Sommaire pour April 2018 de Bird Watching

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD A bit of a long shot, here, as there has only ever been one Red-winged Blackbird in the UK: last year’s female from 29 April to 15 May, on North Ronaldsay, Orkney. But wouldn’t it be great if there were another this year? CRAG MARTIN About a third of the UK’s dozen or so Crag Martins have been in April into early May. They are notorious for appearing and disappearing at the drop of a hat. But check out those gathered flocks of hirundines over a local water body, and you may get lucky. CRESTED LARK There have been half a dozen April records in the UK. Most records are from the south of the country, with Dungeness, Kent, being a bit of a ‘hotspot’. HOW DID WE…

LANDSCAPE RIVERSIDE DELIGHTS Riverbanks offer much to interest the naturalist. The first dragonflies appear this month, willows (the quintessential waterside tree) turn verdant, and there is the chance of Otters and Water Voles. EARLY EMERGENCE THE FIRST RED FOX CUBS – WARY YET PLAYFUL – EMERGE BY THE MONTH’S END INVERTEBRATE HIDDEN BEAUTY Scrutinise young shoots of Scots and Corsican Pines and you could conceivably discover a roosting Pine Beauty. Resting with its wings tightly folded against its body, and lying head down along the shoot, this gorgeous moth appears to want to kid you that it is nothing more than a pine bud. It frequently appears at moth-trap lights, where it sits placidly. PLANT PURPLE HAZE Being widespread, if rather local, and rather undemanding in its choice of habitat,…

“In winter, we find the lakes that don’t freeze for smew or grebes” They say that the only things certain in life are death and taxes, so why do we birders naively rely on ‘bankers’ when taking part in bird races or building our year lists? True, many species are tied to particular habitats and migrating birds use age-old routes and convenient stopovers. Winter swans use ponds to rest up or feed, en route to favoured breeding areas or wintering sites. So, dyed-in-the-feathers are they that when ponds get filled in many birds fail to get to where they need to be, relying on what really ought to be reliable. Having flown hundreds of miles across oceans, deserts and mountains, they are desperate to refuel and the first landfall or…

It is easy to believe, if you have a passion for waders, that as the spectacular winter inspirations dwindle and disperse, the delights of wader-watching are over for another year. But, in fact, that phase of the enjoyment of waders is replaced, as another is heralded in. Arriving on our shores are legions of birds that left last autumn, some will be passage birds, others though will stay to breed alongside our resident birds some resplendent in their breeding plumages. On top of this waders, have some of the most interesting nuptial behavior of all birds, write Rick and Elis Simpson of Wader Quest (waderquest.org) Little Ringed Plover Small and dainty Yellow orbital ring, dull pinkish legs and no wing-bars Rarely seen away from freshwater, inland water bodies It’s hard…

Imagine a pair of binoculars that offer high optical performance and powerful magnification that bring nature closer to you, and more vividly to life, than ever before. Add a new Powered Image Stabilizer (IS) system that eliminates handshake as you view your subject, and you have something really revolutionary from Canon. Ethical leaders But then consider that Canon has been named by Ethical Consumer magazine* as one of the most ethically responsible optics brands in the world, thanks to its lack of links to the hunting industry, and you have optics that you can use to watch wildlife in the sure knowledge that the same wildlife is not suffering because of the activities of other users. This has led wildlife activist and enthusiast, photographer and TV presenter Chris Packham to…

Loch Torr boasts the best bird hide on the island, and is a great spot to get away from Mull’s wetter days. It may not have the longest list of species seen, but when it starts with both Golden and White-tailed Eagles, you soon see why sitting here in wet weather can pay dividends. Hopefully, it is not the hide you need, but a good brisk walk or cycle around this wonderful track used for forestry and finishing with access for a local estate. The loch itself was born in 1899 when a dam was built down the Mingary Burn, and it can have winter Goldeneye and the odd wind-blown Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, while Whooper Swans can pass through in autumn. Spring and summer see Reed Bunting, Grasshopper…

Near the ancient town of Wem, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and the River Roden, this lovely little Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) reserve of riverside meadows is a pleasant walk, with birds to see and hear. Starting from the edge of town allows an interesting walk along the bank of the River Roden, lined with trees and shrubs and bushes, before you arrive at the reserve already having seen lots of birds. The Ellesmere Lakes are not too far away, so don’t be surprised to see and hear a gaggle of Canada Geese gliding into view overhead. This is a good site at any time of year and early in the day is best. The meadows have a variety of grasses and plants, depending on the moisture and…

