The Birds of 2015

Herefordshire Ornithological Club Annual Report Jackdaws and cattle at Much Marcle in March 2015 (Photo: Mick Colquhoun) Editorial

This is the 65th annual report of the ‘Birds of Herefordshire’, the Herefordshire Ornithological Club’s (HOC) annual publication for 2015, which I hope you will enjoy reading. During the year a total of 172 species were recorded, summary details and highlights of which are presented in the systematic list section on pages 30 – 98, for which I wish to thank the species authors. An alphabetic index of species is included on pages 146 – 147 to help readers locate individual species information and a gazetteer of place names mentioned in the species accounts is provided on pages 142 – 145.

The county list of species (now numbering 281) was boosted by the sighting of a Spotted Sandpiper, a county ‘first’, at Wellington Gravel Pits in May 2015 (see article on pages 28 – 29), and seven other rarities with 20 or fewer previous county records also made an appearance in Herefordshire during the year: Red-crested Pochard, Marsh Harrier, Turnstone, Temminck’s Stint, Red-necked Phalarope, Caspian Gull and Common Redpoll. A tremendous amount of effort has gone into validating the records of rarities on the county list during the past year and the review article on pages 12 – 18 makes enlightening reading and provides a definitive list and dates of sightings for all 94 rarity species with 20 or fewer records.

The large increase in the number of bird records received in 2014, compared with previous years, continued in 2015 with a similar 46,000 records being utilised in compiling this annual report. The HOC is grateful to all observers for collecting this extensive dataset that defines the 2015 birding year in Herefordshire. Even more pleasing is the level of detail these records now provide, through the use of BirdTrack, and the increased reporting of breeding evidence in the 2015 year. However, as with all recording systems, there is always scope to strive for further improvement and I would strongly recommend you read the review of ‘Bird recording in Herefordshire’ on pages 105 – 106. The HOC Committee wishes to thank both the County Recorder and the Data Manager for compiling and checking this huge amount of data again this year.

It is very pleasing to me as Editor to include such a wide range of review articles and reports in this publication (on pages 107 – 141). The willingness and efforts of all authors involved is gratefully acknowledged and I commend you to read these accounts that cover many aspects of the presence, abundance and behaviour of birds in Herefordshire. There are reviews on ‘The birds of the between and Hampton Bishop’ and ‘The birds of Garway Hill’, as well as detailed articles on ‘Unusual nesting behaviour of House Martins’ and ‘Abnormalities in colouration in birds’ and the usual interesting annual reports on bird ringing, nestbox monitoring and garden birds.

Finally, I wish to thank the following: Tony Eveleigh, John Pullen and Nick Smith for their meticulous checking of the species accounts; Mick Colquhoun for sourcing and co-ordinating the illustrative material presented; Gerald Parker for the species drawings and Gerald Wells for proof-reading the final script.

Mervyn Davies

1 Herefordshire Ornithological Club

Founded 1950 Registered charity No. 1068608

Committee March 2015 – March 2016

President ...... John Pullen Vice President ...... Gareth Morgan Vice President ...... Brian Willder Chairman ...... Gerald Wells Vice Chairman ...... Susanna Grunsell Seretary ...... Tom Weale Treasurer & Membership Secretary ...... Jim Wilkinson Recorder ...... Mick Colquhoun Annual Report Editor ...... Mervyn Davies HOC News Editor ...... Nicky Davies Meetings Secretary ...... Gerald Parker Publicity Officer ...... Susanna Grunsell Other Committee Members ...... John Birkinshaw, Dave Coker, Mary Roberts & Chris Robinson

ISBN 978-0-9933694-1-4

Copyright © 2017 Herefordshire Ornithological Club

www.herefordshirebirds.org

Edited by Mervyn Davies

Printed by Charlesworth Press (www.charlesworth.com)

Front cover: Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope at Brockhall Gravel Pits in September (Photo: Mick Colquhoun) Back cover: A Hoopoe photographed at Whitney-on-Wye in October (Photo: Phil Parsons)

2 Contents

Chairman’s report – Gerald Wells ……………………...... …...... 5 Weather summary – John Pullen ………………………...... ………... 7 Indoor and field meetings …………………………………………...... 9 HOC accounts – Jim Wilkinson …………………...... ………………… 10 A definitive list of the birds recorded in Herefordshire –Mick Colquhoun …...... 12 County bird list …………..………………………………………...... 19 Accepted rarities ………………………………..…………………...... 24 New species 2015 – Paul Downes …………………………………...... 28 Systematic list: Introduction ………………………………………………………...... 30 Mute Swan to Goosander – Gerald Parker ………………………...... 33 Quail to Osprey – Robert Taylor ……………………...……..…...... 45 Water Rail to Snipe – Espen Quinto-Ashman …………………...... 51 Black Tern to Peregrine – Gerald Wells ………………………...... 60 Magpie to House Martin – Gareth & Una Morgan …..……………...... 73 Long-tailed Tit to Treecreeper – Tony Eveleigh ……………………...... 79 Wren to Greenland Wheatear – John Pullen ………………………...... 82 Dunnock to Reed Bunting – Brian Willder ………………………...... 87 Exotica & escapes – Tony Eveleigh ………………………………...... 99 List of observers ……………………………………………………...... 101 Summer & winter migrants………………………………………...... 103

continued overleaf

3 Review articles and reports: Bird recording in Herefordshire – Chris Robinson ………………...... 105 The birds of the River Wye between Mordiford and Hampton Bishop – Graham Cundall ...... 107 The birds of Garway Hill revisited: 2004 and 2014 – John Pullen…...... 116 Unusual nesting behaviour in House Martins – Gerald Wells………...... 119 Abnormalities in colouration in birds – Mick Colquhoun & John Voysey ……. 121 Bird ringing in Herefordshire 2015 – David Coker …………………...... 123 Herefordshire Nestbox Recording Scheme 2015 – Beryl Harding ……...... 135 Garden Birdwatch report 2015 – Ian & Natalie Buttriss ………………...... 139 Gazetteer of place names ……………………………………………...... 142 Index to systematic list …………………………………………...... 146 Sites of ornithological interest in Herefordshire …………………………...... 148

4 Chairman’s report

As your new Chairman, coming to office at the AGM in March 2015, this is my first annual report. So, what did we do and achieve in 2015? It has to be said that we could not expect to aspire to the previous year’s achievement which was the publication of “The Birds of Herefordshire” Atlas; the culmination of many years work by the membership. This demonstrated that we can put together a substantial milestone publication, a benchmark of the status of the county’s birdlife, and it is something that we have to build on in future to maintain current information on the fortunes of the county’s avifauna. To this end, our County Recorder and Data Manager have continued to monitor and resolve issues arising from the Club’s move to using the secure national database ‘BirdTrack’ (run by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)) for submission of records. This has not completely replaced paper and spreadsheet records, or website entry of sightings, still preferred by some, but the uploading of these also to BirdTrack enables the Club to contribute county bird observations to the overall national picture, much as we did for the BTO Bird Atlas, 2007 – 2011.

Your Editorial Subcommittee, working closely with the County Recorder and Data Manager has in turn made big improvements in the way we collate and present the records in the Annual Report. The reformatted 2014 Annual Report set new standards of presentation for the future and our editorial team is making every effort to minimise the period between the generation of records and publication.

Another task with which we are making good progress is the retrieval of historical Club records, including bird records, reports and other papers. Where these have been passed down as electronic files, storage is easily achieved, but many of the old paper records have not previously been centralised. These are now being catalogued and will be deposited with the new Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre at Rotherwas (opened by HRH Duke of Kent KG on 1 October 2015), where they will be available for future reference.

The Rarities Subcommittee embarked on a comprehensive review of the records of our rarer county species. This exercise included scrutiny of available historical records and examination of specimens in the storerooms of the Hereford Museum. Although the process is on-going, the review will provide a benchmark of a currently validated county bird list.

As well as all the support throughout the year from the Committee and Subcommittees, I would like to pay tribute to Mick Colquhoun for maintaining the website and to Nicky Davies for her excellent editing of our quarterly bulletin HOC News, providing, as it does, an innovative mix of forthcoming events, meeting reports, selected sightings, articles and illustrations. One particular piece in the August News comes to mind. Simply a picture of a Blackbird’s nest, the accompanying text by Steve Tuck describes his two young daughters’ delight at the finding in the garden and conveys one of those formative moments that many of us remember started us off on a lifelong interest in birds and birding. Nicky has also introduced HOC to the social media forum, Facebook, contributions to which are welcomed, to be appreciated by members of all ages!

Coordinated by our county BTO representative, Chris Robinson, we engage in national surveys and this year was the start of a two-year project, the BTO House Martin survey. The study design involving survey of allocated random 1-km squares for breeding colonies proved disappointing for some, but negative results are equally important as positive ones.

5 Thanks go to our meeting organisers; the indoor meeting subjects covered a wide range of aspects of ornithology and it is good to see that the programme includes an in-house speaker on some occasions. Field meetings are each led by one of a small group of our most dedicated and expert members who would welcome other members volunteering to lead walks. While many of our field meetings yield an interesting list of our more familiar birds, a visit to Haugh Wood in December is well recalled when our Treasurer, Jim Wilkinson, who claims “I’m not a birder” found a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and a pair of Marsh Tit within a few minutes.

This year the Club’s River Wye Award, for outstanding contribution to the HOC, went to Mervyn Davies for his work as editor of “The Birds of Herefordshire” which by November 2015 had already reached sales of over 400 copies.

