3 V '3;- 3 - 3 -vr -11 ( British Birds Editorial Board I. Carter R. J. Chandler M. Collinson R. J. Prytherch N. J. Redman J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Researcher Robin Chittenden Art Consultants Robert Gillmor and Alan Harris Volume 92 1999 British Birds Ltd Editorial Staff Dr J. T. R. Sharrock (Managing Editor), David A. Christie (Assistant Editor), Mrs Frances Bucknel) (Personal Assistant to Dr Sharrock) Circidation Mrs Erika Sharrock (Circulation Manager) Rarities Committee Dr Colin Bradshaw (Chairman), Pete Ellis, Paul Harvey, John McLoughlin, John Martin, Doug Page, K. D. Shaw, Dr Jimmy Steele, Andy Stoddart, Reg Thorpe & Grahame Walbridge; Peter Colston (Museum Consultant); John Marchant (Archivist); Peter Fraser & Dr John Ryan (Statisticians); Michael J. Rogers (Hon Secretary) Behaviour Notes Panel Dr C. J. Bibby Ian Dawson, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Derek Goodwin. Prof. I. Newton FRS, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock & Dr K. E. L. Simmons Identification Notes Panel Dr Colin Bradshaw, Dr R. J. Chandler, R. A. Hume, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, I. S. Robertson & K. E. Vinicombe British Birds Volume 92 (1999) Main contents January 2 Report on scarce migrant birds in Britain in 1996 Peter A. Fraser, Peter G. Lansdoivn and Michael J. Rogers 40 Red-throated Thrush in Essex: new to Britain and Ireland Brian Smith, Simon D. Wood and Dr Simon Cox February 62 Britain & Ireland Dr ]. T. R. Sharrock 64 European news 83 Recent records of Nearctic landbirds in Britain and Ireland Norman Elkins 96 Hume's Warbler in Sussex: new to Britain and Ireland Peter demerit and R. E. Scott March 118 Subspecies - more than meets the eye? Dr Martin Collinson 120 Rare breeding birds in the United Kingdom in 1996 Dr Malcolm Ogilvie and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel 155 Egyptian Nightjar in Dorset: the second British record Grahame Walbridge 162 The Best Annual Bird Report Awards Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, Robert Gillmor, John Martin, Derek Moore and Michael /. Rogers April 174 Birds in the wider countryside - a cause for optimism? Ian Carter 176 Non-native birds breeding in the United Kingdom in 1996 Dr Malcolm Ogilvie and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel 183 Status and breeding ecology of the Purple Swamp-hen in Italy Marcello Grussii 194 Separation of European and Red-necked Nightjars Peter Lansdoivn May 222 Those Ruddy Ducks - again! Dr Martin Collinson 225 Ruddy Shelducks in Britain and Ireland 1986-94 K. E. Vinicornbe and A. El. J. Harrop June 278 European news 301 Bird Photograph of the Year Robin Chittenden, David Hosking and Dr ]. T. R. Sharrock 308 Comparison of Short-toed and Lesser Short-toed Larks Peter Lansdoivn July 326 Breeding European Honey-buzzards in Britain S. /. Roberts, J. M. S. Lewis and I. T. Williams 347 Bird Illustrator of the Year 1999 Robert Gillmor, Bruce Pearson, Alan Harris, Keith Shackleton and Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 354 The ornithological year 1998 - part one Barry Nightingale 362 Red-necked Nightjar revisited August 386 What, no running water? Dr. }. T. R. Sharrock 389 Rare Breeding Birds in the United Kingdom in 1997 Dr Malcolm Ogilvie and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel September 442 Panic ye not Dr /. T. R. Sharrock 445 History of the Common Rosefinch in Britain and Ireland 1869-1996 D. 1. M. Wallace 472 Non-native birds breeding in the United Kingdom in 1997 Dr Malcolm Ogilvie and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel October 498 Range extension of Long-tailed Rosefinch into the Western Palearctic Dr V. K. Ryabitsev and M. G. Wilson 504 Britain and Ireland's first 'Soft-plumaged Petrel' /. W. Enticott 519 Eastern Bonelli's Warbler in Scilly: new to Britain and Ireland T. J. Wilson and Dr C. Fentiman 524 Identification of Bonelli's warblers Doug Page 534 The Carl Zeiss Award Adam Rowlands and Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 537 Best Bird Book of the Year 1999 November 554 Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1998 M, /. Rogers and the Rarities Committee December 618 Report on scarce migrant birds in Britain in 1997 Peter A. Fraser, Peter G. Lansdoivn and Michael J. Rogers 659 Iberian Azure-winged Magpies come in from the cold Joanne H. Cooper and Prof. Dr K. H. Voous 667 The ornithological year 1998 - part two Barry Nightingale and Keith Allsopp 675 Young Ornithologists of the Year Dr ]. T. R. Sharrock, Adam Rowlands, B. A. E. Marr, Jeff Baker, Robert Gillmor and David Chandler WINNER, BIRD ILLUSTRATOR OF THE YEAR 1999 (see pages 347-353) Little Crake Porzana parva {Brin Edwards) THENATimAL l-^STORY MUSEUM -6 JAN 1999 ‘PRESENTED THiHG LrBRAfiY I .mil " K|9k sL '. - >. • t I /■» ■•-.'■’1 ■: \ ■r ^ '.. =r'^v ScarC British Birds Established 1907, incorporating The Zoologist, established 1843 British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Frances Bucknell Assistant Editor David A. Christie Editorial Board I. Carter, Prof. R. J. Chandler, Dr M. Collinson, R. J. Prytherch, N. J. Redman, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Art Consultants Robert Gillmor & Alan Harris Design Delia Heming Photographic Research Robin Chittenden Advertising Sales Manager Sandra J. Swift Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Administration Sally Young Rarities Committee Chairman Prof. Colin Bradshaw Hon. Secretary Michael J. Rogers Pete Ellis, Paul Harvey, John McLoughlin, John Martin, Doug Page, K. D. Shaw, Dr Jimmy Steele, Andy Stoddart, Reg Thorpe, Graham Walbridge Archivist John Marchant Statistician Peter Eraser Behaviour Notes Panel Dr C. J. Bibby, Ian Dawson, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Derek Goodwin, Prof. I. Newton ERS, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J.T. R. Sharrock, Dr K. E. L. Simmons Identification Notes Panel Prof. Colin Bradshaw, Dr R. J. Chandler, R. A. Hume, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, I. S. Robertson, K. E. Vinicombe Annual Subscription Libraries and agencies £6 1 .00, IR£7 1 .00, S 1 1 6.00 Personal subscriptions UK, Europe, surface mail £48.00, IR£56.20, S91.00 Outside Europe, airmail £80.35, IR£93.85, 5151.30 Please make all cheques and postal orders payable to British Birds Ltd. Single back issues £6.20, IR£7.15, 51 1.80 Available from David Morgan, British Birds, Whitmore, Umberleigh, North Devon EX37 9HB Please make cheques payable to David Morgan. Head Office Accounts & Administration Sally Young, The Banks, Mountfield, Nr. Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5JY Tel: 01580 882039 Eax: 01580 880541 Design & Production Delia Heming, The Banks, Mountfield, Nr. Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5JY Tel: 01580 882039 Eax: 01580 880541 E-mail: delia@britishbirds.co.uk Editorial Office Papers, notes, letters, artwork, journals, etc Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ TePFax: 01767 640025 E-mail : editor@britishbirds .co.uk Personal assistant Erances Bucknell, Eountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ Tel/Eax: 01767 640025 Subscriptions Erika Sharrock, Eountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ Tel/Eax: 01234 364366 E-mail: subscriptions@britishbirds.co.uk Advertising Sales Sandra J. Swift, 1 7 Rectory Close, Wendlebury, Oxfordshire 0X6 8PG Tel: 01869 244447 Fax: 01869 245533 E-mail: sandra@britishbirds.co.uk BB Bookshop c/o Subbuteo Books, Pistyll Farm, Nercwys, Mold, Flintshire CH7 4EW Tel: 01352 756551 Fax: 01352 756004 E-mail: sales@subbooks.demon.co.uk ‘News & Comment’ information Bob Scott & Wendy Dickson, 8 Woodlands, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 lUE Tel: 01480 214904 Fax: 01480 473009 ‘The Ornithological Year’ bird news Barry Nightingale & Keith Allsopp, 7 Bloomsbury Close, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17 9QS Tel: 01525 290314 Rarity Descriptions M. J. Rogers, 2 Churchtown Cottages, Towednack, Cornwall TR26 3AZ Naturetrel^ the h^qry museum 6 JAN 1999 presented ^ & Q TRiNG Li&RARY Don’t miss our £990 selection These action-packed, long-haul birding tours - each led by an expert local ornithologist - offer excellent value for money, and outstanding birding. If you would like further details of a particular tour, please call us now! Naturetrek Bighton, Nr. Alresford, Hampshire S024 9RE Tel; 01962 733051 Fax: 01962 736426 e-mail: sales@naturetrek.co.uk web: www.naturetrek.co.uk ZAMBIA - South Luangwa National Park. 6- 15 Nov '98; 12-21 Feb '99; 26 Mar - 4 Apr '99; 5 - 14 Nov '99. NAMIBIA - Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Spitskoppe, Etosha & Waterberg Mountains. 29 Jan - 7 Feb '99; 1 2 - 2 1 Mar '99. MALAWI - Lake Malawi, Zomba Plateau & Liwonde National Park. 12-21 Feb '99; 12-21 Mar '99. SOUTHERN MOROCCO - The desert. Oued Massa, Oued Sous & Marrakech. 12 - 21 Feb '99; 26 Feb - 7 Mar '99; 17-26 Sep '99. ETHIOPIA - Addis, Gafersa, Awrash National Park, Wondo Guenet & Rift Valley Lakes. 20 - 29 Nov '98; 12-21 Feb '99; 2- 1 1 Apr '99; 19 -28 Nov '99. NEPAL - THE TRAGOPAN TREK A 1 0-day tour including Langtang Valley trek. 14-23 May '99; 28 May - 6 Jun '99. TANZANIA - Saadani Game Reserve, and the Usambara and Uluguru Mountains. 12-21 Feb '99; 22-31 Oct '99. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 3 1 Jan - 7 Feb '99; 4 - 1 1 Apr '99; 14-21 Nov '99. NEW ENGLAND - USA Spring migration on the Massachusetts coast. 16 -24 May '99. SRI LANKA - Sinharaja Forest & the Hill Country. 23 Jan - I Feb '99. GAMBIA - A variety of localities along the Gambia River. 29 Oct - 7 Nov '99. ETHIOPIAN ENDEMICS - Debre Libanos, Solulta, Ankober, Lakes, Wondo Guenet & Bale Mountains. 27 Nov - 6 Dec '98; 19-28 Feb '99; 2 - 1 1 Apr '99; 26 Nov - 5 Dec '99. INDIA - Delhi, Ranthambore & Bharatpur. 20 - 28 Nov '98; 12 -20 Feb '99; 2- 10 Apr '99; 19 -27 Nov '99. NEPAL - Chitwan, Kosi & Kathmandu Valley. Departures every Friday throughout Jan & Feb '99; 7- 1 6 May '99; 21 - 30 May '99. TEXAS - USA - Spring migrants along the Gulf coast of Texas. 10- 18 Apr '99. KAZAKHSTAN - Deserts, steppes & Tien Shan Mountains. 1 3 - 2 1 May '99; 27 May - 4 Jun '99. SOUTH AFRICA - Kruger National Park & Dullstroom. 12 - 21 Feb '99; 9 - 18 Apr '99; 17-26 Sep '99. OMAN - With Colin Richardson. 20 - 28 Nov '99. UNRIVALLED EXPERTISE, EXPERIENCE AND SERVICE Kay Optical - SALES & REPAIRS - BINOCULARS - TELESCOPES - TRIPODS etc SWAROVSKI 8x20BMkll 307 10x25BMk II 327 8x30SLCMklll 519 10x42SLC 695 7X42SLC 635 7 X 50 SLC NEW 749 8 X 50 SLC NEW 779 10x50 SLC NEW 809 ST/AT 80 body 629 ST/AT 80 HD body 929 22x eyepiece 94 30x (WA) eyepiece 145 20-60X zoom eyepiece 220 Camera adaptor 800mm ... .159 Stay-on case 55 LEICA 8 X 20 BC Trinovid 259 8 X 20 BCA Trinovid 289 10 X 25 BC Trinovid 289 10 X 25 BCA Trinovid 309 8 X 32 BA Trinovid 619 10 X 32 BA Trinovid 659 8 X 42 BA Trinovid 679 10 X 42 BA Trinovid 699 8 X 50 BA Trinovid 859 10 X 50 BA Trinovid 859 Carrying strap 26 LEICA APO Televid scope . . .799* LEICA Std. Televid scope . . .509 20-60x (B) zoom eyepiece . . .209 20x (WW/B) eyepiece 125 32x (WW/B) eyepiece 180 40x (B) eyepiece 105 Photo adaptor 239 Skua case 89 ZEISS OPTICAL CENTRE 8 X 20B Classic 225 10 x 25B Classic 265 10x25B/TP(NewDS) 339 8 X 20 B/TP (New DS) 329 8 X 30 BGA/T (P) 599 7 X 42 BGA/T(P) 659 10x40 BGA/T(P) 659 7 X 45 Night Owl 759 CANON 12 X 36 stabilised binoculars 575* 15 X 45 stabilised binoculars .785* 10 X 30 stabilised binoculars .349 NIKON 10x42SECF 629 8X42SECF 575 1 0 X 42 DCF HG roof prism .1 1 75 8 X 42 DCF HG roof prism .1075 New waterproof scopes; Fieldscope III 399 Fieldscope IIIA (45®) 449 Fieldscope ED III 699 Fieldscope ED III A (45°) . . . .749 30x (WA) eyepiece 230 20-45X zoom 230 30x or 40x 119 60x 139 KOWA TSN 821/822 319 TSN 823/824 Fluorite .639 20-box zoom EP 199 32x(WA)EP 149 50x EP 169 850mm Photo Adaptor 159 Adaptor for TSN 1 -4 EPS ... .24 Skua case 64 Some TSN-1/4 scopes & eyepieces 27x (WA) Screw-in-eyepiece . .74 TS-61 1 body (45") 229 TS-612 body 209 TS-61 3 Fluorite body (45") . . .449 TS-61 4 Fluorite body 429 TS-61 0 accessories: 20x (WA) eyepiece 75 27x (WA) eyepiece 99 20-60x zoom eyepiece 127 Skua case 54 PICCOLO 60mm scope (45®) + zoom & case249 (or with 22x WA) DISCOVERY 8x42 or 10 X 42 RR GA . . . .135 OPTOLYTH 8x40AlpinNG 279 10x40AlpinNG 279 lOxSOAIpinNG 299 7 X 50 Alpin NG 299 TBG 80 body 449 TBS 80 body 449 TBG or TBS 80 HD 659 30x (WW) eyepiece 159 20-box eyepiece 189 OPTICRON 8x32SR/GA 237 7x42SR/GA 238 8X42SR/GA 239 10X42SR/GA 249 10X50SR/GA 255 8 X 42 Imagic Porro 149 1 0 X 40 Imagic Porro 159 8 X 32 Dioptron 167 8x42Dioptron 169 10 X 42 Dioptron 179 10 X 50 Dioptron 199 8x32 (HRII) 197 8x42 (HRII) 199 10x42 (HRII) 209 10x50 (HRII) 229 8V2 X 50 (HRII) 229 7x42 (HRII) 198 7x24, 8x24 or 10x24 MCF ...125 Roof prism binos (W/P); 8x24BGA 180 10X28BGA 190 7x36 BGA PCAg 419 8 X 42 BGA PC Ag 429 10x42 BGA PCAg 429 10x50 BGA PC Ag 430 8 X 42 Imagic RP WP 349 10 X 42 Imagic RP WP 355 HR 66 scope 279 HR 66 (45®) 319 HR 80 GA (45®) 429 15x, 20x, 25x or 40x HR eyepiece44 20x WW HDF eyepiece 96 28x WW HDF eyepiece 119 22x W HR eyepiece 57 30x W HR eyepiece 59 60x HR eyepiece 49 20-60x zoom eyepiece 119 HR 60 GA (black with 30 x WA)299 HARD DOMES £20 TRIPODS, BOOKS, etc * While stocks last SURREY (H.O.) 89(B) LONDON ROAD, MORDEN, SURREY SM4 5HP Open: Mon to Sat: 9am-5pm Lunch 1-2pm (Not Sun) Tel 0181-648 8822 Fax 0181-687 2021 email: kayopticaI@netmatters.co.uk Location: Southern edge of Greater London. 