Vast conifer plantations seem to press in on many sides in this part of central Wales, though here, bordering the west bank of the Afon Irfon, is a remnant of the oak woodlands which once dominated the valley and stretched far beyond. The oaks on the steep slopes reach an altitude of 1,300 feet, one of the highest such woodlands in Wales. The Nant Irfon National Nature Reserve provides a tantalising glimpse of what this upland valley and surrounding hills looked like in days long past. The reserve’s woodlands bloom in spring and summer, especially where there are springs and water seepages, one striking member of the flora being that bright yellow, large-flowered member of the buttercup family, Globeflower. Others to admire include Heath Spotted Orchid, Common Butterwort, Devils-bit Scabious,…

A short drive south from the Channel Tunnel terminal brings the day-tripping birder to the medieval town of St Omer, set beside the river of the same name. North and east of the town a broad floodplain and peat bog is bisected by drainage channels, canals and ponds centred on the wetland nature reserve of Romelaere, complete with a substantial reedbed and associated woodland and lakes, plus a new visitor centre. The fertile soil makes for market garden farming with scattered stands of poplars and damp meadows surrounding the site. The circular walk can be done almost entirely on boardwalks and is suitable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility, apart from a couple of canal crossings by barge, one of which is necessary to view the White Stork…

Is it not time to call a halt to the ever-advancing increase in the ‘alien’ species Rose-ringed Parakeet? I fear for the native species that use nestholes in trees and the more timid species using my feeders in the garden. Is there a policy statement from the BTO or other bodies I wonder? What do you readers think? Could we exterminate these parakeets as effectively as the Ruddy Ducks that used to frequent our reserves here in the West Midlands? What do other readers think? Get in touch by email: birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk…

Why such an unusual design? Q I noticed this bird box in a wood on the outskirts of Leeds. It was fixed to a large tree about 12 feet above the ground. It appears to have two entrances to a single box. I did not see any bird use it over several visits. Is there a rational basis to this unusual design? Raymond Newman, Leeds, Yorkshire A There are certainly sparrow ‘terraces’ available, which are long boxes with several compartments, each with its own hole – this suits species such as House Sparrows which are happy to nest in close proximity to their fellows. We’ve also seen multi-entrance boxes in North America – these are apparently designed so that bluebirds can escape from intruding sparrows and fight them outside, well…

SOUTH WEST Highlights The two adult Pacific Divers were still on the Cornish coast at Pendower Beach and the Marazion/Penzance area. The same county had Ring-billed Gulls at Newlyn, Newquay, Gannel Estuary and, perhaps, Millbrook. AVON GENERAL: Hawfinches were still scattered around the county in small flocks of up to eight, with one group of 17 at Newton St Loe. Bramblings turned up in ones and twos. Firecrests were down to three in Bristol with one each at Chew and Weston-super-Mare. About five Black Redstarts were scattered along the coast with two more in Bristol. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were widely recorded with six Blackcaps in one Saltford garden. SEVERNSIDE: New Passage had a good day (7th) with two White-fronted Geese and two Whooper Swans. Nearby, Severn Beach had a Leach’s…

Spring is the main time when you will hear drumming woodpeckers. Only the spotted species drum (Green Woodpeckers don’t), which means they produce a fast rattle by repeatedly and very rapidly tapping their bill against a resonant branch. This is done in lieu of a song, and drumming can be done by both males and females. Great Spotted Woodpeckers have a short, loud drum, which tails off quickly but audibly, at the end. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers produce a softer, more even, and longer rattling drum, which comes to an abrupt stop (with no ‘tail-off’). Remember, drumming is different from the slow tapping woodpeckers (and other woodland birds, such as Nuthatches and Great Tits) do when feeding. It is also a completely different thing from the chiselling away at a trunk…

Idon’t think of myself as particularly grumpy, but perhaps as I come to terms with middle age, I may have to recognise a certain irritability has crept into my life, and particularly my birding life. One thing that gets my goat is something we have banged on about before in Bird Watching, the attempted ‘tidying’ of the countryside. It seems to have reached plague proportions, recently, certainly around Peterborough. In the early 1990s, we lived in northeast London, and my local patch was Wanstead Park. The woods around the shallow lakes had been allowed to decay nicely and the site was rich in woodpeckers, including the wonderful Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. But my favourite part of the complex was a scruffy, scrubby area called the old sewage works (because that’s what…

