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Field identification of ‘American Pipit’ and ‘Siberian Pipit’ in autumn and winter plumage | British Birds
Abstract A recent study proposes that the Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens is best treated as two species ‘American Pipit’ A. (r.) rubescensand ‘Siberian Pipit’ A. (r.) japonicus. This paper discusses the distribution, movement and known vagrancy of Siberian Pipit and its separation from American Pipit during autumn and winter. Identification features are presented for a
The changing status of Cetti’s Warblers in Cumbria and northern Britain | British Birds
Abstract The Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti is a relatively recent colonist in Britain, with breeding first confirmed in 1973. Since then, the species has gradually spread northwards. Northern England and southern Scotland are now at the frontier of the species’ advance, with Cetti’s Warbler first recorded in Cumbria in 2005 and first proven breeding in 2023. The Cumbrian
May 2024 | British Birds
front cover may.png Front-cover photograph: Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus, Cambridgeshire, August 2022. Richard Patient 226 News and comment Maddy Hine and Russ Malin231 Field identification of ‘American Pipit’ and ‘Siberian Pipit’ in autumn and winter Andrew Birch, Cin-Ty Lee and Brian J. Small259 Kelp Gull in Cambridgeshire: new to Britain Richard Patient271 The changing
Kelp Gull in Cambridgeshire: new to Britain | British Birds
Abstract On 7th August 2022, a Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus was discovered at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire. It subsequently became apparent that the bird had been present since 1st August. Details of the primaries aged the bird as a 3CY (‘second-summer’). It was considered not possible to assign the bird to subspecies. The record was accepted as the first Kelp Gull for
Recent reports | British Birds
Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Harry HusseyThis summary of unchecked reports covers the period from early March to early April 2024.Headlines A Dark-eyed Junco in Dorset, a Bufflehead touring Scotland, a Red-flanked Bluetail on Fair Isle and an early Western Subalpine Warbler were the pick of the bunch of new arrivals. Lesser Scaups remained widespread, while an influx of
Portfolio 1 | British Birds
rev portfolio.jpg Portfolio 1: photographs and stories of extraordinary birdsBy Rafael ArmadaLynx Edicions, 2024Hbk, 176pp; many colour photographsISBN 978-84-16728-67-1; £37.00 Before I had a chance to even open this book, it was prised from my hands by my (non-birding) partner – and I didn’t get the book back until he’d leafed through every single page.
First confirmed ‘Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat’ for Norfolk | British Birds
Lesser Whitethroats Curruca curruca are regularly caught at Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association’s Holme Bird Observatory, but all birds ringed to date have occurred between April and November (fig. 1). Both November records had, by means of DNA samples, been shown to be ‘Siberian Lesser Whitethroats’ C. c. blythi. Therefore, a bird that was caught and ringed on 2nd January
Seabirds Count | British Birds
rev seabirds.jpg Seabirds CountBy Daisy Burnell, Allan J. Perkins, Stephen F. Newton, Mark Bolton, T. David Tierney and Timothy E. Dunn Lynx Edicions, 2023Hbk, 528pp; many colour illustrationsISBN 978-8-4167286-0-2; £44.99 This is the fourth national survey of Britain’s seabirds.
The Birds of Moray & Nairn: their status and where to find them | British Birds
rev Birds-of-MN-cover.jpg The Birds of Moray & Nairn: their status and where to find themBy Martin CookPrivately published, 2023Pbk, 384pp; many colour photographs and figuresISBN 978-1-9999882-4-1; £18.00 Moray & Nairn is a Scottish recording area with an enviable range of habitats, from the southern shores of the Moray Firth, through lowland farmland and forestry
Recent reports | British Birds
Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Harry HusseyThis summary of unchecked reports covers the period from early February to early March 2024.Headlines With just a few new arrivals of note, it was a case of quality over quantity, with a Myrtle Warbler in Ayrshire, a Rustic Bunting and an Arctic Redpoll in Norfolk, a new Pallid Harrier in Yorkshire, more Lesser Scaups and a
Apparent ‘Pale Iceland Redpolls’ in Norfolk | British Birds
Abstract This paper describes the appearance of two apparent ‘Pale Iceland Redpolls’ in Norfolk in 2009 and provides some contextual information on the appearance, taxonomy and British status of this still poorly understood taxon.IntroductionOn 14th March 2009, a ‘Greenland Redpoll’ Acanthis flammea rostrata was found (and subsequently trapped and ringed) in a garden at
The rapid extinction of Willow Tits in a post-industrial landscape | British Birds
Abstract The rapid decline of the Willow Tit Poecile montanus in the UK has made it a conservation priority species. This study, which combines recent data gathered using established survey methodology over several years from the Dearne Valley, Yorkshire, shows a landscape-scale extinction of the local breeding population.
