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Class Aves
A reduction in the level of birding this year, given the amount of
work involved in concentrating on other taxa. However, the total of
224 species recorded was respectable, including four new species:
Slender-billed Gull, Alpine Accentor, Rustic Bunting and Sociable
Plover. Additionally, two splits announced during the year were Green-winged
Teal and Mealy Redpoll, bringing my British List to 377 species. The
most notable species not recorded during the year were Red-necked
Grebe and Purple Sandpiper (noted in nine of the previous ten years),
Pied Flycatcher (8), Storm Petrel, Jack Snipe, Ring-billed and Glaucous
Gulls (7).
There were 21 additions to British bird month lists, bringing the
total to 2472, a mean of 206 species per month. A total of 119 species
have now been recorded during every month, with Red-breasted Merganser
the latest addition. Also, 59 new county-ticks were noted, bringing
the total (with a few adjustments from previous years) to 5110, a
mean of almost 80 per county. The new records were from Central (1),
Grampian (3), Lancashire (3), Norfolk (5), Northumberland (8), Somerset
(2), Suffolk (8) and Sussex (29). The top county remains Norfolk (with
261, although many glaring omissions still), followed by Yorkshire
(232), Cornwall (209) and Avon (207) and a further 12 counties with
over 100.
Order Gaviiformes
Family Gaviidae
Gavia stellata (Red-throated Diver)
At the beginning of the year, four off Titchwell on 1/1 and three
off Horsey on 13/2. First of the autumn were two north past Girdleness
on 3/9 and then from Horsey on 30/9 (1), 25/11 (2) and 16/12 (3).
These feeble numbers were totally eclipsed by a massive count of over
1,000 passing south at Southwold on 3/12 between 0930 and 1030. The
birds were moving at the same rate as I arrived and as I left so the
true number involved will have been much higher. Later in the day,
smaller numbers were noted at Sizewell and Minsmere. The area seems
to be recording ever higher counts of this species and it was thought
that this was a local feeding movement, not a migratory one. This
was my highest ever count with the only other one remotely similar
being the 474 counted flying north past Walberswick on 29/12/96 in
45 minutes.
Gavia immer (Great Northern Diver)
Two winter-plumaged birds were present off Selsey Bill on 6/5, a good
Sussex bird for the BUBO bird race.
Order Podicipediformes
Family Podicipedidae
Tachybaptus ruficollis (Little Grebe)
The majority of records were from Whitlingham Country Park, especially
the Little Broad. Three in January increased to seven in March and
by the end of the breeding season, nine were present between August
(two pairs on the Little Broad with three and two well-grown juveniles)
and October before numbers dropped again to three by the end of the
year. Elsewhere, ten at Titchwell on 1/1 (the highest count for the
year), six at Wells quay on 2/1, six at East Wretham on 6/4, three
at Thorney Island on 6/5, Lindisfarne Loch on 26/7 and up to two at
The Nunnery (river and flood) from 27/11 to year end.
Podiceps cristatus (Great Crested Grebe)
Mostly unrecorded on the Broads and rivers. At Whitlingham, a pair
in display on 12/3 had nested by 26/3 but no young seen. Five adults
were seen here on 14/5 but then the only other record was one on 20/8.
The first brood of juveniles (two) seen anywhere was on Cockshoot
Broad on 24/4. The only other record of note was 12 off Minsmere on
29/1 (and another good gathering there in December but not recorded.)
Podiceps auritus (Slavonian Grebe)
The only record was of two offshore at Titchwell on 1/1.
Podiceps nigricollis (Black-necked Grebe)
One, in non-breeding plumage, was seen on Lindisfarne Loch on 26/7.
Order Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae
Fulmarus glacialis (Fulmar)
Relatively few records. At least three (though very foggy) were on
Hunstanton cliffs on 1/1 with five off Titchwell the same day. The
only one to pass Selsey Bill on 6/5 was not seen by the whole birdrace
team and so did not count for the total! Otherwise recorded from Alnmouth,
Seahouses and elsewhere in Northumberland in July and off Girdleness
on 3/9. Probably not many (if any) were unrecorded.
Puffinus puffinus (Manx Shearwater)
Five flew north past Seahouses on 25/7 but no other records of any
shearwaters.
