Word-botching News in brief

Our esteemed Membership Secretary, Martin Hodgson, has set us a rather fiendish quiz. 100,000th website record Due to a jam-packed issue there’s no room for the answers (which have In July a record from S Guymer of two some rather detailed explanations!) so they’ll be in the next issue or - if you can’t wait that long - I’ll put them on the SBSG website. Arctic Terns at RVCP took us to a milestone of 100,000 records received 1. Which bird family has a Margaret and a John in it? via the SBSG website. A big thanks to David Williams and Andy Deighton for 2. Name other British birds which have been given human first names their work behind the scenes, and of course to all the members who take 3. Many birds have a white rump, but which bird is named for it? time to send us records, which are the 4. Which bird likes playing in ? lifeblood of the group and its work. 5. How is the linnet connected to a Class B drug? Readers’ survey 6. Which member of the Columbidae family spoonerises into a rich American? I was going to put results of the Bulletin reader survey in this issue, but 7. Why is the oystercatcher St Bridget’s emblem? run out of space, so this will be in the 8. Which bird is an Antipodean idiot? next. One of the feature ideas that seemed popular was interviews with 9. Where does the nightjar keep its jar? prominent local birders, so this issue sees the first - with Jon Hornbuckle. 10.Identify ten British birds whose official (not colloquial or dialectal) Next issue will see a chat with Martin names are onomatopoeic Garner. If you have any nominations 11.In which country did the birds live in Aristophanes’s comic play “The for future interviewees - or would like Birds”? to conduct an interview yourself - then let us know by the usual channels. 12.And which bird was ruler of the rest? [Add a mark each for giving the Greek or Latin name.] Cover photo 13.What is the connection between petrel and petrol? 14.Which bird featured on the coinage of ancient Athens and why? This issue’s excellent cover photo is by Andy Deighton. 15.The Ring Ouzel’s name looks to be connected with the French word oiseau. Is it? New members 16.Why did seamen name petrels after St Peter? We welcome David Woodhead, 17.What does the peregrine’s name tell us about its origin? Simon Brook, Mandy Gamsu, Ian Sharp, Andrew Bilton, Chris Bragg, 18.Which people used the same word to name the sparrow and the Richard & Natalie Turnbull, Julian ostrich? Crooks, Catherine Smith, Isaac 19.Do quails quail? Reardon, Edward Cox and Zack Whitehead to the group. 20.Finally, why did the chicken cross the road?

Deadline for next Bulletin The next Bulletin will be issued at the November indoor meeting. Please note that any items for inclusion must be received by Pete Mella at [email protected] (for preference), or 21 Lump Lane, Grenoside, Sheffield, S35 8PL, no later than the 31st October. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Indoor Meetings Other groups’ Tristan Reid - “Giving My Right Arm For Turkey” dates Weds Oct 9th 2013, Sheffield University Arts Tower Lecture Theatre 5, 7.15pm 27th September - DOS Indoor Meeting. Mark Sisson talks on ‘The Tristan Reid, known as The Inked Naturalist, has dedicated not only Secret Life of Puffins’. Evergreen his time, but his skin, to the beleaguered birds of Turkey - by having Club, Allestree, 7.30pm, £1 20 of the country’s most iconic species tattooed on his arms. A members, £1.50 non-members. professional ecologist, Tristan was so moved by the plight of birds during a wildlife holiday to Turkey - where fragile biodiversity is 3rd October - RSPB Sheffield threatened by private Hydro Electric Power Plants - he decided to Group Indoor Meeting. Dr Michael commit to his unusual conservation initiative to raise funds and Leach gives a talk entitled: “It’s a funny way to make a living”. awareness for Doğa Derneği, the BirdLife International partner in 7.30pm, Central United Reformed Turkey. Church. £2 for members, £4 for visitors. If the tattoos weren’t enough, Tristan is also embarking on a 4000km walk across Turkey, and tonight will be describing his inspiration for 15th October - DOS Indoor his remarkable dedication to Turkish conservation. Meeting. Joint meeting with Carsington Bird Club. Chris Ward will talk on the birds of Morocco. Dave Gosney - Finding Birds With A Camera 7.30pm, Henmore Room, Weds Nov 13th 2013, Sheffield University Arts Tower Carsington Water. £1 members, Lecture Theatre 5, 7.15pm £1.50 non-members.

Sheffield’s Dave Gosney will be familiar to many not only as a long- 7th November - RSPB Sheffield standing member of the SBSG, but as one of the co-founders of Group Indoor Meeting. Jeff Clarke BirdGuides, a tour guide, and the author and film-maker behind the on Biscay and Picos. 7.30pm, influential and invaluable birding travel booked and DVDs in the Central United Reformed Church. ‘Finding Birds In...’ series. Tonight he takes us through some of his £2 for members, £4 for visitors. experiences and photographs.

Field Meetings

Forthcoming field meetings are a visible migration watch at Redmires in October, and another trip (TBC) in December. Please see the Bulletin for more details nearer the time.

