Birdwatchinguk february2018

#My200BirdYear See more birds than ever in 2018 EXCLUSIVE

IT’S BILL BAILEY! “Great Crested Grebe? That means lunch”

BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING BIRD MAGAZINE

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reasons to love the

BREEDING SEASON Q See superb courtship displays Q Mating – an avian soap opera Q Learn to ID nest types

LOOKING UP A new hope for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper

ominic Couzens reveals the ret life of the Storm Cock 17’S MOST EXCITING RARITIES

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Welcome Meet the team

The head-back display of the male Goldeneye

Mike Weedon, assistant editor, has been indulging in his traditional New Year Big Day. Did he beat the local record? Find out on page 14 Mike Roberts, production editor, has been enjoying watching many woodland birds on a New Year trip to Elveden Forest in Thetford Nature Picture Library/Alamy

This month’s experts Dominic Couzens is a well-known author of birding-related books. In this issue he reveals the secret life of the Mistle Thrush. Page 26

David Lindo is a broadcaster and writer who loves to visit cities in search of birds. Find out how he got on in Berlin on page 74 Writer and bird guide Ian Parsons reveals the unusual mating habit of the Dunnock in our ‘The Mating Game’ 16-page special guide inside

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What’s your favourite bird courtship display?

David Tipling Photo Library/Alamy*

Stephen Moss is a naturalist, author and TV producer who goes in search of exotic birds in the African country of Tanzania. P67

A

s early as New Year’s Eve, the Blue Tits in my garden were inspecting nestboxes in preparation for the breeding season, and as I write, there are more and more signs that the sap is rising, hence this issue’s focus on courtship and mating (see our special 16-page centre section). Observing all aspects of this fascinating process is hugely rewarding in itself, but it will also help you to boost your #My200BirdYear list, if you’re already taking part in 2018. If you’re not, turn to page 22 for details of how to sign up!

Elsewhere, we’ve got our pictorial round-up of the best rare birds of 2017 (page 82), but don’t worry – the regular UK Bird Sightings reports will resume from the March issue.

Until then, enjoy your birding wherever your local patch is, and let us know what you see.

Matt: Black Grouse has to be my number one – I could watch them lekking endlessly.

David Tipling Photo Library/Alamy*

Dr Baz Hughes of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust reveals new findings about the Spoon-billed Sandpiper on page 62

Mike W: I once witnessed the rocking display flight of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Superb!

Matt Merritt, Editor

Get in touch with Bird Watching

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Bird Watching, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA facebook.com/BirdWatchingMag

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SIGN UP FOR OUR 200 BIRD CHALLENGE! BIRDWATCHING.CO.UK/MY200 Mark: Our cover star – the Great Crested Grebe. This mesmerising display is always a thrill to see.

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Contents February 2018

Features O

ST

Y O COV E OR

TORY O C RS

Top tips to help you tick more birds as part of 2018’s fun challenge!

ER STORY OV

22 #My200BirdYear COVER

26 Mistle Thrush

Y O COV E OR

ER STORY OV

Half-seen, half-identified and COVER S T O half-understood – that’s how Dominic Couzens views the Mistle Thrush TORY O C RS O

COVER S T

Y O COV E OR

TORY O C RS

How birding in childhood led to a lifetime’s passion for the TV comic

ER STORY OV

32 Bill Bailey

O

COVER S T

Y O COV E OR

TORY O C RS

Efforts to save this criticallyendangered bird are paying off

ER STORY OV

62 Saving the Spoonbilled Sandpiper

Special 16-page guide

4 February 2018

62

D BIRDWATCHING ’t be put off searching r wildlife in February, ames Lowen, there’s enty out there! P12

In The Field 6

News & Views

Your Birding Month

14 Weedon’s World

Birds to find this month include Bittern, Sky Lark and Great Spotted Woodpecker

37 ID Challenge

16 News Wire

How well do you think you know your coastal birds? See if you can identify the six featured here...

ER STORY OV

Ten walks across the UK for some great birding

Findings of the 20th annual BirdTrends report produced by the BTO

19 Grumpy Old Birder O

COVER S T

Y O COV E OR

45 Go Birding

TORY O C RS

32

Mike kicks off the New Year with a Big Day of birding!

But how did he fare?

Bo Beolens longs for summer so he can relax and do what he loves best

56 Your View

58 Q&A

The best of the month’s readers’ photos and letters – is yours among them?

Your birding questions

8 Back Chat

76

Bird and wildlife guide Mel Shepherd-Wells answers our monthly birding questions

Travel 7 African birding Want exotic birds without the crowds? Then head to the eastern part of Tanzania

4 Urban birding David Lindo reveals all there is to know about birdwatching in Berlin

Birding Gear 76 Gear Reviews

78 Books

Bird Sightings

A selection of the latest releases including The London Bird Atlas

Birding-related goodies include feeders, umbrellas and a £1,000 jacket!

22

O

COVER S T

Y O COV E OR

79 Wish List

A comprehensive review in words and pictures of the rare birds seen in the UK and Ireland throughout 2017!

ER STORY OV

82 2017’s rare birds

TORY O C RS

26

Leica’s latest Trinovid goes under the scrutiny of optics expert David Chandler

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SEE PAGE 20 birdwatching.co.uk 5

Lisa Geoghegan/Alamy

WHAT TO SEE AND HOW TO SEE IT

6 February 2018

GREY PARTRIDGE

David Tipling Photo Library/Alamy

breast, and with a better-defined, larger, chocolate-brown belly patch.

Grey Partridges are mainly birds of lowland arable country, and as such are more birds of the eastern half of the country than the west, being absent from, for example, large swathes of Wales, north-western Scotland and west Cornwall.

They are found in pairs or smallish groups, called coveys, and winter is a good time to spot them out in fields, without the cover of crops.

Grey Partridges, like other so-called gamebirds, tend to be most vocal in the crepuscular hours. Listen for the weird creaking call, quite unlike the ‘chukarrr chukarrr’ calls of the Red-legged Partridge.

Lisa Geoghegan/Alamy

Our most widespread native ‘gamebird’ is also the UK’s only native partridge. The much more numerous Red-legged Partridge is an introduced species, to satisfy the needs of those who choose to shoot birds for the pot and for what they would call sport. Our native Greys are still widespread, but are much in decline throughout the wide range.

This is sad in many ways, not least as Grey Partridges are very handsome, characterful birds in themselves. Males are particularly good looking, being brighter in their subtle coloration, with a more clearly defined orange face contrasting with the grey neck and

birdwatching.co.uk 7

FIVE TO FIND in Febr ary B

rrr! It is cold outside. But the birding warms your soul. Get out there and enjoy the last rush of winter birds, before spring’s tide of migrants makes you forget these cold weather wonders. Here are five birds to warm the cockles of your heart.

RARITY RATINGS

Common, widely distributed Localised – always a treat Very scarce or rare

TELL US WHAT YOU’VE SEEN!

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SKY LARK

BITTERN

2

The Bittern is a bird that everyone wants to see. The reasons for this are that they are beautiful, rare and elusive, probably in that order. February is one of the best months to see one, as it can be the coldest month, forcing the reedbed skulkers out into the open. Look for them in flight, when they can sometimes look more like a large owl or a Buzzard at first glance, before you see that long heron bill! They often fly to and from roosting areas, then disappear again into the reeds. Though increasing in the UK, they are still pretty scarce birds and hugely enjoyable to watch, whatever they are doing.

Mic Clark Photography/Alamy

1

Sky Larks will have been flocking up and feeding in stubble fields and the like, during the winter, but as spring is on the horizon, sunny days may encourage them to start with their famous, renowned, varied and incessant song. Even more pleasant is the delightful chirrup of their flight call.

Mike Lane/Alamy

3

8 February 2018

LONG-TAILED TIT lovely little bird the Long-tailed iny and with a ridiculously long plumage which always seems to t and fluffy in pink, black and lus a tiny bill and an endearing being fearless and approaching hey flit past, feeding and soft raspberries in equal e! Great birds.

FLPA/Alamy*

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R A R ITY PR EDICTOR Every month, we speculate as to which extreme rarity will turn up. These are not expected birds, but you never know...

DID YOU KNOW?

All Canada Photos/Alamy*

If you hear a drumming woodpecker, it is most likely Great Spotted.

HARLEQUIN DUCK

Hugh Harrop/Alamy

Scotland and the Scottish islands have seen just about every UK Harlequin Duck, at least in the last century or more.

This is not entirely surprising though as the closest breeding population is in Iceland. Adult males are spectacular looking ducks, but vagrants tend not to be adult males…

4

IVORY GULL

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER

Bill Coster/Alamy

imageBROKER/Alamy

Even since December, Great Spotted Woodpeckers will be drumming (at least occasionally), which is their rattling, mechanical equivalent of a song. The speedy, quick blast of knocks on a resonant branch is not the same as the slower chiselling knocks they do to excavate nest holes, or extricate invertebrates or smash nuts on a tree trunk. Great Spots are about the size of a Starling or small thrush, and are the only British woodpecker to have red on their underparts.

A juvenile Ivory Gull flew past Papa Westray, Orkney, at the end of October, the first UK bird since late December 2014 into 2015 when a showy juvenile was on Skye and the Scottish mainland, near Ullapool. The real prize is a pure white adult, but juveniles are not too shabby, either, despite their unsavoury feeding habits.

RAVEN

5

MOURNING DOVE On Boxing Day 2015, one of these rare North American Doves turned up at Lerwick, Shetland, and remained until mid-January 2016. All British records (which go back to 1989, if you count the Isle of Man; 1999 if you agree the first was on north Uist, Outer Hebrides) have been in Scotland or offshore islands.

HOW DID WE GET ON? Mike Lane/Alamy

The Raven is a bird on the move. Don’t believe the map on the RSPB website, as they have made considerable inroads to the east since that was compiled!

Ravens are no longer birds of the western uplands, shunning man at all cost. They are now birds of some eastern cities, finding nest sites on radio and TV masts and cathedrals alike. They are not hard to identify, being huge (Buzzard-sized) crows, with much larger bills and longer wedge shaped tails than Carrion Crows, and distinctive tapering wings and shaggy throats in flight. And, of course, they are vocal birds, often betraying their presence with their various croaky and fruity ‘cronk’ calls.

BLACK BRANT

Not our most outrageous prediction, there were at least three Black Brants in the country during December.

birdwatching.co.uk 9

T RAC K S & S I G N S

Long-tailed Tit nests

BUNTINGS AND FINCHES IN NUMBERS

W HAT ’S IN A NAME? SNOW BUNTING

860

This lovely, big bunting gets its name for just the reason you may expect. In addition to largely being a winter visitor (and so hardy and able to cope with snow), they are, at least in this country, high altitude breeders, choosing the tops of mountains in, for example, the Cairngorms, which remain snowy well into the breeding season.

Both males and females are whitish to look like the snowy environment, with

Number of UK breeding pairs of Cirl Bunting

369,000

Number of UK breeding pairs of Siskin

500-1000

Number of UK breeding pairs of Hawfinch

Percentage decline of UK breeding population of Corn Bunting 1967-2008

710,000

Number of UK breeding pairs of Yellowhammer

breeding males being strikingly black and white (especially the wings). Unlike most perching birds (passerines or songbirds), Snow Buntings even have fluffy feathered lower legs (tarsi), like a mini grouse leg!

David Osborn/Alamy

86

Mike Lane/Alamy

blickwinkel/Alamy

In late February/early March, Long-tailed Tits start to build their elaborate nests. They are intricate little balls of lichen, spiders’ webs and thousands of feathers. The nests are usually built concealed in the middle of bushes or hedges or small trees. But at this time of year, when there are relatively few leaves, they can be on more or less full show. Sometimes, Long-tailed Tits reveal their nests’ presence by trying to sneakily carry feathers back to the nest site.

Keep an eye out for the wonderful nests, but never disturb them! hSee more on nests in our The Mating Game 16-page section.

FI EL D C RA FT

Wildscotphotos/Alamy

FIRST SIGNS OF SPRING

10 February 2018

WATCH FO R . . .

BIRDS OF PREY

UK TIDES February The times below are for high tide, when waders and wildfowl will be pushed closer to dry land...

Find the location closest to your destination and add or subtract the hours and minutes from the high tide time at London Bridge, below.

Wildscotphotos/Alamy

Date 1Th 2F 3Sa 4Su 5M 6Tu 7W 8Th 9F 10Sa 11Su 12M 13Tu 14W 15Th 16F 17Sa 18Su 19M 20Tu 21W 22Th 23F 24Sa 25Su 26M 27Tu 28W

M ERLI N

Our smallest falcon is always an exciting bird to see. These are fast, dashing, small bird chasers, like the sprinting, high-speed sports version of a Sparrowhawk. In flight, they look more like tiny Peregrines than Kestrels, in terms of their shape and proportions. Males are bluish above, but younger birds and the

larger females are dark brown, with a whitish supercilium.

Merlins never have the ‘orange-brown’ tones on the upperparts shown by Kestrels. Check open, low country; and scan fence posts and gates for vertical, perched individuals, patiently surveying the surrounding country.

Time 02:05 02:54 03:38 04:20 05:00 05:39 06:19 07:05 08:01 09:09 10:22 11:35 00:06 00:54 01:35 02:12 02:47 03:20 03:52 04:25 04:59 05:36 06:20 07:14 08:28 10:01

m 7.05 7.18 7.251 7.22 7.07 6.84 6.55 625 5.96 5.77 5.79 6.03 6.15 6.45 6.65 6.78 6.88 6.96 6.99 6.94 6.83 6.71 6.57 638 6.18 623

12:31 13:16 13:54 14:30 15:03 15:36 16:11 16:45 17:22 18:03 18:51 19:55 21:23 22:47 11:20 00:02 6.45 12:30

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)

Smaller and slighter than Marsh Harriers, Hen Harriers are quite distinctive birds of prey: adult males are pale grey and white, with a white rump and black wingtips. Juveniles and females are browner, with banded tails (‘ringtails’). Hen Harriers generally hunt by patrolling slowly, low over the ground, on wings held in a shallow V. Wonderful birds!

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)

Stuart Shore/Alamy

Richard Bedford/Alamy*

EAST ANGLIA Felixstowe Pier ( 2:23) Aldeburgh ( 2:53) Lowestoft ( 4:23) Cromer (+4:56) Hunstanton (+4:44)

HE N H A R R I E R

Time m 14:28 738 15:177 .47 6:02 7.45 16:45 728 17:27 7.00 18:08 6.66 18:50 6.33 19:37 6.03 20:33 5.79 21:41 5.69 23:01 5.83 6.35 6.59 6.73 6.83 6.94 7.01 6.98 6.85 6.64 6.42 6.20 5.98 5.92 6.11 6.50 6.86

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 (+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) Kirkcudbright Bay (-2:25) IRELAND Londonderry (-5:32) Belfast (-2:47) Donegal (+4:20)

SHO RT- EARED OW L The owl equivalent of a harrier, Short-eared Owls similarly patrol over rough grasslands, slowly, on long wings, flying in a superbly buoyant, floaty manner.

*Approximate times due to large variance between the month’s neap and spring tides. All times are GMT.

birdwatching.co.uk 11

BEYOND BIRDWATCHING February can be a dour month, admits James Lowen, but there is non-avian wildlife around if you know where to look

FE

UARY

VAL

MAMMAL

NERVOUS FEEDERS In rural areas, there may be as much action below bird tables as on them. Bank Voles shelter nervously in nearby vegetation.

When they judge the coast to be clear, they make a dash for the banquet of scattered crumbs and seeds that litter the ground below feeding stations.

Y

INVERTEBRATE

ALTHOU A LOOKER, BEAUTY IS THE FI TH TO EMERGE EACH YEAR. REMARKABLY, ANTIFREEZE IN ITS BLOOD HELPS IT SURVIVE

USHERING IN SPRING Moth-trapping continues to demand perseverance during February, but the arrival of a Spring Usher is ample reward for flicking the switch every evening. This smart moth favours oak woodland, but is regularly enticed to garden lights.

WINTER FROSTS MAMMAL

PLANT

TUCKED UP… OR NOT? Theoretically, in February, Hedgehogs should be as snug as a bug in a rug.

Hibernation nests are layered with leaves and concealed from intruders, principles transferred when providing artificial ‘Hedgehog homes’ (as here).

The ideal winter nest provides uncha conditions of 4°C. Any colder and th burns valuable fat keeping its body temperature constant. Any milder, an the Hedgehog may wake and bimble around, seeking food to replenish its reserves. This is a risky time; nine-tenths of energy used during hibernation is unfortunately squandered during brief awakenings

GLIMMER OF SPRING Particularly during unrelenting winters, we yearn for the merest indication of spring – the first suggestion of vibrant coloration to burst the dankness of greys and browns. Lesser Celandine is among the first blooms to answer our plaintive plea. Its compact yellow stars emerge by the month end to brighten damp woodland floors and hedge banks.

STILL BUZZING Unlike Hedgehogs and, indeed, many species of bees and wasps, Honey Bees do not hibernate. Cold temperatures are bad for invertebrates (Pale Brindled Beauty moths apart), and the paucity of flowering plants means nectar is a negligible source of energy. The Honey Bee colony survives on its foresight – honey stored during summer’s times of plenty. Worker bees surrounding the queen and her brood nibble honey to boost their metabolic rate, then shiver to generate heat that keeps the colony warm.

12 February 2018

AMPHIBIAN

THE DRAGONS AWAKE 2018 marks the halfway point in the 12-year-long cycle between Chinese Years of the Dragon.

Britain’s tiny ‘dragons’ become active this month. Our three native newts trundle from their winter hideaways under logs or stones towards waterbodies where they will breed. Palmate Newt is Britain’s smallest such amphibian, and derives its name from the webbed hindfeet of the breeding male. A fan of acidic habitats such as heathland and moorland, Palmate Newt favours shallow, weed-free pools – so can be seen easily by torchlight after dark.

Pictures: James Lowen unless stated.

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MIKE WEEDON’S

WEEDON’S WORLD

So begins another My200BirdYear, and what better way to kick things off than with a Big Day? At least, that’s what Mike thinks...

Mike Weedon

C

an you remember New Year’s Day? I remember it like it was yesterday; mainly because it was yesterday. In Scotland, they have a double bank holiday for Hogmanay.

I am not sure why they need an extra day off, but I am all for it. Not because of the drinking and first footing or fireworks and late night shenanigans and what not. But because, every year, I join a plethora of fellow birders and head out, full of hope, embarking on the great challenge of a New Year Big Day. And, like all big days, it is exhausting, and I could do with another day of ‘rest’ to recover.

As it happens, I also remember the first of January, 10 years ago. It was a legendary New Year Big Day in the Peterborough area, and one of the last times when the weather was half-decent throughout the first day of the year. It was also the year I was on crutches, having ruptured my Achilles’ tendon a couple of weeks previously. But, despite this, our rather loose ‘team’ (in two cars) saw a total of nearly 100 species around here, and I got a personal record 95 species.

Gales, rain, snow, ice and fog over the intervening decade have consistently suppressed our chances of bettering this total. But the forecast for 1 January 2018 was excellent for birding: fine, yet mild, and fog and rain free. Our team was me, my son Eddie, and regular ‘big day’ partner, Will Bowell. We kicked off this year in the west of our area, in Collyweston Great Wood

Ï NUTHATCH Bird number 40 on Mike’s 2018 list was a glorious Nuthatch at the ‘feeding stump’ at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough

The promise the day had held had been betrayed and we were destined for a typical, dismal washout, just like every year and Easton Hornstocks. Tawny Owl kicked things off, and before 8am, we had already ticked Siskin, Jay and the increasingly scarce Marsh Tit. By 8.45, we had whizzed east along the A47, past Red Kites and Buzzards, and were at Ferry Meadows, serenaded by singing Song Thrushes (that’s how mild it was) and enjoying bird number 40, a beautiful Nuthatch drawn to the ‘feeding stump’ by a crumbled fortnight-old biscuit Ed suddenly found in his pocket…

After a detour to get the ‘hard stare’ from a traditional Little Owl on a favoured ancient willow, we hit the Deepings area, north of Peterborough.

There, we were able to add Grey Wagtail, Golden Plover, Redshank and the often very difficult Jack Snipe at Maxey, where there was also a nice little flock of flirtatious Goosanders.

Further north, at the Baston and Langtoft pit complex, the weather was so mild that several of the wintering Corn Buntings were in full jangly song.

Here, we bumped into some birding friends who asked me if I had seen their text. I hadn’t. So, they filled us in that a Long-tailed Duck had been found on the River Welland a few miles away.

By the time (lunchtime) we caught up with the little sea duck with its Tufted Duck sidekicks, our list had 14 February 2018

reached 77. A nearby Stonechat made it 78 and Deeping Lakes LWT delivered Pintail, a staked out Scaup, Goldeneye and our fourth owl species: Long-eared, roosting in its usual ivy-covered tree.

Everything was going well until the afternoon when the less than 5% chance of rain turned into a protracted downpour, and my team promptly fell into a gloom and then sleep! We reached the March Farmers area of the Nene Washes east of Peterborough in very nasty rain and wind. Birding was difficult, morale at a terrible low. All the promise the day had held had been betrayed and we were destined for a typical, dismal washout, just like every year.

But there were still birds; thousands and thousands of them. Masses of Teal, Wigeon, hundreds of Pintail; huge flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover. I dared to get out of the car, and opened the hatchback to get my scope out and make a barrier against the rain. Will woke up and joined me and soon we had picked out a perched Peregrine, a flock of Ruff with a single Dunlin, and a fly-by Black-tailed Godwit.

By the time we drove a few miles west to Eldernell, the rain had stopped and we were resigned to day list mediocrity. But we could see (and tick) Cranes and Marsh Harriers. And when our second Barn Owl of the day pounced on a vole, the sun burst through, pouring delicious golden light on it and as if by magic, half a dozen Short-eared Owls poured into the same field, hunting and fighting and perching and hunting some more. Our fifth owl of the day was not our last tick, though. That honour went to the humble Greenfinch.

It was bird number 98 for the team, beating even our decade-old record.

Next year, it’s the ton! Weather permitting.

Mike is an obsessive patch lister and keen wildlife photographer in his home city of Peterborough, where he lives with his wife, Jo, and children, Jasmine and Eddie. You can see his photos at weedworld.blogspot.com

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SPOT THE BIRD COMPETITION!

“It was showing well ten minutes ago!”

Can you guess which square the Pallas’s warbler was in? Mark one square with an “X” and bring this page to Cley Spy. The first 10 correct answers win a Cley Spy optics cleaning kit.

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NEWS WIRE ALL THE BIGGEST BIRD NEWS & EVENTS

FARMERS NEED SUPPORT New report suggests farmers could help our birds if they received the correct funds Farmland does not have to be a ‘green concrete ‘desert

Sky Lark

Bullfinch

U

K farmers could help reverse the dramatic declines of farmland birds over the past 40 years if given funding and support, according to a new study.

Research, funded by Natural England and Defra, and published in leading science and conservation journal Animal Conservation, used six years of survey data to track changes in the abundance of birds on more than 60 farms under High Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements in three English regions between 2008 and 2014.

It showed that 12 of the 17 priority farmland bird species showed a positive change in abundance, compared with a 56% decline in the number of farmland birds nationally since 1970.

The Farmland Bird Index increased by between 31% and 97% in different regions under HLS during 2008-2014. The average response of 17 priority bird species to HLS management was an increase in abundance of 163%.

16 February 2018

Not every field needs to be ‘neat , monocultural perfection’ for wildlife to thrive

This suggests that farmers could deliver large and rapid population increases in a number of struggling farmland birds, such as Sky Lark, Starling and Linnet, if they are given the funding and support to manage their land in a wildlife-friendly way.

Dr Will Peach, RSPB head of research delivery section, said: “Our latest study shows that when farmers are supported to adopt wildlife-friendly approaches, then bird life will rapidly bounce back. Many farmers are doing great things for wildlife, and without their efforts, the countryside would undoubtedly be in a much worse position.

“We have the knowledge and the tools to reverse farmland bird declines, what we need now is the political will to implement them more widely.”

Post-Brexit subsidies This new information comes as Environment Minister Michael Gove announced plans for the way farming subsidies will be dealt with after Brexit.

Farmers will receive payments for “public goods”, such as access to the countryside and planting meadows. Mr Gove told farmers the government will guarantee subsidies at the current EU level until the 2022 election. The current payments are based on how much land farmers own.

Jenna Hegarty, the RSPB’s head of land use policy, said: “The UK has the potential to show the world that our nation can do something that no-one else has managed – to achieve a thriving farming sector that both delivers for nature and for people.