Order Pelecaniformes
Family Sulidae
Morus bassanus (Gannet)
Recorded only from Selsey Bill on 6/5 (five), Alnmouth (30 close inshore
on 24/7), Seahouses on 25/7 and Titchwell on 10/9 (three), with probably
few, if any, unrecorded.
Family Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocorax carbo (Cormorant)
The peak count at Whitlingham was 20 on 13/2 and an autumn peak of
seven on 26/11 but none here during May-July. Widespread but no other
records of note.
Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Shag)
The only records were three at Dunstanburgh Castle on 27/7 and several
from Girdleness on 3/9.
Order Ciconiiformes
Family Ardeidae
Botaurus stellaris (Bittern)
The only record was of one heard to boom twice on 1/4 at Westwood
Marshes, Walberswick.
Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret)
My second British record was of a wintering bird seen at Martin Mere
on 24-25/3, fairly distantly with cattle.
Egretta garzetta (Little Egret)
One flew over at Climping Gap on 19/3, one at Walberswick on 1/4 and
two at Pagham Harbour on 6/5.
Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron)
On 1/1, the species was my 100th of the day at Holkham with another
later at Stiffkey Fen. Generally common and widespread, with singles
regularly at Whitlingham but three there on 23/1. The only records
of note were one at the Linn of Dee on 2/9 (seemed very high up for
this species?) and a flock of six which flew north over Girdleness
on 3/9.
Family Threskiornithidae
Platalea leucorodia (Spoonbill)
A pair were self-found at Rush Hills, Hickling, on 29/5. Additionally,
three were present on Berney Marshes on 18/6.
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae
{Dendrocygna sp. (Whistling Duck sp.)}
One was on the River Bure on Woodbastwick on 28/8. I forgot to check
it up at the time but think in retrospect it was Fulvous.
Cygnus olor (Mute Swan)
Common and widespread. At Whitlingham Country Park (counts for lakes
only), three in January increased to 24 on 9/4 then 43 on 14/5. The
peak in autumn was 15 in October and November. No breeding was noted
on the lakes. On 9/12, an adult female was present on the river at
Whitlingham with a grey ring U5309 on its right leg. Elsewhere, notable
counts were 70 at Berwick-on-Tweed on 25/7 and 80 at Rockland on 6/8.
{Cygnus atratus (Black Swan)}
A pair were present by the Lindisfarne causeway on 26/7.
Cygnus columbianus (Bewick's Swan)
About 50 were near Hickling on 9/1 with Whooper Swans. Six flew over
at Minsmere on 24/10. At the Nunnery Lakes, ten flew west on 21/12
at 0830 and on 22/12, five adults flew north.
Cygnus cygnus (Whooper Swan)
About 20 were near Hickling on 9/1 with Bewick's Swans. The pair at
East Wretham which arrived in autumn 1999 were noted there again on
31/1. Two were seen at Amberley Wild Brooks in the Arun Valley on
18/3 - a good Sussex bird (MGP's first!) Finally, eight were noted
at Martin Mere on 24/3.
Anser fabalis (Bean Goose)
A flock of 75 distant geese at Cantley Marshes on 8/1 included at
least 20 Taiga Bean Geese. Also, one Taiga Bean Goose was seen on
Southwold Town Marshes on 3/12 although there was apparently some
doubt over the origin of this individual (and not added to Suffolk
list).
Anser brachyrhynchus (Pink-footed Goose)
Many recorded in north-west Norfolk on 1/1 including 700 over Wells
to the south-west at dawn and 1000 in a field near Holkham Park later.
At least 500 were seen over Wells on 2/1. On 23/1, three skeins totalling
142 birds flew north over Whitlingham Great Broad, a little way out
of the normal flight path. At West Somerton, 500 were recorded on
13/2 and 120 were noted at Stubb Mill on 10/3. The last of the winter
were 100 at Martin Mere on 24/3. One was then noted at Titchwell on
10/9 (not known whether an early arrival or an injured bird). 500
were back in the Horsey area on 14/10 with 50 here on 4/11. Finally,
one of unknown origin was with the feral geese at the Nunnery Lakes
on 3/11.
Anser albifrons (White-fronted Goose)
About 50 were noted at Holkham Marshes on 1/1. On 8/1, a distant flock
of 75 grey geese at Cantley Marshes included at least 20 White-fronts.