Club contacts Bulletin Secretary Website Pete Mella Richard Hill http://www.sbsg.org 21 Lump Lane 22 Ansell Road Twitter Grenoside Sheffield http://www.twitter.com/shefbirdstudy Sheffield S11 7PE Facebook S35 8PL [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/sheffieldbirdstudygroup [email protected] South Peak Raptor Study Group Annual Report 2012

The South Peak Raptor Study Group confirmed the NT's concerns regarding located but none were successful. (SPRSG) was formed in 1998 to the persecution of raptors, and One nest was pulled down from the monitor breeding success of scarce outlined their major project to review tree, and the eggs were found on the raptors in the South Peak. Broadly management of the moors owned by ground; another nest contained nine speaking, their study area extends the NT in the High Peak (see http:// eggs (normal clutch size for this northwards into the Upper Derwent www.high-peak-moors.co.uk/public- species is 3-4), all from the same Valley, and southwards into the whole consultation/). female, suggesting she had “lost” two of the White Peak, including the Another important initiative is the partners during the season. Staffordshire Moors, south Derbyshire, formation of the Peak District Initiative Elsewhere in the SPRSG recording and central Derbyshire as far as the on Birds of Prey. This was set up by area, eight pairs were located, four Nottinghamshire borders. In 2012, for the Peak District National Park were successful, fledging nine young. the second time, they have combined Authority in an attempt to facilitate co- PDRMG reported a number of their Annual Report with that of the operation between shooting interests sightings of the species, including a Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group and raptor workers, with the aim of pair displaying, but there were no (PDRMG) whose study area includes boosting raptor numbers in the Dark confirmed breeding attempts. The the Dark Peak (excluding the Upper Peak, and 2012 was the year that the report noted that, nationally, the Derwent Valley), the Goyt Valley and project first went “live”. In particular, species continues to face persecution, the Macclesfield Forest. Both groups they have set five-year targets for particularly from sites associated with work within the Northern sustainable populations of Merlin, commercial game shooting but also Raptor Forum (NERF). In the following Peregrine and Short-eared Owl, and it from egg collecting and theft of young. summary of their report. the table is hoped that other species will be Insensitive forestry operations, and the shows data for the SPRSG study area, included in the near future. Mike Price felling of trees in occupied territories to enable comparison with previous reported some early positives from the present a growing threat. years, but PDRMG data is included in initiative, including ongoing excellent Peregrines are targeted by four the species accounts where relationships with keepers on the appropriate. groups: egg collectors, gamekeepers, south side of Glossop, and an pigeon fanciers, and people who take The Report was introduced by Trevor improving relationship with chicks or near-hatching eggs. It is Grimshaw (who has taken over from Broomhead Moor estate. One Jamie clear that many of the large number of Mick Taylor as co-ordinator of SPRSG) Horner has been appointed as an breeding failures near grouse moors and Steve Davies (PDRMG). They independent field worker to ascertain can only be attributed to human began by pointing out that 2012 was accurate breeding data and to interference. In Upper Derwentdale, the wettest year since the groups facilitate co-operation between raptor where disturbance has been rife in began collecting records, and the wet workers and shooting interests. More recent years, none of the three weather together with the heavy April about this can be found if you enter traditional sites were occupied. snow inevitably impacted on breeding Peak District initiative on birds of prey Elsewhere in the SPRSG area, where success. However, persecution is into your favourite web search engine. the species is normally more another major factor in parts of the The table below summarises the data successful, breeding attempts were recording area, and the report for breeding success over the past five made at 21 monitored sites but only welcomed the conviction of Glenn years; in general, the number of six were successful, fledging eleven Brown, the gamekeeper who was fledged young can be assumed to be young; of the remaining 15 sites, most found guilty of using a live pigeon in a the minimum. failed due to poor weather. In addition cage trap to capture birds of prey (and to the above, city centre pairs in who had accused the RSPB of As in all recent years, there was a and Derby were both planting evidence). Martin Harper, noticeable lack of breeding success successful, and birds were regularly RSPB's Conservation Director, was for Goshawks in the Upper Derwent seen on the Chesterfield crooked quoted as saying that “Crimes such as Valley, where three territories were spire. PDRMG reported that of nine these illustrate links between driven- grouse shooting and the illegal killing of birds of prey”. He believes that land managers and owners should be held legally accountable for a n y w i l d l i f e c r i m e s committed by their staff, as is the case in Scotland. The report also quoted Jon Stewart, the National Trust General Manager for the Peak District, who sites checked, there were only two urban areas, but the report noted that successful breeding in recent years breeding attempts, three young were there are continued calls for the was found in the Glossop area, where ringed but follow-up visits brought no species to be controlled as it is there has been no confirmed breeding confirmation of fledging; a third nest thought by some to be responsible for for 20 years. There were no records of discovered late in the season, had long-term songbird declines, despite breeding in the PDRMG area. three young on the point of fledging. the lack of scientific evidence. The Despite much effort, SPRSG were