Skokholm Annual Report 2014
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Wardens’ Report iii Introduction to the Skokholm Island Annual Report iii Winter Storms 2014 iv The 2014 Season and Weather Summary iv Spring Work Parties v Spring Long-term Volunteers vi Spring Migration Highlights vi The Breeding Season vii Autumn Migration Highlights vii Autumn Long-term Volunteers viii Autumn Work Party ix Skokholm Bird Observatory ix The Launch of Skokholm Bird Observatory ix Digitisation of Paper Logs x New Ringing Projects in 2014 x Visiting Ringers in 2014 xi Birds Ringed in 2014 xi Catching Methods xii Arrival and Departure Dates xiii 2013 Rarity Decisions xiv BTO Young Bird Observatory Volunteer Fund xiv Bird Observatory Fundraising xiv Acknowledgments and Thanks xv Definitions and Terminology 1 The Systematic List of Birds 1 Anatidae Swans, Geese and Ducks 1 Phasianidae Pheasants, Partridges and Quail 4 Gaviidae Divers 5 Procellariidae Fulmar and Shearwaters 5 Hydrobatidae Storm Petrels 16 Sulidae Gannet 24 Phalacrocoracidae Cormorant and Shag 25 Ardeidae Herons and Egrets 26 Ciconiidae Spoonbill 28 Accipitridae Harriers, Hawks and Buzzards 28 Pandionidae Osprey 30 Falconidae Falcons 30 Rallidae Rails, Crakes and Gallinules 31 Haematopodidae Oystercatcher 32 Charadriidae Plovers 33 Scolopacidae Sandpipers 35 Glareolidae Pratincoles 43 Stercorariidae Skuas 43 Alcidae Auks 44 Sternidae Terns 57 Laridae Gulls 58 Columbidae Pigeons and Doves 73 Cuculidae Cuckoo 74 Strigidae Owls 74 Apodidae Swifts 75 Picidae Wryneck 75 ii | Skokholm Annual Report 2014 Corvidae Crows 76 Regulidae Kinglets 80 Alaudidae Larks 81 Hirundinidae Swallows and Martins 81 Sylviidae Old World Warblers 84 Troglodytidae Wren 92 Sturnidae Starlings 93 Turdidae Thrushes 93 Muscicapidae Chats and Flycatchers 95 Prunellidae Accentors 100 Passeridae Sparrows 101 Motacillidae Wagtails and Pipits 101 Carduelidae Finches 106 Emberizidae Buntings 108 The Non-avian Report 111 Invertebrates 111 Dragonflies and Damselflies 111 Beetles 112 Moths 112 Butterflies 135 Additional Invertebrates 139 Herpetofauna 140 Amphibians 140 Reptiles 140 Mammals 140 Rabbit 140 Bats 142 Seals 145 Cetaceans 146 Fish 147 Fungi 147 Plants 148 Observers and Literature Cited in the Text 152 Wardens’ Report Introduction to the Skokholm Island Annual Report 2014 In January 2014 Skokholm was officially reaccredited by the Bird Observatories Council; this season was thus our first since 1976 as a recognised Bird Observatory. Several exciting research projects were begun, with staff and volunteers working with Gloucestershire and Cardiff Universities, the British Trust for Ornithology and BSG Ecology on a range of studies; research included the use of novel survey techniques for Storm Petrels along with a reassessment of our current monitoring protocols, the use of state-of-the-art GPS trackers on Lesser Black-backed Gulls, the monitoring of Great Black-backed Gull dispersal, longevity and breeding site fidelity and a full season of bat surveying. The long-term monitoring projects continued, historical research into Manx Shearwater predation was revisited and revived and the systematic ringing of migrant passerines continued for a second full year. It is with great excitement that we bring to you our second Annual Report detailing these events and more. This report follows the same format as last year. It provides a full account of the 2014 season, documenting the fortunes of Skokholm’s breeding birds along with a record of migrant birds and the iii | Skokholm Annual Report 2014 non-avian wildlife recorded this year. Each avian species logged on Skokholm in 2014 is addressed separately and every piece of information we have gathered during the season can be found under that species title; thus details of movements, breeding, ringing totals, ringing recoveries, specific projects and all other relevant information can be found in the one place. Following the success of last year’s online report, the Skokholm Annual Report 2014 has again been produced in a free to download PDF format. Winter Storms 2014 Severe and prolonged storms hit the UK during January and February 2014 which resulted in a minimum of 50,000 dead seabirds washing up along the coast of Europe, from Spain to Northern Scotland (BT0, 2014). Dubbed Europe’s worst ever seabird wreck, the majority of the birds affected were Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill and Shag. This was reflected along the Pembrokeshire coast, with corpses found to be severely emaciated. It is too early to know the full impact that this event has had on Skokholm’s breeding seabirds, but details of how this season’s numbers compare to previous years, along with potential impacts on productivity, can be found in the Systematic List. The 2014 Season and Weather Summary The season ran from 4th March to 24th November and we welcomed visitors from mid-April to the end of September. It was on average wetter than in 2013, with more numerous heavy showers and