Lastly, I make the perennial plea that we need to recruit young members; as with any population, the long-term sustainability of the Club is dependent on new blood and any help toward that goal would be appreciated. Gerald Wells

------Gerald Parker

Red-necked Phalarope - a juvenile that visited Brockhall Gravel Pits in September 2015 was the 2nd county record

6 Weather summary

The following weather records are based on observations at a location at 150 metres height above sea level. January A near average rainfall of 80 mm for the month contrasted with last year’s heavy rainfall (164 mm) and county-wide floods. Nearly half of the days had overnight frosts (14 nights), the coldest being on 22nd (-5oC). The cold weather encouraged birds to use garden feeders and three Bullfinches visited a local garden daily feeding on the small black seed from a golden chain tree. The Black Redstart remained from last year on Hereford Cathedral and the usual Whooper Swans were in the Castleton area, also a long-staying Scaup was in the Brockhall Gravel Pits (GP)/Kenchester Pools area. February A mainly dry month with a rainfall total of 44 mm, less than the long-term average, and frosts were recorded on 12 nights. The Scaup continued to remain at Brockhall GP/Kenchester Pools while a Merlin was noted chasing Fieldfares at Wellington GP. March An unusual weather feature was the predominance of north-easterly winds. The total rainfall for the month was 44.5 mm, which was less than the long-term average for the second consecutive month; also there was six nights of frost. Goldcrests started to sing again, an Osprey was at Wellington GP on 5th and Ring Ouzels on Garway Hill on 22nd. An unusual report was of a Magpie pecking moss off a house roof, also a Nuthatch doing the same. The mild winter contributed to a 30% increase in overwintering Wren, Dunnock, Robin and Song Thrush numbers according to the British Trust for Ornithology. April Another dry month with a total rainfall of just 13 mm, less than 25% of the long-term average, and only six days of recordable rainfall. The mainly dry month helped early nesting birds; a Hoopoe was seen at Much Dewchurch and passage Whimbrels were noted at Brockhall GP and Wellington GP. May A wet month with a total rainfall of 90 mm or nearly twice the long-term average; the wettest day was 4th with 18 mm rain falling. All this contributed to the failure of tit broods and other hole-nesting birds. There were westerly gales in the third week of the month which may have ensured the unusual presence of Sanderling at different venues in the county. There was also a Temminck’s Stint at Brockhall GP and a Spotted Sandpiper at Wellington GP, a 1st county record. June This was a drier month with a total rainfall of only 23.5 mm, less than half the long-term average. A Brent Goose was seen at Brockhall GP and a Honey-buzzard in the north of the county.

7 July A varied weather month with close to the average rainfall of 46 mm, many days were dry with most rain falling on two days: 12 mm on 24th and 11 mm on 26th. A Quail was observed at Stretford Bridge on 30th. A Firecrest was noted at Buckton and a Marsh Harrier at Wellington GP. August A wet month with 98 mm rainfall and well above the long-term average, although not as wet as last year’s total of 109 mm. The wet weather affected surviving young Barn Owls due to the small numbers of breeding voles. An Osprey was at Wellington GP and a Wood Sandpiper at Brockhall GP. September This was a drier than average month with a rainfall total of 46 mm. There was a country-wide early invasion of Coal Tits, Siskins and Nuthatches visiting gardens daily and Herefordshire followed the trend, with 25 Siskins visited a local garden daily in early September. Although a Wryneck was on Garway Hill, the presence of a Red-necked Phalarope at Brockhall GP for a few days (only the 2nd county record) generated greater interest. A Little Stint was at Wellington GP and a Garganey at Brockhall GP. October The first three weeks were mainly dry and featured cold east winds; a total rainfall of 53.5 mm was below the long-term average. Hoopoes were present in the early part of the month at Whitney- on-Wye and Brockhall GP and there were also reports of Short-eared Owls seen in the county. November A near average total rainfall of 78 mm was recorded and there were frosts on two nights. Golden Plover were seen in fields south of Hereford City from 7th. December A much milder than average month with the only frost on the night of 31st, but the high rainfall total of 119 mm was double the long-term average. A stubble field near Garway attracted daily up to 200 Woodpigeons, 150 Yellowhammers and 110 Skylark. A Red-crested Pochard was found at Wellington GP on 20th. John Pullen

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8 Indoor and field meetings

Indoor meetings:

Date Topic Speaker Jan 8 Country Walk Terry Wall Feb 12 In the blink of an eye (Dr Walker Memorial Lecture) Michael Leach Mar 12 AGM & Members’ meeting – Sep 10 Farmland birds Matt Wilmott Oct 8 Birds behaving badly Robert Taylor Nov 12 A birder’s year Jim Almond Dec 10 Red-breasted Geese Bob Swann

Field meetings:

Date Venue Leader Jan 10 Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Glos Tony Eveleigh Jan 24 Hill Farm, & Homend Park, Stretton Grandison Brian Willder Feb 15 Wellington Gravel Pits & Bodenham Lake Gerald Parker Mar 5 Devereux Farm, Norton Canon Gerald Parker Mar 21 Treetops, Howle Hill & Lower to Welsh John Pullen Apr 18 Wilton Bridge, Ross-on-Wye to , Goodrich Nick Smith Apr 25 Vowchurch to Abbey Dore Geoff Davis May 12 Olchon Valley John Pullen Jun 16 Ewyas Harold & Dulas (Hereford Walking Festival) Phil & Chris Williams Jun 24 RSPB Nagshead, Forest of Dean (evening meeting) Nick Smith Jul 11 Farmoor Reservoir & Otmoor RSPB Reserve, near Oxford Chris Bartlett Sep 12 Chew Valley Lake, Somerset Nick Smith Sep 23 Goldcliff & Newport Wetlands John Pullen Oct 12-16 HOC visit to the New Forest Chris & Pam Bartlett Oct 22 Rotherwas & Lower Bullingham Gerald Parker Nov 10 River Wye, Holme Lacy Tony Eveleigh Dec 9 Haugh Wood & Hampton Bishop Gerald Parker

9 HOC accounts

Income and expenditure account

2014 2015 £ £ £ Income £ £ £ 4,043 Subscriptions 4,115 1,070 Income from meetings 1,118 31 Sale of publications 431 - Sale of surplus projector 177 409 Donations 256 830 Gift aid refund 918 30 Other income 60 796 Building Society interest (gross) 705 7,209 7,780

£ £ £ Expenditure £ £ £ 863 2012 / 2013 Annual Reports 762 427 Printing & stationery 388 455 Postage & telephone 568 189 Publicity expenses 364 676 Meeting expenses 748 139 Travelling expenses - 185 Insurance 175 39 Subscriptions 39 154 Computing & website 637 100 Donations 250 700 Members weekend away – income - -770 70 Members weekend away – deposit 100 100 3,297 4,031

3,912 Surplus 2014/2015 3,749

13,150 Breeding Bird Atlas - 1,996 11,154 Less: Sponsorship, income & gift aid -

10 Year ended 30 November 2015

2014 2015 £ £ £ £ £ £ 19,850 General Funds as at 1 December 40,008 2014 11,400 Add: Transfer of Special Funds - 3,912 Add: Surplus 2014/2015 3,749 -11,154 Less: Breeding Bird Atlas - 24,008 General Funds as at 30 November 43,757 2015 16,000 Add: write-back of provision for - Breeding Bird Atlas 40,008 Total Accumulated Funds as at 30 43,757 November 2015

Represented by:- 40,708 Building Society 44,914 1,300 HSBC Current Account 843 42,008 45,757 2,000 Less:- Provision for Annual Reports 2,000 2014 & 2015 40,008 43,757

M.J. Wilkinson, Treasurer

Auditor’s certificate:

I have examined the above Income and Expenditure Account together with the relevant spreadsheets and vouchers, and have obtained all the information and explanations necessary. I certify that the above account presents a true and fair view of the financial position of the Herefordshire Ornithological Club as at 30 November 2015. E.C. Aplin, FCA, FCMA 15 January 2016

11 A definitive list of the birds recorded in Herefordshire

As part of the work to improve the accuracy of the ornithological records for Herefordshire, the HOC Rarities Subcommittee (RSC) was asked to compile a definitive list of the birds recorded in the county. Rarities seen fewer than 20 times were to receive special attention to provide an accurate count of the number of times each had been recorded.

The first task was to locate and assess all the relevant records, so that reliable sightings could be validated and questionable ones rejected. Such a process can only be attempted if there is good data, both historical and contemporary. Fortunately, bird recording had been started by the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club (formed in 1851) and three of their publications were a major source of historical records (Bull, 1888; Gilbert & Walker, 1954; Walker & Smith, 1975). Another account of the birds of Herefordshire published in the Victoria County History (VCH) series contained an annotated list of 211 species (Cambridge Phillips, 1908).

The modern era of bird recording (1950 onwards) has been documented by HOC, and the club records (which started in that year), provided valuable information (HOC Annual Reports, 1950 – 2014). We were also greatly helped by the discovery of an intact copy of a report produced by the Herefordshire Definitive Bird List Subcommittee, formed by HOC in the 1990s (HOC, 1997a & 1997b)). That group had reviewed many of the historical records and consulted the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) when necessary. Although the group published their report in 1997, its impact appears to have been limited. Perhaps the main asset, however, was the encyclopedic knowledge of Steve Coney for all matters relating to the ornithology of this period.

The current review could only be based on the best evidence available and would naturally be open to correction if other well authenticated records subsequently became available, or evidence came to light that a record was unsafe. Certain other principles were defined at the outset. One of these concerned the historical records (those before 1950) and it was decided that these would stand unless rejected by the 1997 review or that their decision had subsequently been challenged. In many cases the bird had been trapped or shot and the identification of the species is likely to have been accurate; some are still in Hereford Museum. Another key principle was that when BBRC had been consulted, their opinion would be final.

The first stage was to go through the historical records contained in the publications of the Woolhope Club and list all the birds occurring at that time, but not seen regularly today; most reports were credible but some had not been well documented. Most of the latter, however, had never been part of the Herefordshire list. Nevertheless, there were some plausible records (for example of a Golden Eagle in 1876) that had never been included on the list; might there be a case for adding a species? The opinion of BBRC who had reviewed many of these records during the 1997 review was also a major help here.