Merlins had a mixed breeding Kestrel population is known to unable to locate any active nests of season in the SPRSG area in 2012, fluctuate according to vole numbers Long-Eared Owls, and there was no being slightly better that in 2011 but but the 2011 British Bird Breeding evidence of successful breeding. less successful that in the previous Survey reported a 32% reduction in PDRMG located five nests but only few years. There is concern amongst the UK between 1995 and 2010, one subsequently held eggs, and this raptor workers about reduction of prey thought to be associated with farming site failed after high winds felled species such as Meadow Pipits, practices reducing their food supply, neighbouring trees. and the species is now Amber listed. Skylarks and Starlings, whilst recent SPRSG located three pairs of Short- years have seen chicks dying from Three non-breeding species were eared Owl in the Staffordshire moors, hypothermia due to protracted spells also mentioned in the SPRSG report. and two pairs in Upper Derwentdale; of cold and wet weather. There is There were increased sightings of only one of these were known to be some concern that climate change Red Kites throughout both study successful, and the number of fledged may cause the range of the species to areas and, very interestingly, a pair young were unknown. The report contract northwards, and hence bring was reported to have bred in western expressed concern that the species is about the loss of the species in the Nottinghamshire. There continued to absent or scarce from several areas southern limits of its range. The be records of Marsh Harrier from where it has traditionally bred. PDRMG area fared better with twelve both study areas, mainly in April/May PDRMG located three nests occupied sites, at least eight of which and from late July through to containing a total of 17 eggs, and two were successful and produced at September, and it is interesting that further sites where nests were not least eight fledged young. the uplands are used on migration. located but birds were seen defending Hobbies continued to gain ground in Although there is an abundance of territories and carrying food. At all five both study areas although there is suitable breeding habitat for Hen sites, activity ceased at about the continued threat from egg collectors. Harrier, it has not bred successfully same time, and human interference Anthony Messenger has suspected since 2006, when the event was seemed the only explanation. that the species has increased in marred by the unexplained disappearance of both adult males. Two owl species are not density as well as range, and this was systematically monitoring by SPRSG. confirmed by his long-term intensive Since then, birds have been present in suitable breeding areas in the PDRMG monitored one nest of Little study on a core area of 100 square Owl but it failed at the small young km which found that the number of spring and, in 2011, a nest containing seven eggs was located in the Buxton stage; they noted that a number of pairs has increased from an average traditional sites were unoccupied. The of 3.67 during the period 1991-2001 area but the eggs were subsequently found smashed. There was no report noted that there is some to an average of 8.67 during evidence that the Tawny Owl is 2011-2012. PDRMG reported 18 breeding behaviour seen in 2012, although a male was present in the declining in some parts of the UK, young fledged from 11 nests, with possibly due to secondary poisoning south and west Yorkshire being north Staffordshire moors during the breeding season. The report noted from the new generation of noticeably more successful than rodenticides. Cheshire. that, in recent years, and particularly in 2011, several English grouse moors Ravens were not systematically Buzzards are now so widespread that have yielded their highest grouse monitored in 2012 but are thought to it is no longer possible for SPRSG to “bags” since the war and, given the be doing reasonably well in the monitor all known nests. However, it is species' close association with grouse known that unexplained failures moors and Red Grouse, one would SPRSG area, despite the heavy snow continue to occur in the Upper expect this to be mirrored in an in early April. However, PDRMG Derwent Valley, and PDRMG also improvement in Hen Harrier believe that the number of unoccupied report a lack of breeding birds “in populations. This has not been the traditional sites suggests that perfectly suitable habitat adjacent to case, and there was only one persecution is limiting the species' heather moorland managed for game confirmed successful breeding in expansion in their area. shooting”, even though the species England in 2012; illegal persecution in Some Acknowledgments: The membership of continues to expand elsewhere in breeding and wintering grounds would SPRSG in 2012 was: Trevor Grimshaw (Co- their study area. The report also noted seem to be linked. ordinator), John Atkin, Roy Frost, Mick Lacey, the attempt by Pheasant shoots to Geoff Mawson, Anthony Messenger, Stephen persuade the government to introduce Nationally, the Barn Owl is threatened Moores, Steve Samworth, Ken Smith, Jack by loss of habitat, and hence loss of Street, Mick Taylor and Paul Tooley. The controls on “problem” Buzzards near membership of PDRMG was Steve Davies (Co- food supply and potential nest sites, Pheasant release pens but, in the ordinator), Carl Ashford, Nick Corley, Andy face of much opposition, and the whilst the effects of two cold winters Platts, Mike Price, Paul Stafford and Mark absence of any scientific evidence, has further exacerbated their Watson. The authors of the report expressed their thanks to the organisations and the proposals were withdrawn at the problems. Because of the poor weather, only three-quarters of known landowners who allowed access to their end of May. property. sites were monitored, and a total of 19 Two traditionally common species are young and five adults were ringed. In Wendy Thompson not closely monitored by SPRSG. The addition, evidence of possible Sparrowhawk continues to thrive in Interview: Jon Hornbuckle