The two main bird migration periods in Britain – from the start of March to mid-May, then from mid-August to the end of October – offer birdwatchers the chance to see a host of species that they might not otherwise encounter, if most of their birding is done close to home. But far more important than that, it gives us all a chance to observe one of the most astonishing of all natural spectacles, and to see arguably the single most fascinating aspect of bird behaviour. So, how do you ensure that this spring, you catch up with more migrants than ever before? Follow our guide, and have some good luck! How many more birds will you add to your #My200BirdYear list? Know what to expect This might sound obvious,…

Seeing more birds in spring becomes a great deal easier if you learn to recognise the sounds they make – calls (largely short and functional) and songs (longer and more complex, although equally functional, despite the aesthetic interpretations we sometimes put on them). From February through to late spring, the latter are best heard at first light each day, a phenomenon known as the dawn chorus. At its peak, from late March through to early May, it’s a quite astonishing melange of sound, and it can be pretty daunting to try to identify the individual singers. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try – here’s 10 ways to enjoy the dawn chorus, and add some ticks to your list, too… Learn the basics You should already know the songs of…

Most people tend to just drive to Loch of the Lowes and use the hide for the views of the Ospreys, but they would be missing a wonderful walk which passes through several habitats and offers amazing views. The River Tay is never too far away, offering you the chance of Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Goosander and fishing Ospreys in summer. The walk along Brae Street gives you plenty of chance of garden birds and thrushes around the big community garden. Once you hit Craig Wood, listen out for Redstarts and Pied Flycatcher in the oaks. Even a singing Wood Warbler would be possible here, along with Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Treecreeper, with plenty of soaring Buzzards. Both Sparrowhawk and Goshawk have been seen in this area. You need to…

The ever-evolving complex of pits east of the village of Baston and north-east of Langtoft are privately owned and largely concealed from public view. However, some very juicy areas are easily viewed from roadsides. Chief among these are the twin pits on either side of Cross Road at the T-junction with Baston Outgang Road. Last year, this pair of pits alone produced Caspian Tern, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, waders including multiple Knot, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit and Wood Sandpiper; plus Bittern, and Mediterranean and Little Gulls. Also, in the last year, a pair of Ravens have been favouring this small area. Expect Barn Owls, flocks of Red-crested Pochards and frequent visits from Peregrine, Merlin and Hobby, depending on the season. Previous years have delivered scarce geese, ducks and grebes and passage…

The Forest of Dean is one of the few remaining large tracts of ancient woodland in England to survive the ravages of the modern age. At around 50 square miles in area, this former Tudor hunting ground is now mainly utilised by forestry enterprises, including charcoal-making. The RSPB’s Nagshead reserve is in the heart of the forest and supports a wide range of mainly deciduous trees, as well as some conifers and open plantations to the west of the site. In the summer months, it is a notable location for a small population of Pied Flycatchers, many of whom breed in purpose-built nest boxes along with the more numerous Redstart. Summering Wood Warbler and Whinchat are also present in small numbers. Two declining resident species also breed at Nagshead: Hawfinch…

It is one of the great joys of spring when the warblers return and start adding their little ditties to the chorus of birdsong which is building nicely at this time of year. Some of them produce songs of subtlety, beauty and virtuosity, which are a pleasure. Others have very simple ditties. Learning their songs is one of the best ways to identify the British warblers. However, you have no such luxury here, as these images do not come with sound files. Warblers are among the more challenging groups of birds to identify. Some species are very similar, indeed. However, we are not mean enough to test you on the hardest species pairs, here. Or are we? All you have to do is put a name to these six warblers,…

I write in response to letters regarding food caching (Bird Watching, February 2018). Corvids also cache ‘treasure’ in the form of scavenged objects that they like such as china and glass. One account of crows caching their scavenged ‘treasure’ can be found in Ernest Thompson Seton’s account of Silverspot (the story of a crow) which is included in his 19th Century book Wild Animals I Have Known, which is still in print. See also Covus by Ester Woolfson, which details many examples of the caching behaviour of her rescue Rook, ‘Chicken’. I also have my own personal experience of this behaviour in Carrion Crows. I have been fortunate to form a relationship with our local Carrion Crows and Ravens because over the last few years I have been feeding them…

LONG-TAILED MEADOWLARK A very familiar species on the Falkland Islands, it does not seem especially long-tailed until you compare it to other members of the meadowlark tribe. They mostly have very short rounded or square tails, while this species certainly possesses a longer than average tail end. In South America it bears a strong resemblance to the endangered Pampas Meadowlark, but once again its tail length is a very diagnostic feature. There are eight species of meadowlark and they are open country specialists. Like its cousins, the Long-tailed Meadowlark nests on or near the ground within grass. They are very cautious around their nests, and approaching and leaving the nest is a protracted affair. The female spends time crouched hidden in the grass in an attempt to prevent predators from…