There were also many records of rarer birds seen during the existence of HOC and Gerald Wells methodically searched scanned copies of the annual reports electronically to compile a list of these. When combined on a spreadsheet with the historical records there was a complete list of records that could be assessed further. Each record was scrutinised, and while the great majority were accurate, a few anomalies were evident, for example, when a single bird had overwintered (i.e. one record) but had been recorded twice – once for each of the two years of the winter concerned. Another problem concerned mobile birds that were recorded at two locations leading to two records; this had occurred with a White Stork in 2011. A few records were thought to relate to escapes (e.g. a Night Heron in 1989) and the total number of sightings

12 was corrected to reflect this. Over the years, several records had been included on the list without any formal description or assessment by the RSC; a few were very imprecise and were deleted. Another source of confusion occurred at the time when sightings in both Herefordshire and were published in the annual report. The most important error concerned the inclusion of a Roller in the Herefordshire list, when it was clear from the 1962 Annual Report that the bird was seen at Pen-y-Garreg reservoir in the Elan Valley.

A few records had been rejected by BBRC (including a Tawny Pipit record from 1931 and one of an Alpine Accentor in 1979) and these records were confirmed as invalid. Similarly a 2001 record of four Long-tailed Duck was deleted because BBRC have never recognised any inland sighting of this number. More general statements by BBRC were also helpful, for example, they consider that no records for Ruddy Shelduck since 1958 refer to wild birds, so only the one historical record from 1892 remains.

It was possible to add a few records, for example, an Alpine Swift approved by BBRC on the basis of a record submitted by a non-member of HOC. Examination of the specimens in Hereford Museum also added records, for example, a Gannet found at Kington in April 1929, was not known to HOC and could be added, bringing the total for this species to 15. The validity of the single Little Bustard record has been substantially increased by the finding of the stuffed bird in the museum collection; the provenance records Dorstone 1849. The visit to the museum also raised some interesting questions. There is a bird in the museum collection described as a Spotted Eagle. This species is included in the British List with the approval of BBRC on the basis of a specimen shot near Brinsop Court in 1915. It was established during the 1997 review that this specimen is in the British Museum so what is the history of this second bird in the Hereford Museum? Unfortunately there was no data or provenance to establish this. Mick Colquhoun Mick The only Herefordshire record of a Little Bustard – a mature female from Dorstone, 1849 (Hereford Museum specimen)

13 So what about that Golden Eagle referred to earlier? There seems little doubt that it occurred in the county; Bull (1888) records that a very fine specimen was observed about the woods near Berrington for two or three weeks in 1876. It is said to have ‘hovered for some time over a little child at Stockton, and mothers with children became very timid about it’. The identity is not in doubt because, true to the form prevailing at the time, the bird was caught, stuffed and subsequently displayed in a glass case at Berrington Hall. The problem with this description however, which anyone who has tried to see a Golden Eagle in the wild will recognise, is that wild birds are very wary and rarely approach humans. This bird was almost certainly an escape from a collection, and therefore should not be included in the list of wild birds recorded in Herefordshire.

The county list included in this 2015 Annual Report, with the number of records when fewer than 20 (detailed in the table at the end of this article), is as accurate as it has been possible to determine, but it is not necessarily final. Further historical records may emerge, or old ones found to be invalid and the list may require further revision, but it does now provide a carefully reviewed point of reference on which to base the definitive county list. All that is required in the future is to add the rarities as they occur and are approved by the RSC.

The members of the HOC Rarities Subcommittee are: Mick Colquhoun (County Recorder) Steve Coney (past Recorder) Tony Eveleigh Nick Pegler John Tilby

The author acknowledges the help of all members of the RSC and the Chairman of HOC, Gerald Wells, for their help with this project. Dave Coker scanned all the HOC Annual Reports from 1951 to 2014 to produce a DVD which made electronic searching possible. Without this, the spreadsheet could not have been compiled and his considerable work is gratefully acknowledged.

References Bull, H.G. (1888). Notes on the Birds of Herefordshire. Jakeman & Carver, Hereford. Cambridge Phillips, E. (1908). The Victoria History of the County of Hereford (ed. Page, W.). Vol. i, pp 130 – 148. (ISBN: 9780712906692) Gilbert, H.A. & Walker, C.W. (1954). Herefordshire Birds. Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club. Herefordshire Ornithological Club: Annual Reports 1951 – 2014. Herefordshire Ornithological Club (Jan 1997a). County list A: Doubtful records. Herefordshire Ornithological Club (Jan 1997b). County list B: Records of rarer species. Walker C.W. & Smith A.J. (1975) Herefordshire Birds. Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club.

Mick Colquhoun, County Recorder

14 Species seen 20 or fewer times in Herefordshire: totals to the end of 2015

Species Total Dates Notes Bean Goose 4 1997, 1977, 1921, 1881 Egyptian Goose 9 2011, 2007, 2006, 2005, RSC on 11 Nov 2015 approved eight 2004, 2003, 2002, 1988, recent records of different birds and 1892 one historical (1892) record; birds staying over winter into a second year (but constituting only one record) were taken into account Ruddy Shelduck 1 1892 BBRC: no record after 1958 considered wild American Wigeon 3 2013, 2011(2) Green-winged Teal 1 2005 Blue-winged Teal 1 2013 Red-crested 15 2015, 2014, 2013, 2009(3), Pochard 2007, 2006(2), 2001(2), 2000, 1997, 1995, 1968 Ring-necked Duck 2 2001, 2000 Two birds in 2000 erroneously cited as 1st and 2nd county records Ferruginous Duck 1 1988/89 Lesser Scaup 1 2013 Eider 2 1997, 1980 Long-tailed Duck 5 2014, 2007, 2005, 1991, A record of four in 2001 was discarded 1967 as no inland sighting of multiples has ever been approved by BBRC Velvet Scoter 1 1976 A 1979 record was discarded as spurious Red-throated Diver 5 1996, 1887, 1884, 1879 or 1880, 1854 or 1855 Black-throated 4 1996, 1956, 1927, 1891 Diver Great Northern 9 2009/10, 2007, 2005, 2001, Diver 1999, 1989, 1966, 1880, c.1867 Fulmar 1 1889 Storm Petrel 5 1959, 1954, 1936, 1877, 1867 Leach’s Petrel 9 1978, 1952(4), 1929, 1905, 1879, 1832 Gannet 15 2010, 2004, 1979, 1967, The 1929 record comes from a 1965, 1960, 1953, 1949, specimen in Hereford Museum, 1942, 1935, 1929, 1881(3), the bird was found at Kington 1876 Shag 7 2002, 1986, 1974, 1902, 1898, 1892, 1876

15 Species Total Dates Notes Night Heron 2 1912, 1837 Records from 1989, 1991 and 2000 considered escapes. 1988 record was at Caynam (Shrops.), bird not seen in Herefordshire Cattle Egret 1 1980/81 Record at St Weonards (British Birds, 1982, Vol. 75, p 487). A 1995 record at Linton was considered an escape Great White Egret 1 2013 Purple Heron 1 2011 White Stork 5 2012, 2011, 2008, 2005, In 2005 and 2011, two records in 1998 each year considered the same bird Glossy Ibis 4 2010, 1920, 1902(2) 2nd bird in 1902 at Winforton; RSC considered that two records should stand Red-necked Grebe 6 2013, 2011, 1985, 1895, 1889, 1881 Slavonian Grebe 9 2012, 2010, 1999, 1998(2), 1997, 1979, 1895, 1849 Black-necked Grebe 13 2010(2), 2005(2), 2004, 2001(2), 2000, 1998, 1994, 1955, 1903, 1879 Black Kite 2 2013, 1985 White-tailed Eagle 6 1947, 1917, 1908, 1896, 1875, 1850 Marsh Harrier 8 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1981 Montagu’s Harrier 4 2005, 2003, 1968, 1945 A record in 1952 “believed to be of this species” was rejected by RSC Rough-legged 2 1964, 1879 A 1962 record appears not to have Buzzard been accepted Spotted Eagle 1 1915 Shot at Brinsop, now in the British (Greater) Museum, accepted by BBRC, but possibility that it was an escape remains Crane (Common) 5 2003, 2000(2), 1997, 1859 Little Bustard 1 1949 Shot at Dorstone and specimen in Hereford Museum Stone-curlew 4 1894, 1884, 1875, 1854 1997 record was not accepted; reviewed by RSC Black-winged Stilt 1 2004 Avocet 4 2014, 2010, 1958, c.1931 Grey Plover 15 2009(2), 2002, 2000(2), 1998, 1996, 1983, 1981, 1977, 1936, 1882, 1880(2) 1878 Dotterel 12 2011(3), 2010, 1999, 1998, 1986, 1985, 1983, 1906, 1890, 1878