We’re in the none-too-glamorous Junco during his lunch heart of Sheffield’s post-industrial hour while working in East End. Although much tidied up Rotherham. in recent years, with new offices and apartments ever more “That was a pure fluke prevalent, some scars of the and I didn’t even know decline of the steel industry what it was,” says Jon. remain, with old, abandoned “There was a flock of factories and warehouses still in House Sparrows, and I evidence. suddenly noticed there was an all-black one It is here I meet Sheffield-based with what looked like a birder Jon Hornbuckle, who’s pink bill, and I exploring the area looking for assumed it was some evidence of Black Redstart, a kind of escaped bird species that benefited from the so I didn’t bother any city’s industrial downfall, moving in more about it. It was to breed in the nooks and crannies only two or three years among the dereliction. Since later when I got more redevelopment, these rubbly interested in foreign places have largely been lost, and birds that I realised with them the redstarts, but what it was, so I sent a enough potential habitat remains note to the secretary of heels. “A friend of mine in America for Jon to search for any lingering the Rare Birds Committee, saying I is really keen,” he says, “and on. saw this bird, and just wanted to doesn’t seem to be interested in know if they thought it was a anything but seeing new birds. With Jon’s local knowledge, and genuine wild bird or just an He’ll overtake me, because he’s escape. And about two months desire to spend his Sunday twenty years younger than me, but later I got a card back saying morning scouring Sheffield’s I don’t mind that because he’s a backstreets, it’s perhaps hard to congratulations on seeing this wild younger guy.” imagine he’s one of the most well- bird, which turned out to be the travelled birders alive, and has first ever record in the winter Taxonomic changes also mean he seen more birds that virtually any period.” ends up with a few “armchair” ticks other person on earth, with a total when subspecies are elevated to tally (at the time of writing) of Remarkably his world listing only species rank, although this can 8,979, currently second in the started properly around twenty also cause frustrations, citing a ranking of world listers. years ago, when he took early pitta split in Borneo as a particular retirement from the then-declining example. steel industry, and immediately “I just like seeing new birds, and travelling and so on,” says Jon. went to Ecuador for six weeks. Jon “I’d seen it elsewhere and hadn’t “So I hadn’t seen all that many says he doesn’t list competitively, really tried too hard to see in and that numbers don’t really when I started travelling a lot, and I Borneo,” he says, “and I wasn’t mean that much. just kept one list, my world list, and planning on going there again, but it kept going.” I might have to go there for that, “The big problem is with taxonomy because that is a special bird as it Originally from Nottingham, and and all that sort of stuff, it’s really were!” moving to Sheffield in the 1960s to very difficult to define how many you’ve seen,” he explains. “I want work in the steel industry, Jon was And of course there are a few to get to 9,000 now, because I highly active in local birding, being birds that got away, with one in never thought I’d get to 5,000. I’m a founding member of the particular springing to mind. Sheffield Bird Study Group, and actually over that on one of the co-editing the group’s first taxonomies, so it’s a bit “One of the main reasons for going breeding atlas in the 1980s. He meaningless on absolute numbers.” to northern Peru was to see a bird also had some success finding called the Long-whiskered Owlet,” rare birds in the region, including he says, “a very small owl. Nobody the area’s first Common Crane, He does realise that in the listings had ever seen it but a few and most notably a Dark-eyed there are others snapping at his Americans that had caught it in deal of time has been taken up Is there anywhere left Jon hasn’t mist nets”. with conservation, carrying out explored? He expresses regret he ringing and survey work in the probably won’t ever be able to visit “I failed on that, and nobody else countries he visits, including six Mali, a country he’s always wanted found it, until a few years ago that summers spent ringing birds in to visit, due to the political situation suddenly the Americans went back Bolivia. there, and says he has his sights and caught one or two and on Polynesia, and the Karakoram recorded it, and that led to other “Another project I particularly region of Pakistan. He was also people to go and tape it out. So enjoyed was in northern Peru,” he preparing to embark on a trip to now it’s a bird that anyone that says. “I went on a trip there with a China when we met. goes to the right place is few friends, and we found a very guaranteed to see. So it’s a bit nice area that was just opening up Another future plan is to write a annoying that I haven’t seen that!” because they’d recently made a book chronicling his travels, but big road there. And people were only when - in his own words - Jon has seen a huge percentage moving in and chopping the forest he’s too “crocked up” to travel of all the world’s birds, so how down, and I thought blimey, this is further. As well as the birds he’s does he go about finding ones that going to get wrecked if we’re not seen he’s got many stories to tell, he hasn’t yet seen? careful. including a plane hijacking over Pakistan, and being inches away “I think it would be fair to say that “So I did then put some effort in to from treading on one of Papua virtually everywhere I go now I get some funding, and to get some New Guinea’s most venomous have a list of what I want to see,” local people involved, and went snakes, which would have killed he says. “Mostly it’s something like back for three weeks by myself him within three hours. twenty species in three or four with the help of a chap who lived weeks, and I’m happy if I see in Scunthorpe actually, but had Ironically for one of the world’s fifteen. That’s how it works. moved to northern Peru. So we did most well-travelled birders, Jon some quite good survey work rarely travels within the UK, and “I could get more in South there, and got a lot of support of never twitches birds in Britain, with America. When I retired I’d never people saying, ‘what a good idea’. most of his time in Britain spent been to South America, so the watching and photographing birds next ten years I spent a lot of time “Eventually after about five years, locally in the Sheffield area. there, but then I sort of went off it some of the Americans had got and spent a lot of time elsewhere, stuck in and they’ve now built a “People think I’m barmy because I so I haven’t done much there in lodge and made a reserve out of it won’t go to the coast, for recent years. I most like southeast and so on. So it seems completely example,” he reflects. “It’s only Asia and that part of the world, changed. But I like to think in because I can’t be bothered to that’s where I’ve been going to some extent it’s because I put drive that far, which does seem a these places where I’ve only got a some of the effort in in the past.” bit odd!” dozen or so new birds, whereas in South America I could get 20 or 30 Jon’s seen a lot of changes to the We never do find a Black Redstart in that period.” world since he started travelling, during our morning in the and admits to finding the decidedly non-exotic South When I meet Jon he’d just come destruction to the world’s habitats Yorkshire streets, but this time back from a trip to Africa, visiting depressing. Apart from well-known spent in the city centre illustrates a Ghana and Burkina Faso, where a areas such as the Amazon, he’s remarkable birder - a man who dozen or so new birds such as seen vast logging activities in the has seen a staggeringly high Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Black- forests of some of his favourite percentage of the ornithological throated Coucal and Capuchin countries, including the Philippines wonders the world has to offer, Babbler had been added to the and Papua New Guinea. and continues to seek out new list. However the favourite birds birds in far flung corners of the seen on this trip were ones he’d “Undoubtedly the same thing is globe, but is still content putting seen before. happening in central Africa,” he less glamorous hours in says, “because nobody gives a contributing to the knowledge of “I saw a few new birds in Ghana, toss about it there. The only good his local area. A great birder, with but the two best birds I’d seen thing about it I suppose is it’s a fascinating birdwatching career. before,” he says, “Picathartes, pretty difficult for loggers to get that’s a really neat bird, and stuff out, if it was made easier the Pete Mella Egyptian Plover.” whole thing would be flattened. I find that very depressing I must Jon’s travels haven’t all been admit.” about seeing new birds. A great Observations on Islay Birds

