example of it. Ens 572 Notes Juvenile Swallow in Channel Islands in April On 16th April 1988, while attempting to ring migrant hirundines at St Ouen’s Pond, Jersey, Channel Islands, David Buxton succeeded in catching two of the ten or so Swallows Hirundo rustica then feeding in the area. One was a normal adult. The other, however, was in complete juvenile plumage, with pale forehead and throat lacking the chestnut coloration, a distinct absence of gloss on the upperparts, generally paler underparts than those of the adult, and a tail of normal length for a juvenile; it had no extended gape, and DB, from his experience of ringing thousands of Swallows, reckoned that it had fledged at least one month beforehand. Juvenile Swallows have been reported on 17th May in Yorkshire and Jersey {Brit. Birds 62: 282-284) and on lOth May in Kent {Brit. Birds 70: 122). This occurrence in the Channel Islands was nearly a month earlier; if the same explanation is invoked as for the previous records (namely, that juveniles fledged by mid April in southern Spain get caught up in the passage of more northerly populations), it would require a remarkably early breeding date some- where to the south. R. Long Ozarda, St John, Jersey, Channel Islands Philadelphia Vireo in Scilly: new to Britain At about 16.00 GM l on 10th October 1987, with the farmer’s permission, Dick Filby and I entered the fields on Borough Fann on the northeastern side of Tresco, Isles of Scilly, and began to walk down the main track towards the pines at the bottom, flanked on our right-hand side by a hedge of sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus. As we moved slowly downhill, checking the small fields and their hedges, I noticed a small bird hovering low by the main hedge about 75 m ahead. I raised my binoculars to identify the expected Goldcrest Regulus regains when another bird appeared in my field of view, again in the main hedge, but much closer. Refocusing, I immediately realised that 1 was looking at a member of tbe North American family Vireonidae, and 313. Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus, Scilly, October 1987 [Pete Wheeler) Notes 573 314. Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus, Scilly, October 1987 (Pete Wheeler) exclaimed ‘Vireo!’ twice. DF joined me for brief views before the bird moved into the hedge. ‘Philadelphia?’, he said. We then obtained prolonged views at a range of about 30 m, the bird feeding along the edge of a small orchard bathed in direct sunlight. Having built up a description of its salient features, we were able to confirm its identity as a Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus with the aid of The National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America (1983), which we happened to have with us. The bird was eventually seen by over 1,000 people during its four-day stay, and was last seen at about 16.00 GMT on 13th October, by me, in the same spot in which Dick Filby and I had found it. BEHAVIOUR Stayed mostly in sycamore hedges and, occasionally, trees. Moved ‘pur- posefully’ when feeding, similar to Sylvia warblers, rather than actively like Phylloscopus warblers, picking food (mainly caterpillars) from branches and leaves. Hung upside down fairly frequently, picking off prey below itself. Occasionally ‘flycatched’. In common with many North American birds, it was very approachable and unperturbed by close human presence. No calls heard. SIZE AND STRUCTURE Slightly longer than a ChiffchaffP. collybita, but with quite different jizz from any European warbler. Rather robust, deep-bellied and short-tailed, with stout, shortish, broad-based, dark, pointed bill (grey with a black tip: P. G. Lansdown in lilt.). Relatively ‘strong’ bluish legs and feet. Tail short in relation to body length, notice- ably notched. Pi.UMAGE General appearance: green upper- bold head pattern and contrastingly dark flight feathers. Crown and forehead matt greyish blue (darker and greyer at the sides: P. G. Lansdown in lilt.). Short dark line through bold dark eye. Supercilium white, thicker behind eye. White line below dark eye-stripe, thickest below eye itself, giving rise to unique face pattern. Lower cheeks, mantle, rump, basal two-thirds of uppertail and wing-coverts cold green (with greyish- olive tone: P. G. Lansdown in litt.). Primar- ies, primary coverts and secondaries almost matt black, with very fine pale edgings, more prominent on secondaries. Lower third of uppertail almost as dark. Tail feathers very finely pale edged and tipped, forming very fine, pale tip. LIndertail dark. Throat and upper breast deep yellow, with lower breast and flanks much paler yellow/off-white, and belly white. Vent pale lemon yellow, bright- er than flanks and lower breast, but not so bright or deep as throat and upper breast. parts, yellowish underparts, with relatively The bird seemed to be in good health and appeared to have settled into a daily routine. We presume that it had arrived on Tresco before 10th 574 Notes October, since several other Nearctic vagrants had been discovered in southwest England during the previous week, after a number of particularly fast-moving weather systems had crossed the Atlantic. Pyle et al. (1978, Identification Guide to North American Passerines) stated ‘Juv. (Jun-Aug) is generally drabber with a brownish wash to the plumage and more distinct wing bars. Otherwise, no reliable plumage criteria known.’ We have, therefore, been unable to determine whether the Tresco individual was an adult or in first-winter plumage. This is the first accepted record of the species for Britain, but the second for the Western Palearctic, the first having been in Ireland in October 1985 (/mA/iirc(y3: 327). John Brodie Good Park House, 101 High Street, Portishead, Avon BS20 9F1' The Philadelphia Vireo has a much more restricted North American breeding range than the Red-eyed Vireo V. olivaceus, which is the most frequent transatlantic landbird vagrant; it is also generally rather uncommon throughout its range (whereas Red-eyed is often abundant). It overwinters in .Mexico, Central America and Colombia. In 1980, Chandler S. Robbins predicted Philadelphia Vireo as the thirty-second most likely candidate for autumn transatlantic vagrancy among species which had not, at that time, been observed in Britain or Ireland (Bril. Birds 73: 448-457). Since then, six of his higher-rated species have been noted here, as have several which were lower-rated (e.g. Wilson’s Warbler Wihonia pusitla). Philadelphia V’ireo has no close confusion species and the British Birds Rarities Committee had no hesitation in accepting the bird’s identification on a single circulation of the Committee. El)S Letters Iris colour of hybrid Tufted Duck X Pochard In the discussions about ‘Mystery photograph 97’ {Brit. Birds 78; 40-41; 81: 650-652), no real attention was given to the iris colour of the depicted male hybrid Aythya. 315. Male Aythya hybrid (thought to be Tufted Duck A. fuligula X Pochard .A. ferina), with female Tufted Duck, Netherlands, February' 1986 (Amoud B. van den Berg) MADE BY LEICA tke a look on the wild side through the ‘new’ eyes of Bill Oddie vienever I’m doing a serious study, I take my new Leica 10 x 42’s. Their timeless design dl superior optical performance initially took me by surprise, but like most innovations, nmediately enjoyed the benefits and I soon wondered how I ever got along without them, e picture really is brilliantly sharp and bright. The extra close focus is tremendously ebful too . . . especially if you are a naturalist who not only watches approachable birds, but oo butterflies, dragonflies, bats et al. Another good point is the independent ‘personal’ setting. Simply lock in the number, and you never need worry about it :pping’ during use. Overall the new waterproof Leica 10 x 42’s are as you luld expect - brilliant and a bit more besides. LEICA 10x428 LEICA 8x428 The freedom to see LBB 1290 urther information on Leica products ticklhe appropriate ind send the coupon to Leica, P.O. Box 10, Buntingford. s SG9 9BT. BinocuIarsD Leica R5D Leica R6D Leica M6D Leica ProjeclorsD Name . Address . . Telephone . Telephone and service enquiries (0908) 666663 (D890) The Best Buys and the Brightest... alue and quality are two reasons Wildlife and Bird Watching rated these Nikon Binoculars and Fieldscopes among the best in their classes. For instance, Bird Watching awarded the Nikon 8 x 30ECF WF binoculars a full five stars, their highest value-for-money rating. What’s more, they acclaimed the 8 X 30s “Excellent in every way optically— very sharp and bright.’’* That’s because they share the Nikon heritage of optical excellence. So take a look through the leaders today. *By courtesy of EMAP Pursuit Ltd.: Quoted from an article BEST BUYS IN BINOCULARS, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Bird Witchhig, May 1990. And. BEST BUYS IN TELESCOPES, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Bird Witching, June 1990. By courtesy of BBC Publications; JUST THE BEST, by Chris Harbard and Ian Dawson, Wildlife. March 1989 Fieldscope II, Fieldscope EDII and 8 x 30 ECF have been recommended by British Birds. Nikon Bi I'WII ITS NIKON U.K. LTD. (United Kingdom) 380 RICHMOND ROAD. KINGSTON UPON-THAMES, SURREY KT2 5PR TEL: (081) 541 4440 FAX: (081) 541 4584 Somerton Foto Ltd. (The Republic of Ireland) TEL: (01) 773173 XVI (D864) Letters 575 Thanks, however, to the possibility of making direct comparisons with the iris colour of the also-depicted Tufted Ducks A. Jiiligula, this feature is easy to see in the photograph. The picture shows clearly that the hybrid has a darker iris colour than Tufted Duck, and this is one of the best reasons why the bird should be regarded as a cross between Tufted Duck and Pochard A.feritia, since Pochard is the only British/Dutch Aythya species in which the male has a distinctly darker iris colour than Tufted Duck. It seems useful to note that colour photographs of the mystery bird show that its iris was more orange than the yellow iris of accompanying Tufted Ducks, and that the mystery bird’s head gloss was brown-purple. Gillham (1988) suggested that in November, when the mystery photograph was taken, the ‘tuft’ is not always fully developed. A photograph of what was probably the same bird, at exactly the same locality, though three months later in the season, in February 1986 (plate 315), might be worthwhile for comparison. Arnoud B. van den Berg Duinlustparkweg 98, 2082 EG Santpoort-Zuid, The Netherlands REFERENCE Gii.I.HAM, E. H. 1988. The identity of ‘Mystery photograph 97’. Brit. Birds 81: 650-651. Aythya hybrid identification I should like to comment on the identity of the male Aythya hybrid in ‘Mystery photograph 97’ {Brit. Birds 77: plate 254; 78: plate 19), having seen three hybrids of this type in recent years in the London area. All three showed a faint reddish-chestnut tinge to parts of the head and a red or orange-red iris, making Pochard A.ferina parentage a near certainty. The shape, size, plumage and bill-pattern were otherwise the same as those of the mystery bird. Like the mystery bird, they also showed the white flanks and vestigial tuft which point towards Tufted Duck A. fuligula parentage. I do not believe that the head-shape is necessarily an indication of Ring-necked Duck A. collaris parentage, rather that it is a predictable intermediate shape between the peaked crown of Pochard and the rounded head of Tufted Duck, with the expected vestigial tuft. The bill of the mystery bird shows the broad, curved black tip and black basal patch strongly reminiscent of male Pochard and also appears slightly paler in the middle than those of the accompanying Tufted Ducks. Furthermore, the flanks are clearly too pale for a male Ring-necked Duck, with no suggestion of the distinctive white vertical band at the fore end of the flanks or the white upper border to the flanks. In my view, the mystery bird is a male hybrid of a male Tufted Duck X female Pochard, as stated by K. C. Osborne {Brit. Birds 78: 40-41). Mark G. Telfer Emmanuel College, Cambridge CB2 3AP Long-tailed Skuas in 1988: an update Since the publication of the paper on the autumn 1988 influx of Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus {Brit. Birds 84: 121-136), a number of alterations and additions have been pointed out, mainly in the southeastern counties. It has become clear that 576 Letters some requests for information did not arrive or were sent to the wrong people. I made the error of treating ‘no replies’ as negative reports, and referred to some records sent by individuals and by the Bird Information Service which subsequently proved to be unacceptable. I wish to thank John Miller for pointing out the discrepancies. The numbers for southeast England now include a further 13 records, and the relevant section {Brit. Birds 84: 129) should be revised to read: SUFFOI.K TO KENT Numbers on the southeast coasts of England were not large, consisting of six in Suffolk, nine in Essex and 19 in Kent. The counts were, however, significant, as Essex had only two previous records this century, and the Kent total for the period 1976-87 was only 31. Most of the sightings (24 out of 34) came during the seven-day period 24th September to 1st October, with the majority being seen in a ‘wide funnel’ of the Thames estuary. The most westerly individuals were four adults at Allhallows, Kent, and one immature at Southend Pier, Essex, all on 25th September. The seven birds originally reported from Tilbury Docks on 25th cannot now be confirmed. Only three were seen from the Channel coast of Kent, all at Dungeness, on 27th September (two) and 5th October (one). Ageing can now be more precise, but with a similar result, of approximately 50% adults, as 17 of the 34 recorded were of this age. P. J. Dunn 16 Southwold Rise, Southwold, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YOU 3RR Implications of implants The compilers of ‘News and comment’ wondered {Brit. Birds 84: 294) what I think about the chip implants which are on offer from AVID (UK). This system was demonstrated to us by another company some years ago. The chip is a transducer which responds to an interrogatory signal by sending out its unique hexodecimal code. The problem is that the signal sent out (by the chip) is very weak and the reader has to be within a few centimetres of the chip. Fantastic for cage birds, wild birds entering nestboxes or on a particular perch on a specially designed feeder, or as a tamper-proof covert way of marking dogs, cats, ponies and so on. Our simple method of bird-ringing, however, using a stamped ring with an easily understood return address and unique number for each bird, has as its greatest strength the billions of literate people in the world, all of whom are potential reporters of a ring. Transducer implants could be reported only by the handful of people with the necessary equipment. The technique clearly has a restricted niche in some detailed research applications, but is several orders of magnitude less powerful than that in the dream I had some 15 years ago. When I first found out about the technology, I had hoped that a directional interrogator might be able to find out who (i.e. which individual marked Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus) was where over the whole of a substantial reedbed — so plotting territories and logging survival from the comfort of a VDLI. 1 he power of the signal from the transducer, or the sensitivity of the receiver, will have to improve about a million-fold for this dream to come true. My personal favourite for hi-tech bird-tracking is the use of miniature transmitters and satellite receivers. At the moment, the transmitters are too big for anything much smaller than an albatross or swan, but the technology for miniaturisation is steadily developing. 