15 mins drive M25 (eg: via A3 then Merton turnoff) or 2 mins walk Morden Underground. Viewing facilities ^ Parking: 50 yards past our premises - 1st left. BUCKS Sales in AYLESBURY by appointment only. Visitors welcome - please phone first. Tel: 01296-424145 Also. Field Operations Centre. • Mail Order if required (same day despatch) • Part exchanges • Used items • Package deals • Interest-free short-term credit E.&O.E. REPAIRS & SERVICING After 35 years of servicing ail types of equipment (including Zeiss and Leica), we can promise you a thorough job. Post or bring your optical equipment to our workshop at MORDEN. We know how important a quick turn-round is to you. Remember, you cannot be optimistic with misty optics! Alternative venues to MORDEN and AYLESBURY, at which you can try and buy our equipment IN THE FIELD are given alongside. We aim to show our full range of equipment, but it helps us to help you if you let us know your interests before each field day. REPAIRS can also be handed in/collected. ♦ 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, usually * * PAGHAM HARBOUR LOCAL NATURE RESERVE on the B2145 into Selsey, West Sussex, on Sunday 27th December, 31st January, 28th February and 28th March. « SEVENOAKS WILDFOWL RESERVE on the A25 between Riverhead and Sevenoaks Bat and Ball station on Sunday 10th January, 7th February, 7th March and 4th April. * BOUGH BEECH NATURE RESERVE/ RESERVOIR about 4 miles south of the A25/A21 junction (access from the B2042 or B2027) near Ide Hill, Kent. Info, centre north of the reservoir) on Sunday 17th January, 21st February and 18th April. ♦ THE KENT WILDLIFE TRUST, Tyland Barn, Sandling, near Maidstone, Kent on Sunday 24th January, 14th March and 9th May (10.30-4.00). ♦ DINTON PASTURES COUNTRY PARK, near Reading, M4 (A329(M) Woodley turn-off) and then A329 to Winnersh and Winnersh Station (B3030). Sunday 14th February and 11th April. * HANNINGFIELD RESERVOIR, Essex (off A130 North of Basildon, near the fishing lodge) on Sunday 11th April and 16th May. * COLLEGE LAKE WILDUFE CENTRE on the B488 near Bulbourne, Tring, Herts on Sat/Sun 23rd/24th January, 20th/21st February and 20th/21st March. * GIBRALTAR POINT, south of Skegness at N.W. corner of the Wash, Lines on Sunday 14th March. * BLITHFIELD RESERVOIR, (S. Staffs Waterworks) off B5013 on Sunday 28th March. ♦ THE SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST at Woods Mill, Henfield, W. Sussex. Sunday 23rd May. * GREAT LINFORD WILDFOWL RESERVE (ARC Environmental Study Centre), near Milton Keynes, on Sat/Sun 9th/10th January, 6th/7th February and 6th/7th March. ♦ WHISBY NATURE PARK, off Lincoln by-pass (Moor Lane), NW of Lincoln on Sunday 28th February and 18th April. * NORFOLK BIRD- WATCHING FESTIVAL. Joint BTO and National Trust enterprise at Felbrigg Hali, near Cromer, Norfolk. Sun/Mon 2nd/3rd May. Our own Conservation Area makes us unique. A pool and woodland adjacent to the showroom attract numerous birds, enabling our visitors to test equipment in field conditions. The ejqxrts Professionals recommend! QUALITY BINOCULARS nd TELESCOPES Select from the world’s finest optical instruments; ZEISS«LE1CA«HAB1CHT«NIK0N*0PT0LYTH'K0WA BAUSCH & LOMB'BUSHNELL*PENTAX*QUESTAR BRESSER»MIRADOR«OPTICRON-DOCTER-SWIFT Wide range fujinon-fumoto-praktica-ross Top quality Tripods: SLIK-MANFROTTO-CULLMANN We carry one of the most extensive ranges of Binoculars and Telescopes in ^e country, plus a wide range of accessori^. We also stock Billingham Equipment Bags and a large selection of BOOKS. VIDEOS and AUDIO CASSETTES by leading publishers. Worldwide coverage ! n INTEREST FREE CREDIT available on sales of £600 plus (APR 0%) subject to status UNHURRIED TESTING AND VIEWING FACILITIES allowing time to choose and discuss options. WRITE OR PHONE NOW for easy directions, latest prices and mail { VisH our BjliJP CONSERVATION CENTRE aSarant to our Binocular and Telescope showroom OPEN Monday to Saturday Q am until 5pm FOCUS OPTICS Church Lane, Coriey, Coventry CV7 8BA Tel;01676-540501 & 542476 Fax:01676-540930 Great birding! Great value! EILAT 14- 21/28 March with Killian Mullarney HOniG KOniG O _ 31 March-10 April with extension to Emei Shan, China, until 17 April with Steve Rooke and Richard Lewthwaite BEIDAIHE from £990 1-19 May and 23 September-9 October with Paul Holt OULU from £850 15- 22 May with Killian Mullarney GOA .'.'om £980 30 October-14 November with Paul Holt BHARATPUR from £1050 15-25 November with Paul Holt Details from Sunbird (BS). PO Box 76, Sandy. Bedfordshire, SGI 9 IDF. Tel 01767 682969. Fax 01767 692481. (Please specify which event you are interested in) Sunbird rt a trading name of Conderbury Limited. RMS ST. HELENA BIRDING VOYAGES TO THE TROPICS Unique opportunity to see the Ascension frigatebird and the St Helena Wirebird as well as the pelagics of the tropical South Atlantic: frigatebirds, tropicbirds, albatrosses, noddies, boobies, terns and gannets. Special Birding Voyage aboard 7,000 ton British luxury cargo liner, RAfS St Helena. April 22nd - 22nd May 1999. On board; renowned South African ornithologist, Warhcun Searle Cape Town, St Helena, Ascension Island, Tenerife, Cardiff (plus Vigo and Banjul subject to cargo requirements). 8-day stay on beautiful St Helena inclusive, with bird spotting expeditions with Warham Searle. Fly/cruise packages from £3,133 from Heathrow. Call or write now for our leaflet and brochures Tel: 01326 211466 Curnow Shipping Ltd. (Agents for St. Helena Line), 48-50 Killigrew Street. Falmouth, Ojmwall TRll 3AP Fax; 0U26 212808 www.rms-st-helena.com Quote Ref.; BB 1/9 NEW TOURS Eilat Spring Migration Eastern Arabia 08-23 February 1 999 Donana at Easter from £2299 Beidaihe Polynesia Polish Bird Festival 5-20 March 1 999 Romanian Bird Festival from £3099 Kamchatka Atlantic Odvssev Madeiran Pelagics I 7 March - 1 8 April 1 999 from £4099 Hungarian Bird Festival Cameroon Manu 28 March - 1 8 April Antarctica & l999from £2199 The Falklands Soitsbereen Millennium 28 June- 8 July 1999 Antarctica & from £1779 Falklands 2000 Bolivia Pax Guest House 4-23 September 1 999 from £2625 Midway Seabirds TELEPHONE 01 17 984 8040 1 24HR BROCHURE LINE 01 17 961 0874 | International House. Bank Road. Kingswood, Bristol BS I 5 8LX . UK Fax No 0! 17 9610 200 email:wildinfo(©wildwings. co.uk web: httpW.www.wildwings.co.uk Tours Available Without International Flights For Overseas Residents BIRDQUEST The Ultimate in Birding Better Leaders, Better Itineraries, Better Group Sizes, Better Birding 1999 tours to; SLOVAKIA & HUNGARY • BULGARIA • FINLAND & NORWAY • CYPRUS • TURKEY • ISRAEL • YEMEN • UAE • IRAN • TURKMENISTAN • KAZAKHSTAN • JAPAN • MONGOLIA • CHINA • INDIA • NEPAL • BHUTAN • BURMA • THAILAND • VIETNAM • MALAYSIA • PHILIPPINES • INDONESIA • GAMBIA & SENEGAL • IVORY COAST • CAMEROON • GABON & SAO TOME • ETHIOPIA • KENYA • UGANDA • BOTSWANA • NAMIBIA • SOUTH AFRICA • MADAGASCAR • NEW GUINEA • NEW CALEDONIA & FIJI • AUSTRALIA • TEXAS • ARIZONA • CALIFORNIA • ALASKA • COSTA RICA • PANAMA • CUBA • JAMAICA, HISPANIOLA & PUERTO RICO • TRINIDAD & TOBAGO • VENEZUELA • COLOMBIA • ECUADOR • GALAPAGOS • PERU • BOLIVIA • BRAZIL • ARGENTINA For The Ultimate in Bird Tour Brochures contact BIRDQUEST, Two Jays, Kemple End, Birdy Brow, Stonyhurst, Lancashire BB7 9QY. Tel: 01254-826317 Fax: 01254-826780 E-mail: birders@birdquest.co.uk OCEAN ADVENTURES Experience the unforgettable birds, wildlife and scenery of V Antarctica & The Arctic We have a superb selection of exciting cruises on small or medium-sized vessels, ranging from the famous World Discoverer to former research ships. Explore Antarctica, South Georgia, The Ealklands, The Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand & Australia, The South Pacific Islands, The Kurils & Kamchatka, Arctic Siberia, The Aleutians & The Pribilofs, Alaska, Arctic Canada, Greenland and Spitsbergen with us! Brochures from Ocean Adventures, Two Jays, Kemple End, Stonyhurst, Lancashire BB7 9QY. Tel: 01254-826116. Fax: 01254-826780. E-mail: expeditions@oceanadventures.co.uk kS 4647 I Contents Volume 92 Number 1 January 1999 2 Editorial: A New Image Nigel Redman 3 Report on Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Peter A. Fraser, Peter G. Lansdown & Michael J. Rogers 36 Twenty-first Century Seabirds P Ian Mitchell 40 Red-throated Thrush in Essex: new to Britain and Ireland Brian Smith, Simon D. Wood & Simon Cox 47 Reviews Birds of Somalia by J. S. Ash & J. E. Miskell Stephanie J. Tyler Collins Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe by John Gooders; Field Guide to the Birds of Britain & Europe edited by Paul Sterry Nigel Redman The Warblers of Britain and Europe by Paul Doherty J. T. R. Sharrock Species History of Scotland edited by Robert A. Lambert Ian Carter 50 Looking Back 51 Letters Bring back the Dalmatian Pelican W R. R Bourne-, Barn Swallow giving specific alarm call for Hobby Anthony H. Chapman-, Stephen B. Edwards-, Robin Griffiths-, Specific predator recognition and reactions of Barn Swallows D. 1. M. Wallace 53 Monthly Marathon 54 Announcements Best Annual Bird Report; Bird Photograph of the Year; Bird Illustrator of the Year; Young Ornithologist of the Year; Free subscriptions for County/Regional Recorders; Photographs and drawings may be for sale; Photographs for ‘European News’ 56 News and Comment Wendy Dickson & Bob Scott 58 Recent Reports Barry Nightingale & Anthony McGeehan 60 Recent BBRC Decisions M. J. Rogers Front-cover photograph: Hoopoe Upupa epops, Spain, April 1994 {Robin Chittenden) Editorial: A New Image British Birds is the longest-established monthly ornithological journal in the World, with a history spanning almost a century. At the turn of the century, when BB was founded, birdwatching was primarily a pursuit of the rich and eccentric, the gun was the principal tool of the scientist, and field-identification skills were in their infancy. It was an adventurous move to launch a monthly magazine devoted chiefly to the study of Brihsh birds, but Harry Witherby was a man of enormous ability and vision. He was interested in all aspects of ornithology and had travelled widely in search of birds. Through his contacts he enlisted the support of the leading ornithologists of the time and the magazine quickly established its reputation. Many of Witherby’s aspirations are still embodied in the editorial policy of today. British Birds continues to be a ‘journal of record’, where information on a variety of subjects is gathered for posterity. There is still a strong emphasis on the British List and rarities, as well as on identification, status and distribuhon, detailed studies of individual species, and short notes presenting new or unusual observations of bird behaviour. From the beginning, contributors comprised both amateurs and professionals, and British Birds is the link between the nineteenth-century ornithologists who founded the BOU and the modern birdwatcher. British Birds has evolved over the years. The first issues were just 32 pages long, and included only three or four black-and-white photographs or drawings. Today, each issue is usually twice that length and sometimes more. The number and quality of the illustrations have increased considerably, and the style and layout have changed a number of times over the years. But one thing has remained constant: the