Archive for the ‘Birds to look out for’ Category

1  Hirundines – Estimate numbers

• Sand Martin – look for colonies and early roosts.
• Swallow – look for early roosts.
• House Martin – flocks should be building

2  Warblers – Most are still singing – record last dates, always difficult!

• Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler

3  Wagtails

• Yellow Wagtail – record all birds seen
• Grey Wagtails – All records please
• Pied Wagtail – Look for roost & record numbers

4  Turtle Dove – Declining rapidly – All records please

5  Cuckoo – note last birds calling / seen

6  Spotted Flycatcher – now on second broods, all records please

7  Ducks and Geese – In eclipse, a challenging time!

8  Inland Waders – Autumn passage is now underway

• Oystercatcher – all breeding records please
• Lapwing – Note any breeding records, now flocking – note flock sizes
• Green Sandpiper – passage birds are present
• Common Sandpiper – passage birds are present
• Redshank – Note any breeding records, mainly passage birds now
• Snipe – Note any breeding records, mainly passage birds now

 9  Gulls

• Little Gull – keep an eye out for passage birds – Record flock sizes and species – often following ploughing

10. Raptors

• Hobby – young will soon be on the wing. All records please
• Sparrowhawk
• Goshawk
• Common Buzzard
• Hen Harrier – possible early passage birds
• Marsh Harrier – all records please
• Montagu’s Harrier – record any wandering birds
• Red Kite – a wandering bird in the Valley

11. Finches

• Redpoll
• Linnet – note flock size

12. Mainly on coast – early passage migrants (Aug)

• Whinchat, Wheatear, Redstart, Black Redstart, Pied Flycatcher

13. Waders- many may still be in breeding plumage

• Bar-tailed & Black-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank,
• Knot, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ruff, Avocet, Curlew Sandpiper

1.Hirundines

-Sand Martin – look for colonies and note size i.e. no. of holes
-Swallow
-House Martin – Note number of nests

2. Warblers – Most are still singing

-Chiffchaff
-Willow Warbler
-Blackcap
-Sedge Warbler
-Reed Warbler
-Common Whitethroat
-Lesser Whitethroat
-Garden Warbler
-Cetti’s Warbler
-Grasshopper Warbler

3. Wagtails

-Yellow Wagtail – record all birds seen
-Grey Wagtails – All records please

4. Cuckoo – note last birds calling / seen 

4. Swift – flocks will be screaming overhead by late July

5. Spotted Flycatcher – all records please

6. Nightjars – are still churring. All records please

7. Ducks and Geese – Going into eclipse, a challenging time!

8. Inland Waders – Autumn passage will be underway in July

- Oystercatcher – all breeding records please
-Lapwing – Note any breeding records, now flocking – note flock sizes
-Green Sandpiper – passage birds will be present in July
-Common Sandpiper – passage birds will be present in July
-Redshank – Note all records
-Snipe – Note all records

9. Gulls

-Little Gull – keep an eye out for passage birds
-Record flock sizes and species

10.Owls – most will be quiet now but are more visible while they are hunting for food for young. All records.

- Little Owl – often sit outside nesting holes during day
- Tawny Owls – young will be venturing out of nest holes
- Barn Owl – All records with Grid ref please

11. Raptors

-Kestrel – all records please
-Hobby – Should be hunting dragonflies. All records please
-Honey Buzzard – Best site is WVRWP or SNRWP. All records.
-Sparrowhawk
-Goshawk
-Common Buzzard
-Hen Harrier – possible early passage birds
-Marsh Harrier – all records please
-Montagu’s Harrier – record any wandering birds
-Red Kite – a wandering bird in WVBS area

12. Finches

-Redpoll
-Linnet – note flock size
-Crossbill – all records please

13. Mainly on coast – early passage migrants (late July)

- Whinchat
-Wheatear
-Redstart
-Black Redstart
-Pied Flycatcher

14. Waders– many may still be in breeding plumage

-Bar-tailed Godwit
-Black-tailed Godwit
-Whimbrel
-Spotted Redshank
-Greenshank
-Knot
-Grey Plover
-Turnstone
-Dunlin
-Ruff
-Avocet
-Curlew Sandpiper

