Bird Watching の August 2016 の目次

THE PLIGHT of the Hen Harrier in England has been sparking more and more debate in recent years, and on page 30 of this issue, Ben Macdonald takes a close look at a controversial issue, in the context of hundreds of years of history. If it moves you to join the campaign to save this persecuted raptor, then make sure you get involved in Hen Harrier Day, on August 7. Our cover star, the Dartford Warbler, has on the other hand enjoyed an expansion in range and numbers in recent years, and any of you spending the summer on (hopefully) sun-kissed southern and western coasts can look for this charismatic little bird after enjoying Ian Parsons’ guide to it on page 23. Finally, late summer and early autumn are, of…

IN SOME WAYS , August is an intermediate time of year. The breeding season is coming to a close for many species; the rush of autumn migration is yet to take off. Birdwatching in August has a summer holiday feel to it. But, don’t be fooled. There is still a mass of activity out there. Young birds are still being fed and reared and some, especially waders, have long ago left the Arctic breeding grounds and are still taking a leisurely trip south through the country. It is also the start of southward migration of small birds, such as scarce warblers, chats and Wrynecks. Anything can and does turn up. Things are getting exciting, and here are a few birds to get your birding teeth into this month. RARITY RATINGS…

“Ringing recoveries have shown that once wintering Dunlin have arrived at their final destination they are very site-faithful” MANY WADERS OCCUPY the shifting interface between the sea and the land, foraging in the rich intertidal zones that are exposed to both the sunshine and the marine currents. On a global scale these habitats are almost one-dimensional; thin lines running along the edges of continents, and waders track the seasonal pulses of their food supplies up and down these coastlines in marathon international migrations. The Starling-sized Dunlin is one wader that makes epic migrations along our coasts every year, congregating in tens of thousands at particularly rich sites. They breed in the Arctic tundra and upland areas in northern Europe, and winter along northern-hemisphere coastlines across the globe. Numbers spending the…

“Gigantic quantities of fish and amphibians... keep the herons, ibises, crmorants and pelicans in such numbers” TIME FOR AN early morning walk, and a stroll through scrubby, damp grass to a narrow, willow-lined, reed-fringed water way, serenaded by a Cuckoo. A Bittern is booming, Garden Warblers bubbling and Lesser Whitethroats rattling, and Chiffchaffs chiffing and chaffing. Half a dozen Cormorants take flight from a dead branch as I reach the water’s edge and follow the muddy footpath. A small family of Great Tits are begging for food, Starlings pass overhead bringing food to youngsters and a Tree Sparrow is ‘chipping’ away. Overhead, Little Egrets, Grey Herons and Gadwalls are waking up and flying off to their feeding grounds. A Common Tern lazily drifts by. So much is typical of a…

CONSERVATION AWARD RSPB Dove Stone in the Peak District has been awarded the Natura 2000 Conservation Award in recognition of their work in restoring 2,500 hectares of important blanket bog moorland. The project, which has been undertaken by teams of volunteers, involves planting bare peatland with sphagnum moss and other plants, and repairing erosion. When complete, the restored bog will act as a carbon store, a natural water filter, and a habitat perfect for Dunlin, Curlew and Red Grouse. GAMBIA BIRD FESTIVAL The inaugural Gambia International Bird Festival, will take place from 21 to 25 October. The Gambia is already well known among birders as a holiday destination, with more than 550 species having been spotted there, allowing birders to see a great variety even on one excursion. The Gambia…

Get in touch with Bird Watching Bird Watching, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk facebook.com/BirdWatchingMag twitter.com/BirdWatchingMag Great Spotted Woodpecker by Pat Taylor Camera: CANON EOS 5D Mark III Lens: 400mm Shutter Speed: 1/200sec Aperture: f.3.5 ISO: 500 Mallard duckling by Annice Bridgett. Camera: CANON EOS 1200D Lens: 75-300mm Shutter Speed: 1/640Aperture:f/8.0ISO:320 Puffins by Richard Tranter Camera: NIKON D7100 Lens: 55-300mm Shutter Speed: 1/1,000 Aperture: f/8.0 ISO: 200 Whitethroat by Roy Bramley Camera: NIKON D300S Lens: 150-600mm Shutter Speed: 1/200 Aperture: f/7.1 ISO: 200 WIN! Send us your best birding photos to birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk every month to be in with a chance of winning a pair of Minox BF 8x42 binoculars. This month’s winner is Pat Taylor. All images should be high resolution (300dpi). SPONSORED BY MINOX World class…