DIVINE DARK CHOCOLATE WITH HAZELNUT, 90G, £2.39 Chocolate is good for when there are no birds, some birds, or plenty of birds! This is a new Divine flavour, and comes with ethics. It’s made from Fairtrade cocoa from Ghana, pure cocoa butter, Fairtrade sugar from Malawi, and Fairtrade vanilla from Madagascar. Divine Chocolate is 44% owned by Kuapa Kokoo – a Ghanaian cocoa farmers’ co-operative. Divine and the co-operative work together to empower women cocoa farmers. ukshop.divinechocolate.com RSPB HD COMPACT 8X25 BINOCULARS, £255 A good compact binocular will do the job most of the time and is easier to carry than a mid or full-sized model. This one from the RSPB has ED objective lenses, water repellent coating on all the external glass, and is waterproof. It has a 110m…

What first sparked your interest in birdwatching, and when? I have always loved nature, thanks to my upbringing, but I was more interested in marine species and mammals. Birdwatching has only become more of a specific focus in the last few years. I would definitely still consider myself a novice – there is so much to learn. Who was your birdwatching inspiration or mentor? To be honest, I don’t really have one. My love of the natural world is ingrained and has developed and intensified over time. Bird alone or with a friend? I find birdwatching relaxing and it is a pastime I (rather selfishly) savour all for myself. Your dream bird to see? Golden Eagles in Scotland. I have followed their recovery closely and I am excited about the…

The most credible explanation for the origin of the common name of the Dunlin is that it is a diminutive form of ‘dun’, meaning dull grey brown. Presumably this is a reflection of the bird in winter plumage, when it is the most abundant small grey-brown wader of its small-size group (nearly half a million visit each winter); as breeding Dunlin are actually quite strikingly coloured, with their red-brown upperparts and black bellies. Dunlin have also been known in western Scotland as the Plover’s Page. This is because of their close association on the breeding grounds with breeding Golden Plovers. Dunlin will apparently lock onto particular Golden Plovers and shadow their every move, even calling when the plover calls! In Iceland, this close association has led to a folk name…

Find the location closest to your destination and add or subtract the hours and minutes from the high tide time at London Bridge, below. SOUTH WEST Weston-Super-Mare (+5:05) Barnstaple (+4:30) Newquay (+3:32) Falmouth (+3:30) Plymouth (+4:05) Torquay (+4:40) Bournemouth (-5:09)* Portland (+4:57) St Peter Port (+4:53) Swanage (-5:19)* Portsmouth (-2:29) Southampton (-2:53) SOUTH EAST Ryde (-2:29) Brighton (-2:51) Eastbourne (-2:48) Dungeness(-3:05) Dover (-2:53) Margate (-1:52) Herne Bay (-1:24) Southend-on-sea (-1:22) Clacton-on-sea (-2:00) EAST ANGLIA Felixstowe Pier (-2:23) Aldeburgh (-2:53) Lowestoft (-4:23) Cromer (+4:56) Hunstanton (+4:44) WALES Colwyn Bay (-2:47) Holyhead (-3:28) Barmouth (-5:45) Aberystwyth (-6:11) Fishguard (+5:44) Swansea (+4:42) Milford Haven (+4:37) Cardiff (+5:15) NORTH WEST Whitehaven (-2:30) Douglas(-2:44) Morecambe (-2:33) Blackpool (-2:50) NORTH EAST Skegness(+4:29) Grimsby (+4:13) Bridlington (+2:58) Whitby (+2:20) Hartlepool (+1:59) Blyth (+1:46) Berwick (+0:54) SCOTLAND Leith…

Early March sees the return of one of the earliest spring migrants, the Sand Martin. It is always a thrill to see the first Sand Martin of the year, not only because they are great birds, but because they also herald the arrival of spring and the beginning of spring migration. Coming to us from south of the Sahara in Africa, Sand Martins can be found throughout the country around rivers, reservoirs and gravel pits from now until late summer, when they undertake their return journey to Africa. Sand Martins are our smallest hirundine, a family of birds whose other British representatives are the Swallow and House Martin. Sand Martins have many old names, and most of them relate to the bird’s nesting habits. Bank Martin and Bank Swallow are…