journal’s format. The curious, non-standard dimensions (a little smaller than A5) are almost unique today, but still fit into the pocket. Whilst tradition is reassuring, and the row of neatly stacked BBs on the shelf is pleasing to the eye, there has long been a struggle to squeeze everything into each issue. The typeface is frequently very small, and the pictures and illustrations are cropped or reduced to ensure that there is no wasted space on the page. So, although BB has remained pocket-sized, the cramped pages have not made for an easy read, and one sometimes has to strain to see those tertial fringes on the photographs. There comes a time when change is inevitable - not for its own sake, but to create genuine improvements. The decision to redesign British Birds now was not a difficult one, as the advantages greatly outweighed the disadvantages. Our aims in restyling British Birds have been quite clear: to produce clear, imcluttered and readable pages with enough room to reproduce photographs at a size that best suits them. A larger page size was the only solution. Furthermore, British Birds will now be printed in colour throughout. This does not mean that there will be colour photographs on every page, but having this facihty means that we have more flexibihty in planning the page layouts. There will certainly be more photographs in future, but these will always be relevant to the accompanying text and not included simply to fill a space. Readers will be reassured to know that the content will continue to retain the highest levels of originality and expertise that are the hallmark of the journal. Technology has moved on exponentially since Witherby’s days. British Birds is now embracing the latest advancements, allowing us to produce the journal entirely on screen. Without doubt, future issues of British Birds will show refinements in presentation, but we believe that the design being launched here is a major step forward which will show the way irrto the next century. Let us know what you think. We welcome your views on the new-look BB. Nigel Redman ^ 2 British Birds 92: 2, lanuary 1999 Report on Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Peter A. Fraser, Peter G. Lansdown & Michael J. Rogers Short-toed Lark Calandrella ABSTRACT For this second annual report, covering 1996, information on assessed and accepted records has been supplied, sometimes in advance of publication in their local bird reports, by County Bird Recorders. There were all-time record numbers of at least two species in 1996: Little Egret Egretta garzetta (so widespread that accurate counts are not available) and Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (42 in 1996 cf. previous peak annual total of 39). There were also exceptionally high numbers, at least compared with other recent years, of Balearic Shearwaters Puffinus mauretanicus (1,410 cf. 937), Eurasian Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia, Buff-breasted Sandpipers Tryngites subruficollis (32 cf. 56), Horned Larks Eremophila alpestris (390 cf. 254), Barred Warblers Sylvia nisoria (180 cf. 230), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus (116 cf. 152), European Serins Serinus serinus (77 cf. 80), Common Rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus (144 cf. 242) and Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortulana (106 cf. 112). The increases in numbers of Little Egrets, Short-toed Larks, Pallas’s Leaf Warblers, European Serins and Common Rosefinches are the latest phases of long-term trends. In contrast, five species were particularly scarce in Britain in 1996: Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii (47 cf. 176), European Bee-eater Merops apiaster (10 cf. 71), Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris (18 cf. 57), Savi’s Warbler Eocustella luscinioides (9 cf. 38) and Great Grey Shrike Eanius excubitor (55 cf. 160). British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 This is the second annual report on scarce migrant birds in Britain. It follows the same format as the first report {Brit. Birds 90: 413-439), which covered 1995, but contains four fewer species: Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus. Yellow-legged Gull Lams cachinnans, Water Pipit Anthiis spinoletta and Red-headed Bunting Ember iza bruniceps. Only records that have been assessed and fully accepted by the appropriate local, regional or national records panels have been included in this report. Every year, the assembly of data, which includes the records assessment process, takes much longer for some county bird reports than for ofhers. As a result, and despite the willing and enthusiastic co-operation of nearly all of Brifain’s county bird recorders and their assistants, the national scarce migrant birds reports inevitably have to be published well after the year in question. Even then, most or all records from a few counties are not included; this report lacks most or all of fhe relevant 1996 records from Berkshire, Caithness, the Isle of May (Eife), and East, South and West Yorkshire. Eor some species, such uneven coverage results in incomplete statistics for the current year and, possibly, in incorrect analyses. Nevertheless, as the statistics for all the years are updated as soon as numbers are available, figures quoted for previous years are likely to be accurate. This report covers England, Scotland and Wales. We should very much like to include records for the whole of Ireland, as well as for the whole of Britain, in future reports. To do this in a meaningful manner, we need nof only fo receive all of the Irish records for a current year, but also to analyse past Irish records of all species, which will take time. Nevertheless, a report on scarce migrant birds in the whole geographical area of Britain & Ireland remains our eventual aim. The counties in Northern Ireland provided 1996 records of one Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, three Common Teals Anas crecca of the Nearctic race A. c. carolinensis, three Red-crested Pochards Netta rufina, one Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos, three Grey Phalaropes Phalaropus fulicaria, ten Sabine’s Gulls Lams sabini, 12 Ring-billed Gulls Larus delawarensis and two Hoopoes Upupa epops. European Serin Serinus serinus {Stephanie L. Thorpe) Systematic list Interpretation of the statistics used and quoted in these analyses should take into consideration the following: 1. Since 1958, the increased number of observers and their collective enhanced knowledge, improved mobility and greater amoimt of time spent in the field must, in part, be responsible for the increase in the numbers of some scarce migrants. 2. Known breeding birds (e.g. some Red- necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus) have been excluded, except in the case of Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides. 3. Individuals remaining from one year to the next (e.g. some overwintering Homed Larks Eremophila alpestris) have been counted only in the first of the two years. 4. Returning individuals (e.g. some Ring-billed Gulls) have been counted only in their year of arrival. 5. Statisfics for some species for 1996 and, to a lesser degree, for earlier recent years, are incomplete owing to the current unavailability of the data from some counties. 4 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Notwithstanding an annual average of over 550 Cory’s Shearwaters during the previous decade, there were fewer than 90 individuals in five of those years. By recent standards, therefore, 1996 was an average to poor year. All records were from 19th May to 6th November, with over 85% from 27th June to 22nd September. Most were seen in Cornwall; the rest were widely scattered, including singles in Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus Number in 1996 1,410 Annual averages 1986-1995 86-89 90-95 311 767 Annual maxima 1986-1995 1993 1995 1994 937 927 817 With 50% more Balearic Shearwaters in 1996 than in the previous record year, the already acknowledged increase in annual totals during 1986-95 has accelerated. The available data are unfortunately insufficient to enable the seasonal occurrence pattern in 1996 to be determined. In 1996, as in 1995, the Southwest was the prime area for Balearic Shearwaters: there were 862 in Cornwall, 237 in Devon and 164 in Dorset; Argyll, with 64 individuals, was the next most productive county. Balearic Shearwater mauretanicus {Max Andrews) Little Egret Egretta garzetta The large number of Little Egrets now in Britain is a discouragement to county recorders, particularly those in the South, to analyse the records in detail. Some counties which provided records of other scarce migrants did not do so for Litfle Egret. As a result, limited data are available for 1996. Also, the long-staying tendency and mobility of many individuals prevent an accurate assessment of numbers, even on a national scale. Nevertheless, it is clear that the population’s low point in 1996 was in May; then there was a 25% increase in June, followed by further increases of 62% in July, 108% in August and 5% in September, when numbers reached a peak. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 5 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea The occurrence patterns in 1996 were fairly typical, with over 40% of individuals being first recorded in April and the majority being seen in the southern half of England. Furthermore, the year’s total of 17 equalled the recent armual average. Nevertheless, 1996 produced two surprises: a Purple Heron unusually far north, in Northeast Scotland in June, and an abnormally late one on Bardsey, Caernarfonshire, on 27th November. This became the latest record of Purple Heron in Britain, as shown in fig. 1 . Figure 1. Numbers of Purple Herons Ardea purpurea in Britain in each week to the end of 1996. Note the peak from mid April to early June. White Stork Ciconia ciconia This is a notoriously difficult species to analyse: though known escapes can be discounted, there are suspected escapes and, in most years, highly mobile individuals which become the subject of more fhan one sighting. All of the White Storks recorded in 1996 were seen singly and the great majority appeared from 3rd April to 8th June, which conforms to the usual occurrence pattern. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia This most conspicuous of species and most prodigious wanderer occurs in far fewer numbers than a simple addition of British records would suggest. In 1996, as in previous years, there were several proven cases, and many suspected instances, of individuals moving both within and between counties. Assessment of numbers, fherefore, is wide open to error. Consequently, to avoid misleading statistics, all 1996 Eurasian Spoonbill records, regardless of duplication, have been counted, and the results expressed comparatively. There was a marked influx in April, when 15% of fhe year’s total was seen, and another in May, when the peak of 6 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 36% was registered, followed by 18% in June, 13% in July, 7% in August and 5% in September, with only 6% shared between the remaining six months. The prime county was Norfolk (with 35% of those recorded), followed by Suffolk (13%), Kent (10%), Dorset (8%), Hampshire (5%) and Essex (4%), with records from a further 24 counties. Eurasian Spoonbills have clearly increased in Britain in recent years: the number of records in 1996 was nearly three times as great as that in 1995, which, in turn, was more than double the annual average for 1987-94. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea The armual average of 72 during 1987-91 increased to 158 during 1992-95, but the total in 1996 was only 87. Of these, 25 were first recorded during 2nd-25th August and 16 during 23rd October to 26th November. Ruddy Shelducks were seen in 27 counties. mostly in southern and central England, but with records from Cumbria and three Scottish recording areas. A paper on the occurrences of this species, by Keith Vinicombe and Andrew Harrop, will be published shortly. Common Teal Anas crecca (Nearctic race A. c. carolinensis) Number in 1996 25 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 2 6 13 18 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1995 1989 1990 1991 30 25 25 15 The figures exclude presumed returning individuals; the number of ‘new’ birds during the year was exceeded only by the total in 1995. Drake ‘green-winged’ Common Teals were widely scattered in 1996; not surprisingly, none was seen between 17th May and 29th September. Records of individuals showing mixed characters of the Nearctic race carolinensis and the nominate race are increasing; such records are excluded from the above statistics. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Records were received from 27 counties in England and five in Scotland. The statistics used exclude the resident breeding population at the Cotswold Water Park, Gloucestershire/Wiltshire, which reached a peak of 53 individuals in December, but otherwise include all records, regardless of possible duplication. Of the 250 Red-crested Pochards reported, 43 were in January, 29 in October, 24 in both June and September, 23 in November and 20 in December, with ten or more in each of the other six months. The most productive counties, in descending numerical importance, were Sussex, Leicestershire, Suffolk, Norfolk, 1. Adult male Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina-, Norfolk, March 1992 {Robin Chittenden) British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 7 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, with Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Buck- The total of 13 ‘new’ individuals in 1996, whilst by no means exceptional, equals or exceeds all annual totals since 1990. All of the year’s Ring-necked Ducks, itrcluding presumed returning birds, were recorded in inghamshire each also attracting more than ten Red-crested Pochards. England. Though most were seen in winter, individuals were observed in all months of fhe year. There were fwo af Welney, Norfolk, in October, and two at Radipole Lake, Dorset, in October and November. Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Number in 1996 Annual averages 1986-1995 86-89 90-95 18 9 Annual maxima 1986-1995 1987 1986 1991 27 20 15 In what was an average year by recent standards, only the three which first appeared during 15th-23rd October indicated an occurrence pattern. In a typical year, all of the Ferruginous Ducks are seen in England, as illustrated in fig. 2; in 1996, however, there was one in Pembrokeshire. In view of the very small number of individuals occurring in Britain each year, the British Birds Rarities Committee has decided to add Ferruginous Duck to its list and requests submissions of details of all reporfs from 1st January 1998. 1 2-3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-n 12-13 14-15 16-17 8 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Opposite page: Figure 2. Numbers of Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca in each county in Britain during 1986-96. Note the very few records in Scotland, Wales and southwest England, and the inexplicable contrast between the numbers in Norfolk and absence from Lincolnshire. Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata Number in 1996 Aimual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 1 5 11 12 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1989 1991 1993 1986 1990 24 18 16 15 15 This species is becoming rarer: in the last decade, the average number of new individuals each year was 16 in 1987-91 and ten in 1992-96. Apart from a male in Northumberland, all Surf Scoters recorded in 1996 were in Scotland. Including returning birds, Fife, with a minimum of four, continues to dominate. European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus Number in 1996 90 Annual averages 1986-1995 86-89 90-95 60 109 In 1996, excluding breeding birds, there were more European Honey-buzzards in Dorset than in any other county, as illustrated in fig. 3, which also shows the wider, typically southern and Annual maxima 1986-1995 1993 1995 1994 167 150 95 eastern, distribution. The earliest individual was in Hampshire on 21st April, while the latest was in Lincolnshire on the surprisingly early date of 27th September. Figure 3. Numbers of European Honey-buzzards Pernis apivorus in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the favoured counties in southern and eastern England. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 9 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Number in 1996 45 Annual averages 1978-1995 78-89 90-95 26 72 The species’ normal English east coast bias was again evident in 1996, as shown in fig. 4; more than two-thirds of the year’s Rough- legged Buzzards were seen in Norfolk and Suffolk. Of the 45 recorded, no fewer than 28 Annual maxima 1978-1995 1994 1988 1995 235 85 75 were first seen during 17th March to 28th April. There were no autumn records, and the only individuals in the second winter period were singles in Himtingdonshire on 21st December and Norfolk on 31st December. Figure 4. Numbers of Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the very few wanderers away from East Anglia. Spotted Crake Porzana porzana In 1996, although the total of 69 was less than that of the previous year, more were seen than in any other year since 1989. Following an early individual on 24th March in Suffolk, there were only two in May and singles in June and July. The main passage period was from 10th August to 22nd October, when there were 63 Spotted Crakes, of which 21 were in August (with 15 during 16th-23rd), 33 in September (with 11 on 1st and nine during 21st-25th) and nine in October. The last one of the year was on 1st November, in Cleveland. In 1996, 24 Spotted Crakes were recorded in Cornwall, 12 in Scilly and 11 in Hampshire, with no more than four in any other county; the English south coast counties attracted 56 of the 69 individuals. 10 British Birds 92; 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal. \ Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Common Crane Grus grus Number in 1996 38 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 63 18 56 29 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1963 1982 1985 1988 685 200 103 51 The 38 in 1996 was an average total for a non-invasion year. The records were typically widely scattered, with East Anglia once again attracting more than any other region, as illustrated in fig. 5. Though ‘new’ Common Cranes were recorded in all months except February and August, there was an obvious passage in spring, during 12th April to 2nd June, when parties of four were seen in both Norfolk and Suffolk. Figure 5. Numbers of Common Cranes Grus grus in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the proportionally high numbers in Norfolk and Suffolk. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus If was ‘back to normal’ in 1996, following a low total the previous year. Most were seen on the south coast of England, as shown in fig. 6; Devon, with seven, and Dorset and Sussex, with five each, were the favoured counties. The regular wintering female refurned to Lancashire and, except for a female in Kent on 17th October, ‘new’ individuals appeared in clusters: 16 during 27th March to 17th April; eight during 13th May to 5th June, four during 17th-24th July and six during 3rd-27th August. No Kentish Plovers were seen in September, a month in which there used to be small, but significant, influxes, as illustrated in fig. 7. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 11 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 6. Numbers of Kentish Plovers Charadrius alexandrinus in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the largely coastal distribution and the southerly bias in the records. Figure 7. Numbers of Kentish Plovers Charadrius alexandrinus in Britain in each week in 1996 (solid) and from 1986 to 1996 (shaded). Note the absence of September arrivals in 1996. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Number in 1996 47 Annual averages 1968-1995 68-79 80-89 90-95 66 100 98 Annual maxima 1968-1995 1987 1989 1977 1991 176 119 118 112 The 47 in 1996 was the lowest annual total since 1971. More were seen in Norfolk than in any other county in both spring and autumn; the species’ generally southeasterly distribution is illustrated in fig. 8. Typically, over half of the year’s Temminck’s Stints appeared in May, with a concentration of 21 during 12th-20th May. An unusually early individual was in Northamptonshire on 7th April, while a notable record involved three in Shropshire on 1st July. There has been a recent change in seasonal distribution: in each year from 1986 to 1993, the number of individuals in spring was more than double the number in autumn; in 1994, 1995 and 1996, numbers in spring exceeded, but were never double, those in autumn, as illustrated in fig. 9. 12 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 8. Numbers ofTemminck’s Stints Calidris lemminckii in each county in Britain in 1996. Note Norfolk’s dominance. Figure 9. Numbers ofTemminck’s Stints Calidris temminckii in Britain in autumn (shaded) and spring (solid) in each year during 1986-96. Note the more equal numbers in spring and autumn during 1994-96. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos Considering the differing weather patterns from autumn to autumn, which one might expect to produce sometimes favourable and sometimes unfavourable conditions for crossing the Atlantic, annual totals have been surprisingly consistent throughout the current decade. Fewer Pectoral Sandpipers are seen annually now than previously: the eight years 1982-89 included the five best years ever for the species in Britain. Norfolk is usually the most-favoured county, followed by Cornwall, as illustrated in fig. 10, and this was so again in 1996, with Cheshire and Scilly close behind. As shown in fig. 11, the normal seasonal distribution was also mirrored in 1996, with the period 4th September to 7th October producing over 70% of the year’s records. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 13 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 10. Numbers of Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris t?ielanows in each county in Britain from 1986 to 1995. Note the prominence of Norfolk, Cornwall and Scilly. Figure 11. Numbers of Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris melanotos in Britain in each week in 1996 (solid) and from 1986 to 1995 (shaded). Note the high numbers in September and early October. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis Number in 1996 32 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 2 20 18 13 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1977 1975 1980 1985 56 45 29 27 The year’s total of 32 was the highest since 1977, though the annual average for 1990- 96 still remains lower than that for either of the two previous decades. The distribution of Buff-breasted Sandpiper in 1996 had an unusual northerly bias, as illustrated in fig. 12, with the favoured counties being the Outer Hebrides, Argyll and Lothian, and Scotland as a whole playing host to 19 of the 32 individuals. In 1996, the extreme arrival dates were 5th August and 12th October, with the majority (75%) typically appearing in September. 14 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 12. Numbers of Buff-breasted Sandpipers Tryngites subruficollis in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the abnormally northerly distribution. Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lohatus Number in 1996 22 Annual maxima 1986-1995 1986 1989 1992 62 44 40 Annual averages 1986-1995 86-89 90-95 42 32 The sequence of low annual totals continues: the three least productive years since analysis began in 1986 were 1993, 1994 and 1996. In 1996, the only counties with more than one Red-necked Phalarope, excluding breeding birds, were Norfolk, with four, Orkney, with three, and Cheshire and Suffolk, with two each; all were seen singly. Following an early individual in Cornwall on 16th March, there were five in May, three in late June, three in the first half of July, five in August and four in early September, with the last one, in Avon, on 21st September. Grey Phalaropes. The seasonal distribution was fairly typical, with 31 individuals from 3rd January to 13th March and 206 from 9th September to 29th November; one was in Shetland during 2nd-4th June and there were singles in Cornwall on 22nd and 24th August. Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria This species presents a perplexing set of annual totals: 73 in 1986, 266-363 during 1987-91, 45-85 during 1992-94, and 235-240 during 1995-96. in 1996, as is usually the case, Cornwall was comfortably the dominant county, as shown in fig. 13, attracting just over half of all of the year’s British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 15 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 13. Numbers of Grey Phalaropes Phalaropus fulicaria in each county in Britain in 1996. Note Cornwall’s dominance. Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini Number in 1996 101 Annual averages 1968-1995 68-79 80-89 90-95 47 199 94 Annual maxima 1968-1995 1987 1988 1983 1989 710 346 283 178 Annual totals continue to remain remarkably stable in the 1990s. In 1996, more Sabine’s Gulls were seen in Cornwall (41) than in any other county, as illustrated in fig. 15; the next most prominent counties were Norfolk, with 12 individuals, and Devon and SciUy, with six each. The great majority (95) were observed during 18th August to 10th November, as shown in fig. 14, with October accounting for 64 of these; there were four during 20fh May to 28th July and singles in the Outer Hebrides on the early date of 4th February and in Cornwall on the late date of 2nd December. Of the 101 individuals, 19 were aged as adult, four as first-year and 60 as juvenile, with 18 not aged. Figure 14. Numbers of Sabine’s Gulls Larus sabini in Britain in each week in 1996. Note the main passage period during 18th August to 10th November, and the particular prominence of October. 16 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 15. Numbers of Sabine’s Gulls Larus sabini in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the traditional prominence of the southwest. Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Number in 1996 49 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 0 4 50 80 The total of 49 ‘new’ individuals in 1996 represents the lowest such annual total since the 48 in 1988 and, before that, the 47 in 1983. Once again, more were seen in Cornwall than in any other county, as Annual maxima 1958-1995 1992 1990 1995 1991 103 94 80 78 illustrated in fig. 16. The prime arrival time for Ring-billed Gulls in 1996 was during 13th March to 13th Aprilj only three ‘new’ individuals were discovered between 3rd May and 2nd October. Figure 16. Numbers of Ring-billed Gulls Larus delawarensis in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the expected western, particularly southwestern, bias in the occurrence pattern. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 17 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Following the second-best-ever annual total of 38 in 1995, the ten in 1996 was especially disappointing; it was the lowest annual total since ten in 1982. In 1996, all ten were seen in England, with individuals in Cumbria and Greater Manchester the most northerly. Except for Cornwall, with three singles, no county attracted more than one individual. An early vagrant was in Oxfordshire on 9th April, followed by six during 25th May to 4th June, one on 12th July and further singles on 15th and 18th August. Hoopoe Upupa epops Number in 1996 129 Annual averages 1968-1995 68-79 80-89 90-95 116 132 125 Annual maxima 1968-1995 1968 1980 1977 1988 216 187 178 167 The 129 in 1996 equalled the annual average for the period 1980-95. The expected English south coast bias was evident again in 1996, as illustrated in fig. 17, with the most- favoured counties, in descending numerical order, being Cornwall, Dorset, Scilly, Devon and Sussex; the first two of these each hosted over 20% of the year’s Hoopoes. The main passage period was during 24 th March to 6th May, when 96 were seen, with one earlier in March and a further 13 later in May. Unseasonal records involved singles during 15th-19th January in Cambridgeshire and on 21st November in Cornwall; otherwise, there were nine in September and two each in June, July, August and October. Figure 17. Numbers of Hoopoes Upupa epops in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the southwesterly bias in the distribution. 18 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 2. Hoopoe Upupa epops, Norfolk, September 1998 {Robin Chittenden) Wryneck Jynx torquilla Number in 1996 237 Annual averages 1986-1995 86-89 90-95 301 237 Annual maxima 1986-1995 1987 1988 1995 353 314 314 The 237 in 1996 equalled the annual average for the previous six years. In spring, there was a northerly bias to the records, as illustrated in fig. 19, with Shetland, Norfolk and Orkney the prime counties, in descending numerical order. Although more Wrynecks were seen in spring than in any other year since 1987, the autumn migration was once again the heavier. There was a southerly bias to the records at this season, as shown in fig. 20, and Norfolk, Sussex and Scilly were the most productive counties, in descending order of prominence. Spring passage took place mainly from mid April to mid May, with autumn migrants appearing largely from mid August to late September, as illustrated in fig. 18. A Wryneck in Scilly during 8th-12th December was most unseasonal. Figure 18. Numbers of Wrynecks Jynx torquilla in Britain in each week in 1996. Note the good spring passage and the typically heavier autumn migration. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 19 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 19. Numbers of Wrynecks Jynx torquilla in each county in Britain in spring 1996. Note the northerly bias to the records. Figure 20. Numbers of Wrynecks Jyyix torquilla in each county in Britain in autumn 1996. Note the southerly bias to the records. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Number in 1996 42 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 5 11 13 25 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1994 1995 1991 1975 1993 39 28 27 21 21 During 1967 to 1996, more Short-toed Larks were seen in spring than in autumn in only four years: in 1974, as a result of fhe poorest number in any autumn during the period, and in 1993, 1994 and 1996, as a result of a dramatic upsurge in numbers in spring. In 1996, a record-breaking year overall and for numbers in spring, ten were first recorded during 22nd-29th April and 11 during 11th May to 7th June; there was one on St Martin’s, Scilly, on 8th July; and seven were first observed during 9th-19th September 20 British Birds 92; 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 and eight during 30th September to 17th October. As illustrated in figs. 21 and 22, the spring passage, though restricted to coastal counties, was more widespread than the migration in autumn, when individuals were seen only at Britain’s extremities; the only ones on the mainland in autumn were in west Cornwall. Of the 42 Short-toed Larks m 1996, 19 were in Scilly, nine in Shetland and five in Cornwall. Figure 21. Numbers of Short-toed Larks Calandrella brachydactyla in each county in Britain in spring 1996. Note the significant numbers in Scilly. Figure 22. Numbers of Short-toed Larks Calandrella brachydactyla in each county in Britain in autumn 1996. Note the absence of records between Cornwall and Orkney. Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris Number in 1996 390 Annual averages 1987-1995 87-89 90-95 89 152 Annual maxima 1987-1995 1994 1995 1993 254 164 143 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 21 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 The 390 in 1996 was the highest annual total since analysis began in 1987. Only eight new individuals were recorded up to 8th February, with five more, all in Norfolk, during 31st March to 29th April, and two in Derbyshire during 24th- 29th May. There was one Horned Lark EremopMla on North Ronaldsay, Orkney, on 18th September, and two there during 22nd-23rd September, but the mam arrivals were in the last three months of the year, with 155 in October, 104 in November and 113 in December. The East Coast attracted most Horned Larks, as usual, with 122 in Suffolk, 93 in Lincolnshire, 89 in Norfolk, 27 in Kent, 19 in Essex and 16 in alpestris {Dan Powell) North Yorkshire. The top county otherwise was, surprisingly, Worcestershire, with five individuals, all during 15th October to 14th November. Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Number in 1996 no Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 35 52 65 143 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1994 1995 1988 1968 338 157 144 141 There have been just nine years, in three distinct clusters, when the total has exceeded 100: 1967, 1968 and 1970; 1987 and 1988; and 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996. In 1996, there were singles in Caernarfonshire on 16th January and in Devon during 3rd- 8th April; from two to 14 had been seen in spring in each of the previous seven years. All of the other Richard’s Pipits in 1996 were first discovered during 14th September to 30th November, with 21 in September, 67 in October and 20 in November. As shown in fig. 23, the favoured counties were Norfolk, Cornwall and Shetland, with 24, 22 and 17 individuals, respectively. Over the years, Kent has attracted more Richard’s Pipits in spring than any other county; in autumn, when numbers are always much higher, Norfolk is clearly the prime county. Figure 23. Numbers of Richard’s Pipits Anthus novaeseelandiae in each county in Britain in 1996. Note Norfolk’s prominence and the scattering of inland records. 22 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris There were three in spring and 15 in autumn, as illustrated in fig. 24. The prime months were September, when seven appeared, and October, when five arrived. The total of 18 in 1996 represented the lowest annual total since 1978. The favoured counties were Dorset, with six, and Norfolk, with four. A Tawny Pipit on Out Skerries, Shetland, during 20th-30th September was unusually far north for this predominantly southern species. Figure 24. Numbers of Tawny Pipits Anthus campestris in Britain in each week in 1996. Note the wide spread of records and the peak in early September. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Number in 1996 123 Annual averages 1968-1995 68-79 80-89 90-95 91 173 128 Annual maxima 1968-1995 1985 1981 1987 1993 535 318 251 240 Though the 1996 total of 123 was the lowest annual total since 1992, it was close to the average for the years 1990-95. In 1996, there were 100 in spring, including 82 during 6th-27th May, and 23 in autumn, including 17 during 6th-27th September. The first of the year was on 23rd March, in Sussex; none was seen between 6th July and 6th September; and the last one was on 10th November, in Hampshire. Shetland, with 43 Bluethroats in 1996, was the dominant county in both spring and autumn. The species’ northerly distribution was underlined by the next most-favoured counties being Northumberland and Orkney, where there were 16 and 15 respectively. There were six individuals of the white- spotted race L. s. cyanecula recorded in 1996. During 1968 to 1996, more of this race were recorded in spring in Kent than in any other county, as illustrated in fig. 25. Overleaf; Figure 25. Numbers of Bluethroats Luscinia svecica of the white-spotted race L. s. cyanecula in Britain in spring in each county during 1968-96. Note its East Coast distribution, particularly the prominence of southeast England. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 23 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides The nine in 1996 was the second-lowest annual total since 1967 and signalled a fourth consecutive poor year. One lingered for 11 days in Dorset, another for nine days in Norfolk and a third individual for eight days on Fair Isle, Shetland. Two Savi’s Warblers were seen in only two counties (Dorset and Suffolk) but, in both, they were singles at different localities. The first for the year was on 28th April in Suffolk; two were discovered in May, two in June and three in July; and the last one was on 25th September, in Devon. In view of the very small number of individuals occurring in Britain each year, the British Birds Rarities Committee has decided to add Savi’s Warbler to its list and requests submission of details of aU reports from 1st January 1998. Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola The 30 in 1996 represented the lowest total so far in the 1990s, yet exceeded all but two of the annual totals in the 1980s. There were no reports away from the English south coast counties, as shown in fig. 26; Cornwall, with 14, attracted nearly half of those recorded during the year. There were 16 Aquatic Warblers during 4th-19th August, four during 25th-28th August, five during 2nd-8th September and five during 15th-23rd September. 