16 Species Total Dates Notes Killdeer 1 1985 Bar-tailed Godwit 14 2014, 2010, 2009(2), 2004, A 1962 record mentioned in review 2001, 2000(4), 1997, 1964, but not in classified list; not accepted 1879, 1839 by RSC. A 1969 record (on call from a Redshank flock) rejected and bird probably in Turnstone 15 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, Hereford Museum specimen from 2010(2), 2009, 2007, 2005, Backney Marsh in 1859 cited by 2003, 1991, 1981, 1962, Walker & Smith (1975). The 1953 1953, 1859 record was published in the 1954 Annual Report A 2001 record was withdrawn Curlew Sandpiper 9 2014, 2013, 2010(4), 1999, 1998, 1985 Temminck’s Stint 4 2015, 2014, 2011, 2004 HOC report 2004 says 3rd record, but RSC did not consider evidence for two earlier records was adequate Pectoral Sandpiper 2 2012, 1970 Red-necked 2 2015, 1998 Phalarope Spotted Sandpiper 1 2015 Approved by BBRC Spotted Redshank 10 2014, 2012, 2001, 2000, 1994, 1989, 1976, 1973, 1968, 1881 Lesser Yellowlegs 2 2012, 2007 Great Snipe 2 1887, 1886 Collared Pratincole 2 1994, 1854 The 1854 bird was shot at Fownhope Cream-coloured 2 2012, 1852 Courser Pomarine Skua 2 1902, 1882 Arctic Skua 3 1999, 1900, 1869 The ID of a 1993 record was not considered adequate by RSC Great Skua 3 2010, 2000, 1998 Puffin 4 1977, 1898, 1893 or 1894, Dates for two records uncertain 1876 or 1878 (Walker & Smith, 1975) Little Auk 2 1994, 1938 Little Tern 5 1975, 1972, 1912, 1876, 1869 Whiskered Tern 1 2009 White-winged 1 2010 Accepted by RSC and published in Black Tern 2014 Annual Report Cabot’s Tern 1 1984 Only accepted British record, bird ringed in USA Sandwich Tern 3 2014(2), 1886 A 1967 record discounted by RSC Sabine’s Gull 1 1997 Ring-billed Gull 3 2000, 1999, 1996

17 Species Total Dates Notes Caspian Gull 9 2015(3), 2013(3), 2011(2), 2007 Iceland Gull 3 2001, 1999, 1998 A 2011 record was not accepted Alpine Swift 2 2004, 1917 2004 accepted by BBRC (British Birds, Dec 2005, Vol. 98, p 664) Bee-eater 4 2005, 1996, 1959, 1875 Roller 1 1857 1962 record was from Radnorshire Red-footed Falcon 1 2011 Ring-necked 13 2012, 2011(3), 2010, 2006, Parakeet 1993, 1992(2), 1990, 1989, 1985, 1984 Nutcracker 2 1968, 1900 Red-rumped 2 2003(2) A 1963 record not accepted by Swallow BBRC Cetti’s Warbler 5 2014, 2013, 2012, 2005, 2002 Yellow-browed 1 2008 Warbler Dartford Warbler 2 2008, 1987 Melodious Warbler 2 2010, 1967 Rose-coloured 4 2001, 1940/41, 1937, 1858 Starling Bluethroat 1 2014 Siberian Stonechat 1 2012 Desert Wheatear 1 1994 Tawny Pipit 1 2010 A 1931 record was rejected by BBRC Red-throated Pipit 1 2012 Rock Pipit 2 2006, 1996 Only split from Water Pipit in 1988 Water Pipit 12 2011, 2009, 2008(2), 1999, A 1977 record was not stated to be 1996, 1993, 1992, 1985, Water or Rock Pipit and therefore 1984, 1963, 1962 rejected by RSC Common Redpoll 11 2015, 2014(2), 2010, 2009, Records before split from Lesser 2008, 2006, 2004, 2003, Redpoll species considered unsafe 2000, 1999 by RSC Parrot Crossbill 1 2013/14 Bird in same location Dec 2013 and Jan 2014 considered the same bird Snow Bunting 13 2006, 2005(2), 2004, 1998, 1997, 1988, 1978, 1974, 1967, 1964, 1947, 1856 Little Bunting 1 2012 Ovenbird 1 2002

Footnote: The Rarities Subcommittee (RSC) reviewed all records for these species at meetings on 11 November 2015 and 27 July 2016.

18 County bird list

The table contains all species on the BOU British List (categories A, B and C) that have been recorded in Herefordshire to 31 December 2015. Species occurring in 2015 are shown in bold and where rarities have occurred 20 or fewer times, the number of county records is given in the second column. For the less frequently recorded species, the last year in which the species occurred is shown in the third column. The HOC Rarities Subcommittee has now completed a comprehensive review of all historical rarity records (for details, see previous article). For some species, this has resulted in discrepancies between this list and information presented in previous Annual Reports.

Species No. records Year last Species No. records Year last if ≤ 20 recorded if ≤ 20 recorded Mute Swan Pochard Bewick’s Swan* 2014 Ring-necked Duck* 2 2001 Whooper Swan* Ferruginous Duck* 1 1989 Bean Goose* 4 1997 Tufted Duck Pink-footed Goose* 2014 Scaup* White-fronted Goose* Lesser Scaup* 1 2013 Greylag Goose Eider* 2 1997 Greater Canada Long-tailed Duck* 5 2014 Goose Common Scoter* Barnacle Goose Velvet Scoter* 1 1976 Brent Goose* Goldeneye Egyptian Goose* 9 2011 Smew Ruddy Shelduck* 1 1892† Red-breasted 2012 Shelduck Merganser* Mandarin Duck Goosander Wigeon Ruddy Duck* 2013 American Wigeon* 3 2013 Quail*2 Gadwall Red-legged Partridge Teal Red Grouse*3 Green-winged Teal* 1 2005 Black Grouse* 1939 Mallard Grey Partridge Pintail Pheasant Garganey*1 Red-throated Diver* 5 1996 Blue-winged Teal* 1 2013 Black-throated Diver* 4 1996 Shoveler Great Northern Diver* 9 2010 Red-crested Pochard* 15 Fulmar* 1 1889

19 Species No. records Year last Species No. records Year last if ≤ 20 recorded if ≤ 20 recorded Manx Shearwater* 2012 Water Rail Storm Petrel* 5 1959 Spotted Crake* 2013 Leach’s Petrel* 9 1978 Corncrake* 1991 Gannet* 15 2010 Moorhen Cormorant Coot Shag* 7 2002 Crane* 5 2003 Bittern* 2012 Little Bustard* 1 1949 Night Heron* 2 1912 Stone-Curlew* 4 1894 Cattle Egret* 1 1981 Black-winged Stilt* 1 2004 Little Egret Avocet* 4 2014 Great White Egret* 1 2013 Oystercatcher Grey Heron Grey Plover* 15 2009 Purple Heron* 1 2011 Golden Plover White Stork* 5 2012 Dotterel* 12 2011 Glossy Ibis* 4 2010 Killdeer* 1 1985 Little Grebe Ringed Plover Great Crested Grebe Little Ringed Plover Red-necked Grebe* 6 2013 Lapwing Slavonian Grebe* 9 2012 Whimbrel Black-necked Grebe* 13 2010 Curlew Honey-buzzard* Black-tailed Godwit Black Kite* 2 2013 Bar-tailed Godwit* 14 2014 Red Kite Turnstone* 15 White-tailed Eagle* 6 1947 Knot* Marsh Harrier* 8 Ruff* Hen Harrier* 2014 Curlew Sandpiper* 9 2014 Montagu’s Harrier* 4 2005 Temminck’s Stint* 4 Goshawk Sanderling* Sparrowhawk Dunlin Buzzard Little Stint* Rough-legged Buzzard* 2 1964 Pectoral Sandpiper* 2 2012 Spotted Eagle* 1 1915 Red-necked Phalarope* 2 Osprey* Grey Phalarope* 2010

20 Species No. records Year last Species No. records Year last if ≤ 20 recorded if ≤ 20 recorded Common Sandpiper Common Gull Spotted Sandpiper* 1 Ring-billed Gull* 3 2000 Green Sandpiper Lesser Black-backed Spotted Redshank* 10 2014 Gull Greenshank Herring Gull Lesser Yellowlegs* 2 2012 Yellow-legged Gull* Wood Sandpiper* Caspian Gull* 9 Redshank Iceland Gull* 3 2001 Jack Snipe Great Black-backed Woodcock Gull Snipe Feral Pigeon Great Snipe* 2 1887 Stock Dove Collared Pratincole* 2 1994 Woodpigeon Cream-coloured 2 2012 Collared Dove Courser* Turtle Dove 2013 Pomarine Skua* 2 1902 Cuckoo Arctic Skua* 3 1999 Barn Owl Great Skua* 3 2010 Little Owl Puffin* 4 1977 Tawny Owl Little Auk* 2 1994 Long-eared Owl* 2009 Little Tern* 5 1975 Short-eared Owl* Whiskered Tern* 1 2009 Nightjar* 2006 Black Tern* Swift White-winged Black 1 2010 Alpine Swift* 2 2004 Tern* Hoopoe* Cabot’s Tern* 1 1984 Bee-eater* 4 2005 Sandwich Tern* 3 2014 Roller* 1 1857 Common Tern Kingfisher Arctic Tern Wryneck* Sabine’s Gull* 1 1997 Green Woodpecker Kittiwake* 2014 Great Spotted Black-headed Gull Woodpecker Little Gull* 2014 Lesser Spotted Mediterranean Gull* Woodpecker

21 Species No. records Year last Species No. records Year last if ≤ 20 recorded if ≤ 20 recorded Kestrel Wood Warbler Red-footed Falcon* 1 2011 Chiffchaff Merlin Willow Warbler Hobby Blackcap Peregrine Garden Warbler Ring-necked Parakeet* 13 2012 Lesser Whitethroat Golden Oriole* 1991 Whitethroat Red-backed Shrike* 1973 Dartford Warbler* 2 2008 Great Grey Shrike* 2014 Grasshopper Warbler* 2014 Magpie Melodious Warbler* 2 2010 Jay Sedge Warbler Nutcracker* 2 1968 Marsh Warbler* 1976 Jackdaw Reed Warbler Rook Waxwing 2013 Carrion Crow Nuthatch Hooded Crow* 1996 Treecreeper Raven Wren Goldcrest Starling Firecrest* Rose-coloured Starling* 4 2001 Blue Tit Dipper Great Tit Ring Ouzel* Coal Tit Blackbird Willow Tit Fieldfare Marsh Tit Song Thrush Woodlark Redwing Skylark Mistle Thrush Sand Martin Spotted Flycatcher Swallow Robin House Martin Nightingale*4 2012 Red-rumped Swallow* 2 2003 Bluethroat* 1 2014 Cetti’s Warbler* 5 2014 Pied Flycatcher Long-tailed Tit Black Redstart* Yellow-browed 1 2008 Redstart Warbler* Whinchat