Johann Friedrich Naumann and the advance of ornithology | British Birds
Abstract Johann Friedrich Naumann (1780–1857) was one of central Europe’s most important ornithologists. His innovative approach extended beyond the museum-based taxonomical outlook typical of the time, and included perceptive observations of the ecology and behaviour of birds. Naumann stood on the shoulders of his ornithologist father and, between 1820 and 1844, he
Sarah Stone’s Unseen Worlds: a rare collection of 18th century ornithological watercolours | British Birds
rev sarah stone.jpg Sarah Stone’s Unseen Worlds: a rare collection of 18th century ornithological watercoloursBy Errol Fuller and Craig FinchImpress Publishing, 2023Hbk, 128pp; many colour platesISBN 978-1-912-93067-8; £45 I dare say that you are all familiar with Audubon, but were you aware of Sarah Stone? Born in 1760, the daughter of a fan painter, this British artist drew
Woolston Eyes: from wasteland to wetland | British Birds
rev woolston.jpg Woolston Eyes: from wasteland to wetlandBy Brian MartinPrivately published, 2023Hbk, 212pp; colour photographsISBN 978-1-83816-352-5; £25 Many readers are likely to have driven over Woolston Eyes at some point in their life, though considerably fewer will have visited this gem of a reserve that sits below the M6’s Thelwall Viaduct. Born out of dredging
Sky-pointing by herons | British Birds
Palmer (2023) noted sky-pointing by Great White Egrets Ardea alba, illustrated the behaviour beautifully and questioned its relevance and meaning. This sky-pointing pose is also illustrated in Itoh (1988). From my experience watching herons in Norfolk, the behaviour appears to be regularly given as a threat and perhaps a show of ‘triumph’ by various members of the heron family
Announcement | British Birds
BBCT grants for young birdersThe British Birds Charitable Trust has increased the maximum amount it makes available in grants to young birders, from £250 to £500. It has been awarding grants to young birders since 2014.The BBCT is again looking for applications from young people aged 16–25, for projects that need funding in 2024. A grant could fund a small-scale research
The Life of Birds (second edition) | British Birds
rev life of.jpg The Life of Birds (second edition)By David AttenboroughWilliam Collins, 2023Hbk, 276pp; 64 pages of colour photographsISBN 978-0-008-63895-5; £17.50 I was 11 when The Life of Birds hit television screens and, while many of my peers were under the covers reading comics by torchlight late at night, I was reading – and rereading – the book (BBC Books, 1998) that
Birds named after people | British Birds
Stephen Menzie (Brit. Birds 117: 2–3) said that, in relation to the American Ornithological Society’s (AOS) planned abolition of all English language bird names featuring people, he had ‘a lot of sympathy with the idea that eponymous species names go, no exceptions.
Are we underestimating the UK Common Swift population? | British Birds
In order to estimate the size of the challenge of restoring numbers of Common Swifts Apus apus to ‘historical levels’, it would be useful to know how many pairs have actually been lost. The rate of the decline is rather straightforward to work out – since 1994, the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS;
News & comment – March 2024 | British Birds
Short-eared Owl movements revealedAdvances in tracking technologies have made it possible to uncover the large-scale movements of nomadic Short-eared Owls Asio flammeus, whose appearance in and disappearance from regions across the species’ range has fascinated ecologists for decades. A recent paper, published in Ibis (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ibi.13304),
A review of early historical records of Collared Pratincoles in Britain, and new British first records of Collared, Black-winged and Oriental Pratincoles | British Birds
Abstract This paper reviews 25 nineteenth- and one early twentieth-century British records of Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola. It follows the recent acceptance of a British first record by the British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) from North Meols, Lancashire & North Merseyside, in 1805. Subsequent records were reviewed using the published BOURC
The BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year 2023 | British Birds
Abstract Judging for the British Birds and British Trust for Ornithology ‘Best Bird Book of the Year 2023’ took place in January 2024. The winner is announced here, along with the runner-up titles. Judging for the BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year (BBBY) 2023 was held online, with Paul French, Stephen Menzie and Thom Shannon representing British Birds and Hazel McCambridge,
Recent reports | British Birds
Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Harry HusseyThis summary of unchecked reports covers the period from early January to early February 2024.Headlines In a typically quiet period for new birds, the highlights were a Sociable Lapwing in Cornwall, a Bufflehead in Co. Galway, a Two-barred Crossbill in Dumfries & Galloway, a Pacific Diver in Fife and more Lesser Scaups.