24 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal. \ Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 26. Numbers of Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the absence of records away from the English south coast counties. Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Number in 1996 52 Annual averages 1986-1995 86-89 90-95 32 63 Annual maxima 1986-1995 1992 1994 1991 102 72 56 The statistics exclude birds from Britain’s small breeding population. At least 39 of the year’s total of 52 were recorded during 20th May to 15th June; the remainder were seen on 22nd and 30th June and in all months from July to October, with the last individuals on 21st October in Cornwall and during 23rd-30th October in Scilly. Kent was the favoured county in 1996, with 19 Marsh Warblers, followed by Shetland and Sussex, with eight and five, respectively. Numbers in spring have been consistently higher during 1994-96 than during 1989-91, as illustrated in fig. 27, while numbers in autumn have been lower during 1994-96 than during 1991-93, as shown in fig. 28. Figure 27. Numbers oi M.arshWarh\srs Acrocephalus palustris in Britain in spring in each year during 1986- 96. Note the peak in 1992 and the consistently high numbers during 1994-96. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 25 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Figure 28. Numbers of Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris in Britain in autumn in each year during 1986-96. Note the peak in 1993 and the rather low numbers in 1995 and 1996. ICTERiNE Warbler Hippolais icterina The 88 in 1996 represented the lowest annual total since 1991. The first for the year was on 3rd May, in Orkney, and there were a further 17 in spring, during 18th May to 12th June. In autumn, 68 were discovered during 6th August to 6th October, with late individuals from 14th to 25th October in Scihy and 2nd- 4th November in Devon. The spring total had been exceeded in only five previous years, but it was a below-average autumn for the species, with 17 of the previous 22 years producing a higher number at that season. The distribution of Icterine Warblers in 1996 was typical, and is shown in fig. 29. The favoured coimties were Shetland, with 22 (including six in spring), Norfolk, with 21 (including two in spring), and Orkney, with ten (including two in spring). Figure 29. Numbers of Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the typical Northern Isles and East Coast prominence, with the usual scattering of records from the English south coast counties. 26 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta The last year with a higher annual total than the 40 in 1996 was 1983, though there have been seven other years since then with a total of 35 or more. There were six in spring, during 19th May to 14th June, and 34 in autumn, all but one during 15th August to 5th October, with the last individual on 13th October in Cornwall. The customary southerly distribution pattern was again evident in 1996, as illustrated in fig. 30: Scilly, with 19, attracted nearly half of the total number for the year, while there were seven in Cornwall and three each in Devon and Sussex. Exceptions to the norm were two on Bardsey, Caernarfonshire, in June, singles in Lancashire and on the Isle of Man in September, and, most notably, two on Fair Isle, Shetland, on 20th August. Figure 30. Numbers of Melodious Warblers Hippolais polyglotta in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the traditional southerly and southwesterly distribution. Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria This species is occurring in greater numbers than ever before: 1994, 1995 and 1996 have provided the three highest annual totals recorded. There were 167 from 7th August, when one was found in Orkney, to 1st October, eight during 6th-17th October, and five during 22nd-29th October, when the last individual was discovered in Cornwall. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 27 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 More than half of the year’s Barred Warblers were seen in the Northern Isles, with 73 in Shetland and 23 in Orkneys Norfolk, with 35, and Suffolk, with eight, were the only other counties where more than four were recorded. The year’s distribution is shown in fig. 31: notable records include singles in Greater London, Monmouthshire, Anglesey, the Isle of Man and the Outer Hebrides. 1-8 9-17 18-26 27-35 36-44 45-53 54-62 63-71 72-80 Figure 31. Numbers of Barred Warblers Sylvia nisoria in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the prominence of Shetland, Norfolk and Orkney. Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus Number in 1996 116 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 3 8 36 55 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1994 1982 1988 1995 152 107 63 60 It is worthwhile underlining the above statistics by adding that the highest annual totals during 1958-69 and 1970-79 were 17 and 28 respectively; during 1980-89, the best three years produced 107, 63 and 59 individuals; and during 1990-96 the three highest totals were 152, 116 and 60. The species clearly continues its long-term increase in Britain in autumn. A Pallas’s Leaf Warbler on the Fame Islands, Northumberland, on 19th September 1996 was exceptionally early. This was followed by 67 individuals during 13th-31st October (including 43 found during 23rd-26th), 45 during 8th-18th November (including 38 discovered during 10th-15th), and three found on 22nd-23rd November. Southern and southeastern England provided the majority of records in 1996, as illustrated in fig. 32, the most prominent counties being Norfolk (29), Suffolk (17), Dorset (14), Kent (13) and Sussex (nine). Opposite page: Figure 32. Numbers of Pallas’s Leaf Warblers Phylloscopus proregulus in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the prominence of East Anglia and the South Coast. 28 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Number in 1996 373 Annual averages 1968-1995 68-79 80-89 90-95 65 303 317 Annual maxima 1968-1995 1988 1985 1986 1994 739 495 457 436 As shown in fig. 33, annual totals continue their general increase, with no sign of a return to pre-1984 levels. During 1968-83, the yearly average was 73, with totals varying from 26 to 157; during 1984-96, the annual average was 378 and totals ranged from 211 to 739. On 10th January 1996, three individuals were discovered, in Hampshire (two) and Devon. There were 366 Yellow- browed Warblers seen during 14th September to 17th November, including clusters of 62 during 18th-23rd September, 118 during 13th-26th October and 31 on 31st October or 1st November. There were three more in late November and one was observed in Devon during 14th-30th December. As in 1995, Britain’s extremities again proved attractive to this species, with the favoured counties being Scilly (102), Shetland (69), Cornwall (37), Dorset (25) and Norfolk (23). Figure 33. Numbers of Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus in Britain in each year during 1968-96. Note the dramatic increase in numbers after 1983. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 29 Fraser etal.\ Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Red -BREASTED Flycatcher Ficedula parva Numbers in the 1990s continue to be somewhat lower than those in the 1980s, when four of the five highest annual totals during 1968-96 were achieved. Just four Red-breasted Flycatchers were recorded in spring, during 19th May to 7th June, in Orkney (two), Shetland and Fife. In only four years during the previous 21 have the spring totals been lower than in 1996. There were 93 individuals found during 28th August to 2nd November, with two in August, 58 in September (including 44 discovered during 17th- 23rd), 31 in October (including 25 first seen during 10th-25th) and two in November (both in Scilly). The favoured counties were Scilly (18), Norfolk (17), Shetland (12) and Northumberland (ten). Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus The statistics exclude birds at breeding sites. Numbers of Golden Orioles in Britain are prone to great fluctuations from year to year. Four of the years in the 1990s, with totals ranging from 141 to 231, average 176 indi- viduals per year, while the other three years, with totals varying from 56 to 98, average just 78 annually. In 1996, there were 66 Golden Orioles during 20th April to 9th June, with four more later in June, four in July, two in August, three in early September, and one on the Isle of Wight on the very late date of 18th November. As illustrated in fig. 34, Scilly was the most favoured county, as usual, followed, in descending order of numerical importance, by Norfolk, Cornwall and Shetland. 30 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Opposite page: Figure 34. Numbers of Golden Orioles Oriolus oriolus in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the customary prominence of Scilly, where all of the records were in April and May. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Number in 1996 240 Annual averages 1986-1995 86-89 90-95 252 205 Annual maxima 1986-1995 1988 1992 1989 423 362 226 The 1996 total of 240 is the third-highest annual total during the eleven-year period of analysis and, together with the 220 in 1995, indicates a slight improvement in the species’ fortunes. There were 124 Red- backed Shrikes seen during 11th May to 23rd June (with 85 of these during 18th-27th May), three during 7th-llth July, 105 during 1st August to 6th October (with 22 of these during 13th-15th August) and seven during 16th-29th October, with a late individual on 1st November in Cornwall. As illustrated in figs. 35 and 36, numbers in spring are prone to greater variation than those in autumn, with the exceptional numbers in spring 1988 and spring 1992 contributing to the two highest annual totals during 1986-96. The steadier autumn numbers in fig. 36 show a gradual improvement from the low-point in 1990. Shetland, with 66 Red-backed Shrikes, was the most favoured county in 1996 (as it was in 1995), followed by Norfolk (with 35 individuals), Orkney (24), Northeast Scotland (15) and Suffolk (11). Figure 35. Numbers of Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio in Britain in spring in each year during 1986- 96. Note the very high totals in 1988 and 1992. Figure 36. Numbers of Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio in Britain in autumn in each year during 1986- 96. Note the gradual increase in numbers since 1990. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 31 Fraser btal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Numbers of this species continue to fall: during 1987-94, the lowest annual total was 115, in 1994, and this was followed by 87 in 1995 and only 55 in 1996. In the first winter period, 30 Great Grey Shrikes were seen up to 14th April, when one was in Shetland; there were singles on 21st May in Orkney and on lst-2nd June in Shetland; 23 individuals were observed from 21st September, when singles were found in Borders and Norfolk, to the end of the year. Shetland, with six, and Sussex, with five, were the only counties which hosted more than four Great Grey Shrikes. WooDCHAT Shrike Lanius senator Number in 1996 16 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 12 12 16 19 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1995 1988 1986 1968 1981 1993 27 26 25 24 24 24 Following the record-breaking 27 in 1995, the total of 16 in 1996 was disappointing. In 1996, there were eight Woodchat Shrikes from 27th April, when one was in Greater London, to 6th June; singles were seen on 25th June in Highland and during 2nd-5th July in Norfolk; five were observed during 13th August to 16th September; and a late individual was in Cornwall during 3rd-5th November. As illustrated in fig. 37, Scilly was the most favoured county, with four Woodchat Shrikes, while the four in Scotland and the singles in Greater London and inland in Wales were noteworthy. Figure 37. Numbers of Woodchat Shrikes Lanius senator in each county in Britain in 1996. Note the prominence of the extreme Southwest and the otherwise scattered records. 