1. Hirundines - record 1st dates & numbers

• Sand Martin - Now in colonies, counts of active holes, please
• Swallow - Most birds in by now
• House Martin - Latest of Hirundines to arrive

2. Warblers - most should be here, record 1st dates & numbers

• Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler have all been recorded and most are in by now.
• Cetti’s Warbler – an increasing non-migrant, all records please

3. Wagtails

• Yellow Wagtail – record all birds seen 
• Grey Wagtails – now on breeding territories. All records please

4. Cuckoo - all records

5. Spotted Flycatcher - late May / early June. All records please of this declining species.

6. Nightjar - late May / early June. All records please

7. Ducks and Geese

• Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck - all breeding records please

9. Gulls & Terns

• Little Gull, Arctic Tern – keep an eye out for passage birds
• Common Tern – record all breeding sites & numbers

10. Raptors - all records please

• Marsh Harrier – have returned to breeding sites
• Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Common Buzzard, Red Kite – all records, esp. breeding

11. Redwing, Fieldfare - record last return passage birds

1. Hirundines
- Sand Martin – First birds recorded in April in our area
- Swallow – First birds recorded in April in our area
- House Martin – mainly from mid / end-April

2 Warblers – most should be in by end-May
- Chiffchaff – In in large numbers now
- Willow Warbler – First birds recorded in April in our area
- Blackcap – First birds recorded in April in our area
- Sedge Warbler
- Reed Warbler
- Common Whitethroat
- Lesser Whitethroat
- Garden Warbler
- Cetti’s Warbler
- Grasshopper Warbler

3 Wagtails
- Yellow Wagtail – record all birds seen
- Grey Wagtails – now setting up breeding territories. All records please

4 Cuckoo – anytime now

5 Spotted Flycatcher – late May / early June

6 Ducks and Geese
- Shelduck – now moving back inland to breed
- Garganey – a few records in the county
- Wigeon – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings
- Teal – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings
- Shoveler – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings
- Pochard – any records please
- Tufted Duck – all breeding records please

7 Inland Waders
- Oystercatcher – now breeding in area
- Lapwing – Note any breeding records
- Green Sandpiper – passage birds are present
- Common Sandpiper – passage birds should be present from mid-April
- Redshank – Note any breeding records
- Snipe – Note any breeding records

8 Gulls & Terns
- Little Gull – keep an eye out for passage birds
- Common Tern – arriving now
- Arctic Tern – 4 reported Colney Pits Mon 16th April
- Record flock sizes and species

9 Woodpeckers
- Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted Wdpkrs will be more difficult to find when the trees are in full leaf

10. Raptors
- Hobby – first birds are arriving in county
- Sparrowhawk
- Goshawk
- Common Buzzard
- Hen Harrier – possible late birds
- Marsh Harrier – have returned to breeding sites
- Red Kite – a wandering bird in Norfolk

11. Winter Thrushes – record last return passage birds
- Redwing
- Fieldfare

12. Finches
- Brambling – record last return passage birds
- Siskin – record last return passage birds
- Redpoll
- Linnet – note flock size & breeding pairs

Also: mainly on coast but some will be in WVBS area
- Wheatear
- Redstart
- Black Redstart
- Ring Ousel

Waders– many will be in breeding plumage
- Bar-tailed Godwit
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Whimbrel
- Spotted Redshank
- Greenshank
- Knot
- Grey Plover
- Turnstone
- Dunlin
- Ruff
- Avocet
- Curlew Sandpiper

The following birds are of particular interest in the coming month: Read the rest of this entry »