22 Species No. records Year last Species No. records Year last if ≤ 20 recorded if ≤ 20 recorded Siberian Stonechat* 1 2012 Hawfinch Stonechat Bullfinch Wheatear Greenfinch Desert Wheatear* 1 1994 Linnet Dunnock Twite* 2005 House Sparrow Lesser Redpoll Tree Sparrow Common Redpoll* 11 Yellow/Blue-headed Crossbill Wagtail Parrot Crossbill* 1 2014 Grey Wagtail Goldfinch Pied/White Wagtail Siskin Tawny Pipit* 1 2010 Snow Bunting* 13 2006 Tree Pipit Corn Bunting* 2012 Meadow Pipit Cirl Bunting* 1960 Red-throated Pipit* 1 2012 Yellowhammer Rock Pipit* 2 2006 Reed Bunting Water Pipit* 12 2011 Little Bunting* 1 2012 Brambling Ovenbird* 1 2002 Chaffinch

Key:

* Species previously recorded infrequently in Herefordshire requiring field notes and supportive description/photographic evidence for consideration by HOC Rarities Subcommittee before inclusion in HOC Annual Report. Unusual sub-species/races (except White Wagtail in spring) and ‘out of season’ migrants also require documentary evidence. Please submit such records using the county rarities form (http://www.herefordshirebirds.org/HOC/Rarities_form.html).

All national rarities and any species as yet unrecorded in the county, require immediate notification of the County Recorder and field notes/detailed descriptions/photographs, for transmission to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC). Please submit national rarity records using the BBRC Rarity Form (http://www.bbrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ BBRCRarityForm.pdf).

† BBRC consider that no records later than 1 Jan 1958 relate to wild birds. Footnotes:

1 except breeding male; 2 if not heard; 3 except on Black Mountains; 4 if not heard

23 Accepted rarities

The year began quietly with few rarities reported during the first quarter. The Whooper Swans that overwintered had departed by the end of January, except for one injured bird that was reported at several places on the river Wye staying in the county until May. Greater Scaup were reported from Wellington and Brockhall Gravel Pits (GP) with one long-staying individual commuting between Brockhall GP and Kenchester Pools and staying until early April. Cackling Geese were recorded at Brockhall GP and Hartleton Lakes. As in previous winters, Black Redstarts were seen regularly at Hereford Cathedral with additional records from High Town, Hereford and Bredwardine.

The spring migration period saw a Brent Goose at Brockhall GP. Passing waders included good numbers of Sanderling at the gravel pits, while a solitary Temminck’s Stint at Brockhall GP was a notable sighting. The outstanding record for the year, and a first for the county, was a Spotted Sandpiper in summer plumage discovered on the new workings at Wellington GP by Paul Downes on 24 May. His description together with the video recorded by John Tilby ensured that the record was accepted by the British Bird Rarities Committee (BBRC).

Hoopoes were recorded both in the spring and autumn, with one long-staying individual at Whitney-on-Wye providing excellent views and chances for photography. More Firecrests were reported than in previous years with at least one confirmed breeding record.

The autumn period saw Wood Sandpipers, Caspian Gulls and Little Stint recorded at Brockhall GP. The most notable sighting, however, was the second county record of Red-necked Phalarope that stayed at Brockhall GP from 12 – 22 September. November sightings included a Black Redstart at Hereford Arts College and a Common Redpoll at Eaton Bishop church. Mick Colquhoun, County Recorder Mick Colquhoun Mick Marsh Harrier – the sighting at Wellington GP in July 2015 was the 8th county record

24 Species Date Location Observers Notes Whooper Swan 1 Jan Clifford North P.H. Downes & 12 birds on 1 Jan, remained S. Coney in area until 14 Feb (when 13 birds present) 6 Mar Winforton South J. Tilby ) Single bird, seen initially at ) Winforton South on 6 Mar, 10 Mar Hole-in-the-Wall C.E. Lankester ) same injured bird seen at 23 Apr Lower Breinton N. & L. Pegler ) three other locations until 30 May Belmont Abbey N. Betts ) 30 May White-fronted 1 Jan Clifford North S. Coney & Adult, Greenland race Goose P.H. Downes Brent Goose 9 May Brockhall GP J. Tilby First winter bird, stayed until 25 May Garganey 25 Sep Brockhall GP N. Pegler 18 Oct Kenchester Pools S. Coney Red-crested 26 Dec Wellington GP P.H. Downes & 15th county record, male Pochard T. Downes seen until end Dec Scaup 1 Jan Brockhall GP & S. Coney & Long-staying female alternated Kenchester Pools J. Tilby between two sites until 5 Apr (first seen 5 Dec 2014) 1 Jan Wellington GP S. Coney Female stayed until 5 Jan (first seen 7 Dec 2014) Common Scoter 12 Jul Wellington GP N. Pegler & Five males + four females J. Tilby 14 Oct Hartleton Lakes A.H. Eveleigh Single male Quail 30 Jun Tyrrell’s Court, T. Cooke Dilwyn 13 Aug Wickton Court, D.G. Price Five birds Stoke Prior Honey-buzzard 20 May N. Herefordshire A.H. Eveleigh & A. Marchant 18 Jun N. Herefordshire P.H. Downes & C. Downes Marsh Harrier 19 Jul Wellington GP J. Tilby 8th county record Osprey 17 Apr Letton, near N. Smith Bredwardine 19 Aug Wellington GP B. Daniels Turnstone 9 May Brockhall GP J. Tilby & 15th county record, adult P.H. Downes male Knot 20 May Wellington GP J. Tilby

25 Species Date Location Observers Notes Ruff 29 Apr Wellington GP E. Quinto-Ashman Also seen on 30 Apr 19 Aug Brockhall GP N. Pegler 22 Aug Kenchester Pools P.H. Downes Three juveniles, remained until 29 Aug 23 Aug Wellington GP G. Bilbao 8 Sep Wellington GP G. Bilbao 11 Sep Wellington GP J. Tilby Juvenile, stayed until 21 Sep Temminck’s Stint 13 May Brockhall GP A. Wilson 4th county record Sanderling 9 May Wellington GP P.H. Downes 18 May Brockhall GP J. Tilby 25 May Wellington GP P.H. Downes 29 May Wellington GP P.H. Downes, T. Max. of four birds seen Downes, J. Tilby between 29 – 31 May & N. Pegler 5 Jun Wellington GP N. Pegler Little Stint 25 Sep Wellington GP G. Bilbao Juvenile Red-necked 12 Sep Brockhall GP T. Downes 2nd county record, juvenile Phalarope stayed until 21 Sep Spotted 24 May Wellington GP S. Coney & 1st county record, adult in Sandpiper P.H. Downes summer plumage, stayed until following day Wood Sandpiper 23 Aug Brockhall GP P.H. Downes Juvenile Black Tern 23 Aug Brockhall GP N. Pegler Mediterranean 27 Dec Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Gull Caspian Gull 25 Sep Wellington GP G. Bilbao 7th county record 16 Oct Wellington GP G. Bilbao 8th county record, first winter bird 25 Oct Wellington GP G. Bilbao 9th county record Short-eared Owl 13 Jan Wellington GP G. Bilbao 28 Oct Gamber Meadows J.R. Pullen South 23 Dec Wellington GP E. Quinto-Ashman Found dead & D. Rouse

26 Species Date Location Observers Notes Hoopoe 14 Apr Much Dewchurch J. Waugh 9 May Pembridge M. Evans 8 Oct Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Stayed until 18 Oct 10 Oct Whitney-on-Wye P.H. Downes & T. Downes Wryneck 8 Sep Garway Hill J.R. Pullen Common East Firecrest 16 Mar A. Buttriss 7 Jun High Vinnals J. Tilby & S. Coney 26 Jul Buckton West W. Marler 13 Sep N. Herefordshire P.H. Downes Woodlark 7 Apr Oakchurch Farm, P. Leafe Staunton on Wye Ring Ouzel 23 Mar Demesne Larches, J. & V. Phillips Garway 11 Apr Hergest Ridge NW P.H. Downes & T. Downes 15 Apr Garway Hill J.R. Pullen & Common A.H. Eveleigh 24 Apr Garway Hill J. Tilby Common 17 Oct Bringewood West J. Macdonald Six birds Black Redstart 1 Jan Hereford Cathedral S. Coney & Two different male birds present P.H. Downes (one first seen on 19 Nov 2014) 2 Feb The Weston, J. Tilby Male, stayed until 14 Feb Bredwardine 7 Mar High Town, J. Tilby Male Hereford 31 Jul Hawkelts Coppice, B. Stretch 13 Nov College Hill, I. Jones Hereford 21 Nov Hereford Cathedral J. Tilby Last seen on 23 Dec Common 16 Nov Eaton Bishop M. Bailey 11th county record, two Redpoll Church birds

27 New species 2015

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) at Wellington Gravel Pits

I had gathered a small group of colleagues at Haugh Wood early Sunday morning on 24 May where a singing Phylloscopus warbler was showing well in the clearing opposite the car park. Sadly, it turned out to be nothing more than a Chiffchaff with an aberrant song; they are sometimes referred to as a mixed singer.

I decided to call in at Wellington Gravel Pits on my way back to home, a little disappointed, albeit satisfied at least the mystery had been cleared up. It was a mild morning with a little drizzle mixed with sunny spells and a brisk south-west breeze. Approaching from the lay-by on the A49, you arrive at the new workings where views through the fence are obtained.