32 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 European Serin Serinus serinus Number in 1996 77 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 8 19 37 64 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1994 1993 1990 1995 80 71 69 64 Records of European Serin continue to increase. The 77 in 1996 represents the second-best annual total, the top six annual totals all having been recorded during 1990-96, as shown in fig. 38. In 1996, although individuals were seen in all months except February and August, there were concentrations in spring, when there were 33 during 22nd March to 12th May and six during 24th May to 8th June, and autumn, when there were 31 during 21st September to 23rd November. Fig. 39 illustrates the increased numbers seen during the passage periods. All of the European Serins observed during the year were in South Coast counties from Scilly to Kent and East Coast counties north to Lincolnshire, with Dorset (24 individuals), Cornwall (16), Sussex (nine) and the Isle of Wight (eight) attracting more than elsewhere. Figure 38. Numbers of European Serins Serinus serinus in Britain in each year during 1958-96. Note the much higher numbers from 1990 onwards. Figure 39. Numbers of European Serins Serinus serinus in Britain in each week in 1996. Note the concentrations in spring and autumn. British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 33 Fraser etal.\ Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Number in 1996 144 Annual averages 1958-1995 58-69 70-79 80-89 90-95 10 36 77 148 Annual maxima 1958-1995 1992 1995 1994 1988 1993 242 179 138 134 134 With the top four annual totals all having been recorded during 1992-96, Common Rosefinches are clearly continuing their long-term increase. In 1996, although the numbers of migrants in spring and autumn were very similar, spring passage was decidedly more concentrated, as illustrated in fig. 40. There were 69 during 19th May to 18th June, five during 26fh Jmre to 20th July, and 69 during 12th August to 22nd October, with a late individual on 7th November on Oronsay, Argyll. Far more Common Rosefinches were seen in the Northern Isles than elsewhere, with 71 in Shetland and 26 in Orkney. Strangely, spring migrants accounted for only 41% of the Shetland total (68% in 1995), yet 81% of fhe Orkney total. Farther south, the most productive counties were Scilly, with eight individuals, and Caernarfonshire, with seven. Figure 40. Numbers of Common Rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus in Britain in each week in 1996. Note the similar total numbers of migrants in the concentrated spring migration and the more protracted autumn passage. Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana More Ortolan Buntings are visiting Britain each year than at any other time since analysis began in 1968: the 106 in 1996 represented the second-highest annual total during the period and followed good numbers in 1992, 1993 and 1995. In 1996, there were 47 during 22nd April to 2nd June (including 42 during 18th-28th May) and 59 during 23rd August to 13th October (including 53 during 29th August to 28th September). There were 24 Ortolan Buntings in Shetland, 19 in both Dorset and Scilly, 18 in Orkney and eight in Cornwall, with no more than three in any other county. Seasonal distribution differed markedly between the North and the South: 93% of those in the Northern Isles were seen in spring, while 94% of those in South Coast counties were recorded in autumn. 34 British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 Fraser etal.: Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1996 Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla From 1984, when Little Bunting numbers increased markedly, to 1995, the annual average was 31, so the total of 27 in 1996 is slightly below par. In 1996, there were singles during 31st March to 21st April in Avon and during lst-6th May on Fair Isle, Shetland, followed by three individuals during 18th-24th May. In autumn, after one on 7th September, there were 15 during 18th September to 6th October and six during 20th-24th October. As shown in fig. 41, Shetland was the dominant county, as it was in 1995, with 13 Little Buntings during the year, followed by Scilly, with four, and Norfolk, with three. Figure 41. Numbers of Little Buntings Emberiza pusilla in each county in Britain in 1996. Note Shetland’s dominance. Acknowldgements The three authors are extremely grateful to Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, for his encouragement and organisation, and to Dr John Ryan and John Overfield, for their help with data entry. All of us wish to thank most sincerely the county and regional recorders and their assistants, without whom this Report would not have been possible. References Dymond, J. N., Fraser, P. A., & Gantlett, S. J. M. 1989. Rare Birds in Britain and Ireland. Calton. Sharrock, J. T. R. 1974. Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain and Ireland. Berkhamsted. Authors Peter A. Fraser, Peter G. Lansdozvn and Michael J. Rogers, c/o 2 Churchtoivn Cottages, Towednack, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 3AZ ^ British Birds 92: 3-35, January 1999 35 Twenty-first Century Seabirds P. Ian Mitchell Northern Gannets and Kittiwakes {Massimiliano Lipperi) During the twentieth century, the general attitude towards seabirds in Britain has, in parallel with global priorities, changed from one of exploitation of a valuable resource, to one of preservation of a valuable asset. The coasts and islands of Britain and Ireland hold some of the World’s most important assemblages of breeding seabirds. For instance, at the last count, 94% of the World’s population of Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffiims, 84% of the East Atlantic population of Northern Gaimets Morns bassanus (Murray & Wanless 1997) and 58% of Great Skuas Catharacta skua, of which there are only around 14,500 pairs in the World, were found to breed in Britain and Ireland (Lloyd, Tasker & Partridge 1991). All three species breed in large, discrete aggregations. Great Skuas are confined mainly to Orkney and Shetland, while 25% of British & Irish Northern Gannets (some 60,428 pairs) breed on St Kilda (Murray & Wanless 1996), one of only 22 gannetries in Britain & Ireland. Over 90% of British & Irish Manx Shearwaters are confined to just three islands; Rhum (116,000 pairs: Worm well 1976) in the Western Isles, and the two adjacent Pembrokeshire islands of Skokholm and Skomer (135,000 pairs: Brooke 1990). This dense breeding aggregation makes seabird populations extremely vulnerable. The aims of this short paper are briefly to highlight the likely threats to breeding seabird populations and to outline plans for the monitoring of the populations in Britain & Ireland into the next century. Potential threats Two major current threats to breeding seabirds are fishery depletion and predation. The depletion of the fish stocks which are their food supply can have an impact on seabird populations directly, as with Arctic Terns Sterna paradisaea in Shetland during the population crash of sandeels Ammodytes in the late 1980s, when the terns failed to breed and the condition of adults was poor (Suddaby & Ratcliffe 1997). The indirect effects on species such as Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla, which are preyed upon by Great Skuas, may. 36 British Birds 92: 36-39, January 1999 Mitchell: Twenty-first Century Seabirds however, be even more dramatic. In Shetland, measures to conserve whitefish stocks (e.g. increased mesh sizes, reduced fishing effort) have reduced the levels of discarded small fish, the main food source of Great Skuas, which have turned to preying on other seabirds, mainly Kittiwakes, Puffins Fratercida arctica and Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis (Furness 1997). This human-induced imbalance between predator and prey is already apparently affecting Kittiwake populations (Heubeck et al. in press), and will continue to do so, unless other food sources become more abundant, or until the supply of Kittiwakes, Puffins and other seabird prey no longer supports the artificially high populations of Great Skuas. Non-cliff-nesting species (i.e. terns, gulls. Puffins, storm-petrels and shearwaters) are particularly vulnerable to mammalian predators (e.g. Stoat Mustela erminea, Red Fox Viilpes vulpes, and the non- native Mink Mustela vison), but their impact can be lessened either by eradication measures or by exclusion using barrier fencing. On offshore islands, which have no endemic mammalian predators and thus hold the greatest concentrations of ground- nesting seabirds, a major threat comes from introductions of Common Rats Rattus norvegicus. The most notable example of the impact of rats is from the Calf of Man in the 1770s, where the original stronghold of Manx Shearwaters was wiped out within 20 years of the introduction of Common Rats (see Brooke 1990). More recently, the catastrophic reduction in Manx Shearwater numbers on Canna, Western Isles, has also been attributed to Common Rats. The distribuhon of Common Rats and Minks should be monitored closely and, where necessary, these mammals should be eradicated. This has been done recently on the Scottish islands of Ailsa Craig and Handa, where rats have been eliminated in an effort to restore populations of birds such as Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. Two other major yet, on the whole, impredictable threats to breeding seabirds are pollution (e.g. oil, heavy metals, PCBs, plashc particles) and climate change. The impact of climate change on British & Irish populations is likely to be most noticeable with those species (e.g. Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus) whose geographical limits lie somewhere within Britain & Ireland. Furness (1988) found the southern limit of the world distribution of Arctic Skuas to coincide with the 14°C July isotherm. Thus, we would expect the British populations of skuas to retreat farther north, should the climate of northern Britain warm up significantly. In the light of these ongoing threats to breeding seabird numbers in Britain & Ireland, which are of worldwide importance, it is essential that these populations are regularly monitored. Monitoring BREEDING SEABIRDS The first nationwide census of British & Irish seabirds, ‘Operation Seafarer’, was undertaken by the Seabird Group in 1969- 70. This was followed up in 1985-87 by a second census, which resulted in the establishment of the Seabird Colony Register (SCR). The SCR contains records from all known seabird colonies in Britain & Ireland and is maintained by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). The JNCC also co-ordinates the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP), to which regular counts and measures of productivity from selected colonies are contributed by the statutory nature conservation agencies, the RSPB, the Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group, the National Parks & Wildlife Service (Ireland), BirdWatch Ireland and many volunteers. These organisations, together with the Seabird Group, are now working in partnership on a forthcoming new national census, ‘Seabird 2000’. Seabird 2000 The aim of Seabird 2000 is to obtain, as accurately as possible, estimates of the British Birds 92: 36-39, January 1999 37 Mitchell: Twenty-first Century Seabirds populations and distributions of each of the 24 species of seabird which regularly breed in Britain & Ireland. The main census work will take place during 1999-2001 and it is intended that all targeted colonies will be counted once during this period. The census will not be confined to the coast and offshore islands, since Britain & Ireland holds many inland colonies of terns, gulls, skuas and cormorants, some of which are internationally important. Census work will be conducted chiefly by a network of dedicated volunteers, assisted by staff of the organisations listed above. A complete census of over 4 million pairs of seabirds, breeding in 3,300 colonies, distributed along more than 40,000 km of coastline and at over 700 inland sites, is a massive undertaking. We estimate that over 9,000 person-days, around 1,500 boat-days and ten aircraft-days (for aerial surveys of gannefries) will be required to complete the census. With such an enormous input of resources required, the obvious question is; do we actually