In the autumn, the only record was three adults at North Warren on
3/12.
Anser anser (Greylag Goose)
Widespread in the Broads but few counts made, though ca 500 over at
Rockland on 4/10. The peak count at Whitlingham was 27 on 23/1. Noted
at Pulborough Brooks for the BUBO birdrace in May.
Branta canadensis (Canada Goose)
Common and widespread. The first chicks of the year were a brood of
five at the Nunnery Lakes on 28/4. The peak count at Whitlingham was
104 (including six juveniles) on 26/6. Two flew over the garden on
1/5.
Branta leucopsis (Barnacle Goose)
The usual problems with unknown origin of most birds. Singles at Salthouse
and near Holkham on 1/1 were with wild goose flocks. Up to four were
noted at the Nunnery Lakes on four dates between 13/3 and 3/4 with
two again on 3/11. The large flocks of presumed feral birds in SE
Norfolk / NE Suffolk were again noted with 57 at Bramerton on 12/2
and 65 on Southwold Town Marshes on 3/11.
Branta bernicla (Brent Goose)
Widespread on 1/1 with counts of 300 at Salthouse, 200 at Titchwell
and 200 at Holkham amongst others. 200 also noted at Wells on 2/1.
No more early year records then except for a lucky late one at Pagham
Harbour on 6/5 for the BUBO bird race. In the autumn, six pale-bellied
birds (the only ones of the year) flew north past Girdleness on 3/9,
then 16 off Great Yarmouth on 24/9, 70 off Horsey on 30/9 and over
100 at Wells on 7/10. About 30 flew south past Southwold on 3/12 with
two on the Town Marshes and one at North Warren the same day. Three
seen off Horsey on 16/12.
{Branta ruficollis (Red-breasted Goose)}
An adult was found at the Nunnery Lakes on 27/11 by SJH and was seen
that afternoon and again on 29/11 and 30/11 (on which day it was noted
to fly strongly away by Chris Gregory). The bird was wary and unringed
and showed no obvious signs of captive origin. A Red-breasted Goose
was then found at North Warren two days later and seen by me on 3/12,
with no obvious evidence to it being a different bird. However, the
origin of the bird remains unclear.
Alopochen aegyptiacus (Egyptian Goose)
Widespread in Norfolk and generally not recorded. Two pairs were present
at Whitlingham in the spring. One pair had eight young on 12/3. By
26/3, the two pairs had broods of five and six (or perhaps seven).
On 9/4, however, nine adults were present with no juvs. On 14/5 a
pair with six half-grown young were noted but the second brood disappeared
(onto the river?). Small numbers present to the year's end. The UEA
lake also supported a pair with six young on 22/4. No large counts
were made at Buckenham (although at least 30 were present on 26/8)
and the peak at the Nunnery Lakes was ten on 10/1 - copulation was
noted here at the end of the year on 8/12.
Tadorna tadorna (Shelduck)
Relatively few records of note. One was at the Nunnery Flood on the
early date of 10/1 with a pair here on 25/1. One was back at Whitlingham
on 23/1, numbers rising to six on 12/3. None at Whitlingham after
three on 14/5 though. Another inland record of note was of six by
the pig farm on the Bury road south of the Barnham crossroads on 5/12.
Aix galericulata (Mandarin)
A pair were present on the river Arun just upstream of Arundel on
19/3, with a male on nearby Swanbourne Lake on 6/5. In Norfolk, a
pair were flying around at Caistor Fort on 24/3 in a similar manner
to in 1999; the birds flew off upstream towards Dunston. Finally,
a male was present on the Nunnery Flood on 26/9.
Anas penelope (Wigeon)
The first bird (and third organism) of the year, being heard a few
minutes past midnight on 1/1 in Wells-next-the-Sea, disturbed from
the marshes by Millenium celebrations. Later that day, an unusual
record of 200 sat on the sea off Salthouse at dusk. Other records
of note at the beginning of the year were singles at the Nunnery Lakes
on 25/1 and at East Wretham on 31/1 and a small flock heard over the
garden at 2145 on 13/4, a new species for the house. None then recorded
until five at Buckenham on 26/8 (although may have gone unrecorded)
with 30 here on 8/9 but ca 5000 by 28/11. Singles were noted at Whitlingham
on 17/9 and 22/10 and at the Nunnery Flood, three on 27/10 and two
on 21/12.
