Notes

Feather lice from Ascension and Magnificent Frigatebirds In the recent paper on the identification of the Pectinopygus crenatus (Giebel 1874). 1953 Tiree frigatebird (Walbridge et al.; Brit. Magnificent Frigatebird is host to the louse C. 96: 58-73), the authors drew attention to spineum, and is to date the only known host of the identification evidence provided by chewing this louse species. Our data establish that C. lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera). A number of lice angulaticeps is indeed the species of this genus representing three genera were obtained from which occurs on F. aquila and confirms the evi- the Tiree corpse and the identification of these dence from the Tiree specimen’s ectoparasites, specimens, held in the National Museums of conclusively ruling out Magnificent Frigatebird. Scotland, Edinburgh, had been rechecked and As yet, no Colpocephalum louse has been compared with current listings of frigatebird recorded from Christmas Island Frigatebird F. lice. andrewsi and thus we hesitate to say that C. One louse species recorded from the Tiree spineum is host-specific to F. magnificens only. was Colpocephalum angulaticeps (Piaget This host specificity would be easy to clarify 1880), a species which can be found on both should anyone provide lice from F. andrewsi on Lesser Fregata ariel and Great Frigatebirds F. Christmas Island (please contact any of the minor, but not on Magnificent Frigatebird F. authors: see details below). magnificens, where it is replaced by the closely Pectinopygus crenatus (with type-host F. related C. spineum (Kellogg 1899). Walbridge et aquila) was the first species of Pectinopygus al. used this as supporting evidence to rule out described from any frigatebird species. Two the possibility that the Tiree bird was a Magnifi- other species were described later: P. gracil- cent Frigatebird. When the paper went to press, icornis (Piaget 1880) from F. minor, and P. fre- there were no fully authenticated records of gatiphagus (Eichler 1943) from F. magnificens. Colpocephalum spp. from Ascension Frigate- On morphological grounds it is, however, birds F. aquila. extremely difficult to separate these three We have now been able to examine lice col- nominal species of Pectinopygus and, conse- lected from Ascension Frigatebirds on quently, they have little value as aids for the Boatswainbird Islet, off Ascension Island, the identification of frigatebirds at the species level. only breeding place of this species. Following a Many other species of Pectinopygus lice occur request from BZ, Richard White, Ascension on almost all other species of Pelecaniformes. In Island Conservation Officer, kindly collected the UK, for example, the Pectinopygus lice para- four lice from Ascension Frigatebird fledglings sitising Northern Gannet Morus bassanus, Great in December 2002. These lice were slide- Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, and Shag P. mounted and identified by RLP, and deposited aristotelis belong to three different species, one in the entomological collection of the Museum per host species. of New Zealand, Wellington. The four lice examined were identified as two female C. We are indebted to Richard White for his efforts in collecting lice. angulaticeps (Piaget 1880) and two female Bernard Zonfrillo Ornithology Unit, Division of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology, Graham Kerr (Zoology) Building, Glasgow University, Glasgow G12 8QQ; [email protected] Robert Y. McGowan Bird Section, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF; [email protected] Ricardo L. Palma Curator (Entomology), National Museum of New Zealand, PO Box 467, Wellington, New Zealand; [email protected]

454 © British Birds 96 • September 2003 • 454-459 Notes Presumed hybrid between Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike in Bulgaria On 9th May 1998, R. Tsonev observed an mask, giving it an almost black-headed appear- unusual shrike in the Pleven region of ance when viewed from a distance. Narrow, northern Bulgaria (43°31’N 24°41’E). Further somewhat pale, grey or greyish-white patch on detailed observations of this bird were made on the scapulars, resembling to some extent that of 14th May, over a period of about 20 minutes, Great Grey Shrike L. excubitor. Closed wing dark during which I was able to obtain four pho- brown, with very small white patch at base of tographs, two of which are reproduced here primaries. Cheek, chin and throat white. Breast (plates 303 & 304). It was immediately apparent and belly bright orange-buff (not pinkish as on that this individual did not closely resemble any collurio and minor). Undertail-coverts white. Tail of the European . It did, however, exhibit shape, coloration and length as in collurio.The a number of features in common with Red- size was the same as collurio, or slightly larger. backed Shrike L. collurio and Lesser Grey Shrike This putative hybrid closely resembled the L. minor, both of which occur in large numbers, description of a known hybrid between Red- and in all suitable habitats, throughout the backed Shrike and Lesser Grey Shrike described region. Unfortunately, the bird was not trapped by Eck (1971). Yet, although this individual and, therefore, a more detailed examination was shared many of the characters that Eck not possible; consequently, its true identity described, it also differed in a number of could not be established with certainty. Based aspects. These included: upon the available evidence, however, it is con- sidered that the combination of plumage char- Scapulars acters and structural features point to this This bird showed a paler area on the scapulars, unusual shrike being a hybrid between Red- which was absent on Eck’s bird. backed Shrike and Lesser Grey Shrike. Underparts Description The sharp contrast between the white throat Comparatively broad black eye-stripe, broader and orange-buff breast was absent from Eck’s than that of collurio but narrower than on bird. The underpart colour could, however, minor. Upperparts dark grey, more saturated on have faded from the specimen after preparation crown and, together with the broad black facial and storage, although this seems unlikely. Boris Nikolov Boris Nikolov 303-304. Presumed hybrid Red-backed Lanius collurio and Lesser Grey Shrike L. minor, northern Bulgaria, May 1998.