44ie I'rench work on Letters 577 Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans (Jouventin & Weimerskirch, 1990, Nature 343: 746-748) logged adults making feeding trips to come back to their nestlings of a minimum of 3,600 km and a maximum of more than 15,000 km. Equally interesting results will be obtained, from studies of small numbers of individuals of smaller and smaller birds, in the future. I cannot, however, see ringing being replaced as the best method of keeping track of the movements and survival of whole populations of birds. The analytical techniques being developed by the BTO to integrate the information gathered by census workers, nest recorders and ringers — the Integrated Population Monitoring Programme — is much more signi- hcant to the study of wild birds than any possible current use of transducer chips. Ringing remains the cheap, safe and reliable way to mark birds, and it attracts a dedicated army of skilled volunteers who hnd it a fascinating pursuit. ClIRTS Me.'XD BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU Reviews The Magpies: the ecology and behaviour of Black-billed and Yellow- billed Magpies. By Tim Birkhead. Illustrated by David Quinn. T. & A. D. Poyser, London, 1991. 270 pages; one colour plate; 31 black-and- white photographs; 28 line-drawings. £18.00. The most predictable question at any general talk on birds will be about Magpies Pica pica. It is delivered with evident dislike of the creatures. Are they guilty of such widespread slaughter that many gardens have no songbirds left? What is the speaker, or the RSPB, or the Government, or somebody, going to do about it? Reading Tim Birkhead’s splendid book would be good advice. 'I’wo species of Magpie are recognised. The Black-billed P. pica occurs throughout much of the northern hemisphere. The Yellow-billed P. nultalli has a rather small range in California. The book draws extensively on work by Birkhead and students in the Sheffield area, but also makes comparisons with studies from elsewhere. American Black-billed Magpies are in many ways more like the other American species than the European one with which they are currently grouped. A recurring theme is the question of whether, and how, differences in behaviour and ecology are related to environmental factors. In Britain, Magpies breed in dispersed territories, but flocks of various sizes are frequent. One of the lures of starting a study 15 years ago was the possibility that they might breed co- operatively, as several other crows do. This turned out not to be the case. The non-breeding segment is one of the great unknowns in populations of most birds. Non-breeding Magpies are conspicuous and are probably now better studied than is the case for any other species. Young Magpies live in flocks as they struggle to gain a breeding territory. Dominant individuals are most likely to succeed, and dominance comes with time in the flock, so it pays to join early. Flocks constantly test the breeding birds to find gaps or weaknesses in their territory defences. 578 Reviews There is plenty in this well-written and well-researched book. Many ideas are explored with careful observation and experiment. Unsupported myths about the Magpie get short shrift. Magpies are great hoarders of food, but they recover most hoards within a day or two, unlike some crows which lay down long-term stores. I hey may be able to detect food and recover hoards by smell, which would be useful for a scavenger, as carrion is unpredictably available. Notwithstanding their use in police advertising campaigns, there is no evidence that Magpies steal or hoard anything other than food. This slur on their character merely reflects their low popularity rating. So what of the poor songbirds? After careful search, no evidence has been found of songbird populations being depressed as Magpies have increased in numbers in the last 30 years. The problem appears to be that their predation is conspicuous and rather gruesome. But what about the cats? There may be 25 cats in the territory of a suburban Magpie. Cats eat adult birds in winter, which would be much more likely to reduce breeding numbers than would the Magpie’s predation of eggs and chicks. I strongly recommend this attractive and readable book. Maybe it will improve some people’s view of the Magpie. Actually I suspect that prejudice is deep (and many Magpie- haters are ptrobably cat-owners). Other readers will frequently find their attentions drawn to topics of possible investigation. For instance, is it really true, as one study found, that Magpies may move eggs from their nests into those of other pairs by way of parasitism? Cot. IN Birbv The Hamlyn Photographic Guide to Birds of the World. Edited by Andrew Gosler, Octopus Publishing Group, London, 1991. 384 pages; 1,300 colour plates. £20.00. I’his splendid tome is an obvious sister to the recently published, and much-acclaimed. Photographic Guide to the Birds oj Britain and Europe. It contains over 1,300 colour photographs, depicting more than one-seventh of the world’s total number of bird species. A general introduction is followed by interesting notes on each family, including key features and numbers belonging to each group, and the book concludes with a full list of the world’s species (based on Howard & Moore’s Complete Checklht of the Birds of the World). The bulk of the work, however, consists of good-quality, very’-well-reproduced photographs, divided into the six main geographical regions of the world, and these will be the main reason for purchasing the book. On the whole, the few below-par illustrations are those of the species which are more difficult to photograph. .Some of the cropping leaves a little to be desired, occasional wings or tails being missing from the frame, and the photographs are comparatively small in order to accommodate the great number included, but, even so, they are more than acceptable, again closely mirroring the format of the Fiuropean version, averaging 1 1 per page. These are accompanied by a brief, but adequate text for each species covered. further small detraction from the general success of the book is the absence of picture credits accompanying the photographs, these instead being lumped in an unhelpful way at the back of tbe book. Overall, however, I can thoroughly recommend this work, with its refreshingly honest price tag of £20, instead of the accepted nonnal confidence trick of £19.95: perhaps the publishers know that birders are not easily conned. Ver)' good value for money. Rocf.r Tidm.vn A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. By James A. Jobling. Illustrations by Richard Fowling and the author. Oxford LIniversity Press, Oxford, 1991. 272 pages; 24 line-drawings. £19.95. Kvery now and again, along comes a book which fills such an obvious gap in one’s librarv- that purchase is automatic and immediate. This is one such book, .\nyone with an interest in bird names will probably already own two or three (e.g. Macleod 1954; Jackson 19ti8; (Jotch 1981; Lockwood 1984). 'This one deals only with scientific names, but it is by far the most comprehensive, covering the generic and specific scientific name of ever)- one of the world’s bird species. The meanings of names fall into nine categories, based on appearance (e.g. Reaiivirostra), the name of a real or fictional person (e.g. amherstiae), the native name (e.g. ple.fchanka) , geographical range (e.g. eurnpaeus), classification relationship (e.g. Tryngite.s), habitat (e.g. Monticola), behaviour (e.g. pendulinu.^), food (e.g. mriroruf) or voice (e.g. Vpupa). The meanings and derivations are explained clearly and succinctly. British BirdShop ALL LISTED BOOKS ARE POST FREE TO ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ SUBSCRIBERS Books and other items are included in British BirdShop only if they are approved by British Birds and considered to be generally reliable, good value and useful additions to a birdwatcher’s library. Any item ordered through British BirdShop which fails to meet your approval can be returned and your money will be refunded without question. It is our aim to provide Biitish Birds subscribers with the best and most reliable service possible. 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Makf all cheques and POs pf^able to the NUBS. Payment can be made in US$ at current exchange rate. Please allow 28 days for delivery in UK, longer if abroad. NHBS Giro a/c no. 202 9200. To qualify for POST TREE please quote your BB ref. no. Name Address Total £ Cheque/PO enclosed Ul Giro payment made Ul You can also pay using If your address for credit card purposes is different from that alxtve, give it here these credit cards: Please debit my AccessA^isa/MttsterCard/KurtKand Expiry date | | Signature You can phone in your credit card orders, but please quote your BB ref no. as well as your credit card no. iT.i . l otnes (0803) 865913. fax. (0803) 865280 .Send order to: British Bird.Shop, c/o NHBS, 2 Wills Road, I’tdnes, Devtni TQ9 .5XN xviii Reviews 579 This book’s clear typography and good design make it a pleasure to use. It is an essential addition to every serious ornithological library. As well as using this book for reference purposes, many birdwatchers will find it pleasurable and intriguing for browsing in during idlemoments. J, T. R. Sh.arrock A Guide to the Birds of Thailand. By Boonsong Lekagul & Philip D. Round. Illustrated hy Mongkol Wongkalasin & Kamol Komolphalin. Saha Kam Bhaet, Bangkok, 1991. 457 pages; 135 colour plates. No price given. The appearance of this book has been long awaited, and the wait has certainly been worthwhile. The book follows the format of the second edition of Bird Guide of Thailand by Boonsong Lekagul & Edward W. Cronin (1974). That work has been long out of print and, though extremely useful, it had become rather out of date, especially the sections on distribution and status. In this new book, there are 133 more pages, including 23 more colour plates, than in the Bird Guide of Thailand. Some useful features have been kept, such as the ‘Quick Reference’ key inside the front cover, with thumbnail colour vignettes representing all the families and other major groups. I’he introduction includes sections on the climate, physiography, habitats and zoogeogra- phy of Thailand. There is a short but welcome section on conservation, and an excellent chapter on ‘Birdwatching in Thailand’, which includes a map of the most interesting areas for the birder as well as details of the more important birdwatching sites. An appendix lists a few species which were recorded for the first time in Thailand too late for inclusion in the main text, as well as an interesting section on possible future additions to the Thai list. The main part of the book is the identification section, which follows the familiar plate- opposite-text layout, with colour distribution maps for each species alongside the text. Inevitably, in some cases, the text overlaps onto the following page, but is never very far away from the illustration, and the numbered cross-referencing makes the book very easy to use. The sections on vocalisations are rather short, but the phonetic descriptions come across well to me. Some new English names have been coined, such as ‘Flameback’ rather than ‘Goldenback’, for the Chrysocolaptes/Dinopium woodpeckers, but the more traditional names are given in parentheses. Some new splits and lumps have appeared: Buff-breasted Babbler Stachyris ambigua is lumped in Rufous-fronted Babbler S. rufifrons, while Tawny- flanked Prinia becomes Pale Prinia Prinia inomala, separated from the African P. subflava. The Thai name is given along with the English and scientific names, and I hope that it will not be too long before a Thai-language edition of the book is published. The plates are well set out and are not crowded, and the two Thai illustrators are to be congratulated on an excellent job. All 915 species are illustrated in colour, and there are figures representing the more distinctive subspecies as well as female, immature or non-breeding plumages where appropriate. There is generous use of flight illustrations for raptors, seabirds, hombills and other groups where this is important. Although, for the purpose of comparison, the figures are drawn in similar postures and are rather stylised, the jizz of the bird is conveyed well for many (though not all) species. The colour printing is somewhat bold, which tends to make the more colourful species appear rather garish, but considerable attention has been paid to detail, and the level of accuracy is good. European birders would find the illustrations of species which occur in Europe only as vagrants from Siberia (but which overwinter or occur as migrants in Thailand) extremely helpful, especially those of warblers, chats and flycatchers. Inevitably, this book will be compared with A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia (King, Dickinson & Woodcock 1975). Although it covers a much smaller area, the quality of the illustrations and the immense value of having every species illustrated in colour, together with the easy-to-use format, will mean that this book will become a standard work, not just for Thailand, but also for other areas of the region. In Thailand, it is THE book to use: in surrounding countries, it will be a most useful complement to King et al. In the 16 years since the publication of King et al., there have been many advances in field ornithology, as well as many changes in status and distribution. Birders who visited Thailand in the late 1970s or early 1980s may find that they need to ‘de-tick’ Indochinese Cuckoo-shrike Coracina polioptera, and perhaps one or two other species, in the light of new information about their identification characters. 