I have just read Les Bunyans letter (Bird Watching, July issue) and have to agree wholeheartedly with him. Why don’t folk just enjoy seeing anything that s knocking about instead of making your day into a competition? I have got to the point now where I try to shy away from conversations with people because of one experience at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve. Let me explain. While walking early morning along the causeway a man approached me, “much about?” he asked. My excitement must have been apparent in my voice, “I’ve just seen an Otter from the public hide, and a pair of Marsh Harriers.” His response was “you see them all the time here”. Deflated, I asked him if he had seen anything interesting (just to be friendly). He…

AUGUST IS SUMMER holiday time for us in the UK, often bringing the warmest weather of the year. But for many birds, it is as if autumn were well and truly upon us. Migration season is back (if it ever really stops) and many small birds are on the move. Not least among these are the warblers. Small, dull birds to some, ideal rare bird fare to others, the warblers are a diverse bunch, and in late summer and early autumn there is plenty of opportunity to find rare, or at least scarce, warblers skulking in a bush near you. Of course, that is particularly true if you happen to be on the east coast or perhaps in the northern isles. Anyhow, here are six scarce or rare warblers which…

“Having watched the pin-prick splashes of feeding Gannets as we swooped down over the Isles, our birding appetites were whetted” A CROSS THREE DAYS my father and I immersed ourselves in all things Scilly, with an emphasis on the natural world, but accepting all elements of the Isles. I left work in Suffolk on the Friday lunchtime and by midday on Saturday was exploring St Mary’s, the largest and most inhabited of the Isles. This transition was made by less than salubrious public transport to and across London, then aboard a Twin Otter, the first time I’ve travelled in such a craft. It was exhilarating to say the least! From the air, we saw the Exe Estuary, Dartmoor, the Eden Project, Lands End, feeding Gannets and ultimately the Isles of…

MAY 2016 WAS exceptional – a long spell of south-easterly winds ensuring a long list of mouthwatering vagrants entering the country. From Shetland and the Outer Hebrides south to Cornwall and Scilly, no region was left untouched – the nation’s birdwatchers enjoying a glut of lost waifs. So much so that by the end of May, an unprecedented and quite incredible 388 species had been recorded in Britain and Ireland. Two highly controversial vagrants stole the limelight, both making ‘landfall’ in the South West: Dalmatian Pelican and Lammergeier; and both potential national ‘firsts’. Patch birder Paul Freestone was the first to encounter the pelican, as it flew over him at his local patch of Gwithian Sands (Cornwall) on 7th May. Next day, it visited St Ives Harbour, before making the…

Wildlife author James Lowen explains the sort of wonderful wildlife you could see during the (hopefully warm) month of August. Page 12. Author and bird guide Ian Parsons explains how the lovely Dartford Warbler is expanding its UK territory. Page 23. Ben Macdonald sticks up for the Hen Harrier and says it’s time for the hunting industry to stop suppressing this fine bird of prey. Page 30. Author and bird guide Dominic Couzens reveals the life of the Jackdaw isn’t as easy as you’d think it might be. Page 44. Jonny Rankin takes his father to the Isle of Scilly, just off the coast of Cornwall, and both thoroughly enjoy the abundant wildlife. Page 78. Urban Birder David Lindo feels the heat while birding in Darwin – but hes glad…

RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD The Red-billed Tropicbird has only been seen in UK waters on four occasions. The last time was in August 2013 when one lucky observer set apart from a group of seawatchers photographed a tropicbird at Pendeen, Cornwall, almost under those seawatchers’ noses. Two of the other records have been from ships off Scilly. LITTLE SHEARWATER Also called Barolo Shearwater or Macronesian Shearwater or North Atlantic Little Shearwater (with the southern hemisphere bird retaining the ‘Little Shearwater’ in this taxonomic scheme), this small, open-faced version of Manx Shearwater remains a great rarity in the UK, with only 65 accepted records. Many of these were in late July, August and September, and most were off the South West of England. HOW DID WE DO? CALANDRA LARK In our April issue,…

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 FelixstowePier (-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)…

“While I don’t mind aiding the health of Peruvian pigeons or Polish plovers, I’d rather be helping good old British Bullfinches” WE RECENTLY DECIDED to change what we eat. I’m still a non-meat eater married to a carnivore and we still shop at the same supermarkets. The difference is that we have gone over to only buying organic veg (and in my wife’s case, meat). Moreover, wherever possible (and it sometimes adds half an hour to the average shop), we want British grown organic food. I still believe that eating organics is healthier for us, despite the research a year or two back claiming there is no difference. But the decision was prompted not by our own health so much as that of birds and other wildlife. So, while I…