Birds to look out for in the next month – March/April

1. Winter Thrushes – should be getting return passage birds
- Redwing, Fieldfare. Record all last sightings.

2. Finches
- Brambling & Siskin – should be coming into gardens now
- Redpoll Record all sightings.
- Linnet – note flock size

3. Warblers
- Chiffchaff – Expect to hear first birds before next indoor meeting
- Blackcap & Sedge Warbler

4. Wagtails
- Yellow Wagtail – mainly from mid / end-April
- Grey Wagtails – now setting up breeding territories. All records please

5. Hirundines
- Sand Martin – first birds are being recorded in UK. Record first sighting.
- Swallow – mainly from mid / end-April. Record first sighting
- House Martin – mainly from mid / end-April Record first sighting

6. Ducks and Geese
- Shelduck – now moving back inland to breed
- Goosander – moving back to breeding areas soon, record last sightings.
- Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck
- Goldeneye – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings
- Pintail – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings
- Pink-footed Geese – returning to breeding areas, record last sightings

7. Waders
- Oystercatcher – now moving back inland to breed
- Golden Plover- returning to breeding areas, record last sightings
- Lapwing – Note any breeding records
- Green Sandpiper – passage birds should be present from now on
- Common Sandpiper – passage birds should be present from mid-April
- Redshank – Note any breeding records
- Snipe – Note any breeding records

8. Gulls
- Record flock sizes and species

9. Woodpeckers
- Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted Wdpkrs are far easier to find during March before the leaves come on the trees. Record all sightings of Lesser Spotted

10. Raptors
- Sparrowhawk – Display during March
Goshawk – Display during March
Buzzard. Record all sightings
Hen Harrier Record all sightings
Marsh Harrier – returning to breeding sites. Record all sightings.

1. Winter Thrushes

- Redwing} Note flock sizes

- Fieldfare}

2. Finches + Larks

- Brambling

- Siskin

- Redpoll – Particularly look for Mealy/Common Redpoll ssp flammea

- Linnet – note flock size

- Skylark – note flock size

3. Ducks and Geese

- Shelduck

- Goosander

- Wigeon

- Teal

- Shoveler

- Pochard

- Tufted Duck

- Goldeneye

- Pintail

- Pink-footed Geese

4. Waders

- Oystercatcher

- Golden Plover

- Lapwing

- Green Sandpiper

- Redshank

- Snipe

5. Rails

- Water Rail

- Coot – note flock size

6. Gulls

- Record flock sizes and species

7. Mainly on coast

- Waxwings – there are a scattering of reports in Norfolk / Suffolk

- Brent Geese

- Common and Velvet Scoter

- Eider

- Scaup

- Bar-tailed Godwit

- Knot

- Grey Plover

- Turnstone

- Dunlin

- Ruff

- Curlew

- Divers

- Grebes

- Raptors

- Peregrine

- Merlin

- Rough-legged Buzzard

- Hen Harrier

NB Note species, numbers, location (with map ref if possible), and date – for our records to be shown in the next newsletter.

1. Winter Thrushes

- Redwing, Fieldfare – note flock sizes

2. Finches + Larks

- Brambling – numbers are very low as yet

- Siskin – numbers are low as yet

- Redpoll – look for them on alders and in Siskin flocks. Separate Lesser from Common if possible

- Linnet – note flock size

- Skylark – note flock size

3. Ducks and Geese

- Goosander, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pintail

- Pink-footed Geese

4. Waders

- Golden Plover, Lapwing – note flock sizes

- Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Snipe

5. Rails

- Water Rail – usually more vociferous at dusk

- Coot – note flock size

6. Gulls

- Record flock sizes and species

7. Mainly on coast

- Waxwings – very few records this winter

- Brent Geese,

- Common and Velvet Scoter, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser

- Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ruff, Curlew

- Divers

- Grebes

Raptors

- Peregrine, Merlin, Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier

1. Hirundines

- Sand Martin – look for colonies and early roosts

- Swallow – look for early roosts

- House Martin –

2. Warblers – Most are still singing

Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler – record the last date you hear/see these species.