On first scan, a small Actitis sandpiper was noted feeding where a small channel meets the western shoreline. Rather than being the typical Common Sandpiper, encountered in good numbers at this time of the year, this summer plumaged individual was liberally covered with black spots on its upperparts, breast and belly – it was an obvious summer plumaged Spotted Sandpiper – a county first! It showed very well as it actively fed along the shoreline towards the point. I made several calls to Club members, including all those who had earlier been looking at the warbler in Haugh Wood.

Within the next half an hour, I was joined by Steve Coney, Nick Pegler, John Tilby, my brother Terry, Tony Eveleigh and Alan Marchant, with the first three having seen the bird well and John getting some vital video evidence for the later submission to British Birds Rarities Committee. John Tilby Spotted Sandpiper at Wellington GP in May 2015 – a screen shot taken from a long distance video

28 Unfortunately, the bird had moved back into the channel out of sight from all viewpoints by the time the latter three observers arrived. An anxious wait ensued, probably a good 15 minutes or so, before the wader flew back into view with a low flitting almost bat-like flight, typical of the genus, but showing a wider and seemingly shorter white wing-bar than its European relative. It landed nicely in view to watch from the entrance to the new workings.

Pleased with my morning’s discovery I left for lunch as more birders from further afield began to arrive to catch a view of our latest rarity. News continued to filter through for the rest of the day as the bird continued to perform in between periods when it fed in the channel out of sight. No news of the bird had come through early on the Bank Holiday Monday. However, after photographing some dragonflies and damselflies and chatting with a nice chap from the Black Country, we escorted him to where the bird was seen the previous day, only for it to fly straight into view and feed along the same shoreline it frequented the previous day. He went home a happy camper.

Herefordshire has now produced four Nearctic waders since 2007, but unusually, whereas most Nearctic wader records from the UK are storm-driven displaced individuals carried over on autumn gales, all these four, two Lesser Yellowlegs, a Pectoral Sandpiper and now a Spotted Sandpiper, have occurred as spring passage birds, probably carried over the previous autumn.

Spotted Sandpiper is a small Nearctic wader closely related to our own Common Sandpiper, and the two are the only members of the genus Actitis. It is slightly smaller than the Common Sandpiper, with a slightly shorter tail and shorter bill, which tends to be marginally decurved. In summer plumage, both the breast and the back are covered in spots; the black spots on its underparts can be very dense, although our bird was more lightly spotted. In winter and juvenile plumages, the two species are more difficult to separate with shape, leg colour and patterns on the coverts all important identification features. In 1975, a pair attempted to breed in Scotland, the species occupying the same habitat niche of riverside and upland lakes as Common Sandpiper.

The Spotted Sandpiper becomes the 30th species of wader recorded at Wellington Gravel Pits and, more significantly, the 200th species recorded there, highlighting the site’s importance as a stopover migration feeding location. Paul Downes

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29 Systematic list Introduction The Systematic List is a summary of the records submitted to the Club, or extracted from other sources, detailing all species encountered in Herefordshire over the course of the year. This section comprises those species on the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) British List (Category A - recorded in an apparently natural state at least once since 1950, and C - introduced, but now self-sustaining) (BOU, 2013). The sequence of species listed, species names, and the taxonomy follows the on-line version of the British List (30 March 2016 update) (BOU, 2016). The English common or vernacular name from the British List is given first, followed by the scientific name. Where the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) international English name (Gill & Donsker, 2016) and the vernacular name differ, the IOC English name is shown in brackets. An alphabetical index of common names is provided (on pages 146 – 147) to assist the reader to locate species. In addition, a gazetteer of place names used in the following species accounts is given (on pages 142 – 145). County descriptive status

Below each species name is a brief phrase describing its ‘status’ and ‘occurrence’ within the county of Herefordshire. These were reviewed and rewritten by a small panel of HOC members during 2014, utilising in part “The Birds of Herefordshire” atlas data (Davies et al., 2014) and, where available, derived county population estimates by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), to define relative abundance. The terms and their definitions are as follows: Status:

Very rare Five or fewer Herefordshire records; breeding numbers zero Rare Less than annual; may be years between records; breeding numbers zero Very scarce Less than annual; typically every two or three years; breeding numbers zero Scarce Very small numbers recorded virtually every year; fewer than 10 per year Uncommon Recorded in low numbers; 10 – 99 per year Fairly common Reasonable numbers occur in suitable habitat; 100 – 999 per year Common Good numbers occur regularly in suitable habitat; 1,000 – 9,999 per year Abundant Large numbers occur in suitable habitat; 10,000+ per year Occurrence:

Resident A species whose population is largely sedentary and which occurs throughout the year (may be augmented by passage migrants or winter visitors) Summer visitor A species that occurs during the summer, after migrating from its wintering areas Winter visitor A species that occurs during the winter months after migrating from its breeding areas. This can include species which do not occur during the summer as well as those with a breeding population Most summer or winter visitors also occur in the county as passage migrants en route to and from other areas

30 Passage migrant A species that appears on spring and/or autumn migration to or from its breeding or wintering ranges. Some species have protracted spring and autumn passage periods that can appear to ‘overlap’ in mid-summer, while others may be more numerous on either spring or autumn passage

Vagrant A species away from its normal range and not regularly seen in the county

Storm/wind-blown visitor Seabirds typically occurring after having been blown into the county as a result of strong winds Birds of Conservation Concern In addition to the brief phrase describing the status and occurrence of each species within Herefordshire, the national (UK) status of those species which are of conservation concern: Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (BoCC4) (Eaton et al., 2015; http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/ wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BoCC4.pdf), is given in terms of their ‘red’ or ‘amber’ listings:

Red listing Those that are globally threatened according to International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) criteria; those whose population or range has declined rapidly over a 25-year period and those which have suffered a historical decline without substantial recent recovery Amber listing Those with an unfavourable conservation status in Europe; those with a population or range that has declined moderately over a 25-year period; those with a population that has declined historically but shown a substantial recent recovery; rare breeding species and those with internationally important or localised populations

For some wildfowl and wader species, monthly maxima counts are presented in tables. These are peak counts from the sites listed for the months that data were available. Many of the main water bodies in the county and some of the important river stretches are regularly visited by observers, often as part of the national Wetland Bird Survey monitoring scheme. Record capture and data sources The standard procedure for the submission of annual records for Herefordshire changed in 2014 and HOC now uses BirdTrack, a secure computer database managed by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Contributors are urged to follow the instructions on the HOC website for submission of records (http://www.herefordshirebirds.org/HOC/Records.html). Alternatively records can be entered electronically on an Excel spreadsheet and forwarded to the HOC Data Manager for uploading to BirdTrack. Records in other formats are accepted from those who do not have easy access to a computer.

All of these records accessed via BirdTrack plus records entered by observers directly on the HOC sightings website (http://www.herefordshirebirds.org/HOC/Sightings.html) and records extracted from the BTO’s Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) database for Herefordshire monitored sites, has resulted in a substantial increase in the total number of records utilised during the past two years.

The dataset has been carefully checked by the County Recorder and HOC Data Manager and obvious duplicate records removed. While some duplication of records still remained, consequent on the variables inherent in electronic filtering of data, it appears that the move to recording via BirdTrack has resulted in some increase in submissions.

31 Unless otherwise stated, all occurrences of county rarities (requiring detailed description and supporting evidence) reported in the Systematic List have been approved by the HOC Rarities Subcommittee and, for national rarities, also by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).

Abbreviations used in text:

GP = Gravel Pits; R = River; - = no record (used in tables); nc = birds present but no count recorded (used in tables).

References

BOU (2013). The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (8th edition). Ibis, 155: 635 – 676.

BOU (2016). British List: http://www.bou.org.uk/thebritishlist/British-List.pdf

Davies, M., Eldridge, P., Robinson, C., Smith, N. & Wells, G. (eds) (2014). The Birds of Herefordshire 2007 – 2012: An Atlas of their breeding and wintering distributions. Liverpool University Press.

Eaton, M.A., Aebischer, N.J., Brown, A.F., Hearn, R.D., Lock, L., Musgrove, A.J., Noble, D.G., Stroud, D.A. and Gregory, R.D. (2015). Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the , Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds, 108: 708 – 746.

Gill, F & D Donsker (eds) (2016). IOC World Bird List (version 6.4). Available at http://www. worldbirdnames.org/ [accessed 08/12/2016]. Gerald Parker A juvenile Dunlin

32 Mute Swan Cygnus olor Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Amber

The highest counts for the main sites were: 100 at Clifford North on 1 Jan; 72 at Leech Pool Clifford on 3 Jan, 68 there on 5 Jan, 73 on 25 Jan, 136 on 24 Nov, 145 on 28 Nov, 127 on 6 Dec and 120 on 23 Dec; 69 at Hollington Farm Holme Lacy on 14 Jan; 78 at Tyberton East on 24 Jan and 75 there on 2 Feb; 57 at Letton Lake on 25 Jan and 87 there on 6 Dec; 78 at Sutton Marsh on 28 Feb; 69 at Sturts South Nature Reserve on 6 Mar; 54 at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 7 Mar; 87 at Wellington GP on 3 Apr and 80 there on 6 Apr; 57 at Whitney-on-Wye South on 4 May; 70 at Clifford South on 20 Jun; 50 at Brockhall GP on 12 Sep and 55 there on 15 Nov; 95 at Old Letton Court on 11 Nov; 62 at Shenmore on 2 Dec and 50 at Ross Sewage Works on 11 Dec.