580 Reviews This book has a laminated cover, and is well bound, though I am not sure how long the binding will stand up to prolonged field use in the tropics; the size is also a little awkward, being rather larger than either King et al. or Lekagul & Cronin, though smaller than the Christopher Helm Shorebirds/ Seabirds format. All concerned are to be congratulated on an excellent production, which will do much to promote interest in the birds of T hailand among visitors and residents alike. I’hailand has justifiably become the most popular birding destination in Southeast Asia, and the appearance of this new guide will ensure that this popularity increases and, with it, that there is also an increased awareness of the conserv'ation problems in the region. l.\IN Robkrt.son The Status of Seabirds in Britain and Ireland, By Clare Lloyd, Mark Tasker & Ken Partridge; illustrated by Keitb Brockie. T. & A. D. Poyser, London, 1991. 355 pages; 30 black-and-white plates, 32 line- drawings; 29 distribution maps. £20.00. This book is the most comprehensive account of the status of seabirds in Britain and Ireland to date. It is packed full of data gathered during 1985-87, when all coastal seabird colonies around Britain and Ireland were counted. This mammoth task has been written up to be both very readable and extremely useful. I'he Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) and the Seabird Group set up the ‘Seabird Colony Register’ in 1984, a computerised data base which includes counts of coastal seabird colonies dating from the first pioneering attempt at a complete survey of coastal seabird colonies in Britain and Ireland, ‘Operation Seafarer’ (1969-70), and including almost all counts since. During 1985-87 they organised a repeat survey of all coastal seabird colonies in Britain and Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, which involved not only professionals from many organisations, but also a veritable army of amateur seabird- counters. It is the data from this survey, together with relevant information from the B TO Ringing Scheme, the NCC ‘Seabirds at Sea Team’ (SAS I ) and monitoring studies by the R.SPB, the Shetland Oil I'erminal Environmental Advisory (Jroup (SOTEA(i) and others, that are presented in this book. I'hese data have been expertly collated and analysed and used to put our seabird populations into an international context, so highlighting their worldwide importance. Eor example, Britain and Ireland holds 70% of the world population of Cannets Sula bassana and Manx Shearwaters Puffinus pujjinus and at least half of the world’s Great Skuas Slercorarius skua and Storm Petrels Hydrobates pelagicus. Part 1 covers general issues, such as seabird biology, an outline of the Seabird Colony Register, including modern survey methods, and reasons for changes in seabird numbers. Part 2 gives an account for each of the 24 regular breeding species. This is tremendously detailed without being dull. It includes information on the British and Irish population and estimates of the European and World populations of each species, and discusses reasons for changes in numbers. Each species account includes a map of the British and Irish distribution and county totals. I’here is also a section on rare breeding species, such as the Mediterranean Gull Imtus melanocephalus. The list of references is exhaustive, and there is a comprehensive gazetteer of seabird colonies. With so many data, there are bound to be a few minor inaccuracies, such as the distribution map of Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis which shows colonies in .Shetland, where they have not nested since I960. Inevitably with such a book, some items are out of date almost as soon as it is printed. For example, some theories now suggest that the decline in sandeel stocks around Shetland may have been due to an influx of Atlantic water washing the planktonic larvae south, away from the islands. Phis efl'ect may have been compounded by the local sandeel fishery, which, fortunately, has recently been banned by the (iovernmenl. One significant criticism is that some of the distribution maps are rather clumsy, and some species would have been belter presented by including maps of particular areas; for example, the distributions of Arctic Skua Slercorarius parasiticus and Great Skua would have been belter illustrated by larger-scale maps of colonies in Orkney and Shetland. Keith Brockie’s line-drawings are up to his usual excellent standard and make this book not only immensely informative but also extremely attractive. This has to be one of the best books so far in the Poyser series. Eor those with a serious interest in seabirds this will become the bible on British and Irish seabird populations, and for anyone with even a passing interest in our seabirds it isa‘musl’. Pktk El. I. IS Reviews 581 Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds, vol. 1: Ratites to Ducks (Part A: Ratites to Petrels; Part B: Australian Pelican to Ducks). The Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (Co- ordinators: S. Marchant and P. J. Higgins). Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1990. 1,400 pages; 96 colour plates; numerous black-and- white line-drawings; 265 distribution maps. £125.00. As recently as the early 1960s there were very few books about Australian birds in print. Fortunately, the situation has changed over the last 25 years with the appearance of three different field guides, a number of photographic books and the RAOU’s The Allas of Australian Birds. Until now, however, no detailed handbooks of Australian birds have been produced. Greatly inspired by volume 1 o(The Birds of the Western Palearclic which was published in 1977, the Australians began work in earnest on their own handbook in 1980. As the project evolved, their area of coverage was expanded to include New Zealand, the Antarctic and various scattered islands in that region and finally, after ten years of comprehensive research and compilation, this, the first volume of five, has hit our shelves. When I opened up the box containing the first volume, 1 was surprised to find two books inside, both sizeable tomes. It turns out that volume 1 comes in two parts: A and B. This, of course, explains the very high price of £125.00. I must admit that, when the prepublication advertisements reached me, the high price put me off buying this book. Even the prepublication offer of £99.00 seemed very high for one volume. Had it been stressed that this was really for two sizeable books, £49.50 each might not have seemed too bad. 1 wonder how many other potential purchasers were discouraged by this, and whether it was a sensible marketing ploy for OUP? Would it not, perhaps, have been better to advertise it as a ten- volume series, with volumes 1 and 2 being published simultaneously for the bargain price of £99.00? Given that fiM'P was the inspiration for this handbook and that OUP is the publisher for both, it comes as no surprise to find that the layout of the latter greatly resembles that used in the former. As a consequence, owners of BWP will find that this book feels very familiar and is immediately easy to use. After 46 pages of contents, introduction and acknowledg- ments, the Handbook then deals with 196 species from Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae through to Auckland Merganser Mergus australis (sadly extinct). Each order and each family is introduced with a paragraph containing a description of the birds within it, often with some useful comments on the taxonomic treatment followed, which differs in some cases from common usage elsewhere (e.g. the genus Egretta is merged with Ardea throughout the family, hence ^ Ardea garzelta’ for Little Egret). The species accounts start with the scientific and English names, which are then followed by an interesting explanation of the derivation of the scientific name, a list of alternative English names and a well-argued explanation of why a particular English name has been chosen, rather than the various alternatives. The bulk of the text is subdivided into field identification, habitat, distribution and population, movements, food, social organisation, social behaviour, voice, breeding, plumages, bare parts, moults, measurements, weights, structure, sexing, ageing, and geographical variation, in much the same way as BWP. Two maps are given for most species, the first showing the world range and the second the range within the area covered by the Handbook. Where a species occurs only within this area, the world map is omitted. The wealth of information and the detail included are quite superb. The amount known about each species varies considerably, of course, and so, consequently, does the amount of text. Thus, the ‘Social behaviour’ section for the Adelie Penguin Pygoscelis adeliae, a well- studied species, runs to nearly four double-column pages, whereas that for the poorly known Pycroft’s Petrel Pterodroma pycrofli occupies just eight lines. It would seem that most of the information that was available on each species has been included in this book, thus providing a wonderfully detailed reference work. Clearly, a vast amount of research has gone into producing this volume and it is hard to see how anything else is likely to compete with it in the near future. On the negative side, I have two main criticisms of the Handbook, and these both relate to wasted space: surely a matter of concern when dealing with such lengthy, expensive volumes. First, for captioning the plates, the authors have adopted a similar system to that used in The Birds of Africa, this being that alongside each colour plate they reproduce a 582 Reviews reduced image of ihe plate in black-and-white on which the index numbers are placed. Then, below this, there are the captions. The reduced image takes up a full quarter-page in each case. With 96 plates in the first volume, 24 pages could have been saved if the BWT system had been followed instead (i.e. the numbers printed on the colour plates, with the captions alongside). 1 appreciate that aesthetically this is not quite so pleasing, but this is, after all, a scientific text and not a work of art. Secondly, a lengthy list of references is given at the end of each species account. .\s some of the books are referred to in many of the accounts (e.g. Peter Harrison’s Seabirds) the reference for some books appears repeatedly throughout the Handbook. In BWT, all the references are listed at the back of each volume, and consequently take up a lot less space. I’he colour plates are all by J. N. Davies, and are of a high standard. The illustrations are large, with usually just one or two species per plate. A varying number of illustrations are given for each species, and these cover adult, immature and Juvenile plumages, subspecies, morphs and fresh and worn plumages, as relevant. It is wonderful to have the various plumages of 21 species of Pterodroma petrel illustrated in colour in one volume. My only criticism of the plates concerns scale. On some plates, illustrations of the same species are painted in several sizes, which is rather misleading unless one studies the captions carefully. Plate 52, for example, illustrates two species of storm-petrel that are approximately the same size. 1 here are four larger illustrations (two of each species) and seven slightly smaller ones (two of one species and five of the other). Surely, it would have been better to illustrate them all at the same size? These few small niggles aside, 1 have nothing but praise for the volume, and recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in the birds of the region. It will undoubtedly remain the major reference work for many years to come. D .A \' 1 1) F I .s 1 1 K R Bird Life of Mountain and Upland. By Derek Ratcliffe. Illustrated by Chris Rose. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1990. 256 pages; 24 black-and-white plates; 25 line drawings; 15 distribution maps. £19.50 This book introduces CL'P’s new ‘Bird Fife’ series, which aims to describe and analyse the bird habitats of the British Isles, with particular emphasis on conserv'ation and ecology . It is an excellent start. I'he book deserves a design award, and it is beautifully illustrated in the text, especially by Chris Rose’s evocative line-drawings. No-one is better qualified to write about British upland birds than Dr Derek Ratclifle, lately Chief Scientist of the NCC, one of our most accomplished all-round naturalists, and a greatly respected ecologist. His Cumbrian upbringing left him with an abiding enthusiasm and affection for the uplands and their birds, which ‘gain in charm and fascination from the wild and beautiful places in which they live.’ The book is well organised and lucidly written; rather complex ideas become easily intelligible to the general reader. Introductory sections define the uplands and describe the influences — climate, geology and topography, the activities of Man — which broughi the habitats and their avifauna to their present condition. Sixty-six species qualify as ‘upland’ birds; the distribution, life histor)-, and requirements of each of them are summarised. (,\ small quibble here: details of distribution are a little dated in parts, too heavily dependetit on the 1968-72 .4t/a.v. The situation of (Joosander Mergus merganser. Chough fS'>rhocora.\: fntrhoeora.s, or Twite Carduelis flainroslris, in Wales, for instance, is now ver)' dilferent from what it seemeil to be in 1972.) Six meaty chapters deal with the major subdivisions of the upland habitats: Sheepwalks, (irouse Moors, Deer Forests, The Flows, Maritime Hills, and High Toj)s. To avoid excessive repetition, key species which occur in several habitats are discussed mainb under the most relevant heading (Raven Corvus rorax iti Sheepwalks, Merlin Talco rolumbarius in (irouse Moors). A later chapter looks in detail at the geographical aspects of the upland bird fauna, and the background to presetit numbers and distribution. Tbe final section, ‘(’onsenation of I'pland Birtls’, |)rovides the climax and perhaps the main justilicatiott I'or the book, since this has been the writer’s consuming interest (or the past ID years. He reviews with authority the impacts of upland afforestation (over one million hectares since 1945), game management. Reviews 583 nest robbery and acidification. He urges the need for a vigorous conservation strategy, deploring the often obstructive and obfuscating attitudes of politicians. ‘Further develop- ment in the uplands matters hardly a fig to the national economy. It benefits only local, sectional, or individual interests, and is mostly heavily dependent on public funds. Against this must be set the interest of a much larger number of people, concerned to protect, cherish, and enjoy the natural heritage of wild nature.’ Well said! Pktf. R D.WI.S The Birds of Pakistan. Volume 1: Regional studies and non- passeriformes. By T. J. Roberts. Oxford University Press, Karachi, Oxford, New York & Delhi, 1991. xli + 598 pages; 15 colour plates; 8 black-and-white plates; 68 line-drawings; 285 distribution maps. £40.00. .‘Mthough the birds of Pakistan have been included in a number of regional works cov'ering the Indian subcontinent, this is the first time that the country has had its own complete avifauna. I he publication of this first volume of a two-volume handbook thus represents a major landmark in the ornithology of Pakistan. It has been written by the acknowledged authority on the birds of Pakistan whose impeccable qualifications include residence in the country for no less than 38 years. This volume covers all the non-passerines, 347 species out of a total of 660, and the second volume is expected next year. As one might expect with such a tome, the book commences with numerous lists of plates, illustrations, figures, distribution maps and a systematic checklist of the species included in volume 1. These are followed by 46 pages of introductory chapters, packed with fascinating information and covering such topics as ‘Ecological factors in bird distribution’, ‘Zoogeographic aspects of bird distribution’, ‘Bird migration in Pakistan’, ‘The problem of species’ (always a thorny and controversial subject), ‘The contribution of early ornithologists’ and ‘Birds as pests and beneficial agents’. The detailed descriptions of the various habitat types usefully include lists of typical bird and plant species, but readers unfamiliar with scientific names of the birds will have to look up the English names. The major habitats are also illustrated by colour photographs, of variable quality, together with a selection of useful maps. The chapter on bird migration gives a thoughtful insight into the complex migration patterns which Pakistan enjoys as a result of its geographic location. The bulk of the book inevitably comprises the species accounts, with an average of almost 1 '/2 pages per species and including a distribution map for the majority of them. The maps are some of the best I have seen for a country which is still comparatively little known — clearly drawn (without use of colour), of a reasonable size, and obvnously painstakingly researched. The species accounts are divided into sections covering: ‘Description’, ‘Habitat, distribution and status’, ‘Habits’, ‘Breeding biology’ and ‘Vocalisations’. The infonnation presented demonstrates a thorough research of the literature, but a considerable amount is based on first-hand experience. The style is very’ readable — indeed almost chatty, in the style of the great handbooks of old. A minor weakness concerns the measurements, which, as the author clearly recognises in the introduction, are of limited value for comparison purposes given that they are taken from many different sources. Apart from a generous smattering of pleasant line-drawings, the main bird illustrations are the nine colour and four black-and-white plates, all executed by the author. Although effective and reasonably accurate, they do not show much artistic flair, and some of the birds look like museum specimens. The colour reproduction is generally quite good, but the green pigeons and the ‘green’ woodpeckers look too yellow. Curiously, the pigeon plate was used in the advance publicity for the book, yet I think this is one of the worst. The black-and-white plates include three of raptors in flight, but why are the larger eagles shown only from above? The book concludes with a glossary, a comprehensive bibliography and a gazetteer. The whole work is well produced, using good-quality paper and containing few typographical errors. This book is a monumental effort and a tribute to the experience and dedication of the author. Despite the fairly high price, it deserves to find its way onto the shelves of all those with an interest in the region. N IGF, I. R F, DM.AN 584 Reviews Rare Birds of the British Isles. By David Saunders. Patrick Stephens, Sparkford, 1991. 224 pages; 90 colour plates; 5 pages of field-sketches. £15.99. One has only to read part of the short Preface to feel at one with the author. For many years, David Saunders has been excited by rare birds. He has felt the ups and downs that are experienced by all of us who share his passion: the ecstasy of discovering a rare bird (one of his finds being the Western Palearctic’s first Blackburnian Warbler Z)(7«fro/ca fiisca on Skomer in 1961), the agony of missing a rarity, and the thrill of seeing one found previously (such as the White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis on Skokholm in 1990, cheekily sandwiched between starting and completing the book’s Preface). The author’s enthusiasm for his subject continues to shine through on ever)' page of the book, and one suspects that even those who are uninterested in rare birds would find it infectious. fhe Introduction touches upon a myriad of rarity-related topics: the evolution of the interest in rare birds in Britain, the definition of a rarity, the regions of origin of some species seen in Britain, the BOURC and the BBRC and their workings, the IRBC, the categories within and outside the British and Irish List, the BBRC record form, assisted passage, escaped cage-birds, established feral breeding species, ‘llie Hastings Rarities’ and predictions from British Birds of future new birds for Britain and Ireland. Ch er 300 rarities are dealt with in the 17 main chapters, most of which cover birds from a particular area of origin (e.g. ‘.\rctic Birds’ and ‘Desert and Steppe’). The norm is for each species to be allocated two paragraphs, fhe first one contains general information on the species, such as appearance and identification characters, habits, habitat and range, fhe second only is concerned with the pattern of records in the British Isles, listing all records for major rarities and, for other rare birds, documenting the first one or two records and summarising the remainder with regards to date and location. It is clear that the annual reports of the Rarities Committee have been a major source of information, 'fhe author describes the book as a personal surv'ey, but this is a thoroughly researched work, full of statistics and dates, yet eminently readable. The ‘personal’ refers to the choice of species. Included are not only several recently recorded species that await formal acceptance and admission onto the British and Irish List (e.g. Ancient Murrelet SynlhliboramphiLS antiquus) , but also a number of species claimed in the nineteenth century and the early years of this century, yet not officially accepted (e.g. Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regultis calendula). These latter claimed occurrences make particularly fascinating reading. The 32 pages of colour plates contain numerous mouthwatering photographs, many of which have not been published elsewhere. Appendix 1 lists all of the book’s rare birds, with, for each, the year first recorded, whether or not seen in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the number of individuals recorded up to tbe end of 1957 and the number seen from 1958 to 1988. Appendix 2 lists the locations mentioned in the text with, for each, the county (old and new) and a grid reference. Appendix 3 lists suggestions for further reading. It is a pleasure to recommend Rare Birds of the British Isles to all who are interested in rarities. It is both a reference book and a reading book. 1 imagine, however, that it will most often be used simply for dipping into to re-live treasured memories and to dream of what the future may have in store. Pk i k.R L.VN.soown The Ruff: individuality in a gregarious wader. By Johan G. van Rhijn. Illustrated by Ian Willis. T. & A. D. Poyser, London, 1991. 209 pages; 15 black-and-white plates; 11 line-drawings; 24 tables. £18.50. In his introduction, the author states that this is not a handbook oti the U.n(] Rhilomachus pugnax but that the main theme of the book is the function and evolution of the Rufi's behavioural dimoqjhism. Some may be disappointed in the bias of the book, but the author has concentrated on his own personal view of the species, and this is entirely justified by the outcome of his eflorts. The arguments and discussions read well, anti the fretpient summaries help to bring things together and are useful for reference purposes. His enthusiasm for his subject is evident from the text, which begins with a description of the lek and lekking behaviour and the manner in which the males of dilVerent status are concerned in this. Reviews 585 Whilst most resident males spend more time on their territories (residences) than the satellite males spend on the lek, they have the same reproductive success. Marginal males have never been observ'ed to copulate on the lek, though they spend more time in the presence of females than either the resident or the satellite males. A male will leave the display area with a female, but it seems unlikely that any copulations take place away from it. In some cases, the male may help to defend a nest against predators, but sexual activity appears to be confined to the lek, despite the contention of some previous authors to the contrary. There is an interesting and extensive discussion of plumage variation of males, and evidence is provided that there are some geographical differences, white-plumaged males increasing from the southwest to the northeast of the range. It is not only the polymorphism of the males that characterises the difference between the Ruff and its near relatives. Unusually among Calidridine sandpipers, the male is bigger than the female, the male plays no role in the breeding activities after copulation, and, uniquely, the adult male moults three times a year. The Ruff is undoubtedly a fascinating bird, and this is a fascinating book. It is full of ideas and interesting opinions and I found it very readable. I was, however, disappointed by the quality of the photographic reproduction, which is poor compared with the earlier Poyser books. With such a spectacular bird, much more could have been done to improve the presentation of the book, and better photographs could have been found. The drawings are much better than the photographs, but the general presentation of the book is not up to Poyser standards. For anyone interested in waders it is a must, despite these minor faults, which are to be laid at the door of the publisher rather than the author. W. G. Hai.K. Short reviews Coastal Birds of East Dorset. By Seabirds- at-Sea Team: Simon Aspinall and Mark L. Tasker. (Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, 1990. 48 pages. Paperback £8.00) Comprehensive survey of the sea- birds, wildfowl and waders of east Dorset, identifying sites and species vulnerable to oil-related developments there. Essential reading for conserv'ationists involved with the oil industry in Dorset, and handy refer- ence for local and visiting birdwatchers. [M/XRTIN C.adf.] Etogrammi Nel Cielo, I Gabbiani E la Citta. (Ethograms in the Sky, Gulls and the City.) By Luisella Carretta. (Arti Grafiche Sobrero, Genova, 1990. 68 pages. Paperback ItL 38,000) This, the second book featuring the work of contemporary' Italian 6ne artist Luisella Carretta, follows the hrst (reviewed Brit. Birds 83: 514) closely in style and presentation, and is once again dual lan- guage (Italian and English). The first 20 pages detail the work of this artist from around 1968, through her time at the Gruppo studio working in collages and sculptures to the graphic-art approach of her present work. She is clearly fascinated by the problems of presenting flying crea- tures’ pathways through the air and how to relate them to invisible points along that path. T'he remainder of the book deals mainly with her detailed obserx'ations of flying Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus over Genoa between 1977 and 1990, map- ping flight routes and observTng the effects of both physical and meteorological changes on their chosen pathways. [Ai..vn H.arris] Encyclopaedia of Animals: birds. Consul- tant Editor Joseph Forshaw. (Merehurst Press, London, 1991. 