“To achieve the UK Government’s promise of leaving the environment in a better state for the next generation, governments across the UK must move away from agricultural payments based on the size of land holdings towards a model that recognises the unique role our farmers must play in helping nature.

She added: “This means investing the existing budget in a better system that works for nature, underpins farm livelihoods and benefits everyone in the UK.”

covers all habitats and volunteers are allocated a nearby square from a pre-selected list. Volunteer Alan Gomersall was initially disappointed not to get a square in the countryside but, after 20 years of recording in a Bedfordshire housing estate, says: “I am glad I continued, I have found a surprising number of different species over the years and it

bojangles/Alamy*

The 20th annual BirdTrends report has been published by the BTO. It highlights the rapid and continuing decline of the Greenfinch, down by 59% in the UK in just 10 years. It could now be Red List (which indicates the species of greatest concern) when it is next updated. The decline is caused by a widespread and severe outbreak of a disease called trichomonosis, which first affected bird populations in 2006. One species doing particularly well is the Chiffchaff, which is continuing to increase its breeding range and population thanks to warmer winters.

The BirdTrends report covers 120 of Britain’s commonest and most widespread birds, from Mute Swan to Corn Bunting. The data covered in it was gathered by thousands of volunteer ‘citizen scientists’.

Some count the birds they record on two early morning survey visits. The Breeding Bird Survey

Chris Grady/Alamy*

REPORT: GREENFINCH DOWN, CHIFFCHAFF UP

has been fascinating to see the changes; in 2003, I counted 50 Greenfinches, this year they were down to just five.”

The report is produced in partnership by the BTO and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). To see it, go to: bto.org/about-birds/birdtrends/2017

Bird video wins top prize

Jürgen Bergmann

Wren

Gabriel Ozon

Wood Sandpipers

Swarovski Optik’s Digiscoper of the Year competition has been won by Jürgen Bergmann from Germany for the second time. A wide variety of bird species star in his superb digiscoping video, which won over the jury of international experts and members of the public.

These pictures and videos, all captured using digiscoping (the combination of camera and spotting scope or binoculars), were submitted via the digiscoperoftheyear. com website in four categories, which were: Movement & Action, Portrait & Macro, Mammals, and Video. An expert jury selected the winners of each based on criteria including artistic approach, relevance to the theme, and aesthetics.

Jürgen Bergmann’s video, called Magic Moments, impressed the judges so much that it came first in both the Video category and the overall competition. His

prize for winning the competition is a set of SWAROVSKI OPTIK digiscoping equipment comprising an ATX/STX spotting scope, digiscoping adapter, spotting scope rail, tripod, and tripod head.

The winner of the Movement & Action category was Gabriel Ozon from Germany with an image of Wood Sandpipers (Tringa glareola).

The Mammals category was won by Peter Nilsson from Sweden with his portrait of a Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) entitled Too close.

Last year’s overall winner, Jonathan C.V. Soon from Malaysia, landed first place in the Portrait & Macro category. His image, So GREEN, shows a Whitehead’s Broadbill (Calyptomena whiteheadi).

All three category winners will each receive a pair of EL 32 binoculars from SWAROVSKI OPTIK as their prize.

Snappers get up close to birds

Louise Moss

Bar

ry J

ac

The RSPB has opened a purpose-built photography hide at its Rainham Marshes reserve to offer photographers the chance to get up close with woodland birds.

A nearby feeding station attracts a variety of birds. The hide is available for booking from December to March, for a full day (9.45 am to 4.15 pm) or half day (9.45 am to 1 pm; or 1pm to 4.15 pm). n kso Price is half day £25 (£20 for RSPB members), or full day £35 (£28 for RSPB members). Entry to the reserve is included in the price. Photography tuition is also available, from £50 for a half-day.

You’ll need to book and pay in advance for the hide or photography tuition: contact the reserve on 01708 899840 or email rainham.marshes@rspb.org.uk

birdwatching.co.uk 17

SPORT OPTICS NATURE

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N EW S IN BRIEF

GRUMPY OLD

FREE BIRD PIC LIBRARY

KITTIWAKE FEARS Kittiwakes have been added to the list of birds considered to be facing the risk of global extinction. The latest annual revision of birds on the IUCN Red List, announced by BirdLife International on behalf of the IUCN, brings the total number of UK bird species considered to be facing the risk of extinction to nine – the others are Puffin, Turtle Dove, Pochard, Slavonian Grebe, Balearic Shearwater, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter and Aquatic Warbler. Globally, the species is thought to have declined by around 40% since the 1970s.

COBFATHER RETURNS Croupier, the oldest living member of a Gloucestershire Bewick’s Swan dynasty, arrived at Slimbridge WWT. Known as the ‘cobfather’, the 26-year-old leader of one of the biggest Bewick’s Swan families ever studied there, was sadly minus his long-term partner, Dealer, mum to 29 cygnets over the years.

Croupier’s grandfather, Nijinsky, began wintering at Slimbridge in 1969. His mum, Casino, at 27, was one of WWT’s longest living wild swans, safely escorting 34 cygnets on the 2,500-mile journey from Russia to Slimbridge during her lifetime.

BIRDER

Bo is passing the deep mid-winter dreaming of the perfection of a summer’s day enjoying birds

L

picking invisible flies where they use a ike my childhood self, I am in awe of puddle’s meniscus to consider reproduction. the vast blueness of sky over the Over their heads a life-long couple hover summer reed-bed. Is this ineffable and dive together. White-wings folded she depth, breadth and beauty God? settles on the mud to receive the silver fish Unknowable and visceral, my sated awe he offers, an hourly tribute to her fertility. becomes tranquillity.

Having danced they drift away But not silence, as Gaia’s breath is to couple on a safe islet ruffling reed-stems and bush leaves, elsewhere. lullaby-like but not soporific. Like a distant Their flight takes my eyes melody drawing forth a vague memory of back to the never empty music, an ear-worm that awakens summer singing sky-blue. attention. Beneath it a deeper beat of Hirundines have gathered, insects buzz. while I supped on nature’s Momentarily my eyes are drawn grounded feast. They throng to the flutter of a butterfly never and turn invisibly high, or settling for inspection. water skim and skirl head Bombastic bees high each shrill call a bounce and drift, thrilling summer bounce and drift, proclamation. Massed, bounce away as my eyes are taken by they suddenly starburst like a rocket the pop-up perching of streaked perfection as summer’s scimitar winged hunter dives ruined by scatter-brain song. for fast food. Luckless, the Hobby peels The Sedge Warbler drops down in an away to soar again with seven fellows instant. My vision is drawn across the circling and sating their hunger on the straw-yellow sea of reeds. Periodic Reed midday Odonata hatch.

Buntings punctuate the scene. If it stays up The high sun’s warmth has hatched in view it self-identifies punching out song thermals and Buzzards circle as they drift to proclaim its maleness. The melody is across the scene. The kettle building, but there is a slowly steams across the sky contrapuntal chorus breaking into awareness.

Mrs Moorhen until even binocular enhanced views are too dim.

Marsh Frogs are making skitters again Drawing back again to the their maleness known, too. high blue I see true summer Like a cough in the fearing for her – Swifts are teaching all concert hall, a Moorhen’s clustered brood. others how to fly. unnecessary alarm There can be nothing more momentarily distracts, but is Plovers take to truly sky-borne than Swifts. forgiven as the musical their flapping All else seeks to emulate the complexity captivates.

As if a contralto’s aria is flight as duty calls mastery they demonstrate.

Fledged into the sky, they unexpectedly performed at them to see-off know only air until full volume, a Cetti’s Warbler adulthood forces their whispers across seven fields. the predator too-short feet into cliff Subtle by their distance crevice or roof space. Is it my Jackdaws ‘chack’ and ‘jack’ soul that soars with them in like an audience murmuring religious rapture or just ornithological appreciation. Steady strong flight creeps euphoria? They are the crescendo’s end, into the eye corner, gliding across the pools the peak of perfection, an avian art-form. and ditches between beds. Sun glints on a Tired eyes may search out the dapper golden headdress as she flies in to relieve dress of Bearded Tits or summer seeking the calico male from nest duty. ears my listen for Turtle Dove purrs or He doesn’t harry but soars preferring Cookoo calls, but the high ridge has another hunting ground. Mrs Moorhen been conquered when the Swift summit skitters again fearing for her clustered was reached. brood. Plovers take to their flapping flight as duty calls them to see-off the predator.

Bo Beolens runs fatbirder.com and other websites.

Obscured before they flew, a lone He has written a number of books.

Greenshank dips and struts elegance, wading majesty.

GET IN TOUCH The sandpiper peaks from behind a Do you agree – or disagree – with any of Bo’s bullrush to bob and bow across the mud comments? Email us at birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk

birdwatching.co.uk 19

Graham Catley/Alamy*

Nicholas Watts MBE, owner of conservation award-winning Vine House Farm in the Lincolnshire Fens, is making his entire wildlife photography library freely available online with all images totally royalty-free. The collection, which totals over 10,000 images, will be released in batches with the first release having already taken place ahead of Christmas.

The first batch of images from Nicholas’ photo collection is available now from The Vine House Farm website: vinehousefarm.co.uk/ blog/2017/12/12/royalty-free-wildbird-photos/

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. *56% saving applies when you choose the print and digital package and pay by direct debit. The minimum term is 13 issues. You will not receive a renewal reminder and the Direct Debit payments will continue to be taken unl ll us otherwise. This offer closes on 14th February 2018 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Cost from landlines for 01 numbers per minute are (approximate) 2p to 10p. Cost from mobiles per minute (approximate) 10p to 40p. Costs vary depending on the geographical location in the UK. You may get free calls to some numbers as part of your call package โ please check with your phone provider. Order lines open 8am-9.30pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-4pm (Sat). UK orders only. Live Overseas?

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birdwatching.co.uk 21

CHALLENGE

#MY200BIRDYEAR

Boost your birding in 2018 Download our checklist to get a head start in the #My200BirdYear challenge!

W

hether you made a flying start to 2018 with a New Year’s Day bird race, or have been easing yourself back into birding after the festivities, you should be steadily adding species to your #My200BirdYear list by now.

To keep track of them, we have a downloadable checklist for everyone who signs up for #My200BirdYear2018. To get yours, just go to birdwatching.co.uk/my200list and follow the instructions (and you can sign up for the fun and flexible challenge there, too, if you haven’t already).

It covers as many of the species that are likely to turn up in Britain and Ireland in 2018 as possible, as well as a guide to what habitat you should ct to find them all.

Of c surprises are what make birdwatching so endlessly fascinating and rewarding, so there are bound to be a few extra species as well – you can add them yourself as you keep track of your progress towards 200 species in 2018.

Remember that the parameters are up to you. You can count ticks on your patch, in your county, in the UK, or all around the world – just get out there and start watching. Golfer Gary Player once said “the more I practise, the luckier I get”, and the same applies to birdwatching – the more you do it, the more often you’ll find birds, and bird behaviour, that you haven’t seen before.

To sign up for #My200BirdYear 2018, go to birdwatching.co.uk/my200 22 February 2018

Tips for February

1

Start listening for birdsong

2

Check out the early nesters

With the trees bare, keep an eye out for those species that nest early. Grey Herons (above) are colonial nesters, building large nests of sticks in the tops of large trees – from early February onwards look for these long-legged birds standing on their nests. Ravens are another species that breed very early in the season, and are now spreading their range across large parts of lowland Britain, beyond the upland areas that had been thought of as their natural habitat.

They also build large nests of sticks; in trees, on rock ledges, or on artificial structures, such as pylons. Find one and you can add this wonderfully aerobatic corvid to your list.

3

Ray Wilson/Alamy*

David Tipling Photo Library/Alamy

blickwinkel/Alamy

While Robins are the only British birds that sing regularly throughout the winter, by early February, many more species are also joining in. Mistle and Song Thrushes will both start singing on fine days from midwinter onwards – learn to distinguish between the two and you could turn one tick into two. Both are loud and melodious, and both often repeat phrases three times, but Mistle Thrushes (right) sing more slowly, with less variety, and with a more melancholy quality. Other birds also start singing as the month goes on, especially if the weather is mild.

Expect some early migrants

Warmer winters mean that the arrival dates of the earliest migrants have been creeping forward. If you see what looks like a Wheatear, Little Ringed Plover, Sandwich Tern (above), Garganey or Sand Martin in mid to late February, don’t dismiss it as a product of your imagination – it could well be an early migrant.

MAKE 2018 YOUR 200 BIRD YEAR SIGN UP AND GET A 10% DISCOUNT ON A MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

birdwatching.co.uk 23

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SPECIES MISTLE THRUSH

DOMINIC COUZENS ON

LE SH There’s still a lot we can learn about the aggressive Mistle Thrush – a bird you may struggle to find while you’re out birding…

SPECIES Ð FACTFILE

FLPA/Alamy

MISTLETHRUSH Scientific name: Tardus viscivorus Length: 26-29cm UK numbers: Habitat: 170,000 breeding territories Diet: Insects, berries, worms and slugs

26 February 2018

T

his is the thrush that embarrasses birders. It’s the large, barrel-chested spotty-breasted one that ought to be simple to identify, but somehow isn’t.

It perches high on the branches of trees in early spring, seemingly always with its body angled away, or with a branch in front of it, so we cannot quite see its features properly. It is the thrush that sings, but never quite clearly or close enough for us to be sure. It isn’t the poet Robert Browning’s bird: “That’s the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over.” Instead it’s a wise thrush that makes fools of us all.

For a large, bold bird with seams of aggression stitched into its character, a bird of dominance which can scatter smaller beings when it lands nearby, the Mistle Thrush is a remarkably overlooked species. It is found almost all over Britain, yet is barely noticed.

Who would have thought that the species was once involved in a largescale, Collared Dove-like invasion of swathes of the country?

Admittedly, it was long ago; just before 1800, the Mistle Thrush was all but confined in this country to the south, but then something caused it very rapidly to spread all over northern England and Scotland over a few decades, until by 1850, it had conquered the whole realm.

The BTO’s Bird Atlas 2007-11 records breeding in 96% of the 10km squares covering the British Isles. While we conquered Napoleon, parts of our country were quietly being invaded.

Í LAND PUFFIN A Mistle Thrush gathering worms like a Puffin gathers sandeels!

It would have been invasion-lite, however. It is not as if we readily see a Mistle Thrush at every street corner.

It has long been recognised that British Mistle Thrushes breed at bewilderingly low density.

One well-studied suburban plot held 180 pairs of Blackbirds, 12 pairs of Song Thrushes and just one pair of Mistle Thrushes, while a broad estimate suggested that the density of Mistle Thrushes is only 10% that of Blackbirds. The impression is that there is plenty of room to expand, and the larger thrushes are not as numerous as they should be.

There are some explanations for the low density. In contrast to Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes don’t tend to feed among leaf-litter, preferring open grassland, instead.

Furthermore, they generally eschew the patchwork of small gardens that make up suburbia, needing wider expenses of sward to feed comfortably.

Mike Lane / Alamy

Low density breeding

They also prefer tall trees for nesting.

Despite these drawbacks, they still could be more abundant. And this is particularly odd when you bear in mind that, in some parts of the continent, Mistle Thrushes can be colonial.

Most pairs nest singly, but in countries such as Denmark, Germany and Russia, some do breed in close proximity. For some reason, this just doesn’t seem ever to happen here.

The low density of breeding pairs ensures that it is always a treat to hear the song of a Mistle Thrush percolating through the soundscape of a neighbourhood. Some consider it one of the finest of British bird songs, combining the Blackbird’s virtuoso content with the Song Thrush’s proclamatory style.

It does combine elements of the two, with a repetitive style redolent of Song

For a large, bold bird with seams of aggression stitched into its character, a bird of dominance which can scatter smaller beings when it lands nearby, the Mistle Thrush is a remarkably overlooked species birdwatching.co.uk 27

SPECIES MISTLE THRUSH

Derek Simpson/Alamy

Í THRUSH COMPETITION Mistle Thrushes don’t readily tolerate other thrushes, such as this Blackbird, on their fruit patch!

Thrush but with tone closer to Blackbird.

Listen long enough, however, and you can pick up its own unique flavour.

It has an unforgettable melancholy quite lacking in the other two species, and the singer also has a curious knack of sounding much further away than its actually is.

Invariably, it stays longer on its perch than the other thrushes, almost always close to the very top of a lofty tree.

Famously, it seems unperturbed by inclement weather, and will sing lustily in the rain and wind, when most other birds take shelter. I am not sure there are any statistics indicating that Mistle Thrushes sing more often than other thrushes in challenging meteorological

Such is the dominance and intimidatory manner of Mistle Thrushes that, for months on end, they can keep rivals of other species at bay, unless there is a sudden arrival of a large flock conditions, nor indeed that they sing more frequently in the afternoon, as is claimed. Perhaps these impressions stem simply from the reality that Mistle Thrush phrases are easily drowned out by other songs? But it would take a hard heart not to be stirred by the wild, haunting utterances from the ‘Storm Cock’, fighting against an irksome wind on a stuttering spring day.

Another strange fact about Mistle

Steve Young/Alamy*

Í BERRY MUNCHER Mistle Thrushes love berries and will defend a particular tree, aggressively

28 February 2018

Thrush songs is that, at least in some places, they apparently are given in flight. This isn’t an aberration but instead, in Germany and elsewhere, it is a routine phenomenon.

Personally, I have never seen this, and I don’t know anybody who has; neither do the usual bird books over here refer to it. Yet sometimes the bird evidently launches into the air and sings as it goes, as a Cuckoo often does. This aerial aria seems to be a continental oddity.

And what about their courtship-flight?

Have you ever seen that? Again, though, it has been recorded in the literature many times. The choreography is similar to that of the Robin’s early courtship, the ‘song-and-following’; the male sings, the female darts away, the male follows and sings, and so on.

Sometimes the (presumed) male flies around the potential mate and shows off his gleaming white underwings. Usually concealed within tree branches, this ceremony is undoubtedly an early spring secret, unknown to most of us.

One piece of behaviour that is much easier to observe, however, is the Mistle Thrush’s aggression, coupled with its very loud, discordant calling, an angry and irritable rattle. While this is sometimes triggered by the presence of

Í WINDFALL Winter Mistle Thrushes will eat fallen fruit as well as berries (or invertebrates when it is mild)

a bird of prey or other danger, or by the unwanted presence of rivals, look closely and you might see that it is frequently all about berries. You might have thought that squabbles over fruits might have finished by the end of autumn, but the fact that they can rage now, in late winter and early spring, unveils another interesting pastime of our largest thrush, the sequestration of fruity assets.

Some individual Mistle Thrushes undertake long-term fruit-defence, while others don’t at all, but are nomadic. What causes some to be sedentary and others to move isn’t known.

And we don’t fully understand the song-flights, or the nest-dispersion, nor do we understand the nature of late-

summer flocks. We don’t understand why Mistle Thrushes typically nest very early, with eggs in March, either.

True, the Mistle Thrush is often a half-seen and half-identified bird, of annoyance to many a frustrated birder.

But, surely, to scientists, it is also a half-understood species.

WHERE TO SEE THEM? A bird widespread across the UK, it can be found almost everywhere but is absent from the highest, barest ground and also from the northern and Western Isles of Scotland. Look in gardens, woodland and parks. Í MASTER SINGER ‘Storm Cocks’ usually deliver their melancholy songs from the top of a high tree

INSADCO Photography/Alamy*

While many thrushes, such as Redwings and Fieldfares, spend the winter passing nomadically from district to district feeding upon berries that they come across in serendipitous fashion, some singles and pairs of Mistle Thrushes take a different approach to foraging.

They select a tree or trees that have a crop of long-lasting fruits, such as Holly berries, and remain close by them, driving away any visitors that arrive to take advantage of the crop.

Such is the dominance and intimidatory manner of Mistle Thrushes that, for months on end, they can keep rivals of other species at bay, unless there is a sudden arrival of a large flock.

So long as that eventuality doesn’t occur, the birds can ensure the preservation of a significant, personal food-supply for them to pluck whenever they wish – and when it is mild, they can feed on soil invertebrates while keeping watch on their inheritance.

Their actions mean that Mistle Thrushes will often have a useful crop of berries available to feed themselves and their subsequent young well into the spring. It works so long as they are vigilant and suitably petulant when challenged. And yet, as so often with the Mistle Thrush, this isn’t the whole story.

Sandra Price/Alamy*

Half-understood species

birdwatching.co.uk 29

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INTERVIEW

BILL BAILEY

If we saw a Great Crested Grebe, then that was a prize.

I’d start to drool if I saw one.

‘Oh, it’s time for lunch’ The comedian, musician and author explains his passion for all things birdwatching – whether on the Norfolk coast or in the middle of Indonesia Interview: Ed Hutchings

T

he phone rings. “Is that Ed? Bill Bailey here. Sorry, I’m late. It’s a bit of a kerfuffle round here just now, as we’ve got various animalrelated things happening.”

I offer my condolences. It’s often the same in our house. “Children and animals”, I remark. “Yes, never work with them”, he shoots back drily.

Bill Bailey is a comedian, musician, actor, TV and radio presenter and author.

He is well known for his role in Black Books and for his appearances on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You and QI, as well as his extensive stand-up work. He was listed by The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy in 2003. In 2007, and again in 2010, he was voted the seventh greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups. He’s also known b bi d

I start by asking Bill about his earliest birding memory. “It would probably be a family outing to Chew Valley Lake near our house in Keynsham,” he said. “My grandfather was a keen birder, so we would go looking for water birds and I’d try to identify them all. If we saw a Great Crested Grebe, then that was a prize.

“Once we had seen that, we could then have lunch. One of my earliest memories is standing on the edge of this lake, looking out on thousands of water birds, especially for the grebes. It was a Pavlovian reaction. I’d start to drool if I saw one. Start dribbling.

‘Oh, it’s time for lunch.’”

We all feel that way about grebes sometimes, I say.

“Of course, though not in the Victorian sense. Oh, there’s a fur coat there”, he replies.

“Yes, let’s put it on our head.”

“Y I’ll kill i d i i y jacket

home and abroad. “At home, I’ve been to Norfolk a bit. There’s something very alluring about the landscape. The light and the 360° vistas are magical.

“I’ve ended up going back a lot over the years and every time there’s some spectacle. Sometimes, it’s just the odd bird or huge swirling clouds of Knot or the sight of waders being ushered in by the incoming tide. Abroad, we’ve been birding lots in Indonesia over the years and there’s all manner of exotic delights.

“Last year I was lucky enough to go on a trip, ostensibly to see the solar eclipse, but I persuaded everyone that what we really ought to see was the Red Bird-ofparadise. Because the eclipse is only four minutes long and then it’s a case of ‘now what?’. The Red Bird-of-paradise has a spectacular display. I managed to get everyone out of bed at 4am. We trekked into the jungle and hung around in the dark, in the wet and in the insects, and were lucky enough to see this display.”

hat the silliness

A rare find

GREAT CRESTED GREBE A cue for lunch in Bill Bailey’s memories from childhood 32 February 2018

Minden Pictures/Alamy

asking s rding e, both

I asked Bill what his most memorable bird had been so far and the one he’d most like to see.

“We shot the [Alfred Russel] Wallace documentary in Halmahera in eastern Indonesia. We only had one day to film Wallace’s Standardwing; an integral part of the piece, because he considered it his greatest discovery. They’re desperately hard to find, as they’re rare and confined to certain areas.

“Ironically, we happened upon them off a logging trail. When I heard them, they were unmistakable. It was a huge thrill and I was completely overcome when we saw them. We were lucky because their lekking tree was on a slope, so we could

Andy Hollingworth Archive

LARK ABOUT Bill says birdwatching should be fun and not taken too seriously

birdwatching.co.uk 33

BILL BAILEY

Wallace’s Standardwing Bird-of-paradise scramble up and film them on their level from the ground. It was a bit of luck as they were extraordinary birds.

Before I left for the trek, I spoke to Sir David Attenborough, who asked “Which birds are you looking for?”

I mentioned the Standardwing and, being a mischievous character, he said, with a twinkle in his eye, “Are you sure it’s not just a Friarbird?” And when you eventually see it, you think “Oh yes, maybe he’s right.” That was memorable. They are beautiful but not the most spectacular birds. It’s the circumstances of it.”

Birds-of-paradise

Bill has previously said that he has a “real affinity” with Wallace. I ask him if the birds-of-paradise had a similar impact on him as they did on his jungle hero. “Yes. There’s something about the rarity and unattainability. They’re so remote and inaccessible that it gives them this air of mystique. You must work hard to see them and there’s a degree of expectation which builds when you do. They’re performing these amazing displays in the middle of the forest. I’m so privileged to have been able to see this, as very few people do.

