ZS 72 British Birds Editorial Board Stanley Cramp P J Grant M A Ogilvie J T R Sharrock Photographic Consultants R j Chandler and Don Smith Volume 77 1984 British Birds Ltd Origin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls American Coot: new to Britain and Ireland Points of view • Mystery photographs Notes • Letters New s and comment • Recent reports British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David Christie Editorial Board Stanley Cramp, P. J. Grant, Dr M. A. Ogilvie 8c Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Dr R. J. Chandler 8c Don Smith Rarities Committee P. J. Grant (Chairman), D. J. Britton, R. H. Dennis, D. J. Holman, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, J. R. Mather, R. E. Porter 8c K. E. Vinicombe; Michael J. Rogers (Honorary Secretary) Notes Panels behaviour Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Dr C. H. Fry, Derek Goodwin, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 8c Dr K. E. L. Simmons; IDENTIFICATION P. J. Grant, S. C. Madge, Dr M. A. Ogilvie 8c Dr J. T. R. Sharrock © British Birds I.td 1983 Copyright of photographs remains with photographers. British Birds is published monthly by British Birds Ltd, 93 High Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire ISSN 0007-0335 Publishing Manager, Production & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Cartwright Advertising Sandra Barnes Addresses Please keep correspondence on different items separate. Please address your envelope correctly. Please supply SAL if reply required. Papers, notes, letters, drawings & photographs for publication Dr J . T. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Subscriptions arid orders for back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Advertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj. Phone'. Tiptree (0621) 815085 Bird news Jor ‘ Recent reports’ R. A. Hume & K. 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Thomas Very few Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinas nest on the east coast of mainland Britain: there is none in eastern England, and only small numbers nest on the Scottish east coast, although the species breeds commonly in Orkney and Shetland. Despite northeast England being several hundred kilometres from the nearest breeding concentrations, many adults arrive there at the end of July and during August, and numbers remain high until the end of February. Although Great Black-backed Gull numbers fluctuate considerably from day to day, presumably in relation to feeding conditions at sea. several \ Brit. Birds 11 ■. 1-1 1.Januan l‘»84| 1 2 Origin and behaviour oj wintering Great Black-backed Gulls thousand adults have been seen on the Durham and Northumberland coasts on the same day. They are predominantly in full adult plumage, but their breeding grounds were not known, nor was it known how long they remained in the wintering area and whether they returned to the same region in subsequent winters. In recent years, we have captured over 400 Great Black-backed Gulls in northeast England and placed a unique combination of coloured leg rings on each. This has enabled us to make repeated observations of these individuals and to record their times of arrival and departure, as well as their distribution within northeast England. As a result, we have been able to show that most Great Black-backed Gulls wintering in northeast England breed in Norway. Adults show a marked tendency to return to the same immediate wintering locality, whereas immatures wander over large areas. Methods The study was made in parallel with a similar investigation of the more numerous Herring Gull L. argentatus. Individuals of both species were captured at feeding sites, usually refuse-tips, by cannon-netting, mostly in Durham and Cleveland, but some also in Tyne & Wear and North York- shire. All Great Black-backs caught were marked with a unique combina- tion of ‘Darvic’ coloured rings and a BTO serially numbered metal ring. A small number of Great Black-backs was ringed before 1978 by PM and JGG, but the majority (424) were caught between 1978 and 1981; most of the latter were measured, both to identify their sex and to obtain information on their size and possible area of origin. Initially, gulls were sexed by bill-depth, but the more accurate ‘head and bill’ length measure- ment (Coulson et al. 1983) has been used since 1980. The few whose measurements fell into the overlap zone between male and female have not been considered when investigating behavioural differences between the sexes. Frequent and regular visits were made to feeding and resting sites used by Great Black-backed Gulls, both on the coast and inland, in the main study area between the River Tyne and the River Tees (fig. 1). Similar numbers of visits were made each year between August and March, even during periods of severe weather. Eess extensive observations were made in Northumberland and Cleveland, south of the River Tees; and in two winters in Scarborough and Filey, North Yorkshire, by SK. Table 1. Comparative measurements of adult Great Black Data from northeast England (present study); Wales (Harris 1964); Norway all relates to birds taken in the breeding MALE Weight (g) SD No. Wing length (mm) SD No. Bill depth (mm) SD Northeast England 1791 155 127 497 16.6 96 25.5 1 .06 Wales 1713 157 106 499 9.2 95 — Mumian region, USSR 1829 — 116 490 — 102 — Norway 1806 158 36 499 9.5 36 25.6 0.57 Origin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls 3 Fig. 1 . Map showing positions of sites referred to in text. Main study area lies between the two rivers (Tyne and Tees). BI = Birtley, BU = Burnopfield, CON = C'.onsett, COX = Coxhoe. HH = Hett Hills, DA = Darlington, \VI = Wingate The results below relate to observations on marked gulls up to March 1982. Over 80% of Great Black-backed Gulls captured were in full adult plumage. Further, marked immatures were less likely to be seen again in the area. Accordingly, many of our quantitative data referred to adults, but we have been able to make some comparative observations on immatures, particularly on their movements. Biometrics There is little information on the geographical variation in size of Great Black-backed Gulls. Our data are shown in table 1. together with those from the Murman region of the USSR, Norway and Wales: it is evident that icked Gulls Larus marinus from European localities arth 1967); Murman region ofL'SSR (Belopolskii 1957). Previous information ason. SD = standard deviation. FEMALE Wing Bill No. W eight (g) SD No. length (mm) SD No. depth (mm) SD No. 131 1472 119 174 477 14.0 101 23.1 0.99 174 — 1486 143 130 478 8.8 108 — — — — 1488 — 93 470 — 72 — — — 36 1407 105 42 474 8.4 42 22.8 0.62 27 4 Origin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls Fig. 2. Recoveries of Great Black-backed Gulls Larus rnarinus ringed in winter in northeast England and recovered in breeding season there is no appreciable size variation (unlike in the Herring Gull) and measurements are, therefore, of no value in identifying the breeding area of these gulls. Barth ( 1967) came to similar conclusions. Results Area oj origin of Great Black-backed Gulls visiting northeast England Since starting our investigation, we have received 23 recoveries during the breeding season (April-July) of ringed* Great Black-backed Gulls (fig. 2). All are from Norway, except for one (from northwest Scotland). Clearly, the main breeding area is along the whole coastline of Norway. We have not received any recoveries from Russia, although three are close to the Norwegian-Russian border. Colour-ringed individuals recovered in D O rigin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls Table 2. Age distribution of 424 Great Black-backed Gulls Lams marmus captured in northeast England during 1978-81 4th- 3rd- 2nd- 1st- Adult winter winter winter winter Total Number 343 15 17 15 34 424 % 80.9 3.5 4.0 3.5 8.0 Norway had been seen in northeast England in all months from August to February in the years before their death; this period spans the whole time when the species is abundant in northeast England. The evidence shows, therefore, that the Great Black-backed Gulls ‘wintering’ in northeast England are mainly members of the Norwegian breeding population, and that few British breeders are involved. Age distribution General observations before this study had given the impression that a very- high proportion of Great Black-backed Gulls on the northeast English coast in winter were fully adult. Our study confirmed this. Of 424 gulls captured and colour-ringed during 1978-81, over 80% were in complete adult plumage; in contrast, only 8% were in first-winter plumage (table 2). Arrival and departure in northeast England Although we do not have frequent enough records of individual gulls to determine reliably their arrival and departure dates, a realistic measure of the relative numbers frequenting the northeast English coast can be obtained from the seasonal distribution of sightings of colour-ringed gulls in winters following that in which they were marked. The first adults arrive during July, and numbers build up in August, with a peak in September, this level being maintained throughout October and November (fig. 3). 6 Origin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls This suggests that some adults leave Norway as early as July, and that most have arrived here by the end of September. It is not known whether those leaving Norway by August are adults that have missed breeding, or whether they are failed or successful breeders. They are, however, in full adult plumage in the year of colour-ringing, and the lack of sightings in Britain during the ensuing breeding season indicates that they have left their wintering area and, presumably, returned to their breeding grounds. Fig. 3 shows a slight decrease in sightings in December and January, but numbers remain high even in February, despite many of the gulls departing during the latter part of this month. There was only one sighting in March. The December-January dip is not due to reduced observation effort, and we believe that it is real. It coincides with the arrival of adults in our study area which appear to be casual visitors and which are not seen in subsequent years (see ‘Attachment to wintering area’ below). On the evidence collected, we suggest that most adult Great Black- backed Gulls that arrive in the study area in August and September remain there during the winter, and that most depart during the last two weeks of February. Arrival and departure oj males and Jemales The monthly distribution of all sightings of adult male and female Great Black-backed Gulls in the study area (table 3) shows that the general pattern is similar for both sexes, except for a significant difference in the proportion of males and females seen between January and February. This suggests that males tend to depart to the breeding grounds later than females. Table 3. Numbers of colour- ringed male and female Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus sighted in northeast England in each month, and sex-ratio in each month J J A S O N D J F M A M Males 0 3 12 40 40 43 34 36 33 0 0 0 Females 0 5 13 42 38 41 35 37 19 1 0 0 % males — 38 48 49 51 51 49 49 63 — — — Use oj inland jeeding sites Most Great Black-backed Gulls were captured and ringed at coastal sites. Subsequent sightings of these showed that females were seen inland almost twice as frequently as males. This suggests a possible partial separation of the sexes, with the females feeding more frequently inland, which is supported by the significantly higher proportion of females than males captured at inland sites compared with on the coast (table 4). Since the majority of gulls were caught at refuse tips, the difference is unlikely to be due to the nature ol the feeding site, but rather to its geographical position. 1 1 is also possible to examine seasonal variations in the sex-ratio of Great Black-backed Gulls using coastal and inland sites, based on sightings in winters following that of capture and ringing (table 5). While over the whole study area (inland as well as coastal) the sex-ratio is close to equality from August to January (table 3), at inland sites there is a progressive Origin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls 7 Table 4. Sex-ratio of Great Black-backed Gulls Larus mannus captured at coastal and inland feeding sites in northeast England, 1978-81 Difference in sex-ratio between inland and coastal catches is significant (X‘i= 9.1, P< 0.01) Locality No. males No. females % males COAST Scarborough Hartlepool North Shields 36 82 6 30 111 8 55 42 43 7'otal coast 124 149 45 INLAND Whitton/Thorpe Thewles 13 24 35 C loxhoe/VV ingate 22 36 38 Hett Hills/Consett/Prudhoe 1 1 45 20 Total inland 46 105 30 increase from 19% males in August and September, to just over 50% males in December and January, rising to 69% in February (at which time females are believed to have departed in advance of the males). It is evident that, in autumn, females use inland sites more frequently than males. It should, however, be noted that numbers of Great Black- backed Gulls feeding inland are usually small until December, when numbers on the coast and inland become similar. Attachment to wintering area The attachment to the wintering area can conveniently be divided into two considerations: the extent to which gulls remain in the area during the same winter as capture/sighting; and whether they return in subsequent years. SAME WINTER Sightings of individual adult Great Black-backed Gulls in the study area suggest that most remain throughout the winter and depart in February. Superimposed on this pattern, there is evidence that a small proportion of adults leave the area in December and January (fig. 3); this is supported by- observations of ringed adults marked in different time periods. The data in Table 5. Relative numbers of male and female colour-ringed Great Black-backed Gulls Larus mannus seen on coast and inland in study area, June-May 1978-81 J J A S O N D J F M A M MALES Coastal 0 3 12 38 39 33 14 16 24 0 0 0 Inland 0 0 0 2 1 10 20 20 9 0 0 0 % inland — 0 0 5 3 23 59 56 27 — — — FEMALES Coastal 0 5 13 36 30 30 16 20 15 1 0 0 Inland 0 0 0 6 8 11 19 17 4 0 0 0 % inland — 0 0 14 21 27 54 46 21 — — — Sex-ratio of inland birds (% males) 19 46 51 54 69 — — — 8 Origin and behaviour oj wintering Great Black-backed Gulls Table 6. Proportions of adult Great Black-backed Gulls Lams mannus colour-marked in 1978 and seen in subsequent years Individuals have been grouped according to month ol capture. Proportions seen again are significantly different (x"l> 7.2, /)<0.05) Month colour- Seen Not seen marked (1978) again again Total September and October 39 8 (17%) 47 November 26 5 (16%) 31 December and January 31 19 (38%) 50 table 6 show that those caught and ringed in December and January are less likely to be seen in a subsequent year than those marked earlier in the winter. This can be interpreted as indicating the arrival in December and January ol some adults which do not show a fidelity to the area and which, like some ol our marked individuals, have recently moved out of the area in w hich they have been wintering. First-winter Great Black-backs wander to a greater extent than do adults. In the winter ol ringing, the number of sightings per individual was four times higher for adults than for first-years (table 7a), as many of the young gulls soon move out of the area. SUBSEQUENT WINTERS 1 here is a high incidence of adult Great Black-backed Gulls returning to the same wintering area in successive years. Of 56 adult males ringed at Hartlepool, Cleveland, in autumn-winter 1978, 43 were seen in the study area in the following winter, and 24 ol these 43 were found a further year later. Similarly, ol 55 adult females ringed at the same time, 38 were seen a year later, of which 25 returned again the following year. These figures give an annual return rate ol 68% for both sexes combined. From studies of other large gulls, it is, however, reasonable to expect the annual survival rate ol adults to be about 90%; this suggests that about one-quarter of surviving adults did not return to the same wintering area in consecutive years. During the study, we accumulated series of sightings of marked gulls at a number of locations. These, excluding those in the w inter of marking, are shown in table 8 in relation to the area of original capture. It is evident that those which return are extremely faithful to the immediate area in which they were first captured. Taking the gulls marked in four main areas, a majority ol subsequent sightings are at the place of marking (only at Coxhoe and Wingate, Co. Durham, does the level drop below 75%). W e have comparable data for the Herring Gull, and in all cases the Great Black-back shows an appreciably higher area-fidelity. For example, of adults ringed at Hartlepool, 77% ol Great Black-back sightings were at the place ol ringing, while the figure for Herring (fulls was 55%. Not only does this site-fidelity exist on the coast, it is also marked inland in the south (Coxhoe and Wingate) and in the north of Durham (Consett, Hett Hills and Burnopfield), with little exchange between these areas. Clearly, many 9 Origin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls wintering Great Black-backs show strong site-fidelity, and movements of over 40km within the study area were uncommon. I hese findings are in contrast to the behaviour of the small number of immatures which we marked. I able 7b shows the proportions of Great Black-backed Gulls ol different ages which were sighted in subsequent winters: only a small proportion of first-year individuals (then second-year) was seen compared with adults; second- and third-winters were inter- mediate between adults and first-years. It would seem that the first-year gulls did not form an attachment to a particular area, but wandered extensively, while the area-fidelity develops progressively' in successive years, although, as shown, this is not complete even in adults. Discussion 1 he evidence obtained strongly suggests that almost all Great Black- backed Gulls present during August-February in northeast England are Norwegian breeders. I he Norwegian recoveries stretch along the whole ol the Atlantic coast, from the North Gape to southwest Norway; three were recovered close to the Russian border, but so far none has been recovered in Russia. 1 here are, however, several British recoveries of Great Black- backed Gulls ringed in the Murman region of the USSR, and it is possible that a small proportion of those wintering in northeast England come from breeding areas farther east. Surprisingly, of our colour-ringed adults, we have had only one breeding-season sighting in Britain, and this individual was later found dead in the same area ol northwest Scotland in the following breeding season. This is in marked contrast to the large number of reports we receive of our colour-marked Herring Gulls, and there seems little doubt that very few British breeding Great Black-backs are involved in the large w inter gatherings of this species in northeast England. Examination of the Norwegian recoveries of Great Black-backs shows that they rarely pene- trate to the west coast of Britain, but that they winter along most of the east coast of Britain; clearly, an appreciable proportion of the Norwegian breeding population must winter in the North Sea area, thus involving considerable movement from the breeding grounds. This is in contrast to Table 7. Comparison of proportions of colour-ringed Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus seen again (a) during the same winter and (b) in subsequent winters Number Number Proportion Age ringed seen seen (a) Seen in same winter as ringed Adult 297 82 27.6% 2-4 years 42 14 33.3% 1 year 27 (X22 = 6.09, P <0.05) 2 7.4% (b) Ringed i n September-November 1978 and seen in su bsequent winters Adult 78 65 83.3% 2-4 years 17 9 52.9% 1 year 12 (X ’.<= 30.5. P <0.001) 1 9.1% 1 0 Origin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls Table 8. Distribution of subsequent sightings of adult Great Black-backed Gulls Lams marinus in relation to place of capture and colour-ringing Sightings are used only for winter following that of capture. Localities: a = Filey, b = Scarborough, c = Redcar, d = Hartlepool, e = Darlington, f = Coxhoe & Wingate, g = Consett, Hett Hills & Burnopheld, h = Birtley, i = Sunderland & Tynemouth, j = Blyth LOCALITIES Percentage of sightings at place Place of capture a b C d e f g h i j Total of ringing Scarborough (b) 3 149 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 156 95.5 Hartlepool (d) Coxhoe &\\ in- 0 3 40 388 18 40 5 1 1 1 0 506 76.7 gate (f) Consett, Hett Hills & Bur- 0 0 1 14 0 26 1 0 3 1 46 56.5 nopfield (g) 0 0 0 0 0 6 53 4 2 0 65 81.5 the British population, where Harris (1962) has shown short movements, seldom over 300km, to be typical. In fact, many Great Black-back popula- tions show only limited movements: those breeding in Greenland appear not to leave the country (Salomonsen 1950); and only a small proportion of the Icelandic breeders move out of that country, a few reaching western Britain. The Norwegian and possibly the northwest Russian populations appear to winter much farther from their breeding areas than do several other North Atlantic populations of this gull. Great Black-backed Gulls reach Britain in July and August, and most have arrived by September. They return to their breeding areas over a relatively short period of time, and most depart in February; there has been only one sighting in March. Over a number of years, we have observed that the great majority of Great Black-backed Gulls wintering in northeast England are in full adult plumage and, therefore, are over four years old. We can find no evidence that adults and immatures winter in different areas, which would have explained the high proportion of adults. The alternative is that breeding success is very low. The observed age-distribution would be consistent with only about 0.2 young being fledged per pair and surviving to mid winter. I his is low, although Verbeek ( 1979) has reported low breeding success in this species at Walney, Cumbria. Other authors have reported low breeding success for gulls nesting in Norway in recent years (Folkestad 1978, Johansen 1978), and it appears that this is the most likely explanation of the recorded age structure. This interpretation is also supported by the small proportions of second-, third- and fourth-year individuals captured, which were even lower than the proportion of first-years. I here is a very marked difference in behaviour between immature and adult Great Black-backed Gulls. First-winters show no tendency to remain in the same area, or to return in the following winter to the area in which they were ringed. Most immatures between second and fourth winter appear to remain in the same area in the winter, and about 50% return to that area in the following years. It is clear from our observations that many of the surviving adults tend to return to the same restricted wintering area, although a proportion (perhaps about 25%) winter elsewhere, outside our Origin and behaviour of wintering Great Black-backed Gulls 1 1 study area. Although we do not yet have evidence, it seems possible that adults which do not return are mainly the younger ones, which, as they become older, progressively increase their fidelity to a wintering site. The beginning of this age-related winter-site-fidelity has already been found in the immature age classes investigated in this study. Acknowledgments We wish to acknowledge the Councils of Tyne & Wear, Co. Durham, Cleveland, and North \ orkshirc lor granting access and permission to capture gulls at refuse sites. Main individuals have assisted us in the capture of gulls lor ringing, and we wish to thank all ol these persons for their help. In particular, we wish to thank J. Richardson, who has helped us on numerous occasions, for his technical assistance in cannon-netting. Summary During 1978-8 1 , over 400 Great Black-backed Gulls Lams marinus were captured and colour- ringed in northeast England, mainly between the rivers Tyne and l ees (a small number were ringed before 1078). Most were also measured to determine age and sex. Frequent visits were made to their feeding and resting sites, both coastal and inland, and the results up to March 1082 are given. ( )ver 80% of gulls captured were full adults. Recov eries showed that the gulls' origin was the Norway coast. Adults arrive in northeast England in July-August, with a peak in September, numbers being maintained until November; a decrease was noted in December- January, and most had left by the end of Februarv (only one sighting in March). Some casual arrivals from other areas were noted in December- January . Sightings suggest that most adults arriving in August-September remain throughout the winter and that most depart in the last two weeks of February; males tend to leav e later than females. In autumn, females led more often inland than males. About 75% of surviving adults return to the same area in subsequent winters, and these are very faithful to the site at which they were first captured. Immatures wander more than adults and many do not remain in the area in their first winter, nor return in following vears. Most second- to fourth-years appear to remain in the same area in winter and about 50% return in subsequent years. Site-fidelity appears to develop as immatures grow older. Norwegian Great Black- backed Gulls seem to winter much farther from their breeding areas than do other North Atlantic populations of this species. Observed age distribution suggests that their breeding success is v ery low (about 0.2 fledged young per pair surv iv ing to mid winter). References Barth, E. K.. 1067. Standard body measurements in Lams argentatus. L.Juscus. /.. canus and /.. marinus. Nytl. Mag. Zoo/. 14: 7-83. Belopolskii, E. (). 1957. Ecology of Sea Colony Birds of the Barents Sea. IPS Translation. Jerusalem. Coulson, J. C., Thomas, G. S., Butterfield. J. E. I... Duncan. N\. Monaghan. P.. & Shedden. G. 1983. The use of head and bill length to sex live gulls (Laridae). Ibis 125: 549-557. Eolkestad, A. O. 1978. Recent surveys and population changes of seabird populations of More and Romsdal. Ibis 120: 121-122. Harris, M. P. 1962. Recoveries of ringed Great Black-backed Gulls. Bird Study 9: 192-197. 1964. Measurements of weights of Great Black-backed Gulls. Brit. Birds 57: 71-75. Johansen, O. 1978. Reproductive problems of some Laridae species in western Norway. Ibis 120:114-115. Salomonsen, F. 1950. The Birds of Greenland. Copenhagen. Verbeek. N. A. M. 1979. Some aspects of the breeding biology and behav iour of the Great Black-backed Gull. W ilson Bull. 91: 575-582. Dr J. C. Coulson . Dr J. Butterfield . Dr N. Duncan. S. Kearsey and Dr C. Thomas. Department oj Zoology. I diversity of Durham . South Road. Durham DHI3LE Dr P. Monaghan. Department of Zoology. University of Glasgow. Glasgow GI28QQ American Coot: new to Britain and Ireland C. D. Hutchinson , T. C. Kelly and K. O'Sullivan On 8th February 1981, CDH and TCK had completed a day’s bird- watching around the brackish lagoons and beach at Ballycotton, Co. Cork, and were returning to their car when they met KO’S and Mr and Mrs D. O’Sullivan, who had arriv ed for their regular early evening visit. During the course of a conversation about the absence of unusual birds, they mentioned having seen a strange bird, among the Moorhens Gallinula chloropus and Coots Fulica atra at a small roadside pool, on the previous day when they were feeding Mute Swans Cygnus a/or. The bird appeared to have certain of the characteristics of both Moorhen and Coot, but most re- sembled a Coot with white undertail-coverts and some red on a rather restricted white shield. They suggested that it was probably a hybrid Moorhen X Coot, and CDH and TCK wandered over in failing light to look at the bird without great expectations. The bird was easily located and watched through binoculars for a few minutes. We all agreed that it was smaller than the nearby Coots, with slimmer neck and rather square-shaped head. The plumage colour seemed much like the Coots’, but the white undertail-coverts with a blackish centre were strikingly different. The bill looked smaller than the bills of the Coots and the white shield was much smaller. Even in the dull light, a dark red spot could be seen at the tip of the shield. The bird called on a couple of occasions, and the harsh croak was very different from a Coot’s ‘pitt’ call. It was, however, not a very exciting bird and, as CDH and TCK drove back to Cork, they discussed in desultory fashion the probability of its being a hybrid, and the bird’s much closer resemblance to a Coot than to a M oorhen. When CDH returned home, he picked up Cramp & Simmons 12 [Bril. Birds 77: 12-lb. January American Coot: new to Britain and Ireland 13 1. American Coot Fulica americana and Mute Swan Cygnus o/or. Co. Cork, Februan 1981 ( Richard T. Mills) ( 1980) to search for records of hybridisation and was electrified to see the plate of American Coot F. americana showing all the features of the bird we had seen. News of the bird's identity and location spread rapidly and large 2. American Coot Fulica americana, Co. Cork. February 1981 [Richard T. Mills) 14 American Coot: new to Britain and Ireland numbers o( Irish and British observers watched the bird during its stay until 4th April 1981. The following description of the bird is based on our notes taken following observations on 8th February and subsequently. size Slightly but distinctly smaller than Coots nearby and readily distinguishable by size alone. structure Similar to Coot, but neck longer and more slender, and head more square- shaped. plumage Head black; body blackish-grey with brown sheen on mantle. Undertail- coverts white with blackish centre. In bright light, mantle appeared obviously paler and browner than on Coot. Along side, white tips of secondaries showed as very narrow line on occasions, until bird rearranged its feathers. bare parts Bill slightly narrower and smaller than Coot’s; whitish at base, with grey sub-terminal band and paler tip. W hite frontal shield much smaller and lower than on Coot; dark red spot at tip showed clearly at close range. Eye had dark pupil and red iris. behaviour Swam about open water and into reeds, feeding on weed. Head bobbed about much more actively than is usual for Coot, and in manner reminiscent of Moorhen. Head constantly jerked forward, when swimming. Showed aggression occasionally towards Coots, swimming towards them with neck stretched, calling loudly and chasing them off . call Harsh, croaking ‘krok’. 3. American Coot Fulica omericana , Co. Cork, February 1981 ( Richard T. Mills) From its call, the bird was a male, and, from the relatively indistinct shape of the band on its bill, probably in its first winter. The only bird with which an American Coot might reasonably be con- fused is a hybrid Coot X Moorhen. By a remarkable coincidence, such a bird was seen at Alton Water, Suffolk, in late February 1981 , less than three weeks after the Ballycotton bird was first seen. The Suffolk bird (Moore & Piotrowski 1983) bore a superficial resemblance to an American Coot, being smaller than a Coot with small bill and partially white undertail- coverts. The hybrid, however, had a pale yellow bill and yellowish-tinged, dirty-white frontal shield. It also differed from an American Coot in lacking a white trailing edge to the secondaries. Another hybrid, described by Flower ( 1983), had an orange shield and lacked any white on the undertail- coverts. Bill and shield colour should be critically examined if an American Coot is suspected. I his was (he third record for Europe of the species, the two previous occurrences having been in Iceland: one on 7th November 1969 and one long-dead on 10th March 1971 (Cramp & Simmons 1980). There is another West Palearctic record, not noted by Cramp & Simmons (1980): American Coot: new to Britain and Ireland 15 4. American Coot Fulica americana, Co. Cork, February 1981 (Richard T. Mills) one ringed in Ontario, Canada, on 30th August 1971 was caught and released in the Azores on 25th October 1971 (Dennis 1981). Although the American Coot breeds throughout much of North America, Central America and in the Andes of South America, it is a highly migratory species. Those breeding in the north move south to winter particularly in the southern states of the USA and around the Caribbean. Many have been recorded wandering north as far as Labrador and south Greenland in summer and autumn (Cramp & Simmons 1980). 5. American Coot Fulica americana, Co. Cork. February 1981 (Richard T. Mills) 16 American Coot: new to Britain and Ireland Summary An American Coot Fulica americana, probably a first-winter male, was present at Ballycotton, Co. Cork, from at least 7th February to 4th April 1 98 1 . This is the first record lor Britain and Ireland, and the third for Europe. References Cramp, S., & Simmons, K. E. L. 1980. The Birds of the Western Paleardic. vol. 2. Oxford. Dennis, J. V. 1981 . A summary of banded North American birds encountered in Europe. North American Bird Bander 6: 88-96. Flower, G. 1983. Hybrid Coot X Moorhen in North Yorkshire. Brit. Birds 76: 409-410. Moore, D. R., & Piotrowski, S.J. 1983. Hybrid Coot X Moorhen resembling American Coot in Suffolk. Brit. Birds 76: 407-409. C. D. Hutchinson , 11 Knockrea Park, Douglas Road , Cork Dr T. C. Kelly, Department oj Zoology , University College , Cork K. O’Sullivan, Lisieux, Ballycotton , Co. Cork Points of view Opinions expressed in this Jeature are not necessarily those oj ‘ British Birds ’ 6. The importance of calls May I make a plea for further attention to be given to calls. The current approach to bird identification aims to be scientific by concentrating on constant, real and observable plumage criteria, and as such has my fullest support. At last we seem to be overcoming false assertions concerning ‘jizz’. My concern is that we may at the same time be falling behind in our approach to calls. Are they really so much more open to individual interpre- tation than plumage criteria, or is it a function of the way most observers are trained? In jungle habitats, calls may be the only guide to what birds are present; and, nearer to home, would not call be one of the best ways to distinguish some Semipalmated Calidris pusilla from some Western Sand- pipers C. maun ? The case should not be overstated, but surely we can only benefit from further attention to the role of voice in bird identification. Andrew H. J. Harrop Coachman’s Cottage, Tanners Row, Hexham , Northumberland NE46 3QR ^rbcntp-fific peats ago... " I he British ( )rnithoi.ogists’ Union and rare breeding birds. At the annual meeting ofthe British ( )rnithologists’ Union, field in May last, H. F. Witherbv proposed a new rule, the effect of which was to exclude from the Union any member who took or connived at the taking of any bird or egg of certain species which were extremely rare as breeding birds in the British Isles. I he proposer explained that his rule was founded on purely scientific grounds, his opinion being that it was unscientific and, therefore, directly contrary to the interests ofthe premier Ornithologists’ Union ofthe world, to exterminate or risk the extermination of any bird in any particular portion of its breeding area, and so alter its natural geographical distribution. The details of the rule were much criticised, and it was generally thought to be too drastic in character, although the majority at a largely attended meeting were w ithout doubt in favour of the spirit of the proposed rule. It was decided to refer the matter to the Committee for consideration.’ (Brit. Birds 2: 274-275; January 1909) Mystery photographs By comparing it with the sizes and thicknesses of the leaves and grass stems in the photograph, it is pretty clear that such a slender, unstreaked, slim-billed bird must be a warbler. Getting to grips with skulking warblers is one of the most exciting and challenging aspects of birdwatching. It is important to concentrate on both ends of an unfamiliar warbler: the facial appearance, and the tail-shape and tail-covert length being as important as any plumage details. Our bird is relatively long-billed, has a fairly pronounced supercilium, and a long, graduated tail, and is unstreaked. Tail-shape alone would rule out all members of the Hippolais , Sylvia and Phylloscopus genera, which have relatively square-ended tails. C'etti's Warbler Cettia cetti would not appear so elongated and has a shorter bill and smaller, more rounded head shape. Structurally our mystery' warbler is odd for an Acrocephalus too: the tail is too strongly graduated and its wide base exaggerates the extensive upper- tail-coverts. The sturdy-looking legs and feet, the fairly prominent whitish outer web to the outermost long primary, and the strong curve on the latter are additional points which clearly show it to be an unstreaked member of the genus Locustella. With our choice now limited to three species on the West Palearctic list, it is going to be more difficult to decide. Even the most unstreaked River Warbler L.jluviatilis would not, however, show such a strong supercilium as this bird. Savi’s Warbler L. luscinioides is a distinct possibility, and so is Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler L. Jascio/ata, a vagrant from the Eastern Palearctic. Had the photograph been in colour, the decision would have been easier, but the bird shows a relatively large eye, fairly uniformly toned underparts 17 18 Mystery photographs 6 & 7. Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella fasciolata, USSR, summer 1961 (Irene Neufeldt ) (although paler on upper throat and around the vent), lacks a pale eye-ring, and has shorter primaries than we would expect from a Savi’s. It is, in fact, a Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler, photographed in Amurland, USSR, by Irene Neufeldt in 1961. Anyone would be lucky indeed to get such an uninterrupted view of this terrible skulker. Although this is the largest of the genus, Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler does not always strike one as being particularly massive in the field, no Mystery photographs 19 8. Mvsterv photograph 86. Identify the species. Answer next month doubt due to extreme difficulties in ever seeing the whole bird at one time as it skulks low down in dense cover. The underparts of adults are dull greyish — becoming buffer on flanks and still warmer buff on the long undertail-coverts, the upper throat is whiter, and the pale supercilium is highlighted by a darker eye-stripe. The upperparts lack the warmth of the western race of Savi's Warbler, being generally dull brown, although usually rather warmer brown on the rump and uppertail-coverts. As with all members of the genus, the legs are quite bright fleshy-yellow. Autumn juveniles can appear very different from adults, with underparts washed yellow, and darker, warmer brown upperparts. This exciting bird will no doubt turn up in Britain one day, as two have been recorded from nearby 20 Mystery photographs lie d’Ouessant (Ushant), ofT the coast of Brittany, France, on 26th September 1913 and 17th September 1933, and one in Denmark, at Lodbjerg Fyr, Northern Jutland, on 25th September 1955. Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler has the most amazing song of any of the genus, a series of explosive, fluty notes, recalling the song of a speeded-up bulbul Pycnonotus. S. C. Madge Notes Reactions of waterbirds to sudden torrential rain or hail At 15.15 GMT on 20th September 1980, at Chase- water, Staffordshire, I was watching waterfowl on the isolated northern pool of about 250 X 400 m. The weather was extremely dull, but dry and calm. Several Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus, nine Little Grebes Tachy- baptus ruficollis and a Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo were dispersed among 33 Mallards Anas platyrhynchos, 20 Pochards Aythya ferina, 100 Tufted Ducks A.Juligula and 1 50 Coots Fulica atra\ 1 8 Mute Swans Cygnus olor drifted in the centre. Most Tufted Ducks were feeding quietly or were asleep in a loose aggregation, the Pochards were asleep, and Coots and Mallards were widely dispersed and feeding actively. Suddenly, rain began to fall, quickly becoming a torrential downpour. Moorhens Gallinula chloropus dashed rapidly into cover as the whole water surface was covered with a haze of bouncing droplets; some Coots followed suit, but most of these and all the other birds — even the Cormorant — made quickly for the centre of the pool. All stopped feeding, those which were asleep became alert, and all but the swans, which stopped feeding and swam with heads erect, were milling around in the centre, with no coherent pattern, until the downpour ceased after about five minutes and normality returned. R. A. Hume 41 Sandy Road , Potion, Bedfordshire SG 19 2QA On 22nd December 1973, at Warsash, Hampshire, I was watching waders feeding at low tide on both sides of the estuary of the River Hamble. Very suddenly, there was a loud (unseasonal) clap of thunder and torrential rain. Immediately, all the waders, including those feeding on the Hamble side of the river 500m away, flew to the centre of the exposed mud-flats at War- sash; they all packed tightly together (not in species-groups) and faced into the southwest force 4 wind, their heads turned 20-30° towards the teeming rain. After about one minute, the rain suddenly stopped; the waders immediately returned to their feeding sites, the Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus flying directly back across the river to the mussel-beds at Hamble. Many gulls Larus had accompanied the Oystercatchers from Hamble and returned with them; they reacted in the same way as the waders during the downpour, when over 5,000 birds gathered in the centre of the mud-flats. David A. Christie c/o 1 19 Thornhill Park Road , Thornhill , Southampton S026AT Notes 21 On 25th October 1981, at Hook, Dyfed, I was sheltering from a gale-force northerly wind when hail began to sweep violently across the mud-flats. A loose group of nine Redshanks Tringa totanus immediately took off: one flew directly to shelter in the lee of a weed-covered piece of wreckage; seven flew into a cross gully and stood huddled under the lee bank; the ninth tried to join the first behind the wreckage, could not find room and returned to the flats, where it stood facing the wind, head huddled down, and motionless. As soon as the hail stopped, the sheltering waders returned to the flats to resume feeding. All the time that hail fell, a Great Black-backed Gull Larus mannus stood huddled motionless at the edge of the main channel, bill to the wind; Mallards and Peals Anas crecca took no notice of the conditions, continuing to feed throughout the precipitation. G. H. Rees 16 1 1 inch Crescent. Haverjordivest, Dyfed We welcome further observations on this subject, particularly those comparing birds' reactions to different intensities of precipitation, and the reactions ofdifierent species. Eds A migrating flock of Grey Herons On 20th September 1980, at Wey- bourne, Norfolk, M. Marsh, E. YV. Patrick, S. Piotrowski and I watched a flock of 19 Grey Herons Ardea cinerea flying in from the sea in a distinct V-formation in a southwesterly direction. Our attention had been attracted when more than one individual called. On reaching land, they headed west, hugging the coastline, and were later observed at Cley. I). R. Moore Crosslands, Cage Lane, Boxted, Colchester, Essex There are few published records of numbers of Grey Herons on migratory flights: BU'P 1 states ‘Migration largely, but not exclusively, nocturnal; usually in small parties but flocks of up to 200-250 noted in Caspian region (Dementiev and Gladkov 1951).' Eds Gadwalls and Black-headed Gulls feeding with Coots The feeding association between Coots Fulica atra and Gadwalls Anas strepera, the ducks feeding on material brought to the surface by the diving Coots, has been noted previously (e.g. Brit. Birds 69: 400-401). During January 1982, this behaviour was drawn to my attention by Tim Appleton at Rutland Water, 9. Gadwall Anas strepera and Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus feeding on food brought to the surface bv Coot Fulica atra. Norfolk. January 1982 ( Chris knights) 99 Notes Leicestershire. I observed and photographed it subsequently at Cockley Cley Lake, Norfolk, where up to five Gadwalls were accompanying about ten single Coots. The Gadwalls rushed in and snatched at food or fed with the Coots on the leftovers, when Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus also joined in (plate 9). The Coots never showed any aggression towards the other species. Chris Knights Crowhall Farm , Gooderstone, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE339DA Aerial display of Black-shouldered Kite On 24th July 1975, at Lake Naivasha, Kenya, my attention was drawn by a ‘wee-oo wee-oo’ call coming from above the sparse acacia woodland on the lake shore. It came from one of a pair ol Black- shouldered Kites Elanus caeruleus flying at a height of 13- 16m. One, presumed to be the male, was circ- ling slowly, while the other, pre- sumed to be a female, flew under it and rolled on to its back, as though to perform a food-pass; but, instead, the two interlocked their feet. Then tumbling, seemingly out of control, they fell towards the ground; just over 1 m above it, the kites split and regained complete control, one flying away chased by the other. After regaining their first position, the kites repeated 'the whole per- formance. I recorded this behaviour (shown in my sketches) four times within ten to 15 minutes. Many other times, the presumed female, after rolling underneath the presumed male, failed to make a complete interlock, causing the tumble to last for only a metre or so; and on a few occasions the two failed to interlock at all, causing both to make many aerial adjustments. The complete performance took place without the kites moving any noticeable distance from the area in which they were first noted. After the fourth tumble and separation, both raptors flew out of sight in normal flight. Apart from the call I first heard, the display was completed with very few vocal noises. Norman Arlott Hill House, School Road, Tilney St Lawrence, King’s Lynn, Norfolk Dr Nigel Collar forwarded a copy ol this note to Dr John Mendelsohn of Durban Museum, who wrote his thesis on Black-shouldered Kites and who commented as follows: ‘1 have Talk to A, R. Hawkins about Binoculars! BRITAINS BINOCULAR SPECIALISTS FOR THE WORLDS TOP MAKES— ORDER BY POST OR PHONE FROM US IN COMPLETE CONFIDENCE. ZEISS WEST THE WORLDS FINEST! 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Our Shourrooms are only 7 minutes from Ml Exit 15 or 3 minutes walk Irom ralluray station Closed Tkunday You can buy In complete confidence Irom us. (D31 2) A R HAWKINS LTD 9 MAREFAIR NORTHAMPTON NN1 1SR TELEPHONE 0604/39674 Bateleur Safaris Ltd of Zambia Three-week tours (all inclusive) £1,250 Zambia offers some of the finest bird watching areas to be found in Africa. We are a new Company opening up an area of Africa not yet covered by any other company. We are planning three-week tours starting in 1 983, although we can cater for longer or shorter stays, as you may demand. You will be accompanied by one of our Trail Leaders from London who will be your guide throughout the whole of your tour. Our Base camps are situated on the three Great Rivers of Zambia, The Zambezi, Luangwa and the Kafue. Boat trips are available along the Zambezi and whilst we would like to take you on the other rivers we are unable to because of the great concentrations of Crocodiles and Hippopotamus. All accommodation is in proper chalet-type buildings safe from Africa's Wildlife, still to be seen in abundance: e.g. Luangwa Valley still boasts of 60,000 plus Elephants, 2,000 Rhinos and thousands of other game. Zambia has over 700 species of Bird Life, a list of which we shall be happy to provide upon request to: John Hall, 1 A Knoll Rise, Dunston, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. NE1 1 9QQ. (D198) Ml BIRDS NEW TO BRITAIN AND IRELAND by J.T. R. Sharrock and P. J. Grant The 83 species featured, in date sequence of discovery, had not been recorded in Britain or Ireland before 1 946. The original accounts of the sightings published in British Birds between 1 947 and.1 982 are now reprinted and supplemented with comment by Dr Sharrock on subsequent occurrences and current status. In addition Peter Grant provides identification notes drawing attention to points not covered in the original accounts. There is also a world distribution map for each species and a line illustration to head each of the accounts. A section of plates reproduces 81 first-sighting' photographs covering 32 of the species in the book. 280 pages, £ 12.60 net T & A D POYSER Calton, Waterhouses, Staffs ST10 3JX R. NORMAN for FINE NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS • Catalogues issued • Libraries bought m Rnnks exchanaed Full computerisation enables me to offer you the following unique services • International booksearch • Stock printouts on your specialisation • Compilation of priced bibliographies R. NORMAN HART-ON-THE-HILL, DALTON-PIERCY HARTLEPOOL, CLEVELAND Tel: (0429) 73857 D284 v y BOOKS ON BIRDS Catalogue on request WHELDON & WESLEY LIMITED LYTTON LODGE CODICOTE Nr. HITCHIN HERTS. SG4 8TE Tel. Stevenage (0438) 820370 VIII (D309) (D269) pimsn piraanop PLEASE HELP TO PROVIDE EXTRA PAGES IN ‘bb’ BY ORDERING ITEMS FROM US Please Books (post lree to UK and Eire; add 50p per book lor rest of world) ■y I he British Birds Mystery Photographs Book). I R. Sharrock (British Birds) (usual prick 14.80) .£8.80 ED Seabirds: an identification guide Peter Harrison (Croom Helm) best bird book of 1988 £15.95 ED The Grouse of the 1 1 arid Paul A. Johnsgard (Croom Helm ) £25.00 ED Birds of the Mediterranean and Alps Lars Jonsson (Croom Helm) £5.95 □ Eric Hosking's Seabirds R. M. Lockley (Croom Helm) £18.95 ED Eric Hosking’s Waders Eric Hosking & W. G. Hale (Pelham Books) £14.95 ED Gone Birding Bill Oddie (Methuen) £g 95 □ The Big Bird Race David Tomlinson & Bill ( )ddie (Collins) £8.95 ED 1 held Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe (4th edn) Peterson. 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Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford (cheques payable to British Birds). (BB502) BOOKS ON Birds. Natural Historv . Gardening. Field Sports, etc. Bought and sold. Catalogues issued. Books on most subjects purchased. Blest, \\ ateringburv. Maidstone, Kent. Tel: 0622 812940. (BB584) BOOKS WANTED. Witherby's Handbook Vol. 3. Sharrock. Scarce Migrant Birds, Kear. Flamingo’s. State price and condition. Box No. 55, BB. Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham. Bedford MK44 3NJ. (BB673) BIRDS IN NORTHUMBRIA 1982 now- available £3 post paid from Mrs Jane Lindsay . 10 Beverley Park. Whitley Bay, Tyne and W ear. (BB610) xv it BOOKS 'BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Free catlogue from, and offers to, Briant Books, 94 Quarry Lane, Kelsall, l arporlev, ( Cheshire CVV6 ON ) Fel: 0829 5 1 804. (BB675) PERSONAL PUZZLE EXCHANGE Solver of doab to linoleic wants to exchange information with solver of poem, or letter square, or list of numbers. Box 54, /I/I, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford M K.44 3NJ . ( BB669) MYSTERY BOOK I’ve done the letters in the photographs. Now I’m stuck. W ant to swap ideas and share prize? Box No. 5b Fountains, Park Lane. Blunham, Bedford. Mk 14 3.NJ. (BB(i8b) SPECIAL OFFER to Mystery Photograph Book Puzzlers. Find a team mate through a small ad in this column for only 42 (max. 24 words). Offer closes February 14th. (BB69T) FOR SALE TELESCOPE OUTFITS Optolyth 30 x 75. Leather Case. Slick Master D2. Tripod Spacemaster 20 x -45 £249.00 Slick Master D2. T ripod £189.95 KowaTS-1 25x Slick Master D2. T ripod £162.95 Kowa TS-2 20 x WA Slick Master D2. Tripod £185.95 Please add £4.00 P&P & Ins. L&L Optical, 204 High Street, Barnet Herts. Tel: 449 1445. (BB641 ) TELESCOPES Optolyth, Kowa, Bushnell, Swift, Panorama, Opticron, Televari BINOCULARS Zeiss Jena, Alpin, Swift, Panorama, Opticron, Helios, Mirador Fast mail order service. Easy access to M6 & M62. 14 day approval. Callers welcome. COMPETITIVE PRICES Phone or write for details now: FIRECREST 8 Chapelcross Road, Fearnhead, Warrington, Cheshire WA2 OPP Phone: Padgate (0925) 81 7874 (D293) FOCALPOINT for the best selection at the lowest prices. 1 tip stamp please lor details to: L. Murphy. 14 Cogshall Lane, Comberbach. Xorthwich. Cheshire CW9 BBS. lei: ( It >( )( > 891098. (BB564) ZEISS 10 x 40 B — simply the best. New or we have 4 secondhand pairs in stock from 4175. FOC: AL PO I NT ( see above) . (BB683) HERTS OPTICAL SERVICES We are main stockists of the superb range of KOWA, binoculars and spottingscopes. TS1 — 60mm objective, angled eyepiece £1 34.32 TS2 - 60mm objective, parallel eyepiece £115.92 TS7 - 60mm objective, angled eyepiece, 360 degree, rotating head £95.45 Interchangeable eyepieces available: 15x, 20x, 25x, 40x, 60x, zoom 25x-50x KOWA binoculars and spottingscopes have no equivalent, their superior optical clarity and resolution, must be seen to be believed. Over 200 instruments to choose from. Part exchanges, mail order, repairs. Callers welcome at our retail shop. Catalogue sent on request. ALL LEADING MAKES STOCKED 102a VICTORIA STREET ■ ST ALBANS • HERTS Telephone: (0727) 59392 (D635) win FOR SALE BINOCULARS AND TELESCOPES Alpin lightweight binoculars and Optolyth telescopes. Choose from the complete range. AQl II. A PO Box 1, 1 l.andsdowne Road. Warwickshire B80 7JG. Tel: 052 785 2857. ( BBt> 1 4) 8 x 30 ZEISS WEST PORO surely a rare opportunity to obtain these scarce, magnificent binoculars as new. JC1 75. Phone 0908 58320 1 . (BB677) HAWKINS walking boots and shoes. Camou- flage waterproofs, outdoor accessories. SAE for brochure. Reduced prices. B. Timson, I 1 1 Hinckley Road, Earl Shilton. Leicester. (BBfiH I ) BB AND OTHER BIRD JOURNAL back numbers supplied. Morgan, Whitmore, Umber- leigh, Devon. (BB638) JOIN THE THOUSANDS of people who consult us every year about binoculars and telescopes. Whatever your own indiv idual needs our expert advice will ensure that you make the correct choice and buy at the right price. ( Diaries Frank Ltd, PO Box 5, Ronald Lane, Sax- mundham, Suffolk 1 P I 7 2N I . ( BB637) WANTED BRITISH BIRDS Vol (i3. No 5. I>)7()c.r Vol ti3 complete. W. Ruttledge, Wansdyke Lodge. Beckhampton, Marlborough. Milts SN8 IQI. (BB682) COLLECTOR wishes to purchase Morris' British Birds Bannerman’s Birds, Witherby’s Birds and any interesting early natural history books or paintings. David Brodie. Ha/ei Bank. 10t) Castlemain Avenue, Southbourne, Bourne- mouth. Dorset. Tel: 0202 431997. (BB672) STAMPS BIRD STAMPS. 100 = £1, 500 = £8. Send for 1 2-page bird stamp list. A. Grainger, 42 Lee Lane East, Horsforth, Leeds. (BB436) REPAIRS ARE YOU a cross-eyed birdwatcher? M e offer a cleaning and re-aligning service for any make or size of hand held binocular or telescope at a special price of £14.50 including return postage. Full repair service available. Charles frank Ltd. P( ) Box 5, Saxmundham. Suffolk I PI 7 2X1. ( BB592) BINOCULAR ANDTELESCOPE REPAIRS. East efficient service on all makes and tvpes by expert technicians at L&L Optical, 204 High Street, Barnet. Herts. Tel: 01-449 1445. (BBI94) WE REPAIR BINOCULARS. And cameras. And projectors. We've been at it for thirty years and we’re very, very good. Perfect? No. Perfectionists? Yes. Burgess Lane & Co. Ltd. Thornton Works. Thornton Avenue. London M’4 1 QE. 01 -994 5752. (BB270) REPAIRS TO BINOCULARS and other optical instruments without corner-cutting, from conventional cleaning/overhauling and precise optical adjustment to renovation of older instruments, our long and wide experience is at your service. Me also handle SALKS of /.eiss. Leitz and Row a binoculars and Optima. Kowa and B&E Discoverer scopes (telephone tor keenest, regular prices. Call in or use our postal service. Kay Optical Servicing. 89B London Road. Morden Surrey . Pel : 01-6488822. ( BB582) APPOINTMENTS WARDEN, CALF OF MAN BIRD OBSER- VATORY, required foi 1984 season (March* ( )( tuber). ( Dass A ringer and qualified mistnelter required. Wages at present £66.90 per w eek gross, and accommodation, f urther details from the Manx Museum and National Trust. Douglas. Isleof.Man. (BB657 ASSISTANT WARDEN, CALF OF MAN BIRD OBSERVATORY, required for 1984 season (end-March to mid-November). Ringing permit and some experience of mist-netting de- sirable. Wages £36.00 per week, gross (less national insurance contributions), and accom- modation. Further details from the Manx Museum and National Trust, Douglas. Isle of Man. (BB658) APPTS. WANTED HIGHLY EXPERIENCED ORNITHOLOGIST seeks freelance work — in the field or behind the desk. Wide knowledge of birds and other branches of natural history . 15 vears" experience in natural historv publishing, including editing, proof-reading, indexing, translating (German. French. Swedish). Skill and accuracy widely acknowledged. Please write to: Box 45, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. All replies will be answered ( BB497) \i\ W ILDLIFE TALKS WILDLIFE TALKS Birds a speciality. Ring Brian Fagg — (0322) 70967 to discuss your needs. Letters: 125 Hallford Wav, Dartford DAI 3AA. (BB687) TRANSPARENCIES SCILLY RARITIES, PAST AND PRESENT colour slides by David Hunt and others. SAE for list: Scillonian Picture Library, Bryher, Isles of Scilly TR230PR. (BB639) BIRD REPORTS NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND BIRD REPORT 1982. £1.75 post paid from Mark 1 asker, NESBR, 17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen. Back issues available. (BB671) BIRDS OF OXFORDSHIRE for 1982, report of the Oxford Ornithological Society, £1.75 incl p & p from R. Overall, 30 Hunsdon Road, Iffley, Oxford 0X4 4JE. Some back copies to 1915 still available. (BB631) d' Birdwatcher’s Logbook A single volume lor your whole year’s records. All species on the British and Irish List included with columns for recording monthly observations, two holidays, an annual list and life list plus first and last dates of migrants and 184 pages for a daily diary. 208 pages in attractive hard binding 21.5 X 13.0cms. An ideal gift for every birdwatcher. Price £4.95 inc. postage and packing, f rom: Coxton Publications , 23 West Hill Rd, Pox ton , Cambridge CB26SZ. (1)313) It’s so easy and tidy with the Easibind binder to file your copies away. Each binder is designed to hold 1 2 issues and is attractively bound and blocked with the BRITISH BIRDS logo. Price UK £4.30 including postage, packing and VAT. Overseas orders add 35p per binder. Nat. Giro No. 5157552. Please allow 3/4 weeks for fulfilment of order. Why not place your order now? Payment by ACCESS/ BARCLAY CARD/VISA. Send coupon below detailing Credit Card No. and signature. Easibind Ltd, 42 Hoxton Square. London N1 6NS Tel: 01-739 1126. Telex: 896597 § Order Form BRITISH BIRDS I enclose PO/cheque value for binders Years required BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE Name Address Registration No. 735718 \\ the Opticron difference is quality and price For those who enjoy and take pleasure in birdwatching, we are introducing a new, high quality, compact, easy to use telescope; the Piccolo 20x60 And because it is Opticron, you will get resolution equal or superior to that provided by any other make, with exceptionally high light transmission. Full field of view if you wear spectacles, and it is also the smallest 60mm objective lens telescope on the market. Only 290mm long and weighs 900 gms. You will also get a hard wearing black tubular case with shoulder strap, and all this only for £98.00 ( + £1.75 p8fp). Extra 40x eyepiece will cost you only £15.00, and if you should prefer a zoom eyepiece 15-45x or 20-45x instead of the 20x it will cost only £10.00 extra. Should you require further information, please phone or call. Our showroom is open 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays incl. OPTICRON P.O. Box 81, St. Albans, Herts. AL1 3NT Telephone: St. Albans (0727) 56516 (D266) British Birds Volume 77 Number 1 January 1984 1 Origin and behaviour of Great Black-backed Gulls winter- ing in northeast England Dr J. C. Coulson , Dr J. Butterfield , Dr N. Duncan, S. Kearsey, Dr P. Monaghan and Dr C. Thomas 1 2 American Coot: new to Britain and Ireland C. D. Hutchinson, Dr T. C. Kelly and A. O'Sullivan 16 Points of view 6 The importance of calls Andrew H.J. Harrop 1 6 Seventy-five years ago . . . 1 7 Mystery photographs 85 Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler S. C. Madge Notes 20 Reactions of waterbirds to sudden torrential rain or hail R. A. Hume; David A. Christie ; G. H. Rees 21 A migrating flock of Grey Herons /). R. Moore 21 Gadwalls and Black-headed Gulls feeding with Coots Chris Knights 22 Aerial display of Black-shouldered Kite S orman Arlott 23 L nderwing of adult Ross's Gull P.J. Dunn 24 Dead feral Rock Dove with plastic carrier bag around neck Michael W atters 24 Tawnv ( )\vl apparently choking to death on frog or toad Richard Spirett 24 Chiflchatf in the Netherlands with song resembling Siberian race Rornhout de 1 1 i/s 23 ( ihiflc hafl in Dorset with song resembling those from Iberia North Africa David E. Paul! 23 Magpies hiding food in snow Dr D. Summers-Smith 2b Association between male Girl Bunting and female Yellow hammer /. R. Mullins Letters 27 Identification of first-winter Pomarine Skua J. B. Kemp; G. Bettors and T. G. Smith Announcements 28 Free 'BB' badges 28 Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs 28 Bird Photograph of the Year 29 Custom-printed, personal ‘British Birds' indexes 1946-82 29 Bird Illustrator of the Year 30 The Richard Richardson Award 30 Front cover designs lor sale 31 Southeast Asian and Australian field guides 31 Rev ised world checklist in paperback 31 'Frontiers’ sold out Requests 3 I Please use British BirdShop' 31 Jay invasion. October 1983 .1. IF. G. John 32 News and comment 35 Recent reports Line-drawings: I Great Black-backed Gull (R. 1. Hume ); 12 American Coot (Killian Mu/larney); 32 Jays (R. .1. Hume); 40 Firecrest (Peter Cartwright) Front cover: Snow Buntings ( Bruce Pearson): the original drawing of this month's cover is lor sale in a postal auction (see pages 30-31 lor procedure) Volume 77 Number 2 February 1984 Special birds-of-prey-issue Breeding Montagu’s Harriers in Anglesey The return of the Sparrowhawk Notes • News • Reviews British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David Christie Editorial Board Stanley Cramp, P. J. Grant, Dr M. A. Ogilvie 8c Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Dr R. J. Chandler 8c Don Smith Rarities Committee P. J. Grant (Chairman), D. J. Britton, R. H. Dennis, D. J. Holman, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, J. R. Mather, R. F. Porter 8c K. E. Vinicombe; Michael J. Rogers (Honorary Secretary) Notes Panels behaviour Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Dr C. H. Fry, Derek Goodwin, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 8c Dr K. E. L. Simmons; IDENTIFICATION P. J. Grant, S. C. Madge, Dr M. A. Ogilvie 8c Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Publishing Manager, Production & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Cartwright Advertising Sandra Barnes A 1 1 Please keep correspondence on different items separate. Please address your CTSoCTo envelope correctly Please supply SAK if reply required. Papers, notes, letters, drawings & photographs for publication Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Subscriptions and orders for back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Advertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham. Bedford mk.44 3nj. Phone : Tiptree (0621) 815085 Bird news for ‘ Recent reports’ R. A. Hume & K. Allsopp, c/o RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire so 19 2 m. News items for ‘ News and comment' Mike Everett & Robin Prytherch, 7 Burlington Way, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon pi; 1 8 9bs Rarity descriptions M. J. Rogers, 195 Vicarage Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex tw16 7 tp Special book and sound recording offers for subscribers BB Oilers, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £25 or $55.41; personal, UK, Europe and surface mail £21; personal, airmail outside Europe £35.70; single back copies, ifavailable, £2. F or personal subscriptions, payment can also be made in US$ (add £1 and then convert at current exchange rate). Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may also be made directly into UK Post Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of the west Palearctic. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are normally accepted only on condition that material is not being offered in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs and sketches are welcomed. All contributions should be submitted to the Managing Editor. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing, and wide margins, and on one side of the sheet only. Authors should carefully consult this issue for style of presentation, especially of references and tables. Vernacular and scientific names and sequences of birds follow The ‘British Birds’ List of Birds of the Western Palearctic (1978); names of plants Ibllow Dony el at. (1974, English Names of Wild Flowers); names of mammals follow ( lorbet & Southern (1977, The Handbook of British Mammals). Topographical (plumage and structure) terms should follow editorial recommendations (Brit. Birds 74: 239-242). Figures should be in Indian ink on good quality tracing paper, drawing paper, non-absorbent board or light blue or very pale grey graph paper; lettering should be inserted lightly in pencil; captions should be typed on a separate sheet. Authors of main papers (but not notes or letters) receive ten free copies of the journal (five each to two or more authors). © British Birds Ltd 1984 Copyright of photographs remains with photographers. British Birds is published monthly by British Birds Ltd, 93 High Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire ISSN 0007-0335 Printed by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8n.\ Tell me Mr. Frank... Don't know which model to choose? Join the thousands of people who consult us every year about binoculars and telescopes. Whatever your own individual needs our expert advice will ensure that you make the correct choice and buy at the right price. HASSLE RANGE - the RWr mopel EoRYDO fovjus cs 3 71.00 40 71.00 NERVATION binoculars for use on a )d 80BCF - super bright - 160.00 70BCF - high power - 137.50 od clamp 3.95 ARLES FRANK 8x30 LUXE r.oably the best quality > icular available at this e Made in East Germany ther case Weight 18oz il instrument for the ngeruser 24.95 armoured 7x42BGAT‘ Dialyt armoured 369.50 8x56BGAT- Dialyt armoured 449.50 10x40BT- Dialyt 358.00 10x40BGAT* Dialyt armoured 364.00 Habicht Precision made in the Aus- trian Tyrol Highly recom- mended 8x30 wide angle 209.00 7x42 209.00 1 0x40 Diana' wide angle 239.00 OPTOLYTH >4lpin Light as a feather - well al- most West German made armoured binoculars 8x40- 16oz- 113.00 10x40 wide angle - 16oz- 115.00 10x50 - 22oz - 137.00 gwtPT 7 5x42 Osprey armoured (no case) 96.50 8 5x44Audubon HR 126.00 All other Swift models avail- able Binoculars to match the high reputation of their cameras 8x30 wide angle 139.00 10x35 wide angle 159.00 9x30 roof prism 169.00 UP TO 45% OFF M.R.P Wide angle binoculars with a lifetime guarantee Great value 8x30Jenoptem 37.95 7x50Jenoptem 62.50 10x50 Jenoptem 59.95 8x30 Deltrmtem 53.50 10x50 Dekarem 84.95 8x30 Deltrintmo monocular 34.95 8x2 1 Turmon mini monocular 37.95 Bushnell 7x26 Custom Compact. Iloz 99.95 HELIOS(Russian) Difficult to fault at the price 8x30ZCF 21.95 7x50ZCF 29.95 1 2x40ZCF 32.95 8x30 monocular (no case) 11.95 OTHER MONOCULARS Tohyoh 8x30 16.95 Tohyoh7x50 23.00 Tohyoh 10x50 23.50 Lumex 8x20 roof prism 49.95 Lumex 8x24 'Miniscope' 32.40 All bmoculars/monoculars supplied complete with case unless otherwise stated Binocular & telescope brief- ing pack available - just send 35p stamps TELESCOPES Charles Frank 14- 45x50 armoured, case 73.45 Charles Frank 20-60x60 armoured, case 99.95 Bushnell Spacemaster Zoom 20-45x60 Very sharp A super telescope •) 94. 00 Bushnell Spacemaster 22x60 wide angle 162.00 Spacemaster case 16.50 Bausch 8 Lomb Discoverer 15- 60x60 198.00 Discoverer case 14.50 Nickel Supra 15-60x60. case 159.95 Televari 25-60x60. case 159.95 Charles Frank 30x75 armoured. case 149.95 Optolyth 30x75 armoured, leather case 208.00 Habicht 30x75NZ Superbly made The best of its kind Armoured with end caps & sling NEW LOW PRICE 295.00 Steiner 24x80 Very bright Armoured, case 199.95 Many other telescopes al- ways in stock - just ask A good telescope deserves a good tripod Thrs one is super Slik Master D2 Full height One action pan/tilt Weighs only 2 5kg 52.50 Table top tripods, binocular/ tripod adaptors, car window mount always available Charles Frank Service Dept Binocular cleaning & collimation All the Charles Frank Instruments listed above are available from our appointed stockist Saville Photo Hi Fi. 7 Goodramgate. York Tel: (0904) 25755 Charles Frank Ltd. THE OPTICAL EXPERTS CHARLES FRANK LTD PO Box 5. Ronald Lane. Saxmundham Suffolk I PI 7 2NL Tel 0728 3506 BRANCHES EDINBURGH NORWICH at Edinburgh Cameras at Norwich Camera Centre 57 Lothian Rd 20 White Lion St. Tel 031-229 3363 Tel: 0603 21704 (D31 9) All prices include VAT Post- age & packing £2. Return unsuitable goods, in unused condition, within 14 days for full refund Prices correct 1/12/83 but liable to altera- tion. Visa & Access welcome - just quote your number. bbc Wildlife BBC Wildlife is the only international wildlife magazine generally available on British bookstalls. It informs and entertains the massive family readership who avidly follow the major television and radio series produced by the BBC Natural History Unit. BBC Wildlife also provides a forum and information service for naturalists and biologists. Price £1.00 from newsagents. 100 Great Portland Street London WIN 5PD 01-636 6943 (D316) TELESCOPES Optotyth, Kowa, Bushnell, Swift, Panorama, Opticron, Televari BINOCULARS Zeiss Jena, Alpin, Swift, Panorama, Opticron, Helios, Mirador Fast mail order service. Easy access to M6 & M62. 14 day approval. Callers welcome. COMPETITIVE PRICES Phone or write for details now: FIRECREST 8 Chapelcross Road, Fearnhead, Warrington, Cheshire WA2 OPP Phone: Padgate (0925) 81 7874 (D293) Bateleur Safaris Ltd of Zambia Three-week tours (all inclusive) £1 ,250 Zambia offers some of the finest bird watching areas to be found in Africa. We are a new Company opening up an area of Africa not yet covered by any other company. We are planning three-week tours starting in 1 983, although we can cater for longer or shorter stays, as you may demand. You will be accompanied by one of our Trail Leaders from London who will be your guide throughout the whole of your tour. Our Base camps are situated on the three Great Rivers of Zambia, The Zambezi, Luangwa and the Kafue. Boat trips are available along the Zambezi and whilst we would like to take you on the other rivers we are unable to because of the great concentrations of Crocodiles and Hippopotamus. All accommodation is in proper chalet-type buildings safe from Africa's Wildlife, still to be seen in abundance: e.g. Luangwa Valley still boasts of 60,000 plus Elephants, 2,000 Rhinos and thousands of other game. Zambia has over 700 species of Bird Life, a list of which we shall be happy to provide upon request to: John Hall, 1 A Knoll Rise, Dunston, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. NE11 9QQ. (D198) 11 CVGHU5 UII1DUPE Birdwatching holidays at realistic prices . . . MALAYSIA March 11-25 £1390 Leaders: PAUL DUKES and DENNIS YONG Malaysia contains some of the most extensive forests in South East Asia, filled with a great diversity of birdlife. Local expert Dennis Yong will be on hand to show us the ornithological specialities of Taman Negara and the hill country assuring two splendid weeks of birdwatching. TEXAS March 29-April 14 £890 Leader: JOHN WARD The 1983 Cygnus group saw over 280 species, including the impressive Whooping Cranes on their Aransas wintering grounds and 29 species of Spring Warblers. Texas is undoubtedly one of the most exciting destinations in the USA and is seen at its best during the transition period of early spring when returning migrants occur alongside the departing winter visitors. ISRAEL March 25- April 10 £955 Leader: PETER CLEMENT Tremendous Palearctic birdwatching culminating with 5 days at the famous migration 'hot spot' of Eilat, where almost anything is possible! We anticipate a lively return visit in 1984 and hope to emulate the success of our 1983 group which recorded Lappet-faced Vulture, White-tailed Plover, Houbara Bustard and Black-crowned Finch Lark amongst over 200 species. SOVIET CENTRAL ASIA May 17-31 £895 Leader: MIKE DENSLEY Join us in one of the great birdwatching areas of Central Asia. The pioneer 1983 Cygnus group saw a wide variety of birds as they followed an itinerary which took them from the high mountains of the Tien Shan range to the unique Kimirekkum desert around Bukhara. TURKEY April 28-May 13 £785 Leader: PETER CLEMENT South-east Turkey has an abundance of superb birdwatching sites and during this 16 day tour we should encounter species of both Asian and European origin as we travel from the Central Mountains to the Mediterranean coastlands and explore the rugged countryside around Birecik in the Firat Valley. OTHER 1984 TOURS INCLUDE: CAMARGUE May 19-27 £445 Leader: Cliff Davies KASHMIR June 9-25 £1395 Leader: Cliff Waller ICELAND June 17-July 1 £965 Leader: David Hunt PYRENEES June 15-29 £625 Leader: Ted Griffiths SEYCHELLES Aug 8-23 £1495 Leader: Peter Harrison GAMBIA Nov 21 -Dec 6 £930 Leader: John Ward ETHIOPIA Nov 24-Dec 9 £1085 Leader: Tony Smith For further details contact: Paul Dukes, cvcnui UIHD1IPC Holidays 96 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1PY Telephone Kingsbridge (0548) 6178 Telex 45639 Comput G (Ref P57) (D314) iii “WILDLIFE BOOKS & GIFTS” Matlock St, Bakewell, Derbyshire (a division of “BAKEWELL FOR BOOKS”) THE BEST SELECTION OF NEW BIRD & NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS IN THE COUNTRY WHY BUY UNSEEN Come and view the titles that interest you: in a relaxed small town environment, with Chatsworth and Haddon five mins, away and the magnificent Peak Park countryside to explore A stimulating day out for all the family. BIRMINGHAM 90 MINS, LEEDS 75, MANCHESTER 60 (YOU MAY BE NEARER THAN YOU THINK!). Two other bookshops to browse around (one a bargain edition store with many natural history reductions). Open 9.30 to 5.30 Mon-to-Sat, 1 .30 to 5.30 Sundays. All year. Tel: (062981 ) 4333 and 4334 D289 The Quarterly Ornithological Journal ALAUDA The French ornithological journal ALAUDA contains scientific papers on field studies of wild birds concerned with their anatomy, ethology, feeding, moult, reproduction, migration, population dyna- mics, vocal behaviour, etc. Coverage is world-wide but mainly western palearctic and particularly French Papers have an English summary There is a selected review of recent ornithological publications Copies of most back numbers exist, these can be supplied on request. An annual subscription of 160 FF entitles a private member to four copies of ALAUDA Institutional subscription 180 FF Also available: Sound recordings of some of the more difficult West African birds — A complete set of 10 LP Records (specially produced by ALAUDA) and accompanying notes 420 FF Please contact: J. F. Dejonghe or Tony Williams Alauda, Ecole Normale Superieure, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75230 PARIS Cedex 05 if interested. (D144) Strictly for the Birds EXOTIC BIRDWATCHING 84 Galapagos, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka and Australia are now all offered as birdwatching destinations by Twickers World. Write or tele- phone for our 1 984 brochure together with additional itineraries for Israel and Iceland. For full details please contact: Twickers Worlds ir WILDLIFE. CULTURAL & WILDERNESS JOURNEYS- (J*™J ^22 Church Street, Twickenham TW1 3NW. Tel: 01-892 7606. 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ETC. SLICK MASTER D2 48.50 SLICK TRIPOD STRAP 4.95 SLICK TRIPOD CASE 8.76 PLEASE ADD £200 POST & PACKING CULLMAN 080 SHOULDER/ IF ORDERING BY MAIL. TABLE POD 14.95 PRICES CORRECT 9. 1.84. CAR WINDOW MOUNT 17.00 ALL TYPES OF BINOCULARS AND TELESCOPES REPAIRED ON THE PREMISES. (D318) New members who enrol during October- December in any year receive Trust publications and priv ileges for fifteen months before their second subscription falls due. THE BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNI- THOLOGY is an organisation which binds together thousands of amateur bird watchers spread throughout Britain and a small staff of professional biologists at Tring. Together they find pleasure and satisfaction in tackling projects that provide facts on which conservation can be based. All is more fully set out in our brochure Please send for a copy to: The British Trust for Ornithology, Dept. BB, Beech Grove, Station Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5NR. (D238) The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds INVESTIGATIONS OFFICER (1.4.84) Applications are invited for an additional post of Investigations Officer, to be based at the Society’s Headquarters. After training the successful applicant will be required to take part in countrywide enquiries into offences against wild bird protection legisla- tion. This will often involve working closely with the police and H.M. Customs and Excise. Applicants must be prepared to spend much time away from home; should possess good ornithological knowledge; hold a current full driving licence; and have the ability to lecture, write reports and deal with correspondence, preferred age 25-40. Salary range £6,297-£9,5 16 (subject to review) with placement according to experience. For particulars and application form, send SAE to Personnel, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. (D315) Talk to A. R, Hawkins about Binoculars! BRITAINS BINOCULAR SPECIALISTS FOR THE WORLDS TOP MAKES— ORDER BY POST OR PHONE FROM US IN COMPLETE CONFIDENCE. ^ ( PHONE US f OR Best Makes Largest Stocks Fastest Service By return Despatch and ^Free Advice ZEISS WEST THE WORLD’S FINEST! YOU’VE JUST GOT TO OWN ONE! 10 x 40 B Dialyl 10x40 BGA Dialyt. 7 x 42 BGA Dialyt 8 x 30 B Dialyt 8x30 BGA Dialyl 8x56 BGA Dialyt 8 x 20 B Mini-Dialyl 10 x 25 B Mini-Dialyl 7x50 BGA Porro All Zeiss West supplied with case. Prices correct 10.1.84 Subject to change availability, E&OE. £353.00 £359.00 £370.00 £308.00 £313.00 £441.00 £157.00 £171.00 £455 OPTOLYTH ALPIN Superb Lightweight Models from W. Germany at Sensible PriceB. 8x30 BGA Alpin £109.00 8x40 BGA Alpin £119.50 10x40 BGA Alpin £121.00 10x50 BGA Alpin £141,00 12x50 BGA Alpin £143.00 Easy to Handle Rubber Armoured Body OTHER POPULAR BIRDWATCHING MODELS! Leitz 1 0 x 40 B T rinovid £367.08 Switt Audubon 8 5 x 44 £125.95 Swift Osprey 7 5 x 42 £95.95 Hilkinson 30 x 80Saturn £138.00 Zeiss 1 0 x 50 Jenoplem £59.90 Zeiss8x30Jenoptem £38.70 Zeiss10x40BNolarem £134.97 Bushnell 7x50 BGA Waterproof £119.95 Hartman 16x60 W/A Bernina £250.00 BAUSH & LOMB 7 x 24 Centre Focus £147.00 7x24CentreFocusGA £166. 50 8x24 Centre Focus £147.00 Full Range ol Baush & Lomb Always in Slock TELESCOPES TELESCOPESI Optolyth 3x75 Optplyth 30x80 Bresser 30 x 75 R/A Kowo TS2 Obiective Dia 60mm Lenses 15x to 40xlrom Habichl 30 x 75 Switt Telemasler 1 5-60 x 60 Spacemasler 20-45x60 Spacemasler22xWA60 B/L Discoverer 1 5 x 60 x 60 Opticron Zoom 20-45 x 60 Zeiss West 30x60 Zeiss Focusing Motor Tamron Zoom 20-60 x 65 Televari 25-60x60 Many more scopes in slock £225 £258 £139.95 £97.81 £25.00 £340.00 £203.48 £174.95 £147.15 £184.95 £115 00 £407.10 £75.90 £218.95 £159 00 SLICK D2 TRIPOD THE finest tripod tor your telescope! Extends to s lull 511 9in. weights only 41b 12ozl Our Special Price £51.95 Post and Insurance £2.75. ORDER NOW for "By Return" Dispatch. Binoculars and Telescopes £2.25p post and Insurance send cheque or Visa/Access accepted by phone! Stamps (50p). For Illustrated Discount Price List and Coloured Brochures on over 200 Different Models. A R HAWKINS CALLERS WELCOME! Our Showrooms are only 7 minutes from Ml Exit 15 or 3 minutes walk Irom railway station. Closed Thursday You can buy in complete confidence tram us j D320) LTD 9 MAREFAIR NORTHAMPTON NN1 1SR TELEPHONE 0604/39674 VI COX & KINGS SPECIAL INTEREST HOLIDAYS This year Cox & Kings is celebrating 225 years of travel experience and among the many outstanding Special Interest Holidays offered, we are pleased to include several for bird-lovers. HONG KONG AND BORNEO If the combination of birds and butterflies appeals, perhaps you would like to come with us to Hong Kong and Borneo over Easter. Peter Roberts and Tony Harman will be accompanying this tour and between them will help you to discover some of the over 350 bird and 200 butterfly species of the New Territories. In addition, the awe-inspiring scenery and amazingly rich butterfly and bird life in the Kinabalu National Park in North Borneo, will leave you spellbound. 17 days April 7-23 Price £1,966. KENYA In Kenya, with its over 1,000 bird species, spectacular scenery and wealth of wild-life, we are offering a bird-safari for those who dislike large groups and prefer to follow their own noses in their own time. This is a tailor-made programme with resident ornithologists to advise and assist, should the need arise. The tour will include Lake Baringo, Treetops and Samburu Lodge. 1 1 days Departures twice monthly January-May Price £798 SPAIN (PYRENEES) Nearer home, we will be looking at the birds in the Pyrenees from May 24-June 7 and again from August 2-16, when there will also be a wealth of wonderful butterflies in this area. 14 days May 24-June 7 and August 2-16 Price £475. AUSTRIA Lake Neusiedl, west of the small Hungarian lowlands in Austria, with its shallow pools, reedbeds and wet pastures, offers the ideal habitat for many bird species, including Purple and Great White Heron and Little and Spotted Crake. This will be our destination for Easter 1984 and the holiday will include 3 full-day excursions to surrounding areas, home of the Great Bustard and the Black Stork. 10 days April 17-27 Price £469. For details of these and many more exciting holidays, contact us at: Cox & Kings Special Interest Holidays 46 Marshall Street London W1 V 2PA. Tel: 01-439 3380 Agent of Cox & Kings Travel Ltd.. ATOL 484 (D297) Vll The ‘British Birds’ O Mystery Photographs Book 43 birds to be identified, and over £1,000 to be won ‘I think I can correctly identify almost all of them . . . most of them are very easy . . . but some are not . . .’ Jeffery Boswall, BBC Radio 4 . all are possible for anyone armed with a good reference book and a little knowledge of ornithology.’ David Tomlinson, Country Life ‘British Birds Magazine have thought up a new way of providing thrills and excitement ... in trying to identify the species of birds in this splendid competition.’ C. Douglas Deane, Belfast News Letter ‘A feathery variation on the Masquerade theme.’ The Times ‘I suspect that more than a few people will be driven to distraction by this book!’ A. R. Dean, West Midland Bird Club Bulletin ‘If you are good at birdspotting and cryptography and fancy winning a fortune, here’s your chance.’ ITV ‘Whether you succeed or not, it should be fun trying.’ Irish Wildbird Conservancy ‘. . . will appeal to all puzzle buffs because of the number and diver- sity of the clues ... a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable book, alternately frustrating and satisfying and, above all, compulsive.’ Peter Lansdown, British Birds Usual price £4.80, but only £3.80 to ‘BB’ subscribers who use the ‘British Birdshop’ order form now. (Please add 50p for overseas orders.) viii British Birds VOLUME 77 NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY 1984 * NAT. Hlsl. ♦ 6 FEB 1984 Breeding and protection of Montagu’s Harriers in Anglesey, O P. Hope Jones and A. W. Colling In southern Britain, Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus is at the north- western limit of its range (Cramp & Simmons 1980). It has been — at least in historic times — very scarce as a breeding species throughout Britain: there were an estimated 20 breeding pairs in the late 1960s (Parslow 1973) and two to eight known pairs annually in the period 1973-81 (Sharrock et al. 1983). Bijleveld ( 1974) considered the species ‘unquestion- ably the most severely threatened of the harrier species occurring in Europe and . . . one of the rarest raptors of Eurasia’. Because of its international rarity, special protection measures were taken during the breeding season at Newborough Warren in Anglesey, Gwynedd, especially since, in 1955, the Nature Conservancy had declared part of it a National Nature Reserve. The harriers were a great attraction for birdwatchers and photographers, and their eggs were an irresistible target for collectors. Although officially specially protected by law, the birds were very vulnerable both to deter- mined human nest-predators and to unintentional disturbance by others. In 1945, a pair was found nesting in Anglesey by Colling & Brown (1946), who suggested that this was the first recorded breeding in North Wales since 1900. This nest was at Newborough Warren (though this fact was not published at the time), and the species continued to breed there, with a maximum of five pairs in 1957, until 1964. This paper describes the birds’ breeding success, and some of the attempts which were made to protect the harriers and their eggs during the decade 1955 to 1964. I Hr, l . Birds 77: 41-46. February 1984) 41 42 Breeding Montagu’s Harriers in Anglesey Protection measures There were great difficulties in protection because the site was accessible to the public and well known to egg-collectors. The nests were on the ground, in rush Juncus marsh in early years, but later mostly in sand-dune planta- tions of rapidly-growing Corsican Pine Pinus nigra var. calabrica, which, at lV2-5m in height, provided excellent cover for ground predators, both human and other. Suitable viewing points were difficult to find, but, with the co-operation of Forestry Commission staff, the nest sites could be kept under surveillance from 1955 onwards. A road and several footpaths traversed the area and, especially on fine weekends, there would be a steady passage of visitors to and from the shore. Since the harriers often nested close to these routes, and since many of the visitors enjoyed straying from the footpaths, there was need for constant vigilance. From 1955 to 1958 inclusive, safe- guarding the harriers was the task of the Reserve Warden, D. P. Morgan, mainly working alone, but from 1960, when PHJ took up the post, a watch of 20 hours a day was mounted throughout the harriers’ nest- ing period, and maintained through the help of various assistant wardens, with the addition of hired and volunteer helpers. Essentially, protection took the form of keeping the nest sites as quiet as possible, both in the literal sense, and in trying to prevent leaks of vital information to people whose enthusiasm often exceeded our ideas of discretion. Neverthe- less, it was felt that any addi- tional measures which could further increase the chances of survival of eggs to hatching would be an important contri- bution to breeding success. In 1960, therefore, with Nature Conservancy approval, AWC decided to try out the scheme of incubating the eggs artificially, leaving the female 21. Male Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus, Sweden, July 1976 (Bengt Lundberg) 43 Breeding Montagu ’s Harriers in Anglesey harrier to sit on dummy eggs until the real ones were returned to the nest on the point ol hatching. This programme was put into operation by PHJ in 1961 and subsequent years. A licence was obtained for the removal of the eggs and, for lour years, each completed clutch was removed to a com- mercial incubator some way away, and replaced by specially-made dummy eggs. Artificial incubation was carried out strictly according to the instruc- tions given lor dealing with hen’s eggs, and each egg was returned to the nest when the shell was starred at the beginning of hatching. It was feared that mixing real and imitation eggs in the nest might lead to some damage ol the real ones, so the exchange was normally left until the clutch had been completed. This was based on the finding of an egg w hich had been dented and broken in the first 1961 clutch of six, but in fact this decision may have led to the subsequent loss of two clutches: the second 1 96 1 clutch of five was destroyed, possibly by Carrion Crows Corvus corone, and the second 1963 clutch of three eggs, probably incomplete, was removed by human beings. These two losses could perhaps have been avoided if imitation eggs had been introduced individually soon after each of the real ones w as laid, and if it could be shown that real eggs could exist in the nest without being damaged by the dummy eggs. Even with the real eggs in safe custody, it was more than ever necessary to keep watch over the nest site. A female which had lost eggs did not desert forthwil h, but would spend a good deal of time during the subsequent 24-36 hours in desultory circling of the nest site area. In the event of such an occurrence, dummy eggs were available as instant replacements. In fact, this contingency never arose, though of course it is possible that Carrion Crows and other predators may on occasion have made abortive attempts to eat the dummy clutch. Breeding success Table 1 gives the nesting details for the harriers in the period 1949-64. Two 1961 eggs, w hich failed to hatch, were sent for analysis to Dr John Beer at the Wildfowl Trust: there were no signs of harmful bacteria or fungi, and the cause of death could not be ascertained, though possibly it was connected with humidity and temperature w ithin the incubator. One infer- tile egg from 1964 was analysed and found to contain 2.2 ppm of organo- chlorine residues in fresh weight, comprising 1.5 ppm DDE, 0.4 ppm DDT, 0.3 ppm dieldrin, together with traces of heptachlor epoxide and BHC. Another egg from 1962 contained 1 ,8ppm of total organochlorine residues. Table 1. Nesting success of Montagu's Harriers Circus pxgargus at Newborough Warren, Anglesey, Gwynedd, 1949-1964 Clutch size (mean+one clutches lost standard Natural Egg- Chicks Chicks Period Females Clutches Eggs deviation) predators collectors hatched fledged 1949 and 1955-60 17 20 74 3.70+1.26 2 7 31 23 1950-54 (data incomplete) 4 4 16 4.00+0 0 1 11 8 1961-64 6 6 27 4.50+1.05 1 1 12 10 44 Breeding Montagu’s Harriers in Anglesey 22. Male Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus, Sweden, August 1982 (Bertil Breije ) These figures are quite low compared with those found in other species (Newton 1979; Ratcliffe 1980) and are unlikely to have affected breeding adversely. Evaluation of artificial incubation Since this was an all-or-nothing effort at protection, there are no simul- taneous control data against which to set the success rate of the artificial incubation method. It is nevertheless possible to compare the risks involved in the natural and incubator systems of bringing eggs to the hatching stage. In the wild, the usual dangers to this species (assuming fertile eggs and survival of the adults) are loss of eggs through predation; outright desertion or temporary chilling of eggs caused by human disturbance of the female; and devastation of the nest site by fire, flood, or some other environmental catastrophe. The risks with artificial incubation include the possibility of desertion by the female; the chance of damaging the eggs in transit; the failure of the incubation system through mechanical faults or the incompe- tence of the operator; and the various operational hazards which become apparent only when the project is actually carried out. After 1960, pressures on the birds became higher, despite increased wardening: the site was known to an increasing number of people (inclu- ding egg-collectors as well as photographers and birdwatchers), and visitors to the area for recreational purposes had increased enormously in numbers. We concluded that, in the circumstances, the eggs were at a much higher risk for a whole month when left in the nest than when reasonably safe in an incubator; the project was accordingly carried through. Neither hatching nor fledging success was statistically significantly higher (at the 5% level) for the artificially incubated eggs ( 1961-64) than for those which were naturally incubated (1949-60). Nevertheless, from table 2, it can be seen that the success rate of artificially incubated eggs (especially in terms of numbers of flying young produced from eggs laid) was considerably higher than that of naturally incubated eggs. There is obviously room for Breeding Montagu's Harriers in Anglesey 45 Table 2. Comparison of breeding success of Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus under various circumstances, at Newborough Warren, Anglesey, Gwynedd, 1949-64 Data are incomplete for 1950-54 FLYING YOUNG EGGS LOST Total As % Per pair of 1 Eggs Eggs Natural Egg- eggs of eggs breeding Period laid hatched predators collectors lost Numbers laid harriers 1950-54 1949 and 16 1 1 (69%) 0 4 4 (25%) 8 50% 2.0 1955-60 1961-64 74 31 (42%) 7 28 35 (47%) 23 31% 1.4 (total) 1961-64 27 12 (44%) 5 3 8 (30%) 10 37% 1.7 (artificially incubated eggs only) 19 1 1 (58%) 0 0 0 (0%) 10 53% 2.5 experiment with spec ies not in such a parlous state as the British harriers, and much knowledge has by now accrued from the accepted technique of captive breeding (Newton 1979). Discussion and conclusion Of the 90 eggs known to have been laid during 1949-60, 32 (36%) were taken by collectors; despite this massive indictment, egg loss in itself cannot be proved to have caused the extinction of the breeding colony, even if it were a contributory factor. The average of 2.5 flying young per pair of breeding harriers would seem to indicate that food supply was not a limiting factor on 23. Female Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus at nest with young, Denmark. July 1969 (lb Trap- Lind) 46 Breeding Montagu’s Harriers in Anglesey breeding success. Numbers of voles (probably field voles Alicrotus agrestis) were high at Newborough Warren in the late 1950s, and breeding numbers of Short-eared Owls Asio flammeus reached a peak there at about 30 pairs in 1957; harrier numbers were also highest in 1957, but their food spectrum is not known, so the vole link — although suggestive — is not necessarily causal. Brown (1976) considered that the relatively high British population of breeding Montagu’s Harriers in the 1950s might have been due to lessened disturbance of the birds during the 1939-45 war, and especially to fewer being shot whilst breeding or on passage in Britain and abroad during that period; their subsequent decline might have been caused by a reversal of these circumstances. Montagu’s Harrier, being at the edge of its range in Britain, is very vulnerable to changes in the remainder of the population, and although the reasons are not known, the fact is that the harriers ended their breeding run at Newborough W arren in 1964, despite notably increased breeding suc- cess in their latter years at this site. We consider that, under the in- creasingly adverse conditions obtaining at that time and place, the use of artificial incubation was of valuable assistance in the protection of Montagu’s Harriers in an area of considerable human disturbance. This is not, however, a universal panacea, and its projected use in other circum- stances and with other species must be examined extremely carefully. Acknowledgments We wish to thank all those who assisted with the protection of the harriers over several years, and helped to provide the data on which this report is based. We are particularly grateful for the contributions of R. Griffiths of the Forestry Commission, and also those of R. W. Arthur, A. J. Mercer and the late D. P. Morgan. Artificial eggs of high quality were specially made for us by B. H. Grimes, whilst Dr J. Beer kindly undertook analysis of unhatched eggs. Dr I. Newton and N. Picozzi commented helpfully on earlier drafts of this paper. The work was done by both authors as employees of the Nature Conservancy. Summary Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus were first proved breeding at Newborough Warren, Anglesey, Gwynedd, in 1945, and continued there until 1964. This paper summarises their breeding success, and describes a system of artificially incubating the eggs to reduce losses caused by egg-predators and chilling. Success rose from 1.4 flying young per pair of breeding harriers in 1955-60 to 2.5 in 1961-64 but, despite this, the small Anglesey breeding population then collapsed in common with those elsewhere in Britain. References Bijleveld, M. 1974. Birds oj Prey in Europe. London. Brown, L. 1976. British Birds oj Prey. London. Colling, A. W., & Brown, E. B. 1946. The breeding of Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers in North Wales in 1945. Brit. Birds 39: 233-243. Cramp, S., & Simmons, K. E. L. (eds.) 1980. The Birds oj the Western Palearctic. vol. 2. Oxford. Newton, I. 1979. Population Ecology oj Raptors. Berkhamsted. Parslow, J. 1973. Breeding Birds oj Britain and Ireland. Berkhamsted. Ratcliffe, D. 1980. The Peregrine Falcon. Calton. Sharrock, J. T. R., & The Rare Breeding Birds Panel. 1983. Rare breeding birds in the United Kingdom in 1981. Brit. Birds 76: 1-25. P. Hope Jones, Tanat, 13 Gronant Road, Prestatyn, Clwyd A. W. Colling, Biel Mill Cottage, by Dunbar, East Lothian The return of the Sparrowhawk I. Newton and M. B. Haas In the years around 1960, the Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus became extremely scarce over much of Britain. Its sudden decline was attributed to the widespread agricultural use of organochlorine pesticides, which contaminated its prey. Since then, the use of some of these chemicals has been progressively reduced, and the Sparrowhawk has largely recovered in numbers and returned to areas from which it was eliminated. This paper aims to document the population changes in relation to trends in organo- chlorine usage. The data on population trends are from detailed studies in particular localities, and records of local birdwatchers and in county bird reports; data on pesticide usage are from agricultural sources (specified below), while those on pesticide levels in Sparrowhawk carcases are from the long-term monitoring programme at Monks Wood Experimental Station. Previous data on the population decline were given by Prestt (1965) and Newton (1974, 1979); on the recovery by Sharrock (1976) and Marchant [Bnt. Buds 77: 47-70, February 1984] 47 48 The return of the Sparrow hawk (1980); and on the pesticide aspects by Ratcliffe (1970), Newton & Bogan (1974, 1978) and Cooke et at. (1982). Far less detail is available on national population changes for the Sparrowhawk than for the Peregrine Falco peregrinus , so it is not possible to trace the recovery in the same detail as did Ratcliffe (1980) for the latter species. The chemicals and their uses DD F came into widespread agricultural use in the late 1940s. It has since been freely used throughout the country against many insect pests of various types of crop, mainly on top fruit (against several pests), brassicas % tilled land Zones Fig. 1. Changes in status of Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus in relation to agricultural land use and organochlorine use Agricultural map (left) indicates proportion of tilled land, where almost all pesticide is used. Sparrowhawk map (right) shows status in different regions and time periods: Zone 1 — Sparrowhawks survived in greatest numbers through height of ‘organochlorine era’ around 1960, population decline judged at less than 50% and recovery effectively complete before 1970; Zone 2 — population decline more marked than in Zone 1, but recovered to more than 50% by 1970; Zone 3 — population decline more marked than in Zone 2, but recovered to more than 50% by 1980; Zone 4 — population almost extinct around 1960, and little or no recovery- evident by 1980 In general, population decline most marked, and recovery latest, in areas with greatest proportion ol tilled land (based on agricultural statistics for 1966). Picture in 1970 broadly agrees with that derived from Atlas survey (Sharrock 1976), but latter concerned with distribution and not with status The return of the Sparrowhawk 49 24. Female Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus at bathing pool. Staffordshire. September 1972 (R.J. C. Blewitt) (against flea beetles and caterpillars) and cereals (against leather-jackets). In the physical environment, and in the animal body, most DDT rapidly degrades to DDE: both compounds are of low direct toxicity to birds, but DDE causes shell-thinning (and hence egg breakages) and embryo mortality, thus lowering breeding success (Cooke 1973; Newton 1979). Another organochlorine, commonly known as gamma-BHC, HCH or lindane, came into use at about the same time; it is much less persistent than DDE, and, although often present in bird tissues, is not known to have had adverse effects on populations. The more toxic cyclodiene organochlorines, including aldrin. dieldrin and heptachlor, came into wide use after 1955. They were used mainly against pests in the soil: as seed-dressings on cereals and other crops, on brassicas against cabbage root-flv, on potatoes against wire-worms, and on N u 50 The return of the Sparrow hawk Fig. 2. Population trend of Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus in particular areas, from numbers of sightings reported to county bird recorders (left), or by numbers of nests found (or % sites occupied) in particular localities (right). Successive major restrictions on aldrin/dieldrin use occurred from 1962, 1965 and 1975. Population recovery occurred earlier in western than in 51 The return of the Sparrow hawk South Solway Plain (Cumbria) Annandale, Dumfries NW Derbyshire a c Rockingham Forest, Northamptonshire eastern areas, but, once started, was at first rapid, then slowed to reach a plateau, presumably as habitat became filled again. (Records tor Hertfordshire supplied by T. James; for Northamptonshire by P. \V. Richardson; tor Bedfordshire trom Smith (1979) and by B. Nightingale; and for Cambridgeshire from annual reports of Cambridge Bird Club) 52 The return of the Sparrowhawk various minor crops against other pests. Their usage has thus been greatest in those (mainly eastern) regions with the greatest proportion of arable land. They are particularly harmful to wildlife because of the large-scale direct mortality they cause, especially of seed-eating birds and their predators. The active ingredient in dieldrin is known as HEOD, and this compound is also produced in the environment or in the animal body from aldrin. So, on finding HEOD in a bird, it is not possible to tell how much was from dieldrin and how much from aldrin. In the years since 1962, successive government restrictions have progressively curtailed the use of these cyclodienes. In 1962, they were ‘banned’ from use on spring-sown cereals; in 1965 from sheep-dips and other minor uses; and in 1975 from autumn-sown cereals. After that date, the remaining uses were chiefly on brassicas and root crops. Heptachlor was used hardly at all after 1966. I he restrictions were not legal bans, but ‘voluntary’ agreements involving manufacturers, distributors and users, and there was no legal comeback on any farmer who chose to ignore them. Most restrictions did not lead to sudden reductions in usage, but rather to steady declines over a (or 1963-76. All birds included, irrespective of year, season or cause of death. Maps indicate widespread contamination of Sparrowhawks with these pesticides. Because DDE is less toxic than HEOD, birds can accumulate higher levels of DDE: high or low levels were found in most parts of Britain, but almost all Sparrowhawks in extreme southeast England (area of heavy DD I use in orchards) had high levels. For HEOD, proportion with high residues was greatest in areas with most arable land, especially in east 53 The return oj the Sparrowhawk period of years. I hus, although dieldrin had been banned in sheep-dips for 15 years, analyses ot wool samples showed that some farmers were still using this chemical in 1980 (unpublished data). Similarly, DDT was no longer recommended for use on top fruit after 1976, but orchard surveys revealed extensive usage after this date (Sly 1981), and it is still advertised for horticultural use. Since manufacturers do not disclose their sales, information on organo- chlorine usage in Britain has resulted chiefly from periodic farm surveys by the Ministry of Agriculture for England and Wales and by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. These surveys, done on a sampling basis, gave national estimates of the area of each crop treated with different chemicals. From these figures, the total quantities applied were calculated (table 1, based on Strickland 1966; Wilson 1969; Sly 1977, 1981; and Cutler 1981). In addition, analyses of human food and of wildlife species have given trends in residues over time. The surveys revealed a decline in DD T usage during the 1960s, and a further slight decline in the early 1970s, although, in some regions, DDT usage increased again between 1974 and 1977 (Cutler 1981); the main point, however, was of continued substantial DD T usage in Britain throughout this period. The same statistics revealed a progressive and marked decline in the use of aldrin and dieldrin between the early 1960s and the late 1970s, particularly after 1975, following the latest restriction on use on cereals. Such figures probably reflect the broad trends, but their reliability has been questioned. Among other things, they depend on the honesty of farmers, and there may have been somewhat greater use of organochlorines in recent years than these official data suggest. Only three out of 81 brassica-growers interviewed independently in Lincolnshire in 1978 did not use DD T (Tait ( C. P. Sutton) uidd | ssnpmi 3QQ 54 The return of the Sparrowhawk A further set of restrictions came into effect in 1981, applicable to all EEC countries, and aimed to phase out completely the use of organochlorines in agriculture, except for very limited purposes for which no reasonably priced alternative was available (in Britain, DDT is still recommended against leather-jackets in cereals, and against chafer grubs and cutworms, while aldrin also has a few small-scale uses). These restrictions are again i 0 5 T< ND 1963 »964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 19< 100 50 _ 10 E a Fig. 4. Levels of DDL (upper) and HEOD (lower) in livers of Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus received at Monks Wood Experimental Station, 1963-81. All Sparrowhawks included, irrespective of region, season or cause of death. Lines show three-year moving geometric means of residue levels; note wide variation in residue levels in Sparrowhawks from particular years, and lack of any long-term decline nationally in DDE levels over '20-year period, but marked decline in HEOD residues, especially after 1975 55 The return of the Sparrowhawk voluntary, so it remains to be seen how effective they will be on chemicals that can be bought and stockpiled. Meanwhile, dieldrin continues to be used in moth-proofing and wood-preservation. It is not just the usage pattern of organochlorines that affects the levels in wildlife, but also their persistence, the very quality which makes them so effective as pesticides. Recent analyses of uncultivated orchard soils showed only a negligible decline in DDT-type residues (especially DDE) during 13 years after DDT was last used; and the expected ‘half-life’ (when concen- trations in the soil should have decreased to one-half) was estimated at 57 years (Cooke & Stringer 1982). So, even if use of DDT was stopped tomorrow, soil-dwelling organisms would remain a source of residues to Sparrowhawk prey species for decades to come. HEOD is much less persistent, with a half-life in soil estimated at four to seven years (Anon 1964; Edwards 1966). Organochlorines can disappear more rapidly from animal bodies than from the physical environment, but again DDE lasts longer than HEOD. For example, in pigeons (Columbidae), the half-life of DDE has been estimated at about 240 days, compared with 47 days for HEOD (Walker 1983). These rates vary between species, and with the condition of the individual. Following a complete ban on DDT use in West Germany, DDE levels in eggs of Goshawks A. gentilis took six years to fall by half (Ellenberg 1981). It is partly their persistence that makes these chemicals significant to 26. Male Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus at plucking post, Staffordshire, May 1973 (R. /. C. Bleuitt ) 56 The return of the Sparrow hawk Fig. 5. Trends in residue levels in livers of Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus from different zones (1-4 in fig. 1), as shown by five-year moving geometric means, each period starting at year shown. To assess time trends, residue levels from all individuals regressed on year. For DDE (left), no significant change in levels detected for any zone or for Britain as a whole. ForHEOD (right), downward trend emerged as significant in three of four zones (not Zone 3) and in Britain as a whole. It was also significant for Zones 1 and 2 for period from 1975 on. when last wildlife, but also their high fat solubility, enabling them to accumulate in animal bodies and to pass from prey to predator. They are also dispersed in animal bodies and in wind and water currents, so reaching remote areas. Thus, no Sparrowhawk anywhere in Britain is likely to be free from risk of contamination: indeed, none of the 500 birds and 1,500 eggs analysed in Britain since 1963 was devoid of residues. Contamination of Sparrowhawks Organochlorine chemicals reach Sparrowhawks by several routes. When used in seed-dressings, the grain may be eaten by a finch or other seed- eater, which in turn may be consumed by a hawk. When used as sprays, the contaminated leaves may be eaten by a pigeon, or the pesticide which 57 The return of the Sparrowhawk major restriction on aldrin/dieldrin use became effective. To compare /ones, records combined for 1963-70. Significant differences were found between geometric mean HKOD levels of Zones I and 3 (t42 — 2.22. P <0.05). 1 and 4 ( t4s = 2.64. P <0.02) and 2 and 4 1 148 = 2.24, P < 0.02). For 1971-75, significant differences were found between geometric mean HKOD levels of Zones 1 and 4 (t29 = 4.42 P < 0.001). 2 and 4 (t2s = 4.36. P <0.001 ) and 3 and 4 (ti9 = 3.72. P < 0.01) reaches the soil may be taken up by worms or other invertebrates, which may be eaten by a Blackbird Turdus mem/a or Starling Stumus vulgaris, which may in turn fall prey to a hawk. With such persistent chemicals, this process can take weeks, months or even years after spraying occurred. Even the pesticide which drifts onto the foliage of woodland trees is likely to be consumed by caterpillars, and thence, via insectivorous birds, find its way to Sparrowhawks. There is literally no prey species a hawk could eat without risk of some contamination, and none ol the bird species analysed in the last 20 years has been found to be free from organochlorine residues. Levels vary between species, according to their feeding habits, and between areas, depending on local usage. Farther down the food-chain, different organisms again vary in their 58 The return of the Sparrowhawk organochlorine content, and hence in the contamination risk that they pose to their ultimate predators. Not unexpectedly, insects in general are very sensitive to DDT and die when they contain anything more than the minutest amount; they are not, therefore, a major source of residues. On the other hand, earthworms and molluscs are relatively insensitive, so are good carriers of residues, and thus a major source of contamination for Black- birds and other Sparrowhawk prey. Worms and molluscs often contain ten or more times as much residue as do insects in the same area (e.g. Davis & Harrison 1966; Davis & French 1969). Prey-birds which eat worms and snails generally contain more residue than do insectivores, and these con- tain more than do seed-eaters, unless these seed-eaters happen to have fed on treated grain. The differences between these groups are sometimes enormous; for example, in the mid 1960s, Blackbirds and thrushes from orchards could contain several hundred ppm DDE in their livers, while herbivorous Bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula in the same places contained only 0.1 ppm (Wilson 1969). Hence, certain food lines pose greater threats to Sparrowhawks than others, and individual differences in diet could well account for some of the marked individual differences in contamination levels in hawks. A Sparrowhawk breeding in some remote forest may be less directly 1-70 1-60 1 50 X 0) “O c MO i/> \S) ewis ( 16) has now achieved second position in the senior section two years running. Tracey Turner (15) is a new name among the top places. Also in the senior section, the judges awarded a special Consolation Prize to Richard Thewlis ( 16) for the high standard of artwork in his notebooks. The award presentation (£ 100-worth of books, and f ree BB subscriptions to the three winners) will be featured in a future issue. 