Anas strepera (Gadwall)
Present all year at Whitlingham where numbers peaked on 23/1 with
a count of 119 but dropping rapidly to 43 in February then down to
six in June and numbers rising again from 11 in August to 83 in November,
followed by a decrease in December. Other notable records were at
least 60 at East Wretham on 31/1, a pair on the Tas at Caistor Fort
on 23/4 and a peak of 14 at the Nunnery Flood on 4/12.
Anas crecca (Teal)
Small numbers at Whitlingham until March and then larger numbers from
September, with a peak of 79 on 26/11. The only records from the Nunnery
Flood were three on 29/8 and five on 21/12. Noted at various other
locations.
Anas carolinensis (Green-winged Teal)
A male was noted at Pulborough Brooks on 6/5 during the BUBO Sussex
bird race. The news that this species was officially split from Anas
crecca by the BOU emerged during the year (although the split officially
occurs at the beginning of 2001). As a result of the split, I checked
through and found the following 17 records, all of single adult males:
Martin Mere 30/12/88
Fairburn Ings 31/3/90
Chew Valley Lake 18/11/90, 6/12/90, 26/1/91, 16/11/91, 7/12/91, 8/2/92,
22/2/92, 7/11/92, 23/1/93, 27/11/93, 4/12/93, 29/10/94
Whitlingham Great Broad 16/1/99
Surlingham Church Marsh 24/4/99
Pulborough Brooks 6/5/00
Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard)
The peak count at Whitlingham was 72 on 22/10. The first brood was
noted here on 26/3. Very few records of any note.
Anas acuta (Pintail)
Relatively few were noted. Noted on 1/1 at Titchwell (one scrapes
plus 17 flew west) and Cley (10). A pair at Minsmere on 29/1 with
a male here on 24/10. A female at Pagham Harbour on 6/5 for the BUBO
bird race. An unusual date for a female at Whitlingham on 20/8 (an
escape?). No count but tens of birds at the Blyth Estuary on 3/12.
Anas querquedula (Garganey)
The only record was of a male at Pagham Harbour on 6/5.
Anas clypeata (Shoveler)
Small numbers throughout at Whitlingham but 12 on 22/10 and an cold-weather
influx of 20 on 28/12. Only noted elsewhere from Titchwell and Buckenham
(where 30 on 8/9).
Aythya ferina (Pochard)
The peak WeBS count at Whitlingham was 29 on 23/1 but cold-weather
influxes exceeded this with 40 on 29/1 and 50 on 28/12. Scattered
records elsewhere.
Aythya fuligula (Tufted Duck)
Mostly unrecorded away from Whitlingham where a peak of 96 on 23/1
dropping to a minimum of 18 on 14/5 and rising to 89 by 22/10 followed
by a slight drop.
Aythya marila (Scaup)
A male was seen at Lynford GP on 13/3.
{Aythya sp. (Aythya hybrid)}
A male Lesser Scaup type, presumably Pochard x Tufted, was noted at
Whitlingham Great Broad on 13/2.
Somateria mollissima (Eider)
Not noted until c50 off Alnmouth on 24/7 (and widespread elsewhere
in Northumberland over the next few days). Other records from Girdleness
on 3/9, Titchwell on 10/9 (one) and Horsey on 14/10 (12), 4/11 (two
north) and 16/12 (20 north).
Clangula hyemalis (Long-tailed Duck)
Five (three males and two females) were seen off Titchwell on 1/1
and a flock of 13 were sat close offshore from Winterton on 5/3.
Melanitta nigra (Common Scoter)
All records as follows. Two were off Titchwell on 1/1 with 10 west
there on 10/9. Ten north past Winterton on 5/3. Four east past Selsey
Bill on 6/5. Two off Horsey on 14/10. Ten south past Southwold in
an hour on 3/12.
Melanitta fusca (Velvet Scoter)
At least four seen off Girdleness on 3/9.