“It’s a real treat. But equally, the couple of trips I’ve made to St Kilda to see the gannetries on the stacks, there, have been spectacular. But it’s a different experience.”

I suggest Indonesia must be depressing due to the scale of the illegal cage bird trade there now.

“It is and that’s the other side of it there. South-east Asia is the hotspot for

34 February 2018

Andy Hollingworth Archive

Szefei Wong/Alamy*

INTERVIEW

IN SEARCH OF BIRDS Bill would rather go birding than sit around in hotel rooms while on tour

trafficking in all wild animals,” Bill says.

“You see all kinds of things – trapped cuscus, civet cats, monkeys and primates.

We once found a trader with 10 Salmoncrested Cockatoos that had been caught in the wild. They were all in a basket. It’s heart-breaking.

“The project we got involved in there was with a friend of ours who persuaded these trappers to become guides. That’s the only way forward in those situations.

“The trappers need to be told ‘If you show people where the birds are in the

wild they can go and look at them. The birds will still be there, and you’ll earn the same money, maybe more.’

But the Indonesian Government has plenty on its plate apart from conservation and these matters tend to get pushed down the agenda. Trying to change the culture is a difficult thing to turn around.”

Birding appears to have grown in popularity in the

In tune with birdsong As becomes a talented musician, Bill has perfect pitch. I ask whether it’s helpful when it comes to learning birdsong.

“If you’re trained musically, you naturally have an ear for a tune and

GOLDFINCH The Goldfinch’s tinkling song is one of Bill’s favourite bird sounds, at least close to home

I’m always delighted when I get somewhere and there’s a bunch of hairy tattooed crew and I say ‘Well, I’m going out birding’ and they ask, ‘Can we come?’ a change in pitch. You can identify the different tunes and intervals. That’s probably something that’s helpful. I’m used to learning tunes, so if I hear a song I can absorb it well.

“It’s a help, certainly. Learning birdsong is like anything in life. You must practise. You must get out there, maybe focus on song one day and try to identify as many as you can. It’s hard.

“Never mind however many apps and sounds and recordings you have, when you’re outdoors and there’s wind blowing through the trees and other sounds, trying to identify them can be tricky. It’s a lifelong activity. Sometimes I record them with a little microphone that I plug into my phone. I listen back to my own recordings and use them as a guide.”

Which birdsong does he appreciate most, especially as a musician?

“I love hearing Goldfinch in my garden. That’s a silvery cascade of notes.

I’ve learnt to appreciate that more and more, because even if you’re not going on a specific trip, we still have birdsong all around us for half the year.

“It becomes a familiar and comforting part of your soundscape. I recently walked the Ridgeway and we were accompanied by lots of birds along the way. There was one section where a little cloud of Goldfinch followed us along the path, providing a constant soundtrack the whole way. Quite brilliant. And then, suddenly, there’s a cloud of Long-tailed Tits excitedly joining them.

“Since I’ve got into it more over the years, I’ve realised that it’s a way of connecting to the landscape and the past.

People have been listening to birdsong for hundreds of years and you read accounts of them doing so.”

I ask about his current show Larks in Transit and the bird reference.

“I thought it fitting to put that in as I’ve done programmes about birds and I’ve written a book. Birds seem to crop up in my shows all the time without even thinking about it. Somehow, the

references creep in. ‘Larks’ in the context of the show means a bit of fun, a bit of frivolity, a light-hearted jape.

Which is really what the show is about.

It’s about the things that have happened over the years, the places that comedy has taken me around the world, the experiences I’ve had and the shenanigans that have accompanied that. It’s also a reference to Dickens ‘What larks, Pip!’. There’s a literary reference, a travel reference and a passing bird reference. It seemed to be one of those titles that presented itself as the right one.”

Predictably, my last question is whether he knows any good bird jokes.

He laughs. “Other than ones that involve chickens crossing the road? No, not off the top of my head. Perhaps this is a whole new genre to be explored?”

I admit that I’ve never heard anyone tell a joke in a hide. I suggest birding is taken too seriously.

“Yes, that’s it. I want to make it more about fun. Every time I’ve gone out birding with others we have a tremendous laugh. Worldwide, it’s amazing how many people are into birds. I’m always delighted and surprised when I get somewhere and there’s a bunch of hairy tattooed crew and I say ‘Well, I’m going out birding’ and they ask, ‘Can we come?’

“They’ve all got their own bins and are good birders. When I’m on tour, I insist that we go outside. Otherwise, you get a bit stir crazy if you stay in hotels. One of the great things to do is a communal activity, so we all go out and have a laugh.

“Similarly, in Indonesia, we have fun scuffling around in the dark and then delight in seeing the birds. That’s more about what I get out of it, rather than the dry list ticking - “We got another species, I’ll add it to my list, etc” – and demeaning the more common birds by trying to focus on rarities.

“That’s not for me. I like delighting in birds every day and what they bring to your life.”

I agree. I’ve always thought birding a great leveller and this whole business of rarity chasing to be elitist.

“It puts people off. It feeds into this narrative of what people imagine birding is. Socially awkward people sitting in a hide in silence. Someone pipes up, ‘Oh, it’s a Corn Crake.

Brilliant. We can go home now.’

It’s never been about that.”

Bill Bailey is touring Larks in Transit from 29 January to 9 June 2018. Info and tickets at: billbailey.co.uk

birdwatching.co.uk 35

Lisa Geoghegan/Alamy

seven years since Bill’s game show Birdwatching Bonanza on Sky One. I ask if there are any plans to resurrect it.

“Yes, I was knocked out by the reaction.

So many people around the world saw it.

They were keen and wanted to see more.

It was a time when people wanted to make programmes like that. Whether broadcasters will again I don’t know.

“We tried to make it more a celebration of birds, but the broadcasters were more interested in making it into a competition. It was a tussle in the end to try and make it more about birds than it was about celebrities.

“But if I introduced more people into birding then that’s great. I had a lot of correspondence from people, including a wonderful letter from a woman who said that her son had seen the programme. He had got bored with his Xbox and wanted to go looking for birds!”

BY

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IDCHALLENGE FEBRUARY: COASTAL BIRDS

THIS MONTH’S CHALLENGE FEATURES SIX SPECIES YOU’LL FIND BESIDE THE SEA

O

ne surefire way to develop your year list or, if you prefer, your #My200BirdYear list, is to hit the coast. Our coasts bristle with diversity, often with birds which are rarely seen inland. It is arguable that the UK’s extensive coast and the adjacent sea represent the wildest habitats our nation of Man-changed islands can boast. Ignore the piers, the windfarms, the groynes and penny arcades, and there is a BIRD 1

BIRD 2

rich majesty of coastal habitats, preserved almost as they have ‘always’ been. And with the habitats go the birds. Here are six species which can be seen around our coasts in winter. Your task is simply to name them.

Then as usual, turn the page for our answers and solutions and turn again for some tips for getting to grips with identification of coastal birds.

Good luck!

BIRD 1

BIRD 2

BIRD 3

BIRD 4

BIRD 3

BIRD 4

BIRD 5

BIRD 6

BIRD 5

BIRD 6

TURN OVER TO FIND OUT IF YOU ARE CORRECT!

FEBRUARY ID CHALLENGE

COASTAL BIRDS

Answers and solutions BIRD 1

Red feet set well back

BIRD 2

This is a long-necked, long-billed bird with pointed wings and feet set well back. It has the look of a swimming/diving bird, such as a grebe, diver, cormorant or duck. The bright red bill and red feet straight away rule out all but the ducks. What sort of diving duck has a long, narrow, bright-red bill, a ginger-brown head and largely whitish underparts? The bill and head and that slim shape should have narrowed the options down in your mind to one of the mergansers, or sawbills: Goosander or Red-breasted Merganser.

‘Female’ types are similar for both species, but RbMs have much slimmer upturned bills than Goosanders, and the transition between the head colour and neck colour’s blurred. This is a female type Red-breasted Merganser.

KEY FEATURES hDuck shape hGinger head fades into neck colour hNarrow, upturned, red bill hRed feet set well back on body

Black front, white rear

There is a whole flock of them! The birds in this photograph certainly all look to be of the same type, artistically flying past a half-moon. Furthermore, they appear to be geese: small head, long neck, long, pointed wings. The other thing that immediately strikes the eye is that these are dark geese, almost black; but with strikingly white rear ends. The darkness and contrast is typical of so-called ‘black’ geese of the genus Branta. And that high contrast of the black front end and white rear is typical of our smallest regular Branta, the Brent Goose. With a close up look at the photo, you should be able to see that there is no white on or near the face but a white, partial ‘necklace’, typical of Brents. The dark bellies should lead you to dark-bellied Brent Goose.

Wholly dark head

KEY FEATURES hDark at the front end, white at the rear hHead and neck largely black hSmall 'necklace' of white on neck hDark-bellies help assign the geese to subspecies

Dark belly

BIRD 3

Here is a dark bird flying quite low over a grey sea. The shape and proportions suggest immediately that this is a duck, and a pretty black duck at that. Blackish ducks flying over the sea should stimulate your bird ID instincts to suggest that this is a scoter of some type. But Common and (rare) Surf Scoters have black wings and this bird has a clear white panel on trailing edge of the inner wing (the secondary feathers). This in itself should lead you to Velvet Scoter (or one of the incredibly rare close relatives of the Velvet Scoter, the White-winged Scoters). There is a white spot behind the eye and a pale spot on the lores, confirming that initial instinct. The gentle slightly concave bill confirms this is a female type Velvet Scoter.

38 February 2018

White secondary panel

Robin Chittenden/Alamy

Blackish duck

Pale spots on cheek and lores

Nature Picture Library/ Alamy

Thin, upturned red bill

Nature Photographers Ltd/Alamy

Orange-brown head ‘fades into neck’

KEY FEATURES hClearly a blackish duck hObvious white panel in secondaries of wing hPale spots in front of and behind eye hSlightly concave bill

MY FAVOURITE SITE...

“I’m lucky in that the closest bits of coast to home are the great birding areas bordering The Wash in Lincolnshire and north Norfolk” Mike Weedon, assistant editor

1 SNAP IT! and send it to birdwatching@ bauermedia.co.uk

BIRD 4

Just for a change, we have two birds in this photograph; and they appear to be two different birds, as the rear bird has a red bill and the one in the foreground a yellow bill. That rear bird has a short, thin red bill and a black cheek spot, a pale back and wings with black in the primaries. It looks like a very typical adult Black-headed Gull. The close bird may be larger, but it is hard to judge size. Its back and wings are slightly darker grey and the long wings have black primaries with well defined white spots. The head is streaked (suggesting a winter bird) and the eye dark. The expression is soft and the bill too small for a large white-headed gull (eg a Herring). Here we have a very typical adult Common Gull with a Black-headed Gull.

Long wings, mid-grey back

Fine, yellow bill

Robin Chittenden/ Alamy

Thin red bill, black cheek spot

KEY FEATURES hSmall, pale gull with fine red bill and black cheek spot hLarger, slightly darker gull in foreground hFine yellow bill and dark eye hLong wings

BIRD 5

This pale bird does not look like your typical sea duck; it is a bit skinny, too long-necked, a bit too pale, and the bill is long, slim (almost dagger-shaped) and, frankly, pink. But if not a duck, what is it? It is too long-necked for an auk, which narrows it down to a diver or a grebe. But there aren’t any divers with a pink bill, and the bird looks too slim and long-necked for one anyhow, and is that not a slight crest on the back of its head? Surely, it is a grebe. A grebe with a pink bill and with white above the eye and above the dark lores can only be a Great Crested Grebe, which can be a surprisingly common bird on the sea in the winter.

White above eye Grebe shape, including ‘crest’

Pink bill Graham Uney/Alamy

KEY FEATURES hPale, grebe-shaped, long-necked water bird hHint of crest at back of head hPink bill hWhite above dark lores and above eye

BIRD 6

Typically rounded Calidris sandpiper

Yellow-orange legs

DP Wildlife Vertebrates/Alamy

‘Dark’ grey plumage

This bird is obviously a wader. But, I am sorry, there are no points for that. It is a dumpy wader, which may lead you to think of the dumpy sandpiper genus Calidris (as opposed to the slim sandpiper genus, Tringa). This inference would be backed up by the slightly down-curved, Dunlin-like bill (most Tringa species have straight or slightly upturned bills). But the yellow-orange base to the bill and the similarly coloured legs are not typical for a calidrid (most have black bills and black legs). However, there is one often forgotten exception. Further clues come from the darkish grey colour (almost like the wader equivalent of a Rock Pipit) and the rocky habitat. This lovely wader is a typical Purple Sandpiper, a fairly scarce visitor to rocky shores.

KEY FEATURES hChunky, rounded wader hMid to dark grey plumage, with a hint of ‘purple’ hSlightly downcurved bill hPale orange legs and bill base

birdwatching.co.uk 39

FEBRUARY ID CHALLENGE

COASTAL BIRDS

Calum Dickson/Alamy*

WILDLIFE GmbH/Alamy*

ID tips & tricks: species pairs

TOP TIP! Seawatching is a rewarding but demanding practice, requiring experience before you get good at it

MEADOW PIPIT

O Smallish pipit with ‘weak’ bill O Medium/pale breast and flanks with fine black streaks O Back obviously streaked O Legs pale red or pinkish orange O Outer tail feathers white O Usually on grassy habitats

David Chapman/Alamy*

Nature Photographers Ltd/Alamy*

O Large, with long, ‘strong’ bill O Dark overall, breast and belly streaking smudged O Back relatively plain, lacking bold streaking O Legs often dark O Outer tail feathers can look pale grey O Nearly always on rocks, coastal buildings etc or weedy shore

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

BLACK-THROATED DIVER O Grey at the front end, black at the rear O Moderately sized dagger-shaped bill O Smooth grey head and neck, no ‘collar’ O White oval at water line

RAZORBILL

O Blunt (laterally flattened) bill O Long tail O Plumage black-and-white

40 February 2018

Chris Gomersall/Alamy

Nature Photographers Ltd/Alamy*

O Black at the front end, grey at the rear O Large, deep, dagger-shaped bill O Sometimes quite angular, neck has half-collar O No white oval at water line

O Thin dagger bill O Short bill O Short tail

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OBSERVATIONS

RUTH MILLER

Eu-rica!

Resplendent birding await those who visit the Central American country of Costa Rica, as columnist Ruth Miller found to her delight

Y

ou would think that an emerald green bird, with a vermilion belly, a bananacoloured bill, and a two-foot tail streamer would stand out like a sore thumb in any tree. Not a bit of it. We all saw the bird swoop into the tree and then completely vanish from sight. This wasn’t any old tree; it was an aguacatillo, which means ‘little avocado’ in Spanish, and to be fair to us, the dense tree was dotted with confusing emerald and vermilion baubles, the small wild relatives of the commercial avocados found in supermarkets here.

It certainly wasn’t any old bird either; it was a Resplendent Quetzal, and a male bird to boot. That certainly made the heart beat faster as we carefully checked the branches over again as we tried to catch a glimpse of our target bird.

Suddenly, there was a violent swoosh of green as our bird swooped from its hiding place to snatch an avocado to eat, and this time it landed more obligingly in full view. This glorious bird truly was resplendent, as its iridescent green body glowed vividly in the early morning Costa Rica sunshine. Its floppy primary wing coverts extended over its rich red belly to look just like a green fringed cape, while its spiky punk hairdo made a green halo in the soft light. Its surveyed us motionless with its big black button eyes,

About the author...

Ruth is one half of The Biggest Twitch team, and along with partner Alan Davies, set the then world record for most bird species seen in a year – 4,341, in 2008, an experience they wrote about in their book, The Biggest Twitch. Indeed, Ruth is still the female world record-holder! As well as her work as a tour leader, she is the author of the Birds, Boots and Butties books, on walking, birding and tea-drinking in North Wales, and previously worked as the RSPB’s head of trading.

She lives in North Wales.

42 February 2018

as it slowly rotated its head in the distinctive manner of all trogons.

Then there was another sudden green blur as the Resplendent Quetzal plunged dramatically down from its branch and flew away across the field to another aguacatillo tree, trailing its magnificent green ‘tail’ behind it like the ribbon of a rhythmic gymnast. Technically, it’s not a tail – those green streamers are upper tail coverts which cover a short square-ended tail, and they are found only on the male as they would be impractical for the female to fit into her nest hole in a tree.

But the overall effect of this glowing green bird was breathtaking, an otherworldly species that brought a touch of magic to our morning. No wonder the Resplendent Quetzal was considered divine by the ancient peoples of Central America.

Protected status

Costa Rica isn’t short of incredible birds.

In fact, it is so well-endowed in the wildlife department that it tops the list as the most bio-diverse country in the world.

The statistics are staggering. It encompasses 12 different ecological habitats which support more than 615 different wildlife species per 10,000 square kilometres. In a country that’s only twice the size of Wales, that universal unit of land measurement, it holds around 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

It has a country list of around 850 different species of birds, 205 mammals, 1,250 different butterflies and at least 8,000 moths and 175 amphibians including my favourite, the orange-anddenim-coloured ‘blue jeans frog’.

Costa Rica’s neotropical climate and its position on the land bridge between North and South America means that although it is only one third of a percent of the world’s surface, it is blessed with more species than anywhere else. Costa Rica recognises not just its blessings but also the responsibilities that come with being host to so much of the world’s biodiversity.

It has a National System of Conservation Areas or SINACs to protect a range of different biospheres across the country.

These are managed with local input to keep the balance between conservation and sustainable use.

An impressive 25% of the country is protected, that’s about half of Wales if you can picture such an immense area, and

Costa Rica

this percentage continues to increase thanks to private investment.

A superb example of one such private reserve is Macaw Lodge in the Central Pacific region, where we watched such mouth-watering birds as Scarlet Macaw, Fiery-billed Araçari, Black-crested Coquette, Spotted Sandpiper and Northern Waterthrush each morning from our breakfast table.

This investment has also funded research projects to find out exactly what species exist and where, and even to investigate the benefits to Costa Rica of having so much protected natural resource; benefits such as the revenue brought by tourists like you and me when we visit on a birdwatching holiday, or from local tourism as Costa Ricans themselves increasingly travel to enjoy the natural wonders of their own country.

There are also studies researching the potential economic value of what are known as ‘ecosystem services’, in other words how much these protected areas contribute financially towards services that are vital for our human society, such as food supply, flood regulation, and water purification. It’s heady stuff and there’s a lot that we could learn from Costa Rica, with only 10% of England and Wales benefitting from some protection with a National Park status, and a limited degree of protection at that.

I must confess, though, that as I stood gazing up at the aguacatillo tree in Los Quetzales National Park in the highlands of Costa Rica, such deep thoughts were not going through my mind. I was simply enjoying the moment and revelling in the glory of the quetzal. That iridescent green head and back, the sumptuous crimson belly, the punctuation of the bright yellow bill, and last by no means least, those exuberant tail streamers. There was only one word for it: resplendent!

COLOURFUL The Resplendent Quetzal is a remarkable looking bird

Minden Pictures/Alamy

Then there was another sudden green blur as the Resplendent Quetzal plunged dramatically down from its branch and flew away across the field to another aguacatillo tree

birdwatching.co.uk 43

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Pure Experience

COLLECT & KEEP

Every month we bring you 10 more sites to build up your GO BIRDING collection

GO BIRDING THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH BIRDS IN FEBRUARY

THE BONE CAVE

MORE SITES

WELWI C K YWT

For a full list of the sites we’ve featured, go to birdwatching. co.uk/gbindex

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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.

birdwatching.co.uk 45

GO BIRDING

SITE 1 SUTHERLAND //

MILES ON FOOT: 3.5 TIME: 2.5 HOURS

THE BONE CAVE Prehistoric remains, along with some very much alive birds!

John Miles

SITE GUIDE

of Ring Ouzels and this and the next valley were the only locations where I found them on my whole trip. Listen out for their calls and song while walking in the valley. Wheatears were present in good numbers in spring and a female Merlin was hunting them. A Raven had three fledged chicks above the caves and was very vocal.

The caves themselves are accessible. The list of species whose bones have been found in the caves includes both eagles, Red Kite and many more, showing that the area would have had many native trees compared to today, when Sitka Spruce rules.

JOHN MILES

Dipper

TOP TIP

Visit early in the day for best results

Chris Grady/Alamy*

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eading about this place, I thought it was going to be one of my highlights of my trip into north-west Scotland, and it did not disappoint me.

The area is owned by the Inchnadamph Estate, and was a former National Nature Reserve, but a falling out between the estate and Scottish Natural Heritage over Red Deer numbers left the site only protected by Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status.

The whole area is also a Geopark.

The limestone is a unique feature, and botanically it has much to offer.

The first thing you notice as you walk up the valley is the water coming from under the cliffs. The main river was dry when I visited and the force of the water was incredible. Both Dipper and Grey Wagtail were using the water areas but only Meadow Pipits on the higher dry reaches. The area was full

POSTCODE: IV27 4HL GRID REF: NC 253 179 HOW TO GET THERE: The A837 is the main road running up from Bonar Bridge and the Dornoch Firth but touring the area you might need the A835 Ullapool or the A838 coming down from Durness. With few houses nearby, this site is easily missed if you are driving too fast CAR PARKING: Car park just up from the road and is easily missed if no cars are in it as you pass TERRAIN: The paths are very rocky with a gentle slope towards the caves, where a narrow steep track takes you up to the caves themselves. Best to use stout footwear ACCESSIBILITY: All year round FACILITIES: Hotel at Inchnadamph north of here with small shops in some local villages PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Limited in this area but try 0871 200 2233 for the nearest location to reach LOCAL GUIDE: walkingbritain.co.uk/ walk-1319-description & inch-lodge.co.uk CLUB CONTACT: Web: the-soc.org.uk/ whats-on/local-branches-2/highland/ COUNTY RECORDER: Highland, Peter Stronach, email: highlandrecorder@gmail.com MAPS: OS Explorer 442, OS Landranger 15

KEY POINTS A small car park is found off the road with views back across the moorland and the river dropping down across the road in front of you. Check for water birds along its route.

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Walk up to the plantation checking for roosting eagles and Buzzards. See if it is a ‘cone’ year and then check for crossbills or Goldcrests in the lower branches.

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Walk the trail past the waterfall. Look out for Dipper and Grey Wagtail in spring and summer here as well as warblers around the only tree!

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The limestone escarpments offer chances for raptors searching for prey as well as breeding Wheatears in spring.

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Take the narrow path to the caves to relive history and look out for breeding Ravens above the cave entrance. Retrace your steps back to the valley floor.

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The higher reaches of the area are ideal for Ptarmigan and Dotterel. It is a long haul if you want to reach this area so give yourself plenty of time.

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SITE 2 EAST YORKSHIRE //

MILES ON FOOT: 3.5 TIME: 3 HOURS

WELWICK YWT

SITE GUIDE

Hen Harrier e h

ea or rom our uns ot up an s.

Pallid Harriers are increasingly wintering here in Britain, as they bred as close as Holland in 2017.

While I was there, I saw four Short-eared Owls, a Barn Owl flying past at first light, and heard a Long-eared Owl marking its territory. Watching the tide hundreds of dark-bellied Brent Geese were flying in to roost on the newly flooded section by the pump house along with Wigeon, Teal and a few Pintail. There were flocks of Knot, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit. The area has also seen migrant waders, like Little Stint, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and Curlew Sandpiper. Little Egrets are everywhere while the channels also

blickwinkel/Alamy*

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his Y Wild came notice in th 2016-17, when a irst-winter a i Harrier roosted here and hunted along the Humber. The saltmarsh is the largest of its kind on the Humber, covering 112 acres.

The reserve is close to Spurn Point, so any number of birds can turn up here on migration or winter along the Humber. There are several breeding birds worth looking for in the area, with a good collection of warblers like Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers, in spring and summer, waders like Redshank and Oystercatcher, and breeding owls like Barn Owl. The harriers are mainly winter sightings, but Marsh Harriers do breed along the Humber, while Hen

TOP TIP Check the tide times before a visit – high tide will force waders and wildfowl inland

hold Shelduck and Curlew in winter.

The hawthorns are well worth looking in for autumn migrants such as Pied Flycatcher and Redstart.

JOHN MILES

KEY POINTS Park along the lane down from Welwick village, not blocking any farm vehicles or gateways. Walk along the lane towards the flood bank, checking the birds in the hedges as well across the fields.