11 good-quality bird-photographs are always very welcome, but photographs of these listed species are especially needed for British Birds. Our requirements fall into two categories: (i) photographs urgently needed to illustrate articles that are due to be published in the next few months, and (ii) longer-term requirements for photographs not only to illustrate articles, but also to aid authors in the preparation of papers, particularly those dealing with identification problems. YVe prefer black-and-white photographs for reproduction, but colour pictures (both transparencies and prints) are very welcome for reference purposes and may be suitable for reproduction. Our requirements for black-and-white prints and colour transparencies for publication hav e been given previously (Brit. Birds 75: 138, 426). i. URGENT REQUIREMENTS Wood Duck. dev sponsa and Mandarin .1. galericulata, especially lernales and immatures Blyth’s Reed Acrocephalus dumetorum and Marsh Warblers A.palustris ii. LONGER-TERM REQUIREMENTS Divers Gavia: winter plumages and, especially, in flight Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Little Shearwater Pujfintis assimilis Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and Shag P. aristotelis Surf Scoter Melanilta perspici/lala Ruddv Duck Oxyura jamaicensis and White-headed Duck 0. leucocephata. especially females and immatures White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albici/la during winter in western Europe Pallid Circus macrourus and Montagu’s Harriers C. pygargus: all plumages, but especially females and immatures Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos photographed in Britain Spotted Porgana porgana. Little P. pan a and Baillon’s Crakes P. pusitla Collared Glareola pratincola, Oriental G. maldivarum and Black-winged Pratincoles G. nordmanni Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Long-toed Stint C. submimta and Least Sandpiper C. minutilla Dow i t chers Lira nod romus Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris Tattlers Heteroscelus Skuas Slercorarius: all species, including South Polar Skua S. maccormicki Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocrphalus Iceland L. glaucoides and Glaucous Gulls /.. hyperboreus 78 Photographic requests Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon mlotica Caspian Sterna caspia , Royal S. maxima , Crested S. bergii. Lesser Crested S. bengalensis, Sandwich S. sandvicensis and Elegant Terns S. elegans Marsh terns Chhdonias, particularly perched W hiskered Ierns C. hybridus in immature and winter plumage Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Pacific Swift Apus pacijicus Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni Cliff Swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota Richard’s Anthus novaeseelandiae, Blyth’s A. godlewskn and Tawny Pipits A. campestns Pechora Pipit A. gustavi Yellow Wagtail Motacilla Jiava of the black-headed race jeldegg Citrine Wagtail M. citreola Dunnock Prunella modularis, especially photographs showing interesting behaviour All West Palearctic wheatears Oenanthe , especially females and immatures Varied Thrush Zoothera naevia M armora’s Warbler Sylvia sarda Spectacled S. conspicillata and Subalpine Warblers S. cantillans, especially females and immatures Phylloscopus warblers: all West Palearctic species, but especially Green P. nitidus, Greenish P. trochiloides, Arctic P. borealis , and Bonelli’s Warblers P. bonelli Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia Savannah Sparrow Ammodramus sandvicensis Crossbill Loxia curvirostra, and Two-barred L. leucoptera , Scottish L. scotica and Parrot L. pytyopsillacus Crossbills We shall also be pleased to receive appropriate photographs for the photo- graphic feature ‘Birds in action’, for the proposed ‘Birds in winter’, and for use as ‘Mystery photographs’ in British Birds and in displays at conferences. All photographs will be acknowledged on receipt and when published. Please send them to Photographic Requests, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj. The help given to British Birds by photographers who send us prints and transparencies is greatly appreciated by us and by the whole Editorial Board. RJC & DS Request Monarch butterflies in autumn 1983 Details of any records of the North American butterfly, the monarch or milkweed Danaus plexippus, some of which were reported at the same time as Nearctic birds in the southwest last autumn, will be greatly welcomed by R. F. Bretherton, Folly Hill, Birtley Green, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0LE. News and comment Mike Everett and Robin Prytherch Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ SOC Conference Held at North Berwick good talks and — for those who wanted it (and during 4th-6th November 1983, this was the many seemed to) — good birdwatching along usual successful mixture of good company, the Forth shores nearby. Dr Malcolm Ogilvie News and comment 79 on Scottish wetlands and geese, John Wilson on Leighton Moss and its management, and James Hancock on the birds of tropical wet- lands were very different in style, yet equally worth hearing, while Nick Riddiford con- vinced many o( us that the way to avoid being trampled to death by twitchers was probably to go to Fair Isle. Scottish topics were to the lore, with Roy Dennis on Goldeneyes, Bob Swann on Ganna seabirds, and Brian Etheridge on Hebridean waders. One sad note came as we said farewell to Major Alastair Peirse-Duncombe: a more poignant occasion than expected since the doughty Alastair rose from his sick bed to be present. Get well soon, Alastair! Finally, persons (then) unknown nobbled the BB M ystery Photographs Competition by switching the pictures; but, alter some con- fusion, Bruce Forrester finally walked off with the champagne. Leslie Baker ( 19 1 1-1983) The recent death of Leslie Baker came as sad news to many of us. Whether we knew him as an artist, with his own, very personal and very attractive style, through his committee days (and chairmanship) of the LNHS Ornithological Section, or through his strong connections with the BTO (he chaired the Publicity and Membership Committee and helped found the Turnstone Fund, amongst other things), we will certainly all remember his kindness, his understanding and his wisdom. He will be sorely missed. Baker) Scillies spectacular Two additions to the British and Irish List, Green Warbler Phyllo- scopus nitidus and Glifl Swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota , a record 17 North American species (beating lb in 1982). and a support- ing cast of European and Asian rarities made last autumn’s Scilly season a vintage one. The birdwatcher invasion was bigger than ever, with a total of more than 1,500 in late September and October. The sheer weight of numbers (570 were counted watching the Sora Rail Porzana Carolina on Tresco) forces special restraints on birdwatchers in Scilly, and all are thanked for their impeccable behaviour, which led to further improvement of relations with the islanders. Several far- mers opened new birdwatching trails on their land, and there was a refreshing general feeling that birdwatchers were welcome on the islands, not only for the commercial value of their invasion. But one wonders if the islands can take any more? David Hunt again kindly arranged for the cellars of the ‘Porth- cressa’ restaurant to be used as the main centre for evening activities throughout October, with Mike Rogers’s log-call as the regular event, followed by a variety of other entertainments, including slide-shows on bird-spots as widely flung as Australasia, the South Atlantic and Ghile. The ‘Birdbrain of Scilly’ competition, this year revamped so that all could enter, was again a major attrac- tion, with David Fisher. Steve Gantlett, Peter Grant and Ghris Heard winning the weekly heats: Chris Heard took the title of 'Bird- brain 1983’, with the highest score of 29 cor- rectly identified slides out of 30. ( Contributed by PJG) An appropriate win At a pleasantlv infor- mal— and packed — Flora and Fauna Preser- vation Society meeting on 15th November, celebrating The Big Bird Race. Peter Grant ran a 50-slide mystery photographs competition. A few male-chauvinist red faces could be seen among those Big Bird Race participants and authors who were present when the winner — with 37, beating her nearest rival by a clear four points — proved to be Laurel Tucker, the book's illustrator. Win a Zeiss 10X40B Dialvt The prize for the solver of The 'British Birds' Mystery • Photo- graphs Book is now worth oxer £1,350. Zeiss West Germany has donated a pair of their award-winning top binoculars to be added to the £1,000 prize fund in this ornithological treasure hunt. Overheard ‘ “Find the 43rd bird”, they sav. I reckon the real mystery is where the **** they’ve hidden the 42nd!' 80 Views ol Red-breasted Goose Branla ruficollis obtained by ME & RAH, North Norfolk, November 1983 (R. A. Hume) Records Some time has passed since we last mentioned any of the diverse records, ‘Carf you beat this’ stories and so forth which still reach us from time to time: our apologies to all frustrated contributors, and our promise to you that we shall rectify the situation soon! Meanwhile, we offer Rob Hume’s contribu- tion (cartoon above); he and ME, admittedly only 2nd XI twitchers both, claim to hold the record (unless you can tell us otherwise) for the most failures in one day, when they did not see Pied-billed Grebe, Ivory Gull and whichever-sand-plover-it-was. Senegal drought Mike Smart tells us that News and comment the drought in the Senegal Valley has reached serious proportions: the rainfall in the Guinea mountains feeding the Senegal and Niger Rivers has again failed, so that the normal flooding in the two river valleys has been very poor. In November, it was re- ported that areas normally flooded at that time were already dry; special measures were being taken to hold back some water in the Djoudj National Park and restrictions on water for human consumption in Dakar and elsewhere were already in force. Both Afro- tropical breeding birds and Palearctic water- fowl in the Sahel were clearly being affected: the Senegalese authorities were taking measures to restrict waterfowl hunting and were also suggesting that European hunters should restrict their activities in early 1984, since returning birds were likely to be in poor condition. The ‘British Birds’ Best Bird Book of the Year Groom Helm Ltd, the publishers of the winning book. Seabirds: an identification guide , provided a special reception at the Cale- donian Club in London to mark the award. The presentation of the certificate was made by Stanley Cramp, on behalf of British Birds , and accepted by the author of the award- winning Seabirds , Peter Harrison (plate 33). Seabirds: an identification guide is still available post free through British BirdShop, price £ 15.95 (see page ix) . 33. Best Bird Book of the Year. Peter Harrison, author of the 1983 award-winning Seabirds: an identification guide, accepting certificate from Stanley Cramp; London, November 1983 ( Croom Helm Ltd ) News and comment 81 Croom Helm badges Badge-toting Sp- readers may wish to acquire a new button- badge produced by the publishers Croom Helm Ltd to promote their bird books. A free badge can be obtained by sending a SAE to Bernard Mercer, Croom Helm Ltd, Provi- dent House, Burrell Row, Beckenham, Kent BR3 l AT . Exploding button-badges Badge-fanatic Bill Oddie has a simple cure which prevents the pin-wire detaching itself from the badge on ‘BB’, Croom Helm and other similarly constructed button-badges. With a pair ol pliers, bend down a small section of the badge rim so that it clamps the pin-wire in place. To avoid damaging the badge face when doing this, insert a piece ol cloth between it and the pliers. New Recorder for Oxfordshire John Brucker, 65 Yarnton Road. Kidlington, Oxford 0X5 1AT, has taken over from ). M. Campbell as Recorder for Oxfordshire. Islay reserve The RSPB has announced the purchase of some 1,200 ha of farmland, moorland and foreshore on Islay in the Inner Hebrides. This must represent oneol the best reserve purchases for years, taking in as it does part of the most important wintering site in Europe for Barnacle Geese Branta teucopsis- — well over half the total Greenland population is found on Islay — as well as many other species, including part of the declining population of Greenland \\ hite- fronts Anser albijrons flavirostris. Farming will continue, but management will be directed towards attracting the geese onto the reserve. This will help those farmers who have had genuine problems with flocks grazing on their land, but it should also help the geese, which have recently been the victims of sport-shooting thinly disguised as licensed shooting in the interests of crop protection. Visiting arrangements will be published by the RSPB in due course. Exhibition for ‘Richard Richardson Award’ winner Congratulations are due to Andrew Stock, 1980 winner of ‘The Richard Richardson Award', for his recent election as a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists. An exhibition of his recent work was also recently staged by the Malcolm Innes Gallery, from 10th to 22nd November 1983. Jack Belcher retires Although his name will be known to very few subscribers, Jack Belcher has been associated with BB for longer than most of us have been bird- watching. He was with Diemer & Reynolds Ltd when that firm printed BB and moved, at the same time as did BB. to our present printers. Henry Burt & Son Ltd. becoming a director some five years ago. He retired at the end of 1983, after having had close links with BB for 24 years. During that time, his friendly, ever-helpful, backroom advice has benefited and been appreciated during their reigns by four of BB' s executive/managing editors. Thank you, Jack! West Palearctic species renamed Those observers w ho have compared and wondered at the English names of Scrub Warbler for the delightfully neat and elegant Scotocerca inquieta and Graceful W arbler for the noisy and always-tatty-looking Prinia gracilis need be confused no longer. An 1 1 -year-old ob- server of them both in Israel has recently coined a far more appropriate vernacular name for Prinia gracilis: the Disgraceful Warbler. Bird names explained 82 News and comment Did you beat the Young Ornithologists at their own game? BB readers were invited to pit their wits against YOC entrants for the title of Young Ornithologists of the Year (Brit. Birds 76: 363-364). In each of these 12 sets, all but one of the birds had something in common. The ‘odd one out’ in each set is now shown in capital letters: 1. Chiffchaff, Chough, Cuckoo, Curlew, Kittiwake, Wryneck (the others have onomatopoeic names). (Chough is an alternative answer: the others are migrants or partial migrants.) 2. Dotterel, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, Meadow Pipit, Osprey, Ring Ouzel, Roseate Tern, Swift, Whinchat, White- throat, Yellow Wagtail (the others are summer migrants to Britain). 3. Chiffchaff, Dipper, Dunnock, Long- tailed Tit, Magpie, Wren (the others have domed nests with an entrance hole at the side). (Chiffchaff is an alternative answer: the others are residents in Britain and Ireland.) 4. Blackcap, Chaffinch, Cirl Bunting, Golden Oriole, Hen Harrier, House Sparrow, Kestrel, Mallard, Pheasant, Redstart, Tree Sparrow (the others have sexes with very different plumage). 5. Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Little Owl, Mandarin, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Ruddy Duck, Slavonian Grebe (the others were introduced to Britain by man). 6. Black Guillemot, Brambling, Little Grebe, Pied Flycatcher, Ptarmigan, Red-throated Diver, Reed Bunting, Robin, Ruff (the others have males, and sometimes females as well, with differing summer and winter plumages). 7. Bimaculated Lark, Blackbird, Brun- nich’s Guillemot, Common Nighthawk, Forster’s Tern, Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Ovenbird, Siberian Ruby throat (the others have been observed in Britain). 8. Bonelli’s Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Pallas’s Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Willow Warbler, Yellow W arbler (the others are in the family Sylviidae and breed in the Palearctic). 9. Collared Pratincole, Common Sand- piper, Greenfinch, Pallid Swift, Red Kite, Redpoll, Sabine’s Gull, Sandwich Tern, Swallow (the others have forked tails). 10. Brambling, Bullfinch, Collared Fly- catcher, Goldfinch, Green Sandpiper, Hen Harrier, House Martin, Rock Dove, Storm Petrel, Tufted Duck, Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike (the others have white rumps). 11. Bee-eater, Black Redstart, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Manx Shearwater, Sand Martin, Willow Tit (the others excavate their own nest holes). (Bee-eater is an alternative answer: the others breed annually in Britain.) 12. Cormorant, Gadwall, Garganey, Great Skua, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Little Grebe, Mallard, Pochard, Quail, Red- throated Diver (the others have nidi- fugous young). (Quail is an alternative answer: the others are associated with water.) r Recent reports K. Allsopp and R. A. Hume These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records Dates in this report refer to November except where stated otherwise. Further October records Southwest England did not have a complete monopoly of Nearctic passerine records, for at Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork), over the period 8th to 14th October, three Yellow- rumped Warblers Dendroica coronata were Recent reports 83 discovered. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus was also reported there, and another, an immature male, appeared on Bardsey (Gwynedd) on 14th October. The last locality was also visited by a Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus on 25th October, and by 19 Jays Garrulus glandarius on 19th October, part ol the invasion at that time (see ‘Request’ for information, Brit. Birds 77: 31-32). In southeast Scotland, a Citrine Wagtail Motacilla dtreola was seen at Drem (Lothian) from 2nd to 7th October, and a Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inomatus at Dalkeith (Lothian) on 17th October. A Penduline Tit Remig pendulinus accompanied seven Bearded Tits Panurus hiarmicus on 22nd October at Ditchford Gravel-pits (Northamptonshire). Anticy- clonic easterly weather on 29th and 30th October, with the subsequent find of the Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka at Weybourne (Norfolk) (plates 34-36), brought further records of a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Pallas’s Warbler, from Sandwich Bay (Kent), in addition to the one at Dungeness (Kent) on 30th October, reported last month. November weather and bird movements The first week of the month, with anti- cyclones remaining nearby, was settled but with dull conditions. Southeasterlies across the Channel brought another Pallas’s Warbler, this time to Beachy Head (East Sussex) on 6th, a Yellow-browed Warbler to Bardsey on 2nd, and Richard’s Pipits Anthus novaeseelandiae to West Runton (Norfolk) from 1st to 5th, and Highampton (Devon) on 4th. No large movements of winter thrushes were evident; Fieldfares Turdus pilaris , in particular, were scarce in the south. On 9th and 10th, however, a weather front remained stationary', orientated east- west across Orkney and Scandinavia as an anticyclone developed to the north with easterlies along the southern flank. The lighthouse on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) was inundated by an estimated 50,000 disorientated migrants. The species involved were Redwing T. iliacus, Fieldfare, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, Woodcock Scolopax rusticola , Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus, Goldcrest Regulus regulus and Starling Stumus vulgaris. The anticyclone extended over the Baltic, and temperatures dropped as cold easterly air covered Britain on 12th. Then, as the centre of pressure moved to the west, the winds turned northerly, keeping temperatures down until 23rd. The rarities during this period were truly Siberian, with a Pine Bunting Emberiga leucocephalos in the Isles of Scilly on 16th, a Yellow-browed Warbler at the Smalls Lighthouse (Dvfed) on 19th. a Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanm at Bude (Cornwall) on 20th and a Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus Juscatus at Sandwich Bay on 22nd. As the anticyclone moved back eastwards over the Continent, warm air pushed in from the 84 Recent reports southwest, and temperatures rose, as did those of the birdwatchers when a Little Swift Apus ajjinis was reported from Studland (Dorset) on 26th. The assembled multitudes on 27th were, however, disappointed, wait- ing in vain for a repeat performance. Wildfowl and waders A Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis was found in a flock of Brent Geese B. bernicla at Stiffkey (Norfolk) on 10th, but subsequently joined the Pink-footed Anser brachyrhynchus and White-fronted Geese A. albijrons at Holkham (Norfolk). With the Bean Goose 34-36. Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka, Norfolk, November 1983 ( above lejt and below, A.J. Croucher; above right, Andrew Moon) A.Jabalis flock in the Yare Valley (Norfolk) numbering 170, Norfolk is becoming in- creasingly attractive as a wintering ground for these goose flocks. Of note was a record of two Bewick’s Swans Cygnus columbianus from Orkney on 24th and 25th, where they are a rare sight. A Crane Grusgrus which arrived at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 23rd October remained in the vicinity during the month, as did a Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia at Drift Reservoir (Cornwall). A Little Crake Porzana parva was reported at Attenborough (Nottinghamshire) on 5th, but proved elu- sive thereafter. Recent reports 85 Birds of prey A sad find was the corpse of a second-year White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla at Bridlington (Humberside) around 13th. A Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus returned to winter at Lough Foyle (Co. Londonderry), and others were reported from North Wales and at Ladybower (Derbyshire). Latest news In early January: Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini at Hilbre (Merseyside); larger-than- usual numbers of Glaucous Gulls L. hyper- boreus in northern England and parts of Scotland; two Cranes at Tregaron (Dyfed); American Wigeon Anas americana at Ring- wood (Hampshire). Reviews Falcons of the World. By Tom J. Cade, with paintings by R. David Digby. Coll ins, London, 1982. 192 pages; 39 colour plates; 38 maps. £15.00. There is a kind of inverted ornithological snobbery so far as modern bird books are concerned, which goes something like this: whilst big and glossy is beautiful, it is the text-book sized books that contain all the really useful information. Tom Cade's book is mini coffee-table-book size and liberally sprinkled with whole-page technically excellent perched falcons. 1 wondered w hilst reading it, though, what my reactions would have been if the book were to 'look' more • scientific — contain a few more diagrams and black-and-white line-draw ings, and be of smaller format? Whatever psychological influence it would have had, there is no denying that, in its presented form, this is a very good, clearly w ritten and well researched tome. Naturally, much use is made of standard references, such as BM P, Eagles, Hawks and Falcons oj the World, Birds oj the Soviet Union, as well as more esoteric works and papers. These are fully and freely acknowledged throughout the very readable texts, and Cade cannot in am way be accused of plagiarism. Part 1 (the first 55 pages) is devoted to subjects such as the characters of falcons, classification, migration, flying adaptations, social behaviour and breeding biology. ; the final section here, on falcons and man. establishes Cade as a person clearly bitten by the falconry bug. The remainder, and bulk, of the book deals with species-accounts of the world s 39 falcons, and this instantly shows our tremendous knowledge of some (e.g. the peregrine, the peregrine, the peregrine), but great lack for most others. Distribution maps complete the work, and, though clear for most species, are confusing for others (e.g. two species plotted on the same map in the same colour). That apart, this is a first-class book, and really my only grumble is that more use could have been made of the illustrations to show various flight patterns and identification features. Large pictures of perched birds are all very well, but I could not help feeling that I had seen them all before. R- F. Porter The Return of the Sea Eagle. By John A. Love. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1983. 227 pages; 84 black-and-white plates; several line-drawings. £15.00. The author delves in great detail into the breeding and feeding biology and world distribution of the White-tailed Eagle, as w'ell as its former distribution in Britain. He also discusses the probable causes of its extinction in Britain. There is an interesting chapter on related species. Only three of the ten chapters, however, deal with the Nature Conservancy Council's scheme to reintroduce this bird to Scotland, so the title of this well-researched book is somewhat misleading. One is left with the distinct impression that publication was intended to coincide with the first successful breeding, but it was not to be. How much more could we achieve if only the birds would co-operate! The extent of the author's researches are most obvious in those parts of the book dealing with breeding biology, former distribution and decline. At times, though, reading becomes difficult owing to the frequent inclusion of references. (Why could they not have been dealt with by using numbers to indicate the reference concerned?) W hy, too, was it necessary to gi\e 86 Reviews scientific names in brackets after each new bird species? (Surely those people who really need this information also know best where else to seek it.) In places, the book reads like a thesis, and this is not helped by slipshod editing, far more than can reasonably be expected in a book costing £15.00. On one page, a section of text has been omitted entirely. Many of what the publishers describe as ‘84 black and white plates’ are in fact line-drawings by the author; but very good drawings nevertheless. In discussing the causes of the birds’ extinction, the author is of the opinion that sheep- farmers, gamekeepers and egg-collectors were to blame. I am sure he is right! Later on, he states ‘we are confident that the young eagles are being released into a secure and suitable habitat . . .’ It does not follow that his confidence is justified, although I hope that it is. We may have lost the Sea Eagles temporarily, but sheep-farmers, gamekeepers and egg-collectors are still with us. So far as the first two are concerned, the many recent incidents of bird-of-prey persecution prove that old prejudices die hard. Indeed, the author tells us that two of the released eagles have been found poisoned and that a third died in other suspicious circumstances. Egg-collectors, too, are still with us; it may yet prove unfortunate that the author saw' fit to mention so many ancestral nest sites, many of which will presumably be reoccupied if reintroduction is successful. Peter Robinson Owls of Europe. By Heimo Mikkola. T. & A. D. Poyser, Calton, 1983. 397 pages; 8 colour plates; 75 black-and-white plates; many line-drawings. £16.80. This most attractive book covers the 14 species of owl nesting in Europe, together with four species in the adjacent areas of North Africa and the Middle East. It thus covers all the owls of the Western Palearctic. Let me say at once that this is, in my view, the finest book on owls ever published and an essential purchase for every serious ornithologist interested in this fascinating group. This is perhaps mainly because Dr Mikkola is a life-long student of the northern owls, having, according to the bibliography, written 36 papers on owls himself and seven with other authors, so the book is enlivened by the breadth and intensity of his field experience. It also owes much to the artist, Ian Willis, who has not only provided the excellent colour plates of all species (and some distinctive races or phases) at rest and in flight, as well as many line-drawings, but also, as Dr Mikkola makes clear, given invaluable help by reading and supplementing the text. Dr Mikkola opens with a discussion of the special features of owls — origin, taxonomy, anatomical characters, external features, some unique aspects of the owl physique (vision, hearing and gastric digestion) and pellets. The last section stresses the dangers, as well as the many advantages, of using pellets (which are the subject of probably the majority of papers on owls) as a guide to their food. The main part of the book follows, with chapters on the individual species covering description, in the field, voice, behaviour, food, breeding biology and distribution. They range from long chapters on well-studied species, especially by Dr Mikkola himself, such as the Great Grey Owl, to quite short ones on such southern species as Hume’s Tawny Owl and Striated Scops Owl, where our information on most aspects of their biology is still sadly lacking. These accounts are well, if soberly, written, with a massive knowledge of the literature and help from correspondents. The distribution section includes maps of world and West Palearctic ranges, population data, and, where appropriate, information on movements, especially eruptions. Finally, he discusses a number of special aspects of ecological relationships, including sexual dimorphism and differences in diet, interspecific aggression, owls and their prey, ecological isolation mechanisms, and conservation and legal status. The reasons for the sexual differences in size are less well understood than in the case of diurnal raptors, but Dr Mikkola makes the interesting suggestion that, at least in the cases of some northern owls, the relatively large body of the female is necessary to produce adequate heat for incubation and to compensate for heat loss. It appears that, allowing for often uncertain population estimates, most European owls are facing no serious conservation problems, except possibly the Eagle Owl, which needs greater legal protection in some countries, including Finland. All in all, a fine book, produced with the usual Poyser skill, and including, in addition to the features already mentioned, a large number of excellent photographs. Stanley Gramp Kritisn birqfrhop PLEASE HELP TO PROVIDE EXTRA PAGES IN 'Bb’ BY ORDERING ITEMS FROM US Please Books (post fret* to UK. and Fire; add 50p per book lor rest of world) s/~ I he British Birds Mystery Photographs Book j. 1 R. 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Ogilvie (OL'P) £6.95 I I Birds of Prey of Britain and Europe Ian Wallace (( )UP) £6.95 C A Complete Checklist oj the Birds oj the World Richard Howard & Alick Moore ( Papermac) £7.95 [ The Garden Bird Book David Glue (Macmillan) £7.95 C .4 Natural History of British Birds Eric Simms & Robert Gillmor ( Dent) £12.95 1~1 The Shell Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland Ferguson- Lees, Willis & Sharrock £7.95 I I The Popular Handbook of British Birds P. A. D. Hollom (Withcrby) £ 1 1 .50 O The Popular Handbook of Rarer British Birds P. A. D. Hollom (Withcrby) £12.(X) C The 'British Birds' List of Birds of the Western Palearctic (British Birds) £0.60 I I Recordings (add extra 70p per disc or £1 .00 per cassette pack for all overseas orders) £23.1X1 each /I held Guide to the Bird Songs oj Britain and Europe Sture Palmer & Jellery Boswall Complete set ol 16 cassettes in lour packs (running time approx 13 hours) (Post tree) £86 (X) Cassette pac k I Divers to gulls ( Price includes postage) CPI CD ) Cassette pack 2 ferns to warblers (Price includes postage) GP2 CD ( asset te pac k 3 Goldcrest to crows (Price includes postage) CP3 CD Cassette pack 4 Accidentals (Price includes postage) GP4 CD Complete set ol 15 LP discs ot birds (running time approx 12 hours) (Post tree) £84 (XI Complete sets ot 15 LP discs ol birds and 2 I.P discs ol mammals (Post tree) £95.20 LP disc LP disc LP disc LP disc LP disc I.P disc LP disc LP disc LP disc LP disc I.P disc LP disc Divers to swans RFI.P500I CD "N Ducks and raptors RFLP5002 CD (iame-birds to Iamg-billed Dowitcher REI.P5003 CD Spotted Redshank to gulls RFLP5(X)4 CD ferns to owls RFI.P5005 □ Nightjars to larks RFI.P5006 CD Martins to Lanceolated Warbler RFI.P5007 CD 30 warblers RFLP5008 CD Goldcrest to Red-flanked Bluetail RFLP5009 CD I brushes to treecreepers Rf I.P5010 CD Buntings to Scarlet Rosefinch RFLP501 1 CD Pine Grosbeak to crows RFLP5012 CD LP disc Accidentals up to Common Nighthawk RFLP50I3 CD LP disc Remaining accidentals RFLP5014 CD LP disc new disc Extra recordings of main species and more acc identals RFLP5015 CD Companion set oj recordings oj 69 British and European mammals LP disc Hedgehog to Polecat RFLP50I6 CD LP disc Otter to Musk Ox Rf l.P.501 7 CD □ □ □ £5.60 each, plus £ 1 .50 p& p per order ) PRICES VALID DURING FEBRUARY 1984 Make all cheques and POs payable to British Birds. Payments can also be made directly into L’K Giro account number 37 588 6303. but please still post this form. ( Payment can be made in L'SS. but. due to bank charges, calculate S b\ multiplying £ by 2'/2 after adding postage.) Please allow 28 days for delivers in L'K. longer if abroad. Name Address Total £ Send to BB Offers, Fountains, Cheque/PO enclosed CD Giro payment made CD Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ ix Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 Classified Advertisements All advertisements must be PREPAID and sent to British Birds Advertising Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ Telephone 0621 815085 Rates £1.20 a line- average of 6 words £5.00 a centimetre — min. 2 centimetres Box Number counts as 2 words is £1 .00 extra per insertion Replies should be sent to the above address Series Discounts 3 insertions for the price of 2 6 insertions for the price of 4 Copy Date 1 0th of the month preceeding HO LI DA Y A C COM MOD A TION STUNNING ST BRIDES CASTLE set in 100 acres by sea in the Pembrokeshire National Park close to the bird sanctuaries of Skomer and Skokholm. Luxury self-catering apartments for seekers of peace and beauty. Tel: 0453-83 4070 for brochure and video. (BB753) WINDERMERE. Beautifully situated Victorian mansion converted into holiday flats, 7 acres own grounds, croquet lawn. Quiet and secluded, CTV, heating all rooms. Also bed and breakfast. SAE for brochure please: Mrs E. Coates, The Meaning, Windermere. Tel: 096-62 3453. (BB665) PEMBROKESHIRE. Near St Davids, dairy farm B&B/ED (served 7pm) farmhouse award. Children welcomed, play area, visitors kitchen available at all times. Please send for brochure: G. Jones, Upper Vanley, Llandeloy, Solva, Haverfordwest, Dyfed. (03483) 418. (BB666) H OLID A Y A CCOMMODA TION WARM WELCOME. B&b/em optional. Close marshes. Heritage coastal walks. Central lor C Hey and Titchwell reserves. Mrs Court. Eastdene, Northfield Lane, Wells next the Sea, Norfolk. (0328) 710381. (BB571) ISLES OF SCILLY — Seaview Moorings, St. Mary’s. Home cooking and personal service from resident proprietors. Tony and Linda. Oyer- looking harbour, close to quay and town — licensed — in-room tea and coffee making facili- ties— pets welcome. SAE for details or telephone Pony or Linda Dingley on 0720 22327. (BB560) BED & BREAKFAST. Mrs D. Crowden. Rose- villa, Middleton, Saxmundham, Sullolk. West- leton (489) between 6-7 pm. (BB570) ISLE OF ISLAY. Comfortable 3-bedroom cottage, Kildalton. Well equipped, sleeps six. Available all year. Write: Jupp, Kidalton, Isle of Islay, PA42 7EF, or phone 049 683 249. (BB567) MANOR BARN COTTAGE, Mudgley, Wedmore, Somerset Beautiful, Peaceful, Rural England. Ideal touring West of England, Walking, Bird- watching, Painting. Fine English cooking. Log fires. TV, Central Heating. Your Comfort is my Concern. Brochure on request. Wedmore 712953. (BB603) GALLOWAY. Hills, lochs, forests and sea. Speciality, birds of prey and waterfowl. High quality houses, cottages, flats. Details, send 27p stamp to: G. M. Thomson & Co, 27 King Street, Castle Douglas. (BB589) NORTH NORFOLK. The George & Dragon Hotel. Accommodation, bars & meals. Over- looking the marshes at Cley, towards Blakeney Point. Tel: Cley (0263) 740652. (BB590) ARGYLL, Oban 12m, Taynuilt lm. 9 self- catering flats in country house, own grounds, beautiful surroundings, secluded and quiet. 1 chalet, 1 caravan. SAE for brochure. Lonan House, Taynuilt, Argyll. Tel: 086 62 253. (BB539) GREYHOMES HOTEL Torcross, S. Devon Holiday Accommodation, S. Devon SLAPTON SANDS, AA and RAC one star. Small friendly licensed hotel magnificently situated in six acres of mature gardens over- looking the panorama of Slapton Ley Nature Reserve and Start Bay. Unspoilt coastline famous for its variety of birds and wildlife. Also four self-catering holiday bungalows in grounds. SAE for brochure: Greyhomes Hotel, Torcross, Nr. Kingsbridge, S. Devon. Tel: Kingsbridge 580220. (BB549) x Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 H OLID A Y A CCOMMODA TION SssetUftigtlbffl ISLE OF TIREE, INNER HEBRIDES Tiree Lodge Hotel, Isle of Tiree, Argyll PA77. Tel: 08792 368. Come to Tiree for a holiday with a difference. Panoramic views, beautiful sandy beaches, golf, cycling, lobster fishing/sea angling. Paradise for bird- watchers, divers, etc. Hotel is full licensed, TV lounge, and has self catering flats also. May we send you a 1 colour brochure. (BB593) SELF CATERING FARM HOLIDAYS. THE LAKE DISTRICT. 7 Holiday Flats, each sleeping 4 adults with single beds. Two of the Hats are designed for handicapped people. Located in Near Sawrey in quiet setting with access to Esthwaite Water renowned for water birds. Convenient distance to Morecambe Bay and Leighton Moss. Television. Wood burning stoves in six of the Hats. Rowing boats are available on Esthwaite Water. Apply Mrs T. W. Taylor, Sunnyside, Esthwaite How Farm Holidays, Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria. Telephone Hawkshead 331. (BB620) HEREFORDSHIRE. Farm holiday bungalow to let amidst Black Mountains in the lovely Olchon Valley of Herefordshire. Lovely walks and bird watching area. Dippers nesting close to bungalow in Spring. Week-end lets until April. Probert, Glandwr Farm, Llanvavnoe. Longtown, Hereford. Tel: Longtown Castle 608. (BBb42) SOUTHWOLD AA** HOTEL. E nsuite bed- rooms, good food and wines. Ideal base for ' Minsmere and surrounding area. Open ail year. Holiday house also available to let. Write or tel: Pier Avenue Hotel, South wold. Tel: 722632. (BB553) OUTER HEBRIDES. Bed, breakfast, evening meal. Patricia Wotherspoon, Lasquair, Loch- boisdale, Isle of South Uist. Tel: 087 84 497. (BB632) NEW FOREST. so many reasons to visit New Park Hotel, Brockenhurst. Excellent food, private bathrooms, riding stables, swimming pool, tennis court. Pets welcome. Secluded position, ideal for bird watching. Colour brochure. (BB550) COUNTRY COTTAGES between Alnwick and Belford. Sleep up to six, fully equipped, self- catering, available throughout the year. Well placed for Holy Island and Fame Islands, Cheviot Hills and many places of natural beauty. SAE to Mrs P. Foster, Coxons, Craster South Farm, Alnwick, Northumberland. Tel: (066 576) 640. (BB544) MODERNISED STONE COTTAGE on high- land sea loch farm in dedicated National Trust beauty area, abundant wild life, naturalist's paradise, boating, climbing and fishing locally. TV aerials and heating prov ided SAE Itiverlael Cottages. Loch Broom. Ross-shire. Tel: 085485 262. (BB684) ISLES OF SCILLY, Nlin carlo Guest House, St Mary’s. Superbly situated in own grounds overlooking the harbour. Terms from £8 (plus VAT) for B&B. £12.25 (plus VAT) BB & EM. Tel: 0720 225 13. (BB689) SOUTHWOLD, ‘Suffolk House’, Luxury S/C flats, sea views. Ground, first and second floors sleep 2, 3, 4-5. Excellently furnished and equipped. Electric blankets. Linen. Colour TVs. Available all year. Personally supervised. Tel: Southwold 723742. (BB690) PEACEFUL wooded valley, sandv beach. Cottages for 4-10. Lovely clilf and country walks. Brochure: G. Cummins, St Gennvs. Bude. Tel: 084 03 338. (BB694) KELLING— NR CLEY Hotel/Freehouse in 4 acres of own wooded grounds. Open all year round. Birdwatch in comfort. Dennis and Patsy Parkinson welcome you. Applehili Hotel, Wevboume (026 370) 382 ( BB688) NEW — OPENED JANUARY 1 984 Tony and Pamela Miller invite you to stay at the BODMIN MOOR NATURE OBSERVATORY Open all the year round — Full Board and Accommodation. Informal — you are welcome to bird on your own or help with Observatory projects to study and record the flora and fauna of this richly endowed area. Some 1 7 different habitats to explore on and around the Moor. 70+ bird species breed within three miles. Two reservoirs nearby. N and S coasts and Camel Estuary 34 hour’s drive away. Bird ringing a regular feature as well as other B.T.O. enquiries. S.A.E. for prospectus to: Tony Miller, Bodmin Moor N O., Ninestones Farm, Common Moor, Cornwall PL14 6SD. Tel: 0579 20455 (BB652) XI Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 HO LI DA Y A CCOMMODA TION ISLE OF MULL. A stable converted into 2 warm comfortable flats. Frachadil Farm, Calgary. Tel: 06884 265. ' (BB577) LAKELAND COUNTRY HOUSE with well established following by bird lovers, offers excellent accommodation in unspoilt village of Sawrey. Famous for the stories of Beatrix Potter. All rooms with private facilities. Within easy reach of Leighton Moss bird reserve. For brochure phone 09662 4314. Scutcheon, Country House, Sawrey, Nr. Ambleside, Cumbria. (BB622) CLEY — Birdwatch as you breakfast! All year round B&B in very comfortable home, directly overlooking bird reserve and salt marshes. Alan and Sheila Hart, The Saltings, Coast Road, Cley. Tel: 740645. (BB431) FETLAR, self-catering cottage, fully equipped, 3 bedrooms. Also caravan. Beautiful views. Phone 095783/237. (BB617) ISLE OF ISLAY— Hebrides— our S/C C/H cottages are beautifully situated on the shores of Loch Indaal, home of wintering geese, with superb views to the hills. A peaceful five minute stroll to the village where you can enjoy an evening’s entertainment among friendly people. From £50 per week. Full details and brochure — Mrs James Roy, Lorgba Holiday Cottages, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islav, Argyllshire PA48 7UD. T el: 049 685 208. (BB565) CLEY. Attractive house in village, four bed- rooms, large garden, garage, c.h. Available all year. Details from Mrs E. Album, 47 Lyndale Avenue, London NW2. Pel: 01-431 2942. (BB599) TITCHWELL, Manor Hotel, overlooking re- serve. Centrally heated, licensed, informal. Noted for good food & comfort. Tel: Brancaster 22 1 . (BB587) NORTH WEST HIGHLANDS, Dundonnell Hotel, just south of Ullapool, ideal location for hill walkers, birdwatchers and those who enjoy the open spaces. Private bathrooms, full c.h. Send for col. brochure/ tariff giving details of bargain holidays on selected dates, to Selbie Florence, Dundonnell Hotel, by Carve, Ross-shire. Tel: 085 483 204. (BB568) SOLWAY COAST. B&B, evening meal optional. CH, ample parking, convenient wild- fowl reserve. Ideal painting, hill walking. Packed lunches and vegetarian meals available. Bardsley, The Rossan, Auchencairn, Castle Douglas DG7 1QR. Tel: 055664269. (BB598) CLEY— 6 miles. Flint cottage sleeps 2. Cot available. SAE: Mrs Hampshire, Riverbank, Hunworth, Melton Constable, Norfolk. Tel: Holt 3891. (BB710) ALDERNEY the unspoilt Channel Island. Escape to tranquility and friendship. B. B. Griffin. Farm Court, Alderney C.I. Tel: 048182 2075. (BB619) NATIONAL TRUST VILLAGE on Exmoor. Self-catering holiday homes. Centrally heated. Near Porlock, Sea, moors, woods and marshes within walking distance. Stamp for brochure. Sheila Wright, The Pack Horse, Allerford, near Minehead. (Tel: (0643) 862475. (BB618) OUTER HEBRIDES. Bed and breakfast plus evening meal. T/A SAE Mrs C. MacLeod, Innis-Ghorm, North Lochboisdale, South Uist. Phone 08784 232. (BB621) COTSWOLD COTTAGE— Bed and breakfast £7.00, with evening meal £12.00. Tel: 024287 332. (BB634) DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK. Luxury self-catering accommodation in beautiful peace- ful surroundings. Tastefully converted stable sleeps six. Comfortable, spacious wing ol house sleeps 6/9. Brochure: Mrs. Parkin, Rockvale, Lustleigh, Devon TQ13 9TH. Tel. 06477 264. ( BB650) TRANQUIL LAMBSQUAY HOTEL Wye/ Dean Forest, Coleford, Glos. AA* H delicious food and wine, two nights or more, £19 pp pngt. D.B.&B. s/c flat let weekly. Tel: (0594) 33127. (BB55I ) PEMBROKESHIRE BIRD LIFE, Skomer, Grassholm, Ramsey Island. Modern fully equipped apartments overlooking St. Brides Bay. Adjoining coastal path. Ideal facilities for young and old enthusiasts. Mrs Davies (0222) 761031. (BB674) COTTAGES GALORE. We have some 200 de- lightful cottages in all parts of Britain. A great variety of individual properties, all inspected. Prices £15 to £49 per person per week. Get our free colour brochure: Amaro Cottage Holidays, 22 High Street, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1BN. Tel: 0420 88892. (BB627) NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS National Park. Coast and country, including Scarborough, Ravenscar, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay area. 200 inspected houses, bungalows and farm cottages to let. SAE: Ingrid Flute, White Cottage, Ravenscar, Scarborough, Y013 ONE. Tel: 0723 870703. (BB616) GLYN-Y-MEL MANSION. Lc >wcr Fishguard, Dyfed. Historic country house close to pic- turesque fishing harbour in 50 acres of own meadows, woodland and river on the edge of the National Park. Bird sanctuary. Golf, sailing and beaches all nearby. Car park. Licensed. Under the personal supervision of Lt Col and Mrs F. Biofeld. Also self-contained flat sleeping up to 6. I cl: 0348 872803. Once you have visited this peaceful valley you will return. (BB7 1 1 ) xu Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 HO LI DA Y A CCOMMQDA TION FAIRLIGHT HOTEL Golf Links Road, Broadstone, Dorset BH18 8BE Poole Harbour, Arne, Radipole, Fleet Small, licensed, Private Hotel set in own grounds with direct access to natural woodland. Ideal all-year round centre for ‘birding’ and all country/seaside pleasures. AA and RAC with full c/heating, open fire lounge and en-suite facilities. Fresh food cuisine prepared and presented by resident Proprietors. Colour brochure from Jean and Roger Skipper (0202) 694316. (BB725) PEMBROKESHIRE, Broad Haven. Modern chalet, sleeps 6. TV. Hildick-Smith, Redmarley Orchards, Great VVitley, Worcester. Tel: Great Witley 308. (BB696) NORTH NORFOLK. Lawns Hotel, Holt. Small, friendly hotel. Resident proprietors. Excellent home cooking. Licensed. 18 Feb to 31 May £27 DB& B 2 days. Tel: 026 37 1 3390. (BB697) CLEY, 2 luxury cottages (sleep 6 and 8). Stamp please for brochure: Hughes, Wilburton, Ely. Tel: 0353 740770. 1 (BB698) SALTHOUSE. Modernised cottage overlooking marshes. Sleeps 4-6. No children, pets. SAE: Baker, 35 Porson Road, Cambridge. Tel: 358666. (BB699) VISIT FLAMBOROUGH HEADLAND, Heritage Coastline. Next to RSPB's Bempton reserve. The Flaneburg Hotel oilers every comfort, bargain breaks, early and late season. Details tel: 0262 850284. (BB700) MILTON MANOR HOTEL, nr Tenby. Tel: 064 67 398. In 7 secluded acres near National Park, estuary and coast path. 26 bedrooms most en-suite, 6 with self-catering terms. Licensed restaurant. Central heating. (BB701 ) COMFORTABLY FURNISHED farm cot- tages. Good birdwatching. Pets welcome. Svmondson, Barnsoul, Shawhead, Dumfries. (BB702) MARLOES, nr Haverfordwest. Foxdale. Bed and breakfast, evening dinner. Local boat trips: Skomer island bird sanctuary. Self-catering bungalow', camping and caravan. Children and family pets welcome. First right turning by Marloes Church. Mrs Morgan. Tel: Dale (06465)527. (BB709) N. WALES between Ruthin and Mold. \ ery comfortable 4/6 berth caravan on quiet country site. Fridge, TV, toilet. Showers on site. Exc. base for forest, moors and Dee Estuary. £55 p.w. or £30 w/e. Tel: 05 1 -677 6626. ( BB730) ISLE OF ISLAY, Lochside Hotel. Situated on the edge of Loch lndaal. Birdwatching all the year round. Superb 2 star accommodation with full central heating. All rooms have private bathroom or shower with wash hand basin, colour TV, wireless, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. Fully licensed. Brochure and tariff from Norman or Elaine Osborne, Lochside Hotel, Bow more, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA43 7LB. Tel: Bowmore (049 681 >244/265. (BB715) “OSPREY VILLAGE”. Beautiful Boat of Garten in the central Scottish Highlands close by the RSPB Loch Garten reserve. Year-round High- land hospitality. 150 local bird species. Details SAE please: Tourist Association, Boat ofGarten, Inverness-shire. (BB716) N. NORFOLK. 4m Blakeney. Luxury charming secluded cottages. (1) sleeps 7+. Tel: 0509 412324. (2) sleeps 4. Tel: 032875 366. (BB7I7) LEIGHTON MOSS AND MORECAMBE BAY. Our family run Grosvenor Hotel is close by at Arnside, overlooking Kent Estuary towards Lakeland hills. Comfort, good fixxl and resi- dential licence. Brochure and details: Eel: 0524 761666. BB718) ARGYLL, SEIL ISLAND (over Atlantic Bridge). 4 berth caravan with extensive sea views, quiet situation. Fully equipped (ex linen). Also B and B in modern dormer bungalow. Mrs J. Butler, Achraichs, Clachan Seil. Bv Oban, Argyll PA34 4TN. Tel: Balvicar (085 23) 259. (BB708) PENNAL, Between Machynlleth/ Aberdovey. Secluded cottage in peaceful valley. BB&EM. Mrs Valentine, Cwm Dwr. Pennal. Machynlleth, Powys. Tel: PennalblO. (BB695) SOMERSET LEVELS (Nr Taunton). Comfor- table self-catering. Two bedroomed holiday- accommodation in area noted for its variety of birdlife. Tel: 082369 305. (BB712) ST. AGNES. Isles of Scilly. Small, comfortable Guest House. Plenty of good food. Plenty of good birds. Phone 0720 22620. (BB720) VISITING CLEY? Bed and breakfast, also bungalows to let. Daily ferries to Blakeney Point bird sanctuary and Seal Island. Temple. Anchor Inn. Morston. Holt. Tel: Gley 740 264. (BB722) ISLE OF MULL, T orosay Castle, Craignure. Golden eagles often over the park. 20 species in the garden and over 200 recorded on the islands. Mull is a paradise. Gardens open year-round. Castle: 1 May-30 Sept, 10.30 pm. 1 flat and gardener’s cottage to let. Each sleeps 4 plus camp beds. For terms apply: The Secretary. Tel: 068 02 421. (BB723) xiii Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 HO LI DA Y A CCOMMODA TION LUNDY ISLAND Stay in the Castle Keep, the Old Light (1819) or one of our other 19 cottages on Lundy. Millcombe House Hotel is also available. Transport to the Island by helicopter on Saturdays, or by the M.V. Polar Bear from Ilfracombe. One of Europe's most important seabird colonies, famous spring and autumn migrations, and many rare visitors. For bookings and information tel: 062 882 3431 , or send £2 for our 1 70-page handbook to The Landmark Trust, Shottesbrooke, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3SW. (BB728) YOU WILL FIND A WARM WELCOME and every comfort in this attractively situated and secluded country hotel. Excellent birdwatching amidst moorland, forest and river. Home cooking, home produce. Full central heating, h&c and electric blankets in all bedrooms. Terms £80 db&b for week. Brochure from Old Manse Hotel, Duthill, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire PH23 3ND. Tel: (047 984). (BB752) MID WALES. Radnor Forest. Self-contained Hal in old chapel. Sleeps 2. Ideal walking, birdwatching. SAE: Arnott, Zion Cottage, New Radnor, Powys. Tel: 625. (BB736) WINDMILL AND 2 COTTAGES. 5 miles Blakeney. Sleep 8, 6 and 4, available all year. SAE: 195 East End Road, London, N2. IcI: 01-8838137. (BB738) NORTH DEVON/EXMOOR. A beautiful little XVII century farm Guest House for Birdwatchers. All the best habitats nearby, Woodland, Moorland, Estuary, Seabird cliffs. Splendid library for Birdwatchers, Photography, Gardening, Butterflies. Brochure and Exmoor Bird List. Dennis and Sylvia Adams, Hall Farmhouse, Goodleigh, Barnstaple, N. Devon. 0271/45279. (BB741) EXTREME W. CORNWALL. Super B&B (cent, heat, showers, col. TV, etc.) from £6.50. 0736 5405. (BB732) PERTHSHIRE, SUTHERLAND, NORTH WALES and other areas. Self-catering country cottages in idyllic surroundings, with golfing, fishing, hill walking, sailing, canoeing and other recreational pursuits near at hand. For brochure and list of available dates write to: Renton Finiayson, Bank House, 82 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire. Tel: (0796) 251 2. (BB748) QUANTOCK HILLS. Cottage sleeps 4-6. Available all year. Also caravan. SAE: Miller, Moorshard Farm, Dunwear, Bridgwater. Tel: 423286. (BB734) CENTRALLY HEATED holiday flats. SAE for brochure 'to: Mrs M. Nicholls, Seawaves, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall. Tel: Scillonia 22752. ' (BB740) COCKERMOUTH, CUMBRIA. Ground floor C.H. 2-bed flat (Twin beds and bunk beds). No linen. No pets. Lorton (090 085) 305. (BB742) EXTREME W. CORNWALL. Cosy House. To let, sleeps 5, log fire 4- cent, heat, from £85 p.w. 0736 5405. (BB733) ST ROGNAVALDS GUEST HOUSE, Fetlar. Centrally situated, two twin rooms, one double bedroom, guest lounge, bathroom with shower. Phone Fetlar 240. (BB659) GALLOWAY for geese and eagles. Private Hotel ideally situated for birdwatching and holidays. Small parties welcome. Comfortable accom- modation and excellent food. Open all year. Tel: 0556 2173. Merrick Hotel, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. (BB670) ARGYLL COAST. Self-catering cottages on isolated private nature reserve. Sorry no dogs. SAE for brochure please to: Ardpatrick Cottages, Tarbert, Argyll. Tel: 088-02 633. (BB664) ABERFELDY — In the heart of Scotland amidst breathtaking Highland scenery abounding in wildlife, a comfortable country house hotel offering complete relaxation with good food and drink. Ideal for birdwatching, hillwalking, fishing, golf, etc., and touring glorious Perthshire. Bed and full breakfast £ 10; dinner £6.50 (all inch, to 31 March 84). Tel: (0887) 20251 for colour brochure. AA/RAC listed. (BB668) BIRD WA TCHING HO LI DA YS MAKE THIS A YEAR TO REMEMBER. COME TO FAIR ISLE— Join our natural history course in June — or bring the family and appreciate attractive rates and a warm welcome, on a beautiful island of birds, flowers and people. Contact: Nick and Elizabeth Riddiford, Fair Isle, Shetland (SAE please) Tel: 03512 258 (BB692) DON’T JUST GOBIRDINGin Dorset. Join us to find butterflies, orchids, dragonflies . . . oh, and birds, on hotel-based, field centre or family camping holidays. The Dorset Naturalist, 19 Cromwell Road, Dorchester, Dorset. (BB737) DULVERTON, EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK, secluded but central s/catering flat sleeps 4-5. Sinclair, Bank Square, Dulverton. (BB703) xtv Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 BIRD WA TCHING HO LI DA YS SPAIN Birding Spring 1984 Tom Gullick lives in Spain and will show you the rarest birds in beautiful and remote areas. Expect to see 5 Eagles, 3 Vultures, Bustards, Sand Grouse, White-headed Duck, Galinule, Eagle Owl, Black Stork, with many Ducks, Waders and Passerines on Spring Migration. 11,8 and 5 day tours for 3 to 4 persons only by Range Rover. 6 years and over 400 field days of experience. Tom Gullick c/o Mrs. M. C. Parker, 5 Tile Barn Close, Earn bo rough, Hants, GU 14 8LS. Tel: 0252 547213. (BB529) SEABIRD CRUISES. See maritime species. Visit Western Isles remote habitats under sail. Details High Minton, Hillside, Cromer NR27 0HY. Tel: (0263) 512928. (BB595) BIRDWATCHING, walking, painting or craft holidays (12th year) with Robin and Judith Wake. Furze Lodge, Trelights, nr Port Isaac, Cornwall. SAE for brochure or tel: 020 888 233. (BB693) ST KILDA AND HEBRIDEAN birdwatching and cruises aboard our vessel Kylebhan from Oban. Live aboard in comfort and visit the remote and otherwise inaccessible islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. A memorable holiday. Suitable for all ages. Write or telephone for brochure; Hebridean Holidays, Harbour, Troon, Ayrshire. Pel: 0292 316444 or 70033. (BB655) ORKNEYS AND SHETLANDS, including Fair Isle and Foula. Cruise round in 54ft boat, landing each day. Superb bird life and archaeology. Expert leader. 9 to 20 June. From Wick, £525. We also run many wildlife expeditions to the Arctic July/Aug. Send stamp to ERSKINE EXPEDITIONS, 14 lnverleith Place, Edinburgh. (BB724) ISLES OF SCILLY — join resident birdman David Hunt for the holiday of a lifetime. 1984 Brochure from Cygnus Wildlife, 96 Fore Street, kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1 P V . Phone: (0548) 6178. (BB685) TURKEY Spring 1984 See the very best of Turkey’s rich and varied birdlifc set against a background of some of the country’s most spectacular and fascinat- ing places. Good accommodation, limited group size. Two exciting departures. £594 (15 nights). Full details from: Aegean Turkish Holiday Limited, 10 South Molton St., London W1 Y IDF. Tel: 01-409 1938. (BB625) BIRDWATCHING IN TURKEY Naturalistic Holidays Central & Southern 16 dys. May from £665 Eastern T urkey 1 6 dys. June from £695 West T urkey & Greece 10 dys Aug from £480 Bosphorus M igration 1 0 dys Sept from £460 Central Turkey & Bosphorus Migration 16 dys Sept from £650 inclusive Details Chris Slade, Turkish Bird watching Holidays, 8 The Grange, Elmdon Park, Solihull, West Mid's. B 92 9 EL. Tel: 021-742 5420. 021-705 5535 (BB678) HOLIDAYS FOR BIRDWATCHERS with Steve Madge and Ted Griffiths based at the Talland Bay Hotel on the south Cornish coast in March, October and November. Special birds and flowers week in May. Course dates and brochure from Talland Bay Hotel, Nr Looe. Cornwall. Tel: Polperro (0503) 72667. (BB623) BIRDWATCHING WEEKENDS in Dorset. Chaufleured visits to reserves and coast led by Warden or experienced RSI’B member. Country accommodation, home cooked food. Send SAE for brochure: Durran, Trent Vale Farm, Hyde, Wareham, Dorset. Tel: 0929 47 1 642. (BB707) JOHN GOODERS: Book now for John’s 1984 weekly birdwatching holidays based at his 16th century farmhouse. Still some vacancies for Winter Weekend Birding Breaks and on our special French Winter Weekends for Sea Eagles and Cranes. Details: I.attenden's Farm (BB) Ashburnham. Battle. E. Sussex TN33 9PB. (BB645) BOTSWANA — In Search of the Slaty Egret — A once only opportunity to spend 3 weeks viewing the birdlife of the Okavango delta, swamps and game parks. Camping tour in comfortable, fully equipped truck — £1,250 all inclusive! Guerba Expeditions, Dept BB, Westfield House, West- bury. Wilts BA 1 3 3EP. or phone 0380 830476. (BB628) THE RAPTOR ISLE’ Undiscovered Menorca 7 Raptor breeding species — 5 at HIGHEST breeding density in EUROPE — including 30+ pairs Egyptian Vulture, 40+ pairs Booted Eagle, 100+ pairs Red kite. Total Island size only 34 X 13 MILES. Excellent migrations, very good bird watching all the year round. Max. of 4 people in comfortable 'house guest’ style accommodation close to National Reserve of Lake Albufera. Holidays throughout 1984 with resident birders Ed and Monica Mackrill from £259 per week including airfare. Shangri-la, Mahon, Menorca, Spain. (BB663) xv Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 WILDLIFE HO LI DA YS 1984 TOURS include Siberia/Central Asia with Roy Dennis and Spitzbergen with Malcolm Ogilvie. Other destinations include Tanzania and Israel. Full programme of trips in the Scottish Highlands, including special Easter Weekend (capercailzie, blackgame lekking), and island trips include Shetland, Orkney, Islay, and Rum. Send stamp: Caledonian Wildlife, 30 Gulduthel Road, Inverness IV2 4AP. (BB751) OVERSEAS KENYA. Beautiful Lake Naivasha; 300 species of birds. Private house on the lake shore; provides full board at very reasonable prices. Enquiries to K. N. Grant, Thornton House, Cannister Rd, Frithville, Boston, Lines. Tel: Langrick (020573) 333. (BB626) COURSES BIRDS OF LAKELAND— 8 day and weekend wildlife holidays with RSPB hon rep Mike Madders. Small groups/exciting programmes. Special Young Ornithologist courses. Birds of Islay — 10 day late winter holiday. SAE: Eskdale Outdoor, via Holmrook, Cumbria. (BB729) BIRD-WATCHING WORKSHOP, Friday May 25 (Eve.) to Monday 28. Improve your Bird-craft (fields covered include identification, weather and migra- tion, censusing, calls and song, ringing, etc) In East Kent and Pas de Calais (Sunday). Species expected include Cetti’s, Savi’s, Marsh and Icterine Warbler, Golden Oriole, Crested Lark and Kentish Plover. Evening discussions/slides, also moths and plants. Led by wardens and local experts. Full board at renovated hostel, £58.50. Details: Warden, Sandwich Bay, Bird Observatory, Sandwich, Kent. (BB713) BOOKS HENRY SOTHERAN LTD New, Secondhand and antiquarian Book- sellers. Bookshop open Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 5.30. A range of bird books from paper backs to fine collector items always in stock for viewing or purchase. Latest titles include: Kingfishers of the World V ol. 1 £450.00 Forshaw & Cooper. Birds of Ireland R. D. Parker Limited to 250 copies £300.00 (D321) ‘MYSTERY PHOTO- GRAPH’S PRIZE NOW WORTH OVER £1,350. The prize for the person who discovers the identity of all 43 birds in The ‘British Birds’ Mystery Photographs Book now includes not only a cheque for £1,000, but also a pair of Zeiss 10 X 40B Dialyt binoculars (worth over £350) donated by Zeiss West Germany. Buy your copy now (£3.80) from BB Mystery Book, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. (BB727) BOOKS ON Birds, Natural History, Gardening, Field Sports, etc. Bought and sold. Catalogues issued. Books on most subjects purchased. Blest, Wateringbury, Maidstone, Kent. Tel: 0622 812940. (BB584) 'BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Free catalogue from, and offers to, Briant Books, 94 Quarry Lane, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0NJ. 'Pel: 0829 51804. (BB675) CAN YOU SOLVE THE MYSTERY of ‘The “British Birds” Mystery Photographs Book’? You could win £1,000 (or more). Usual price £4.80, but only £3.80 to ‘BB’ readers. Send £3.80 for a copy now: BB Mystery Book, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford (cheques payable to British Birds). (BB502) BIRDS AND OTHER NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS — new and secondhand bought and sold. Catalogue: Redwing Books, 90a Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2BE (tel: 0303 41543—24 hours). (BB731) HONEYBEE PREDATION by Bee-eaters by C. H. Fry £0.95p post paid. Lists of publications on bees and beekeeping free from International Bee Research Association, Hill House, Gerrards Cross, SL90NR. (BB660) BOOKS ON BIRDS. New and secondhand, catalogue 30p. Surplus books urgently sought. BB bought and sold. Open Monday to Saturday. 67 London Rd, Sevenoaks, Kent. Tel: 0732 455899. (BB726) FINE NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS bought and sold. R. Norman. The Book-Squirrel, Hart- on-the-Hill, Dalton Piercey, Hartlepool, Cleve- land. (BB463) BIRD AND NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS. New and secondhand. Catalogue: St Ann’s Bookshop, 2 St Ann’s Road, Great Malvern, Worcs., W R 1 4 4RG. Iel: 06845 62818. Callers encouraged. (BB745) NATURAL HISTORY AND BOTANICAL BOOKS bought and sold. Catalogue from Jay Books, 1 Roull Grove, Edinburgh. (BB531) P XVI Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 FOR SALE Quality Second-Hand Instruments West Zeiss 1 0 x 50 £375.00 West Zeiss 8 x 56 BG A £329.00 West Zeiss 8 x 50 B £285.00 Nikon 8 x 30BGA £119.00 Nikon 10 x 35 B £99.00 Barr & Stroud 7 x 50 CF £79.00 Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 £69.00 Ross Stepruva 9 x 35 £59.00 Hartmann 8 x 30 B £40.00 Jenoptem lOx 50 £39.00 Wanted Second-hand Zeiss, Leitz, Ross etc., any condition! L. & L. Optical, 204 High St, Barnet Herts. Tel: 01-449 1445. (BB749) FOR BIRD WATCHING in the wilds: Clommer 2-berth motor caravan, Holdsworth de-luxe conversion equipped fridge, gas cylinders, spares kit, roof rack, etc. Regd 1975, genuine 34,000 miles. Xiebart rust proofed. Excellent condition for age: one owner. £2,200 o.n.o. Hills Frensham Surrey (025 125) 3368. ( BB739) BB AND OTHER BIRD JOURNAL back numbers supplied. Morgan, Whitmore, Umber- leigh, Devon. (BB638) JOIN THE THOUSANDS of people who consult us every year about binoculars and telescopes. Whatever your own individual needs our expert advice will ensure that you make the correct choice and buy at the right price. Charles Frank Ltd, PO Box 5, Ronald Lane, Sax- mundham, Suffolk IP17 2NL (BB637) TELESCOPES AND BINOCULARS Phone for lowest prices or send for our free comprehensive report on the leading makes. Special ofFers on the best buys. Stamp appreciated. E. Murphy FOCALPOINT 14 Cogshall Lane Comberbach Northwich Cheshire CW9 6BS. Tel: 0606 891098.(BB72 1 ) 48K SPECTRUM OWNERS. Computerize your birding records with ‘Diary’. Rapid entry/recall by date or name. Works w ith printer. Great time/space saver. £3.85. K. Eaves, 28 Manor hill, Brighton. Essex BN2 5EH. Tel: Brighton 684 736 for details. (BB719) I SELL AND BUY used binoculars, especiallv Zeiss and Leitz. 21 Crescent Grove, London SW4 7AF. (BB744) HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 5 Vols ninth impression. Mint condition £110. Box 57, BB Advertising c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. (BB705) HAWKINS walking boots and shoes. Camou- flage waterproofs, outdoor accessories. SAE for brochure. Reduced prices. B. Timson, 1 1 1 Hinckley Road, Earl Shilton, Leicester. (BB681) BIRDS OF WESTERN PALEARCTIC Vols. 1 , 2, 3. RSPB Edn. Immaculate. Offers: Tel: 0325 52663. Evenings. (BB704) WITHERBY'S HANDBOOK, Vols. 2, 4, 5 only. Good condition. Offers. Box 58, BB Adver- tising c/o Fountains, Park Lane. Blunham. Bedford MK 14 3N J. ( BB706) FOCALPOINT lor the best selection at the lowest prices. I6p stamp please for details to: E. Murphy, 14 Cogshall Lane, Comberbach, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6BS. Tel: 0606 891098. (BB564) ONE PAIR OF AUDUBON SWIFT Binoculars for sale. Excellent condition. £75.00. Telephone 045422553. (BB746) BINOCULARS AND TELESCOPES Alpin lightweight binoculars and Optolyth telescopes. Choose from the complete range. AQUILA PO Box 1. 1 Lansdowne Road, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7JG. Tel: 052 785 2357. (BB754) HERTS OPTICAL SERVICES We are main stockists of the superb range of KOWA, binoculars and spottingseopes. TS1 — 60mm objective, angled eyepiece £134.32 TS2 - 60mm objective, parallel eyepiece £115.92 TS7 - 60mm objective, angled eyepiece, 360 degree, rotating head £95.45 Interchangeable eyepieces available: 15x, 20x, 25x, 40x, 60x, zoom 25x-50x KOWA binoculars and spottingseopes have no equivalent, their superior optical clarity and resolution, must be seen to be believed. Over 200 instruments to choose from. Part exchanges, mail order, repairs. Callers welcome at our retail shop. Catalogue sent on request. ALL LEADING MAKES STOCKED 102a VICTORIA STREET ■ ST ALBANS • HERTS Telephone: (0727) 59392 (D635) xvii Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 WANTED BIRDS OF THE WORLD (J. Gooders ed.), vol. 8, part 12, no. 96, 1971. E. J. M. Veling, J. M. Coenenstraat 31-11, 1071 WE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (BB743) COLLECTOR SEEKS BOOKS OR PAINT- INGS by R. B. Talbot Kelly and Eric Ernion, N. R. Griffiths, Robin Lane, High Bentham, Lancaster 0468 61 724. (BB735) COLLECTOR wishes to purchase Morris’ British Birds Bannerman’s Birds, Witherby’s Birds and any interesting early natural history books or paintings. David Brodie. Hazel Bank, 106 Castlemain Avenue, Southbourne, Bourne- mouth, Dorset. Tel: 0202 431997. (BB672) REPAIRS REPAIRS TO BINOCULARS and other optical instruments without corner-cutting, from conventional cleaning/overhauling and precise optical adjustment to renovation of older instruments, our long and wide experience is at your service. We also handle SALES of Zeiss, Leitz and Kowa binoculars and Optima, Kowa and B&L Discoverer scopes (telephone for keenest, regular prices. Call in or use our postal service. Kay Optical Servicing, 89B London Road, Morden Surrey. Tel: 01-648 8822. (BB582) BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE REPAIRS. Fast efficient service on all makes and types by expert technicians at L&L Optical, 204 High Street, Barnet, Herts. Tel: 01-449 1445. (BB194) WE REPAIR BINOCULARS. And cameras. And projectors. We’ve been at it for thirty years and we’re very, very good. Perfect? No. Perfectionists? Yes. Burgess Lane & Co. Ltd, Thornton Works, Thornton Avenue, London W41QE. 01-9945752. (BB270) WILDLIFE TALKS WILDLIFE TALKS Birds a speciality. Ring Brian Fagg — (0322) 70967 to discuss your needs. Letters: 125 Hallford Way, Hartford DAI 3 A A. (BB687) TRANSPARENCIES SCILLY RARITIES, PAST AND PRESENT colour slides by David Hunt and others. SAE for list: Scillonian Picture Library, Bryher, Isles of Stilly TR230PR. (BB639) STAMPS BIRD REPORTS NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND BIRD REPORT 1982. £1.75 post paid from Mark Tasker, NESBR, 17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen. Back issues available. (BB67 1 ) BIRDS OF OXFORDSHIRE lor 1 982, report of the Oxford Ornithological Society. £1.75 incl p & p from R. Overall, 30 Hunsdon Road, Iffley, Oxford OX4 4JE. Some back copies to 1915 still available. ( BB63 1 ) 1982 LONDON BIRD REPORT £3 post paid from Mrs H. Housego, 1 10 Meadvale Road, London W5 1LR. Back copies available. (BB750) PERSONAL SPECIAL OFFER to Mystery Photograph Book Puzzlers. Find a team mate through a small ad in this column for only £2 (max. 24 words). Offer closes February 1 4th. (BB691) BIRDWATCHING FAMILY living close to 2 famous Swedish bird-watching areas, the ‘Kvismaren’ and the ‘Oset’ welcome English- spoken young man (16-18 years old) to live with us for some time this summer (June, July or August). Exchange visit in Great Britain is wanted during the same period for bird-watching and language exercise. Answer to: Family M. and C. Gullberg, Sandg. 12, 702 17 OREBRO, Sweden. (BB747) APPTS. WANTED EXPERIENCED ECTOPARASITOLOGIST (Bird Lice) seeks work. BSc, BAHons, MBOU FRES; 15 years Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.); publications, research, collecting identification experience. CV from: Moreby, 313 Streetsbrook Road. Solihull, W. Midlands B91 IRS. (BB714) HIGHLY EXPERIENCED ORNITHOLOGIST seeks freelance work — in the field or behind the desk. Wide knowledge of birds and other branches of natural history. 15 years’ experience in natural history' publishing, including editing, proof-reading, indexing, translating (German, French, Swedish). Skill and accuracy widely acknowledged. Please write to: Box 45, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. All replies will be answered xviii BIRD STAMPS. 100 = £1, 500 = £8. Send for 12-page bird stamp list. A. Grainger, 42 Lee Lane East, Horsforth, Leeds. (BB436) (BB497) the Opticron difference is quality and price Tor those who enjoy and take pleasure in birdwatching, we are introducing a new, high quality, compact, easy to use telescope; the Piccolo 20x60 And because it is Opticron, you will get resolution equal or superior to that provided by any other make, with exceptionally high light transmission. Full field of view if you wear spectacles, and it is also the smallest 60mm objective lens telescope on the market. Only 290mm long and weighs 900 gms. You will also get a hard wearing black tubular case with shoulder strap, and all this only for £98.00 ( + £1.75 p&p). Extra 40x eyepiece will cost you only £15.00, and if you should prefer a zoom eyepiece 15-45x or 20-45x instead of the 20x it will cost only £10.00 extra. Should you require further information, please phone or call. Our showroom is open 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays incl. OPTICRON P.O. Box 81, St. Albans, Herts. AL1 3NT Telephone: St. Albans (0727) 56516 (D266) British Birds Volume 77 Number 2 February 1984 41 Breeding and protection of Montagu’s Harriers in Anglesey, 1955-64 P. Hope Jones and A. W. Colling 47 The return of the Sparrowhawk Dr I. Newton and M. B. Haas 70 Mystery photographs 86 geese Dr M. A . Ogilvie Notes 72 72 73 73 73 74 74 75 75 76 76 76 76 77 78 78 82 85 85 86 Squacco Heron attempting to swallow Wood Sandpiper Nick F. van der Ham Hen Harrier and Merlin hunting together J-Jack Buzzard stunned in flight Sir Geoffrey Haworth Merlin robbing Kestrel of prey Ian Kerr Merlins using man-made nest-sites in Shetland J. D. Okill Hobbies feeding from water surface Trevor Hamlett Blackbirds eating large food items Dr Marsha A. Schlee Magpies attacking Kestrel G. A. Richards Jackdaw eating burnet moths Norman McCanch and Mrs Monica McCanch Letter Field identification of Long-eared and Short-eared Owls Rupert Hastings Seventy-five years ago . . . Announcements ‘Mystery Photographs’ prize fund now worth over £1,350 Young Ornithologists of the Year Photographic requests Request Monarch butterflies in autumn 1983 R. F. Bretherton News and comment Mike Everett and Robin Prytherch Recent reports K. Allsopp and R. A. Hume Reviews Falcons of the World by Tom J. Cade R. F. Porter The Return of the Sea Eagle by John A. Love Peter Robinson Owls of Europe by Heimo Mikkola Stanley Cramp Line-drawings: 41 Montagu’s Harrier (J. M. Temple ); 47 Sparrowhawk and Yellowhammers ( Ernest Leahy); 82 Pallas's Warbler ( Alan Harris ); 83 Yellow-browed Warbler ( Martin Hallam) and Red-breasted Goose with Brent Geese ( G . M. Haig) Front cover: Red Kite ( Chris Packham ): the original drawing of this month’s cover is for sale in a postal auction (see pages 30-31 in January issue for procedure) Insect, amphibian or bird? Mystery photographs Points of view • Notes • Letters The Mystery Photographs Book News and comment • Recent reports Reviews British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David Christie Editorial Board Stanley Cramp, P. J. Grant, Dr M. A. Ogilvie 8c Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Dr R. J. Chandler 8c Don Smith Rarities Committee P. J. Grant (Chairman), D. J. Britton, R. H. Dennis, D. J. Holman, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, J. R. Mather, R. F. Porter 8c K. E. Vinicombe; Michael J. Rogers (Honorary Secretary) Notes Panels behaviour Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Dr C. H. Fry, Derek Goodwin, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 8c Dr K. E. L. Simmons; IDENTIFICATION P. J. Grant, S. C. Madge, Dr M. A. Ogilvie 8c Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Publishing Manager, Production & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Cartwright Advertising Sandra Barnes © British Birds Ltd 1984 Copyright of photographs remains with photographers. British Birds is published monthly by British Birds Ltd, 93 High Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire ISSN 0007-0335 A J J Please keep correspondence on different items separate. Please address your CoSvo envelope correctly Please supply SAE if reply required. Papers, notes, letters, drawings & photographs for publication DrJ. T. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Subscriptions and orders for back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Advertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj. Phone : Tiptree (0621) 815085 Bird news for ‘Recent reports’ R. A. Hume & K. Allsopp, c/o RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire sc.19 2ni. News items for ‘News and comment ’ Mike Everett & Robin Prytherch, 7 Burlington Way, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon pi;18 9bs Rarity descriptions M. J. Rogers, 195 Vicarage Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex tvv16 7 tp Special book and sound recording offers for subscribers BB Offers, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £25 or $55.41; personal, UK, Europe and surface mail £21; personal, airmail outside Europe £35.70; single back copies, if available, £2. For personal subscriptions, payment can also be made in US$ (add £1 and then convert at current exchange rate). Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may also be made directly into UK Post Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of the west Palearctic. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are normally accepted only on condition that material is not being offered in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs and sketches are welcomed. All contributions should be submitted to the Managing Editor. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing, and wide margins, and on one side of the sheet only. Authors should carefully consult this issue for style of presentation, especially of references and tables. Vernacular and scientific names and sequences of birds follow The 'British Birds' List of Birds of the Western Palearctic (1978); names of plants follow Dony et al. (1974, English Names of Wild Flowers); names of mammals follow ( lorbct & Southern (1977, The Handbook of British Mammals). Topographical (plumage and structure) terms should follow editorial recommendations (Brit. Birds 74: 239-242). Figures should be in Indian ink on good quality tracing paper, drawing paper, non-absorbent board or light blue or very pale grey graph paper; lettering should be inserted lightly in pencil; captions should be typed on a separate sheet. Authors of main papers (but not notes or letters) receive ten free copies of the journal (five each to two or more authors). Printed by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford mk.42 8na &4 ZCOUffTS LO* . +WCBS! 'BY . t£TUR^ fSPflcreH yY y/A/Tr Tell me Mr. Frank... Don't know which model to choose? Join the thousands of people who consult us every year about binoculars and telescopes. Whatever your own individual needs our expert advice will ensure that you make the correct choice and buy at the right price. fovj us 0fi » 0728 3506 • 0603 21704 •031-2293363 (MON-FRI) (MON-SAT) (MON-SAT) AiASS RA^GB - THt RMT AODBL. FOR YOU VAfirr exchange -azkyor quote ARLES 4NK IOCULARS ,te to our own specifica- . and bearing our name, se fine instruments offer standing value All are ■plied with case and carry ) year guarantee ANDARD RANGE iOZCF 24.95 fOZCF 29.95 -OZCF 31.95 50ZCF 32.95 E EEN LABEL ra wide angle Multi- ■ited lenses Close focus- OTHER MAKES H Quite simply, the best Roof prism binoculars that give crystal clear vision Guaran- teed for 30 years 8x208 miniature. 602 155.00 10x25B miniature. 6 7oz 171.50 (m/ Ik on') Binoculars to match the high reputation of their cameras 8x30 wide angle 1 39.00 1 0x35 wide angle 1 59.00 9x30 roof prism 169.00 CcaRlTeTsTi n c n a 1 8x30B Dialyt 8x30BGA/CF Dialyt 316.50 289.00 ■0BWCF ;40BWCF ;50BWCF 69.95 74.00 77.50 OF PRISM ■1 mini NEW MODEL 69.95 10 wide angle 67.50 0 72.25 40 wide angle 73.20 ■6 armoured 92.50 SERIES le angle Fully coated ics 0 71.00 40 71.00 SERVATION binoculars for use on a od (80BCF - super bright - 160.00 (70BCF - high power - 137.50 >od clamp 3.95 ARLES FRANK 8x30 LUXE bably the best quality ocular available at this e Made in East Germany ither case Weight 18oz al instrument for the nger user 24.95 armoured 7x42BGAT‘ Dialyt armoured 369.50 8x56BGAT- Dialyt armoured 449.50 10x40BT- Dialyt 358.00 10x40BGAT’ Dialyt armoured 364.00 Habicht Precision made in the Aus- trian Tyrol Highly recom- mended 8x30 wide angle 209.00 7x42 209.00 1 0x40 Diana' wide angle 239.00 UP TO 45% OFF MRP Wide angle binoculars with a lifetime guarantee Great value 8x30Jenoptem 37.95 7x50Jenoptem 62.50 1 0x50 Jenoptem 59.95 8x30 Deltrmtem 53.50 10x50Dekarem 84.95 8x30 Deltrintmo monocular 34.95 8x2 1 Turmon mini monocular 37.95 Bushnell 7x26 Custom Compact. Iloz 99.95 OPTOLYTH >4lpin Light as a feather - well al- most West German made armoured binoculars 8x40 - 16oz - 113.00 10x40 wide angle - 16oz - 115.00 1 0x50 - 22oz - 137.00 SfWJPT 7 5x42 Osprey armoured (no case) 96.50 8 5x44Audubon HR 126.00 All other Swift models avail- able y HEUOS(Russian) Difficult to fault at the price 8x30ZCF 21.95 7x50ZCF 29.95 1 2x40ZCF 32.95 8x30 monocular (no case) 11.95 OTHER MONOCULARS Tohyoh 8x30 16.95 Tohyoh 7x50 23.00 Tohyoh 10x50 23.50 Lumex 8x20 roof prism 49.95 Lumex 8x24 Mmiscope' 32.40 All binoculars/monoculars supplied complete with case unless otherwise stated Binocular & telescope brief- ing pack available - iust send 35p stamps TELESCOPES Charles Frank 1 4- 45x50 armoured, case 73.45 Charles Frank 20-60x60 armoured, case 99.95 Bushnell Spacemaster Zoom 20-45x60 Verysharp A super telescope •) 94.OO Bushnell Spacemaster 22x60 wide angle 162.00 Spacemaster case 16.50 Bausch & Lomb Discoverer 15- 60x60 198.00 Discoverer case 14.50 Nickel Supra 15-60x60. case 159.95 Televari 25-60x60 case 159.95 Charles Frank 30x75 armoured case 149.95 Optolyth 30x75 armoured, leather case 208.00 Habicht 30x75NZ Superbly made The best of its kind Armoured with end caps 8 sling NEW LOW PRICE 295.00 Steiner 24x80 Very bright Armoured, case 199.95 Many other telescopes al- ways in stock - iust ask A good telescope deserves a good tripod Thrs one is super Shk Master D2 Full height One action pan/tilt Weighs only 2 5kg 52.50 Table top tripods, binocular/ tripod adaptors, car window mount always available Charles Frank Service Dept. Binocular cleaning & colhmatton All the Charles Frank Instruments listed above are available from our appointed stockist Savilie Photo Hi Ft. 7 Goodramgate York Tel (0904) 25755 Charles Frank Ltd. THE OPTICAL EXPERTS CHARLES FRANK LTD PO Box 5. Ronald Lane. Saxmundham Suffolk IP1 7 2NL Tel 0728 3506 BRANCHES EDINBURGH NORWICH at Edinburgh Cameras at Norwich Camera Centre 57 Lothian Rd 20 White Lion St Tel: 031-229 3363 Tel: 0603 21704 (D319) All prices include VAT Post- age & packing £2. Return unsuitable goods, in unused condition, within 14 days for full refund Prices correct 1/12/83 but liable to altera- tion. Visa & Access welcome - just quote your number. ORNITHOLIDAYS 1984 MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS Holidays Organised by Birdwatchers for Birdwatchers Eighteen years’ service to birdwatchers & naturalists A few vacancies remain on the tours as listed below: Ethiopia Kenya China Tunisia South Africa Tanzania Vancouver and the Rockies Virginia, U.S.A. The Camargue S.W. Spain Majorca N.E. Greece Turkey Spanish Ftyrenees Lake Neusiedl The High Alps Full particulars of 1 984 Programme sent on request LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLIDAYS Dept. 2 1-3 VICTORIA DRIVE, BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX, ENGLAND, P021 2PW ATOL LICENCE No. 743 Tel: 0243 821230 (D325) A BETTER \4CM-UE We pride ourselves on supplying the best optical equipment, matched by the best possible service Advice is available by phone, post or to callers. Why not visit our Brentwood showroom? Open Monday to Friday 9 to 5. Saturday 9 30 to 4.30 HABIGHT DIANA 10 x 40 £239.95 BINOCULARS HERON 8 x 40 BWC F £37.25 HERON 10x40 ZWC F £38.80 CARL ZEISS 10 x 40 B DIAL YT (Hard Case) E358.80 CARL ZEISS 10x40 BGA (Soft Case) £364.35 LEITZ 10 x 40B Hard Case) £396.85 'PTOLYTH 8 x 40GA (Soft Case) £119 50 £ OPTOLYTH 10 x 40GA (Soft Case) £121.00 MIRADOR 8 x 40 BCF £46.56 MIRADOR 10x40 BCF £51.80 SWIFT TRILYTE 1 0 x 40 Roof Prism £92.85 SWIFT AUDUBON 8.5x44 £126.50 SWIFT GRAND PRIX 8x40 MKII £74.00 ZEISS JENOPTEM 8x30. 0100 ZEISS JENOPTEM 10x50 £73.45 SCHMIDT AND BENDER £149.95 15x60x60 SPOTTING SCOPES HERTEL & REUSS TELEVARI 25-60x60 £163.90 BUSHNELL DISCOVERER" 15-60x60 £199.95 OPTOLYTH 30 x 75 £225 00 BUSHNELL SPACEMASTER ZOOM”20-45 x 60 £195.00 " no case Please add £1 95 p + p on all orders INSTANT Telephone your SERVICE Credit Card Number for immediate service. ACCESS, VISA and GUARANTEE All items are brand new and fully guaranteed If you are not completely satisfied please return goods unmarked within 14 days for full refund (D333) Shop 23 25 Kings Road. Brentwood. EssexCM144ER W (0277) 222230 1 mile from M25 Exit no 28 I A member of the Field &TreU Group) Mailorder Dept. BB 3WatesWay. Brentwood. Essex CM15 9TB (0277) 233122 219418 210913 CVGfHJJ WIID1IPE Birdwatching holidays at realistic prices . . . TEXAS March 29- April 14 £890 Leader: JOHN WARD The 1983 Cygnus group saw over 280 species, including the impressive Whooping Cranes on their Aransas wintering grounds and 29 species of Spring Warblers. Texas is undoubtedly one of the most exciting destinations in the U.S.A. and is seen at it’s best during the transition period of early spring when returning migrants occur alongside the departing winter visitors. SOVIET CENTRAL ASIA May 17-31 £895 Leader: MIKE DENSLEY Join us in one of the great birdwatching areas of Central Asia. The pioneer 1983 Cygnus group saw a wide variety of birds as they followed an itinerary which took them from the high mountains of the Tien Shan range to the unique Kimirekkum desert around Bukhara. TURKEY April 28-May 13 £785 Leader: PETER CLEMENT South-east Turkey has an abundance of superb birdwatching sites and during this 16 day tour we should encounter species of both Asian and European origin as we travel from the Central Mountains to the Mediterranean coastlands and explore the rugged countryside around Birecik in the Firat Valley. KASHMIR June 9-25 £1395 Leader: CLIFF WALLER Justly described as one of the most beautiful places in the world, Kashmir is rich in birds and mountain flora making this an outstanding summer tour. Cliff Waller led our 1983 tour and is looking forward to revisiting this unique corner of India. PYRENEES June 15-29 £625 Leader: TED GRIFFITHS The emphasis is again on mountains as we repeat our successful tour of the Spanish Pyrenees region searching for birds, plants and butterflies with Cornish naturalist Ted Griffiths leading the tour. ICELAND June 17-July 1 £965 Leader: DAVID HUNT Gyr Falcons, White-tailed Eagle, Harlequin Ducks, breeding seabirds and waders are just a few of the ornithological attractions of Iceland and we invite you to enjoy the delights of a Northern summer in the company of David Hunt who will be making his fourth visit to this most scenic of islands. OTHER 1984 TOURS INCLUDE: CAMARGUE SEYCHELLES GAMBIA ETHIOPIA May 19-27 £445 August 8-23 £1495 Nov 21 -Dec 6 £930 Nov 24-Dec 9 £1085 Leader Cliff Davies Leader: Peter Harrison Leader: John Ward Leader: Tony Smith For further details contact: Paul Dukes, cvcnuf wiuxiPt Holidays 96 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1PY Telephone Kingsbridge (0548) 6178 ^ Telex 45639 Comput G (Ref P57) 111 (D330) 1984 BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS For beginner and expert alike Although most of our spring tours are full we still have availability on: CYPRUS CRETE CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA PERU BOSPHORUS & WESTERN TURKEY GIBRALTAR MOROCCO THAILAND 15-29 May 21 April-5 May 2-18 June 28 July-18 August 11-26 September 7-12 September 6-20 October 17 November-3 December Our British Weekends especially our Pelagic Trip with Peter Harrison are appealing to a great number of people. For further details of IBIS birdwatching holidays in Britain and throughout the world contact: IBIS TOURS, CLIFTON TRAVEL LTD., 4b Waterloo Street, Clifton, Bristol 8. Tel: 0272 736035 Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9.00am-6.00 pm Saturday 9.00 am-5.00 pm (D331 ) Become a friend of NATIONAL PARKS Do you visit one or more of our ten National Parks each year: to walk, climb or simply to get away from it all? Do you know that there is a national voluntary organisation— the Council for National Parks— which exists solely to help protect them against the threats— from mining, forestry, reservoirs etc— they face, and to help you enjoy them? We need the support of the millions of people who visit the National Parks each year and who care about their future— so don’t take our National Parks for granted— join us! Return to: CNP, 4 Hobart Place, London SW1W 0HY Name . . Address □ □ I enclose a cheque for £5 to become a Friend of National Parks Please send further information about the Friends of National Parks (D322) Visit Jarlshof* Watch Tammie Noories1 Eat Reestit*** Get away to Shetland, a land of over a hundred islands. Islands with a history, culture and lifestyle which is unique. Islands of spectacular coastlines, breath- taking landscapes and abundant wildlife. Islands tor people with a sense of adventure, a sense of discovery. If you are longing tor a holiday that provides lots to do and lots to explore that takes you home relaxed and refreshed get away to Shetland •Jarlshof- i remarkable .rn lueologn al settlement. "Tammie Noories- I It. puffin -a i ommon Shetland Kesident. •••Recstit-pquil.u Shetland dish: sailed imiiMi smoked .iK'Ve a peat tin Please semi me by return the FREE hill colour brochure information pack on Shetland. & N ame 1 C | Address l (D335) 4 Shetland The Natural Choice Shetland Tourist ( )rganisdtion. Information t Yntrr. Market (. toss. Lerwick. Shetland /LI OLU. Telephone (0595) 3434 (24-hour servic e) Telex 7511V Shilro (• SHETLAND COUNTRY GUEST HOUSES Bargain Touring Holidays in the Shetland Islands 1984 Shetland’s Country Guest Houses have joined together to offer you the holiday of a lifetime at the best possible value for money. Each Guest House is situated in a tranquil, rural setting among some of the most compelling scenery' in Britain. Excellent accommodation and tradi- tional home cooking in a friendly, family atmosphere guarantee a comfortable and relaxing stay. Your host will assist you in making plans for your holiday whether your interests lie in ornithology, angling, sailing, golf, lnstorv, pony trekking, or just sitting back to enjoy the freedom of these fascinating islands. Please send me by return a complete Shetland Country Guest House information pack including details of the Sail/Dnve and Flv/ Drive package holidays. Name: Address: I (D:«6) Shetland Country Guest § Houses, | Market Cross, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 OL U | Published 25th November 1983 Ornithology Edited by RONALD HICKLING Last year, 1983, the British Trust for Ornithology celebrated its first 50 years and this volume records much of the history of birdwatching and ornithology since the early 1930s. The book is not a history of the BTO, but many of the Trust’s achievements helped fashion the development and direction of ornithology over the decades, and major aspects of the Trust’s work rightly have detailed treatment. The book ranges widely, it looks at the changing bird as well as the changing birdwatcher and records the work of related conservation bodies, it considers the future and the past and includes an extensive section of useful facts and figures, whilst never losing sight of the central theme which is the book’s title. 296 pages, 70 line illustrations, £13.00 net T & A D POYSER (D327) Artificial House Martin’s Nest Remarkably successful readily accepted by martins, they also encourage the construction of natural nests. Made of hard cement compo with hardboard roof and back easily fixed to eaves of house or barn with special nails supplied. Price £7.65 for 1 £14 for 2 including post and packing. NERINE NURSERIES Welland, Worcestershire (D324) BATELEUR SAFARIS ZAMBIA Bird watching combined with Big Game Viewing. On our November 1983 safari our clients totalled 309 species of birds in under three weeks. \ N Three week Safari costs — £1,450.00. Next safari July, 1 984, then November, 1 984 and February, 1985. Interested ?? contact: John Hall 1A Knoll Rise, Dunston, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE1 1 9QQ. Tel: (0632)609301. (D323) V __J VI Discerning birdwatchers ask for Zeiss binoculars every time. y? World renowned for over a century, they synonymous with lasting quality and have iracteristics which cannot be taken for granted: arefully selected materials • outstanding ics • superb precision engineering bsolute reliability • maximum field of /v, with or without spectacles. < 40 BGA rubber-amoured DIALYT ;er focusing model now also available (9901) £|SS The name makes the difference The difference made the name Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen) Ltd PO Box 78 Woodfield Road Welwyn Garden City Herts AL7 1LU Telephone (07073) 31144 ZEISS West Germany Strictly for the Birds EXOTIC BIRDWATCHING 84 Galapagos, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka and Australia are now all offered as birdwatching destinations by Twickers World. Write or tele- phone for our 1 984 brochure together with additional itineraries for Israel and Iceland. For full details please contact: Twickers World •WILDLIFE, CULTURAL & WILDERNESS TOURNEYS- J2 Church Street, Twickenham TW1 3NW. Tel: 01-892 7606, Telex: 25780 J Talk to A. R. Hawkins about Binoculars! BRITAINS BINOCULAR SPECIALISTS FOR THE WORLDS TOP MAKES— ORDER BY POST OR PHONE FROM US IN COMPLETE CONFIDENCE. ZEISS WEST THE WORLD’S FINEST! YOU’VE JUST GOT TO OWN ONE! 10 x 40 B Dialyt 10x40 BGA Dialyl i 7x42 BGADialyt 8 x 30 B Dialyl 8x30 BGA Dialyl 8 x 56 BGA Dialyl 8 x20 B Mini-Dialyt 10 x 25 B Minl-Dialyl 7x50 BGA Porro 15 x 60 BGA Porro All Zeiss Wesl supplied wilh case. Prices correct 9.2.84 Subject to change availability. E&OE. £353.00 £359.00 £369.00 £308.00 £313.00 £441.00 £157.00 £171.00 £455 £675 00 OPTOLYTH ALPIN Superb Lightweight Models from W. Germany at Sensible Prices. 8x30 BGA Alpin £109.00 8x40 BGA Alpin £119.50 10x40 BGAAIpin £121.00 10x50 BGA Alpin £141.00 12x50 BGA Alpin £143.00 Easy to Handle Rubber Armoured Body OTHER POPULAR BIRDWATCHING MODELS! Leitz 10 x 40 B Trinovid £367.08 Swill Audubon 8.5x44 £125.95 Swill Osprey 7 5 x 42 £95.95 Hilkinson 30 x 80 Saturn £138.00 Zeiss10x50Jenop!em ... £59.90 Zeiss8x30Jenoptem £38.70 Zeiss 1 0 x 40 B Nolarem £134.97 Bushnell 7 x 50 BGA Waterproof £119.95 Hartman 16 x 60 W/A Bernina £250.00 BAUSH & LOMB 7 x 24 Centre Focus £147.00 7 x 24 Centre Focus GA £166.50 8 x 24 Centre Focus £147.00 Full Range ol Baush & Lomb Always in Slock TELESCOPES * j TELESCOPES! Oplolylh 3x75 Optplylh 30 x 80 Bresser 30 x 75 R/A Lenses 15x to 40x trom Habichl 30 x 75 Swill Telemasler 15-60x60 Spacemasler 20-45x60 Spacemaster 22 x WA 60 B/L Discoverer 15x60x60 Opticron Zoom 20-45 x 60 Zeiss Wesl 30x60 Zeiss Focusing Motor Tamron Zoom 20-60 x 65 Televari 25-60 x 60 Many more scopes in slock. PHONE US FOR Best Makes Largest Stocks Fastest Servtce By return Despatch and Free Advice £225 £258 £139.95 Kowo TS2 Objective Dia 60mm £1 01 .81 £25.00 £340.00 £203.48 £174.95 £147.15 £184.95 £115 00 £407.10 £75.90 £218.95 £159.00 SLICK D2 TRIPOD THE finest tripod lor your telescope! Extends lo a lull 5ft 9in. weights only 41b 12oz! Our Special Price £51 95. Post and Insurance £2.75. ORDER NOW lor "By Return" Dispatch. Binoculars and Telescopes £2.25p post and insurance send cheque or Visa/ Access accepted by phone! Stamps (50p). For Illustrated Discount Price List and Coloured Brochures on over 200 Different Models. ARhawkins CALLERS WELCOME! Our Showrooms are only 7 minutes trom Ml Exit 1 5 or 3 minutes walk trom railway station Closed Thursday You can buy in complete confidence trom us. (D328) ) LTD 9 MAREFAIR NORTHAMPTON NN1 1SR TELEPHONE 0604/39674 in focus 204 High Street Barnet Herts. 01-449 1445 SPECIALISTS IN BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE SERVICING AND SALES. Large selection of second-hand instruments. Part-exchange welcome. Mail/Phone order service. BINOCULARS CARL ZEISS JENA £ JENOPTEM8 x 30 35.00 JENOPTEM 7 x 50 59.00 JENOPTEM 10x50 59.95 NOBILEM 8 x 50 B 112.95 NOBILEM 1 2 x 50 B 139.95 TURMON 8x21 32.50 CARL ZEISS WEST DIALYT 8 x 20 B 155.00 DIALYT 10 x 25 B 169.00 DIALYT 10 x 40 BGA 355.00 LEITZ TRINOVID8 x 20 B 169.00 TRINOVID 1 0 x 25 B 179.00 TRINOVID 10x40 BGA 398.00 OPTOLYTH ALPIN 8x30 BGA 109.00 ALPIN 8x40 BGA 119.50 ALPIN 10x40 BGA 121.00 ALPIN 7x42 BGA 122.50 ALPIN 10 x 50BGA 141.00 HABITCH WSL/M 7 x 42 239.00 WSL/M 10x40 269.00 SWIFT OSPREY 7.5 x 42 96.50 AUDBON 8.5x44 126.00 GREENKAT KESTREL 8.5 x 50 69.00 CUMBRIA 7 x 21 WA 54.00 GIANT 20 x 80 BCF 129.00 PLEASE ADD £2.00 POST & PACKING IF ORDERING BY MAIL. PRICES CORRECT 6/2/84 TELESCOPES ★ SPECIAL LOW PRICE ★ SPACEMASTER 20 x -45 x 60 ONLY 164.95 SPACEMASTER EYE PIECES 15x 20 x 22 x WA 25 x 40 x CASE DELUXE CASE STANDARD CAMERA ADAPTOR KOWA TS-7 BODY KOWA TS-2 BODY KOWATS-1 BODY 1 5x 20XWA 20 x HR 25x 25 x HR 40 x CASE FOR TS-2 OPTOLYTH 22 x 60 GA OPTOLYTH 30 x 75 GA OPTOLYTH 30 x 80 GA DISCOVERER 15x-60 x 60 CASE DELUXE CASE STANDARD CAMERA ADAPTOR TAMRON20X-60 x 60 CAMERA ADAPTOR BRESSER30 x 75 GA TRIPODS, ETC. SLIK MASTER D2 SLIK TRIPOD STRAP SLIK TRIPOD CASE CULLMANN 080/ SHOULDER TABLE POD 33.00 33.00 33.00 33.00 33.00 27.50 15.00 22 00 78.20 96.60 112.70 27.60 31.05 27.60 25.30 26.45 26.45 15.00 125.00 225.00 258.00 195.00 27.50 15.00 12.00 219.00 4.95 129.00 48.50 4.95 8.76 14.95 (D326) ALL TYPES OF BINOCULARS AND TELESCOPES REPAIRED ON THE PREMISES. I\ I worry about the rain , bad light, dust, mud and... seeing birds. The last thing I worry about is my binoculars. They’re completely durable, lightweight and optically unbeatable. They’re Leitzand they’re the only thing I’ll let come between me and the birds!’ Acknowledged worldwide for precision, optical perfection: and total reliability, the Leitz reputation extends beyond thi superb range of binoculars to the acclaimed Leica cameras, lenses and quality photograph! accessories, Focomat enlarg-crsl1 and Prado vit projectors. Leitz means precision worldwide E Leitz (Instruments) Ltd., 48 Park Street, Luton, Beds. LU1 31 Telephone: 0582 413811. Leitz Trinovid Binoculars. n ’lease send me a colour brochure about: Trinovid Binoculars [ Leica Cameras &' Lenses Pradovit Projectors and Enlargers Name At! dress- be British Birds VOLUME 77 NUMBER 3 MARCH 1984 Insect, amphibian or bird? J. F. Burton and E. D. H. Some years ago, I. J. Ferguson-Lees and EDHJ conceived the idea of publishing a short paper comparing the similar — and possibly con- fusing— sounds produced by Scops Owl Otus scops , Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus and Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides on the one hand, and Midwife Toad Alytes obstetricans and two species of crickets on the other. In 1964, EDHJ drafted a short paper on the subject; in 1972. this was given to JFB, whose help was sought because of his entomological field experience and ready access to the wildlife sound collection in the BBC Natural Historv Sound Library and to commercially published recordings. The present paper is the outcome of our joint opinions. The possibility of confusion between the remarkably similar sounds produced by Scops Owl and the Midwife Toad is well known. There are, however, a number of other European birds, amphibians and insects whose typical sounds could trap the unwary ornithologist into a mistaken aural identification (see appendix, page 104); the danger is all the greater because, in most cases, their ranges and habitats overlap. A feature of the sounds produced by many members of this assemblage of unrelated animals is that they are to a greater or lesser extent ventriloquial. They are also subject to modification by the acoustic properties of the environment. This means, for instance, that, even if one hears a ventrilo- quial sound with which one is familiar, it is often difficult to determine precisely its direction and distance. Thus, a bush-cricket stridulating on or near the ground may sound as if it is quite high up in a bush; it may, [Bnt. Birds 77: 87-104, March 1984] 87 88 Insect, amphibian or bird? therefore, be mistaken for a bird. One of us (JFB), when he first encoun- tered Wood-crickets Nemobius sylvestris in a pinewood in southern Europe, thought that the stridulations were emanating from high in the trees and that the insects were cicadas; only later, when he became familiar with these diminutive crickets, did he realise that they were actually present in the leaf-litter on the woodland floor. Similarly, when he first heard the Free Cricket Oecanthus pellucens in the south of France at dusk, its penetrating trill was so loud that he thought it was coming from a frog or a toad; because of its ventriloquism, he found it extremely difficult to locate, especially in the gathering darkness; eventually, he tracked it down to some lank vegetation, where it seemed to come from near his feet, but he still could not find it; the following afternoon, in bright sunshine, he was able to pinpoint and discover the tiny singer in the field layer. Such experiences illustrate the difficulty one may have in dense fenland of deciding, for instance, whether the continuous, reeling ‘song’ of an unseen singer is from a Locustella warbler or a bush-cricket. Ffeard close-up and in identical conditions, the song of a Savi’s Warbler may sound quite distinct from the stridulation of Roesel’s Bush-cricket Metrioptera roesetii, especially when both species are present for comparison; but, when heard distantly among a chorus ofother wildlife sounds, it may not be so simple to distinguish it from the insect. Moreover, a chorus of bush-crickets, cicadas or amphibians may mask minor distinguishing features and make them even easier to confuse with the bird songs they resemble. The fact that such unrelated animals have evolved very similar songs in a particular habitat may simply be an example of convergent evolution. Alternatively, it is quite possible that Locustella warblers have evolved acoustic mimicry of the more primitive singing insects because of the additional biological advantage it bestows: in which case, the statement by Armstrong (1973) that the ‘Grasshopper Warbler [L. naevia] and Savi’s Warbler are not mimetic’ would be untenable. Whichever is the case, there is little doubt that the continuous reeling songs of the type produced by some Locustella warblers and bush-crickets (Tettigoniidae) in fenland confer certain selective advantages. In the first place, as Armstrong ( 1973) has pointed out, the use by marsh birds of continuous song, which is more effective than discontinuous song as an advertisement, may be made possible by their comparative invulner- ability in fen or swamp habitats: a ground predator finds it difficult to approach closely enough to seize a singing bird (or insect, for that matter) in a reed-bed without betraying its own presence. There is, therefore, little necessity for the singer to change its song-post as frequently as do many other species (presumably an additional advantage, since it makes it easier for a potential mate to locate a singing male). The same is true of birds that have protracted aerial song-flights, such as larks (Alaudidae) and pipits Anthus; they also have continuous songs. Discontinuous songs (bursts of song interrupted by frequent pauses) enable the singer, which in many cases may be partially deafened by the power of its own voice, to listen and watch for approaching predators. There is presumably an additional important protective advantage to a 89 Insect , amphibian or bird? Locustella warbler in mimicking bush-crickets and cicadas: it is likely that at least some predators overlook the fewer and more widely spaced birds among the more abundant and densely concentrated insect singers. These insects are usually very numerous where they occur, thus fulfilling the requirement of effective mimicry that the model must be more common than the mimic. 1 his may also explain why, for instance, some River Warblers L. jiuviatilis sing like cicadas and others sing more like bush- crickets: which is mimicked depends upon the local abundance or otherwise of these insects. Indeed, the varied mimicry of insects by this warbler deserves special study. It could even be that an individual River Warbler may mimic a diurnal bush-cricket or cicada by day and a different noc- turnal species at dusk or after dark. River Warblers sing most frequently at dawn, at dusk, and through most of the night (Bergmann & Helb 1982). It would be interesting to play tape-recordings of tropical cicada species with highly distinctive songs to River Warblers which are newly arrived in their territories, to see il they eventually incorporated these exotic songs in their repertoires. Locustella species, such as the Grasshopper Warbler, may of course give their characteristic insect-like songs in areas where insects with similar songs are scarce or absent, especially on the northern limits of their range. This should not, however, necessarily invalidate the hypothesis that thev are mimicking insect songs, since butterflies which mimic distasteful or poisonous butterflies are also sometimes found in areas where their models are absent. It should also be mentioned that bush-crickets start to sing later than Locustella warblers, as they do not normally mature until high summer (perhaps earlier in the south). There is, therefore, a period in the spring when these warblers are likely to be confused only with the earlier maturing crickets and cicadas. In this connection, it is worth remembering that recent studies have shown that some songbirds (e.g. the Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs) learn elements of adult song from the adults that they hear singing around them when they are in the nestling and juvenile stages. Thus, it seems possible that young Locustella warblers may similarly learn and memorise insect stridulations in their first summer, when these are at their maximum. If those Locustella warblers which sing like insects are indeed imitating them, and thereby achieving an additional biological advantage from it — a sort of acoustic camouflage which deceives predators — then this might begin to explain why some other warblers of this genus, such as Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler L. certhiola, do not possess insect-like songs. Presumably, they would not obtain any selective advantage by doing so; perhaps because, in their adaptations to their particular environment, they have evolved other (as yet unknown) methods of avoiding or reducing the chances of attack from predators. Frequent changes of song-post may be one such alternative device. It is interesting to note that the three Locustella species which do not sing like insects are all confined to the Pastern Palearetic. where the Lanceolated Warbler L. lanceolata is the only species with an insect-like song. 90 Insect, amphibian or bird? Birds which can be confused with unrelated animals genus Locustella As the scientific name suggests, this group of birds has the most insect-like songs. Although some are popularly known as ‘grasshopper warblers’, their songs most closely resemble the stridulations of bush-crickets (Tetti- goniidae), formerly known as long-horned grasshoppers, rather than true grasshoppers (Acrididae). Bush-crickets produce their ‘songs’ in quite a different way from that of true grasshoppers. The latter rub rows of tiny pegs on the femurs of their hind legs rhythmically against a thickened vein on the folded forewings; the varying arrangements of the pegs and differences in the speed and rhythm of the leg movements are responsible for the song differences between species. The bush-crickets, like the true crickets, stridulate by rubbing together their forewings, the basal areas of which are modified for sound production; although some produce series of rather irregular chirps, the majority sing continuous songs like the Locustella warblers, usually of a pulsating type. Bush-crickets, like Locustella warblers, generally shun thick woodland, frequenting open habitats, but with dense ground vegetation and scrub; they have skulking habits and are extremely well camouflaged. It is not surprising, therefore, that the songs of these warblers and of the bush- crickets have converged. Some species of bush-cricket, incidentally, such as the Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridissima, often sing quite high up in scrub vegetation and even in trees. Of those Locustella warblers which we have studied in the field or listened to on sound recordings, Gray’s L.Jasciolata, Middendorfs L. ochotensis and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warblers sound quite bird-like and are therefore unlikely to be confused with any amphibian or insect species known to us. The others, treated below, are distinctly insect-like. It need hardly be added that there is also a risk of confusing one Locustella with another, particularly in the case of Grasshopper and Savi’s Warblers, for which see Grant (1983). Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides The vibrant and buzzing, reeling trill of this species often starts with some quiet ticking notes, which gradually gather speed until they merge into the characteristic song; this then rises quickly in volume and continues level in pitch and intensity for periods of up to 30 seconds or more; the average duration is about 20 seconds, but may be as short as three to five seconds with similar pauses. It is remarkably like the stridulation of Roesel’s Bush-cricket, which typically inhabits lush vegetation in marshy localities, especially in Britain where it is decidedly coastal, although it may sometimes be found well inland in quite dry situations, such as chalk downland. In Britain, Roesel’s Bush-cricket is confined largely to coastal and estuarine marshes from Hampshire in the south to South Yorkshire, where it is locally common, but it has recently been discovered on the estuary of the River Dovey in North Wales; it also occurs inland in the Cambridgeshire fens. Its range, therefore, includes those areas most likely to be colonised by Savi’s Warbler; moreover, it 91 Insect, amphibian or bird? overlaps in habitat and is found around reed-beds, although not usually within them. On the Continent, it is widespread, except in the south. I he continuous buzzing song of Roesel’s Bush-cricket is quite pene- trating and may last for up to a minute or more, especially in warm, sunny weather, when it may continue well into the night as well as during the day. Its similarity to the song of Savi’s Warbler is striking; Roesel's may well be the species intended in the statement by Peterson elal. (1974) that the bird’s song ’can be confused with noise made by Marsh Cricket’. Simms (1979) recounted how he and Roger Tory Peterson sat at the edge of a reed-bed in the Camargue in 1 954 trying to decide ‘whether a buzzing sound was that of a Savi’s Warbler a hundred metres away or a bush-cricket only a few feet from us’: illustrating well the problems of identification that can face even experienced observers in the field. Confusion, however, is possible in Britain only in high summer, as Roesel’s Bush-crickets do not sing until they mature in July, though they mature up to a month earlier on the Continent. Because of the high frequency of its stridulation, Roesel’s Bush- cricket (and Savi’s Warbler!) is often inaudible to older persons. 1 here is an even closer similarity between the songs of Savi’s Warbler and of the recently discovered Vineyard Mole-cricket Gryllotalpa vineae. Fortunately, the danger of conf using the two is probably not great, as this mole-cricket is reported to frequent much drier habitats (e.g. hill-pastures, cornfields and vineyards) than the Common Mole-cricket G. gryllotalpa (Bennet-Clark 1970 a & b). An unwary ornithologist, however, might be deluded into believing that he or she had discovered Savi’s Warbler singing at night in an unusual habitat! Owing to its preference for waterside habitats, there is perhaps a greater risk of confusing the Common Mole- cricket’s song with that of Savi’s. Finally, there is some resemblance between the song of Savi’s W arbler and that of the Greater Sword Bush-cricket Horaorocoryphus nitidulus , which is common in the Mediterranean region, but does not normally stridulate until after dark. This species often occurs in marshy, reedy places, but has a more pulsating song which, if anything, is more like that of River Warbler. River Warbler L.Jluviatilis The typical song, most often heard at dusk but often through the night and at dawn as well, is perhaps the most bush- cricket-like of all the Locustella warblers, owing to its pulsating rhythm or, as described by Peterson et al. (1974), rhythmic ‘chuffing’ quality, like a distant steam engine. It could be mistaken in summer, especially at a distance, for the songs of the Wart-biter Bush-cricket Decticus verrucivorus, the White-fronted W'art-biter Bush-cricket D. albifrons , or the Great Green Bush-cricket and its close relative, the Singing Bush-cricket Tettigonia cantans. There is also some resemblance to Greater Sword Bush-cricket, Roesel’s Bush-cricket, Summer Cricket Tartarogiyllus burdigalensis and Common Mole-cricket. There seems, however, to be some variation between individuals: some have a harder, more metallic quality and therefore sound much more cicada-like. One River Warbler recording we have heard sounded very like a Common Cicada Lyristes plebejus\ another very like the Cicada Cicada omi; 92 Insect, amphibian or bird ? and two others like a cross between the Great Green Bush-cricket and some other kind of cicada. As already suggestedva detailed study of this mimicry of different species of insects by individual River Warblers is needed. As Thorpe ( 1957) and others have pointed out, the River Warbler's song is distinctly slower than that of either Savi's or Grasshopper Warbler: only 15 pulses per second, compared with 53 in Savi's and 31 in Grasshopper. Thorpe, timing seven songs, found an average duration of each song burst of 10 seconds, whereas our analysis of four songs on Palmer & Boswall’s discs ( 1969-80) gave an average of 13 seconds; but three songs on Unger's tape (1971) varied from 1 ' 05" to 2' 49", average 1 ' 44". Grasshopper Warbler L. naevia When heard at a distance, the high- pitched trill or reeling of this species is, in our opinion, most like the stridulation of the Wood-cricket and its near relation Heyden’s Gricket Pteronemobius heydenii , but could also be confused with Roesel’s Bush-cricket, Common Mole-cricket, or even more so with Vineyard Mole-cricket. A chorus of Summer Crickets might also suggest a Grasshopper Warbler to some hearers. As the Grasshopper Warbler may be found in drier habitats than Savi's, there is perhaps a greater risk of confusing its song with those of singing insects, which are found in greater diversity and abundance in such habitats than in marshland. Although the stridulation of a single male Wood-cricket is quiet, a large colony can produce a considerable volume of sound and might well lead an unwary ornithologist to conclude that he is listening to a Grasshopper Warbler. Like the bird, these insects will sing continuously for hours, with only brief pauses. Grasshopper Warblers may sing for up to four hours with only brief intervals of one to two seconds between bursts, each burst lasting anything from 30 seconds to four minutes (North & Simms 1958); the average is, however, about 30 seconds (Thorpe 1957). Lanceolated Warbler L. lanceolata The song of this species is described by Palmer & Boswall ( 1969-80) as ‘very similar to the Grasshopper Warbler, but sharper and a fraction slower’. We concur on the whole with this statement, but consider that, like the River Warbler’s, it is more pulsating and, therefore, more like that of a bush-cricket. In fact, a song recorded in Amurland, USSR, by Dr Irene A. Neufeldt (in Palmer & Boswall 1969-80) has rhythmic fluctuations which make it remarkably reminiscent of the much fainter stridulation of the Short-winged Gonehead Conocephalus dorsalis. It could be confused with several other bush-crickets with which it overlaps in habitat, including Great Green Bush-cricket, Singing Bush- cricket, Greater Sword Bush-cricket and their allies, or with a chorus of Field-crickets Gryllus campestris , or even with a Common Mole-cricket. Recordings of Lanceolated Warbler songs we have listened to vary in duration from just under one minute to 1 V2 minutes. OTHER BIRDS Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus The Nightjar’s continuous, churring song can be quite easily confused with the stridulation of the Common Mole- cricket, but much less so with that of the Vineyard Mole-cricket. The 93 Insect , amphibian or bird? danger in Britain is, however, of rather more significance to the entomologist than to the ornithologist, as the Common Mole-cricket is nowadays very rare and localised: formerly widespread, it is now confined to the southern counties of England, where it has been reported in recent years only from the Avon and lest valleys in Hampshire and from the southeast corner of Wiltshire. Few people in Britain, even entomologists, are familiar with the Common Mole-cricket’s song, and it is therefore probably much overlooked. One of us (JFB) has looked for it in its Wiltshire locality, where Nightjars happen to be common, and, although familiar with the songs of both species, nevertheless had to check each Nightjar carefully to make sure that he was not overlooking the insect. On the Continent, the Common Mole-cricket is widespread and locally common, with a range which extends, like that of the Nightjar, throughout Europe as far north as southern Scandinavia, and deep into western Asia. Although this mole-cricket prefers moister places than the Nightjar (such as water-meadows, wet heathland, and the margins of ponds, canals, rivers and streams), there is often an overlap of habitat. The Vineyard Mole- cricket inhabits much drier places than the common species and probably does not occur so far north (D. R. Ragge in lit/.). Both mole-crickets and the Nightjar sing at much the same time: at dusk and alter dark during the spring and summer (mid April to August), although D. R. Ragge (in lilt.) concluded that Common Mole-crickets stop singing before the height of summer, perhaps by the end of June; this has been confirmed by other observers. Gilbert White ( 1 789) knew both species well at Selborne. Writing of the Common Mole-cricket, he observed that: ‘In fine weather, about the middle of April, and just at the close of day, they begin to solace, themselves with a low, dull, jarring note, continued for a long time without interruption, and not unlike the chattering of the fern- owl, or goat-sucker [Nightjar], but more inward.' This inward quality in the Common Mole-cricket’s song is certainly a distinctive feature. I n both cases, the song consists of a rapidly repeated, single, harsh 'click' note, of level pitch, rising and falling in intensity. The Nightjar's song is of lower pitch and less rapidly uttered than that of the Common Mole-cricket. If the Nightjar’s song is described as ‘churring’, then that of the Common Mole-cricket is ‘chirring’ (a Scots voice would best express the difFerence. by throwing in a few extra ‘rrrrr’s!). Fluctuation in the Nightjar's sound is produced by the bird turning its head from side to side as it sings: giving not only a ventriloquial effect, but a rise and fall of volume with no change in the character of the even, rattling sound. The Common Mole-cricket, on the other hand, will often stridulate for periods of several minutes with no perceptible variation in intensity; when it does vary its song, however, the rise and fall takes the form of a certain ‘hesitancy’, whereby the component ‘clicks’ are produced in groups of varying speed and of different duration. This could be compared to the sound produced by holding a metallic object against the spokes of a bicycle wheel which is then rotated at a different speed every few seconds. The effects of the two sounds may be blurred by wind and distance; and, when an observer approaches the source of the call, the Nightjar may move 94 Insect, amphibian or bird? away and the observer’s footfalls will cause the mole-cricket to become silent. Only perseverance can settle the point, and, even then, as the authors know to their cost, one species may be masking the presence ol the other. Palmer & Boswall (1969-80) included in their series of discs a recording of a Common Mole-cricket along with the Nightjar for comparison, as did Roche (1961) and Unger (1971) in their recordings. Apart from the Common Mole-cricket, a chorus of Wood-crickets may also sound rather like a distant Nightjar. Ragge (1965) remarked that ’When one hears this song in the Wood-cricket’s natural haunts it is generally a chorus of several singing males and thus sounds continuous, suggesting perhaps a distant Nightjar or Grasshopper Warbler. Although the Wood-cricket is primarily a day-loving creature, the song continues into the night in warm weather.’ He has since told us (in lilt.) that he himself has sometimes confused a chorus of Wood-crickets with a distant Nightjar. Wood-crickets also favour the same habitats as the Nightjar, liv ing among the leaf-litter in woodland rides and glades, and also in areas of bracken near wood borders. The two species inhabit the same localities in the New Forest, where the Wood-cricket is common. Elsewhere in Britain, the Wood-cricket is very local, being confined to scattered localities in the Isle of W ight, Dorset, south Devon, south Wiltshire and west Surrey. On the Continent, it is widespread and locally common, especially in the south. There is one amphibian whose incredibly loud voice could be confused with the Nightjar: the Natterjack Toad Bujo calamita. A crepuscular or nocturnal chorus of these small toads, which have the loudest voice of all European toads, can be heard over a range of 2 km or more (Arnold & Burton 1978) and might well be mistaken for the Nightjar by an inex- perienced birdwatcher. Hardy (1939), writing of them in west Lancashire, observed that: ’the rattling chorus of the toads gathered in the pools is almost deafening — like thousands of Nightjars at a distance’. The Natterjack’s vocal period, which may extend from early spring to August in Britain, and up to a month later in southern France, overlaps the song period (May-August) of the Nightjar. It frequents sand-dunes and moist sandy heaths, which are also often inhabited by Nightjars. Abroad, Natterjacks are found over much of western and north-central Europe, apart from Italy and most of Scandinavia. In Britain and Ireland, the Natterjack has disappeared from many of its inland haunts, but is still locally common in southwest Ireland, on the Cumbrian coast and the Solway, in west Lancashire and in East Anglia. Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis Although we cannot liken the song of this Iberian nightjar to that of any particular insect, it is nonetheless suggestive of a cicada, especially the female Red-neck’s rasping call. We can only advise ornithologists to be cautious in assigning a distantly heard nocturnal sound to this bird species. Scops Owl Otus scops The resemblance of the typical call of this owl to that of the Midwife Toad is well known (e.g. Konig 1968; Thonen 1968). The extent to which even experienced ornithologists can be misled by the calls of amphibians or insects with which they are not familiar is illustrated by an 95 Insect, amphibian or bird? error on Dr C. Konig and Dr G. I hielcke’s record Vogelstimmen aus Sudeuropa , released in 1965 by Kosmosof Stuttgart: the recording of a Scops Owl is, in fact, of a Midwife l oad! In their series of discs, also available on cassettes, Palmer & Boswall (1969-80) have included a recording of the Midwife Toad for comparison. I he call of each species is, superficially at any rate, a single note of short duration, 'musical’ in nature and variously described as resembling a w histle or a bell. Each individual repeats this note monotonously at regular intervals of a few seconds, but the effect of this regularity may be entirely lost when the listener is among a scattered group of owls or toads (or both) calling at different intervals. Especially in hilly country, great difficulty is sometimes experienced in exactly locating a calling individual. It is, however, often quite easy to call up the Scops Owl by imitating its call and then, by using a torch, to obtain a sighting. Attentive listening and a close approach to a Scops Owl reveal that its call is, in fact, disyllabic: a short high note, immediately followed by a lower, longer note of similar intensity — this could be written 'KeOOOO' — the whole call lasting for approximately half a second. The Midwife Toad, on the other hand, has a shorter note of apparently absolute purity and of even pitch and intensity. Perhaps it can best be described as ‘electronic’, since it closely resembles the sound produced by an oscillator, with no component which could be represented by a consonant and no perceptible variation in pitch. It could be expressed simply as ‘ooo!’ and lasts about one-eighth of a second. Johnny Morris (verbally) has aptly likened the call of a single Midwife Toad to the Greenwich time signal. The diagnostic characters of the two calls are apparent only at close range, for a variety of reasons. Distance, especially among trees, tends to absorb the second, quieter, part of the Scops Owl’s call, with the result that it sounds shorter and monosyllabic; this is well illustrated if one listens to a bird close at hand being answered by another at a distance of 100m or so. The call of the Midwife Toad, among rocks and against buildings, can be lengthened by resonance; an echo at close quarters can even appear to give it a second component. Where both animals exist together, great patience is necessary to assess the relative status of each. In Europe, the Scops Owl is found from central France and northwest Germany southwards and eastwards throughout the Continent. The Midwife Toad occurs throughout the Iberian Peninsula and France, its range extending eastwards from Belgium through western Germany to the Hartz Mountains and the western and southern slopes of the Black Forest. The Midw ife Toad inhabits hilly, stony country which often coincides with the Scops Owl’s habitat of scattered trees, plantations, gardens and old buildings. The clear, musical, but mournful call of the Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina might also mislead birdwatchers in east-central Europe and the southern USSR, but not as easily as the call of the Midwife Toad. The same is true of its close relative, the Yellow-bellied Toad B. variegata, in south- central Europe. Both these toads, however, usually sing in chorus. In hill and mountain regions, the call of Scops Owl might also be 96 Insect , amphibian or bird? mistaken for that of the Mountain Cricket Eurgryllodes pipiens. We must also draw attention to the similarity between the typical calls of Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum and Scops Owl. The call of'female Scops is especially like that of male Pygmy. Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum Konig (1968) and Thonen (1968) have pointed out independently that there is a risk of confusion not only between the calls of Scops Owl and Midwife l oad, but also with the very vocal Pygmy Owl, especially the unmated male. Having listened to sound re- cordings of the latter and compared them with recordings of the other two species, we can confirm that the danger is a real one, although the similarity between Pygmy Owl and Midwife Toad is less striking than that between the toad and Scops Owl. In our opinion, the call of a single Midwife Toad most closely resembles that of a Pygmy Owl when a sound recording of the latter is played at low level; perhaps the greatest danger is that a distantly calling Pygmy Owl might be passed over as a Midwife l oad! The typical call or song of Pygmy Owl is also, in our opinion, more like the call of female Scops. The two overlap in parts of Europe (e.g., the southern Alps and parts of the Balkans), and Scops has been extending its range northwards in recent years, for example, to central Germany (Hover 1967). Konig ( 1968) described the ‘song’ of the unmated Pygmy Owl as a series of monotonous drawn-out whistling sounds, like ‘duh' or ‘duhb’. These are quite like the calls of Midwife Toads, bearing in mind that there is a good deal of individual variation in the case of the toads, but they lack their ‘Greenwich time signal’ electronic quality. The difficulty arises from the likelihood of not being able to compare the two animals in the field, but should be resolved by carefully locating the source of the sound. If the toads are responsible, there should be little trouble in tracking them down. There is a possibility of mistaking the calls of Pygmy Owl for those of Fire-bellied Toad, and even more for Yellow-bellied Toad, where their ranges overlap. The owl’s distribution overlaps with that of the Fire-bellied Toad in Poland, Russia, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Romania; and with the Yellow-bellied in eastern France, Switzerland, extreme northern Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia, southern Germany and Poland, Romania and northwestern Yugoslavia. Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusifla Palmer & Boswall (1969-80), in their notes on this species for disc RFLP 5003, mentioned that its jarring, trilling calls may at a distance be confused with the Common Frog Rana temporaria. Having listened to recordings, there is, in our opinion, a similarity which might well mislead the unwary ornithologist during the spring. Feindt ( 1968) warned from his own field experience that confusion is also possible at a distance with the Edible Frog R. esculenta. The calls of individual European Free Frogs Hyla arborea and of the Stripeless Tree Frog H. meridionalis are crake-like, and may lead birdwatchers to think they are listening to Baillon’s or Little Crake P. parva. For an English translation of Feindt (1968), see Boswall (1969). 97 Insect, amphibian or bird? Little Crake Porzana parva 1 he characteristic ‘quek-quek-quek’ call of the Little Crake might, in some circumstances, be mistaken for the ‘krak-krak- krak calls ol an isolated European Tree Frog, or even the similar, but slower and deeper calls ol the Stripeless Free Frog (JFB has followed up intermittent calls of the last-named species in the Camargue during the daytime, uncertain whether it was a crake or not). Usually, the Little Crake accelerates its calls towards the end, whereas the reverse happens with the European I ree Frog. 1 he Stripeless Free Frog tends to maintain a slow, steady rhythm. Corncrake Crex crex The Corncrake’s grating double-note is easily recognised, but it is not unlike the sonorous croak of the male Parsley Frog Pelodyles punctatus. 1 he rhythm of their calls is different, of course, but one might conceivably mistake a couple of unseen, but fairly close Parsley Frogs answering each other for a distant Corncrake. Both species call by day or night and their breeding ranges overlap, notably in France. Coot Fulica atra The weak, rather plaintive piping croak of the Common l oad Bup) bu/o during the spring resembles to a certain extent the quieter ’piping’ calls of the Coot, so frequently heard at this time of the year; but this is more likely to mislead the inexperienced herpetologist than the ornithologist. Nevertheless, the latter should bear the similarity in mind when relying on sound only. Little Bustard Otis tetrax Palmer & Boswall ( 1969-80) pointed out that the snorting ‘prett’ calls of the Little Bustard may be confused with the croak of the Parsley Frog, and give a recording of this amphibian on disc RFI.P 5003 for comparison. YVe agree that they are similar and that confusion could occur in the breeding season, when the frog is often active by day. I hc distributions of both species overlap to a considerable degree: the Little Bustard breeds throughout much of the Iberian peninsula and France, except the north and east, Sardinia, Sicily, southern Italy and part of the Balkans; while the Parsley Frog is found over most ofFrance, extreme northwestern Italy and the whole of the Iberian peninsula (Arnold & Burton 1978). Woodcock Scolopax rusticola The croaking of breeding Common Frogs at dusk or dawn in spring could, in certain circumstances, mislead an in- cautious ornithologist into believing that he is listening to a roding Woodcock, especially as the two may occur in the same habitats. It is also possible that some croaks of the Edible Frog or the Marsh Frog Rana ridibunda may mislead birdwatchers on the European mainland. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Kettle & Boswall (1981) have drawn attention to the fact that a recording made in Germany and published by Palmer (1958-63) purporting to be of a Little Bittern is actually of a Fire-bellied Toad. JFB has listened to this and to recordings of genuine Little Bitterns (he has also heard them in the field in the Netherlands); he 98 Insect, amphibian or bird? considers that conf usion is more likely between some of the resonant ’awk' or ‘quawk’ calls of Edible or Marsh Frogs, although the similarities are not great, the bird’s call sounding sharper. Cross-reference section The following lists of amphibians and insects which can be confused with birds are given for convenient cross-reference, together with brief sum- maries of their habitats and range. amphibians (frogs and toads) Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina Call might possibly be confused with Scops Owl or Pygmy Owl where their ranges ov erlap in eastern Europe (Czechoslovakia, Austria, Romania and southern Russia), but not as easily as with Midwife Toad. Has also been confused with Little Bittern on a published disc (see Kettle & Boswall 1981). Calls by day or night, usually in chorus. Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata Call similar to the last, although less mournful; might also be mistaken in some circum- stances for Scops Owl where their ranges overlap in south-central Europe from the Atlantic coast of France to Romania. Neither this nor Fire-bellied Toad occurs in Iberia, where Scops Owl is widespread. There is also possibility of calling Yellow- bellied Toad fooling unsuspecting bird- watcher into believing that he is listening to Pygmy Owl in areas where both species occur. The resemblance is closer, in our opinion, than between Pygmy Owl and Fire- bellied Toad. Like Fire-bellied, Yellow-bellied Toad calls, usually in chorus, by day or night, but especially in evening (Arnold & Burton 1978). Breeding range extends over whole of France (except Corsica), southern Belgium, south-central Germany, Switzerland, Italy (except Sardinia and much of Sicily) , Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and most of Balkans. Inhabits both low-lying and alpine regions up to 1,500m, frequenting shallows of pools, lakes and rivers of all sizes. Midwife Toad Alytes obstetricans Typical bell-like call, heard only at night, closely resembles typical call ol Scops Owl and could also be mistaken for distant Pygmy Owl. Frequents stony, hilly country throughout Iberia, most of France and Belgium, and parts of south Netherlands and west Germany. Voice of Iberian Midwife Toad A. cister- nasii, a species confined to west-central Iberia, is apparently similar to that of Midwife Toad (Dr E. N. Arnold verbally). Parsley Frog Pelodvt.es punctatus Typical call of male resembles ‘prett’ call of Little Bustard, whose range it overlaps, and, to some extent, Corncrake’s grating call. Mainly nocturnal, but becomes more active by day in breeding season. Frequents damp places and ponds with dense vegetation throughout Iberia, most of France, south- west Belgium and extreme northwest Italy. Common Toad Bufo bufo Croak of male in breeding ponds and lakes resembles low, piping calls of Coots. Most often heard at night, but also in daytime. W idespread and common in various habitats, including fields and wooded areas, throughout Europe, ex- cept for extreme north, Iceland, Ireland, Corsica, Sardinia and Balearic Islands. Natterjack Toad Bufo calamita Nocturnal croaking of males, especially in chorus, re- sembles Nightjar and Common Mole- cricket. Usually starts to call just before sunset. Inhabits sandy places and damp heaths throughout western and north-central Europe, extending to England (very local) and southwest Ireland, but not Scandinavia apart from Denmark and extreme south of Sweden; absent from Italy and Balkans. Green Toad Bufo viridis Has trill rather like long-drawn-out version of trilling call of VVhimbrel Numenius phaeopus, but hardly likely to lead to confusion as latter almost always utters this call in (light. Green l oads usually call in chorus at night. Their trilling sounds very similar to stridulation of Tree Cricket Oecanthus pellucens , which may be heard by day or night, often in chorus. Green Toad inhabits coastal and sandy regions throughout eastern half of Europe and western Russia, apart from most of Scandi- navia and similar latitudes. 99 Insect , amphibian or bird? European (or Common) Tree Frog Hyla arborea No close resemblance to any particular species of bird, but calls of isolated individuals may lead birdwatchers to believe that they are listening to ‘quek-quek’ call of Little Crake or of some other kind of crake, such as Baillon’s. Usually does not call until dusk. An active climber. Common around standing water in marshes or other localities with dense vegetation, especially those with trees and bushes, throughout southern and central Europe. Absent from Britain and Ireland (apart from a few introductions), and most of Scandinavia and northern Russia. Stripeless (or Southern) Tree Frog Hyla meridionalis As with European Tree Frog, calls of isolated individuals may sound like 'quek-quek' call of Little Crake or some other species of crake or rail. Has very similar habits to last species and also climbs actively. Common around standing water with dense cover in marshes and other localities in parts of southwest Europe such as the Camargue, where abundant. Overlaps with European Tree Frog in a few parts of its range. Common Frog Rana lemporaria Croaking of males during breeding season rather like croaking of roding Woodcock, and trilling calls of Baillon's Crake when heard at distance. Calls by day or night. Common and widespread where ponds and lakes or other damp habitats; throughout Europe, except Mediterranean region. Marsh Frog Rana ridibunda Like its close ally, Edible Frog, some calls might be mis- taken for those of a crake or rail, or perhaps Little Bittern or roding Woodcock. This especially true of Iberian Marsh Frog R. perengi (until recently regarded as a race of ridibunda ), which also occurs in southwest France, including the Camargue: its voice sounds to us quite different from that of Marsh Frog. These species call late into summer, by day or night. The typical Marsh Frog is widespread in eastern Europe, with western limits along the Rhine and northern limits along the south Baltic shore; extends well into western Russia and has been introduced into Romnex Marsh, where now verv well established and common in an area of some 100 square miles (260km2). An aquatic frog like Edible, inhabiting canals, rivers and lakes. Edible Frog Rana esculenta Some croaks of this aquatic species resemble roding call of Woodcock and calls of Baillon’s Crake and Little Bittern. Calls by day as well as by night. Common in ponds, lakes, canals and rivers over most of Europe, apart from Norway, most of Sweden, Finland, north Russia, Britain and Ireland. Has been intro- duced into a few localities in southeastern England, where it tends to die out and depend upon reintroductions. INSECTS bush-crickets (Orthoptera: Tetti- goniidae) Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridissima Especially in rhythm, call re- sembles song of River Warbler and. to a lesser extent, of Lanceolated Warbler. Sings by day and night from July to October. In- habits wide range of open habitats with coarse, lank vegetation and scrub, including reedy ditches and margins of reed-beds, throughout Europe as far north as southern Scandinavia, North Africa and temperate Asia. Singing Bush-cricket Tettigonia cantons This noisy bush-cricket looks very like last species, except that wings do not extend beyond hind knees, and tends to prefer wet meadows and bushy places on higher ground, usually above 800m. In Moscow region, JFB has seen and heard it singing in profusion on waste ground in and around towns and housing estates. It sings by dav or night from July to October, and is usually abundant where it occurs. Not found in Britain, but common ox er much of southern and central Europe eastwards to Russia, western Siberia and Manchuria. Song similar to that of last species and, like that species, could be mistaken for Rixer Warbler or Lanceolated Warbler. Greater Sword Bush-cricket Homorocon- phus nitidulus (= Ruspolia nitidula) Noisy stridulation of this southern bush-cricket is a little like songs of Lanceolated. River and Savi’s Warblers and might be mistaken for them. Heard from July to October from dusk onwards. Common in marshy ditches and sxvamps throughout Mediterranean region and as far north as southern Germany and Czechoslovakia. Wart-biter Bush-cricket Decticus verrucivorus Might be mistaken for distant Rixer Warbler, song having similar rhythmic qualitx . Sings only on hot days from July to 100 October. Widespread and common through- out Europe as far north as southern Scandinavia (but not Mediterranean region), and temperate Asia; in most open habitats with moderately thick ground vegetation, including heaths, calcareous downland, marshes, cornfields and reed- beds. In Britain, very rare and extremely local, restricted to heaths of Dorset and downlands of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Wiltshire. White-fronted Wart-biter Bush-cricket Decticus albifrons Might be confused with distant River Warbler. Occurs in similar habitats to the last species in southern Europe as far north as southern Switzerland and Romania. Also sings by day in summer and autumn. Roesel’s Bush-cricket Metrioptera roeselii Stridulation very similar to song of Savi’s Warbler and, to lesser extent, that of Grasshopper Warbler. Might possibly also be mistaken for River Warbler. Song usually heard by day from July to October, but also long after night has fallen. Frequents lush vegetation in marshy localities in Britain, especially estuarine marshes, but more catholic in its choice of habitat on the Continent, where occurs almost everywhere except in extreme south. Range extends as far north as Denmark and southern Finland. Short-winged Conehead Conocephalus dorsalis Rhythmic stridulation of this diminutive bush-cricket is remarkably like song of Lanceolated Warbler, but very much fainter and therefore unlikely to be mistaken for it. Usually heard only by day from July to September. Inhabits rushes, sedges and reeds in marshy localities, including salt marshes, over much of southern half of England and Wales (chiefly near coast), and throughout Europe except for extreme south and extreme east. crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) Field-cricket Gryllus campestris Has bird-like chirp, but not like any known bird species, although small chorus may suggest Lanceo- lated Warbler. In hot weather, sings by day and night, from April (May in England) to late July. Found on well-drained grassland and heaths throughout Europe, as far north as Norway and Sweden; North Africa and western Asia; very rare and local in Britain, where confined to a few places in south Hampshire and west Sussex. Very similar to Insect, amphibian or bird ? Two-spotted Cricket G. birnaculalus, common in a wide variety of well-drained habitats in the Mediterranean region and southern Asia, which has almost identical song. Summer Cricket Tarlarogryllus burdigalensis Chorus sounds rather like River Warbler or jerky Grasshopper Warbler, but confusion not very likely. Inhabits wide range of habitats from rough meadows to both culti- vated and uncultivated ground throughout southern Europe as far north as Austria and Hungary. May be heard singing from May to July. Mountain Cricket Eurgryllodes pipiens Bird- like chirp, heard from July to October, might be mistaken for Scops Owl at night. Re- stricted to mountain ranges of Iberian peninsula, Alps and Pyrenees. Wood-cricket Nemobius sylvestris Stridu- lation of a colony of this small insect sounds very like Grasshopper Warbler, and also resembles distant Nightjar. Can be heard from June through to early November, usually by day, but also on warm nights. Inhabits leaf-litter of woodlands and scrub and areas of bracken near woods throughout most of Europe (apart from north) and North Africa. In Britain, restricted to scattered localities in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, south Devon, south Wiltshire and west Surrey, but often numerous where found. Heyden’s Cricket Pleronemobius heydenii Chorus of this near relative of the Wood- cricket, like that species, sounds very like Grasshopper Warbler. Sings from May to August in marshes and water-meadows throughout central and southern Europe, North Africa and central and southern Asia (D. R. Ragge in lilt.). Tree Cricket (or Italian Cricket) Oecanthus pellucens Highly ventriloquial and very loud trilling stridulation of this diminutive cricket, heard from July to October, by day or night, is remarkably bird-like, but could also be considered to originate from an amphibian. In fact, it sounds very like Green Toad, whose breeding range it overlaps. Does not resemble any particular species of bird with which we are familiar, but may tempt an ornithologist unfamiliar with it to believe that he is listening to an unknown bird. 101 Insect, amphibian or bird ? mole-crickets (Orthoptera: Gryl- lotalpidae) Common Mole-cricket Gryllotalpa gryllo- talpa Song, heard at night from mid April to June, perhaps later, closely resembles Night- jar and could also be confused with Grass- hopper Warbler or some other Locustella warbler. Unger (1971) remarks that it is so similar to Locustella species that it can confuse even experienced ornithologists. Locally common in moist localities in or near river valleys and lakes throughout Europe as far north as southern Scandinavia; also western Asia. In Britain, now extremely rare and local: currently known only from the Avon and lest valleys in Hampshire, and the southeast corner of Wiltshire. Vineyard Mole-cricket vineae Separated from the Common Mole-cricket in Europe (the Dordogne, France) only in 1969 (Ben- net-Clark 1970b), so precise distribution not yet known: probably does not extend as far north as Common Mole-cricket, and cer- tainly inhabits much drier habitats (I). R. Ragge in lilt.). Sings very loudly at night from mid April at twice the fundamental fre- quency of Common Mole-cricket (3,500 11/ instead of 1,600 Hz) and song is very pure, and more strident and less inward than churring of that species. Single individual can be heard in still weather conditions at distance of 600m ( Bennet -Clark 1970a). j FB has compared tape-recordings of Vineyard Mole-cricket with Savi’s Warbler, River Conclusions Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Lanceo- latecl Warbler and Nightjar: to his ears, this mole-cricket sounds dissimilar to Nightjar, Lanceolated Warbler and River Warbler, extremely like Savi's Warbler, and similar to Grasshopper Warbler. Grasshopper W arb- ler overlaps to some extent with currently (little) known habitat preferences of Vine- yard Mole-cricket, but overlap probably does not occur in case of swamp-loving Savi's Warbler. Clearly, more field experience is required of this mole-cricket which, although a darker brown, looks very much like Common Mole-cricket. It is worth noting that, at last count, of eight species of mole- cricket known in Europe, the songs of only Common and V ineyard Mole-crickets have been studied (D. R. Ragge in lilt.). cicadas (Hemiptera-Homoptera: Cicadidae) Cicada Cicada ami Metallic stridulation resembles at least one song variant of River Warbler. Occurs throughout southern Europe as far north as southern Germany and Czechoslovakia, usually inhabiting open woodland and scrub. Common Cicada Lrristes (= Tibicen) plebejus Stridulation sounds very like at least one song variant of River Warbler. Range extends over southern half of Europe as far north as Germany and Poland. Typically , inhabits open woodland and scrub. There are a surprising number of amphibians and insects whose sounds resemble the calls or songs of European birds and could be confused with them. Although in some cases the resemblances are remarkably close, there is little real risk of confusion, so long as ornithologists are aware of the danger and take the trouble to ensure that errors of identification are avoided. This may mean less hasty judgements, and a determination to track down an unseen singer until its identity is beyond doubt. A further word of caution: ornithologists must appreciate and allow for individual variations in both amphibians and insects. This often depends upon the prevailing temperature, which affects the frequency and volume of the sounds produced by these animals: as one would expect, they respond more actively to high temperatures. As Arnold & Burton (1978) have pointed out. the pitch of amphibian vocalisations can vary with the size of the calling individual. It should also be noted that the stridulations of many bush-crickets and other insects may become inaudible, or nearly so, to persons who have reached middle age, as may the higher frequencies of some bird songs. We are not familiar with all the sound-producing insects (mostly grass- 102 Insect, amphibian or bird? hoppers, bush-crickets, crickets and cicadas) in Europe, and it is highly likely that there are other species not listed here whose songs closely resemble certain species of birds. We would therefore be grateful for any new cases to be brought to our notice. We are, however, confident that there are not likely to be any new examples among the amphibians as we have listened to almost all known European species, either in the held, or on tape or disc, or both. Discs and tapes consulted Andrieu, A.J., & Dumortier, B. 1963. Chants d’lrisectes. One30-cm 33.3 rpm disc, no. LDP-E 7331 — Med. Pacific. Neuilly, France. BBC Sound Archives. Collection of Natural History Recordings. Feindt, P. 1968. Vier Europaische Rallenarten. One 17-cm 45 rpm disc, OV1. Hildersheim, German Federal Republic. Konig, C., & Thielcke, G. 1965. Vogelstimmen aus Sudeuropa. One 17-cm 45 rpm disc, no. 75-09255. Kosmos, Stuttgart, German Federal Republic. Naumov, R., & Veprintsev, B. N. 1964. The Voices oj Birds in Nature: 4 Birds of Siberia. One 25-cm 33.3 rpm disc, 14867-8. Melodia, Moscow, USSR. Nikolsky, I. 1979. Voices of Amphibians. One 25-cm 33.3 rpm disc, no. 41503/04 Melodia 33M71. Moscow, LiSSR. Orszag, M. 1980. Bird Songs oj Hungary: Sounds of Woods and Reeds. One 30-cm 33.3 rpm disc. Hungaroton, Budapest, Hungary. Palmer, S. 1958-63. Radions Bagel Skivor. 35 17-cm 45 rpm discs, nos. RFEP 201-35. Sveriges Radio, Stockholm. & Boswall, J. 1969-80. The Peterson Field Guide to the Bird Songs oj Britain and Europe. 15 30-cm 33.3rpm discs, RFFP 5001-5015. Swedish Radio Company, Stockholm. (Also available on 16 boxed cassettes, SRMK 5021-36, published 1981.) Ragge, D. R., Burton, J. F., & Wade, G. F. 1965. Songs of the British Grasshoppers & Crickets. One 17-cm 33.3rpmdisc, no. 16108-9. Warne, Fondon. Roche, J. C. 1961 . Les VoixdelaNuit. One 1 7-cm 33.3 rpm disc, LVBF. Fa Viedes Betes, Paris. 1965. Guide Sonore du Naturalisle: l Insectes. Guide Sonore du Naturaliste: 2 Batraciens. Two separate 17-cm 45 rpm discs. Roche, Haubourdin, France. Simms, E. 1969. British Mammals and Amphibians. BBC Records, Wildlife Series. One 30-cm 33.3 rpm disc, no. RED 42M. I embrock, G., & Schubert, M. 1970. Stimmen der Vogel Mitteleuropas: II Wasservogel. One 30-cm 33.3 rpm disc, Eterna 8 20 999. VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin, German Democratic Republic. Unger, O. 1971. Zvukovy Atlas Pnrody l (Sound Atlas of Nature.); Plan v leseauvody. Czechoslovak Radio (Ceskoslovensky Rozhlas), Prague. Acknowledgments We are grateful to I. J. Ferguson-Fees for the initial conception of this paper and for his valuable suggestions and criticisms in its early stages of preparation. Dr D. R. Ragge and Eric Simms also read an early draft and we are indebted to them too for their comments. Moreover, we are particularly grateful to Dr Ragge for answering many entomological questions with exemplary promptness and for providing details of the distribution of some of the insects discussed. A special word of thanks is also due to Stanley Cramp, Peter Grant and Dr J. T. R. Sharrock for encouragement in seeing this paper through to its conclusion, and to Dr Hans- Heiner Bergmann for drawing our attention to relevant papers published in Germany. We have enjoyed the benefit also of discussions on particular points with Jeffery Boswall (whose admirable discographies were a splendid aid to this study) and Ron Kettle (British Fibrary of Wildlife Sounds). Mesdames Helga Burton and Libuse Taylor kindly provided translations from German and Czech respectively, while Miss Margaret Reese made a marvellous job of the final typescript from a jumble of amendments and inserts to the original draft. Finally, JFB would like to express his appreciation to his colleague Michael Bright, Senior Radio Producer in the BBC Natural History Unit, for his interest and encouragement. The BBC’s collection of wildlife sounds has, of course, been a tremendous source of comparative material and we are indeed grateful for access to it. 103 Insect , amphibian or bird? Summary I he danger ol confusing the songs of the Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus and the Common Mole-cricket Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, and the calls of Scops Owl Otus scops and the Midwife Toad Alytes obstetricans are well known; less well known is a similar risk of mistaking the sounds of a number of other European amphibians and insects for birds, especially when the listener is in unfamiliar territory. I he authors have investigated, as far as possible, using published and unpublished sound recordings, and drawing upon their considerable field experience, all other likely instances. The following bird species are further examples and are discussed in this paper, together with the Nightjar and Scops Owl: Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides. River Warbler L. fluviatilis, Grasshopper Warbler /.. naevia, Lanceolated Warbler L. lanceolata, Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum, Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla. Little Crake P. paria. Corncrake Crex crex, Coot Fulica atra, Little Bustard Otis tetrax, Woodcock Scolopax rusticola and Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus. The sounds made by species of amphibian and insect with which they can be confused are described and compared, and also listed systematically in a cross-reference section, which we hope will prove useful to entomologists and herpetologists as well as to ornithologists. The circumstances under which confusion between the sounds of these unrelated animal groups can occur are also discussed. The biological advantages to birds of producing amphibian- or insect-like sounds are also considered briefly. In particular, it is postulated that some of the Locustella warblers do in fact mimic the more abundant insects, such as certain bush-crickets, crickets and cicadas, thereby deceiving potential predators through a sort of acoustic camouflage. Moreover, it is suggested that this may explain why individual River Warblers may sing like cicadas and others like bush-crickets, and it is therefore further suggested that this species should be the subject of a special study. References Armstrong, E. A. 1973. A Study of Bird Song. New York. Arnold, E. N., & Burton, J. A. 1978. ,4 Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. London. Bennet-Clark, H. G. 1970a. The mechanism and efficiency of sound production in mole- crickets. /. Exp. Biol. 52: 619-652. 1970b. A new French mole-cricket, differing in song and morphology from Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa L. (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae). Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Load. ( B ) 39 (9-10): 125-132. Bercmann, H-H., & Held. H-W. 1982. Stimmen der Vogel Europas. Munich. Boswall, J. 1966. A discography of Palearctic insect sound recordings. Entom. Record 87: 202-206.' 1969. New Palearctic bird sound recordings during 1968. Brit. Birds 62: 271-281 . Grant, P. J. 1983. Identification pitfalls and assessment problems: 2. Savi's W arbler Locustella luscinioides. Brit. Birds 76: 78-80. Hardy, E. 1939. A rare toad (Natterjack). Field 174: 415. Harrison, Li . 1 982. An Atlas of the Birds of the 1 1 extern Palaearctic. London. Hover, G. 1967. Zwergohreule — Otus scops — und Rauhfusskauz — Aegolius Junereus — im Burgwald, Landkreis Marburgs. Luscinia 40 (1): 19. Hvass, H. 1972. Reptiles and Amphibians in Colour. London. Kettle, R., & Boswall, J. 1981. A discography of amphibian sounds. Recorded Sound 79: 51-75. Konig, G. 1968. Zur Unterscheidung ahnlicher Rufe von Zwergohreule ( Otus scops), Sperlingskauz ( Glaucidium passerinum) und Geburtshelferkrote (Alytes obstetricans). Om. Mitt. 20: 35. ' North, M., & Simms. E. 1958. Witherby's Sound Guide to British Birds. Part Two. London. Palmer , S.. & Boswall, J. 1969-80. Special note to The Peterson Field Guide to the Bird Songs of Britain and Europe (set of 15 discs). Stockholm. Peterson, R. , Mountfort, CL. & HoULom, P. A. D. 1 974. .4 Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. London. Third edition. Ragge, D. R. 1965. Grasshoppers . Crickets and Cockroaches of the British Isles. London. Thonen, W. 1968. Die Ahnlichkeit der Rufe von Zwergohreule, Sperlingskauz und Geburts- helferkrote. Orn. Beob. 65: 17-22. BIRDS 104 Insect, amphibian or bird? Thorpe, \\ . H. 1957. The identification ofSavi’s, Grasshopper and River \\ arblers by means of song. Brit. Birds 50: 1 69- 171. U nger , O. 1971. Zvukovy Atlas Prirody I: Ptaciv lese a u vody. Prague. White, G. 1789. The Natural History oj Selborne. London. J. F. Burton, BBC Natural History Unit . Broadcasting House , Bristol BS8 2LR E. D. H. Johnson, Crabiere Cottage, Grande Route des Mielles, St Ouen, Jersey, Channel Islands Appendix. Amphibian and insect sounds likely to be confused with those of European birds. * * * * * * ¥ * * * * * * * * * * ¥ * * * * * * * -4 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Species likely to be confused with each other are indicated bv an asterisk at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical columns. A large asterisk indicates a greater similarity, and thereby greater possibility of confusion, between the species. AMPHIBIANS AND INSECTS Fire-bellied load Bombina bombina Yellow-bellied l oad B. variegata Midwile Toad Airies obstetricans Iberian Midwife Toad A. cistemasii Parsley Frog Pelodytes punctatus Common Toad Bujo bujo Natterjack l oad B. calamila Green Toad B. viridis European Tree F rog Hyla arborea Stripeless Tree F’rog H. meridionalis Common Frog Rana temporaria Edible Frog R. esculenta Marsh Frog/?, ridibunda Iberian Marsh Frog R. perezi Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridissima Singing Bush-cricket T. cantons Greater Sword Bush-cricket Homorocoiyphus nitidulus Wart-biter Bush-cricket Declines verrucivorus White-fronted Wart-biter Bush-cricket D. albijrons Roesel’s Bush-cricket Metrioptera roeselii Short-winged Conehead Conocephalus dorsalis Field-cricket Gryllus campestris Two-spotted Cricket G. bimaculatus Summer Cricket Tartarogryllus burdigalensis Mountain ( Ticket Eurgnt lodes pipiens Wood-cricket Nemobius sylvestris Heyden’s Cricket Pteronemobius hevdenii ( lommon Mole-cricket Giyltotalpa gryllotalpa Vineyard Mole-cricket (1. vineae ( lieada Cicada orni ( lommon Cicada Lvristes plebejus Mystery photographs I his is clearly a passerine, ^ ' and comparison with the vegetation suggests that it is medium-sized: about the bulk of a Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio , W heatear Oenanthe oenanthe, or perhaps even up to Redwing Turdus iliacus. The stance is rather thrush- like, but the slim build, very upright and alert posture and long legs point directly towards a chat. Could it be Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos? That species certainly adopts this stance quite frequently, prior to coc the pale supercilium and dark eyestripe on this bird seems too strong, and either the tail is too short or the wings too long (or both) for Nightingale. Ihe relative uniformity of the tones of most of the plumage does not accord with any wheatear, except perhaps Isabelline 0. isabellina ; and it does appear to have a heavy bill, and also what seems to be a blackish alula, both characters of that species. The alula, however, does not contrast with the rest of the wing, for the greater primary coverts are also dark. Isabelline also usually has a less well-marked head-pattern, and there is no trace of the black tail band which should be visible if it is any species of wheatear. Could it be a pipit Antfius ? Tawny A. campestris is the only one so unstreaked, but there is no sign of that species’ line of wing spots formed by dark-centred median-covert feathers. With the stoutish bill and well-marked head- pattern, could it be a female or immature shrike? Careful examination of the bill tip, however, reveals no marked hook, and, indeed, even the stoutness seems to be more illusory than actual: a case of foreshortening. The stance is so chat-like that we must consider further possibilities and a brainwave suggests the taxonomic oddity known now as Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes but formerly placed with the warblers (as ‘Rufous Warbler’). That certainly has a striking supercilium and eye- stripe, long legs, unmarked underparts, uniform upperparts, and strong bill. Its tail is long, with dark subterminal bands and white terminal spots on the feathers, but these can become abraded on breeding adults and, in any case, our individual has its tail closed and the tip details are not visible. The mystery bird fits Rufous Bush Robin in almost every respect, bar two. First, even allowing for abrasion, the extension of the tail beyond the wingtips is less than one would expect; secondly, our bird shows no moustachial stripe, usually thin but clearly visible on Rufous Bush Robin. The wholly pale ear-coverts do, indeed, rule out many chats; but not the warblers. Perched, in a more typical stance, on a reed or branch, this bird would probably have been identified instantly by all those who have had 105 [Bril. Birds 77: 105-106. March 1984] 106 Mystery photographs 37. Mystery photograph 88. Identify the species. Answer next month. difficulty with it when it is standing on the ground in an alert, upright position. Once the idea of warbler is considered, it is obviously a large Acrocephalus. Despite the stout bill, the strong head-pattern rules out any idea of Thick-billed Warbler A. aedon (cf. Brit. Birds 76: 186-187); the relatively long primary extension and prominent supercilium also rule out Clamorous Reed W arbler A. stentoreus. Everything fits Great Reed W’arbler A. arundinaceus. That species does, indeed, regularly feed on the ground in a thrush- or pipit-like manner, in and near its reed bed habitat. One does not, however, expect to see a warbler behaving like this, and such ‘out-of- character’ actions can lead to misidentifications, especially on brief views. Those readers who identified this bird as a Rufous Bush Robin need not feel embarrassed: that was the most reasonable of the other possibilities, all of which were actually suggested by several visitors to the BB editorial office who viewed the original photograph, which was obtained by T. A. Box in Cyprus injuly 1982. J. T. R. Sharrock Points of view Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of 'British Birds ’ 7. A case for birdwatching America has a reputation for exporting the gimmicky and the unwanted: bubblegum, skateboards, citizen-band radio and now — definitely the worst — that damned word, ‘birding’. Only recently has birdwatching been afforded the privilege, particularly by such watchdogs of our language as the National Press, of becoming a single word, not split into two or separated by a hyphen. No sooner does that happen, however, and every- one starts calling themselves ‘birders’. To compound the matter, anyone lunatic enough these days to describe himself as a birdwatcher is greeted with the same reaction from the birding fraternity as if he proclaimed in loud words: ‘I am a dude.’ [Brit. Birds 77: 106-107, March 1984] 107 Points oj view Birdwatching, as a word, may be criticised for being too bland a descrip- tion for today’s esoteric pastime. No serious birdwatcher simply watches birds. Perhaps it is lor that reason that the birdwatcher has become an endangered species, especially when good arguments for the usage of birder are put forward by the likes of Bill Oddie: in his hilarious Little Black Bird Book , he advocates his preference for birder, saying it has a certain ‘rugged- ness . Maybe he has a point. A birder, before the Americans resurrected the word from Shakespeare’s Merry Wives oj Windsor , was a hunter who ruggedly braved the elements to kill anything that flew. In my view, that is a good enough case against the horrid word. For such a beautiful and omnipotent language as English, it is a travesty to resort to Americanisms. Modern ornithology evolved in Britain. It is only fitting, therefore, that the collective term we call ourselves should be the one that derived in Britain, namely birdwatcher. If we continue to bend towards transatlantic phraseology, how long will it be before the British list contains Gray Wagtail and Rose-colored Starling? Stuart Winter 16 Lalleford Road . Luton. Bedfordshire Notes Mutual display by Gannets at sea On 3rd March 1980, about half-way between Rosslare and Fishguard on an Irish Sea crossing, two adult Gannets Sula bassana appeared some way behind us, flying close together about 10m above the sea. They passed well astern of the ferry, at about 250m; as they crossed the ship’s wake, they ’towered' in perfect unison, adopting the posture described below. At first this appeared simply a reaction to crossing the wake (perhaps to be followed by circling in search of food), but in fact the Gannets continued southwards without pausing and twice repeated the towering movement, again in complete unison; they then dropped down to about 1 m above the waves and went through the manoeuvre a fourth time, this time at a much lower altitude. Each towering lasted for two or three seconds at the most: both Gannets, flying almost wingtip to wingtip, suddenly reared up in flight, gaining about 1 m in altitude and holding their bodies at an angle of about 30 degrees to the horizontal; their wings were held downwards in a curious, semi-bowed position and their tails were depressed downwards; at the same time, both did a clear ‘Sky-point’ with their bills held almost vertically upwards; finally, they performed a rapid but very distinct ‘shivering’ movement, in some ways not unlike a diving bird shaking off water soon after getting airborne again. The perfect unison in which all four displays were performed was particularly striking. The posture adopted was very similar (apart from the wing position) to that shown by John Busby of a Gannet Sky-pointing during take-off (in Nelson, 1978, The Garnet : p. 119). While both the Sky-point and the ‘Dogshake’ are well-known components 108 Notes of Gannet behaviour at breeding colonies, we were unable to find any mention of either being performed at sea. or in flight. MJE wrote to Dr Bryan Nelson, who replied: ‘I am sure you have . . . seen something which is not on record, and my interpretation of it would be as follows: 1. The birds were perhaps a mated pair (although we don’t know that partners ever meet and recognise each other at sea, it probably does happen occasionally). 2. The behaviour sequence which you saw was probably a sky point followed by the “dogshake” (a form of rotary head-shake used for dispelling dirt, water, etc. or displacing loose feathers or reacting to tactile stimulus caused, in some cases, by feather-follicles tightening as a result of an alarm-producing stimulus). A half sky point and a form of rotary head- shake often occur in sequence. 3. The sky point in the Gannet (though not in the boobies) is a pre-movement posture usually associated with leaving or returning to the site. 4. Could it be that both birds, belonging to Grassholm [Dyfed], were “feeling like” returning and this triggered the circuitry producing the appropriate posture? Such interpretation is nothing more than an informed guess, but the observation itself is very interesting . . .’ M. J. Everett, P.J. Robinson and M. A. Ogilvie RSPB , The Lodge, Sandy, Bedjordshire SGI92DL The W ildfowl Trust, Slirnbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT Identification and ageing of a Sora Rail On 5th August 1981, a small crake was trapped on Bardsey, Gwynedd. As there were only two previous island records of Spotted Crake Porzana porzana, and my own experience of the genus at the time was just of two Spotted Crakes trapped on Fair Isle in August and October 1975, the bird caused much interest. On close examination, most identification factors pointed towards Sora Rail P. Carolina , and it was accepted as such by the Rarities Committee (Brit. Birds 75:497): the seventh British record, and the first ringed in the Western Palearctic. Since it was such an early date for a transatlantic vagrant, and having the unrivalled opportunity for close scrutiny in the hand, the bird was examined in detail. Being aware of the potential difficulty in separating the species from Spotted Crake, as outlined by Wallace ( 1980), 1 compared my description with those for both species in the various field guides and handbooks, and later examined the British Museum skin collection for both species. During this process, I noted some confusion, vagueness and contra- diction in the literature and amongst ‘expert’ opinion consulted, regarding both specific identification and age of the bird. This led to my submission of the bird as a full juvenile Sora, and its acceptance as a full adult: both conclusions seemingly wrong! This note aims to complement \\ allace’s paper, which was based in part on field observations, with details of the live bird in the hand. It is also a cautionary note on the pitfalls of relying too heavily on the literature and consulted experts. The following description was taken in the head Crown blackish, edged mid-brown hand: starting as fine point on forehead, but fading HERTS OPTICAL SERVICES TELESCOPES KOWATS1 104 00 TS2 88.00 TS7 68 00 20x w/a 29.50 25x 23.50 40x 25 00 OPTOLYTH 30 x 75 21 5.00 30x80 248.00 DISCOVERER 15-60 x 60 193.00 TELEMASTER 15-60 x 60 191.53 SPACEMASTER Body only. 122.00 + zoom 171 50 MAIL ORDER BY RETURN ADD £3.00 CARRIAGE + INSURANCE REPAIRS BINOCULARS OPTOLYTH ALPIN 10x40 111.00 8x40 109.50 8x30 99 00 ZEISS WEST 8 x30B .152.50 10 x 40BGA 345.00 LEITZ 8 x 20 169 40 10x40B 362 50 SWIFT AUDUBON 120 00 OSPREY 93.00 HABICHT WSL/M7 x 42 225 00 WSL/M10 x 40 255 00 WRAY 6x30 55.00 102a VICTORIA STREET • ST ALBANS • HERTS Telephone: (0727) 59392 (D332) NEW — OPENED JANUARY 1 984 Tony and Pamela Miller invite you to stay at the BODMIN MOOR NATURE OBSERVATORY Open all the year round — Full Board and Accommodation. 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Name ol potential subscriber Address The ‘British Birds’ P Mystery Photographs Book 43 birds to be identified, and over £1,000 to be won ‘I think I can correctly identify almost all of them . . . most of them are very easy . . . but some are not . . .’ Jeffery Boswall, BBC Radio 4 . all are possible for anyone armed with a good reference book and a little knowledge of ornithology.’ David Tomlinson, Country Life 'British Birds Magazine have thought up a new way of providing thrills and excitement ... in trying to identify the species of birds in this splendid competition.’ C. Douglas Deane, Belfast News Letter ‘A feathery variation on the Masquerade theme.’ The Times 'I suspect that more than a few people will be driven to distraction by this book!’ A. R. Dean, West Midland Bird Club Bulletin 'Il you are good at birdspotting and cryptography and fancy winning a fortune, here’s your chance.’ ITV ‘Whether you succeed or not, it should be fun trying.’ Irish Wildbird Conservancy ‘. . . will appeal to all puzzle buffs because of the number and diver- sity of the clues ... a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable book, alternately frustrating and satisfying and, above all, compulsive.’ Peter Lansdown, British Birds Usual price £ 4.80 , but only £2.95 to ‘BB’ subscribers who use the 'British Birdshop' order form now. (Please add f)0p for overseas orders.) XIV Notes 109 38. First-w inter male Sora Rail Porzana Carolina, (. Jwynedd, August 1981 (P.J. Roberts ) away into nape eolour. Forehead otherwise blackish with grey flecks. Ear-coverts mid greyish-bull’. Lores blackish. Supercilium paler than rest ol head: mixture of pale buff and pale grey, broad in front of eye, but thin and fading away shortly behind. One or two tiin white dots visible on close examination in supercilium just behind eye. Nape and hindneck mid olive-brown with black central streaks to feathers. Sides of neck similar to ear-coverts, but warmer brown w ith less grey admixed. underparts Chin whitish with pale ashy- grey flecking. Throat and foreneck pale buff and pale ashy-grey mixed. Upper breast much as throat, graduating to very pale buff. Lower breast graduating from pale buff to off-white on belly. Flanks dark slaty grey, leathers distinctly edged white, giving vertical barring characteristic ol rails. This feature not nearly so striking as on Water Rail Rallus aquaticus. for instance, largely covered by closed wing; strongest and most finely marked on rear flanks, fading and tapering away to front, level with bend of wing. Undertail-coverts warm bull, but central pair distinctly paler bully white. upperparts Back, mantle and scapular leathers blackish, fairly broadly tipped olive- brown and edged white along sides, giving distinct and quite bright pattern of lines running along upperparts. Rump and upper tail-coverts blackish-grey, with olive-brown tips and edges, much less strikingly marked than rest ol upperparts, appearing more uniformly coloured. Fail olive-greenish- brown with black centres to feathers, plainer than rest of upperparts and graduating from rump. wing Primaries, secondaries, tertials, primary coverts and alula all uniformly dark brown; tertials with neat white fringe on outer w ebs, and outermost alula feather and outer primary fringed white on outer web. Greater coverts mid olive-brown, paler and brighter than primary coverts, unmarked except for single white dot on eaeh of about five inner coverts (those covering inner secondaries). Median and lesser coverts plain mid-brown similar to greater coverts. Underwing-coverts mid-grey with off-white barring. bare parts Upper and lower mandibles bright vellow at base, becoming olive-green just beyond halfway towards tip. Tarsus 110 Notes fairly bright olive-green. Eye mid-brown right; bill 19mm to feathering; tail 50mm; tending towards reddish. tarsus 36mm; nostrils 5.5mm long. Weight measurements Wing 109mm left, 112mm Identification features of immature Spotted Crake and Sora Rail measurements Those of the Bardsey Sora could fit either species, but were strongly suggestive of Sora. It would have been an ill-proportioned (and female) Spotted Crake (i.e. one with very short wings and long legs and tail). Although comparative size and shape are of little use as field characters unless the observer is very familiar with the species, the ‘chunky’ bill of Sora, with its broader, deeper base, is fairly obvious. Cramp & Simmons (1979) stated that ‘Sora has longer nostrils than any European Porzana but failed to give any measurements. 1 measured this feature on skins of 37 Spotted Crakes and 47 Sora Rails: 1 found 37 Spotted Crakes ranged from 4 to 5.5mm (average 4.73mm), and 47 Sora Rails ranged from 4.5 to 6.5 mm (average 5.24mm). W hen the nostril groove was measured, the same small difference was noted. Although some books consider it so, nostril- length cannot be regarded as a good field character. wtng formula The 2nd and 3rd primaries being equal in length favours identification as Sora, but wing formulae of the two species are so similar as to be of little use. bare parts Leg-colour and eye-colour do not seem to be important features, although Cramp & Simmons (1979) noted that juvenile Spotted Crake has an olive eye gradually turning brown, w hereas juvenile Sora has a bright brown eye turning to reddish brown in the adult (a feature noted in the Bardsey Sora, and possibly of some use in the field, given close views). Bill colour is, of course, diagnostic; even the Bardsey Sora in early August showed some bright yellow at the base of its distinctly olive-green bill. Spotted Crakes can show some yellowish at the base when the rest of the bill is smudgy yellow-brown in the juvenile, but, by the time they have developed an olive greenish-yellow bill, there should be some orange apparent at the base. crown The blackish crown of Sora is stressed as diagnostic in all the literature, and is clearly one of the key identification features. Both D. Smallshire (in lilt.), who found the 1973 Scillies Sora Rail and examined British Museum skins, and 1 have noted that Spotted Crake, although showing a dark crown with some black blotches, was neither as solidly black nor as clearly demarcated as Sora. wing-coverts All the literature agrees, and study of skins confirms, that the lack of spotting on wing-coverts and their more tawny-brown colour on Sora is a very good identification feature. The Bardsey Sora did show an olive tinge, and some spotting on a very few inner greater coverts. D. Smallshire also noted some unspotted lesser and median coverts on Spotted Crake skins, but this was very restricted and not enough to cause any confusion. Both species have unspotted primary coverts, and adult Soras can showr a variable amount of more restricted spotting on the other coverts. chin, throat and breast The almost total lack of white spotting on the ‘face’, throat and upper breast, shown by the Bardsey bird, is, 1 believe, an excellent feature for identifying immature Sora. The literature is confusing and contradictory, however, and originally led to doubt concerning the specific identification. Of immature Sora, Witherby et at. ( 1941 ) said ‘whitish throat (not mottled or spotted)’, but also ‘chin and centre of throat whitish with buff tinges and sometimes buff marks’. Cramp & Simmons (1979) said ‘chin and throat white tinged or spotted buff, whilst Wallace (1980) stated that the throat is ‘white, unmarked’ and Ripley ( 1977) gave ‘middle of throat dusky like breast, sides of throat buffy olive brown’. Descriptions for immature plumages of Spotted Crake were equally perplexing in places. (The Bardsey bird, with its whitish chin with pale grey flecks merging into pale buffy-grey throat and upper breast, fading to buffy-white on lower breast, seemed sufficiently nondescript to fit Sora.) On examining skins, the identification criteria became obvious through all the confusion of the above texts. Quite simply: all Spotted Crakes show some clear white spotting (ranging from a mere necklace on the upper breast or on the sides of the breast on juveniles to much more extensive spotting on first-winter birds). In contrast, no Sora Rails showed such extensive spotting; most showed none at all; even those which had slight spotting on the sides of the breast were not nearly so clearly marked as Spotted Crakes. Notes 111 I he blac k central throat stripe, given by W allace ( 1980) as a good feature tor first-winter Soia, may well be so for late autumn birds, but was not present on the Bardsev individual in August. It is worth noting that both \\ itherby et at. (1941) and Cramp & Simmons (1979) stated that the timing and extent ol moult from juvenile to first-winter plumage in Sora is highly variable: front July and August in its natal areas, to November and December when in its wintering grounds. Spotted Crake can, reputedly, arrest and restart its moult as it stops and starts on migration; maybe Sora can do the same? The skins of Sora showed this variabilitv of timing of moult: some, by August, with signs of blac k on the facial area, typical of first-winter and adult birds, others still with none showing in October. D. Smallshire has indicated (in lilt.) that his early views of the 1973 Scillies Sora showed blac k only on torehead and lores, but none on the chin and throat, where blac k was noted by W allace 12 days later; presumable, this bird was in active moult whilst off-passage. Although submitted asajuvenile, the Bardsev Sora was accepted as full adult because ol the blackish markings on its head: opinion was that a first-year Sora could not attain these by such an early date. Clearly, from the findings above, this is not always the case. All adult Sora skins examined, whether male or female winter or summer, showed far more extensiv e areas of quite solid black on the face and throat than did the Bardsev bird. (In addition, of course, all adult Soras also show a diagnostic fairly solid grey neck colour, not the smudged grev noted on the Bardsey Sora.) fi.anks I he extent of barring on the flanks is supposed to be a reliable field character, examination of museum skins, however, showed this to be a variable character. Mam Soras did show' extensive barring only on the rear flanks, but others were quite heavily barred, this even extending to the lower or middle breast, and almost joining across the belly . No doubt the way the flank feathers lie, and the stance of the bird, can make this feature seem variable, even on the same individual at different times. undertail-coverts This was the feature that nearly caught out the observers of the Scillies Sora in 1973, and Wallace (1980) quite rightly suggested that it was not as diagnostic as previously thought. The text in Cramp & Simmons ( 1979) contradicts itself: 'pale buff under tail-coverts, with longest feathers showing white when tail flicked’, and later ‘under tail- coverts white with variable yellow-buff tinge to tips’. Bv ‘longest’, I assume the central feathers are implied, this fitting the Bardsey Sora. D. Smallshire and I concluded independently from skins that, although there is a tendency for Spotted Crake to be buffer. Sora varied from almost rusty-buff through pale-buff to almost off-white. I considered that, on average, adults showed a clearer amount of white on the longer central coverts than did immatures. streak behind eye The ‘tiny bright white streak behind eye’ is said by Cramp & Simmons ( 1979) to be diagnostic, at least for adult Sora. and was present on the first-winter Scillies bird. The Bardsey Sora did not show this, though one or two white dots were noted behind the eve. The literature again caused initial confusion in the identification of the Bardsey Sora. since Cramp & Simmons (1979) stated that juvenile Spotted Crake has a ‘streak over the eye olive-grey w ith numerous tiny specks', but omitted to say that these are white. The white dots on the Bardsey Sora were at first mistaken for these, but in retrospect were obviously the start of the white rear ‘eyebrow’ attained in first-winter plumage. (Although no moult was apparent, it can be difficult to detect this on the very tiny feathers around the eye.) Although it is diagnostic, Ripley (1977) made no mention at all of this feature. Conclusions The Bardsey Sora was an early fledged bird of the y ear. Cramp & Simmons (1979) noted that measurements of adults and immatures are not significantly different, though the sexes are in many cases; the Bardsey bird w as a male. Even though it showed no apparent signs of moult, it seemed to be in between juvenile and first-winter plumage. This may be explained by some form of arrested or disrupted moult as indicated in the literature and by the extremely early date of arrival in Europe. It had already developed some advanced plumage features: the partially formed white rear ‘eye- brow’, bright yellow base to the bill, and blackish facial areas. It had not vet 112 Notes developed the black throat stripe or any other areas of black. Its identification and ageing was hindered by:. (a) Unfamiliarity with a genus seldom encountered. (b) Attempts to compare it with similar species, equally unfamiliar, that were not present for comparison. (c) Some unclear and contradictory species accounts in the literature. (d) Incorrect information and judgments from some consulted experts. Despite this, however, it does seem quite possible to identify all ages ol Sora, given sufficiently good views. After a day looking at skins, I wondered how I could have imagined the Bardsey bird to be anything but Sora. This suggests that it is primarily unfamiliarity with this genus, which is so difficult to see at all, that causes identification problems, rather than close similarity between species. 1 consider the following to be diagnostic features: 1 . Lack oj white spotting, particularly on head, neck, sides oj throat and breast: J airly good Jor separating any age oj Spotted Jrom any age oj Sora 2. Presence oj blackish areas on Jace oj first-year and (extensively) on adults; but this is lacking on full juveniles 3. Fairly bright yellow bill (at least basal half) 4. Clearly demarcated blackish crown-stripe 5. Unspotted, tawny-brown wing-coverts Other features strongly indicative of Sora: 6. Broad-based bill shape 7. Blackish central throat stripe on first-winter birds 8. White rear 'eyebrow’ on first-year and adult birds 9. Vertical barring on flanks usually restricted mainly to the rear 1 0. Undertail-coverts sometimes showing white to ojf -white on centra! pair of feathers 1 1 . Measurements in the hand demonstrate dijjerent proportions jrom Spotted Crake. This is not intended to be the final word on separating and identifying Sora Rails; other aspects, so far overlooked, will doubtless further aid separation of the two species. I should like to thank I). Smallshire, w ho found the Scillies Sora, for use of his notes and impressions of museum skins, and for commenting on a draft of this note; Dr D. W. Snow' of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Tring, for allowing me access to the skin collection. P. J . Roberts 3 Childscrojt Road, Ra inham, Kent REFERENCES Cramp, S., & Simmons. K. E. L. (cds.) 1979. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. col. 2. Oxford. Ripley, D. 1977. Rails oj the World. Boston. \\ allace, D. I. M. 1980. Sora Rail in Scilly and the identification of immature small crakes: Frontiers oj Bird Identification', 231-236. \\ itherby, H. F., Jourdain, F. G. R., Ticehurst, N. F., & Tucker. B. \V. 1 94 1 . The Handbook o) British Birds, vol. 5. Fondon. Similarity between songs of two Locustella warblers and stridulation of Roesel’s bush-cricket Grant (1983) reported the hazards involved in identifying Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides by song. Several observers (Thorpe 1957; Greenwalt 1968; Brackenbury 1978; and Simms 1979) have reported that this species and Grasshopper Warbler L. naevia both produce Notes 113 a repetitive series of paired pulses of sound. The literature gives 53 and 35 paired pulses per second for Savi’s W arbler (Thorpe 1957; Simms 1979) and 31, 26, 28 and 23 paired pulses per second for Grasshopper W arbler. Jellis ( 1977) shows sonagrams for both these warblers. We have analysed the songs of seven Grasshopper W arblers and five Savi’s Warblers, using a storage oscilloscope, and, although the repetition rate of the pulse pairs varies slightly from individual to individual, the Frequency kHz Pig 1. Typical Narrow Band Spectrum Analyses of sounds ol (a) Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia. (b) Savi's Warbler Locustetla luscinioides. and (c) Roesel's bush-cricket Metrioptera rotselii 1 1 4 Notes average values of 26 and 48 per second for Grasshopper and Savi’s Warblers agree with those of other observers. In addition, we have analysed the songs of these two species and that of Roesel’s bush-cricket Metrioptera roeselii, which produces a similar sound, using a Bruel and Kjaer Narrow Band Spectrum Analyser (see Appendix). I he spectrum of a typical Grasshopper Warbler (fig. la) has two distinct peaks, at 5.85 and 6.6 kHz. The sharpness of the peaks shows that the bird faithfully reproduces its preferred frequency over at least one minute. Two of the records show only one peak and table 1 gives the peak values for all seven birds. We suggest that this analysis may be able to discern indi- viduals from their songs. Previous work on Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus shows a greater variation in the songs of individuals than in the present case, making voice-printing easier (Gollyer et a/. 1982). Table 1. Frequencies of peak band pressure levels for seven Grasshopper Warblers Locustella naevia Frequencies of Bird peaks (kHz) 1 5.40 — 2 5.45 — 3 5.35 6.15 4 5.20 6.15 5 5.70 6.40 6 5.20 6.70 7 5.85 6.60 The single-peak frequency (3.6kHz) of a typical Savi’s Warbler (fig. lb) is clearly lower than those of the Grasshopper Warbler, in agreement with previous observers. In all five cases, only one peak was observed and the individual differences were far less apparent (table 2). Table 2. Frequencies of peak band pressure level lor five Savi’s Warblers Locustella luscinioides Frequencies of Bird peaks (kHz) 1 3.85 2 3.85 3 3.60 4 4.90 5 4.00 Although much of the sound produced by Roesel's bush-cricket (fig. lc) appears to be between 12 and 16kHz, the note that would be evident to all but the very young would be the peak at 3.0kHz. Unfortunately, the recording analysed did not give as distinct a record as in the case of the two warblers. Glearly, there could be confusion between the sounds of the bush cricket and Savi’s Warbler. We should like to thank the British Library of Wildlife Sounds for providing recordings by E. Allsopp, A. G. Field, R. Goodwin, J. Gordon, K. Hazevoet, D. Ireland, R. Margoschis, P. Radford, D. R. Ragge, W. J. Reynolds and D. Sutton. We should also like to acknowledge the help of L. S. D. Fuller of the Department of Applied Physics. A. A. Goi.lyer, 4 Beadman and T. H. Hill Department of Applied Physics , Sheffield City Polytechnic, Pond Street, Sheffield SI IWB Notes 115 REFERENCES Brackenbcry, J. H. 1978. A comparison ol the origin and temporal arrangements of pulsed sounds in the songs of the Grasshopper and Sedge \\ arblers, Locustella naevia and Acrocephalus schoenobaenus.J. Zoo.. Lond. 184: 187-206. Collyer, A. A., Beadman, ]., & Hill, 1. H. 1982. Voice-printing of the Nightjar. /. Zoo.. Lond. 198: 177-181. (/rant, IV J. 1984. Identification pitfalls and assessment problems: 2 Savi’s Warbler. Brit. Birds 76: 78-80. (jREENwalt, G. H. 1968. Bird song: acoustics and physiology. Washington 1X7 Jellis, R. 1977. Bird Sounds and their Meaning. London. Simms, E. 1979. 14 ildli/e Sounds and their Recording. London. I iiorpe, \\ . H. 1957. I he identification of Savi’s, Grasshopper and River Warblers bv means of song. Brit. Birds 50: 1 69- 171. APPENDIX About a minute of song was fed into the analyser, which averages and stores the data and produces a fast fourier analysis of the input. I he Fourier analysis breaks up complex sounds into individual component frequencies, or, to be more exact for this instrument, into 400 individual bands ol frequencies. In the present experiments, frequencies from 0-20 kHz were analysed, which means that each band of frequencies is 50Hz wide. The displav shows the band pressure level in each ol the 400 channels between 0 and 20kHz. 1 fie results are therefore in the form of an emission spectrum of sound, with the most intense frequencies giving the highest band pressure levels. I nfortunately, this kind of analysis is available only to those working on noise and vibration assessment problems in industry or higher education; it is capable of discovering the differences between species and perhaps even between individuals of the same species. The songs of three Locustella warblers The reference in P. J. Grant’s descriptive account of Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides (Brit. Birds 76: 78-80) to Patrick Sellar’s techniqueof 1980 of slowing down the songs of this species and Grasshopper Warbler L. naevia has prompted me to write and point out that as long ago as 1955 I used this method of analysis on both species as well as many others. I thus discovered that, whereas the River Warbler L.JIuviatilis produced only single pulses in its song, the other two uttered ‘notes’ consisting of two separate pulses. My early experiments also revealed that, on average from the recordings available to me. the Grass- hopper Warbler produced 23 double notes to the second. Savi's Warbler 35 double notes and the River Warbler 1 1 single ones. In fact, in April 1957 Professor W. H. Thorpe, while describing the difference in the songs of the three Locustella species, published the results of his more exact electronic analysis (Brit. Birds 50: 169-71). He arrived at figures of 3 1 double notes for Grasshopper. 53 double notes for Savi's and 15 single for River. Professor Thorpe also went on to quote Alwyn Yoight's distinctions that have always helped me: Grasshopper rattles. Savi's buzzes and River grinds. Eric Simms 21 Church Street , South If itharn. Grantham. Lincolnshire The ranges are surprising, but it is noteworthy that Grasshopper Warbler is consistently slower (fewer notes in a given time) than Savi's Warbler. Eds Sedge Warbler feeding on ground On 15th June 1981, at Frodsham Marsh, Cheshire, I was attracted by the unusual stance of a Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus feeding on the ground. It hopped about on the 116 Notes hard ground, its body held at a 45-degree angle: it appeared very "round- shouldered’ and clumsy. The Handbook gives very few instances of warblers feeding on open ground, and the only mention of gait or action on the ground is under Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia, which runs in a high-stepping, long-paced action, occasionally hopping (referring to its movements through undergrowth); the Sedge Warbler is said to descend to the ground, but seldom in the open. Ronald Harrison 8 St Albans Crescent, W est Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire Although there are tew published references to Sedge Warblers feeding on the ground, the behaviour is not unusual. Eds Icterine and Melodious Warblers in southwest Britain In his analysis of records of Melodious Hippolais polyglotta and Icterine Warblers H. ictenna in Britain and Ireland during the period 1958-67 {Brit. Birds 62: 300-315), Dr J. T. R. Sharrock showed that, in autumn, Melodious Warblers were confined to the south and west while Icterine Warblers, though ol wider geographical distribution, were concentrated on the east coast. These patterns were considered to reflect the breeding distributions of the two species in Europe. In the south and west, Icterine Warblers, while of regular occurrence, were in general scarce and at most localities were outnumbered by Melodious. The one clear exception to this was in Go. Cork (mainly Cape Clear Island), where the number of Icterines not only exceeded the number of Melodious Warblers but rivalled the totals in Norfolk. In the Isles of Scillv, by contrast, positive identifications of the two species favoured Melodious by a ratio of between three and four to one (though the number of indeter- minate Hippolais warblers was considered to make the true proportions somewhat uncertain). The apparently anomalous relative abundance of Icterines in Co. Cork thus posed a considerable enigma. Sensing that the recent balance of occurrences of these two species in Scilly was rather different from that obtaining in 1958-67, and was pro- bably not very different from that in Co. Cork, I have examined all the autumn records in the period 1968-81 included in the annual Isles of Scilly Bird Report (and, for 1968, the annual report of the Cornwall Bird-watching and Preservation Society). Nearly all records in this period have been claimed specifically. In some years, the records suggest a degree of duplica- tion (figures in brackets) while, in others, dates are not always given specifically, but the broad profile of occurrences is given in the following table: Total Total 68 69 70 71 72 73 68-73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 74-81 Melodious 4 4 (18) 4 6 5 41 (15) 8 4 (20) 13 II 8 10 89 Icterine 2 I 6 2 2 1 14 (14) 3 15 10 14 21 16 19 112 From these figures, it can be seen that, between 1968 and 1973, the relative position of the two species supported that described for 1958-67, Melodious outnumbering Icterine, with average numbers of records per year of approximately seven and just over two respectively. Since 1974, however, Notes 117 the numbers o( both species have increased significantly (not surprisingly, given the number of observers now visiting Scilly), but the relative position of the two species has also changed radically. During this latter period, there have been 80-90 Melodious (an average of 1 1 per year and an increase ol 00%), but about 1 10 leterine \\ arblers (an average of 14 per year.and an increase of 500%). 1 bus, in recent years, Scilly as well as Co. Cork has rivalled (or perhaps exceeded) the British east coast as a stronghold of leterine Warblers. Why the pattern in Scilly has apparently changed so radically is open to specula- tion, but the behaviour ol observers as well as of birds is probably involved. 1 he peak period ol occurrence in Scilly of both these species is currently during the second hall of September and the first half of October (coinci- ding with the peak numbers ol observers) and is thus a month later than the national peak for 1958-67 demonstrated by Dr Sharrock. It is thus possible that a long-standing, but hitherto undetected, late movement of Icterines is involved, and it would be instructive to know if this is now detected on Cape Clear Island. On the other hand, although incomplete, the published data suggest that, in Scilly, the peak period for Hippolais warblers has been late September and early October since at least 1968, vet leterine Warblers did not establish their numerical superiority until the mid 1970s. A real change in proportions seems to be indicated, though the field-diagnosis of Hippolais warblers perhaps remained volatile lor rather longer than has sometimes been recognised. A. R. Dean 2 Charingworth Road, Solihull . West Midlands B928HT The comparable figures lor CapeClear Island (taken from 'Irish Bird Reports' and from The Natural History oj Cape Clear Island) are 24 Melodious and 33 leterine during 1959-67. 13 Melodious and 12 leterine during 1968-73, and 1 1 Melodious and 34 leterine during 1974-81. Eds Identification of Willow Tit The main plumage differences between Marsh bits Parus palustris and Willow Tits P. montanus are well described in the standard field guides, and were summarised by Dr J. T. R. Sharrock in his explanatory notes to ‘Mystery photograph 2’ (Brit. Birds 70: 73-74). I can, however, find no mention of an additional plumage feature which I have found quite useful in helping separate the two species: the amounts of white visible in the outer tail. On most Marsh Tits, the tail appears a uniform brow n: although individual tail feathers have the outer webs edged paler with a very narrow whitish outer line on the outer pair (see The Handbook vol. 1), this is normally difficult to see in the field except at extremely close range. In contrast, most Willow Tits seem to show distinct pale edgings to the tail, this feature being visible at a reasonable distance and apparent w hether the tail is viewed from above or below. This makes it more useful than most plumage features when the birds are seen flitting through trees and bushes. The effect that I have described may be a purely local one, since the majority of my observations have been made in Avon and Somerset, where the species is relatively scarce. I have, however, noted it at a variety of sites within the area, and have seen a large number of Marsh fits for comparison. 118 Notes It may be tied in with the apparently ‘looser' leathering of Willow lits, which accounts in part for their matt crowns and their bulkier appearance. Also, the tail of Willow often looks wider in the field, so the pale-edged effect may be due to the greater area of webbing exposed to view. It does not appear to tie in with the difference in length of the outer tail feathers, useful in separating the two species in the hand. It is possible to discern plumage differences between juveniles of the two species, even in the outer-tail coloration and the depth of buff on the flanks, but not reliably enough to be of much practical use where a single silent bird is concerned. Recently fledged Willow Tits begging for food, however, give a distinctive triple call, ‘dee doo der’, the three notes forming a descending scale. This is probably the call described by J. Foster and C. Godfrey {Brit. Birds 43: 351-361), but I have not found it referred to in identification guides. Young Marsh Tits never seem to give this call, which thus forms a useful extra pointer. It is, however, given for only a relatively short time after fledging, but, within three or four weeks at most, young Willow Tits are giving distinctive harsh calls similar to those of their parents. Identification by call remains the surest method of telling these species apart, whatever the bird’s age. K.J. Hall The Anchorage, The Chalks, Chew Magna , Bristol BS188SN The Identification Notes Panel has not had sufficient opportunity to field-test K. J. Hall’s interesting discoveries. Rather than delay publication further, we publish this note and urge readers to report to us the results of field observations, for eventual summary. Eds Willow Tits storing food Dr C. M. Perrins (1979, British Tits) wrote that there are relatively few British records outside Breckland, Norfolk, of Willow Tits Parus montanus storing food. Early in 1981, at Tattenhall, Cheshire, a pair of Willow Tits visited the peanut bags in my garden. Unlike the far more numerous Blue Tits P. caeruleus, they did not peck pieces of nuts through the mesh, but removed whole nuts through a bigger- than-normal hole. Each then carried its nut about 20 m to a small copse with several old, ivy-covered trees; after a few moments searching through the ivy Hedera helix, they deposited the nut in a suitable spot, then immediately returned for another. This procedure was repeated by both Willow Pits for periods of up to one hour. The nuts were stored, apparently at random, in crevices on at least five trees at heights of between ground level and about 4m. A few days later, when the peanut bag was empty, one of the pair flew to the copse and very quickly retrieved a nut, which it carried to a forked twig, wedged in place and ate. Presumably, by distributing food, when abundant, around its own feeding territory in its own specialist feeding habitat, the Willow l it increases its chances of obtaining food at later dates when the plentiful supply has disappeared. John Eyre 9 Millbrook End, Tattenhall , Cheshire J. Barnes (1975, The Titmice of the British Isles) considered Willow Tits regular hoarders, and found that in Norway stored food was essential for the survival in winter of both Willow and Crested Tits P. cristatus. He stated that Coal P. ater , Marsh P. palustris and Willow Tits will store food whenever there is a supply in excess of their immediate needs. He also quoted an Notes 119 example of short-term hoarding, similar to John Eyre’s, in which a Willow Tit took 15-20 peanuts from a bowl each morning and hid them in the garden; when the bowl was empty, it began searching for and eating the hidden nuts. Eds Behaviour of Coal Tit during snow storm On 15th January 1981, at Chesterton, Oxfordshire, I was watching a Coal Tit Parus ater removing peanut kernels from a feeder by the window and carrying them about 200m across several gardens to a conifer where it was apparently storing them. 1 he weather was cold and overcast, but there was no snow cover. Suddenly, a heavy snow storm developed. The tit’s behaviour changed immediately: it started to bury nuts in the garden within a few metres of the feeder. The first nut was hidden at the foot of the garden fence, then three nuts were taken in quick succession and inserted between loose stones; these storage sites were all within 7 m of the feeder. Next followed a series of flights between the feeder and the adjacent garden wall, distances of 1 m to 2m; each time, the tit placed a nut in one of the crevices of the wall and concealed it by pulling moss over it with two or three quick movements of its bill. Eleven of these journeys were made without a pause. The snow storm then ceased, and the tit reverted to its original pattern of removing the nuts to a distant conifer. Although S. Haftorn ( 1953) stated that the Coal l it seldom covers stored food in Scandinavia, the habit has been reported several times in Britain (e.g. Brit. Birds 43: 335-337; 51: 497-508). There seem, however, to be no direct observations of Coal hits storing food close to the source of discovery, although D. Hart (Brit. Birds 51: 122-123) referred to peanuts being stored within 30-40m of a feeder. I can find no reference in the literature to food-storing behaviour being affected by adverse weather conditions, and Dr C. M. Perrins (in lilt.) has commented that he knows of no parallel observations. JohnH. Kennedy / Home Farm Close , Chesterton , Bicester. Oxford 0X0 HT7. REFERENCE Haftorn, S. 1953. Contributions to the food biology of tits, especially about storing of surplus food. 1 1 The Coal lit Parus a. ater. K. Sorske Vidensk. Setsk. Skr. 1953 (2). Rooks chasing small bats At 19.05 gmt on 30th March 1981. at W est Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset, I saw five or six small bats, probably pipistrelles Pipistrellus pipistrellus , flying at 10-15 m around the trees of a copse consisting largely of Scots pines Pi tins sylvestris, holm oaks Quercus ilex and hollies Ilex aquijolium. Conditions were clear, with little cloud. The copse contained a small rookery; most nests were complete, and incubation had apparently started at some. Suddenly, a Rook Corvus Jrugilegus flew from a tree and made for a group of bats flying around the tree at from 2 m to 20 m. One bat was apparently singled out; the Rook flew towards it and pursued it at V2- 1 m for 10- 15 m; the bat easily eluded the Rook by a quick turn, and left the area; the Rook returned to the tree. A second Rook then flew from another branch of the same tree and made for a second bat, which it pursued for some 15 m. again about 1 m behind it; the bat veered and flew away from the rookery; the Rook returned to its tree. Slightly later, a third Rook (or perhaps one of the first two) flew towards a bat w hich approached the nesting tree; as the Rook neared it. the bat turned and flew off. easily eluding the Rook. Loud, aggressive cawing was heard from the settled 120 Notes Rooks when the bats were near the nesting tree, but I do not think that any chasing Rooks called. A. P. Radford Crossways Cottage, West Bagborough , Taunton, Somerset TA43EG We have previously published a note on Swallows Hirundo rustica chasing bats (Brit. Birds 68: 248). Eds Carrion Crows taking windscreen-wiper rubbers In November 1980, I learned from the staff of the Electricity Board Depot at Petersfield, Hampshire, that two Carrion Crows Corvus corone had persistently taken the rubber blades from the windscreen-wipers of their vehicles, and also attempted to remove the rubber mounts of exterior mirrors. The attacks usually took place after working hours, but also occurred at quiet times during the day. Although the crows took away the blades, they apparently did not use them as nest material: the practice did not start until October- November 1980. M.J. Rogers 195 Vicarage Road, Sunbury-on-Thames , Middlesex 741 16 7TP Opportunistic feeding by Carrion Crow At 15.25 hours on 1 1th April 1 98 1 , on the west bank of the River Severn at Newnham, Gloucestershire, a corpse of what appeared to be a sheep Ovis floated by in the muddy water, which was carrying much debris. The water surface was slightly ruffled, and I estimated the speed of the current as 5-6 mph (8-10 kph). Only a comparatively small area of the sheep’s body was above the water. Suddenly, a Carrion Crow Corvus corone flew from the bank, alighted on the corpse, looked around and then commenced pecking at it. I watched through a 30X 75 telescope for about five minutes, until both floating restaurant and customer disappeared from view. Throughout the time that it was in sight, the crow pecked at the corpse; it appeared unconcerned by either the speed or the choppiness of the water: I formed the impression that the crow had carried out a similar operation previously. The event presented an extraordinary spectacle. Jeremy D. Powne The Beeches, Compton Valence, Dorchester, Dorset DT29ES Partially leucistic Starling resembling Rose-coloured Starling On 3rd May 1982, many observers had flight views in the Unthank Road area of Norwich, Norfolk, of a starling Stumus which it was thought could be a Rose-coloured Starling S. roseus. No close views were, however, obtained of the bird on the ground. Early on 4th May, M. G. Kelsey, T. D. Robinson and I were able to watch the bird feeding with Starlings S. vulgaris, at ranges down to 4m, where it was clear that it was a partially leucistic individual of the same species. It was seen collecting insect larvae and flying off carrying food, presumably to feed young. Another Starling was seen with mid-brown rather than dark body feathers. As well as the typical Starling bill-shape and bill-colour, the head, tail and wing plumage was normal for a Starling in breeding plumage. The mantle, scapulars, back, breast, belly and flanks were, however, a very pale grey, with widely spaced dark feathers on both back and breast. The rump was an even paler grey and lacked any dark feathers. The undertail-coverts Notes 121 had darker leathers predominating, with pale brown tips. The pale plumage areas matched those ol an adult Rose-coloured Starling, and a flight view could be misleading. 1 his bird resembled a Starling with similarly leueistic plumage seen in Aberdeen, Grampian, in 1970 and 1971 {Brit. Birds 72: 79-80). My thanks are due to M. G. Kelsey for his comments. P. j . Heath School oj Biological Sciences, University oj East Anglia . Norwich, Norfolk Details ol well-documented similar instances will he welcomed; the\ will hi' filed for reference rather than published individually. Eds House Sparrows collecting insects from cars The House Sparrow Passer domesticus is well known for its adaptability in exploiting food sources, both natural and artificial, in man-made habitats, but the following was pre- viously quite unknown to me. Between 10.40 and 10.55 GMT on 17th July 1971, a warm and dry day, in Leicester, I watched a female House Sparrow repeatedly and systematically working her way along the row s of parked vehicles in a large, open-air carpark, searching for live insects trapped in or behind the radiator grilles or under the f ront ends of the cars. She perched on each bumper in turn, examined the grille, and then — when possible — entered the grille and disappeared within, sometimes squeezing through with difficulty. She also flew up directly from the ground into the cavity between the front wheels. Out of view for a few to several seconds, she would reappear and fly down to the ground with one or more insects in her bill, there prepare and reposition them, before flying several hundred metres to feed her young in a nest (a male sparrow was also visiting the same nest, but from an entirely different direction). The female soon returned to carry on her search in the same or a different row of cars, sometimes working the same vehicle twice. She was not seen to take any dead insects stuck to the front of cars, a well-known practice of this species, although she may of course originally have come for that purpose. In the 12 years since these observations were made, I have seen no further instances of such behaviour; l was unable to watch sparrows in the same carpark again, but have watched for it in others elsewhere. K. E. L. Simmons Department oj Psychology. The l diversity. Leicester LEI 7RH In the summer of 1979, a Hillman Avenger, one of a large number of cars parked outside my office window in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & W ear, was noted to attract up to six House Sparrows, which congregated around the front of the car. On many occasions they passed through the front grille (which has a much wider spaced arrangement than on most other makes of car). The sparrows remained under the bonnet for up to half a minute, Occasionally reappearing with insects in their bills. Presumably, dead insects on the radiator provided a good food supply, perhaps for feeding young. In summer 1980, the sparrows developed the habit to include other cars where access, not available through the grille, can only be from underneath; they even managed to locate the side-mounted radiator on British Leyland ‘Minis’. A. M. Bankier 12 Lartington Gardens. Newcastle-upon-Tyne SE3 ISX Letters The ‘yellow webs’ of some storm-petrels In a recent letter (Brit. Birds 76: 316-317), Dr W. R. P. Bourne asserted that the webs of the White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina are not yellow but pale pink, and its whole foot is almost transparent. We have recently returned from Great Salvage Island (30° 15' N/15° 50'W), where we handled a large number of this species; the webs were not pale pink, or any other shade of pink, but were in fact distinctly yellow. Pale yellow perhaps, but yellow nonetheless. In addition, to describe the foot as being almost transparent is quite mis- leading. The webs are in fact quite opaque, and transmit no more light than those of other species, for example the Manx Shearwater Pujfinus pujfinus. Paul C. James and Hugh A. Robertson Edward Grey Institute, Zoology Department, South Parks Road, Oxjord 0X1 3PS Dr \Y . R. P. Bourne has replied: 'The feet of one examined by transmitted torchlight at night on Gough Island looked translucent and pinkish; and this is how fish would see them.’ Eds Sabine’s Gulls in winter in Sweden It was very interesting to read Jon Dunn’s letter (Brit. Birds 76: 91) questioning the winter occurrence in Britain of Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini. Apparently, the situation in Britain is similar to that in Sweden. In Sweden, 37 individuals have been accepted, records ranging from mid August to early January, with a peak from the second half of September to early November, correlated with strong on- shore winds. All the records from November onwards refer to adults. Only five individuals have been photographed: an adult on 16th August, a juvenile during 20th-22nd September, a dead adult on 3rd October and two juveniles during 4th- 1 1 th October. I believe that some of the Swedish records refer to first-winter Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla , which at a distance can show a wing-pattern very similar to that of a Sabine’s Gull (Alstrom 1981, Far Fagelvarld 40: 1 16-1 17). Per Alstrom PI. 307, S -4 36 00 Askim, Sweden Inland ground-nesting by Herring Gulls With reference to the note on Herring Gulls Larus argentatus nesting inland (Bril. Birds 74: 264-265), hundreds do so at St Fergus Moss, near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire (North- east Scotland Bird Report (1977): 36-42), and have done for ages, with others farther inland. More details, and many other records, are given in Scot. Birds (8: 73-76; 10: 50-53), and mention is made in Cramp, Bourne & Saunders (1974, Seabirds oj Britain and Ireland). A. G. Knox Sub- Department oj Ornithology, British Museum (Natural History ), Tring, Hertfordshire HP236AP \ In Bedfordshire, proved or suspected breeding of Herring Gulls occurred at Brogborough Clay-pit in 1971 and 1974, and the species was present in Letters 123 summer in 1975 and 1977-78. Lesser Black-backed Gulls L.Juscus also bred or were present there in 1966, 1968, 1971 and 1973-75, and at Chimney Corner Clay-pit in 1970-7 1. In all cases, nests were on islands, and breeding ceased only when the water level was raised. B. D. Harding 6 Beverley Road, Brundall, Norfolk XR/35QX Vagrant races of Willow Tit in Britain To the end of 1975, British records of Willow Fits Ranis montanus showing characters of races other than the British endemic race kleinschmidti were exceedingly few: one shot at Tetbury, Gloucestershire, in March 1907, one at Minsmere, Suffolk, in September 1974, and one on Thorne Moors, South Yorkshire, in February 1975. All showed characters of the ‘northern’ race borealis. Of the two records in the 1970s, only that from Thorne was submitted to the Rarities Committee, though from available evidence (H.E. Axell in lilt.) there can be little doubt about the racial identity of the Minsmere tit. Accordingly, on the most recent occasion that the status of borealis in Britain was reviewed (Brit. Birds 72: 538), the official British total was put at two (Tetbury and Thorne), which remains unaltered to the present. There have been two other records of possible borealis published in the past: at W elwyn, Hert- fordshire, in January 1908 and on Fair Isle, Shetland, in November 1935 (Naturalist 106: 75-76). Despite the meagre submission to the Rarities Committee, records of extralimital races of this species in Britain have been recently published elsewhere from time to time. In Yorkshire, for example, a bird of the ‘larger, pale Northern form’ was noted at Fairburn Ings in May 1978, two of the ‘larger pale Scandinavian form P.m. borealis' were seen at Skipwith Com- mon in December 1981, and one ‘showing characters of the North Euro- pean form P.m. rhenanus' was seen at Seaton Ross, also in December 1981. Only the Skipwith birds are under review by the Rarities Committee. Several points arise from this. It seems that some claimed records of non-British races of Willow Tits are not being submitted, for whatever reasons, to undergo the scrutiny accorded other birds of equal apparent rarity. The possibility of borealis (at least) occurring here is perhaps not fully appreciated by field workers and ringers, so that the true status of this and other vagrant races is not satisfactorily established. A review of all claimed records, following an official appeal in British Birds, for any not seen by the Rarities Committee, would allow available details to be assessed before they are lost in the passage of time. Martin Limbert 23 Brockenhurst Road, Hatfield. Doncaster. South Yorkshire DX7 6SH Details of previously unsubmitted records will be welcomed by the Rarities Committee. Eds Early history of the Cirl Bunting in Britain The status of the Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus in Britain prior to its discovery in 1800 must remain a matter of speculation (Brit. Birds 75: 105-108; 76: 461-462). Having, as a schoolboy, watched the species without the benefit of a pair 124 Letters of binoculars, however, I find it hard to credit that such an acute observer as Gilbert White of Selborne (1720-93) could have entirely missed the species had it been present in his neighbourhood. As early as 1837, it was described as being ‘nowhere more plentiful than in the vicinity of Alton' (within 8km of Selborne); in 1848 it was found breeding in the grounds of ‘The Wakes’ (where White had lived); and, in 1901, W. H. Hudson found pairs at ‘The Wakes’ (near the zig-zag path constructed by White), in the churchyard at Selborne, and in that at Farringdon where White was a curate (Kelsall & Munn, 1905, The Birds oj Hampshire and the Isle oj Wight , pp. 73-74). This, of course, does not constitute proof, but I really cannot believe that a man who distinguished Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Willow Warbler P. trochilus , Chiffchaff P. collybita and Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca could have missed Girl Bunting on his own doorstep; and it does strongly suggest to me that the Girl Bunting expanded its range during the latter part of the 18th century and the start of the 19th century. This fits in elegantly with the minor amelioration in the climate in the late 1 700s, noted by R. D. Penhallurick (76: 461-462). 1 1 is not impossible that the Girl Bunting colonised England at the end of the 18th century, but I think that it is more probable that a reduced population, possibly, as now, centred in the southwest, underwent an expansion when the climate became more favourable. At least this brand of speculation offers the grain of comfort that the current sad decline has occurred before, and that a slight change in the climate would see the recolonisation of much of southern England. John Cantelo 17 Clyde Street, Canterbury, Kent CTI IN A The Mystery Photographs Book Over a thousand BB readers are currently engaged in the search for the solution to the enigma of The ‘ British Birds’ Mystery Photographs Book, which has now been going on for some months. It seems fair, therefore, to allow BB subscribers who wish to enter the competition now to do so for a reduced fee. Until further notice, therefore, the price for BB readers will be £2.95 (post free in FIR & Eire), instead of the standard £4.80. (This reduced price applies only to orders received on the British BirdShop forms showing this price.) The prize is now worth over £ 1 ,350, consisting of a cheque for £ 1 ,000 and a pair of Zeiss West 10X40B Dialyt binoculars worth over £350. We hope that ALL BB readers who have not yet entered this treasure hunt will now take advantage ol the new reduced offer. Please use the British BirdShop form on page xiii. Announcements ‘National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America’ I he praise lor this new 464- page guide has been almost unpreceden- ted in its unanimity among discriminat- ing birders in the USA. II North American birds (and particularly the finer points ol their identification and ageing) interest you, you will certainly wish to own this book. It costs only £7.95. By special arrangement with David & Charles, the British publishers, we can offer it to BB subscribers (post free in UK & hire) through British Bird- Shop. Despatch will be very prompt while supplies are available, but re- plenishment ol stocks from the USA may result in occasional delays; we ask subscribers, therefore, to be under- standing. Orders received now will be despatched at once. Please use the form on page xiii. Cheaper US dollar payment We are delighted to announce that we can now accept payments from individual subscribers (for personal subscriptions, books and bird-recordings) in US dollars at a much lower rate than hitherto. Subscribers should add £1 to the sum due and then convert to US dollars at the current exchange rate. For example: subscription at £21 plus book at £49.50 plus 50p overseas postage (which would formerly have cost £7 1 X 2 V2 = SI 77.50) will now be £72 X current exchange rate (approx. 1.5) = approx. SI OH. ‘The Birds of China’ Oxford University Press has announced the publi- cation in May of The Birds oj China (including the Island oj Taiwan) by R. M. de Schauensee. This 780-page book, with 39 colour plates and 39 black-and- white plates, can be ordered now through British BirdShop and will be despatched to BB subscribers immediately that it is available (post free in UK & Eire, add 50p for overseas orders). Please use the order form on page xiii. £g>0jcnti>4it)c penis ago... ‘On a Plan of Mapping Migratory Birds in their Nesting Areas by C.J. and H. G. Alexander. After some years' observation of the birds in the neighbourhood of Tunbridge Wells, we came to the conclusion that in many species each pair inhabits a definite area, into which other pairs do not intrude. In the spring of 1907, therefore, we decided to mark in the positions of these pairs on 6 in. Ordnance Survey Maps. In that summer we mapped a considerable area round Tunbridge Wells, while in the summer of 1908 we increased this area, and also began mapping at Wye (near Ashford). (Brit. Birds'. 2: 322; March 1909) Requests Waders and herons in Eastern Asia The co-ordinators of the ‘Interwader' project, which is gathering data on waders in the whole of Eastern Asia, are anxious to contact ornithologists who have local information on wader numbers and sites within the region. One of the aims ol Interwader is to compile a site-directory for future use in population estimates and conservation programmes. Any information, however scant, on date, location and numbers would be very useful. Information is also required on storks, ibises, spoonbills and coastal herons. Contributors will be acknowledged in resultant publications. Please contact Duncan Parish and David Wells, Go-ordinators, Interwader Project, c/o World Wildlife Fund Malaysia, PO Box 10769, Wisma Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photographs of Siberian species in Thailand To accompany a planned paper on the birds of Thailand, black-and-white prints (or original colour transparencies) are required of Siberian species (e.g. Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttijer, Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane ) photographed in Thailand. Any used will, of course, be fully acknowledged; they should be sent to P. D. Round, c/o Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Fane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ The Whisky Quiz: the solution In the puzzle on page xv of the December 1983 issue, the answers to the nine clues were: a turkey perhaps = Ovenbird; Virginia perhaps = Wallcreeper; uniquely British = Scottish Crossbill; castle = Rook; pitch improver = Roller; our famous bird = Red Grouse; gap martin (anagram) = Ptarmigan; penelope = Wigeon; and current reintroduction — White-tailed Eagle. If these are deleted in sequence as instructed, the remaining letters spell the message ‘Happy Christmas’. A total of 178 correct entries was received. The winner of the draw for the bottle of The Famous Grouse Scotch whisky was Steve Lister, 29a South- clifle Road, Withernsea, East Yorkshire. Apart from much-appreciated messages of goodwill to BB, the most frequent additional comment was ‘I wish that the puzzle of The ‘ British Birds' Mystery Photographs Book could be solved so easily.’ Sorry, chaps! We’re afraid that it’s inevitably more difficult to win a prize worth over £ 1 ,350 than to win a bottle of whisky. BTO Jubilee Conference On Friday 2nd December 1983, a record number of almost 500 BTO members and friends homed in on the Hayes Conference Centre at Swanwick, Derbyshire, for the 126 Jubilee weekend conference and AGM. There was a ‘star-packed programme’ suit- able lor the occasion, with something for everybody. On the Friday evening, Ian Wallace re- counted his most memorable birding experiences and then concentrated on the problems of stint identification. Saturday morning saw Colin Bibby explaining warbler ecology, and Mike Harris Puffin dynamics, with Chris Perrins delivering the 15th Whtherby Memorial Lecture, on his long- term study of the Wytham Wood Great Tits. Ron Hickling was presented with his second Tucker Medal, for his long services to the BTO. Alter lunch and the AGM, the director, Raymond O’Connor, summed up the 50 years of achievements and the future aims and aspirations of the BTO. As a prelude to the Jubilee dinner, we were entertained by an amusing and enthusiastic James Alder, who well illustrated his great knowledge and love of Dippers, and by Bob Scott’s ‘comic turn’, as he reminisced about people and events. Following an excellent dinner, Max Nicholson proposed a toast to the Trust, and Frank Hamilton replied, with Bob Spencer then reading out the ‘Golden Oldies’: the funniest of many letters report- ing bird ringing recoveries. A lively disco and conversations kept most people up to the early hours of Sunday morn- News and comment 127 ing, but the lecture hall was still packed when Rhys Green talked on the leeding ecology of nesting Snipe on the Ouse Washes, and Pat Monaghan described her work on gulls. The final lecture was by Bryan Nelson, on Gan- net colonies. I he conference as usual provided a chance to renew old acquaintances and form new ones. The bookshop, run by David Wilson, a large exhibition of sketches and paintings, and the traditional BB mystery bird-photo- graph competition (see below) all added to the success and enjoyment of the weekend. ( Contributed by Dr Stephanie Tyler) Another mysterious bird The usual BB mystery photographs competition at the December 1983 BTO Conference was the most difficult ever set. Four ol the five birds were facing away, and the fifth was a Honey Buzzard with a very atypical plumage pat- tern. Of the over 100 entrants, a couple of dozen correctly named three of the five; and two (Ian Dawson and Will Russell) got four right; but only one (Dick Newell) was 100%: Dick was presented with the traditional bottle of champagne. One of the five prints was the most-misidentified photograph ever in these regular winter-conference competi- tions. Only three people correctly identified it. Rather than name the bird now, here (plate 39) is a chance for everyone to have a go. The bird's identity, and the species it was misidentified as, are revealed (upside down) later in this column. If you have any spare black-and-white prints which might be used in a conference competition, they will be gratefully received at the BB editorial office (difficult photo- graphs of common birds are especially wel- come). ( Contributed byJTRS) Help with that enigma The compiler of The ‘ British Birds’ Mystery Photographs Book is doing his best to help those who have taken up the challenge. We hear from him now that, apart from a few' deliberate red herrings, the odd things in the book (e.g. those asterisks; all the strange words such P as ‘whiffietree’ and ‘lecv- thus’; the various letters and numbers) are all rele- vant and should not be ignored. There’s no ’pad- ding’ of totally irrelevant distractions. He also stresses that the w inner will be in no doubt that he or she has solved the puzzle. If you think that you may have solved it, you almost certainly have not succeeded. The clues are not vague; they are absolutely specific. There’s still seven months left before the first year's entries are examined. If you haven’t bought your copy yet, there's still plenty of time! Helpers needed for International South- east Asia wader study project ' I ntcrwader' is an International co-operative research project launched in 1983 to investigate the numbers, distribution, ecology and conser- vation status ol the 50 or so species of waders recorded in Southeast Asia. Using light air- craft during August-November 1983. the dis- tribution of passage and wintering popula- tions has been mapped in peninsular Malaysia and waders have been ringed and colour-marked in Malaysia and Singapore. The intention is to expand this programme 39. See ‘Another mysterious bird" ( Hubert Huneker ) 128 News and comment into Thailand and Borneo in 1984, using aerial and ground surveys, with colour- marking at selected sites. Any ornithologists with wader experience who would like to help w ith fieldwork lor two or more months ol the 1984 season (August to December inclusive) are inv ited to contact ‘ Interwader' with per- sonal details, a statement of relevant experi- ence and availability dates. At present, projected funding will cover local transporta- tion and field expenses for a limited number of participants. T his situation may change and there is a possibility of subsidised air travel in some cases. Participants may need special visas for which application must be made as soon as possible. Anyone interested should at once contact Duncan Parish and David Wells, Co-ordinators, Interwader Project, c/o W orld W ildlife Fund Malaysia, PO Box 10769, W isma Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Hilary Bum voted the tops Over 600 paintings were submitted lor the South W est Open Art Exhibition 1983, held at the Brew- house Theatre, Taunton, from 6th November to 2nd December last year. The team of judges selected 67 for hanging in the exhibition. The viewing public were then asked to vote for their favourite picture in the exhibition. Her painting of a Green Wood- pecker at the base of a W est Country hedge received the highest number of visitors’ votes, and won for Hilary Burn the top prize. Norwegian hunters’ field guide A 32-page field guide, with splendidly accurate paint- ings comparing confusable species of hunt- able and protected species by \ iggo Ree, has recently been sent free to all 140,000 licensed Norwegian hunters. It has also been distribu- ted free to all the subscribers to 1 ar Fuglejauna and Fauna. Unfortunately, it is not lor sale, but it has been included within ABCJor Jeger- proven (ABC: lor hunting test), which has been published to help Norwegian hunters, who now have to pass a test before becoming licensed. 1'his book (wholly in Norwegian) is available, price N. kr. 98 (roughly £8.00) from P. F. Steensballes Forlag, Postboks 130, N-2260 Kirkenaer, Norway. Whether hunting game-animals and game-birds meets with your approv al or your disapproval, the acquisition by hunters ot a high level of competence in identification ol their quarry and of expertise in techniques must be welcomed. (Contributed byJTRS) ‘The Water’s Edge’ This European Cam- paign, launched last year by the Council ol Europe, ought to get the support of many birdwatchers and birdwatching groups. After all, a favourite pastime of ours is looking along the water’s edge, be it on the seashore, riverbank or lakeside. It’s a fragile margin, which is often abused by mankind, but one from which we gain a good deal of pleasure and one which is vital to many kinds of plant and animal lile. Groups or indivi- duals who might be interested in setting up a Water’s Fidge project in their local area are invited to contact the Council for Environ- mental Conservation (CoEnCo), Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, London n\\ i cry. Apologies In the December 1983 issue (76: 590) we misnamed our kind informant for the item on ‘Foster cranes’, who was Graham Todd, not Graham Taylor. W e are very sorry Graham; we hope that this will not happen again! New Recorder for East Lothian A. Brown, 23 Kings Court, Longniddry, East Lothian, has taken over from K. S. Macgregor as Recorder for East Lothian. Identity of the bird in plate 39 adojEintpj stuos|i \\ pus uba\§ jadooq \\ ‘uem§ auqy ‘aqajQ papiq-paij ‘ja.viq pa]Eo.up-payj ‘joaiq pamo.up-q.nqq sb (sjoAjasqo pooh Aq) paynuapi sba\ i] ‘aauajajuo;y Q.LH aqi iy t-i^AASUE aqi mou>i noA uaq/w Asbo u yusj )oo;y ajiua.vnf e SMoqs — uonuadmoa sqdnaSojoqd AjajsAut e m asn joj Aymaadsa mas — qdE.ifio]oqd sno||a.\JEin s jaqaunjq taaqnjq Bird names explained Merlin Falco columbarius (Martin Ha/larn ) 1 he dates in this report refer to December 1983 unless stated otherwise; there are a number ol November reports left over from last month. 