240 pages. £25.00) This coffee-table book follows Peters’s sequence and has over 200 stunning photo- graphs of representative species. The texts on each group are authoritative, written by many of the world’s most eminent ornitho- logists, but it is for the photographs that this book is likely to be purchased. Of the genre (big, glossy, well-illustrated books for ‘bird lovers’), this is a classic. Everything about it — contents, design, reproduction — is top class. Birds of Israel: computerised bird identi- fication system and ornithological database/encyclopedia. Disk editors: Ron Frumkin, Noah Rotary 8c Tzila Ahariv. (Published by and available from; A. Sapir, 19 Dov Hoz Street, 44356 Kfar Saba, Israel, 1990. £35.00) This database comes on a 514- 586 Short reviews inch (13V3-cm) disc plus a 20-page manual. It has two main components: a database of 464 species occurring in Israel, with up to 70 items of infonnation about each, including distribution, movements, breeding biology and appearance and a search facility using these items in combination in order to help to identify a species, the program respond- ing with a steadily reducing list of possible species as new items are entered. The straightforward key-presses take little learn- ing, though the screen is sometimes less user-friendly than it could be. I'he brief manual is helpful, with worked examples. I remain to be convinced, however, of the usefulness of this program, or others like it. I’he relatively crude use of plumage charac- ters is no substitute for a good book: for the same price, one could buy Birds of Israel, by Uzi Paz, plus a couple of field guides. [MAO] Wildings: the secret garden of Eileen Soper. By Duff Hart-Davis. (H. F. & G. Witherby, London, 1991. 143 pages. £14.99) F.ileen Soper, the illustrator of Pmid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ stories, died in March 1990, leaving a vast treasure trove of her own wildlife art and her father’s paintings and drawings of horses, discovered by Robert Gillmor when, at the request of her solicitor, he visited the overgrown, yet magnificent ‘Wildings’, the family home. An intriguing biography of this eccentric, talented artist. Read it just to share in Robert Gillmor’s astonishment and delight at his discoveries. Atlas of the Bryophytes of Britain and Ireland, vol. 1: Liverworts (Hepaticae and Anthocerotae). By M. O. Hill, C. D. Pre- ston & A. J. E. Smith. (Harley Books, Colchester, 1991. 351 pages. £22.50) Biolo- gical Records Centre 10 X 10 km square maps of all 289 British species, with interest- ing two-line to 20-line explanatory' texts, describing the habitat, distribution outside Britain and Ireland, and reproduction de- tails. I'he results of 30 years’ work by British and Irish biologists, but every field natural- ist can now make a contribution by filling some of the gaps (two common garden species, Conocephalum conirum and Manhantia polymorpha, at Blunham proved to be new records for the lO-krn square '11,15). A well- produced volume, as one expects from this publisher. (The mosses will be covered in volumes 2 and 3, due for publication in 1992 atul 1993.) The Birds of Sumatra and Kalimantan. By Derek Holmes & Stephen Nash. (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1990. 83 pages. £6.95) A popular introduction to rather less than one-fifth of the huge and richly diverse aGfauna of the two largest islands of In- donesia. The informative and useful text describes in simple language 148 species, with brief reference to a further 129, while colour plates portray 133 species. 'Fhe plan- ned Indonesian language edition will be especially valuable in a country' where the conserv'ation problems and pressures on habitats and birds are immense and where the general level of interest in and know- ledge of birds needs considerable nurturing and encouragement. [Nick Dymond] Die Birkhiihner. By S. Klaus, H. Berg- mann, C. Marti, F. Miiller, A. O. Vitovic & J. Wiesner. (Die Neue Brehm-Biicherei 397, A. Ziemsen V'erlag 1990. Paperback 288 pages. DM37.60), (ierman paperback duo- graph on the Black (Jrouse Tetrao letrix and the Caucasian Black Grouse T. mlokosiewiczi. FNtensive studies, especially in Continental Europe, have enabled the authors to com- pile an impressive tome which includes sections on systematics, breeding biology and ecology for the two species. Useful photographs, especially of habitat, with numerous text drawings and figures, and an extensive bibliography. A very valuable re- ferencework. [Pf.TF.R Hoi’F. JONF.s] Birdwatching for the Under Tens. By Bill Oddie. (George Philip, London, 1991. 48 pages. £6.99) Sound advice, set at the right level, without ‘talking down’. A Guide to the Birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. By Herbert A. Raf- faele. Illustrated by Cindy J. House & John Wiessenger. Princeton L'niversity Press, Princeton, 1989. 254 pages. Hardback $39.50, Paperback $15.95) 'Phis revised edi- tion by a new publisher illustrates 284 species in 41 plates (one new), 24 in colour (most landbirds) and 17 in black-and-white. Plate figures are now page-referenced to species accounts that provide details of identification, local name(s), voice, distribu- tion, and a comment section often expanded with intriguing tlelails. Introductory sec- tions present local biogeography and con- servation, and the book concludes with a bird-finding guide (with maps and check- lists) to seven prime birding areas. Fhis Short reviews 587 edition improves what was already a fine guide to the region. [Camkron B. Kf.pi.f.r] Vulnerable Concentrations of Marine Birds West of Britain. By Seabirds-at-Sea Team: Mark L. Tasker, Andrew Webb, Nancy M. Harrison & Michael W. Pien- kowski. (Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, 1990. 48 pages. Paperback £8.00) Summarising research, 1986-90, for Scottish and Irish waters (southwest Eng- land is omitted — currently under investiga- tion), this A4 production is primarily aimed at the marine oil and gas industries. Infor- mative text accompanies 12 maps identify- ing seabird (and shorebird) concentrations most at risk for each calendar month. Useful reference, deseiA'ing wider target audience. fOAVK Fi.ummI Migrations: travels of a naturalist. By Bobby Tulloch. Illustrated by John Busby. (Kyle Cathie Publishers Ltd, London, 1991. 151 pages. £17.99) Bobby Tulloch’s book is definitely the sort of reading material for a winter’s evening. His descriptions of his travels, almost from Pole to Pole, conjure up images of exotic birds and places: a log of his island-hopping from the Faroes and the remote St Kilda island group to the Seychel- les and Falkland Islands. Bobby’s love and understanding of ornithology' come across, as well as his concern for the environment. Unfortunately, however, many of the photo- graphs are not of the quality that we have grown to expect in modern wildlife publica- tions, though one notable exception is a delightlul picture of a bearded seal. It is a pity that the designer has intennixed photo- graphs unrelated to the text, such as Norwe- gian fiords in the Falklands chapter. John Busby’s pen-and-ink drawings, however, are a delight, and the designer has used these to good effect throughout the book. If you are interested in island wildlife on a worldwide scale this book is for you. [David Hosking] The Lakeland Eagles. By D. G. Walker. (D. (L Walker, Penrith, 1991. 52 pages. £3.00) V'ery much one man’s account, fol- lowing a long stint as senior RSPB protec- tion warden and extensive personal obserx'a- tions subsequently — a pity, perhaps, that it is privately published. Despite restricted nature of breeding obser\ations, a valuable and concise account; rather more conjectu- ral on ‘away from the nest’ information, where fieldwork is very difficult in the absence of radio telemetry, and speculative regarding the birds’ future. Nevertheless, many comments ring true. [Mikf. Ex frftt) Product reports Items included in this feature have been submitted by the manufacturers or their agents. The reviews are the personal opinions of the reviewers; they are not the result of technical tests, but are assessments made after use in appropriate conditions (e.g. in the field). Neither British Birds nor the individual reviewers can accept responsibility for any adverse consequences of opinions stated, and items are accepted for review on this understanding. We aim, however, to be helpful both to our readers and to manufacturers of goods used by birdwatchers. Ed.s Swift Trilyte 7 X 42 DCF binocular In the days, long ago, when my sandwiches, ringing pliers and a battered copy of ‘Svensson’ were the only occupants of my binocular case (and my binoculars stayed under my bed), someone lent me a pair of Swiji binoculars. They were diabolical. It was, therefore, with a little trepidation that I took on the task of reviewing the Swift Trilyte 7 X 42 DCF. I can happily report that Swift binoculars have taken on a remarkable transformation. This binocular has many of the features now expected of a birdwatching binocular: it is fairly lightweight; is designed optically to be suitable for those who wear spectacles as well as those who do not; has fold-down 588 Product reports rubber eye-cups; and has the body coated in matt-slate-coloured rubber armour. It is of the now-familiar roof-prism H shape. There are some clear influences of higher-priced instruments (down to the ‘White-spotted Swift’ on the body). 1 used them for about six weeks. I found them comfortable to wear all day. The lanyard is long enough for a giant, but easily adjusts for those of lesser stature, and is broad around the hindneck for additional comfort. These binoculars have good light-gathering qualities and performed well in all lighting conditions; there is no ‘flare’ when looking indirectly towards a setting sun. The full focal range is travelled in less than one revolution of the focusing wheel (that is about three finger pushes), and the binoculars focus down to around 4 m. This short ‘tracking’ from 4 m to infinity has one drawback. Whilst, in theory, it provides for quick focusing, finding the exact focus for any point along that ‘track’ is critical. It should follow that a binocular with a longer ‘track’ would take longer to focus, but this does not seem to be so, as it need not be so accurately positioned, since the length of focus (that is to say, the distance actually in focus) is greater. This was a minor annoyance when watching gulls on a roost flight-line, or fast-flying ducks: time was lost in the precise focusing, and I often went past it a few times. In all other situations, I was pleased with a clear, crisp image, with no distortion. During the period of testing, there were no problems through condensation within, or rain penetration, and they were kicking about in the boot of my car to no ill-effect. This instrument currently retails at about £135 (the other models in the Swift Trilyte range include 8 X 42 and 10 X 42, both slightly more expensive). It is one of several good binoculars in the £130-£160 price range, and well worth testing against the competition if you are considering buying binoculars at around this price. This binocular comes with four lens caps, an explanatory booklet and a soft carrying case with velcro fastener (for the quick draw). Alan Harris [If any reader would like further details of this product, please send a S.\E to Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ.] ICBP news Campaigning acro.s.s Europe Campaigns for the protection of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are now under way in L4 countries across Europe, managed and co-ordinated Ity Miriam Langeveld at the ICBP Secretaiiat. I'he I'.uropean-wide IBA campaign was launclted following the publication of Important Bird Areax in Europe ( 1989), to try to gain protection for the 2,444 sites itlentilied in the book as being critical for the continent’s birds. ICMP news 589 Kach na(ional IBA campaign has a full-time or part-time co-ordinator, whose job it is to spread inlomialion on IBAs — where they are, why they are important and what tfireats they are facing — to decision-makers and to the general public, and to lobby for their protection. Central to this aim is the publication ol national IBA inventories in each countr), which make the information more accessible to a wider audience. Written in the native language and attractively presented with illustrations, they cover just the IBAs in that countiy' and stress the responsibility that each nation has to protect its sites. National editions have now been produced in 'I'urkey and Spain, will soon be ])ublished in Czechoslovakia, Italy, (Greece, France and the UK, and are due in 1992 in Boland, Romania and Hungary. CF,0R(. INA Crf.f.n htlematumal Council for Bird Fresen’ation. 