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Climb up the flood bank and scan the marsh from the viewpoint, looking for harriers and owls.

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Walk east along the flood bank, checking the fields and back over the marsh for waders and wildfowl.

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Make your way back along the flood bank west checking the Hawthorn along the bank for roosting owls and migrants. Check the channels on the marsh for ducks and egrets.

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Walk out to the pump station on the flood bank parallel with the Winestead Drain. The new wetland can be viewed from this bank. Large numbers of waders and geese roost here as the high tide moves in.

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John Miles

Waders, wildfowl and owls along the bird-rich Humber

POSTCODE: HU12 0SG GRID REF: TA 339 194 HOW TO GET THERE: Take the A1033 out of Hull and then onto the B1445 for Welwick where you turn right along the Welwick lane until the tarmac stops CAR PARKING: No advertised parking, but I parked further up the lane close to the entrance to the reserve along another lane.

Look out for potholes in the road TERRAIN: Staying on the flood bank and the lanes will still often bring you into contact with mud and puddles. Best to use stout footwear ACCESSIBILITY: All year round FACILITIES: Small shops in local villages PUBLIC TRANSPORT: East Yorkshire Motor Services, 252 Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2RS, tel: 01482 592929; trains to Hull, Traveline, tel: 0870 6082608 LOCAL GUIDE: Web: ywt.org.uk/reserves/ welwick-saltmarsh-nature-reserve ORGANISATIONS: Web: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk / Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, 1 St George’s Place, York YO24 1GN, tel: 01904 659 570, email: info@ywt.org.uk CLUB CONTACT: rspb.org.uk/groups/hull COUNTY RECORDER: Email: geoffdobbs@aol.com MAPS: OS Explorer 292, OS Landranger 107

GO BIRDING

SITE 3 ANGLESEY //

MILES ON FOOT: 2 TIME: 2 HOURS

INLAND SEA

SITE GUIDE GRID REF: SH 275 795 POST CODE: LL65 3EY (for Bryn-y-Mor, the farm not far from the eastern shore and the footpath close by) HOW TO GET THERE: Coming from the east, leave the A55 for Valley taking the A5 for half-a-mile before turning left on the B4545 for Pontrhydybont, commonly known as Four Mile Bridge WHERE TO PARK: In the cul-de-sac at SH 287 789 or the roadside close to the bridge either side of the estuary TERRAIN: A section of the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path, sometimes on dry ground, in other places very wet ACCESS: Only along the eastern shore by way of the Coastal Path, though parts can be flooded at high tide FACILITIES: In Valley, though much more choice in Holyhead PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Regular rail service from Bangor to Holyhead stops in Valley, local bus service from Holyhead and Valley crosses Four Mile Bridge. Traveline Cymru, tel: 0871 200 2233, web: travelinecymru.info ORGANISATIONS: Cambrian Ornithological Society, web: birdsinwales.org.uk/cambrian COUNTY RECORDER : David Wright, Graig Eithin, Mynydd Bodafon, Llanerchymedd, Anglesey LL71 8BG. Email: bodafondavid@yahoo.co.uk WEBSITE: webirdnorthwales.blogspot.co.uk MAPS: OS Explorer 262, OS Landranger 114

David Saunders

A spectacular expanse of sheltered water

KEY POINTS Do not rush quickly on, for in view throughout the winter on the west bank should be Brent Geese, mostly palebellied, together with Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Pintail and Shoveler.

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Check the marsh for Snipe and the revealing calls of Water Rails.

Nowadays more Little Egrets than Grey Herons are to be seen, while visits by Great White Egrets are becoming more frequent and Spoonbills have been recorded.

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An excellent vantage point from which to scan the open water for Scaup, Great Northern Diver, Great Crested and Little Grebes, while the careful searcher may well be rewarded with a Black-necked,

48 February 2018

ws in es of n the ond d tide tables. In winter divers, grebes, ducks and the occasional Whooper Swan are on the open water, Little Egrets are residents and Great White Egrets have occurred. Waders feed along the shore while the marshes seem to abound with Snipe, and with good fortune, a Jack Snipe or two. In summer, terns from colonies elsewhere on Anglesey feed here, Shelduck nests while the shoreline scrub can be alive with small birds.

DAVID SAUNDERS

Red-necked or Slavonian Grebe, so keep a lookout for them!

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The shoreline always attracts good numbers of waders, mostly Curlew, Dunlin, Knot and Ringed Plover. During autumn and spring passage Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits are usually present while a spring highlight is the arrival of the first Whimbrel.

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On the return to the road do not overlook the thick hedges and scrub for Linnets, Reed Buntings and Stonechats, though Yellowhammers, a century ago being described as “very common and generally distributed in North Wales” have long since vanished. Summer residents include Whitethroats.

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Anglese its high ancient standin is connected to the rest of the island by a causeway which carries both the main road and railway.

Despite its size, access to the Inland Sea is only possible along the eastern shore by using a section of the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path, thus a morning visit with the light at one’s back is recommended. At the highest tides, sections of the path may well be flooded so this also needs to be borne in mind, as does the fact that Four Mile Bridge

Chris Grady/Alamy*

H

Pintail

TOP TIP First check the tide tables, then ensure a morning visit

SITE 4 NORFOLK //

MILES ON FOOT: 8 TIME: 5 HOURS

BLAKENEY POINT A unique site with a superb record of rarities

John Miles

SITE GUIDE

TOP TIP

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populations of waders breeding here, with Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Redshank. The list of rarities is endless, with many firsts for Norfolk, including Greenish, Asian Desert, Moltoni’s and Western Subalpine Warblers, Short-toed Lark, Red-flanked Bluetail, Bluethroat, Red-throated Pipit, Snowy Owl, Ross’s Gull, Lesser Crested Tern, Pallid Harrier and Great Spotted Cuckoo. The Americans come in the shape of Alder Flycatcher, Northern Harrier, and Western Sandpiper. Falls of commoner birds like Pied Flycatcher and Redstart are yearly along with Yellow-browed Warbler and Tree Pipits.

This shingle habitat has a w variety of plan as Biting Stone Campion and S JOHN MILES

Sandwich Tern

KEY POINTS here are two ways of visiting the point, her by walking the round route of eight or by boat from Blakeney Harbour orston. Both ways will give you birds.

National Trust car park is the start of walk. Already you can check the sea for age waders and seabirds.

This walk takes you past named birding tes along its way like ‘The Marrams, Halfway House and The Hood’. Check every bird you see as ‘rarities’ is the theme of this trip!

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More named sites of ‘The Plantation’ and ‘Yankee Ridge’ start the heart beating and it is not just from the strenuous walk you have done to get here!

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A visitor centre and hide allow you to rest and watch the seals and terns and get you ready for the walk back.

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The boat trip allows you to search in comfort from the boat but if you want to walk back and search for birds then you’ll have to check with the boat operators.

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lakeney Point is an amazing spit branching out into the North Sea. It is a National Trust reserve as well as protected by a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

With Norfolk’s reputation for gathering rare birds, especially from across the North Sea, this site is a must for visiting at several times of the year. It is not just spring and autumn migrants that are found here, but the area is important for its breeding birds, with Sandwich and Little Terns and the odd Common and Arctic to look for.

The fact that few of the millions of visitors to Norfolk actually walk that shingle makes this such an important, safe, undisturbed breeding site. There are also many breeding Black-headed Gulls helping to protect the terns from the big gulls, with several pairs of Mediterranean Gulls nesting among them. There are also good

Look out for Grey and Common Seals, too

POSTCODE: NR25 7RZ GRID REF: TG 048 452 HOW TO GET THERE: From King’s Lynn, follow the A149 towards Hunstanton and Holkham. As you pass through the village of Cley turn left to the car park which is signposted as the Beach. From the east, keep on the A149 until you come to Cley and turn right. From the south, many minor roads can take you to the main A149 WHERE TO PARK: I found the National Trust car park the best place by the beach for the long walk but there are also car parks available if you take a boat trip TERRAIN: Most of the area has sand and gravel so stout footwear is advisable FACILITIES: Cley NWT or local villages PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Buses and trains from Kings Lynn, Traveline 0871 200 2233 LOCAL INFO: Web: nationaltrust.org.uk/ blakeney-national-nature-reserve & beansboattrips.co.uk & sealtrips.co.uk & bishopsboats.com ORGANISATIONS: Natural England, email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk CLUB CONTACT: Norfolk Ornithologists Association, web: noa.org.uk COUNTY RECORDER: Chris Allen, email: birdrecorder@nnns.org.uk MAPS: OS Explorer 251, OS Landranger 162

GO BIRDING

SITE 5 SHROPSHIRE //

MILES ON FOOT: 2 TIME: 2 HOURS

APLEY WOOD

SITE GUIDE GRID REFERENCE: SJ 655 135 HOW TO GET THERE: From the M54 Junction 6 take the A5223 then at the 4th roundabout (about 3 miles) take the A442 for half-a-mile WHERE TO PARK: In the lay-by on the A442 by the entrance (grid ref: (SJ 655 135) TERRAIN: More or less level going but a bit muddy here and there after wet weather ACCESSIBILITY: Dogs allowed under control – preferably on a lead. A couple of swing gates FACILITIES: None on site but all in Wellington town PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Nearest Railway Station is Telford. National Rail Enquiries, tel: 08457 700 240. Bus services Traveline, tel: 08712 002 233 LOCAL INFORMATION: The Friends of Apley Wood, web: apleywoods.co.uk/index.php?id=28 CLUB CONTACT: Shropshire Ornithological Society, tel: 01743 761 507.

Web: shropshirebirds.com COUNTY RECORDER: Martyn Owen, tel: 01746 780 336, mob: 07736 286 675, email: soscountyrecorder@gmail.com MAPS: OS Explorer 242, OS Landranger 127

Bernard Jones

A lovely small woodland, pool and castle on the edge of town

TOP TIP

WAYMARKERS From the lay-by, the entrance is in the surrounding wall, which leads you straight into the wood and the edge of the Apley Pool. Robin, Blackbird and Woodpigeon are seen first and check the Pool for Great Crested Grebe.

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Through the main part of the wood you’ll see Goldcrest, all three tits and Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Nuthatch and Treecreeper are here and Song and Mistle Thrush. Tawny Owl and Woodcock are

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50 February 2018

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his is a delightful area on the edge of town, with lots of woodland tracks and three pools with open countryside to the north, so it’s a good area to take youngsters to learn the basics. There are also a few carved signs to show the species of tree, for example, Birch. It is a haven for birds and there are quite a few nestboxes of different types throughout the woodland. Although there is some fishing at the Apley Pool there is an area where it is not allowed and the two smaller pools do not have fishing at all and are home to families of Mallard.

The woodland itself is really enjoyable and there are a good variety of trees and lots of tracks so you could stay here all day! There

recorded and Jay and Magpies are around.

Summer visitors include Tree Pipit, flycatchers and various warblers. As you cross the open areas make sure you check for Sky Lark, a hovering Kestrel and the woodland edge for a marauding Sparrowhawk.

Small pools with families of Mallard. Also Coot and Moorhen with Woodpigeons always around. House Sparrows are plentiful (note the nestboxes) but also check carefully for Tree Sparrow.

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are a couple of open areas, mainly of grassland, that adds to the interest with a Buzzard mewing above occasionally and often being chased off by a pair of corvids. The area is well looked after by the volunteer group called The Friends of Apley Wood and they do a really good job. So there is quite a lot to see here so don’t forget your bins and you might see that elusive Great Crested Grebe in the Pool.

BERNARD JONES

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Vasiliy Vishnevskiy/Alamy*

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Listen carefully for drumming woodpeckers – you should be able to track down both species this way

SITE 6 CAMBRIDGESHIRE //

MILES ON FOOT: 2-3 TIME: 3 HOURS

FERRY MEADOWS CP A diverse range of bird-rich habitats in a bend of the Nene

Tom Bailey

SITE GUIDE

TOP TIP

You have to get up early to beat the dog walkers at this park, but it can be worth it, bird wise

S

ituated within a meander of the River Nene, west of the city of Peterborough, this country park with diverse habitats is one of the best birding sites around the city.

The three lakes are your best bet for special birds, with the larger two, Gunwade and Overton, drawing down scarce grebes, wildfowl and terns, such as Black and Arctic Terns on passage; and the smaller one, Lynch, being packed with surprisingly tame wildfowl (and even Water Rails along the reedy side). Kingfishers can be found along

all the lakes and into them. The si scrub, open gras hedgelines and b woodland. The p also has a reputa for being a hotsp for Red-rumped Swallow in April with four there s

POSTCODE: PE2 5UU GRID REF: TL 152 970 HOW TO GET THERE: Entrance along Ham Lane, off Oundle Road, west of Peterborough, at Orton Waterville CAR PARKING: Two large car parks by the main lakes (24-hour pay) TERRAIN: Generally flat, with tarmac paths, plus open grassland and a muddy track to Bluebell Wood ACCESSIBILITY: All year round. Mobility scooters available at visitors’ centre FACILITIES: Two cafés (by both car parks).

Loos by both car parks PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Buses from Peterborough, include Stagecoach Citi 1 to Orton Wistow (Ferryview) then short walk to Ham Lane LOCAL GUIDE: Peterbirder, web: groups. yahoo.com/neo/groups/peterbirder/info CLUB CONTACT: Peterborough Bird Club, web: peterboroughbirdclub.com COUNTY RECORDER: Cambridgeshire, Louise Bacon, email: recorder@cambridgebirdclub.org.uk MAPS: OS Explorer 227, OS Landranger 142

KEY POINTS Bluebell Wood. Mature oak woodland; look for woodpeckers, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. The latter is often tempted to the ‘feeding stump’ on the top path by the golf course.

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MIKE WEEDON

Kingfisher

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Bluebell Bridge. Scan from the suspension bridge for Kingfisher, grebes, and Reed and Sedge Warblers in spring and summer.

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Overton Lake. Open water birds, plus an island with Cormorant roost. Scan water, check edges and feed the gulls and ducks by the mini piers (see main photograph).

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Lynch Lake. Small lake often packed with wildfowl. Kingfishers may breed on the islands and there is a Sand Martin colony.

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Gunwade Lake. Open water birds, plus check beach and pontoon for gulls and possible waders.

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The Reserve. Two hides look out over shallow ‘meres’, which vary with water depth and season. Look for displaying Teal, Water Rail on fringes, Snipe and Grey Heron, plus Kingfisher.

GO BIRDING

SITE 7 HEREFORDSHIRE //

MILES ON FOOT: 2 TIME: 2 HOURS

COMMON HILL Once common land, but now nature reserves and part SSSI

Bernard Jones

SITE GUIDE

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his is a lovely area east of Hereford with woodland, open hillside and eye-popping views. It lies on a ridge of Wenlock Limestone and there is a quarry nearby. There are three areas to the reserve, one called Monument Hill,

Goldcrest

originally steep sloping grazing land, is now an attractive herb-rich meadow attracting a wide variety of insect life. The other two areas known as North Meadow and Old Cider House are now grassland and orchard. The meadow has good hedges and shrubs and some trees.

There are lots of ant mounds, so look out for that Green Woodpecker feeding on them.

My favourite bird when I was growing up was the Bullfinch, and they love orchards as, of course, do other birds, such as Chaffinch and Song Thrush. The Wye Valley Walk runs through the area, so it is worth going north or southwards for a while and perhaps visit other nearby

TOP TIP There’s plenty to see and do in the area so plan your trip in advance

GRID REF: SO 591 347 HOW TO GET THERE: From Hereford take the B4224 to Mordiford then turn right and follow the B4224 to Fownhope. Turn left (NE) at the church and follow this minor road for 0.75 mile WHERE TO PARK: There is small space for three cars at the top of the lane by the telephone box TERRAIN: Hilly – I suggest you wear good walking boots ACCESSIBILITY: No disabled access. Some gates (please keep them closed). Dogs under strict control FACILITIES: All in Hereford PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Nearest railway station is Hereford, National Rail Enquiries, tel: 08457 700 240, bus services Traveline, tel: 08712 002 233 ORGANISATIONS: Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, web: herefordshirewt.org CLUB CONTACT: Herefordshire Ornithological Club, tel: 01432 850 068 COUNTY RECORDER: S P Coney, email: coney@bluecarrots.com MAPS: OS Explorer 189, OS Landranger 149

sites such as Lea & Pagets Wood (south) or Nupend Wood (north), both within a mile or so. The areas here on Common Hill were bought by the Trust with a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) grant in 1974 and 1984 and, since then, Monument Hill and part of North Meadow have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

BERNARD JONES

WAYMARKERS From the car park, follow the sign up the hill through hedge and woodland and see Chaffinch, check for Brambling, Blackbird, Wren and Buzzard floating above.

Crows and Jackdaws are here so it’s worth checking for Raven, too.

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Then into an area of apple trees etc and Bullfinches, Chaffinch, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Redwing and also Dunnock.

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And along the Wye Valley Walk into woodland where Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, and Treecreeper reside, with Woodcock possible. Redstart can be here and a glimpse of a Goldfinch, Goldcrest or Yellowhammer. Marsh, Coal, Blue and Great Tits are in the area.

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Finally back down the more open area where there may be Kestrel hovering or a Red Kite up in the sky.

There are lots of Pheasants and partridges around.

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SITE 8 GLOUCESTERSHIRE //

MILES ON FOOT: 3 TIME: 3 HOURS

FRAMPTON ON SEVERN Plenty of varied habitat on offer at any time of year

Pete Hackett

SITE GUIDE

S

Fields bordering the canal towards the estuary attract a varied selection of birds during the season, although the flooded fields dry out during the summer months. The canal attracts good numbers of dragonflies and damselflies during the summer.

One quirk of the area is the Frampton cricket pitch near the village pub – what must surely be the smallest in the country. I was told a boundary only counts as two!

PETE HACKETT

Goldeneye

TOP TIP Take your OS map for public footpath information

KEY POINTS The Court Lake attracts wildfowl in winter, such as Goldeneye, Pochard, Shoveler and Gadwall.

Small numbers of waders such as Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper may be seen, together with passage terns. A good roost site for herons and egrets. Tawny Owls are present, plus Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Siskin and redpolls.

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The sailing lake attracts gulls such as Yellowlegged and Little and commoner species. There are passage Arctic and Black Terns, and occasional Sandwich Terns. Wildfowl include occasional Red-crested Pochard and Goldeneye while warblers pass through in good numbers during passage times. Breeding birds include Reed Warblers, Oystercatcher, Great Crested Grebe and Common Tern. Large numbers of Sand Martins occur.

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omewhat overshadowed by the nearby Slimbridge WWT reserve, there is enough expansive habitat here which has, and still does, produce some outstanding bird records over the years. Not surprising, really, as it lies adjacent to the Severn Estuary – together with lakes, pasture, woodland and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal there is plenty here to explore whatever the season, not to mention what is reputedly the longest village green in England.

Frampton Court Lake is private but can be viewed from nearby footpaths and in recent years has proved popular with Little, Great White and Cattle Egrets, which frequent the wooded islands to roost.

The sailing lake is a good spot for passage terns, Little Gull and wildfowl in winter, together with enough scrub to entice warblers, Nightingale and the like.

GRID REF: SO 745 074 POSTCODE: GL2 7EQ HOW TO GET THERE: From the M5 at junction 13, take the A419 and turn south at the roundabout onto the A38, then take the B4071 to Frampton on Severn for 1.5 miles and turn left into the village WHERE TO PARK: Small car park for around a dozen cars at Splatt Bridge.

Or park carefully near the village green TERRAIN: Good footpaths and towpaths ACCESSIBILITY: Open all year round.

Suitable for disabled access in parts FACILITIES: Shops and pubs in the village PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Frequent bus services to the village, web: carlberry.co.uk COUNTY RECORDER: Richard Baatsen, email: richard.baatsen@gmail.com ORGANISATIONS: Web: avonbirding.blogspot.com & bristolornithologicalclub.co.uk MAPS: OS Explorer 154, OS Landranger 172

The area around Splatt Bridge (grid ref: SO 742 067) has breeding House Martins, Swallows and fishing Kingfisher and Common Terns, while if visiting during summer check the lily pads for Redeyed Damselfly.

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The scrub and pasture adjacent the Severn attracts passage waders visiting seasonally flooded pools and has attracted the likes of Marsh Sandpiper and Red-necked Phalarope in recent years. Cuckoo, Whinchat, Stonechat, Water Pipit and wagtails are possible in spring and summer, plus wildfowl and geese, with scarcer species in winter including Marsh Harrier, occasional Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owls, and an increasing chance of Crane.

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GO BIRDING

SITE 9 KENT //

MILES ON FOOT: 7 TIME: 8 HOURS

ST MARY’S MARSH Winter meets spring on the North Kent marshes

Paul Trodd

SITE GUIDE

Arterra Picture Library/Alamy*

Red-breasted Merganser

are often tide dependent. At low tide the mudflats attract considerable numbers of shorebirds and wildfowl, particularly Curlew and Dunlin, Brent Geese and Wigeon, while sea ducks and grebes are frequently noted at high tide including a chance of Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter, Eider and Slavonian Grebe.

Raptors can be encountered just about anywhere along the way, while the intertidal strip sometimes hosts a small flock of Snow Buntings, but rarely Shore Lark and Twite. Farmland fields and paddocks can yield Corn Buntings and check out any feral goose and swan flocks for something rarer in their midst, such as White-fronted and Bean Geese or a wild swan. While the birds will be mainly winter in flavour, there is always a chance of a first spring migrant, such as a Sand Martin or Garganey, while the Thames estuary has delivered Kentish Plover in the past.

PAUL TRODD

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54 February 2018

WAYMARKERS The woodland track should give a chance for a range of tits, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Sparrowhawk and the like. Listen for ‘drumming’ spotted woodpeckers and a first Chiffchaff or Blackcap. Grey Herons will be actively nesting and prospecting Little Egrets flying over the canopy. Check the woodland edge and field margins for thrushes, finches and buntings.

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At low tide scan the estuary mud for waders, typically Oystercatcher, Avocet, Redshank, Ringed and Grey Plovers, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew, Knot, Dunlin and Sanderling. Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit and Linnet feed along the sea wall with Stonechat in scrub. Peregrine and Merlin often hunt the foreshore, plus a good chance of Kestrel, Short-eared and Barn Owls, Marsh and Hen Harriers just inland.

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TOP TIP

Aim to arrive at the sea wall on a rising tide

Fieldfare and Redwing flocks are often present in the orchards and fields along with Mistle Thrush, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Little Owl and common passerines. Check hedgerows and farmland for corvids, gulls, Stock Dove, partridges, tits, finches, buntings, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.

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ird-rich habitats along this section of the coastline include tidal mudflats and creeks, the Thames channel, plus adjacent farmland bisected by drainage ditches, reedbeds and scrub. The route partly follows the Saxon Shore Way coastal footpath and also takes in hinterland orchards and paddocks, plus a section of Northward Hill RSPB woodland reserve. Viewpoints across the estuary from the sea wall and the inlets overlooking Egypt and St Mary’s Bays are often productive for waders and wildfowl and may yield an early Wheatear along the track. Sightings of wintering birds

GRID REF: TQ 781 757 POSTCODE: ME9 8TF HOW TO GET THERE: From junction 1 of the M2 take the A289/A228 to Grain. After 6 miles turn left signposted to High Halstow along Christmas Lane. Once in the village turn right at the church and follow the signs to the RSPB car park WHERE TO PARK: The RSPB car park for Northward Hill off Northwood Avenue TERRAIN: A combination of rough tracks and surfaced lanes on mostly level ground but muddy after rain ACCESS: Open access on public rights of way throughout FACILITIES: None on site, although High Halstow has a village shop, plus the Red Dog pub in The Street which is recommended for food and ale PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Stagecoach operate a bus service to High Halstow from the Medway towns. Traveline, tel: 0871 200 22 33. Web: stagecoachbus.com ORGANISATION: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, web: rspb.org.uk Tel: 01767 693690 CLUB CONTACT: Kent Ornithological Secretary, Dr Stephen Wood, tel: 01795 890485, web: kentos.org.uk COUNTY RECORDER: Barry Wright, tel: 01474 320918, email: umbrellabirds66@gmail.com MAPS: OS Explorer 149, OS Landranger 178

SITE 10 FRANCE //

MILES ON FOOT: 3.5 TIME: 5 HOURS

AMBLETEUSE

SITE GUIDE

Paul Trodd

Search for early passage migrants on the French coast

TOP TIP

WAYMARKERS The river mouth is good for waders, typically Ringed and Kentish Plovers, Redshank and Turnstone, plus Snipe, Green Sandpiper and maybe a Little Ringed Plover further up-river. Check the riverside scrub for early migrants such as Chiffchaff, Blackcap, and Firecrest; Whitespotted Bluethroat are often noted. Also, a good spot for Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler, Kingfisher and Reed Bunting.

