Inhaltsverzeichnis für August 2020 in Bird Watching

Tom Bailey: Having the time to notice and appreciate the familiar birds at their busiest time of year Dominic Couzens: The best thing about lockdown has been enjoying the day to day rhythms of birds coming and going in the garden Ruth Miller: Watching the soap opera of our local Peregrine Falcons breeding and successfully fledging two chicks David Chandler: Because it was rationed I may have done more birding, than I would have done! David Lindo: It has to be being able to get to know my local sparrows – individually!…

RARITY RATINGS Common, widely distributed Localised – always a treat Very scarce or rare 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE This is a bird we don’t feature often in Your Birding Month, or even in Bird Watching! It is not because they are weird-looking and make a dreadful sound. It is just that the entire UK population (more than 1,000 pairs) of this odd African goose/shelduck has derived ultimately from wildfowl collections, so for many of us, it feels an odd bird to enjoy or tick! But, they are handsome in their own peculiar way. Largely found in southern, eastern and central England, scarce elsewhere, they are usually around gravel pits and the like, and nest in trees. 2 CATTLE EGRET Not so very long ago, Cattle Egrets were pretty rare birds. These…

Find the location closest to your destination and add or subtract the hours and minutes from the high tide time at London Bridge, below. SOUTHWEST 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)StPeterPort (+4:53)Swanage(-5:19)*Portsmouth(-2:29)Southampton(-2:53) SOUTHEAST Ryde(-2:29)Brighton(-2:51)Eastbourne(-2:48)Dungeness(-3:05)Dover(-2:53)Margate(-1:52)HerneBay(-1:24)Southend-on-sea(-1:22)Clacton-on-sea(-2:00) EASTANGLIA FelixstowePier(-2:23)Aldeburgh(-2:53)Lowestoft(-4:23)Cromer(+4:56)Hunstanton(+4:44) WALES ColwynBay(-2:47)Holyhead(-3:28)Barmouth(-5:45)Aberystwyth(-6:11)Fishguard(+5:44)Swansea(+4:42)MilfordHaven(+4:37)Cardiff(+5:15) NORTHWEST Whitehaven(-2:30)Douglas(-2:44)Morecambe(-2:33)Blackpool(-2:50) NORTHEAST Skegness(+4:29)Grimsby(+4:13)Bridlington(+2:58)Whitby(+2:20)Hartlepool(+1:59)Blyth(+1:46)Berwick(+0:54) SCOTLAND Leith(+0:58)Dundee(+1:12)Aberdeen(-0:18)Fraserburgh(-1:28)Lossiemouth(-2:00)Wick(-2:29)Lerwick(-2:50)Stromness(-4:29)Scrabster(-5:09)Stornoway(+5:30)Ullapool(+5:36)Gairloch(+5:16)Oban(+4:12)Greenock(-1:19)Ayr(-1:44)Campbeltown (-1:12)Girvan(-1:51)KirkcudbrightBay (-2:25) IRELAND Londonderry(-5:32)Belfast(-2:47)Donegal(+4:20) *Approximate times due to large variance between the month’s neap and spring tides. All times are GMT.…

SPECIES FACTFILE SWIFT Scientifc name: Apus apus Length: 16-17cm Wingspan: 42-48cm UK numbers: 59,000 breeding pairs Habitat: In the air! Diet: Flying insects and airborne spiders It was one of those moments when nature takes you by the scruff of the neck, unsettles you and reminds you how savage and alien it can be. And it took place in a churchyard in rural Dorset, on ground where the Bluebells were so dense and overwhelming that they might as well have been singing. My senses were happily drinking in this sweet spring over-ripe abundance, and I wasn’t prepared for reality interrupting it. However, some players in a dark drama were determined to disturb the loveliness. A pair of Carrion Crows were pecking at something on the ground, as shifty as feral…