32 Cambridge Road, Girtori, Cambridge CB3 OBJ Announcements ‘The Carl Zeiss Award’ Car/ Zeiss — Germany, sponsor of the Rarities Committee, is oflering an annual prize of Car! Zeiss 10x40 B/GA1' Dialvt or 7x42 B/CAT binoculars to the photographer who supplies ‘the most helpful, interesting and instructive’ photograph of a rarity, taken in the field in Britain. I'he photograph (a colour print, black-and-white print oi transparency) must have been submitted (in the usual ways, via the relevant county bird recorder or directly to the Rarities Committee) with a description or set of descriptions which circulates to the Commit- tee (or in time to circulate to the Committee with descriptions submitted by others). The winning photograph may be big. bright, sharp and beautiful, or be small, dull, fuzzv and admired only by the Committee, but it will have included details which helped to clinch the identification of the bird in question and it may well have added to ornithological knowledge of the species’ identification, ageing or sexing criteria. The winning photograph will be picked by the Chairman of the Rarities Committee and the Managing Editor o{ British Birds from a short list selected during the year by the ten members of the Committee. The first Award will be made from among 1991 (and earlier) photographs of birds accepted for inclusion in the 1991 report. Fhe winner will be announced in November 1992. I'he aim of this award is to encourage the submission of potentially useful photographs to the Rarities Committee, for record assessment, as subsequent reference material, and for possible publication. Runners-up in the competition, and photographers whose rarity photographs have been selected lor publication during the year (in the rarities report itself or in ‘Seasonal reports’), w'ill each receive a sew-on woven badge incorporating the Carl Zeiss Award logo, in recognition of their contributions to the rarity assessment process. F.ach vear, the winning photograph will be published in British Birds. The winner will be able to choose which Carl Zeiss binoculars he or she would prefer as a prize. ‘BB’ trip to Yemen In recent years a number of British ornithologists have visited ^■emen. adding considerably to the knowledge of the country ’s avifauna. Fhe Ornithological Society of the Middle East’s two-month expedition in 1985 established Yemen finniy on the map of exciting birdwatching destinations. In 1992 we shall be olTering BB readers a chance to explore this exciting Middle F^astern country for themselves with leaders Rod Martins and Jon Dunn. Highlights should include all nine of the true .Arabian endemics, many African species and, hopefully , Arabian Bustard Ardeotrs arabs and Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. I'he tour will run from 27th November to 14th December 1992 and will be organised by the bird-tour company SUNBIRD. As usual, BB readers will qualify for a 10% reduction on the tour cost. Full details are available from David Fisher or Jennifer Fhonias at Sunbird, BO Box 76, ■Sandy, Bedfordshire SGt9 IDF; phone Sandy (0767) 682969. Germany AWARD 590 Announcements 4th World Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls I'his conference will be held during lOth- 17lh May 1992 in Berlin. Up to 31st December 1991, the registration fee is US$1 10.00 (£75.00), and thereafter US$135.00 (£90.00). For further infonnation, apply to the World Working Group on Birds of Prey (15b Bolton Gardens, London .S\V5 O.At., or Wangenheimstr. 32, 1000 Berlin 33, Germany). ‘British BirdShop’ subsidises ‘BB’ Please order all your bird books by using the British BirdShop order forms which are included in BB each month (pages xvii & xviii, between pages 578 and 579 this month). All the profits received by BB go directly towards funding extra pages, extra photographs and the use of colour illustrations within BB itself. By using the POS r FREE service provided by British BirdShop, you not only receive the quickest and most efficient mail order bird-book service, but also help to improve the contents of BB, and hold down the subscription price, to everyone’s benefit. Fhank you for supporting us. Binding your ‘BB’ Standard book-binding of BB issues costs £17.45 per volume. Use the form on the back of the index, and send yours in to arrive before one of the four annual deadlines: 15th January, 15th March, 1st July and 1st October. I'he binders’ address is: Chapman Brooks Bookbinders Ltd, 17b Industrial Park, West Horndon, Brentwood, Essex CNIS.SHI.; telephone Brentwood (0277) 810722. Loose binders are also available, as usual, through British BirdShop, at £6.95 (see page xviii). Bird Photograph of the Year In 1992, this annual competition will again be sponsored jointly by Christopher Helm Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers. The rules will be the same as those this year {Brit. Birds 84: 36), but the photographs must have been taken during 1991. Fhe closing date is Friday 31st January 1992. Please send your transparencies in early to avoid a last-minute administrative rush. Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs Fhe closing dale for submission of prints for the annual selection is Friday 31st January 1992. Fhe rules will be the same as those this year {Brit. Birds 84: 36). Bird Illustrator of the Year Fhe closing date for this competition, which will again be sponsored by Kowa telescopes, is Friday 15th March 1992. Required dimensions of entries will be the same as this year (see Brit. Birds 84: 36-37). January issue Whereas all other issues are despatched at the end of the month prior to the cover date, the January issue will, as usual, not be posted until mid January, owing to our (and our printers’) holidays, and the end-o(-lhe-year rush of resubscriptions. With ‘BB’ to Thailand Fhe relaxed trip with the small, friendly group, led by Fhailand’s top birdwatchers (Phil Round and Kamol Komolphalin): there are still spaces for any one. two or three weeks during I6lh Febmary to lOth March 1992. Rin.g Sunbird for details: Sandy (0767) 682969. Books in British BirdShop New books this month include: •I'orshaw Enmcbpaedia of Animak: birds *Holm<-s tk Nash The Hirds of Sumatra and Katimantan *()cl(lic Hirdwatehing for the tinder Tens ‘RalFaele, House & Wiessetiger .1 Guide to tfu' Hirds of Tuertn Kico and the I'iripn l.sland.\ *Ratcli(Te & Rose Bird Life of Mountain and tiptond * l ulloeh & Bushy Migrations: travels oj a naturatisl Please i7take use of the British Bird.Shop order fonn on pages xvii (k xviii. Announcements ABA Periodically, we mention the American Birding Association, its bimonthly journal, Birding, or its monthly newsletter, Witigingli. Like British Birds Ltd, our sister organisation is also a non-profit-making company (the American phrase is ‘a not-for-profit corporation’), with goals very' similar to BB’s: ‘to promote recreational birding, to contribute to the development of bird identification and population study, and to help foster public appreciation of birds and their vital role in the environment.’ With these shared aims, and a similar philosophy, we are pleased to be able to have the same links with the ABA as those which we have with the RSPB, the B TO, the BOU and the IWC. If you would like details of the ABA, its work and its publications, write to PO Box 6599, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80934, USA. Thank you to our sponsors The Editorial Board would like to give special thanks to the firms and organisations which have helped BB with sponsorship during 1991: HarperColiin.s Publishers sponsorship of Bird Photograph of the Year Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd sponsorship of Bird Photograph of the Year ‘The Famous Grouse’ Scotch whisky sponsors of our Christmas puzzle Koum telescopes sponsors of Bird Illustrator of the 5'ear Sunbird sponsorship of ‘Monthly marathon’ competition Carl Zeiss — Germany sponsors of the Rarities Committee and colour plates for several identification papers and notes Requests Laying times There are few published data on the hour of egg-laying of passerines and other small altricial birds. ,\nyone with unpublished records on laying times is requested to supply these for a forthcoming review of the topic. Records should include species name, locality, date, estimate of hour of laying, and type of lime used (e.g. GMT or BS'f in the L’K, Eastern Standard Time or Flaslern Daylight Time in North .America). .Ml contributions will receive acknowledgment within the review. Please write to Professor David M. Scott, Department of Zoology, University of W’estem Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6.^ 5B7. Colour-marked birds: a reminder .Although colour-marking may be used in purely local studies (e.g. of behaviour), the majority of studies of marked populations depend upon co- operation from all observers who sight the marked individuals. Only in exceptional instances do we publish separate requests on this subject (there are far too many such studies to include them all). If you see a bird marked in some way (other than with ordinary BTO rings), please report it as follows: C'.ORMOR.VNT.S: Colour-ring sightings. Dr Robin Sellers, Rose Cottage, Ragnall Lane, Walkley Wood, Nailsworth, Gloucester GI.6 ORU. SWANS AND CiF.F.SF.: Colour-ring sightings. Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, .Slimbridge, Gloucester gi.2 7BT. WADFRS: Wader Study Group, PO Box 247, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 .SSN. GIT.I.S: Gull sightings, Peter Rock, 32 Kersteman Road, Redlands, Bristol BS6 7BX. Al l. OTHFR SPFCtlFS: Kevin Baker, B'EO, The Nunnery, Nunnery Place, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU. Drawings of rare breeding birds .Artists may care to note that we include line-drawings vvilbin the report on ‘Rare breeding birds in the United Kingdom’ every year, and always welcome the submission of drawings of appropriate species for possible selection. Sizes should be those specified for the Bird Illustrator of the A’ear competition: 16.35 cm wide X 6.9 cm deep, or 8.1 cm wide X 6.0 cm deep, for publication at two-thirds of those sizes. Please send drawings to the BB E.ditoria! Office. News and comment Mike Everett and Robin Prytherch Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ 316. After the tire at the lili otlice, Blunham, September it)9l (/. T. R. Sharrock) Fire! Ifvoii received a subscription renewal reminder in .September, you mav have won- dered why it was blackened. (9n 4th Septem- ber, one room at the .Subscription Depart- ment office was destroyed bv lire. but. thanks to prompt work by otftcers from the Sandv and Bedibrdshire Fire Briyailes (plate 316), summoned via a 999 call from ,\li (iathercole, some paperwork — including most of those reminders — was saved. .Ml part of the exciting work of the staff ol a monthly magazine — which, we hope you noticed, still came out on time. YNU centenary history It is a great pity that so little is written about the history of ornithology and the people myolyed in it, especially at grass-roots ami county level. .Avifaunas and bird reports abound — but the story generally stops there. All the more reason, then, to commend Cliye Varty, who has |ust published (privately) the centenary account Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. Protection of Birds Committee. 1 89 1-199 1. This copiously referenced and nicely illustrated 73-page booklet makes fascinating reading, with its insights into the Inals and tribulations of protection matters in (he county over the years. .All who are interesterl in conserx'ation and ornithology in northern F.ngland ought to buy tfiis valuable little history: it is availalile, [trice £5.50 [iltis 5'2|) p&p, from Clive Varty, 26 Craggwood I'errace, llors- forth, Leeds I..SIH tl'lt. Swale Lakes birds Congratulations are also due to .Mick .Morgan for The Birds of the Swale Ixikes, an account of a gntup of gravel-pits in North Yorkshire which are, among oilier things, important for their wildfowl num- bers. Two major gravel companies, Steetlev Construction .Alaierials and the RMC Croup, made donations which enabled Nick to produce the booklet. We learn that profits from its sales will go to the A’orkshire Wildlife Trust, which has recently purch- ased the most important pit, Bolton-on- .Swale Lake. If there ought to be more histories written, there should certainly also be more local avifaunas like this one. (Copies are available, price £2.50 including p&p. from Nick Morgan. Linden. Church A'iew, Ainderby Steeple, Northallerton, North Yorkshire i)i.7|B. 25th-26th January Vf)UNG ornithoi.ogists' GI.UB GARDFN BIRDW \TCH. Write to YOC, The Lodge, .Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI0 2DI,. 594 31st January Closing dale for entries for ‘Bird Photograph of the Year’. 31st January Closing date for entries for ‘Best recent black-and-white bird- photographs’. 18th February B(x:. Dr David Harper on ‘Why is Robin behaviour so variable?’ Cen- tral London. Details from Hon. .Secrelaiy. 7th March JOINT SCOTTISH ornithologists’ CLI B/blo onf.-day conff.RENCK. Gartferr\’ Hotel, .Ayr. Details from SOC, 21 Regent I'errace, Edinburgh F.H7 5BT. 14th March bto/cumbria BIRD CLUB ONE- DAV CONFERENCE. Newton Rigg .Agricultural College, Penrith, Cumbria. Details from John Callion, The Cherries, Scawfield, High Harrington, Cumbria C.AI4 4I.Z. 15th March Closing date for entries for ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year’. 16th March to 17th May voc fi.IGHI LINE. .Migration phone-in. Details from A’OC. 20th-22nd March BOU ANNUAL conference. ‘ Territory, site fidelity and philopatry.’ Uni- versity of Durham. Details from Professor P. R. Evans, Department of Biological Scien- ces, University of Durham, South Road, Durham Dili 3I.E. 26th March bto/i.innean .socif.it ONE-DA'S MF.F.riNG. ‘I'nderstanding bird distribu- tions.’ Burlington House, Piccadilly, Lon- don. Details from B TO. 27th-29th March rsi'B members’ weekend. Warwick University. Details from Events Department, R.SPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bed- fordshire .SGI9 2DL. 27th-29th March seabird grouf confer- ence. Kelvin Conference Centre, Glasgow. ‘European seabirds.’ Details from Dr R. W. Furness, Seabird Group, Department of Zoology, University of CJIasgow, (ilasgow G12 8QQ. Offers of papers to: Dr T. R. Birkhead, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University, Sheffield SlOTI'N. 28th March WELSH ORNH HOI.OGICAI, SOCI- F.IT ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Aberystwyth. De- tails from Peter Wallers Davies, Alllgoy, Caemelyn, .Aberysiwylh, Dyfed SY23 2H.\. 7th April BOC. Dr Carlo Violani on ‘The I8lh Cienlury Italian naturalist (bovanni .Antoni Scopoli and his influence on Italian ornithology’. CTniral London. Details from Hon. Secretary'. I0th-I2th April royal SOCIF.IA' lOR N.VrUKE CONSERVA LION N.A I IONAL CONFERENCE. Uni- versity ol Warwick, Coventry. Inlormation from .Sarah Haine, (Conference Organiser, Diary dates Warwicks Nature Conservation Trust, Mon- tague Road, Warwick CV34 5l.w. 13th- 17th April WADER STUDY GROUP ODESSA CONFERENCE. ‘Migration and inter- national conservation of waders.’ Odessa, USSR. Details from Hermann Hblker, W.SG Co-ordinator, c/o WWE Watlenmeerstelle, Norderstr. 3, 2250 Husum, Germany. May ‘in FOCU.?’ birdrace. County bird- watch. In association with International Council for Bird Preservation and county Nature Consers'ation Trusts. Details and entry' forms from David Tomlinson, Wind- rush, Coles Lane, Brasted, Westerham, Kent TNI 6 inn. 10th-15th May intern.ationai. symposium on the PRESF.R\'.ATI0N and CONSERVA lion OF N.aturai. HISTORY coli.f:ctions. Madrid. De- tails from Julio Gisbert & Fernando Pala- cios, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Natur- ales, Jos (iutirrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain. 10th-17th May iv world conference on BIRDS OF PRFT AND OWES. Berlin. Details from World Working Group on Birds of Prey (15b Bolton (Jardens, London SW.3 O.AL, or Wangenheimstr. 