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The old fort can attract Black Redstart, White Wagtail and an early Wheatear, while the nearby park harbours a variety of tits, finches and an occasional Serin.

Another good spot to check shorebirds such as Curlew, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Sanderling, Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit. Scan the sea for divers, grebes, auks, scoters, gulls and Gannet.

Snow Bunting, Twite and Shore Lark can sometimes be found along the foreshore. Riparian river margin scrub and grassy tussocks along the Slack are favoured spots to search for an e the likes Blackcap White W fort and North borders migrant

Crested Lar

expected, maybe a passing hirundine or a warbler. The scrubby fields around the wetland often attract finch and bunting flocks, Sky Larks and Meadow Pipits and in the past I have noted Cirl Bunting and Hen Harrier here.

The final section of the circuit bisects arable land which at first glance may appear sterile. Coveys of Grey Partridge are a given here, and across the Pas-de-Calais farmland, sat in fields of winter corn along with flocks of Lapwings and Golden Plovers.

PAUL TRODD

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The lakes attract dabbling ducks, including Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and Garganey, plus Little and Black-necked Grebe, Cetti’s Warbler, Kingfisher, Bearded Tit, Water Rail, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff and Stonechat. Another good area for a chance of a Bluethroat or Crested Lark in the sand dunes.

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Farmland often attract Common, Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls, Lapwing, Grey Partridge, Kestrel, Buzzard, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting. Look for migrants such as Scandinavian Rock Pipit, Wheatear, Wood Lark and White Wagtail on open ground and Dartford Warbler in scrub.

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dawn start for a birdwatching trip to northern France is well worth the effort at this time of year, with the prospect of early spring migrants. A short drive down the coast from the Channel Tunnel terminal at Calais brings the birdwatcher to the delightful medieval town of Ambleteuse.

The well-preserved Fort Mahon at the mouth of the River Slack is the focal point of the town. Habitats include a broad expanse of beach and intertidal areas, including sand dunes and mudflats ideal for those continental specialities such as Crested Lark and Kentish Plover.

Laggard winter passerines such as

Carefully check all plovers for a Kentish

POSTCODE: 62164 Pas-de-Calais MAP REFERENCE: 50/80N, 01/60E HOW TO GET THERE: From the Channel Tunnel take the A16 south to Boulogne, exiting at Junction 36. Take the D191 west for 6 kilometres along the Rue du Cap signposted to Cap Gris-Nez. At the junction of the D940 turn left and a further 2 kilometres to Ambleteuse WHERE TO PARK: Follow the signs to the fort and park in Rue de Fort TERRAIN: A mix of grass and surfaced tracks, boardwalks and metaled lanes. For those with mobility problems the area near the fort overlooks the river mouth ACCESS: Full public access throughout the year.

FACILITIES: Good information boards on site. Facilities in nearby Boulogne WEBSITES: Trektellen for up to date bird sightings in northern France, web: trektellen.nl MAPS: Michelin 301 Local. IGN 01 Abbeville Calais

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birdwatching.co.uk 55

YOUR VIEW PHOTOS, LETTERS, TWEETS, QUESTIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY

Get in touch with Bird Watching birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk

Blackcap By: Arthur Beyless Camera: Canon EOS 5D Lens: 150-600mm Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/6.3 ISO: 800

Bird Watching, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA facebook.com/BirdWatchingMag

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Kingfisher by Don Davis Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Lens: 300mm Shutter Speed: 1/2,000 Aperture: f/5.6 ISO: 5640

SEND US YOUR BEST PHOTOS Send us your best birding snaps to birdwatching@ bauermedia.co.uk every month to be in with a chance of seeing your photo in print. All images should be high resolution (300dpi).

Barred Warbler By: Jim Hutchins Camera: Canon EOS 1D X Lens: 800mm Shutter Speed: 1/500 Aperture: f/9.0 ISO: 2,000

56 February 2018

Barn Owl By: Andrew Armstrong Camera: Canon EOS 1D X Lens: 500mm Shutter Speed: 1/1,250 Aperture: f/5.6 ISO: 1,000

Jackdaw By: Jim G Murdoch Camera: Nikon D7000 Lens: 150-600mm Shutter Speed: 1/1,000 Aperture: f/6.0 ISO: 800

Mikemakesaveryvalidpointaboutbirdringing Having just received the January issue of Bird Watching magazine, I was very interested in reading Mike Weedon’s excellent article regarding ‘readable bird rings.’

I have often wondered why the BTO have never come-up with the idea of making rings more visible and I am sure that after seeing your article, they must do something about it.

It reminded me of the time many years ago, birding alone on a very remote part of the coast to the west of Durness in northern Scotland, when I came across a single Pied Wagtail picking insects off clumps of seaweed. It had been ringed, but even having stunningly close views through my scope of this little beauty, I couldn’t read the ring and remember thinking to myself that there must be a better way of making these things much more visible and I think you have come up with a solution.

Can you imagine the unbelievable advantages if we were able to identify almost every bird that was ringed without having to recapture it or pull it from the cat’s mouth! I have a male ‘ringed’ Blackbird which inhabits an area around a farm cottage where I have worked for the past nine years, and I am told that he was there at least four years before I turned up.

In your January issue, on the readers’ questions pages, a reader asked which species of British bird cache food, aside from Jay. Your reply was that only Great Grey Shrike commonly does so, and maybe some other crows, and possibly some other raptors (similar to Eleanora’s Falcon). You overlooked that Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Marsh Tit and Willow Tit all routinely cache food, particularly in autumn and winter. These species bury seeds in the same way as Jays, and this has been well-studied and well-known for a very long time.

Richard Broughton

It’s impossible to read the ring without actually catching it and I would love to know his history.

I used to assist a ringer and will never forget the time we were checking the nets on a day when there wasn’t much around.

However, on one of the rounds there was a Willow Warbler in the bottom shelf of one of the nets. The ring it was wearing revealed that it was as a bird ringed on exactly the same date a year previously in exactly the same area. It never fails to astound me that a bird weighing only a few grams can make such an epic journey across the Sahara and back and navigate back to the same area from where it originated.

(Taff) Ithel Williams

Thank you James Lowenforsuchgreatadvice!

James Lowen’s Beyond Birdwatching in January’s magazine, gave excellent advice, when he advised playing sleuth, to track down our wildlife throughout the colder months. My wife and I, now in our senior years, always birdwatch together and, more through necessity than desire, we can usually be found together, in a not too distant hide.

We always each carry a small torch. These not only assist when something is dropped onto a dark hide floor, but are used to search the darkest, web-filled corners of any hide we find ourselves alone in.

The ladybirds in my photo (right), were found hibernating just above our heads, in total darkness in a bird hide on our local reserve. Many other nooks and crannies, held more sleeping ladybirds of all colours and sizes.

We doubt if any others using the hide ever realise that these lovely insects were inches from them.

David & Brenda Hale

On the subject of birds caching food...

At Lincolnshire’s Whisby Nature Reserve in early December, a crow landed nearby and proceeded to regurgitate a pile of what looked like sweetcorn. It then proceeded to pick up the corn in ones and twos before walking a few feet away and burying it. This procedure went on for quite a while and then suddenly stopped. With a lot of corn still unburied, it flew onto a perch about 50 feet away, only to notice another crow overflying. With the coast clear it returned to the corn and continued to bury the rest in a similar fashion.

In the same location after Christmas, two crows were dissecting what looked like a Starling. One of the crows then walked about 20 feet carrying the dead bird’s head which it proceeded to bury and cover with debris. It then re-joined the other crow to feast on the carcass. Sometime later, both crows were seen burying other bits.

I have never seen this behaviour before. Maybe it was due to the fact that the temperature was sub-zero during both occasions.

H Jones, Lincoln

Cananyonesettlethisdebate?

I am still doing my Bird Watching for Beginners walks at Carsington Water, and we have just ended our 12th year.

I have organised 155 walks, and we have had more than 2,300 bookings, and 970 different people have come birdwatching. I now do a quick five-minute tutorial before we set off, and last Sunday was about a Whooper Swan: I need arbitration. I contend that the ‘W’ in Whooper is not silent, and the name is pronounced with a W as Wooper not Hooper. What do you guys reckon? And while we are on the subject, where do you stand on Hoopoe? To me, ‘Hoo’ as in hoop, and ‘Poe’ as in Edgar Alan. I have heard variously, Hoopea, Hoopoo, and Hoppo. How about you?

I do a weekly blog, found at allesbirdtree.blogspot.co.uk, so your conclusion will get quoted.

David Bennett Eds: We tend to say ‘Hooper’ with a silent W, as in whooping cough. And ‘Hoopoo’, as this sounds most like the ‘hoo poo poo’ song after which the Hoopoe is named.

Birds on our moors...

I have just read David Lindo’s article on Wuppertal and the Eagle Owls that are so numerous there, in the January edition of Bird Watching. I was surprised by his speculation on the possible occurrence of these magnificent birds in Yorkshire. He also suggested they represented a potential threat to Hen Harriers in this country.

Don’t worry David, the chances of any bird of prey surviving long enough on a Yorkshire moor to kill another bird of prey is absolutely miniscule. Can’t imagine why...

Tony Oram

birdwatching.co.uk 57

YO U R V I E W

Did I see a Jack Snipe?

I’m new to birdwatching, and recently saw what I think was a Jack Snipe at a nearby pond. But there were also what were definitely Snipe present – is this likely?

N Harmer, Milton Keynes

Q

GET IN TOUCH

Have you got a question about your local patch or bird identification?

Email your question to birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk

Yes, it is very possible. The two species are often seen at the same sites, as their winter habitat preferences aren’t that different – wetland edges with plenty of marshy ground, including sedges and tussocks of grass.

The main differences are that Jack Snipe (which are winter visitors to the UK) are smaller, with shorter bills, and a dark crown (the Snipe has a pale crown stripe). Jack Snipe are also much more secretive – while Snipe will often emerge from cover completely to feed, the smaller birds typically stay put and often only flush when almost trodden on. When they do so, they usually fly away a short distance then land again, while Snipe usually fly away to a considerable distance with a fast, zig-zag flight. At times, though, you do get a good look at a Jack Snipe (particularly if bad weather forces them to feed in more open areas), so there’s no reason that shouldn’t have been what you saw.

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Can you identify these waders?

Could you please help me to identify this medium-sized wader seen on the scrapes at Minsmere RSPB in late September? Discussions with friends have not come to any conclusion.

Bob Cunningham

Q

You and your friends have every excuse for your uncertainty, Bob, because these are Ruffs, the most variably-plumaged of all our waders.

They’re generally seen in the UK on

A

passage, although very small numbers may breed in the East of England.

While all adult males show white underparts when they moult into their winter plumage, some show a lot more than others, particularly ‘satellite males’ (those who don’t occupy territories).

Things are complicated even further by the existence of males who look like females, although they typically lek with the other males and accompany them on migration.

On the hunt for Bewick’s Swan Where’s the best place to see Bewick’s Swans?

P Murray, Birmingham

Q S

limbridge WWT has always been a reliable site, while another WWT reserve, Welney, in Norfolk, also gets some among larger numbers of Whooper Swans. Bewick’s Swans winter here in smaller numbers than

Whoopers, and small groups can pop up at wetlands all over the country, but as the winter goes on, East Anglia is often the best place to look, as the birds start to return eastwards before the journey back to their breeding grounds in Russia. Milder winters have meant smaller numbers wintering here, with more of the birds stopping off at sites on the continent.

Is this Magpie taking a risk?

Is it common to see a Magpie and Buzzard so close together on the ground, as in this photo?

Roy Glover, email

Q

It’s certainly not common – Buzzards seem to spend large parts of their days evading the mobbing of one or other corvid species, although Carrion Crows are probably the most common culprits.

Even though Buzzards wouldn’t normally be a great threat to any of our corvids, being too slow to catch them in flight, and more interested in catching small mammals, the birds tend to see them as a potential danger and react accordingly.

It would be interesting to know, then, if this Buzzard was on a fresh kill or a particularly tasty piece of carrion, especially if this was taken during a period of bad weather when food was scarce.

That might explain why the Buzzard seems entirely unconcerned by the Magpie’s presence, and why the Magpie is willing to run a greater risk than usual.

Dave Porter/Alamy*

A

58 February 2018

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KOWA 601/602 Body...................£469 601/602 & 30xW..............£698 601/602 & 20-60x ...........£768 663/664M Body...............£899 663/664M & 30xW.......£1099 663/664M & 20-60x ....£1179 773/774 Body................£1629 773/774 & 25-60x ........£2198 82SV Body .........................£669 82SV & 20-60x..................£958 883/884 Body................£1999 Stay-on-Case 60x .............. £53 Stay-on-Case 66x .............. £59 Stay-on-Case 77x .............. £69 Stay-on-Case 82x .............. £56 Stay-on-Case 88x .............. £71 Digi Adapter iPhone 4 .... £57 Digi Adapter iPhone 5 .... £57 Digi Adapter iPhone 6 .... £57 Digi Adapter iPhone 7 .... £62 TS-EX16 1.6x Extender ...£279

£279

TSN-500/550 Series

KOWA OFFER LIMITED STOCK

TE-11WZ 25-60xW..........£569 TE-14WD 30xW ...............£229 TE-9Z 20-60x . ..........£299

8x22 Genesis ....................£599 10x22 Genesis..................£629 8x33 Genesis ....................£899 10x33 Genesis .................£949 8.5x44 Genesis ................£999 10x44 Genesis...............£1049 8x25 BD ..............................£209 10x25 BD ...........................£229 6x30 YF...............................£125 8x30 YF...............................£135 8x25 SV................................. £89 10x25 SV .............................. £99 8x32 SV...............................£195 10x32 SV ............................£199 8x42 SV...............................£209 10x42 SV ............................£219

TSN-553 (Angled).......£1599 TSN-554 (Straight).....£1599

BL 8x33 HD........................£369 BL 8x44 HD........................£429 BL 10x44 HD.....................£439 BL 8x52 HD........................£569 BL 10x52 HD.....................£579 BL 8x56...............................£679

8x25 BV...............................£139 10x25 BV............................£149 8x33 BV...............................£199 8x44 BV...............................£259 10x44 BV............................£269 MD50 W..............................£319

DTC-450 SLIM..................£139 DTC-700 .............................£179 DTC-1100 (HSPA/3G) ...£349

• TSN-883/884 Scope Body • C-881/2 Stay-on-Case • TE-11WZ 25-60x Eyepiece • FREE TSN-EX16 1.6x Converter (Worth £279)

ONLY

£2549

TSN-501 (Angled)..........£269 TSN-502 (Straight)........£269

MINOX 8x33 HG..............................£879 8x43 HG..............................£929 10x43 HG...........................£949 8.5x52 HG..........................£989 10x52 HG...........................£999 8x56 HG..............................£949

CANON

EADE

8x25 IS ...................................... £279 10x30 IS II ................................ £469 12x36 IS III ............................... £709 15x50 IS.................................... £999 18x50 IS..................................£1149 10x42 L IS...............................£1249 NEW 10x32 IS .......................£1299 NEW 12x32 IS .......................£1349 NEW 14x42 IS .......................£1399

Wilderness 8x25................ £59 Wilderness 10x25 ............. £59 Wilderness 8x32................ £79 Wilderness 10x32 ............. £79 Wilderness 8x42................ £89 Wilderness 10x42 ............. £89 Rainforest Pro 8x32........£129 Rainforest Pro 10x32 .....£129 Rainforest Pro 8x42........£159 Rainforest Pro 10x42 .....£159

TRIPODS & CASES Ace Stay-on-case for Kowa TSN 1/3 .................................... £69 Ace Stay-on-case for Leica Televid 62/77 Angled................ £80 Ace Stay-on-case for Swarovski ATS/ATM 65/80................. £80 Ace Stay-on-case for Swarovski ATX/STX 65/85/95.......... £105 Swarovski ATS/STS 65/80 Stay-on-case........................... £179 Swarovski ATX/STX 65/85/95 Stay-on-case complete .... £192 Swarovski BTX 65/85/95 Stay-on-case complete ............ £245 Swarovski AT101 Tripod w/DH101 Head........................ £369 Swarovski CT Travel Tripod w/DH101 Head.................... £499 Swarovski CT101 Tripod w/DH101 Head ........................ £529 Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 Stay-on-case............................ £114

Prices include VAT, are correct at time of going to print & are subject to change without notice • Visit our website for full details & the latest prices

Feb 2018

aceoptics.co.uk

www.

16Fax:Green Street, Bath, BA1 2JZ 01225 469 761 • Email: optics@aceoptics.co.uk Open Monday to Saturday, 09:00-17:45hrs - Online 24/7

SWAROVSKI BINOCULARS

CL Companion

EL 32mm

8x32 £1495 NEW! 10x32 £1520

With ‘Wild Nature’ Case & Strap bundle

8x30 £910 10x30 £940

With ‘Urban Jungle’ Case & Strap bundle

8x30 £940 10x30 £970

EL 42mm

8.5x42 £1829 10x42 £1855

With ‘Northern Lights’ Case & Strap bundle

EL 50mm

SLC 42mm

10x50 £1965 12x50 £1989

8x42 £1205 10x42 £1260

8x30 £980 10x30 £1010

8x56 SLC.................... £1475 10x56 SLC ................. £1520 15x56 SLC ................. £1565 8x42 EL RANGE ......... £2279 10x42 EL RANGE ....... £2349 7x42 Habicht GA ......... £795 10x40 Habicht GA ....... £855 7x42 Habicht ............... £639 8x30 Habicht ............... £675 10x40 Habicht............. £765 8x25 CL Pocket ............ £515 10x25 CL Pocket ......... £549 8x25 CL Pocket ‘Mountain’ . £540 10x25 CL Pocket ‘Mountain’ . £579 UTA Tripod Adapter ...... £83

ZEISS

Conquest 8x32 HD .......£685 Conquest 10x32 HD .....£725 Conquest 8x42 HD .......£855 Conquest 10x42 HD .....£895 Conquest 8x56 HD .....£1149 Terra ED 8x25 ...................£255 Terra ED 10x25.................£275 MiniQuick 5x10 T* ........£159 3x12 T* Monocular .......£309 6x18 T* Monocular .......£249 8x20 T* Monocular .......£269 10x25 T* Monocular.....£289 85mm Gavia 30-60x ..£1479

Victory 8x42 SF

Victory 10x42 SF Victory 8x25 Pocket Victory 10x25 Pocket

£1915

£1949

Here at Ace we offer a huge range of top quality optics all at discounted prices, available to buy online, over the phone or at our store situated in the beautiful city of Bath. Viewing facilities are available including the chance to see our resident Goshawk. Should you visit and make a purchase over £99 we will treat you to a pie & a pint at the award winning Old Green Tree pub.

EVO

AVIAN

HR-ED

8X42

NEW!

£449 10X42

£469

1999 was a momentous year for us here at Ace Optics. It saw the launch of the Avian DCF-PC binocular range which was met by an overwhelmingly positive response. As has always been our goal here at Ace, it combined the finest quality with extraordinarily good value, scoring 10/10 for value for money in a Bird Watching product review by the editor.

Over the years new models were introduced, building on the range, refining and honing performance whilst still offering outstanding value.

The evolution of the Avian brand now brings us a new and exciting flagship model – The Avian EVO HR- ED Incorporating extra-low dispersion ED glass, flat field multi coated optics, a water repellent coating on the lenses and open bridge design, the EVO series offer outstanding performance and handling for the most discerning of users.

Once again Ace Optics are able to offer unbeatable value without compromising performance.

See our website for more details.

£619

£649

Avian EyeShields are made of flexible Telescope rubber & fit most types of binocular. £11.50 They cradle your eyes, cutting out ambient light & significantly improve your viewing experience. They also protect against wind, dust, rain & snow and can be folded down when Standard £17.50 not in use.

ULTRALITE

SP

Weighing in at only 390g the Ultralite 8x32 combines large binocular performance with compact binocular convenience.

Centre-focussing waterproof binoculars.

Compact

£17.50

Twinpack

£24.95

8X32 .............................£169

8x42 ............................... £79 10x42 ............................. £79

LITE OPEN-BRIDGE

ED82 MAGNESIUM

High resolution optics couple with ergonomic, comfortable design allowing hours of pleasurable viewing.

Magnesium alloy body ED multi-coated optics Waterproof & nitrogen filled

8x32 ...£189 10x42 .£209 8x42 ...£199 10x50 .£229

E&OE • Free UK postage for items over £200 • Add £7.50 for UK delivery on items below £200

ED82 & 30X ..................£599

CONSERVATION

SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER

This critically endangered species has seen a dramatic drop in numbers in recent decades, with latest estimates putting the breeding population at between 210 and 228 pairs

RARE DELIGHT Fewer than 230 pairs are known to exist in the world 62 February 2018

Saving our SANDPIPER

A new migration route for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper has been discovered and new sites for the bird identified thanks to a partnership between German optics brand Leica and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Words: Dr Baz Hughes, WWT’s head of conservation action

A population in decline

This critically endangered species has seen a dramatic drop in numbers in recent decades, with latest estimates putting the breeding population at between 210 and 228 pairs.

They have never been a common species, with only 2,700-2,800 pairs ever recorded in the 1970s. We know Spoonies are threatened by the destruction of intertidal mudflats along the Yellow Sea through land claim and illegal hunting along the flyway, but with only sketchy information available, it’s challenging to know where to focus our conservation efforts. We simply don’t know where 50% of these birds winter. And we’ve only identified breeding sites for 25% of them.

Where is the other 75% breeding? It’s this incomplete knowledge of key staging, wintering and breeding sites, that’s hampering conservation efforts.

By tracking the birds on their southward

WHERE DID ET GO? With bated breath last autumn, UNIQUE WADER we awaited the first southward Spoon-billed migration of our three tagged Sandpipers are the birds, ET, HU and CT. only waders with All three flew south-west and spoon-shaped bills migrated along the southern coast of China.

But ET flew on, to the Bay of Mottama in Myanmar – the world’s most important wintering site for the species.

Instead of following the coast, ET flew over Indochina, something we suspected because it was the shortest route, but this expected the tags to fall off after six weeks was the first time we had real proof to back but they stayed on for five months and from up our theories. the tracking data collected, we’ve identified This project was very successful. We two new spoonie sites.

migration we’re hoping to shed new light on where they go, to know where to focus our efforts and what action is needed to protect them.

But this is just the start….

The presence of the tagged birds at these sites has resulted in increased ground survey efforts and led to more Spoonies being found.

This increased focus has meant we’ve been able to identify new threats and work to remove them. In Fujian, recent ground surveys revealed extensive illegal mist netting in areas used by ET and CT. Conservationists are already working with local authorities to remove the acute threat and prospects of success are looking good.

We’ve also identified the biggest factor

for causing the immediate short-term decline between 2010 and 2016 – catching and selling the birds for food by underprivileged people on the wintering grounds in Bangladesh and Myanmar. To tackle this issue, we set up systems of alternative livelihoods and a recent analysis shows population decline has slowed to 9% per year, which previously was at 26%.

But what about the Spoonies’ breeding sites?

Because tagging is only temporary, to build up a complete picture of the birds’ movements, we need to tag the birds at different stages of their annual migratory cycle. This spring, we’ve tagged two more birds to track them as they head 5,000km north via the Yellow Sea to their birdwatching.co.uk 63

Oscar Dominguez/Alamy

I

n 2013, Leica teamed up with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) to support its ‘Saving the Spoon-billed Sandpiper’ project.

As well as financial help, Leica provides important optical equipment used to locate the nest sites of Spoon-billed Sandpipers and record their behaviour. Last year saw an extraordinary winter of discoveries for those of us lucky enough to be part of the groundbreaking Spoon-billed Sandpiper tracking project.

The story starts on the Tiaozini mudflats in Jiangsu province in China.

In October 2016 three wild adult Spoonies were fitted with the world’s smallest satellite tags, each costing £3,000 and weighing only 1.9g. They were also given engraved yellow leg flags from which they take their names, ET, HU and CT.

CONSERVATION

SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER

breeding grounds in Far East Russia.

We don’t know the exact route they’ll take or where they stop to refuel. We’ll be hoping to identify unknown staging grounds and find out where the other 75% of Spoonies breed each year.

We’re hoping the two transmitters attached will last until the birds reach their autumn moulting grounds, when they should fall off during the moulting process. Looking further ahead we plan to track another three birds on their southward migration during the summer, from their Russian breeding grounds to key staging and moulting areas in the Yellow Sea.