periods of prolonged rain. Spring was very much milder than last season and the summer months were again glorious, with extended periods of hot, dry and calm weather. Autumn began with exceptionally mild weather but ended with strong winds and torrential downpours. The mixed weather experienced in March and April was very different to the bitter conditions prevalent in 2013. Mild days were interspersed with cooler weather when the winds shifted to the north and towards the end of March stronger winds from the northwest brought heavy showers. The wet weather did not continue into April which proved a pleasant month with calm conditions dominating for the most part. Gentle winds from the south brought some scattered showers and occasional heavy rain which generally fell at night. Daytime conditions were sunny, mild and enjoyable, a huge contrast to 2013 when sub-zero diurnal temperatures resulted in frozen ponds on several occasions. iv | Skokholm Annual Report 2014 May brought some untimely bad weather to the Island, with winds picking up sharply from the west and gusting to 50mph on the 10th and 11th which resulted in a mass exodus of Auks from the cliffs and potentially led to the failure of the breeding Peregrines. The weather soon improved and the remainder of the month was generally calm and mild but with heavy, prolonged rain on several occasions. June too was calm and warm but with occasional heavy showers, mostly overnight, in the early part of the month; this heavy rain led to several Razorbill eggs around the Bluffs becoming caked in thick mud. Temperatures increased in July and for the most part the weather remained very calm during what was a spectacular month; there were only a handful of days when the wind was noticeable. As in June, there were some showers and drizzle overnight but the Island had become very dry by this point; the only standing water was in Well Stream, at Orchid Bog and in a tiny pool at North Pond. August saw many hot and sunny days but it also brought some heavy showers which mostly fell overnight. Heavy rainfall over consecutive nights resulted in localised flooding in several parts of the Island. Manx Shearwater burrows were inundated, especially on the northern side of Skokholm, evicting their young occupants which became easy pickings for the gulls. The ponds partially refilled. September was dominated by high pressure systems which resulted in an exceptionally warm and dry month with drizzle and rain only occurring in the last four days. Winds were gentle and during the middle of the month were predominantly from the east. October saw a change from the glorious months of summer; there were very heavy, thundery downpours and persistent rain with moderate to strong winds coupled with moderate to rough sea states and only a brief respite during the middle of the month. This weather continued into November with heavy, thundery and sometimes prolonged showers dominating the first half of the month. A dry day on the 16th was a relief as much of the Island was waterlogged and several ephemeral pools had appeared outside of the buildings, inside the Garage and along North Pond Wall. The winds calmed and the last four days leading to the Wardens’ departure on the 26th were, as is typically the case, glorious. Spring Work Parties This season’s spring work parties ran from 26th March to 18th April. As is always the case, a phenomenal amount of hard work undertaken by a great bunch of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers meant that a huge number of jobs were completed. Leaking and rotting windows were rebuilt and replaced in the Library, Crow’s Nest and Ringing Room and the rotting Wheelhouse door lintel was also replaced. The big post-renovation tidy up continued and the old rusting dumper truck was dismantled and removed from the Island. The water system electrics were perfected so that water automatically fills the drinking water tank when it empties; all of the water tanks now automatically respond to their changing levels. An outdoor urinal area was installed to the west of v | Skokholm Annual Report 2014 the Courtyard and a rainwater flush system was fitted. A drying shed was also constructed which works like a well ventilated greenhouse and is an ideal place for soggy boots and jackets to dry. The first major works also started in the Lighthouse. The sagging bathroom ceiling was replaced and the metal work was stripped and undercoated on the inside of the lantern. The walls in the Laboratory (the old engine room) were scraped and repainted and two work benches were built and installed along the south facing wall. There are also a significant number of tasks which have to be completed every spring at the Farm; a stunning job was made of decorating the interiors of the bedrooms, toilets and Wheelhouse and every exterior wall and roof was lime-washed to a blinding finish. Spring Long-Term Volunteers On 31st March we welcomed Long-term Volunteers Renate Thome and Molly Heal to the Island.