Birding has always been a great way to relax, to unwind from the stresses of modern life. As soon as you spend a bit of time, whether you are in the countryside or a busy city, watching the bird life around you, everything else that is happening in your life takes a back seat, even if it is only for a minute or two. Birding is good for you, it makes you feel good. The coronavirus outbreak changed everything that we consider as normal. Suddenly, we all found ourselves placed on what very quickly became known as ‘lockdown’. Our lives changed and, for many, birding became more important than ever. Whether you were watching the sparrows out of your window, or the Blue Tits on your feeder, watching these birds…

Seven nights’s comfortable accommodation at The Mountview Hotel, VisitScotland rated 3 Star. All rooms are en suite, with TV and hospitality tray. There is no single supplement, and guests are never expected to share. ● Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner. ● Six full days wildlife watching with Heatherlea, VisitScotland rated 5 stars for ‘Wildlife Experience’. ● Guidance from a professional group leader. ● All transport by comfortable PCV minibus, including Capercaillie safari in Heatherlea’s private estate grounds (weather permitting). ● A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes. ● Courtesy bus service to/from transport in Aviemore.…

It is amazing how much life has changed for us all. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has unfortunately resulted in many human casualties and damaged major parts of our economy. It has also prevented travel both internationally and, occasionally, even locally. Obviously, my life was disrupted, too. The possibilities for visiting cities around the globe to feature within this column were stopped in their tracks. We were all forced to focus our birding efforts locally, so, I thought that it would be apt to recall some of the great days of birding that I have had in urban locales, as well as a few from surprisingly more remote sites. I am from London, so what better place to start my journey down memory lane than at my beloved old…

The Dunlin is the yardstick by which other small waders should be judged. August is a great month to photograph the species, so visit almost any estuary or mudflat and you stand a good chance of finding them: birds that have just flown south at the end of the breeding season in northern Europe and the Arctic. Small flocks often comprise a combination of juveniles with a fresh set of feathers and adults, some of which will still be in slightly worn breeding plumage, so the photographer is spoilt for choice.…

GULLS SIMPLIFIED BY PETE DUNNE AND KEVIN T KARLSON, PRINCETON, £20 Many birders turn away from gulls, mainly due to their very varied age plumages, with some having up to five different ‘sets of cloths’ from juvenile through to adult, as well as moults to gain each stage. This book is centred on America, but still offers birders in the UK the chance to look at several of our species found over there, and, of course, increases the chance of picking up a ‘Yank’ for themselves. Compare Black-headed with Bonaparte’s, Little Gull with Ross’s, Glaucous with Glaucous-winged, and so on. For just the price of the book, it could be worth five or more new species on your list, as well as finally getting you into gulls. BATS – RSPB…

SOUTH WEST Highlights A Scops Owl was trapped (and ringed) at an area with no public access in the Nanjizal Valley, Cornwall (28th). A Solitary Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick Pool St Mary’s, Scilly (18th), but, of course, was only viewable to island locals, as access to visitors is still prohibited owing to the lockdown protocol. AVON CLEVEDON-WESTON-SUPER-MARE: A Quail was at Walborough Hill, near Weston-s-Mare (7th). Sand Point had a Red-breasted Merganser, Pomarine Skua and two Arctic Terns (9th), a Sandwich Tern (7th) and Puffin (4th). Seawatching (22nd-25th) from Anchor Head up to Ladye Bay produced a Common Scoter, seven Fulmars, two Storm Petrels, an amazing 71 Manx Shearwaters, 21 Gannets, a Shag, two Arctic Skuas, two Pomarine Skuas, eight Kittiwakes, a Sandwich Tern, Arctic Tern and five Guillemots.…

We all have our own reasons for birdwatching, but we'd probably all agree that the simple fact it makes us feel good is a major one. As you'll find out in these pages, that can mean everything from helping us get through depression, grief or lockdown, to giving us a whole new direction in our lives. Even the small lift we all get from seeing the birds on the feeders is all part of the same thing. Read, enjoy, and I hope you'll be inspired to birdwatch a little more mindfully – the reward is not only that you'll feel closer to nature than ever, but also that you'll find you're noticing new delights that had previously passed you by.…