How well has the project been supported?

None of this work would have been possible without the valuable support of Leica. Its significant funding contributions have directly helped with two key projects: they are the conservation breeding programme and also the headstarting programme.

As well as funding, Leica provides key optical equipment including the Leica X and V-Lux 4 cameras, the

Ultravid 10x32 HD and 10x42 HD-Plus binoculars and APO-Televid 82W spotting scopes, used primarily for surveying large flocks of waders at distance on mud flats or at close range in and out of vegetation in Russia.

In China and Myanmar, the optical equipment is used for surveying birds to produce population estimates and read leg flags.

In China, they’re used for identifying good sites for catching birds to attach leg flags, satellite tags and monitor the birds’ positions in relation to catching apparatus, such as cannon nets.

In Russia, the equipment is used to survey birds as they arrive on the breeding grounds, watching the birds locate their nests, keeping an eye out for predators and observing the headstarted birds post-release to monitor their health and when they migrate.

Foggy conditions are often prevalent at the start of the season and with the birds being more active at dusk, this equipment is perfect for light gathering power.

The financial aid directly contributes to the costs of maintaining our ‘ark’ population of Spoonies at WWT, set up because we thought the species was going to become extinct.

We set up a captive population in 2011/2012 by importing eggs and chicks from Russia. They bred for the first time last year. Two pairs of Spoonies laid a total of seven eggs, with two chicks, one from each pair hatching.

Unfortunately, both died within a six-day period and subsequent post mortems identified a calcium deficiency as the root cause of the problem.

With the breeding season at WWT Slimbridge starting, watch this space as we await more chicks with bated breath.

Looking further ahead we plan to track another three birds on their southward migration during the summer, from their Russian breeding grounds...

Nobuo Matsumura/Alamy

SPOON IN ACTION The unique bill is used to filter small invertebrates from the water

64 February 2018

ODD STINT Spoon-billled Sandpipers are close relatives of the small Calidiris waders such as Little and Red-necked Stints

What about the headstarting project?

We did our first trial release in 2012, collecting eggs from the wild and rearing chicks in captivity, before releasing them when they could fly at around 21 days.

In our first year, we released nine birds and a total of 111 birds have been released to date. This represents 20% of the natural productivity of the whole population of around 200 breeding pairs, not counting the total of 600-700 Spoonies, including young birds and non-breeders. By rearing birds artificially, they’re not subject to the natural pressures of predation and weather. A Spoonie on average only rears 0.6 of a four-egg clutch, whereas we can get it to three artificially.

We collect eggs we know will hatch within a five-day period, so we can

LEG TAGS Birds are tagged to help track their movements and survival

complete a single release. The birds normally leave the aviaries within an hour and a half and are monitored until they migrate. Spoon-billed Sandpipers have an interesting breeding strategy.

Females do most of the incubation, but as soon as the eggs hatch, the females migrate, with the males leaving just before the chicks can fly.

As the chicks don’t rely on their parents to show them the way, this is partly the reason why we thought the headstarting programme would be a success. We’ve had a total of seven headstarted birds return to the breeding grounds, which is great news.

We’re about to run a survival analysis to see whether headstarted birds are surviving as well as their wild counterparts. Re-sighting rates are about the same as you’d expect to see from wild birds, so this suggests they are, however

we’ll only know for certain in July.

Leica funding has been crucial for us to continue this programme. It costs us approximately £28,000 to run the conservation breeding programme, plus £5,000 for headstarting and £100,000 in staff costs. As you might imagine, looking after Spoonies and rearing chicks is a full-on job, taking round the clock care.

As the Spoonies are so iconic, we’ve been able to secure major grants from the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative and the IUCN Save our Species Fund.

RSPB and WWT have also provided significant funding and we appreciate the many donations received from WWT and RSPB members, plus birding groups worldwide.

O For more information, visit: saving-spoon-billed-sandpiper.com

LEICA KIT USED BY WWT FOR THE SPOON-BILL ED SANDPIPER PROJECT: Leica X-U (Typ 113) camera RRP: £2,770 Leica V-Lux 4 (Typ 114) camera RRP: £940 Leica Ultravid 10x32 HD binoculars RRP: £899 Leica Ultravid 10x42 HD-Plus binoculars RRP: £1,870 Leica APO-Televid 82 Angled spotting scope with 25:50x wide field eyepiece RRP: £2,810 For more information, visit: uk.leica-camera.com/Sport-Optics/ Leica-Birding

birdwatching.co.uk 65

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Usambara mountain valley in north west Tanzania

Lorne Chapman/Alamy

IN SEARCH OF AFRICA’S FINEST Thinking about birding in Africa, but want to avoid the crowds? Then head for eastern Tanzania, home to some of the most exciting birds on the planet Words: Stephen Moss

I

f you were planning a birding trip to Tanzania, what would be your top three sites? Chances are that the Serengeti would be first on your list, closely followed by the Ngorongoro Crater and perhaps neighbouring Arusha. You’d certainly see lots of great birds – and plenty of other wildlife. But you might also get fed up with having to share your experiences with crowds of tourists, each trying to get that special photo, and encouraging their guides to get as close as possible to the animals to achieve their aim.

But there’s another Tanzania: arguably even easier to reach, as it is all within a day’s drive (or short flight) of the former capital Dar-es-Salaam. It’s safe,

absolutely beautiful, and packed with birds. And in terms of a wide range of landscapes, it’s as good as anywhere I’ve been in Africa.

My companions Graeme, Kevin and I started with a circuit of three different ranges in the Eastern Arc Mountains, isolated ‘islands in the sky’ dotted along the ancient Rift Valley.

Together, these are known as ‘Africa’s Galapagos’ for the extraordinary array of endemic birds – and other creatures – that live there. Driving north from Dar, our first stop produced a small flock of bright Golden-yellow Weavers with black masks.

Superficially similar to the

Usambara Mountains Dodoma Uluguru Mountains

Dar es Salaam

Udzungwa Mountains

birdwatching.co.uk 67

common and widespread African Golden Weaver, this population may turn out to be an entirely separate species. Known as the Ruvu Weaver, after the river along whose banks we found them, this taxon has been known about for decades, but has only recently been considered for full species status. Either way, it was a beautiful bird, and seeing them was a great start to our 12-day tour.

Leaving the stiflingly hot plain we rose into the cooler Usambaras, and reached our first destination, Emau Hills Lodge, by mid-afternoon. Almost the first bird we saw was a Pale Batis, like a miniature Pied Flycatcher, sitting on its nest along a narrow branch.

A short walk around the area produced more wonderful birds: huge Trumpeter Hornbills flying across the late afternoon sky; a Long-crested Eagle perched on a nearby tree; and Olive and Amethyst Sunbirds, the first of no fewer than 11 species of sunbird seen on the trip.

African Golden Weaver

The following day produced even better views of very rare members of that wonderful family: the endemic Amani sunbird, and my favourite, the Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, which is named after what was to be our next destination, the Uluguru Mountains.

I should probably confess at this point that this was no casual birding trip, but an expedition, with just one target species in mind. Before you dismiss me as a ‘world lister’, I can explain: I have spent the last few years writing a book on the origin of bird names, whose title is Mrs Moreau’s Warbler, and felt that I needed to encounter the bird itself. To find out why, and if we succeeded, you’ll have to wait until the book comes out!

Fortunately, given the legendary rarity

Minden Pictures/Alamy

Birding expedition

and elusiveness of Mrs M’s eponymous bird, there were plenty more species to enjoy. We pitched camp by the side of a river, and with our guide Elia took a walk around the forest trails nearby.

The birds were harder to see here than at Amani, but even more rewarding when we did: a Yellowbill (also known, rather confusingly, as Green Coucal) creeping around a bush like a squirrel; a very elusive African Tailorbird (actually a kind of warbler), and best of all, several Livingstone’s Turacos – a

worthy tribute to the legendary Victorian explorer. Like all turacos, these are extraordinary birds: moss green, with a long tail, prominent crest and, when they fly, bright crimson wing-linings.

In the high forest, where we went in search of Mrs Moreau’s Warbler, we saw other birds found nowhere else in the world: the Uluguru Mountain Greenbul, and the graceful Loveridge’s Sunbird, named after an early 20th Century British ornithologist. Even when it got dark, the action didn’t stop – we were

Kari Niemeläinen/Alamy

Two Water Thick-knees spread out their wings

68 February 2018

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THE TRAVELLING

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imageBROKER/Alamy*

Black-shouldered Kite

woken in the night by the unmistakable, metronomic call of an African Scops Owl perched just above our tents.

The third in our trio of Eastern Arc mountain ranges – after the Usambaras and Ulugurus – was the tongue-twisting Udzungwas. After the privations of camping it was great to arrive at the delightful Hondo Hondo Lodge, at the foot of some impressive hills. As well as the birds, the monkeys are a great attraction here, too: troops of yellow baboons entertained us as we drank a cold beer or two, while the trees around held the endemic Iringa Red Colobus and also Sykes’s Monkeys.

Oddly, the three endemic birds we were looking for live not in the mountains, as is usually the case for such isolated species, but on the floodplain of the Kilombero River. Two of them are so little known that they still don’t have official names. To see the first of this unique trio, we headed out to the edge of our guide Emmanuel’s home

I love watching birds from a boat: they are far less wary than if you approach on foot, and being on the water also gives you a unique perspective supercilium – close by. Then we enjoyed one of the highlights of the trip: travelling slowly up and down the river in large, punt-like canoes.

I love watching birds from a boat: they are far less wary than if you approach on foot, and being on the water also gives you a unique perspective – almost a bird’s eye view. As we glided past, we had great views of a fine selection of waterbirds: Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, African Jacanas, Water Thick-knees (looking remarkably like our own Stone-curlew) and the mighty predator of this wonderful continent, African Fish Eagle.

By now, we were starting to see more and more raptors, including fabulous views of a Great (aka Black) Sparrowhawk perched on a tree as we climbed to a waterfall above Hondo Hondo for a swim. As we headed back down into the lowlands, I totted up our total raptor list for the trip so far: 15 species, almost as many as I’ve ever seen in Britain. But as we entered the gates of Mikumi National Park, we simply had no idea of the wonders that awaited us.

village. Here, in the baking midday sun (what do they say about mad dogs and Englishmen?) we came across a tiny, streaked bird flitting about on the edge of a field: a White-tailed Cisticola.

In case you are not familiar with this family, they present one of the greatest of all bird identification challenges, though this bird was actually quite distinctive, at least by cisticola standards.

Next day, we rose early for the long drive to the Kilombero River, home to the other two endemics. Almost as soon as we got out of the car we found not just one, but both of them: a fine male Kilombero Weaver, perched along the riverbank, and a Kilombero Cisticola – unstreaked, and looking rather like a Cetti’s Warbler with a prominent

African Jacana

Bill Coster/Alamy

Reminders of home

70 February 2018

At first, our attention was drawn by the sudden variety of birds, and how easy they were to see after the rigours of birding in the mountains. Everywhere we turned, there were Lilac-breasted Rollers and Southern Ground Hornbills, the latter flashing their long eyelashes as if they were flirting with us.

Familiar reminders of home, too: Wheatears, Common and Wood Sandpipers, and, rather more exotic, both White and Black Storks, all enjoying the benefits of winter in Africa before they

* Stunning Birds * Wonderful Destinations * * Expert leaders * Friendly Groups * * 37 Years in the business * Visit www.sunbirdtours.co.uk for full details sunbird@sunbirdtours.co.uk

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A beautifully marked Grey Peacock-pheasant photographed on our tour to Yunnan, China

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Rufiji River, Tanzania

headed back north to breed.

However, it was the raptors that really stole the show: over the next two days at Mikumi we more than doubled our species count, with Grey Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite, Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers, Lesser Spotted, Steppe and Tawny Eagles, and no fewer than five species of vulture.

Having recently returned from India, whose vulture population has been virtually wiped out by the use of a chemical given to cattle, it was good to

PLACES TO STAY Emau Hill Lodge, Amani Web: amaniforestcamp.com/ Email: reservations@amaniforestcamp.com Hondo Hondo Lodge, Udzungwa Mountains Web: udzungwaforestcamp.com/ Email: reservations@udzungwaforestlodge.com Vuma Hills Tented Camp, Mikumi Web: vumahills.com/ Email: vuma@safaricamps.info Selous Impala Camp, Selous Web: selousimpalacamp.com GUIDES: Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa, by Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe (Helm)

72 February 2018

see these amazing scavengers doing so well here; alongside plenty of mammals including Lions, African Elephants, Giraffes and Zebras – or, as our guide Roy called them, ‘disco donkeys’.

But if Mikumi was good for raptors, then our final destination, Selous Game Reserve, was outstanding. Named after a Victorian big game hunter and soldier, Selous is – and this fact surprised me, too – the largest game reserve in the whole of Africa, and one of the biggest in the world. To get there, we had to fly in, over miles and miles of unspoilt land; having arrived, we discovered, to our delight, that we were the only guests at the splendid Selous Impala Camp.

Most beautiful bird ever?

Our host at Emau Hills had warned us that Selous would be ‘brutal’, with midday temperatures hitting 40°C. But we were lucky: a thin layer of cloud kept the heat just about bearable, and early starts and late finishes meant we saw some wonderful spectacles.

Cruising along the mighty Rufiji River, we came across vast flocks of bee-eaters – no fewer than seven species, including the rare Bohm’s and the incredibly beautiful Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, which swept low over the ground alongside our vehicle like the Red Arrows. As I said to my companions, there may be a more beautiful bird in the world, but at that particular moment, I couldn’t think of one.

On leaving Mikumi, we had reached a total of 33 different raptor species, 22 of

them seen in Mikumi alone. Surely, there couldn’t be any more? And yet they just kept on coming. African and Eurasian Marsh Harriers, the rare Dickinson’s Kestrel, Lizard Buzzard, African Hobby, Osprey and a delightfully confiding Little Sparrowhawk, all helped bring our total for the trip up to 42 – roughly the same number found in the whole of Europe.

If birds-of-prey, as top predators, indicate a healthy environment, then we must have hope for the birdlife of this beautiful country, which is full of unexpected surprises.

For us, the trip wasn’t quite over. Roy, who had organised the trip so well kindly invited us to his home by the Indian Ocean just north of Dar for a farewell meal with his delightful family.

Of course, we had to carry on birding – a few familiar waders (and one lifer for me, Sooty Gull) nudging the trip total over the 300-species-mark. But as dusk fell, and we headed to the airport for our night flight home to a rather chilly UK, it wasn’t the numbers, but the sheer variety of birds, mammals and other amazing wildlife we’d seen, that led us all to vow to return to Tanzania, someday soon.

THANKS TO...

Stephen Moss and his companions travelled with Roy Hinde of Wild Things Safaris: Web: wildthingsafaris.com email: enquiries@wildthingsafaris.com

BIRD THE WORLD

THE URBAN BIRDER VISITS

ERLIN GE MANY erlin is the capital of cool in Germany, with the likes of the late great David Bowie included as a past resident.

It is also pretty cool for birders, too. There should be a petition to subtitle the ‘Welcome to Berlin’ signs with ‘The Goshawk Capital of the World!’

About 80 pairs live within urban Berlin, increasing to more than 120 in the wider metropolis. It is, indeed, the best place on the planet to watch this amazing predator. Incredibly, most Berliners are blissfully unaware of the avian treasure that inhabits their city.

The public outreach by the local conservationists is sorely lacking. If this phenomenon had occurred in Britain it would be a very different story.

A good place to start your search for Goshawk is the city’s equivalent to London’s Hyde Park, the Tiergarten; the well-wooded 250-acre inner city park is among the largest urban gardens in Germany. The typical birds of the park, other than the Goshawks, are Hooded Crows, Hawfinch and Black Redstart while, during the breeding season they are joined by Icterine Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Nightingale and Redstart.

But the Tiergarten is not the only place

Christian Neumann

David Lindo’s tour of German birdwatching sites culminates with a visit to Berlin, where he marvels at the many Goshawks this cool city has to offer

Kestrels Goldcrest and both species of treecreeper.

It also has its obligatory pair of Goshawks. Indeed, the birds here are much favoured by local photographers.

Apparently, the male is very used to humans and will allow quite close approach while the female is much more distrusting. A summer visit to this necropolis will also result in seeing Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.

Perhaps the top site in Berlin is Tempelhofer Feld. It was formally Berlin Tempelhof Airport until the late 1990s when it was dedicated as a public park. It is a large area of nearly 1,000 acres containing fenced off scrubland, grassland and

within Berlin in which to raise your binoculars in the general direction of birds. The city’s cemeteries make for interesting exploration. The cemetery near Kreuzberg Station, just south-east of the Tiergarten, is a good example. It is a classic old wooded necropolis in a quiet neighbourhood and is the haunt of Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Firecrest,

Short-eared Owl

Flughafensee

Background: age fotostock/Alamy

96 2 BERLIN 2

2 Tiergarten

A Cook

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74 February 2018

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96 Templehofer Feld

the defunct runway dissecting the park.

There is plenty of jogging, kite flying and, during the summer, picnicking, that goes on here, so it is wise to visit this site in the mornings. Along with resident Kestrels and Buzzards, Ravens can be occasionally seen as there are now up to 15 pairs nesting in and around the city. As little as 10 years ago, this huge corvid was virtually unknown in Berlin. During the winter, if you Get yourself to are lucky, you might catch sight of this fine city, a Short-eared Owl quartering the grassland. As previously and bring your mentioned, sections of the binoculars! scrublands have been fenced off or to more correctly state it; there are fenced off areas that have become populated by scrub.

Tree Sparrows are rare here, however, you are much more likely to find breeding Lesser Whitethroat, Icterine Warbler and Chiffchaff during the breeding season.

Juvenile Goshawk chasing a Hooded Crow

Christian Neumann

DAVID SAYS

If The Force is on your side you may even find a pair of Red-backed Shrikes. There are also large areas of grassland again fenced off that had been left to flourish.

This habitat has proven irresistible to a sizable colony of Sky Lark with some 70 pairs, breeding Wheatears, plus, a sole pair of Corn Bunting, yet another Berlin scarcity. Tempelhofer Feld has an impressive species list despite the small number of birders that cover it. Scarcities and rarities have included Rough-legged Buzzard, Red-footed Falcon and Quail.

Berlin is potentially a birder’s treasure trove and with careful checking there is certainly a good chance of finding more interesting birds.

Secretive Corn Crakes breed at a couple of locations on the outskirts of the city, and there may be other undiscovered populations elsewhere.

One under-watched place to explore is Flughafensee, a relatively large lake near Tegel Airport to the north-west of the

THANKS TO: ³ Dr Christian Neumann, Norbert Kenntner and Kosmos Verlag: kosmos.de More information on birding in Berlin: ³ BirdLife Germany: birdlife.org/news/country/ germany Reference guides: ³ Collins Bird Guide – Lars Svensson, Killian Mullarney & Dan Zetterström ³ Photographic Guide to Birds of Europe, North Africa & the Middle East – Frédéric Jiguet & Aurélien Audevard

city. It is a site that could hold many surprises. Little Bittern has reappeared after a long absence of several years, plus a Slavonian Grebe overwintered recently.

Aside from Ravens there has been another newcomer to the Berlin city scene: the Caspian Gull. This species is very similar looking to the Herring Gull

(and Yellow-legged Gull) and, as such, is seen as one of the ultimate identification challenges for birders. It is often referred to as a ‘birder’s bird’.

The species is slowly spreading west from its eastern origins and has recently started breeding on the roof of an inner city shopping mall.

K E Y SPEC IES RAVEN The Raven carries the mantle of being perhaps the largest corvid in the world – however, it is challenged by the Thickbilled Raven, which is also as large. They are hugely intelligent and are usually the negative subject of many tales, mythology, folklore, art and culture.

With a range that practically covers the Northern Hemisphere the Northern Raven, as it is officially known, is the most widespread corvid on the planet. Most of us associate them with the colder northern regions in forests and along rugged coastlines. However, you are just as likely to come across Ravens flying across baking Spanish sierras or in the middle of bustling cities like Los Angeles.

In fact, they have even begun to encroach into our British cities.

There are several subspecies across its range the largest of which is found in the Himalayas. The subspecies found in south-western North America has been tipped as being a potential split.

There was once a peculiar pied colour morph that was found only on the Faroe Islands.

Unfortunately, they were hunted to extinction, with the last known individual seen in 1948.

Rubén Cebrián

A birder’s treasure trove

AR L

NEW PRODUCTS & GREAT SAVINGS FOR ALL YOUR BIRDING NEEDS

REVIEWS

rinovi

A MID-SIZED BINOCULAR THAT DELIVERS A GR REVIEWED BY DAVID CHANDLER

A

new binocular range often starts with the 42mm models, with the 32mm siblings coming along a little later, and that’s true of these new Trinovid HDs. My review of the 10x42 was published in the August 2017 issue.

Here, I turn my attention to one of the two 32mm models – the 8x. As usual, a 10x32 model is also available.

Form

The 8x32 is comfortable enough to hold and has no thumb indents. Build quality seems very good – this feels like a pretty tough binocular. It is fully rubberarmoured and waterproof, and had no problem at all in Peak District wind, cloud and rain, where Red Grouse was added to #My200BirdYear. Dioptre adjustment is achieved via a simple, calibrated ring under the right eyepiece.

This does the job and its movement is stiff enough to hold its position. The rubber-coated eyecups twist up and down with a solid, definite action, and have three click-stopped intermediate positions – giving a total of five options – which is more than most binoculars.

With 17mm of eye-relief this Trinovid HD should work well for glasses-wearers – but if that’s you, check before parting with any cash. One minor quibble – the central hinge could be a bit stiffer, on my sample at least.

Function

Overall, image quality is very good and reasonably easy on the eyes. There is a little peripheral softness, but nothing to be concerned about. Sharpness and brightness are both very good. At 10-12 metres I could see the vermiculations on a Grey Partridge’s hindneck, and a catchlight in its eye.

Low light performance was good. A little after sunset, and under a fairly clear sky, this binocular was picking out pale patches on the trunk of a distant, unshaded tree, and a good amount of detail in dark, close shade. As the light faded, focusing in the shade became trickier, but with sunset 30 minutes behind me I could still see a little of the trunk markings and some detail in the close shade – which looked more or less

RATINGS OPTICS HANDLING PRICE OVERALL

ÌÌÌÌÌ ÌÌÌÌÌ ÌÌÌ Ì ÌÌÌÌÌ

NB: Price rating reflects value for money against others in its class

black to my unaided eyes. I don think you’ll have any complain on this front.

Focusing precision is good – I found a gentle touch helps. Th focusing wheel is a single finge wide, moving fairly stiffly and smoothly, through a bit more th two full turns clockwise to infi That’s a lot of travel, necessary suspect because of the exceptio close focus. Most birding scena however will be sorted out with a quarter of a turn.

Close focus is this binocular’ stand-out feature. It is quoted a about a metre. I measured it, at 97cm, which is remarkable. I co see the ‘shark’s fin’ on a Giant W Aphid. While these sap feeders be ‘Giant’, at 5-6mm long they a very big! I did find myself closi eye for a comfortable view – th limit to what the brain can do i bringing two images together.

Less positively, the field of vi a bit narrow (124m@1,000m) b use, this didn’t really bother m Read the specs, but try out the binocular, too – what looks like issue in print may not be in rea And I did see some colour-fring on a soaring Griffon Vulture o Strait of Gibraltar, for example, predictably, getting your eye po right can make quite a differen impression was that colour-frin is less of an issue on this Trino than on its big sister (the 10x42 The 8x32 is supplied with a snug-fitting, zip-up neoprene ca which provides some protection adding too much bulk.

It could be a little bigger, to make it easier to fit the binocular in with the eyecups up, and the strap (though you can do it), but I like it.

2 HD

FAC T F I L E Eye relief: 17mm Field of view: 124m@1,000m Close focus: <1m Weight: 650g Size: 130 x 117mm RRP: £825 Warranty: 10 years Supplied with: Strap tethered objective

compact, that delivers a very good image and has a remarkable close focus. If you’re thinking of buying, make sure you’re OK with the field of view and any colour fringing.

ULTRA-LIGHT HARNESS,

BY RICK YOUNG OUTDOORS, $29.95 REVIEWED BY DAVID CHANDLER I’m not really a fan of harnesses, but this one is different from the bulky webbing contraptions that may come to mind. I discovered it in Panama – an American birder was using one. At just one ounce in weight (28g) the U-LH is ultra-light.