British Birds 96 • September 2003 • 454-459 455 Notes

Crown in . Red-backed Shrike is known to have The crown appeared darker than the mantle, hybridised with several species of shrikes, while the upperparts of Eck’s bird seemed to be including Brown Shrike L. cristatus, Isabelline uniform grey above, with no contrast between Shrike L. isabellinus and Woodchat Shrike L. the crown and mantle. senator, as well as Lesser Grey Shrike (Lefranc & The bird was already paired, or in the process Worfolk 1997). There are, however, only three of pairing, with a female Red-backed Shrike. known hybrids resulting from matings between Almost all the Red-backed Shrikes in the area Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes. These were already paired and the population density species are semi-sympatric and the hybrids was high. The suspected hybrid gave advertising between them are presumably the result of acci- calls, and was observed wing-shivering. dental hybridisation (Panov 1989). Begging-calls resembling the fledgling food calls Acknowledgments were heard from the female Red-backed Shrike, I am grateful to anonymous referees for helpful and were followed by courtship feeding, during comments, and thank Rosen Tsonev for sharing his which the suspected hybrid presented the Red- observation. My thanks also go to Iva Hristova for backed Shrike with an insect. All vocalisations technical help in preparing photographs, and to Nayden of the presumed hybrid shrike were very similar Chakarov for preparing a translation of Eck’s paper from German. to those of Red-backed Shrike, but more rasping. References Hybridisation in birds is widespread but Eck, S. 1971. Ein Würger-Bastard im Elbtal bei Pirna. Zool. comparatively rare, with interspecific hybrids Abh. Staatl. Mus.Tierk. Dresden 32 (1): 1-4. Grant, P.R., & Grant B. R. 1992. Hybridization of Bird occurring at a frequency of approximately one Species. Science 256: 193-197. in 50,000 birds (Mayr 1970). Grant & Grant Lefranc, N., Boët M., & Boët M. 1989. Observations de (1992) stated that 9.2 % of all avian species are couples mixtes Lanius senator/Lanius collurio en France. known to have bred with another species under Brève synthèse des cas d’hybridation connus chez les Laniidés d’Europe. Alauda 57 (2): 109-118. natural circumstances and produced hybrid off- — & Worfolk,T. 1997. Shrikes: A Guide to the Shrikes of the spring. Interspecific hybrids are known among World. Pica Press, London. several Lanius species (Panov 1989), and Mayr, E. 1970. Populations, Species, and Evolution. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Lefranc et al. (1989) summarised all records of Panov, E. 1989. Natural Hybridisation and Ethological mixed Laniidae pairings and hybrids observed Isolation in Birds. Nauka, Moscow. [in Russian]

Boris Nikolov Bulgarian Ornithological Centre, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 “Tsar Osvoboditel” Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

