July & August
Birds to look out for in July/August
Young birds of all species will be on the wing and by the end of this period certainly Swifts, and some other summer visitors, will be departing for Africa. It is a good time to confirm breeding of many species but a word of caution – some disperse considerable distances from their natal areas i.e. where they were hatched. Note last recorded dates for summer visitors – Never easy! Both adult and juvenile waders will be passing through Norfolk in large numbers – mainly on the coast but some through the WVBS area.
Records are required for all the species below
Summer Visitors & Passage Migrants
1. Warblers – all records, esp proof of breeding
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler & Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler. Cetti’s Warbler is a resident but listen for its explosive song.
2. Wagtails
Yellow Wagtail is now a very rare bird so please submit all sightings. Do not confuse with Grey Wagtail which is a resident along our streams & rivers. All breeding records.
3. Chats – Black Redstart, Redstart,Whinchat & Wheatear will all go through on the coast but some may penetrate inland to WVBS area
4. Cuckoo – all records of this declining species
4. Spotted Flycatcher – declining rapidly, all records please – young on wing
5. Ducks – Garganey – a rare summer visitor. Shelduck – inland breeding records
6. Waders – breeding records for Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Snipe. Green & Common Sandpiper and other waders will be passing through.
7. Gulls & Terns – Common Tern – will have young by now. Gulls will start moving inland.
8. Raptors – please treat all records as confidential
Hobby, Honey Buzzard & Montagu’s Harrier are all scarce / rare summer visitors. Marsh Harriers will have young on the wing. Red Kite & Goshawk are very rare
Residents
Raptors including Kestrel, Sparrowhawk & Common Buzzard will have young by now
Barn Owls are having a poor breeding season so all records please
Mainly Coastal some of these waders may be in spectacular breeding plumage
Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Knot, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ruff, Avocet, Curlew Sandpiper
Please send those records to Dave Gibbons at recorder@WVBS.co.uk or by hard copy
Why not share your records on the WVBS e-group. If interested let me know ray.gribble@tesco.net and I’ll help you get connected
Ray Gribble