STORMS AND PETRELS
Many people are still counting the emotional and financial costs of the terrible floods that hit the west of the country this month. Seabirds fared little better, with Leach’s Petrels and Grey Phalaropes being blown inland at several locations and a Storm Petrel rescued 6 miles inland from Port Talbot, one of several seabirds to be taken into care. Exceptional numbers of Leach’s Petrels were recorded along the
south coast of England; 582 passed Portland Bill in Dorset on 29 November. Two mega seabirds were reported: a Black-(or White-)bellied Storm Petrel at Severn Beach and a Frigatebird seen low over rooftops in Huddersfield! If you do find a dead Leach’s Petrel, please contact Tony Bicknell of the University of Plymouth; he is collecting specimens for analysis. Tony Bicknell: anthony.bicknell@plymouth.ac.uk
MIXED FORTUNES FOR CRESTS
Goldcrests and Firecrests have experienced very mixed fortunes this autumn. Several Bird Observatories have reported a distinct lack of Goldcrests, backed up by anecdotal reports from many birders. The apparent population crash is reflected by the BirdTrack reporting rate which shows that they have featured on less than half the complete lists than normal for this time of year. Last winter was the coldest for 12 years and the very low temperatures both here and in Scandinavia seem the most likely cause for the decline.
In contrast, it has been an excellent autumn for Firecrests. During September, October and November there were 23% more reports on BirdGuides than 2008. The difference between the two crests’ fortunes is probably attributable to the more southerly distribution of Firecrest, meaning that a smaller proportion of the population suffered the effects of the exceptionally cold winter 2008/09.
Goldcrest reporting rate: http://blx1.bto.org/bt-dailyresults/results/s424-20-09.html
Firecrest reporting rate: http://blx1.bto.org/bt-dailyresults/results/s425-20-09.html
ATLASING FOR OWLS
We’re already over half way through the penultimate ‘early winter’ season of the Bird Atlas 2007—11 and this is an excellent time to search for owls. Tawny Owls are their most vocal and can be heard duetting with hoots and ‘kewvick’ calls. Barn Owls are often obvious at this time of year as they take advantage of what daylight is available to maximise their hunting success. Winter also provides a great
opportunity for many birders to see some of our scarcer raptors such as Hen Harrier and Merlin at favoured roosting sites.
Bird Atlas 2007—11: http://www.birdatlas.net/
BURGEONING BITTERN POPULATION
2009 has been another good year for Bitterns, with a further increase in the number of booming males found in the UK. A minimum of 82 booming males were found, on 43 sites, compared to 75 boomers on 41 sites in 2008. Some of the key results were that Bitterns bred at Lakenheath Fen for the first time, with four confirmed nests. Nests in the Somerset Levels increased from two in 2008 to seven this year and booming was confirmed at 10 new sites in 2009 (although nine sites that were occupied in 2008 did not have any boomers this year). The annual Bittern monitoring project is a joint NE/RSPB project, funded through Action for Birds in England.
2009 Bittern monitoring report: http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=1745
DID YOU KNOW THAT BIRDTRACK CAN
Bird Clubs are busy writing their annual reports at this time of year. Please help them to do this by making sure your BirdTrack sites are informatively named; the name of the nearest town or village (then the street name if needed) is much more helpful than ‘Garden’ or a road number.
Finally, you will notice that your Atlas stats and latest submission now appear on your BirdTrack Data Home page; this feature was added so that you can keep tabs on your personal data entry.
Thank you for all the records you have submitted and good BirdTracking,
Nick Moran BirdTrack Organiser
Posted by: Steve Halliwell
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