Great Ringed Plover smothered by sand

As part of my work as Shorebird Warden at installed, along with a ‘flexinet’ fence. Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Lin- During a spell of strong winds on 24th May, colnshire in 2002, I was involved in monitoring it was noted that the cage was encouraging a the breeding success of Great Ringed Plovers build-up of wind-blown sand. Although the Charadrius hiaticula. The trials and tribulations parent birds were still in attendance, I removed of one pair were of particular interest. On 4th much of the sand that evening. The following May, four eggs were being incubated at a site at morning, it was apparent that sand had con- the north end of the shorebird sanctuary, at the tinued to drift through the night, and also that point where the beach meets embryonic dunes. an embryo dune which had overshadowed the Being only 50 m from the deflector fence, it was clutch had shifted into the ‘flexinetted’ area, decided that no protection measures would be thus raising the ground level by several cen- put in place, lest they draw attention to the nest. timetres. Furthermore, a near-perfect dome of Nonetheless, two eggs were still predated on 8th sand had accumulated within the cage, and it May, with possible corvid tracks being noted by was clear that the slight wind resistance created the nest scrape. Accordingly, a wire-mesh cage, by the cage had caused this accumulation of fashioned into a 60-cm-high dome-shape, was sand. No plovers were to be found in the area,

456 British Birds 96 • September 2003 • 454-459 Notes and both the cage and fence were removed. through smothering. Sand was found in the Several days later, no plovers had shown gizzard and intestines, and blood was noted in further interest in the site and it was decided both the trachea and the lungs. About 18 tape- that the nest should be excavated to check the worms were present in the ileum, and while the eggs for fertility and proximity to hatching. bird had undoubtedly been smothered, it was Astonishingly, a dead female Great Ringed clearly already having some health problems, Plover was uncovered, still in the incubating with a fairly heavy tapeworm burden and a position. It was covered by several centimetres digestive tract disease causing an obstruction. of sand, and was in an early state of decay. It This remarkable incident testifies to the was not possible to establish whether the nest tenacity and determination of these birds, and had been immediately buried by sand owing to highlights the extreme conditions which some- a sudden collapse of the dune, or whether the times have to be endured by shorebirds. It also wind-blown sand had built up over a period of provides a rare example of wardening interven- hours. A post-mortem examination of the tion having a negative impact on breeding plover was carried out by Jason Waine, of the success, as the cage encouraged sand deposition Southcrest Veterinary Centre in Redditch, and over the nest scrape. this revealed that the bird had indeed died Tim Sykes Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE24 4SU

Nest protection of Little Ringed Plovers

Further to recent Notes on Little Ringed Plovers I found that a cheap and convenient cage was Charadrius dubius (Brit. Birds 96: 344-346), and readily available in the form of white plastic- particularly the use of cages to protect nest-sites coated wire bicycle baskets, which cost around from predators, I can report the successful use £6.00 each from cycle shops, secured by a of cages at my local gravel-pit site at Cass- couple of metal pegs. The dimensions, typically ington, Oxfordshire. In 2003, I ‘caged’ eleven 50 cm x 30 cm x 25 cm deep and vertical wire nests and without exception the sitting birds spacing of about 3.5 cm are ideal. immediately accepted the cages. The cages are also useful in preventing accidental damage or Hanson Aggregates sponsored the purchase of nest protection cages for use at Cassington Quarry. trampling, by alerting workers at industrial sites to the superbly camouflaged plover nests. Terry Godfrey 7 Lynton Lane, Cassington, Oxfordshire OX29 4ES

EDITORIAL COMMENT Note that Little Ringed Plovers are a Schedule 1 species and that a licence is required before embarking upon this type of study; Terry Godfrey carried out this work under licence No. 2003126.

Feeding behaviour of migrant Ruff On 1st October 1992, on Fueteventura, Canary passing vehicles were ignored. The same bird Islands, I observed a male Ruff Philomachus was again seen on 3rd October, at the same pugnax feeding on caterpillars from a low, semi- locality, again feeding on the abundant caterpil- prostrate beet Beta plant, close to a roadside lars from the same species of plant. footpath near the tourist complex of Caleta de Moths bred from caterpillars collected from Fuste and some 250 m from the coast (plate the plants on 13th October proved to be those 305). Presumably a tired migrant, it was of a Pyralid moth Hymonia recurvalia (Fab- extremely tame, and moved away only momen- ricus). Caterpillars of Noctuid moths are given tarily if I approached to within 1 m, while as food of Ruffs during the breeding season,

British Birds 96 • September 2003 • 454-459 457 Notes Rae Vernon 305. Male Ruff Philomachus pugnax taking caterpillars from beet Beta plant, Fueteventura, Canary Islands, October 1992.

and have also been recorded in the stomachs of I am indepted to Dr M.Wilson of National Museum of migrant Ruffs in the Ukraine (BWP). Wales, Cardiff, for help in the identification of both plant specimens and species of moth.