Islay is the southernmost of the village, their chirping was a subspecies or a separate species, Inner Hebrides, on a clear day constant background. far commoner in eastern Europe within sight of Northern Ireland, and with this off outpost in windy with a good sunshine Starlings were found in all these northern Scotland. This trio’s record, and a population of 3,500, environments, but in others too, in numbers makes the lack of down from 20,000 in 1861. You groups of from ten to a hundred; Magpies and Jays all the more must go! this at the population low-point notable. before breeding starts. There Of course many birds are very would be fancy formation-flying Meadow Pipits, Wheatears, different from Sheffield’s, but some round every croft or farm, dozens Stonechats and Whinchats are of the common bird contrasts are among the sand dunes, others common, more so than in The quite instructive. They are partly strutting their jaunty walk around Peak currently. Farmland and positional and environmental, but sheep and cattle. Even over the heath harbour Skylarks and partly a time-warp, back to our moorland, which reaches down to Lapwings, again in the numbers homeland of forty years ago. near sea-level where the rocks are we used to have before the acid gneiss, you would come intensification of farming. The island has seven breeding across flocks. pairs of Golden Eagle. Our visit in Some birds I used to think of as April was our eighth, and all we Of course, Islay is far more rare and/or hard to find were have heard and read show that the traditional than Sheffield or common in the right environment, locals are proud and protective of lowland England. there are far and by no means hid themselves them, do not persecute them, are fewer deliberate or unintended away. One example is the Black glad that tourists come to see attacks on what Starlings and Guillemot, which disports itself them and spend money while sparrows need, to feed, breed, around the pier and even gets doing so, and accept that an eagle survive the winter. under the feet of tourists on the eating a lamb is highly unlikely to promenade. have killed it. Local Blackbirds have not declined in the same way, and they also Another is the Great Northern On the other hand, Magpies are a were widespread and numerous. Diver, which as late as April is rarity - there is no breeding on the This is to be expected in present in all the sea lochs. One island (the same for Jays), a woodland, towns and villages, but was continually within twenty vagrant is seen once every five they were on the pastures, in metres of our cottage window at years or so, and is of note in the heathland and furzy areas, by the Port Charlotte. Islay bird record. On any decent shore, along the moorland edge. day you are likely to see an eagle, For an island too windy and salty John Kirkman but I’ve never seen or heard a for trees to do well, I found the Magpie there. numbers surprising.