1 he weather during the first 18 days of December was predominantly anti- cyclonic, but not dominated by any estab- lished high-pressure system. The air arriving from Continental and Arctic origins kept temperatures a little below normal. From 18th. pressure declined, and unsettled weather from the west, with an increase in temperature, continued until the end ol the year. Wildfowl Red-breasted Geese Branla ruficollis made the news, with the north Norfolk immature continuing its stay (between Burnham Norton and Holkham) and an adult appear- ing on the River Deben marshes and the Stour estuary (Suffolk) from 11th to ‘29th. The latter was with Brent Geese Branla bernicla ; the other traditional 'host' species is \\ hite-fronted Goose Anser albi/rons. and it was with these that a third, an adult, occurred at Matchams and Ringwood (Hampshire) front 26th. A fourth was nett far away, in the Netherlands (with Brents). A Lesser White-fronted Goose .1. ervthropus was near Felixstowe (Suffolk) late in the month, continuing cpiite a run of rarities in the area in the past year or two. Nearctic wildfowl included single American Wigeons Anas americana at Ditchford (Northamptonshire) from November, and at Hey bridge (Essex) from 5th until it was shot at the end of the year. A Surf Scoter Me/a- nilta perspicillata was near Llanfairfechan (Gwynedd) late in the month, but was ‘almost on Anglesey’ when seen by some observers with straining eyes! Four were re- ported from Dundrum Bay (Co. Down) from late October through into December. At Chew (Avon), Ruddy Ducks Oxyura Recent reports R. A. Hume and K. Allsopp These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records jamaicensis reached a new record level of 526 on 17th. and there were 159 at nearby Blagdon Lake on the same day. Waterbirds other than wildfowl included at least If) Slavonian Grebes Podiceps auritus at Follesbury ( F.ssex) with nine Black- necked P. nigricolhs ; a Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle at Padstow (Cornwall) on 4th. and a Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa at Chew on 30th. Birds of prey A Red Kite Mihus milvus w as in the Sizewell and Benacre areas (Suffolk) for much of the month. In the same area, the roost of Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus at Walbersvvick reached at least 15 individuals. Rough- legged Buzzards Buleo lagopus were present in East Anglia, but were lew and far between and difficult to pin down. At the Kvle of Durness, far off in the northwest corner ol Highland, there were three on 20th. A Gvr- falcon Falco rusticolus of an intermediate grey type was noted at Walney Island (Cumbria) on 1 7th and 18th. At Chew . some excitement and puzzlement was caused by a falcon eventually identified as a young Lanner F. biarmicus on 26th and 27th November. It had no jesses — but who knows where it might have come from? Wading birds The long-staying Suffolk White Stork Ciconia ciconia stayed all month. Somewhere in Suffolk, four Cranes Grus grus were reported too: another, already reported, stav ed in Cornwall early in December. Two were noted at Llangeitho (Dy fed) on 16th. A Spoonbill Plalalea leucorodia stay ed all month at Stanpit Marsh (Dorset). At Chew, there was a juv enile Night Heron Xycticorax nveti- corax from 23rd to 27th November; this species seems to occur more frequently verv late in the year than might be expected. Also in November, a Little Bittern Ixobrychus 129 minutus was found exhausted, and was taken into care at St Peter, Jersey (Channel Islands). Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta reached the total of 71 on the Tamar (Devon/ Cornwall). An Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda must have been- a real heart- stopper for the fortunate observer who dis- covered it at Sandbach (Cheshire), where it stayed Irom 3rd to 5th. A Greater Yellow- legs Tringa melanoleuca was reported from Shotton (Clwyd), and a Lesser Yellowlegs T.flavipes was at Banbury (Oxfordshire) from 15th. A Spotted Sandpiper Aclitis macularia was discovered at Aber (Gwynedd) on 26th, not quite unprecedented as a wintering indi- vidual, but a great Christmas present. Gulls and a special tern A Franklin’s Gull Lams pipixcan achieved media coverage when it appeared at Martin Mere (Lancashire) from 29th (‘Is there only one?’; ‘Will it find its way back?’; ‘Will it settle down to nest? ’). Ring-billed Gulls L. delawarensis hardly seem to rate grapevine coverage these days, which is a pity, since they still get misidentihed (or perhaps it is Herring Gulls L. argenlatus which cause the trouble). There were two or three at Radipole (Dorset), one claimed from Chasewater (Staffordshire), and one in the roost at Chew at the end of the year; one was also noted at Belfast. The Chew roost attracted one or two Recent reports Mediterranean Gulls L. melanocephalus , and three were seen at Pitsford Reservoir, the first records for -Northamptonshire. There was also an Iceland Gull L. glaucoides there; this species occurred at Chasewater, too, with two Glaucous Gulls L. hyperboreus and a yellow-legged Herring Gull. This last lorm was also noted at Ogston (Derbyshire). Other Iceland Gulls occurred at New Brighton (the famous old bird), at another nearby locality (Merseyside), at Lowestoft (Suffolk), and at Kinlochbervie (Highland), where there were seven on 23rd, as well as some of the regular northeast England sites. A Glaucous Gull at Chew was only the fourth recorded there (the Ring-billed was the sixth!); Chew also lacks the big northern Herring Gulls of the midland reservoirs where Glaucous Gulls are regular, but does get yellow-legged birds. A Ross’s Gull Rho- dostethia rosea was at Wick (Highland) for most of the month, and we have heard a rumour of one at Thurso (Highland) too. The third Irish record of Forster’s Tern Sterna Jorsteri came in the form of a first-winter on the Bann Estuary (Co. Londonderry) from 3rd to 4th. Where is it now? Landbirds — miscellaneous A Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka stayed in the gardens of seafront hotels at Paignton (Devon) from 4th to 6th. Many people who had failed to see the earlier one in Norfolk failed to see this one too, despite their best efforts. A Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus pro- regulus on the Isle of May (Fife) on 11th November helped to give a reasonable total for the species, by the standards of ten years ago, even in a ‘bad year’. A Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva was a great sur- prise at Tatton Mere (Cheshire) on the un- likely dates of 17th to 20th November. Also, there was a late Little Bunting Emberiga pusilla near Doncaster (South Yorkshire) on 26th November. Lapland Buntings Cat- carius lapponicus remained high, with over 40 131 Recent reports individuals, at Burnham Norton, whereas Shore Larks Eremophila alpestris were scarce, except at Holme (Norfolk); they have become particularly rare in Suffolk in recent years. II ‘running in several times to check that the dinner was not burning’ whilst watching the bird qualifies as an unusually rational response to an observation which would send most observers head over heels, then the record was set by the fortunate dis- coverer of a Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica at Coldingham (Borders) on 5th November. We can think of no better appetiser! Latest news Early February: large influx of Shags Phalacrocorax arislotelis inland; Laughing Gull I.arus alricilla at North Shields (Tyne & \\ ear) on 1 1 th, presumably same individual seen at Blaydon (Tyne & W ear) in January; reappearance of Franklin’s Gull at Martin Mere on 10th; large numbers of Iceland Gulls, with 90 on west coast of Ireland; Ross’s Gulls still at Thurso and Galwax Docks (Co. Galway); Ivory Gull Pagophita eburnea at Ullapool (Highland). Reviews Weather and Bird Behaviour. By Norman Elkins. Illustrated by Crispin Fisher. Povser, Calton, 1983. 239 pages; 31 black-and-white plates; over 30 line-drawings. £12.60. The subject matter of the book deals mainly with the effects of the normal and abnormal variability of atmospheric conditions, over hours, days and weeks, on the behaviour of birds within the annual weather cycle. The range of subjects is wide, describing the basic effects on the behavioural characteristics of flight, feeding, aerial feeding, breeding, comfort, and migration, including the particular conditions for the migration of soaring birds and those for seabirds, the disruptive effects of extreme weather, and those leading to migrational drift, displacement and vagrancy. The first chapter explains the major features of the global atmospheric circulations and, in particular, those systems affecting the northern hemisphere, with their attendant cyclones and anticyclones. The author is a professional meteorologist and an experienced amateur ornithologist: the unique qualifications necessary to achieve the synthesis of the two disciplines over such a wide range of topics. The book certainly fills a gap in the birdwatcher’s library , and should provide greater stimulus to those eager minds trying to interpret what they have observed, and why they should include weather details in their reports. After knowing where to look for your birds, the weather then tells you when and how to find them, and this book provides many clues to make birdwatching more satisfying, w Tether censusing or tracking down those elusive vagrants. Those readers w ho are allergic to equations and tables of statistics need no medicine, and the familiar meteorological synoptic charts appear only when relevant to illustrate an example of the weather situations being discussed. Although familiar, these charts do need interpretation, and perhaps a particular reference to one of the more easily digestible books providing a fuller description could have been given. The inclusion of a chart illustrating the measured w ind and temperature fields at higher altitudes, which are frequently substantially 132 Reviews different from the surface values at night, would also have been instructive for some examples of migration. The information presented on bird behaviour has been gleaned from many sources, and a selection of the references used is provided. The explanations derived from direct observations of the behaviour in the field are more reliable than those using remote sensing data, laboratory data and unobserved behaviour assumptions, which can change substantially when new facts emerge. The current understanding of atmospheric turbulence, for instance, is incomplete at the length and time scales experienced by flying insects and birds, and from observation they know how to exploit it. The particular properties of the more organised flow found in thermals are extensively covered and well understood, with the birds taking great advantages from the free lift provided. I was surprised to find no plate depicting a radar picture of a typical migration in progress in an interesting weather situation. I nevitably . those weather conditions which catch out the unwary bird are highlighted, and. as [jointed out, involve predominantly young birds. The numbers involved are usually small compared with the total population, which can interpret the weather signs perhaps better than yve do from our insulated viewpoint. I hope that most birdyvatchers will learn from this book and the author should be admired for embarking on this enterprise and congratulated for producing a very readable and stimulating work. I particularly like the summary paragraphs at the end of each chapter. Crispin Fisher’s line-drawings are excellent and capture a wonderful sense of movement, so appropriate to the theme of the book. Keith Aei.sopp Travel Diaries of a Naturalist. By Peter Scott. Edited by Miranda \\ eston-Smith. Photographs by Philippa Scott. Collins, London, 1983. 287 pages; over 200 colour illustrations; many line-drawings. £12.95. Sir Peter Scott admits in his introduction that these diaries are only rarely a daily record of human encounters, emotions and relations. \\ hat we have instead is an amazingly detailed account of his travels and observations from 1956 to 1971. in Australia, New Zealand. N'eyv Guinea, the Galapagos. South and East Africa, the Falklands and Antarctica. Not having been to any of these places (I must try not to let envy creep into this review), I was eager lor a sense of atmosphere and perhaps more excitement than yvas conveyed at least in the first part of the book. The writing of these early adventures is almost too detailed: every move is noted, every encounter with a new species is recorded, with some ol them coming under the closest possible scrutiny . Even so, the highlights still manage to shine through — -who could fail to be excited by the quest for the almost-extinet I akahe? From 1959 and the Galapagos onward, the style relaxes, although the observations are no less acute, and some lead to fascinating conclusions on taxonomy and distribution. Not surprisingly for a man of Sir Peter Scott’s wide-ranging talents, these diaries include not only natural history obsery ations. but also accounts of sailing in Australia, gliding in South Africa and New Zealand (there is even a drawing of a Sky lark 1 1 f b) and snorkelling in the Galapagos and on the Great Barrier Reef, to say nothing of chats with Prince Charles and discussions on conservation with President Kenneth Kaundaot Zambia. 1 enjoyed the section on Antarctica best, perhaps as a result of his more personal approach (it yvas written mainly for his wife and children) and the inevitable reflections on his lather's fatal expedition to the South Pole in 1912. Few people have succeeded in distilling the essence of an area with just one sentence, but Captain Robert Scott came as c lose as anyone when he wrote ‘Great God, this is an awful place.’ Of course, the book does not stand on the merit of the diaries alone. Nearly every page is adorned with examples ol field sketching at its best, mostly watercolours, but inks, crayons and pencil too, nearly all with a freshness belonging to those works done at the time or shortly afterwards. Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, spiders, fish and a feu plants, all receive equal attention. I he ducks, as yve would expect, are superb, but some of the most exciting and vivid pictures are those ol underwater life: the hammerhead sharks and golden rays are stunning. Any lack of atmosphere in the text is often compensated for by a liberal sprinkling of Philippa Scott’s excellent photographs, some of them a revelation. The quality of the printing is superb, and photographs and drawings are done full justice: altogether, a book to treasure. I have only one serious criticism: Philippa Scott was left to do too much packing! Eai’rei Fucker Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 Classified Advertisements All advertisements must be PREPAID HO LI DA Y A CCOMMODA TION SELF CATERING FARM HOLIDAYS. THE LAKE DISTRICT. 7 Holiday Flats, each sleeping 4 adults with single beds. Two of the flats are designed for handicapped people. Located in Near Sawrey in quiet setting with access to Esthwaite Water renowned for water birds. Convenient distance to Morecambe Bay and Leighton Moss. Television. Wood burning stoves in six of the flats. Rowing boats are available on Esthwaite Water. Apply Mrs T. W. Taylor, Sunnyside, Esthwaite How Farm Holidays, Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria. Telephone Hawkshead 331 . (BB620) ISLES OF SCILLY, Mincarlo Guest House, St Mary’s. Superbly situated in own grounds overlooking the harbour. Terms from £8 (plus VAT) for B&B, £12.25 (plus VAT) BB & EM. Tel: 072022513. (BB689) SOUTHWOLD, 'Suffolk House’, Luxury S/C Hats, sea views. Ground, first and second floors sleep 2, 3, 4-5. Excellently furnished and equipped. Electric blankets. Linen. Colour TVs. Available all year. Personally supervised. Tel: Southwold 723742. (BB690) PEACEFUL wooded valley, sandy beach. Cottages for 4- 1 0. Lovely cliff and country walks. Brochure: G. Cummins, St Gennys, Bude. Tel: 08403338. (BB694) COUNTRY COTTAGES between Alnwick and Belford. Sleep up to six, fully equipped, self- catering, available throughout the year. Well placed for Holy Island and Fame Islands, Cheviot Hills and many places of natural beauty. SAE to Mrs P. Foster, Coxons, Craster South Farm, Alnwick, Northumberland. Tel: (066 576) 640. (BB544) MODERNISED STONE COTTAGE on high- land sea loch farm in dedicated National Trust beautv area, abundant wild life, naturalist’s paradise, boating, climbing and fishing locally, TV aerials and heating provided. SAE Inverlael Cottages, Loch Broom. Ross-shire. Pel: 085485 262. (BB684) VISIT FLAMBOROUGH HEADLAND, Heritage Coastline. Next to RSPB's Bempton reserve. The Flaneburg Hotel offers every comfort, bargain breaks, early and late season. Details tel: 0262 850284. (BB700) NORTH NORFOLK. Lawns Hotel, Holt. Small, friendly hotel. Resident proprietors. Excellent home cooking. Licensed. 18 Feb to 31 May £27 DB&B 2 days. Tel: 026 371 3390. (BB697) Hit 1 1 Hi 4fe Hate! ISLE OF TIREE, INNER HEBRIDES Tiree Lodge Hotel, Isle of Tiree, Argyll PA77. Tel: 08792 368. Come to Tiree for a holiday with a difference. Panoramic views, beautiful sandy beaches, golf, cycling, lobster fishing/sea angling. Paradise for bird- watchers, divers, etc. Hotel is full licensed, TV lounge, and has self catering flats also. May we send you a colour brochure. (BB593) PEMBROKESHIRE, Broad Haven. Modern chalet, sleeps 6. TV. Hildick-Smith, Redmarley Orchards, Great Witlev, Worcester. Tel: Great Witley 308. (BB696) HEREFORDSHIRE. Farm holiday bungalow to let amidst Black Mountains in the lovely Olchon Valley of Herefordshire. Lovely walks and bird watching area. Dippers nesting close to bungalow in Spring. Week-end lets until April. Probert, Glandwr Farm, Llanvaynoe, Longtown, Hereford. Tel: Longtown Castlc608. (BB642) NATIONAL TRUST VILLAGE on Exmoor. Self-catering holiday homes. Centrally heated. Near Porlock, Sea, moors, woods and marshes within walking distance. Stamp for brochure. Sheila Wright, The Pack Horse, Allerford, near Minehead. (Tel: (0643) 862475. (BB618) ISLE OF ISLAY— Hebrides— our S/C C/H cottages are beautifully situated on the shores of Ixich Indaal. home of wintering geese, with superb views to the hills. A peaceful five minute stroll to the village where you can enjoy an evening’s entertainment among friendly people. From £50 per week. Full details and brochure — Mrs James Roy. I-orgba Holiday Cottages, Port Charlotte. Isle of Islav. Argy llshire PATS 7L D. T el: 049 685 208. (BB565) SOUTHWOLD AA** HOTEL. E nsuite bed- rooms. good food and wines. Ideal base for Minsmere and surrounding area. Open all year. Holiday house also available to let. Y\ rite or tel: Pier Avenue Hotel, Southwold. Tel: 722632. (BB553) CLEY. Attractive house in village, four bed- rooms, large garden, garage, c.h. Available all year. Details from Mrs E. Album, 47 Lyndale Avenue, London NW2. Tel: 01-431 2942. (BB599) ALDERNEY the unspoilt Channel Island. Escape to tranquility and friendship. B. B. Griffin. Farm Court, Alderney C.I. Tel: 0481 82 2075. (BB619) CLEY — 6 miles. Flint cottage sleeps 2. Cot available. SAE: Mrs Hampshire, Riverbank, Hunworth, Melton Constable, Norfolk. Tel: Holt 3891. (BB710) x\ Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 LUNDY ISLAND Stay in the Castle Keep, the Old Light (1819) or one of our other 19 cottages on Lundy. Millcombe House Hotel is also available. Transport to the Island by helicopter on Saturdays, or by the M.V. Polar Bear from Ilfracombe. One of Europe’s most important seabird colonies, famous spring and autumn migrations, and many rare visitors. For bookings and information tel: 062 882 3431, or send £2 for our 170-page handbook to The Landmark Trust, Shottesbrooke, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3SW. (BB728) MARLOES, nr Haverfordwest. Foxdale. Bed and breakfast, evening dinner. Local boat trips: Skomer island bird sanctuary. Self-catering bungalow, camping and caravan. Children and family pets welcome. First right turning by Marloes Church. Mrs Morgan. Tel: Dale (06465)527. (BB709) CLEY, 2 luxury cottages (sleep 6 and 8). Stamp please for brochure: Hughes, Wilburton, Ely. Tel: 0353 740770. ' (BB698) SALTHOUSE. Modernised cottage overlooking marshes. Sleeps 4-6. No children, pets. SAE: Baker, 35 Porson Road, Cambridge. Tel: 358666. (BB699) N. WALES between Ruthin and Mold. Very comfortable 4/6 berth caravan on quiet country site. Fridge, TV, toilet. Showers on site. Exc. base for forest, moors and Dee Estuary. £55 p.w. or £30 w/e. Tel: 05 1-677 6626. (BB730) MILTON MANOR HOTEL, nr Tenby. Tel: 064 67 398. In 7 secluded acres near National Park, estuary and coast path. 26 bedrooms most en-suite, 6 with self-catering terms. Licensed restaurant. Central heating. (BB701 ) TITCHWELL, Manor Hotel, overlooking re- serve. Centrally heated, licensed, informal. Noted for good food & comfort. Tel: Brancaster 221. (BB587) MID WALES. Radnor Forest. Self-contained flat in old chapel. Sleeps 2. Ideal walking, birdwatching. SAE: Arnott, Zion Cottage, New Radnor, Powys. Tel: 625. (BB736) SOLWAY COAST. B&B, evening meal optional. CH, ample parking, convenient wild- fowl reserve. Ideal painting, hill walking. Packed lunches and vegetarian meals available. Bardsley, The Rossan, Auchencairn, Castle Douglas DG7 1QR. Tel: 055 664 269. (BB598) GLYN-Y-MEL MANSION. Lower Fishguard, Dyfed. Historic country house close to pic- turesque fishing harbour in 50 acres of own meadows, woodland and river on the edge of the National Park. Bird sanctuary. Golf, sailing and beaches all nearby. Car park. Licensed. Under the personal supervision of Lt Col and Mrs F. Biofeld. Also self-contained flat sleeping up to 6. Tel: 0348 872803. Once you have visited this peaceful valley you will return. (BB7 1 1 ) PERTHSHIRE, SUTHERLAND, NORTH WALES and other areas. Self-catering country cottages in. idyllic surroundings, with golfing, fishing, hill walking, sailing, canoeing and other recreational pursuits near at hand. For brochure and list of available dates write to: Renton Finlayson, Bank House, 82 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire. Tel: (0796) 2512. (BB748) NORTH DEVON/EXMOOR. A beautiful little XVII century farm Guest House for Birdwatchers. All the best habitats nearby, Woodland, Moorland, Estuary, Seabird cliffs. Splendid library for Birdwatchers, Photography, Gardening, Butterflies. Brochure and Exmoor Bird List. Dennis and Sylvia Adams, Hall Farmhouse, Goodleigh, Barnstaple, N. Devon. 0271/45279. ' (BB741) NORTH WEST HIGHLANDS, Dundonnell Hotel, just south of Ullapool, ideal location lor hill walkers, birdwatchers and those who enjoy the open spaces. Private bathrooms, full c.h. Send for col. brochure/ tarilf giving details of bargain holidays on selected dates, to Selbie Florence. Dundonnell Hotel, bv Carve, Ross-shire. Tel: 085 483 204. (BB568) PEMBROKESHIRE BIRD LIFE, Skomer, Grassholm, Ramsey Island. Modern fully equipped apartments overlooking St. Brides Bay. Adjoining coastal path. Ideal facilities for young and old enthusiasts. Mrs Davies (0222) 761031 . (BB674) DULVERTON, EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK, secluded but central s/catering flat sleeps 4-5. Sinclair, Bank Square, Dulverton. (BB703) LAKELAND COUNTRY HOUSE with well established following by bird lovers, offers excellent accommodation in unspoilt village of Sawrey. Famous for the stories of Beatrix Potter. All rooms with private facilities. Within easy reach of Leighton Moss bird reserve. For brochure phone 09662 4314. Scutcheon, Country House, Sawrey, Nr. Ambleside, Cumbria. (BB622) “OSPREY VILLAGE”. Beautiful Boat of Garten in the central Scottish Highlands dose by the RSPB Loch Garten reserve. Year-round High- land hospitality. 150 local bird species. Details SAE please: Tourist Association, Boat of Garten, Inverness-shire. (BB716) FAIRLIGHT HOTEL Golf Links Road, Broadstone, Dorset BH 1 8 8BE Poole Harbour, Arne, Radipole, Fleet Small, licensed, Private Hotel set in own grounds with direct access to natural woodland. Ideal all-year round centre for ‘birding’ and all country/seaside pleasures. AA and RAC with full c/heating, open fire lounge and en-suite facilities. Fresh food cuisine prepared and presented by resident Proprietors. Colour brochure from Jean and Roger Skipper (0202) 694316. ' (BB725) XVI Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 ISLES OF SCILLY — Seaview Moorings, St. Mary’s. Home cooking and personal service from resident proprietors, Tony and Linda. Over- looking harbour, close to quay and town — licensed — in-room tea and coffee making facili- *'<*s — Dets welcome. SAE for details or telephone I ony or Linda Uingley on 1)720 22327. (BB560) WARM WELCOME. B&b/em optional. Close marshes. Heritage coastal walks. Central forCley and Titchwell reserves. Mrs Court, Eastdene, Northfield Lane, Wells next the Sea, Norfolk. (0328) 710381. (BB571) WINDMILL AND 2 COTTAGES. 5 miles Blakeney. Sleep 8, 6 and 4, available all year. SAE: 195 East End Road, London, N2. Tel: 01-8838137. (BB738) ISLE OF ISLAY, Lechside Hotel. Situated on the edge of Loch Indaal. Birdwatching all the year round. Superb 2 star accommodation with full central heating. All rooms have private bathroom or shower with wash hand basin, colour TV, wireless, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. Fully licensed. Brochure and tariff from Norman or Elaine Osborne, Lochside Hotel, Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA43 7LB. Tel: Bowmore (049681) 244/265. (BB715) PEMBROKESHIRE. Near St Davids, dairy farm B&B/ED (served 7pm) farmhouse award. Children welcomed, play area, visitors kitchen available at all times. Please send for brochure: G. Jones, Upper Vanley, Llandeloy, Solva, Haverfordwest, Dyfed. (03483) 418. (BB666) UNIQUE RESTFUL HOLIDAY on Organic smallholding within Exmoor National Park, quiet surroundings situated in 77 acres of Wooded Nature Reserve. Sea 4 miles. Eight camouflaged caravans. Modern toilet facilities. From £31 p.w. SAE please to Cowley Wood, Parracombe, N. Devon. Tel: Parracombe 200. (BB763) BUNGALOW in unspoilt countryside. Ideal for Minsmere bird reserve, Aldeburgh, Snape. Brochure from Wright, Post Office, Peasenhall, Saxmundham, Suffolk. Tel: Peasenhall 217. (BB764) ISLES OF SCILLY. Derek and Mary Scofield welcome you to their comfortable family guest house, situated on the shore with unrivalled views. We offer a happy atmosphere, home cooking and a select wine list. Ideal for spring and autumn birdwatching. Send stamp for brochure to Beachfield House, St. Mary’s. Tel: 0720 22463. (BB676) STUNNING ST BRIDES CASTLE set in 100 acres by sea in the Pembrokeshire National Park close to the bird sanctuaries of Skomer and Skokholm. Luxury self-catering apartments for seekers of peace and beauty. Tel: 0453-83 4070 for brochure and video. (BB753) GREYHOMES HOTEL Torcross, S. Devon Holiday Accommodation, S. Devon SLAPTON SANDS, AA and RAC one star. Small friendly licensed hotel magnificently situated in six acres of mature gardens over- looking the panorama of Slapton Ley Nature Reserve and Start Bay. Unspoilt coastline famous for its variety of birds and wildlife. Also four self-catering holiday bungalows in grounds. SAE for brochure: Greyhomes Hotel, Torcross, Nr. Kingsbridge, S. Devon. Tel: Kingsbridge 580220. fBB549) AN OUTSTANDING RANGE of self-catering holiday homes and cottages in the glorious Scottish highlands. Send for illustrated brochure: Lorna Lumsden, Scottish Highland Holiday Homes, Wester Altourie, Abriachan, Inverness. Tel: 0463 86247. (BB766) WILDFOWL TRUST WELNEY. Wigeon House B&B E/M optional. Self-catering weekly lets May-Sept. Free access to Reserve at any time. Ideal birdwatching centre, convenient for Brecks and N. Norfolk coast. Mrs. P. Revett, Pintail House, Hundred Foot Bank, Welney, Wisbech, Cambs PE14 9TN. Tel: Ely 861671. (BB762) ARGYLL, SEIL ISLAND (over Atlantic Bridge) . 4 berth caravan with extensive sea views, quiet situation. Fully equipped (ex linen). Also B and B in modern dormer bungalow. Mrs J. Butler, Achraichs, Clachan Seil, By Oban, Argy ll PA34 4TN. Tel: Balvicar (085 23) 259. (BB708) NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS National Park. Coast and country, including Scarborough, Ravenscar, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay area. 200 inspected houses, bungalows and farm cottages to let. SAE: Ingrid Flute, White Cottage, Ravenscar, Scarborough, Y013 ONE. Tel: 0723 870703. (BB616) ISLE OF MULL, Torosay Castle, Craignure. Golden eagles often over the park. 20 species in the garden and over 200 recorded on the islands. Mull is a paradise. Gardens open year-round. Castle: 1 May-30 Sept, 10.30 pm. 1 flat and gardener’s cottage to let. Each sleeps 4 plus camp beds. For terms apply: The Secretary. Tel: 068 02 421. (BB723) LEIGHTON MOSS AND MORECAMBE BAY. Our family run Grosvenor Hotel is close by at Arnside, overlooking Kent Estuary towards Lakeland hills. Comfort, good food and resi- dential licence. Brochure and details: Tel: 0524 761666. (BB718) WINDERMERE. Beautifully situated Victorian mansion converted into holiday flats, 7 acres own grounds, croquet lawn. Quiet and secluded, CTV, heating all rooms. Also bed and breakfast. SAE for brochure please: Mrs E. Coates, The Heaning, Windermere. Tel: 096-62 3453. (BB665) XVII Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 KELLING— NR CLEY Hotel/Freehouse in 4 acres of own wooded grounds. Open all year round. Birdwatch in comfort. Dennis and Patsy Parkinson welcome you. Applehill Hotel, Weybourne (026 370) 382 (BB688) BED 8c BREAKFAST. Mrs 1). Crowden, Rose- villa. Middleton, Saxmundham, Sullolk. M'est- leton (489) between (i- 7 pm. ( BB570) ISLE OF ISLAY. Comfortable 3-bedroom cottage. Kildalton. Well equipped, sleeps six. Av ailable all year. Write: Jupp. Kidalton. Isle ol Islay. PA42 7 EF. or phone 049 683 249. (BB567) GALLOWAY. Hills, lochs, forests and sea. Speciality, birds of prey and waterfowl. High quality houses, cottages, flats. Details, send 27p stamp to: G. Nl. Thomson & Co, 27 King Street, Castle Douglas. (BB589) ARGYLL, Oban 12m, Taynuilt lm. 9 self- catering flats in country house, own grounds, beautiful surroundings, secluded and quiet. 1 chalet, 1 caravan. SAE for brochure. Lonan House, Taynuilt, Argyll. Tel: 086 62 253. (BB539) NORTH NORFOLK. The George & Dragon Hotel. Accommodation, bars & meals. Over- looking the marshes at Cley, towards Blakeney Point. Tel: Cley (0263) 740652. (BB590) SALEN ARDNAMURCHAN. Cottage sleeps 6. April, May, June £80 weeklv. Phone after 6pm 031-5562748.' (BB767) OUTER HEBRIDES. Bed and breakfast plus evening meal. T/A SAE Mrs C. MacLeod, Innis-Ghorm, North Lochboisdale, South Uist. Phone 08784 232. (BB621) TRANQUIL LAMBSQUAY HOTEL Wye/ Dean Forest, Coleford, Glos. AA* H delicious food and wine, two nights or more, £19 pp pngt. D.B.&B. s/c flat let weekly. Tel: (0594) 33127. (BB551) ABERFELDY — In the heart of Scotland amidst breathtaking Highland scenery abounding in wildlife, a comfortable country house hotel offering complete relaxation with good food and drink. Ideal for birdwatching, hillwalking, fishing, golf, etc., and touring glorious Perthshire. Bed and full breakfast £ 10; dinner £6.50 (all inch, to 31 March 84). Tel: (0887) 20251 for colour brochure. AA/RAC listed. ( BB668) GALLOWAY lorgeeseand eagles. Private Hotel ideally situated for birdwatching and holidays. Small parties welcome. Comfortable accom- modation and excellent food. Open all year. Tel: 0556 2173. Merrick Hotel, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. (BB670) ST ROGNAVALDS GUEST HOUSE, Fetlar. Centrally situated, two twin rooms, one double bedroom, guest lounge, bathroom with shower. Phone Fctlai 240. (BB659) ISLES OF SCILLY. Quiet, modern, comfortable guest house offering good food, excellent views and full central heating. Central location only 15 mins walk from Hugh Town. Perfect for early and late season bird watchers. Stephen Morris, Glandore, Porthioo, St. Marys. Tel: Scillonia 22535. ( BB757) EXTREME W. CORNWALL. Super B&B (cent, heat, showers, col. TV, etc.) from £6.50. 0736 5405. (BB732) WEST SUSSEX. Visit Arundel Wildfowl Trust, Blackmill House Hotel, Bognor Regis. 2 mins, sea. Marine Cardens. Carnes Room, Cocktail Bar, Enclosed Garden. Car Park. AA, RAC. Member SEE Tourist Board. Mini-breaks from £33.00 2 days. Brochure. Tel: (0243) 821945. (BB776) NEW FOREST. So many reasons to v isit New Park Hotel, Brockenhurst. AA/RAC . 500 acres grounds. Excellent food, private bathrooms, riding stables, heated swimming pool, tennis court. Pets welcome. Perfect for Birdwatching. ( lolour Brochure. Tel: 0590 23467. ( BB772) VISITING CLEY? Bed and breakfast, also bungalows to let. Daily ferries to Blakeney Point bird sanctuary and Seal Island. Temple, Anchor Inn, Morston, Holt. Tel: Cley 740 264. (BB722) SOMERSET LEVELS (Nr Taunton). Comfor- table self-catering. Two bedroomed holiday accommodation in area noted for its variety of birdlife. Tel: 082369 305. (BB7 12) PENNAL, Between Machynlleth/Aberdovey. Secluded cottage in peaceful valley. BB&EM. Mrs Valentine, Cwm Dwr, Pennal, Machynlleth, Powys. 'Tel: Pennal 610. (BB695) N. NORFOLK. 4m Blakeney. Luxury charming secluded cottages. (1) sleeps 7 + . Tel: 0509 412324. (2) sleeps 4. Tel: 032875 366. (BB717) ARGYLL COAST. Self-catering cottages on isolated private nature reserve. Sorry no dogs. SAE for brochure please to: Ardpatrick Cottages, Tarbert, Argyll. Tel: 088-02 633. (BB664) 4-BERTH CARAVAN individual rural site, edge Minsmere. Meg/Terry James, Charity Farm, Westleton. Phone Westleton 314. (BB661) OUTER HEBRIDES. Bed, breakfast, evening meal. Patricia Wotherspoon, Lasquair, Loch- boisdale, Isle of South Uist. Tel: 087 84 497. (BB632) MANOR BARN COTTAGE, Mudgley, Wedmore, Somerset Beautiful, Peaceful, Rural England. Ideal touring West of England, Walking, Bird- watching, Painting. Fine English cooking. Log fires. TV, Central Heating. Your Comfort is my Concern. Brochure on request. Wedmore 712953. | (BB603) win Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 NORTH UIST, OUTER HEBRIDES Last U.K.. port of call for migrating geese en route for the north. Hear and see Corncrakes in late April, early May. Dense nesting concentrations of Terns, Ringed Plover, Dunlin on Machair. W hooper swans, Skuas, birds of prey. The R.S.P.B. sanctuary at Balranald is within easy reach of Loch Maddy Hotel, and we offer reduced terms in April and May to readers of this magazines. Write to: Dept BB, Lochmaddy Hotel, North Uist, Outer Hebrides. Or 'phone: 087 63 331. (BB785) ZEN NOR, ST. IVES. Spacious farmhouse converted into 2 self-catering flats, sleep 6/8. Parking, sea views. Ideal birdwatching, walking. SAL for details; Culwick, 2 Sea View Place, St. Ives, CORNWALL. Tel: 0736 796211. (BB782) CLEY — Birdwarch as you breakfast! All year round B&B in very comfortable home, directly overlooking bird reserve and salt marshes. Alan and Sheila Hart, Lite Saltings, Coast Road, Cley. Tel: 740645. (BB431) ISLE OF MULL. A stable converted into 2 warm comfortable flats. Frachadil Farm, Calgary. Pel: 06884265. (BB577) EXTREME W. CORNWALL. Cosy House. To let, sleeps 5, log fire + cent, heat, from £85 p.w. 07365405. (BB733) QUIET RETREAT in delightful lt.thC timbered farmhouse. B&B, dinner optional. Every convenience, good food, personal atten- tion, log fires. Shrubbery Farmhouse, Creting- ham, Woodbridge. Pel: 047 337 494. ( BB779) RAVENSTONDALE, CUMBRIA. Country Cottage in unspoilt village com . Lakes/dales. Sleep 3. £75 +. 061-427 6381. (BB778) COTTAGE SOLWAY. Sleeps 5. 7 miles Dalbeattie. Overlooking marshes. 3 miles Dalbeattie Forest. Apply Mrs. Highet, Nether Clifton Farm, Southwick. By Dumfries. (BB777) COCKERMOUTH, CUMBRIA. Ground floor C.H. 2-bed flat (Twin beds and bunk beds). No linen. No pets. Lorton (090085) 305. (BB742) SHETLAND FETLAR, self-catering cottage, fully equipped, 3 bedrooms. Also caravan. Beautiful views. Phone 095783/237. (BB786) BIRD WA TCHING HO LI DA YS ST KILDA AND HEBRIDEAN birdwatching and cruises aboard our vessel Kvlebhan from Oban. Live aboard in comfort and visit the remote and otherwise inaccessible islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. A memorable holiday. Suitable for all ages. Write or telephone for brochure; Hebridean Holidays, Harbour, Troon, Ayrshire. Tel: 0292 316444 or 70033. (BB655) BIRDWATCHING WEEKENDS in Dorset. Chaufleured visits to reserves and coast led by Warden or experienced RSPB member. Country accommodation, home cooked food. Send SAE for brochure: Durran, Trent Vale Farm, Hyde, Wareham, Dorset. Tel: 0929471642. (BB707) JOHN GOODERS: Our French Winter Week- ends for Cranes and Sea Eagles were so popular that we could not take all would-be participants. Reserve a place now for 1985 to avoid disappointment. Meanwhile summer weeks at our 16th century farmhouse are filling up fast. Details: Lattenden’s Farm (BB), Ashburnham, Battle, E. Sussex. Tel: 0323 833245. (BB773) BOTSWANA — In Search of the Slaty Egret — A once only opportunity to spend 3 weeks viewing the birdlife of the Okavango delta, swamps and game parks. Camping tour in comfortable, fully equipped truck — £1,250 all inclusive! Guerba Expeditions, Dept BB, Westfield House. West- bury, Wilts BA 13 3EP, or phone 0380 830476. (BB774) BIRDWATCHING, walking, painting or craft holidays (12th year) with Robin and Judith Wake. Furze Lodge, Trelights, nr Port Isaac, Cornwall. SAE for brochure or tel: 020 888 233. (BB693) ORKNEYS AND SHETLANDS, including Fair Isle and Foula. Cruise round in 54ft boat, landing each day. Superb bird life and archaeology. Expert leader. 9 to 20 June. From Wick, £525. We also run many wildlife expeditions to the Arctic July/ Aug. Send stamp to ERSKINE EXPEDITIONS, 14 Inverleith Place, Edinburgh. (BB724) DON’T JUST GO BIRDING in Dorset. Join us to find butterflies, orchids, dragonflies . . . oh. and birds, on hotel-based, field centre or family camping holidays. The Dorset Naturalist, 19 Cromwell Road, Dorchester. Dorset. (BB737) ISLES OF SCILLY — join resident birdman David Hunt lor the holidav of a lifetime. 1984 Brochure from Cygnus Wildlife. 96 Fore Street. Kingsbridge. Devon TQ7 1PY. Phone: (0548) 6178. (BB685) BIRDWATCHING IN TURKEY Naturalistic Holidays Central & Southern 16 dys. May from £665 Eastern Turkey 16 dys. June from £695 West Turkey & Greece 10 dys Aug from £480 Bosphorus Migration 10 dys Sept from £460 Central Turkey & Bosphorus Migration 16 dys Sept from £650 inclusive Details Chris Slade, Turkish Birdwatching Holidays, 8 The Grange, Elmdon Park, Solihull. West Mids. B 92 9 EL. Tel: 021-742 5420. 021-705 5535 (BB678) xtx Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 THE RAPTOR ISLE’ Undiscovered Menorca 7 Raptor breeding species — 5 at HIGHEST breeding density in EUROPE — including 30+ pairs Egyptian Vulture, 40+ pairs Booted Eagle, 100+ pairs Red Kite. Total Island size only 34 X 13 miles. Excellent migrations, very good bird watching all the year round. Max. of 4 people in comfortable ‘house guest’ style accommodation close to National Reserve of Lake Albufera. Holidays throughout 1984 with resident birders Ed and Monica Mackrill from £259 per week including airfare. Shangri-la, Mahon, Menorca, Spain. (BB663) SEABIRD CRUISES. See maritime species. Visit Western Isles remote habitats under sail. Details High Minton, Hillside, Cromer NR27 0HY. Tel: (0263) 512928. (BB595) WILDLIFE HO LID A YS 1984 TOURS include Siberia/Central Asia with Roy Dennis and Spitzbergen with Malcolm Ogilvie. Other destinations include Tanzania and Israel. Full programme of trips in the Scottish Highlands, including special Easter Weekend (capercailzie, blackgame lekking), and island trips include Shetland, Orkney, Islay, and Rum. Send stamp: Caledonian Wildlife, 30 Culduthel Road, Inverness IV2 4AP. (BB751) WORKING HO LI DA YS Spend a week looking after Britain's openspaces. No experience needed for creating nature trails, fencing sand dunes, drystone walling - some of the 100's of opportunities in our FREE brochure from: Conservation Volunteers, 36 St Mary's St., Wallingford, Oxon 0X10 0EU. Telephone: (0491) 39766. OVERSEAS KENYA. Beautiful Lake Naivasha; 300 species of birds. Private house on the lake shore; provides full board at very reasonable prices. Enquiries to K. N. Grant, Thornton House, Cannister Rd, Frithville, Boston, Lines. Tel: Langrick (020573) 333. (BB626) BOOKS HONEYBEE PREDATION by Bee-eaters by C. H. Fry £0.95p post paid. Lists of publications on bees and beekeeping free from International Bee Research Association, Hill House, Gerrards Cross, SL90NR. (BB660) BIRD AND NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS. New and secondhand. Catalogue: St Ann’s Bookshop, 2 St Ann’s Road, Great Malvern, Worcs., WR14 4RG. Tel: 06845 62818. Callers encouraged. (BB745) HENRY SOTHERAN LTD New, Secondhand and Antiquarian Booksellers stocking a wide range of books on Ornithology from local reports to fine collectors items. Bookshop open Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.30 pm. Latest titles include: Forshaw & Cooper: Kingfishers Of The World Vol 1. £450.00. Salem Ali: The Compact Edition of Birds of India and Pakistan. Despite conflicting reports this at last seems likely to materialise. Orders now being taken. £75.00. David Attenborough: The Living Planet. ( Signed Copies). £12.00. Bill Oddie’s Gone Birding ( Signed Copies). £12.00. 2, 3, 4 & 5, Sackville Street, London, W1X 2DP. Tel: 01-734 and 0308. Telegraphic address: Bookmen, London. (D329) NATURAL HISTORY AND BOTANICAL BOOKS bought and sold. Catalogue from Jay Books, 1 Roull Grove, Edinburgh. (BB531) PANDION BOOKS offer for sale fine and secondhand Natural History Books. Catalogue from: 81 Moorside Dale Ripon HG4 2RY. (BB769) FINE NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS bought and sold. R. Norman. The Book-Squirrel, Hart- on-the-Hill, Dalton Piercey, Hartlepool, Cleve- land. (BB463) BOOKS ON BIRDS. New and secondhand, catalogue 30p. Surplus books urgently sought. BB bought and sold. Open Monday to Saturday. Bird Books of Sevenoaks, 67 London Rd, Seven- oaks, Kent. Tel: 0732 455899. (BB726) BOOKS ON Birds, Natural History, Gardening, Field Sports, etc. Bought and sold. Catalogues issued. Books on most subjects purchased. Blest, Wateringbury, Maidstone, Kent. Tel: 0622 812940. (BB584) ‘BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Free catalogue from, and offers to, Briant Books, 94 Quarry Lane, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0NJ. Tel: 0829 51804. (BB675) THE BIRD BOOKSHOP (Scottish Ornitho- logists’ Club) — We are leading specialists in new books covering all aspects of ornithology and all parts of the world; over 600 titles in stock; world- wide mail order service; post free to SOC mem- bers (except small orders); free 30 page booklist from The Bird Bookshop, Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, Dept. 1, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH 7 5BT; phone (031) 556 6042 (office hours only; Mon.-Fri. 9-1, 2-5). (BB470) FOR SALE BINOCULARS AND TELESCOPES Alpin lightweight binoculars and Optolyth telescopes. Choose from the complete range. AQUILA PO Box 1, 1 Lansdowne Road, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7JG. Tel: 052 785 2357. (BB754) xx Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 SPECIAL OFFER B US H N E LL S P AC E \ I AST E R 20 x - 45 x 60 ZOOM TELESCOPE ONLY SI 164.95 Please add £2.00 if ordering by mail. L& L OPTICAL 204 High St., Barnet, Herts. Tel: 01-449 1445 (BB783) UNBOUND VOLS. British Birds 60-71; Bird Study 1 1-29 Prices £84 and £1 15.00, respectively, o.n.o. W. Ruttledge, Wansdyke Lodge, Beckhampton, Marlborough, Wilts. (BB771) BIRD MAGAZINES lor sale. British Birds June 1930-June 40, Aug 26-March 27. Severn Wildfowl Trust Reports 1948-57, Birds (RSPB) 1966-77. Bird Notes (RSPB) 1964-5. Oilers. Kirkwood, 1 Gills Hill. Radlett, Herts. Tel: Radlett 5469. (BB760) I SELL AND BUY used binoculars, especially Zeiss and Leitz. 21 Crescent Grove, London SW4 7AF. (BB744) DISCOVERER TELESCOPE and Tripod. Good condition £120. Tel: Bradford 495494. (BB759) TELESCOPES Optolyth, Kowa, Bushnell, Swift, Panorama, Opticron, Televari BINOCULARS Zeiss Jena, AJpin, Swift, Panorama, Opticron, Helios, Mirador Fast mail order service. Easy access to M6 & M62. 14 day approval. Callers welcome. COMPETITIVE PRICES Phone or write for details now: FIRECREST 8 Chapelcross Road, Fearnhead, Warrington, Cheshire WA2 0PP Phone: Padgate (0925) 817874 (D293) TELESCOPES AND BINOCULARS Phone for lowest prices or send for our free comprehensive report on the leading makes. Special offers on the best buys. Stamp appreciated. E. Murphy FOCALPOINT 14 Gogshall Lane Comberbach Northwich Cheshire CW9 6BS, Tel: 0606 891Q98.(BB721) BB AND OTHER BIRD JOURNAL back numbers supplied. Morgan, Whitmore, Umber- leigh, Devon. (BB638) RECORDS AS NEW. Bird Sungs uj Britain & Europe, disks 1-14, £35. York. Please write to: Box 59, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK443NJ. (BB780) HAWKINS walking boots and shoes. Camou- flage waterproofs, outdoor accessories. SAE for brochure. Reduced prices. B. Timson, 1 1 1 Hinckley Road, Earl Shilton, Leicester. (BB681) WANTED COLLECTOR wishes to purchase Morris’ British Birds Bannerman’s Birds, Witherby’s Birds and any interesting early natural history books or paintings. David Brodie. Hazel Bank, 106 Castlemain Avenue, Southbourne, Bourne- mouth, Dorset. Tel: 0202 431997. ( BB672) COLLECTOR SEEKS BOOKS OR PAINT- INGS by R. B. Talbot Kelly and Eric Ernion, N. R. Griffiths, Robin Lane, High Bentham, Lancaster 0468 61724. (BB735) BANNERMAN “BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES” Vol V. CiK)d condition. Jackson, 83 Grange Road, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 2UE. (BB787) REPAIRS WE REPAIR BINOCULARS. And cameras. And projectors. We’ve been at it for thirty years and we’re very, very good. Perfect? No. Perfectionists? Yes. Burgess Lane & Co. Ltd, Thornton Works, Thornton Avenue, London W4 1QE. 01-9945752. (BB768) ARE YOU a cross-eyed birdwatcher? We offer a cleaning and re-aligning service for any make or size of hand held binocular or telescope at a special price of £14.50 including return postage. Full repair service available. Charles Frank Ltd, PO Box 5, Saxmundham. Suffolk I P 1 7 2NL. (BB765) REPAIRS TO BINOCULARS and other optical instruments without corner-cutting, from conventional cleaning/overhauling and precise optical adjustment to renovation of older instruments, our long and wide experience is at your service. We also handle SALES of Zeiss, Leitz and Kowa binoculars and Optima, Kowa and B&L Discoverer scopes (telephone for keenest, regular prices. Call in or use our postal service. Kay Optical Servicing, 89B London Road, Morden Surrey. Tel: 01 -648 8822. (BB582) BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE REPAIRS. Fast efficient service on all makes and types by expert technicians at L&L Optical, 204 High Street, Barnet, Herts. Tel: 01-449 1445. (BB194) xxt Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 BIRD REPORTS COUNTY CLEVELAND BIRD REPORT 1982. £2.25 post paid front Rob Little, 3 Penton Court, Billingham, Cleveland. Back issues available at much reduced rates. (BB758) ‘SUFFOLK BIRDS 1982’— Inc. checklist, articles, photographs. Colour cover by Richard Millington. £2.50 inc. postage from: Derek Moore, Crosslands. Cage Lane, Boxted, Colchester C04 5RE. (BB781) 1982 LONDON BIRD REPORT £3 post paid from Mrs H. Housego, 110 Meadvale Road, London W5 1LR. Back copies available. (BB750) NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND BIRD REPORT 1982. £1.75 post paid from Mark Tasker, NESBR, 17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen. Back issues available. (BB671) DEVON BIRD REPORT 1982. £2 post free A. John, Brook Cottage, Sampford Spiney, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7QX. (BB656) COURSES BIRDS OF LAKELAND— 8 day and weekend wildlife holidays with RSPB hon rep Mike Madders. Small groups/exciting programmes. Special Young Ornithologist courses. Birds of Islay — 10 day late winter holiday. SAE: Eskdale Outdoor, via Holmrook, Cumbria. (BB729) BIRD-WATCHING WORKSHOP, Friday May 25 (Eve.) to Monday 28. Improve your Bird-craft (fields covered include identification, weather and migra- tion, censusing, calls and song, ringing, etc) In East Kent and Pas de Calais (Sunday). Species expected include Cetti’s, Savi’s, Marsh and Icterine Warbler, Golden Oriole, Crested Lark and Kentish Plover. Evening discussions/slides, also moths and plants. Led by wardens and local experts. Full board at renovated hostel, £58.50. Details: Warden, Sandwich Bay, Bird Observatory, Sandwich, Kent. ' (BB713) Evening Classes in BIRD MIGRATION for those who have not studied the subject before 27 MARCH to 17 APRIL 1984 Further Information from: The Short Course Unit, City of London Polytechnic, 84 Moorgatc, London EC2. Tel: 01-283 1030 ext 324. (BB756) PROPERTY FOR SALE CLEY, NORTH NORFOLK. Substantial 4-bedroom house overlooking reserve. Ideal family home or retirement opportunity. Now established, easily run B&B business (see “CLEY — Birdwatch as you breakfast”). £49,250. Turnbull & Co. HOLT 3343. (BB775) STAMPS BIRD STAMPS. 100 = £1, 500 = £8. Send for 1 2-page bird stamp list. A. Grainger, 42 Lee Lane East, Horsforth, Leeds. (BB770) WILDLIFE TALKS WILDLIFE TALKS Birds a speciality. Ring Brian Fagg — (0322) 70967 to discuss your needs. Letters: 125 Hallford Way, Dartford DAI 3AA. (BB687) APPOINTMENTS FIELD STUDY CENTRE IN PORTUGAL Algarve’s first field study centre requires partner/s. Biological background preferred. Contact: Vowles, Vale Bom, Odelouca, 8300 Silves, Portugal. (BB755) PERSONAL BIRDWATCHING FAMILY living close to 2 famous Swedish bird-watching areas, the ‘Kvismaren’ and the ‘Oset’ welcome English- spoken young man (16-18 years old) to live with us for some time this summer (June, July or August). Exchange visit in Great Britain is wanted during the same period for bird-watching and language exercise. Answer to: Family M. and C. Gullberg, Sandg. 12, 702 17 OREBRO, Sweden. (BB747) STOP PRESS NORFOLK ORNITHOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION 1983 annual report out now covers migration Norfolk Coast. Price £2 post paid. Visitors welcomed at our coastal reserves inch Holme Bird Observatory, open daily non- members 10.30 am to 4 pm. Permit fee on arrival. Advance booking for parties. 283 species listed. Walsey Hills Migration Watch Point, Salthouse Open 6 days weekly. Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays. Call in for migration news. New and s/hand books, bird photos/slides, selected binoculars /telescopes. Both reserves full-time wardened. Minimum subscription (includes access reserves, N.O.A.s and Norfolk Bird and Mammal Reports). Family £10, Husband/wife £9. Single £(>. N.O.A. Aslack Way, Holme-next-Sea, Hunstanton, Norfolk. (BB761) XXII the Opticron difference is quality and price For those who enjoy and take pleasure in birdwatching, we are introducing a new, high quality, compact, easy to use telescope; the Piccolo 20x60 And because it is Opticron, you will get resolution equal or superior to that provided by any other make, with exceptionally high light transmission. Full field of view if you wear spectacles, and it is also the smallest 60mm objective lens telescope on the market. Only 290mm long and weighs 900 gms. You will also get a hard wearing black tubular case with shoulder strap, and all this only for £98.00 ( + £1.75 p&p). Extra 40x eyepiece will cost you only £15.00, and if you should prefer a zoom eyepiece 15-45x or 20-45x instead of the 20x it will cost only £10.00 extra. Should you require further information, please phone or call. Our showroom is open 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays incl. OPTICRON P.O. Box 81, St. Albans, Herts. AL1 3MT Telephone: St. Albans (0727) 56516 (D266) British Birds Volume 77 Number 3 March 1984 87 Insect, amphibian or bird? J. F. Burton and E. D. H. Johnson 105 Mystery photographs 87 Great Reed Warbler Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 106 Points of view 7 A case for birdwatching Stuart W inter Notes 107 Mutual display by Gannets at sea M.J. Everett , P.J. Robinson and I)r At. A. Ogilv 108 Identification and ageing of a Sora Rail P.J. Roberts 1 12 Similarity between songs of two Locustella warblers and stridulation of Roesel’s bush-cricket A. A. Collyer,J. Beadman and T. H. Hill 1 15 The songs of three Locustella warblers Eric Simms 1 1 5 Sedge Warbler feeding on the ground Ronald Harrison 1 16 Icterine and Melodious Warblers in southwest Britain A. R. Dean 1 1 7 Identification of Willow l it K.J. Hall 1 1 8 Willow Tits storing food John Eyre 1 19 Behaviour of Coal Tit during snow storm John H. Kennedy 1 19 Rooks chasing small bats Dr A. P. Radford 1 20 Carrion Crows taking windscreen-wiper rubbers M.J. Rogers 1 20 Opportunistic feeding by Carrion Crow Jeremy D. Powne 1 20 Partially leucistic Starling resembling Rose-coloured Starling P.J. Heath 121 House Sparrows collecting insects from cars Dr K. E. L. Simmons', A. At. Bankier Letters 1 22 The ‘yellow webs’ of some storm petrels Paul C. James and Hugh A. Robertson 1 22 Sabine’s Gulls in winter in Sweden Per Alstrom 122 Inland ground-nesting by Herring (fulls Dr A. G. Knox: B. D. Harding 123 V agrant races of Willow Tit in Britain Martin Limbert 1 23 Early history of the Girl Bunting in Britain John Cantelo 1 24 The Mystery Photographs Book Announcements 1 25 ‘National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America’ 125 Cheaper US dollar payment 125 The Birds of China’ 1 25 Seventy-five years ago . . . Requests 1 26 Waders and herons in Eastern Asia Duncan Parish and David Wells 1 26 Photographs of Siberian species in Thailand P. D. Round 1 26 News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett 1 29 Recent reports R. A . Hume and K. Allsopp Reviews 1 3 1 Weather and Bird Behaviour by Norman Elkins Keith Allsopp 1 32 Travel Diaries oj a Naturalist by Peter Scott Laurel Tucker Line-drawings: 87 ‘Insect, amphibian or bird?’ (Robert Gillmor); 129 Lapland Bunting ( Dirk Moerbeek ); 130 Mediterranean Gull (J. At. Pinder), Upland Sandpiper (Bill Morton), and Red-breasted Flycatcher ( Nik Borrow): 131 Shore Larks (G. E. .Miller) Front cover: Collared Dove (Brett Westwood ): the original drawing of this month’s cov er is for sale in a postal auction (see pages 30-3 1 in the January issue for procedure) British Birds Scarlet Rosefinch breeding in Scotland Identification of Slender-billed Curlew Influence of watercourse management on Moorhens PhotoSpot • Mystery photographs Product reports • Notes • Letters News and comment • Recent reports • Reviews British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editor David Christie Editorial Board Stanley Cramp, P. J. Grant, Dr M. A. Ogilvie Sc Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Dr R. J. Chandler Sc Don Smith Rarities Committee P. J. Grant (Chairman), D. J. Britton, R. H. Dennis, D. J. Holman, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, J. R. Mather, R. F. Porter Sc K. E. Vinicombe; Michael J. Rogers ( 1 lonorary Secretary) Notes Panels behaviour Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Dr C. H. Fry, Derek Goodwin, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Sc Dr K. E. L. Simmons; identification P. J. Grant, S. C. Madge, Dr M. A. Ogilvie Sc Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Pub / i siting . \ l onager , Production & Promotion Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Cartwright Advertising Sandra Barnes A 1 1 Please keep correspondence on dillerenl items separate. Please address \<>ur envelope correctly. Please snpph S.\i il rcph required. Papers, notes, letters, drawings & photographs for publication Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Subscriptions and orders Jor back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Advertising Mrs Sandra Barnes. BB Advertising, e/o Fountains, Park Lane. Blunham. Bedford mk.44 3nj. Phone : Tiptree (0621) 815085 Bird news Jor ‘ Recent reports' lan Dawson & Keith Allsopp, c/o RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG 19 2dl. Phone (outside office hours): Huntingdon (0480) 214186. News items Jor 'News and comment' Mike Everett & Robin Prylherch, 7 Burlington Way, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon it.1 8 9bs Rarity descriptions M. J. Rogers, 195 Vicarage Road, Sunbury-on- Fhatnes, Middlesex rwl6 7 tp Special book and sound recording offers for subscribers BB Offers, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £25 or $55.41; personal, UK, Europe and surface mail £21; personal, airmail outside Europe £35.70; Single back copies, li available, £2. For personal subscriptions, payment can also be made in t :S$ (add f l and then convert jit current exchange rate). Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may also be made directly into UK Post Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. (c British Birds Ltd 1984 Copyright of photographs remains with photographers. British Birds is published monthly by British Birds Ltd, 93 High Street, Biggleswade. Bedfordshire ISSN 0007-0335 British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of the west Palearetic. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are normally accepted only on condition that material is not being offered in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs and sketches are welcomed. All contributions should be submitted to the Managing Editor. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing, and wide margins, and on one side of the sheet only. Authors should caref ully consult this issue for style of presentation, especially of references and tables. Vernacular and scientific names and sequences of birds follow The ‘British Birds' List of Birds of the Western Palearetic (1978); names of plants follow Dotty et at. ( 1 974, English Names of Wild Flowers); names of mammals follow Corbet & Southern ( 1977. The Handbook of British Mammals). Topographical (plumage and structure) terms should follow editorial recommendations [Brit. Birds 74: 239-242). Figures should be in Indian ink on good quality tracing paper, drawing paper, non-absorbent board or light blue or very pale grey graph paper; lettering should be inserted lightly in pencil; captions should be typed on a separate sheet. Authors of main papers (but not notes or letters) receive ten free copies of the journal (live each to two or more authors). Printed by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford Mk 12 8\.\ >,scoofsr* lo* . *pfiic£S ft£TUf& p^5/wrrv/ ~+ihY*mT-_ Tell me Mr. Frank Don't know which model to choose? Join the thousands of people who consult us every year about binoculars and telescopes Whatever your own individual needs our expert advice will ensure that you make the correct choice and buy at the right price. 0728 3506 • 0603 21704 »031 2293363 (MON-FRI) (MONSAT) (MON-SAT) #ASS*£ RAUGE- THtRWT moo£L POKYQO PAXT -ASKfOK Qocrre < RS ’W CHARLES FRANK BINOCULARS Made to our own specifica tion, and bearing our name, these fine instruments offer outstanding value. All are supplied with case and carry a 10 year guarantee STANDARD RANGE 8 x 30ZCF 24.95 8 x 40ZCF 29.95 7 x 50ZCF 31.95 10 x 50ZCF 32.95 GREEN LABEL Extra wide angle Multi- coated lenses Close focus- ing 8 x 40BWCF 69.95 10 x 40BWCF 74.00 10 x 50BWCF 77.50 ROOF PRISM 8x21 mini 69.95 K’ SERIES Wide angle Fully coated optics. 8x 40 71.00 10x 40 71.00 OBSERVATION Big binoculars for use on a tripod 1 1 x 80BCF - super bright 160.00 20 x 70BCF - high power 137.50 Tripod clamp 3.95 CHARLES FRANK 8 x 30 DE LUXE Probably the best quality binocular available at this price Made in East Ger- many. Leather case. Weight 18oz Ideal instrument for the younger user 29.95 OTHER MAKES Quite simply, the best. Roof prism binoculars that give crystal clear vision Guar- anteed for 30 years 8 x 20B miniature, 6oz. 155.00 10 x 25B miniature. 6 7oz. 171.50 8 x 30 Dialyt 316.50 8 x 30BGA/CF Dialyt armoured 289.00 7 x 42BGAT' Dialyt armoured 369.50 8 x 56BGAT- Dialyt armoured 449 50 10 X40BT- Dialyt 358.00 10 x 40BGAT- Dialyt armoured 364.00 Habicht H Precision made in the Aus- trian Tyrol. Highly recom- mended 10 x40WM Diana 239.00 SL range Rubber cushioned Waterproof. 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'Downy Woodpecker (Dendrocopus pubescens) in Gloucestershire. On January 14th, 1908, a friend who occasionally shoots birds for me brought me in a little Woodpecker that he had shot that day at Frampton Cotterel, near Bristol. It was climbing up the trunk of an old apple tree some five feet from the ground when shot. I supposed it to be simply a Eesser Spotted Woodpecker, and so labelled it, and it was only after sending the skin to Mr. Marsden, of Tunbridge Wells, last month, that the bird was discovered to be a specimen of the North American Downy Woodpecker (D . pubescens) . Wm. A. Smallcombe [In connection with this record we have received the following letter from Mr. H. W. Marsden: “Amongst some Woodpeckers I received from Mr. Smallcombe there were a male and female, supposed to be Dendrocopus minor. The day I got them I was very busy, and sent on the two skins to the Hon. N. C. Rothschild. He handed them, without examination, to Messrs. Rowland Ward, to be remade, and it was by them the bird was identified as Dendrocopus pubescens. Mr. Smallcombe is quite a young ornithologist, and had probably never seen a foreign skin of D. pubescens. ” Both Mr. Marsden and Messrs. Rowland Ward have satisfied us that this skin was undoubtedly not of American origin (we had suggested that the label might have been inadvertently changed), and that the bird was in fact shot in Gloucestershire. The record is an interesting one, but we cannot believe that this North American Woodpecker crossed the Atlantic unaided, and we think that the bird must have escaped from captivitv. — Eds].’ (Brit. Birds 2: 382; April 1909) The influence of watercourse management on Moorhen breeding biology K. Taylor The Moorhen Gallinula chloropus is a common breeding bird on inland waters in Britain. Moorhen breeding habitat along many lowland rivers and canals is subject to periodic reduction or alteration by watercourse management, such as river dredging and bank clearance works carried out by regional water authorities. There is some evidence that management of a river may reduce the number of breeding Moorhens (Williamson 1971; Marchant & Hyde 1980), but there is no detailed information available to show whether management affects Moorhen breeding biology. "This paper examines the influence of watercourse management on Moorhen breeding chronology, productivity and abundance and shows how management may influence Moorhen habitat selection. The study plots and their management The river The River Ouzel is a lowland-clay tributary of the River Great Ouse. Near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, the river is of medium width and moderate flow (cf. Haslam & Wolseley 1981), with a channel depth of about 50 cm. Before the start of survey work in the spring of 1981, the channel in the 2.67-km section of the study plot downstream from Slapton Bridge (SP9332 16) was cleared and dredged by the Anglian Water Authority, and bankside vegetation was cut back (fig. 1, plate 46). No management of the 1 ,88-km section of the plot upstream from Slapton Bridge was carried out in either year (plate 47). Habitat features along each 0.5-km stretch of the river were recorded in September 1981 and September 1982, using the BTO’s Waterways Bird Survey (WBS) habitat-recording checksheet (Taylor 1982). Vegetation features along the river in 1981 and 1982 are shown in table 1. In 1981, significantly more vegetation overhanging the channel, fringe vegetation l Bnl . Buds 77: 144-1+8, April 1984] 141 142 Influence oj watercourse rpanagement on Moorhens Fig. 1 . Location of River Ouzel survey stretches ( 1 : 50,000 scale) Table 1. Differences between managed and unmanaged river shown by percentage occurrence of vegetation features along 0.5-km sections of River Ouzel, Buckinghamshire, in 1981 and 1982 kside data scored separately for each edge in a section. NS = not significant; * = F’<0.05 (Fisher Exact Te: 1981 1982 River area Vegetation feature Managed P Unmanaged Managed P Unmanaged Bankside Scattered trees 75 NS 75 75 NS 75 Line of trees 0 NS 25 0 NS 25 Mixed thorn hedge 0 NS 50 0 NS 50 Scrub 0 NS 12.5 0 NS 12.5 Scattered bushes 75 NS 50 75 NS 50 Vegetation overhanging channel 42 ★ 100 100 NS 100 Fringe vegetation 2m out from bank 17 * 75 66 NS 75 Submerged channel Sparganium emersum 100 NS 100 100 NS 100 vegetation Ranunculus pencilatus 0 NS 50 17 NS 50 Emergent Sparganium erectum 50 NS 75 100 NS 75 vegetation Phragmites communis 0 * 75 0 * 75 and emergent reeds were recorded in the unmanaged section than in the managed section. In 1982, river vegetation showed signs of recovery from management works, with significantly more overhanging vegetation (a)* and fringe vegetation ( b ) than in 1981, and a more luxuriant growth of submerged channel vegetation and emergent bur-reed Sparganium. 46. Managed section of River Ouzel in 1981 shortly after bank clearance and dredging by Anglian Water Authority ( K . Taylor/ BTO) Influence oj watercourse management on Moorhens 143 Fig. 2. Location of Grand Union Canal survey stretches ( 1 : 50,000 scale) The Grand Union Canal near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is a navigable inland waterway, heavily used by pleasure craft during the summer months. The canal is about 5 m wide. In the late summer of 1981 , parts of the study plot, which stretched from Broughton (SP842142) to Puttenham Lock (SP892141), were managed by the British Waterways Board (fig. 2, plate 48). This work involved channel dredging and cutting or removal of bankside vegetation, including grubbing out of hawthorns Crataegus 47. U nmanaged section of River ( )uzei in 1 98 1 , showing good growth of vegetation beside and in water channel (A. Taylor/ BTO) 144 Influence oj watercourse management on Moorhens Table 2. Percentage of nests of Moorhens Gallinula chloropus built on different substrates in parts of River Ouzel and Grand Union Canal, Buckinghamshire, subjected to different degrees of management (none, light or heavy), 1981-82 (Management of Grand Union Canal was carried out after 1981 Moorhen breeding season) 1981 1982 RIVER CANAL RIVER CANAL Nest Substrate None Managed None Light Heavy None Managed None Light Heavy Branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum 36 100 50 0 43 45.5 86 40 0 100 Common reed 14 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 Phragmites australis Low branches of crack willow 50 0 0 0 0 45.5 0 0 0 0 Sahxjragilis Low branches of hawthorn 0 0 50 1 CM) 57 0 14 60 100 0 Crataegus monogyna monogyna on two sections (‘heavy management’) and channel dredging with no removal of bankside vegetation on two other sections (‘light management’). One 1.4-km stretch was not managed. Prior to management works, low overhanging hawthorn branches were present in all sections of the canal. In 1982, such branches were absent from the heavily managed section, but not noticeably less abundant in other sections. Methods I'hree observers (one per visit) made a total of ten visits per year to the study plots during the period April to July in 1981 and 1982. Observers used the WBS mapping census technique to record Moorhens on 1: 10,560 scale maps (Taylor 1982). Maps were analysed at the end of each season by one of the observers. 48. Heavily managed section of Grand Union Canal in 1 982. showing poor growth of emergent vegetation, absence of bushes and mud spoil from dredging on banks (K. Taylor/ BTO) ■mbu 145 Influence oj watercourse management on Moorhens Data on the timing of egg-laying were obtained only on the river. Most canal nests were built near the bank opposite the towpath, where nest contents could not be examined. Clutch-date analyses for the river are based solely on data from nests with known contents. I he presence of broods was recorded in both plots, and the size of chicks noted as ‘large’ or ‘small’ to allow differentiation of first and second broods within each territory. Over the two years of study, broods were recorded in 48% of the unmanaged section territories on the river and 47.6% of the managed section territories. These sightings, however, were liable to a habitat-associated bias, since dense vegetation in parts of the unmanaged section may have hampered observation of broods there. Brood analyses which follow are thus based solely on data from the canal, where no such potential bias was apparent. Statistical methods follow Siegel (1956) and throughout this paper the word ‘significant’ is used only in the statistical sense, indicating differences significant at less than the 5% probability level. Means are given ± standard error. Results Nest position and laying date Over the two years of study, low branches were the commonest nest substrate on unmanaged and lightly managed sections of the plots (table 2). Nests on other sections were largely restricted to bur-reed clumps. In 1981, significantly more nests were built close to the watercourse in the unmanaged section of the river than in the managed part (table 3). There was no such difference in 1982. In 1981, clutches were laid earlier in the unmanaged stretch of the river than in the managed part (table 3). In 1982, a higher proportion of first clutches were laid in April-Mav in the managed section than in the previous year ( c ). Laying dates in the unmanaged section were similar in both years. Over the two years, second clutches were more frequent in the unmanaged stretch than in the managed section (d). Number oj broods Following dredging and clearance of the heavily managed section of the canal, there was a drastic reduction in the numbers of territories and broods recorded there (table 4). In 1982, this section contained significantly fewer territories and broods than either of the other two sections. The lightly managed section was the most productive part of the canal for Moorhens in 1981, with significantly more broods than other sections. Following management, the numbers of territories and broods on this stretch did not differ significantly from numbers on the unmanaged section. In 1982, slightly more broods were produced on the unmanaged section than in the previous year. Population changes 1981-82 Between 1981 and 1982. there were significantly greater reductions in Moor- hen territories on the managed part of the river and on the heavily managed 146 Influence oj watercourse management on Moorhens Table 3. Abundance, nest position, timing of laying and incidence of second clutch of Moorhens Gallinula chloropus breeding along managed and unmanaged sections of the River Ouzel, Buckinghamshire, in 1981 and 1982 NS = not significant; * = P< 0.05; ** = P < 0.01 (Fisher Exact Test) Territories Territories/km % territories with nest less than lm P from water P Territories with 1st confirmed clutch in April-May P Territories with second clutch 1981 Unmanaged (1.88 km) 14 7.5 100 NS ** 6 * 5 1981 Managed (2.67 km) 13 4.9 54 0 0 1982 Unmanaged 11 5.9 100 VC VC 6 NS 3 1982 Managed 8 3.0 88 4 0 part of the canal than on other stretches ( e ) (tables 3 & 4) . By contrast, there was a slight increase in territories on the unmanaged section of the canal. Discussion Management of the study plots was carried out by two different agencies, but Moorhens on both river and canal responded to management in similar ways. A common feature of management on both plots was that channels were dredged and low overhanging branches removed. This one feature gives a possible explanation for the differences in Moorhen nest position, breeding chronology, productivity and population change described above. Low branches are a common nest site for Moorhens in Britain, the majority of which usually breed within a few metres of water (Cramp et at. 1980). Such branches are available all the year round, but clumps of emergent vegetation such as bur-reed are available only from late spring until autumn. The absence of low branches and the slow spring growth of emergent vegetation following dredging thus deprived Moorhens of suitable nest sites on managed stretches early in the breeding season. These features of management could account for the restricted and delayed Table 4. Abundance and productivity of Moorhens Gallinula chloropus breeding on managed and unmanaged stretches of the Grand Union Canal, Buckinghamshire, in breeding seasons immediately before and after management works NS = not significant; * = P < 0.05; ** = P< 0.01; *** = P< 0.001 (y2 test) 1981 (PRE-MANAGEMENT) 1982 (POST-MANAGEMENT) Mean broods/ Broods/ Mean broods/ Broods/ Terrs. Terrs. /km P territory km P Terrs. Terrs. /km P territory km P Unmanaged ( 1 .4 km) Light 9 6.4 NS 1.0 ±0.2 6.4 * 10 7.1 NS 1.2 ± 0.1 8.6 NS management (1.2km) 15 12.5 ★ 1.1 ± 0.1 13.3 * 13 1 1.8 ♦ * i.o±o.o 8.3 *** Heavy management (2.0 km) 1 1 5.5 0.9 ± 0. 1 5.0 3 1.5 0.3 ± 0.3 0.5 TOTALS 35 7.6 1.0 ± 0.1 7.6 26 5.7 1 .0 ± 0. 1 5.0 147 Influence oj watercourse management on Moorhens breeding of birds on the managed stretches, and explain the absence of second clutches there: Moorhens nesting in late-emerging bur-reed clumps simply did not have enough time to produce more than one clutch by the end of July. I he hard winter of 1981/82 took a severe toll ofa number of British birds (O’Connor & Cawthorne 1982) and there was a significant decline between 1981 and 1982 in the number of Moorhen territories recorded on WBS plots throughout the country (Taylor & Marchant 1983). There is evidence from other studies that population decreases following a hard winter may be proportionally smaller where a species is occupying its ‘preferred’ habitat (Cawthorne & Marchant 1981). This could happen if vacancies in a preferred habitat due to winter mortality are filled differentially bv birds moving from poor habitats to breed there (O’Connor 1981). Such a process could account for the different population changes observed on managed and unmanaged sections between 1981 and 1982, with Moorhens which survived the hard winter tending to avoid the heavily managed sections. Lack of nest sites may not have been the only reason w hy managed sec- tions constituted poor Moorhen breeding habitat. Moorhens are subject to considerable egg predation (Relton 1972; Wood 1974; Huxley & Wood 1976; Hornbuckle 1981), with nests which are most exposed and accessible to predators suffering the heaviest egg losses (Relton 1972). The small clumps of vegetation which were the principal nest sites in heavily managed sections were relatively more exposed than most nests in other stretches. Despite the lack of data on the fate of eggs, it might be expected that, if egg predation did occur, it was likely to have been most pronounced on the heavily managed sections, further depressing breeding performance there. A managed watercourse might thus be a very poor habitat indeed for a breeding Moorhen. The data reported here relate to a single species, but the findings have wider implications for conservation of riparian birds. Other studies have shown that dredging and removal of bankside vegetation reduce the density not only of Moorhens, but also of species such as Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus and Sedge Warbler A. schoenobaenus which require bankside vegetation for nesting cover (Williamson 1971; Williams 1980). Breeding performance of these other species is more difficult to monitor than that of the Moorhen, but could merit further study, data presented here indicating that a simple reduction in density is not necessarily the only damaging effect of management on a riparian species. These findings have implications for watercourse management, providing evidence that the practice of ‘working from one bank' recommended by the Water Space Amenity Commission (1980), where overhanging vegetation and some channel vegetation is left largely intact along one bank of a managed watercourse, could benefit birds breeding there. Data from the River Ouzel also indicate that, if vegetation over- hanging and in a channel is cleared along the entire length of a managed section, then the number and productivity of birds breeding there may be depressed for at least two years. Since some lowland rivers may be dredged as frequently as once every five years (Haslam & Wolseley 1981), retention 148 Influence of watercourse management on Moorhens of some channel vegetation could be an important factor in the local conservation of riparian birds. Acknowledgments Dr R. J. O’Connor and John Marchant participated in the fieldwork and (with Rob Fuller) commented on earlier drafts. Mrs Elizabeth Murray drew the figures, while Caroline Hunt and Mrs Dorothy Smallwood typed the text. Summary Moorhens Gallinula chloropus breeding along managed and unmanaged sections of the River Ouzel and the Grand Union Canal in Buckinghamshire were monitored during the breeding seasons in 1981 and 1982 using the Waterways Bird Survey mapping census technique. Those on the managed section of the river bred later, nested less frequently near the channel, and produced fewer second clutches than those on the unmanaged section. Following management works on the canal, the heavily managed sections contained fewer territories and fewer broods than expected, compared with other stretches. On both study plots, population declines between 1981 and 1982 were more pronounced on the managed sections. It is suggested that the practice of ‘working from one bank’ during management works on lowland watercourses would benefit Moorhens breeding there, as would the retention of some emergent vegetation in dredged channels. 1980 References Cawthorne, R. A., & Marchant,J. H. 1980. The effects of the 1978/79 winter on British bird populations. Bird Study'll'. 163-172. Cramp, S., & Simmons, K. E. L. (eds.) The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 2, Oxford. Haslam, S. M., & Wolseley, P. A. 1981. River Vegetation — its identification, assessment and management. Cambridge. Hornbuckle, J. 1981 . Some aspects of the breeding biology of the Moorhen. Magpie 2: 46-56. Huxley, C. R., & Wood, N. A. 1976. Aspects of the breeding of the Moorhen in Britain and Ireland. Bird Study 23: 1-10. M archant, J . H., & Hyde, P. A. 1 980. Aspects of the distribution of riparian birds on water- ways in Britain and Ireland. Bird Study 27: 183-202. O’Connor, R. J. 1981. Habitat correlates of bird distribution in British census plots. Studies in Avian Biology 6: 533-537. & Cawthorne, R. A. 1982. How Britain’s birds survived the winter. \New Scientist 93: 786-788. Relton, J. 1972. Breeding biology of Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds. Brit. Birds 65: 248-256. Siegel, S. 1956. Nonparametric Statistics Jor the Behavioural Sciences. Tokyo. Taylor, K. 1982. Waterways Bird Survey Instructions. Tring. & Marchant, J. H. 1983. Population changes for waterways birds \9%\-&2. BirdStudyZW. 121-126. Williams, G. 1980. Quiet flows the river. Birds 8: 19-22. Williamson, K. 1971. A bird census of a Dorset dairy farm. Bird Study 18: 80-96. Wood, N. A. 1974. The breeding behaviour and biology of the Moorhen. Brit. Birds 67: 137-158. Water Space Amenity Commission. 1980. Conservation and Land Drainage Guidelines. London. Dr Kenneth Taylor, British Trust Jor Ornithology, Beech Grove, Tring, H ertjo rdsh i re HP23 5NR Appendix 1. Statistical details relating to letters (a) to (e) in text (a) Fisher exact P — 0.002 (b) Fisher exact P = 0.018 (c) Fisher exact test for difference between years P = 0.035 (d) Fisher exact test for difference between sections P = 0.046 (e) River: %2 = 2.98, P < 0.05 one-tailed; Canal: x2 = 4.56, P < 0.05 PhotoSpot Bird-photographers have generously given (or loaned) to British Birds many of their best photographic prints or transparencies. We make use of these whenever appropriate: in annual selections (‘Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs’ and ‘Bird Photograph of the Year’), in other special features (e.g. ‘Studies of West Palearctic Birds’, ‘Birds in action’), to accompany papers, to illustrate notes, in current news features (‘News and comment' and ‘Recent reports’) and as educational problems in ‘Mystery photographs'. Some photographs, however, although they are very good photographically or very interesting ornithologically, do not fit into any of these categories. We are, therefore, starting this new feature, ‘PhotoSpot’, where we shall regularly use one or more of these interesting photographs. The accompanying text will vary from an extended caption to a short account of the photograph’s interesting features, but will always be succinct. As well as using photographs already in our files, we hope that photographers will send us prints or original transparencies especially for this feature. For a start, does anyone have a good photograph of Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampehnus ? (We have only one print of this species in our files at present and should like to publish one or two photographs of it.) Please address all photographs to Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, Fountains. Park Lane. Blunham. Bedford MK44 3N J. Eds 1. Sooty Gull and White-eyed Gull The bill of Sooty Gull Lams hemprichii is distinctively rather thick, and always obviously two-toned: pale with a dark tip. White-eyed Gull L. leucophthalmus has a much more slender and longer bill, which is uniformly blackish on immatures, becoming bright red with a black tip when adult. These bill-structure and bill-colour differences are among the best field marks at all ages, and are well shown in N. R. Phillips’s two very helpful, comparative photographs of the Middle East’s two gull specialities. PJG 49. Adult Sooty Gull Larus hempnchu (left) and adult White-eyed Gull L. leucophthalmus. Yemen. October 1979 (N. R. Phillips) 149 150 PhotoSpot 50. First-year Sooty Gull Laws hemprichii (left) and adult or near-adult White-eyed Gull L. leucophthalmus, Yemen, October 1980 (N. R. Phillips) Mystery photographs QO Last month’s mystery OO photograph (plate 37, re- peated here) should have proved t to be a real teaser for the majority of readers. Since size, at sea, is always difficult to judge, it is useful to have an albatross so nicely positioned in the back-J ground. Our mystery seabird has^H an impressive wingspan and pre-H dominantly dark plumage. Size,' colour and shape thus lead the observer to the inevitable conclusion that the bird is either some kind of albatross or, perhaps, a very large petrel; but which? The size is certainly that of a small albatross, and the stiff-winged flight would prompt many observers to consider albatross possibilities first. The best field character to look at is the bill. Distance prevents observation of the structural differences between albatrosses and petrels, but the colour is certainly pale. There are only two species of Atlantic albatross with wholly dark plumage: Sooty Albatross Phoebetria fusca and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross P. palpebrata. Fortunately, both those species have blackish bills and can be safely eliminated from further consideration. Could the bird in view be a recently fledged Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans ? That species has a pale bill and, from this angle, the white underwing would be obscured from view. A critical look at the tail, however, fails to reveal the protruding pale (pink) feet of the Wanderer, which, in flight, extend well past the tip of the tail and would have surely shown against the dark seascape. Mystery photographs 151 The mystery bird is therefore a petrel; no species of Atlantic albatross has wholly dark plumage and a pale bill. Examination of the petrel reveals the characteristic thick-set, rather humped-backed jizz which those readers familiar with southern-ocean seabirds would have recognised instantly as belonging to some form of giant petrel Macronectes; but which one. Northern M. halli or Southern M. giganteus ? At sea, the two species are extremely difficult to separate. The dark plumage indicates a young bird, and the paler feathering at base of bill suggests a second-year. The plumage of the two species is, however, so similar that the only way to distinguish Northern from Southern is by bill colour. The horn-coloured bill of Northern Giant Petrel appears distinctly 51. Mvsterv photograph 89. Identify the species. Answer next month 152 Mystery photographs dark tipped, due to reddish nails at the tips of both upper and lower mandibles. In the case of Southern Giant Petrel, however, the horn coloured bill has only a pale green tip to the lower mandible, and the bill consequently appears uniform. As this mystery photograph shows, judging bill colour of a flying bird from an unstable deck is no easy matter. The combination of distance and harsh sunlight has removed all detail from the bill and prevents critical analysis. Specific identification of the giant petrel is impossible: the precise identity of our seabird remains a mystery. The albatross in the background also deserves attention. Unlike the giant petrel, it can be specifically identified. The conspicuous underwing pattern indicates that it is one of the smaller albatrosses. The pale bill suggests one of two species: either a White-capped Diomedea cauta or a Black-browed D. melanophris (the bills of Grey-headed D. chrysostoma and Yellow-nosed D. chlororhynchos would have appeared wholly dark at this range). Two races of White-capped Albatross occur in the Atlantic, D. c. salvini and D. c. cauta. The latter has reached Elat in the northern Red Sea. Both forms, however, have mostly white underwings, with a diagnostic black ‘thumbmark’ at the base of the leading edge of the underwing, and very narrow dark margins. Our albatross, however, clearly shows the characteristic white underwing and broad dark margins of an adult Black-browed. Captain I). M. Simpson of the RNBWS is to be congratulated for getting two North Atlantic seabird vagrants into the same viewfinder simultaneously (in Australian waters in the late 1960s). Peter Harrison Product reports Items included in this feature have been submitted by the manufacturers or their agents. The reviews are the personal opinions of the reviewers; they are not the result of technical tests, but are assessments made after use in appropriate conditions (e.g. in the held). Neither British Birds nor the individual reviewers can accept responsibility for any adverse consequences of opinions stated, and items are accepted for review on this understanding. We aim, however, to be helpful both to our readers and to the manufacturers of goods used by birdwatchers. Eds AICO International ZCF 8 X 40 binoculars Ihese conventionally shaped, lightweight (550g), Japanese-made bino- culars are very cheap, selling for around £17.50. It would, therefore, be unfair to compare them in this review with renowned makes and models costing ten (or even twenty) times as much; my comparisons, therefore, are with other makes and models in the lower price range. T hese ZCF 8X40 are comfortable to handle, and focus down to about 7m. Although they have rubberised protection around the lenses, I suspect that they would not take very many serious knocks (but then neither would their competitors). There is one serious fault: distortion at the edge of the field of view is substantial and very disconcerting during panning. There is, however, also one very good point: the rubberised eyecups fold down, making them very Product reports 1 53 suitable for use with spectacles; the rather diminished held of view when used in this way greatly reduces the edge-distortion effect. If one assumes that a beginner will wish to start off with a pair of cheap binoculars, then these could be recommended for anyone using spectacles. Similarly, they would make a good second pair, for the car or as a standby. 1 he very light weight would make them popular with children or with less-keen-than-their-companion girlfriends or wives. At £17.50, these neat little binoculars are good value for money. j.T. R. Sharrock Notes Feeding behaviour of Storm Petrels On a number of occasions during the period 26th July to 8th August 1980, we observed Storm Petrels Hydrobates pelagicus feeding 50- 200 m off the point of Blananarragaun, Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork; on most days there were up to ten, and once as many as 80. We quickly discovered that feeding indi- viduals were most easily located by finding groups of seabirds sitting on the sea; the petrels could regularly be seen flitting endlessly around these groups. Seabird species present in groups on the sea at that time were f ulmars Fulmarus glacialis, Cory’s Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea, Gannets Sula bassana and Herring Gulls Larus argentatus, all of which attracted Storm Petrels. We were surprised to see petrels Hying around Herring Gulls, which are potential, and actual, predators of Storm Petrels. Closer observa- tion, however, revealed that the petrels were constantly dipping at the edge of the group to pick items off the surface of the sea, presumably food items exposed or brought to the surface by the movements of the swimming birds. Nick Riddiford and Elizabeth Riddiford Fair Isle Bird Observatory , Fair Isle, Shetland It is, of course, uncertain whether the petrels were attracted by the larger seabirds or both were attracted by, for example, plankton swarms. Eds Alighting-display of Mute Swan The ‘alighting-display of the Mute Swan Cygnus olor is performed by both members of a pair when they alight on their territory or on a piece of water on which they intend setting up a territory. The swans come in on a long, shallow glide, and then run over the surface of the water for 20 m or more, slapping it loudly and vigorously with their feet, their wings being motionless. The ‘slap-slap-patter’ can be heard from several hundred metres, and the shower of spray kicked up can be seen from considerably farther. The swans are, in fact, making themselves as conspicuous as they possibly can. A swan alighting without any territorial designs does so silently and within a few metres; no spray is seen and there is no running over the surface, the feet being thrust forward as in the case of other swans, ducks and geese. While the female is sitting, or occupied with 154 Notes young, the male performs this display; in late August, when he starts moulting, the female, in new plumage and once- more capable of flight, undertakes almost all the territorial duties and will perform the display if a pair of trespassing swans arrives. When a pair of swans is nesting in isolation on a small pond or in a network of dykes, the alighting-display is only seldom seen; the male will, however, occasionally perform, especially when the female is sitting and he has ‘time on his hands’. I can find no reference in any of the literature to this display, although it is such a noisy and conspicuous piece of behaviour w hich can be seen from the moment a pair takes up territory in early spring until the family departs, generally in October. R. V. A. Marshall High Trees, St Clare Drive, Colchester, Essex Dr Janet Rear has commented as follows: 'I find this quite interesting. Although I had never noticed the slap-slap- patter display being associated particularly with territorial swans, I have a feeling that it may very well be so, and something that many of us have also failed to notice.’ Eds White-headed Duck with black head On 10th May 1981, in southern Spain, a group of us were watching seven White-headed Ducks Oxyura leucocephala when we realised that one of the four adult males had a completely black head, showing no white or whitish whatsoever; in all other respects, it appeared identical to the other three males. BWP ( 1: 699) states that males with black heads, reported occasionally from the eastern part of the species’ range, may be a rare black-headed morph. I can find no reference to black-headed individuals having been reported previously from the West Palearctic. S. C. Madge 2 Church Row, Sheviock, Torpoint, Cornwall PL113EH Dr Montserrat Carboncll, who carried out her research at Slimbridge on stifltails, has commented as follows: ‘Black-headed males occur not infrequently in White-headed Duck populations, both in the western and in the eastern parts. The black is a characteristic of some immatures, and not (as suggested by B\\ P) indicative of a rare morph. The progression from juvenile plumage to full adult varies individually: some change almost straight to adult; others attain varying degrees of black covering much (occasionally all) of the areas which will eventually go white, and which is sometimes retained until the bird is approaching two years of age. This Spanish individual was presumably identified as an adult by its blue bill; the blue is attained by immatures during their first winter and spring (as they can, and do, breed in their first summer, I suppose they could be termed “adults”).’ Eds Unusual behaviour of Osprey In most years, Ospreys Pandion haliaetus are seen in late spring on Loch Stack and on the Laxford river in West Sutherland, Highland. On 13th May 1981, at the south end of the loch, Victor Anderson saw an Osprey wading in shallow water off a sandbank, with its belly, wing-tips and tail completely submerged; unfortunately, it was disturbed by a passing car and flew off. From then until ‘21st May, he watched an Osprey at the loch; on two days, two were present. For much of the time they fished over the water in the usual manner, but on every day, for periods of up to half an hour, a single Osprey also waded off the sandbank with lower body, wing-tips and tail underwater. It was now clear flATEo Discerning birdwatchers ask for Zeiss binoculars every time. iy? World renowned for over a century, they } synonymous with lasting quality and have aracteristics which cannot be taken for granted: carefully selected materials • outstanding :ics • superb precision engineering i ibsolute reliability • maximum field of m, with or without spectacles. x 40 BGA rubber-amoured DIALYT ser focusing model now also available (9901) The name makes the difference The difference made the name IEISS Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen) Ltd ( D;« PO Box 78 Woodfield Road Welwyn Garden City Herts A L7 1LU Telephone (07073) 31144 ZEISS West German' A COMPLETE CHECKUST OF THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD CHEa?USTLOFTHE BIRDS OF THE WORLD Richard Howard and Mck Moore revised by Aiick. Moore with a foreword by Leslie Bro*n Richard Howard & Aiick Moore excellent for easy reference; the inclusion of a complete index of generic and specific scientific names is specially valuable.' Dr. JTR Sharrock. British Birds This definitive work of reference is the only book to provide an up-to-date listing of all families, genera, species and sub-species known throughout the world. Now extensively revised for the paperback edition, with a complete index of English bird names added. £7.95 Available from booksellers or from this address: Macmillan Publishers (Dept IEJ), Brunei Road. Houndmills. Basingstoke RG21 2XS. (Please add 50p for postage and packing.) (D345) National Geographic Guide To Birds of North America Audio Visual package as illustrated, £24.95. Field Guide only, £7.95. In stock at HENRY SOTHERAN LTD. New, Secondhand, Antiquarian Booksellers London’s Leading Ornithological Book Stockists. Shop opening hours 9.00 to 5.30 Mon-Fri. 2, 3, 4 & 5 Sackville Street, London W1X 2DP. Tel: 01-734 1150 and 0308. 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Payments can also he made directly into l K. Giro account number 37 588 6303, but please still post this form. ( Payment can be made in L'SS. but please add £ 1 plus overseas postage charges and then convert to dollars at current exchange rate.) Please allow 28 days for delivers in UK. longer if abroad Name Address £23.00 each Total £ .Cheque/PO enclosed 0 Giro payment made 0 Send to BB Offers, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ Please help us to find new subscribers We will send a sample copy of BB and a subscription leaflet to the person you name below . Thank you. Named potential subscriber Address ‘British Birds’ Back Issues The following back issues are available, price £2.00 each (or any 1 2 for £2 1 .00) post free. Please put X in boxes of those required and enclose cheque/PO payable to British Birds Ltd (or pay into UK GIRO 37 588 6303). 1978 I [JAN: The Scottish Crossbill Loxia scotica ; Rare breeding birds in 1976. CDEEB: Spectacled Warbler: new to Britain and Ireland; Mass seabird deaths from shellfish poisoning; Birds in action. OMAR: Paddyfield Warbler identification; Avocets in England. CD\PR: Field identification of west Palearctic gulls: part 1 . 1 IMAY: Bird Photograph of the Near; Red-throated Divers in Scotland; Citrine \\ agtail feeding young in Essex; Goosanders in Wales. I (JUN: Birds at a sewage-works; European atlas: pipits; European news. QjL'L: Breeding Bitterns in Britain. I lNOV: White-tailed Eagles; Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1977. OlNDEX. 1979 OjAN: Britain’s first Olive-backed Pipit; Identification of Isabelline Wheatear and four warblers; Dartford Warblers in England; Ross’s Gulls in Alaska. I 1FEB: Lapland Buntings breeding in Scotland; Honey Buzzard at wasps’ nest; Predation by Goshaw ks in Britain. I [APR: Field identification of west Palearctic gulls: part 2. 1 IMAY: Recommended bird-recordings; Nightjar habitats and breeding; Bird Photograph of the Year. I~~|JUN: Bullfinch dispersal and fruit-bud damage; Identification of Semipalmated Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints; European news. I |JUL: Pied Wagtail roosts; Studies of Bald Ibis. I lAUG: Rare breeding birds in 1977. 1 1SEP: Bird Illustrator of the Year; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush: new to Britain and Ireland; Nearctic landbirds in Britain and Ireland. I ID EC: T hroat-touching by grebes; House Sparrows and Sparrow-hawks; Capricious taxonomic history of Isabelline Shrike; Best recent black-and- white bird-photographs; European news. OlNDEX. 1980 OjAN: Cape May Warbler: new to Britain and Ireland; Rare breeding birds in 1978; OEEB: Special Irish issue. OMAR: Field identification of west Palearctic gulls: part 3. 1 l \ P R : Breeding biology of the Little Owl. QjUN: European atlas: ow ls; European news. I lAUG: House Sparrows down coal mines; Eleonora's Falcon: new to Britain and Ireland; Sharp-tailed Sandpiper identification. 1 lNOV: Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1979. Ob)EC: Effect on birds of a North Sea gas flare; Hen Harriers in Scotland in w inter; Bird scavengers on Orkney roads; Greater Sand Plover: new to Britain and Ireland; European news. I [INDEX. 1981 I [JAN: W intering Bitterns in Britain; Breeding Bitterns in Europe; Rare breeding birds in 1979. f~~lMAR: Spanish Sparrow: new to Britain and Ireland; Field identification of west Palearctic gulls: part4.CD\PR: Breeding study of Night jars; Pallid Swift: new to Britain and Ireland. QMAY: Oystercatcher counts at roosts and at feeding grounds; American Kestrel: new to Britain and Ireland; Merlins in Wales; Bird Photograph of the Year. QjL’L: Bird Illustrator of the Year; Riippell’s Warbler: new to Britain and Ireland; European Atlas: flycatchers; Little Tern chicks. I lAUG: Ross’s Gulls in the Arctic pack-ice; Baikal Teal: new- to Britain and Ireland; Birds in the Channel Islands; Changes to the British and Irish list. ObEP: Field identification of west Palearctic gulls: part 5. CDDEC: Identification of Semipalmated Sandpiper; Hoarding of carrion by Carrion Crows; W arblers in mixed passerine flocks. 1 [INDEX. 1982 I [JAN: Ruddy Ducks during winter 1978/79; Behaviour of Black-winged Stilts; European news. I lFEB: Forster’s Tern: new to Britain and Ireland; Wood pigeons and Black Kites; Timing of bathing, dusting and sunning. ilMAR: Decline of the Cirl Bunting; Migrant Merlins on Fair Isle; Identification of Lesser Golden Plover. I [APR: Photographic equipment for bird-photography; Rare breeding birds in 1980. 1 IMAY: Mortality of Sparrow-hawks and Kestrels; Population fluctuations of the Little Grebe; Bird Photograph of the Year. I [JUN: The Goshawk in Britain; Pied Wagtails in winter; European news; W aders in Siberia. f~~|JUL: Bird Illustrator of the N ear; Hen Harriers, Long-cared Owls and Short-eared Owls in 1978/79. CDAUG: Studies of Moustached Warbler; Use of gull nests by Eiders; Social hierarchy of young Oystercatchers; Roving tit flocks. I 1SEP: Field characters of Isabelline and Brown Shrikes; Polygamy by Willow Warblers; Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs. QOCT: Bird books for children; Ruddy Shelducks in Britain; Birds in action. 1~TNQV: Report on rare birds in 1981 . 1 iDEC: Identifying Serins; The North American scene; Seabirds inland in April 1981 . 1 IlNDEX 1 ICOM PLETE 1982 VOLUME (including index) £21.00. 1983 I [JAN: Rare breeding birds in 1981; Identification of Cory’s Shearwater. I lFEB: Dupont’s Lark in Spain; Fieldfares breeding in Peak District; Buzzards in Speyside; Identification ofSavi’s W arbler. 1~TMAR: Sandhill Crane: new to Britain; Sap-sucking by woodpeckers; Survey of some of Europe's breeding birds; Polygy ny by Hen Harrier; Identification of W hite Stork. I lAPR: Binoculars and telescopes survey 1983; Identification of white-rumped petrels; Identification of Pallas’s Reed Bunting; Expeditions. 1 IMAY: Identification of Buff-breasted Sandpiper; Territorial behaviour of Kestrels; Yellow-browed Bunting: new to Britain and Ireland; Bird Photograph of the Year. I [JUN: Rock Sparrow: new to Britain and Ireland; Probable hybridisation between Chiffchafl and Willow' Warbler; Studies of White Pelican; Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs; European news. I [IUL: Bird Illustrator of the Y ear; Breeding Stone-curlews; Identification of Scarlet Rosefinch. flAUG: Size-illusion; Identification of Royal Tern; Identification of Aquatic Warbler. f~|SEP: The "Marsh Hawk’ problem; T he Chough in Britain and Ireland. (~~lQCT : Identification of Wheatear and Isabelline W heatear; Little Whimbrel: new- to Britain and Ireland. f~lNOV: Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1982. HlDEC: Studies of Bearded Tit; Purple Sandpipers breeding in Scotland; European news. [""IlNDEX. I ICOM PLETE 1983 VOLUME (including index) £21.00. Name issues £2 each £ Address sets rtoftO2a0*£ w»ti. fcrvi))*, vrt?*r* end- PxUsb %nsk ipvhj Si \tMmj wv^towtl G\4tn HijUdUn^ .BWX c&y +o koi.fij pj* <'»*' rtatk.r^ -Kp t-tTMj pUe •y^T) pp Wkife -Hviiuvj -4^ fcmuM iip vi&iX. “hjH J^ac CvtcAt wppc.pa4l • t» BH Ga yn J*Uii. k»«^ bt«rr^ fiaiwk tna^jSc, nt^£ add Jiies 4 appl*'" __ (Pad, e^e f^^ .v-Wt>, U/y tvi- ♦ • iryukt^y (ntf« s» . -rv\ /- well iconic 4u«l -K^ Mvrc (<>4j^ W4*ni "fKj/t t^A rwt kit GvJA *'a*¥V ^ ‘tr^ u^*-. 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North Yorkshire, February 1983 ( Philip Bawden) Ivory Gull Pagophila ebumea (76, 24. 4) Shetland M uckle Flugga, L ost, first-summer, 6th June (FI. Edwards). Whalsay, first-winter, 13th December (Dr B. Marshall). Tayside Dundee, first-winter, 6th January (J. Cobb). (High Arctic) There was also an adult in W exford Harbour, on 25th and 26th March, when found dead. These are the first since 1980, but represent the joint second-highest-ever total. The Handbook mentions occur- rences in June, but the only recent June record was also on Unst, in 1980 (Brit. Birds 74: 475). Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica (53, 166, 2) Dyfed Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire, adult, 16th October (J. \V Donovan, G. H. Rees). Kent Pegwell Bay. 8th June (F. Solly). 1982 Merseyside Hoylake, 8th July (J- G. Jones). 536 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 (Almost cosmopolitan; nearest breeding colony in Denmark) Ireland had its third ever in 1982, at the Roe Estuary, Co. Derry, from 5th to 10th October. The two late records bring the 1982 total to 13, the fourth-highest- ever. By contrast, 1983 was rather poor for this species. Caspian Tern Sterna caspia (30, 1 26, 0) 1972 Cambridgeshire Haddon, Huntingdonshire, July, remains found, ringed as nestling, Isonkivenletto, near Li (Oulu), Finland, 16th July 1970 (H. I. Brookbanks per M. R. Coates and BTO Ringing Office) . (Cosmopolitan except South America, but everywhere local) These remains were uncovered in a fox earth. There were no fully acceptable records in 1983, the first blank year for 20 years. Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri (0, 3, 1) (North America) Ireland had its second in 1983: a first-summer at Lady’s Island Lake, Co. Wexford, on 11th September, seen again at Broadlough, Co. Wicklow, on 16th and 17th September. This was the fourth since 1980, but it seems likely that this species has been overlooked in the past. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (20, 51,8) Avon Chew Valley Lake, adult, 29th May; first-summer, 29th to 31st (P. Andrew, N. A. & M rs L. A. Tucker el at.). Cheshire YVoolston, first-summer, 12th to 18thjune (B. Martin, R. J. K. Taylor). Cornwall Near Sennen, adult, 6th May (B. T. S. & S. M. Christophers). Devon Slapton Ley, adult, 7th May (G. Bools, M. R. Edmonds, P. A. Stidwell). Lancashire Marton Mere, adult, 9th to 10th June (S. Gibson, P. Slade el at.). Somerset Sutton Bingham Reservoir, first-summer, 29th May (D. J. Chown, M. A. Hallette/ at.), considered separable from Avon individual. Yorkshire, North Castle Howard Lake, first-summer, 4th June (M. G. Richardson, D. Waudby). (South Eurasia, Northwest, East and Southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand) After three blank years, a large spring influx (bettered only by nine in 1970) coinciding, like that in 1970, with a good invasion of southern herons. It is tempting to suggest, however, that some of the records could relate to the same wandering individuals (particularly those in Devon and Cornwall). The occurrence of first-summer individuals in this country may well be without precedent; like all of our terns, the first-years usually stay behind in their wintering areas. Could this northward movement be related to the much publicised drought affecting certain parts of Africa? White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (50, 424, 9) Avon Chew Valley Lake, juvenile, 1st October (K. E. Vinicombe); same. Barrow Gurney Reservoir, also 1st (T. E. Bond, M. G. Chafiey). Greater Manchester Scotsman’s Flash, juvenile, 7th to 20th September (C. A. Darbyshire, W. D. Forshaw el at.). Humberside Beacon Ponds, near Spurn, 29th May (J. Hewitt, G. J. Speight, J. M. Turton); also, Kilnsea, shortly before (G. & G. Featherstone, W. H. Priestley). Kent Dungeness, juvenile, 5th to 24th August (P. J. Grant, A. C. B. Henderson, R. A. Matthews el at.). Tayside Balgavies and Rescobie Lochs, 22nd to 23rd May (G. Campbell, S. Green el at.). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 537 Warwickshire Kingsbury Water Park, juvenile, 21st August (Mrs F. Green, F. G. Phillips. J. H. \\ . Ridley el at.). Draycote \\ ater, juvenile, 24th September (A. R. Dean. P. J. l inden). 1976 Dorset ( Christchurch Harbour, immature. 9th to 26th ( )( tober i Bril. Birds 70: 42.")). also 30th ( 1’. ( lombridge el at.). 1979 Northamptonshire Pitsford Reservoir, juvenile. 1st September (P.J. Havman). 1980 Lancashire Arkholme, 24th May (K. H. Briggs). 1980 Norfolk 1 itchvvell, juvenile, 20th to at least 3 1st ( )ctober (Bril. Birds 74: 477). also at Holme, 17th and several dates to 3rd November (V. Kve). 1982 Cheshire Frodsham, juvenile, 2nd to 8th October (C. A. Darbyshire. N. l asker el at.). 1982 Cleveland Seal Sands, juvenile, 30th September to 5th ( h tober ( I . Francis el at.). 1982 Shetland Fair Isle. 9th to 12th May (N.J. Riddiford el at.). 1982 Shropshire Chclmarsh Reservoir, 1st .June (D. J. Kvans), omitted in error front 1982 Report . (Southeast Europe, West and East Asia) Two in Ireland: at Blennerville, Co. Kerry, on 15th May, and a juvenile at Ballycotton, Co. Cork, oil 29th and 30th August. The late records lor 1982 take that year's total to 19. In contrast, the 1983 showing was the poorest since 1965. Briinnich’s Guillemot ( rid lomvia (3, 14, 1 ) 1982 Orkney Stromness, long dead. 3rd April (M. Gray). (Circumpolar Arctic) The recent records strongly suggest that this species is occurring in our northern waters with some degree of regularity. It has been annual since 1976, but, unfortunately, only two of the 12 since then have been seen alive. Great Spotted Cuckoo C/amator glandarius (6, 20. 1 ) (South Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa) One in Ireland, found dead at North Bull Island. Co. Dublin, on 13th March. This is the third March record of this characteristically early migrant. Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythrophlhalmus (4, 7, 0) 1982 Devon Barnstaple, first-winter, caught 21st October, released 22nd i 1 Beer. D. Smith et at.). 1982 Merseyside Red Rocks, first-winter. 30th October (B. J. Walker) (plate 216). 216. First-winter Black-billed Cuckoo Coccrzus enlhrophlhalmus. Merseyside. October 1982 (Brian ]. Walker) 538 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 (North America) These two additional records bring the 1982 total to four, a remarkable influx considering that only seven had ever been seen here before. The Merseyside individual was originally thought to have been a Yellow-billed Cuckoo C. americanus as it showed a distinct chestnut tinge to the base of its primaries, but the size, shape and colour of its bill clearly indicated its true identity. Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca (many, 191. 1 ) Shetland Fetlar. adult 9 9. three since December 1982 (Bril. Birds 76: 503) to 12th May. possibly another, 1 2th May. two to 18th May, one to 6th June then only on 19th, 23rd, then 1st, 19th to 20th July and 4th August onwards; two from early October, four by 16th November including at least one immature, probably second-winter, all remaining to at least 10th February 1 984 (J . X. Dymond el at.). Fair Isle, 9 , 22nd May (N. J. Riddilord, F. 1 . W elland el at.), presumed departing individual from Fetlar. Ronas Hill, Mainland, 9, 21st to 22nd June (F . Dickson, R. & Mrs I,. Inglestones), presumed wandering individual from Fetlar. 1981 Durham Near W’alsingham, probably adult 9. 26th November (D. Bell). (Circumpolar Arctic) The presence of at least one new: arrival on Shetland may give rise to a small degree of optimism. Hawk Owl Sarnia alula (8, 2, 1 ) Shetland X ear Lerwick, 12th to 13th September; same, Bressay, 20th to 21st (D. Coutts. A. Nicol. J. 1). & G. Okill et at.) (plate 223). (Boreal forests of Eurasia and North America) In view of the huge influx into Scandinavia (Brit. Birds 77: 238), including at least 1,000 in southern Sweden, British observers will feel justifiably disappointed with this singleton, superb though it undeniably was. The irruption was, sur- prisingly enough, almost completely confined to Norway, Sweden and Denmark, with only one in West Germany and none at all in the Netherlands or Belgium (Dutch Birding 6: 23-25). Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus (49,4, 1) Humberside Spurn, 6th to 27th March, trapped 7th and 16th, possibly present since 28th January (Cl. F. Andrassy, P. Harrison, B. R. Spence et at.) (plates 217 & 218). (North Eurasia and North America) Most of the original 49 records were before the First World War; the only recent ones have all been on Orkney: in 1959/60, 1961 and two in 1980 (Brit. Birds 74; 479). 217. 1 engmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus. Humberside, March 1983 (B. Harrison) Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 539 218. Tengmalm’s ( )wl . I egotius June reus. Humberside. March 1 984 i /'. Harrison) Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor (3, 7, 1 ) Dorset Studland, 25th October (M. Howard, k eSc M. Massey). (North America) This, the third in three years, was only the third to occur away from St illy and only the second to he seen on the mainland, the other having been in Nottinghamshire in October 1971 (Brit. Birds 65: 302-303). Another record, from Avon, is still under consideration. Needle-tailed Swift Hirundafms caudacutus (2. 1 , I ) Orkney South Ronaldsay. 1 1th June (J. & Mrs R. McCutcheon. K. R. Meek. Dr |. Muir) (West Siberia tty Japan, south to Northern China; also Himalayas east to Taiwan) The previous British records were in Essex in July 1846, Hampshire in July 1879 and Co. Cork in June 1964. The above observers will, therefore, be widely envied, particularly since the bird came so close on two occasions that one of them had to duck! Alpine Swift A pus melba ( 1 50. 1 76. 1 0) Berkshire Wraysburv. 9th to at least 22nd May (S. J. ( '.ox. B. A. Ryan et at. ). Dyfed Goodwiek. Pembrokeshire. 26th April (K. Bray). Glamorgan, Mid Ken tig Pool. 1 1th April (S.J. Moon. N. Odin). Greater London Barn Kims Reservoirs and area. 24th to at least 26th April (D. J. Booth. R. B. Hastings, N. P. Senior flat.). Kent Dungeness. 8th May (M. Austin, C. Thomas); 1 1th August (k. Osborn). See Sussex. East. Sussex, East Rve, 8th May, presumed same as Dungeness indiv idual (J. \V. Houghton. 1). Mitchell, M. J. Scott-Ham el a/.). Western Isles Near Howbeg, South l ist. 24th Julv (M. & R.Campey). Yorkshire, North Fairburn lugs. 9th June (J. Glendinning. G. R. & Mrs H. ). Welch. C. Winn). Yorkshire, West Horburt Lagoons. Wakefield. 8th Mav i 1 Beverage). 1982 Cornwall kynanee Cove. 10th April ( /hit. Buds 76: 504) until lath (per S. M. Christophers). 1982 Man CalfolMan. Kith June {Brit. Bints 76: 504); presumed same. Ballamodha. 12th 1 1) Leesley). 540 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 1982 Sussex, East R\e. 9th April (Bril. Birds 7 6: 504), first observers included I). J. 1). Hickman. (South Eurasia, Northwest and East Africa) Also, one at Sceilig Mhichil, Co. Kerry, on 17th July. A good spring influx, although none was so widely appreciated as the long-staying \\ raysbury bird. The two July records bring to mind the huge influx in July 1915, when as many as 100 were seen in Kent [The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland , 197 1 ). Little Swift Apits qf finis (0, 4, 1 ) Dorset Studland, 26th November (1). Bryher-Ash, J. R. Cox, X. P. Spring el at.). (Africa, Middle East and south Asia) Three of the previous four were in spring, but one found exhausted on a school playing field at Llanrwst, Gwynedd, in 1973, was also in November (Brit. Birds 67: 328-329). It seems likely that this year’s individual succumbed after an appalling afternoon of cold wet weather. The large turn-out of would-be observers the following day soon degenerated into the inevitable ‘social event’ and only the discovery of an exceedingly confiding Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus prevented an early adjournment to the cafes and pubs of nearby Poole. Bee-eater Merops apiaster (154, 145, 24) Dorset Verne Common, 23rd May (M. Beresford, C. E. Richards); same. Radipole, 24th to 25th (M. Cade el at.). Merseyside Hoylake, 20th to 21st June (S. K. Woolley). Norfolk Blakeney Point, two, 22nd May (S. C. Joyner, N. Williams). Northumberland Bamburgh, 22nd May (M. Bell, B. Bullough, M. S. Hodgson). Scilly St Agnes, seven, 4th to 13th Mav, one to 14th (J- M. & Mrs P. ). Crowther, F. H. D. Hicks. D. B. Hunt el at.); two, presumed same, Tresco, 13th (J. A. Wolstencroft). Sussex, East Beachy Head, four, 26th to 28th June (K. Murray el a/.). Yorkshire, North Fairburn I ngs, 29th to 30th May (J. Glendinning, X. Loth, G. R. Welch). 1981 Kent Kingsgate, 16th June (F. Solly). 1982 Yorkshire, North Hunmanby Gap, Filey, 18th May (Mr & Mrs I . W. Sutton). (South Europe, Southwest Asia and Northwest Africa) Also, seven on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry, on 1 7th and 18th May. The biggest-ever influx, beating the previous peak of 21 in 1981. It does seem more than co- incidental, however, that the party of seven in Kerry turned up only three or four days after the well-watched party of seven had left Scilly. It is also relevant to add that the Netherlands had its third-ever breeding record in 1983, on the island of Texel, but, unfortunately, only one of the five young fledged, the other four having died probably as a result of a food shortage induced by bad weather (Dutch Birding 6: 58-61). Roller C oracias garrulus ( 135, 69, 4) Lincolnshire Near Woodhall Spa, first-winter, 2nd to 19th October (A. S. Barmin. G. P. ( latley et at.). Norfolk West Tolt, 1 lib to 1 2th June (E. J . & W. 1). Campbell, Mrs S. Hussell ) . Strathclyde Dolphinton, Biggar, Lanarkshire, age uncertain, 28th August (I). Thorne). Lochs Gruinart & Gorin area. Islay, Argyll, adult, 29th September to 12th October (R. Strachan, 1). A. Stroud et at.). (South and East Europe, West Asia and Northwest Africa) Of the 49 Rollers recorded in the last 15 years, no less than 17 have been in Scotland. Of the 12 September and October records in the same jx'riod, seven have 541 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 219. Green Heron Butorides striatus, Humberside. November 1982 (6. P. Caller ) 220. Juvenile Solitary Sandpiper Tringa wlilaria, Seilly, October 1983 (.1. Cook) 542 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 221. Adult Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus , Scilly, (October 1983 (P. Wheeler ) 222. Yellow-rumped W arbler Dendroica coronata, Co. Cork, October 1983 (Oran O'Sullivan) s BAT£o A mX&J /I Zeiss 10X40B/GAT* V J 1 closer Reusing Dialyt A trul^ sbort-focusing binocular, N'£sh 6^ with a minimum focusing distance of only 5? metres and special B' eyepieces mitting unrestricted viewing with or without spectacles. The multi-layer anti-reflection Tcoating gives excellent image itrast and superior light transmission at dawn and dusk. Add to these features the easy-grip rubber armour (complete h rainguard), light-weight, sturdiness and dependability, and j have a binocular unsurpassed in quality and performance. Ask for the birdwatchers' popular choice . . . 