Bucephala clangula (Goldeneye)
Relatively scarce again in Norfolk, with singles only at Whitlingham
on 23/1 and 13/2 and none from the Nunnery area. Three at Titchwell
lagoons with another 30 offshore on 1/1. Five at Martin Mere on 24/3.
One male at Rockland Broad on 30/4. A few others may have gone unrecorded
(otherwise no end of year records?!)
Mergus albellus (Smew)
A single redhead at Stiffkey Fen on 1/1 was the only record.
Mergus serrator (Red-breasted Merganser)
Two males off Titchwell on 1/1. One east past Selsey Bill on 6/5.
An unseasonal male on Breydon Water on 18/6. A flock of 24 at Lindisfarne
off Fenham-le-Moor on 26/7. Two north past Horsey on 30/9.
Mergus merganser (Goosander)
The Nunnery Lakes and Flood again produced the majority of records,
with a peak of seven on 4/2, the last three on 13/3 and the first
returning male on 13/12. Otherwise, singles at Cantley on 8/1 and
Haweswater on 3/9.
Oxyura jamaicensis (Ruddy Duck)
Four at Martin Mere on 24/3. Three males on Harewood Park Lake on
18/4. A male on Cockshoot Broad on 24/4 was the only Norfolk record.
A male at Swanbourne Lake on 6/5. Two on Lindisfarne Island lake on
26/7. Two on Herriott's Pool, Chew, on 11/11.
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae
Pernis apivorus (Honey Buzzard)
On 20/9, a major passage was reported over several east coast localities,
including double figures at Gibraltar Point. We therefore went out
to look at lunchtime from Gallows Hill, Thetford and were duly rewarded
with between four and nine birds (personally). Although many raptor
sightings were distant and were largely identified on jizz, at least
a flock of four was seen followed by three singles which may or may
not have included the same birds. A quick drive down to the railway
bridge produced sightings of two (more or same). At least one was
also noted by other observers from the Nunnery Lakes at the same time.
A further scan from Barnhamcross provided no more sightings. It is
possible that some of the distant birds may have been Common Buzzard
but none were clearly so (although at least two were seen the following
day). On 22/9, scanning from the Nunnery lawn produced very distant
views of another probable Honey Buzzard but the distance was too great
to claim with certainty.
{Milvus milvus (Red Kite)}
On 18/4, at least four were seen well from Harewood Park and a further
one was seen from the Harewood to Alwoodley Road later that day. Given
the very recent release of these birds, it seems early to count them
as naturalised yet.
Circus aeruginosus (Marsh Harrier)
Probably all birds were recorded, a total of 52 bird-days from 26
dates (bringing overall total to 327 bird-days on 173 dates). The
peak count was of ten at Stubb Mill (two males) on 10/3 with other
records from Heigham Holmes, Hickling, Horsey and West Somerton. In
the Yare valley, records from Surlingham Church Marsh (pair), Rockland
Broad, Hardley Flood (pair) and Buckenham. Records also from the Bure
Valley at Woodbastwick Fen and the Waveney Valley at Castle Marshes.
The most notable east Norfolk record was of an adult female migrating
south low over Great Yarmouth North Denes on 24/9 at a time of much
other raptor passage around the country. Otherwise, recorded from
North Norfolk at Cley and Titchwell and from the Suffolk coast at
Minsmere, Walberswick, North Warren and Benacre Broad.
Circus cyaneus (Hen Harrier)
The only record was of a male at Stubb Mill on 10/3.
Accipiter gentilis (Goshawk)
Two pairs were displaying against each other in Thetford Forest on
15/3. A pair displaying in the forest on 20/5 could have been one
of the earlier pairs, although somewhat distant from there?
Accipiter nisus (Sparrowhawk)
Few records of note and commonly recorded, probably 2-3 times per
week on average. Recorded localities were Titchwell, Whitlingham,
Stoke Holy Cross, Rackham Woods, Martin Mere, Lindley, Church Norton
and Buckenham.
Buteo buteo (Buzzard)
Only a few more sightings in the east. One was seen soaring distantly
from Parsonage Heath on 1/3. On 21/9, the day following the big Honey
Buzzard movement, two singles drifted south over The Nunnery in the
morning an further scanning from the Nunnery Lakes at lunchtime produced
at least two, although whether migrants or local birds was uncertain.
In Yorkshire, two over the ridge to the north of Blue Scar on 19/4.