The reasons are not obvious. The Even more so was the Song island is within sight of the Thrush population, which was not mainland, a thirty minute jaunt for far below that of Blackbirds. Again, a bird, and there are small woods, pastures and heath were well scrub, farms with hens, cattle, frequented, unusual for a species sheep, tatty outbuildings and all that evolved in, and theoretically the rest that Magpies need. prefers, woodland, or at least the presence of trees. To observe any For anyone who remembers the stretch of pasture would be to see days when Starlings and sparrows both birds pacing in search of were taken for granted, and worms and surface small fry, with considered safe from decline, the no sign of Blackbird persecuting Hebrides are a delight. Every the thrush, which happens all the settlement has them, down to time in Sheffield. individual farms in size. At any time, six or more sparrows were Rooks and Jackdaws are found in socialising, scrapping or posturing the sort of numbers we have by our cottage window. In any locally, and crows are replaced by characterful Hooded Crow, either a Lecture Reports

The theme of April and May’s One of the final stops was the the familiar and ubiquitous Ruddy meetings were the South Amazon, where amazing birds Turnstone and Sanderling, along American experiences of some of such as Hoatzin, Anhinga, Snail with Lava Heron and Galapagos our committee members, starting Kite, Sunbittern and Rufescent Hawk - the island’s only diurnal with David Wood’s travels to Tiger Heron were almost raptor. Peru, followed by Rod Hinchliffe upstaged by other wildlife and Neil Porter’s trip to the including Howler Monkeys, Ghost Bartolome was good for dolphins Galapagos. Bats, Agoutis, caimans, tarantulas - and have Neil the experience of and - perhaps best of all - Giant a Galapagos Penguin swim David’s talk began at his in-laws’ Otter. between his legs - and North near Pantanos de Villa nature Seymour was excellent for Blue- reserve, where an enviable Rod and Neil began their talk with footed Booby and Magnificent garden list included such delights a stopover in Ecuador, where Frigatebird. as Vermillion Flycatcher, some incredible birds were seen Bananaquit, ad hummingbirds before their cruise of the Santa Cruz saw Rod and Neil fail including the endemic Amazilia Galapagos even started. This to find Dark-rumped Petrel, but Hummingbird. We were also included Sword-billed they did finally catch up with introduced to the Croaking Hummingbird, Andean Condors Vermillion Flycatcher - sat on the Ground Dove, or “farting bird” as and a very tame Giant Antpitta back of a giant tortoise! Black- it was nicknamed for its distinctive called Maria. necked Stilt, White-cheeked call. Pintail and Greater Flamingos Then started an itinerary which were among the birds of We were taken on a trip round the took our duo on a tour of the Floreana, and Champion Island lagoons and beach, with way too Galapagos archipelago. First stop held Charles Mockingbird, many species to list, with was Baltra, where they got their Medium Tree Finch (IDed by a highlights being skimmers, and first experience of the islands’ method named the “Hinchliffe- various waders, terns, gulls and famously tame wildlife, which Porter taxonomy”) and Red-billed herons. The most unexpected included sea lions, iguanas and Tropicbird. find David made was a beached birds including Swallow-tailed Waved Albatross, which was Gull, Lava Gull, Cactus Finch and Finally the highlights of Espanola sadly unwell and was washed Yellow Warbler. There was also included Hood Mockingbird and back to sea. the first Darwin’s finch - thought Waved Albatross, including many to be a Medium Ground Finch, immatures. From there we travelled to although this group are the Paracas, where the birds included ultimate “little brown jobs” and are Both David’s, and Rod and Neil’s, Humboldt’s Penguin, Inca Tern quite an ID challenge! talks were enthusiastically and the endemic Peruvian Diving received by the audience, and Petrel, as well as more familiar The second hop took us to the they were thanked for sharing birds such as Turnstones and uninhabited, desert-like island of some great experiences Sooty Shearwater. The hills north Genovesa, home of such birds illustrated with some amazing of Lima provided further habitats, Nazca and Red-footed Boobies, photographs, of a wide range of with species including Black- Red-billed Tropicbird and species this report barely does chested Buzzard Eagle, Mountain Galapagos Dove, as well as justice to. Parakeet, Least Seedsnipe, nesting frigatebirds. Then on to Torrent Duck and Thick-billed Isabella - which was said to Also thanked was Martin Miner, another endemic, as well strongly resemble High Peak Hodgson, who gave a short talk as viscachas. moorland - and featured on China after Rod and Neil’s Galapagos Flycatcher, lecture, chronicling some of the At the iconic Machu Pichu, birds Woodpecker Finch, Galapagos great birds he encountered while were less plentiful, but David still Penguin and Flightless in the country to meet his new in- encountered endemics in the Cormorant, among other species. laws in the Central province of form of Green and White Henan, and surrounding areas. Hummingbird and Inca Wren, with Fernandina, a young and more other species including Giant volcanically active island, was Pete Mella Hummingbird and Rusty next, and had a good population Flowerpiercer. of Marine Iguanas, plus Semi- Palmated Plover and American Oystercatcher. Santiago added RECENT SIGHTINGS 1st May - 31st August 2013

These records are largely unchecked. Records in bold require supporting details.