“When most of us talk about migration and migrants, we’re thinking of those species that spend the spring and summer here, then fly to more southerly climes to escape our own winter” Put simply, migration sees birds moving to areas where two of their primary requirements – food and nesting locations – are available in abundance, or at least relative abundance. That’s not as straightforward as it seems. Take those birds that spend their winters in Britain, then disappear just as spring arrives – wildfowl such as Whooper and Bewick’s Swans, Wigeon, and Pintail, or waders such as Knot, Sanderling, or Ringed Plover. For them, the areas where food and nesting habitat are at their most abundant are in the far north, often inside the Arctic Circle. There, the spring…

MORE SITES For a full list of the sites we’ve featured, go to birdwatching.co.uk/gbindex KEY Sites may be best visited by car, or a car may be required to get from point to point. Requires birding to be done on foot. Specified points to visit, but can be done in any order (known as KEYPOINTS) Specified points to visit and are best done in numerical order (known as WAYMARKERS) NB: The MILES ON FOOT is the amount of miles you will need to walk and not necessarily the amount of miles in the whole route. The TIME is how many hours we recommend. So, if there are fewer miles per hour, it could be that there is more to see. COLLECT & KEEP Every month we bring you 10…

This is an interesting walk on the Shropshire/Cheshire border. There are quite a few tracks to follow, including the Bishop Bennet Way, so there are lots of options. However, there are a few ponds, streams and patches of woodland with open areas and hedgerows with thick patches of gorse encouraging early nesters, such as the Long-tailed Tit, with its protective foliage. So, here you will see a good range of birds, with Chaffinch, Linnet and Yellowhammer in the hedgerows and Buzzard in the sky with the occasional Red Kite, too. The streams encourage Dipper and the ponds Mallard with Coot and Moorhen usually around. In the summer months, hirundines will be dashing around with Swifts up in the sky and possibly nesting in some of the isolated farm buildings. Other…

How lucky are the staff at the BTO, for having this reserve on their doorstep? No problem with worrying about what to do at lunchtime! This set of old gravel workings were created in the early 1970s. Add to this the River Little Ouse and marshland, and you have the chance to find a wide variety of birds, with more than 60 breeding species and a great number of drop-ins, with such a keen set of eyes to log them. Some of the commoner birds found here include Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker, with spring arrivals such as Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow and Garden Warbler. Along the river, you will find both Sedge and Reed Warbler, as well as Reed Bunting, Moorhen and Water Rail. Great Crested Grebes are great…

It’s always a pleasure to be able to watch wildlife close to the heart of a major city, and a visit to Otmoor RSPB reserve adds a totally new dimension to any trip to see the dreaming spires of one of the world’s two most famous universities. Consisting largely of wetland and meadows, it’s a good place to get an inland look at waders, especially Lapwings and Redshanks, both of which breed here in good numbers, thanks in part to the RSPB’s conservation work using traditional land management methods. This has also benefited other species, such as Sky Lark, Reed Bunting and Grasshopper Warbler, and from the end of April onwards, you stand a good chance of hearing the purring of Turtle Doves, now sadly so hard to find in…

I saw in your February 2018 issue that a reader had sent in a picture of hibernating harlequin ladybugs and described them as lovely insects. This comes as a surprise bearing in mind this is an invasive species introduced circa 2004 which is rapidly out-competing our native species. Although many birds visit the UK, these man-made introductions can be more damaging. The Harlequin Ladybird situation is being heralded by some as Red Squirrel-Grey Squirrel situation. It interests me whether any other readers have commented on this.…

Matt Merritt, editor: Marston Sewage Treatment Works, near Grantham, has had a good record of turning up rarities and scarcities over the years, thanks to a variety of habitats including flooded meadows. I think my first visit there was to see a Spotted Redshank, but there’s lots more. Mike Weedon, assistant editor: I am a big fan of Deeping Lakes LWT: quite a small but rich site, just over the River Welland from Cambridgeshire. It is one of the best sites in the far south of Lincs for waders and wildfowl and has the bonus of Long-eared Owls and a good record for scarce egrets.…

My admiration for Hawke’s Frontier range of binoculars has been stated on these pages more than once, so I was delighted to get a good look at the new Frontier ED X 8x42s and see how they compared with previous models. The first thing to say is that they look and feel good. They’re relatively compact for 8x42s, and well balanced, with their 692g weight feeling even less in the hand. Design There’s sturdy hard rubber armouring that feels as though it would stand up to a lot of wear and tear, and the eyecups are extremely comfortable, twisting up and down to three distinct positions. The focus wheel is very well designed and made, too. It’s around 1.25 fingers wide, and pretty well ridged – I found it easy…