9901 Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen)Ltd PO Box 78 Woodfield Road Welwyn Garden City Herts AL7 1LU Telephone (07073)31144 ZEISS jndard 10X40B/GAT* and 10X40B T* models also available The name makes the difference The difference made the name West Germany choice (D425) Books for Birdwatchers The Herons Handbook Text by James Hancock and James Kushlan Paintings by Robert Gillmor and Peter Hayman When The Herons of the World was first published in 1978, it rapidly established itself as a classic reference to ornithologists. Although lauish and comprehensive, it was not however suitable for field use and was too expensive for most birdwatchers. The Herons Handbook is its revised, updated and restructured successor, aiming to be of great practical value in the field to a wide range of birdwatchers. Apart from the substantial revision of the text, more information on the behaviour and habits of herons is included, and four new plates by Robert Gillmor give comparative information of the white species around the world. Existing plates have been retained, species descriptions have been updated, including a distribution map for each species. Just Published 79 colour plates line drawings £16.95 234 x152 mm Bird Island: Pictures from a Shoal of Sand Lars Jonsson Lars Jonsson’s field guides on European birds have been enthusiastically received by birdwatchers This, his new book, is not a field guide, but an impressionistic account of the birdlife Jonsson observed on a tiny shoal of sand off the Swedish coast The illustrations, which form the largest part of the book, swirl with colour and movement. The text is written as a diary in which Jonsson records the teeming birdlife of the shoal and the changes of light, colour and weather which so fascinate him. Just Published Illustrated throughout in colour and black and white £16.95 260 x 230 mm Just a Lark! Photographs by Eric and David Hosking Descriptions by Jim Fleg Drawings by Norman Arlott Just a Lark! is one of the more extraordinary books to appear this autumn. Rambling happily from Adjutant to Yaffle, it describes in words, photographs and sketches, the history and habits of birds and their names, some odd and exotic, some familiar. Norman Arlott’s endearing sketches delightfully complement the informative text by Jim Fleg g, while the Hoskings' photographs are up to their usual high standard of clarity and accuracy. WIN A NORMAN ARLOTT DRAWING AND A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK IN THE BB COMPETITION Just Published Over 300 birds described with text, £8.95 black and white photographs and drawings The Birds of the Wetlands James Hancock Foreword by lan Prestt This book describes one major wetland area in each continent of the world, and explains their various and intricate ecosystems, enabling them to support considerable breeding populations of wetland birds. The author draws on his wide personal experience to consider the important questions of conservation in increasingly threatened environments Die problems of classifying the great variety of bird species and genera are discussed in a global context The whole work is beautifully Illustrated in colour throughout. £13.95 Illustrated with colour and black and white photographs Ocean Birds: Their Biology, Behaviour and Breeding Lars Lofgren This book is a detailed and comprehensive study of ocean birds It begins with a thorough account of their biology and taxonomy, with full details on all aspects of oceanbird life, from temperature regulation to the mechanics of flight and migratory habits. The main body of the book gives descriptions of the main species, including fulmars, prions, phalaropes, skuas. The descriptions are accompanied by full colour plates. Publication: November 4 watercolour paintings, 200 colour photographs £1 6. 95 Numerous line drawings All books available from British Bird Shop Groom Helm Ltd., Provident House, Burrell Row, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1 AT. Croom^PHelm v 1 1 1 (D426) " Kntisn KirdMiop PLEASE HELP TO PROVIDE EXTRA PAGES IN 'Bb' BY ORDERING ITEMS FROM US Please lid Books (post free to UK and Eire; add 50p per book for rest of world) L A Field Guide to the Birds oj the USSR Flint, Boehme, Kostin & Kuznetsov ( Princeton I P.) £49.60 LD One Man’s Island Keith Brockie (Dent) £12.95 CD Just a Lark! 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Pavments can also be made directly into l k Giro account number 37 588 (£103. but please still post this lorm. ( Pav mem can be made in I SS. but. please add £ I plus overseas postage (XI IB ill) .1 C .... T L ^ Ht*r\.»cl charges and then conv ert to dollars at current exchange rate, i Name Please allow 38 days lor delivery in UK, longer il abroad. Address. •j ota| £ Cheque/PO enclosed □ Giro payment made □ Send to BB Offers, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham. Bedford MK44 3NJ Please help us to find new subscribers W e will send a sample copy ol BB and a subscription leaflet to the person vou name below. 1 hank you. Name of potential subscriber Address IX RARE BIRDS Of The West Coast Of North 'r America by Don Roberson Many rarities in Britain— Si bes, N. Am. warblers, stints— are also vagrants in California and Alaska. This book is packed with status and i.d. material on these birds, well beyond the scope of field guides. £18 or US $27, postpaid Woodcock Publications Box 985 • Pacific Grove, CA. U.S.A. 93950 D368 TELESCOPES Optolyth, Kowa, Bushnell, Swift, Mirador, Opticron, Televari BINOCULARS Zeiss Jena, Alpin, Swift, Panorama, Opticron, Helios, Mirador Fast mail order service. Easy access to M6 & M62. 14 day approval. Callers welcome. COMPETITIVE PRICES Phone or write for details now: FIRECREST 8 Chapelcross Road, Feamhead, Warrington, Cheshire WA2 OPP Phone: Padgate (0925) 817874 (D293) CYGNUS WILDLIFE World-wide holidays Escorted birdwatching holidays to the world’s great wildlife areas. Remaining 1984 tours: Ethiopia November 24-December 9 (£1230) and 1985 Tours Gambia November 21-December 6 (£930) January 20-February 10 SRI LANKA £1160 February 5-21 THAILAND £1275 February 11 -March 1 NORTHERN INDIA £1175 March 7-25 SOUTHERN INDIA £1659 March 17-31 MALAYSIA £1700 March 5-21 KENYA £1390 March 28-April 13 TEXAS £965 April 14-30 JORDAN £890 May 4-19 TURKEY £745 May 18-26 CAMARGUE £485 May 19-31 EASTERN AUSTRIA £490 May 26-June 9 SOVIET CENTRAL ASIA AND SIBERIA £990 Destinations later in 1985 include Pyrenees, Swiss Alps, Ethiopia and Gambia PLUS: David Hunt’s One Week Natural History Holidays on the ISLES of SCILLY . APRIL-SEPTEMBER For full details of the Cygnus programme contact: Paul Dukes, 96 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1PY. Tel: 0548 6178 (D393) Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 543 "dull ( A ^ # ^ n \ 1 . * 223. Hawk Owl Sarnia alula, Shetland, September 1983 ( Dennis Coutts) 224. Left, first-winter Ring-billed Gull Laras delawarensis ; centre, first-winter Common Gull /.. canus ; and, right, adult Herring Gull L. argentatus, Co. Cork. March 1982 (C. D. Hutchinson) 544 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 225. First-winter male Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus. Go. C 'oik, October 1983 (C. D. Hutchinson) 226 & 227. Scilly, October 1983: left, Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus (John Hewitt); right, female or immature Northern Oriole Icterus galbuta (D. IF. Burns) 545 Rare birds in (Real Britain in 1983 been in Scotland or northern hngland and the remainder on the east coast (from Lincolnshire to Kent). This may suggest that the majority of our autumn Rollers come from the east, rather than from the south. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (40, 209, 13) Cleveland Saltholme Pools, 1 7th to at least 18th April (F T. Bell, S. P. & Mrs ) . C. W arwic k el al. ) . Devon Prawle Point, 3rd October (P. M. Mayer, J. C. Nieholls). Hampshire Calshot, 9th to 19th October (D. A. Christie, P. F. Fawkes, Dr M. F. Witherickw al.) (plates 228 & 229). Orkney North Ronaldsay, 28th to 29th September (M. Gray. J. J. Sweeney el a/.). Scilly St Mary’s, 5th May (D. J. Manns, S. M. Whit chouse el al.); 7th to 1 1th May (B. R. Field, I). ). Manns, S. M. White-house el a/.): another. 7th to 11th (R. I. Allison. P. Y. Harvey, M. S. Smith et al.); 23rd to 25th September ( P. K. Batchelor, A. M. Stoddart et a/.); possibly same, 28th (A. Davison, Dr R. (1. Brace et al.); 4th to 8th October (I. J. Andrews. J. F. Swallow. A. J. \\ heeldon e! al. ) . 228 & 229. Short-toed Fark Calandrella brachxdmivla. Hampshire, October 1983 (.1. /. ('.voucher ) ??**€ / MO ah.'ht 4* SHCfT -TO CD iit lA-feX ...... -9 & L e k t «r TW*? >«r i> ; cd ) ; . ^ ici Hi * t?#*.* t iK *• M -O'* A ?-*<>♦ t •'<. *>>*■ ^ Z. -txxee4 L-twtts A %T FcvrH-HO' 4 hr;, e .**-'*' fu.i, £ >tvw*rvr* on<.« S'i* SKvjla.r'f’i -4 ^ => b* oJ h<*\ w^roOt.-\ v v' 1 d \ y ■' exf>r* 4iio»N v )y\ r j c-fds.' KN-'T V*4C | X l * CflQ _ . b*s. r Ar — nc re /Vo* K co ^ ik Fig. 7. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (and Skylark Alauda airensis for comparison), Scilly, October 1981 ( P. B. Cartwright ) 546 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 1981 Scilly St Mary’s, 10th to at least 29th October (Brit. Birds 75: 513), first seen 8th (F. B. Cartwright) (fig. 7). 1982 Humberside Easington, 12th to 19th June (D. Beaumont, \. A. Bell, G. Hodgson el at.). (South Eurasia, North and East Africa) In Ireland, singles on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, from 28th August to 3rd September, and another on 1st October; also, one on Dursey Island, Co. Cork, on 23rd October. The Cleveland individual was the sixth to be seen in April since 1958, but the first one on Cape Clear Island was only the second August record in that period. Although fairly regular on Scilly, it remains rare and erratic else- where (it has yet to be recorded at Portland, Dorset, for example). Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica (7, 75, 3) Cornwall Near Porthgwarra, 29th October (\V. R. Hirst, L. P. Williams). Dorset Verne Common, Portland, 14th to 15th May (J. G. Hole, C. E. Richards). Easton, Portland, 26th June (G. Walbridge). 1980 Cornwall Swanpool, Falmouth, juvenile, 3rd November (B. Cave). (South and East Eurasia, and Africa) Another mediocre showing. The late 1980 individual brings that year’s total to 13, which equals the 1977 record. It seems salutary to remember that, in 1952, the occurrence of three in one year (in Norfolk, Devon and Co. Wexford) was thought so unlikely that the editors of this journal considered it just possible’ that the three records related to the same individual (Brit. Birds 46: 265). Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseetandiae ( 1 35, 1 ,02 1 , — ) 1977 Sussex, West Littlehampton, 26th to 27th September ( R. Grimmett el at.). 1980 Humberside See below. 1981 Humberside Hornsea Mere, 26th October (Brit. Birds 75: 514), was in 1980. (West Siberia east to Mongolia and southeast to New Zealand, also Africa) This species was removed from the rarities list in 1971-75. Since its reinstatement, it has averaged 48 a year, but, like other Asian passerines, its occurrences here are erratic with the occasional invasion years (1966 and 1967) when as many as 141 have been seen in one year. Its recent re- removal from the list seems, therefore, to be fully justified. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris ( 1 20, 502, — ) 1982 Cumbria South Walney, 9th August (T. Dean, L. A. Sanderson); 27th August (T. Phizaklea, D. Satterthwaite). (Europe, South Asia and Northwest Africa) judging from the high number of records of this species in 1983, including at least 15 at Portland, Dorset (G. Walbridge, verbally), it was removed from the rarities list only just in time! The 1983 Portland records included a particularly puzzling individual, hopefully the subject of a future BB paper, which showed a number of characters apparently associated with Blyth’s Pipit A. godlewskii. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni ( 1 , 25, 1 ) Scilly Tresco, 21st October (M. R. Alibone, A. D. J.Gook, P. J. Grant el at.). 1982 Scilly St Agnes, 31st October (P. B. Cartwright), presumed same as St Mary’s individual, 25th to at least 26th (Bril. Birds 76: 506). 547 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 ( Northeast Russia to Central and East Asia) 1 he brief appearance of the 1 resco bird ensured an unbroken eight-year run on Scillv. A record of one at Spurn in October 1982 has only recently been submitted to the Committee. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus (30, 131,3) Cornwall Skewjack, 23rd April (H. P. K. Robi nson). Dumfries & Galloway Whithorn, 19th April (R. Strachan). Shetland Baltasound, L'nst, 25th to 30th May (M. Puxlev. I. Spence et at.). 1982 Essex Rain ham, 1st to 2nd May (Bril. Birds 76: 506), delete 2nd ( per London .Nat. Hist. Soc.). 1982 Humberside Spurn, 19th May (B. A. Ryan). (Arctic Eurasia) 1 he second consecutive year that has failed to produce an autumn record. 1 he April birds were the fifth and sixth since 1958. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (2, 32, 2) Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, first-winter, 4th to 10th September (P j. Keller, R. K. Watson, K. W. Winfield el at.) (Bril. Birds 76: plates 260-262). Lothian Drem Pools, first-winter, 2nd to 7th ( )ctober (( Anderson, A. Brown. P. R. ( Jordon el at. ) . (Northeast and East Russia, West Siberia and West and Central Asia) Grey-and-white Yellow Wagtails M.Jiava are still causing problems, but the best pro-Citrine features include a clear-cut and complete pale ear-covert surround, a usually whitish or bufhsh forehead, and a loud, shrill, almost buzzing call. Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia (2, 45, 5) Northumberland Bamburgh, in song, trapped, 22nd May (M. Bell, M. S. Hodgson). Orkney Holm, 12th to 16th May, trapped 12th (J.& Mrs R.McCutcheon. E. R.Meekda/. ). Scilly St Mary’s, first-winter. 26th September to 7th October (P. L. Hines. G. H. & W. F. Peplow, B. Reed el at.). Shetland Fair Isle, first-summer, trapped. 12th May (.V J. Ridditbrd. D. Suddabv): another. 15th to I 7th May, trapped 15th (D. G. Borton. \. J. & Mrs E. A. Riddiford et at.). (Scandinavia, East Europe and West Asia) After a blank year in 1982. an encouraging return to form. The obliging St Mary’s bird allowed a lot of people a unique opportunity to get to grips with this highly elusive species. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (0, 3. 0) (Caucasus, Asia Minor, northern Middle East, northern Afghanistan and eastwards) I am grateful to M.J. Earp for pointing out that the Black Redstart of one of the orange-bellied eastern races ochruros-semirufus- phoenicuroides seen at Dungeness, Kent, on 7th and 8th November 1981 (Brit. Birds 76: 507) was. in fact, the third British record and not the first as stated. The previous two were in Scilly in October 1975 and in Lincolnshire in October 1978 (Brit. Birds 73: 519). Stonechat Saxicola torquata (1.61.4) Individuals showing characters of one or other of the eastern races S. t. maura or stejnegeri , colloquially known as ‘Siberian Stonechats’, were 548 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 recorded as follows; all were 9 9 or immatures: Fife Fife Xess, 29th September to 1st October (M. S. Cavanagh, J. G. Steele, M. J. W are) (fig. 8). Gwynedd Bardsey, 25th to 27th October (A. G. B. Henderson, N. J. Phillips, V. E. Wood el at.). Llanfairfechan, 6th to 7th November (B. Boothroyd, R. Evans). Shetland Fair Isle, showing characters closest to .S'. /. mama, 2nd to 3rd October (A. Heath, N.J. Riddiford, D. Suddaby el at.). Fig. 8. Female or immature ‘Siberian’ Stonechat Saxicola lorquata maura/slejnegeri, Fife, September-October 1983 (/. (>. Steele ) (White Sea, eastwards across Siberia) Four is the lowest total since 1977. Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka (3,5,2) Norfolk Sheringham/Wevbourne area, $, 30th October to 2nd November (G. Allport, (j. Etherington, P. A. W ain el at.) (Bril. Birds 77: plates 34-36, 230 & 231). 230 8c 231. Female Pied Wheatear Oenanllie pleschanka. Norfolk. November 1983 (.1. J. Croucher) Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 549 (Southeast Europe and south-central Asia) Ireland had its second in 1983: a first-winter male at Ballynaclesh, Co. Wexford, on 19th and ‘20th November. Of the ten accepted records, eight were seen in late October or November, but this is the first time that more than one has occurred in the same year. Another record, at Paignton, Devon, from 4th to 6th December, remains under consideration. Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica (15, 20, 1 ) Shetland Out Skerries, <3, 5th October (VV. E. Oddie, E. Tail) (fig. 9). (Southern Europe, Northwest Africa and Southwest Asia, also Iran) In view of its abundance in the Mediterranean, it seems surprising that the recent upsurge in rarity awareness has failed to reveal this species as anything other than an unpredictable and erratic visitor to these shores. Oddly enough, the last one to be seen here was also on the Out Skerries, from 22nd to 26th September 1981 (Brit. Birds 75: 517). Fig. 9. Male Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica. Shetland. October 1983 (IF. E. Oddie ) 550 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis (6, 8, 2) Hertfordshire Graveley, 6 , 8th May (G. Brackenbury, P. Walton et a/.). Kent Minster, 6 , 5th February to at least 1st April (A. Ellis, YV. J. Hewitt, D. M. Wilson et at.) {Bril. Birds 76: plate 74). (Central and southern Eurasia) Of the previous 16, 14 were in the period 8th May to 30th June, the only exceptions being on Fair Isle, Shetland, in November 1931 and October 1936. The Kent bird was, therefore, out on a limb. Enquiries into the escape possibility are still in progress, but, looking at it realistically, it seems unlikely that any firm conclusions will ever be drawn; see page 571 for letter concerning this individual. The Hertfordshire bird, on the other hand, was far more typical and was, by coincidence, only 20 km from the site of the first British record at Therfield, Hertfordshire, on 19th May 1843. Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus (1,7,1) Scilly St Mary’s, adult, 17th to 19th October (D. Armstrong et at.) (plate 221). (North America) The first British record was in May, but the remainder have all turned up between 14th and 27th October. This particular bird gorged itself on the berries of what was apparently a commonly planted self-sowing New Zealand shrub called Coprosma repens (P. Bowman per M. J. Rogers). Grey-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus ( 1 , 15, 1 ) Scilly St Mary’s, first-winter, 13th to 19th October (J. G. Holer/ at.). (North America and Northeast Siberia) Unlike the obliging Swain- son’s Thrush C. ustulatus ]\\si around the corner, this bird was a real skulker, grovelling around the bottom of two large willow clumps in a manner befitting a Locustella; one observer put in 15 hours to get a ‘tickable’ view. All 17 British records have now been between 5th October and 26th November. Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obscurus (0, 6, 0) 1981 Humberside Aldborough, 16th to 23rd April (A. J. Johnson et at.). (Siberia and eastern Asia to Japan) There was another 1981 record, at Newburgh, Grampian, on 27th May {Brit. Birds 75: 517), as well as one in Norway on 3rd October {Brit. Birds 76: 569). Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni (1,5, 1 ) Cornwall Goombe Valley, Bude, 13th November (F. H. C. Kendall, G. P. Sutton). (Northern and central Siberia) Three of the previous six were in Shetland and this was the first to be seen in southern England. There was also a singing male in Finland in May 1983 {Brit. Birds 77: 240). American Robin Turdus migratorius (11, 15, 1) (North America) One in Ireland, at Edenberry, Co. Offaly, from 8th June to the end of July. Although there are four previous April or May records, this was the first to be seen in midsummer. Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 551 Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola (3, 3, 1 ) Shetland ( )ut Skerries, juvenile, trapped 4th and 8di October (V\ . E. Oddie. 1. S. Robertson, E. Fait el at.). (Western Siberia and Central Asia to Japan) The first record was at, of all places, the Rockabill Lighthouse, Dublin, on 28th September 1908. Apart from one in Norfolk in 1976 [Brit. Birds 72: 535), all the others have turned up on Fair Isle, Shetland, between 20th September and 8th October, so the above bird, apart Irom choosing the wrong island, fitted in well with the established pattern. Savi’s Warbler L ocustella luscinioides (many, 386, — ) 1978 Cambridgeshire Ouse Washes, 6, 19th June to 17th July (G. A. Carson, C. Denby. L. Street). 1980 Cambridgeshire Wicken Fen, 6 6 , 12th April to at least 26th July; another, 6th to at least 26th July (T.J. Bennett, 1). Palmer, R. C. Newell). (Europe, West and Central Asia and Northwest Africa). Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola (47, 562, — ) 1980 Hampshire Farlington Marsh, trapped, 23rd August (K. R. Grant. P. M. & W A. Potts). (East Europe and LJrals) This latecomer brings the 1980 total to 20. Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola (2, 6, 1 ) Scilly St Mary’s, 26th to at least 27th September (I). Gibbs. K. Hardv . T.J. Wilson el at.). (South Russia and Asia) This elusive bird was the fourth in the last three years and the second-ever for Scilly. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum (9, 3, 0) 1979 Orkney Holm, trapped 5th and 13th October (A. D. K. Ramsay). (Northeast Europe, across Asia to Mongolia) Six or seven of the previous records were on Fair Isle between 1910 and 1928. There can be little doubt, however, that identification problems have clouded its true status here. The above bird, being trapped, was spared the controversy associated w ith other recent claims. Hopefully, the clouds surrounding this species will begin to disappear following the publication of the paper by W. G. Harvey and R. F. Porter (Brit. Birds 77: 393-41 1). Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata (1, 16, 0) 1980 Dorset Portland, 22nd to 23rd September, trapped 23rd; previously accepted as Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bone/li (Brit. Birds 74: 487). 1982 Norfolk Titchwell, 18th to 21st September (G. E. Dunmorc, S. C. Joyner, K. B. Shepherd el at.). (Northwest Russia, east to Mongolia and south to Iran) The above records resurrected a problem that first surfaced on St Agnes, Scilly, in 1971 ( Brit. Birds 65: 209-210): that of separating Booted Warbler from a worn Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bone/li. Ev en though trapped by experienced observers, the Portland bird was initially considered to be a Bonelli’s and, to make matters worse, it was subsequently accepted as such by the Rarities Committee! The true identification came to light after examination of the photographs. This embarrassing episode raises three relevant points: ( 1) it 552 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 can often be difficult to identify nondescript birds in the hand, when it may be impossible to evaluate the subtleties of shape, colour and associated characters such as behaviour; (2) it can be very difficult for the Committee to judge in-the-hand descriptions which, by their very nature, fail to convey the bird’s ‘jizz’, and (3) photographic evidence should always be submitted when available. Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans ( 1 2, 96, 11) Cleveland South Gare, 8, 30th September (A. Cruikshanks el at.). Gwynedd Bardsey, first-summer 3, trapped, 4th June (K. Sanderson, M. P. Sutherland, J. Wood). Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, 9 , trapped 7 th and 14th May (P. R. Boyer, R. Lamberts a/.). Orkney South Ronaldsay, 9 , 7th to at least 9th May, trapped 7th (J. & Mrs R. McCutcheon et at.). Scilly St Mary’s, 9, 22nd to 24th May (R. J. Fairbank et at.). St Agnes, 9 9 or immatures, 24th September to at least 11th October (S.J. Broyd, B. Stewart, M. Wilson el at.); at least 1 1th to 13th October (J. M. Dale, H. G. Laidlaw). Shetland Fair Isle, 8, 13th to 15th June (N.J. Riddiford, D. Suddaby et at.). Norwich, Unst, 3, 13th to at least 20th August, trapped 14th (J. N. Dymond, G. Gray, M. Sinclair et at.). Tyne & Wear Prior’s Park, d, trapped, 20th May (A. Belshaw, Miss A. Carruthers et at.). 1981 Scilly St Agnes, d, 7th to 8th May (M. A. Hallett et at.). (South Europe, west Turkey and Northwest Africa) Also, a female at Hook Head, Co. Wexford, on 8th and 9th May. About one-fifth of all records since 1958 have been in autumn (August to November), but this year’s mini-influx into Scilly was particularly notable (an additional record from St Mary’s is still under consideration). Assuming the acceptance of this late individual, this year’s total beats the previous 1979 record. Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis (2, 4, 0) 1982 Grampian Seaton Park, Aberdeen, trapped, 10th October (R. Duncan). (South Europe, east to Turkestan, and Northwest Africa) Like the Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica, this is another widespread Mediterranean migrant that remains inexplicably rare in this country. Four of the six so far accepted have been between 20th September and 22nd October. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides (13, 137, 7) Essex Bradwell-on-Sea, in song, 31st May to at least 1st June (E. Jackson, G. Smith, D. WagstafTe el at.). Lothian Barn’s Ness, 2 1st to 25th August (A. Brown, J. Buchanan, G. McGuigan et at.). Norfolk Near Waxham, first-winter, 10th to 12th August (P. R. Allard, S. J. M. Gantlett et at.). Holkham Meals, first-winter, 25th to 27th August (S.J. M. Gantlett et at.). Shetland Fetlar, first-winter 9 , 22nd to 26th August, trapped 22nd (J. N. Dymond et at.). Out Skerries, 3rd to 4th September, trapped 3rd (E. & Mrs M. Tait). (Eurasia, east from northern Germany) Also, one on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, from 9th to 15th September. Although there are a dozen June records since 1958, the Essex bird was only the third in May. With many old records still under review, any attempt at analysis is perhaps premature, but the second half of August is obviously proving to be the best time to see a genuine Greenish. 553 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis ( 19, 106, 3) Orkney Holm, trapped, 9th September (J. & Mrs R. McCutcheon, E. R. Meek el at.). Scilly Tresco, 25th to 2bth September (C. S. Balchin, F. 1. Holt, B. Reed el at.). Shetland l air Isle, 12th to 15th September (A. Dodd, N. J. Riddilord el at.). (North Fenno-Scandia east to Alaska) A typical year. Of the 109 recorded since 1958, nearly one-third have been on Fair Isle. Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus (3, 302, 8) Fife Isle of May, trapped, 14th November (K. Brockie, D. M. Pullan). Gwynedd Bardsey, 25th to 26th October, trapped 25th. released 26th (J. Hawkins, A. G. B. Henderson, N. J. Phillips el at.). Kent Sandwich Bay, trapped, 30th October (J. H. van der Dol). Dungeness, 30th to 31st October, trapped 30th (S. McMinn, K. Osborne, E. M. Raynor). Chile. 4th November (B. A. bags). Scilly St Mary’s, 23rd to 24th October (B. R. Field, C. 1). R. Heard elal.). Sussex, East Beachy Head, 6th to 8th November (R.J. Eairbank, M. Kenefiek el at. ). Tyne & Wear Whitley Bay, 8th October (W. G. Savage). 1982 Cornwall Porthgwarra, trapped, 23rd October (BTO Ringing Oflice, B.C. Forrester el at.). 1982 Cumbria South Walney, two, 13th October ( 1 . Dean, E. Sanderson el a/.). 1982 Fife Fife Ness, two trapped, 1 1 th October (Brit, Birds 76: 516); locality was Isle of May. 1982 Grampian Drums, 17th October (Aberdeen University Bird Club). 1982 Orkney North Ronaldsay, two, one trapped, 11th October (Dr K. E. & Mrs 11. Woodbridge). Rack Wick, Westray, 15th October (Bril. Birds 76: 516); locality is on Hoy. 1982 Yorkshire, North Filey Brigg, 10th October (H.J. Whitehead). Scarborough, 11th October (C. Hopper, M. Marshall, M. D. Williams). (Central, Fast and Southeast Asia) The eight additional records for 1982 bring that year’s total to a mind-boggling 124. By comparison, the eight recorded in 1983 (the poorest total since 1978) represents an abrupt return to normality. Even so, it seems pertinent to recall that, only 20 years ago, an influx of six was described in this report as 'quite extraordinary' (Brit. Birds 57: 275). How times have changed! A paper on the 1982 influx is in preparation for publication in British Birds shortly. Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi ( 1 . 43, 0) 1982 Fife Isle of May, trapped but not ringed, 7th October (G. L. A. Patrick). 1982 Norfolk Holkham Meals, 1st to 6th November (J. B. K.cmp el a/.), omitted in error from previous report. 1982 Northumberland Holy Island. 8th October (M. Marquiss). (Central and East Asia) These three extra records bring the 1982 total to 14, nearly three times the previous peak. Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus (1, 37, 1) Kent Sandwich Bay, trapped. 22nd November (D. Beadle, I. D. Hunter, J. H. van der Dol). (Central and Northeast to Southeast Asia) Additional records from Kent and the Channel Islands are still under consideration. Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonel/i (3, 73. 3) Cornwall St just, 30th September to 4th October (S. G. Hutchings, L. P. Williams el at.). Scilly St Mary ’s, 1st to 4th October (D. R. Bishop. P. D. Hyde etal.). 1980 Dorset Portland, 22nd to 23rd September, trapped 23rd (Brit. Birds 74: 487), now accepted as Booted Warbler Hippnlais catigala. 554 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 (Central, West and South Europe, Levant, and Northwest Africa) Also, one at Hook Head, Co. Wexford, on 27th and 28th August. The one at Brownstown Head, mentioned in last year’s report (Brit. Birds 76: 518), was in Co. Waterford, not Co. Wexford. A fairly typical showing. Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus (0, 6, 1 ) Northamptonshire Ditchford Gravel-pits, 22nd October (N. M. Butler, S. P. Fisher). (Scattered from Western Europe east to Manchuria) Three late autumn records from Kent are still in circulation. By 1 1th November, there were apparently 100 on the Atlantic seaboard of Brittany, where there are usually less than ten (P. Yesou per M. J. Rogers); also, it was removed from the Dutch rarities list in 1982, when 26 were recorded ( Dutch Birding 6: 49-50). The spread continues. Lesser Grey Shrike Lanins minor (32, 88, 1 ) Cornwall Portscatho, first-winter, 5th to 10th September (S. C. Madge, B. Rundle et at.). (South and East Europe and Southwest Asia) A below-average year by recent standards. Of the 30 autumn records since 1958, 12 have been in Scotland and 1 1 on the east coast of England, with only two in Southwest England (including the above). Could this suggest that, like the autumn Rollers Coracias garrulus already discussed (page 540), most of our autumn Lesser Grey Shrikes also come from the east, rather than from the south? Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator ( 101, 337, 20) Cornwall Sennen, 12th to 13th May (B. King, M. P. Semmcns, MrsT. Tibbie et at.). Devon Stjudes, Plymouth, 7th to 13th May (R. M. Bellinger, R. A. Harrop). Lundy, 19th to 22nd May (Cl. C. Baillee, T. R. Cleeves et at.) (fig. 10). Berry Head, 26th to 3 1st May (D. \V. & M rs M. J. Lightstone). Dorset Portland, 18th May (G. Walbridge, D. Walker, M. Watts et at.). Wvke Regis, juvenile, 28th August (I.J. & P. G. Webb). Glamorgan, West Llanmadoc, Gower, 17th May (S. R. Howe). Gwent Peterstone Wentloog, juvenile, 1st October to at least 8th November (C. Hurford, M. C. & N. M. Powell, R. G. Smith et at.) (Brit. Birds 77: plate 20). Humberside Near Patrington, 15th to 16th May (J. Metcalfe et at.). Scilly Bryher, two, 3rd to 8th May; another, 6th to 8th (S. M. Whitehouse et at.). St Mary’s, juvenile, 24th September to 5th October ( P. D. Hyde, J. H. W. Ridley et at.). Sussex, West Selsey Bill, juvenile, 6th to 7th September (C. R. Janman, C. M. & Mrs B. James, O. Mitchell et at.). Tyne & Wear Marsden, juvenile, 8th to 12th September, trapped 1 1 th (P. T. Bell, T. I . Mills etal.) (plates 232 & 233). 1981 Kent See below . 1982 Kent Dungeness, 7th to 8th June (Brit. Birds 76: 520), was in 1981 and first-named observer was S. W. Gale, not as shown. (West, Central and South Europe, Southwest Asia and North Africa) Also, up to two on Great Saltee Island, Co. Wexford, from 7th to 28th May; up to two at Hook Head, Co. Wexford, from 7th to 9th May; one at Knockadoon Head, Co. Cork, on 22nd May. A notable May influx. Rose-coloured Starling Sturms roseus (160, 122, 9) Fife Isle of May, adult, 2nd June (Dr M. P. Harris et at.). Lincolnshire Market Deeping, adult, mid january to 8th March (D. Hursthouse, Mrs B. M. Medley et at.). Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 r r r 555 232 8c 233. juvenile Woodehat Shrike Lanins senator moulting to first-winter, Tvne & Wear. September 1983 (T. I. Mills) wu-iJ*. -b~eo t »/it bill • Ml N \ rout, (jibs s- ij . , f‘l'U o\ K~t • eWi*/ Un to “S* X> VA3-. v*- i~e <*• ^ _ U'U tl'C' k^L. Co^f>'CUJM-i v;,; tf UKduAtJn*A . 1 . I- . J,-./ Fig. 10. Woodehat Shrike Lanius senator. Devon (Lundy), May 1983 ( 7 R. Cleeves) 556 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 Norfolk H ickling area, adult, 12th June (A. Botwright, R. H. Chittenden et at.). Blakeney Point, juvenile, 22nd August (J. Dobson, E. M. Raynor). Scilly St Mary’s, juveniles, 11th September (M. Dawson, A. Sillett et at.) to at least 19th October, two, 1st to 8th (P. Aley, C. D. R. Heard et at.). Shetland Whalsay, adult, lOthJune (Dr B. Marshall, Mr & Mrs J. Stewart). Baliasta, Unst, adult, 14th to 20th June (P. H. Bristow, J. N. Dymond etal.). Sussex, West Hassocks, adult, 22nd July (P. A., Mrs B. W. & Miss G. C. Gill). 1982 Orkney \V yre, adult, 31st August to at least 7th September (Brit. Birds 76: 521), first observer was D. Gotts. (Southeast Europe and Southwest Asia) In Ireland, a late 1982 record of a first-winter at Portavogie, Co. Down, from 27th November into December. Autumn juveniles have been annual and very much taken for granted on Scilly since 1977. The Norfolk juvenile was particularly early, although there is a previous August record on Fair Isle: 23rd to 25th August 1968 (Brit. Birds 62:485). Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus (1, 18, 2) Cornwall Trevose Head, first-winter, 10th October (S. M. Christophers, A. B. Rosier). Scilly Tresco, first-winter, 12th to 13th October (P. Bawden, L. G. R. Evans, J. Herbert et at.). (North America) Over half the total have now occurred since 1980. The first records for France and for Malta were both in October 1983 (Brit. Birds 77: 242). Two-barred Crossbill Loxia leucoptera (40, 23, 1) Derbyshire/Yorkshire, South Howden Reservoir area, d, 9th to 10th January, 13th and 27th February (D. Herringshaw, D. Hursthouse et at.). (Northwest Europe, North-central Asia, northern North America and W est Indies) Observers of crossbills with white wing-bars are advised to consult Dutch Birding 2: 33-35, where a note by Arnoud van den Berg and Han Blankert states that Crossbill L. curvirostra can show prominent whitish wing-bars and tertial edgings, that Two-barred can be identical in colour to Crossbill, that Two-barred Crossbill and Crossbill are the same size, and that the size and shape of the bill of the two species strongly overlap. (The North American race of Two-barred L. 1. leucoptera is, however, smaller, with a smaller, finer bill.) Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus (10, 1 6 1 , 45) Derby shire/South Yorkshire Howden Reservoir, up to 25, 30th October to at least 31st December 1982 (Brit. Birds 76: 522); ten 66. 1 1 $ 9, four immatures to 10th January; nine 6 6 , eight 9 9 , three immatures to 3rd February, then fewer; last, 6 , 13th (D. Hursthouse et at.). Durham See 1982 Durham below. Norfolk Holkham Meals, seven, probably four 6 6 , two 9 9 , one immature d, 26th October to at least 20th November, at least a pair remaining to 1984 (J. B. Kemp et at.). Yorkshire, North Winksley, up to 12: three d d, nine 9 9 or immatures, 29th January to 24th February (G. T. Foggitt, J. R. Mather, C. Slator). Yorkshire, South Hollingdale Plantation, 12, 30th October to 6th December 1982 (Brit. Birds 76: 523); eight d d, four 9 9 to 10th January; two d d, two 9 9 to 13th February (1). Hursthouse et at.). Langsett, maximum 1 1: at least two 6 d, two 9 9, 23rd February to 7th May (J. F. Dale, I). Hursthouse et at.), possibly same as Howden Reservoir individuals, Derbyshire/South Yorkshire above. 1962 Western Isles Lewis, 4th ( )ctober (per W. A. J. Cunningham) (Brit. Birds 57: 477). 557 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 1963 Lincolnshire Hartsholme, 6 . dead, 16th January; six. 19th; nine. 26th; three or four. February; 9 . dead, 1 7th March; another $ , injured, mid March; at least one pair to end Ma\ ( k. Atkin, P. Prince, A. 1). Townsend el at.) (Bril. Birds 57: 518-519). 1963 Shetland 1-air Isle, two, one trapped, 20th March (Bril. Birds 57: 479). 1963 Surrey Near Wisley, 9, trapped, 15th Ma\ (Bril. Birds 57: 497). 1966 Norfolk Wells, <3, 10th to 12th November (per M. J. Seago). 1975 Shetland Grutness, 6. killed by cat. 22nd October (D. Coutts). 1982 Durham Hamsteriey Forest. 9. 28th December to 2nd January 1983; 3. 2nd Jarman 1983 ( Dr C. Bradshaw el at.). 1982 Highland Wick, immature 3. trapped, 17th October (H. Clark). 1982 Lincolnshire Ingoldmells, immature 3, moribund, 12th October (R. Lambert). 1982 Shetland Yoe, 9 . 18th October (Bril. Birds 76: .522). was on 19th. (Northern Europe, from Norway east to Russia and south to Estonia) I he old records bring the total for the 1962/63 invasion to 76, with subsequent records of one in 1966 and three in 1975. The total for 1982/83 rises to 126, culminating in the widely publicised breeding in Norfolk in 1984. Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus ervthnnus (200 + . 667, — ) 1982 Highland Locality withheld, pair at nest, 20th and 23rd June; two voting, two unhatched eggs, 4th July (M. J. Cowlard, J. R. Mullins) (Bril. Birds 77: 133-135). 1982 Orkney North Ronaldsay, 9 9 or immatures. trapped. 26th May; 11th September: two, 24lh September (Dr K. F. \\ oodbridge). 1982 Scilly Fresco, 9 or immature, 21st to 24th C )ctobcr (C. \\ Murpln . 1). J. ( )dell. M S. Peck el at. ) . (East Europe and across Asia to the Himalayas) These latecomers bring the 1982 total to 50 (the fourth-highest on record) and include the first-ever breeding occurrence, hopefully the harbinger of a more con- solidated colonisation. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia (1,6, 1 ) Cornwall The Lizard, first-year. 24th September (Dr G. W. Davis). (North America) The above observer must have some kind of magnetic attraction for this species. Last year he was brought a dead one in a box (Brit. Birds 76: 524), this year he went out and found one for himself! It is proving to be rather an early transatlantic vagrant: this is the fourth to occur in September. Parula Warbler Panda americana (0, 3, 3) Scilly Fresco, first-winter. 1st October (R H. Chittenden. T. J. Wilson el at.). St Agnes, first-winter, 10th to 13th October (T. & Mrs E. R. Graven, R. A. Kempster el at.). (North America) Ireland had its first in 1983: a first-winter male at Firkeel, Co. Cork, from 19th to 24th October. The three previous records occurred in consecutive years from 1966 to 1968. so the occurrence of three in one year is quite remarkable. There were apparently some big falls of this species along the eastern seaboard of North America around the same time. Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata ( 1 , 8, 2) (North America) Ireland had its third and fourth in 1983: two immatures on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 10th October, with one remaining until 19th (plate 222). All four Irish records have been on Cape Clear Island. 558 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata (0, 17, 1) Scilly Bryher, first-winter, 22nd to 23rd October (P. F. Fawkes, P. J. Grant et a/.); same, Tresco, 25th to 2nd November (F R. Machin et at.). (North America) The thirteenth for Scilly and a typical date. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla (0, 4, 1 ) Cornwall St Just, first-winter 8 , 13th to 24th October (B. Gave, B. C. Forrester, S. C. Hutchings et at.) (Brit. Birds 77: plates 18 & 19). (North America) Like the Parula Warblers Paruta americana, the first records occurred in the late 1960s, but there have now been three in the last two years. Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis (0, 3, 1) (North America) Ireland had its first in 1983: one on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, on 10th and 1 1 th September. The previous three were on Scilly in 1958, 1968 and 1982; this was the earliest by 19 days. White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis ( 1 , 11, 1 ) Humberside Spurn, trapped, 12th May (B. R. Spence <4 at.). (North America) The first since 1 978. Of the previous 1 2, eight were in spring, with five in May. Slate-coloured Junco Junco hyemalis ( 1, 8, 3) Cornwall The Lizard, 8, 27th May (P. Wills). Dorset Christchurch, 8, 20th May (DrJ. D. & MrsG. H. Scott). Somerset Langford Budville, 8, 21st May (Mr & Mrs F. H. Hanson, J. Oakshatt per G. H. E. Young). (North America) A remarkable influx, and all in back gardens! The dates were typical: all but one of the previous nine were in spring. These were the first since 1977. Rustic Bunting Emberiga rustica (34, 124, 3) Kent Northward Hill, 8, 2nd June (R. C. Murfitt). Dungeness, immature 8, 19th to 20th October, trapped 19th (S. W. Gale, S. McMinn, K. Osborn). Shetland Out Skerries, 8, 27th to 31st May (W. E. Oddie, E. Tait) (plate 234). (Northeast Europe across to North Asia) The first Kent bird was unusual as the vast majority of spring records have been on remote northern islands. Otherwise, a below-average year by recent standards. 234. Male Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica, Shetland, May 1983 (IT. E. Oddie) Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 559 Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla (94, 200, 9) Cleveland Hartlepool, 30th September to 1st October (G. Iceton el at.). Cornwall Skewjack, 30th April to 8th May (H. P. K. Robinson el at.). Greater Manchester Adswood 1 ip, 6 , 24th April to 3rd May. trapped 24th (G. Lightfoot, M. Passant, A. Roberts el at.). Merseyside Heswall, 23rd January to 2nd April, trapped 23rd January (R. A. Eades, C. M. Poole, A. Samuels el at.). Norfolk Blakeney Point, 6th November (S. C. Joyner. N. Williams). Scilly St Mary s, 26th October to 4th November (A. Davison, P. J. Grant. J. P. Shaughnessv el at.). Shetland l air Isle, 21st to 22nd October (Mrs A. Gils-Simons. N.J. & Mrs E. A. Riddiford el at.). At sea Sea area Forties, Occidental Oil Rig Piper A, 58° 28' N 00° 15' E. about 220 km northeast of Aberdeen, 5th May (R. A. Schofield). (Northeast Europe and North Asia) Two in Ireland, on Great Saltee Island, Co. Wexford, on 7th and 8th May, and on Dursey Island, Co. Cork, on 22nd and 23rd October. The Merseyside individual was the sixth winter record since 1976. The Greater Manchester bird should serve as an example to us all of what can be discovered by the relentless flogging of a local patch, no matter how depressing. Adswood l ip is a large council rubbish tip on the outskirts of Manchester, but is visited by Geoff Lightfoot about 300 times a year. His previous discoveries include Great Grey Shrike Lanins excubitor and Yellow-browed W arbler Pbvlloscopus inornatus. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola (10, 92, 9) Northumberland Inner Fame, 9 or immature, 1st September (J. Haw el at.). Shetland F air Isle, three, perhaps five 9 9 or immatures: 1st September (J. F. Holloway); possibly same, 3rd to 12th (J. M. Dickson, N.J. Riddiford el at.); 9th (N.J. Riddiford, D. Suddaby el at.); 13th to 16th (J. F. Holloway, N. J. Riddiford el at ); possibly another. 16th (J. C. Gregory). Fetlar, 9 or immature, 17th September (J. N. Dymond). Whalsav, 9 or immature, 18th September (Dr B. Marshall). (Northeast Europe across North Asia) An immature was also seen on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, from 1 1th to 20th September, the third Irish record. Of the 1 1 1 now recorded in Britain and Ireland, 76 have been in Shetland, with 59 of these on Fair Isle, where it has been annual since Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala (4, 49, 1 ) Kent Dungeness, 6. 14th May (K. Colcombe. N. R. Davis, C. Goodfellow el at.) (fig. II). (Southeast Europe and south- west Asia) The fourth consecutive year that has failed to produce more than a single record. Could this be connected in any way with a pos- sible reduction in the exportation of cage birds from India? It will be interesting to see if the trend con- tinues. Fig. 11. Male Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala. Kent, May 1983 (Keith Colcombe) 560 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus (1,8,5) Gwynedd Bardsey, first-winter 8 , trapped, 14th October (N. J. Phillips, J. E. Wood). Scilly St Agnes, first-winter 8, 10th to 19th October, taken by cat, 19th (A. Hayden, Miss L. M. Pyke, D. N. Smith et at.). Western Isles Newton, South L ist, first-winter 8, 7th to 8th October, died in care 8th (I. Macaskill, C. H. Pickup, Mrs B. Wake). (North America) Ireland had its fourth and fifth in 1983: single first-winter males at Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, from 9th to 15th October (plate 225), and at Firkeel, Co. Cork, on 19th and 20th October. Apart from two on St Mary’s in October 1976 (Brit. Birds 70: 443) this is the first multiple arrival here and, oddly enough, all first-winter males. Having given so much pleasure to so many people, it was a pity that the St Agnes individual should have met with such an ignominious end. Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus (0, 9, 1) Scilly St Mary’s, 22nd September to 4th October (D. B. Hunt, M. J. Rogers et at.)', possibly another, 8th to 14th October (C. D. R. Heard, C. Johnson, E. P. Mulford et at.) (Brit. Birds 77: plates 16 & 226). (North America) The fourth to occur here in the last five years, but none could have been quite so obliging as this year’s individual, which spent the latter half of its stay in the middle of Hugh Town, where it did its best to blend in with the local flock of House Sparrows Passer domesticus. There was some difference of opinion as to whether one or two individuals were involved, but hours of agonising over the plethora of photographs failed to produce any consistent differences. Not only did the lists of differences fail to match, but different photographs of the same individual often showed more differences than different photographs of the alleged ‘different’ individuals (if you see what I mean). Northern Oriole Icterus galbula (0, 13, 1) Scilly St Agnes, $ or immature, 23rd September to 4th October (N. Emsden, B. Reed et at.) (plate 227).' (North America) The first since 1974. It may be more than coinci- dental that the two best Northern Oriole years, 1967 (four) and 1968 (three), also, like 1983, produced records of American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla and Parula Warbler Parula arnericana. A total of 26 American landbirds, of 16 species, is noted in this report, making it the second-best-ever year, just pipped by 1982 (a number of other records from both years are, however, still under consideration by the Rarities Committee or the BOU Records Committee). Appendix 1. Lists of records not accepted 1983 Black-browed Albatross Hythe, Kent, 15th January; Portland, Dorset, 19th September. Little Shearwater Trevose Head, Cornwall, 23rd July; St Ives, Cornwall, 1 1th September. Madeiran Petrel St Ives, Cornwall, 26th December. Night Heron Bere Ferrers, Devon 3rd February. Great White Egret Bramcote, Nottinghamshire, 31st October. Lesser White- fronted Goose Atwick, Humberside, 8th March. American Wigeon St Abb’s, Borders, 15th October. Surf Scoter Hove, East Sussex, 10th April; Aberlady/Gullane, Lothian, 16th 561 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 October. Lesser Kestrel Cuckfield, W est Sussex, 3rd July. Red-footed Falcon New Forest. Hampshire, 11th June; Orpington, Kent, 17th June. Eleonora’s Falcon Gorran Haven. Cornwall, 27th September. Gyrfalcon Pentire Point, Cornwall, 1st March; St Just, Cornwall. 27th October. Little Crake Locality withheld, Nottinghamshire, 4th to 7th July; Fawley. Hampshire, 3rd & 6th November. Crane Great Hallingbury, Essex, 16th June; Citv of London, 20th October; Holme, Norfolk, two, 29th October. Sociable Plover Salthouse, Norfolk, 1 1th May. Lesser Golden Plover Grune Point, Cumbria, 6th September; Point of Air, Clwyd, 26th October. White-rumped Sandpiper Lechladc, Gloucestershire, 19th to 2 1st April. Baird’s Sandpiper Hayle, Cornwall. 28th September. Broad-billed Sandpiper Purton, Gloucestershire, 17th October. Great Snipe Martham Ferry. Norfolk, 22nd March; forties Delta Oil Platform, North Sea, 9th September; Great Dumford, Wiltshire, 19th December. Dowitcher Powderham Park. Devon, 13th November. Upland Sandpiper Fresco, St illy, 3rd November. Spotted Sandpiper Aber. Gwynedd, 26th November. Wilson’s Phalarope Pett Pools, Fast Sussex, 1 2th September. Laughing Gull Hilbre, Merseyside, 19th March; Fairburn lugs, North/W’est Yorkshire, 3rd May Bonaparte's Gull Donna Nook, Lincolnshire, 2nd February; Seaton Snook. Cleveland, 29th July; Tarbat Ness, Highland, 11th September. Ring-billed Gull Millbrook Greek, Cornwall, 16th January: Slapton Ley, Devon, 6th February; Marshside Marsh, Merseyside, 22nd March to 30th April; Drift Reservoir, Cornwall, 9th April; Rhymnev Estuary, South Glamorgan, 22nd & 29th April; Netley, Hampshire, 28th April; Scaling Dam Reservoir, ( Cleveland. 13th August; South Gate, Cleveland, 20th August. Ross’s Gull Hopes Nose, Devon, 22nd October. Ivory Gull Hopes Nose, Devon, 24th April. Gull-billed Tern Rye, Fast Sussex, 21st August; Dunster, Somerset, 28th August; Trevose Head, Cornwall, 1st October; Morecambe, Lancashire, 16th October. Caspian Tern Donna Nook, Lincolnshire, two, 30th July. Lesser Crested Tern Chichester Gravel-pits, West Sussex, 18th September. Whiskered Tern St Martin's. Scilly. 5th May. White-winged Black Tern Titchwcll, Norfolk, 1 1th August; G rowdy Reservoir, Cornwall, 23rd August; Pennington Marsh, Hampshire. 22nd September; Stanford Reservoir, Leicestershire/Northamptonshire, 9th October. Briinnich’s Guillemot Bluemill Sound, Shetland, 5th April. Rufous Turtle Dove St Ives, Cornwall, 15th May. Black-billed Cuckoo Kingsbridge, Devon, 2nd September. Great Spotted Cuckoo Finham. Coventry , W est Midlands, 3rd to 6th October. Alpine Swift Saltburn, Cleveland, 26th June Bee-eater Riddings Park, Derbyshire, 14th June. Roller Latchford, Cheshire, 22nd May . Short-toed Lark Minsmere, Suffolk. 21st July. Crested Lark Cardiff. South Glamorgan. 21st April. Red-rumped Swallow Fresco, Scilly, 7th May; Allithwaite, Cumbria, 9th September. Red- throated Pipit Frodsham. Cheshire, 16th April; Brean Down. Somerset, 6th November. Red-flanked Bluetail Isle of May , Fife, 24th to 25th May. Black-eared Wheatear Studland. Dorset, 30th April; Bideford, Devon, four, 1st May. Rock Thrush Stony Middleton, Derbyshire, 3 1st July. Orphean Warbler Holy port. Berkshire, 23rd July . Greenish Warbler Sandwich Bay, Kent. 23rd September. Pallas’s Warbler Wey bridge. Surrey. 8th February ; Portland, Dorset, 22nd October. Dusky Warbler Point of Air, Clwyd, 14th November. Penduline Tit Hornsea, Humberside, 16th May. Lesser Grey Shrike Bixter. Shetland. 3rd November. Siberian Jay Newport. Shropshire, 17th December. Nutcracker Bexhill-on-Sea. East Sussex, 12, 2nd October; W inchcombe. Gloucestershire. 4th November. Arctic Redpoll Chester-le-Street, Tyne & Wear. 8th January . Parrot Crossbill Beaudesert Old Park, Staffordshire, 17th February; Chopwell Woods, Northumberland. 24th February; Barmston. Tyne & Wear, 24th March; Brown Glee. Shropshire, two, 7th April. Rustic Bunting Isle of May, Fife, 4th October. Little Bunting Spurn. Humberside. 2nd May; Fife Ness, Fife, 19th September; St Mary’s, Scilly . 8th October. 1982 White-billed Diver North Nesting, Shetland. 24th April. Black-browed Albatross Kings- bury Water Park. Warwickshire, 6th November. Cory’s Shearwater St Mary’s Sound. Scilly. 5th October. Night Heron Newport. Gwent, February. Blue-winged Teal North Ronaldsay , Orkney, 21st September. Red-footed Falcon Dungeness, Kent. 28th May. Baillon's Crake Sumburgh, Shetland. 9th November. Crane Weston-super-Mare, Avon, 27th June; Salford, Greater Manchester, 18. 10th December. Lesser Golden Plover Allenheads, Northumberland, 3rd April. Least Sandpiper Peterborough. Cambridgeshire, 24th October. White-rumped Sandpiper Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire, 4th September. 562 Rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 Baird's Sandpiper Howmore, South Uist, Western Isles, lstjuly. Broad-billed Sandpiper East Wretham, Norfolk, 5th to 7th August. Ring-billed Gull Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, 11th January; Bude, Cornwall, 26th January; Southampton Water, Hampshire, 2nd February; Chew Valley Lake, Avon, 16th February; Dyfi Estuary, Dyf'ed, 3rd to 4th May; Lerwick Harbour, Shetland, 29th August; Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire, 10th September; Pool of Yirkie, Shetland, 11th September; Spurn, Humberside, 12th September. Caspian Tern Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire, 4th June. Sooty Tern Slapton, Devon, 25th September; South Milton, Devon, 27th September. White-winged Black Tern Hutton/Clifton Marshes, Lancashire, 12th October. Alpine Swift Chipping Ongar, Essex, 29th June; Seabridge, Staffordshire, 27th September. Bee-eater Babbacombe Bay, Devon, 6th February. Aquatic Warbler Oxwich, West Glamorgan, 18th July. Greenish Warbler Donna Nook, Lincolnshire, 1 1 th October; Holkham Meals, Norfolk, 19th October. Pallas’s Warbler Locke Park, Cleveland, 9th November; Satterthwaite, Cumbria, two, 8th December. Radde’s Warbler Wells, Norfolk, 13th October. Dusky Warbler Isle of May, Fife, 7th October; Rye, East Sussex, 23rd October. Lesser Grey Shrike Lechlade, Gloucestershire, 13th June. Serin Easington, Humberside, 1st August; Thurlestone, Devon, 1 1 th September; Hook, Dyfed, 26th September; Fair Isle. Shetland, 30th September. Parrot Crossbill Leighton Reservoir, North Yorkshire, 17th October; Newton, North Lbst, Western Isles, 23rd & 30th October; Lindley Reservoir, North Yorkshire, two, 25th November & 2nd to 9th December. 1981 Blue-winged Teal Acton Bridge, Cheshire, 19th to 20th September. Lesser Golden Plover Stithians Reservoir, Cornwall, two, 24th October. Ring-billed Gull Pitsford Reservoir. Northamptonshire, 1st January; Troon, Strathclyde, 3rd October; Newquay, Cornwall, 4th October; St Mary’s, Scilly, 8th to 25th November & February 1982. Crag Martin Dungeness, Kent, 15th May. Tawny Pipit Beachy Head, East Sussex, two, 4th September; Portland, Dorset, 19th September. 1980 Eleonora’s Falcon Newshot Island, Inner Clyde, Strathclyde, 18thAugust. Baillon’s Crake Naburn, North Yorkshire, 24th August. Thrush Nightingale Minsmerc, Suffolk, 28th June. 1979 Crag Martin Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, 16th May. Eastern Black Redstart Flamborough Head, Humberside, 3rd October. River Warbler Rainham, Essex, 19th August. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Wells, Norfolk, 1 7th June. 1978 Night Heron Wheldrake Ings, North Yorkshire, 30th May. Lesser Yellowlegs Fladbury, Hereford & Worcester, 26th julv. 1968 Alpine Swift Barrow Gurney Reservoirs, Avon, then Somerset, 18th April. 1962 Olivaceous Warbler Selsey Bill, W est Sussex, 27th October. Michael J. Rogers, 195 Vicarage Road, Sunbury-on-Thames TW167TP pears ago... ‘If I read him correctly, Mr. F. Stubbs (antea, p. 155) seems to think that song is nothing more than the ebullition of superfluous energy. That is to say that it plays as much or as little part in the life of a bird as steam escaping into the air from the safety-valve of an overcharged boiler plays in regard to the economy of an engine. Mr. Kirkman boldly says, that a Robin “sings to please himself”. But do we in Nature see things running to waste in this spendthrift way?’ ‘I shall be obliged if you will permit me to point out that in his letter (p. 155), Mr. F. J. Stubbs has entirely misinterpreted my remarks on the above subject (page 121) by making it appear I formulated the view that the bird “sings to please himself” as an “alternative” to the one which makes its song an expression of sexual emotion. 1 made no such statement.’ (F. B. Kirkman) (Brit. Birds 3: 183-184; November 1909) Mystery photographs QC It is early November; the willows and hawthorns around the pond at the edge ol the wood are shedding their leaves, but enough remain to provide some concealment lor the birds that go there to drink and bathe. As we watch, a small bird moves cautiously down through one of the hawthorn bushes, its silhouette briefly seen through the remaining leav es, suggesting a finch or bunting. Eventually it drops down to the water’s edge to drink, and allows a good view. Although there are no other birds present for comparison, it appears small, perhaps smaller and certainly less plump than a House Sparrow Passer domesticus. It is dull, brownish and streaked, both above and below; the tail is noticeably forked. Apart from an off-white wing-bar, it has no obvious feature. The face is plain, though perhaps the forehead is darkish above an indistinct paler supercilium. It bathes; as it splashes, the tail is seen to be rather short and deeply forked, with neat pale fringes to all the feathers, showing it to be a finch rather than a bunting. (Of the buntings that superficially resemble our bird, only a Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra lacks white outer tail feathers, but that species’ larger size and bulky appearance, absence of wing-bar and different facial pattern quickly rule it out.) The mystery bird’s drab appearance strongly suggests that it is a bird of the year. Of the smaller finches, a number have immatures that we must consider: Serin Serinus sennas. Siskin Carduelis spinas. Linnet C. cannabina. Twite C. Jlavirostris and Redpoll C. fiammea. At least lack of obvious white along the primary fringes eliminates both Linnet and Twite. We are left with Redpoll, Siskin and Serin. A careful look shows that the forehead is darker (actually tinged dull red), though the black chin — hardly a ‘bib* — that is characteristic of adult Redpolls, seems to be missing. It also seems to lack the pale (yellow) patches at the base of the tail, eliminating Siskin, or on the rump, eliminating both Siskin and Serin. It must, therefore, be an immature Redpoll. No sooner have we reached this conclusion than the first bird is joined by a second, similar in size, but with slightly more uniform head and upper- parts. The most obvious difference, though, is the wide blackish margins to the more prominent (actually yellowish) wing-bar, which give a rather more contrasty appearance to the new arrival. Also, it has a pale (yellowish) patch at the base of the inner primaries, which the Redpoll lacks. Its underparts, too, are more contrasty, slightly paler, with more clearly defined darker streaks. Conveniently, it is a Siskin, whose timely arrival has enabled a direct comparison between the two species. I photographed the two birds shown here (plates 203, 235 & 236), which are both in immature plumage, more-or-less in the circumstances described above, within minutes of each other in Greater London in November 1981. Juvenile Redpolls have an autumn body moult by which they obtain their red forehead and black chin. In the British race C.f. cabaret, this is generally completed by the end of October, but one or two Redpolls that I photographed in November 1981 had, like this one, still not finished their moult. 563 564 Mystery photographs 235. Juvenile Redpoll Ca rduel is flam me a , Greater London, November 1981 (R.J. Chandler) 236. Juvenile Siskin Carduelis spinus. Greater London, November 1981 (R.J. Chandler) Two other plumage features, well seen in the photographs, are also worthy of note. Most juvenile finches have narrower, more pointed outer pairs of tail feathers than do adults. Redpolls can often he aged by this feature (Svcnsson 1975; Boddy 1982) and plate 238 shows an adult (with 565 Mystery photographs 238. Adult Redpoll Cardue/isjtanirnea. Greater London. November 1981 R. f. Chandler ) black bib and red 'poll') with noticeably more rounded tail feather-tips than the first-winter bird in plate 237. The Handbook (vol. 1, page 70) speaks ol the shorter tail of the Siskin being a distinguishing feature when mixed flocks of the two species are seen feeding in treetops. silhouetted against the sky. Plates 235 and 236 suggest that the slightly shorter wings of the Redpoll help to emphasise its rather longer tail. R. J. Chandler REFERENCES Bonny, M. 1981. Ageing and sex mg British Lesser Redpolls. Ringing and Migration 3: 196-202. Svensson, L. 1975. Identification Guide to European Passerines. Stockholm. 566 Mystery photographs Notes One Fulmar killing another At 10.34 gmt on 6th April 1982, at Linni Geo, Fair Isle, Shetland, I came across two Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis fighting in the sea at the base of a 30-rn cliff. I was about 100m away, but had a clear view. Although I did not see the start of the incident, the dry plumage of both birds suggested that they had only just engaged in it. When 1 first saw them, the eventual winner was gripping its adversary by the neck with its beak and attempting to use the weight of its body to submerge it. The loser at no time gained the upper hand, and its body plumage quickly became saturated. The dominant Fulmar released its grip four times in the ensuing minutes, but on each occasion regained a similar grip almost immediately. On the last occasion, the weaker individual hardly had strength to hold its head above water, and was never in a position either to flee or to gain dominance. At 10.52 hours it ceased to struggle, and at this point, no doubt, expired. The victor, however, did not release its neck-hold for another ten minutes. Immediately before and during the final ten minutes, it held the loser's head below water at all times; drowning was probably the direct cause ofdeath. At 1 1 .02 hours, the winner pattered across the water about 50m, but its waterlogged wings would not give it lift; for the following four minutes it sat on the sea, occasionally flapping its wings, which attracted first one and then another eight Fulmars which joined it on the water. At no time did it show any aggression to these. At 1 1 .06 hours, it became airborne and Hew out to sea. In recent years, dill breeding sites on Fair Isle have become fully occupied by Fulmars and there is considerable competition for available Notes 567 space, par ticularly in late* winter and early spring. I have frequently noticed clashes between Fulmars on ledge sites, both individuals sometimes toppling down the dill. On all previous occasions, however, contact between the two has ceased during the fall and both have flown away. Presumably, no release was made on this occasion. I his incident represents one act of violence that cannot be blamed oti the influence ol television. Nick Riddiford Fair Isle Bird Observatory , Fair Isle, Shetland Allopreening by Corncrakes On 7th July 1981, on the isle of Coll, Argyll, we observed from a stationary car at less than 10m a pair of Corncrakes Crex crex in short grass interspersed with taller clumps of common nettles Urtica dioica. The female was crouching rather nervously with her neck drawn in, while the male stood upright behind her, preening unconcernedly. On two occasions within ten minutes, the male preened the female by running his bill quickly from her forehead to her nape, gently nibbling at the feathers as he did so. Following the second preen, the male disappeared briefly, and returned with a small earthworm which was presented to and eaten by the female. After a further five minutes, during which both crakes stood motionless, they skulked offinto the undergrowth. M. W. Fraser and J. G. Fraser The Manse, Dirleton, East Lothian; The Roundhouse, Coll, Argyll BWP mentions courtship-feeding for this species, but not allopreening. Eds Turnstone attempting to rob House Sparrow On 23rd September 1981, near Hugh Town, Isles ofScilly, we observed a Turnstone A renaria interpres pursuing a House Sparrow Passer domesticus over a rocky corner of the beach. The sparrow, carrying a large piece of bread, made short flights from rock to rock; the wader followed 1-2 m behind for about two minutes, before the sparrow flew off, still carrying the bread. A. R. Collins and R. D. Thomas 95 Long Lane, Attenborough, Nottinghamshire Black-headed Gulls feeding after passage of hovercraft On 28th July 1981, at Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate, Kent, I was watching gulls and waders feeding on the mudflats in front of the hoverport. About 2.000 Black-headed Gulls Lams ridibundus were feeding mainly along the water's edge, about 600 m away. As I watched, a hovercraft came off the sea and across the mud to the docking area. Gulls moved out of its path, but, as soon as it had passed, they settled back and were very quickly joined by 500 others, spread back along the hovercraft’s path. The gulls immediately began very active feeding, apparently picking items offthe surface of the mud. After about 20 minutes, they began to disperse over the mud again. This behaviour, always by Black-headed Gulls, was repeated every time a hovercraft crossed the flats in either direction; each time it lasted for about 20 minutes, or until the next departure or arrival of the craft. I noted it six times within two hours. It seems that the gulls w*ere utilising the passage of the hovercraft, which created favourable feeding conditions; perhaps the 568 Notes down-draught caused invertebrates to come to the surface in the same way as, for example, the ‘foot-paddling’ of gulls is known to do. S. M. Lister 51 Beech Avenue, Thomgumbald, East Yorkshire Nightjars copulating on elevated perch At about 22.00 hours on a warm, sultry evening on 21st June 1976, near Newbury, Berkshire, I was watching Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus with my son. The air was very still, moths were abundant, and the light good. A small number of Nightjars were flying and churring close to us; there were many aerial displays, and male wing-clapping was very prominent. A female flew up to an overhead power cable crossing the heath (a favourite churring post for males) and was immediately joined by a male, which perched beside her across the cable. The male then alighted on the female’s back and copulation took place. The two birds were clearly visible through binoculars against the light sky. Unfortunately, I did not time the act of coition, but, although it took only a short time, it was not fleeting. Both Nightjars appeared to balance reasonably well; after copulating, they flew to the ground and out of sight. The Southern Electricity Board confirmed that the diameter of the cable is 3A inch (19mm). I was unable to observe any pre-copulatory behaviour, and can only assume that it took place on the ground before the Nightjars flew to the cable. I am grateful to Bernard King for encouraging me to write this observation. J. A. Wright 17 Chaucer Crescent, Newbury, Berkshire Pallid Swift apparendy nesting in palm trees On 24th May 1 98 1 , in the Algarve, Portugal, I observed a pair of Pallid Swifts Apus pallidus apparently nesting in a palm tree in the town square at Tavira. The nest hole, hardly visible, was about 6m above the ground, just above the leaf line. One swift spent 15-20 minutes inside the tree before emerging to join its mate in a high-speed chase over the town. It (or its mate) would return to the hole after about five minutes, but if the form beneath the tree was occupied it made a series of low flights close to the tree until the danger had cleared. The swifts seemed to have a regular routine throughout the two-hour period of my observations, in which time five or six entries into the hole were made; the form was occupied briefly on two occasions. Although Swifts Apus apus nest in trees in parts of central and eastern Europe (Lack, 1956, Swifts in a Tower), I can find no reference to such behaviour by Pallid Swifts. Malcolm Calvert 12 Hill Drive, Handforth, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK93AR Robin eating gilled fungus At 15.00 GMT on 1st November 1981, in my garden at West Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset, I saw a Robin Erithacus rubecula pulling at the edge of the cap of a small gilled fungus; it tore ofTand swallowed several portions before flying olf. There was no evidence of invertebrate infestation of the fungus, a mature specimen of Melanoleuca arcuata, a common species which is, so far as I know, considered edible for man. A. P. Radford Crossways Cottage, West Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset TA43EG Notes 569 Apparent distraction display by Redstart On 21st June 1981, in Grizedale Forest, Cumbria, I watched a female Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus feeding a brood of four recently fledged young. As I moved towards it, it flew to a post, giving some alarm calls, then flew about 10 m and landed on the trunk of an oak Quercus. It ran vertically up the trunk for 3 m, in the manner of a Treecreeper Certhia familiaris : its wings were held away from its body, exposing the red rump, and its tail was spread out and pressed down against the trunk. The Redstart then flew to a high branch and continued calling. The same response was given later, when I returned down the path, but not when I watched from a distance for a longer period. K. B. Briggs 26 Hazelmount Drive, Warton, Camforth, Lancashire LA59HU John Buxton (1950, The Redstart) mentioned a threat display, described by D. Nethersole- Thompson, in which a rival Redstart is warned ofT‘by a sudden flashing of the red patch and expansion ol the tail’, but gives nothing resembling the display observed by Mr Briggs. Eds Goldcrest trapped in spider’s web On 22nd September 1981, at South Walney Nature Reserve, Cumbria, I drove one of the Heligoland traps. Two Goldcrests Regulus regulus in the foliage flew towards the catching box. One went straight in, but the other doubled back and flew towards a baffle; its flight, however, was suddenly arrested by a spider’s web of the orb-w eb type, where it hung spreadeagled between two lines of thread. I gave the Goldcrest time to free itself, but it was quite incapable of doing so: every flap and movement entangled it more, and after ten seconds or so I freed it and removed the sticky threads which had encircled the bird as it struggled. The Goldcrest weighed 5.4 g, a typical weight for a migrant Goldcrest on Walney Island. Tim Dean Coastguard Cottages, South Walney Nature Reserve , Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness , Cumbria A Goldcrest was found in Essex in 1981 with its toes bound so tightly with threads from a spider’s web that it was unable to move them or to stand (Brit. Birds 65: 483). Eds Goldcrest and Sparrowhawk nesting in close proximity On 15th May 1981, in south-central Northumberland, the empty nest of a Sparrow hawk Accipiter nisus was found about 12m up in a Norway spruce Picea abies. The newly constructed nest of a Goldcrest Regulus regulus w as suspended from the next branch up, lm above the Sparrow haw k’s. On 1st June, the Sparrow-hawk’s nest contained three eggs and the Goldcrest’s eight eggs. On 24th June, the Sparrow haw k's held a fourth egg, and the eight young Goldcrests fledged as the tree was climbed. The hawk raised only one young. Goldcrests are occasional prey species of the Sparrow haw k in this area. I can find no reference to these two species nesting in such close proximity. A. Heavisides 3 Alnwickhill Drive, Edinburgh EH166PF. Points of view Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds ’ 1 1. Identification: it’s a beginning First identify; secondly study; then interpret. Before studying, say, the behaviour of a species, or the birdlife of an area, it is necessary to learn to identify the bird, or the birds, likely to be encountered. Thus, identification is a first step. Its advancement is, of course, a job for specialists: experts such as Bernard lucker, Kenneth Williamson, D. I. M. Wallace, Lars Svensson, Peter Grant, and Lars Jonsson. Most birdwatchers, however, do not possess the skill, the dedication, or the inclination to devote all their energies to improving the fund of knowledge on this aspect of ornithology. Why, then, do so many nowadays seem to regard identification as the single most important aspect of birdwatching? Birdwatching is, of course, for most of us, a hobby, pursued for fun. Yet there is so much fun to be obtained from becoming immersed in the study of a single species, or the birds of one’s ‘home patch’, whether co-operatively with a ringing group or in a national scheme (such as the Wildfowl Trust’s regular counts or the BTO’s Common Birds Census) , or quietly on one’s own. Have too many of today’s younger birdwatchers become obsessed with identification as an end in itself, whereas it should be the beginning? Is it our fault? J. T. R. Sharrock Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK443NJ Letters Recommended letter-code abbreviations for British birds For over 20 years, members of the BTO have been using letter-codes to register birds seen on Common Birds Census visits. Various additions to the list of codes have been made over the years, notably in 1974 when a number of scarcer waterside birds were assigned codes for the purposes of the Waterways Bird Survey. The BTO/IWC Winter Atlas Project provided a much greater boost because it was decided to use the codes for the punching of Atlas data into the BTO computer. Codes devised for the Winter Atlas were com- plementary to those already available for breeding censuses, so that the list of codes eventually covered almost all the British and Irish list. Publication of the codes outside the schemes mentioned above has been prompted by requests from organisations interested in maintaining computer databases on birds. With the recent greatly increased ownership of personal computers, these interests are likely to become more wide- spread. We believe, also, that many birdwatchers will want to make use of these codes as shorthand in ordinary notetaking. Each code consists of one or two letters (always written as capitals) which are prominent in the English (or occasionally the scientific) name. In many cases, these are the first one or two letters of the name, or the initials of the first and second words. This is, however, not always possible. There are, for example, three species (including Sedge Warbler) for which SW would be the logical choice, and five (including Brent Goose) for BG. Letters 571 Constant use is the best way of memorising codes for use in the field. Accuracy is essential, to enable others to interpret the records, and, indeed, to allow the user to do so with confidence after a period of time. In view of the possibility ol misuse of code-letters, we recommend that they are not used to submit records to, for example, county recorders, without some means ol cross-checking the species identity. Some common errors include confusion of the following species: Marsh I it (M 1 ) and Mistle 1 hrush (M); Sedge Warbler (SW), Swift (SI) and Swallow (SL); Song Thrush (ST) and Starling (SG); Ringed Plover (RP), Rock Pipit (RC) and Redpoll (LR); Brent Goose (BG), Black Guillemot ( I \ ), Barnacle Goose (BY), Bean Goose (BE) and Black Grouse (BK); Golden Pheasant (GF), Greenfinch (GR) and Goldfinch (GO); Chiffchaff (CC) and Garrion Grow (G); Wheatear (W) and Wren (\VR); Skylark (S) and Siskin (SK); Reed \\ arbler (R\\ ) and Redwing ( RE); Willow Warbler (\\ \\ ) and Wood Warbler (WO); Garden Warbler (GW), Grey Wagtail (GL), Greylag Goose (GJ), Grasshopper Warbler (GH) and Grey Heron (H); and Goal Fit (GT), Common Tern (GN) and Goot (GO). There are two species, Goot and Goosander, for which the code used in the W inter Atlas differed from the GBG/W BS version; we have followed the original GBG version. The full list of recommended codes appears in the forthcoming revised edition of The 1 British Birds ' List of Birds of the 1 1 e stern Palearctic (Brit. Birds 77: 572). Godes are included for all British and Irish species, except those considered by the British Birds Rarities Gommittee. To avoid future confusion, we hope that interested people will contact us before adding their own codes for the rare species. John H. Marchant and Peter G. Lack B I O. Beech Grove. Tring, Hertfordshire HPJ i ~>\'R Tame Rock Thrushes and injured wild birds The popular European field guides all describe the Rock Thrush Xlonticola sa.xati/is as shy and retiring, and this has certainly also been my experience of the species on its breeding grounds. On a trip to Kenya in December 1983/January 1984, however, I was surprised to find that, on their wintering grounds. Rock Thrushes could be remarkably confiding. One bird in particular, an adult male at Kcckorok Lodge on the Masai Mara National Park, even fed on a bird-table within 2m of the nearest people in a busy open-air restaurant. A number of observers of the Rock Thrush which wintered in Kent during 1982/83 have suggested that its tameness pointed to its being an escape from captivity. Perhaps, however, it is quite normal for some Rock Thrushes to be confiding at times. The Kent Rock Thrush’s lack of a hind claw has also been quoted as evidence of a captjve origin. It is, however, probably not uncommon for wild birds to lose odd claws; indeed Britain's first Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata had lost an entire toe! (Brit. Birds 48: plate 28). Stephen J. M. Gantlett 14 Bracken Way. Gnmston , King's Iynn. Norfolk Announcements New edition of ‘The “British Birds” List of Birds of the Western Palearctic’ A new edition of our checklist is currently in production, not this time as a small booklet, but as a BB-s\zed booklet with 15 columns for each species. Thus, this checklist can now be used during held trips. Since the preparation of our previous list, published in 1978, there have been a surprising number of changes: 36 additions, three deletions and over 60 more-minor amendments. This new up-to-date checklist will be sent free to any BB reader who makes use of our ‘British BirdShop' order form to purchase books, discs or cassettes and who supplies a self-addressed label. You can qualify for your free copy by using 'British BirdShop' now (your copy of the list will be posted to you immediately upon publication). The list is at present not lor sale separately. Just for a lark! Can you identify this bird? If you can, send your answer to the publishers, Groom Helm, and you could win a free copy of the new book Just a Lark! by Jim Flegg. David Hosking and Norman Arlott. A copy will be sent to those supplying the first ten correct answers drawn from those received by 30th November, and the first one drawn will also receive the framed original of Norman Arlott’ s cartoon. Send your answer to J ust for a Lark, Bernard Mercer, Groom Helm Ltd, Provident House, Burrell Row, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1AT. ‘The “British Birds” Mystery Photographs Book’ I he 15 entries received were opened on the first anniversary of publication day (10th October) and the prize of £1 ,000.00 and a pair of Zeiss West 10X40B Dialyt binoculars has been won. Details (and the solution) will be published next month. The book is no longer for sale. ‘A Field Guide to Birds of the USSR’ We are delighted to announce that we have made arrangements with Princeton University Press for this new English-language edition of the standard Soviet guide by Y. L. Flint, R. I,. Boehme, Y. V. Kostin and A. A. Kuznetsov to be available post free to British Birds subscribers in the UK and Eire (add 50p postage for elsewhere in the world). It covers all 728 species, with colour plates, and distribution maps showing the species’ ranges within the USSR. North American subscribers are advised to obtain their copies from their local bookshop (the USA price is $65); the price through British BirdShop is £49.60. Please use the British BirdShop form on page ix. 572 Announcements 573 A new Keith Brockie book Keith Brockie’s paintings are already well known as a result of his much-praised Keith Brockie’s Wildlife Sketchbook (reviewed Brit. Birds 75: 52). Now, a new book has been published which he has both written and illustrated: One Man ’s Island portrays the seasons of the year on the Isle of May, with photographs and descriptions of the birds, work and life on that famous bird-observatory island, as well as scores of the artist s colour sketches and paintings. By arrangement with the publishers, J. M. Dent & Sons, it is available, post lree to BB subscribers in the UK & Eire, from British BirdShop (see page ix). ‘Tunnicliffe’s Birds: measured drawings in colour’ We remind readers that the price of this book will increase by £10.00 (to £40.00) on 1st January 1985. You can still order your copy from British BirdShop (page ix) for £30.00 (post free in UK & Eire). Direct Debit payments You can help us to continue to keep administrative costs as low as possible — so that as much subscription income as possible is devoted to providing a better, larger, and more fully illustrated journal — by paying your subscription by Direct Debit. You do not have to wait for your subscription to become due. Ask us, and we'll send you the appropriate form now (write to Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ); or you can use the form on page x of the August 1984 issue. You will also save £ 1 .00 on your forthcoming annual subscription! [For obvious reasons. Direct Debit payments can be made only if' you have a British bank account; and Y( X -rate subscriptions cannot be paid by Direct Debit.) ‘Identification of stints and peeps’ This paper, with Lars Jonsson's excellent plates and P. J. Grant’s text, has been very well received by- identification enthusiasts. PJG has been unable to meet the very high number of requests for free reprints of the paper, and has asked us to remind those who would like extra copies that these can be obtained for £4 from Mrs Erika Sharrock at the editorial address (back copies usually cost £2, and the higher cost of this issue reflects the high cost of the colour printing which it contains). As originally planned, American Birds will be publishing its own version of the paper, with Dick Yiet’s text accompanying Lars Jonsson's paintings, in its September 1984 issue; stint enthusiasts may wish to obtain a copy (or take out a year’s subscription) and get an appraisal of this engrossing identification topic from the American viewpoint. Lars Jonsson’s paintings will also be appearing in \'dr Fagelvarld. with an accom- panying Swedish text. Identification of stints and peeps In 12 or 18 months' time, we intend to publish an update of identification criteria, based on the thorough field-testing which will undoubtedly be taking 574 Requests place following the publication in July of the paper by Larsjonsson and P. J. Grant (Brit. Birds 77: 293-315). Any new information, criticisms, opinions or photographs will be welcomed by P. J. Grant, 14 Heathheld Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8QD. Belted Kingfisher The Rarities Committee has recently received a report of a Belted Kingfisher Cerylealcyon at Pollbrook Bridge, Cornwall, on 5th December 1981 . There may have been other unreported observations since its documented stay in Cornwall from November (probably October) 1979 to August 1980 (Brit. Birds 73: 516; 74: 480). Any reports will be gratefully received. Lost contributors W e are trying to trace the current addresses of the following authors of as-yet-unpublished notes: David A. Cope (formerly University of Exeter), A. P. Fowles (formerly Dyfed), Brian Hill (formerly Yeovil), John McKee (formerly Paisley), Reginald Alan Osgood (formerly Gosport), and C. A. White (formerly Southall). Can you help us to get in touch with any of them? Please write to Mrs Sheila Cobban at the editorial address. Please give us all a Christmas present next month Inserted with the next issueof 'BB (that for December) you will find a copy of our new subscription leaflet. Please do not throw this away; please pass it on to a friend whom you think may be a potential ‘BB’ subscriber. (We give you this advance warning so that you don’t throw it away before you get around to reading next month’s announcement!) By increasing the number of subscribers, we can ensure that ‘BB’ continues to provide value for money, with an increased number of pages (and hence variety of contents), and photo- graphs and drawings every month. 1 f you like ‘BB’, please tell your birdwatching friends and persuade them to subscribe. Please make use of next month’s leaflet. News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds’ Pett Pools Project: 10th birthday For the last ten autumns, a shallow pool adjacent to the coast road at Pett Level, East Sussex, has been partly drained to provide habitat for migrant waders. The project is organised by the Sussex Ornithological Society and other local naturalists. The pool has quickly become a favourite among birdwatchers as a place where an exciting variety of waders and other birds can be observed at close range, including almost annual Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris melanotos and Temminck’s Stints C. temminckii. One of the highlights of the 1984 season was a summer adult Least Sandpiper C. minutilla on 28th July, seen by many local birders but sadly not by the 500 or so observ- ers who came to see it the next day. Visitors who have enjoyed the excellent birdwatching provided by this site can contribute towards the cost of the annual drainage operation (which runs to several hundred pounds) by sending a donation to Kevin Blackman, Pett Pools Project, 2 Amberstone Close, Hastings, East Sussex. ( Contributed by PJG ) Game Conservancy Review The Annual Review oj the Game Conservancy (available from them at Fordingbridge, Hampshire, price £3.50) provides a comprehensive review of the organisation’s work up to the year 1983. It contains a wealth of information on the current state of research into gamebird populations and contains a lot to interest the general birdwatcher. Among the many things mentioned in the Review are two important new research projects. One of these seeks to assess the impact of all kinds of pesticides on farmland insects and wildlife in general and, while it concentrates on the population of the Grey Partridge Perdix perdix, it should provide a lot of useful information on other species. Secondly, a new project on the effects of predators on game species, to run for six years, will give much needed and very val- uable information on the effects predators have on bird and small mammal popula- tions. I bis has been a curiously neglgcted field of research, with virtually no factual evidence available to back up the long-held News and comment bib and widespread view of sporting people that predator control is essential to maintain large and healthy populations of the species they wish to shoot. We have seen in recent months a good deal of controversial correspondence concerning the effects increasing numbers of crows may be having on passerines, and if the new project helps to clear the air and provide some more information on this vexed topic it will have proved very useful indeed. Finally, did you know that there are increasing numbers of Woodcocks Scolopax ruslicola occurring throughout Western Europe with bills only half the normal length? Nearly 100 of these have been reported in Britain and Ireland from October 1981 to January 1984. Nobody knows why this variation occurs, but the Game Conservancy is endeavouring to find out. If you see such a bird, or find one dead, they would appreciate having full details. Recordings of bird songs and calls from the USSR As well as The Birds of the Soviet Union: a sound guide by Boris Veprintsev, re- viewed on page 580, several other long- playing discs of birds recorded in Siberia and elsewhere are available for £6 to £7 per disc (plus postage and packing) from Chintex, Wraxall, Bristol Ksi9 ljz. If you are interested, write to Chintex for details. Jeffery Boswall, who has made these arrange- ments, tells us that he uses the profits from sales of these discs to send free copies aSBWP to ornithologists in the USSR, so it's all in a good cause. More Eagle Owls Captive-breeding pro- grammes in Norway and Sweden have con- tributed to the release of599 Eagle Ow Is Bubo bubo in Sweden during 1967-88, and 124 in Norway during 1978-82 (Council oj Europe Newsletter 84-6) . As a result. Eagle Owls have returned to over 78 areas in Sweden, but there has been less success in Norway. Mortality of the released birds is high: less than half reach reproductive age. To guarantee the return of a permanent, viable population, it is expected that the schemes will have to continue until at least 1990. Black Robin success story The Black Robin Petroica traversi must have been one of the most endangered species in the world, with only five individuals including only one active breeding pair in 1980. It is hardly possible to get closer to extinction, with a chance of recovery. But, after courageous action bv members ol the New Zealand \V ild- life Service, there were 20 indiv iduals at the end of the 1983/84 breeding season, the highest-ever recorded since actual numbers have been known ( ICBP Newsletter Sep- tember). The Black Robin was formerly widespread in the remote and barren windswept islands of the Chatham Islands, 850km southeast of New Zealand. Wildlife officers trapped all five survivors and trans- ferred them to a better and more extensive location which had been created on another island. Then a programme of cross-fostering was started. The first clutch of eggs was removed and placed in the nest of a Chatham Island Warbler, but the foster parents abandoned the young before they fledged, so. during the next season, they used another species. First and second clutches were placed in the nests of Chatham Island Tits, which proved to be ideal foster parents. The robins were left to hatch out their final clutch. It was an outstanding success. With the initial crisis now over let us hope tor more good news next year. Bird behaviour explained Bittern Botaurus stellaris(Ken Smith ) The Great Nature Trail of Wales This is the title of a new full-colour illustrated map (80 X 61cm) which shows 36 sites throughout Wales where rare birds, plants and animals may be observed in their natural habitats. It has been produced by the Wales Tourist Board and the RSPB. with the idea of promoting sites where public visiting w ill not be to the detriment of wildlife. Wales Gas. which has helped with the project, will be 576 News and comment distributing 4,000 copies (of a slightly different version) free to schools. The trail maps, which fold into a handy pocket size, can also be obtained (cost 65p each) from Tourist Board Information Centres in W ales, and from RSPB outlets. Northern Ireland Bird Reports A glaring gap in the mosaic of regional, county and local bird reports has now been filled, with the publication in July of the Northern Ireland Bud Reports 1980 & 1981. Researchers and all birdwatchers interested in the ornithology of Northern Ireland will greatly welcome this two-year report. In the conclusion to his editorial, Thomas Ennis writes: ‘Finally may 1 say to those ornithologists who may be genuinely concerned that the appearance of this report could split Irish ornithology into political camps that this is not our intention. Readers may be assured from the outset that we would go to any lengths to avoid such a calamity. Indeed initial encouragement for the production of a Northern Ireland Bird Report came from the editor ol Irish Birds in which journal is published annually the Irish Bird Report.’ This 40-page report follows the standard systematic-list format, with the records enumerated under county headings. The two lists have a heavy bias (around 80% devoted to non-passerines, mostly wildfowl, waders and gulls), doubtless reflecting the usual bias given by observers to coastal and wetland habitats. The production of this first report should be the catalyst to produce increased recording of observations in Northern Ireland and, hopefully, more attention to breeding and migrant passerines. If other reports are anything to go by, this one will soon go out of print (the demand is usually underestimated by those who have to cough up the funds for publication), so, if you have any interest at all in Northern Ireland, you had better order yours now (price £1.50 post paid) from Ken Douglas, Northern Ireland Ornithologists’ Club, 25 Twesrard Park, Belfast BT4 2JY. Seabirds at Cap Rhir N. A. Lethaby, A. F. Silcocks, P. M. Thompson and J. Pillinger have produced a duplicated 60-page report on their August 1983 University of London Natural History Society expedition to Cap Rhir, the well-known headland just north of Agadir, Morocco. A total of about 86 hours of seawatching produced totals of over 21,000 Cory’s Shearwaters Caloneclris diomedea, 3,000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls Lams Juscus, 1,300 terns (over 1 ,000 Sandwich Sterna sandvicensis, seven Royal S. maxima, nine Royal or Caspian S. caspia, and 49 ‘crested terns’ (.S'. bengalensis?) , over 360 Audouin’s Gulls Lams audouinii, a Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii, and 40 other species. The very full report is available (price £2.00, post free) from Paul Thompson, 37 Leicester Road, East Finchley, London N2 9NY. SWLA Christmas exhibition The Society of Wildlife Artists is having a second exhibi- tion at The Mall Galleries, London SYVl, this year, from 12th to 21st December. The ‘come-on’ grouse A new portrait of a Red Grouse has recently been commissioned from Roger McPhail by Matthew Gloag and Son Ltd, proprietors of the Famous Grouse Scotch whisky, and sponsors of BB' s Bird Photograph of the Year. It is a rather splendid painting, with the cock grouse set against a very atmospheric backdrop of glen and loch. The portrait will appear in current advertising, obviously intended to lure purchasers. Just as well the bird cannot utter its famous call ‘go-back’, ‘go-back’! Recent reports Keith Allsopp and Ian Dawson These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records The dates in this report refer to August unless high-pressure areas remained nearby. The otherwise stated. few weather fronts which did cross Britain The prolonged settled weather this and Ireland were generally weak and summer continued throughout August as brought little rain to relieve drought-affected 577 Recent reports areas. \\ inds were light, with some long spells ofnortheasterlies, but, without adverse conditions, migrants were not grounded in any appreciable concentrations. In keeping with the sunshine were the sightings of vagrant Bee-eaters Merops apiaster at Minsmere (Suffolk) on 12th, Pagham (West Sussex) on 19th and Dungeness (Kent) on 20th. Earlier, on 23rd July, Bardsey (Gwynedd) reported its first ever, and others were present in late July along the Gwent coastline and at South Stack, Anglesey (Gwynedd), on 25th. An Alpine Swift Apus melba, another southern vagrant, chased in vain by a Peregrine Falco peregrinus, was seen at Kinlochewe (Highland) on 28th July, and another was reported from Scarborough (North Yorkshire) on 9th. \ agrant Gontinental passerine migrants began arriving from the middle of the month, especially after 23rd when disturbed weather on the Continent and a spell of warm easter- lies persisted for a few days. Pied Fly- catchers Ficedula hypoleuca reached a peak of 43 on 24th at Spurn (Humberside), were numerous at Beachy Head (East Sussex) on 26th and 27th, and numbered 40 on 28th at Christchurch (Dorset). Wrynecks Jynx torquilla also appeared in numbers at the same time in the south and east, with ten at Spurn on 25th, five on Blakeney Point (Norfolk) on 24th, a scattering of reports inland, and one also from Cumbria on 27th. Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina were seen in ones and twos on the British east coast, but had turned up at Portland (Dorset) on 11th and Hengistbury Head (Dorset) on 17th, where there were also three Melodious Warblers H. polyglotta during the month. The expected southerly and westerly pattern of records of this species was followed with further records from Port- land on 17th. Dungeness on 27th, and from Wales: two on Anglesey and Towyn (Gwynedd). Barred Warblers Sylvia msoria were scattered along the North Norfolk coast, three at Spurn on 27th and one at Portland on 19th; and the only reports of Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola were of one at Lodmoor (Dorset) on 12th and three at Marazion (Cornwall) on 27th. Apart from a report of four Ortolan Buntings Emberiga hortulana at Hengistbury Head, singles were seen in a few localities, as were Bluethroats Luscinia svecica. with one on Jersey (Channel Islands) on 16th and one at Whitburn (Tyne & Wear) on 11th. Of the rarer species. Greenish Warblers Phxtloscopus trochiloides were the most numerous, with singles at Bridlington (Humberside), Whitburn on 23rd and Seolt Head (Norfolk) and Tyne- mouth on 25th. There was a Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata at Land’s End (Cornwall) on 27th, a Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus on Jersey on 18th. a Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia trapped at Beachy Head on 26th. a Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus at North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 28th and a Rose- coloured Starling Slurnus roseus at Beachy Head on 24th and 25th. Wader passage A good variety of passage waders was reported from coastal areas, but no large concentrations. Wood Sandpipers Tringa g/areola were commoner than in recent years and. at inland waters, Greenshanks Tringa nebularia were much in evidence. Two Dot- terels Charadrius morinellus stayed several davs on Blakeney Point at the end of the month, and Red-necked Phalaropes Pfiala- ropus lobatus were a feature at Elmley (Kent) early on, with four present on 3rd. A Grey Phalarope P. fulicarius was an unusual find 578 Recent reports 240. Mass dip: some of the twitchers who did not see the Least Sandpiper Calidris minulilla at Pett Level, East Sussex, July 1984 (Tony Croucher) inland at Stanton Harcourt (Oxfordshire) on 19th and 20th, as was an unobliging pratin- cole Glareola at Gralham Water (Cam- bridgeshire) on 12th. Other eastern rarities reported included a further batch of Marsh Sandpipers Tringa stagnalilis at Elmley on 8th to 18th, Gley (Norfolk) from 17th, and from Biagdon Reservoir (Avon) and Tacumshin (Co. Cork) at the end of the month, an Asiatic Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica fu/va on Teesside in late August, and a delayed report of a White- tailed Plover Chettusia leucura in Shropshire in July. Nearctic species were less numerous than last month, but the Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia was still present near Barnsley (South Yorkshire) until at least 4th (plate 241). Following the Pett Level (East Sussex) fiasco (Brit. Birds 77: 500 & plate 240), two further reports were received of Least Sandpipers Calidris minulilla: one un- fortunate individual at Dungeness with badly damaged or deformed feet managed with difficulty to feed and survive from 17th to 23rd (plate 242), and another was finally identified at Ballycotton (Co. Cork). The latter locality was visited by White-rumped Sandpipers C.fuscicoUis in early August and again on 17th, and another was seen at Hod- barrow Point (Cumbria) on 1st and 2nd. Further sightings of Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos were reported from the Ouse 241. Adult Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia , South Yorkshire, August 1 984 (G. Messenbird ) 579 Recent reports 242. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla, Kent, August 1984 (Tony C voucher ) Washes (Cambridgeshire) on 1st to 4th and at Mcathop Marsh (Cumbria) on 28th and 29th. Reports ol the larger species of wading bird included a Little Egret Egretla gargetta on 8th at Lymington (Hampshire), another Great White Egret E. alba at Bangor (Gwynedd) on 7th, in addition to the one at Minsmere present throughout the month (plates 244- 245), and Spoonbills E/alalea leucorodia at Elmley, 4 itchwell (Norfolk) and Llyn A lav, (Gwynedd). The exciting news (which even resulted in television coverage) that a pair of Little Bitterns Ixobrychus mtnulus produced four fledged young at Potteric Carr (South Yorkshire) will enlighten those earlier bird- watching visitors who confusingly saw two birds when expecting to see one. Seabirds W ith no disruptive weather conditions, sea- watches produced few spectacular move- ments. At Spurn, 25 Sooty Shearwaters Pujfinus griseus was the maximum count on 25th, two Cory’s Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea were seen at Blakeney Point on 26th and another at Strumble Head (Dyfed) where also a Black-browed Albatross Diomedea melanophris was claimed. The number of skuas was also low but included Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus at Spurn on 25th and 27th and a Pomarine Skuas S. pomarinus at Walney (Cumbria) on 1st September. Sabine’s Gulls Larus sabini were seen at Blakeney Point on 25th, at Scarborough and on Orkney on 24th. A Laughing Gull L. atricilla was seen briefly on the Kent Estuary' (Cumbria) on 14th. A few Glaucous Gulls L. hyperboreus were reported back in winter quarters, including ‘George’, theCley bird, seen on 26th. Numbers of Black Terns Chhdonias niger were low, 22 being the largest count at Dungeness on 19th, where there were also White-winged Black Terns C. leucopterus on 1st and 18th, with others seen at Titchfield Haven (Hampshire), King’s Lynn (Norfolk) on 24th to 27th and at Cuckmere Haven (East Sussex) during the last half of die month. A Whiskered Tern C. hybridus was present at Ballycotton, a Lesser Crested Tern Sterna ben- galensis was reported on the Fame Islands (Northumberland) in early August and, inland, a Caspian Tern S. caspia was seen near Guildford (Surrey) on 9th. Birds of prey and wildfowl Apart from Ospreys Pandion haliaetus. which were noted passing through inland ' reser- voirs, reports were few. but included a Honey Buzzard Pemis apivorus at Dungeness on 8th and a Snowy Owd Syctea scandiaca in the Cairngorm Mountains (Highland). 243-245. Great White Egret Egrella a/ba. Suffolk, August 1984 (Tony (. voucher) 580 Recent reports Following last month’s report of an early movement of Brent Geese Branta bernicla, a flock of 30 was seen at Chichester (West Sussex) on 6th. Numbers ot Garganeys Anas querquedula have been higher in the last few years, and notable concentrations were re- ported from Radipole Lake (Dorset) with 14 on 1 1th, 13 on the Ouse W ashes on 19th and 13 on Stanpit Marsh (Dorset) on 25th. Rarer species reported were a Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina at Dungeness on 20th, a Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca at Abberton (Essex) and — -a potential addition to the British and Irish list — a Marbled Duck Marmaronetla angustirostris, presenting the usual ‘escape?’ problem at Chew Valley Reservoir (Avon). Latest news First half of October in Scilly: three Dotterels, Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla, Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitana, Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachy- dactyla, Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica, Richard’s Anthus novaeseelandiae and Tawny Pipits A. campestris , Arctic Phyl- loscopus borealis and Yellow-browed War- blers P. inomatus and a Radde’s P. schwarzi or Dusky Warbler P. fuscatus, Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator, Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata (also one on Lundy) , Yellow- throat Geothlypis trichas and Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla (also one on Lundy). Lesser Golden Plover at Sennen (Cornw'all) and Booted Warbler at Margate (Kent). Review The Birds of the Soviet Union: a sound guide [Russian]. By Boris N. Veprintsev. Three 30cm 33V3 rpm long-playing records, nos. C90- 18023/ 4, 5/6 & 7/8. 1982. Melodiya, All-Union Studio for Recorded Sound, 32-34 Smolensk Square, Moscow 200, USSR. Obtainable, price £21.00 a set of three, plus £ 1 .00 postage and packing, from Chintex, Wraxall, Bristol BS19 1JZ. These records, published just in time to be on sale at the XVIII International Ornithological Congress in Moscow in August 1982, are intended to parallel the new handbook ofSoviet birds being edited by V. D. Ilychev and V. E. Flint. These three are the first ofa projected set of25 which will eventually present the sounds of 750 species; 450 have already been taped and are housed in the Library of Natural Sounds of the USSR Academy of Sciences at Puschino-on- Oka (address Moscow Region 142292). From this collection, the sounds of 63 species — four divers and 59 waders — have been selected and published. The total needle time is 1 17 minutes and 24 seconds; an average of 1 minute 52 seconds per species: this is a good allowance. The birds’ scientific names are announced by Boris N. Veprintsev, the principal recordist, compiler and scientific curator of the aforementioned archive; 8,000 copies of each disc were pressed. Although labelled ‘stereo’, only a few of the recordings were made in stereo. These include the following bands: 2, 4, 6 (00' 42") and 14 on the first disc; 6, 10, 13 (01' 05") and 15 on the second; and 4, 5 and 13 on the third. Birders’ minds will be boggled by the image behind a recording of the distraction display ofa Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus with Ross’s Gulls Rhodostetbia rosea calling, and Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus singing in the background. Wader freaks will no doubt be ‘sent’ by the Red-necked Stint Calidris rujico/lis that hangs lark-like in the sky for ten minutes pouring out its song. Songs of other northerners, such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus, the Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus and the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata, can also be heard. Readers of the recent papers about the Little Whimbrel Numetiius minutus ( Ibis 124: 302-319; Brit. Birds 76: 438-445) can now hear the vocal and instrumental sounds of that bird, taped in northeastern Siberia. And, from the diagonally opposite corner of the Soviet Union, the southwest — Central Asia — can be heard the White- tailed Plover Chettusia leucura and the Ibisbil! Ibidorhyncha struthersii. The four divers exclude Gavia irnmer, not a Russian bird, but include the Pacific race of Black-throated Diver Gavia arclica pacifica. Copies of the sleeve notes, translated from the Russian by M. G. Wilson, can be obtained from J. Boswall, Birdswell, Wraxall, Bristol BSt9 ljz Jeffery Boswall BOOKS— FOR BINS (OR SCOPE) UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY Do you have a classic or rare bird book gathering dust on your bookshelf, read and re-read but no longer required? Been out birding recently and seen a telescope or pair of binoculars that have appealed, and thought I wouldn’t mind those, until you checked the finances. THEY COULD NOW BE YOURS! FOCALPOINT in conjunction with AQUILA BOOKS are prepared to take quality bird books in part exchange for the optical equipment of your choice. Please write to FOCALPOINT, 14 Cogshall Lane, Comberbach, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6BS, stating which books you wish to part exchange, their condition and price required. Also please state which instrument you are interested in purchasing. We will reply promptly to offer the best possible deal. We can quote you for the optics of your choice over the telephone (tel: 0606 891098). Please write if offering books as with large amounts of material available we are unable to quote on the spot. Superb NEW 77mm O.G. Kowa Scopes The whole new system now from stock (phone for full details). (D414) Birdwatcher’s Logbook New Edition The second edition of the Birdwatcher’s Logbook contains a list of 762 species with their scientific names and new sections for garden birds and dates of migrants. 36 pages of monthly columns, plus columns for holidays, annual and life lists and 1 59 pages for daily records. 208 pages in attractively bound cover 22 X 14cms. Price £4.95 including postage and packing. From: Coxton Publications , 23 West Hill Rd, Fox ton, Cambridge CB26SZ. (D373) ORNiTHOLIDAYS 1985 MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS Holidays Organised by Birdwatchers for Birdwatchers Nineteen years’ service to birdwatchers & naturalists Programme will include: Ethiopia Sri Lanka N. India Nepal Kashmir & Ladakh Kenya Jordan Morocco Vancouver & the Rockies The Seychelles Rwanda N. Tanzania Tanzania — Selous & Zanzibar China — Manchuria China — Fuzhou & Hong Kong New Zealand Australia Trinidad & Tobago The Camargue S. W. Spain Majorca Spanish Pyrenees High Alps Lake Neusiedl N. E. Greece Yugoslavia Bulgaria Czechoslovakia Costa Rica Ecuador LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLIDAYS DEPT. 2, 1 -3 VICTORIA DRIVE, BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX, ENGLAND, P021 2PW ATOL LICENCE No. 743 Tel: 0243 821 230 (D392) XI Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 Sponsors of ‘ Bird Photograph of the Year’ British Birds is most grateful to The Famous Grouse’ Scotch whisky and Zeiss West Germany for their support. Sponsors of the Rarities Committee ZElSS West Germany H OLID A Y A CCOMMODA TION GREYHOMES HOTEL Torcross, S. Devon Holiday Accommodation, S. Devon SLAPTON SANDS, AA and RAC one star. Small friendly licensed hotel magnificently situated in six acres of mature gardens over- looking the panorama of Slapton Ley Nature Reserve and Start Bay. Unspoilt coastline famous for its variety of birds and wildlife. Also four self-catering holiday bungalows in grounds. SAE for brochure: Greyhomes Hotel, Torcross, Nr. Kingsbridge, S. Devon. Tel: Kingsbridge (0548) 580220. (BB993) NEWPORT, PEMBS. Coastal cottage, adj. Nat. Park, 5 mins. Sea and Estuary. Sleeps 8. Tel: 0222 752965. ' (BB996) SHETLAND. 3 -star BTA commended country house hotel offers inclusive or tailor-made holidays. Rachel and Edwin Cope, Busta House, Busta, Shetland. Tel: 080 622 506. (BB976) CLEY, 2 luxury cottages (sleep 6 and 8). Stamp please for brochure: Hughes, Wilburton, Ely. Tel: 0353 740770. (BB973) MANOR BARN COTTAGE. Mudgley, South Isle of Wedmore, overlooking Somerset Levels. Fine English cooking, log fires, CH, rooms en suite, open all year. Brochure: Wedmore 0934 712953. (BB1033) yl (Da )/,.*/// 8/9/10th February85* ^“RESERVE A MOTTRAM HALL HALL WEEKEND RETREAT WITH PETER WOLSTENHOLME Mottram Hall has long been regarded as a sanctuary N for travellers and businessmen alike, but, surprisingly enough, we have another set of residents and visitors. A wide variety of wild birds take refuge in our 1 20 acres of woodlands, meadows, river, lake and thickets. The combination of our luxury hotel and it's tranquil surroundings was the inspiration for assembling this unique Weekend Programme. Your host, Peter Wolstenholme has planned exciting and varied events with visits to the South Lancashire coast and the East Cheshire countryside, and of course an opportunity to explore our estate and discover for yourself the surprises it holds. On Saturday, as well as Peter's own observations and commentary, there will be a chance to meet Tony Warburton, author of "The Barn Owl". For full itinerary and reservation, please write to: Mottram Hall Hotel, Freepost, Mottram St. Andrew, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4YA. D427 xii Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 SOUTHWOLD AA** HOTEL. Ensuite bed- rooms, good food and wines. Ideal base for Minsmere and surrounding area. Open all year. Reduced terms for party bookings. Write or tel: Pier Avenue Hotel, Southwold. Tel: 722632. (BB1005) OGWEN ESTUARY, Lavan Sands, Gwynedd. Secluded and comfortable house. Sleeps 12. C.H. Unique position alongside estuary. Nature reserve and SSSI for bird species. SAE: Mrs Chamberlain, Yberllan, Penrhyn Park, Bangor, Gwynedd. (BB1019) CWM PUFFIN. Isle of Anglesey. Superb, comfortable house perched on rocky limestone outcrop on nature reserve. Fantastic views. I mile sea. Sleeps 6 (8) C.H. SAE: Mrs Chamber- lain, Yberllan, Penrhyn Park, Bangor, Gw'ynedd. (BB1020) GALLOWAY. Hills, lochs, forests and sea. Speciality, birds of prey and waterfowl. High quality houses, cottages, flats. Details, send 27p stamp to: G. M. Thomson & Co, 27 King Street, Castle Douglas. (BB1030) MINSMERE 4m. B&B in comfortable private house, edge of village. Brochure/terms, Hills, Old Mill House, Yoxford, Suffolk. Tel: 536. (BB1031) FARM COTTAGES between Lindisfarne Re- serve and The Fames. Comfortable and well equipped. Sorry no pets. Brochure: Mr J. McNish, Outchester Farm, Belford, North- umberland . Tel: 066 83 336. ( BB 1 032) ORCHARD HOUSE, N.W. Norfolk nr Titch- well Marsh Reserve. Homely Bed and Breakfast accommodation (E.M. available). Also self- catering unit in orchard. Tel: Thornham (048 526)259. (BB1036) AT THE TIDE’S EDGE between Prawle/Start Points, Maelcombe House Farm offers B&B/EM or s/c flat. Spectacular situation for migrations. Magnificent coastal walking. Ring Mrs Davies on Chivclstone (054 851) 300 for brochure. (BB1035) GLANDYFI CASTLE. Machynlleth, Powys. Flat adjoining Castle, sleeps 2-4. Naturalist paradise, 40 acres private grounds overlooking Dovey Estuary and Ynys-hir bird reserve. Tel: Glandyfi281. (BB1039) SELF-CATERING PROPERTIES. All personally inspected. Brochure: Rural Vacations Ltd, Pipworth Lane, Eckington, Sheffield S31 9EY. Tel: 0246 432202. (BB1046) NORTH NORFOLK. The George & Dragon Hotel. Accommodation, bars & meals. Over- looking the marshes at Cley, towards Blakeney Point. Tel: Cley (0263) 740652. (BB898) BED AND BREAKFAST. Mrs D. Crowden, Rosevilla, Middleton, Saxmundham, Sulfok. Tel: Westleton 489 between 6-7 pm. (BBI037) MINSMERE. Accommodation at the Eight Bells, Kelsale A 12, B&B. Real Ale, good food. Tel: Saxmundham 2975. (BBI052) Self-catering par excellence Perfect for Christmas & New Year weeks & winter breaks. Superb centrally heated apartments & cottages for 2-9 in historic Salkeld Hall Little Salkeld Penrith • Cumbria Children welcome For brochure Tel. 0768 81 618 (BB1023) WARM WELCOME, B&B/F.M optional. Close to marshes. Heritage Coastal Walks. Central for Cley and Titchwell reserves. Mrs Court, Eastdene, Northfield Lane, Wells-next- the-Sca, Norfolk. Tel: (0328) 710381. (BB1013) NORTH LAKES— perfect for Cacrlavcrock and South Solway Estuary. Six self-catering lodges overlooking sheltered 30 acre lake. Woodland site designated of ‘Special Scientific Interest’. Important location for large flocks of water birds, wintering site for duck, wide variety of wildfowl. Brochure: Lakeshorc Lodges, The Lough, Thurston Field, Carlisle, Cumbria CA5 6HB. Tel: 0228 76552. (BB1018) NEAR MINSMERE, delightful converted barn. Sleeps 6/7. Fully equipped and linen provided. Turner, Vine Cottage, The Street, Middleton, Saxmundham: Tel: Westleton 208 after 6pm. (BB807) ISLE OF ISLAY— Hebrides— our S/C C/H cottages are beautifully situated on the shores of Loch Indaal, home of wintering geese, with superb views to the hills. A peaceful fiye minutes stroll to the village where you can enjoy an evening’s entertainment among friendly people. From £50 per week. Full details and brochure — Mrs James Roy, Lorgba Holiday Cottages, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, Argyllshire PA48 7UD. Tel: 049 685 208. (BB1010) ISLES OF SCILLY — Seaview Moorings. St. Mary’s. Home cooking and personal service from resident proprietors, Tony and Linda. Over- looking harbour, close to quay and town — licensed — in-room tea and coffee making facili- ties— pets welcome. SAE for details or telephone Tony or Linda Dingley on 0720 22327. ( B B 1 0 1 2 ) ISLE OF MULL, Torosay Castle, Craignure. Golden eagles often seen in the area. 20 species in the garden and over 200 recorded on the island. Mull is a paradise. Gardens open year-round. Castle: 1 May- 30 Sept, 1 flat and gardener’s cottage to let. Each sleeps 4 plus camp beds. Special monthly winter terms. For terms apply: The Secretary. Tel: 068 02 421. (BB945) CLEY. Attractive house in village, four bed- rooms, large garden, garage, c.h. Available all year. Details from Mrs E. Album, 47 Lyndale Avenue, London NW2. I el: 01-431 2942. (BB1050) Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 BARGAIN BREAKS Small, recommended, coastal, licensed hotel lacing open countryside. National Trust cliff walks nearby. All bedrooms with baths/ shower/ wc, central heating, colour TV and tea maker, en suite. Four poster bed. Heated indoor swimming pool. Dinner choice from extensive menu. 2/5/7 night Bargain Breaks from £20 including dinner, breakfast and VAT. Brochure/reservations: GLENCOE HOTEL, Gwithian Village (St Ives Bay) TR27 5BX. Tel: 0736 752216. (BB1026) BODMIN MOOR NATURE OBSERVA- TORY. Take an autumn or winter break. Migrating waders, hen harrier, merlin and smew all possible in our valley or on 3 nearby reservoirs. Individual help given to beginners, f ull board accommodation. Good food. Central heating. SAE for details to Tony Miller, Bodmin Moor Nature Observatory, Ninestones, Liskeard, Cornwall PL 14 6SD or telephone 0579 20455. (BB1027) DUNWICH. Holiday cottage, sea V 4 miles, overlooking marshes, sleeps 6 plus 2 children. Ideally situated for Minsmere and surrounding countryside. Fully furnished and equipped personally supervised. £18 per day. Reduced rates for March-October. Dogs allowed, car parking. Details from R. Green, 53 Albany Road, West Bergholt, Colchester C06 3LB. Tel: 0206 241716. (BB1008) ISLE OF ISLAY, Lochside Hotel. Situated on the edge of Loch Indaal. Birdwatching all the year round. Superb 2 star accommodation with full central heating. All rooms have private bathroom or shower with wash hand basin, colour TV, wireless, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. Fully licensed. Brochure and tariff from Norman or Elaine Osborne, Lochside Hotel, Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA43 7LB. Tel: Bowmore (049 681) 244/265. (BB715) ISLE OF ISLAY, ARGYLL. Port Charlotte Hotel, fully licensed, family run, adjacent to sandy beaches. Situated between Ellister Wild- fowl Trust and the RSPB’s own Gruinart Nature Reserve. Special rates for groups. Let us send you our colour brochure. We also have a centrally heated, self-catering, seafront chalet. Tel: 049- 685 321 or 379. (BB1025) ISLES OF SCILLY, M incarlo Guest House, St Mary’s. Superbly situated in own grounds overlooking the harbour. Terms from £8 (plus VAT) for B&B £12.25 (plus VAT) BB & EM. Tel: 0720 22513. (BB925) SMALL FAMILY RUN HOTEL 300 yards from the sea in a coastal area well known to ornithologists. Recommended by Ashley Courtenay, AA, RAC. Good food, warm friendly atmosphere. Open all year. The Lodge Hotel, Old Hunstanton, North Norfolk. Tel: 048 53 2896. Dogs welcome. (BB963) ST. IVES Super self-catering caravan apartments with hot water, showers, toilets and colour TVs. Close to the town centre and only a couple of miles away front the ‘Hide’ of the famous Hayle Estuary. Camping facilities also. Tel: 0736 796257 for brochure or write to Chy an Gweal Parc, St. Ives, Cornwall. ( BB908) NR MINSMERE, Kings Head, Southwold 723829. B&B, packed lunches, Adnams ales. (BB962) COME AND SEE the King Eider and many other rare birds on Loch Fleet and stay with us at The Park House Hotel, Golspie, Sutherland. Tel: 040 83 3667 where we promise to make your stay enjoyable. (BB901) VISIT FLAMBOROUGH HEADLAND, Heritage Coastline. Next to RSPB’s Bempton reserve. The Flaneburg Hotel offers every comfort, bargain breaks, early and late season. Details tel: 0262 850284. (BB700) MILTON MANOR HOTEL, nr Tenby. Tel: 064 67 398. In 7 secluded acres near National Park, estuary and coast path. 26 bedrooms most en-suite, 6 with self-catering terms. Licensed restaurant. Central heating. (BB969) LUXURY IDYLLIC COTTAGE. Ideal base Cheviot Hills, Fame Isles and Kielder Forest. Forster. Tel: 01-904 9107 and 0669 30265. (BB889) NEW FOREST. .New Park Hotel, Brocken- hurst. 