Bittern - One was viewable from the roadside at Catcliffe Flash on 27th August, until 20:45 when it flew SW over Orgreave.

Little Egret - One was on the river at Yorkshire Bridge on 1st May. On 11th June one was sighted at Waingate in the City Centre, before flying upriver at Lady’s Bridge, and another was seen SE over Damflask Res. In August two were at Orgreave Lakes on 2nd, one at Thrybergh CP on 11th, and one W at City Farm, and one at Orgreave Lakes, on 24th.

Great White Egret - One at Orgreave Lakes on 2nd August.

Whooper Swan - The last of the year were three N at Thrybergh CP on 8th May.

Garganey - A female was present at Orgreave Lakes on 1st August, and an eclipse male at Catcliffe When a juvenile Two-barred Crossbill was found and photographed Flash on 30th, lingering into (at least) early September. by Andy Hill, drinking from an inlet at Broomhead Res on the afternoon of 12th August, it would have been a great find in itself. Common Scoter - Seven were at However this was just the start of a remarkable series of records that Orgreave Lakes on 19th June, and saw confirmed numbers swelling daily over the course of the next a male at Midhope Res on 20th. Five were at Thrybergh CP on 23rd week, with a final tally of nine birds - six juveniles, two adult females, July, three at Wentworth Lakes on and one cracking adult male. 23rd, and a female at Thrybergh CP on 27th and 28th. During August Coming during something of an influx of Two-barred Crossbill into three were at Orgreave Lakes on 24th, and one was at Thrybergh the country, this was a remarkable count for the species, and CP on 28th, certainly the largest group ever recorded in mainland Britain. The birds were enjoyed by a large number of birders, many of which Red Kite - Widespread records travelled far to see them. They required some patience as they throughout the period, with sightings from Langsett Wood, disappeared for several hours at a time, with a flock of several Fulwood, Norwood Allotments, hundred Common Crossbill also present, but they rewarded those Thrybergh CP, Aston, Owler Bar, who waited with confiding views as they regularly visited a clearing Broomhead Moor, Dukes Road, south of the reservoir. Upper Commons, Harley, Barlborough, Moss, Nether Green, Parkhead, Rushup Edge, At least one of the birds is still present at the time of writing (4th Perry Dale, and Moss Valley. All September). (Pics - Andy Deighton) were singles, bar two at Dotterel - Four birds were Moor on 2nd and 4th May, 2-3 at Broomhead Moor on 14th July. reported at Rud Hill on 6th May, Orgreave Lakes on 10th and 11th with a single bird sighted on 7th. May, one near Pilsley on 20th May, Marsh Harrier - Records from one at Orgreave Lakes on 20th Upper Commons, Broomhead Grey Plover - One in summer May, one at Thrybergh CP on 2nd Moor, White Edge, Broomhead plumage at Orgreave Lakes on June, one at Redmires Bottom Res Res, Whitwell Moor, Ewden Height, 24th August. on 1st July, two at Spout House Hill Agden Beck and . on 20th July, one at Middleton Two were at Broomhead Res on Knot - Five partial summer Moor on 26th July, one at 24th August. plumage birds N at Orgreave Thrybergh CP on 29th July, one Lakes on 15th May. SW at Redmires on 4th August, Hen Harrier - A ringtail was at one at Firsby Res on 17th August, Spout House Hill on 27th July. Sanderling - Various reports from one at Orgreave Lakes on 18th Orgreave Lakes between 9th and August, and one at Thrybergh CP Osprey - Records of single birds at 15th May, peaking at an impressive on 24th August. Upper Midhope and Agden on 19th ten on 15th. Elsewhere in May, May, Totley on 21st May, Sheffield singles were at Middleton Moor on Greenshank - In May two were at University (mobbed heavily by 4th and 18th. In July, three were Orgreave Lakes, and one was at Peregrines) on 15th June, present at Orgreave Lakes on Silverwood Lagoon, on 15th. One Broomhead Res on 22nd August, 22nd. was at Middleton Moor on 20th and Hurlfield on 30th August. July, and August saw singles at Curlew Sandpiper - One at Orgreave Lakes on 3rd, 18th and Peregrine - Three chicks Orgreave Lakes on 28th August. 20th, Silverwood Lagoon on 9th, successfully fledged from the pair and Rawmarsh on 22nd, with a on St George’s Church. Black-tailed Godwit - Orgreave count of two at Orgreave Lakes on Lakes saw three on 15th May, one 24th. Quail - One heard at Onesmoor on on 23rd July, one on 27th July, and 5th June. two on 14th August. At Middleton Green Sandpiper - Three at Moor, six were present on 24th Aldwarke SF on 4th August was Water Rail - Singles at Blackburn July, and two on 27th. One flew N the highest count, with singles Meadows on 4th May, Thrybergh at Rawmarsh on 7th August. reported at Orgreave Lakes, Tip on 30th June, and Poolsbrook Forgemasters Tip, Thrybergh CP, Marsh on 29th August. Whimbrel - The highest count was Canklow, Silverwood Lagoon, 11 at Moorgate on 23rd July. Aldwarke SF, Firsby Res, Upper Elsewhere one was at Middleton Midhope, Canklow and Blackburn Meadows.