It was with some interest that I read the Q&A from Susan King (Bird Watching, June issue). She speaks of seeing a Sparrowhawk eating its catch close to people. Recently, in the Peak District, I saw a Sparrowhawk at extremely close quarters. I heard a disturbance in some dead Bracken. I was expecting a Rabbit, but no. A Sparrowhawk was in the final act of dispatching her prey. After a couple of seconds she saw me, and there was an uneasy moment. It tried to fly twice, but the kill was too heavy. I retreated a few yards, and, satisfied with this, the bird continued to pluck her meal. I returned an hour later and all that remained were some feathers. I am not sure what the prey was. Maybe…

LOCH MINGARY If you don’t want to explore alone, then take a guided walk to a see a range of birds RAVENGLASS See waders such as Redshank, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover on this coastline COURT WOOD Enjoy great birding and some history at this small reserve, with stream and woods LOUGHOR ESTUARY Previous rarities seen at this lovely Welsh site have included the likes of Great White Egret and Long-tailed Skua GLENMORE FOREST PARK You could see Ring Ouzel or even Golden Eagle in this lovely area LEE BROCKHURST Woodland, pine trees, an open area and a river entice a good mix of bird species to come here LEVINGTON AND TRIMLEY MARSHES This bird-heavy area is great for sea ducks and waders GALLOWAYS Rarities in recent years include Montagu s…

SITE 3 CUMBRIA MILES ON FOOT: 2.5 TIME:2 HOURS WEST CUMBRIA MAY seem off the beaten track, but, for 15 million visitors to the Lake District close by, it often offers a dry day! This coastline is often missed by birders, rushing past to Hodbarrow and Walney to the south and the cliffs of St Bees to the north, but it can make a nice change with dramatic sandy spits created by the Rivers Irt, Mite and Esk dropping their spoils from the hills to the sea. To add to the day, you can actually see the highest wall of a building still remaining since Roman times, with a woodland walk adding to the habitats visited. The area was once famous for its Black-headed Gull colony, that numbered 10,000 in…

“Suddenly, beyond the ghostly poplar wood, a young Crane flew out of the marsh with long neck outstretched, hugely wide-winged, stilt-legs trailing, toes pointed, the tiny red cap on the head clearly visible” IT WAS ONE OF THOSE leaden February days, grey-brown, sluggish and cold. A weak sun skulked behind a veil of cloud. Torpor prevailed, slowing the pulse of life. My urge to hibernate was overridden by a stronger urge to see a bird breeding again in Norfolk after decades of absence. I’d been told this was the most likely month of the year to see a Crane: these secretive birds would be preparing for the mating season, and were at their most active. Added to which, I’d recently returned from Japan where Cranes are harbingers of good luck…

ALPKIT MICROADVENTURE BIVVY BUNDLE £80 This bargain bundle includes a tough, compact, lightweight, waterproof bivvy bag that turns your sleeping bag into an al-fresco bed, a diddy but powerful gas stove, a titanium MytiMug650 that you can cook in, eat from and drink from, a titanium spoon-fork combo and a headtorch! All those bits cost £107 if you buy them separately. alpkit.com LEICA NEOPRENE BINOCULAR STRAP FROM £40 Leica has unveiled a new range of high-performance neoprene straps for its binoculars. It comprises an ergonomically contoured binocular neck strap and a back-saving binocular sport strap. Made of durable, non-slip neoprene, the straps are contoured for optimum fit on the neck and shoulders and the straps are easy to adjust to the correct length. leica-sportoptics.com STEWART GARDEN HALF BARRELS FROM £19.99…

SOUTH WEST Highlights Two massive birds dominated the regional news in May. Both are potential UK firsts. Firstly, a Dalmatian Pelican turned up in Cornwall. Then the Lammergeier, which was first seen in Gwent, was relocated in Devon, then Cornwall, then Devon again (and briefly Somerset), seen sporadically between 16th and 28th. AVON HIGHLIGHTS: Two Caspian Terns at Portbury Wharf and Dock (11th) were the second county record. A Whiskered Tern was at Oldbury Power Station (10th). PORTISHEAD & CLEVEDON AREA: A Corn Crake was heard (12th). Waders included a Ruff (5th), Little Ringed Plovers, Curlew Sandpipers (13th), Bar-tailed Godwits and five Purple Sandpipers. Seven Greylags were unusual (23rd). A Marsh Harrier was seen (12th). There were two Arctic Skuas (3rd). A Nightingale and Pied Flycatcher were seen (1st). THE…