Birding is my kind of mindfulness. I’ve learned – and usually forgotten – many ways of trying to manage my tricksy mind, but my first choice of therapy, for my recurrent depression and anxiety, is a good birding trip. Mindfulness is often recommended for people like me, to help us be more aware of the present moment, rather than ruminating over things that have already happened, or being anxious about the future. And that’s how birding works for me. When I’m out birding, I concentrate on looking and listening. Each movement, sighting or identification challenge is a distraction from whatever negative thoughts are festering in my brain. It’s more than just a distraction, though. Birdwatching can be an injection of joy – the thrill of finding a lifer; the satisfaction…

STILT SANDPIPER Though not the rarest of waders, there have still only been about 50 Stilt Sandpipers in the UK. Like a ‘stretch-Curlew Sandpiper’, they are small, elegant waders, with a subtle beauty all their own. BROWN BOOBY Last summer (2019) was the summer of the Brown Booby, when there were three or more individuals in the UK, and it was even possible to see two in Cornwall on the same day. Considering none had been accepted onto the British List beforehand, this was something special. The hints are already suggesting that this year could see a repeat performance. CLIFF SWALLOW Although there was one on Skye, last year, this North American hirundine is seriously rare, with fewer than 15 accepted records. This would be one fine bird to find…

Restoring habitat Restoring the UK’s most important wildlife habitats could help lock away 14 million tonnes of CO2 per year, according to a new study led by RSPB scientists. In a paper in the journal Biological Conservation, experts calculated how much carbon was already stored in areas important for conservation, and how much more could be sequestered each year if some of those areas were restored. The scientists focused on two priority habitats – peatland and heath – to give a conservative figure of what could be achieved if they were restored to a good condition. Parakeet research Researchers from France’s Paris-Saclay University, National Museum of Natural History, AgroParisTech and the CNRS, have measured the effects of Ring-necked Parakeets on other birds’ access to food resources, and say it may…

My story starts on World Migratory Bird Day in May, appropriately enough. We had gone for our usual ‘lockdown exercise walk’ on the Great Orme, Llandudno, a wonderful limestone headland that provides either feast or famine, a plethora of exciting birds or a quiet walk unsullied by much birdlife. Today was looking on the quieter end of the spectrum, until we reached the limestone pavement at the furthest point of our walk. It was the movement that caught our eye first, the distinctive run, stop, run, stop behaviour favoured by all members of the plover family, birds that find their food by eye. Lifting our binoculars, we saw one of our favourite plovers of all: Dotterel! One bird would have been exciting. Dotterel don’t breed here, but make an occasional…

Juvenile Actitis sandpipers Common Sandpiper ● Tail notably extends beyond wings ● Brown sides to upper breast ● Supercilium less well defined ● Green-yellow legs ● Notched tertials ● Darker bill Spotted Sandpiper ● Tail slightly extends beyond wings ● Greyish sides to upper breast ● Supercilium more well defined ● Brighter yellow legs ● Plain, unnotched tertials ● Paler base to bill Feather fringes Unlike with some birds, where we think of youngsters as scruffy-plumaged, juvenile waders are often the neatest looking members of their species. Adults in late summer and autumn can look a tad worn and tired (plumage-wise), whereas juveniles are wrapped up in fresh feathers, which often looks very smart. One of the key components of this neat look is the ‘clean’…

Look who came knocking! One day in June, I heard a bang on the window and saw a Sparrowhawk with a woodpecker underneath it on the patio! I’d think the Sparrowhawk chased the woodpecker into the window, which would have knocked the woodpecker out before the Sparrowhawk had it at its mercy! The Sparrowhawk is a last year’s female bird, so is only a year old and has just moulted a new tail feather. It looked a magnificent bird standing over the woodpecker – plus, it’s amazing how long those legs and wings are when you see them in such a position! I’ve often heard it mentioned that Sparrowhawks chase birds into windows as a means of catching them, but this is the first time I’ve been aware of it…