Rae Vernon 16 Orchid Meadow, Pwllmeyric, Chepstow, Gwent NP16 6HP

Robins living inside building

In December 2001, while shopping at Frosts Turdus merula, occasionally entered the Centre, Garden Centre at Willington, Bedfordshire, I but only the Robins ever stayed inside regularly, was surprised to see two Robins Erithacus and have done so every year for eight or nine rubecula feeding among the potted plants years. within the sales area. On my next visit, I again It is not unusual for birds to enter buildings saw at least two (and perhaps more) Robins in accidentally, to take advantage of temporary the same area, clearly living quite satisfactorily food supplies in places such as railway stations, within the confines of the large building. There or to roost or nest inside buildings when there were only some automatic doors allowing is easy access. In this case, however, although access to the gardens of the Centre, but on the Garden Centre’s staff did not know of a nest warm days double doorways were often wide being found within the building, the Robins open, allowing easy access (or escape) for a were clearly taking advantage of warmth, pro- bird. The Robins appeared to be perfectly at tection and food over long periods. This long- home, taking as little notice of me or the other term residence compares, therefore, with that of shoppers as they would of a gardener digging a House Sparrows Passer domesticus down coal vegetable patch. Subsequently, I discovered that mines (Brit. Birds 73: 325-327). several species of bird, including Blackbirds

Dr J. T. R. Sharrock Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ

458 British Birds 96 • September 2003 • 454-459 Notes Male Song Thrush successfully raising a brood after the death of its mate The male and female of a breeding pair of Song death, both birds were feeding nine-day-old Thrushes Turdus philomelos were radio-tagged nestlings. The male thrush continued to provi- in 2000 as part of a long-term study into the use sion the nestlings during the following four of farmland habitats during the breeding season days, and all five nestlings fledged successfully in Essex. Both birds were located daily from the on 21st May. The male was subsequently day of tagging, the male on 6th March, the recorded provisioning the fledglings for a female on 12th May. Following an unsuccessful further seven days. It would seem likely that the first breeding attempt, a second nest was built male sheltered the nestlings overnight on more close to a busy lane. On 17th May, the female than one occasion, since heavy and persistent was recovered dead on the lane, having been hit rain fell on two nights between 17th and 21st by a passing vehicle. At the time of the female’s May. Derek Gruar, John Mallord and Andrew Impey RSPB Research Department, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL

Unusual feeding behaviour of Eurasian Treecreeper

On 13th December 2002, I was watching a large see clearly that the bird was picking up small number of birds feeding on various fare pro- fragments of peanuts falling to the ground as vided in my garden when my attention was the result of feverish activity at the feeder. The drawn to a Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia famil- bird occasionally flew to a small shrub and iaris shuffling along the ground on the concrete moved in more normal fashion but continually patio immediately below a well-attended returned to the ground to feed again. peanut feeder. Through my binoculars I could Derek Moore Rowan Howe, Gors Road, Salem, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire SA19 7LY

On 28th September 2002, near my home in the prey. It would be unremarkable if Banffshire, Northeast Scotland, I disturbed a treecreepers caught insects they themselves dis- male Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria, a dis- turbed from trunks, but to see a passing moth tinctive orange geometrid moth with a ‘hawked’ so expertly was more surprising. wingspan of around 48 mm, from birch Betula On 20th January 2003, a Eurasian foliage. The moth flew away but was seized in Treecreeper, which had been working its way mid air by a Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia famil- along a wooden fence with attached peanut iaris, which had left a nearby birch trunk. The feeder in my garden, flew to the ground and bird returned to the same trunk, where it froze spent about 15 seconds picking up tiny items for several seconds in an upright position, from beneath the feeder, and probing in the holding the moth firmly by the thorax in its bill. short lawn turf. Eventually, it was chased away The moth was then swallowed, wings and all, by a Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs. with no apparent difficulty, despite the size of Roy Leverton Whitewells, Ordiquhill, Cornhill, Banffshire AB45 2HS

EDITORIAL COMMENT It is well known that Eurasian Treecreepers will forage on surfaces other than trees (e.g. see Brit. Birds 84: 512-513). As far as we are aware, however, these are the first docu- mented reports of treecreepers exploiting the now-ubiquitous peanut feeder, although BWP quotes several instances of this species taking fat (e.g. Brit. Birds 67: 515-516, 69: 310).

British Birds 96 • September 2003 • 454-459 459