3. Wagtails

- Yellow Wagtail – record all birds seen

- Grey Wagtails – All records please

4. Cuckoo – note last birds calling / seen

5. Spotted Flycatcher – now on second broods, all records please

6. Ducks and Geese – In eclipse, a challenging time!

7. Inland Waders – Autumn passage is now underway

- Oystercatcher – all breeding records please

- Lapwing – Note any breeding records, now flocking – note flock sizes

- Green Sandpiper – passage birds are present

- Common Sandpiper – passage birds are present

- Redshank – Note any breeding records, mainly passage birds now

- Snipe – Note any breeding records, mainly passage birds now

8. Gulls

- Little Gull – keep an eye out for passage birds

- Record flock sizes and species

9. Raptors

- Hobby – young will soon be on the wing. All records please

- Sparrowhawk

- Goshawk

- Common Buzzard

- Hen Harrier – possible early passage birds

- Marsh Harrier – all records please

- Montagu’s Harrier – record any wandering birds

- Red Kite – a few wandering birds in Norfolk

10. Finches

- Redpoll

- Linnet – note flock size

- Crossbill – a small invasion is happening. All records please

11. Mainly on coast – early passage migrants (Aug)

Whinchat, Wheatear, Redstart, Black Redstart, Pied Flycatcher

Waders– many may still be in breeding plumage

Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Knot, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ruff, Avocet, Curlew Sandpiper

1. Hirundines

- Sand Martin – first birds recorded in WVBS from 29^th March

- Swallow – first birds recorded in WVBS from 4^th April

- House Martin – mainly from mid / end-April

 

2. Warblers – most should be in by end-May

- Chiffchaff – In in large numbers now

- Willow Warbler – first birds recorded in WVBS from 29^th March

- Blackcap – first birds recorded in WVBS from 31^st March

- Sedge Warbler

- Reed Warbler

- Common Whitethroat

- Lesser Whitethroat

- Garden Warbler

- Cetti’s Warbler

- Grasshopper Warbler

 

3. Wagtails

- Yellow Wagtail – record all birds seen

- Grey Wagtails – now setting up breeding territories. All records please

 

4. Cuckoo – anytime now

 

5. Spotted Flycatcher – late May / early June

 

6. Ducks and Geese

- Shelduck – now moving back inland to breed

- Garganey – recorded daily in the county

- Wigeon – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings

- Teal – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings

- Shoveler – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings

- Pochard – any records please

- Tufted Duck – all breeding records please

 

7. Inland Waders

- Oystercatcher – now moving back inland to breed

- Lapwing – Note any breeding records

- Green Sandpiper – passage birds are present

- Common Sandpiper – passage birds should be present from mid-April

- Redshank – Note any breeding records

- Snipe – Note any breeding records

 

8. Gulls

- Little Gull – keep an eye out for passage birds

- Record flock sizes and species

 

9. Woodpeckers

- Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted Wdpkrs are far easier to find now before all the trees are in full leaf

 

 

10. Raptors

- Hobby – first birds are arriving in county

- Sparrowhawk

- Goshawk

- Common Buzzard

- Hen Harrier – possible late birds

- Marsh Harrier – have returned to breeding sites

- Red Kite – a few wandering birds in Norfolk

 

11. Winter Thrushes – record last return passage birds

- Redwing

- Fieldfare

 

12. Finches

- Brambling – last return passage birds

- Siskin – last return passage birds

- Redpoll

- Linnet – note flock size

 

13. Mainly on coast

- Wheatear

- Redstart

- Black Redstart

 

 

Waders– many will be in breeding plumage

- Bar-tailed Godwit

- Black-tailed Godwit

- Whimbrel

- Spotted Redshank

- Greenshank

- Knot

- Grey Plover

- Turnstone

- Dunlin

- Ruff

- Avocet

- Curlew Sandpiper