WHINCHAT This small migratory passerine was once considered as part of the thrush family, but like the Robin, it is now considered as an Old World Flycatcher. More solitary than its well known cousin, the Stonechat, its breeding range is from Ireland east to the Caucasus Mountains. It belongs to a family that also includes the wheatears, nightingales and the Bluethroat. You may think it strange that this nationally scarce grassy heath and Bracken specialist could be an emblematic bird for The Scrubs. But it is. For a long while it was one of the few places where you could guarantee finding them on passage in London. During the heady autumn days of the early 1990s, autumn counts consistently topped 10 birds; with 18 on a small area of thistle…

CRAGHOPPERS NOSILIFE ADVENTURE GILET II, £90 A hot weather gilet that has 14 pockets, including an internal one with RFID protection. Actually, every single pocket works at lower temperatures as well. It has NosiLife treatment to keep biting bugs at bay, moisture control and a dry bag. There are no sleeves, though. If you want sleeves, check out the NosiLife Adventure Jacket II. For just £10 more you’ll get those, too. Polyamide outer, polyester lining. 390g. S-XXL in pebble or woodland green. craghoppers.com NHBS MOTH TRAP, £135 This flat-pack moth trap weighs 2kg and comes with a carry bag and a 20W blacklight bulb with a 4.5m lead. So it’s easy enough to carry around and its bulb won’t shatter if it rains. The plastic panels are covered…

What first sparked your interest in birdwatching, and when? Living in the UK, the coast means everything to me, it’s where I live, work and seek solitude. As a child, I grew up on a small peninsula surrounded by beautiful beaches and dramatic coastline. I spent my days exploring rock pools and the endless local coastline. While sitting looking out to sea, I would often see a flash of white, a blaze of brown, as distant birds passed by. This was the moment I became fascinated with birds; it was my first glimpse into their world. I would often wonder what experiences they must have out at sea and what hardships they must face. Who was your birdwatching inspiration or mentor? It’s hard to put my finger on a birdwatching…

2 Birding changed my life for the better Find out exactly how four birdwatchers found new ways to deal with lockdown, grief, depression and workplace stress, by picking up their binoculars and cameras 10 Citizen science Want to help conservation while you're getting closer to wildlife? The BTO can show you how... 12 Gokotta Cuckoos, coffee, cookies and an early alarm call – those Swedes know how to really enjoy birdsong 14 Forest bathing Enjoying the full experience of walking in woodland could improve your birding and your wellbeing…

When I was a child, my late mother took me to nearby woods and places with wildlife, and taught me about the circle of life, and where my food came from. She taught me to always respect wildlife, to listen to the woods, listen to nature, and it would give up its secrets. Back then, my mum couldn’t afford a camera, so my trusted 8x40 binoculars were always around my neck, or in my bag. I learned very early on that once I came across wildlife, it was down to me how long that encounter would last. Meaning that if I was noisy, loud, and did lots of moving around, then that would impact on the subject’s life and they would disappear back into the undergrowth. So, I learned to…

I have said it before many times, but I will say again that I feel very lucky to live in Peterborough. In most ways it is not the most exciting city, but, as cities go, it is great for birdwatching. Part of this is down to it being small enough that anyone can get out into the countryside in no time at all. And part of it is because much of the surrounding countryside is very good for birding (‘good’ being a relative term, and bear in mind that I am not comparing the Peterborough area with coastal sites; and it is, after all, about 25 miles from the city’s central cathedral to The Wash). The open expanses of the fens are the stars of the show. Much of this…

After the epidemic, what happens next? During the crisis, there have been benefits to wildlife, but there have also been increased pressures. We have been polluting less, killing less on our roads, and by not accessing most reserves, nature has been left to ‘get on with it’. The trouble is that wildlife wardens have been furloughed, income streams dried up and malicious damage soared along with illegal killing of wildlife. Moreover, faced with lockdown, many more of us have been ‘exercising’ in the countryside; walking rights-of-way hardly touched in years, and taking pets to places formerly pooch-free. Reserve staff have not been there to cut back encroaching invasive plants, or deal with egg and chick predation, not to mention the epidemic of extra fly-tipping. Its only when something is taken…