Breeding was confirmed from 32 sites, which is nearly twice the number reported last year. Occupied nests were reported from 3 Apr and fledglings from 21 May. The sites were: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Aston Crews West, Backney, Berrington Hall, Blackmarston Hereford, Brandon Camp Adforton, Bredwardine, Brinshope Farm Wigmore, Brockhall GP, Eastnor Castle, Foxhall Phocle Green, Foy Bridge, Gamber Meadows North, Hartleton Lakes, Hole-in-the-Wall, Kings Caple, Leintwardine South, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Old Letton Court, Overross Ross-on-Wye, Pencoyd, Phocle Green, R. Monnow Kentchurch, Ross Wye, Rotherwas Chapel, Rotherwas Industrial Estate, Symonds Yat East, The Wellands Sellack, Titley Pool, Wellington GP, Whitchurch East and Yatton West Aymestry.

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Scarce winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

There were five separate records this year: 12 at Clifford North on 1 Jan (P.H. Downes & S. Coney), which had been present since Dec and these remained in the area until 14 Feb when 13 were present; a single at Winforton South on 6 Mar (J. Tilby), and this same injured, long-staying bird was seen at three further locations: Hole-in-the-Wall on 10 Mar (C.E. Lankester), Lower Breinton on 23 Apr (N. & L. Pegler) and Belmont Abbey on 30 May (N. Betts).

White-fronted Goose (Greater White-fronted Goose) Anser albifrons Very scarce winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

An adult of the Greenland race was at Clifford North on 1 Jan (P.H. Downes & S. Coney).

Greylag Goose Anser anser Uncommon resident BoCC listed: Amber

Monthly maxima for the main recorded sites: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool 18 16 2 11* 12 13* 20* - - - - 15 Brockhall GP 2 6 7 2 1 - nc 2 3 1 nc 1 Wellington GP 3 - 7 1 3 4 5 22 - - 5 - * includes juveniles

33 Other sightings were recorded at: Bodenham Lake, Hollington Farm Holme Lacy, Kenchester Pools, Mathon, Old Letton Court, Pen-y-Park Clifford, Stocklow Manor, Tretire North, Whitney-on-Wye South and Winforton South.

The only breeding records were from Berrington Hall Pool: a pair with five goslings on 19 Apr; three broods of five, two and one on 14 Jun and a pair with two juveniles on 19 Jul.

Greater Canada Goose (Canada Goose) Branta Canadensis Common resident and winter visitor

Monthly maxima for the main recorded sites:

Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool 8 168 5 50 51* 10* 19* 17* 1 - 6 65 Bodenham Lake 31 94 12 5 86* - - - 63 - 22 50 Brockhall GP 1,000 800 136 100 100* 420* 700* 550 1,000 800 960 400 Hartleton Lakes 105 93 81 18 54* 45* 56 115 67 89 147 137 Lugg Bridge - 13 13 9 8 7 11 - 2 113 40 - Quarry Kenchester Pools 200 300 81 4 6 nc nc nc nc 1 500 30 Weir Garden 2 42 4 - 3 2 - 450 532 180 7 - Wellington GP 200 20 30 17 18 nc 22 220 98 - 162 nc * includes juveniles

Other large counts were: 400 at Clifford North on 1 Jan; 102 at Leech Pool Clifford on 3 Jan and 157 there on 5 Jan; 305 at Ballingham Hill and 100 at The Wellands Sellack on 4 Jan; 304 at Ross Sewage Works on 8 Jan and 200 there on 11 Dec; 121 at Tretire North on 1 Sep; 120 at Ross Wye on 2 Oct, 174 there on 5 Oct and 132 on 20 Oct; 155 at Stocklow Manor on 6 Oct; 200 at Whitestone on 9 Nov; 110 at Whitchurch East on 24 Nov and 300 at Winforton South on 12 Dec.

Breeding was confirmed at 15 additional sites to those indicated in the table during the period 1 May to 12 July: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Aston Crews West, Brinshope Farm Wigmore, Eastnor Castle, Eccleswall Court Bromsash, Foxhall Phocle Green, Glewstone Court, Hole-in- the-Wall, Old Letton Court, Peterstow, Phocle Green, R. Monnow Llangua, Ross Wye, Weston under Penyard and Whitehouse Grange Tretire.

Large flocks have been reported this year, reflecting the continuous population increase of this species in the county during recent years. Large numbers frequented the Brockhall GP area in each month, possibly to the detriment of other smaller ground-nesting species.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Uncommon resident and winter visitor; has bred BoCC listed: Amber

There were 64 records (a similar number to 2014) but from only five sites. Over 80% of records came from Brockhall GP during the Jan – Mar and Aug – Dec periods, with a maximum of five seen in both periods, mainly feeding with Canada Geese. There were no juveniles this year.

34 Other sightings were from: Hartleton Lakes on 2 Jan; Kenchester Pools on 25 Jan, 1 Feb, 5 Apr and 29 Nov; Bodenham Lake on 10 Mar and 19 Aug and Wellington GP on 3 and 12 Sep and 21 and 22 Nov, some of which may have been of birds which had flown in from Brockhall GP.

Brent Goose (Brant Goose) Branta bernicla

Very scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

One dark-bellied, first winter bird was at Brockhall GP on 9 May (J. Tilby) and was present until 25 May.

Shelduck (Common Shelduck) Tadorna tadorna

Scarce winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

There were 43 records from three sites. Almost all sightings were from Brockhall GP with a maximum of three on 5 Jan and 18 Feb and a pair that were frequently reported there from 15 Feb until 21 May. A single female was seen there on 12 Dec increasing to two on 23 Dec. Other sightings were: a pair at Wellington GP on 3 and 5 Apr, a single there on 23 Apr and three on 27 Dec and four at Old Letton Court on 8 May.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Fairly common resident

There were sightings from 77 1-km squares this year, although breeding was only confirmed in eight of these: Backney, , Hampton Bishop North, Phocle Green, R. Monnow Ruthlin, Ryeford, Warham and Willersley SE.

Monthly maxima for main sites with counts in three or more months: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Coppet Hill - - 4 1 3* 8 14 1 4 9 12 2 Eastnor Castle - 11 4 2 ------Leintwardine -64-2------Fishery Old Letton Court ----27---13- Phocle Green 38 - 23 1 - - 15* 30 4 2 10 13 Wellington GP 1 - - - - nc 2 4 - - - 1 -18-35------Whitchurch East - 4 3 - 17 ------* includes juveniles Other large counts were: 28 at Symonds Yat West on 26 Jan; 15 at Much Marcle South on 21 Feb; 26 at Ashe Ingen Court Bridstow on 25 May; 10 at Hampton Bishop North on 26 May; 20 at Clifford South on 21 Jun; 19 at R. Monnow Kentchurch on 14 Aug; 14 at Brinkley Hill Brockhampton on 11 Oct; 10 at Glewstone Court on 20 Nov and 14 at Bodenham Lake on 11 Dec.

35 Wigeon (Eurasian Wigeon) Anas Penelope Fairly common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber Monthly maxima for the main recorded sites: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 9 15 35 ------26 19 172 Brockhall GP 250 130 250 40 - - - 4 36 50 96 168 Kenchester Pools 19 150 1 ------3 98 - Lugg Bridge 116 89 37 1 - - - - - 24 66 28 Quarry Wellington GP 135 30 14 1 - - - 5 - 2 2 50

Other counts of note were: 28 at Old Letton Court on 2 Jan and 74 there on 11 Nov; 50 at Lower Eaton House Breinton on 26 Jan and 40 at Letton Lake on 6 Dec. Mick Colquhoun Mick Gadwall Anas strepera Uncommon resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber Monthly maxima for sites with counts in four or more months: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 12 3 8 12 3 2 3 8 29 24 14 13 Hartleton Lakes - 2 - 4 4 4 5* 4 2 - - - Kenchester Pools 4 8 10 4 2 nc --- nc 14 - Foxhall, Phocle - - 10 14 - 10 - 2 - - - - Green Wellington GP 15 9 8 8 - nc nc -- nc 4 6 * includes juveniles

36 Records from other sites included: four at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 8 Feb and three there on 10 Oct; three pairs at Much Marcle South on 10 Apr; two pairs at Eccleswall Court Bromsash; a single at SE on 3 May and two at Bodenham Lake on 16 Oct. Teal (Eurasian Teal) Anas crecca Fairly common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber Monthly maxima from sites with counts in four or more months: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 25 - 9 - - - - - 8 - 9 8 Brockhall GP 40 40 40 20 - - nc 2 20 20 30 92 Hartleton Lakes 4 9 2 - - - - 3 2 5 - - Kenchester Pools 30 80 12 2 - - - 21 35 13 10 20 Lugg Bridge 32 81 23 16 - - 1 5 20 29 42 64 Quarry Walford, 42 70 41 ------1 Brampton Bryan Wellington GP 190 74 54 50 - - 2 22 27 9 9 75

Nearly two-thirds of the records came from Brockhall GP (38%), Wellington GP (18%) and Kenchester Pools (16%). Additional records of note were: 105 at Stocklow Manor on 1 Jan; 28 at Baysham on 18 Jan; 15 at Coppet Hill on 30 Jan; 17 at Old Letton Court on 6 Mar; 10 at Whitney-on-Wye South on 11 Nov and 30 at Mathon on 3 Dec. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Common resident; releases occur annually BoCC listed: Amber Monthly maxima for the main recorded sites: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool 10 3 13 11 11* 10* 32 8 15 22 21 17 Bodenham Lake 13 8 4 6 5 - - 15 34 - 45 nc Brockhall GP 35 30 35 32 27* 49* 49* 80 45 37 22 54 Eastnor Castle/ 450 75 16 2 9* 5* - - 200 - - 42 Park Hartleton Lakes 64 54 45 17* 35* 93* 133* 81 95 107 93 64 Kenchester Pools 2 10 6 5 11* nc nc 12 nc 3 nc 5 Lugg Bridge 29 60 15 25* 33* 23* 18 67 38 44 75 47 Quarry Walford, 60 8 2 - 4 - - - - - 18 75 Brampton Bryan Wellington GP 100 11 40 38 14* nc 38 80 28 74 56 127 * includes juveniles

37 Additional large counts at other sites were: 67 at Old Letton Court on 6 Feb; 51 at Weston under Penyard on 9 Feb; 178 at Stocklow Manor on 9 Apr; 63 at Overross Ross-on-Wye on 13 Aug and 76 there on 14 Sep, 58 on 13 Dec and 52 on 19 Dec; 55 at Buckton Park Leintwardine on 7 Sep; 75 at Little Peterstow Farm on 27 Nov; 75 at Primrose Bank Holme Lacy on 2 and 9 Dec and 59 at Much Marcle South on 8 Dec. Breeding was confirmed at 33 additional sites to those indicated in the table, with fledglings seen from 19 Apr onwards.