It’s made of shock cord so isn’t bulky and adds little to a binocular’s volume when wrapped around them. And it’s versatile. Rick Young Outdoors is a US-based hunting store. But the U-LH also works on birding binoculars...

It attaches to the binocular’s strap lugs with split rings, which carry push-in clips that the shock cord runs through. The blurb says you can use it in five ways. It works well as a harness. It has a single adjustment point – just squeeze and pull the cords through, and you can do this yourself while you’re wearing it. Make sure you have the correct length of cord going over each shoulder, or your binocular won’t move on the cords as well as it should. My binocular didn’t bounce around too much, but if you really want to tie things down use ‘Overwrap Lockdown’ mode – with a cord stretched over each objective barrel. Do this and you could crawl without your bins dangling. It could be good for cycling, too. The binocular moves smoothly on the cords, and as the cord is elasticated, a bit of elastic tension may improve the steadiness of your view. The cords do sometimes touch your face and there is some movement noise – but it’s not too bad.

I thought ‘harness’ was the best mode but it also works well enough as a very easy to adjust neck strap, and, if you lengthen it enough, ‘Side Saddle’ – with your binocular worn across the body. The final mode is ‘Side Pull’ (see illustration). For me, this didn’t really work. Whatever mode you use, there’s much less material in contact with your body than a wide neck strap or a

traditional harness – so less sweat issues. The U-LH is a bit inconvenient when you’re not wearing your bins and just grab them to use – but it’s not designed for that. You’ll need to attach your rainguard (and lens cloth maybe) directly to a binocular strap lug or the U-LH split ring.

I did manage to get the cords a bit twisted too – but sorted it out.

Five harness positions are recommended in the ‘blurb’

VERDICT The U-LH is really light and not at all bulky. You might think you don’t get a lot for your money – but in a way, that’s the point. It’s versatile and quickly adjusted, from harness to neck strap to side-saddle. It may change your view of harnesses. Rick Young Outdoors will ship to the UK. But watch out – I got hit with £12.49 of customs duty!

rickyoungoutdoors.com birdwatching.co.uk 77

GEAR

BOOKS REVIEWED BY MATT MERRITT

THE LONDON BIRD ATLAS

Ian Woodward, Richard Arnold, Neil Smith, London Natural History Society & John Beaufoy Publishing £39.99

BIRDS OF JAVA, SUMATRA AND BALI Tony Tilford, Bloomsbury £9.99 BIRDS OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE

All Photos; Tom Bailey

G. W. H. Davison & Chew Yen Fook, Bloomsbury £9.99 These photo field guides have the great virtue of being small and light and easily tuck into a waistcoat pocket in the field, so if you're planning a trip to any of these locations, they're well worth packing.

They're not comprehensive, of course, and each species is only shown in one plumage, but they should do the job in the field nine times out of ten, and you can always do a bit more detailed research on problem species once you reach home.

78 February 2018

This hefty but very handsome volume brings together years of research and bird records for the whole of Greater London, as well as parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent and Surrey, with detailed species accounts including distribution and abundance maps, graphs and excellent colour photography making up the bulk of its 416 pages.

A total of 370 species have been recorded in the area covered, and just under 200 of them are covered here, so the range is impressive, and even fairly casual browsing is enough to reveal the changing state of the capital's birdlife over many years.

There's some discussion of this in the introductory sections, as well as plenty of useful information on the London Natural History Society (the book was put together by members of the London Bird Club, part of the LNHS).

It is undoubtedly going to be an absolutely essential reference tool for any birdwatcher living in Greater London, but it's also rewarding reading for anyone who birds there rather more infrequently (as I do myself).

It can be difficult, as an outsider, to get a clear picture of the geography of some of the species' distribution simply from the maps, but then this isn't a 'where to see' guide, and it does the job it did set out to do admirably.

It's not going too far to say that this is something of a landmark publication – an area as populous and thus well birded as this deserves a comprehensive and meticulous overview, and that's exactly what this is.

MY BOOK OF BIRDS

BIRDS OF SCILLY, REVIEW 2016

Geraldo Valério, Wren & Rook £12.99

Isles of Scilly Bird Group, BTO £15 (members), £15 plus £2.50 P&P (non-members)

With bold, colourful illustrations and simple, straightforward text, this book by artist and nature-lover Geraldo Valerio is very much aimed at introducing youngsters to the beauty of birds. For the most part it does this very well, with the striking pictures and fascinating facts likely to stick in the memory of its target audience. One slight confusion is the over the choice of species, with many familiar British (and European) birds rubbing shoulders with others from much further afield (especially North America). But its main purpose seems to be to inspire an enduring interest, and it should do that very successfully.

If you're an annual visitor to Britain's most famous rarity hotspot, this is always going to be an essential buy, but it's also an excellent example of a first-class county (or equivalent) report.

The species accounts are well illustrated with photographs and the odd drawing, there are some good finders' accounts, and a number of very interesting articles, but what really makes it a delight is the excellent coverage of wildlife other than birds – if you're not already sold on the idea of a trip to Scilly, then this report should push you over the edge.

GEAR

WISH LIST

More stuff to spend your hard-earned cash on this month WORDS: DAVID CHANDLER

SCHIEHALLION CAGOULE, £180 ple, tough, “windproof and hower proof”jacket in a tional, traditional style. med after the Scottish untain where contour lines re invented, the Schiehallion made from one layer of entile®, has big pockets with torm flaps and velcro gs, and a heavyweight zip under a Velcro-fastening storm flap. “Comfortable and low rustle”. In five standard colours including black and olive, and five premium colours (£20 extra). XS-XL. 595g (medium). Body length and sleeve length can be customised (£30 extra each). hilltrek.co.uk

RSPB ORGANIC MEDIUM ROAST COFFEE, £4.49 FOR 200G A coffee that is good for birds. They don’t drink it, but they do live around the coffee beans growing naturally under the rainforest canopy. This coffee is Smithsonian Institute certified no less – whatever that means. And it’s organic. And it’s Fairtrade. And it has “dark chocolate tones” and “bright floral aromas”. I expect it tastes of coffee, too. shopping.rspb.org.uk

NUTTERY TOWER FEEDER STATION, £49.95 Here’s a simple way to create an all-you-can-eat buffet for the birds in your garden. The Nuttery Tower Feeder Station is easy to put together and has four legs for stability. It comes with four hanging brackets – a regular seed feeder on one perhaps, niger on another maybe, fat balls on another and your house speciality on the fourth… It also has a water tray and a food tray. 190cm high, 68cm wide. vinehousefarm.co.uk

BUTTERFLY UMBRELLA, £9.99 An umbrella for butterfly watchers, though if it’s raining, there are unlikely to be many butterflies to watch!

Each of the umbrella’s eight panels features a different type of butterfly, including Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Peacock and Swallowtail. This is an umbrella that will be noticed! It has a steel handle, is 95cm high, and 120cm in diameter. birdfood.co.uk

HEALTHY BACK BAG EXPEDITION, DEEP FOREST, £115 This bag is designed to reduce stress on the shoulders, neck and back. It’s made from tough, water-resistant, cotton twill with nubuck leather straps and details – so it looks classy, too. There’s a padded, zip-up pocket inside for a tablet, a host of other pockets on the inside, as well as two pen slots and a key hook, plus five more pockets on the outside. You can wear it across your body or on a shoulder – or get someone else to carry it. 52x29x18cm. 650g.

Machine washable. countryinnovation.com

GRISPORT , £90 You’re allowed to wear these even if you’re not a warrior – no-one will know! These shoes are made from waxy leather, with a Vibram outsole and dual density midsole for shock absorption. Their Spo-Tex lining is waterproof and breathable, and just like you, they have flexible toe joints. The Warriors are made in Italy and 75% of the energy used is solar. Available in sizes 7-12. A pair of 9s weighs 1150g. countryinnovation.com

MINDSHIFT GEAR BACKLIGHT 26L PHOTO DAYPACK IN WOODLAND GREEN, £240 This is for the photographers. It’s a rear-panel-opening backpack for camera gear, with 9L o bits and pieces. You can g camera without taking th off – just keep the waist b secured and twist the pac your front. It has an integrated, customisable insert, compartments for tablet and a 15’’ laptop, fro stuff pockets, a rain-cover and more. Holds a DSLR plus 4-6 standard zooms, or two mirrorless cameras with 5-7 lenses.

1.8kg. snapperstuff.com

HAGLÖFS V SERIES DOWN JACKET, £1,000 That’s not a misprint – it’s what it costs to buy the world’s toughest down jacket. Its strength comes from Dyneema® - the “strongest and most durable” fibre in the world. Weight for weight, Dyneema® is 15 times stronger than quality steel!

Dyneema® fibres float on water, and resist moisture, UV and chemicals. In the V series they form an ultra-light, breathable, waterproof fabric. M-XL. 920g. haglofs.com

NIKON D850 DSLR, £3,499.99 A new, full-frame, 45.4MP, pro-level DSLR with 64-25,600 of ISO that can shoot at 9fps, or, silently at 8MP, at 30fps. It has 153 autofocus points and 3-D tracking that locks on to fast or small moving subjects with ‘absolute precision – in any light’. Pinpoint AF will focus on a small area of macro subjects, and the Focus Shift mode focus-stacks up to 300 shots! Plenty of weather sealing and a tilting, touchsensitive LCD. europe-nikon.com/en birdwatching.co.uk 79

UK BIRD

SIGHTI

REVIEW & PHOTOS OF 2017â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RARE BIRDS COMPILED BY: MIKE WEEDON

RARE BIRDS OF 2017 82 February 2018

T

he resonances of 2016 were still being felt as waves of aftershock well into 2017. After all, how do you top a year which featured Lammergeier, Purple Swamphen and seeming flocks of Siberian Accentors?

Luckily, every year produces its own particular brand of magic, and though not quite up to 2016 standards in some ways, 2017 more than made up for it in others.

In January, a couple of rare divers were dominating proceedings, delighting all-comers. There was the Pacific Diver at East Chevington NWT, Northumberland from 18 January, turned up 10 years on from the north-east of England’s first (and until 2017, only) Pacific Diver.

In south Lincolnshire, there was a little bit of history repeating, with a White-billed Diver fishing the inland site of the River Witham by Woodhall Spa. This bird was retracing the fishing grounds of a less fortunate member of its species which was found nearby on the same river back in 1996 (and ended up dying after catching an angler’s hook). The 2017 bird spent a healthy two weeks on the river and was seen flying off strongly south, after being flushed by a boat.

January also produced a few Pine Buntings, presumably left over from the previous autumn’s influx. These included a female at Venus Pool, Shropshire, and another at Felmingham, Norfolk (only reported widely in March), and males at Dunington, North Yorkshire and Sittingbourne, Kent (the latter staying until late February).

Several rarities hung on from December, including the Gloucestershire Blue Rock Thrush, the Derbyshire Dusky Thrush, the Devon Desert Wheatear and a couple of Eastern Black Redstarts at opposite ends of England (Cornwall and Northumberland) and the Mainland, Shetland, Killdeer.

A new Black-throated Thrush (a female) was found at Adwick Marshlands RSPB, South Yorkshire, but perhaps the star bird late on was a Red-flanked Bluetail at Wern Ddu, Glamorgan (from 26 January to late February).

In a similar vein to the bluetail, it was a winter shock when a Bluethroat was discovered apparently wintering at Willow Tree Fen LWT, south Lincolnshire on 10 February. Although not one of the rarest birds per se, this obliging male proved to be one of the star individual birds for many, during the year. It stuck around until well into March (seemingly becoming somewhat dependent on mealworm hand-outs from visiting photographers); long enough for it to have started to do short bursts of sub-song and to grow genuine sapphire blue throat feathers.

February also brought a couple of ‘megas’: including

WHITE-BILLED DIVER St Margaret’s Hope, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, 30 April

Steve Gantlett

Steve Gantlett

BLACK-WINGED STILTS, Potter Heigham, Norfolk, 14 July

birdwatching.co.uk 83

David Carr

UK BIRD SIGHTINGS

Ï AMERICAN REDSTART Eoligarry, Barra, Outer Hebrides, 13 September

John Malloy

ÎFERRUGINOUS DUCK Silverlink Park, Northumberland, 29 March

84 February 2018

Ashley Howe

Spring fair A Glaucous-winged Gull on Fair Isle, Shetland, was one of the top stories for March and would have been massive, if only it had had the decency to stay for more than a day. Also only around for a short period was a Baillon’s Crake found on the beach at Porthchapel, St Levan (near Land’s End) Cornwall (10 March)!

A dead Allen’s Gallinule was found on St Kilda during the month. More accessible in March (and very much alive) was a female/first-winter Red-flanked Bluetail at Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk, on 25th, which was conveniently close to the visitors’ centre.

And while on the blue theme, the Gloucestershire Blue Rock Thrush finally left its Stow-on-the Wold rooftop winter home after 26 March. But, remarkably, the bird was re-found at Beachy Head East Sussex on 6 April. Plumage details (and a drooping wing) confirmed that this was indeed the same bird. And its apparent migration to the south gave reassurance to some birders who were beginning to doubt the thrush’s truly wild credentials.

Bonaparte’s Gull numbers started to increase slightly during March, with individuals seen at Helston Boating Lake, Cornwall, Swithland Reservoir, Leicestershire (a county first), Ayrshire and Devon.

Even more were seen in April, with further birds in Oxfordshire, Dorset, Essex and Aberdeenshire.

A UK first

Hugh Harrop

Rebecca Nason

an American Royal Tern on Guernsey, which remained in the Channel Islands until mid-November, at least.

There was also a Siberian Accentor (presumably having lingered since the autumn), found at a private Ï FEMALE site at Invergordon, Highlands.

RED-WINGED There was a mini-wave of Little Buntings, with one BLACKBIRD, North Ronaldsay, Orkney, at Great Barford GP, Bedfordshire and others in Devon, Hampshire and Cornwall.

May An even more notable ‘influx’ in February saw Í HERMIT THRUSH Cattle Egrets arriving in numbers, including a roost of at least 16 birds at Helston Loe Pool, Cornwall, and Noss, Shetland, other Cattle Egrets being found at more than 30 sites 19 April across the country. By the third week of March, there were more than 75 Cattle Egrets in Cornwall, Ð BLACK-BILLED including more than 35 at Frenchman’s Creek and CUCKOO Dale of Walls, Mainland, more than 20 at St Clement. All this activity was a precursor to the exciting news that a pair of Cattle Shetland, Egrets had bred at Burton Mere Wetlands, Cheshire.

18 September Of course, this was not the only extraordinary breeding story during the year...

A first for the UK was the highlight of a typically busy April: a female Red-winged Blackbird at North Ronaldsay, Orkney (from 29 April to 14 May). Its prolonged stay gave ample opportunity for mainland UK twitchers and listers to get up there to tick it.

Though not a ‘UK first’ a very rare spring find was a Hermit Thrush on Noss, Shetland, on 19 April. And birdwatching.co.uk 85

Richard Stonier

86 February 2018

ÏSPOTTED SANDPIPER Belvide Reservoir, Shropshire, May Í ELEGANT TERN Pagham Harbour, West Sussex, 17 June

Richard Stonier

continuing the rare thrush theme, a male Rock Thrush was found on St Martin’s, Scilly, on 10 April. With another turning up in South Wales later in the year, 2017 was certainly a good year for Rock Thrushes.

The latter part of the month saw a significant influx of Black-winged Stilts into the country, with several multiple occurrences. In the next few weeks, several pairs of these spring visitors would settle down to do what spring birds do: find a territory, mate and lay eggs. Prominent successful pairs included one (with four young!)at Potter Heigham, Norfolk, at Cliffe Pools RSPB, Kent, and one pair at the Ouse Washes, Cambridgeshire (with failed breeding at nearby Welney WWT, Norfolk).

About 20 sites had Red-rumped Swallows during April and there were at least 11 Subalpine Warblers and eight Alpine Swifts during the month. More cryptically, a few Dark-eyed Juncos also turned up in gardens across the country (with a few more in May).

One of the most exciting birds of the month was the male Pallid Harrier at Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire, which was regularly seen in skydancing display, presumably to any local female Hen Harriers ‘clinging on’ in the north-west of England…

May kicked off with a Lesser Kestrel on Noss, Shetland, (1st) the second major bird for the island in two months (and the same island also had Ortolan, Grey-headed Wagtail, Crane, multiple Bluethroats and Rustic Bunting, in May). On Foula, also Shetland, there was a Two-barred Greenish Warbler. Later in the year, a second would appear at St Aldhelm’s, Dorset (15th October). In May, though, the star Dorset bird was a Spectacled Warbler at Portland on 8th, the ninth for the UK and the first record for the county.

Once more, a Black-browed Albatross returned to Bempton Cliffs RSPB, East Yorkshire, being seen on 13 May, as well as 16th and 18th. Presumably the same bird would return in mid-June and, on 28 June, it was even seen to land in among the breeding Gannets!

A couple of Spotted Sandpipers were very popular during the month (at Belvide Reservoir, Staffordshire, and Buttermere, Cumbria) not least because both showy birds wore the fully spotted regalia. From the south and east, Red-footed Falcons had a good spring, with at least 40 seen during May including a remarkable five at Spurn, East Yorkshire, on 28 May.

Jim Almond

UK BIRD SIGHTINGS

Ð WILSON’S PETREL Scilly pelagic, 12 August

Steve Gantlett

Ï BLACK STORK Dunsby, Lincolnshire, 25 July

Luke Geraty

Í KING EIDER Nethertown/Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford, 22 June

birdwatching.co.uk 87

David Carr

UK BIRD SIGHTINGS

A Gull-billed Tern seen flying over the Ouse Washes RSPB on 15 May was the first for Cambridgeshire.

Over the next months, this bird was relocated at several sites around the country. And, it was not the only rare tern to go on tour. A red-ringed Caspian Tern also performed a bit of a grand tour (from 20 June).

After spending a long spell in South Wales, it was located in Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire (in July), then had a spell in West Yorkshire, before a further spell in west Norfolk.

On 2 June, a Sooty Tern flew past Uisead Point, Argyll. The first week of June brought even more rare tern news, with a colour-ringed Elegant Tern at Hayling Island, Hampshire, and later Pagham Harbour, West Sussex (from 10th), being a known individual of pure ancestry and so potentially another first for the UK. Previous birds have always had an element of doubt about their genetics…

In mid-June, during a bit of heatwave, a beautiful male Yellow-rumped Warbler was a sensational find on the Pembrokeshire island of Skokholm (18th).

A few days later a White-throated Needletail was discovered on Barra, Outer Hebrides (22nd).

Back to rare breeders, one of the major news stories of the year was of a small colony of Bee-eaters appearing in a quarry at East Leake, Nottinghamshire 88 February 2018

ÏSCOPS OWL Ryhope, Co. Durham, 27 September

ÐFIRST-WINTER MALE BLUETHROAT, Willow Tree Fen LWT, Lincolnshire, 14 February

Mike Weedon

One good tern

Kit Day

ÏBUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Davidstow Airfield, Cornwall, 5 October. Î CATTLE EGRET Felbrigg, Norfolk, 22 March

Steve Gantlett

Í PALLID HARRIER Whitendale, Bowland, Lancashire, 2 May ÐFIRST-SUMMER FEMALE AMUR FALCON Polgigga, Cornwall, 7 July

Steve Gantlett

The male Pallid Harrier... was seen in skydancing display, presumably to any local female Hen Harriers ‘clinging on’ in the north-west

Steve Gantlett

Jim Almond

BEE-EATER East Leake, Nottinghamshire, 26 June

birdwatching.co.uk 89

UK BIRD SIGHTINGS

(from late June). Sadly, despite being monitored and protected, it was impossible to control the weather (and its effects on insect ‘food’ supplies). And it appeared that a cold snap in July ended the Bee-eaters breeding hopes. Later the group of birds were relocated in Leicestershire, but did not breed there, successfully, either. Perhaps this year…

ÏPARROT CROSSBILL Near Lerwick, Shetland, October

Ð PACIFIC DIVER Druridge Bay CP, Northumberland 22 January

Mike Weedon

ÎCASPIAN TERN Baston and Langtoft GP, Lincolnshire, 15 July

Jonathan Farooqi

July brought another hugely popular and hugely rare bird, a first-summer female Amur Falcon, to Polgigga, Cornwall (6 July). Looking exhausted on its first day, it had perked up somewhat by the next, being still present in the early morning, departing at 9.30am. It was rediscovered on 17th at St Buryan (Cornwall) and was still in the area on 21st but not seen subsequently.

Seabirds were a big feature of the summer, with very good numbers of Great and Cory’s Shearwaters, particularly off south-west England. It was also an exceptional season for Wilson’s Petrels, with 15 seen on a single pelagic trip off Scilly.

Much later (in fact 2 November) a Cory’s Shearwater turned up inland at Rutland Water (and a couple of days later at Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire).

Late summer into autumn featured two North American wood warblers presumably blown over by the prolonged hurricane season; a Yellow Warbler at Culverwell, Portland, Dorset (21 August); and a female American Redstart on Barra, Outer Hebrides (7 September). The latter was the first properly twitchable individual since 1985!

Scilly and Shetland started a bit of a rare bird archipelago play-off during September. Shetland produced Yellow-breasted Bunting (Out Skerries), Black-billed Cuckoo (Mainland), Siberian Thrush (Unst). Scilly countered with a probable Tennessee Warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Meanwhile, as autumn rarities started pouring in, the UK mainland fought back with a Scops Owl at Ryhope, Co. Durham, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler at

Will Bowell

Late summer goodies

90 February 2018

Gary Thoburn Jim Almond

Ï CEDAR WAXWING St Agnes, Scilly, 7 October

With another turning up in South Wales later in the year, 2017 was certainly a good year for Rock Thrushes

Steve Gantlett

ROCK THRUSH Gilwern Hill, Monmouthshire, 27 October

Í CORY’S, GREAT AND SOOTY SHEARWATERS Scilly pelagic, 13 August

birdwatching.co.uk 91

UK BIRD SIGHTINGS

Í AMERICAN WHITEWINGED SCOTER Belmont, Unst, Shetland, October

Hugh Harrop

Ð TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER St Aldhems Head, Dorset 18 October

ÐÐ STEPPE GREY SHRIKE Whalsay, Shetland , October

Burnham Overy Dunes, Norfolk, and Stilt and Least Sandpipers together at Lodmoor RSPB, Dorset.

92 February 2018

Hugh Harrop

Inevitably, rare birds went from strength to strength in October. St Agnes, Scilly, had a ‘hot’ spell, with Eastern Orphan Warbler, Cedar Waxwing and a moribund Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Meanwhile, the larger island of St Mary’s had Isabelline Wheatear and Wilson’s Snipe.

Perhaps the best looking rarity of the whole autumn was a male Siberian Blue Robin trapped on North Ronaldsay, Orkney (8 October). Sadly, only a few got to witness this dazzler.

Shetland produced a couple of Siberian Rubythroats, a White-crowned Sparrow and at least 35 Rustic Buntings. Additional Shetland goodies included a well-watched Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler (Mainland; from 1st); a Pechora Pipit on Foula; and at least five Olive-backed Pipits on Mainland, where there was also a Buff-bellied Pipit.

Fair Isle had a White’s Thrush on 7th and Whalsay had a Steppe Grey Shrike (from 14th), and Shetland saw a mini-influx of Hornemann’s Arctic Redpolls.

There were Black-headed Bunting, Red-throated Pipit, Isabelline Shrike and at least three Blyth’s Reed Warblers on the archipelago. Later in the month, the star Shetland bird (at least in rarity if not in looks) was a female/juvenile American White-winged Scoter at Belmont, Unst (from 18th).

There was also the first stage of the Parrot Crossbill invasion in Shetland, with birds on Unst and Mainland. A month later, after this ‘invasion’ was almost forgotten, Parrot Crossbills surged England in a big way, with decent flocks on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and in Berkshire as well as a few sites elsewhere. As many as 42 Parrot Crossbills were in the Santon Warren flock in early December.

Not as rare, but no less popular, was the Hawfinch ‘invasion’ which took England by storm in late October and early November. Many birds were found at wintering sites across the country.

December’s rare bird news was dominated by the late autumn Parrot Crossbills. The main exception was a Black Guillemot in the mouths of the Rivers Witham and Welland near Frampton RSPB, Lincolnshire. Not a rare species in itself, it is very rare in Lincolnshire (probably only the 12th record), so attracted a crowd.

Observers soon noted that it was an exceptionally pale individual and it was a good candidate for the high Arctic race mandtii.

More on this next month when we return to the normal UKBS format.