32, 1000 Berlin 33, Ger- many). 17th-24th May xvm icbp continental SEC- IION conference. Berlin. Details from ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girlon, (Cam- bridge c:B3 opj. 30th July to 14th August SOCIETY OF wildlife artists’ annual exhibition (in- cluding display of winning entries in ‘Bird Illustrator of the A'ear’ and ‘The Richard Richardson Award’ competitions). The .Mall Galleries, The Mall, London .SWl. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. .'Admission £2.00 (free to SWL.A members). 30th August ORIEN TAL BIRD CLUB MEETING. Blakeney Village Hall, Blakeney, Norfolk. Details from OB(C, c/o The Lodge, Satidy, Bedfordshire .sgi<) 2DL. 4th-6th September BRI TISH BIRDW vi CIIING FAIR I!i92. Eglelon Nature Resem*, Rutland Water, near Oakham, Leicestershire. F'.n- quiries to Titn .Appleton. Fishponds (Cot- tage, .Staml'orfl Road, Oakham, Leicester- shire LETS HAH. 5th-llth September IX IN TTRNA I lONAl WA TERFOWL ECOLOGY SYMPOSIUM. 1 lajdus/.o- bos/.lo, Hungaiy. Details from IWRB, Slim- bridge, (iloucesler Gl.2 7BX. I3th-16th S«*ptemlH'r IN I ERNA TIONAL con- ference ON AAIAN IN TER ACTION WITH ITTILTTV Diaiy dates 595 STRUCTURKS. I'heme: integration of conser- vation, engineering and economies. Infor- mation from Dr J. Huckabee, Fxological Studies, Electric Power Research Institute, 3412 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CIA 94303, USA. 13th- 17th September iv inti.rnation.vi. WF.TI.AND.S C.ONFF.RF.NCT'.. Ohio State Univer- sity, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Details from William J. Mitsch, School of Natural Re sources, Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. 14th-18th September intf.rnationai. bird C'.F.N.SUSCXtMMrrFF.F./F.t'ROPF.AN ORNITHOI.OGI- C.AI. .Vn..AS C'.OMMITFF.F. INTF.RNATIONAI. CON- FF.RF.Nt:K. Noordwijkerhout, I'he Nether- lands. Details from Conference Secretariat; Van Namen & Westerlaken, Congress Organisation Serv'ices, PO Box 1558, 6501 BN Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 17th-20th September BOU ai tumn .scien- tific: MEETING. University of Liverpool. ‘The history of ornithology.’ Details from Miss Clem Fisher, Curator of Birds and Mam- mals, Vertebrate Zoology Department, Liverpool County Museum, W'illiam Brown Street, Liverpool l.;i HEN. October (date to be arranged) OBC MEETING. Isles of Scilly. Details from OBC. November (dates to be arranged) SCOTTISM ORNn ilOl.OGI.STs’ CI.UB ANNUAI. CONFERENCE. Marine Hotel, North Berwick. Details from SOC, 21 Regent Ferrace, Edinburgh F.II7 5BI. 4th-6th December BTO annuai. coneerence & .VGM. Hayes Conference Centre, Swan- wick, Derbyshire. Details from BTO. December (date to be arranged) OBC ..\GM. Zoological Society meeting rooms. Regent’s Park, London. Details from OBC. Sheila D. Cobban, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ If the caption fits . . . The portrait by J. H. Johns of the Cornish Belted Kinghsher Ceryle alcyon shown in last December’s issue {Brit. Birds 83: plate 305, repeated here) prompted a large pile of postcards with suggested captions. VVe parti- cularly liked: 'Beware, / have the black belt!’ (Lars Norgaard Andersen, Denmark) ‘Cornwall, ENGIAND? Do they speak American here?’ (Jillian Bale, Dorset) ‘I enjoy a dip, but that’s the last time I’ll preen on a high-voltage unrel’ (A. Gill, Bedford) ‘That ’s the last time I try to catch an electric eel. ’ (Paul M. Harris, Dorset) 'Say, is that an Olympus OMl and 300 Tamron, John?’ (S. C. Hutchings, Cornwall) ‘Hair on end. eyes popping, mouth open! So would you be if you had this thing .sticking in your soft parts. ’ (A. P. Josephs, West Yorkshire) ‘Like rnv hair-do? These jet-stream updraughts are just the thing!’ (Jimmy Maxwell, Strathclyde) ‘W hilst / may rise to the occa.sion of an audience, I categorically refu.se to go fishing for compliments. ’ (P. F. Whitehead, Worcestershire) We picked Jimmy Maxwell’s caption as the winner. His book prize has been despatched. Recent reports Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan This summary covers the period 18th October to 7th November 1991 These are unchecked reports, not authenticated records White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii 'I'wo, Flamborough Head (Humberside), 19tli October. Great White Egret Egretta alba Kingsmill Lake (Ck)mwall), 1st November. Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Swords (Co. Dublin), 19th-22nd October. Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus First-winter female, white-phase, flew into window, Pori Charlotte, Islay (.Strathclyde), 3rd Novem- ber; released and flying freely around Loch Gruinart RSPH reserve, 4th November. Great Snipte Gallinago media North Ronald- say (Orkney), 30th October. Bonaparte’s Gull l.arus pkiladelphui Copfter- house Creek (Cornwall), 22nd October. Forster’s Tern Sterna jonteri Penmon, ,\ngle- sey (Gwynedd), 22nd October. Whiskered Tern G.hlidonias hybridus Stanford Reservoir (Northamptonshire), 21st Octo- ber. Little Auk Alle alle Large nutvemenl during I9th-21sl October, including 1,735 past Flamborough Head on 2()lh Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka 'Fhornton Loch (Lothian), 27th-30th October; Penare (Cornwall), lst-5th .November. Desert Wheatear 0. deserti Fair Isle (Shet- land), 26th October; Fleetwood (Lan- cashire), 5th to at least 7th November. Desert Warbler Sylvia nana Foreland (Isle of Wight), 27th October to 4th November; Sea Salter (Kent), 3rd-5th November; Flambor- ough Head {Brit. Birds 84: 526) present to at least 5th November. Pallas’s Warbler Bhylloscopus proregulus Cape Clear Island (Co. C.atrk), 27th October, two 28th October; Old Head of Kinsdale ((^o. (atrk), 27th. Dusky Warbler B. Juscatus Flamborough Head, 26th-31st October; Southwold (Suf- (blk), 26lh October; Beach)' Head (Fast Sussex), 27lh-30th October; Dunwich (Suf- folk), Inner Fame (Northumberland) and Holkham (Norfolk), 27th October; Hengist- bury Head (Dorset), 28th-29th October; Spurn, lst-2nd November. Bonelli’s Warbler/’, bonelli Spurn (Humber- side), 24th October. Nutcracker Nucijraga caryocatactes Cocknage Wood (Stanitrdshire), 17th October to at least 7th November. For the late.st, up-to-date news, phone ‘Twitchline’ on 0898-884-501 (3(ip/niin cheap rate; '18p/niin other limes; incl. VA T) We are grateful to National Bird News for supplying information for this news feature. Corrections N'olumf. 79 659 Abnorm.m. ci..\w i.KNcrms or Mr.Mxtw Pii-n . 'Farsus length of each leg should read ‘22.0mm’. VOLUMF. 83 374 RARKBRKKt)iN(;RiRi).siN rnr.LlNm.DKiNCDOMiN 1988 Mediterranean C.ull, 1985 England, SW. After ‘colony", insert ‘on 3rd A|>ril; (2) one in Black-headed Gull colony". Volume 84 258 iDKNl lHCAnoN ()l S()n-l>l.UMA(;K.l) Pl lRl l linlike the individual in plate L50, the Atlantic Petrel Pterodrnma incerta in plate 149 is not in worn plumage. 2()6 Ri.VIKWS Bird Songs oj Israel and the Middle East. Price should read ‘£24.95’ not ‘£26.95’. 280 BlN()(:tn.ARs AND rKl.i;.s(:()l*Ks.si'R\'iA 1991 Fable 13. Optoivth .Mpin 8 X 40: linal column. ‘4’ should read ‘14=’. ,396 ‘The Famous Grouse’ Scotch whisky Christmas puzzle Sfxjnsored by Can’t see where to start? Just take a shot at it . . . p F E E N C E R p C I N S R I E F C U U P E H G N I E s R H C E K U A N H U E S W W A T T F R I O L C L H O R I S O O H T G K N 'Nine species, including one featured prominently in this imonth’s issue, are hidden in this block of letters. All nine are ssingle words. Spell them out, in an unbroken line, by skipping tfrom letter to letter. In each case, the next letter is to be found .adjoining an adjoining square (i.e. next but one; touching a ineighbouring square). All 64 letters are used; none is used ttwice. Beware of false trails. Be systematic. Find all nine birds. Which is out of v>equence? Which is last? Those are your answers. Send them — and your name and address — on a postcard to niie Famous Grouse’ Christmas Whisky Puzzle, Fountains, Park Lane, ISlunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. The closing date is 31st January U992. The three winners (determined by a draw in the event of a I ie) will each receive a bottle of ‘The Famous Grouse’ Scotch 'vhisky. Cygnus WIMIlie 1992 p/myiamme eda^iied lunxluMiiclunc^ UcdidcufA^ Destinations January - June include: N. India Photographic £1390 Northern India £1450 Sri Lanka £1375 Tiger Special £1 590 Venezuela £2590 Texas £1250 Majorca £545 Morocco £790 Austria £690 Camargue £790 Hungary £825 Poland £790 Soviet Central Asia and Siberia £1 980 Siberia and Soviet Far East £21 00 Pyrenees £840 Other departures later in the year include Arizona and California, Gambia, Argentina, Ecuador and Galapagos Islands, Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada, Australia, and Nepal. Tour groups have a maximum of 16 participants, are escorted by experi- enced leaders and we cater for all level of expertise. If you would like fur- ther information about any of these holidays, we will be delighted to receive your enquiry at the following address: ABTA 62948 CYGNUS WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS, 57 FORE STREET, KINGSBRIDGE, DEVON TQ7 1PG Telephone 0548 856178 Fax: 0548 857537 (D903) NATURETREK BIRDING TREKS & TOURS in NEPAL- KASHMIR LADAKH - ZANSKAR BHUTAN - CHINA ROMANIA - PYRENEES INDIA • INDONESIA MALAYSIA - TURKEY GREECE - CYPRUS KENYA - TANZANIA EGYPT - ETHIOPIA BOTSWANA • ZAMBIA AUSTRALIA - MALAWI NAMIBIA • MOROCCO RWANDA - ZAIRE GALAPAGOS - CRETE NEW ZEALAND NEWFOUNDLAND Independent Travel Tailor-made Tours Private Safaris Flights For our brochure/expert advice phone 0962 733051 CHAUTARA, BIGHTON, Nr.ALRESFORD, HANTS. S024 9RB YOUR HOME DESERVES AN OIL PAINTING . . . Whether it he the lounge, study, hedroom or dining room, had you ever considered filling that blank wall with an original oil painting? A painting of something or someone you cherish - a painting specially created for your pleasure, it could be a portrait, landscape, animal study, vintage car, plane or train: in fact anything and any size. Just write for fiulher details, including our no catch money hack guarantee R & S Arts 71 KiU'luMier CrescTiit Poole - Dorset 131 1 1 7 71 lY (D917) (D907) island L r holidays WINDWARD ISLANDS (St Lucia & Dominica) A relaxed birding holiday with Ann & Bob Scott Fed up with Crested Hummingbirds? Then look for three parrots found nowhere else in the world! A very special holiday Please write or telephone for detailed Information to: Island Holidays, Ardross, Comrie, Perthshire PH6 2JU. Tel: 0764 701 07 (D929) VISIT WILD RUSSIA^ New areas of the Soviet Union are being opened to tourists. Be among the first to discover the natural wonders of the world’s largest country. Fully inclusive holidays will be led by experi- enced experts on the birds of the USSR this spring and summer. Several exciting destinations will include Russian forests, Caucasus, Central Asian mountains and deserts, the Altai, high Arctic latitudes of Taimyr, Ussuriland and unin- habited western coasts of Kamchatka peninsula. Among the species we will see are the Red- Breasted Goose on its breeding grounds, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper on migration, the Cau- casus, Altai and Himalayan Snowcocks and of course the Ibisbill. Several tours will be led by Dr Algirdas Knys- tautas, the author of The Natural History of the USSR and The Birds of the USSR. Individual and research trips arranged at com- petitive rates. For our 1992 brochure, please contact us at any time (24 hour, answer machine): RUSSIAN NATURE TOURS Achterom 3 1 1621 KR Hoorn Netherlands ph. 02290-19883 fax 02290-19969 (D904)^ Best Days British Birds ^ Their most exciting birdvvatching experiences, described by David Fisher David Glue Steve Madge Bill Oddie Edited by Malcolm Online & Stuart Hlnter Published by British Birds Ltd, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK+t :t\| Available from all good bookshops £14.95 hardback ISBN 0 9.508471 3 .3 | SPKCIAI. RF.DUCF.D PRIf:F. IF ORDFRFD THROUGH ‘BRITISH BIRDSHOP’ (D526) Robin Prytherch & many others XXI Classified Advertisements All advertisements must be PREPAID and sent to British Birds Advertising Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Telephone 0621 815085 Fax 0621 819130 Rates (including 17’ 2% VAT) £2.94 a line — average of 6 words £9.98 a cenfimetre — min. 2 centimetres Box Number counts as 2 words is £1 .00 extra per insertion Replies should be sent to the above address Series Discounts 3 insertions for the price of 2 6 insertions for the price of 4 Copy Date January Issue December 5th Please post early to avoid disappointment British Birds lias over 1 (),()()() subscribers: a loial of around 40,000 readers in 63 coun- tries, and 99.6% of them keep their copies of ‘BIV permanently, for future reference. H OLID A \ ' A CCOMMODA TJON ENGIAND C1£V. 3 Qualit\ lottage.s (slfcj) 4. 6 and l> + 2). Quid, tiomlonablc. Kxcellent valuf. Brochure: ((«,'i3) 740770. (BBS.W) EXMOOR lor counu v and animal losers. Farm- house accommodation, bed and breaklasi and evening meal, or self-catering cottage. Details Irom: French. Brendon Barton, Lymton. Devon, lei: 059 87 201. (BB793) BIRDWATCHERS travel many miles in the pursuit ol their hobby. Over half of British Birds subscribers use hotel or guest hotise accommodation. Phone 0621 815085 lor advertising details. (BBti81) CLEY. .Attractive house in village, four bed- rooms, large garden, garage, c.h. Available all year. Details Irom Mrs E. Album, 47 I.yndale Avenue, Ixtndon NW2. Tel: 071431 2942. (BB918) FARM COTTAGES between I.indislarne Reserve and The Fames, Comfortable and well equipped. Sorrv no pets. Brochure: Mrs J. Sutherland, Ross Farm, Bellbrd, Northumberland NFi70 7F.N. Tel; 0668 213336. (BB766) FXMOOR. Peaceful s/catering c/heated holiday homes in National Trttst Village. Marshes, woods and moorland — rich in birdlife. Reduced spring/ ant tmm terms. Open all year. Stamp to Sheila Wright, Pack Horse, Allerford, nr Mine- head. Tel: 0643 862475, (BB801 ) NORTH NORFOLK - Glavenside guest hoti.se III Letheringsett. 