260 acres. Stables, etc. Self-catering cottages. Colour brochures: (0590) 23467. (BB1022) HAYLE ESTUARY. 10 min walk to hide. Bed & breakfast from £5.50. St Ives 3 miles. Tren- dreath House, Lower Lelant, St Ives, Cornwall. Tel: Hayle 753714. (BB947) AN OUTSTANDING RANGE of self-catering holiday homes and cottages in the glorious Scottish highlands. Send for illustrated brochure: Lorna Lumsden, Scottish Highland Holiday Homes, Wester Altourie, Abriachan, Inverness. Tel: 0463 86247. (BB766) 15th CENTURY COACHING INN midway Ross/Hereford amidst gentle wooded hills, 2 fields from River Wye. A comfortable and in- formal place with proper emphasis on real food, real ales, civilised prices. Log fire, ch, fourposter. Egon Ronay, Relais Routier. Green Man Inn, Fownhope, Hereford. Pel: Fownhopc (043 277) 243. (BB964) NORTH NORFOLK COAST, fishermen’s cottages. Open all year. Oak beams. Colour TV and open fires Oct/March. Ray Hewitt, Brig Square Holiday Cottages, Freeman Street, Wells next the Sea. Tel: 0328 710440. (BB950) BETWIXT Inverness/John O’Groats. Small comfortable guest house, panoramic views, ideal base. Home baking, DB&B. Also 6 berth residential caravan. Ard Beag, Brora, Suther- land. Tel: 0408 2 1398. (BB1034) xiv Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 NORTH NORFOLK, Lawns Hotel, Holt. Small friendly hotel. Resident proprietors. Excellent home cooking. Separate bar and T V. lounges. Tea/cofiee making facilities. Parking. Tel: 026 371 3390. (BB866) SOUTHWOLD. ‘Avondale’, North Parade, overlooking sea. B&B/EM, ch, dglazed, licensed. Open all year. Ideal Minsmere, Havergate, Walberswick. Good food, friendly atmosphere. Tel: 0502 722538. (BB850) PERTHSHIRE, SUTHERLAND, NORTH WALES and other areas. Self-catering country cottages in idyllic surroundings, with golfing, fishing, hill walking, sailing, canoeing and other recreational pursuits near at hand. For brochure and list of available dates write to: Renton Finlayson, Bank House, 82 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire. Tel: (0796)2512. (BB748) COUNTRY COTTAGES between Alnwick and Belford. Sleep up to six, fully equipped, self- catering, available throughout the year. Well placed for Holy Island and Fame Islands, Cheviot Hills and many places of natural beauty. SAE to Mrs P. Foster, Coxons, Craster South Farm, Alnwick, Northumberland. Tel: (066 576) 640. (BB544) SOLWAY COAST. B&B, evening meal optional. CH, ample parking, convenient wild- fowl reserve. Ideal painting, hill walking. Packed lunches and vegetarian meals available. Bardsley, The Rossan, Auchencairn, Castle Douglas DC7 I QR. Tel: 055 664 269. (BB871) WEST SUSSEX. Black Mill House Hotel, Bognor Regis 2 mins sea, Marine Gardens, Games Room, Cocktail Bar, enclosed Garden, Car Park. Visit Arundel Wildfowl Trust. AA, RAG, Member SEE Tourist Board. Mini- breaks from £37.50 2 days. Brochure. Tel: (0243) 821945. (BB1024) NATIONAL TRUST VILLAGE on Exmoor. Self-catering holiday homes. Centrally heated. Near Porlock, Sea, moors, woods and marshes within walking distance. Stamp for brochure. Sheila Wright, The Pack Horse, Allerford, near Minehead. Tel: (0643) 862475. (BB618) N. NORFOLK. 4m Blakeney. Luxury charming secluded cottages. (1) sleeps 7 + . Tel: 0509 412324. (2) sleeps 4. Tel: 032875 366. (BB989) BIRD WA TCHING HO LI DA YS HOLIDAYS FOR BIRDWATCHERS with Steve Madge and Ted Griffiths based at the Talland Bay Hotel on the south Cornish coast in March, October and November. Special birds and flowers week hi May. Course dates and brochure from Talland Bay Hotel, Nr Looe, Cornwall. Tel: Polperro (0503) 72667. (BB623) LLANDUDNO ideal base for coast and mountain. For accommodation and/or transport consult Kestrel Coaches, Bron-y-Mor, 40 Vicarage Avenue, Llandudno LL30 IPS. Tel: 0492 76009. (BB852) SPAIN — Birding Spring 1985 Tom Gullick lives in Spain and will show you the rarest birds in the beautiful and remote areas. Expect to see 5 eagles, 3 vultures, bustards, sand grouse^ white- headed duck, galinule, eagle owl, black stork, with many ducks, waders and passerines on spring migration. 11, 8 and 5-day tours for 3-4 persons only, by Range Rover. 7 years and over 460 field days of experience in Spain. Tom Gullick, c/o Mrs. M-C. Parker, 5 Tile Bam Close, Farnborough, Hants., GUM 8LS. Tel: 0252 547213. (BB975) BIRDWATCHING WEEK-ENDS 1985 Lake Vyrnwy Conservation area. With help from R.S.P.B. the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel will run week-ends from 19th to 21st April 1985 and 21st to 23rd June 1985. Complete week-end package from Friday evening to Sunday evening from £45 to £54. Day visitors from the local area also welcome at £6 per day, to include lunch. Full details from The Proprietors, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Vie Oswestry SYI0 0LY. (Telephone: 069 173 244). (BB1011) WEST COUNTRY WILDLIFE. Birdwatching, wildlife holidays, in Devon. Small parties, expert leadership. Excellent food/accommodation, talks, slides, trips out each day. Beginners welcome. April-October one week holidays, November-March 2, 3 or 4 day week-ends. Birdwatching on the Exe. Brochure from Courtlans, Golebrooke, Crediton. Devon E.X175JH. (BB1043) JOHN GOODERS. • French Winter Breaks for Sea Eagles and Cranes: 14-17 Feb: 21-24 Feb (full): 28 Feb-3 Mar: 7-10 March 1985. • Spring in Andalucia & the Goto Donana: 15-22 Mar: 2-9 April (Easter) 1985. • Winter Weekends in Sussex — selected dates. • Weekly holiday courses from 21 April 1985; Super comfort at 16th c. farmhouse near Sussex coast. Details: Lattenden’s Farm (BB), Ashburnham, Nr. Battle, E. Sussex. Tel: 0323 833245. (BB1029) OVER 100 SPECIES on our 40 acres, and Morecambe Bay’s winter visitors close bv. join a BIRDWATCHER S HOUSE PARTY, or block book a group. Castle Head Field Centre, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria (04484 4300). (BB832) ISLES OF SCILLY — -join resident birdman David Hunt for the holiday of a lifetime. 1985 Brochure from Cygnus Wildlife. 96 Fore Street. Kingsbridgc, Devon TQ7 1PY. Phone: (0548) 6178. (BB 101 7) ZAMBIA. Personally escorted 21 -day camping Safari departing 18th May visiting Kariba. the Victoria Falls, Kafue Flats, Lochinvar and I.uangwa Valiev National Parks. All Inclusive. £1 150. ADVENTURE AGENCY, The Square. Ramsbury. Wiltshire. (0672-20569). (BB1048) xv Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 BOOKS HENRY SOTHERAN LTD New, secondhand & Antiquarian Booksellers. London ’s leading Ornithological book stockists 2,- 3, 4 & 5 Sackville Street, London W1X2DP. Tel: 01-734 1150 and 0308. Just of!' Piccadilly. (D387j BIRD BOOKS. New and secondhand, bought/ sold. Catalogues issued. F. J. Whiteside, Lorna Doone, Staining Road, Staining, nr Blackpool, FY3 0DL. Tel: 0253 895004. (BB1038) BIRDS OF THE HANTS/SURREY BORDER byj. M. Clark. 147 pages + 8 pages B&W plates. Cover and line drawings by R. Millington. Over 50 histograms, maps and tables. Systematic list covering 250 species 1900-1983. Introductory chapters and appendices. £8.60 post free from Hobby Books, 14 Dunmow Hill, Fleet, Hants GU139AN. (BB1042) ‘BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Free catalogue from, and offers to Briant Books, 94 Quarry Lane, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0NJ. Tel: 0829 51804. (BB952) BOOKS ON BIRDS. New and secondhand, catalogue 30p. Surplus books urgently sought. BB bought and sold. Open Monday to Saturday. Bird Books of Scvenoaks, 67 London Rd, Seven- oaks, Kent. Tel: 0732 45.5899. (BB720) BIRD MONOGRAPHS AND BIRD ART. Send stamp for our selection in New Catalogue No. 34, to Individual Books, 9 Hammers Lane, Mill Hill, London NW7 4BY. (BB1051) FINE NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS bought and sold. R. Norman. The Book-Squirrel, Hart- on-the-Hill, Dalton Piercey, Hartlepool, Cleve- land. (BB932) BOOKS ON Birds, Natural History, Gardening, Field Sports, etc. Bought and sold. Catalogues issued. Books on most subjects purchased. Blest, Wateringbury, Maidstone, Kent. Tel: 0622 812940. (BB1021 ) ST ANN’S BOOKSHOP for a large selection of new and secondhand bird books. Please offer any unwanted items. Catalogue: 2 St Ann’s Road, Great Malvern, Worcs WR14 4RG. Tel: 06845 62818. (BB1004) THE BIRD BOOKSHOP (S.O.C.) Excellent range of ornithological and natural history books. Other 600 titles in stock. Write now for a free 30 page booklist from: Dept I, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH 7 5BT. Tel: 031-556 6042 (Mon-Fri 9-5). (BB841) FINE AND SCARCE BOOKS on Birds and Natural History: BB and Tunnidiffe. Illustrated: New Naturalist Series. Catalogue from: Pandion Books, RiponHG42RY. (BB1059) BIRD REPORTS AVON BIRD REPORT— 1983. £2.25 post paid from P. J. Chadwick, 3 Hill Burn, Henleaze, Bristol, Avon BS94RH. (BB1045) DEVON BIRD REPORT 1983. £2 post free. A. John, Brook Cottage, Sampford Spiney, Yelver- ton, Devon PL20 7QX. (BB1053) 1982 KENT BIRD REPORT (back copies available); Kent Winter Bird Survey 1977-80 (published 1984). Each £2.50 post paid from R. W. George, 10 Dence Park, Herne Bay, Kent. (BB995) LINCOLNSHIRE BIRD REPORT 1983 Price £2.25 post free from Lincolnshire Bird Chub, 3 Kcttleby View, Brigg DN20 8UD Includes Gibraltar Point B.O. Report, systematic list, survey reports, rarities descriptions, photographs, etc. Back nos. available, 79, 80, 81, 50p each; 82 £1. P&p lOp each. (BB1015) “BIRDS IN CORNWALL 1983” 120 pages plus 8 photographs now available, £2.75p post free from Stan Christophers, 5 Newquay Road, St. Columb Major, Cornwall TR9 6RW. (BB1058) WILDLIFE TALKS WILDLIFE TALKS Birds a speciality. Ring Brian Fagg — (0322) 70967 to discuss your needs. Letters: 125 Hallford Way, Dartford DAI 3AA. (BB687) APPOINTMENTS WANTED — Temporary wardens (April to July/ August) for RSPB rare bird protection and associated schemes. 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(BB1049) XVI Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 FOR SALE SECOND HAND INSTRUMENTS ZEISS WEST 10x408 £189.00 ‘ZEISS WEST 8x56 BOA £369.00 ‘ZEISS WEST 8x30 BGA £295.00 OPTOI.YTH 9 x 63 BG A £169.00 ‘HARTMANN 8x60 £295.00 OPTOLYTH ALPIN 10x40 BGA £99.00 DEKAREM 10x50 £49.00 LEITZ lOx 22B £99.00 1 ELE V A K I 25x — 60 x 60 £69.00 NICKELSUPRA 15x— 60x60 £59.00 SPACE MASTER 22x60 £129.00 KOWATS-I 20 x WA £139.00 OPTOLYTH 30x75 £189.00 •MINT CONDITION All Instruments Guaranteed Six Months IN FOCUS 204 High St., Barnet, Herts. Tel: 01-449 1445 (BB1057) SWIFT AUDUBON MKII 8.5 X 44 Binoculars. Good cond. £55.00. J. Mycock, 10 Elton Grove, Buxton, Derbys SKI 7 7SU. Tel: (0298) 3245. (BB1055) HANDBOOK BIRDS OF WESTERN PALEARCTIC ORNITHOLOGISTS Ed ition Vols I- 1 1 1 , dustcovers mint condition. Available ex-surbiton Surrey. OfFers Box No. 62 c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford. (BB1054) FOR SALE — High quality photographs of British Birds, professionally mounted and framed, Prices from £9.75. Write lor full details to ABP Photographic, 73 Golcbrooke Road, High Brooms Tunbridge Wells, Kent. (BB1040) BB complete bound volumes for 1961, 1963-70, 1973-77. Also 1960, ’62 and ’71 with short index only; unbound complete 1978-79; and 1972 (missing January). Oilers for all, or any, welcomed. Williams, 20 Bay Rd., Clevedon, Avon. (BB1056) HAWKINS walking boots and shoes. Camou- flage waterproofs, outdoor accessories. SAE for brochure. Reduced prices. B. Timson, 1 1 1 Hinckley Road, Earl Shilton, Leicester. (BB681 BRITISH BIRD VOCABULARY. A twelve- cassette series of a 6 vols. in book/album form (127 species, 710 examples). Reduced prices for remaining sets. Also single cassette Sound Guides. SAE to Lewis, Rosehill House, Lyonshall HR5 3HS. (BB992) BB AND OTHER BIRD JOURNAL back numbers supplied. Morgan, Whitmore, Umber- leigh, Devon. (BB987) STAMPS BIRD STAMPS. 100 = £1, 500 = £8. Send lor 1 2-page bird stamp list. A. Grainger, 42 Lee Lane East, Horsforth, Leeds. (BB770) WANTED COLLECTOR wishes to purchase early natural history books and paintings, especially by Morris, Bannerman, Thorburn, Stonham, Millais; David Brodie, Hazel Bank. 106 Castlemain Avenue, Southbourne, Bourne- mouth,0202 431997. (BB1047) REPAIRS BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE REPAIRS. Fast efficient service on all makes and types by expert technicians at L&L Optical, 204 High Street, Barnet, Herts. Pel: 01-449 1445. (BB909) WE REPAIR BINOCULARS. And cameras. And projectors. We’ve been at it for thirty years and we’re very, very good. Perfect? No. Perfectionists? Yes. Burgess Lane & Co. Ltd, Thornton Works, Thornton Avenue, London W4 IQE. 01-994 5752. (BB985) ARE YOU a cross-eyed birdwatcher? We offer a cleaning and re-aligning service for any make or size of hand held binocular or telescope at a special price of £14.50 including return postage. Full repair service available. Charles Frank Ltd, PO Box 5, Saxmundham, Suffolk I P 1 7 2NL. (BB765) HERTS OPTICAL SERVICES TELESCOPES KOWA TS1 £110.50 TS2 £95.00 TS7 20x w/a 25x £73.50 £32.50 £26.00 4 Ox £27.50 OPTOLYTH 30 x 75 £215.00 30 x 80 DISCOVERER 15-60 x 60 £248.00 £193.00 TELEMASTER 15-60 x 60 £224.25 SPACEMASTER £122.00 + zoom £171.50 MAIL ORDER BY RETURN ADD £3.00 CARRIAGE & INSURANCE REPAIRS VA4 ■■ BINOCULARS OPTOLYTH ALPIN 10x40 £111.00 8x40 £109.50 8x30 £99.00 ZEISS WEST 8 x 20B £1S2.50 lOx 40BGA £345.00 LEITZ 8x20 £169.40 lOx 40B £362.50 SWIFT AUDUBON £141.50 OSPREY £111.50 HABICHT WSL/M7 x 42 £225.00 WSL M 10x40 £255.00 WRAY 6x30 £55.00 102a VICTORIA STREET • ST ALBANS • HERTS Telephone: (0727) 59392 (D420) XVII COUNTRYSIDE VIEWING FACILITIES aW) JV Unlimited Parking at Shop BINOCULARS - TELESCOPES Wide range -Top quality -Discount prices SWI FT-HABICHT-ZEISS (West LE I TZ - ALPIN -NIKON OPTOlYTH- KOWA-OMIYA eg AUDUBON HR £117.00 ZEISS 10 X 40 BT £341.00 HABICHTSL 10X40 £249.00 PRICES SUBJECT TO ALTERATION WITHOUT NOTICE Price lists on request Focus OPTICS Church Lane- Corley Coventry CV7 8BA Tel: 0676-40501 Open MON SAT 10 a m. ■ 5.p.m. MAIL ORDER WELCOME Ins P & P E2 50/Item (D361)J Talk to A. R. Hawkins about Binoculars! BRITAINS BINOCULAR SPECIALISTS FOR THE WORLDS TOP MAKES— ORDER BY POST OR PHONE FROM US IN COMPLETE CONFIDENCE. ZEISS WEST THE optolyth alpin Superb Lightweight Models from W. Germany at Sensible Prices. 8*30 BGA Alpin WORLD’S FINEST! YOU’VE JUST GOT TO OWN ONE! NEW close locus ZEISS 10x40BGA in stock NOW at only E359. 10 x 40 B Dialyt £353.00 10x40 BGA Dialyi £359.00 7*42 BGA Dialyt £369.00 8 x 30 B Dialyl £308.00 8 x 30 BGA Dialyt £313.00 8 x 56 BGA Dialyt £441.00 8 x 20 B Mini-Dialyl £156.00 10 x 25 B Mini-Dialyl £171.00 7x50 RGA Porro £455.00 15x60 GAT Porro £675.00 All Zeiss West supplied with case HABICHT 8x30 WM/WA £206.00 10x40 WM/WA Diana £239.95 7x42 WSL/M . .. £244.45 10x40 WSL/M £273.00 Do a Good Deal Belter with A R Hawkins! 8x40 BGA Alpin 10x40 BGAAIpin ... 10x50 BGA Alpin 12x50 BGA Alpin 7x42 BGAAIpin urn 8x20 BC Minialure 10x25 BC Miniature 7x35 8 ... 8x32 B 7x42 B . 8x40 B 10x40 B 10x40 BA Armoured £109.00 £119.50 £121.00 £141.00 £143.00 £122 50 TELESCOPES £190.00 £205.00 £371.00 £358.00 £397.00 £385 00 £399.00 £420.00 All Leitz models slocked and supplied with case ZEISS JENA 8x30Jenoptem £42.95 8 x 30 Dellrintem £45.95 10x50Dekarem £78.95 10x40BNotarem £139.95 8 x 50B Nobelem Special £142.48 12 x 50B Nobelem Special £155.25 TELESCOPES! Optolyth 30 x 80 Optolyth 30 x 75 Optolyth 22-60 x 70 Optolyth 30 x 60 Optolyth 22 x 70 Spacemaster 20-45 x 60 Spacemasler 22 x WA 60 £258 00 £225.00 £242 00 £125.00 £197.00 £177.95 £149.95 Bushnell T rophy 1 6-36 x 50 Rubber Body Close focus 2011 Kowa TS1 Kowa TS2 Kowa Lealher Case Habichl 25-40 x 75S Mrrador 30 x 75 R/A Habichl 30 x 75 close locus Oplicron 20-45 x 60 Tamron Zoom 20-60 x 65 15-60x60 Mirador Discoverer 15-60 x 60 Steiner 24x80 Black R/A £174.95 £117.33 £101 81 £24 95 £385.00 £139 95 £340.00 £120.00 £247.95 £179.95 £187.95 £240.37 You can buy Incomplete confidence. 'PHONE US f OR Best Makes Largest Stocks Fastest Service By return Despatch and Free Advice NEW FROM KOWA The New KOWA TSN-2 with large 77mm Objective Lens is In our Showrooms now Kowa TSN2 Body £189.95 Kowa TSN-2 20xW/A Lens £57.00 Kowa TSN-2 25x Lens £34.50 A good quality telescope with rotating body, rain-proof, and can be supplied with Photo Attachments! SLICK D2 TRIPOD THE finest tripod lor your telescope! Extends to a lull 5ft 9ln. weights only 416 12oz! Our Special Price £53.95 Post and Insurance £2.75. ORDER NOW for "By Return Dispatch, Binoculars and Telescopes £2.25p post and Insurance send cheque or Visa/Access accepted by phonel Stamps (50p). For Illustrated Discount Price List and Coloured Brochures on over 200 Models. CALLERS WELCOME! Our Showrooms are only 7 minutes from Ml Exit 15 or 16 and 2 min walk from railway stn. Early closing Thursday 1pm Prices correct 1st Oct 1984, subject to change availability. E&OE AR HAWKINS LTD 9 MAREFAIR NORTHAMPTON NN1 1SR TELEPHONE 0604/39674 (D424) xvm me OPTKRQN difference i QUALITY and PRICE. For those who wish to own the "BEST'' quality binocular, to obtain greater pleasure and enjoyment from looking at birds in clearer and sharper detail, we recommend you to [assess and compare our own new 9 x 35 Elite binocular. Available exclusively from Opticron Because this is an Opticron binocular, the combined optical performance of the high resolution and light transmission, coupled with the incredibly large depth of field, contrast and natural colours may only be equalled by other makes, but never surpassed. It is small and compact. The weight is only 24 oz. and has a wide field of view of 375 ft. at 1000 yds. Will focus down to approximately 12 ft. Fitted with fold-down rubber eyecups for spectacle wearers. Supplied in a de-luxe hard case and is guaranteed for life against any manufacturing defects. And the price is only £157.00. Sent to you for 14 days approval, upon receipt of full remittance. Access, send or phone details. Leaflets and price list on all other high quality Opticron products and others, available upon request. Should you, however, wish to judge for yourself and compare this binocular with other makes, thus seeing how all binoculars should be, our showroom is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 8.30 to 5.30 pm inclusive. Closed for annual holiday from 2nd to 16th July inclusive. TELESCOPES Tor those, whose interest is in zoom telescopes only we are now able to offer the very best, with our guarantee that these out perform all other makes with 60mm objectives, including most of the popular fixed magnification of other makes. Just phone or send for details. OPTICRON P.O. Box 81, Unit 6, Marlborough Trading Estate 25 Lattimore Road, St. Albans, Herts. AL1 3HT Telephone: St. Albans (0727) 56516 0369 British Birds Volume 77 Number 11 November 1984 503 Books for Christmas 506 Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1983 Michael J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, with comments by K. E. Vinicombe 562 Seventy-five years ago . . . 563 Mystery photographs 95 Redpoll and Siskin Dr R.J. Chandler Notes 566 One Fulmar killing another Nick Riddijord 567 Allopreening by Corncrakes At. W. Fraser and J. G. Fraser 567 Turnstone attempting to rob House Sparrow A. R. Collins and R. D. Thomas 567 Black-headed Gulls feeding after passage of hovercraft S. At. Lister 568 Nightjars copulating on elevated perch J. A. Wright 568 Pallid Swift apparently nesting in palm trees Malcolm Calvert 568 Robin eating gilled fungus Dr A. P. Radford 569 Apparent distraction display by Redstart K. B. Briggs 569 Goldcrest trapped in spider's web Tim Dean 569 Goldcrest and Sparrow hawk nesting in close proximity A. Heavisides 570 Points of view 11 Identification: it’s a beginning Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Letters 570 Recommended letter-code abbreviations for British birds John H. Alarchanl and Dr Peter C. Lack 57 1 Tame Rock Thrushes and injured wild birds Stephen J. At. Gantlett Announcements 572 New edition of ‘The “British Birds” List of Birds of the Western Palearctic’ 572 Just for a lark! « 572 ‘The “British Birds” Mystery Photographs Book' 572 ‘A Field Guide to the Birds of the USSR' >73 A new Keith Brockie book 573 ‘Tunnicliffe’s Birds: measured drawings in colour’ 573 Direct Debit payments 573 ‘Identification of stints and peeps’ Requests 573 Identification of stints and peeps 574 Belted Kingfisher 574 Lost contributors 574 Please give us all a Christmas present next month 574 News and comment Robin Prytherch and Mike Everett 576 Recent reports Keith Allsopp and Ian Dawson 580 Review 580 The Birds oj the Soviet Union: a sound guide by Boris N. Veprintsev Jeffery Boswall Line-drawings: 577 ( )rtolan Bunting (D. Numey) and Barred Warbler (S. Abbott)-. 579 Little Bittern (Ian R. Alachin ) Front cover: Water Rail — evening at Radipole (Chris Rose): the original drawing of this month's cover is for sale in a postal auction (see pages 30-31 in January issue for procedure) The Golden Eagle in Britain The ‘British Birds’ Mystery Photographs Book European news > ^ PhotoSpot • Mystery photographs • Notes • Letters News and comment • Recent reports • Reviews British Birds Managing Editor Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Personal Assistant Sheila D. Cobban Assistant Editors David Christie & P. J. Grant Editorial Board Stanley Cramp, P. J. Grant, Dr M. A. Ogilvie 8c DrJ. T. R. Sharrock Photographic Consultants Dr R. J. Chandler 8c Don Smith Rarities Committee P. J. Grant (Chairman), D. J. Britton, A. R. Dean, R. H. Dennis, D. J. Holman, T. P. Inskipp, P. G. Lansdown, S. C. Madge, R. F. Porter 8c K. E. Vinicombe; Michael J. Rogers (Honorary Secretary) Notes Panels behaviour Dr C. J. Bibby, Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Dr C. H. Fry, Derek Goodwin, Dr M. A. Ogilvie, DrJ. T. R. Sharrock 8c Dr K. E. L. Simmons; identification P. J. Grant, S. C. Madge, Dr M. A. Ogilvie 8c DrJ. T. R. Sharrock ©British Birds Ltd 1984 Copyright of photographs remains with photographers. British Birds is published monthly by British Birds Ltd, 93 High Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire ISSN 0007-0335 Publishing Manager , Production & Promotion Dr. J. T. R. Sharrock Circulation Manager Erika Sharrock Design Deborah Cartwright Advertising Sandra Barnes Addresses Please keep correspondence on different items separate. Please address your envelope correctly. Please supply SAL. if reply required. Papers, notes, letters, drawings & photographs for publications DrJ. I. R. Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Subscriptions and orders for back copies Mrs Erika Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Advertising Mrs Sandra Barnes, BB Advertising, c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj. Phone : Tiptree (0621) 815085 Bird news Jor ' Recent reports ’ lan Dawson & Keith Allsopp, c/o RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire sg 19 2dl; Phone (outside office hours): Huntingdon (0480) 214186. News items for 'News and comment ’ Mike Everett & Robin Prytherch, 7 Burlington Way, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon pe18 9bs Rarity descriptions M. J. Rogers, Flat 4, Pentland Flats, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly tr21 Ohy Special book and sound recording offers for subscribers BB Offers, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford mk44 3nj Annual subscriptions (12 issues and index) Libraries and agencies £26 or $55.41. Personal subscriptions: UK, Europe and surface mail £22 or $34.50; personal: airmail outside Europe £36.70 or $56.55. Single back copies, if available. £2 or $4. Make all cheques payable to British Birds Ltd. Payment may also be made directly into UK Post Office GIRO account number 37 588 6303. British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of the west Palearciic. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are normally accepted only on condition that material is not being ollcred in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs and sketches are welcomed. All contributions should be sub- mitted to the Managing Editor. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing, and wide margins, and on one side of the sheet only. Authors should carefully consult this issue for style of presentation, especially of references and tables. English and scientific names and sequences of birds follow The ‘British Birds’ List of Birds of the Western Palearctic ( 1978): names of plants follow Dony el at. (1980, English Names of Wild Flowers): names of mammals follow Corbet & Southern (1977, The Handbook of British Mammals). Topographical (plumage and structure) terms should follow editorial recommendations (/trie Units 74: 249-242). Figures should be in Indian ink on good quality tracing paper, drawing paper, non-absorbent board or light blue or very pale grey graph paper; lettering should be inserted lightly in pencil; captions should be typed on a separate sheet. Authors ol main papers (but not notes or letters) receive ten free copies of the journal (five each to two or more authors). Printed in England by Newnorth-Burt. Kempston. Bedford HENRY SOTHERAN LTD London ’s Leading Ornithological Book Stockists CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS In addition to our normal hours, 9.00 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday, we will be open on the following days in December. Saturday December 1st Saturday December 8th Saturday December 15th Saturday December 22nd 10.00 am to 5.00 pm 10.00 am to 5.00 pm 10.00 am to 5.00 pm 10.00 am to 5.00 pm All books in print on Ornithology are in stock or can be ordered. A substantial stock of secondhand books on Natural History. Our New Books Department has a superb selection of General Books suitable for gifts. The Prints Department has an out- standing range of Natural History prints as well as a compre- hensive general stock. Two minutes from Piccadilly Circus 2,3,4 & 5 Sackville Street Piccadilly, London W1 X 2 DP. FOUNDED IN YORK 1 761 ESTABLISHED IN LONDON 1815 Telephone: 01-734 1 150 and 01-734 0308 Cables and Telegrams: BOOKMAN, LONDON V\ 1 (D436) Birdquest offers birdwatchers of all levels of experience professionally arranged and guided holidays based on a unique combination of ornithological and travel expertise. Join one of our friendly groups and see for yourself the qualities that lead so many people to travel with us time and time again. 1985 Birdquests: THAILAND; Jan 5-26, £1,690. TANZANIA; Feb 1-17, £1,855 (RWANDA; extension to Feb 22, £400). CAPE VERDE ISLANDS; Feb 1-23 and Feb 23-Mar 17, £1,750. RAJASTHAN & THE HIMALAYAS; Mar 2-24, £1,735. MOROCCO; Apr 12-28, £985. EGYPT; April 20-May 5, £1,460. TURKEY; May 2-19, £1,140. SICHUAN & THE TIBETAN PLATEAU; May 24-Jun 16, £2,790. SIBERIA, CENTRAL ASIA 8c THE CAUCASUS; May 26-Jun 16, £1 ,635. KENYA; Sept 14-Oct 6, £1,890. AUSTRALIA; Nov 2-24, £2,680. For our brochure please contact: BIRDQUEST Ltd., 8 Albert Road East, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 9AL. Telephone: 061-928 5945. Agent for C.S.R. Travel (Manchester) Ltd., ATOL 1 190B, ABTA, IATA. (D394) J Founded 1758 COX & KINGS SPECIAL INTEREST HOLIDAYS Holidays Designed Around Birds Join one of our small groups and experience for yourself the excitement of watching birds in a friendly and relaxed manner. Led by experienced ornithologists with a wide interest in Natural History, beginners and experts alike will be warmly welcomed and catered for. 1985 TOURS Northern India (with Nepal extension) Southern Mexico Northern France Cyprus Tunisia (with Algeria extension) Central and Southern Spain Spanish Pyrenees January 26 — — February 16 March 9-27 March 3-9 April 11-25 April 20 — May 1 1 May 1 1 -26 4 departures, April-October May 25-June 2 Majorca New Guinea (Birds of Paradise Tour) July 27-August 1 3 Bosphorous and N.W. Turkey September 1 4-28 Ethiopia November 1-17 Leaders include: John Hollyer, Mike Kendall, Tony Pym, Nigel Tucker. PURCHASED ZOOLOGY Lll inn A The independent monthlyjournal for every birdwatcher More new subscribers please A; 1984/85 subscription leaflet {cover drawing by Philip Snow ) s announced last month {Brit. Birds 77: 574), you will find one of our new subscription leaflets inserted with this issue. Please help us to increase BB's circulation by passing this leaflet on to one of your birdwatching friends whom you think may be a potential subscriber. An in- creased number of subscribers benefits us all, by ensuring a continuation of large BB issues, with variety and plenty of photo- graphs and other illustrations. Thank you. VOLUME 77 NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 1984 BRITISH Ml ( N A • .'A1'. HfS 7 DEC Mystery photographs It should have been fairly obvious, from the longish, down-curved VO bill, dark primaries and absence of a central wing-stripe, that the bird in plate 239 (repeated as 246) was a species of curlew or whimbrel Numenius. Readers having had the opportunity for cheating by consulting John Marchant’s recent paper {Brit. Birds 77: 135-140), there should be no excuses for not having identified it as a Slender-billed Curlew N. tenuirostris . 581 [Bnt. Birds 77: 581-386, December 1984] 582 Mystery photographs 246-248. Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris, North Yemen, January 1984 (Richard Porter) The neat black flank-spots on very white underparts instantly rule out any other species of Numenius. Whilst size cannot be gauged in the photograph, identification is also assisted by the relatively short bill, plain crown (one can just about see it!) and white underwing, the last two features also eliminating Whimbrel N. phaeopus. I photographed this bird at a newly constructed ‘fresh-water’ sewage- farm on the North Yemen coast in January 1984. (It is the first record of this species outside the Holarctic.) I had the excellent opportunity of watching it alongside three Curlews N. arquata over a three-day period. In addition to the main identification features so concisely given by John Marchant, I also noted the following: leg colour Dark grey, noticeably darker than the blue-grey legs of Curlew. Mystery photographs 583 stance and gait It frequently adopted a more upright and alert stance than Curlew. This, together with its noticeably smaller size and proportionately smaller head, gave it a neater, less angular, appearance. It was also quicker-moving and less sedate than Curlew. bill The fine bill was all-dark (it appeared black), lacking the Curlew’s pinkish colour on the basal half of the lower mandible. call. During a total of about four hours of observation over the three days, I heard the Slender-billed call only once: a single ‘cour-ee’, shorter and perhaps slightly higher than the call of Curlew, and lacking the liquid quality of that species’ call. upperparts The upperparts were slightly colder in colour than those ofCurlew and lacked the obvious dark scapular streaks of that species. flight pattern This is shown in plate 247. Although there was slightly more contrast between 249. Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostru , France, February 1968 (.1/. Brosselin ) * 584 Mystery photographs 250. Adult Curlew Numenius arquata, Banff, September 1979 (J. Edelsten) the dark primaries and paler innerwing than on Curlew, the upperwing pattern of the two species appeared very similar in the strong Red Sea light and did not really help identification. Plate 247 also shows a pale triangle on the innerwing close to the body, but whether this has any identification value is not certain. Although the white on the rump extended well down onto the uppertail-coverts, this was by no means obvious, and did not attract attention to the bird in flight. 251. Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris (centre, foreground), with Redshank Tringa totanus (left) and Curlew N. arquata (right), France, February 1968 ( M . Brosselin ) Mystery photographs 585 252. Juvenile Curlew Numenius arquata, Dyfed, August 1978 (Ken Williams) 253. Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris, France, February 1968 (A/. Brosselin) 586 Mystery photographs When direct comparison with Curlew is possible (e.g. plates 248 & 251), the small size of Slender-billed is very apparent. Richard Porter The reproduction of plates 41-45 was substandard in many copies of the April 1984 issue. We have, therefore, taken this relevant opportunity to include them again in this volume, as plates 249-253. The entire cost of this has been borne by our printers, Henry Burt & Son Ltd, who were as distressed as were we by the earlier poor results. Eds 254. Mystery photograph 97. Identify the species. Answer next month European news Records have been supplied by correspondents in 2 1 countries for this, the sixteenth, six-monthly report on interesting occurrences and status changes in Europe. This feature is intended as a news service; anyone requiring further information or quoting records in other publications should refer to the literature of the relevant country. Records awaiting formal verification by national rarity committees are indicated by an asterisk (*). Unless otherwise stated, all records refer to single individuals Storm Petrel Hydrobales pelagicus Greece First breeding: small colony on islet off central Euboea. Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo italy Largest concentration in central Italy: 1,230 in National Park of Circeo in January 1983. Netherlands Correction: the figures given recently (Brit. Birds 77: 233) referred to the whole of the Netherlands, not only to the new Flevoland colony. Frigatebird Fregala Norway First record: immature, not specifically identified, at Mdlen on 27th September 1983 (cf. first Swedish record on 8th October 1983, Brit. Birds 77: 233). Bittern Botaurus stellaris France Decline: French National Census revealed 211-324 pairs in 1983 compared with 494 in 1974. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus France Decline: French National Census revealed 400-600 pairs in 1983, compared with 1,260 in 1974. Night Heron Nydicorax nycticorax Latvian ssr Third record: July 1984. Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis France Seventh and eighth records: Le Collet on 19th September 1983* and Marais d’Olonne on 2 1st June 1984* (cf. spate of recent records in France, Austria, Federal Republic of Germany and Greece, Brit. Birds 77: 233). Little Egret Egretta garzetta France Northward range expansion: nesting in Morbihan and Finistere in 1984, a 170 km extension farther north along coast (cf. 23% increase in France between 1974 and 1981, Brit. Birds 75: 569). [Brit. Birds 77: 586-592, December 1984] 587 European news Great White Egret Egretta alba Bulgaria High winter numbers: 43 along Danube near Daboran on 20th January 1983. Finland Best-ever year: six in 1983, the sixteenth to twenty-first records. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea France Breeding numbers stable: 2,741 pairs in trench National Census in 1983 (cf. recent decline in the Netherlands, Brit. Birds 77: 233). Black Stork Ciconia nigra Belgium First breeding since 1860: pair in province of Luxembourg in 1983 (cf. spring/summer records in Belgium since 1979 and recent breeding in France, Brit. Birds 71: 255; 73: 257,574). Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Finland Fourth record: Lieksa on 13th May 1984 (previous records in 1975, 1978 and 1979). Brent Goose Branta bermcla Finland Highest numbers: 59,000 (ineluding one loose Hock of 24,000) migrating at Virolahti on 28th May 1984. Second record of B. b. nigricans : with migrating B. b. bermcla near Helsinki on 20th May 1984 (first was in similar flock on 22nd May 1982, Brit. Birds 76: 567). Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna Jerruginea Yugo- slavia First record for Slovenia and fifth for Yugoslavia: on River Sava at Medvode on 17th March 1984 (previous records in 1861, 1904, 1961 and 1968). Shelduck Tadorna tadorna faeroe islands First since 1975/76: Sandov on 26th May 1984. Wood Duck Aix sponsa Poland First record: adult male near Zgorzelec during 23rd April to 28th May 1983; although only a few in zoos in Poland, captive origin suspected. Mandarin Aix galenculata faeroe islands Fourth record: two males from 29th April to 5th May 1984 (third was in 1910). American Wigeon Anas americana faeroe islands First record: male at Sandov on 7th June 1984. France Pair in Ardennes on 12th- 13th April 1984*, and pair displaying near Brest in spring 1984*. Teal Anas crecca France Second record of Nearctic raced, c. carolinensis: male in Vendee from 23rd February to 14th March 1984 (first was in March 1982, Brit. Birds 76: 273). Shoveler Anas clypeata faeroe islands Fourth record: female near Torshavn during 22nd-26th February 1983 (third was in September 1982. Brit. Birds 76: 567). Red-crested Pochard Netta rujina Greece First breeding for 15 years: two or three pairs in Alyki. Switzerland Increasing: pairs probably or certainly breeding at seven sites in 1983. (Cf. range expansion or increases in Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Brit. Birds 73: 574.) Steller’s Eider Polysticta stelleri Belgium First record: Heist on 3 1st December 1983. Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Bulgaria First record away from Black Sea coast: male and three females on Danube at Gradina on 20th January 1983. Yugoslavia Sixth record for Slovenia and first since 1945: eight on Lake Ptuj from 14th November to 17th December 1983 (previous records in 1885, 1905, 1930, 1930 and 1945). White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala Greece Largest-ever number: 26 at Lake Mitrikou on 21st January 1984. Switzer- land Female or immature male in January 1983 (Brit. Birds 76: 567) was the first record since 1954. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus France Pair in southwest from June 1983 to at least June 1984, future breeding expected (cf increases in Portugal and Spain, Brit. Birds 71: 255; 77: 234). poi.and First record: near Raciborzon 5th May 1984*. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Greece Increased wintering numbers: about 15 found in 1984 Midwinter Census (also increasing in numbers in winter in France, Brit. Birds 77: 234). Egyptian Vulture Xeophron perenopterus Norway First record: immature at Hamningberg, Finnmark, during 23rd-25th Julv 1982 (cf. second Swedish record on 16th June 1982, Brit. Birds 77: 234). Switzerland Adult during 26th-27th April 1983 (Brit. Birds 76: 567) was sixth record. Buzzard Buteo buteo faeroe islands First record: in Torshav n during 21st-22nd Mav 1984. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus Yugo- slavia Third record for Slov enia: dark-phase at Ajdovscina on 25th February 1984 (prev ious records in 1896 and 1982). Spotted Eagle Aqui/a clanga France Probably regular in winter even away from well-known Camargue wintering area (including west coast, Somme. Isere, Lorraine). Greece High wintering numbers: more than 25, mostly juveniles and immatures, in 1984 Midwinter Census, compared with less than ten in previous winters. Tawny/Steppe Eagle Aquila rapax Belgium First record: subadult of the race orientalis 588 near Mol-Postel from early December to 26th December 1983. Finland Sixth record: Riihimaki during 11th- 12th May 1984. Norway Second record: immature at Sor-Varanger on 2nd July 1983. (Cf. records during 1979-84 in Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Finland and Sweden.) Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Finland First record: Lappeenranta on 15th April 1984. Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus Netherlands Deletion: record of November 1978 (Brit. Birds 72: 277) now rejected. Hobby Falco subbuteo faeroe islands Second record: in Torshavn on 7th June 1984 (first was injuly 1982, Brit. Birds 76: 567). Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae Bulgaria Second record: light-phase adult near Silen during 5th-7th June 1984. Sweden First record: Ottenby on 1 7th July 1983. Peregrine Falco peregrinus Norway Recent increase: 36 pairs in 1983 compared with eight in 1976 (original population 500-1,000 pairs). Quail Cotumix cotumix faeroe islands Third and fourth 20th-century records: Torshavn in summer 1979; two found dead at Sandoy on 15 th July 1984. Little Crake Porzana parva Finland Increasing: six in 1982, seven in 1983, over ten in 1984, and first nest found* (22 up to 1974, five during 1975-81). Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla Finland Third record: near Tampere from 3rd June 1984 onwards* (first and second records were injuly 1981 and June-July 1983, Brit. Birds 75:27; 76: 567). Corncrake Crex crex Norway Continuing decrease: now probably only 100-200 pairs in Norway, most in Rogaland. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Malta First breeding record: spring 1984. Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Romania Second or third breeding record in Danube Delta: nest with three eggs on 26th May 1983, and two other pairs behaving as if nesting. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Finland First record: Kaloioki on 26th May 1984. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Netherlands Second record: Terschelling from 18th August 1984*. Poland Third record: immature female (shot, skin preserved) during 1 6th-2 1 st October 1983 (first was in September 1978, Brit. Birds 72: 277). European news Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica Finland First record of P. d. dominica'. male at Lagskar bird-station during 6th-7th July 1984*. Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus Belgium First record: Kotem during 23rd-30th October 1983. White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura Netherlands Second and third records: Klazienaveen during 10th- 15th June 1984*, and Petten during 1 0th- 1 6th July 1984* (first was injuly 1975). White-rumped Sandpiper Calidns fuscicollis Sweden Third record: Gotland on 5th June 1983 (first and second reports were in August 1978 and October 1982, Brit. Birds 72: 591; 77: 236). Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos faeroe islands First record: Mykines on 24th May 1984. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Finland First record: Kotba during 23rd-24th August 1984. Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Finland Second and third records: Jurmo bird-station on 15th May 1980 (Brit. Birds 73: 575), and Oulu on 10th September 1983 (Brit. Birds 77: 236), both now accepted as this species. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Yugoslavia Fourth record for Slovenia in last 25 years: one ringed at Naklo on 12th April 1984. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Belgium First record: adult near Antwerp from 22nd August to 2nd September 1983. Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Finland First record: Soderskar seabird research station near Helsinki on 20th May 1984. Herring Gull Larus argenlatus Belgium Increasing numbers of L. a. michahellis staying along southwestern coast, especially in August-September (hundreds in 1982 and 1983). France Yellow-legged individual of race (species) L. a. michahellis breeding in Vendee in spring 1984 had been ringed as downy young in the Camargue in summer 1970 (first proved instance of Mediterranean- bred yellow-legged Herring Gull breeding on Atlantic coast). Iceland Gull L arus glaucoides Norway First record for Oslo area: at least three in January-February 1984. Sweden Unusually numerous in 1983/84: probably more than ten (grand total only 19 up to 1983). (Cf. influx in France in early 1984, Brit. Birds 77: 237.) European news Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus France First record forGamargue: adult during 27th-29th May 1984. Ross’s Gull Rhodoslethia rosea Belgium First record: first-summer near Nieuwpoort on 24th April 1983. federal republic of GERMANY Fourth record: adult on Heligoland on 5th August 1982 {Die Vogelwelt 105: 60- 70)‘. Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Norway Influx: up to 60, mostly immatures, in Inner Oslofjord, where normally a rare vagrant, in late October 1983. Portugal No longer breeding at Berlenga Island, but single adult in June 1984. Exceptional wreck: from late December 1983 through January 1984, birds exhausted but few oiled. Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis France Two adults, each paired with a Sandwich Tern .V. sandvicensis at Arcachon, Gironde, in spring 1984 (see Brit. Birds 11: 372-377). Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Bulgaria First breeding record: 12 nests with young near Burgas on 12th June 1984, in mixed colony with nests of 16 Gull-billed Ferns Gelochelidon nilotica , seven Common Terns -S'. himndo and two Mediterranean Gulls Lams melanocephalus . Common Tern Sterna himndo Portugal Exceptionally strong spring passage: along west coast during 1 5th-3 1 st May 1984. Guillemot Uria aalge Norway Invasion: 20,000 in Inner Oslofjord, where scarcely recorded annually, in mid-October 1983 (largest invasion since 1893). Portugal Numbers still decreasing: at Berlenga Island, at southern limit of breeding range in north- east Atlantic, injune 1984. Stock Dove Colurnba oenas faeroe islands Second record: Akrabergon 21st May 1984. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus norway Second record: on ship west of Hordaland county in late February 1983 (first was in October 1978, Brit. Birds 73: 259). Hawk Owl Sumia u/u/a faeroe islands First record: Akraberg on 15th November 1983 (cf. influx in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and one in Britain, in autumn/winter 1983/ 84, Brit. Birds 11: 238. 5.38). Great Grey Owl Strix nebulosa Sweden High numbers in 1984: about 100 heard in province of Norbottcn. Alpine Swift A pus rne/ba Sweden Fourth record: Smaland on 14th June 1983 (first was as recently as 1980). 589 Bee-eater Xlerops apiaster Finland Unusual spring influx: sixteenth to nineteenth records during May to July 1984. including flock of 13 at Jurmo bird-station during 29th-30th May 1984. Yugoslavia First suggestion of possible breeding for many years: pair found in suitable habitat at Rogaska Slatina on 12th June 1984. Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti Malta Second record: caught by trapper in April 1984. Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra Switzerland Third and fourth records: near Grenchen during 3rd-4th May 1983, and near Jonen during 5th- 11th May 1983 (Om. Beob. 80: 299-300) . Sand Martin Riparia riparia Yugoslavia Only colony known in Slovenia: about 30 pairs nesting in sandpit at Maribor in 1984. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Belgium Second record (and first for Flanders): Kortrijk on 29th April 1984. FEDERAL. REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Second Heligoland record: 23rd May 1975. Switzerland Sixth and seventh records: near Payerne on 4th May 1983. and near Yesenaz on 8th May 1983. Red-throated Pipit Anthus ceninus France Fluge passage in mid-eastern France in spring 1984; male displacing in Lorraine on 9th May 1984. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola AUSTRIA Third record: male near Hard Yorarlberg on 27th June 1984. Finland First breeding: male paired with Yellow Wagtail Al.flava in south in 1983 and at same site in 1984 (cf. British and Swedish breeding, Brit. Birds 71: 209- 213. Vdr Fageharld 38: 47). Latvian ssr Second record: July 1984. Alpine Accentor Pmnella collaris Finland Second and third records: Jurmo bird-station during 15th- 17th May 1984, and Lagskiir bird-station on 29th August 1984* (first was in spring 1978, Brit. Birds 71: 585). Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Switzerland Fourth record: trapped near Rottenschwir during 9th- 16th September 1983. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Switzerland Second breeding record of red-spotted race L. s. svecica: four territories in 1983 near Davos, site of first breeding record in 1980 (Brit. Birds 73: 577). White-throated Robin I ram a gutturalis Sweden The third record (Brit. Birds 75: 28; 76: 569) was at Dattern on 10th May 1981. 590 European news Black Redstart Phoenicians ochruros Norway Probably breeding regularly in Oslo: four singing spring 1983, three singing spring 1984 (cf. range expansion in Denmark and colonisation in Finland, Brit. Birds 72: 279; 75: 28). Stonechat Saxicola torquata federal republic of Germany Decline: up to 61% decline between 1970 and 1982 in North- Rhine- Westphalia (Die Vogelwelt 105:41-51). Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti France Third record: male on Lavezzi Islands, Corsica, from 20th July to 14th August 1982 (first and second were in July 1980 and February 1983, Brit. Birds 74: 262; 77: 240). Netherlands First record: Eindhoven on 23rd November 1970. Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Romania Third instance of breeding colony: 14 occupied and 13 unoccupied nests in 8 km2 area near Bra§ov; average of four nestlings per nest, with two broods. Redwing Turdus iliacus federal republic of Germany Third breeding record in Lower Saxony: pair in Hildesheim reared three young, but nest with second brood destroyed by flooding. Lanceolated Warbler Locus tel la lanceolata FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Third reCOI'd: 13th October 1979. Finland Fourth record: Kalajoki during 3rd-29th June 1984* (previous three also in summer, in 1971 and 1981, Brit. Birds 75: 28). Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscmioides Finland First and second records: single singing male and one breeding pair in south in 1984 (previous records in 1949, 1950 and 1975 have been rejected) (cf. increase in Sweden and colonisation of Estonian SSR and Latvian SSR, Brit. Birds 71: 256; 72: 592; 73: 577; 76:275). Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola Finland Fourth record: temale caught near Tampere during 1 9th-2 1st June 1984 (previous three also in summer, in June 1980, June 1981 and Julv 1982, Brit. Birds 73: 577; 75:28,572). Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Finland Second record: caught at Sappi bird-station during 4th-5th October 1983 (first in 1957, formerly rejected, Brit. Birds 75: 29, now reinstated). Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotla Switzerland Further western range expansion (and first two breeding records (lose to Basel, in Federal Republic of Germany, Brit. Birds 77: 240). Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata federal republic of Germany First modern record: Heligoland on 13th April 1982 (cf. first Swedish record in May 1983, Brit. Birds 77: 241). Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis federal republic of Germany First records since before 1948: Heligoland on 12th June 1980, 8th September 1980, 9th September 1980 and 6th-7thjuly 1981. Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis federal republic of Germany Fifth Heligoland record: 1 1th March 1980. Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Only recent records: Heligoland on 20th October 1977, 2nd November 1977 and 23rd October 1982 (cf. much larger numbers in other northwest European countries). Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus federal republic of Germany Records in October and November 1977 (Brit. Birds 73: 577-578) were second and third, not first and second. Sweden Third 1982 record: Gastrikland on 11th October 1982, bringing grand total to five. Coal Tit Parus ater Switzerland Invasion in autumn 1983. Nuthatch Sitta europaea Finland Breeding by S. e. asiatica: large influx in autumn/winter 1983/84 (Brit. Birds 77: 242) led to breeding by at least five pairs in north (only three previous breeding records). Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus federal republic of Germany Increase and range expansion: breeding range in Lower Saxony extended even farther west and north, with considerable increase in numbers within previous range. France Large influx in autumn/winter 1983/84: especially in west, up to 400 along Gironde Estuary; breeding attempt in Lorraine in spring 1984. malta Sixth record: three mist-netted together and ringed in March 1984 (fourth and fifth records were in November 1983, Brit. Birds 77: 242). Isabelline Shrike Lanins isabellinus federal republic of Germany Second record: Flcli- goland on 21st September 1980. Lesser Grey Shrike Iannis minor Finland Best-ever year: seven in 1983 (bringing total to 53). Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus Bulgaria Fourth breeding site: two adults with three juveniles in Jambol on 18th August 1983. 591 European news Jay G arrulus glandarius Switzerland Invasion in autumn 1983 (cl. irruption in southern Sweden and Britain, Brit. Birds 77: 31,242). Raven Corvus corax Czechoslovakia Expanding from east and increasing: first breeding in Moravia in 1968; in Bohemia, at least four nests in 1983-84; breeding in Moravia and Bohemia comes after a gap of about 100 years. Rose-coloured Starling Stumus roseus Austria Small influx: in late May 198-4, four near Hundsheim on 26th, one near Hochst on 29th. Finland Best-ever year: five during 25th May to August 1984* (previous grand total 29). France Influx of eight to ten in Camargue on 30th May 1984*. Romania Small numbers: two on 17th May 1982, eight in May 1983 and one on 7th July 1983 in Danube Delta area. Snowfinch Monti) ringilla nivalis Czecho- slovakia Fifth and sixth post- 1945 records: in Bohemia on 14th August 1979 and 8th February 1983. Two-barred Crossbill Loxia leucoptera Bulgaria First record: male with flock of Crossbills /.. curvirostra near Govedarzi on 6th November 1983 (per 1.. Profirov). Crossbill Loxia curi'irostra francf. Post-invasion breeding: following 1983 invasion {Brit. Birds 76: 570), bred in Brittany and perhaps in Parisian region in spring 1984. Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Czechoslovakia Still increasing: in Sumava Mountains in southern Bohemia, at least 60 singing males on route of 25 km in 1984; first breeding in that area was in 1973. Switzer- land First breeding attempt: near Rothern- turm in 1983 (Om. Beob. 80: 296-297). (Cf. increase and range expansion in many European countries, and first known breeding in Britain in 1982, Bril. Birds 76: 1 18-123; 77: 133-135.) Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta carta Faeroe islands First record: male at Mykines during 18th-20th July 1984. White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leuco- phrys Netherlands First record: Spaarndam during December 1981 to February 1982. Black-faced Bunting Eniberiza spodocephala FEDERAL. REPUBLIC OF GERMANY SeCOIld record: Heligoland on 23rd May 1980 (first was on 5th November 1910; the first Finnish record was in November 1981. Brit. Birds 75: 271). Rustic Bunting Eniberiza rustica Bulgaria First record: male mist-netted near Burgas on 14th November 1981. Yellow-breasted Bunting Eniberiza aureola Estonian ssr Third record: male in Yoru region on 9th May 1984 (first record not that in 1977, Brit. Birds 72: 280, but female and young male on Malusi Island on 13th June 1972). Black-headed Bunting Eniberiza melano- cephala Finland Fourth record: near Vaasa on 20th May 1984 (previous three were in August 1980. May 1982 and May 1983. Brit. Birds 75: 573; 76: 570). Correspondents Austria Peter Prokop. Osterreichische Gesellschaft lur Vogelkunde, c/o Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, A- 1014 Wien 1. Burgring 7. Postfach 417 Belgium Rene de 1 .iedekerke & Drs F ranklin I .. I ,. I ombeur, rue dcs Haies 29. B-5296. 1 ailhe BULGARIA Dr Taniu Michev, Research and Coordination Centre for Preservation and Restora- tion of the Environment. Gagarin Street 2. Sofia 13 CZECHOSLOVAKIA Dr Karel Stastny. Institute of Eandscape Ecology . Czechoslovak Academe of Sciences. Bezrucova 927,251 01 Ricany ESTONIAN SSR Dr Y. I.illolchi. Academe of Sciences of the Estonian SSR. Institute of /oology and Botanv. 21 Yanemuise St. Sl -202400 l ami Faeroe islands Mrs Doreto Bloch. Museum ol Natural History . Dcbesaiupd. 1 orshaen Finland Karno Mikkola. The Finnish Ornithological Society. P. Rautatiekatu 13. SF-00100 Helsinki 10 FRANCE Dr Philippe J. Dubois. EeCabestan. 73 avenue Robespierre. 17000 La Rochelle federai repubi. it: of Germany Alistair Hill. Daehvcrband Dcutsi hei A\ llaumsten. Bundes- deutscher Seltenheitenausschuss. Albrecht-Hausholer-Str. 10. 3200 Hildesheim GREECE George I. Handrinos, 50 El. \ enizelou Suet.. 16b 7;>Glylada Italy Dr Azelio Onali & Dr E. A. Di Carlo. Societa Ornitologica ltaliana. Eoggetta Lombardesca, 48 100 Rae enna LATVIAN SSR Drjanis Baumanis. Laboralore of Ornithology . Miera 3. Salaspils MALTA Joe Sultana & Charles Gauci. The Ornithological Society. PO Box 448. \ alctta 592 European news Netherlands Kees Scharringa, Trompenburg 15, 1852 CB Heiloo Norway Geoffrey Acklam, Nordliveien 18, 1320Stabekk Poland Dr L. TomiaTojc, Wroclaw University, Museum of Natural History, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wroclaw Portugal Dr Antonio Teixeira, Centre of Studies of Migrations and Protection ol Birds, Rua da Lapa 73, 1200 Lisboa Romania Dr Victor Ciochia, Str. Pav ilionele CFR, nr. 30, R-2000 Bra§o\ Sweden Per Alstrom, Marholmsvagen 105, S-436 00 Askim Switzerland Dr N. Zbinden & Dr L. Schifferli, Schweizerische Yogelwarte, CH-6204 Sempach Yugoslavia Iztok Geister, 64202 Naklo, Pokopaliska pot 13. No information was received from Albania, Denmark, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Luxemburg or Spain. R. H. Dennis, P. M. Ellis, R. A. Broad and D. R. Langslow The status of the Golden Eagle in Britain > ■ i . i / - r* r* fa, k'*'- A/ormQn Ar/o6t ■ \llril. Buds 77: 592-1)07, December 1984] The Golden Eagle in Britain 593 For sue h a large bird, the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos can be surprisingly elusive, and an accurate picture of its status in Britain has always been difficult to obtain. I he physical nature and remoteness of many of its nesting areas, together with adverse weather and the frequent use of widely distributed alternative eyries, have always hampered fieldwork. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which followed the EEC Directive on the Conservation of \\ ild Birds, drew attention to the need to conserve wildlife habitats and to protect rare and vulnerable breeding birds in the United Kingdom. I he problems of adequately conserving raptors with large home-ranges has been brought into focus by this legislation. Successful conservation action will depend upon a sound knowledge of the numbers, distribution and ecology of birds such as Golden Eagles. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) decided, therefore, to organise the first complete census of Golden Eagles in Britain in 1982; in the event, some follow-up fieldwork was required in a few small areas in 1983. The aim of the survey was to visit all potential nesting areas in order to record the numbers, distribution and breeding success of Golden Eagles. Additional information on nest-site characteristics and other factors affecting eagles was also collected. This paper presents a summary of the results for population size, home-range occupancy, breeding success and production of Golden Eagles in Britain (other information will form the basis of a further paper). Methods A survey of Golden Eagles in Britain required the full and generous co-operation of those who have studied eagles for many years. Much historical information has been collated in recent years, and this identified those areas in which Golden Eagle distribution was poorly known. In 1981, a pilot survey was organised to test the methods for the full survey. Three detailed recording forms were produced to facilitate collation of results: (i) Form A dealt mainly with occupancy and success data; (ii) Form B contained six-figure map references ofall known eyries and. where possible, sketches or photographs of nest sites; (iii) Form C recorded the site charac- teristics of the eyrie (this information will be the subject of a further paper). Golden Eagle home-ranges were defined as areas which (a) had been used by eagles for breeding, from the evidence of used eyries, or (b) had a previous history of nesting. A home-range can contain a number of alter- native eyries, only one of which is used in any one year. The presence of recent pellets, moulted feathers or fresh food remains on an eyrie was the minimum evidence needed to confirm the occupation of a home-range. Proof of occupancy by a pair required that two eagles were seen together, or that a nest containing eggs or young was found. This probably resulted in a slight underestimate of the number of occupied home-ranges. Individual eagles, often immatures, were recorded in areas with no history of nesting and considered unsuitable for nesting; these were not included in the analysis. Also excluded were the immatures occasionally recorded in occupied home-ranges. 594 The Golden Eagle in Britain 255. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos at eyrie with two young, Scotland, summer (Harold Auger ) The early part of the year, before egg-laying begins, is a good time to find displaying Golden Eagles and to record nest-building. This is also a good period to identify the ages of the eagles and to note the presence of immatures in the home-range. During the survey, we did not want to risk disturbing eagles when they were laying or early in incubation. In 1982, egg-laying was first confirmed on 9th March; we therefore encouraged observers to examine nests from a discreet distance during March and early April, so that eagles were not flushed early in incubation. If the eyrie is approached carefully, and left rapidly, later during the incubation period (mid April-early May), Golden Eagles will return quickly to the nest; the shortest time recorded between flushing a female from eggs and her return to incubate was seven minutes. We had no evidence to suggest that any eagles deserted their eggs because of the surveyors in 1982. Using this advice, and following Postapalsky’s (1974) comments on data collection in population surveys of large raptors, we recommended observers to adopt the following procedure for each home-range: (1) an initial visit in good weather between January and early March to check for occupancy; (2) observation of the nest from a distance in late March-early April to check for incubating birds; (3) a quick visit on a mild day in mid April-early May to check the number of eggs; (4) a visit around mid May to count the number of small chicks; (5) a visit in mid June to check the progress of the young and to record the nest-site characteristics; (6) a final visit in late July and August to confirm fledging. Unoccupied home-ranges were the most difficult category to confirm, and several visits to all possible alternative nesting areas were required The Golden Eagle in Britain 595 before definite nil returns could be recorded. Young eagles remain with then paients lor several months after fledging, and this gave a further c hance to search lor any successful eyries which had been overlooked. was confirmed only when eggs or young were seen in a nest. Eagles were obseived in an incubating posture at a few eyries which were built-up and fully lined, but where eggs or young were not seen. As eSg"c°Hectors and others have been known to remove clutches soon after completion, this may have contributed to a slight underestimate of the number of eyries in which eggs were laid. In 1982, the RSPB employed nine contract wardens, part-funded by the NCC, to carry out the survey work along with RSPB and NCC staff; they weie helped by a large and willing band of raptor enthusiasts, birdwatchers and local people (see Acknowledgments). Golden Eagles are on Schedule 1 ol the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and all nest examinations required a scientific licence issued by the NCC. In September 1981, Jeff Watson, Stuart Rae and DRL ol the NCC began a four-year research project on Golden Eagles in selected areas, and this was most useful to the survey. The RSPB organised the fieldwork, with RHD and RAB respon- sible for the Highlands, the Spey watershed and Mull, while PME was responsible for the rest of the mainland and the W estern Isles. Results Fieldwork progressed extremely well in 1982 and no major problems occurred. A contingency plan had been made to delay the survey until 1983 if extremely bad weather prevailed in the spring of 1982. Following the severe cold in December 1981. January 1982 was also very cold, but temperatures rose in the second half of the month. The late winter was generally mild, but colder weather occurred in late March and April. Above 500m there were heavy snowfalls, and these persisted in the high mountains until May. In May and June, the weather was often ideal for fieldwork in the hills, and weather conditions remained favourable during the rest of the breeding season. Observer coverage was extraordinarily high (94.5%), only a few areas (mainly parts of Harris and Lewis in the Western Isles) requiring follow-up work in 1983. The additional records gathered in 1983 for areas D, G and H (see fig. 1) were added to the 1982 data to produce the population and occupancy figures; all calculations of produc- tion refer only to 1982. For the analysis of the results, the distribution was divided into eight areas (fig. 1). These divisions are based roughly on the areas outlined by Brown & Watson (1964) and Everett (1971), but geographical features such as main roads were used to define boundaries. The areas are defined as follows: A eastern highlands B northern moors and flows C north-central highlands D south-central highlands E northwest highlands F west highlands G southwest uplands and north England H Hebridean islands 596 The Golden Eagle in Britain Fig. 1. Divisions ofstudy area of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in Britain, 1982-83 Nesting areas and occupancy The collation of historical material from books, museum collections of eggs, and personal archives resulted in the identification of 598 home-ranges. All were checked during the survey (table 1). In 1982-83, a minimum of 51 1 home-ranges were occupied, at least 424 by a pair of eagles; of all known home-ranges, 70.9% were occupied by pairs. Regional differences were quite marked: the mountainous regions of central and western Scotland (areas C, D, E, F & G) and the Hebridean islands (H) ranged from 69.1% to 78.9% occupancy, while areas in eastern Scotland (A & B) had only just over 50%. Occupancy of known home-ranges by single eagles was 14.5%, but varied from 24.6% in area A down to 8.8% in area E. The Golden Eagle in Britain 597 Table 1. Population and home-range occupation of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in Britain, 1982-83 All home-ranges were checked during the survey; lor description of areas A-H, see text and fig. I Known Home-ranges Study area home-ranges occupied (%) Home-ranges occupied by a pair (%) Home-ranges occupied by a single eagle (%) A B 57 44 (77.2) 30 (52.6) 14 (24.6) 42 32 (76.2) 22 (52.4) 10(23.8) C D 82 75 (91.5) 62 (75.6) 13 (15.9) 59 54(91.5) 43 (72.9) 1 1 (18.6) E F 68 53 (77.9) 47 (69.1) 6 (8.8) 95 87 (91.6) 75 (78.9) 12 (12.6) G H 73 61 (83.6) 53 (72.6) 8(11.0) 122 105 (86.1) 92(75.4) 13 (10.7) TOTALS 598 5 1 1 (85.5) 424 (70.9) 87 (14.5) Egg-laying and non-breeding As mentioned above, it is olten very difficult to obtain proof of egg-laying at nests which fail at an early stage; the values in table 2 are, therefore, minima. 1 he percentage of pairs proved to lay ranged from 46.8% to 86.7%, except in area B, where it was 27.3%. A comparison with the results for pairs where laying was suspected but not proved suggests that rather more pairs (between 59.1% and 87.8%) probably laid. A minimum of 64.7% of pairs laid eggs, but probably around 75% did so: this suggests that about 25% of the pairs occupying home-ranges did not breed. Table 2. Breeding success of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in Britain, 1982 For description of areas A-H, see text and fig. 1 No. pairs No. pairs % pairs No. pairs proved to proved to No. pairs % pairs laying Study occupying lay hatch fledging laying which which were area home-ranges eggs (%) eggs (%) young (%) hatched eggs successful A 30 26 (86.7) 20 (66.7) 19(63.3) 76.9 73.1 B 22 6(27.3) 4(18.2) 4(18.2) 66.7 66.7 C 62 29 (46.8) 25 (40.3) 21 (33.9) 86.2 72.4 D 40 23 (57.5) 19(47.5) 18(45.0) 82.6 78.3 E 47 28 (59.6) 24(51.0) 24 (51.0) 85.7 85.7 F 75 49 (65.3) 33 (44.0) 31 (41.3) 67.3 63.3 G 49 42 (85.7) 28(57.1) 24 (49.0) 66.7 57.1 H 77 57 (74.0) 46 (59.7) 41 (53.2) 80.7 71.9 TOTALS 402 260 (64.7) 199(49.5) 182 (45.3) 76.5 70.0 Hatching and fledging success Throughout the whole population, 45.3% of pairs on home-range in the spring successfully reared young in 1982 (table 2). The highest success rate was 63.3%, in the eastern highlands (A), while the lowest was 18.2%, in the northern moors and flows (B). From the 260 nests in which eggs were definitely laid, at least 199 clutches (76.5%) hatched successfully. Most of these produced fledged young: 182 pairs produced at least 210 fledged The Golden Eagle in Britain 598 256. Female Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos massaging eaglet’s head, Sutherland, summer 1932 ( Seton Gordon) young in 1982, giving a mean brood size for all successful nests of 1 . 15 (table 3). The highest mean figure was 1.26 for the eastern highlands (A): very similar to the 1.3 per successful nest in 1944-57 (Watson 1957) and 1.31 in 1964-68 (Everett 1971) for this area. Areas D and G were also high at 1.22 and 1.21, respectively. The lowest mean brood size was 1.05 per successful nest in area H. The sample size for area B is too small for useful comparison. Production The most important measurement of breeding success in large raptor populations is the number of young reared compared with the total number of pairs occupying home-ranges (table 3). In 1982, total production was 0.52 young reared per home-range occupied by a pair of eagles. Again, the eastern highlands (A) were highest (0.8 young), followed by south Argyll, southwest Scotland and northern England (G) (0.59). The northwest highlands (E) and the Hebridean islands (H) recorded, respectively, 0.57 and 0.56 young per pair. The north-central highlands (C) were below 599 The Golden Eagle in Britain average, with 0.37. I he northern flows and moors (B) recorded 0.23 young per pair and, if the single pair which reared two young in Orkney is removed from this sample, production falls to 0. 14 per pair. Table 3. Production of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in Britain, 1982 For description of areas A-H, see text and fig. 1 Study area Minimum no. young fledged per study area Mean brood size at fledging % pairs occupying a home-range which were successful Production per pair occupying home-range Production per home-range occupied Production per known home-range A 24 1.26 63.3 0.80 0.55 0.42 B 5 1.25 18.2 0.23 0.16 0.12 c: 23 1.10 33.9 0.37 0.31 0.28 D 22 1.22 45.0 0.55 0.43 0.37 E 27 1.13 51.1 0.57 0.51 0.40 F 37 1.19 41.3 0.49 0.43 0.39 G 29 1.21 49.0 0.59 0.58 0.43 H 43 1 .05 53.2 0.56 0.53 0.44 TOTALS 210 1.15 45.3 0.52 0.44 0.37 Discussion Status in Britain In the 19th century, the Golden Eagle was intensely persecuted by sheep farmers, game preservers and collectors in Britain and Ireland, and became extinct in England, Wales and Ireland. In Scotland, the population was much reduced and confined largely to the more remote mountain areas, although sometimes sympathetic local people protected eyries. The Golden Eagle did not, however, follow the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla into extinction. During the wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45, fewer game preservers and shepherds were on the land; this probably resulted in an increase in the Golden Eagle population, which recolonised parts of Scotland and also spread into areas vacated by the White-tailed Eagle. From 1953 to 1960, a pair nested in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland; and, in 1969, the species returned to breed in northern England (British Orni- thologists’ Union 1971). In 1954, the Golden Eagle became specially protected under the Protection of Birds Act. Despite this, illegal persecution and collecting has continued (Nicholson 1957; Everett 19/ 1). In recent years, concern over the deaths of eagles and other birds from the illegal use of poison baits has prompted the RSPB to campaign against their use (Cadbury 1980). A number of attempts have been made to assess the size of the British Golden Eagle population. In the early 1950s, an estimate of at least 190 breeding pairs was made based on data collected by the late L. H. Brown, E. C. Palmar, P. W. Sandeman and Dr A. Watson (Nicholson 1957). Further information from these observers suggested a total of 231 pairs in 1968 (C. A. Palmar in htt.), while Dr A. Watson considered the Scottish 600 The Golden Eagle in Britain 257. Golden Eagle Aquila chtysaetos, Hebrides, May 1980 (Dennis Green) population close to 300 pairs (Everett 1971). The British Trust for Orni- thology/Irish Wildbird Conservancy Atlas project confirmed breeding in 236 10-km squares in Britain between 1968 and 1972: some of these squares held more than one pair, while some pairs bred in difierent squares in different years; rather conservatively, the population was estimated at 240 pairs (Sharrock 1976). The minimum of 424 pairs found during 1982-83 represents a population at least 40% higher than the highest recent estimate of 300 pairs. We suggest that most of this apparent increase can be accounted for by improved coverage of remote areas and improved survey techniques used in this census. A similar situation has arisen in Sweden, where the population is now estimated at 300-400 pairs as against previous figures of 100-150 pairs; this apparent increase is due to improved coverage and survey techniques, rather than being a true increase in the population (Tjernberg 1983). Parts of Lewis and Harris, Argyll and the Highlands have never before been thoroughly surveyed. In addition, a significant number of further home-ranges were confirmed after plotting the distribution of known nesting sites on maps and following up with more intense fieldwork. Regional differences The two most easterly study areas (A & B) had the lowest occupancy of home-ranges by pairs and the highest frequency of single eagles in home- ranges. The most likely explanation for these features is the continued persecution of full-grown eagles. The frequency of two-chick broods was highest in area A, suggesting that wild prey remains abundant there. By 601 The Golden Eagle in Britain contrast, B had very low production; in this area, a combination of persecu- tion and a scarcity ol wild prey resulting from overgrazing and excessive burning depresses both production and the number of adult eagles. Brown & W atson (1964), Everett (1971) and Brown (1976) have looked at the breeding success ol Golden Eagles in different types of habitats in Scotland. \ heir results indicated that more young were reared in areas with relatively abundant wild prey. In a survey during 1964-68, Everett (1971) reported 0.55 young produced per occupied territory in areas of good wild food supply and 0.44 young in areas of poor food supply; this production is very similar to the mean figure of 0.52 young per pair in 1982. Brown (1976) suggested that, in any particular year, between 10% and 25% of Scottish Golden Eagles did not lay, and that there was some evidence that non-breeding might occur more often in areas of poor food supply; the information from the 1982 survey tentatively supports this suggestion. In areas A and G, both with good food supplies, nearly 90% of pairs laid eggs. Non-laying pairs formed 18% of the population in the northwest highlands (E), 23% in the Hebridean islands (H) and 31% in the west highlands (F). Areas C and D include some of the highest mountains in Scotland and often hold snow late into the spring. In April 1982, there was heavy snow in the high mountains which persisted into May and June; this probably accounted for non-breeding, especially at the highest eyries (400-800 m above sea level), which reached 30% in area C and 36% in D. Area B includes much land which has been regularly overburnt, and some home-ranges have been badly affected; 41% of pairs did not lay. Lockie & Ratcliffe (1964) drew attention to the effects of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, especially dieldrin sheep-dips, which caused a decline in the breeding success of eagles in western Scotland between 1961 and 1963. In 1966, this sheep-dip was withdrawn and an improvement in breeding success followed (Lockie et al. 1969). At present, there is no evidence that pesticides are adversely affecting Golden Eagles. Indeed, among British birds of prey, they have consistently had the lowest residues of organochlorines in eggs and carcases in the last decade (Cooke et al. 1982). Impact of man on Golden Eagles in Scotland Some landowners and their staff have traditionally protected Golden Eagles on their land and, in recent years, many fieldworkers have com- mented that there has been a change of attitude by some landowners, keepers, stalkers and farmers who were previously ‘anti-eagle'. Sometimes, this is because an individual has stopped persecuting eagles; alternatively, it can result from a change in land ownership. In some areas, numbers of Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus have decreased; keepering pressures have then declined, with a consequent reduction in eagle persecution. The establish- ment of nature reserves and the influence of nature conservation bodies and other eagle enthusiasts, especially through protection, monitoring and ringing studies, have also assisted the population. There is positive evidence that a number of home-ranges which have not been occupied by a breeding pair for many years have been reoccupied in the last decade. 602 The Golden Eagle in Britain Nevertheless, there exist several home-ranges which were regular breeding sites until 20 years ago, but have not been occupied recently. Despite the new provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the increase in the maximum fine for killing an eagle or taking its egg to £2,000, some of these sites continue to suffer from persecution. Persecution, particularly the illegal use of poison baits, remains a significant threat to eagles. In 1982, the carcases of five full-grown eagles from Scotland were analysed and found to contain poison, while, in 1983, a crofter on the island of Skye was fined £300 for poisoning breeding eagles. There are also some areas, such as northeast Sutherland, the Monadhliath Mountains, north Argyll and parts of west Perthshire, where breeding success and the occupancy of nesting areas by pairs of eagles may have been influenced by a decline in the numbers of wild prey, especially Red Grouse and mountain hares Lepus timidus. The long-term degradation of the environment by overgrazing and overburning (Darling 1954) and by the establishment of commercial forestry plantations has contributed to these declines. 258. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Highland, summer about 1932 ( Niall Rankin) The production of different areas cannot be adequately assessed on a single year’s work. More detailed research is necessary to determine the elfects on eagle breeding success of factors such as the availability of wild prey and carrion, which varies between areas and between years, and different land-uses. The project begun in September 1981 by the NCC is investigating the relationship between the occupancy and success of Golden Eagle home-ranges and land-use practices. 603 The Golden Eagle in Britain Comparisons with European populations In 1982-83, a total ol 424 pairs ol Golden Eagles was recorded in Britain, with a further 87 home-ranges occupied by single eagles. The total population, including immatures, at the end of the summer was at least 1,200 individuals, and possibly as many as 1,400. I his number is con- siderably higher than any previous estimate. Based on current population estimates in Europe (table 4), the Scottish population accounts for about 20 /o of the total in western and central Europe and 50% of the EEC' population. (Note that the estimated 400 pairs in the Iberian Peninsula refer to the North African race A. c. homeyeri and not to the nominate race ,4. c. chrysaetos which breeds in the rest of Europe.) Recent studies in Europe have also reported higher population figures than previously published. Estimates from most countries have increased, but it is difficult to separate real increases from the consequences of improved survey techniques. Nevertheless, persecution has generally decreased, although there remains much scope for further improvement. I able 4. The population of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in parts of Europe The British population represents 16-20% of the total European population, 19-24% of the nominate European population, and nearly 50% ofthe EEC population. * = EEC countrv Country No. of pairs Source nominate A. c. chrysaetos Britain* 424 Present studv France* 190-236 Mathieu & Choisv 1982 West Germany* 17 Cramp & Simmons 1980 Norway 250-500 W illgohs 1977 Sweden 350-400 Tjernberg 1983 Finland 100-200 Cramp & Simmons 1980 Poland 10 Cramp & Simmons 1980 Czechoslovakia 25-30 Cramp & Simmons 1980 Austria 40-50 Cramp & Simmons 1980 Switzerland 100-120 Cramp & Simmons 1980 Italy* 250 S. Allavena in lilt. 1983 TOTAL 1.750-2,240 north African race A. c. homeyeri Spain 400 Cramp & Simmons 1980 Portugal 4 Cramp & Simmons 1980 GRAND TOTAL 2, 1 50-2,640 TOTAL EEC POPULATION 880-930 The future of the Golden Eagle in Britain Population size P. Brown (1964) suggested that the Golden Eagle population in Britain might once have been 3,000 breeding pairs, but L. Brown ( 1976) could not accept this figure, and neither can we. Brown ( 1976) also pointed out that the distribution of Golden Eagle home-ranges had been remarkably constant this century, a fact also reported by Seton Gordon (1955). The 604 The Golden Eagle in Britain 259. Golden Kagle Aquila chiysaetos bringing two young Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus to eyrie. Cairngorms, summer 1925 ( Seton Gordon) frequency of occupation of home-ranges varies greatly, but their spacing alters much less. It is almost uncanny how eagles have recolonised home- ranges alter very long absences and chosen the precise nest site known historically. Brown (1976) considered that the British population was once 650-700 pairs, 500 of those being in Scotland. The present survey revealed 598 known home-ranges, of which 424 were occupied by pairs. There are still substantial suitable areas where eagles do not currently breed, especially around the grouse moors of east Scotland. This would suggest that, in unmolested conditions, the Golden Eagle population could reach as many as 600 pairs in Scotland, although this assumes no competition with White-tailed Eagles. Relationship with White-tailed Eagles Love ( 1983) estimated that nearly 200 pairs of White-tailed Eagles bred in the British Isles in historical times. The species was heavily persecuted in the last century and became extinct in Britain in 1916. Its distribution was principally coastal, mainly in the west and north. One of the major changes in Golden Eagle distribution this century has been the colonisation of unoccupied White-tailed Eagle home-ranges. It is not possible to know how many Golden Eagles are now using former White-tailed Eagle sites, but it may be as many as one-quarter of the present population. A proportion of these sites are probably sub-optimal for Golden Eagles and, consequently, rather unproductive. The Golden Eagle in Britain 605 Re-introduction experiments have culminated in a major release pi ogr amme ol \\ hite-tailed Eagles by the NCC on the island of Rhum in the Inner Hebrides (Love 1983). In 1983, the first two pairs laid eggs, but both nests were unsuccessful, although the outlook for successful re-introduction is good. Interactions have been seen between Golden and W hite-tailed Eagles as the latter established themsel ves, and experience from several sites suggests that W hite-tailed Eagles will succeed in reclaiming their historical sites (RAB, RHI) and J. A. Love, personal observations). I he Golden Eagle population ol the western highlands and islands may well contract slightly as the W hite-tailed Eagle becomes re-established. The future I he present Golden Eagle population of Scotland is one of the largest in Europe, although it remains below that which could be maintained. The most serious threats are the continued degradation of the upland environment from overgrazing and excessive burning and from blanket afforestation. \\ ithout major changes in land management, the biological productivity ol the land will continue to decrease. Afforestation with blanket monocultures ol exotic conifers will affect Golden Eagles both bv the removal of suitable hunting areas for wild prey, and by the removal of sheep and deer with the subsequent loss of carrion; such afforestation is no substitute for a policy of integrated land-use accompanied by the re-estab- lishment of natural forests. The number of home-ranges with single eagles, together with the number ol poisoned eagles found each year, shows that some nesting areas suffer from continued persecution by some land-users who disregard the law. New hill roads and the breaking up of estates encourage the more intensive use of upland areas and increase the ease of access and subsequent risk of disturbance to nesting eagles at vulnerable periods. The desertion and failure of vulnerable eyries has already occurred, and, with the increasing recreational use of parts of the uplands, seems likely to continue. Nevertheless, it should be possible to maintain a large and v iable popula- tion of Golden Eagles in the Scottish highlands and islands. It is now important to formulate policies to ensure the long-term security of these populations. A complete overhaul of land-use policies in the uplands will be needed so that eagles, and nature conservation, are accepted as an integral part of that environment, along with man’s use for agriculture, forestry, hunting and leisure. Britain has an international responsibility to conserve what is one of our most spectacular breeding birds. Acknowledgments The success of this survey was due to the many long hours of fieldwork, often in difficult weather and terrain, by a dedicated group of eagle enthusiasts. We are extremely grateful to them lor their efforts, and for adv ice and comments on the objectives of the surv ey. We are especially grateful to the following: R. Ashcroft, G. & I. Bates, B. D. & P. M. Batty. \\ Brackenridge, K. Brockie, H. Brown, N. E. Buxton, E. Cameron. G. Carse. D. X. Carstairs.J. Carruthers, J. Chapman, D. A. Coleman. R. W. Collier, \1. J. H. Cook. D. Counsell. P. S. Coxon, K. Crane, E. Cross, W. A. J. Cunningham, K. Davies. D. Dick. D. W Duncan. E. Duthie, M. J. Everett. K. Fairclough, G. Flogdale, C. Geddes. D. Gowans. M. J. P Gregory, 606 The Golden Eagle in Britain J.J. Hardey, M. I. Harvey, T. \V. Henderson, I. Hopkins, E. Jenson, T. Johnson-Ferguson, R. Kirk, J. A. Love, M. Madders, D. & B. Mackaskill, P. McKenna, L. MacNally, A. R. Mainwood, E. R. Meek, J. Mitchell, K. Nellist, M. Nicoll, A. Payne, S. J. Petty, B. Philp, D. Pierce, D. M. Pullan, R. Rae, S. Rae, A. D. K. Ramsay, G. Rebecca, J. Rhead. M. Richards, A. B. Ritchie, A. Rollo, J. Rowbottom, R. Roxburgh, P. W . Sandeman, A. Scott, N. Sharp. J. Smith, P. Stirling-Aird, D. & J. Stroud, R. L. Swann, T. Talbot, R. Thaxton, M. Tomkies, the late P.J. Tullett, D. G. Walker, M. Walker, Dr A. Watson, J. Watson, D. N. W eir, R. Wood, S. J. Woolfall. W e are also indebted to many others, not mentioned by name, who contributed greatly by furnishing information, granting access, and helping in other ways. They often made our journeys easier and more interesting. The RSPB gratefully acknowledges financial support from the NGC to help with the employment of survey assistants. We are indebted to Dr M. Marquiss, Dr I. Newton and Dr J. W atson for discussion on various aspects, to Dr G. J. Cadbury and R. F. Porter for comments on this paper, and to Mrs J. Russell and Jackie Bailey for typing various drafts. Summary In 1982, the RSPB and the NGG organised the first-ever complete census of Golden Eagles Aquila chiysaetos in Britain. Some further fieldwork was required in a few areas in 1983 to complete the coverage. The results for occupancy and breeding success in each home-range are presented. A total of'598 home-ranges was identified from historical information. Of these, 5 1 1 (85.4%) were occupied by Golden Eagles; 424 home-ranges (70.9%) were occupied by a pair. At least 260 pairs laid eggs, but proof of laying was sometimes difficult to obtain. Non-breeding by pairs in different regions ranged from 10% to as much as 41%. At least 199 pairs definitely hatched eggs; 182 of these were successful, and fledged at least 210 young. Mean brood size was 1.15, and production was 0.52 young per home-range occupied by a pair. The population total of 424 pairs is higher than previous estimates. This is due mainly to better coverage and improved survey techniques rather than a substantial increase in eagles in recent years. Regional data revealed some interesting differences in occupancy and breeding success. The eastern areas showed the lowest percentage of occupied home-ranges (just over 50%) while, in the west, between 69% and 79% of home-ranges were occupied by a pair. Production was highest in the eastern Grampians (0.8 young per pair on home-range) and lowest in northern moors and flows (0.23 young per pair). The British population forms an important part (nearly 20%) of the west and central European population. We estimate that the potential maximum population size in Scotland is 25-50% higher than the present number of pairs. Attention is drawn to the relationship between Golden Eagles and White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla; the re-introduced W hite- tailed Eagles are likely to reclaim some nesting areas currently occupied by Golden Eagles. Finally, the future of the species in Britain is discussed: the most serious threats are identified as continued degradation of the environment and extensive monoculture of exotic conifers. An integrated land-use policy for the uplands encompassing agriculture, forestry, nature conser- vation, hunting and leisure is urgently required. References British Ornithologists’ Union. 1971. The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland. Oxford. Brown, L. H. 1976. British Birds of Prey. London. , & W atson, A. 1964. The Golden Eagle in relation to its food supply. Ibis 106: 78-100. Brown, P. 1964. Birds of Prey. London. Gadbury, C. J. 1980. Silent Death. Sandy. Gooke , A. S., Bell, A. A., & Haas, M. B. 1982. Predatory Birds, Pesticides and Pollution. NERC, Swindon. Gramp, S., & Simmons, K. E. I,, (eds.) 1980. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. vol. 2. Oxford. Darling, F. F. 1955. The West Highland Survey . London. The Golden Eagle in Britain 607 260. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos. Hebrides, May 1979 (Dennis Green) Everett, M. J. 1971. The Golden Eagle survey in Scotland 1964-68. Bril. Birds 64: 49-56. Gordon, S. 1955. The Golden Eagle. London. Loc.kie, J. I)., & Ratcliffe, D. A. 1964. Insecticides and Scottish Golden Eagles. Brit. Birds 57: 89-102. , , & Balharry, R. 1969. Breeding success and organochlorine residues in Golden Eagles in W est Scotland. J. Appl. Ecol. 6: 881-389. Love,J. 1983. The Return oj the Sea Eagle. C.ambridge. Mathieu, R., & Choisy, J.-P. 1982. L’Aigle royal ( Aquila chrysaetos) dans les Alpes meri- dionales franyaises de 1964 a 1980. Bievre 4: 1-32. Nicholson, E. M. 1957. The rarer birds of prey, their present status in the British Isles. Brit. Birds 50: 131-135. Postapalsky, S. 1974. Raptor reproductive success: some problems with methods, criteria and terminology. Raptor Res. Rep. 2: 21-3 1 . Sandeman, P. W . 1957. The breeding success of Golden Eagles in the southern Grampians. Scot. Nat. 69: 148-152. Sharrock, J. T. R. 1976. The Atlas oj Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. Berkhamsted. I jernberg, M. 1983. Breeding Ecology of the Golden Eagle Aquila chry saetos (L), in Sweden. Lppsala. Watson, A. 1957. The breeding success of the Golden Eagle in the north-east Highlands. Scot. Nat. 69: 153-169. Willgohs, J. F. 1977. Birds of prey in Norway. Proc. IC.BP World Conference on Birds of Prey. 1975 : 143-148.' R. H. Dennis, P. M. Ellis and R. .1. Broad, RSPB Highland Office, Munlochy, Ross & Cromarty IV88ND Dr D. R. Langslow, Nature Conservancy Council, PO Box 6, Godivin House . George Street. Huntingdon PE 18 SB t' ‘The “British Birds” Mystery Photographs Book The winner The winner of the cheque for £1,000.00 and the pair ol Zeiss West 10 X 40 BGAT* binoculars is Nicholas Pike of Grundisburgh in Suffolk. The winning entry is reproduced below: X X The ‘British Birds' Mystery Photographs Book Official Entry Form Entries in this competition arc not \alid unless submitted on this actual form (a photocopy or other facsimile is not acceptable). f ill in the English names of the species depicted in this book, in the sequence in which ihev appear, in the spaces below 1. l £cg uecertu. 22. iti, *£ /' ir 2. lU.IH-JH hr 'ftciii tbrZ 23. 3. tVl «< oo 24. ^ t- 1‘lf v ' 7a.' / 6 4. 25 ,*/ JAtjr 7 /r 5, Uv ri CA TEA&. 26. b. LCV>£ «■ » '0i t £0t- <- X-CK. 27. rl £•* ti/t :sr£t' dL > L -r.'tric*- 7. Lci yn » fd 7T7jl' fc- .-*"7" 8 tfOL. OCj'eL/t 29. *!&£>- //► «r wv/7c -i (£'//<. 9. (C TE~: /At o' r» C 30. it cf y V I y/v Jc T rhi u » ri 37. Ctv etP*1 1/vfiC /Lis r» 7»-<. 17. C t(i L i r/s ~c 38. ptL 0 r l (Held 18. L'Ai*- ic 39. 19 tL o iVi /v 40 li i 0 A* i. LlfC/ ^77 20 Fc c n A •> 41 >- /■-»!«:. ice 21. Vi. IL /Wu 42. dL0 37 7l«- f Explanation of how answer obtained: r v , U j £ c .S //£•**» a t» f o * t* yi * 1 1 v — & U*. -e M- t*r ■} . V- J f ? y 4 j* f v f.t n A*. M f .*!, iU *.( , ..>/%. XCC—.J-C / ^u*-e.Y V 'w y+T* . (£ /‘r {• Z< Me t*c*r> -y ^ l> - b " > * £ < JW (_£■ i./i, ?■' uu ^ j i"‘ ^ /■ ? , o rt- // H 44-z. . £****••* ■&¥<-* y S**~c£ iS-tteZ (**■*<■) ■* •‘-•'7 (L> ? * Z 7 I ,e e~)'< z /'A*'w,/ = c( a rA . 4P4 - h-A.-tc /v r / a ^ I The 43rd bird species is /^uA7//\,dr ■ Tu vciify dial you have indeed solved this book's secret and are not , merely guessing, please give, on the back of this form, a short account of • how you discovered the identity of the 43rd bird. | Vournamr O ! C ft a ^ ,1 i , ' , fccf 1 Your add ms <-&.■! A, i.h> c. g f L0<~Ctt- tt.W, J *^',v 1 & * t c t-rt-i J 0 c t~Xs l /<; I //'’/ 3 6<^ ul | Date of posting: ^ *" X/ " ‘ ' «’ U Iclj'2 i Entry forms must be sent by recorded delivery or registered post to ■ 7/ir Adjudicator . Mystery Photographs Hook, British Buds. Fountains. Pari luine, | Blunham. Bedjord MKH 3NJ, England Entries submitted in any other way I (or addressed differently) will not be eligible for the prize In the event of . any dispute concerning any aspect of this competition, the decision of the • Managing Editor of British Buds is final i X A set of completely correct answers (but with a postmark dated some weeks later than the winner’s) was also submitted by Ray Hobbs (with help from Mike Ainscough and Graham Hulme) of Lancaster. D. R. Harris of Wallington in Surrey solved the puzzle, but misidentihed just one bird (the Levant Sparrowhawk). Although they came up with wrong answers for the forty-third bird, Brian Armitage of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire (with Baikal Teal), Mrs Jane Dawson of the Isle of Islay (with Smew), Miss Lois Paterson of Fordingbridge in Hampshire (with Shoveler), and Dr Clive A. Walter of Heidelberg in W est Germany (with Long-tailed Duck) all came very close indeed to solving the puzzle. The winner and the six runners-up will each receive an inscribed copy of Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary, presented by W. & R. Chambers Ltd. (The reason for these prizes being Chambers dictionaries will be apparent if you read the solution.) 608 [Bril. Birds 77: 608-612, December 1984] 'The ‘ ‘ British Birds ” Mystery Photographs Book ’ 609 W c did appreciate Jane Dawson’s final remark, that the book was ‘The most enjoyable £4.80 I ve ever spent!’, and we could not really disagree with I)i C.live Walter, who described it as ‘Your very interesting, stimulating, devious, depressing, clever and very time-consuming puzzle!’ W e hope that we gave a lot of people a lot of fun. The Solution The British Birds Mystery Photographs Book contains 41 photographs, depicting 42 species, and there is a forty-third species to be discovered from various cryptic clues scattered throughout the book. I he very first odd thing in the book is 'Vi + V2 > 1' (a half plus a half is gi eater than one), on the inside front cover. I he book's 41 photographs are arranged either as full-page plates or as two half-page plates. A flash of inspiration might suggest the dots and dashes of Morse code: a full-page photograph being a dot and two half-page photographs being a dash. It then takes only a lew' minutes to work out that the arrangement of the 11 photographs in the book spells: S N () W B U X 1 I N (i And there’s the forty-third bird! Easy, isn’t it? Inspired guesswork was not, however, expected from the book’s treasure- seekers. ( )ther clues — and even detailed instructions — were available if the hidden messages were discovered. Of course, nobody will have missed the forty-second bird: that voung Cuckoo Cuculus canorus in the warblers' nest on page 4. \\ hat about the other 41 species? Well, identification skill and ornitholo- gical knowledge could have been used to name them all, but those talents were not essential. Nevertheless, surely nearly evervone could narrow the choices down to a few species: that page 3 shows a Treecreeper Certhia Jamiliaris or a Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla\ that the warblers with the Cuckoo are Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus, or Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris, or perhaps Blyth's Reed Warblers .4rro- cephalus dunietorum ; that the bunting on page 13 is either a Yellow hammer Emberiza citrinella or a Cirl Bunting Emberiga cirlus. That was really the only skill that was necessary, for there was a double check. First, the 41 numbers at the bottom of the inside front cover spell out a message if one takes the appropriate letter from each of the 41 birds. The message would contain spelling errors if the birds had been misidentified (e.g. Short-toed Treecreeper instead of Treecreeper, and Barrow’s Golden- eye Bucephala islandica instead of Goldeneye Bucepha/a c/angu/a, w ould hav e led to the message starting SHE IREESL RE instead of 1'HE TREASURE). Secondly, another message is spelt out by taking the letter from each bird name (English and scientific names, of course) which corresponds to the page number of the relevant photograph. Again, the message would contain spelling errors if a bird had been misidentified. These two checks could also help with any photographs which seem to be so difficult that they totally evade conventional identification methods: the 610 1 The “ British Birds” Mystery Photographs Book ’ twentieth bird, on page 15, tor instance. Using the two messages, one can deduce that its first letter is 5" and that its fifteenth letter is (). A search through the W est Palearctic list quickly shows that the only answer is Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava. So, the book’s puzzle was actually easier to solve than are some real-life field-identifications of birds! The full solution, including all the hidden clues and messages, and how to find them, is set out in detail below. The full solution The obvious first step is to identify the 41 bird species show n in the 41 photographs. These are as follows: Treecreeper Certhia Jarniliaris M arsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris W hitethroat Sylvia communis Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Lesser Black-backed Gull Larusfuscus Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Icterine Warbler Hippo/ais icterina Gapercaillie Telrao urogallus Black Tern Chlidonias niger ( Irey Partridge Perdix perdix ( dtifTchafl Phylloscopus collybila Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Garden W arbler Sylvia borin Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Girl Bunting Emberiga cirlus Skylark Alauda arvensis Robin Erithacus rubecula Pochard Ay thy a Jenna Yellow Wagtail Motacilla Java Blue throat Luscinia svecica Dunnock Prunella modularis Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Marsh Tit Parus palustris Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Lesser W hitethroat Sylvia curruca Isabelline W heatear Oenanthe isabe/lina Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Red-necked ( ire be Podiceps grisegena Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Levant Sparrow haw k Accipiter brevipes Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubi tor Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus (An identification problem w ith a difficult species pair could have been resolved by working backwards from the letters which are essential for the answers indues 9 and 6 to make sense.) But you were asked to identify the 42 species in the photographs, so there must be an extra one. The nestling being tended by the two Marsh Warblers in the second plate is actually a young Cuckoo Cuculus canorus, a help towards finding this appearing in the Introduction: 'Do not miss the doubly- tended stranger, heard in June but not regarded.’ (Shakespeare’s Henry IV Pt. 1 Act 1 1 1 Scene II lines 75-76: 'He was but as the cuckoo is in June, Heard, not regarded’.) Discovery of the forty-third species is less easy, but could be achieved with many of the following steps omitted. The apparently long and complicated series of clues is intended to help rather than to hinder the eventual solving of the problem. 1. There are 41 letters and numbers in the photographs. Their positions within the photo- graphs are immaterial, but if they are arranged in the currently accepted scientific order (that published by Professor Dr K. FI. Voous), the 41 letters and numbers read: LISE CHAMBERS TWENTIETH CENTURY DICTIONARY 1972. 2. If the words at the heading of each page are looked up in the 1972 edition of Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary and then the number of words indicated by the page number alongside is moved backwards through the dictionary (e.g. the sixteenth wo.rd backwards 611 ‘ The “ British Birds ” Afjvtery Photographs Book’ lrom ‘lecythus’ on page 16 is ‘leave’), the message becomes: DO NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE THE SCIENTIFIC: AS WELL* AS THE VERNACULAR NAME* AND LEAVE NO GAPS BETWEEN LETTERS WHEN YOU SPELL THEM BOTH OUT IN A SINGLE LINE. (‘Sciolistic’ rather than ‘sciolism' shows that it is ‘scientific rather than science ; plural gardens and ‘levels' indicate 'gaps' rather than 'gap' and 'letters' rather than letter .) Clue 7 (below) helps to show that it is necessary to move backwards rather than forwards. So, the listing ol the species is indicated, with the vernacular name followed by the scientific name, with one species per line (since it says 'both' and not 'all'), and no gaps, even between separate names. i. 1 he penultimate paragraph of the Introduction reads so strangely that it is clearly part of the puzzle (it could easily have been made less obviously odd. but I thought this problem needed to be easy somewhere). I he initial letters ol the section Tnterestinglv . . . results’ reads: IT IS NOT THE INITIAL LETTERS WHICH MATTER. This should help with the main problem and also as a preparation to c lue 1 1 . 4. So, it is not the first letter in each bird name which will spell a message. The part of the Introduction which says ' I he straight route is not always the right one' suggests that it is also not, say, always the third letter, but is varying. :j. Part of the I ntroduction says ‘peruse the images and also figure it out carefullv.' This could show that it is not just the pictures of the birds which are important, but also some numerals. 6. 1 here are 41 numbers in two lines (and there are 41 photographs). Using these numbers and selecting the appropriate letter from the bird names in each case, the decoded message reads: THE TREASURE IS NOT VERY CLOSE BUT YOU MUST SEEK ON. So. while obviously on the right lines, this is a dead end. The message does, howev er, allow a cross-check that all the photograph-identifications are correct. 7. Fhe Introduction says that ‘the backward birder is certainly at no disadvantage’. T his might suggest that the message is backwards rather than forwards (just as it ought to have helped with clue 2). 8. l he statement that 'You can try looking up the answer' also hints at the same idea as in clue 7. 9. Af ter failing with the numerals at clue 6, some more must be tried. The page numbers have been used once (in clue 2) and. if tried again, are the answer here too. Taking the letter from the vernacular and scientific names of each bird which corresponds to the number of the page on which the bird appears, the message (read backwards, of course) is: SOLVE BY USING INVENTION OF SAMUEL FINLEY B REESE. There is no famous Mr Breese with the forenames of Samuel Finley, but there is a very famous person who had these three forenames: Samuel Finley Breese Morse. The message also provides a second cross-check that the birds in the photographs have all been identified correctly. 10. In clue 3, it was found that it was not the initial letters which mattered. The next part of that paragraph states: ‘How many birds lurking in the undergrowth are exactly equiv alent to that which is being measured, weighed and ringed in the bird observatory laboratory ?' In other words, how many birds in the bush are equal to a bird in the hand? The answer is obviously two. 1 1 . So, taking not the first (initial) letter but the second letter in each word in the next part of that paragraph, the message reads: NO I I HE TELEGRAPH BL 1 1 HE OTHER ONE. We are. you will recall, seeking to know the inv ention of Samuel Finley Breese Morse which we need to use; he invented two well-known things: the telegraph and the Morse code. Now we know that it is not the former but the latter which will be needed to solve this problem. "“WELL’ could equally be ‘WKI.K.T’; and 'NAME' could equally be NAMBY-PAMBY or 'NANA', but these do not make sense. 612 ‘The “British Birds” Mystery Photographs Book ' 12. But to what use should the Morse code be put? In the Introduction there is the sentence ‘At first it matters what, but later whaj is unimportant.’ In other words, the identities of the birds in the pictures are important at first (they have already been made use of), but there is something else about the pictures which is important later. Perhaps this is their arrangement or their sequence? 13. Below the line giving the International Standard Book Number there is the cryptic entry ‘V2 + V2 > 1’: two halves are greater than one whole. Applying this to the photographs, two half-page photographs are greater than one full-page photograph. 14. Since we are looking for the dashes and dots of the Morse code, let two half-page photographs be a dash and one full-page photograph be a dot. If the asterisks (*) at the bottom of some pages are taken to show the end of each sequence, the message is: S N O W BUNT I N G ... * * * . — . * _ * .. * — * — • * So there is the identity of the 43rd species: Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis. 15. Confirmation that this is the correct answer is provided by the ‘poem’. In this, the key word is ‘DON’T’. Worry it a bit: i.e. tear it about a bit. Take away nought: remove the O. No mark in the air: remove the apostrophe. Take-away in: insert a take-away (minus) sign, i.e. a hyphen. This gives DN-T, the initials of Desmond Nethersole-Thompson, who studied the Snow Bunting and wrote a famous monograph on the species. Among his other books based on his own detailed studies, one is on the Dotterel; one old name for the Dotterel is given in the first line: wind. The DN-T is, thus, literally ‘initially confirming’ that Snow Bunting is right. Following the birds which he has studied (migrants latitudi- nally and also altitudinally), DN-T would very likely be up in the mountains of the Scottish Highlands in summer and down in the lowlands farther south in winter: ‘in winter down here; then in summer up there’. (Whereas all other parts of the puzzle were completely solved by at least one entrant, the unravelling of this clue 1 5 did — perhaps not surprisingly — elude everyone.) 16. Someone with a flash of inspiration could have solved the whole problem by going straight to clue 14. Equally, it could have been solved directly from the 8x8 block of 64 letters (although I must admit that this was really intended to confuse, by bringing geese, gamebirds and ducks into people’s minds). The block has a capital letter in the top left hand corner and a full stop at the bottom right, so perhaps it is not too difficult to decide to trace a message leading from the ‘N’ to the ‘d’. Passing in a continuous line, horizontally, vertically or diagonally at will, the message reads: NO WILD GOOSE CHASE THIS, FOR, GAME TO THE END, THERE’S AN EASTERLY DUCK TO BE FOUND. ‘No wild goose chase’: well, it does lead to a large cash prize. Inclusion of‘easterly’ should have suggested the four main compass points, N, S, E & W; in cricket a duck is O, so O is substituted for the E, to give N, S, O & W, from which it is not difficult to make SNOW. ‘Game to the end’: bunting is a boys’ game involving pushing with sticks, hence SNOW BUNTING. If anyone had solved the problem by using only this obscure clue 16 they would have fully deserved a prize! (Although at first led astray by it, Ray Hobbs & associates did eventually interpret this clue completely.) |TRS Iktoentp-fibe pears ago... ‘Firstly, when the bird is hatched, it is either entirely naked or has a down-plumage. This plumage is succeeded by what we shall term the juvenile plumage. Dr. Dwight has coined the word “Juvenal” to describe this plumage, but this is an “Americanism” which we feel it our duty to resist.’ (Brit. Birds 3: 211; December 1909) BASS & BLIGH Your Optical Specialist in Leeds SWIFT OSPREY 7.5 x 44 No case LIMITED OFFER OUR rQQ nr PRICE *03.33 Gold Ribband Range Supreme 10 x 50 £139.90 Audubon 8.5 x 44 .... £126.95 Blue Ribband Range Newport 10 x 50 £94.50 Saratoga 8 x 40 £87.50 Green Ribband Range Belmont 10 x 50 £52.50 Belmont 8 x 40 £48.50 All Above include Cases. ZEISS (West German) Dialyt Compact 8x20 B £156.50 10x25 B £170.95 Dialyt ROOF PRISM 8x30 B £316.95 8x30 BGA £317.95 10x40 B £358.50 10x40 BGA £364.50 All Above include Cases. mm JENA ■ (East German) Jenoptem 8 x 30 £39.95 Jenoptem 10 x 50 £59.95 Deltrintrem 8 x 30 £47.95 Deltrintrem 10 x 50 . £79.95 ROOF PRISM Notarem 8 x 32 B £89.95 Notarem 10 x 40 B . . £129 95 All Above include Cases. OPTOCRON CLASSIC 10x42 GA ZWCF £88.00 10x42 ZWCF £84 00 7x42 ZCF £76 00 7x42 GA ZWCF £79.00 OPTOLYTH >4lpiS\ Manufactured by Optolyth of W Germany for those enthusiasts and bird watchers who want the best optical performance com- bined with lightweight at reason- able prices 10x50 BA £141 10x40 BGA £121 8x40 BGA £119.50 8x30 BGA £109.50 7x42 BGA £122.50 12x50 BGA £143 ■ J.L'f. 