RSPB Titchwell Marsh | British Birds
Abstract During the early 1970s, the RSPB bought all the tidal marsh in the parish of Titchwell, Norfolk, and developed a quarter of it primarily for the benefit of birds. Changes included the formation of freshwater reedbed, open freshwater marsh and open brackish marsh. These areas attracted new breeding species such as Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, Eurasian Bittern
March 2024 | British Birds
Screenshot 2024-02-28 at 21.03.17.png 114 BB eye: Are we underestimating the UK Common Swift population? Dick Newell, Tim Collins and Jonathan Pomroy 120 News and comment Maddy Hine and Russ Malin 125 Great bird reserves: RSPB Titchwell Marsh Norman Sills 152 A review of early historical records of Collared Pratincoles in Britain, and new British first records of Collared,
Tree-nesting Peregrine Falcons | British Birds
In 2022, Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus bred in an old Raven Corvus corax nest on a gantry associated with electricity pylons in Rutland. They fledged two young, which remained in the general area until November. After the young had fledged, the nest was removed by authorities. On 4th April 2023, a pair of Peregrines was observed at a Carrion Crow C. corone nest in the
The American Goshawk in Britain | British Birds
Abstract Following the recent split of ‘Northern Goshawk’ into American Goshawk Accipiter atricapillus and Eurasian Goshawk A. gentilis, this paper summarises the taxonomy, identification and movements of the newly split Nearctic species and reviews the historical British claims. TaxonomyAlthough ‘American Goshawk’ was historically treated as a species in its own right
Birds of the World: the art of Elizabeth Gould | British Birds
The Art of Elizabeth Gould.jpg Birds of the World: the art of Elizabeth GouldBy Andrea Hart and Ann DattaPrestel, 2023Hbk, 248pp; 220 colour illustrationsISBN 978-3-7913-7987-6; £55.00 Birdwatchers the world over are likely to be aware of John Gould through his outstanding publishing achievements during the 1800s: his mammoth books on the birds of Great Britain, Europe, Asia
The Purple Sandpiper | British Birds
The Purple Sandpiper.jpg The Purple SandpiperBy Ron W. SummersPrivately published, 2023Hbk, 352pp; over 150 colour and black & white photos, illustrations, maps and tablesISBN 978-1-9999882-3-4; £29.99 There is something really impressive about a single-species monograph that is privately published by the person who spearheaded much of the work presented inside. In this case,
Recent reports | British Birds
Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Harry HusseyThis summary of unchecked reports covers the period from early December 2023 to early January 2024.Headlines Following the unprecedented arrival of Nearctic vagrants over the last few months, it’s perhaps not surprising that there were more to come, with Dark-eyed Junco in Co. Wicklow, American Robin in Caithness and a Northern
Zino’s Petrel off Scilly: new to Britain | British Birds
Abstract A Zino’s Petrel Pterodroma madeira was seen and photographed from a boat approximately 3 km southwest of Bishop Rock Lighthouse, Isles of Scilly, on 30th July 2020. The sighting constitutes the first acceptable record for Britain. The viewing time was typically brief and the bird was thought to be Zino’s Petrel on field characteristics. A set of photographs proved the
AfBiE – SOM | British Birds
Action for Birds in England (AfBiE), Supplementary Online Material: papers published from projects supported through AfBiEMany, though not all of these papers were produced during AfBiE-funded work; others were written using data collected during AfBiE projects, or describing conservation action and impacts of AfBiE projects.
Filey | British Birds
It’s been more than a decade since my partner Amity and I returned from a year-long round-the-world birding and backpacking honeymoon, washing up here on the hallowed shores of the Yorkshire coast. Having grown up on Flamborough Head, just a lighthouse-flash across the bay, I felt that moving to Filey was, after a lifetime elsewhere, something of a homecoming for me. It was
Delayed hatching and subsequent infanticide by urban-nesting Peregrine Falcons | British Birds
In association with the London Peregrine Partnership, I have been monitoring a Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus nest site on the Civic Centre in Morden, Surrey, since the nest was established in 2015. The nest is covered by a webcam operated by Merton Council. The 2023 season saw a changeover in the occupying pair. Both male and female of the new pair were in full adult
Wild Shetland: through the seasons | British Birds
wild-shetland.jpg Wild Shetland: through the seasonsBy Brydon ThomasonShetland Times, 2023Hbk, 274pp; 180 colour photographsISBN 978-1-910997-56-7; £36.99 There are many reasons to visit Shetland, but the islands’ wildlife has long been a major draw for travellers, never mind those of us who call it home. This new, large-format book is a photographic celebration of that
Recent reports | British Birds
Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Harry HusseyThis summary of unchecked reports covers the period from early November to early December 2023.Headlines There was a wide scatter of rarities through this period, with the most notable being England’s first Cape May Warbler, on the Isles of Scilly. There was a brief Barrow’s Goldeneye in Dumfries & Galloway and a long-staying
Names are changing – should we care? | British Birds
It’s a new year, and that means a new BB list of Western Palearctic Birds (https://britishbirds.co.uk/content/british-birds-list). The list we produce each year doesn’t have any taxonomic-decision-making or records-committee level of authority. Rather, it’s designed as an editorial tool, to ensure continuity through the next 12 issues.
Exploring migratory diversity in Blackcaps: where are they going and how can we find out? | British Birds
Abstract The migration routes and wintering areas of Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla are changing. Conventional geotagging techniques gave broad-scale data on movements but required the bird to be recaught. New nanotags, which run using the Motus network, have allowed for fine-scale tracking of small birds, including indicating the direction of departure away from Motus