This Long-tailed Skua was at Orgreave Lakes on 24th August (Mark Reeder). on 15th May, and Thrybergh CP on report of a bird at Ridgeway on Wood Sandpiper - One at 14th June. Two were at Rother 23rd. Orgreave Lakes on 15th May. Valley CP on 23rd July. Two-barred Crossbill - Up to nine Turnstone - Seven were at Little Tern - One was briefly birds (six juveniles, two females Orgreave Lakes on 15th May. Four present at Thrybergh CP on 15th and a male) at Broomhead Res were at the same site on 16th May, with two at Orgreave Lakes from 12th August - see page 10 August, with one present on 18th, later the same morning. for details. 20th, 21st and 24th. Short-eared Owl - One at Crossbill - By far the biggest flock Arctic Skua - A probable dark Thrybergh CP on 25th May. was at Broomhead Res in August, phase bird was seen over a peaking at 300+ on 25th. Fulwood garden on 3rd June. Nightjar - A male was churring at Elsewhere 10 were at Lady Wharncliffe Heath, although none Canning’s Plantation on 2nd May, Long-tailed Skua - A juv was on were present at two other expected 25 at Westend Valley on 22nd Orgreave Lakes on 24th August, locations. A dead juv was found at June, 22 at Midhope Res on 30th photographed just in time before Emlin Moor on 27th August. June, 35 at Chatsworth on 25th it was flushed by dog walkers. July, and 30 at Howden Res on 8th Waxwing - A few sightings into August. Great Skua - Pager report of one May, with five at Hunter’s Bar on at Midhope Res on 27th July. 1st, 10 at Park on 3rd, Hawfinch - One was reported and finally five on Pomona St on flying low over Weston Park on Mediterranean Gull - Juvs at 13th. 16th July. Middleton Moor on 27th July, and Orgreave Lakes on 10th August. Black Redstart - A male was Black Swan - Two were at recorded singing from rooftops on Middleton Moor on 5th May, with Little Gull - Adult summer at 21st May, and again on 20th and one sighted on various further Orgreave Lakes on 22nd and 23rd 21st June. dates in May and June. July. Fieldfare - The last record was a Eastern Rosella - One add an air Caspian Gull - 2nd summer at lone bird at Stanage on 18th May. of the exotic to Thrybergh CP on Middleton Moor on 13th July. 11th August. Golden Oriole - An immature Arctic Tern - Singles at Thrybergh male was at Padley Gorge on Pete Mella CP on 11th May, Orgreave Lakes 15th June. There was another

This issue’s observers, with apologies for any omissions:

CD Abell, C Almond, MG Archer, J Atkin, B Bailey, S Bailey, J Barnaby, R Barnard, SJ Barnes, AR Bell, AS Bilton, M Blagden, RP Blagden, C Bonnington, K Bower, P Bowker, RJ Bradley, SJ Branch, PL Brown, P Burke, RV Burton, R Butterfield, DJ Buttle, BM Carr, EO Chafer, I Chapman, J Clarke, L Coates, B Cole, J Crooks, N Cross, A Deighton, W Dudhill, CM Dunhill, H Egan, KL Evans, MG Fenner, P Flackett, D Gains, D Gardiner, P Garrity, KA Gehring, C Gibson, DN Gill, G Grant, R Green, P Greetham, D Griffin, T Grose, S Guymer, R Harris, M Hibbert, A Hill, AA Hill, RD Hill, DJ Hitchen, A&V Hobson, M Hodgson, J Hornbuckle, K Horton, J Houseden, G Hunt, R Hutty, P Jackson, G & J James, M Jarvis, Anne Johnson, A Jones, C Kelly, S King, J Kingsland, N Kipling, K Knowles, M Kramer, D Langston, MR Langston, P Lawson, P Leonard, P Lockwood, J Luis, F Maddock, JL Marriott, P Mella, TH MInskip, K Mosley, JA Mountford, D Mowbray, L Nelson, MG Oxlade, PH Pearsall, M Pearson, R Platts, NR Porter, M Purslow, MN Reeder, P Ridsdale, L Riley, B Roberts, K Roberts, D Roddis, SJ Roddis, S Samworth, L Sanders, R Scally, J Sherwin, M Sherwin, A Siddall, D Simmonite, MA Smethurst, M Snook, G Speight, B Spencer, D Stables, MJ Sweeney, M&L Taylor, SG Tebbutt, P Thomas, A Thompson, W Thomson, M Timms, R Twigg, C Tyler, SE Vickers, EC Vincent, D Warburton, R Watkinson, AD Watson, M Wells, G Wheatley, RDR Williams, JB Wilson, P&A WIlson, S Winslow, M Winter, D Wood, D Woodhead, D Woodriff, P Wragg, Thrybergh CP BIrd Log.