James Lowen

October delights

John Hewitt

Ï WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN, Kilnsea, East Yorkshire, July

Steve Gantlett

Î WHITE-BILLED DIVER, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, January

birdwatching.co.uk 93

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Back Chat

A quick chat with… Mel Shepherd-Wells, an Essex-based bird and wildlife guide offering tours in a mobility access vehicle (birdingandbeyond.com) What first sparked your interest in birdwatching, and when?

When I was about nine or 10, my mum gave me a pair of secondhand binoculars along with a Young Ornithologists’ Club membership to keep me out of mischief.

Who was your birdwatching inspiration or mentor?

Sir David Attenborough; everything he does is brilliant, but his documentary about the Shoebill fascinated me.

Do you bird alone or with a friend?

I usually go birding with two friends, Nidge and Al. I also run a specialist birdwatching service for wheelchair users; one of my regular customers, Tony, has become a friend and birding companion.

Your dream bird to see?

Siberian Jay; there is something particularly endearing about it.

Your favourite birding spot?

Oare Marshes; the river, lake and mudflats make it a diverse landscape and it also has an excellent disabled parking area so you can birdwatch from the car.

Your classic birder’s lunch, grabbed from the filling station chiller cabinet?

We’re normally quite prepared, taking our own picnic-type snacks but I’ve been known to grab a pasty on-the-go!

Whooper Swan or Bewick’s?

Bewick’s.

Favourite bird song or call?

Blackbird, although the huge volume of the tiny Wren makes it a close second.

Birdwatching’s biggest myth or misconception?

“It’s only men who go birdwatching”; there are far more women actively birdwatching now than years ago.

The best bird you’ve seen?

Nightjar; for me this bird was almost mythical, I didn’t think I would ever get to see one.

98 February 2018

Identifying gulls – nightmare or a nice day out?

They’re a nightmare but any day birding is a nice day out!

Your favourite bird joke?

Why do seagulls fly over the sea?

Because if they flew over the bay, they’d be baygulls!

How do we encourage young people to watch birds?

Include it (along with nature studies in general) as part of the school curriculum.

Redwing or Fieldfare?

It’s got to be the Fieldfare, with its impressive stature.

One place you’d love to go birdwatching?

The rugged and beautiful scenery of Shetland would be amazing.

An issue you feel strongly about?

Malta; the shooting of those spring migrating birds breaks my heart.

Find Mel on Twitter: @ShepherdWells

The bird that annoys you most?

Ring-necked Parakeet; this noisy interloper scares off the smaller native birds and then eats all the food from my feeders!

The bogey bird that still eludes you?

There are two; the Little Auk and the Wood Sandpiper.

The bird book you’d never be without?

The Birdwatcher’s Yearbook, the one Christmas gift I know for definite I will receive every year!

Why do you love birdwatching, in three words?

Modern life antidote.

Advice for birders taking part in our #My200BirdYear challenge?

Don’t stop looking, they can be found in the most unexpected places, sometimes not far from your own doorstep – there are various apps that can alert you to the presence of birds in your area.

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THE MATING GAME

Courtship displays

A word from our sponsor Experiencing moments of passion – this is what Leica stands for, and is the reason behind the creation of Leica products.

In the world of nature, this passion can, however, only be experienced if this world persists. It is, therefore, our duty and responsibility to protect and conserve this natural treasure.

We make our contribution to this through the use of high-quality materials with minimum environmental impact in our production processes.

What’s more, we are not only actively involved in the protection of the Spoonbilled Sandpiper and give our support to the efforts of the WWT, but are also engaged in other environmental protection and wildlife conservation projects around the world.

A courtship ritual is a true spectacle which can be thrilling for the birdwatcher to witness, writes Matt Merritt February is when the majority of our resident birds start thinking about finding a mate, pairing up, and setting about ensuring that their species survives and even thrives.

The process of finding a mate, though, varies enormously from one species to

1

another, with a wide range of different strategies used to attract and hold the attention of the opposite sex – indeed, several different strategies are often combined.

Over the next four pages, we look at some of them…

Physical display

Passionate birders and ornithologists recognise the importance of good equipment, in particular when observing easily startled birds from a distance to avoid disturbing them in their natural habitat.

For more than a century now, we have been designing and constructing precision lenses for wildlife lovers to ensure that they can observe the behaviour, the glorious colours and the plumage in perfect detail from an appropriate distance.

Contents 2-5 Attention seeking 6

The next stage

8

An avian soap opera

12

Know your nest types

14

How you can save our birds

Kevin Elsby/Alamy

The dazzling displays used by birds to attract a mate are nothing short of thrilling

We explain the four main breeding strategies used by birds The Dunnock is not what it seems, especially when it comes to mating How to identify the birds that are nesting in your garden Follow our guide to creating nest sites that will help our birds

2 The Mating Game 2018

This is probably the broadest category, and can itself be broken down into three sub-categories.

Firstly, there’s the simple but effective display provided by the bird’s plumage, or sometimes by its bill or other bare body parts. Think of the Robin’s red breast, the Great Spotted Woodpecker’s red nape and vent, or the bright crowns of the Goldcrest and Firecrest. All are signals to females that the male is available for breeding, as well as often warnings to other males to stay clear. Long crests, such as on a Lapwing or Grey Heron, serve a similar purpose.

One of the more unusual of these is the Swallow’s tail streamers (above). The longer and more symmetrical a male’s streamers are, the more successful he is with the opposite sex, despite the fact that they actually hinder his aerial foraging. This is known as the ‘handicap principle’ – the bird is telling females that he can afford to have showy but unwieldy appendages and still provide for himself and any potential family – the extraordinary plumages of many of birds-of-paradise is a more extreme example.

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Leks

These are gatherings of birds at which the males compete with each other for the attentions of females – in some cases they’ll come to blows, although, in others, they merely try to out-sing and out-display each other. They’re often performed at particular sites year after year.

In the UK, the best known lekkers are Black Grouse (above). The males spend much of the year attending them each morning, although the females only generally start showing up in February and stay until around May. Males strut

to and fro, fanning their tail feathers out, while the females watch from vantage points such as tussocks and fence posts.

Ruff are another species which lek, and while they’re rare and irregular breeders here, passage birds do sometimes start lekking while on their way to their Arctic breeding grounds.

But perhaps the world’s most celebrated lekkers are the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, whose colourful, noisy gatherings are seen and heard in the cloud forests of South America.

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THE MATING GAME

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Performed displays

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Displays, ‘dances’ and ritual performances may be used instead of or as well as physical displays. Male Goldeneyes (below), for example, throw their heads right back in a fashion guaranteed to catch the attention of female Goldeneyes as well as birders, and other wildfowl species such as Teal can also be seen throwing some unusual shapes to ensure that the brightest parts of their plumage can be seen.

Once a pair bond has been formed, at least tentatively, some species such as Robins reinforce it by the male feeding the female. This can also be seen in raptors such as Marsh Harriers, with the male tossing prey to the female in mid-air.

4 Flight displays

5 Song

While even garden birds such as Blue Tits (above) engage in a certain amount of flight display, ‘parachuting’ towards their mate’s chosen nest site, it’s a phenomenon more often seen in larger birds, from Woodpigeons (which climb, clap their wings together, then glide slowly down), to Sparrowhawks and their larger cousins, Goshawks, whose spring display (often best seen in February) involves slow, exaggeratedly flappy flight, interspersed with long glides and undulations.

4 The Mating Game 2018

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This is sometimes combined with flight, as in the case of the Sky Lark (below), which delivers its long, rhapsodic song as it climbs to as high as 100m, before ‘parachuting’ down again, or the Curlew, which similarly pours out its liquid song as it glides over upland grassland.

More often, it’s delivered from a perch, usually a prominent one, and repeated often. And while ‘song’ might most often conjure up the warblings of Blackbirds, Blackcaps or Nightingales, it can also be much simpler and harsher, as in the case of the Chiffchaff, or the Chaffinch – as long as it grabs the attention of potential mates and rival males, it serves its purpose. Not songs as such, but worth including in this category, are the drumming of woodpeckers (in the UK, just the Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted), and the drumming of Snipe (actually a sound made by vibrating tail feathers as it flies over its territory).

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Construction

A good example of this in the UK is the Wren – a male typically builds around half a dozen nests to impress females, with his eventual mate then deciding to make use of one of them.

But further afield, the most extreme example might be the bowerbirds of Australasia – these species (such as the Satin Bowerbird, pictured right) decorate their bowers with found objects, often sticking to a distinct colour theme.

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Mutual display

In some species, both males and females display to each other. The Great Crested Grebe (above) is the best-known UK example, and February sees them starting their aquatic ballets in earnest.

The birds perform a ‘dance’ in which they shake their heads, flick their back feathers with their bills, mirror each other’s movements, ‘penguin walk’ through the water, and finally present each other with weeds from beneath the water. It’s worth noting that they also extend their ‘crests’ – actually more of a ruff or frill around the face – for extra effect.

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THE MATING GAME

strategies Courtship and display are the parts of the reproductive process that we, as birdwatchers, see mos , and take most notice of, because they’re o ighly visible and/or audible.

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But, in fact, they’re just tools in the service of each species’ mating strategy – what happens once the male of the species (usually) has attracted the attention of the females.

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Monogamy

In all cases, this has evolved as the best way of ensuring the survival of the maximum number of young birds. Birds use four main breeding strategies, which we detail here…

Polygyny

On the face of it, this is the most common strategy – put simply, one male and one female form a pair bond, and rear any resulting offspring, although the two don’t necessarily share the incubation, feeding and protection of nest duties equally.

But it’s not as simple as that at all. For a start, while some species such as Greylag Geese and Jackdaws mate for life, despite their sociable lifestyles, many others are effectively serial monogamists, sometimes changing partners after a single brood has been raised (in the case of species that raise multiple broods each year), from one breeding season to another, or after a number of breeding seasons.

But there’s also the fact that even in most nominally monogamous species, a large amount of ‘extra-pair’ mating occurs, with broods often containing chicks sired by more than one father.

So, research involving DNA has shown that 20% of House Sparrow nests contain one or more chicks unrelated to the ‘father’ in that particular pair. In Starlings, this figure is more like 30%, in Yellowhammers 70%, and Reed Buntings 90%. Most of our other familiar garden birds, from Coal Tits to House Martins, are similarly broad-minded in their definition of ‘monogamy’!

Wren This is where a single male mates with at least two females – sometimes considerably more – and perhaps also plays a part in provisioning multiple nests and families.

Wrens are a good example, with as many as four nests and females being maintained by each male, although two or three is more normal.

But it’s also a strategy utilized by much bigger birds, too, with raptors such as Montagu’s Harriers also using it when large amounts of prey are available. In such cases they might feed two females and two broods simultaneously, although it’s also common for them to feed two in quick succession (effectively the sort of serial monogamy we talked about earlier).

YAY Media AS/Alamy

Martin Harvey/Alamy*

Greylag Goose

In association with DI D YO U K N OW In some species, breeding pairs get assistance from their relatives in raising their young, This happens in Long-tailed Tits for example – pairs whose own nest has failed split up and go to help feed the young of male relatives. Another variation is seen in Moorhens, which can have three or four broods each year – the surviving young from each brood usually hang around and help their parents to raise their siblings from the succeeding broods.

3 Polygynandry Alpine Accentor

Polyandry

In this system, the female actively seeks out multiple matings with different males, resulting in a brood of chicks with more than one father – again, read a little more about the Dunnock on the following pages to learn more about this in action.

There’s also what’s known as ‘sequential polyandry’, in which the female mates with one male, leaves him to incubate the eggs and raise the young, then moves on to a second male, where the same thing occurs.

Grey and Red-necked Phalaropes are good examples of this, and in both cases the usual sexual dimorphism is reversed – the female is the more colourful.

Mating Red-necked Phalararopes

All Canada Photos/Alamy

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Multiple males defend a defined territory together, and multiple females rear several broods within it, with their help.

This is the sort of system sometimes used by species such as the Alpine Accentor, and its close relative the Dunnock – turn the page if you want to know more about the extraordinary family lives of this familiar garden ‘Little Brown Job’.

THE MATING GAME

An avian soap opera Not all is what it appears with the seemingly-dull and often overlooked Dunnock – it practises a very unusual mating strategy, writes Ian Parsons

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T

he Dunnock has something of an image problem. One of our most common species, it is a bird that is familiar to us all and, because it is so common and so familiar, it is also often a bird that is completely ignored. With its skulking habits and generally unobtrusive manner, the Dunnock isn’t a bird to stand out in a crowd – it doesn’t have the acrobatics of the tits or the colour of a Robin to draw the eye. It is the archetypal Little Brown Job. If there was a television program called Bird Makeover Challenge then surely our humble Dunnock would be a prime candidate for a starring role. The first thing they would probably look at changing is the bird’s name. The main coloration of the bird is responsible for it and its other names.

The word Dunnock is derived from an old word that meant ‘little brown one’ (quite simply, it is the original LBJ!) and the alternative name of Hedge Sparrow is again referring to the brown plumage that resembles the unrelated, and altogether more boisterous, House Sparrow. Even the Latin name of Prunella modularis stems from the bird’s colour; Prunella meaning little plum or brownish.

The proper name for the Dunnock though, is the Hedge Accentor. The Accentors are a small family of birds, that is the only bird family endemic to the Palearctic region. In total, there are 13 species, while in our part of the region, the Western Palearctic, five can be found as regular breeders.

Of these, three, Radde’s, Black-throated and Siberian Accentor are extremely restricted in range, while the more common and widespread Alpine

8 The Mating Game 2018

Accentor is limited (In Europe) to the mountain regions of southern and central Europe.

The Dunnock is not restricted (although in the Mediterranean region it is more of a wintering species) and is abundant; the British breeding population is estimated to be more than 2.5million pairs. Whether you call it the Hedge Accentor, the Hedge Sparrow or the Dunnock, there is no getting away from the fact that the bird is indeed brown.

But, it is not completely brown – the head and neck of the adult birds are in fact a lovely slate grey in colour. When you see this in full sun it makes, in my opinion at least, the bird look very smart indeed.

The problem is, Dunnocks don’t often sit out in the full sun, preferring instead to be in among shrubs, or within the hedgerow, and when they do venture out they never go very far from cover. Now, I am a fan of the Dunnock, but based on the evidence so far, even I have to admit that they do indeed seem a bit dull.

But the Dunnock has a trump card to play that certainly spices up the bird’s image. Its sex life.

That is definitely not dull!

The Dunnock is a great example of how we often take our common birds for granted, making assumptions about their lives without ever really looking closely at them. When the Dunnock’s mating strategy was studied by biologists, not only did it reveal that the bird behaved in a very unexpected way, but it also discovered strategies that are very unusual in the bird world.

To put it simply, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the mating strategy of these

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Another tactic employed by the male is that of pecking the femaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cloaca, a process which leads to the female ejecting sperm from a previous mating; the male will then mate with her himself

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THE MATING GAME

S PECIES Ð FACTFILE

DUNNOCK Scientific name: Prunella modularis Length: 13-14.5cm UK numbers: 2.5 million breeding territories Habitat: Well-vegetated areas Diet: Insects, spiders, worms and seeds

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It is very much the norm for two different males to share the feeding duties of a single brood of Dunnock chicks

otherwise unassuming LBJs! The last two strategies are unusual in the bird world and, guess what? The Dunnock practises both, but it also practises the first two as well!

All four strategies can be, and are, employed by our unassuming garden visitor.

Not only that, they will also often switch between them as spring progresses.

The most common strategy is that of polyandry, where the female will seek out matings with more than one male, resulting in a brood that has more than one father.

It is very much the norm for two different males to share the feeding duties of a single brood of Dunnock chicks.

For the female, this is a result; an extra bird helping with the parental care of the chicks will ensure that more of them survive to fledging. But, for the males, the outcome is less than satisfactory. However, they can, and do, try to change this.

If the male is able to provision the female with an abundance of food, then

the female’s territory reduces significantly.

This results in her wandering less and therefore reduces the chance of her mating with another male, but the downside to this is that the male can spend too much time searching for food and not enough time defending his territory, which can result in a male (or even males!) sneaking in and mating with the female.

Another tactic employed by the male is that of pecking the female’s cloaca, a process which leads to the female ejecting sperm from a previous mating; the male will then mate with her himself and then try to guard her from other males to try to ensure that he is the sole father of the resulting brood.

The life of the Dunnock may at first seem as if it could indeed be the topic of a ‘makeover’ style television program, but in fact, the life of the Dunnock is pure soap opera drama, and what’s more is that it is all going on right under our noses and you don’t even need to pay a licence fee to see it.

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WHER E TO WATC H ?

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Seen all over the UK, these little birds favour well-vegetated areas with scrub, brambles and hedges. Look out for them in deciduous woodland farmland edges as well as parks and gardens.

They like to stay on the ground and are often close to cover.

F O U R C LOS E LY R E L AT E D ACC EN TOR S

Robin Accentor, Prunella rubeculoides The outstandingly pretty Robin Accentor is, of course, named for its appearance, especially its orange breast, like a Robin.

Like most accentors it is a high altitude species, breeding at 3,000-5,500m in the Himalayan region.

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Alpine Accentor, Prunella collaris The large Alpine Accentor is a very widespread species, ranging from Europe to eastern Asia, and found mainly at high altitude (breeding above 2,000m), but coming to lower levels in winter. A very rare vagrant to the UK.

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Mongolian Accentor, Prunella koslowi Also known as Koslowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accentor, this pale accentor is one of the least known species, owing to its restricted range in China and Mongolia. It looks like a washed out or leucistic Dunnock, more pipit- or lark-like than its relatives.

Siberian Accentor, Prunella montanella Breeding across Siberia, the pretty Siberian Accentor made headlines in autumn 2016, when the first ever UK occurrence was found on Shetland (above). Several more birds were found in Scotland and north-east England .

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THE MATING GAME

Know your nest types Not sure which birds are breeding in your garden? We can help...

Even the smallest garden has probably got a few nests in it, although you might not notice that they’re there until the leaves fall from the trees in autumn and they become much more obvious.

Before the foliage reappears, and before the nests are reoccupied (remember, it is an offence

to disturb nesting birds during the breeding season), take the chance to try to identify which birds are making their homes in your garden.

Once you get the hang of it, try looking a bit further afield, and start to identify the nests that you see in your local area, near to where you work,

O This is a Carrion Crow nest, but Raven, Magpie and Rook nests are also similar (in the case of Rooks, expect to see several together).

O Raptors such as Hobbies often take over old corvid nests.

O Grey Heron nests are also similar structures.

O Looser, flimsier platforms of twigs are used by Woodpigeons and Collared Doves (pictured).

O They might be placed in the crooks of tree branches, or perched on building ledges as in the example shown.

Building cavities

O Tree holes are the most obvious example, and are used by Starlings (pictured), woodpeckers and tits.

O Nuthatches also use tree holes – they narrow the entrance to their liking by pasting mud across it.

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Natural cavities

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Platform

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Large twig bowls

and indeed wherever you go.

Some, such as the nests of seabirds, will of course be much more obvious than others, but although you might not always be able to pin down the exact species, you should be able to narrow the suspects down considerably.

O Swifts (pictured) use cavities under the eaves of roofs – unlike Swallows and House Martins, they don’t build an actual nest.

O Starlings and House Sparrows can also utilise similar sites.

O Jackdaws often use chimney pots, in loose colonies.

O Peregrines are among our best-known ledge-nesters.

As well as natural sites, they also use quarries, or ledges on buildings such as churches.

O Ravens might also be found using similar sites, plus Rock Doves and their city cousins, Feral Pigeons.

O Other raptors such as Golden Eagles usually nest on mountain crags.

12 The Mating Game 2018

Gary K Smith/Alamy

Ledges

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Enclosed

O Other family groups, such as warblers, also use them.

O They can be placed in trees, hedges, or in rock cavities.

O Long-tailed Tits are the best example of this in the UK – their ‘pendant’ nests gave them their folk name of ‘bumbarrel’.

Bank holes

O Elsewhere in the world, variations on this sort of nest are used by families such as weavers, orependolas and orioles.

Mud cup O House Martins build nests of mud under the eaves of houses, although they would originally have positioned them on rock ledges.

O Swallows choose similar nests sites, although often lower down in barns and outbuildings, and their nests contain more plant fibres.

Mud and shingle scrapes

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Coastal cliffs

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O Kingfisher nest holes (pictured), are made in the banks of rivers – look for tell-tale droppings below them.

O Sand Martins also nest in holes, but in large colonies, often in gravel pits and quarries (they will also use artificial nest banks).

O Bee-eaters may be about to colonise the UK – they too nest in holes, in smaller colonies.

O Many gulls, auks (Guillemots and Razorbills), and Fulmars nest on ledges on sea cliffs.

O Puffins are often in close

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O This is what many of us think of as the classic nest type – it is used by species such as Blackbirds (pictured above).

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Cups

proximity, but they use burrows on top of the cliffs.

O The majority of seabirds are colonial nesters.

O Scrapes like this are often used by waders – because of the lack of protection, their young are precocial (they walk as soon as they hatch).

O Species such as Ringed Plover (nest pictured), rely on camouflage to protect their eggs from predation.

Grassland scrapes

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O Other waders, such as the Curlew (pictured) and Lapwings, make scrapes of grass and other vegetation.

O Their young are also precocial, foraging for themselves almost as soon as they hatch.

O They rely on habitat where the grass is not mown for hay too early in the spring and summer.

O Even small patches of grass among crops can be used.

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THE MATING GAME

1

Plant dense cover

Anna Stowe Botanica/Alamy*

Species such as Dunnocks, Robins and Wrens like dense hedges and bushes – if the former is out of the question in your garden, try to plant at least one dense bush or shrub such as Hawthorn, Berberis, or Holly.

How you can save our birds The declines of several species of familiar birds have been at least partly attributed to a lack of suitable nest sites – so here is how you can help your garden visitors

3 Garden considerately

Plant a tree

OK, so you do need a decent-sized garden, and you have to be patient, because it will be a few years before it’s large enough that the likes of Collared Doves or Mistle Thrushes will start to look at building their nests in its branches.

But if you want to think long-term, you could plant fruit trees, or something like a Field Maple or a Rowan.

14 The Mating Game 2018

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Try to stay away from known nest sites during the breeding season. Some species will put up with a surprising amount of casual disturbance (walking past, etc), but remember that they’ll need regular unimpeded access to the nest throughout the breeding season. Don’t cut hedges and shrubs back close between mid-February and July, to avoid exposing nests.

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T

he trend to ‘tidy up’ gardens with decking (and even artificial grass), and the removal of hedges deprives birds of feeding and nesting opportunities, while species such as Starlings, House Sparrows and Swifts, which historically made extensive use of cavities and holes in houses, or of outbuildings, have suffered because of the renovation of such structures.

So, how can you help?

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Put up nestboxes

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The greater variety, the better, from enclosed boxes with small holes for the likes of Blue Tits and Great Tits, to open-fronted boxes for Robins.

And don’t forget that you can also get House Martin and Swift boxes to place under the eaves of your house – both species are very much in need of a helping hand. Don’t put too many of any one kind, though – most species won’t want too many rivals close by.

Site them where they’re not accessible to cats or squirrels, and out of the prevailing wind, so that rain doesn’t blow in. Ideally they’ll be shaded for at least part of the day, too, and make sure they’re securely attached, tilted slightly forward.

If at first you don’t succeed, change locations a little each autumn – even a small change can make a difference.

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Kevin Elsby/Alamy*

Having put nestboxes up, a bit of regular maintenance is vital. Check your nestboxes each autumn or winter (you still have just enough time if you move quickly), remove old nests, and then clean the boxes with hot water to kill parasites.

Top up the feeders

Don’t forget to keep topping up your feeders during the breeding season. Adult birds will use them as quick refuelling stops – if they don’t have to worry about looking for food for themselves, they’ll have a lot more time available to find food for their nestlings.

Rob Whitworth/Alamy*

Leica Trinovid

Planting for winter food for birds is straightforward – berry-bearing bushes and shrubs are great for all sorts of species. But during the breeding season, what the birds want is insects. So, a wildflower patch is a great idea, while even something as simple as waiting longer between each mowing of the lawn, or leaving an area of lawn uncut entirely, can make a huge difference.

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Mikhail Olykaynen/Alamy

5 Clean your nestboxes 7 Garden for food

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Splash out

Don’t worry, it won’t cost you a lot. But make sure the birds have a water source – a decent bird bath is fine, as long as you clean it and top it up with fresh water regularly. Better still, create a little wildlife pond – it will have the added advantage of providing more insect food for your birds.

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