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They are the work of a devoted birdwatcher who is also an artist of the highest quality and ensure that this is a book that will remain a classic with enthusiasts for years to come. £16.95 0-7099-1445-1 96 pages Illustrated in colour and black and white * THE HERONS HANDBOOK Text by James Hancock and James Kushlan, paintings by Robert Gillmor and Peter Hayman. When The Herons of the World was first published in 1978, it rapidly became established as a classic reference for ornithologists. Its successor, The Herons Handbook, is a revised, updated and restructured book which aims to be of great practical value to a wide range of birdwatchers. Descriptions have been updated and more information provided, while four more plates by Robert Gillmor help identification of the white species around the world. £16.95 0-7099-3716-4 288 pages * THE BIRDS OF THE WETLANDS James Hancock This book describes one major wetland area in each continent of the world. The author draws on his wide personal experience to consider the important questions of conservation in increasingly threatened environments. The problems of classifying the great variety of bird species and genera are discussed in a global context. The whole work is beautifully illustrated in colour throughout. £13.95 0-7099-1287-0 152 pages Illustrated with colour and black and white photographs. *JUST A LARK! Photographs by Eric and David Hosking, descriptions by Jim Flegg, drawings by Norman Arlott. This book takes an informed, often comical look at the nomenclature of birds, from the obvious to the puzzling and plain absurd. Jim Flegg’s descriptions contain interesting and pertinent information on names and behaviour. Norman Arlott’s delightful drawings provided a whimsical counterpoint to the text and Eric and David Hosking's excellent photographs give clear pictures of the bird themselves. Anyone interested in the quirks and oddities of birdlife will find this book absorbing and enjoyable reading. £8.95 0-7099-1049-5 224 pages Illustrated with over 300 black and white photographs and line drawings. * OCEAN BIRDS Lars Lofgren A comprehensive study of ocean birds, this book provides a thorough account of their biology, taxonomy and all aspects of oceanbird life including feeding methods, plumage distinction, migratory habits and mechanics of flight. All birders and biologists will find this an invaluable book. £16.95 0-7099-1675-2 240 pages 200 colour photographs, 4 watercolour paintings, numerous line drawings. Already Available * SEABIRDS: AN IDENTIFICATION GUIDE Peter Harrison Best Bird Book of the year 1983' British Birds ' an unparalleled achievement, and the natural history event of the year’ Ron Naveen, Binding ' ... a monumental one-man piece of work aimed at the field birder ... it will be a standard work of reference for many years’ S.C. Madge, British Birds £15.95 0-7099-1207-2 448 pages * WHERE TO WATCH BIRDS IN DEVON AND CORNWALL David Norman and Vic Tucker ‘The authors ... have written an extremely useful book, both for birdwatchers resident in the two counties and for the many ‘passage migrants’ who come down from other (in some ways less fortunate) parts of Britain to enjoy the ornithological riches of Devon and Cornwall. No active birdwatcher in the South West should be without a copy.” Devon Birds £8.95 0-7099-1428-8 320 pages * GROUSE OF THE WORLD Paul A. Johnsgard This is the first comprehensive study of grouse this century, comprising comparative chapters on distribution, social behaviour, physiology, breeding and feeding patterns, as well as many illustrations, line drawings and distribution maps. £25.00 0-7099- 1427-X 413 pages * THE WILDLIFE AND NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER’S FIELD GUIDE Michael Freeman ‘For the photographer who is about to start in the natural history field there is a wealth of information, and I recommend it.’ Birds Magazine ‘This is I feel a valuable reference book, particularly perhaps for the naturalist turning to photography or the photographer wanting to specialise in wildlife work.' R.J Chandler, British Birds £8.95 0-7099-1025-8 224 pages ‘Available from British BirdShop and all good booksellers. In case of difficulty, contact Robert Kirk at Croom Helm Ltd., Provident House, Burrell Row, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1AT. Croom Helm (D434) XIV PhotoSpot 8. Hume’s Tawny Owl 261. Hume's Tawny Owl Strix butlen, Israel. April 1984 (R. G. Hibbett) 6 1 4 PhotoSpot The curtain of mystery surrounding this desert species has largely lilted over the past decade. Although only one nest has ever been found (ten years ago), observations have shown that it is widespread and even quite common, especially in the Negev, but also in Sinai and near Eilat, in Israel. Within this range, it is commoner than the Eagle Owl Bubo bubo. The range does not overlap with the l awny Owl Strix aluco, there being a roughly 50 km gap in the Jerusalem-Jericho area. Compared with fawny Owl, Hume’s is very pale, with the whole head uniformly pale, lacking the contrast of Tawny; is a little smaller; is more compact and less elongated; and has fewer (only three or four) bars on its tail. The most diagnostic feature, however, despite incorrect illustrations in some field guides, is eye colour: mustard-yellow to dark orange, compared with the black ofTawny. The calls are also distinctive: a hoarse, growling lwouw’; and, less com- monly heard, a soft, rather dove-like ‘oo u u' or ‘coo cu cu\ audible from no more than 20 or 30 m. A feature on this species is in preparation for ‘Studies of West Palearctic birds’. Hadoram Shirihai Notes Grey Heron parents attending grounded nestlings In my monograph on the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea ( 1954, The Heron), I stated of young blown from the treetops that ‘If in crashing the bird breaks a leg or wing it will not survive long, but if uninjured it may live in the undergrowth for some time before starving. Once a young heron is grounded and unable to fly back to its nest, it will be abandoned by its parents.’ Frequent subsequent experi- ence bears out this statement. In early 1982, on a visit to a small heronry in the Ribble valley, Lancashire, however, I found two grounded young herons in a pasture bordering the wood; I was informed that they had been blown out of their nest two weeks earlier. They were mobile and lively, and had apparently been regularly led by their parents. They were shy and retreated into the wood at my approach, returning into the open when I withdrew. It is usual for grounded young herons to fall among trees, and their parents do not descend to them. In this instance, the young had landed on the open field, where their parents apparently had no difficulty in feeding them. Frank Lowe 2 Lightburne Avenue , Bolton BL1 4PL Aggressive behaviour of female Goldeneye On 26th December 1981, at the causeway of Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire, there was an area of clear water approximately 100 m2, the remainder being covered in ice. In this patch there were six Goldeneyes Bucephala clangula : one adult male in breeding plumage, one adult female and four immature males. During a period of about ten minutes, the female attacked the immatures, clearing them from the water. Two methods of attack were used: (i) underwater, when the immatures scattered before the female surfaced, and (ii) Notes 615 aggressive swimming in the neck-stretch posture. The other Goldeneyes usually scattered as the female approached, but twice a prolonged chase resulted. After the immatures had flown off, the adult male was subjected to the same treatment until eventually he flew away. A pair ofTufted Ducks Aythya fuligula was then attacked. Having driven all ducks apart from a pair of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos from the clear water, the Goldeneye pioceeded to dive along the edge of the ice in a feeding manner. During the attac king period, dives were between 15 and 27 seconds in duration. M. R. Farmer and R.J. Farmer 74 Chatsworth Road , Ainsdale, Southport , Merseyside PR82QF Di Hilary Dow has commented as follows: i his type of aggressive behaviour is not uncommon among female Goldeneyes feeding in restricted areas of ice-free water. I have regularly observed it in the species’ wintering grounds in southwest Sweden and on the breeding grounds in early spring. The types of display described are typical, although this individual female does appear to have been particularly aggressive. The behaviour may be tc fated to (i) the defence of a limited food resource, and (ii) the female chasing away unwanted males which were interrupting her feeding (females are regularly aggressive towards juvenile males). 1 o distinguish between these two suggestions, it would have been helpful to know if the males had been displaying to the female beforehand. Nilsson (1969, Vdr Fdgelvarld 28: 199- 210), who discussed this behaviour, prov ided good quantitative evidence that female attacks on males account for 10% of all attacks, and female attacks on females for 1%. Kds Pink Black-headed Gulls A. R. Kitson’s note on a Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus with pink underparts (Brit. Birds 75: 536) prompts the following. On 12th November 1973, at Port Gharlotte, Islay, Strathclyde, together with Peggy \ isick and George Jackson, we came across an adult Black-headed Gull with most of its normally white areas a deep rose colour. It also had a pink eye-ring and exceptionally bright red bill and legs. Bernard King and P. G. Marriott Gull Cry, 9 Park Road , Newlyn, Penzance. Cornwall In late August 1982, at Beddmanarch Bay, Anglesey, Gwynedd, we saw an adult winter-plumaged Black-headed Gull with underparts of a very even pink colour. The pink blended smoothly into the white areas. R.J. Evans Hill View, Balscote, Banbury , Oxfordshire OX 156 JX Dr M. A. Ogilvie has commented as follows: ‘ The dyeing of gulls as part of ringing programmes has been going on for a great many years, and there is a very distinct chance that some of these individuals were dyed. The whole subject of birds taking in pigment in their food and oxidising it into their feathers is explained in great detail by Rear & Duplaix-Hall 1 1975. Flamingos) , who also state that various pigments are added to cagebirds' food to produce bright coloration (a fact very well known among aviculturists).' Eds Robin eating flies attracted to stinkhom fungus At 1 1 .30 GMT on 22nd September 1981, at Lydeard Hill, Taunton, Somerset, I saw a Robin Erithacus rubecula trying to capture flies (Diptera) attracted to the sticky cone of a mature stinkhom fungus Phallus impudicus. It flew repeatedly to attempt to pick up flies crawling on the cone; twice it succeeded, but the flies usually dispersed before they could be seized. The behaviour continued for two or three minutes before the Robin flew off. A. P. Radford Crossways Cottage, West Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3EG 616 Notes Fieldfare landing on observer’s head During snow on 21st December 1981, while birdwatching on the sea-wall at Reculver, Kent, I observed many birds moving offshore and overland. As one group of Fieldfares Turdus pilaris approached, one individual broke away, descended and landed on my head; it remained there for a few seconds, before taking off and rejoining the flock, which was by then flying inland. Chris Hindle 42 Glenbervie Drive , Herne Bay , Kent Misde Thrush defending winter feeding area In the second half of December 1981, in my garden in Bradford, West Yorkshire, two Fieldfares Turdus pilaris were feeding on berries of a 3V2-m-tall cotoneaster Cotoneaster, joined on two days by two Redwings T. iliacus. The two resident Mistle Thrushes T. viscivorus, when also present, would not tolerate either species in the tree, and always drove them off. The Mistle Thrushes did, however, appear to tolerate the other thrushes feeding on fallen berries on the ground beneath the tree. Although I saw no interaction between the Fieldfares and the Redwings, one Fieldfare once chased off the other. M. D. Lloyd Spring Hill House, Main Street, Wilsden, Bradford BD150AIY Derek Goodwin has commented as follows: ‘Aggression between thrushes, although not unusual, is apparently not well recorded in the literature. Mistle Thrushes are known to ‘guard’ certain berried trees, which therefore retain their crop for longer.’ Eds Little Bunting wintering on stubble field in England On the morning of 23rd January 1983, at Heswall, Wirral, Merseyside, C. M. Poole, J. Poole, F. Samuels, L. Samuels and I were mist-netting at a small pond. \\ hen we checked the net at 1 1.00 gmt, we discovered a first-winter Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla, which we ringed. VVe took it to my home 200m away, photographed it and released it. In the late afternoon of the same day, the bunting was relocated at the pond. It remained in the area and was seen almost daily throughout February, becoming more elusive in March, and was last seen on 2nd April, when it was in song and was thought to be a male. It spent most of its time feeding in stubble with a mixed flock of Tree Sparrows Passer montanus, Linnets Carduelis cannabina, Yellow-hammers E. citnne/la and Reed Buntings E. schoeniclus. At intervals during the day, it drank at the pond, but was also seen in hedges of privet Ligustrum between the stubble field and the River Dee, and in thorn hedges of gardens. On the ground, it was virtually impossible to pick out. There were no December-February records during 1958-75, but more recently there have been several records which suggest that Little Buntings may occasionally winter in Britain: Ghew Valley bake, Avon 3rd Jan. 1976 Trapped Bridgwater, Somerset 19th Feb. 1976 Trapped Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty 23rd Jan. 1977 Trapped Rosehall, Sutherland 29th Dec. 1979 Seen Boston, Lincolnshire 4th Dec. 1980 Seen The Little Bunting at Heswall in 1983 appears to be the first proven instance of this species taking up a winter territory in Britain. In view of the Notes 617 species inconspicuous nature, it is hardly surprising that most records are of individuals caught in mist-nets. Close scrutiny of finch flocks and free Sparrow flocks may reveal further wintering Little Buntings. It is of interest to note that other Siberian species have wintered in Britain or Ireland: for example, Richard's Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae , Olive-backed Pipit .1. hodgsoni , several species of thrush Tardus , Dusks \\ arbler Phylloscopus Juscatus and Isabelline Shrike Lanins isabellinus. R. A. Lades / IVestway, Lower Heswall, 1 1 irral, Merseyside Hio HP j Letters Tufted Duck carrying young In connection with the recent notes In Montse Carbonell and Stephen B. Ldwards {Brit. Birds 77: 118019), I should like to draw attention to a previous published account b\ m\ husband, the late Dr Jeffery Harrison, of a female I ufted Duck Aylhya fuligula carrying young on her back ( Kent Bird Report 24: 98-99). In the summer of 1975, at the Sevenoaks Reserve, Kent, the surviving two of a brood of seven Tufted Ducks took to riding on their mother’s bac k until there was room for only one, at which time the other disappeared. I he remaining one, photographed at the age of three weeks (plate 262), s u rv i vecl to m a t uri ty . Pamela Harriso n Merriewood, St Botolph 's Road. Sevenoaks. Kent \ ISHAQ \\e are grateful to L. J. Davenport, who also drew our attention to the late Dr Jetferc Harrison's observations. Kds 262. Young Tufted Duck Aylhya Juhgula on back of female. Kent, summer 197 ) Pamela Harrison) 618 Letters Black Grouse in the Peak District The Peak District of Derbyshire and north Staffordshire is one of the southernmost sites of t he Black Grouse Tetrao tetris in England, and consequently attracts large numbers of birdwatchers each spring. Many, however, may not be aware of the critical state of the population of this species in the area. Only 17 males are estimated to remain in the Peak District, 14 in north Staffordshire (mainly at a single, well-known lek) and three in Derbyshire. Although changes in farming practices appear to be the main cause of the decline, and one lek was also shot out, the increased pressure from visiting birdwatchers is giving much cause for concern. Disturbance has now reached an unacceptable level, and we therefore appeal (1) to birdwatchers to watch from the road and to refrain from intruding on lek sites, and (2) to orni- thological-club outdoor-meetings organisers to omit the sites from their summer programmes. Dr D. \\ . Yalden is collating information (both current and historical) on the status of the Black Grouse in the Peak District and requests that details of any unpublished sightings should be sent to him at the Department of Zoology, University of Manchester, Manchester M 13 <)PL. David Emi.ey and Frank Gribbi.e Chairman , Staffordshire Branch , West Midland Bird Club , 127 Harpjield Road , Stoke-on-Trent , Staffordshire ST4 :>LT BTO Regional Representative , 22 Rickerscole Avenue, Stafford ST 17 4KZ Disturbance of Red-necked Phalarope 1 have found some people s interest totally self-centred, showing little concern for the wildlife which they are watching. The ultimate in my disgust and shame was an incident at an isolated but well-known site in Scotland of a pair of Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus. This year only a single female was present, on a pool with adequate viewing facilities from a nearby area and road. Also within the vicinity of this pool were a number of various duck and wader species with nests and young. For those who do not have the ability to use common sense, a notice has been placed on the field containing the pool, stating ‘No Entry’. Despite this, 1 saw four people sitting inside the field on a slight hill overlooking the pool; later, these four were joined by another three, and these seven — unable to watch and wait for the phalarope to leave its roosting cover — proceeded to walk around the pool, flushing it from cover several times. The following day, I met four people leaving the field and, when questioned, they stated ‘It’s not there — we’ve walked all the way around.’ This disturbance showed, by the number of birds returning to their nests and young. What really makes me the most ashamed, as a visitor to the area, is the impression given to local ornithologists and the destruction of the relation- ship between them and those of us visiting from farther south. C. Lamsdell 12 Blinco Lane, George Green, Slough SL36RQ Disturbance of Savi’s Warblers In 1984, a Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscimoides territory known to me over several years became more generally Letters 619 known amongst birdwatchers. 1 his seems to have been partle due to the failure of a well-known nearby site to produce its usual easily seen example and the arrival, at the end of May, of an exceptionally rare vagrant a short distance away. As in previous years, the territory that this Savi’s Warbler occupied was so screened by reeds and sallows as to render observation of the bird impossible from the well-established paths in the area. Although frustrating, this is something that I, in common with other local observers, have managed to endure. Sadly, this spring a path was trampled through the reeds, and an area of reedbed was flattened by impatient and thoughtless birdwatchers who wished to see their quarry. Perhaps most of them kept well back to minimise distui bance, but the path blundered on to indicate that some were not so considerate. Indeed, I have subsequently learnt that on at least one occasion a tape-recording was used to coax the bird nearer in order to photograph it. I his seems wanton irresponsibility. Once established, the path through the reeds was used by fishermen and others who were ignorant of the damage that they might be doing; it could also have attracted the interest of those with less-innocent intent. It should not be necessary to remind birdwatchers that Savi’s Warbler is a Schedule One species and that the disturbance was, therefore, not merely irresponsible, but also illegal. I appeal to all observers to exercise greater restraint in future than was shown in this instance; and if am readers should recognise the site to which I refer, to forbear from entering the reedbed in future years. Author’s name withheld by request Ihe author of this letter considered that publication of his name would reveal the locality. Eds Good and bad behaviour of birdwatchers Following the visit of a Bridled Fern Sterna anaethetus to Rutland Water. Leicestershire, on 8th and 9th June 1984, I should like to commend the majority of the twitchers who arrived to see this bird. They were pleasant; understanding when the bird unfortunately flew off; and the majority were patient and communicative. Only at the end of the day were there a number of disappointed faces; people were well-behaved, and I would have no hesitation in opening up the reserve again, should we be blessed with further rarities. There were, however, one or two incidents which marred the day, and I think that it is high time that the behaviour of certain individuals — who have also been responsible, it would appear, for misdemeanours at other sites — should be publicly criticised. One gentleman, known by the name of Franko, whose only thought seemed to be to see the bird, regardless of any other consideration, walked into areas where resident birds were breeding and, as we discovered later, this resulted in our one pair of Common Terns S. hirundo losing its eggs to Carrion Crows Conm corone . Franko remained for at least two hours, standing out in the open, and would almost certainly have frightened off the Bridled Tern had it attempted to return. This caused a great deal of frustration and anger among the well-behaved other birdwatchers present. Eventually, when he refused to leave the reserve, we had to call the police to remove him. The general consensus of opinion was that this action was long overdue. 620 Letters Unless some positive steps are taken (such as the publication of this letter), this type of person will continue to give respectable birdwatchers a bad name. T. P. Appleton Warden, Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Fishponds Cottage, Stamford Road, Oakham, Leicestershire The antisocial behaviour by this individual was also drawn to our attention at the time of the occurrence in Mid Glamorgan of the Little Whimbrel Numenius minutus (Brit. Birds 76: 438- 445). W e had hoped that he would heed the remonstrations by his peers; this repeat instance indicates otherwise. It is this sort of behaviour (by a tiny proportion of twitchers) which is feared by those who urge suppression of rarity sightings, even at sites where large numbers of well-behaved birders would be no problem. It is, therefore, in everyone’s interest to support those, such as T. P. Appleton, who are willing to make it clear that only responsible behaviour will be tolerated. We wonder who it is who informs the irresponsible element of the arrivals of rarities? Exclusion from grapevine information would seem a just penalty, until such time as civilised behaviour is promised. In our view, twitchers should enforce their own code of conduct if they w ish to continue to be fed information on rare birds by non-twitching birdwatchers. Let’s all enjoy birds, without that enjoyment being marred by a few selfish individuals. Eds Winter quarters of Sabine’s Gull It was kind of R. A. Hume to rally to our defence when Ian Wallace and I were pronounced by J. Dunn and P. Alstrom to be incapable of distinguishing Sabine’s Gulls Larus sabini from Kittiwakes Rissa tridaclyla (Brit. Birds 76: 91; 77: 122, 326). The unaccustomed delay in replying is due to a frenzied search for more tangible confirmatory evidence, but, since it has proved impossible to locate more than one British specimen of Sabine’s Gull from even the peak of autumn passage, it seems time to confess failure to prove the case, and point out some implications. If they examine BWP they will find that not only were we responsible for reporting winter records of the species from the North Sea, but also much of the evidence for its movements and winter quarters throughout the Atlantic as well, while another English colleague, Stephen Chapman, was also responsible for locating the Pacific winter quarters (which seem to have been overlooked by Americans), with equally little tangible evidence. Clearly, if such records are now discarded, the species will be left with rather little winter quarters at all. As a matter of interest, are these illegal Californian standards of evidence requiring the production of specimens and photographs now also intended to apply to rare British breeding birds as well? W. R. P. Bourne 3 Cont/aw Place, Milltimber, Aberdeen ABl ODS ‘Cri de coeur’ I fear that the remarks in ‘Cri de coeur’ (‘News and comment’, Brit. Birds 76: 97) about birdwatchers’ neglect of their home ranges may be all too generally applicable. On learning that angling facilities at a local reservoir were to be extended, I asked the (few) other birdwatchers I met at the site whom they were intending to approach to put the case for restricting further disturbance. It appeared that not only did they intend to do nothing, but also that they accepted such developments as Acts of God which it was impossible to influence. I copied my own letter on the subject to the NCC, whose acknowledgment included the observation: Letters 621 It is ( ncouraging to learn of local naturalists such as yourself who are still c one erned about the management and future of this site, as it seems to have been largely abandoned by birdwatchers.’ This is a sad comment to have to make about an SSSI where it is possible to see 70 species (including breeding Reeel \\ arblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus) in a year, less than seven km from Hyde Park Corner. 1 he editorial policy of BB does not encourage twitching, but it does acknowledge it as a legitimate variation on birdwatching. Perhaps this could be balanced by a few more reminders that it mav be as satisfying to watch a Snipe Gallinago gallinago close to a city centre as to tick off a dowitcher Limnodromus after a two-hour drive. I his approach might help to revive interest in local sites, and, more important still, the will to protect them. 1 believe public opinion can still influence the course of events; but it has no chance of doing so if it is not expressed. R. R. Langley 6 Putney Lodge , St Johns Avenue , London .VI 175 You have brought into the open some important points in ‘Cri de coeur' (Brit. Birds 76: 97). 1 here is a mismatch of perspectives in birding at the moment, which was highlighted by the photographs on page 96. juxtaposed to the aforementioned article. 'International identification meetings’ surelv epitomised the values of many birders and twitchers: competent identification, based on experience and travel. Surrounded by this glamour, it is not surprising that many neglect to ‘serve their appren- ticeships’, thanks to the mobility provided by the motor car. Consequentlv. many never r eally learn to identify with a particular patch of land (other than Fair Isle or St Mary’s!) and the type of wide-ranging, detailed know- ledge such appreciation produces. Standards of identification have unquestionably gone up, or. at least, the range of identification abilities has widened, which has not helped local recorders. The real problem is, indeed, for local conservation: twitching provides, for many, an outlet for wanderlust and anti-authoritarianism, both of which are the antithesis of the requirements for locally organised conservation efYorts. Perhaps there could be a concerted effort to upgrade the social status of ‘local effort'. I am not in favour of omitting names from the annual ‘Report on rare birds’, as I suspect that, away from the ‘hot spots’, most rarities are found by local birders. Perhaps there should be more conservation and ecology (of the non-scientific kind) in BB, with liberal doses of identification features to wash it down. I suspect that many twitchers are urban people who feel subconsciously ‘disenfranchised' from the land: the next time that we are all at Exeter Services at 4 a.m. one Saturday morning, I shall ask them! P. A. Fraser 12 Red/ and Court Road, Bristol BS6 7EQ Tree Pipits displaying from ground Referring to Tree Pipits Anthus trivialis starting their song flight from the ground (Brit. Birds 75: 382), may I draw your attention to the late James Fisher’s note (1949, Bird Xotes 23: 258) on Tree Pipits, in Sutherland birchwoods, that started so low down and so near the ground that they did not have time to finish their song 622 Letters properly, uttering only one or two ‘see-er, see-er’ notes. R. S. R. Fitter Drifts . Chinnor Hill , Oxford 0X9 4BS Polygamy by Willow Warblers Constructive debate is always welcome, but the letter by M. R. Lawn {Brit. Birds 76: 413-416) raised points that require answers, especially the unfortunate comment ‘I am unhappy with da Prato’s records’ about a female Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus involved in a polygamous mating {Brit. Birds 75: 406-41 1) which he sug- gested had been overlooked while breeding in my study area. In fact, my description of the birds’ behaviour was accurate, but has been misunder- stood, probably because editorial pressure to save space meant that several points were omitted (including the information that the polygamous male had another three hens in 1982). W hat actually happened was that the female in question (colour-ringed from a previous year) appeared in the study area on 9th May 1981, was seen daily until 11th May, but then disappeared until 11th June, when she was associating with free-flying juveniles which, being unringed, I knew' had been reared elsewhere. Obviously, she was unlikely to have gone through a complete breeding cycle in 30 days, but it was also obvious that she had attempted to breed, since she had a defunct brood patch. Two possibilities could explain these events. She could have already started breeding at another site when seen in my study area in May; such behaviour is rarely recorded, but certainly occurs and was seen in this same bird in previous seasons when she was breeding in my study area but was also watched on feeding excursions to a shelterbelt over 500 m away from her nest across open fields. Alternatively, she had tried to breed elsewhere, but failed, and on 11th June was temporarily associating with young which had begun juvenile wandering {Brit. Birds 74: 513-515). I have seen hens which had lost their own broods feed other birds' nestlings and fledglings for up to three days at a time. For this bird to have reared a brood unnoticed in my study area, she would have had to avoid, not just intensive daily observation, but the regular use of up to 26 mist-nets, which, in an area of 10.4 ha, meant that every male’s territory was covered, the breeding birds regularly retrapped, and most nests found before the young hatched. In view of this, my statement that some cases of polygamy could be confused with double-brooding stands, though, obviously, this also depends on the timing of the broods, and some cases would be more likely to be put down to separate pairs; note that analysis of over 800 Willow Warbler nests never mentioned polygamy {Bird Study 2: 121-125). Brock’s observations {Zoologist 14: 401-417) are not evidence for regular double-brooding in Scotland, since his birds were unmarked and his late hens were not necessarily the same birds that had already reared broods. Such late birds would have to breed during moult or suspend it. I have seen both occur, but only with a few individuals, and have evidence that some had experienced delays due to predators or disturbance. Most started moult when their young fledged or a few days before, which is logical, since food availability is less favourable in late summer than is often assumed, especially when one considers the items (e.g. caterpillars) which Willow Warblers prefer to feed to their young. Letters 623 MRL s idea that early records ot double-brooding reflect earlier arrival dates compared with recent years does not hold for southeast Scotland in 1981, when Willow Warblers arrived earlier than Brock’s birds in 1910, yet no W illow \\ arbler (or any of the other five warbler species that bred in my study area that year) double-brooded with its first brood mate. I was surprised that MRL found double-brooding hard to distinguish from replacements for failure since, in my experience, all female Willow \\ arblers (and W hitethroats Sylvia communis) that lost eggs or chicks abandoned their territories and, if they did try to breed again, did so elsewhere. I his was why I suggested that a female might ‘share’ a male if she was anxious to breed late in the season. The idea that female Willow Warblers might be attracted to already-paired males with good-quality territories has also been put forward byj. 1 iainen ( Population Ecology oj the Willow Warbler in Southern Finland, Helsinki, 1983, pp. 6-7). Size differences between the sexes, a feature of \\ illow Warblers, is often associated with such a system, and it seems noteworthy that the polygamous male which I observed was the largest Willow Warbler on the site. Current theories about males ‘cheating females may be appropriate when males are able to maintain two territories, but I question MRL’s claim that ‘the second female is usually unaware of the first until she is committed to breeding’. In 1981, two females which arrived in my studv area within 24 hours of each other both paired with a polygamous male in a normally sized territory, built nests 8 m apart and started laying within three days of each other. Even when nesting attempts are farther apart in time or space, I doubt if the second female is unaware of the first 100 m or less away. I doubt if one 'theory of polygamy’ can cover all cases and 1 prefer to suggest that, in different situations, birds will do different, but appropriate, things. Competition in my study area is such that I doubt if a male could hold two territories. MRL's birds may be involved in a different system due to differences in habitat or density; this has recently been demonstrated in the case of W ood Warblers P. sibilatrix ( Omis . Scand. 15: 67-72) and other European passerines. Finally, I suggest that British Birds reconsiders its policy on letters, since all this could have been dealt with much more economically if either MRL had contacted me directly or if BB had not refused to print a reply in the same issue as MRL's letter. S. R. D. da Prato 38 Carlaverock Grove, Tranent. East Lothian My phrase ’I am unhappy with da Prato’s records . . .’ in my letter {Brit. Birds 76: 413-416) was perhaps ill chosen, since I did not wish to infer faulty fieldwork on da Prato’s part. From the content of da Prato's paper {Brit. Birds 75: 406-41 1), however, it appeared that an oversight had been made in the interpretation of his observations concerning the female Willow Warbler in question. It was for this reason that I included an alternative interpretation of the status of this female in my letter. It is now apparent, however, that many of da Prato’s original data were omitted, at the editor’s request, to save space. Whereas I appreciate the need to limit the length of published articles, it is unfortunate that, in this case, important details were 624 Letters lost during the process. In the long run, this resulted in the use of consider- ably more space than necessary. Hopefully, da Prato’s above note should clarify any queries concerning the status of this bird. Unless, however, the type of behaviour shown by this bird is found to be more frequent, I still believe I am correct in saying that polygamy should not be confused with double-brooding to any great extent. In genuine cases of double-brooding, the nesting attempts would be separated by a minimum of 30 days. In my own 21 records of bigamy, the maximum difference between nesting attempts was only 20 days, while most were rather less ( Omis Scand. 13: 193-199). It would, however, be very easy to confuse polygamy with nesting attempts by separate pairs. Other differences in our interpretations of results seem, in part, due to differences in the birds’ behaviour in our study populations, which were unknown to me at the time I wrote my letter. In most cases of nesting failure, my females re-nested in the same territory. In only one case did I record a female abandoning the territory after a failed nesting attempt. This involved a bird whose mate had already disappeared, presumed dead, before the brood was destroyed by a predator. In my Omis Scandinavica paper (13: 193-199), I differentiated between simultaneous polygamy, associated with polyterritoriality, and successive polygamy, associated with monoterritoriality. In the former case, the two females are isolated in separate territories. In the latter case, the first female would usually be incubating eggs when the second female arrived. In both cases, I believe the secondary female may be unaware of the male’s marital status at that time, though I do not suggest the ’deception’ is long liv ed. The record of polygamy described at the end of da Prato’s letter (above), which was not mentioned in his earlier paper, is clearly different from my own records and could not be explained in terms of male deception. My own bigamous and polyterritorial males do not differ in wing length (x = 69.06 mm, S.D. 1.14, n= 18) from other territorial males (x = 69.12 mm, S.D. 1.37, n = 1 1 1) in the same study area (t = 0.20, df. 127, P>0.1 Student’s t-test). Neither were bigamous males found only in certain parts of my study area. In my Omis Scandinavica paper, I also mentioned that some of the bigamous males were known to be first-year birds. This does not support the theory of female ‘choice’ on the basis of male and/or territory quality. In my own study area, however, Willow Warbler population density appeared to be below its potential capacity, and this may explain differences in the behaviour of my birds and da Prato’s. Variations in territorial and mating systems with respect to habitat, range, and population density are aspects which deserve further study. M. R. Lawn 20 Croft Road, Godaiming, Surrey GU7 1BY We apologise for the length of the correspondence considered necessary to resolve the differences between S. R. I), da Prato and M. R. Lawn. It is our normal practice to shorten overlong items submitted to British Birds , but this is always done only with the author’s agreement, and the final version is always seen and approved by the author before publication. It is also our general (though not invariable) policy to publish letters without discussion- stifling closing replies, since we (generally) like to provoke responses from all of our readers who have relevant information. Eds Diary dates I he list covers events during December 1984 to December 1985. 11th December British ornithologists’ club. Dr Ian Newton on 'Recent studies of' Sparrowhawks’. Central London. Non- members should write (enclosing SAE) at least two weeks before to Hon. Secretary, R. E. F. Peal, 2 Chestnut Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN 13 3AR. 12th-21st December SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE ARTISTS’ CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION. The Mall Galleries, The Mall, London swi. 4th-6th January bto ringing and migration conference. Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire. Applications to BTO, Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5NR. 15th January boc. Dr A. G. Knox on ‘Crossbills’. Central London. Write to Hon. Sec. 26th-27th January BTO REGIONAL CONFER- ENCE. Martin Mere, Burscough, Ormskirk, Lancashire. ‘Wildfowl to waders.’ Applica- tions to BTO. 31st January Closing date for entries for 'Bird Photograph of the Year’. 31st January Closing date lor 'Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs’. 15th- 18th February seabird group con- ference. Denstone College, Uttoxeter. Staf- fordshire. 'Population studies and popula- tion monitoring.’ Details from Dr J. P. Croxall, The Seabird Group, c/o RSPB. The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG192DL. lst-3rd March all-ireland conference on bird conservation. Jointly organised by RSPB and Irish Wildbird Conservancy. Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, Co. Down. ‘Surveys and research.’ Details from RSPB Northern Ireland Office, Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 4QT. 14th March Closing date for entries for Bird Illustrator of the Year'. 19th March- 14th May yoc migration phone-in. Telephone Sandy (0767) 80551. Tuesdays only, 5 p.m.-7.30 p.m. Records from adults welcomed. 29th-31st March bou annual conference & agm. Jointly with British Ecological Society Tropical Group, FFPS and Interna- tional Council for Bird Preservation, Pem- broke College, Cambridge. 'Tropical forest birds: ecology and conservation.' Further details from BOU, c/o Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park. London nwi iry 30th March bto/scottish ornithologists’ CLUB REGIONAL ONE-DAY CONFERENCE. University of Edinburgh. ‘Expeditions.’ Details from SOC, 21 Regent Terrace, Edin- burgh EH7 5BT. 19th-21st April RSPB MEMBERS' WEEKEND. Exeter University. Details from RSPB Con- ference Organiser, The Lodge, Sandy, Bed- fordshire sc; 1<)2UI. 6th May yoc national sponsored bird- WATCH. May (date to be arranged) wildfowl trust agm. 2nd July boc. Dr Brian Wood on 'Waterfowl conservation and wetland management in Tunisia and Algeria’. Central London. Write to Hon. Sec. 4th- 17th July swla annual exhibition (including display of winning entries in ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year" and ‘The Richard Richardson Award' competitions). T he Mall Galleries, The Mall, London swi Open 10-5 Mon.-Fri., 10-1 Sat. Admission £1.00 (free to SWLA members). 12th-14th July THE 'BRITISH birds' CON- FERENCE of bird recorders. Denstone College, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Details from the conference organisers, Mike Rogers & Gwen Bonham, c/o Flat 4, Pentland Flats, St Mary’s. Isles of Scilly TR2I 0HY. 2nd-6th September joint meeting of international bird census committee and EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGICAL ATLAS COMMIT- TEE. University of Dijon, France. 'The influence of man on forest bird communities.’ Further information from Dr B. Frochot, Laboratoire d’Ecologie, Batiment Mirande. L’niversite, 21000 Dijon. France. 14th- 18th September tAe 3rd inter- national WILDLIFE FILM-MAKERS' SYMPOSIUM. The University, Claverton Down, Bath, Avon. ‘Wildlife and the third age of broadcasting’. Details from the British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society, 110-112 Victoria House, Vernon Place, London WC2B4DJ. October (date to be arranged) joint bto/ LEICESTER POLYTECHNIC/LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY ONE-DAY 626 regional conference. Leicester Polytech- nic. ‘Seabirds.’ Details from BTO. lst-3rd November soc annual conference & agm. Marine Hotel, North Berwick. Details from Club Secretary, SOC. 2nd- 10th November raptor research FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL MEETING AND SYMPOSIUM ON THE MANAGEMENT OF BIRDS OF prey. Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn, Sacra- mento, California. Information from Dr Richard R. Olendorff, US Bureau of Land Diary dates Management, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacra- mento, California 95825, USA. 29th November- 1st December bto annual conference & agm. Swanwick. Applications to BTO. 6th-8th December (provisional) national EXHIBITION OF CAGE AND AVIARY BIRDS. National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. Details from Philip Read, Editor, ‘Cage and Aviary Birds’, Surrey House, 1 Throwley Way, Sutton, Surrey smi iqq. Sheila D Cobban, Fountains, Park Lane , Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ Announcements Cover designs for sale by postal auction The following original drawings used on British Birds covers are available: Artist Subject Size (cm) Issue Brett Westwood Collared Dove 18.6 X 20.7 March 1984 John Hollyer Waxwings 18.3 X 20.9 November 1984 Robert Gillmor Black Grouse 18.7 X 21.0 December 1984 Send in your bid, following the usual procedure (see pages 30-3 1 in January issue). Some artists place a reserve price on their drawings, but successful bids have varied from £12 to £87 (average £37), so you could pick up a real bargain! Just for a lark! Can you identify this bird? If you can, send your answer to the publishers, Croom Helm, and you could win a free copy of the new book Just a Lark! by Jim Flegg, David Hosking and Norman Arlott. A copy will be sent to those supplying the first ten correct answers drawn from those received by 30th November, and the first one drawn will also receive the framed original of Norman Arlott’s cartoon. Send your answer to Just for a Lark, Bernard Mercer, Croom Helm Ltd, Provident House, Burrell Row, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1 AT. Announcements 627 Blyth s Reed Warblers and juvenile skuas \\ e would like to give special thanks to Zeiss West Germany , sponsors of the Rarities Committee, who also subsidised the inclusion in British Birds of the highly praised colour plates of Blyth s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum and its confusion species, painted by Laurel Tucker (Brit. Birds 77: plates 164 & 165), and of' j uvenile skuas Slercorarius , painted by Lars Jonsson (Brit. Birds 77: plate 182). 1 he Zeiss West sponsorship of the Rarities Committee has also enabled us to include a series of colour plates of the year s rarities in each of the last two 'Reports on rare birds in Great Britain' (Brit. Birds 76: plates 212-221; 77: plates 219-227). The sponsorship of the rarities report issue also releases some of our general funds for other purposes, so that all subscribers (not just those interested in rare birds) benefit from this link with Zeiss West Germany. ZEISS West Germany ‘Tunnicliffe’s Birds: measured drawings in colour' We remind readers that the price of this book will increase by £ 10.00 (to £40.00) on 1st January 1985. You can still order your copy from British BirdShop (page ix) for £30.00 (post free in I K & Eire). Use ‘British BirdShop’ to obtain your free BWP list T he new. enlarged and completely revised edition of The ‘ British Birds' List of Birds of the Western Palearctic can still be obtained free by anyone (1) who orders a book or recording with this month's British BirdShop form (see page xiii) and (2) who, at the same time, supplies a self-addressed label. (The list will not be available for purchase until next month.) Binding your ‘BB’s We should like to remind readers that standard book-binding of the year’s issues into a single volume is available as usual, from P. G. Chapman & Co. Ltd (£ 10.25 per volume): please use the binding forms on the back cover of the index. Sponsored by * £ h Zjsbsm m £ Bird Photograph of the Year This annual com- petition will again be run by British Birds and sponsored by Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd, proprietors of The Famous Grouse’ whisky. The full rules (similar to those last year. Brit. Birds 77: 28) will be published next month. The closing date is 31st January’ 1985. Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs The closing date for submission of prints for the twenty-sixth annual selection is 31st January 1985. The full rules (similar to those last year, Brit. Birds 77: 28) will be published next month. Requests Do write, but please don’t phone BB is run with a tiny staff. We try to keep pace with correspondence, but do sometimes fall behind. Nevertheless, if you have a query, please write. We deliberately do not list our telephone number, but some people do manage to reach us. At the end ofa telephone conversation, taking up a portion of (and interrupting) our working day, we have a handwritten message to add to the pile of mail. Thus, our time has been lost, for no gain. With an estimated 30,000 readers, we cannot cope with telephone calls unless we employ another member ofstalf especially to take them. We are not unfriendly, just a little harassed at times. Please be understanding. Please help us to be efficient. On other than urgent editorial matters, please write rather than phone. Thank you. Photographs of Phylloscopus and other warblers Black-and-white photographs, colour prints and original colour transparencies are needed urgently for possible use with a forthcoming paper by Alan R. Dean on ‘Identification of Greenish Warbler and its possible confusion species’. The obvious candidates are: Green Warbler P. nitidus, Two-barred Greenish Warbler P. plumbei tarsus, Greenish Warbler P. trochiloides, Arctic Warbler P. borealis, the Siberian race of Ghiffchaff P. collybila tristis, the central Asiatic race of Yellow-browed Warbler P. inomatus humei, and Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina. Please send all photo- graphic material to Mrs Sheila ( lobban at the editorial office: Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Sand Martins Provisional counts suggest that the number of Sand Martins Riparia riparia in Britain and Ireland during summer 1984 had declined to about 30% of the 1983 population and about 10% (or even less) of the numbers in the mid 1960s. Gounts of occupied holes in Sand Martin colonies for 1984 and at least one of the previous four years (1980-1983) are required to substantiate or modify these provisional conclusions and to try to determine the apparently wide regional variation. Please send your information to: Ghris Colonies may vary in numbers Irom year to year due to physical changes at the site, and it is important that the sites should be comparable from year to year. Counts from individual colonies, or, better still, from a series of local colonies (including any new ones founded in 1984), would be useful. Details should include totals of apparently occupied holes, date of count and exact locality. Summaries of the results will appear both in British Birds and in BTO News. , BTO, Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5NR. 628 Requests 529 It you find a dead predator . . . Please send any corpses of the following species, for analysis °l pesticide residues in a monitoring programme which has been running for the past 20 years: Great Guested Grebe Podiceps cnstatus, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Sparrowhawk Accipiter nistis. Kestrel balco tinnunculus, Merlin b . columbanus, Peregrine F. peregrinus, owls (Strigiformes) and Kingfisher Alcedo atthis. \ our postage costs will be refunded immediately. Specimens received will be autopsied, and analysed for organochlorine and mercury residues. In due course, a' icpoit will be sent to the finder. The scheme is intended to monitor pollutant residues in \ ulnerable species, and hence to keep a check on the effectiveness of Government regulations. C.ot pses should be well packaged and sent, together with details of date offinding, locality, and circumstances, where known, to Mrs M. B. Haas, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Monks \\ ood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire pki? _>ls Whooper Swans with yellow neck-rings In summer 1984, \\ hooper Swans Cygnus cygnus moulting on the east coast of Iceland were marked with plastic (PVG) neck-rings. Thev are expected to be resighted mainly in Britain and Ireland, but some may reach the Continent. The neck-rings are yellow and carry a code of only two black letters (e.g. AA or AB) read vertically and repeated four times around the ring. The same code is repeated on a yellow PVC-ring on the left leg, but the right leg carries an official steel ring issued by the Icelandic Museum ofNatural History (PC) Box 5320, Reykjavik, Iceland). Anyone who sees these swans with yellow neck-rings is asked to note the code, the locality, the date and other relevant observations, and to inform Professor Arnthor Gardarsson, University Institute of Biology, Grensasvegur 12, 108 Reykjavik, Iceland. Observers who submit records will receive annual interim reports on resightings. News and comment Alike Everett and Robin Prytherch Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of ‘British Birds' What they say We are grateful to Cirispin Fisher for telling us about this conversation he and Norman Arlott had with a twitcher in a hide at Titchwell RSPB Reserve last August: Twitcher: ‘What’s about?’ CF/NA: ‘It’s pretty good this morning. On the lagoon there are two Spoonbills, a drake Wigeon, a duck Pintail, about 50 Grey Plovers in different plumages, about ten Curlews and a 1 1 himbrel, six or eight Bar-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, two Little Stints, a Curlew Sandpiper still half in breeding plumage, five RuJ'fs within a few feet of the hide, seven or eight Avocets and an adult Little Gull — as well as the usual stuff. There's a flock oj about 150 Sandwich Terns and a Fulmar flying up and down the beach, and a raft of 32 Eiders about 30 yards offshore. ’ Tw itcher: ‘Oh, well, I suppose things can only improve. ’ Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis (Martin Hallam) Big Day Record We are grateful to Mark Beaman and Keith Walter for drawing our attention to the fact that the ‘World 24-hour 630 News and comment Bird W atch Record' is actually 331 species, seen by Ted Parker and Scott Robinson in Manu National Park, Peru, on 5th Septem- ber 1982. ‘The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland’ The BTO/IWC W inter Atlas project, the fieldwork of which ended last February, is proceeding rapidly towards publication of the finished book, which will be a companion volume to The Atlas of Breed- ing Birds in Britain and Ireland (1976). The latest estimate is that publication will be in late 1986. Brian Stronach (1929-1984) With Brian Stronach’s premature death in April 1984, Irish conservation lost one of its ablest pro- tagonists, and those invoked in wildlife conservation in Ireland lost a good friend. Brian and his family returned to Ireland in the mid 1960s front a career in wildlife research and management in East Africa, and embarked on a ten-year Mallard research programme centred on Lough Carra in Co. Mayo. The work and the setting were much to his liking, and he quickly became invoked with the growing move- ment to conserve Ireland’s unspoilt habitats and their wildlife. He was a major lorce in the early days of the Irish W ildbird Conser- vancy. In 1975, he was persuaded to take over as head of the Forest & Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Research & Conservation Division at Bray, and he set to the task of directing the small band of animal and plant ecologists whose main task was the surveying and inventory of Ireland’s flora and fauna so that a network of national nature reserves could be established. Happily, he lived to see some of this work come to fruition. But in the last few years his health suffered, following a heart attack, and this forced him into early retirement. Sadly, he did not live long to enjoy it. He leaves a wife, a daughter and two sons. ( Contributed by Oscar J. Ateme) Irene Waterston (1914-1984) T he name of Waterston will forever be associated with ornithology in Scotland: Irene was the ‘other half of that indefatigable team, and her recent death, after a short illness, brings a whole era to an end. The Scottish Ornitho- logists’ Club, of which she was Secretary (and one of its main driving forces) for so long, is lucky to have had such a devoted servant. Birders of the younger generation would have been astonished at her ability in the field — she would have walked most of 263. Irene Waterston (1914-1984) (Scottish Ornithologists’ Club) them off their feet too! Tall, gaunt, delight- fully eccentric and (until you got to know her) rather formidable, and frighteningly efficient, she also had an impish sense of fun and was at her best when gently deflating pompous people, or bringing George down to earth during some of his wilder flights of fancy. She was a valued and highly respected colleague to all who worked with her, and a dear friend to them and many more besides. W e all mourn her passing. (A IJE) ‘Keds, Flat-flies and Bat-flies’ This is the title of the 40-page booklet by A. M. Hutson covering the Diptera, Hippoboscidae and Nycteribiidae ( Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects, vol. 10, part 7) published by the Royal Entomological Society of London. Several species of bird-parasites are included, so this could be of interest to bird- ringers and, perhaps, especially bird-obser- vatory wardens. It is available, price £4.00, from the RESL at 41 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5HU. News and comment 631 Irish leaflets Ric hard Nairn has asked us to mention three new leaflets. Puffin Island and Little Skellig, Sheskinmore Lough and Great Sallee Island. I hey are available as a set of three, price £ 1 (inc h p & p), from the Irish \\ ildbird Conservancy, Southview, Church Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Surely Chelsea isn’t that bad? Quote in letter from a nonsubscribing BB reader: 'Last year's issue seems to be devoted to the orni- thological lunatic fringe — ornithology's Chelsea supporters.' Nevertheless, he wanted to start subscribing. New Recorders for Nairnshire, Moray- shire, Banffshire, Arran 8c Bute and Montgomeryshire Martin J. H. Cook, Rowanbrae, Clochan, Buckie, Banffshire, has taken over from Norman Likins as Recorder for Nairnshire, Moravshire and Banffshire, fain R. Gibson. Arcadia, The Glen, How wood, Renfrewshire, has taken over from Angus Hogg as Recorder tor Arran and Bute. R. G. Burton, c/o RSPB Wales Office, frolic Street, Newtown, Powvs, has taken over from Roger Lovegrove as Recorder Ibr Montgomeryshire. 'Where’s my January?’ Krika Sharroc k has asked us to remind subscribers that, whereas the issues for all other months are posted on the first Thursday of the month (or some- times on the last Thursday of the prev ious month), the January issue' is not despatched until mid-month, because of printers' holi- days over the Christmas/New N ear period and the' updating of the address list as resubscriptions pour in at the end of the year. You c an expect your januarv issue' sometime in the second hall Of the month. Recent reports Ian Dawson and Keith Allsopp These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records The dates in this report refer to September unless otherwise stated. Weather The settled anticyclonic weather experienced during the summer just continued into Sep- tember. bringing the final Bee-eaters Merops apiaster to the Conway \ alley (Gwynedd) on 3rd, but, with the centre of high pressure to the west, the resulting north to northeast winds brought rather cooler temperatures. From 8th. the weather became increasingly unsettled, the Atlantic depressions crossing Britain and Ireland more frequently as the high pressure declined southward. 1 he winds became predominantly west to north, strong at times, with easterlies developing to the north of the low-pressure centres and affecting the North Sea area on 15th and 20th. Seabirds September is the month of exciting sea- watches, and. though falling short of last year, there was still plenty of interest. St Ives (Cornwall) once again had the pick, with a Madeiran Petrel Oceanodroma castro well seen 632 Recent reports on 9th, and a probable on 22nd. More than 50 Leach’s Petrels 0. leucorhoa passed St Ives on 21st, Malin Head (Co. Donegal) early in the month, and Ramore Head (Co. Antrim) on 9th and 22nd, with lesser numbers elsewhere including up to six at Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset) on 21st and five at Cley (Norfolk) on 4th. St Ives also had 200 Storm Petrels Hydrobates pelagicus on 21st. Two Little Shearwaters Pujfinus assimilis oil' Hartlepool (Teesside) on 24th and four oil the east Norfolk coast were most unexpected, while the only Great Shearwaters P. gravis reported were one off Malin Head, a trickle past Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) on 1st and one of! Fair Isle (Shetland) on 10th. A small wreck of Manx Shearwaters P. pujfinus occurred inland in the strong winds of the first week, and Spurn (Humberside) wit- nessed a passage of 6,000 Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis north on 6th. Also associated with this unsettled weather was a Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata (with a Manx) on Farmoor Reservoir (Oxfordshire) on 9th. Single Little Auks Allealle were of! St Ives on 23rd and Norfolk on 29th. An Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus was noted over Staines Reservoir (Surrey) on 1st, while on the coast 530 flew north at Spurn on 4th and 150 Great Skuas S. skua passed Cley; there were the usual scattered reports of mostly immature Long-tailed Skuas 5. longicaudus chiefly from the southwest. More than 30 Sabine’s Gulls Larus sabini delighted coastal watchers, with up to eight at St Ives and five in Northern Ireland. Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii appeared inland at Theale (Berkshire) on 5th, and, inevitably, off St Ives on 22nd, and two together on Walney (Cumbria) on 29th. The Clwyd Forster’s Tern S. forsteri was present to at least 8th, another passed St Ives on I 1th and a third was seen at Penmon (Gwynedd) on 30th, while a possible Aleutian Tern S', a/eutica tantalised on Hilbre (Merseyside) on 24th. Four widely scattered juvenile White-winged Black Terns Chlidonias leucopterus included a late bird at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough (Cambridgeshire) from 24th into October. A Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps was still present on South Uist (Western Isles). Wildfowl and big waders The Marbled Teal Marmaronetla angustirostris at Chew Valley Lake (Avon) stayed into September: clearly there was either a genuine movement or a mass break-out, for another turned up on Staines Reservoir. In addition to the seabirds already mentioned, Oxford- shire had 18 Common Scoters Melanitta nigra at Stanton Harcourt on 9th, and a Red- breasted Merganser Mergus senator at Farmoor in mid month. Vagrant wildfowl were few, with a female Ring Eider Sornateria spectabilis off South Nesting (Shetland) on 31st August, and Blue-winged Teals Anas discors on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) from 14th to the month end, and at Welney (Norfolk) around 29th; perhaps also in this category should come Garganeys ,4. querquedula at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) on 1st and 5th (four), and a Brent Goose Branta bernicla at Uyeasound (Shetland) from 7th to 10th. Wildfowl started to reappear for the winter: notable movements or counts in- volved 1,574 Wigeons A. penelope and 772 633 Recent reports Brent Geese north at Sandwich (Kent) on 16th, and 960 Pintails A. acuta oflTMeathop Marsh (Cumbria) on '27th, with six Barnacle Geese B. leucopsis, overshoots from the Solway. Greylags Anser anser arrived on Unst (Shetland) on 16th, and Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis on 27th in Orkney. A scattering of herons included an im- mature Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at Reculver (Kent) from 31st August through September, two Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax at Cardigan (Dyfed) on 15th August, and an immature through Stod- marsh (Kent) on 29th, a Bittern Botaurus stellaris at Lodmoor (Dorset) the same day, a Little Egret Egretta garzetta at Sou ley Pond (Hampshire) and the Minsmere (Sulloik) Great White Egret E. alba throughout. Four Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia from 6th to 18th at Sandwich, and eight inland at Pits- Ibrd Reservoir (Northamptonshire) on 30th were somewhat off-course, but there were few reports of Cranes Grus grus, with only singles at Spurn from 8th and Hule Moss (Borders) on 7th and 9th. One of the month’s biggest surprises was the flock of nine White Storks Ciconia ciconia flying south over Sandwich on 6th. This locality also held a migrant Corn- crake Crexcrex on 16th. Another appeared at Colliford Lake, Bodmin Moor (Cornwall) on 9th, where there were two Spotted Crakes Porzana porzana on 25th. Waders On the whole, it was a fairly typical September with a good selection of the more regular American waders, but lew surprises until the end. Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris rnelanotos showed well with about 50 coming to our notice (plates 266-269). including six together at Colliford Lake on tub 8th. Thirteen Buff-breasted Sandpipers Tryngiles subrujicolhs (including five at Dale. Dyfed). and seven more White-ramped Sandpipers C. Juscicollis are too many to detail, though Tacumshin held all three species on 1st, as well as a Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor. This species also occurred at Frodsham (Cheshire) on the same date, and further individuals were at Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire) from 11th to at least 22nd, and Lough Beg (Co. Derry) on 29th. Tacumshin also played host to two Semipalmated Sandpipers C. pusi/la on 8th, and there were several others in Ireland. Lesser Golden Plovers Pluvialis dominica were found at Misson (Nottinghamshire) on 9th, on St Agnes (St illy) from 13th on. near Easington (Humberside) from 15th to at least 19th, and at Broadwater (Gwynedd) on 26th. Bv contrast, the only Lesser \ellow- legs Tringa flavipes were at Beddington Sewage Farm (Surrey) from 24th into October and at . Monmouth (Avon) on 30th. Baird’s Sandpipers C. bairdii were at Tacumshin on 5th. Siblyback Reservoir (Cornwall) on 26th. and Dale (Dyfed) (plate 265) on at least 22nd (with the five Buff- breasts): and Long-billed Dowitchers Limnodromus scolopaceus on the Hayle (Cornwall) and at Dungeness (Kent) on 24th. From Europe, a Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis stayed at ('lev until 5th. on which date there was a Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii at I itchwell (Norfolk) Dotterels Charadrius morinellus stopped off at Spurn, on St Mary's (Scilly), Llyn A law (Gwynedd), and three at Hilton (Cambridgeshire) from 7th to 1 0th. Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus stay ed late in the month at Minsmere and Stanpit Marsh (Dorset), while Grey Phalaropes P. Julicarius showed 634 up in good numbers in the southwest, with 100 at St Ives on 2 1st, and inland individuals at several localities. More unusual was a report of two Stone-curlews Rurhinus oedicnemus at Staines on 29th. A Great Snipe Gallinago media put in a long stay at Rimac (Lincolnshire) from August to 18th, and the species was on Fair Isle from 6th to 24th, with three on the last date! Jack Snipes Lymno- cryptes minimus arrived in good numbers in Orkney from 20th. It is 15 long years since the last staying Cream-coloured Courser Ciursorius cursor, so the appearance of this fabulous bird at Hadleigh Marsh (Essex) on 29th set pulses racing: fortunately it stayed to 2nd October for many to see at close range (plate 264). Regular passerines But first a non-passerine: the influx of Wrynecks Jynx lorquilla in late August spilled over into September, with numerous reports, both coastal and inland, in the first two weeks. Associated with these were other scarce migrants of Scandinavian and East European origin, especially at the East Coast observatories, with double figures of Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina, Barred Warblers Sylvia nisoria and Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio. Sandwich held 50 or more Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca on 6th. A second fall of migrants from 15th to Recent reports 18th involved several Bluethroats Luscinia svecica, over 25 Red-breasted Flycatchers F. parva, including 12 in Shetland, four on Orkney and five or more in Norfolk, and more than 20 Scarlet Rosefinches Carpo dacus erylhrinus in the Northern Isles, with five on Whalsay on 17th, while earlier, on 31st August, one had been trapped on Sark (Channel Islands). Lots of migrant Robins Frilhacus rubecula and Dunnocks Prunella modularis also arrived, with 66 of the latter on W halsay on 15th, and up to 200 Siskins Cardue/is spinus on Hoy (Orkney) from 18th, and 500 at Spurn on 16th. Perhaps most spectacular was the early arrival of well over 60 Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inomatus from 15th onwards, including 12 on Fair Isle on 22nd alone, some 15 on Orkney, two on South Uist, nine at Spurn and ten or more in Norfolk. More-southerly visitors were scarce — five Melodious Warblers H. 264. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor, Essex, September 1984 (P. Wheeler) Recent reports polyglotta at Dungeness, and one trapped at Beachy Head on 8th, and five scattered Tawny Pipits Anthus campestris. The regular Scandinavian migrants, Bramblings Frin- gilla montifringilla, Fieldfares Turdus pilaris, Redwings T. iliacus and Goldcrests Re gut us regulus, were generally late in arriving, or non-existent. At VValney, diurnal migration was very heavy on several days in the latter part of the month, the main species involved being Meadow Pipits A. pratensis, Skylarks Alauda arvensis, Pied Wagtails Motacilla alba and Grey Wagtails M. cinerea (391 bird/days for this last). And not so regular First, a belated report of a Crested Tit Rams cristatus trapped at Hauxley (Northumber- land) on 24th August. A Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica joined thehirundine roost (mainly Swallows H. rustica) at Ditchford (Northamptonshire) on 4th. The Thrush Nightingale L. luscinia reported Iasi month at Beachy Head was retrapped on 1st and showed a considerable weight increase. Phylloscopus warblers feature prominently with lour or five more Greenish Warblers P. trochiloides , no less than nine Arctic P. borealis, ranging from Shetland to Portland (Dorset), and five Bonelli’s P. bonetli, two of these on 1st in Ireland. Eastern visitors in mid to late September included the expected Little Buntings Emberiga pusil/a , w ith two on the Skerries (Shetland), eight on Fair Isle and one on Orkney, Rustic Bunting E. rustica on Teesside on 29th and 30th, Yellow- breasted Buntings Pi. aureola, with five in the Northern Isles and one on Lundy (Devon), Red-throated Pipit Anthus cendnus also on Lund) on 26th, two Short-toed Larks Ca/andre/la brachydactyla on Fair Isle, and an Olive-backed Pipit .4. hodgsoni there on 30th. Less expected but hoped for were Lan- ceolated Warblers Isocustella lanceolata on the Skerries on 18th and Fair Isle on 21st and 23rd. Fair Isle’s star bird, however, was the magical Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus on 21st, to which Orkney replied with an Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obscurus at Evie, West Mainland on 25th and 26th. A possible Pechora Pipit .4. gustavi at Spurn on 16th certainly had a strong supporting cast. The only Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator was picked up dead on 22nd after frequenting Melbury Regis cemetery (Dorset) from 16th, and the year’s second Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus was a surprise find at South Shields (Tyne & Wear) on 13th. Finally, a taste of things to come: a Bobolink Dolichonyx oryziioms on Lundy on 25th. a very early Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus on St Agnes on 30th and 1st October, a Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia near Limavady (Co. Deny ) from 30th to at least 2nd October, and. in October, Black- poll Warbler Dendroica striata on St Agnes and Yellowthroat Geothlypis tnchas on Bryher (St illy), both from 2nd. 265. Baird’s Sandpiper Cahdris bairdii. D) led. September 1984 ( Richard G. Smith ) 636 Recent reports 637 Recent reports Latest news In mid November, a number of Swifts Apus apus appeared along the English east and south coasts and, at the same time, two Pallid Swifts A. pallidus were identified at Portland. Other less unusual events included the expected scattering of rarities: the best was an Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabelhnus at Berry Head (Devon) from 4th to at least Nth, a Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus pro- regulus at Blakeney (Norfolk) on 10th and a Dusky Warbler P. fuscatus at Whitburn (Tyne & Wear) from 8th to at least 1 1th. Also, not unexpected at this season, was a small in- flux of Little Auks around the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts, with two still at Snettisham Pits (Norfolk) on 1 1th. New address for Rarities Committee M. J. Rogers, the Hon. Secretary to the Rarities Committee, has moved to Flat 4, Pentland Flats, St Mary’s, Isles of Scillv TR21 ohy. Short reviews Handbook of Birds of India and Pakistan. Volume 4: frogmouths to pittas. By Salim Ali and S. Dillon Ripley. (OUP, 1984. Jl 1 9.30) The first edition was published in 1970: this second edition is rev ised up to 31st March 1982, and has three new plates. Animal Language. By Michael Bright (BBC; Publications, 1984. £9.73) This book is misnamed. It is about vocal communication only, with the addition of echo location in the guise of autocommunication. It is essentially a collection ol brief reports on the work ol zoologists in this field. It is packed with information not otherwise av ailable outside technical publications, but it is not easy reading. Considering the title, it is a pity that there is not more discussion on whether any animal communication system qualifies as a language. [Robert Burton] Seiden- schwanz. W7asseramsel, Zaunkonig u.a.: Kennzeichen und Mauser europaischer Singvogel. By Hans Bub. (Die Neue Brehm-Biicherei 3.30. A. Ziemsen Yerlag. 1984. DM24.20) This, the third in a series covering identification and moult of Euro- pean passerines, covers species and sub- 638 Short reviews species of Bombycilla, Cinclus, Troglodytes, Prunella, Hippolais, Phylloscopus and Regulus. Numerous photographs, diagrams and tables complement the commendably precise text, and reference is made easy by the use of sub-headings in bold type. A valuable publi- cation with an astonishing amount of data. [DAC] The Ulster Countryside. By C. Douglas Deane. (Century Books, 1983. Paperback, £4.95) The history, as well as the countryside, of Northern Ireland brought to life in a series of articles originally written for The Belfast Newsletter. The newspaper-style short paragraphs, and the frequent quota- tions from people who have told ‘Jimmy’ Deane stories concerning events in Ulster, make for easy and fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in the province. Snakes: biology, behavior and relation- ship to man. By Wolf-Eberhard Engel- mann and Fritz Jurgen Obst. (Croom Helm, 1984. £13.95) Well illustrated, with over 150 photographs (almost half in colour) and many line-drawings. Much of the text is at a popular level, but there are quite a number of sentences such as: ‘Opisthodontic snakes, on the other hand, have produced the opisthoglyphous or back-fanged poisonous colubrid snakes and the solenoglyphous viperid and crotalid snakes in which the back maxillary teeth have become associated with the venom apparatus.’ The Understanding of Animals. Edited by Georgina Ferry. (Basil Blackwell & New Scientist, 1984. Paperback, £5.95) This collection of articles, which first appeared in New Scientist, provides excellent ‘bedtime reading’ or browsing (the 40 chapters average less than eight pages each). Discovering Bird Watching. By Jim Flegg. (Shire Publications, 1984. Paperback, £ 1 .50) Subscribers to British Birds will have got beyond the level of this 96-page paperback, but it is full of excellent advice and is a first-rate buy for beginners of all ages. Recommended Birds of the British Isles. Edited by Jim Flegg. (Orbis, 1984. Hardback, £12.99; paperback, £8.99) Thir- teen distinguished authors, 13 artists (most illustrations by Norman Arlott and Wayne Ford) and scores of photographers have contributed to this well illustrated, well written compendium, which may well assist in the education of budding birdwatchers. Groups of'species (e.g. Snipe and Jack Snipe; Reed, Marsh and Sedge Warblers; Eider, Common and Velvet Scoters) are chosen for two- or three-page treatment, but there is no attempt to make the book comprehensive; apart from cashing in on the boom in bird books, it is difficult to understand why the publishers chose to produce this book (though there are plenty more of its ilk). How Birds Work: a guide to bird biology. By Ron Freethy. (Blandford Press, 1983/4. Softback, £4.95) First appearing as a hard- back in 1982, this reprint aims to tell us just what a bird is. There is need for a good compact introduction to birds, but this is not it. Idiosyncracies of phrase and implication make one doubt its total reliability: e.g. ‘some evidence exists to support the theory that Britain has its own subspecies’; and see figure 51, a grossly cluttered diagram of a cockerel used to illustrate, inaccurately, bird topo- graphy. Much of the book is certainly useful — with care — but preferably get The Life of Birds by Jean Dorst. [Ian Dawson] The Garden Bird Book. Edited by David Glue. (Papermac, 1984. Paperback, £5.95) This somewhat overlooked and underrated book is actually so good that it should be on the bookshelves of everyone who has an interest in natural history and has a garden (from the smallest ‘pocket handkerchief to the ‘vicarage garden’ with its regular visiting Hoopoes). Now in large paperback format and priced very reasonably. The Return of the Brown Pelican. Photographs by Dan Guravich. Text by Joseph E. Brown. (Louisiana State University Press, 1983. £21.20) Beautiful photographs of this weird bird and its repulsive young, with a text des- cribing its persecution, susceptibility to pesticides and to habitat destruction and modification, and the success of conservation and protection measures. The brown binding and cream-coloured paper were, in my view, unhappy choices; but the magnificent photo- graphs make up for a lot. RSPB Nature Reserves. Edited by Nicholas Hammond. (Groom Helm, 1984. £9.95) This is one of those really nice books that sets out with a well-defined aim (in this case to describe the wildlife of each of the RSPB reserves, which now amount to over 40,000 ha) and achieves it, with flair. Locations are shown on maps: each reserve is well described, with details of the birds for which the area is best known, descriptions of the habitat, of the insect life, the management, details of nature trails and so on. Thumb-nail marginal sketches by John Busby and R. A. Hume, double-page paintings by John Reaney and a variety of colour photographs all enliven the book and are wholly appropriate to the text. This book will obviously be very popular with the travelling RSPB member; it should also be enough to persuade those who have not yet Short reviews 639 joined the Society to do so. Collins Hand- guide to the Birds of New Zealand. By Chloe Talbot Kelly. (Collins, 1984. Paper- back, £4.95) Aimed at the beginner; covers not only North and South Islands, but also remoter islands up to 1,000 miles (1,600 km) distant; thus, it includes several species and subspecies unlikely to be seen by the ordinary- visitor. Information on finer points of identi- fication is sometimes sparse; surprising to find Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits treated as subspecies. Better details of the months ol regular or likely occurrence of migrants and vagrants would have been use- ful. I he book is, however, well worth buying for its attractive colour illustrations of over 240 species of birds, with typical back- grounds (a marked improvement on previous guides). [F. C. Gribble] Birds: their struc- ture and function. By A. S. King and J. McLelland. (Bailliere Tindall, 1984. Paper- back, £9.50) Mostly about the parts of a bird one would see on the dissecting table rather than in the hand or in the field. Fully revised version of Outlines of Avian Anatomy (1975), with re-drawn illustrations, written mainly for university students reading veterinary science, zoology or comparative anatomy. First Aid and Care of Wildlife. By Richard Mark Martin. (David & Charles, 1984. £12.50) Unlike First Aid and Care of Wild Birds (J. E. Cooper & J. T. Kiev, 1979: reviewed Brit. Birds 72: 561), which had chapters by a panel of some 16 specialist experts, this book from the same publisher and with a similar title has but one author (although two collaborators, Jill Nute and Geolf Nute, both veterinary surgeons). Despite the occasional lapses into emotive language, sentimentality and anthropomor- phism (a little bit tighter editing would have made a huge difference), there is plenty of practical advice for anyone who unavoidably has to assume responsibility for some injured or sick animal Der Waldkauz. By Manfred Melde. (Die Neue Brehm-Biicherei 564. A. Ziemsen Verlag, 1984. Paperback, DM 12.00) A notable addition to this famous series. All aspects of ecology , distribution, population regulation, breeding biology and mortality factors of the Tawny Owl are dealt with succinctly. As is clear from the biblio- graphy, the emphasis throughout is on con- ditions in Germany, but, as such, it is a valuable piece of regional documentation. It is, perhaps, inevitable that there is hardly a reference after 1980. I he photographs are rather mediocre. [H. N. Southern] The Penguin Book of Bird Poetry. Edited by Peggy Munsterberg. (Penguin Books. 1984. Paperback, £3.95) This nice collection (reviewed Brit. Birds 74: 407) is now in paper- back. Feathered Friends. By Ian Niall. (Ghatto & Windus, 1984. £9.95) The title will doubtless discourage many potential purchasers, who will miss a collection of autobiographical anecdotes, written with skill and humour by John McNeillie (alias Ian Niall), and nicely decorated with Louis Mackay’s line-drawings. Where to Watch Birds in Devon and Cornwall. By David Norman and Vic Tucker. (Groom Helm. 1984. £8.95) A total of39 prime birdwatching sites are mapped and described, with essavs on the birds that have been seen and those that might be expected. I shall certainly make sure that I have my copv with me every time I go west. Der Wasserpieper. By Rudolf Patzold. (Die Neue Brehm- Biicherei 565. A. Ziemsen Verlag. 1984. Paperback. l)Ml 1.60) The all-German text of this monograph on the various races of the Rock Pipit Anthus spinoletta presents the first comprehensiv e account of the species. There are sections on weights, measurements, plumages and moult, habitat, diet, behaviour, voice, territory and breeding, life-expectancy and migration. Much of the material refers only to the mountain-breeding nominate race, which the author has himself studied and photographed. Treatment of the subjects is variable, and in some cases even highly contentious, but the author does us a service by presenting the information. This mono- graph lists ten races, of which no more than four seem to be identifiable outside a museum. It would be helpful to researchers if taxonomists would take a fresh look at the various races they have listed in the past, and compare them with today’s material and field experience. [I. G. Johnson] Spiders of the World. By Ron and Ken Preston- Mafham. (Blandford, 1984. £8.95) The excellent photographs, many in colour, illustrate a few dozen of the 30,000 known species of spiders. To quote the dust-jacket blurb: ‘While there is no guarantee that the reader will learn to love spiders, he or she will certainly gain a far better understanding of their habits and w ill certainly be surprised by the beauty and variety of spiders . . .’ The Lives of Bats. By Wilfried Schober. (Groom Helm. 1984. £13.95) The supersti- tions and the facts, for the layman; nice colour photographs. Private Lives of Garden Birds. By Calvin Simonds. (Cen- tury Publishing, 1984. £8.95) Essays on ten species or groups of North American birds. It 640 Short reviews seems a monumental blunder to have pro- duced a British edition of this book. The National Trust Guide to the Coast. By Tony Soper. (Webb & Bower, 1984. £10.95) Britain’s coastal scenery can be staggeringly beautiful; this book does full justice to it. If you have ever wanted a book which you could send to friends or relations who live abroad, to show them or remind them of the beauty of Britain, then this low-priced volume with its magnificent (and magnifi- cently reproduced) colour photographs and wholly appropriate and well written text will ‘do nicely’. Thoroughly recommended. The Birds of Kent: a review of their status and distribution. Edited by D. W. Taylor, D. L. Davenport and J. J. M. Flegg. (Meresborough Books, 1984. Paperback, £6.95) Enthusiastically reviewed (Brit. Birds 75: 240), now produced in paperback, with nine pages of addenda, bringing information up-to-date (1982 for ‘interesting events’ and 1983 for rarities). The Year of the Tawny Owl: the story of Ule of Dildawn. By Paul Thomas. (Souvenir Press, 1984. £10.95) If you are seeking a novel written from the point of view of an animal, then this is far, far, better than most. It is not a monumental ‘Watership Down’, but unemotionally, though charmingly, tells the story of the seasons seen through the eyes of a Tawny Owl. A real cut above the usual bird story-book. A Last Wild Place. By Mike Tomkies. (Jonathan Cape, 1984. £9.95) A lover of nature success- fully transmits his enthusiasm for the wildlife of his Scottish Highland home. A Sketch- book of Birds. By C. F. Tunnicliffe RA. Introduction by Ian Niall. (Gollancz, 1984. Paperback, £5.95) Paperback version of this magnificent book, previously reviewed (Brit. Birds 72: 498): ‘Every page is a delight ... A book to be bought and treasured.’ The Illus- trated Natural History of Selbome. By Gilbert White, with introduction by June E. Chatfield. (Papermac, 1984. Paperback, £8.95) The inclusion of many scattered colour illustrations by Gilbert White’s con- temporaries adds considerably to the appeal of this edition although, personally, I still prefer The Gilbert White Museum Edition oj The Natural History of Selbome by Gilbert White, illustrated by Frederick Marns. Collins Guide to the Countryside. Illustrations by John Wilkinson. Text by Alastair Fitter and Richard Fitter. (Collins, 1984. £11.95) Most of this book is taken up with double-page spreads on topics such as ‘History of the landscape’, ‘Roadsides’, ‘Heathland plants’, and so on. It is aimed, presumably, at the teenager or adult with a budding interest in the countryside and natural history. It does its job well. JTRS Reviews The Atlas of Australian Birds. By M. Blakers, S. J. J. F. Davies and P. N. Reilly. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1984. 738 pages; 648 line-drawings; over 650 maps. £45.00. I have nothing but praise for this magnificent book produced by the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. The RAOU recipe went something as follows. Take the work of the Botanical Society of the British Isles, the BTO/IWC Breeding Bird Atlas project and the European Ornithological Atlas Committee’s guidelines as examples. Add the necessary modifications for dealing with a much less well-known avifauna in a vastly larger and much less densely populated area. Organise efficiently the available manpower, and the computer analysis of the results. Design the book to the same high standard as the Poyser-inspired Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Britain and Ireland. Find over 30 industrial sponsors and a sympathetic publisher. The result: a giant book (2.5 kg) summarising all the records for an entire continent, with clarity and a delightfully crisp presentation. The maps, with red symbols on a black outline, display the results perfectly. The texts, together with an evocative line-drawing of the species, take up the rest of the space on each page; the length is sufficient to give enough background information on habitat, past distribution, and so on, to interest the previously ignorant non-Australian birdwatcher. An atlas spanning an entire continent, especially one so sparsely populated by human beings as Australia, has to use slightly different techniques from one covering a tiny portion of the world with a dense population, such as Britain and Ireland. Whereas we started with a Reviews g ^ j breeding bird atlas and have subsequently gone on to carry’ out work on a wintering bird atlas, t is Australian project ran throughout the 12 months for each of its five years (1977-81) On the maps, breeding records are shown by different symbols from those signifying mere presence at any season of the year. This simple but effective method enables the reader to interpret the information (and can lead to interesting speculation). rheRAOU did have quite a number of previous examples of bird atlases to follow for both methodology and final presentation, and clearly took full advantage. This grand volume will serve as a model for every future atlas. Its English price (originally £42.00. but now £45.00) is very reasonable in the circumstances, and this volume will unquestionably be purchased not only by most birdwatchers resident in or visiting Australia, but also— deservedly— by very many from elsewhere in the world. The concept of carrying out a bird atlas survey covering the whole of Australia was audacious; its completion on schedule to a high standard was little short of miraculous; this magnificent volume matches those grandiose aims and achievements. The 3.000 or so indivi- duals and all the organisations concerned, but especially the RAOU, deserve great congratu- lations. j t R Sharrock One Man’s Island: paintings and sketches from the Isle of May. By Keith Brockie. J. M. Dent & Sons, London, 1984. 150 pages; 150 paintings and sketches. £12.95. Many people will be familiar with that special atmosphere that is part of observatories, and the excitement you travel with to seabird islands around the British Isles. I travelled eagerly to the Isle of May whilst browsing through the pages of this book. Since his first visit in 1973, Keith Brockie has visited the May many times, including three separate Christmas weeks, and the island was home for nearly a year while collecting sketches for this book. I he weather ruled the artist’s life, lashed by salt spray and the wind his constant companion on this island, which is crammed with seasonal wildlife and drenched in atmosphere. The 150 pages of paintings and sketches are grouped into four sections: Breeding Birds, Other Wildlife, Migration, and Grey Seals. Preceding each section are from four to six pages of text giving information on population, habits, movements and behaviour of the wildlife selectively illustrated. There is also anecdotal information on the methods the artist employed to be able to capture the sketches and paintings. With 22,600 Guillemots, 2,300 Razorbills and 1 1,000 occupied Puffin burrows, the section on Breeding Birds focuses on the auks, and also features Shags, Eiders, gulls and Fulmars, with less space for others such as Oystercatcher and Common Tern, leaving a half page for a leucistic Rock Pipit. In the second section. Other Wildlife, it ranges from one small study of a devil’s coach-horse beetle to drawings of a stranded common porpoise. Finely observed pages of lichens, flowering plants and shells, with some lively sketches of rabbits complete this section. Migration includes studies of birds in the hand: Great Grey Shrike. Red-breasted Flycatcher and Pallas’s Warbler among others. The remark ‘one of the most beautiful birds in the hand’ adds a touch to the splendid page of Wryneck studies. Another excellent page is captioned ‘Purps and turnstones at roost on Foreigners Point 7th September 83’. The last section, Grey Seals, ranges from soft pencil crayon studies of white-coated pups to cows sleeping draped over rocks, some with sucking pups, whilst other cows are show n ‘bottling’ in the sea. The large moist dark eyes of the seals are painted in fine detail, with the convex reflection of the artist showing here and there. It was not long into the Breeding Birds section when I wanted to be stopped and be shown the atmospheric stage on which all this finely observed drama was happening. In the Other Wildlife section I wanted just once to look beyond the clump of thrift or bladder wrack to a view perhaps down the Firth of Forth or out to sea. Or even a sketch or two that would have helped me fill in the background character and atmosphere of the May, perhaps colouring in the climate that ruled life on the island. There is one landscape painting of the Low Light, the spartan but comfortable ‘bothy’ on the island, but I would love to have seen more. The book is a fine achievement, and the artist’s skill in the observation of wildlife shows through very clearly. I vvas shown every thing from the ‘comb’ on the claw of a Shag to an accident-prone lobster. But somewhere in the 150 pages of beautifully observed wildlife I missed the Isle of May. Bruce Pearson 642 Reviews A Field Guide to Birds of the USSR. By V. E. Flint, R. L. Boehme, Y. V. Kostin and A. A. Kuznetsov. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1984. xxxvi + 353 pages; 48 colour plates; 7 1 line drawings; 303 maps. $65.00 (in US only); £49.60. The publication in English of any bird book on the Soviet Union is a rare event, which makes the appearance of this field guide particularly welcome. In fact it is not new — the original edition was published in Russian as long ago as 1968 — but this is the first English edition. It is identical in format to the publishers’ successful field guides on Venezuela and Panama. The text is largely a translation of the original Russian edition, which has been updated and revised by the senior author. Quite a lot of new material has been added, including no less than four indexes and some hints on birding in the USSR. The most useful innovation is the ‘Introduction’ which concisely describes the geography of the country and the typical avifaunas of the various habitats and regions. The bulk of the book comprises the species accounts; 728 species are covered although a few vagrants are treated only briefly. Each account is divided into four sections and the text is inevitably brief, but the ‘field marks' section is sometimes so short or vague that it is virtually useless for identification purposes. The paragraph on ‘habits’ is invariably the longest and contains some interesting material, but in many instances 1 felt that certain unhelpful or long-winded comments could have been omitted. ‘Range and Distribution’ briefly describes the breeding range within the USSR and the winter range of Soviet populations. ‘Similar species’ hints at likely confusion species and acts as a supplement to ‘field marks’. The text is liberally sprinkled with line-drawings and maps. Some of the drawings (e.g. nestlings and pellets) seem out of place in a modern field guide, but others are most useful and complement the plates. The maps are a valuable part of the book. Despite their unavoidably small scale, and the exclusion of peripheral areas, they are reasonably clear and appear to be fairly accurate. A few are rather faint in my copy. The 48 colour plates are grouped together in the middle and illustrate most of the species, including several rarely portrayed in books. In many cases, more than one plumage per species has been shown, as well as some distinct forms, a few of which are now generally considered in the West to be full species; others may achieve this status in the future. Surprisingly, the almost endemic White-winged Spotted Woodpecker is not illustrated, although it is treated as a full species. On the whole, the plates are very pleasing to the eye and well-reproduced. While undoubtedly useful, they are unlikely to help much with difficult groups such as warblers, and the raptors are all perched. The bird illustrated as Trumpeter Finch is in fact Mongolian Trumpeter Finch, but this is because the book lumps the two species — the latter is by far the more widespread in the USSR. The only serious error is on plate 22: the hooded gull labelled as a juvenile Mew (Common) Gull is an adult Relict Gull! A serious shortcoming of this book to the Western user is the taxonomy and nomenclature. Following Voous (1973, 1977; List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species), I found 20 species not recognised by the authors. For 12 of these, short notes in the text draw attention to their difference of opinion, but there is no mention at all of the other eight (Levant Sparrowhawk, Altai Falcon, Mountain Chiffchaff, Green Warbler, Two-barred Greenish Warbler, Semi- collared Flycatcher, Turkestan Great Tit and Mongolian Trumpeter Finch). Two of them are actually illustrated as distinct forms. Conversely, the authors regard Bewick’s and Whistling Swans as separate species and split Lesser Short-toed Lark into two species. The lutea race of Yellow Wagtail is also considered a full species, called Yellow-backed Wagtail. White-necked DiveV Gavia pacijica and Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana are noted in the text as being ‘currently considered separate species’, but are not given full treatment as such. It is perhaps surprising that the authors have not followed current Soviet opinion in splitting the races lugens and personata of Pied Wagtail, although both forms are illustrated. Incidentally, the new AOU check-list also regards lugens as a full species. The choice of vernacular names was the responsibility of Peter Alden, and inevitably many names of species occurring in North America (but not all) conform with the new AOU check-list — hence the frequent use of prefixes such as Eurasian, Northern and Greater. So we are burdened with Greater Ringed Plover and Greater Whitethroat, yet Greater Sand Plover is simply called Sand Plover! Some non-American species are given decidedly unfamiliar names (e.g. Short-billed Egret for Yellow-billed Egret). An attempt to overcome the wide choice of Reviews 643 vernacular (and, to a lesser extent, scientific) names has been made bv including a ‘cross- re 1 ere nee list giving various alternatives. Sadly, it is not comprehensive, and the familiar , °OUS llSt aPPcars to have been ignored: several names in very common usage in Europe at east are not mentioned at all (e.g. Jungle Nightjar, Isabelline Shrike. White-tailed Ruby- throat and Altai Accentor), while some of those given actually refer to extralimital full species ((.g. Scottish Crossbill, Black-laced and Royal Spoonbills). It is indeed a shame that the cross-reference list could not have followed Voous, providing a taxonomic list in line with current W estern opinion and including the extra species now recognised. After all. the book is aimed at the \\ estern market and the Voous list covers the entire region. I y pographical errors arc few; 1 found most in the cross-reference list. A few inconsistencies ia\c also ciept in: Black-eared and Pied \\ heatears are lumped, but the text is headed Black-eared while the illustration is labelled Pied; Whooper Swan is quoted as the largest of the swans, but the measurements of Mute Swan are greater. Presumably for reasons of lay out. Moustached Warbler has been separated from the rest of its genus. Despitt my criticisms, this beautiful book contains a lot of interesting material and it is c t rtainly useful to have all (or most of) the Soviet species in one volume. With many of their breeding birds wintering commonly in India and Southeast Asia, as well as some being celebrated vagrants to Europe and North America, this bk will be welcomed bv many biiders. Unfortunately the publishers have priced it out of the reac h of all but the dedicated lew. At half the price, it would not have been cheap, although, with its larger format, it is 14% bigger than our European ‘Peterson’ field guide. Nigel Redman The Oxford Book of British Bird Names. By W. B. Lockwood. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1984. 174 pages. £7.95. I bis splendid book provides compulsive reading for the avid browser. Some 1.500 names of British birds (those used now, those used in the past, and those which have only ever been local) are listed alphabetically, with explanations of their history and derivation. Professor Lockwood’s texts provide very full explanations, and most birdwatchers whose interests extend beyond mere identification will certainly w ish to have this book on their shelves. Some of the derivations came as a complete surprise to me: I have, in the past, even inferred in print that the name Lapwing describes the lapping noise made by that species' w ings during its display flight. Now, I find that this is quite wrong; the first element, laepi, meaning crest and the second element, wince , meaning something moving up and down, so that Lapwing in fact means 'movable crest'. This book is full of the results ofsuch fascinating etymological detective work. I cannot, however, believe that the name Roller really comes from the German dialect word rollem ‘imitative of . . . the cries of this noisy bird’: surely, it must refer (as I have always imagined) to that species’ habit of rolling right over in its tumbling display flights? Only one aspect of this book displeases. There is no species-index, and the cross-referencing between entries is not complete, so that it is not possible to look up all the variations of the names of any particular species. With eight totally blank pages at the back, the publishers can easily remedy this omission in the inevitably not-far-off second edition. At its reasonable price, The Oxford Book of British Bird Names would make an ideal Christmas gift. J. T. R. Sharrock A Field Guide to the Warblers of Britain and Europe. By Alick Moore. Illustrated by Bryon Wright. Oxford University Press. Oxford, 1983. 145 pages; 32 colour plates; 53 line-drawings; 45 maps. £9.50. This pocket-sized book covers the West Palearctic warblers, but strangely excludes some ‘fringe’ species, such as Tristram's and Arabian Warblers, although it includes others, such as Menetries’s and LTpcher’s Warblers. The text is w ritten from the angle of identification, and begins with a short informative introduction on the pros and cons of the methods of sorting out your ‘odd' warbler. Then follows the main body of this work, with species-accounts in an extended field-guide style, covering the features of each species. The text seems reasonably thorough, and gives far more information than any more general field guide. More space could, however, have been given to the old chestnut of feather wear: there is. for instance, no mention of the fact that very worn Willow/Chiffs can resemble Bonelli's Warblers. Also, perhaps more importantly, there is no mention of wing formulae, even for the most awkward 644 Reviews warblers; and there are a number of missing features (e.g. under Orphean Warbler, there is no mention of its resemblance to a large Lesser Whitethroat, nor indeed of the fact that dark-eyed individuals occur frequently) . The author has drawn freely on papers published in British Birds and on Williamson’s three Identification for Ringers guides, and due acknowledgment is given. The various subspecies are briefly discussed, but, again, there are some omissions: we should have had discussion on humei Yellow-browed, fuscus Reed and fusca Savi’s Warblers, which all need to be eliminated in the identification of other similar species. The maps are clear and large, show national boundaries, and are most commendable (although, unfortunately, the maps of Green and Greenish Warblers are transposed). The less said about the plates, the better. Quite frankly, they are just terrible. Very garish colours, awkward postures, and wrong shapes (except for those which look like direct copies of Lars Jonsson’s: e.g. one of the River Warblers) all add up to their being a useless, and expensive, part of the book. A field guide with this title had exciting prospects, and if it had been done along the lines of Poyser’s raptor and gull volumes, based on papers previously published in this journal, with lots of photographs, it would have been very useful and would have sold well. I just cannot see anyone buying this book, and I do not recommend it. S. C. Madge Shorelines: birds at the water’s edge. By Michael Warren. Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1984. 128 pages; over 120 colour plates. £14.95. This is a marvellous book! The large size (24 cm X 34 cm) has allowed Michael Warren’s fantastic paintings to be shown to perfection. I have used the word fantastic deliberately, since the paintings are both superb and highly imaginative; they have an almost dream-like quality, the artist seeing patterns in the landscapes (and waterscapes) and portraying these decorative qualities in his paintings. Those who already know Michael Warren’s work well will greatly welcome this book — surprisingly his first — as an opportunity to own some magnificent examples of his work at a ridiculously cheap price; those who do not yet know Michael Warren’s work really ought to take a look at this book. Unique may be an overused and often misused word, but I believe it fairly describes this collection of paintings, for 1 can name no other artist who would have dealt with these subjects in the same way. These are not detailed paintings with the appearance of colour photographs; nor are they hazy impressions. The paintings show the birds and their environments clearly defined, but the sharp images are those from inside the artist’s head and not necessarily those which, without his help, any of the rest of us would see when looking at the same scene. This is original work of imagination, but painted by an artist who knows his birds (he even goes twitching) and his quick sketches-in- paint of Isabelline Shrike and American Redstart in Lincolnshire prove it to us all. If you have any love of bird art, you will want to own this book. The publishers deserve great praise for producing it to such a high standard and at such a low price. Take a look at the Blakeney Point pebble beach with Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls, at the Black- necked Grebes on a Highland loch, or down onto the Kittiwakes on their breeding cliff . . . Can you resist buying this book? J. T. R. Sharrock Corrections Volume 76 Page 576 Call of Pintail Snipe References. Madge, S. C. 1977. Correct Brit. Birds reference is 70: 146-152. Volume 77 Pages Identification of stints and peeps 293 Fig. 1. Labelling should read ‘undertail-coverts’ not ‘undertail-covcrt’. 298 Table 1. Semipalmated Sandpiper: insert quotation marks to read ‘but not wing’. 446 Field identification of juvenile Pomarine Skua Line 24. For ‘tertial’ read ‘central’. Christmas Whisky Puzzle Once again, we set a puzzle with an ornithological flavour for the holiday period. Have a go! \ ou might win a bottle of The Famous Grouse Scotch whisky. Eight birds lead to the former name of a ninth. 1 . What about it or the confused bird. 2. Eggs flipped before time in central Europe. 3. Allow inside pub. 4. Ride around a very soft centre. 5. Seamen surround this Wan, known as Ben, who trained Luke. 6. Singer that needs flippers? (2 words) 7. Get ill after just one drink. 8. Small farmer has taken in the first gas. Name the nine species, and the two countries where the initially indicated bird nests. Send your answer to Christmas Whisky Puzzle. Fountains, Park Lane, B1 unham, Bedford mk44 3nj. 4 he sender of the first correct answer opened on 10th January will receive a bottle of The Famous Grouse Scotch whisky, donated by the sponsors of our 'Bird Photograph of the Year' competition, Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd. Sponsored by British BirdShop □ □ □ Recordings (add extra 7()p per disc or £ 1 .00 per cassette pack lor all overseas orders) A Field Guide to the Bird Songs of Britain and Europe Sture Palmer & Jeffery Boswall Complete set of 16 cassettes in four packs (running time approx 13 hours) (Post free) £86.00 Cassette pack I Divers to gulls (Price includes postage) CPI O X Cassette pack 2 Terns to warblers (Price includes postage) CP2 CD v. £23 00 each Cassette pack 3 Goldcrest to crows (Price includes postage) CP3 Q I Cassette pack 4 Accidentals (Price includes postage) CP4 [jj ' Complete set of 15 LP discs ol birds (running time approx 12 hours) (Post free) £84.00 Complete sets of 15 LP discs of birds and 2 I.P discs of mammals (Post free) £95.20 LP disc Divers to swans RFLP500I Q N LP disc Ducks and raptors RFLP5002 Q LP disc Game-birds to Long-billed Dowitcher RFLP5003 O LP disc Spotted Redshank to gulls RFLP5004 Q I.P disc Terns to owls RFLP5005 Q LP disc Nightjars to larks RFLP5006 □ LPdisc Martins to Lanceolated Warbler RFLP5007 Q LP disc 30 warblers Rf LP5008 □ LP disc Goldcrest to Red-flanked Bluetail RFLP5009 Q L.P disc Thrushes to treecreepers RFLP5010 O LP disc Buntings to Scarlet Rosefinch Rf LP501 1 Q LP disc Pine Grosbeak to crows RFLP5012 □ LP disc Accidentals up to Common Nighthawk RFLP5013 (_) LPdisc Remaining accidentals RFLP5014 Q LP disc new disc Extra recordings of main species and more accidentals RFLP5015 Q £5.60 each, plus £1.50 p&p per order Companion set of recordings of 69 British and European mammals LPdisc Hedgehog to Polecat RFLP5016 Q I.P disc Otter to Musk Ox Rf LP501 Please use the British BirdShop form on page xiii to complete your order. XV r SUN BIRD 1985 Special Tours In 1985 SUNBIRD will offer a special series of tours de- signed to cater for both beginners and more experienced birdwatchers. These six events will combine SUNBIRD’s careful organisation and expert professional leadership with a surprisingly low price. If you’ve ever wanted to watch birds in Thailand and Malaysia, Majorca, Greece, Spain, Canada or Kenya write or telephone us now for a copy of SUNBIRD 1985 — Special Tours. We think you'll find these offerings unusually attractive. SUNBIRD, PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 IDF. Tel: 0767 82969 BRYAN BLAND — DAVID FISHER PETER GRANT — WILL RUSSELL (D409) Talk to A, R. Hawkins about Binoculars! BRITAINS BINOCULAR SPECIALISTS FOR THE WORLDS TOP MAKES— ORDER BY POST OR PHONE FROM US IN COMPLETE CONFIDENCE. ZEISS WEST THE WORLD’S FINEST! YOU’VE JUST GOT TO OWN ONE! NEW close locus ZEISS 10x40BGA In stock NOW al only £359 10 x 40 B Dialyt 10x40 BGADialyi 7 x 42 BGA Dialyl 8 x 30 B Dialyl 8x30 BGA Dialyt 8 x 56 BGA Dialyl 8 x20 B Mini-Dialyt 10 x 25 B Mim-Dialyt 7x50 RGA Porro 1 5x60 GAT Porro All Zeiss Wesl suoblied with case ZEISS JENA 8x30Jenoplem E46.95 8 x 30 Dellrinlem £55.95 7x50Jenoplem £73.95 10x50Jenoptem £78.95 10x50Dekarem £88.95 OPTOLYTH ALPIN Superb Lightweight Models trom W. Germany at Sensible Prices. 8x30 BGAAIpin £118 8x40 BGA Alpin £129 10x40 BGA £132 10x50 BGA Alpin £150 12x50 BGA Alpin £153 7x42 BGA Alpin £135 A. R. HAWKINS GOES CRACKERS WITH PRICES AT CHRISTMAS! Spacemaster 20-45 x 60 telescope Close Focus 2011 complete with Slick D2 Tripod £212.95 KowaTSI Steiner 24 x 80 R/A Telescope complete with Cullman 2502 Tripod £240.37 you gel the tripod (reel TELESCOPES TELESCOPES! Optolylh 30 x 80 £273.00 Optolyth 30 x 75 £239.00 Optolylh 22-60 x 70 £255.00 Optolylh 30 x 60 £145.00 Optolylh 22 x 70 £210.00 Spacemaster 20-45x 60 £177.95 Spacemasler 22 x WA 60 £149.95 Bushnell T rophy 1 6-36 x 50 Rubber Body £174.95 KowaTS2 Kowa Lealher Case Habichl 25-40 x 75S Mirador 30 x 75 R/A Mimdor !5-60 _x_60Jelescope complete Habicht 30 x 75 close locus Oplicron 20-45x60 with Cullman 2505 Tripod £199.99 Spacemasler 22 x WA-60 complete wilh Cullman 2505 Tripod. £176.00 Post and Insurance £5 on above scope/lripod kits Tamron Zoom 20-60x65 15-60x60 Mirador Discoverer 15-60x60 Kowats N2 body £125.00 £108.00 £24 95 £385.00 £139 95 £340 00 £120.00 £247 95 £179.95 £187 95 £199 95 ' PHONE US f OR Best Makes Largest Stocks Fastest Service By return Despatch and ^Free Advice NEW FROM KOWA The New KOWA TSN-2 with large 77mm Objective Lens is in our Showrooms now Kowa TSN2 Body £189.95 Kowa TSN-2 20xW/A Lens £57.00 Kowa TSN-2 25x Lens £34.50 A good quality telescope with rotating body, rain-proof, and can be supplied with Photo Attachments! SLICK 02 TRIPOD THE Nnest Inpod tor your telescope! Extends to a lull 511 9ln. weights only Alb 12ozl Our Special Price £53.95 Post and Insurance £2.75. ORDER NOW tor ' By Return" Dispatch. Binoculars and Telescopes £2.25p post and Insurance send cheque or Visa/Access accepted by phone! Stamps (SOp). For Illustrated Discount Price List and Coloured Brochures on over 200 Models CALLERS WELCOME! Our Showrooms are only 7 minutes trom Ml Esit 15 or 16 and 2 min walk from railway stn Early closing Thursday 1pm Prices correct 3rd Nov 84. You can buy in complete confidence subject to change availability E&OE ARhawkins LTD 9MAREFAIR NORTHAMPTON NN1 1SR TELEPHONE 0604/39674 (D437) XV Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 The Quarterly Ornithological Journal ALAUDA The French ornithological journal ALAUDA contains scientific papers on field studies of wild birds concerned with their anatomy, ethology, feeding, moult, reproduction, migration, population dyna- mics, vocal behaviour, etc Coverage is world-wide but mainly western palearctic and particularly French Papers have an English summary There is a selected review of recent ornithological publications. Copies of most back numbers exist, these can be supplied on request An annual subscription of 160 FF entitles a private member to four copies of ALAUDA Institutional subscription 180 FF Also available: Sound recordings of some of the more difficult West African birds — A complete set of 10 LP Records (specially produced by ALAUDA) and accompanying notes: 420 FF. Please contact: J. F. Dejonghe or Tony Williams Alauda, Ecole Normale Superieure, 46 rue d'Ulm, 75230 PARIS Cedex 05 if interested (D144) Sponsors of ‘Bird Photograph of the Year' British Birds is most grateful to The Famous Grouse’ Scotch whisky and Zeiss West Germany for their support. Sponsors of the Rarities Committee ZEISS West Germany Classified Advertisements All advertisements must be PREPAID and sent to British Birds Advertising Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Telephone 0621 815085 Rates £1 .50 a line — average of 6 words £6.00 a centimetre — min. 2 centimetres Box Number counts as 2 words is £1 .00 extra per insertion Replies should be sent to the above address Series Discounts 3 insertions for the price of 2 6 insertions for the price of 4 Copy Date 5th of the month preceeding Please post early to avoid disappointment. HO LI DA Y A CCOMMODA TION GREYHOMES HOTEL Torcross, S. Devon Holiday Accommodation, S. Devon SLAPTON SANDS. AA and RAC one star. Small friendly licensed hotel magnificiently situated in six acres of mature gardens over- looking the panorama of Slapton Ley Nature Reserve and Start Bay. Unspoilt coastline famous for its variety of birds and wildlife. Also four self-catering holiday bungalows in grounds. SAE for brochure: Greyhomes Hotel, Torcross, Nr. Kingsbridge, S. Devon. Tel: Kingsbridge (0548) 580220. (BB993) SELF-CATERING WEST HIGHLANDS Holiday houses to let on a private 35,000 acre Highland Estate. Ideal for birdwatching with 136 species on check list, also for fishing, boating, wildlife & flora with hills, lochs and sea and woodlands. Accommodation ranges from 2-8 bedrooms. Apply to: Factor, Ardtornish Estate Office, Morvern, by Oban, Argyll. Tel: Morvern (096-784) 288. 24 hours answering service. ( B B 1 1 06) xvu Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 COME AND SEE the King Eider and many other rare birds on Loch Fleet and stay with us at The Park House Hotel, Golspie, Sutherland. Tel: 040 83 3667 where we promise to make your stay enjoyable. (BB901) LUXURY IDYLLIC COTTAGE. Ideal base Cheviot Hills, Fame Isles and Kielder Forest. Forster. Tel: 1 -904 9 1 07 and 0669 30265. (BB889) MILTON MANOR HOTEL, nr Tenby. Tel: 064 67 398. In 7 secluded areas near National Park, estuary and coast path. 26 bedrooms most en-suite, 6 with self-catering terms. Licensed restaurant. Central heating. (BB969) VISIT FLAMBOROUGH HEADLAND, Heritage Coastline. Next to RSPB’s Bempton reserve. The Flaneburg Hotel offers every comfort, bargain breaks, early and late season. Details tel: 0262 850284. (BB700) WARM, COMFORTABLE Lakeland Cottage, Nr Hawkshead to let all the year round. Low tariff, November-Easter SAE ‘Allard’. ‘The Old Vicarage’ Hawkshead, Cumbria LA22 0PD. (BB1061) HISTORIC COUNTRY HOUSE overlooking Derwent Ings. Explore York, the Wolds, Bempton Cliffs. Enjoy Yorkshire cooking. B/B, EM from £10.50. Mrs Vincent, Aughton Hall, Aughton, York Y04 4PG. Bubwith 237. (BB1062) NORTH WEST HIGHLANDS, Dundonnell Hotel, just south of Ullapool, ideal location for hill walkers, birdwatchers and those who enjoy the open spaces. Private bathrooms, Col. TV, full c.h. Send for col. brochure/tariff giving details of bargain holidays on selected dates, to Selbie Florence, Dundonnell Hotel, by Garve, Ross- shire. Tel: 085 483 204. (BB1063) ELIZABETHAN FARMHOUSE set in a beautiful position near Welsh Border. Enjoy complete relaxation. Excellent food. Marvellous walking country. Close to coast and golf course, and Offa’s Dyke. Ideal place for birdwatching. Open Easter onwards. Contact Mrs E. Venables, Rorrington Hall, Chirbury Powys (093 872) 223. (BB1065) IN EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK, 2 semi- detached cottages, Winsford. Also comfortable farmhouse, Wheddon Cross. All sleep 6, plus cot. Colour TV. Open fires. Sheets provided. Sorry no pets. SAE please to: Mrs Ef Jack, c/o Mrs A. Webber, Steadway Farm, Wheddon Cross, Minehead TA24 7EB. Tel: Timberscombe 492. (BB1066) NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS National Park. Coast and country. For the largest selection of inspected self-catering cottages, farmhouses etc, contact: Ingrid Flute, White Cottage, Ravenscar, Scarborough Y013 ONE. Tel: Scarborough (0723) 870703. (BB1067) SIBTON (nr Minsmere), Suffolk. I he White Horse Inn. A unique and charming 16th century freehouse in 2V2 acres, £ n suite accommodation, bed and breakfast or weekly rates. Ample car parking. CC location site. Bar snacks or restaurant meals available. Tel: Peasenhall 337. (BB1068) YOU WILL FIND A WARM WELCOME and every comfort in this attractively situated and secluded country hotel. Excellent birdwatching amidst moorland, forest and river. Home cooking, home produce. Full central heating, h&c and electric blankets in all bedrooms. Terms £80 db&b for week. Brochure from Old Manse Hotel, Duthill, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire PH23 3ND. Tel: (047 984).' (BB752) ISLES OF SCILLY, Mincarlo Guest House, St Mary’s. Superbly situated in own grounds overlooking the harbour. Terms from £8 (plus VAT) for B&B £12.25 (plus VAT) BB & EM. Tel: 0720 22513. (BB925) NATIONAL TRUST VILLAGE on Exmoor. Self-catering holiday homes. Centrally heated, near Porlock. Sea, moors, woods and marshes all within walking distance. Stamp for brochure. Sheila Wright, The Pack Horse, Allerford. Nr. Minehead. Tel: (0643) 862475. (BB1073) BARN HOUSE, Bempton. Pleasantly situated, comfortable farmhouse style B&B, Schofield, 5 Newsham Hill Lane, Bempton, Bridlington. Tel: 0262 850523. (BB1074) ‘THE OSPREY VILLAGE’: Beautiful Boat-of- Garten in the central Scottish Highlands close by the RSPB Loch Garten Reserve. Year-round Highland hospitality. For details of 150 local bird species, walks/activities, SAE please: Tourist Assoc. Boat-of-Garten, Inverness-shire. (BB1077) CAIRNGORMS — Nethybridge near Aviemore. Choice of unique converted smithy, hay loft, cottages and bungalows. Very comfor- table, well furnished, central heating and col. TV from £65-£250 pw. Mrs B. Patrick, Chapelton Place, Forres. Tel: 0309 72505. (BB 1078) MIGRATION VANTAGE POINT. Sur- rounded by National Trust land, with breath- taking views over the Needles — immaculate 2 bedroom luxury flats. Short breaks till April. Colour brochure: Marion and John Smith, Headon Hall, Alum Bay, Isle of Wight. Tel: 0983 752123 (24 hrs). (BB1070) NEWPORT, PEMBS. Coastal cottage, adj. Nat. Park, 5 mins. Sea and Estuary. Sleeps 8. Tel: 0222 752965. (BB1071) FLINT COTTAGES In rural surroundings at StifFkey and Beeston Regis, Norfolk, recently renovated and centrally heated. Tel: 0263 822986 for brochure. (BB965) xviii SMALL FAMILY RUN HOTEL 500 yards from the sea in a coastal area well known to ornithologists. Recommended by Ashley Courtenay, AA, RAC. Good food, warm friendly atmosphere. Open all year. The Lodge Hotel, Old Hunstanton, North Norfolk. Tel: 048 53 2896. Dogs welcome. (BB963) 4-BERTH CARAVAN individual rural site, edge Minsmere. Meg/Terry James, Charity Farm, Westleton. Phone VVestleton 314. (BB 1085) HEREFORDSHIRE. Farm holiday bungalow to let amidst Black Mountains in the lovely Olchon Valley of Herefordshire. Lovely walks and bird watching area. Dippers nesting close to bungalow in Spring. Week-end lets until April. Probert, Glandwr Farm, Llanvaynoe, Longtown, Hereford. Tel: Longtown Castle 608. (BB1087) BEDDGELERT. Charmingly furnished cottage. Superb surroundings. Sleeps 5. Sorry no pets. SAE Day, White Cottage, Church Lane, Corley, Coventry CV7 8BA. Tel: 0676 40501. (BB1096) BIRDWATCHING IN THE HIGHLANDS. Cottages in Wild Mountainous beauty area by Sea-Loch. Botanists and Climbers paradise. Rare wild life of every kind. Boating fishing, good food and night life locally. TV aerial and heating available. SAE Inverlael Cottages, Loch Broom, by Ullapool, Ross-shire 085 485 262. (BB1 100) HAYLE ESTUARY. 