THE RSPB IS encouraging adults and children alike to take part in its Big Wild Sleepout, on 29 to 31 July. For the fourth year running, wildlife-lovers will be encouraged to sleep out in their own gardens or outdoor spaces to get close to nature. Thousands of people will stage sleepouts in their gardens, in addition to organised events taking place at RSPB reserves across the country. Evening activities will include stargazing, bushcraft and fireside cooking. Those taking part can choose to donate money to help the RSPB give nature a home. Rohan, designer and supplier of outdoor clothing and footwear, has leant its support to Big Wild Sleepout for the second year running. Sign up for a Big Wild Sleepout pack and register to take part from 15 June…

“An old rural name for the bird was ‘furze-wren’. Inside a dense thicket of gorse, the small warbler is sheltered from cold winds and temperatures as well as being surrounded by lots of spiders – a food that the Dartford particularly enjoys” SPECIES FACTFILE DARTFORDWARBLER Scientific name: Sylvia undata Length: 13-14cm Wingspan: 13-18cm UK numbers: 3,200 pairs Habitat: Mostly heaths with gorse and heather Diet: Insects THE DARTFORD WARBLER is one of only two resident species of warbler in Britain, but, being at the edge of its range, it can suffer badly during cold winters, with local populations being wiped out if the weather is too severe. Nonetheless, this attractive little bird holds its own, and is a real star of our heathland habitats. Getting good views of a male…

Pre-1830s The Hen Harrier is successfully established across the rough grasslands of southern England from the Cotswolds to East Anglia, and is abundant across the uplands of Wales, northern England and Scotland. 1830-1900 Drainage and habitat change effectively removes the species from lowland Britain. Killing on an extensive scale removes them from any area in which grouse hunters operate. 1900 The Hen Harrier is effectively absent from the British mainland, surviving only on the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Arran. 1939-1970 Intensive land practices are increasingly abandoned, allowing the Harrier to return large areas of Scotland, and small parcels of Welsh and English uplands. 1989 The first national survey estimates between 578 and 700 breeding pairs in Britain. 2004 Population rises 41% to 806 pairs. 2010 The latest survey estimates a…

SITE 1 HIGHLAND MILES ON FOOT: 8 TIME: 8 HOURS SET WITHIN THE Cairngorm National Park, Glenmore Forest Park combines the wilderness found in tracts of ancient Caledonian forest and mountain moorland with the convenience of a visitor centre and a full range of facilities around the main car park. Check the bird feeders at the café for Crested Tit, Siskin and Red Squirrel. Loch Morlich even has a beach, which can be packed with tourists on warm summer days! However, once you’re clear of the car parks, the commercial pine plantations close in and walkers have the place to themselves. Crossbills and Crested Tits are a given in the conifers, but Capercaille may prove more difficult. Areas of open Birch scrub along the way harbour good numbers of Willow…

WARBLER GENERA When faced with a warbler you are having difficulty with, a good first step is to work out which genus it belongs to. Most of our warblers fit neatly into broad groups within the same genus. Sylivia warblers are generally large and rounded- or peaked-headed and often more ‘colourful’ than other warblers and with long tails with white outer feathers. Locustella or grasshopper warblers are slim and creeping like mice, often streaked, have long undertail coverts and rounded or tapered tails. Acrocephalus or reed warblers are medium to very large, generally plain brown (usually lacking clear plumage features) with short wings, strong bills and high crowns. Hippolais warblers are ‘open-faced’ warblers, somewhat similar to Acrocephalus warblers, but generally paler and greyer, or washed with green or yellow and…

FINGERS IN THE SPARKLE JAR Chris Packham Ebury Press, HB, £20 BW Bookshop £14.99 (quote BW-103) “ A little bang of luminous blue, a pulse of silver and a flopping thwack marked the end of my pocket universe - followed by a tinkle as the glass splintered around the base of the post. Thanks to that chance event the spectacular fission fed life to the water in the form of thirty or forty little fishes, which were already gone as I stumbled into a blackened hole and felt the shiver of the stream on my knees, my clammy sleeves stuck to my arms, the net pole juddering in the surge. All that life vanished in a single moment of violence and all that remained was a massive shocking vacuum that…

This was taken by photographer Craig Jones at Hermaness, at the northern tip of Unst, Shetland, and home to thousands of nesting Gannets in the summer. Craig has been a professional ethical wildlife photographer since 2009. He said: “Over a few days I noticed a pair had made a nest in a small ledge and the background was dark. I underexposed my camera to gain this effect, which just darkened the already black background, which was another cliff which had no sunlight falling onto it. “I grew up learning about nature and I now use the skills and knowledge I gained, along with many other skills, to capture images of wildlife. I also like conservation work and want my photographs to give a voice to, and highlight the plight of,…