Bird Populations 8:213-214 Reprinted with permission BTO News 255:26 © British Trust for Ornithology 2004 WHITE STORK FAILS TO DELIVER DAVID GLUE British Trust for Ornithology The National Centre for Ornithology The Nunnery, Thetford Norfolk, IP24 2PU, United Kingdom Intriguing New Year breeding successes, exciting range extensions, and productive nestbox projects: all features of an upbeat 2004 breeding season, outlined by BTO Research Biologist, David Glue. LA CIGÜEÑA BLANCA NO CUMPLE Intrigantes éxitos reproductivos en Año Nuevo, excitantes extensiones de rango, y productivos proyectos con cajas nido: características de una temporada 2004 muy animada, resumida por el biólogo del BTO David Glue. Following the relatively poor breeding season Periodic heavy rains mid month and during for many species in 2003 (BTO News 249), it is the last week, with flash-flooding in the Severn pleasing to outline a more productive current Complex and northeast, led to locally heavy season for many of the UK’s breeding birds. The losses among nesting duck, Black-headed Gull, early breeding events were reported in BTO plovers and Reed Bunting. Sadly, yet another News 252. spring buildup of water in the Ouse Washes washed out a nationally significant population of more than 1,000 pairs of waders, including MANDARIN AND STONE CURLEW Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe and Blacktailed OCCUPY FRESH HAUNTS Godwit. A dull, wet April was tempered by regular Stone Curlew fared better in Breckland and warmth, 1–2°C above average. Attempts by a Wessex populations, with signs that a ‘dumbell’ pair of White Stork to breed in the Calder Valley, distribution may form via the Ridgeway west of Wakefield (West Yorks) atop a hastily counties. Warm spells in the final week, with erected pole and pallet, substituting for an elec- temperatures touching 23°C in London on 24th, tricity pylon, led to frustration and failure. They saw a surge in reported active nests of dabbling carried Continental rings, the female fitted near duck, tits, thrushes and finches. Those checking Lille (France) and male at Mechelen (Belgium). nestboxes were delighted to find Goosander Wandering birds elsewhere in the UK suggest (Devon, Montgomery), Mandarin (Bucks, that the first successful breeding, since that on St Hants) and Black Redstart (Birmingham). Giles’ Cathedral (Edinburgh) in 1416, may not Among spring migrants, Chiffchaff and be far away. The naturally recolonising Chough, Blackcap maintained their recent strength, on the Lizard peninsula (Cornwall) were more Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit reappeared in successful with four young hatched in this, the improved numbers but Cuckoo were again third year. woefully few in parts. [213] DAVID GLUE WARM MAY SUITS OSPREY AND HOBBY CHECKED BY OWLS, TITS AND MIDSUMMER RAINS FLYCATCHERS Winds veered to the north on 17th June, May was the driest such month since 1998 and introducing sharp showers and a cooler theme, the warmest and sunniest since 1991. Consistent revitalizing parched soils and drying water- comfortable heat, moist soils and clear blue skies bodies. The period mid-June to mid- July proved favoured early nesting residents and summer the chilliest since 1981 (daily temperatures 0.7°C visitors alike. Daily temperatures 1–2°C above below average) but many thrushes, Robins, average in all regions, topping 25°C in Greater Wrens, hirundines, chats and pipits reared London on 24th, boosted aphid, caterpillar and successive broods. Avocet, Little Egret and midge prey. The mercury dipped to –4°C at Mediterranean Gull made significant range Kinbrace (Sutherland) early on 27th, but extensions, chiefly to the northeast, inland, and fortunately the spring remained largely frost- south coast populations respectively. A record- free (unlike 2003). breaking ‘autumnal’ low, crossed southern parts Tits survived the winter in modest numbers on 7/8th, with torrential rains and winds to 50 and average sized clutches were laid. Fledging knots. Crown-heavy trees were uprooted, with success though was generally high, with young Grey Heron, Cormorant, Osprey, Hobby relatively few broods of Great Tit, Blue Tit, and doves reported lost, as well as swamped Long-tailed Tit and Pied Flycatcher predated by broods of ground-nesting divers, Merlin, Hen weasel, pine marten, wood mouse or Great Harrier and Nightjar, among others. Some Barn Spotted Woodpecker, in contrast with the Owl young starved, but the Barn Owl Monitor- previous season. Checking nestboxes in rampant ing Programme reported modest numbers of vegetation was hard work, but lush grass free-flying youngsters, eclipsing the grim season growth resulted in plenty of prey that fuelled 2003 (pers com. Colin Shawyer, Peter Beaven). egg-laying Buzzards, Kestrels, Tawny Owls and Seabirds, as ever, enjoyed mixed fortunes, but Long-eared Owls. ‘catastrophic’ stories from northern sites Progressively drier conditions, especially in dominated. Initially east coast mixed colonies, western parts, checked some invertebrate including Sandwich Tern and Little Tern, were numbers and limited mud for nest building decimated at the chick stage by tidal storm supplies, but rain-bearing Atlantic fronts from surges. Longterm nest-recorder Eric Meek, on the 28th relieved matters. Orkney, described “the worst season in living A warm first-half to June, with temperatures memory”, with thousands of Guillemot, Shag topping the 30°C mark, helped Swallow, and Kittiwake missing from traditional ledges. Dipper, Pied Wagtail and Spotted Flycatcher to Arctic Tern, Arctic Skua and Great Skua were fledge first broods and to lay repeat clutches. inactive, while starving chicks were a feature. Delighted homeowners in Liss Forest (Hants), Debate centred around climate change and a Great Gaddesden (Herts) and Church Stretton northward shift of plankton and fish prey to (Shrops) attracted families of Siskins to warmer waters. Gannet provided one bright feeders. spot, 14 pairs occupying the UK’s newest colony Elsewhere, onlookers in Chichester (Sussex), on The Noup, Westray. On land, healthy nestbox inner city Gloucester and Nottingham, watched broods of Great Tit, Pied Flycatcher and nesting Peregrine. Melodious Warbler Nuthatch in the third week of July, reflected (Cornwall), Icterine Warbler (Suffolk) and Great repeat layings and second brood successes. Reed Warbler (Essex) sang well but failed to Gathering heat in late July, temperatures attract mates, Spotted Crake, Serin and clipping 30°C at the month’s end (Cardiff), Common Rosefinch in new haunts proved boosted aerial insect supplies, enabling martins, successful. Spotted Flycatcher and Nightjar, among others, to fledge late broods in August, before nesting activity wound down in torrential midsummer rains, the wettest August since 1956. [214].