10 min walk to hide. Bed & breakfast from £5.50. St Ives 3 miles. Trendreath House, Lower Lelant, St Ives, Cornwall. Tel: Hayle 753714. (BB947) NEW FOREST. New Park Hotel, Brockenhurst. 260 acres. Stables, etc. Self-catering cottages. Colour brochures: (0590) 23467. (BB1022) NEAR MINSMERE, delightful converted barn. Sleeps 6/7. Fully equipped and linen provided. Turner, Vine Cottage, The Street, Middleton, Saxmundham: Tel: Westleton 208 after 6pm. (BB807) BED AND BREAKFAST. Mrs D. Crowden, Rosevilla, Middleton, Saxmundham, Suffolk. Tel: Westleton 489 between 6-7 pm. (BB1037) AN OUTSTANDING RANGE of self-catering holiday homes and cottages in the glorious Scottish highlands. Send for illustrated brochure: Lorna Lumsden, Scottish Highland Holiday Homes, Wester Altourie, Abriachan, Inverness. Tel: 0463 86247. (BB766) COUNTRY COTTAGES between Alnwick and Belford. Sleep up to six, fully equipped, self-catering, available throughout the year. VV ell placed for Holy Island and Fame Islands, Cheviot Hills and many places of natural beauty. SAE to Mrs P. Foster, Coxons, Craster South Farm, Alnwick, Northumberland. Tel: (066 576) 640. (BB544) MANOR BARN COTTAGE. Mudgley, South Isle of Wedmore, overlooking Somerset Levels. Fine English cooking, log fires, CH, rooms en suite, open all year. Brochure: Wedmore 0934 712953. (BB1033) ISLE OF ISLAY — Hebrides — our S/C C/H cottages are beautifully situated on the shores of Loch Indaal, home of wintering geese, with superb views to the hills. A peaceful five minutes stroll to the village where you can enjoy an evening’s entertainment among friendly people. From £50 per week. Full details and brochure — Mrs James Roy, Lorgba Holiday Cottages, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, Argyllshire PA48 7UD. Tel: 049685 208. (BB1010) ISLES OF SCILLY — Seaview Moorings, St. Mary’s. Home cooking and personal service from resident proprietors, Tony and Linda. Over- looking harbour, close to quay and town — licensed — in-room tea and coffee making facili- ties— pets welcome. SAE for details or telephone Tony or Linda Dingley on 0720 22327. ( BB 1012) ISLE OF MULL, Torosay Castle, Craignure. Golden eagles often seen in the area. 20 species in the garden and over 200 recorded on the island. Mull is a paradise. Gardens open year-round. Castle: I May-30 Sept, I flat and gardener’s cottage to let. Each sleeps 4 plus camp beds. Special monthly winter terms. For terms apply: The Secretary. Tel: 068 02 42 1 . ( BB945) BARGAIN BREAKS Small, recommended, coastal, licensed hotel facing open countryside. National Trust cliff walks nearby. All bedrooms with baths/ shower/wc, central heating, colour TV and tea maker, en suite. Four poster bed. Heated indoor swimming pool. Dinner choice from extensive menu. 2/5/7 night Bargain Breaks from £20 including dinner, breakfast and VAT. Brochure/reservations: GLENCOE HOTEL, Gwithian Village (St Ives Bay) TR27 5BX. Tel: 0736 752216. (BB1026) NORTH LAKES — perfect forCaerlaverock and South Solway Estuary. Six self-catering lodges overlooking sheltered 30 acre lake. Woodland site designated of’Special Scientific Interest’. Impor- tant location for large flocks of water birds, wintering site for duck, wide variety of wildfowl. Brochure: Lakeshore Lodges, The Lough, Thurston Field, Carlisle, Cumbria C.A5 6HB. Tel: 0228 76552. (BB1018) CLEY. Attractive house in village, four bed- rooms, large garden, garage, c.h. Available all year. Details from Mrs E. Album, 47 Lyndale Avenue, London NW2. Tel: 01-431 2942. (BB1050) WARM WELCOME, B&B/EM optional. Close to marshes. Heritage Coastal Walks. Central for Cley and Titchwell reserves. Mrs Court, Eastdene, Northfield Lane, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. Tel : (0328) .710381. ( BB 1 0 1 3) xtx Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 Self-catering par excellence Perfect for Christmas & New Year weeks & winter breaks. Superb centrally heated apartments & cottages for 2-9 in historic Salkeld Hall Little Salkeld ' Penrith * Cumbria Children welcome (BB1023) For brochure Tel: 0768 81 618 MINSMERE. Accommodation at the Eight Bells, Kelsale A 12, B&B. Real Ale, good food. Tel: Saxmundham 2975. (BB1052) BODMIN MOOR NATURE OBSERVA- TORY. Take an autumn or winter break. Migrating waders, hen harrier, merlin and smew all possible in our valley or on 3 nearby reservoirs. Individual help given to beginners. Full board accommodation. Good food. Central heating. SAE for details to Tony Miller, Bodmin Moor Nature Observatory, Ninestones, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 6SD or telephone 0579 20455. (BB 1027) SHETLAND, 3-star BTA commended country house hotel offers inclusive or tailor-made holidays. Rachel and Edwin Cope, Busta House, Busta, Shetland. Tel: 080 622 506. (BB976) SELF-CATERING PROPERTIES. All personally inspected. Brochure: Rural Vacations Ltd, Pipworth Lane, Eckington, Sheffield S31 9EY. Tel: 0246 432202. (BB1046) GALLOWAY. Hills, lochs, forests and sea. Speciality, birds of prey and waterfowl. High quality houses, cottages, flats. Details, send 27p stamp to: G. M. Thomson & Co, 27 King Street, Castle Douglas. (BB1030) CWM PUFFIN. Isle of Anglesey. Superb, comfortable house perched on rocky limestone outcrop on nature reserve. Fantastic views. 1 mile sea. Sleeps 6 (8) C.H. SAE: Mrs Chamber- lain, Yberllan, Penrhyn Park, Bangor, Gwynedd. (BB1020) AT THE TIDE’S EDGE between Prawle/Start Points, Maelcombe House Farm offers B&B/EM or s/c flat. Spectacular situation for migrations. Magnificent coastal walking. Ring Mrs Davies on Chivelstone (054 851) 300 for brochure. (BBI035) MINSMERE 4m. B&B in comfortable private house, edge of village. Brochure/terms, Hills, Old Mill House, Yoxford, Suffolk. Tel: 536. (BBI031) FARM COTTAGES between Lindisfarne Re- serve and The Fames. Comfortable and well equipped. Sorry no pets. Brochure: Mr J. McNish, Outchester Farm, Belford, North- umberland. Tel: 06683 336. (BB1032) SOUTHWOLD AA** HOTEL. Ensuite bed- rooms, good food and wines. Ideal base for Minsmere and surrounding area. Open all year. Reduced terms for party bookings. Write or tel: Pier Avenue Hotel, Southwold. Tel: 722632. (BB1005) ORCHARD HOUSE, N. W. Norfolk nr. Titch- well Marsh Reserve. Homely Bed and Breakfast accommodation (E.M. available). Also self- catering unit in orchard. Tel: Thornham (048 526) 259. (BB1036) SOLWAY COAST. B&B, evening meal optional. CH, ample parking, convenient wild- fowl reserve. Ideal painting, hill walking. Packed lunches and vegetarian meals available. Bardsley, The Rossan, Auchencairn, Castle Douglas DG7 1QR. Tel: 055 664 269. (BB871) WEST SUSSEX. Black Mill House Hotel, Bognor Regis 2 mins sea, Marine Gardens, Games Room, Cocktail Bar, enclosed Garden, Car Park. Visit Arundel Wildfowl Trust. AA, RAC, Member SEE Tourist Board. Minibreaks from £37.50 2 days. Brochure. Tel: (0243) 821945. (BB1024) DUNWICH. Holiday cottage, sea '/» mile, overlooking marshes, sleeps 6 plus 2 children. Ideally situated for Minsmere and surrounding countryside. Fully furnished and equipped personally supervised. £18 per day. Reduced rates for March-October. Dogs allowed, car parking. Details from R. Green, 53 Albany Road, West Bergholt, Colchester C06 3LB. Tel: 0206 241716. ' (BB1008) ISLE OF ISLAY, Lochside Hotel. Situated on the edge of Loch lndaal. Birdwatching all the year round. Superb 2 star accommodation with full central heating. All rooms have private bathroom or shower with wash hand basin, colour TV, wireless, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. Fully licensed. Brochure and tariff from Norman or Elaine Osborne, Lochside Hotel, Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA43 7LB. Tel: Bowmore (049 681) 244/265. (BB715) PERTHSHIRE, SUTHERLAND, NORTH WALES and other areas. Self-catering country cottages in idyllic surroundings, with golfing, fishing, hill walking, sailing, canoeing and other recreational pursuits near at hand. For brochure and list of available dates write to: Renton Finlayson, Bank House, 82 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire. Tel: (0796) 2512. (BB748) NR MINSMERE, Kings Head, Southwold 723829. B&B, packed lunches, Adnams ales. (BB962) OGWEN ESTUARY, I.avan Sands, Gwynedd. Secluded and comfortable house. Sleeps 12. C.H. Unique position alongside estuary. Nature reserve and SSSI for bird species. SAE: Mrs Chamberlain, Yberllan, Penrhyn Park, Bangor, Gwynedd. (BB1019) xx Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 15th CENTURY COACHING INN midway Ross/ Hereford amidst gentle wooded hills, 2 fields from River Wye. A comfortable and in- formal place, with proper emphasis on real food, real ales, civilised prices. Log fire, ch, fourposter. Egon Ronay, Relais Routier. Green Man Inn, Fownhope, Hereford. Tel: Fownhope (043 277) 243. (BB964) BETWIXT Inverness/John O’Groats. Small comfortable guest house, panoramic views, ideal base. Home baking, DB&B. Also 6 berth residential caravan. Ard Bcag, Brora, Suther- land. Tel: 0408 2 1398. (BB1034) ISLE OF ISLAY, ARGYLL. Port Charlotte Hotel, fully licensed, family rqn, adjacent to sandy beaches. Situated between Ellister W'ild- fowl Trust and the RSPB’s own Gruinart Nature Reserve. Special rates for groups. Let us send you our colour brochure. We also have a centrally heated, self-catering, seafront chalet. Tel: 049 685 321 or 379. (BB1025) CLEY, 2 luxury cottages (sleep 6 and 8). Stamp please for brochure: Hughes, Wilburton, Ely. Tel: 0353 740770. (BB973) SOUTHWOLD. ‘Avondale’. North Parade, overlooking sea. B&B/EM, ch, dglazed, licensed. Open all year. Ideal Minsmere, Havergate, Walberswick. Good food, friendly atmosphere. Tel: 0502 722538. (BB850) POLPERRO. Delightful harbourside cottage. Sleeps 6. Fully furnished and in easy reach of lovely clifT walks. From £110pw. Lawrence, 63 Elm Park Mansions, Park W alk. London SW10. Tel: 0483 232230. (BB1103) NORTH NORFOLK COAST, fishermen’s cottages. Open all year. Oak beams. Colour TV and open fires Oct/March, Ray Hewitt. Brig Square Holiday Cottages, Freeman Street, Wells next the Sea. Tel: 0328 710440. (BB950) WILDLIFE HO LI DA YS BROADLAND WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS All year round natural history holidays based around the Norfolk Broads * Daily Outings * * Slide Shows * Talks * Accommodation is in a highly recommended, friendly, family-run hotel From: £95 pw/pp and £35 pw-end/pp (inclusive) SAE for brochure: 38 North Denes Road Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR30 4LU Tel: (0493) 855506 BIRDWATCHING HOLIDA YS BIRDWATCHING IN TURKEY AND GREECE 1985 Central & Southern Turkey 16 Days April/May £665 North West Turkey & North Greece 1 1 Days May/September £488 Eastern Turkey 16 Days May £665 Central Turkey & Bosphorus Migration 16 Days September £650 Bosphorus Migration 1 1 Days September £460 All Inclusive Prices Details: Chris Slade 1 urkish & Greek Birdwatching Holidays 8 The Grange, Elmdon Park. Solihull B West Midlands B92 9EL. g Tel: 021-742 5420 021-705 5535 SPAIN — Birding Spring 1985 Tom Gullick lives in Spain and will show you the rarest birds in the beautiful and remote areas. Expect to see 5 eagles, 3 vultures, bustards, sand grouse, white-headed duck, galinule, eagle owl, black stork, with many ducks, waders and passerines on spring migration. 11, 8 and 5-day tours for 3-4 persons only, by Range Rover. 7 years and over 460 field days of experience in Spain. Tom Gullick, c/o Mrs. M. C. Parker, 5 Tile Barn Close, Farnborough, Hants., GU14 8LS. Tel: 0252 547213. (BB975) BIRDWATCHING WEEK-ENDS 1985 Lake Vyrnwy Conservation area. With help from R.S.P.B. the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel will run week-ends from 19th to 21st April 1985 and 21st to 23rd June 1985. Complete week-end package from Friday evening to Sunday evening from £45 to £54. Day visitors from the local area also welcome at £6 per day, to include lunch. Full details from The Proprietors, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Vie Oswestry SY10 0LY. (Telephone: 069 173 244). (BB101I) ARCTIC BIRDS. Two weeks in the Arctic, July/ August, viewing rare northern birds. Gyr Falcons, Ivory1 Gulls, Little Auks, etc. Camping in North Greenland or boat-based in Spitsbergen. Expert guides. From £940. Send stamp to: ERSKINE EXPEDITIONS, 14 Inverleith Place, Edinburgh. (BB1072) ISLES OF SCILLY — join resident birdman David Hunt for the holiday of a lifetime. 1985 Brochure from Cygnus Wildlife, 96 Fore Street. Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1PY. Phone: (0548) 6178. " ( BB 1017) ZAMBIA. Personally escorted 21-day camping Safari departing 18th May visiting Kariba, the Victoria Falls, Kafue Flats, Lochinvar and Luangwa Valley National Parks. All Inclusive, £1450 ADVENTURE AGENCY, The Square, Ramsbury, Wiltshire. (0672 20569). (BB1048) xxi BIRDWATCH CORNWALL. 21st-27th March 1985. £105.00 inclusive; 1 4th-2 1 st September 1985. £105.00 inclusive. Five days of field trips. Local RSPB leaders. Evening films and talks. Special help for beginners. Exciting seabirds, waders, ducks and birds of prey. Discounts for parties. Two star hotel with Scandinavian leisure centre. For brochure and birdlist phone Pauline Boss, 0736 795294, Karenza Hotel, St Ives, Cornwall. (BB1080) JOHN GOODERS. • French Winter Breaks for Sea Eagles and Cranes: 3 trips full: few places 7-10 March ’85. 0 Spring in Andalucia and the Coto Donana: both departures full: extra departure 22-29 March ’85 • Weekly holiday courses from 21 April ’85; Super comfort at 16th century farmhouse near Sussex coast. 0 New! Raptors over Gibraltar — early Sept. ’85; peak period, super hotel. Details: Lattenden’s Farm (BB), Ashburnham, Nr. Battle. E. Sussex. Tel: 0323 833245. (BB1029) LLANDUDNO ideal base for coast and mountain. For accommodation and/or transport consult Kestrel Coaches, Bron-y-Mor, 40 Vicarage Avenue, Llandudno LL30 IPS. Tel: 0492 76009. (BB852) WEST COUNTRY WILDLIFE. Birdwatching, wildlife holidays, in Devon. Small parties, expert leadership. Excellent food/accommodation, talks, slides, trips out each day. Beginners welcome. April-October one week holidays, November-March 2, 3 or 4 day week-ends Birdwatching on the Exe. Brochure from Courtlans, Colebrooke, Crediton, Devon EX 17 5JH. (BB1043) OVER 100 SPECIES on our 40 acres, and Morecambe Bay’s winter visitors close by. Join a BIRDWATCHER’S HOUSE PARTY, or block book a group. Castle Head Field Centre, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria (04484 4300). (BB832) COURSES BIRDS OF SPEYSIDE Birdwatching Activity Weeks 26th-3 1 st May 1985 and 2nd-7thJune 1985 These new courses comprise conducted visits and walks with slide-talks, films and social. Tutors: RSPB wardens, Roy Dennis & D. Gowans; Resident Guide: Michael Phillips. Course Fee: £36 per person. For brochure, SAE please to: Tourist Assoc. Boat-of-Garten, Inverness-shire. (BB1076) WILDLIFE TALKS WILDLIFE TALKS Birds a speciality. Ring Brian Fagg — (0322) 70967 to discuss your needs. Letters: 125 Hallford Way, Dartford DAI 3AA. (BB687) APPOINTMENTS ELECTRONICS WIZARD with good ornithological knowledge needed to develop devices for nest protection for RSPB. Contract Feb. tojuly 1985. Details from: Mike Everett, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. SG19 2DL. (SAE please). (BB1084) GIBRALTAR POINT NATURE RESERVE/BIRD OBSERVATORY Applicants are invited for the post of ASSISTANT WARDEN. The successful candidate will be mainly responsible for shorebird protection. The appointment is from April to August 1985. Further details on application: The Warden, (BB1098) Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE24 4SU. ASSISTANT WARDEN PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY March-October 1985 Ringer essential Apply: Warden, P.B.O. Old Lower Light, Portland, Dorset. (BB1090) BIRD REPORTS LONDON BIRD REPORT 1983 Produced by the London National History Society. Report £3 post paid and membership details from Mrs H. Housege, 1 10 Meadvale Road, London W5 1 LR. Back numbers available. (BB 1 107) BIRDS OF CHRISTCHURCH HARBOUR 1983 Jubilee issue, £1.30 inc postage. A. E. Cooper, 27 Waltham Road, Bournemouth BH7 6PE. (BB1097) NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND BIRD REPORT 1983. £1.85 post paid from Mark Tasker, NESBR, 17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen. Cheques to NESBR. Back numbers available. (BB1064) LINCOLNSHIRE BIRD REPORT 1983 Price £2.25 post free from Lincolnshire Bird Club, 3 Ketilcby View, Brigg DN20 8UD Includes Gibraltar Point B.O. Report, systematic list, survey reports, rarities descriptions, photographs, etc. Back nos. available, 79, 80, 81 , 50p each; 82 £1 . P&p lOp each. ( BB 1015) HAMPSHIRE BIRD REPORT 1983 £2.40 post paid from G. H. D. Davies, Highland House, Main Road, Littleton, Winchester, Hants S022 6PR. (BB1075) XXII Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 FOR SALE ORIGINAL Audubon 8.5 X 44 binoculars. Fine condition. £54. ’Phone 0603-745485. (BB 1 105) NEW BAUSCH & LOMB CRITERION 4000 MIRROR SCOPE Technical Specification Dia. of Mirror 4jn Focal Length 1200mm Finder Scope 4X Eye Piece 40x Near Focus (approx) 1 5ft Weight 3% lb Fully corrected image, supplied complete with carrying case lifetime warranty, made in USA. Price complete: £420.00 IN FOCUS 204 High Street, Barnet, Herts. Tel: 449 1445. (BBU01) HAWKINS walking boots and shoes. Camou- flage waterproofs, outdoor accessories. SAE for brochure. Reduced prices. B. Timson, 1 1 1 Hinckley Road, Earl Shilton, Leicester. (BB681) I SELL AND BUY used binoculars, especially Zeiss and Leitz. 2 1 Crescent Grove, London SW4 7AF. (BB1060) BB AND OTHER BIRD JOURNAL back numbers supplied. Morgan, Whitmore, Umber- leigh, Devon. (BB987) HABICHT ‘DIANA’ 10 X 40 well used. Opti- cally and mechanically perfect £115 ono. 0752- 360530. (BB1081) ZEISS Dialyt 10 X 40 BGA. Excellent condition £225. Opticron telescope 30 X 60, Rubber armoured, leather case, unused. £75. 01-397 1910 (evenings). (BB1082) BANNERMAN’S BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 12 vols. 0425 54728 after 6pm. (BB1009) NICKEL SUPRA 15-60 X 60, excellent cond. £100. Tel: 01-504 1469evenings. (BB1028) Breeding Birds of Great Britain and Ireland A Fieldguide Companion A set of 7 laminated cards in a handy plastic wallet (120 mms X 75 mms) 225 breeding birds covered • Laying period • No. of Broods • No. of Eggs • Size and Shape • Incubation days • Colour • Location of nest. only IR£2.50/Stg£2 (post free anywhere in U.K./Ireland) Send cheque, P.O., money order to: Barvane Ltd., P .O. Box 1458, Dublin 3. Republic of Ireland ( BB 1093) ZEISS 10 X 40 B. Dialyt. Optically perfect but have been used. £225 ono. Call (0508) 28113. Loddon, Norfolk. (BB1088) BRITISH BIRDS 1977-82, offers per volume. Alan Wilkinson. 01*486 4400 ext. 73 (BB1091 ) BRITISH BIRDS 1952-1958 inch, complete Offers Bailey 214 Cramford Rd., Langley Mill, Nottingham. Tel: 0773 7 1 2441. (BBI095) FOR SALE — High quality photographs of British Birds, professionally mounted and framed. Prices from £9.75. Write for full details to ABP Photographic, 73 Colebrooke Road, High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. (BB1040) THE BIRD-WALKER A Dictionary of Bird Songs from Europe and North Africa on three cassettes Jean C. Roche You can hear the songs and major calls of more than 350 Western Palcarctic species for just £15 (4- p&p). Available from March 1985. For more details contact: Dominic Couzens 3 1 Richmond Park Road London SW14 8JU. Tel: 01-876 6315. (BB1102) HERTS OPTICAL SERVICES TELESCOPES KOWA TS1 £110.50 TS2 £95.00 TS7 £73.50 20x w/a £32.50 25x £26.00 40x £27.S0 OPTOLYTH 30 x 75 £215.00 30 x 80 £248.00 DISCOVERER 15-60 x 60 £193.00 TELEMASTER 15-60 x 60 £224.25 BINOCULARS OPTOLYTH ALPIN SPACEMASTER Body only £122.00 + zoom £171.50 MAILORDER BY RETURN ADD £3.00 CARRIAGE & INSURANCE REPAIRS 102a VICTORIA STREET • ST ALBANS Telephone: (0727) 59392 10x40 8x40 £111.00 £109 50 8x30 £99 00 ZEISS WEST 8 x 20B £152.50 lOx 40BGA £345 00 LEITZ 8x20 £169 40 10 x 40B £362.50 SWIFT AUDUBON £141.50 OSPREY HABICHT £111.50 WSL/M7 x 42 £225.00 WSL/M 10x40 WRAY £255.00 6x30 £55.00 ! • HERTS (D4; xxiii Classified Advertisements 0621 815085 WANTED COLLECTOR wishes to purchase early natural history books and paintings, especially by Morris, Bannerman, Thorburn, Stonham, Millais; David Brodie, Hazel Bank, 106 Castle- main Avenue, Southbourne, Bournemouth, 0202431997. (BB1047) WANTED. ‘British Birds’, January 1975, (vol. 68). No. 1. Contact: Mr D. J. Kightley, 262 Hinckley Road, Nuneaton CVll 6LN, Warks. Tel: (0203) 384639. (BB 1083) WANTED — Single copy 9th Impression 1965 Reprint Volume V, The Handbook of British Birds, pub Witherby in mint condition. Name your price. Tel: 0463 236965. (BB1094) BINOCULARS, used, wanted Leitz Trinovid 6 X 24 and 10 X 40B. Zeiss Dialyt 10 X 40B. Also miniatures and German WW2 types all sizes. 21 Crescent Grove, London SW4 7AF. (BB1099) REPAIRS BINOCULAR AND TELESCOPE REPAIRS. Fast efficient service on all makes and types by expert technicians at L&L Optical, 204 High Street, Barnet, Herts. Tel: 01-449 1445. (BB909) WE REPAIR BINOCULARS. And cameras. And projectors. We’ve been at it for thirty years and we’re very, very good. Perfect? No. Perfectionists? Yes Burgess Lane & Co. Ltd, Thornton W'orks, Thornton Avenue, London W4 1QE. 01-9945752. (BB985) STAMPS BIRD STAMPS. 100 = £1,500 = £8. Send for 1 2-page bird stamp list. A. Grainger, 42 Lee Lane East, Horsforth, Leeds. (BB770) PERSONAL BIRD ARTISTIC AND PHOTOGRAPHIC AGENT requires new material. Write for the relevant set of guidelines to: Birders, 46 Westleigh Drive, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9LB. (BBI049) THE HAWK TRUST cares about all birds of prey. Why not help us with our conservation projects? For information, contact The Member- ship Secretary (JB), The Hawk Trust, FREE- POST, Beckenham, Kent. (BB1041) NEPAL trekking/birdwatching. March and April ’85. 1-3 companions (pref. over 40) welcomed. ’Phone Arrowsmith 0603-745485. (BB1104) BOOKS FINE NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS bought and sold. R. Norman. The Book-Squirrel, Hart- on-the-Hill, Dalton Picrcey, Hartlepool, Cleve- land. (BB932) BIRDWATCHING GUIDE BOOKS. Essential for holiday birding. What birds to see and where, when to go, where to stay, etc. Richly illustrated with maps. Mallorca by Eddie Watkinson (second edition) £3. The Isles of Scilly by David Hunt £3. The Gambia by Etienne Edberg £4. Denmark byj. Sanders £3. Prices include post & packing From J. Sanders, PO Box 24, Alderney, Channel Islands. (BB1069) BIRDS AND OTHER NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS — new and secondhand bought and sold. Catalogue: Redwing Books, 90a Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2BE (tel: 0303 41543—24 hours). (BB731) BIRDS BOOKS 1847-1982. Large SAE for catalogue. Crack Books, Sawmill Cottages, Burton-in-Lonsdale, Carnforth, Lancs. (BB1089) BIRDWATCHER’S LOGBOOKS. A few First edition (hard back) copies still available, price £2.50 each (inc. p&p). From Goxton Publica- tions, 23 West Hill Rd., Foxton, Cambridge GB26SZ. (BB1092) BOOKS ON BIRDS. New and secondhand, catalogue 30p. Surplus books urgently sought. BB bought and sold. Open Monday to Saturday. Bird Books of Sevenoaks, 67 London Rd, Seven- oaks, Kent. Tel: 0732 455899. (BB726) ST ANN’S BOOKSHOP for a large selection of new and secondhand bird books. Please offer any unwanted items. Catalogue: 2 St Ann’s Road, Great Malvern, Worcs WR14 4RG. Tel: 06845 62818. (BB1004) ‘BIRD BOOKS’. Good secondhand books bought and sold. Free catalogue from, and offers to Briant Books, 94 Quarry Lane, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0NJ. Tel: 0829 51804. (BB952) BIRD BOOKS. New and secondhand, bought/ sold. Catalogues issued. F. J. Whiteside, Lorna Doone, Staining Road, Staining, nr Blackpool, FY3 0DL. Tel: 0253 895004. (BB1038) BOOKS ON Birds, Natural History, Gardening, Field Sports, etc. Bought and sold. Catalogues issued. Books on most subjects purchased. Blest, W'ateringbury, Maidstone, Kent. Tel: 0622 812940. (BB 102 1 ) FOR SALE: Birds of British Isles by Banner- man, 12 Vols. Greenshank, Snow Bunting, Dotterel, all by D. N. Thompson. Portrait of a Wilderness, Portrait of a River, Portrait of a Desert, all by G. Mountford. Shorcbirds of N. America by Stout. Wanted: Birds of Japan and their natural colours, by Kobayashi. Birds of the Atlantic Islands Vol 1 , by Bannerman. Tibet and its Birds, Birds of the Paleartic Fauna Vols 1 and 2 by Vaurie. Box No. 63 c/o Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. (BB1108) XXIV Index to volume 77 Compiled by Mrs N. D. Blamire Entries are in single list with reference to: (1) every significant mention ol each species, not only in titles, but also within the text of papers, notes and letters, including all those appearing in such lists as the ‘Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1983’, but excluding those in ‘Recent reports’, ‘News and comment', requests and reviews; (2) scientific nomenclature under generic names only and following The 'British Birds' List of Birds of the Western Palearctic ( 1978); (3) authors of all papers, notes, reviews and letters, and photographers; papers are referred to by their titles, other contributions as ‘note on’, ‘review of, etc.; (4) a few subject headings, i.e. ‘Announcements’, ‘Breeding’, ‘Display’, ‘Editorials’, ‘Field characters’, ‘Food’, ‘Migration’, ‘News and comment’, ‘Obituaries’, 'Rarities Committee’. ‘Recorders’, Recent reports’, Requests’, Roosting’ and ‘Voice’; (5) ‘Reviews’, which are listed together under this heading in alphabetical order of authors reviewed. Accentor, Alpine, European news, 589 Accipiter nisus, see Sparrowhawk Acklam, Geoffrey, European news, 233-43, 586-92 Acrocephalus agricola , see Warbler, Paddyfield arundinaceus , see Warbler, Great Reed bistrigiceps , see Warbler, Black-browed Reed concinens, see Warbler, Blunt-winged dumetorum , see Warbler, Blyth’s Reed pa/udicola , see Warbler, Aquatic palustris , see Warbler, Marsh schoerwbaenus , see Warbler, Sedge scirpaceus , see Warbler, Reed Actitis hypoleucos , see Sandpiper, Common macu/aria, see Sandpiper, Spotted Aegolius Junereus, see Owl, Tengmalm’s Aegypius monachus, see Vulture, Black Aix galericulata , see Mandarin sponsa , see Duck, Wood Akers, P. G., see Davies. R. H. Albatross, Black-browed, mystery photo- graph, 106, 150-2, plate 37; European news, 233; accepted records 1972-82, 508-9 , Shy, field identification and distri- bution, 427-8 Alca torda, see Razorbill Alcedo atthis, see Kingfisher Alectoris rufa , see Partridge, Red-legged Allsopp, Keith, review of Elkins: Weather and Bird Behaviour, 131-2; review of Mead: Bird Migration, 282 Allsopp, Keith, see Hume. R. A. , , and Dawson, Ian, recent reports. see Recent reports Alstrom, Per, letter on Sabine’s Gulls in winter in Sweden, 122; European news, 233-43. 586-92 Anas americana , see Wigeon, American crecca , see Teal discors , see Teal. Blue-winged platyrhynchos, see Mallard querquedula, see Garganey rubripes, see Duck, Black strepera , see Gadwall Announcements: free BB’ badges, best recent black-and-white bird-photographs. Bird Photograph of the Year, custom- printed, personal British Birds indexes 1946-82, Bird Illustrator of the Year, the Richard Richardson Award, front cover designs for sale. Southeast Asian and Australian field guides, revised world checklist in paperback. Frontiers sold out, 28-31; Mystery Photographs prize fund now- worth over £1,350, Young Ornithologists of the Year. 76-7; National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America. cheaper US dollar payment. 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Best Days of Birdwatching, just for a lark!, 495-6; just for a lark!, The ‘ British Birds’ Mystery Photographs Book, A Field Guide to the Birds of the USSR, a new Keith Brockie book, Tunnicliffe’ s Birds: measured drawings in colour, Direct Debit payments, Identification of stints and peeps, 572-3; cover designs for sale by postal auction, just for a lark!, Blyth’s Reed Warblers and juvenile skuas, Tunnicliffe’s Birds: measured drawings in colour, use ‘British BirdShop’ to obtain your free BWP list, binding .your BBs, Bird Photo- graph of the Year, best recent black-and- white bird-photographs, 626-7 Anser anser, see Goose, Greylag erylhropus, see Goose, Lesser White- fronted Anthus berthelottii, see Pipit, Berthelot’s campestris, see Pipit, Tawny cervinus, see Pipit, Red-throated gustavi, see Pipit, Pechora hodgsoni, see Pipit, Olive-backed novaeseelandiae, see Pipit, Richard’s pratensis, see Pipit, Meadow trivialis, see Pipit, Tree Appleton, T. P., letter on good and bad behaviour of birdwatchers, 619-20 Apus ajfinis , see Swift, Little apus, see Swift cajfer, see Swift, White-rumped melba, see Swift, Alpine Apus pallidus, see Swift, Pallid Aquila chrysaetos, see Eagle, Golden clanga, see Eagle, Spotted heliaca, see Eagle, Imperial rapax, see Eagle, Tawny/Steppe Ardea cinerea, see Heron, Grey purpurea, see Heron, Purple Ardeola ralloides, see Heron, Squacco Arenaria interpres, see Turnstone Arlott, Norman, note on aerial display of Black-shouldered Kite, 22-3 Ash, Alan, note on Arctic Terns feeding earthworms to young, 360- 1 Asio flammeus, see Owl, Short-eared Auger, Harold, photograph of Golden Eagle, 594, plate 255 Avocet, European news, 235 Axell, H. E., photograph, 33 Aythya collaris , see Duck, Ring-necked ferina, see Pochard fuligula, see Duck, Tufted Back, P. M., photograph of Whooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan and Mute Swan, 249, plate 90 Baker, Leslie, obituary, 79 Bankier, A. M., note on House Sparrows collecting insects from cars, 121 Bartramia longicauda, see Sandpiper, Upland Baumanis, Janis, European news, 233-43, 586-92 Beadman, J., see Gollyer, A. A. Bee-eater, accepted records 1981-3, 540; European news, 589 Bell, D. Graham, note on Black-necked Grebe jump-diving, 315 Billett, D. F., and Rees, G. H., note on falcons hunting close to harriers, 482 Bird Illustrator of the Year 1984, 283-8; award presentation, 499, plates 208-9 Bird Photograph of the Year 1984, 175-80, plates 53-9; award presentation, 382, plate 152 Bishton, Glenn, note on Dunnock bathing in and drinking dew, and dust-bathing, 486-7 Bittern, European news, 233 , Little, risk of confusing call with that of Fire-bellied Toad and frogs, 97-104; accepted records 1979-81, 509; European news, 586 Biziura lobata, see Duck, Musk Bjcrre, Klaus, photographs of Hawk Owl, 236-41 , plates 85-8 Blackbird, eating large food items, 74-5; billing ceremony between pair, 159-60; early laying dates, 211-2; young fed by Robin, 264; rearing mixed clutch of own Index to volume 77 647 and Song I brush eggs, 264-5; robbing Kingfishers, 424; eating persimmons, 425 Blackcap, eating persimmons, 425 Blewitt, R. J. C., photographs of Sparrow- hawks, 49-61, plates 24, 26-8 Bloch, Dorete, European news, 233-43, 586- 92 Bluethroat, photograph, 388, plate 160; European news, 589 Bobolink, photograph, 37, plate 16; accepted record 1983, 544, 560, plate 226 Bombycilla garrulus, sec Waxwing Bond, Anthony J., photograph of Swallow, 251, plate 91; of Mistle Thrush, 257, plate 102 Books for Christmas, 503-5 Boot, A. S., note on Starling’s reaction to Turtle Doves, 425 Booth, Chris J., and Reynolds, Peter, note on Great Skuas scavenging on Orkney roads, 358 Boswall, Jeffery, review of Veprintsev: The Birds of the Soviet Union: a sound guide, 580 Botaurus stel laris, see Bittern Bottomley, J. B., and S., photograph of Dipper, 202, plate 66 Bourne, W. R. P., letter on Shy Albatrosses, storm-petrels and Mr Harrison, 428-9; on bird mobbing and hunting associations, 494; on winter quarters of Sabine’s Gull, 620 Box, T. A., photograph of Great Reed Warbler, 72, plate 32 Braae, Lasse, European news, 233-43 Brambling, colour photograph, 1 76, plate 54; European news, 242; association with breeding Chaffinch, 426 Brant, Black, see Goose, Brent Branta bemicla, see Goose, Brent canadensis, see Goose, Canada leucopsis, see Goose, Barnacle ruficollis, see Goose, Red-breasted Bree, B.. note on glasshouse attraction to migratory' birds, 491-2 Breeding: Nests: Merlin, 73-4; Herring Gull, 122-3; Pallid Swift, 568; House Martin, 157-9; Dipper, 210-1, plates 68-9; Carrion Crow, 489-90, plate 207. Eggs: Blackbird, 21 1-2. Fledging: Grey Heron, 614; 1 ulted Duck, 318-9 Breife, Bertil, photograph of Montagu's Harrier, 44, plate 22 Briggs, K. B., note on Blackbird robbing Kingfishers, 424; on apparent distraction display by Redstart, 569 'British Birds’ Best Bird Book of the 5 ear, 451 'British Birds’ Mystery Photographs Book, lower price to BB readers, 124; prize winner and solution, 608-12 British Ornithologists’ Union, work of Records Committee, 247-9 Britton, D. J., identification pitfalls and assessment problems, 9: Richard’s Pipit and Tawny Pipit, 412-5, plates 173-5 Broad, R. A., see Dennis, R. H ,,etal. Brosselin, M ., photographs of Slender-billed Curlew, 136-8, 583-5, plates 41-2, 44, 249, 251,253 Brown, G. B., photographs of Lesser Crested Terns, 375, plates 143-4 Bubulcus ibis, see Egret, Cattle Bucephala ctanguta, see Goldeneye islandica , see Goldeneye, Barrow's Buflery, Dorian, photographs of Tawny Pipits, 412-3, plates 173-4; of Richard's Pipit, 415, plate 1 75 Bundy , Graham, note on Little Stints feeding in flight, 156; on collective mobbing by Black-winged Stilts and terns in winter, 119-20; on Slender-billed Gulls feeding by aerial-skimming, 42 1 ; on Whiskered Terns robbing Saunders’s Tern, 422 Bunting, Black-laced, European news, 591 , Black-headed, accepted record 1983, 559; European news, 591 . Chestnut, European news, 242 , Cinereous, request, 219 , Cirl, association of male with female Yellowhammer, 26-7; status in Britain before 1800, 123-4 , Corn, singing like Yellowhammer. 491 , Lapland, migrants attracted to glass- house, 491-2 , Little, European news, 242; accepted records 1983, 559; wintering in England. 616-7 , Painted, European news, 242 , Rustic, European news, 242, 591; accepted records 1983, 558. plate 234 , Snow, migrants attracted to glass- house, 49 1 -2 . Yellow-breasted, accepted records 1983, 559; European news, 591 Burns, D. W., photograph of Northern Oriole, 544, plate 227 Burton, J. F., and Johnson. E. D. H., insect, amphibian or bird?, 87-104 Bushell, C. L, note on head pattern of Booted Warbler, 366 Bustard, Great, European news, 235 , Little, risk of confusing call with that of Parsley Frog, 97-104 Bustards, request, 272 Buteo buteo, see Buzzard lagopus, see Buzzard, Rough-legged rujinus, see Buzzard, Long-legged Butorides stnatus. see Heron. Green 648 Index to volume 77 Butterfield, J., see Coulson, J. C., et at. Buzzard, stunned in flight, 73; colour photo- graph, 177, plate 56; European news, 235, 587 , Honey, European news, 234 , Long-legged, European news, 587 , Rough-legged, dismembering prey in flight, 207 Catandrella brachydactyia, see Lark, Short-toed Calcanus lapponicus , see Bunting, Lapland Cahdris acuminata , see Sandpiper, Sharp- tailed alba , see Sanderling bairdii, see Sandpiper, Baird’s Juscicollis, see Sandpiper, Mhite- rumped mauri , see Sandpiper, Western melanotos, see Sandpiper, Pectoral rninuta , see Stint, Little rninutilla , see Sandpiper, Least pusitla, see Sandpiper, Semipalmated ruficollis , see Stint, Red-necked subminuta, see Stint, Long-toed temminckii, see Stint, Temminck’s Calonectris diomedea , see Shearwater, Cory’s Calvert, Malcolm, note on Pallid Swilt apparently nesting in palm trees, 568 Cantelo, John, letter on the early history of the Cirl Bunting in Britain, 123-4; note on identification of singing Reed and Marsh Warblers by mouth colour, 214-5 Capercaillie, European news, 235 Caprimulgus europaeus , see Nightjar ruficollis , see Nightjar, Red-necked Carbonell, Montse, note on young Tufted Duck riding on adult, 318 Cardue/is cannabina, see Linnet flammea, see Redpoll hornemanni , see Redpoll, Arctic spinus , see Siskin Carlson, Kevin, colour photograph of Brambling, 1 76, plate 54 Carpodacus erythrinus , see Rosefinch, Scarlet Catharus minimus , see Thrush, Grey-cheeked ustulatus, see Thrush, Swainson’s Catley, Graham P., note on feeding be- haviour and plumage of an adult Sharp- tailed Sandpiper, 156-7; letter on tail- wagging by Isabelline Wheatear, 377; note on winter feeding behaviour of Sanderling, 483-4, plates 204-5; photograph of Green Heron, 541 , plate 219 Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, see M illet Cave, Brian, letter on size illusion, 325-6, plates 126-7 Cert lua brachydactyia , see Treecreeper, Short- toed Certh ia Jam il ia ris , see Treecreeper Ceryle alcyon, see Kingfisher, Belted Cettia cetti, see Warbler, Cetti’s Chadwick, Paul, letter on Aquatic Warbler and streaked Sedge Warbler, 378, plate 151 Chaffinch, Brambling associating with breeding pair, 426 Chandler, R. J., product report, 348; review ol Lreeman: The Wildlife and Nature Photo- grapher's Field Guide , 391; mystery photograph 95: Redpoll and Siskin, 478, 563-5, plates 203, 236; note on proportions of adult male Smews and Red-breasted Mergansers in England and Males in 1978/79, 479-81; photographs of Redpoll and Siskin, 564-5, plates 235-8 , , et a/., Bird Photograph of the Year, 1 75-80; best recent black-and-white bird-photographs, 250-8, plates 91-103 Chantler, Jack and Philip, see Riddiford, Nick Chapman, M. S., note on identification of Short-toed Treecreeper, 262-3 Charadnus asiaticus, see Plover, Caspian leschenaultii, see Plover, Greater Sand mongolus , see Plover, Lesser Sand vociferus , see Killdeer Chersophilus duponti, see Lark, Dupont’s Chettusia leucura , see Plover, M hite-tailed Chillchafl, song resembling P. c. tristis heard in Netherlands, 24-5; song resembling P. c. ‘ brehmii heard in Dorset, 25; eating fruit, 424-5; song of P. c. tristis on record, 429; request, 628 Chlidonias hybridus, see Tern, M hiskered leucopterus , see Tern, White-winged Black niger, see Tern, Black Chough, feeding on ploughed fields in spring, 489 , Alpine, request, 167 Christensen, Steen, see Olsen, Klaus Mailing Christie, David A., note on reactions of waterbirds to sudden torrential rain or hail, 20 Christmas books, 50,3-5 Ciconia ciconia , see Stork, White nigra , see Stork, Black Cinclus cinclus , sec Dipper Ciochia, Victor, European news, 233-43, 586-92 Circaetus gallicus, see Eagle, Short-toed Circus aeruginosus, sec Harrier, Marsh cyaneus , see Harrier, Hen Pygargusi see Harrier, Montagu’s Clamator glandarius , see Cuckoo, Great Spotted Index to volume 77 649 Clangula hyemalis, see Duck, Long-tailed ( ilarkson J. CL. photograph of Penduline Tit, 279, plate 109 Michael, note on Sand Martins feeding on the ground, 361 Coccyzus americanus, see Cuckoo, Yellow- billed erythrophthalmus , see Cuckoo, Black- billed' Colcombe, Keith, winner, The Richard Richardson Award 1984, 283-8; award presentation, 499, plate 209 Coles, R. k., note on Great Crested (ire be apparently transferring young to another water, 206-7 Coley, A. R.. letter on size illusion, 324 Colling, A. \V.,sec Hope Jones, P. Collins, David R., studies of W est Palearctic birds 187: Canary Islands Stonechat, 167- 7 1, plates 191-6 Collins, R., and ’ Thomas, R. D., note on Turnstone attempting to rob House Sparrow, 567 Collins, R. K. C., PhotoSpot 7: Berthelot’s Pipit, 175-6, plates 197-200 Collyer, A. A., Beadman, J., and Hill, I H., note on similarity between songs of two Locustella warblers and stridulation of RoeseTs bush-cricket, 1 12-5 Colston, Peter, see Nielsen, Bent Pors Columba livid, sec Dove, Rock oenas , see Dove, Stock Combridge, I\, note on underwing of ringtail Hen Harrier, 419 Constantine, David, photograph of Little Auks, 253. plate 96 Cook, A., photograph of Solitary Sandpiper. 54 1 , plate 220 Cooper, A. A., note on Common Tern repeatedly dropping fish in flight. 261 Coot, reaction to sudden rainstorm. 20; Gadwall and Black-headed Gull feeding in association with, 21-2, plate 9; risk of confusing call with that of Common 1 oad. 97; mystery photograph of juvenile, 127, plate 39 , American, in Co. Cork, 12-6, plates 1-5 Coracias garrulus, see Roller Cormorant, reaction to sudden rainstorm. 20; European news, 233. 586; robbed by Gannet, 418 Corncrake, risk of confusing call with that ol Parsley Frog, 97-104; allopreening. 567; European news, 588 Corrections, 644 C.orvus corax, see Raven corone, see ( .row. ( a rrion dauuricus , see Jackdaw, Daurian frugilegus, see Rook C.orvus monedula, see jackdaw Cottridge, David M .. photographs of Olive- backed Pipit, 268; of L plane! Sandpiper, 525, plate 2 1 3 Cotumix cotumix, see Quail Coulson, J. C.. et at., origin and behaviour of Great Black-backed Gulls wintering in northeast England, 1-11 Courser, Cream-coloured, European news, 235; photograph, 634. plate 264 Coutts, Dennis, photograph of Needle-tailed Sw ift, 388, plate 159; of Hawk Owl. 543. plate 223 ( 4444; colour of second down of chicks, 260 , Red-footed, Kuropean news, 235; photographs, 587. plates 154-6; accepted records 1981-3, 518 Farmer. M. R. and R..J.. note on aggressive behaviour of female Goldeneye, 6 1 4-5 Kellowes, E. C.. photograph of Siskin, 258. plate 95: of Kestrels. 254. plate 97; of Nightjar. 257. plate 103 Eicedula parva, see Flycatcher. Red-breasted Field-characters: White-laeed Storm-petrel, 122: t kittle Kgret. 451-7, plate 188: Kittle Kgret, 315-7. 451-7. plate 188: Snowy Kgret, 451-7, plate 188; Yellow-billed Kgret. 451-7, plate 188; Great White Kgret. 269. 451-7. plate 188; Wood Duck. 227-32. 269-70, plates 77-8. 442-3; Mandarin. 227-32. 269-70, plates 79-81. 84: White-headed Duck. 154; Hen Har- rier. 419: Spotted Crake, 1 10-1; Sora Rail. 108-12. plate 88: Caspian Plover. 356-7, plates 137-8; Semipalmated Sandpiper. 293-315, plates 113-20; Western Sand- piper. 293-315. plates 1 13-20; Red-necked Stint. 293-515. plates 1 13-20; Kittle Stint. 295-315, plates 1 13-20; Temminck's Stint. 293-31.4. plates 113-20; Long-toed Stint. 293-315. plates 1 1 3-20: Least Sandpiper. 293-315. plates 1 15-20; Sharp-tailed Sand- piper. 157; Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 358; Pomarine Skua. 27. 443-50. plates 182-.); 652 Index to volume 77 Arctic Skua, 443-50, plates 182, 186; Long- tailed Skua. 448-50, plate 187; Sooty Gull, 149-50, plates 49-50; White-eyed Gull, 149-50, plates 49-50; Lesser Black-backed Gull, 344-8; Herring Gull, 344-8; Ross's Gull, 23-4, plates 10-1; Lesser Grested Tern, 371-7, plates 139-50; Roseate Tern, 359-60; Short-eared Owl, 76; Richard's Pipit, 412-5, plate 175; Tawny Pipit, 412- 5, plates 173-4; Isabelline Wheatear, 362- 5, 377; River Warbler, 213-4; Aquatic Warbler, 377-8; Sedge Warbler, 378, plate 151; Padd\ field Warbler, 399; Blyth's Reed Warbler, 393-411, plates 161-72; Marsh Warbler, 214-5, 393-411, plates 164, 168-70; Reed Warbler, 214-5, 393-411, plates 164-7; Olivaceous Warbler, 393-411, plates 164, 171-2; Booted Warbler, 366; Upcher’s Warbler, 396-9. plate 1 (54; Black-browed Reed Warbler, 400; Blunt-winged Warbler, 400; Marsh lit. 117-8; Willow Tit, 117-8; Treecreeper, 262-4; Short-toed Tree- creeper, 262-4; Northern Waterthrush. 368-71; Louisiana Waterthrush, 370-1 Fieldfare, Luropean news, 240, 590 Firecrest, food on autumn migration, 367 Fitter, R. S. R., letter on credit where it’s due, 378; on Free Pipits displaying from ground, 621-2 Flamingo, Greater, European news, 233 Flegg, Jim, review of Cox: A New Guide to the Birds oj Essex, 440 Fletcher, Mark, note on apparent nest repairs by nestling House Martin, 423 Flumm, D. S., letter on identification pitfalls: Aquatic Warbler, .377-8 Flvcatcher, Red-breasted, European news, 242 , Spotted, young fed by female House Sparrow, 265, plate 104; eating wisteria petals, 425 Food: Squacco Heron, 72; Greylag Goose, 354-5; Canada Goose, 354-5; Red-legged Partridge, 319; Sanderling, 483-4, plates 204-5; Sandwich Tern, 260; Arctic Tern, 261, 360-1; Robin, 568; Blackbird, 74-5; Song Thrust, 160, 365-6; Chillchalf, 424- 5; Goldcrest, 367; F'irecrest, 367; Spotted Flycatcher, 425; Jackdaw, 75; Scottish Crossbill, 368 Fowler, James A., Blakesley, David, and Miller, Carolyn J., note on Red-throated Pipit chasing Swifts, 361-2 Fraser, M. W. and J. G., note on allopreening by Corncrakes, 567 Fraser, P. A., letter on ‘Cri de coeur’, 62 1 Freer, Mike, points of view 9: a kindly word, 353 Fregata , see Frigatebird F'rigatebird, European news, 233, 586 Fringilla coelebs, see Chaffinch montifringilla , see Brambling FYost, Mike, photograph of Ring-billed Gull, 530, plate 2 1 4 F ry, C. H., review' of Brush and Clark: Ber- spectives in Ornithology, 340- 1 ; of Perrins and Birkhead: Avian Ecology, 443 Fulica americana, see Coot, American atra, see Coot Fulmar, European news, 233; attacked by Gyrfalcon near eyrie, 483; one killing another, 566-7 Fulmarus glacialis, see Fulmar Gadwall, feeding association with Coots, 21- 2, plate 9; drake associating with female and brood, 3 1 7-8 Galbraith, C.A., and Thompson, P.S., note on nest-delence by female Gyrfalcon, 483 Ga/erida cristata , see I ,ark. Ch ested theklae, see Lark, Thekla Gallinago gallinago, see Snipe media, see Snipe, Great Gallinula chloropus, see Moorhen Galton, Jeremy, letter on size-illusion, 323 Gannet, mutual display at sea, 107-8; European news, 233; robbing Cormorant, 418 Gantlett, Stephen J. M., letter on tame Rock Thrushes and injured wild birds, 57 1 Garganey, European news, 234 Garrulus glandarius, see Jay Gauei, Charles, see Sultana, Joe Gavia adamsii, see Diver, White-billed Geese, mystery photograph, 19, 70-1, plate 8 Geister, Iztok, European news, 233-43, 586- 92 Gelochelidon nilotica, see Fern, Gull-billed Gillmor, Robert, review of Peck: .4 Celebration oj Birds, 173-4; illustrations for field identification of West Palearctic white herons and egrets, 452, plate 188 , , Shackleton, Keith, and Sharroek, J. T. R., ‘Bird Illustrator of the Year' and ‘The Richard Richardson Award', 283-8 Glareola pratincola, see Pratincole, Collared Glaucidium passerinum , see Ow l, Pygmy Goldcrest, European news, 242; food on autumn migration, 367; trapped in spider’s web, 569; nesting close to S p a r r o w h a w k , 5 69 Goldeneye, young carried on backs of adults, 318; aggressive behaviour of female, 614-5 , Barrow’s, Fluropean news, 234 Gooch, Bernard, note on Chiflchafis eating fruit, 424-5 Index to volume 77 Goodwin, A. G., note on Scarlet lanager in St illy, 490-1 Goodwin, Derek, letter on bird-artists, wood- peckers and pigeons, 326-7 Goosander, European news, 234; young carried on backs ofadults, 318 (ioose, Barnacle, European news, 234 , Brent, European records of B. b. nigricans 1957-82, 458-65, plates 189-90; accepted records ol B. b. nigricans 1982-3, 512-3; European news, 587 , Ganada, summer food of feral birds, 354-5; diving behaviour: correction, 378 , Greylag, summer food of leral birds, 354-5 , Lesser White-fronted, European news, 234; accepted records 1983, 512 , Red-breasted, accepted records 1983, 513, plate 210 Gordon, Seton, photographs of Golden Eagle, 598, 604, plates 256, 259 Goshawk, European news, 235 Grant, P. J., PhotoSpot I: Sooty Gull and White-eyed Gull, 149; identification of stints and peeps, 293-315, plates 113-20; mystery photograph 92: Laughing Gull or Franklin’s Gull, 350-2; letter on orange- billed large terns, 372-4, plates 139-40; mystery photograph 94: Herring Gull /.. a. michahellis , 476-9 Grebe, Black-necked, European news, 233; jump-diving, 315 , Great Grested, reaction to sudden rainstorm, 20; apparently transferring young to another water, 206-7 , Little, reaction to sudden rainstorm, 20; migrants attracted to glass-house, 49 1 - 2 , Pied-billed, accepted record 1983, 508 , Slavonian, European news, 233 Green, Dennis, photograph of Stock Dove, 199. plate 65; of Willow Warbler. 252, plate 93; of Greenshank, 254, plate 98; ot Golden Eagle, 600. 607, plates 257. 260 Greenshank. European news, 236; photo- graph, 254, plate 98; migrants attracted to glasshouse, 491-2 Greenwood, Jeremy J. D., review ot ( )' Donald : The Arctic Skua. 1 73 Grenfell, H E., photograph of Green Sand- piper, 256, plate 100; of Snipe, 256, plate 101 Gribble, Frank, see Emley. David Grosbeak. Rose-breasted, accepted records 1983,544.560. plate 225 Grouse, Black. European news, 235; precarious status in Peak District, 618 Gncsgrus , see Crane Guillemot, European news, 237-8. 589 653 Guillemot, Brunnich's, European news, 238; accepted record 1982. 537 Gull, Audouin’s, European news, 237 , Black-headed, feeding association with Coots, 21-2, plate 9; aberrant underwing pattern. 358-9; feeding after passage of hover- craft, 567-8; pink-plumaged birds, 615 , Bonaparte’s, accepted records 1983, 529 , Common, European news, 237; photo- graph, 543, plate 224 . Franklin’s, mystery photograph. 291, 351, plates 1 12, 134-5 , Glaucous, origins and distribution of British records, 165-6; request, 273; European news, 589 , Great Black-backed, origin and behaviour of birds wintering in northeast England, 1-11; reaction to sudden hail- storm, 2 1 , Great Black-headed. European news. 237 , Herring, inland ground-nesting records, 122-3; northeastern race wintering inland in England, 165-6; European news, 237, 588; mystery photograph, 206, 245-7, plate 67; size-illusion in field. 325-6, plates 126-7; field identification of juvenile /.. a. michahellis , 344-8; with streamer attached to leg causing panic among other gulls, 359; feeding association with Shags. 421-2; mystery photograph of /.. a. michahellis. 417, 476-9, plates 180. 201-2; photograph, 543, plate 224 , Iceland. European news. 237. 588-9; request, 273; size illusion in field, 325-6, plates 126-7 . Ivory, European news, 237; accepted records 1983,535 . Laughing, photographs, 224-5, plates 71-4; mystery photograph. 291. 351. plates 1 12. 134-5; accepted records 1983, 528 , Lesser Black-backed. European news. 237; wing pattern of juvenile. 344-8; photograph 477. plate 202 , Little, migrants attracted to glass- house, 49 1 -2 , Mediterranean, European news. 237, 588 , Ring-billed, displaying in West Glamorgan, 208; accepted records 1981-3, 529-33, plates 214-5, 224 , Ross's, underwing colour of adult, 23- 4. plates 10-1; European news, 237. 589; photograph. 387, plate 157; accepted records 1983.534-5 . Sabine's, winter records in Sweden. 122; European news, 237; request. 272; winter records discussed, 326, 620 654 Index to volume 77 Gull, Slender-billed, feeding by aerial skimming, 42 1 , Sooty, PhotoSpot, 149-50, plates 49-50 , W hite-eyed, PhotoSpot, 149-50, plates 49-50 Gulls, reaction to sudden rainstorm, 20; function of dark eye-patches, 492 Gerfalcon, female attacking Fulmars near eyrie, 483; accepted records 1982-3, 519 Haas, \1. B.. see Newton, I. Haematopus ostralegus , see Oystercatcher Haig, Gavin, photographs of Pectoral Sand- piper, 636-7, plates 266, 269 Haliaeetus albicilla, see Hagle, W hite-tailed Hall, K. J., note on identification of W illow fit, 1 17-8 Hallet, T., note on Sandwich ferns feeding behind plough, 260 Hamblin, Mark, photograph of Sedge Warblers, 252, plate 94 Hamlett. Trevor, note on Hobbies feeding from water surface, 74 Hancock, James, letter on Great White Egrets with red legs and black bills, 269; field identification of West Palearctic white herons and egrets, 451-7, plate 188 Handrinos, George E, European news, 233- 43, 586-92 Haraszthy, Easzlo, European news, 233-43 Harding, B. D., note on nesting adaptability of House Martins, 157-8 Harford, Patrick, note on unusual feeding action of injured Arctic Skua, 420 Harrier, Hen, falcons hunting close to 72-3, 481-2; European news, 235; dark patch on underw ing of ringtail, 419 , Marsh, European news, 235 , Montagu’s, breeding and protection in Anglesey 1955-64, 41-6, plates 21-3; European news, 235; Hobby hunting close to, 482; possible climatic controls on British population, 492-3 Harrison, Pamela, photograph of Herring Gull, 206, plate 67; of Tengmalm’s Owl. 538-9, plates 217-8; letter on Tufted Duck carrying young, 6 1 7, plate 262 Harrison, Peter, award for Best Bird Book of the Year, 80, plate 33; mystery photograph 88: Giant Petrel and Black-browed Albatross, 150-2; letter on Shy Albatross, tangible field-marks and Dr Bourne, 427-8 Harrison, Ronald, note on Sedge Warbler feeding on ground, 1 15-6 Harrop, Andrew H. J., points of view, 6: the importance of calls, 16 Harvey, W. G., and Porter., R. F.. field identification of Blyth’s Reed Warbler, 393-41 1 , plates 161-72 Hastings, Rupert, letter on field identifi- cation of Long-eared and Short-eared Ow ls, 76 Haworth, A. Geoffrey, note on Buzzard stunned in flight, 73 Heath. P. J., note on partially leucistic Starling resembling Rose-coloured Star- ling. 120-1 Heavisides, A., note on Goldcrest and Sparrowhawk nesting in close proximity, 569 Hedgren. Stellan, photograph of Marsh W arbler, 407, plate 170 Heron, Green, accepted record 1982. 510, 541, plate 219 , Grey, migrating flock in Norfolk, 21: parents attending grounded nestlings, 614 , Night, European news, 233. 586; accepted records 1982-3, 509-10 , Purple, European news, 233. 587; accepted records 1981-2, 51 1 , Squacco, attempting to swallow Wood Sandpiper, 72; accepted record 1983, 510 , Western Reef, field identification 45 1 - 7, plate 188; European news, 233, 586 Herring, John, note on use of ‘anvil’ by- juvenile Song Thrush as innate behaviour, 365 Hewitt, John, photographs of Bobolink. 37, 544, plates If), 226; of Needle-tailed Swift, 388, plate 158 Hibbett, R. G., colour photograph of Hume's Tawny C )w 1, 6 1 3-4, plate 26 1 H i e raaetus fasciatus , see Eagle, Bonelli’s pennatus , sec Eagle, Booted Hill, Alistair. European news, 233-43. 586-92 Hill, Mike, colour photograph of Common Sandpiper, 179, plate 58; photograph of Chested Lark, 246, plate 89 Hill, F. FE, see Gollyer, A. A. Himantopus himantopus, see Stilt. Black-winged Hindle, Ghris, note on Fieldfare landing on observer’s head, 616 Hippotais caligata , see W arbler, Booted icterina , see Warbler, Icterine languida , see W arbler, Upcher's pallida , see Warbler, ( Mic aceous potyglotta , see Warbler, Melodious Hirundapus caudacutus , see Swift, Needle-tailed Hirundo daurica , see Swallow, Red-rumped n/slica , see Swallow Hlasek, Josef, photograph of Pvgmv Owl, 349, plate 1 32 Hobby, feeding from water surface, 74; European news, 235, 588; hunting close to Index to volume 77 655 Montagu’s Harrier, 482 Hodgson, C. J., letter on sounds of' Grasshopper Warbler and wood-crickets 828 Holden, Peter, product report, 288-9; review of Hatley: Let's Learn about Birds. 442 Hollyer, J. X., note on camouflage postures of Jack Snipe at day roost, 819-20; on aggressive territorial behaviour of W ren in w inter, 428-4 Holman, 1). j., product reports, 208-4 Holmes, Brian, photograph of Laughing Gull or Franklin’s Gull, 291, 851, plates 1 12, 184-5 Holmes. S. W review ol Holloway: Fair Isle 'v 'Garden ' Birds , 84 1 -2 Holt, G„ separating Mandarins and Wood Ducks in late summer, 227-82, plates 77-84 Hope Jones, 1*., and ( lolling, A. W .. breeding and protection of Montagu's Harriers in Anglesey, 1 955-64, 41-b, plates 21-8 Hoplopterus spinosus. see Plover, Spur-w inged Horsley, 1). T., see Tidman, R. Hosking, Eric, photograph of Sparrow haw k. 62, plate 29; ol Scarlet Rosefinch, 184. plate 40; of Marsh W arbler, 400. plate 168 , , see Chandler, R : J . . et at. Housden, Stuart, letter on recording and use of observations made abroad, 215-6 Hudson, Peter, note on plumage variation of Razorbill chicks, 208-9 Hume, R. A., note on reactions ofwaterbirds to sudden torrential rain or hail, 20: letter on winter Sabine’s Gulls, 826; note on reaction of gulls to Herring Gull with streamer attached to leg, 359 . , and Allsopp, K., recent reports, see Recent reports Huneker. Hubert, photograph of juvenile Coot, 127, plate 39 Hunt. David, photograph of photo session with Cpland Sandpiper, 35. plate 13 Hutchings,. S. C., photograph of l pland Sandpiper. 38, plate 17; of American Redstart. 39, plates 18-9 Hutchinson, C. I)., photograph ol Ring- billed Gull, Common Gull and Herring Gull, 343, plate 224; of Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 544, plate 225 , , Kelly. T. C.. and O’Sullivan, k., American Coot: new to Britain and Ireland, 12-6, plates 1-5 Hydrobates pelagicus, see Petrel. Storm Ibis, Glossy. Bird Photograph of the Year 1984, 175, plate 53; European news. 233; accepted record 1983, 512 Icterus galbula. see Oriole, Northern Identification pitfalls and assessment prob- lems; 9. Richard s Pipit and l awin Pipit. 412-5, plates 173-5 Irama gutturalis, see Robin, W hite-throated Ireland. D. 1 ., note on nocturnal singing bv Cetti’s W arbler. 212 Ixobrychus minutus, see Bittern. Little Jack. J., note on Hen Harrier and Merlin hunting together, 72-3 Jackdaw, eating burnet moths, 73; roosting on shore w ith Oystercatchers, 368 . Daurian. PhotoSpot, 417-8. plate 181 James, Paul C., and Robertson, Hugh A., letter on the 'yellow webs’ of some storm- petrels. 122 Janes. E. A., photographs of Sunk Dove, 182-90. plates 60-3; of Carrion Crow , 251. plate 92; of Sparrow hawks, 255. plate 99 Jay, request, 31-2; European news. 242, 591 Jensen, Stig. photograph of juvenile Asiatic Lesser Golden Plover. 339, plate 131 Joel. Kevin, letter on refrigeration and the 'Hastings Rarities’, 329 Johnson, E. 1). H .see Burton, J. F. Jonsson, Ears, identification of stints and peeps (illustrations). 293-315. plates I Li- 20; note on identification of juvenile Pomarine and Arctic Skuas. 143-6, plate 182; review of Farrand: The Audubon Sonets Master Guide to Birding. 441-2 Jonsson. Paul E., note on Herring Gulls both exploiting and ‘helping’ feeding Shags. 421-2 Jorgensen, Jan, note on Black-headed Gull with aberrant underw ing pattern, 358-9 Junco hyemalis. see J unco. Slate-coloured Junco, Slate-coloured, accepted records 1903, 558 Jynx torquilla. see W ry neck kearsey. S.. see Coulson. J. C.. et al. Kelly. T. C.. see Hutchinson. C. D. Kemp. J. B.. letter on identification of first- winter Pomarine Skua. 27; note on Arctic Terns eating earthworms, 261: letter on separation of W ood Duck from Mandarin. 269 kennedv, John H.. noteon behaviour of Goal l it during snow storm, 1 19 Kerr. Ian, note on Merlin robbing Kestrel of prey, 73 Kestrel, robbed of prey by Merlin. 73; attacked by Magpies, 75; European news, 233; photograph. 254. plate 97 Kev. Rodney, noteon aggression of Common Tern away from breeding grounds, 422 656 Index to volume 77 Killdeer, photograph, 226, plate 75; accepted records 1983, 52 1 King, Bernard, note on immigrant Golden Orioles feeding on ground, 488 , , and Gurber, R. M., note on White-winged Black Tern feeding by wading, +86 , , and Marriott, P. G., note on pink Black-headed Gulls, 615 Kingfisher, colour photograph, 1 76, plate 55; robbed by Blackbird, 424 , Belted, request, 574 Kington, B. L., note on drake Gadwall associating with female and brood, 317 Kite, Black, European news, 234; accepted records 1980-3, 518 , Black-shouldered, aerial display, 22-3; European news, 234, 587 , Red, European news, 234 Kittiwake, European news, 237, 589; all- white bird, 484-5, plate 206 Knights, Ghris, note on Gadwalls and Black- headed Gulls feeding with Goots, 21-2, plate 9; colour photograph of Pheasants, 180, plate 59 Knox, A, G., letter on inland ground-nesting by Herring Gulls, 122 Lack, Peter G., see Marchant, John Eadbrook, D., and Smart, J., letter on call of Pallid Swift, 2 1 7 Lambeck, R. H. D., see van den Berg, Arnoud Lamsdell, G., letter on disturbance of Red- necked Phalarope, 618 Langley, R. R., letter on ‘cri de coeur’, 620-1 Langsbury, Gordon, photograph of Upland Sandpiper, 525, plate 2 1 1 Langslow, D. R., see Dennis, R. H ., el at. Lanius excubitor, see Shrike, Great Grey isabellinus, see Shrike, Isabelline minor, see Shrike, Lesser Grey nubicus, see Shrike, Masked schach , see Shrike, Long-tailed senator, see Shrike, Woodchat Lark, Bimaculated, European news, 238 , Galandra, European news, 589 , Grested, European news, 238; mystery photograph, 246, 289-91 , plate 89 , Dupont’s, European news, 238, 589 , Shore, European news, 238 , Short-toed, European news, 238; accepted records 1981-3, 545-6, plates 228- 9 , Thekla, photographs, 290, plates 110-1 Larus argentatus, see Gull, Herring alricilla, see Gull, Laughing Larus audouinii , see Gull, Audouin’s canus , see Gull, Common delawarensis, see Gull, Ring-billed Juscus, see Gull, Lesser Black-backed genei, see Gull, Slender-billed glaucoides , see Gull, Iceland hemprichii, see Gull, Sooty hyperboreus , see Gull, Glaucous ichthyaetus, see Gull, Great Black- headed teucophlba/mus, see Gull, White-eyed mannus, see Gull, Great Black-backed rnelanocephalus, see Gull, Mediterranean minutus , see Gull, Little Philadelphia , see Gull, Bonaparte’s pipixcan , see Gull, Franklin’s ridibundus, see Gull, Black-headed sabini, see Gull, Sabine’s Lawn, M. R., note on song of female Willow Warbler, 488; letter on polygamy by Willow Warblers, 623-4 Lilleleht, Yilju, European news, 233-43, 586- 92 Limbert, Martin, letter on vagrant races of Willow Tit in Britain, 123 Lirnicola falcinellus , see Sandpiper, Broad- billed Limnodromus scolopaceus , see Dowitcher, Long- billed Linn, Hugh, note on ground-nesting by Garrion Grows, 489-90, plate 207 Linnet, European news, 242 Lister, S. M., note on Black-headed Gulls feeding after passage of hovercraft, 567-8 Lloyd, M. D., note on Mistle Thrush de- fending winter feeding area, 616 Locuslella certhiola , see Warbler, Pallas’s Grasshopper fasciolata , see Warbler, Gray’s Grass- hopper Jiuviatilis, see Warbler, River lanceolata, see Warbler, Lanceolatcd luscinioides, see Warbler, Savi’s naevia , see Warbler, Grasshopper Lowe, Frank, note on Grey Heron parents attending grounded nestlings, 614 Loxia curvirostra , see Grossbill leucoptera, see Grossbill, Two-barred pytyopsittacus , see Grossbill, Parrot scotica, see Grossbill, Scottish Lundberg, Bengt, photograph of Montagu’s Harrier, 42, plate 2 1 Luscinia luscinia, see Nightingale, Thrush megarhynchos , see Nightingale — — svecica, see Bluethroat Lymnocryptes minimus , see Snipe, Jack Lyngs, P., photograph of Blyth’s Reed and Marsh Warblers, 394, plate 161 Index to volume 77 657 McBride, H. C. A., note on multiple feeding of juvenile Cuckoo, 422-3 McC.anch, Norman and Monica, note on Jackdaw eating burner moths. 75 Macdonald, l)., note on billing ceremony between pair of Blackbirds, 159-60 Mackrill, Ed, letter on adjusting to a tripod, 379 Macronectes , see petrel, giant Madge, S. C., mystery photographs 85; Cray's Grasshopper Warbler, 17-20; note on White-headed Duck with black head, 134; review of Moore: A Field Guide to the Warblers of Britain and Europe . 043-4 Magpie, hiding food in snow, 25-6; attacking Kestrel, 75; reaction to sudden rainstorm, 20; ‘spinning’, 355 Mandarin, separation from Wood Duck in late summer, 227-32, 269-70, plates 77-84; European news, 587 Marchant, John H., identification of Slender-billed Curlew, 135-40, plates 11-5 , , and Lack, Peter C., letter on recommended letter-code abbreviations lor British birds, 570-1 Marriott, P. G., see King, Bernard Marsh, Pete, letter on requests tor reprints. 216 Marshall, R. \ . A., note on alighting-display of Mute Swan, 153-4 Martin, ( -rag, European news, 238 , House, nesting adaptability, 157-8; cavity nesting in building, 158-9; request, 273; nestling apparently repairing nest, 422-3 , Sand, European news, 238, 589; feeding on ground. 361; request, 628 Martin, J. P., note on Peregrine eating prey on the wing, 207-8 Mead, C.J., see O’Connor, Raymond J. , , and Cox, C. J., note on Swifts feeding in temporarily disturbed air. 157 Meek, E. R , note on Tennessee W arbler in Orkney, 160-4, plate 52 Melanitta perspicillata, see Scoter, Sui t Melanocoiypha bimaculata. see I .ark, Bimaculated calandra , see Lark, Calandra Melville, David S., note on Red-necked Phalaropc with amputated legs. 420 Merganser, Red-breasted, young carried on backs of adults, 318; proportion of males wintering in England and Wales 1978/ 79, 479-81 Mergus albellus , see Smew merganser , see Goosander senator, see Merganser. Red-breasted Merlin, hunting with Hen Harrier, 72-3, 48 1 - 2; robbing Kestrel ol prey. 73; using man- made nest-sites in Shetland, 73-4 Merne, Oscar j.. obituary ol Brian Stronach, 630 Merops apiaster. see Bee-eater Messenbird, G., photograph of Spotted Sandpiper, 578, plate 241 Michev, l aniu, European news, 586-92 Micropalama himantopus, see Sandpiper. Stilt Migration: Grey Heron, 21; Great Black- backed Gull, i-1 1; warblers. 487 Mikkola, Karno. European news, 233-43, 586-92 Miliaria calandra. see Bunting, Corn Mills, Richard 1., photographs of American Coot, 13-5, plates 1-5; ol Sparrow haw ks 67, plate 31; of Laughing Gull, 224. plates 71-2; ol Killdeer, 226, plate 75; of Ring- billed (hills, 53 1 . plate 2 1 5 Milvus migrans . see Kite. Black milvus . see Kite, Red Mniotilta varia. see Warbler, Black-and-white Moffett. A. I'., note on free Sparrow' feeding juvenile House Sparrows or juvenile hybrids, 266-7, plates 105-6; on Ravens sliding in snow, 321-2, plates 121-5 Monaghan, P., see Cou Ison, j. C., et al. Monticola saxatilis. see Thrush. Rock Montifringilla nivalis, see Snowfinch Moon, Andrew , photograph of Pied Wheat- ear, 84. plate 35; of Upland Sandpiper, 525, plate 2 12 Moore, D. R.. note on a migrating flock of (hey Herons, 21; photograph, 33, plate 12 Moorhen, reaction to sudden rainstorm. 20; influence of watercourse management on breeding biology. 141-8. plates 46-8; ‘waterskiing’, 155; migrants attracted to glasshouse, 491-2; European neyvs. 588 Motacilla citreo/a. see Wagtail. Citrine Muldal, Sy lfest. letter on the origin of "jizz . 379 Mullarney, Killian, see van den Berg, Arnoud Mullins, J. R., note on association between male Cirl Bunting and female Yellow- hammer, 26-7; Scarlet Rosefinch breeding in Scotland, 133-5, plate 40; note on association between Brambling and breeding Chaffinch. 426 Munsterman, P., photograph of Marsh Warbler, 405, plate 169 Murphy. A. J., photograph of Royal and Lesser Crested I erns, 375. plate 14o Murton, Philip, photograph. 33, plate 12 Muscicapa striata, see Elycatcher, Spotted Mystery photographs: 86. plate 8; 87. plate 32; 88. plate 37; 89. plate 51; 90. plate 67; 91. plate 89; 92, plate I 12; 93. plate 136; 658 Index to volume 77 94, plate 180; 95, plate 203; 96, plate 239; 97, plate 253 M ystery photographs, answers to: 85, Gray's Grasshopper Warbler, 17-20, plates 6-7; 86, geese. 70-1: 87, Great Reed Warbler, 105-6; 88. giant petrel and Black-browed Albatross, 150-2; 89, River Warbler, 205; 90, Herring Gull, 245-7; 91. Crested Lark, 289-91; 92, Laughing or Franklin’s Gull, 350-2; 93, Arctic Warbler, 415-7; 94, yellow-legged Herring Gull, 476-9; 95, Redpoll and Siskin, 563-5; 96, Slender- billed Curlew, 581-6 Neophron percnopterus , see Vulture, Egyptian Xethersole- 1 hompson, D., see Thompson, 1), B. A. Sella rufina , see Pochard, Red-crested Xeufeldt, Irene, photographs of Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler, 1 7-8, plates 6-7 News and comment, 32-5, plate 12; 78-82, plate 33; 126-8, plate 39; 167-70; 219-21; 273-6; 332-3; 382-4, plate 152; 433-6; 497- 500, plates 208-9; 574-6; 629-31, plate 263 Newton, L, review of Lack: Darwin's Finches, 342 , . and Haas, \L B., the return of the Sparrowhawk, 47-70, plates 24-31 Xicholls, Howard, photograph of Red-footed Falcon, 387, plate 156 Nielsen, Bent Pors, and Colston, Peter R., note on breeding plumage of female Caspian Plover, 356-7, plates 137-8 Nightingale, European news, 240 , T hrush, accepted records 1983, 547; European news, 589 Nightjar, risk of confusing song with those of Mole-crickets and Natterjack l oad. 92-4, 98-104; European news, 238; photograph, 257, plate 103; copulating on elevated perch, 568 , Red-necked, risk of confusing song with that of cicada, 94, 98 Noakes, David, letter on wing-span of White Pelican, 323 Numenius arquata , see Curlew minutus , see Whimbrel, Little phaeopus , see Whimbrel tenuirostris , see Curlew, Slender-billed Nuthatch, European news, 242, 590 Nyctea scandiaca , see Owl, Snowy Nydicorax nyclicorax, see Heron, Night Obituaries: Leslie Baker, 79; Brian Stronach, 630; Irene Waters ton, 630, plate 263 Oceanites oceanicus, see Petrel, Wilson’s Oceanodroma leucorhoa, see Petrel, Leach's O’Connor, Raymond J., and Mead, C.J., the Stock Dove in Britain, 1930-80, 181-201, plates 60-5 Oddie, W. E., review of National Geographic Society: Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 172-3; photograph of Rustic Bunting, 558, plate 234 Oenanlhe deserli , see Wheatear, Desert hispanica. see Wheatear, Black-eared isabellina, see Wheatear, Isabelline oenanlhe , see Wheatear pleschanka, see Wheatear, Pied Ogilvie. M. A., mystery photograph 86: grey- geese, 70-1; product report, 243-5; review of Johnsgard: Cranes oj the World, 281-2; of Carp: Directory oj Wetlands of International Importance in the Western Palearctic, 341; ot AO I Check-list oj North American Birds, 389- 90 , , see Everett, M. J. , , and C. C., note on Jackdaws roosting on the shore with Ovstercatchers, 368 Okill.J. D., note on Merlins using man-made nest-sites in Shetland, 73-4 Oliver, P. J., note on falcons hunting close to harriers, 482 Olsen, Klaus Mailing, and Christensen, Steen, note on field identification of juvenile skuas, 448-50, plates 185-7 O’Neill, A. J., note on cavity nesting by House Martins in a building, 158-9 Oriole, Golden, migrants feeding on ground, 488 , Northern, accepted record 1983, 544, 560, plate 227 Oriolus oriolus, see Oriole, Golden Ortali, Azelio, and Di Carlo, E. A., European news, 586-92 Osprey, unusual behaviour, 154-5; European news, 235; migrants attracted to glasshouse, 491-2 O’Sullivan, K., see Hutchinson, C. D. O’Sullivan, Oran, photograph of Yellow- rumpcd Warbler, 542, plate 222 Otis tarda, see Bustard, Great Otus scops, see Owl, Scops Ouzel, Ring, European news, 240 Owl, Barn, European news, 238 , Great Grey, European news, 238, 589, , Hawk, European news, 238, 589, plates 85-8; accepted record 1983. 538, plate 223 , Hume’s lawny, PhotoSpot, 613-4, plate 26 1 , Pygmy, risk of confusing call with that ol Scops Owl and some toad species, 96, 98-104; PhotoSpot, 349-50, plates 132-3 , Scops, risk of confusing call with that of Midwife l oad, 94-6, 98-104 Index to volume 77 659 , Short-eared, number ol black-tipped primaries, 7ti , Snowy, European news, 2:58; accepted records 1981-3, 5:58 , Tengmalm’s, accepted record 1983, 538-9, plates 2 1 7-8 , l ral, European news, 238 Oxyu ra jamaicensis , see Duck. Ruddy leucocephala , see Duck, W hite-headed Oystercatcher, reaction to sudden rainstorm, 20; prolonged incubation of addled clutch, 1 . »,)-(>; colour photograph, 178. plate 57; evading Peregrine, 3u5; European news 588 Pagophila eburnea , see Gull, Ivory Pandion haliaelus , see ( )spre\ Parker, Dave and Maggy, letter on ex- periences at the site ol a national twitch 430- 1 Parker I . Y, letter on Rook shoots, 2(57-8 Partridge, Red-legged, eating house-leeks, 319 Paruta americana , see Warbler, Paru la Parus (iter, see l it. Goal cinctus , see l it, Siberian montanus, see Tit. Willow Passer domes ticus, see Sparrow , House montanus , see Sparrow . Tree Passerina nris, see Bunting, Painted Pauli. David E., note on Chilfchafl in Dorset with song resembling those from Iberia/ North Africa, 25 Peach, A. \. H.. photograph of Thekla I. ark, 290. plate 1 10 Pearson, Bruce, Bird Illustrator of the Year 1984, 283-8; award presentation, 499. plates 208-9; review' of Brockie: One Man's Island , 64 1 Pelagodroma marina, see Storm-petrel, White- faced Pelecanus onocrotalus, see Pelican, White Pelican. White, wing-span, 323 Pennie, Ian 1).. note on unusual behaviour of Osprey, 154-5 Peregrine, eating prey on the wing, 207-8; Oystercatcher evading capture by, 355; hunting close to Hen Harriers, 482; European news. 588 Pemis apivorus, see Buzzard. Honey Petersen, Knud, photographs of juvenile Pomarine. Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas. 449, plates 185-7 Petit, Pierre, photographs of Lesser C rested Tern, 373, plates 139-40 Petrel. Giant, my stery photograph. 1 0b, ! 50- 2, plate 37 , Leach's, European news, 233 , Storm, feeding near other seabirds, 153; European news. 233, 586 . Wilson’s, accepted record 1983, 509 Phalacrocorax aristotelis , see Shag carbo , see Cormorant Phalarope, Red-necked, request, 167; with amputated legs, 420; disturbance at breeding site, 618 , Wilson’s, accepted records 1979-83, 527-8 Pbalaropus lobatus. see Phalarope. Red-necked tricolor, see Phalarope, W ilson's Phasianus colchicus. see Pheasant Pheasant, colour photograph, 180, plate 59 Pheucticus ludovicianus, see Grosbeak. Rose- breasted Phillips, N. R., photographs ol Sooty Gull and White-eyed Gull. 149-50, plates 19-50 Phoemcopterus ruber, see f lamingo. Greater Phoenicurus ochruros, see Redstart. Black phoenicurus, see Redstart Photographic requests, 77-8 PhotoSpot: 1. Soon and White-eved (bills. 149-50, plates 49-50; 2. Dipper. 202-3. plate 66; 3, W hooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan and Mute Swan. 249. plate 90; 4. Lesser Golden Plover, 338-40, plates 130- 1; 5. Pygmy Ow l. 349-50, plates 132-3; 6, Daurian Jackdaw, 417-8. plate 181; 7, Berthelot's Pipit. 475-6, plates 197-200; 8. Hume's Lawny Owl, 613-4, plate 261 Phylloscopus bonelti, see W arbler. Bonelli's borealis, see W arbler. Arctic collybita. see ( ihilli half fuscatus. see Warbler, Dusky inomatus, see W arbler. Yellow -browed nitidus, see Warbler, ( been plumbeitarsus, see W arbler. Two-barred Greenish proregulus, see W arbler. Pallas's schwarzi. see W arbler. Radde’s trochiloides , see Warbler. Greenish trochilus, see Warbler. Willow Pica pica, see Magpie Pipit, Berthelot's. PhotoSpot. 475-6. plates 197-200 . Meadow , feeding in flocks after heavv spring snowfall. 159; helping to feed juvenile Cuckoo, 422-3 . Olive-backed, photograph, 226, plate 76; letter of thanks for opportunity to view . 268, plates 107-8; experiences at site, 430- 1; European news, 239; accepted records 1982-3. 546-7 . Pechora, European news, 239 . Red-throated, chasing Swifts, 361-2; accepted records 1982-3, 547; European news, 589 660 Index to volume 77 Pipit, Richard’s, European news, '239; be- haviour of migrants, 361; identification problems, 412-5, plate 175; accepted records 1977-81, 546 , Tawny, identification problems, 412-5, plates 1 73-4; accepted record 1982, 546 , Tree, displaying from ground, 621-2 Piranga olivacea, see Tanager, Scarlet Platalea leucorodia , see Spoonbill Plectrophenax nivalis, see Bunting, Snow Plegadisfalcinellus, see Ibis, Glossy Plover, Caspian, breeding plumage of female, 356-7, plates 137-8 , Greater Sand, European news, 588 , Lesser Golden, European news, 235, 588; PhotoSpot, 338-40 plates 130-1; accepted records 1978-83, 521-2; full species status advocated for Pluvialis (d.) dominica and P. (d.) Julva, 164-5, 457 , Lesser Sand, European news, 235 , Spur-winged, European news, 588 , White-tailed, European news, 588 Pluvialis dominica, see Plover, Lesser Golden Pochard, reaction to sudden rainstorm, 20 , Red-crested, European news, 587 Podiceps auritus, see Grebe, Slavonian cristatus, see Grebe, Great Crested nigricollis, see Grebe, Black-necked Podilymbus podiceps, see Grebe, Pied-billed Points of view: 6, 16; 7, 106-7; 8, 204; 9, 353; 10, 457; 1 1,570 Polyslicla stelleri, see Eider, Steller’s Porter, R. F., review of Cade: Falcons of the World, 85; photograph of Blyth’s Reed Warbler, 395, plate 162; of Reed Warbler, 398, plate 167; review of O’Flaherty: Breeding Birds of Great Britain and Ireland, 442-3; mystery photograph 96: Slender- billed Curlew, 581-6, plates 239, 246-8 , , see Harvey, W. G. Powne, Jeremy D., note on opportunistic feeding by Carrion Crow, 120 Porzana Carolina, see Rail, Sora parva, see Crake, Little porgana, see Crake, Spotted pusilla, see Crake, Baillon’s Pratincole, accepted records 1983, 521 , Collared, accepted records 1983, 521; European news, 588 Pratley, P., note on River Warbler in Norfolk, 213-4 Product reports: AICO International ZCF 8 X 40 binoculars, 152-3; Bushnell Explorer 1 1 8 X 40 binocular, 203-4; Swarovski Habicht SL 10 X 40 binoculars, 243-5; Slik Gazelle 95D tripod, 288-9; Swift Osprey 7.5 X 42 binoculars, 348; Zeiss West 10 X 40 BGAT* binoculars (model 9901), 465-7 Prokop, Peter, European news, 233-43, 586- 91 Prunella collaris, see Accentor, Alpine modularis, see Dunnock Prytherch, Robin, and Everett, Mike, news and comment, see News and comment Pterocles alchala, see Sandgrouse, Pin-tailed Ptyonoprogne rupestris, see Martin, Crag Puckrin, Ian, note on Mute Swan rejecting young, 479 Pym, A., letter on another armchair tick for a luckv few?, 164-5; PhotoSpot 4: Lesser Golden Plover, 338-40, plates 130-1 Pyrrhocorax gracula, see Chough, Alpine pyrrhocorax, see Chough Quail, European news, 235, 588 Radioed, A. P., note on Rooks chasing small bats, 1 19-20; on Robin’s reaction to leaf attached to its tail, 362; on Spotted Flycatcher eating wisteria petals, 425; on Robin eating gilled fungus, 568; on Robin eating flies attracted to stinkhorn fungus, 615 Rail, Sora, identification and ageing of, 108- 12, plate 38; accepted records 1982-3, 520 Rankin, Niall, photograph of Golden Eagle, 602, plate 258 Rarities Committee, news and announce- ments, 292; report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1983, 506-62, plates 210-34 Raven, sliding down snow slope, 321-2, plates 121-5; European news, 591 Razorbill, plumage variation ofchicks, 208-9 Read. P. S.. thanks! (letter), 268 Recent prosecutions, 330-1 Recent reports, 35-40, plates 13-20; 82-5, plates 34-6; 129-31; 170-2; 221-6, plates 70-6; 277-9, plate 109; 333-8, plates 128-9; 384-9, plates 154-60; 436-9; 500-2; 576-80, plates 240-5; 631-7, plates 264-9 Recurvirostra avosetta, see Avocet Redman, Nigel, review of Flint el ai. A Field Guide to Birds of the USSR, 642-3 Redpoll, photographs, 564-5, plates 235, 237-8 , Arctic, European news, 242 Redshank, reaction to sudden hailstorm, 21 Redstart, helping to feed juvenile Cuckoo, 422-3; apparent distraction display, 569 , American, photographs, 39, plates 18- 9; accepted record 1983, 558 — r—, Black, accepted record 1981 of one of eastern races ochruros-semirufus-phoeni- curoides : correction, 547; European news, 590 Index to volume 77 Redwing, European news, 590 Rees, Darren, 2nd place, Bird Illustrator of the \ ear 1984, 283-8; award presentation, 499, plate 209 Rees, G. H., note on reactions of waterbirds to sudden torrential rain or hail, 21; on Oystercatcher evading Peregrine, 355 , . see Billett, D. F. Regut us ignicapillus , see Firecrest regulus, see Goldcrest Remiz pendulinus, see Tit, Penduline Requests: please use ‘British BirdShop’, Jay invasion, October 1983, 31-2; monarch butterflies in autumn 1983, 78; waders and herons in Eastern Asia, photographs of Siberian species in Thailand, 126; Berlengas Islands, Red-necked Phalarope, Gull-billed Tern and Alpine Ghough photographs, raptor collisions with overhead wires, 166-7; all- 1 reland tern survey, Cinereous Bunting observations, proposed atlas of the breeding birds of Pyrenees Orientales, France, 219; Bustard photographs, colour-marked Sabine’s Gulls, influx of Iceland and Glaucous Gulls in winter 1983/84, Swallow X House Martin hybrids, Moroccan records, 272-3; transparencies request, 332; binoculars and telescopes survey. III, 381; please subscribe by Direct Debit, birds in the Niger Republic, East African Rarities Committee, 433; photographs of wheat- ears, 497; identification of stints and peeps. Belted Kingfisher, lost contributors, please give us all a Christmas present next month, 574; do write, but please don’t phone, photographs of Phylloscopus and other warblers. Sand Martins, if you find a dead predator . . .. W hooper Swans with yellow neck-rings. 628-9 Reviews: Ali and Ripley: .4 Pictorial (aiute to the Birds o/ the Indian Subcontinent. 389 AO l' Check-list oj Worth American Birds. 389- 90 Birdwatcher's Yearbook 1984. 174 Blakers, Davies and Reillv: The Atlas of Australian Birds. 640-1 Brockie: One Man's Island. 641 Brush and Clark: Perspectives in Ornithology. 340- 1 Bub: Ornitho/ogische Beringungsstatwnen in Europa. 439 Cade: Falcons of the 1 1 or/d. 85 Carp: Directory of Wetlands of International Importance in the 1 1 es/em Paleaniic. 34 1 Cox: A Xew Guide to the Birds of Essex. 440 de Schauensee: The Birds of China. 440- 1 Elkins: Weather and Bird Behaviour. 131-2 661 Farrand: The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding, 44 1 -2 Feare: The Starling. 390-1 Flint et at: .4 held Guide to the Birds oj the USSR. 642-3 Freeman: The Wildlife and Suture Photo- grapher \ Field Guide. 39 1 Hatley : l.el \ Learn about Birds. 442 Hickling: Enjoying Ornithology. 391-2 Holloway: Lair Isle's 'Garden' Birds. 341-2 Johnsgard: Cranes of the World. 281-2 Lack: Darwin's Finches. 342 Langham and Langham: l.undy. 392 Lockwood: The Oxford Book of British Bird Names. 643 Love: The Return of the Sea Eagles. 85-6 Mead: Bird Migration. 282 Mikkola: Owls of Europe. 86 Moore: .4 Lield Guide to the Warblers of Britain and Europe. 643-4 National Geographic Society: Field Guide to the Birds oj North America. 1 72-3 O’Donald: The Arctic Skua. 173 O’Flaherty: Breeding Birds of Great Britain and Ireland. 442-3 Peck: A Celebration of Birds, 173-4 Perrins and Birkhead: Avian Ecology. 443 Scott: Travel Diaries of a Naturalist. 132 Svensson: Identification Guide to European Passerines. 342 Tunniclifie: Tunnicli/fe's Birds. 502 Yeprintsev: The Birds of the Soviet Union: a sound guide , 580 Warren: Shorelines. 644 Reynolds. Peter, see Booth. Chris J. Rhodostethia rosea, see Gull. Ross's Richard Richardson Award 1984. 283-8: award presentation. 499, plate 209 Richards, G. A., note on Magpies attacking Kestrel, 75 Riddiford. Nick, note on plumage variations and age characteristics of River Warblers, 214; on food of Goldcrests and Firecrests on autumn migration. 367; review of Bub: Omithologische Beringungsstationen in Europa. 439: note on one Fulmar killing another. 566-7 , . and Elizabeth, note on feeding behaviour of Storm Petrels. 153 , , Chantler, Jack and Philip, note on Willow W arbler attacking w ood mouse, 367 Rinnhofer, Gunter, photograph of grev geese. 19, plate 8: of Daurian Jackdaw . 418. plate 181 Riparia riparia. see Martin. Sand Rissa tridactvla , see Kittiwake Roberts. John Law ton. Bird Photograph of 662 Index to volume 77 the Year 1984, 175, plate 53; award presentation, 382, plate 152 Roberts. P. J.. note on identification and ageing of a Sora Rail, 108-12, plate 38 Robertson, Hugh A., seejames, Paul C. Robertson, 1. S., mystery photograph 93: Arctic W arbler, 415-7, plates 176-9 Robertson, Lesley A., note on colour of second down ol Eleonora’s Falcon chicks, 260 Robin, feeding young of Blackbird, 264; reaction to leafattached to tail. 362; eating gilled fungus, 568; eating flies attracted to stinkhorn fungus, 615 , American, accepted Irish record 1983, 550 . Rufous Bush, European news, 240 , W hite-throated, European news, 590 Robinson, H. P. K., note on Little Swift in Cornwall, 261-2 Robinson, Peter, review of Love: The Return of the Sea Eagle, 85-6 . . see Everett, M.J. Rogers, M. J., note on Carrion Crows taking windscreen-wiper rubbers, 120; on be- haviour of migrant Richard’s Pipits, 361; letter on calls, 430; report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1983, 506-62, plates 210- 34 Roller, accepted records 1983, 540-5 Rook, chasing bats, 1 19-20; extent of damage to cereals, 267-8; numbers in Britain: correction, 425 Roosting: Jackdaw, 368 Rosefinch, Scarlet, breeding in Scotland 1982, 133-5, plate 40; European news, 242, 59 1 ; accepted records 1982, 557 Round, P. D., photograph of Olivaceous W arbler, 409, plate 1 72 Rumsey, S. J. R., letter on refrigeration and the ‘Hastings Rarities’, 328-9; on identifi- cation pitfalls: Aquatic W arbler, 377; note on warblers migrating in family groups, 487 Saker, European news,. 235 Sanderling, feeding on fishmeal, 483-4, plates 204-5 Sandgrouse, Pin-tailed, European news, 238 Sandpiper, Baird’s, European news, 236; photograph, 635, plate 265; accepted records 1975-83, 522-3 , Broad-billed, accepted records 1981-3, 523 , Bull-breasted, European news, 236; juveniles lacking buff on breast, 358; accepted records 1982,523-4 , Common, colour photograph, 179, plate 58 , Green, photograph. 256, plate 100 , Least, identification, 293-315, plates 1 13-20; accepted record 1983, 522; photo- graph, 579, plate 242 . Marsh, European news, 236; accepted records 1983, 526 . Pectoral, European news, 236, 588; photographs, 636-7, plates 266-9 , Semipalmated, identification, 293-315, plates 113-120, accepted Irish records 1983, 522 , Sharp-tailed, feeding behaviour and plumage, 156-7; accepted record 1983, 523; European news, 588 . Solitary, accepted record 1983, 527, 54 1 , plate 220 , Spotted, accepted records 1982-3, 527; photograph, 578. plate 241 , Stilt, photographs, 336, plates 128-9; accepted Irish record 1983, 523 . Terek, European news, 237; accepted record 1983,527 , Upland, photograph, 38, plate 17; accepted records 1983, 525-6, plates 211-3 , Western, identification, 293-315. plates 1 13-20 W'h ite-rumped, European news, 236, 588; accepted records 1983, 522 , Wood, Squacco Heron attempting to swallow, 72; European news, 236-7 Saxicola dacotiae, see Stonechat, Canary Islands torquata, see Stonechat Schack-Nielsen, Leif, photograph of Pygmy Ow l, 350, plate 133 Scharringa, Kees, European news, 233-43. 586-92 Schilferli, L., see Zbinden, N. Schlee, Marsha A., note on Blackbird eating large food items, 74-5 Schmid, T., see Schubert, A. Schubert, A., and Schmid, T., photographs of Lesser Crested fern, 376, plates 147-8 Scolopax rusticola, see Woodcock Scoter, Surf, accepted records 1980-3, 516-8 Seiurus motaci/la, see W’aterthrush, Louisiana noveboracensis, see Waterthrush. Northern Sellors, G., and Smith, T. G., letter on identification of first-winter Pomarinc Skua, 27 Setophaga niticilla , sec Redstart, American Scvcntv-fivc vears ago, 16; 76; 125; 140; 215; 276; 29 1 ; 353; 426; 494; 562; 6 1 2 Shackleton, Keith, review of Tunniclifje's Ends, 502 , , see Gillmor, Robert Index to volume 77 663 Shag, photograph, 222, plate 70; Kuropean news, 233; unusual feeding behaviour, 260; feeding association with Herring Gulls, 421-2 Sharrock, J. 1. R., mystery photograph 87: Great Reed Warbler, 105-6; product report, 152-3: PhotoSpot 2: Dipper, 202-3; points ol view 8: Bird identification: the swinging pendulum, 204; mystery photo- graph 89: River Warbler, 205; PhotoSpot 3: W hooper Swan, Bew ick’s Swan and Mute Swan, 249; short reviews, 279-81; review of Svensson: Identification Guide to European Passerines. 342; note on Mallard ‘spinning’; 355; on bill-length of Isabelline Wheatear, 362-3; review of Ali and Riplev: A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent, 389; of de Schauensee: The Birds of China , 440-1; product report, 465- 7; note on Choughs feeding on ploughed fields in spring, 489; points of view II: identification: it’s a beginning, 570; short rev iew's, 637-40; review of Blakers, Davies, and Reilly: The Atlas of Australian Birds. 640-1; of Lockwood: The Oxford Book o/ British Bird Names. 643; of Warren: Shore- lines. 644 , , see Chandler, R. ].. et at. , . see Gillmor, Robert Shearwater, Coin ’s, accepted records 1979- 82, 509 Shelduck, European news, 587 . Ruddy, European news, 587 Shirihai. Hadoram, PhotoSpot 8: Hume's Tawny Owl, 6 1 3-4 Short reviews: Ali and Riplev, 637; Berruti and Sinclair, 279-8; Bologna. 280; Bright. 637; Bub, 637; Carr, 281; Deane, 638; Dittberner. 280; Eckberg, 280: Engelmann and Obst. 638; Elegg. 280, 638: freethv, 280. 638: Glue, 638; Goodfellow. 280; Guravich. 638: Hammond. 638: Howard and Moore, 280; Kelly, 639; King and McLelland, 639: EeEranc and Clark. 280: Martin, 639: Melde. 639: Mlikovskv and Buric, 280; Munsterberg, 639; Niall. 639; Norman and T ucker, 639; Panovv, 280-1: Patzold, 639; Perry, 281: Preston- Mafham, 639; Robbins, Bruun and Zim, 281; Schober, 639; Sherrod, 281; Simonds. 639-40; Soper, 640: Taylor, Davenport and Elegg. 640: 1 honias. 640; I omkies, 640; Townsend. 281; TunnicIilTe. 640: Upton. 281: Yinev and Phillipps. 281: White, 640; Wilkinson. 640 Shoveler, European news, 587 Shrike, Great Grey. European news, 242 , Isabelline, European news. 590 , Lesser Grey, European news, 242. 590; accepted record 1983, 554 , Long-tailed. European news, 242 . Masked, European news, 590 , Woodchat, photograph. 40. plate 20; accepted records 1981-3. 554-5. plates 232- 3 Simmons, K. L. I... note on House Sparrows collecting insects from cars. 121 Simpson, D. M., photograph of giant petrel and Black-browed Albatross. 106. plate 37 Simms, Eric, note on the songs of three Locustel/a warblers. 1 15 Siskin. European news, 242: photograph, 253, plate 95; mystery photograph, 478. 563-5. plates 203. 236 Sitta europaea , see Nuthatch Skua, Arctic, unusual feeding action of injured bird. 420; field identification of juveniles, 443-50, plates 182, 186 , Great, European news, 237; scaveng- ing on ( )rknev roads, 358 . Long-tailed. European news. 237; field identification of juveniles. 448-50. plate 187 , Pomarine, identification of first-year birds, 27; European news. 237; field identification of juveniles. 143-50, plates 182-5 Smallridge. Dav id, note on Moorhen 'water- skiing', 155 Smart. J., see Ladbrook. D. Smart, Michael, letter on identification of Lesser Crested Tern and its status in the western Mediterranean, 371-2 Smew, European news. 234: proportion of males wintering in England and Wales 1978/79, 479-81 Smith. Don. photograph of award presenta- tion. Bird Photograph of the Year 1984. 383. plate 152 , , see Chandler. R. J., et al. Smith. Graham, note on unusual feeding behaviour of Shag. 260 Smith. Richard G.. photograph of juvenile Woodchat Shrike. 40. plate 20; of Red-fboted Falcon. 387. plates 154-5; of Baird's Sandpiper. 635, plate 265 Smith. T. G.. see Sellors, G. Snipe, photograph. 256. plate 101 . Great, European news. 236; accepted records 1981-3.524 . Jack, camouflage postures at day roost. 319-20 Snow . Barbara K... note on early laying date of Blackbird. 21 1-2 Snow. D. W ’.. review of Hickling: Enjoying Ornithology, 391-2 Snow, Philip. 3rd place. Bird Illustrator of 664 Index to volume 77 the Year 1984, 283-8; award presentation, 499, plate 209 Snowfinch, European news, 591 Somateria fischeri , see Eider, Spectacled mollissima , see Eider spectabilis , see Eider, King Sparrow, House, collecting insects from cars, 121; female feeding young Spotted Fly- catchers, 265, plate 104; young fed by Tree Sparrow, 266-7, plates 105-6; eating persimmons, 425; attempted robbery by Turnstone, 567 , Tree, feeding juvenile House Sparrows or juvenile hybrids, 266-7, plates 105-6 , White-crowned, European news, 591 , White-throated, accepted record 1983, 558 Sparrowhawk, population recovery in Britain, 47-70, plates 24-31; European news, 235; photograph, 255, plate 99; Goldcrest nesting close to, 569 Spatula clypeala , see Shoveler Spirett, Richard, note on Tawny Owl apparently choking to death on frog or toad, 24 Spoonbill, European news, 233, 587; migrants attracted to glasshouse, 491-2 Starling, leucistic bird resembling Rose- coloured Starling, 120-1; reaction to Turtle Doves, 425; eating persimmons, 425 , Rose-coloured, European news, 242, 591; accepted records 1982-3, 554-6 Sfastny, Karel, European news, 233-43, 586- 92 Stercorarius longicaudus , see Skua, Long-tailed parasiticus , see Skua, Arctic pomarinus, see Skua, Pomarine skua, see Skua, Great Sterna anaelhetus, see Tern, Bridled bengalensis, see Tern, Lesser Crested caspia , see Tern, Caspian dougallii, see Tern, Roseate eurygnatha , see Tern, Cayenne forsten , see Tern, Forster’s fuscala , see Tern, Sooty hirundo , see Tern, Common maxima, see Tern, Royal paradisaea , see Tern, Arctic sandvicensis, see Tern, Sandwich saundersi, see Tern, Saunders’s Stewart, B., note on Roseate Tern in first- summer plumage, 359-60 Stilt, Black-winged, collective mobbing in winter, 419-20; accepted records 1982-3, 52 1 Stint, Little, feeding in flight, 156; identifi- cation, 293-315, plates 113-20; size assessment in field, 323-4 Stint, Long-toed, identification, 293-315, plates 1 13-20 , Red-necked, identification, 293-315, plates 1 13-20 , Temminck’s, identification, 293-315, plates 1 13-20 Stone, Christopher W., note on the pitfall of a white Kittiwake, 484-5, plate 206 Stonechat, accepted records of S. t. maura or stejnegeri, 547-8; European news, 590 , Canary Islands, photographic study, 467-74, plates 191-6 Stork, Black, accepted records 1982-3, 512; European news, 587 , White, accepted records 1981-2, 512 Storm-petrel, White-faced, colour of webs, 122 problems of field identification, 429 Strep topeha senegalensis, see Dove, Laughing turtur , see Dove, Turtle Strix bulled, see Owl, Hume’s Tawny nebulosa, see Owl, Great Grey uralensis, see Owl, Ural Stronach, Brian, obituary, 630 Sturnus roseus, see Starling, Rose-coloured vulgaris , see Starling Sula bassana, see Gannet Sultana, Joe, and Gauci, Charles, European news, 233-43, 586-92 Summers-Smith, D., note on Magpies hiding food in snow, 25-6 Sutton, G, P., photograph of Sparrowhawk, 53, plate 25 Surnia ulula, see Owl, Hawk Swallow, nesting underground, 109-10; photograph, 251, plate 91; request, 273 , ClifT, photographs, 37, plates 14-5; , Red-rumped, European news, 238-9, 589: accepted records 1980-3, 546 Swan, Bewick’s, PhotoSpot, 249, plate 90; accepted record of C. c. columbianus 1983, 512 , Mute, reaction to sudden rainstorm, 20; alighting-display, 153-4; European news, 234; PhotoSpot, 249, plate 90; rejecting young, 479 , Whooper, European news, 234; Photo- Spot, 249, plate 90; request, 629 Swift, feeding in temporarily disturbed air, 157 — , Alpine, European news, 238, 589; accepted reo ords 1982-3, 539-40 , Little, European news, 238 ; in Cornwall May 1981, 261-2; acce ■pled record 1983, 540 - — , Needle -tailed, photogra phs, 388, , i ivv. uiv iam u, plates 158-9; accepted record 1983,539 — , Pallid, voice, 217; apparently nesting in palm trees, 568 Index to volume 77 665 Swift, White-rumped, European news, 238 Sylvia cantillans, see Warbler, Subalpine hortensis, see Warbler, Orphean nisoria , see Warbler, Barred undata , see Warbler, Dartford Tachybaptus ru/tcotlis, see Grebe, Little Tadorna ferruginea, see Shelduck, Ruddy tadorna , see Shelduck Tanager, Scarlet, in Scilly October 1982, 490- 1 T arrant, Michael, photographs of Pectoral Sandpiper, 636, plates 267-8 Tasker, Mark L., and Taylor, Anne E., note on Gannet robbing Cormorant, 418 Taylor, Anne E., see Tasker, Mark L. Taylor, K., the influence of watercourse management on Moorhen breeding biology, 141-8, plates 46-8; note on Song Thrush with shrew jaws in stomach, 160 Teal, accepted records of A. c. carolinensis 1981-3, 514; European news of A. c. carolinensis , 587 , Blue-winged, European news, 234; accepted records 1982-3, 515 Teixeira, Antonio, European news, 586-92 Tern, Arctic, feeding earthworms to young, 360-1 , Black, European news, 237 , Bridled, in Leicestershire 1984; bird- watchers’ behaviour, 619-20 , Caspian, accepted record 1972, 536 , Cayenne, possible vagrancy in Europe, 374 , Common, repeatedly dropping fish in flight, 261; aggression away from breeding grounds, 422; feeding while walking, 485- 6; European news, 589 , Forster’s, accepted Irish record 1983, 536 , Gull-billed, request, 167; accepted records 1982-3,535-6 , Lesser Crested, status in Mediter- ranean, 371-2; problems of identification, 371-7, plates 139-50; European news, 589 , Roseate, first-summer plumage, 359- 60 , Royal, photograph, 375. plate 145 , Sandwich, European news, 237, 589; feeding behind plough, 260; possible aberrant with orange bill, 373-4, plates 139-40 . Saunders’s, robbed by V\ hiskered Terns, 422 , Sooty, European news, 237 , W hiskered, robbing Saunders’s Terns, 422; accepted records i 983, 536 Tern, White-winged Black, European news, 237; collective mobbing in winter, 419-20; feeding bv wading, 486; accepted records 1976-83,536-7 Terns, request, 219 Tetrao tetrix, see Grouse, Black urogallus, see Capercaillie Tetrax tetrax, see Bustard, Little Tew, I. F., see Davies, R. H. Thailand, special paper on Palearctic migrants delayed, 495 Thomas, Brian, photograph ofThekla Lark, 290, plate 1 1 1 I homas, C., see Coulson, J. C., et at. Thomas, R. D., see Collins, R. Thomas, R. S., note on two species of passerine at same nest, 264 Thompson, D. B. A., and Nethersole- Thompson, D., note on Scottish Crossbill feeding on male pine cones, 368 Thompson, P. S., see Galbraith, G. A. Thrush, Dusky, European news, 240; accepted record 1983,550 , Eye-browed, accepted record 1981, 550 , Grey-cheeked, accepted record 1983, 550 , Mistle, defending winter feeding area, 616 . Rock, accepted records 1983, 550; tameness and injury not evidence of captive origin, 57 1 , Song, shrew jaws found in stomach. 160; clutch laid in Blackbird's nest and young reared by latter, 264-5; use of ’anvil' by juvenile as innate behaviour, 365; molluscan diet, 365-6 , Swainson’s, accepted record 1983, 542, 550, plate 221 Tidman. R., and Horsley, D. T., note on two species of passerine at same nest. 265. plate 104 Tingley, Stuart I., a banner year for Canucks? (letter), 329-30 Tit, Coal, food-storing behaviour during snow storm. 1 19; European news, 590 , Penduline, European news, 242, 590; photograph, 279, plate 109; accepted record 1983, 554 , Siberian, European news, 242 , Willow, field identification, 117-8; storing food, 1 18-9; records of vagrant races in Britain, 123 Tomialojc, L., European news, 233-43. 586- 92 Topp, Antero, photograph of Blyth’s Reed Warbler, 395, plate 163 Trap-Lind, lb. photograph of Montagu’s Harrier, 45, plate 23 Treecreeper, transcriptions of song, 430 666 Index to volume 77 Treecreeper, Short-toed, European news, 242; field identification, 262-4 Tringa Jlavipes, see Yellowlegs, Lesser glareola, see Sandpiper, Wood macularia, see Sandpiper, Spotted melanoleuca , see Yellowlegs, Greater nebularia, see Greenshank ochropus , see Sandpiper, Green solitaria, see Sandpiper, Solitary stagnatilis, see Sandpiper, Marsh totanus, see Redshank Troglodytes troglodytes, see Wren Tryngites subruficollis , see Sandpiper, Bufl- breasted Tucker, Laurel, review of Scott: Travel Diaries of a Naturalist, 132; note on possible use of bill colour in separating Short-toed Treecreeper and Treecreeper, 263-4; illustrations of Blyth’s Reed, Marsh, Reed, Olivaceous and Upcher’s Warblers, 396-7, plates 164-5 Tucker, V. R., note on Swallows nesting underground, 210 Turdus iliacus, see Redwing merula , see Blackbird migratorius, see Robin, American naumanni, see Thrush, Dusky obscurus, see Thrush, Eye-browed philomelos, see Thrush, Song pilaris , see Fieldfare lorquatus, see Ouzel, Ring viscivorus, see Thrush, Mistle Turnbull, S. G., note on feeding flocks of Wheatears and Meadow Pipits after heavy spring snowfalls, 159 Turnstone, attempting to rob House Sparrow, 567 Tyto alba, see Owl, Barn Ullman, Magnus, note on field identification of juvenile Pomarine Skua, 446-8, plates 183-4 Uria aalge, see Guillemot lomvia, see Guillemot, Briinnich’s van den Berg, Arnoud B., photograph ol River Warbler, 151, plate 51; of Herring Gull L. a. michahellis, 417, 476-9, plates 180, 201-2 -, , Lambeck, R. H. D., and Mul- larney, Killian, the occurrence of the ‘Black Brant’ in Europe, 458-65, plates 189-90 van der Ham, Nick F., note on Squacco Heron attempting to swallow Wood Sandpiper, 72 van Swelm, Norman, photographs of Lesser Crested Terns, 375-6, plates 141-2, 146 Vermivora peregrina, see Warbler, Tennessee Vinicombe, Keith, mystery photograph 90: Herring Gull, 245-7; points of view 10: taxonomy in Britain, 457; comments in report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1983, 506-62 Vireo o/ivaceus, see Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed, European news, 242; accepted records 1983, 556 Voice: Little Bittern, 97-104; Bailloti’s Crake, 96, 98-104; Corncrake, 97-104; Coot, 97-104; Little Bustard, 97-104; Woodcock, 97-104; Scops Owl, 94-6, 98- 104; Pygmy Ow l, 96, 98-104; Nightjar, 92- 4, 98-104; Red-necked Nightjar, 94, 98-104; Pallid Sw ift, 217; Getti’s Warbler, 212; Lanceolated Warbler, 92, 98-104; Grasshopper Warbler, 92, 98-104, 1 12-15; River Warbler, 91-2, 98-104, 115; Savi’s Warbler, 90-1, 98-104, 112-15; Willow- Warbler, 488; Treecreeper, 430; Corn Bunting, 49 1 Vulture, Black, European news, 234 , Egyptian, European news, 234, 587 W aders, reaction to sudden rainstorm, 20 Wagtail, Citrine, European news, 239, 589; accepted records 1983, 547 Walker, Brian J., photograph of Black-billed Cuckoo, 537, plate 2 16 Wall, Tom, note on summer foods of feral Greylag and Canada Geese, 354-5 Wallace, D. I. M., mystery photograph 91: Crested Lark, 289-91; note on identifica- tion ofWheatear and Isabclline Wheatear, 363-5; PhotoSpot 6: Daurian Jackdaw, 417-8, plate 181 Walsh, P. T., note on two species of passerine at same nest, 264-5 Walters, J., note on prolonged incubation of addled clutch by Oystercatcher, 155-6 Walters, Michael, note on dead feral Rock Dove with plastic carrier bag around neck, 24 Warbler, Aquatic, problems of identifica- tion, 377-8; accepted record 1980, 551 , Arctic, mystery photograph, 352, 415- 7, plates 136, 176-9; accepted records 1983, 553; European news, 590; request, 628 , Barred, European news, 241 , Black-and-white, accepted record 1983, 557; European news, 591 , Black-browed Reed, field-characters, 400 , Blackpoll, accepted record 1983, 558 , Blunt-winged, field-characters, 400 Index to volume 77 667 $ , Blyth’s Reed, European news, 240; field identification, 393-411, plates 161-72; accepted record 1979, 551 , Bonclli’s, accepted records 1980-3, 553-4 , Booted, head pattern, 366; accepted records 1980-2, 551-2 , Cetti’s, nocturnal singing, 212 , Dartford, European news, 241, 590 , Dusky, European news, 241-2, 590; accepted record 1983,553 , Grasshopper, risk of confusing song with that ol Bush- and Mole-crickets, 92, 98-104, 112-4; analysis of song, 115; possible confusion of song with wood- cricket, 328 , Gray’s Grasshopper, mystery photo- graph, 17-20, plates 6-7 , Great Reed, mystery photograph, 72, 105-6, plate 32 , Green, possibility of confusion with Tennessee Warbler, 429; request, 628 , Greenish, accepted records 1983, 552; request, 628 , Icterine, numbers in southwest Britain 1968-81, 1 16-7 , Lanceolated, risk of confusing song with that of Bush- and Mole-crickets, 92, 98-104; European news, 590 , Marsh, identification of singing bird by mouth colour, 2 14-5; field-characters, 393- 411. plates 164, 168-70 , Melodious, numbers in southwest Britain 1968-81, 116-7; European news, 240-1,590 , Olivaceous, field-characters, 393-411. plates 164, 171-2; European news, 590 , Orphean, accepted record 1982, 552; European news, 590 , Paddyfield, European news, 240, 590; field-characters, 399; accepted record 1983,551 — , Pallas’s, European news, 241 ; accepted records 1982-3, 553; European news, 590 , Pallas's Grasshopper, accepted record 1983,551 — , Parula, accepted record 1983, 557 — . Radde’s, European news, 241; accepted records 1 982, 553 — , Reed, identification of singing bird by mouth colour, 214-5; field-characters, 393- 411, plates 164-7; possibly migrating in family groups, 487 — , River, risk of confusing song with that of Bush- and Mole-crickets, 91-2, 98-104; analysis of song, 1 15; mystery photograph. 151, 205, plate 51; in Norfolk May 1981, 213-4; plumage variations and age characteristics, 214; European news, 240 , Savi’s, risk ol confusing song with that of Bush- and Mole-crickets, 90-1. 98-104, 112-4; analysis of song, 115; accepted records 1978-80, 55 1 ; European news, 590; disturbance at breeding site, 619 , Sedge, feeding on ground, 115-6; photograph, 252, plate 94; possibility of confusion with Aquatic Warbler, 377-8. plate 151 , Subalpine, European news, 241; accepted records 1981-3, 552 , Tennessee, in Orkney, 160-4, plate 52; possibility of confusion with Green Warbler, 429; request, 628 , Two-barred Greenish, request, 628 , Upcher's, field-characters. 396-9, plate 164 , Willow, photograph, 252, plate 93; size assessment in field, 324; attacking wood mouse, 367; possibly migrating in family groups, 487; song of female, 488; dis- cussion of polygamy, 622-4 , Yellow-browed, European news, 241; request, 628 , Yellow-rumped, accepted Irish records 1983, 542, 557, plate 222 Wardhaugh, A. A., some observations on the molluscan diet of the Song Thrush (note), 365-6 Waterston, Irene, obituary. 630, plate 263 Waterthrush, Louisiana, field identification. 370-1 , Northern, in Seilly September 1982, 368-70; field identification. 370-1; ac- cepted Irish record 1983, 558 Waxwing, European news, 240 Wheatear, feeding in flocks after heavy- spring snowfall, 159 . Black-eared, accepted record 1983. 549 , Desert, European news, 240. 590 , Isabelline. bill-length. 362-3; field- characters, 363-5; tail-wagging, 377 , Pied, photographs, 84, plates 34-6; accepted records 1983, 548-9. plates 230-1; w heatears. request, 497 W heeler. P., photographs of Cliff Swallow . 37, plates 14-5; of Stilt Sandpiper, 336, plate 129; of Red-breasted Goose with Brent Geese, 513, plate 210; ofSwainson’s Thrush. 542, plate 22 1 ; of Cream-coloured Courser, 634, plate 264 Whimbrel. accepted Irish record of N. p. hudsonicus 1980, 524; European news, 588 , Little, display flight; correction, 320-1 Wigeon, American, European news, 234. 587; accepted records 1981-3, 513-4 Wilde. N. A. J., photograph of Sparrow- hawk. 63, plate 30 Wilkes, M. C., colour photograph of King- 668 Index to volume 77 fisher, 176, plate 55; photograph of Stock Dove, 195, plate 64 Wilkinson, David M., letter on possible climatic controls on British population of Montagu’s Harrier, 492-3 Willet, European news, 237 Williams, Gwyn, note on Red-legged Partridges eating house-leeks, 319 W illiams, H. H., note on Dippers using mud as base for nest, 210-1, plates 68-9 Williams, Keri, photographs of Curlew, 137, 585, plates 43, 252 W inter, Stuart, points of v iew 7: a case for birdwatching, 106-7 Withers, Martin B., colour photograph of Buzzards, 177, plate 56; of Oystercatcher, 1 78, plate 57 Woodcock, risk of confusing call with that of Common Frog, 97-104 W oodcock, M. W ., note on Northern W ater- thrush in Scilly, and notes on waterthrush identification, 368-71 Woodpecker, Great Spotted, errors in artists’ depictions, 327 , Middle Spotted, European news, 238 , Syrian, European news, 238 Woods, Michael J., note on Rough-legged Buzzard dismembering prey in flight, 207 Wren, aggressive territorial behaviour in winter, 423-4 W right, J. A., note on Nightjars copulating on elevated perch, 568 Wryneck, migrants attracted to glasshouse, 491-2 Xenus cine reus, see Sandpiper, Terek Yellowhammer, association of female with male Girl Bunting, 26-7; Corn Bunting imitating song, 491 Yellowlegs, Greater, accepted records 1983, 526 , Lesser, accepted records 1981-3, 526-7; European news, 588 Yesou, Pierre, note on Little Egrets with uncommon bare-parts coloration, 315-6 , , see Dubois, Philippe J. Young, Steve, photograph of Stilt Sandpiper, 336, plate 128; of Ross’s Gull, 387, plate 157; of Bluethroat, 388, plate 160 Zbinden, N., and Schifferli, L., European news, 586-92 Zonotrichia albicollis , see Sparrow, White- throated leucophrys , see Sparrow, White-crowned 1 List of line-drawings 1 Great Black-backed Gull (R. A. Hume) 12 American Coot (Killian Slullarnev) 32 .jays (R. A. Hume ) 40 Fi recrest ( Peter Cartwright) 41 Montagu’s Harrier (J. M. Temple) 47 Sparrowhawk and Yellowham- mers ( Ernest Leahy) 79 Juvenile Starling (the late Leslie Baker) 32 Pallas’s \\ arbler (Alan Harris) 83 Yellow-browed Warbler (Martin Hallam); Red-breasted Goose with Brent Geese (G. M. Haig) 87 ‘Insect, amphibian or bird?’ (Robert Gillmor) 129 Lapland Bunting (Dirk Moerbeek) 130 Mediterranean Gull (/. M. Pinder); Upland Sandpiper (Bill Morton ); Red-breasted Flycatcher (Nik Borrow) 131 Shore Larks ( G. F. Miller) 133 Scarlet Rosefmch (D. I. M. Wallace) 135 Slender-billed Curlew ( Kevin Baker) 141 Moorhen (Kevin Baker) 1 70 White-tailed Eagle (R. ,4. Hume) 181 Stock Dove (D. .4. Thelwell) 223 White-tailed Eagle (Alan Harris)', Bewick's Swans (D. ,4. Thelwell) 227 Wood Ducks and Mandarin (Laurel Tucker) 271 Avocet (Bryan Bland) 278 Laughing Gull (Colin Bradshaw) 283-88 Bird Illustrator of the Year 1984: Slavonian Grebes (Bruce Pearson)', Great Grey Shrike (Darren Rees)', House Martins (Bruce Pearson)', Spoonbill ( Philip Snow); Wood chat Shrike (Nik Borrow); Grey Heron (Philip Snow); Aquatic Warbler ( Keith Co/combe); Black-necked Grebe (Chris Rose); Spanish Sparrow (Keith Colcombe) 333 Bar-tailed Godwits (Andrew Stock) 334 Black 1 ern (R. A. Hume); Marsh Sandpiper (Nik Borrow) 335 Stellcr's Eider ( William S. Morton); Spoonbills (John Hollyer) 337 Osprey (D. A. Thelwell) 338 Serin (Gary Clayden) 344 Herring Gulls (P.J. Grant ) 384 Black-winged Stilts (Gann Haig); Red-throated Pipit (Barn Stewart) 385 Trumpeter Finch (Gavin Haig) 386 Broad-billed Sandpiper (Gavin Haig) 436 Collared Flycatcher (Alan Harris); Black-eared Wheatear (Alan Harris) 437 Red-backed Shrike (Nik Borrow); Yellowthroat (Alan Harris); Bridled Tern (J. /. Blincow) 438 Broad-billed Sandpiper (Nik Borrow) 439 Red Kite (Guy Troughton) 458 Brent Geese (Killian Mullarney) 467 Canary Islands Stonechat (Robert Gillmor) 500 Spotted Sandpiper (Bill Morton) 577 Ortolan Bunting (D. Numey); Barred Warbler (S. Abbott) 579 Little Bittern (Ian R. Machin) 592 Golden Eagle (Norman Arlott) 628 Sand Martins (Darren Rees) 631 W ryneck (D. Numey) 632 Siskins (David Thelwell); Storm Petrels (P. Cartwright) 633 Grey Phalarope (Andrew Shaw); Lesser Golden Plover (John Gale) 634 Yellow-browed Warbler (R. A. Hume) 635 Olive-backed Pipit (Martin Hallam) winner, bird illustrator of the year 1984 (see pages 283-288): Turnstones and Ringed Plover feeding around Grey Seals on breeding beach (Bruce Pearson) The OPTICROM difference is QUALITY and PRICE. Tor those who wish to own the BEST” quality binocular, to obtain greater pleasure and enjoyment from looking at birds in clearer and sharper detail, we recommend you to assess and compare our own new 9x35 Elite binocular. Available exclusively from Opticron Because this is an Opticron binocular, the combined optical performance of the high resolution and light transmission, coupled with the incredibly large depth of field, contrast and natural colours may only be equalled by other makes, but never surpassed. It is small and compact. The weight is only 24 oz. and has a wide field of view of 375 ft. at 1000 yds. Will focus down to approximately 12 ft. Fitted with fold-down rubber eyecups for spectacle wearers. Supplied in a de-luxe hard case and is guaranteed for life against any manufacturing defects. And the price is only £ 157.00. Sent to you for 14 days approval, upon receipt of full remittance. Access, send or phone details. 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AL1 3NT Telephone: St. Albans (0727) 56516 mti9 British Birds Volume 77 Number 12 December 1984 581 More new subscribers please 581 Mystery photographs 96 Slender-billed Curlew Richard Porter 586 European news 592 The status of the Golden Eagle in Britain R. H. Dennis, P. M. Ellis, R. A. Broad and Dr D. R. Langslow 608 ‘The “British Birds” Mystery Photographs Book’ 612 Seventy-five years ago . . . 613 PhotoSpot H Hume’s l awny Owl Hadoram Shinhai Notes 614 Grey Heron parents attending grounded nestlings Frank Lowe 6 1 4 Aggressive behaviour of female Goldeneye M. R. Farmer and R.J. Farmer 615 Pink Black-headed Gulls Bernard King and P. G. Marriott, R.J. Evam 615 Robin eating flies attracted to stinkhorn fungus Dr A. P. Radjord 616 Fieldfare landing on observer’s head CAm H indie 616 Mislle Thrush defending winter feeding area M.D. Lloyd 616 Little Bunting w intering on stubble field in England R. A. Fades Letters 617 Tufted Duck carrying young Dr Pamela Harnson 618 Black Grouse in the Peak District David Emley and hank Cribble 618 Disturbance of Red-necked Phalarope C.Lamsdell 618 Disturbance ol'Savi’s Warblers Anon. 619 Good and bad behaviour of birdwatchers T.P. Appleton 620 Winter quarters of Sabine’s Gull Dr W. R. P. Bourne 620 “Gride coeur’ R R. Ixingley, P A. Fraser 621 Tree Pipits displaying from ground R.S.R. Fitter 622 Polygamy by Willow Warblers 5. R. D. da Prato\ M. R. Lawn 625 Diary dates Mrs Sheila D. Cobban Announcements 626 Cover designs for sale by postal auction 626 Just lor a lark! 627 Blyth’s Reed Warblers and juvenile skuas 627 ‘Tunniclifle’s Birds; measured drawings in colour’ 627 Use ‘British BirdShop' toobtain your free BWP list 627 Binding your ‘BB's 627 Bird Photograph of the Year 627 Best recent black-and-white bird-photographs Requests 628 Do write, but please don’t phone 628 Photographs of Phy lloscopus and other warblers Alan R. Dean 628 Sand Marlins Chns Mead 629 I f you find a dead predator .. . Mrs M B. Haas 629 Whooper Swans with yellow neck-rings ProJ. Amthor Gardarsson 629 News and comment Mike Everett and Robin Prytherch 63 1 Recent reports lan Dawson and Keith Allsopp 637 Short reviews Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Reviews 640 The Atlas of Australian Birds by M. Blakers, S. J. J. F. Davies and P. N. Reilly Dr J. T. R Sharrock 64 1 One Man 's Island: paintings and sketches from the Isle of May by Keith Broekie Bruce Pearson 642 A Field Guide to the Birds of the USSR by V. E. Flint, R L. Boehme. Y. V. Kostin and A, A Kuznetsov Nigel Redman 643 The Oxford Book of British Bird Names by VV. B. Lockwood Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 643 A Field Guide to the Warblers of Britain and Europe by Aliek Moore, illustrated by Bryan \\ right S. C. Madge 644 Shorelines: birds at the water's edge by Michael Warren Dr J 7 R. Sharrock 644 Corrections Line-drawings: 592 immature Golden Eagle (Norman Arlott ); 628 Sand Martins I Darren Rees); 631 \\ ryneck (I). Numey) ; t>32 Siskins (David Thelwell) and Storm Petrel (P. Cartwright). 633 Grey Phalarope (Andrea Shaw) and Lesser Golden Plover {John Gale)', 634 Yellow-browed Warbler (R. A Hume)', 635 Olive-backed Pipit (Martin Hallam I Front cover: Black ( .rouse (Robert Gillmor ): the original of this month’s cover design is for salr in a postal auction (see pages 30-31 in January issue lor procedure, and see also page 626 in this issue) LnaanBMinagHBMaMHHlBMHBMm