Most records were, however, from more traditional areas, such as Sussex
(Houghton, Arundel and Pulborough), Martin Mere, M6 in Cheshire and
Lancashire, Somerset/Devon, near Lindisfarne, Scotland and Cumbria.
One was also seen from a train near Didcot.
{Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk)}
One watched soaring at Cockleycley Warren on 5/5, mobbed by two Sparrowhawks.
Buteo lagopus (Rough-legged Buzzard)
One was seen on the ground at Haddiscoe Marshes on 31/12.
Aquila chrysaetos (Golden Eagle)
On 3/9 at Haweswater, an adult flew over a ridge near High Street
and came in to perch on the valley side in Riggindale.
Family Pandionidae
Pandion haliaetus (Osprey)
One was seen at Rockland (from Buckenham) on 8/9. Also, a distant
raptor seen to the south of Gallows Hill, Thetford, on 20/9 was thought
to be this species.
Family Falconidae
Falco tinnunculus (Kestrel)
Widespread and common. The most notable record was of a very sickly
one in a field at Horsey Dunes feeding on a dead rabbit at arm's length.
Falco columbarius (Merlin)
Singles were recorded at Stubb Mill on 10/3 and at Martin Mere on
25/3.
Falco subbuteo (Hobby)
The first of the year flew over the A11 near Wymondham on 27/4. In
Sussex for the BUBO bird race on 6/5, one over at Church Norton and
a pair at Ambersham Common. None then until one over Harford Bridge
Tesco's on 13/7. The last of the year were seen during the raptor
passage in the autumn, although probably involved local birds. Singles
were seen at the Nunnery Lakes on 21/9, over The Nunnery on 22/9 and
at Thetford Warren also on 22/9.
Falco peregrinus (Peregrine)
Only three records of wild birds plus one escape. One over Selsey
Bill on 6/5, one over the Quantocks near Dead Women's Ditch on 25/5
and one in Perthshire over the A9 near the Sheriffmuir turning on
3/9. Additionally, a male with jesses was hunting hirundines at Whitlingham
on 28/5, then perching on the pylon.
Order Galliformes
Family Tetraonidae
Lagopus lagopus (Red Grouse)
One was seen on moorland near Thruscross on 19/4. On 1/9, two seen
in Glen Shee valley and another flock of c20 near the ski-lift at
the top (although too foggy to look up for Ptarmigan).
Family Phasianidae
Alectoris rufa (Red-legged Partridge)
Fairly common and widespread in Norfolk. The largest covey was of
26 at Cockley Cley on 12/1, although ca40 were seen in several coveys
along the edge of the Nunnery Lakes on 21/12.
Perdix perdix (Grey Partridge)
Although some may have been unrecorded, the very low number of only
two records was probably not far wrong. Two were seen from Lady Anne's
Drive on 1/1 and two were at Caistor Fort on 15/3.
Phasianus colchicus (Pheasant)
Common and widespread.
Chrysolophus pictus (Golden Pheasant)
Excellent views of a male at Wolferton Triangle on 1/1, the first
time I've connected with the species here. The only other record was
of one heard at West Dean Woods on 6/5 for the BUBO bird race. No
Breckland records, although no special effort was made.
Order Gruiformes
Family Rallidae
Rallus aquaticus (Water Rail)
On 1/1, at least two were heard and another was seen well at Titchwell.
One was heard at Walberswick on 5/2. None recorded then until the
autumn with birds heard at Minsmere on 24/10, Waveney Forest (edge
of marshes) on 2/12, Whitlingham Great Broad on 17/12 (first record
here) and 29/12 under the Whitlingham viaduct.
Gallinula chloropus (Moorhen)
Common and widespread. One running across the back garden on 20/2
was the first at home. The first juveniles of the year were recorded
on the Thet at Bridgham on 27/4. At Whitlingham, 20 were counted in
January, declining to four by May then back up to 20 in September
before declining again.
Fulica atra (Coot)
At Whitlingham, 148 were present in January, declining to 55 in April
and May, increasing to a peak of 299 in October before declining again.
No other records of note.
Family Gruidae
Grus grus (Crane)
Two on Heigham Holmes on 13/2, with four from Stubb Mill on 10/3.
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