need a new comprehensive census, particularly now that regular monitoring and recording of seabird populafions in Britain & Ireland is being carried out by the SMP? Why do we need ANOTHER CENSUS? Variable trends The changes in numbers of those species regularly monitored by the SMP are rarely homogeneous throughout the range of a particular species. For instance, on average, Kittiwake colonies in Shetland have shown a significant decline (6.9% of breeding pairs per annum during 1986-97), although the annual decline was as much as 14% during the Shetland sandeel crash in 1988-91 (Heubeck et al. in press). In Wales, during 1986-97, monitored colonies declined by only 1.8% per annum, while those in Cumbria actually increased (at a rate of 2.9% per annum), and elsewhere in Britain & Ireland numbers remained constant (Thompson et al. 1998). Such variation in population trends between different regions makes it difficult to apply regional rates of change to past national baseline figures in order to determine the current size of the national population. Furthermore, rates of productivity can vary greatly between different colonies, even within the same region and the same year. For instance, in 1997, the fledging rates of Kittiwakes on island colonies in Northwest Scotland varied from 1.38 chicks per pair on Handa to 0.95 on Canna and almost complete breeding failure (0.01 chicks per pair) on St Kilda (Thompson et al. 1998). Weak site fidelity Some species, notably the terns, show weak site faithfulness from one breeding season to the next. For such species, national or even regional estimates of population sizes obtained from the monitoring of changes in individual colonies might be highly inaccurate. In order to avoid the problems created by movements of birds between colonies, we aim to conduct a simultaneous survey of all tern colonies within a single breeding season, in the year 2000. Poorly monitored species A large-scale survey such as Seabird 2000 encourages the provision of resources required to census those species that require labour-intensive survey techniques. Two of the most difficult species are European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagiciis and Leach’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leiicorhoa. Despite two previous nationwide censuses and an ongoing monitoring programme, information regarding breeding numbers and distributions of both species is incomplete and out of date. Since 1970, European and Leach’s Storm-petrels have been confirmed to breed at 83 and eight sites respectively, although the majority have not been surveyed since the 1980s and a further 34 European Storm- petrel sites have not been censused since ‘Operation Seafarer’ almost 30 years ago. The last census (in 1985-87) estimated 20,000-150,000 pairs of European Storm- petrels in Britain, 70,000-250,000 in Britain 38 British Birds 92: 36-39, January 1999 Mitchell: Twenty-first Century Seabirds & Ireland; and 10,000-100,000 pairs of Leach’s Storm-petrels in Britain (Lloyd et al. 1991); the only known Irish colony of Leach’s Storm-petrels numbers 200 pairs or more at the Stags of Broadhaven, Co. Mayo (Waring & Davis 1983). The ranges of the estimates of both species are the largest in terms of orders of magnitude of any species of bird breeding in Britain (see Stone et al. 1997). Such imprecision results from the fact that storm-petrels do not nest in conspicuous burrows like shearwaters and Puffins, but in rock crevices or under boulders. Consequently, ‘estimates’ are often merely subjective impressions of the number of birds present during a night- time visit. Even estimates based on the recapture of marked individuals during a season are inaccurate, since they do not always distinguish between breeding and non-breeding birds and may include breeding birds from other colonies (see Furness & Baillie 1981). Recently, however, a tape-playback technique has been developed (see Ratcliffe et al. 1997) which allows more accurate estimates to be made of the number of breeding pairs of storm-petrels in a colony. The technique involves eliciting calls from incubating birds by playing recordings of storm-petrel calls in suitable habitat during the day. Not all birds respond, however, so counts of calling birds must be corrected to arrive at an estimate of breeding numbers. Unfortunately, the probability of response varies not only between sites, but also within sites in terms of year, time of year and habitat. Thus, the technique must be calibrated where and whenever it is performed, rendering it very labour-intensive, but more reliable than other techniques. The large input of resources from all the co-operating bodies and the use of new census techniques will enable the Seabird 2000 project to improve greatly on our current knowledge not only of these two important and mysterious species, but also of all the other seabirds breeding in Britain & Ireland. References Brooke, M. 1990. The Manx Shearwater. London. Furness, R. W. 1988. Evolutionary and ecological constraints on the breeding distributions and behaviour of skuas. Proc. Int. 100. DO-G Meeting, Current Topics Avian Biol, Bonn. — 1997. The impact of predation by Great Skuas on other seabird species, with particular reference to Special Protection Areas in Shetland. Unpublished report to Scottish Natural Heritage. — & Baillie, S. R. 1981. Factors affecting capture rate and biometrics of Storm Petrels on St Kilda. Ring. & Migr. 3: 137-148. Heubeck, M., Mellor, R. M., Harvey, P. V., Mainwood, A. R., & Riddington, R, In press. Estimating the population size and rate of decline of breeding Kittiwakes in Shetland, 1981-1997. Bird Studxj. Lloyd, C., Tasker, M. L., & Partridge, K. 1991. The Status of Seabirds in Britain and Ireland. London. Murray, S., & Wanless, S. 1996. A census of the St Kilda gannetry in May 1994. Scot. Birds 18: 152-158. — & — . 1997. The status of the Gannet in Scotland 1994-95. Scot. Birds 19: 1-10. Ratcliffe, N., Suddaby, D., & Betts, M. 1996. An examination of the methods used to census Storm Petrels Hydrobates pelagicus on Mousa and Skokhohn. Unpublished RSPB Report. — Vaughan, D., Whyte, C., & Shepherd, M. 1997. The development of playback census methods for Storm Petrels Hydrobates pelagicus. Unpublished RSPB report. Stone, B. H., Sears, J., Cranswick, P, Gregory, R. D., Gibbons, D. W., Rehfisch, M. M., Aebischer, N. J., & Reid, J. B. 1997. Population estimates of birds in Britain and in the United Kingdom. Brit. Birds 90: 1-21. Suddaby, D., & Ratcliffe, N. 1997. Effects of fluctuating food availability on breeding performance of Arctic Terns Sterna paradisaea. Auk 114: 524-530. Thompson, K.R., Brindley, E., & Heubeck, M. 1998. Seabird Numbers and Breeding Success in Britain and Ireland, 1997. Peterborough. Waring, M., & Davis, S., 1983. Rediscovery of Leach’s Petrels breeding in Ireland. Irish Birds 2: 360-363. Wormwell, P. 1976. The Manx Shearwaters of Rhum. Scot. Birds 9: 103-118. Author P. Ian Mitchell, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Seabirds & Cetaceans, Dunnet House, 7 Thistle Place, Aberdeen ABIO lUZ Anyone who wishes to become involved with Seabird 2000 should contact Dr Ian Mitchell at the address above; by fax: 01224 621488; or by e-mail: mitche_i@jncc.gov.uk ^ British Birds 92: 36-39, January 1999 39 Red-throated Thrush Turdus ruficottis ruficollis (Alan Harris) Red-throated Thrush IN Essex: new to Britain and Ireland Brian Smith, Simon D. Wood & Simon Cox ABSTRACT A first-winter male Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis of the red-throated nominate race occurred at The Naze, Essex, during 29th September to 7th October 1994 {Brit. Birds 88: 535). This was the first record of this race in Britain & Ireland, where, up to that time, there had been 30 records of the black- throated race, atrogularis. At 08.50 GMT on 29th September 1994, BS caught sight of an unusual-looking, greyish thrush Turdus on steps ascending to the cliff-top cafe at The Naze, Essex. It was about the same size as a Fieldfare T. pilaris, with a similarly erect stance, and was uttering a quiet call, ‘seep’, but its most prominent feature was red outertail feathers, which were startlingly noticeable in flight. He took notes on the bird and then telephoned Steve Beary, who passed the news on to other observers. The first to arrive, at about 10.20, was SDW, who relocated the bird, facing away from him on the top of a bush. It was disturbed by a dog-walker, but after about five minutes Tim Mendham, Andrew Thompson and Nigel Cuming arrived, and the bird provided fleeting views as it skulked in a cliff-face area of bramble Riibus and willowherb Epilobiwn. Alerted by a telephone call from SDW, SC then arrived and, gradually, all six of us obtained reasonable views. Although several of us thought that the bird had 40 British Birds 92: 40-46, January 1999 Smith etal: Red-throated Thrush in Essex rusty tones on its breast, no-one could be sure, but TM was the first to put forward the suggestion that it might be a ‘Red- throated Thrush’, the red-throated, nominate race of Dark-throated Thrush T. riificollis. On one occasion, when it flew, AT commented that it resembled a giant Black Redstart Fhoenicurus ochruros. At last, at about 12.30 hours, it finally moved out into the open, perched on top of some gorse Ulex, and provided the good views necessary for all six of us to be happy that the provisional identification was confirmed. At this stage, we informed the ‘birdlines’. The thrush was seen only twice more on 29th September, but in the next eight days it increasingly frequented more-open areas, including gardens and the hedge bordering a caravan park, where it fed on the berries of bramble. Elder Samhucus nigra and hawthorn Crataegus, providing good views for well over 2,000 twitchers. This wonderful bird also posed obligingly for many bird- photographers {Brit. Birds 88: plates 170- 173; 92; plates 3-6), and was sketched by SDW (fig. 1). The following is a summary of our notes; General A fairly large thrush, perhaps the size of a Blackbird T. merula or small Fieldfare, which it resembled in shape and stance. A washed-out grey-brown bird, with obvious rufous gorget and, when in flight, darker rufous-red outertail feathers. From behind and when in flight, looked like a giant Black Redstart. Head Crown: Washed-out grey, with hint of brown, extending down back of nape. SUPERCILIUM: Fairly faint but defined orangey colour starting in front of eye as a thin fine feature but thickening over and behind the eye. Lores: Dark, either black or very dark grey. Ear-coverts: A tone darker than the crown and perhaps slightly mottled (SDW); fairly dark grey (SC). Moustachial stripe: Indistinct, colour much as supercilium. Throat: Background colour creamy rufous or huffish. Malar stripe formed by individual black feathers running down throat, splayed at lower end. Submalar stripe formed in same way. In between, fine cinnamon flecks also running down throat. Body Breast: Extending from base of throat and halfway down breast, a rufous or brick- red, faintly ‘scaly’ gorget, sharply demarcated from belly, with grey feathers along the demarcation line at the sides; no rufous along the flanks. Remaining area of breast was ‘dirty’ off-white, with vague grey mottling, but this was not obvious when bird seen head-on. Belly and flanks: Off-white, but ‘cleaner’ white than breast. No other markings. Vent: Pure clean white. Mantle and rump; Colour very similar to nape and crown. Back: As mantle. Tail Outer feathers: Deep rufous-red or orange on at least three pairs of outer feathers, not easily seen whilst bird perched, but very obvious in flight; possibly darker towards tips. Inner feathers: Colour as mantle. Wings General; Relatively long and sometimes held slightly drooped. Basic colour washed-out grey/brown. Underside of wing not seen. Primaries: Darker grey than rest of wings: the darkest wing feathers apart from alula. Tips darker than rest of feather; pale edges less obvious than on inner secondaries and greater coverts. Secondaries: Washed-out grey, but the palest set of wing feathers, forming vague wing panel. Tertials: Between primaries and secondaries in shade, but darker centres offset by pale edges. British Birds 92: 40-46, January 1999 41 Smith etav. Red-throated Thrush in Essex fUi ' 3*^ - > . ■A^ / i<5^ Ci^ASryx. 1 Js-'ZS'-o'v-v. 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