The Bird Photographer of the Year team are continuing their challenge to photograph 150 species within the county of Hampshire over the course of 2020. Recent weeks have witnessed the start of the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown, allowing limited travel for the team in Hampshire. This has enabled some of us to go further afield to try to add some of the key spring migrants. Photographic success has been mixed, but at least the weather has been cooperative. Last month, we reported that Paul had a male Cuckoo regularly visiting his garden. The visits continued, mostly during the early part of the morning, and he was often woken at dawn as the ‘cuckooing’ started close to his open bedroom window. Paul’s persistence with the camera eventually paid off and…

South Australia and Kangaroo Island allow you to experience remarkable birds and other creatures without roughing it. You could visit just to enjoy its wildlife, or if you’re on business, or visiting family, there’s potential for ‘side-trips’. April to June is good, September to November is very good. Footnote: David visited before the bushfires. Kangaroo Island was hit badly. Glossy Black Cockatoos lost habitat including Lathami Conservation Park. But more than half of the island didn’t burn. You can still enjoy Seal Bay, Baudin Conservation Park was untouched, and some of Lathami’s Glossy Blacks were seen in Drooping Sheoaks nearby after the inferno. Mainland South Australia was largely spared. The bush starts its recovery quickly and many plants need fire to trigger germination – this spring’s wildflower show should be…

This month – Dunlin Many newly-arrived birds are almost indifferent to people, as long as a bit of common sense and fieldcraft are deployed. For the best photographs, and to minimise disturbance, trying lying flat with your camera mounted either on a tripod with legs spread-eagled, or on a ground plate. The downside is you are likely to get wet, but the advantage will be beautiful low-level shots. Think about your depth of field – a shallow depth of field will throw the foreground and background pleasingly out of focus. But too shallow, and you may compromise the chances of getting the important parts of the bird (head and bill perhaps) in focus. So vary your settings and experiment. At first glance an estuary or mudflat can look rather uniform…

Hilltrek design and make high quality outdoor clothing on the edge of the Cairngorms. They make kit for “discerning outdoor enthusiasts who want garments of superb quality and craftsmanship”. Their range includes jackets, trousers, smocks and shirts. The Blavens are one of their trouser ranges and are made from a single or double layer of Ventile®. There are five variants in the range including two made from organic Ventile®. Ventile® is a very dense 100% cotton weave that is “durable, highly breathable and quiet”. It is also good at keeping water out. It was invented to save RAF lives during World War II. If aircrew ended up in the sea Ventile® increased their life expectancy by a factor of 10. It works because when the fibres get wet they swell…

You can’t move for mindfulness right now – I mean you can move, but you should do so slowly and with purpose, while remaining in the present moment. Mindfulness, for you, might be something you consider to be a fad. It might not look like yoga and meditation. It might not involve deep breathing and body ‘scanning’. It might, in fact, be something you’re already practising without even realising. I could give you a definition of what mindfulness is, but let’s not get too hung up on the semantics, because at its heart, couldn’t we say that birdwatching is mindful? You’re observing nature, you’re in the moment and you’re still. Sometimes, you’ll be quiet for hours. The noise in your head will become less apparent and your heart rate will…

In the September 2019 issue of Bird Watching, you did a piece on Bird Therapy and wellbeing, and at the end of the piece you asked us to tell you our stories. Here is mine… I have been working as an electronic engineer for the last 30 years, designing silicon chips. This involves state of the art electronics, which is very complicated, challenging and technical, and at times very stressful. Very tough milestones had to be met to deliver to very high-profile customers in the electronics industry. Most of these silicon chips I worked on are used in your mobile telephones, or televisions. To alleviate the stress, about five years ago I took up birdwatching to get me outside on walks, to totally switch off from the pressure, and to…