5 miles inland from .sea at Blak- eney, Clev and .Salthouse. River Glaven works ad- joining mill Ik Hows through 4 acres of garden on its way to .sea at Cley. Tel: Holt (0263) 713181 . (BB619) COUNTRY COTTAGES at Ellingham between Alnwick and Belford, sleep 6. Eully equipped, sell-catering, available Fiaster to October. Mell placed for Flolv Island. Fame Islands. Cheviot Hills and many places of natural beauty. S..A.F1., Ladv Gadsden, 606 Gilbert House, Barbican. Gmdon EC2Y8BD. (BB9.35) LAKE DISTRICT - RYDAL. Two cottages, sleep 6 each, weekly lets. Fisher Hoggarih, 52 Kirk- land, Kendal. Tel: 0539 722.592 in oflice hours. (BB609) YORKSHIRE DALES (GRASSINGTON). BB it EM. E.ileen it- Allan invite voti to share their idyl- lic 17c. riverside cottage. Private fishing. (Bircf- watch mg courses.) Biochure (0756) 752463. (BB607) WE7ST SU.SSEX, Pagham Harbotir/.Sel.sev. Beau tiliil Geotgian Farmhouse, with ptirpose built BitB accommodation. All lacilities provided Warm. Iriendly atmosphere, children weliome. ( )pen all year. lel: 0243 602790. (BB530) ISLE.S OF .SCII.LY, Mine at lo (>uest House. St. Marv's. Superhlv situated m own grotinds ovei looking the harbour. Write to: Colin Diiiu an oi lel. 0720 22513 (BB8.55) WEYMOUTH, Birchfields Licensed Guest Hoti.se, close to RSPB re.serves. BB Irom £14. Evening meal optional Ideal winter spritig breaks. Parues welcome. For details phone 0305 773255 (BB969) .The Lawns //im Elemi GeoT|^ Hotel \ vtrliriii hxxf AimmnitxlaQoo Vnn*iD i onjmrndrri ( 3r\ 5 miW IWijj-Am HitAv hRA:l) !>• SuiKmRiud Holi.Norlolk Id HW71S-M. N. W. NORF'OLK COAST - Snettisham. Two warm and prettv c ottages ( lourist Boaid '( .om- mended' - 1 kev), .Sleeps 4. Ideally .situated close to major bird re-serves. .Avc-ril Campbell Eel. 0485.541179. (BB9:I8) SALTHOUSE.. Moclc-t iiised cottage overlooking marshes. Slc-eps 4 li. .S.a.e. Bakei, 3.5 Poison Road. ( iambridge ( .B2 2E I (BB9 1 1 ) all ad(Aentc^>en>^ CLEY NATURE RESERVE 1 mile Small guest house offers you warm welcome. B&B and optional evening meal. Colour TV. tea-making facilities, ail private facilities and central heating in all rooms. Parking facilities and sorry, no smoking IDEAL FOR BIRDWATCHERS THE FLINTSTONES. WIVETON, HOLT, NORFOLK 0263 740337 {BB903)^ SCOTIAND SPEY VALLEY. Uninierrupled views of the Cairngorms, All rooms en-suiie; lea and coffee making facilities: Db&b £130 Broctuire from. Penny Bailey. The l.odge. Easier Duthil, Can- bridge, Inverness-shire. Tel: 0479 84503. (BB961) GALLOWAY. Hills, lochs, forests and sea Speciality, birds of prey and waterfowl. High quality sell-calering houses, collages, flats. De- tails C. Nf, Thomson & Co, 27 King Sueei, Ca.sde Douglas. 0556 2973. (BB964) NEAR AVIEMORE. Comfortable guest house run bv birders for birders. Latest sightings and helpful information, plus daily bird trips. B&B, EM. Healherlea, Boat of Garten. Tel: 0479 83674. (BB806) SPEY VALLEV'. Maureen and Larrv once again invite guests to sample their highland hospitaliu. Set in five acres, our home has uninterrupted views of the Cairngorms. Bird register available. Good home cooking and a warm welcome awail vou. D^B/B £130 p.w. (All rooms en-suiie). Brochure: Maureen Taulbui, "Braes of Duthil', Duthil, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire PH23 3ND 047984 .395. (BB879) SPEY VALLEY. Beautiful secluded informal country hotel, 2 miles f rom village of Carr- bridge. Home cooking, full central healing. All rooms en-suite. Perfeci base for birdwatchers and walkers. Discount available for parties. Terms from £180.00 per week DB&B. Brochure from Mrs Y. Holland. The Old Manse Hotel, Duthil. Carrbridge, Invernes.s-shire. Tel: 0479 84278. (BB920) ALL OVER SCOTLAND. Comfortable cot- tages and chalets in attractive locations through- out Scotland. Stamp please for free 84-page colour brochure. Holiday Cottages (Scotland) Ltd, Lilliesleaf, Melrose, Roxburghshire TD6 9JD. Tel: 08357 481. (BB936) THE HOTEL, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll PA61 7YP Demi-pension (Private bath) from £48.00. De- tails. brochures, map (bird list on reque.sl). Tel. 09512 316. (BB965) SEE PUFFINS, skuas, seals and a lot more. Private boat lakes you among otherwise inac- cessible colonies. A nature-lover's dream. Full board in castle, or stay in self-calering cottages. Send lor details: Balfour Castle, Shapinsav, Orkney. Tel: 085 671 282. Fax: 0856 50.39. (BB970) WAI£S SOUTH STACK, ANGLESEY. Tan-y-Cvliau Country Guest House. Lovely comfortable Edwardian house peacefully situated on slopes of Holyhead Mountain. Gardens bordering South Stack RSPB Reserve. Friendly atmo- sphere, excellent fresh cuisine. Licensed. S.C. Lodge in grounds sleeps 7. Phone Pam or Stan Keating on 0407 762763 for brochure. (BB832) ANGLESEY. Superb beachside hotel with mag- nificent views. Ideal centre for bird watchers and botanists in area noted for its lakes, reserves and coastline of outstanding beauty. Come to 'High- ground' AA^RAC listed, licensed, for warm wel- come, excellent food and accommodation. Brochure: Mrs Karen Hayter, Highground, Ravenspoini Road. Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd LL65 2Y\; Tel: 0407 860078. (BB883) STRATHSPEY SELF CATERING. 1 crown to 5 crowns highly commended. Colour brochure from S.S.C., Ballingtomb Cottages. Dulnain Bridge PH26 3US. Tel. 047 985 322. (BB937) NORTH BERWICK. Family run hotel with warm, friendly atmosphere, comfortable rooms and home cooking. Open all year round. Over- looking Craigleith Rock and within easy reach of Bass Rock, Fidra and Aberlady nature reserve. Small groups welcome (max 15). Belhaven Hotel, Westgate, North Berwick Tel: (0620) .3009 for brochure. (BB758) ISLAY, GEESE. W'arm cottages sleep 8, 7 or 2. Lady Wifson. Cala na Ruadh. Port Charlotte. Tel: 289 (BB943) RED KITE COUNTRY. Tregaron — Guest- House standing in 22 acres, overlooking the Cambrian Mountains and on the doorstep of the Cors Caron Nature Reserve. Central for Dinas and Ynvs-hir RSPB reserves. Parties welcome. WTB — .3 crowns. For brochure, phone Mar- garet Culler, 0974 298965 or 298905. (BB919) YSB'YTY YSTWYTH, s.c. cottage, 4/5, kite country, all year. Brochure 021-744 1947. (BB939) o\t:rseas HEART OF CAMARGUE. Secluded well equipped farm cottage. Mas d'Auphan. Le Sam- buc, 13200 ARLES, France (01033) 90972041. (BB90H BIRDWATCHING HOIJDAYS HONG KONG. Superb bircling September to Mav - variety of accommodation - trips into China. Richard Levvthvvaite, 2 Villa Paloma, Shtien Wan, Tai Po NT, Hong Kong. Phone/Fax: (HK) 665 8190. (BB877) BIRDING IN SOUTHEAST AUSTRALIA. The diversity' of habitats makes Gipsy Point an ideal place to begin your Australian holiday, with over 100 species likelv to be seen during a relaxing four day stav. Regular pelagic bird trips. Gipsy Point Lodge, Gipsv Point, \6ctoria 3891 Aus- tralia. (BB897) WAREN HOUSE HOTEL RAC AA ★ HIGHLY COMMENDED ★★ Beautiful traditional country house hotel. 6 acres wooded grounds at Budle Bay Bird Sanctuary. 5 miles from Fame Islands and Holy Island. Peace and tranquility assured. No children or pels. All rooms No Smoking except Library. WARKN MILL. BLLKORI), NORTHl MBKRLAND NI-70 7KE. Tel: Bamburgh <066H4| 581 (BB900) DIVISION OF NICK S TRAVEL 97237 100 LONDON ROAD, LEICESTER LE2 OQS ‘FLIGHTS FOR BIRDWATCHERS’ EXPERTS IN LOW COST AIRFARES - WORLDWIDE. DISCOUNT CAR HIRE/INSURANCE SPECIALIST ADVISER - ANDY HOWES 0533 881318 (EVES) BEST QUOTES / 1992 GROUP RATES (BB876) TAKING BIRDWATCHERS TO EUROPE AND BEYOND SIBERIA • NEPAL • GAMBIA SPAIN • MAJORCA • KENYA BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS IN SMALL GROUPS WITH EXPERT LEADERS FREE BROCHURE, PHONE OR WRITE TO: 0532 586555 (EVENING) 59 HUNGER HILLS DRIVE, LEEDS LS18 5JU (BB928) U)(|JDUn^S The Travel Agency for Birdwatchers Discount Flights & Car HinB...Worldwlde CURRENT RETURN FARES FROM: HONG KONG £539 GAMBIA £208 (April) KENYA £369 TORONTO (May) £199 THAILAND £379 EILAT (Direct) £189 USA £199 MOROCCO £155 VENEZUELA £399 COSTA RICA £383 ANTARCTICA & FALKLANDS (Tours) from £2795 Sea Travel : Accom. Always phone us (or the Insurance : Groups ^ very latest prices/oHers. * Discounts on Package Holidays and Cruises. Saw EEEs - Ask for leaflet detailing our services. By iravellinf’ with only three others plus two leaders and having’ a totally flexible Itinerary, you can enjoy a unu/ue Kenyan bird and wildlife experience geared especially to your needs. For details of this and many other unique holidays write to,... GOSTOURS^ . 29 Mart'hwood Road Sheffield .S6 .Sl.B . (BB934) OVER HALF of British Birds suh.sr i ihers ir.wel abroad hirdwatehiiig each rear, averaging 1 9 days |)er lri|). Fo rear h this andienee, phone 0621 81.508,5 for advertising rales. (BB682) TO ADVERTISE PHONE 0621 815085 FAX 0621 819130 XXIV €uU 9€4fi €uCfAent6^€n^ GUIDED BIRDWATCHING. Kenya 1st March, one week safari, one week Malindi, Full guidance 1st March £1520. Eastern Turkey Two weeks internal flights, transport. Full guidance by 1. Green, who is writing book - Birdwatcbing in Turkey. May £980. Spanish Pyrenees One week June 12th £550. Activity Holidays, Tall Trees, Ball Rd, Ryhall, Stamford, Lines PE9 4NT or answerphone 0780 66280 (state birdwatching) . (BB914) BIRDWATCHING TOURS AUSTRALIA - Send for our Birding brochure. Tours throughout Australia from individuals to groups. We welcome enquiries from both private customers and tour agents. Falcon Tours. 1 Si- mons Drive, Roleyslone, Perth, Western Aus- tralia. PH/FAX (09) 397 5125. Lie. Tour Operator. (BB871) BIRD INFORMATION PHONE-LINES Latest rare bird news: 0898-884-501 Latest Rarities Committee* decisions: 0898-884-522 (36p/min cheap rate; 48p/min other times) * The Rarities Committee is sponsored by Carl Zriss - Gertnajiy ALL THE RARE BIRD NEWS AS SOON AS IT BREAKS! paged directly to the screen of your pocket pager . . , Nationwide RARE BIRD ALERT deta//s TEL: FREE! 0800 246 246 (BB972) BIRDWATCHING ADVICE LINE PLANNING A BIRDWATCHING TRIP ABROAD THOMAS COOK TRAVEL AGENTS Offer you a TRAVEL ADVICE LINE:- 051 933 9810 Ask for Keith Hiller experienced Birdwatcher. Details available include: Worldwide Airfares * Car Hire * Ferries * Overseas Rail • Visas • Package Holidays * Health * Accommodation * Cruises. Individuals or Croups catered for. (BB779) SITUATIONS VACANT GIBRALTAR POINT NATIONAL NATURE RE- SERVE. Field Station Assistant required Feb-Nov 1992 for general duties, £60 per week plus full board. Tel: 0754/762677 for details. (BB966) VIDEOS LATEST RARE BIRD VIDEO The very best, high-tech, moving pictures of most re- cent rarities (1990/91). Commentary and index. Satis- faction, or money refunded. £20, from Alan Shaw, HolmTields, Breach Lane, Melbourne, Derby. DE7 IDF. Send SAE for list, or telephone 0332 862075 for details. (BB916) PROPERTY FOR SALE COTTAGE FOR SALE. Duddon estuary. Birds, Natteijack toads. £56,000 o.n.o. Tel: 0229 52889. (BB945) EASINGTON, NORTH HUMBERSIDE COAST. Adj. Spurn Head. Job change forces sale. 18th century cottage, 3 beds, 2 wood panelled recep- tions, kitchen, bathroom, garage, garden etc. £65,000 o.n.o. Tel: 0904 612825 anytime, (BB975) BIRD REPORT ‘OUTER HEBRIDES BIRD REPORT 1989 Sc 1990’. The First Ever. Articles, Rarity Descrip- tions, etc. Available from 2 Drimsdale, S. Uist PA81 5RT. Price £3.75 inc p&p. (BB880) BIRDS IN NORTHUMBRIA 1990. £3.75p inc. p&p, from Mrs M. Cadwallender, 22 South View, Lesbury, Northumberland NE66 3PZ. (BB899) ‘BIRDS IN CORNWALL 1990’ available price £4 from Stanley Christophers, ‘Bramblings’, Rachel’s Way, St Columb Major, Cornwall, TR9 6EP. (BB915) SUFFOLK BIRDS 1991 including 1990 Bird Re- port. 34 colour photos, informed articles, 164 pages. Available from Suffolk Naturalists Society, The Museum, High Street, Ipswich IPl 3QH. £5.00 including p&p. (BB976) SUSSEX BIRD REPORT 1990 — Just pub- lished. Send £4.00 to ‘S.B.R. 1990’. Lorrimer, Main Road, Icklesham, Winchelsea, E. Sussex TN36 4BS. (BB942) 1990 CHRISTCHURCH HARBOUR BIRD RE- PORT, £2.50 inc. p&p. Paul Morrison, 33 Minterne Road, Christchurch, Dorset (BB962) BOOKS BOOKS ON BIRDS, MAMMALS, ETC., BOUGHT & SOLD. Also Field Sports, Big Game, Travel, Science, the Arts, etc. Catalogues issued. David Grayling, Crosby Ravensworth, Pen- rith, Cumbria CAIO 3JP. 09315 282. (BB613) XXV THE BIRD & WILDLIFE BOOKSHOP Britain 's leading ornithological booksellers where von can find our comprehensive range of new and secondhand books and reports on birds and natural history, including all new titles as they are published. Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 6 pm Saturda)’ 10 am to 4 pm Mail order catalogue available on request THE BIRD & WILDUFE BOOKSHOP 2-4 Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, l.ondon SWlYbDS Tel: 071-287 1407 (BB933) MOROCCO. A BIRDWATCHER’S GUIDE TO MOROCCO by P. & F. Bergier. £8.75. Prion Ltd (Perry). Vital for travellers to Morocco. From bookshops or N.H.B.S., 2 W'ills Road, Totnes, BIRDWATCHING on the NORTH KENT .VIARSHES by Peter Oliver • survey of the bird watchers’ marshes. • review of changes over 40 years; chapters on land-use, migration, Elmley, international importance. • check-list of monthly occurrence. Illustrated by Richard Chandler. ALL PROFITS TO RSPB H’back £18.95 + £2 p.p. from author. The Briar Patch, Limpsfield Chart, Oxted, Surrey RH8 OTL. (BB968) Wide 9clectH)n of ornithological & natural history titles available from stock, also travel books & maps. FREE Mail order catalogue on reque$t T«l: 0352 770M1 Fax: 0352 771B90 WILDLIFE & TRAVEL SPECIALISTS Subbuteo Natural History Books Ltd. (BB) Treuddyn. Mold. Clwyd, North Wales CH7 4LN (BB868) Devon. Tel. (0803) 865913. (BB881) FOR SALE THE NAT. HIST. OF WALNEY ISLAND by T. Dean. £1 1.99 post free. Bird beroks bought/sold. Cat. avail. West Coast Bird Books, 25 Heather- wavs, Freshfield, Liverpool L37 7HL. Tel: 07048 71115. (BB944) The original BIRDWATCHER’S LOGBOOK The most concise way to record your observations. Monthly, annual and life columns for 762 species, plus 1 59 diary pages. Send £5.95 to: Coxton Publications, Eastwood, Beverley Rd, Walkington, Beverley, N. Humberside HU17 8RP (BB913) THE AVERAGE British Birds reader will spend over £100 on bird books yearly. They conld be buying y