Pintail (Northern Pintail) Anas acuta Scarce winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

Sightings were down this year to only 14 records from seven sites.

The highest count was five, these were: four males and one female at Wellington GP on 31 Jan and three males and two females there on 31 Dec and four males and one female on floodwater at Letton Lake on 6 Dec. Twos were seen at: Brockhall GP on 26 Mar; Bodenham Lake on 16 Oct and Wellington GP on 28 Dec and singles were reported at the other three sites: Winforton South on 3 Jan; Kenchester Pools on 7 Feb and Lugg Bridge Quarry on 8 Feb.

Garganey Anas querquedula Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

There were just two records this year: a single at Brockhall GP on 25 Sep (N. Pegler), which remained until 3 Oct, and a single at Kenchester Pools on 18 Oct (S. Coney).

Shoveler (Northern Shoveler) Anas clypeata Uncommon winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

Monthly maxima from sites with counts in five or more months: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 15 3 3 4 - 2 - 3 6 15 15 4 Kenchester Pools 32-6----1-1 nc Lugg Bridge -421---2--3- Quarry Wellington GP 32 15 4 - - - 1 4 6 - 1 9

Other records came from: Bodenham Lake (Oct & Nov), Old Letton Court (Jan & Nov) and Stocklow Manor (Feb). Brockhall GP and Wellington GP accounted for 80% of all sightings.

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Very scarce passage migrant

There was one record – a male at Wellington GP on 26 Dec, which was the 15th county record (P.H. Downes & T. Downes); it was on the main lake among Mallards and was also seen on 27, 28 and 31 Dec.

38 Mick Colquhoun Mick Barnacle Geese among Canada Geese at Wellington GP in November Mick Colquhoun Mick A late-nesting Great Crested Grebe with young (hidden) at Brockhall GP on 4 September

39 Mick Colquhoun Mick A Red-legged Partridge at Old Gore in May Mick Colquhoun Mick A dark-bellied Brent Goose that stayed at Brockhall GP for 16 days in May

40 A striking photograph of a female Sparrowhawk taken in the Withington area Mick Colquhoun Mick Five male and four female Common Scoter at Wellington GP in July

41 Mick Colquhoun Mick Ducks at Kenchester Pools in February – from left: Tufted Duck (male), Pochard (female) [at back], Scaup (female), Tufted Duck (female) and Mallard (female) [at back] Mik Colquhoun Mik

A soaring Red Kite taken from Garway Hill in March

42 Pochard (Common Pochard) Aythya farina

Uncommon winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

Monthly maxima from the main recorded sites: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 19 4 2 - 1 - nc - 1 7 6 6 Kenchester Pools 453------Lugg Bridge 1273------Quarry Wellington GP 21 30 17 4 - - 6 1 2 3 5 16

There was also one record of a female at Hartleton Lakes on 13 Nov. Brockhall GP and Wellington GP accounted for 70% of all sightings.

Aythya hybrid

An adult male was seen on the main lake at Wellington GP on 6 Apr (P.H. Downes); the following description was received – “it superficially resembles a Scaup species, but red tint to dark head, dark grey back, paler grey flanks, larger than Tufted Duck, bill has obvious extensive black tip, orange coloured iris – so presumably it was a Pochard x Tufted Duck or S c a u p”.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Fairly common resident and winter visitor

Monthly maxima for the main recorded sites: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool - 1 7 9 4 3 ------Bodenham Lake 14 - 5 11 3 - - - 16 - 15 9 Brockhall GP 43 40 68 73 47 35 27 30 40 40 23 150 Kenchester Pools nc 5 21 25 6 nc - nc nc 2 nc nc Lugg Bridge 38 43 60 65 14 15 6 7 17 15 52 35 Quarry Wellington GP 50 59 83 51 12 nc 82 60 18 31 28 32

Other records came from: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Aston Crews West, Brampton Bryan Park West, Burrington, Coddington, Eastnor Castle, Glewstone Court, Hartleton Lakes, Kynaston Farm Hentland, Mathon GP, New House Egleton, Old Letton Court, Peterstow, Overross Ross- on-Wye, Shobdon, The Mynde Much Dewchurch, Titley Pool and Wellington Heath West.

Breeding was confirmed at only three sites: Aston Crews West, Overross and Wellington Heath West.

43 Scaup (Greater Scaup) Aythya marila Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

A long-staying female was reported at Brockhall GP on 1 Jan (S. Coney, J. Tilby & P.H. Downes) and was observed at Kenchester Pools on 18 Jan; it alternated between these two sites until 13 Feb, after which it remained at Kenchester Pools until 5 Apr. This female was first reported at Brockhall GP on 5 Dec 2014.

A second female found at Wellington GP, also on 1 Jan (S. Coney & P.H. Downes), stayed until 5 Jan, but was first reported there on 7 Dec 2014.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

Five males and four females were reported at Wellington GP on 12 Jul (N. Pegler & J. Tilby) and a single male was at Hartleton Lakes on 14 Oct (A.H. Eveleigh).

Goldeneye (Common Goldeneye) Bucephala clangula Uncommon winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

Monthly maxima for all sites: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 16 9 8 ------3 11 Brockhall GP 20 ------Lugg Bridge ------1- Quarry Wellington GP 12 4 1 8 2 - - - - 2 4 7

Nearly all records came from Wellington GP (70%) and Bodenham Lake (25%).

Smew Mergus albellus Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

A single redhead was reported at Brockhall GP on 14 and 15 Feb.

Goosander (Common Merganser) Mergus merganser Fairly common resident

Evidence of confirmed breeding was considerably down this year and was recorded from only six sites: a female with 10 juveniles at Lugg Bridge on 19 Apr; a redhead seen entering a nest hole in a tree at Foy Bridge on 4 May; an adult with 13 juveniles at Sink Green on 10 May; a female with six young at Leintwardine South on 12 May; a female with young at R. Monnow Tregate Bridge and an adult with six half-grown young at R. Monnow Llangua, both on 13 May.

44 Monthly maxima from sites with counts in five or more months: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 7 1 3 - 1 ------20 Brockhall GP 55 38 10 6 2 - - - 4 30 30 29 Hampton Bishop - - 6 6 14* - 3 5 - - 1 1 Lugg Bridge 4 20 8 1 - - 1 - - - - - Quarry R. Wye Hereford ϕ 5 25 17 5 - - 5 - - 1 3 nc Wellington GP 5 8 - 1 1 - - - - 6 nc nc Whitney-on-Wye 4 4 - 2 4 - 1 - - 10 - - South ϕ R. Wye from Broomy Hill to Hampton Park; * includes juveniles

Notable numbers at additional sites were; 10 at Belmont Abbey on 27 Jan; 10 at Ross Sewage Works on 14 Apr; 10 at Clifford South on 21 June and 12 at Buckton Park Leintwardine on 6 Jul. Records were received from a total of 82 1-km squares throughout the year.

Quail (Common Quail) Coturnix coturnix

Scarce summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber

Following one record in 2014, there were two records in 2015. A single calling male was heard at Tyrrell’s Court Dilwyn on 30 Jun (T. Cooke) and again on 1 and 4 Jul. A group of five birds were seen at Wickton Court Stoke Prior on 13 August (D.G. Price).

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Fairly common resident; releases occur annually

The number of records increased compared to 2014, which contrasts with evidence of a decline nationally since 2005. There were records from each month, but the distinct peak in March 2014 was not replicated in 2015. Counts of 10 or more birds recorded were: 18 at Wapley Hill East on 26 Feb and 10 at Stocklow Manor on 2 Jul, 11 there on 11 Jul and 24 on 7 Dec.

Evidence of breeding was confirmed at two sites: a brood of 10 at Stocklow Manor on 2 Jul and an adult with eight juveniles at Bromsash East on 7 Jul.

Red Grouse (Willow Ptarmigan) Lagopus lagopus

Scarce records from the Black Mountains BoCC listed: Amber

Three records were received; these all came from the Black Mountains in potential breeding habitats. Two birds were seen in the apex of the Olchon Valley on 27 Mar and single birds were recorded in Black Darren and Red Daren on 5 Apr. Unlike 2014, there were no records of larger groups of birds in the autumn.

45 Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Uncommon resident; releases occur annually BoCC listed: Red

The six records from six sites were almost identical to the past three years. There were no confirmed breeding records in 2015 compared with a single record in 2014, although a pair was noted at New House Farm Aston Ingham on 22 Mar, this being the same location where a pair was recorded by the same observer in late May 2012.

Further records consisted of: three at on 9 Sep; twos at Wall End Monkland on 14 Feb and Sugwas Pool on 8 Mar and singles at Lower Wolton Farm Much Marcle on 8 May and Humber on 12 Jun.

The long-term decline in this species, not only in Herefordshire but also across Europe, is exemplified by comment from the observers of the two birds at Wall End, who stated “…..... not seen for decades”.

Pheasant (Common Pheasant) Phasianus colchinus Abundant resident; releases occur annually

Whilst most counts were in single figures or recorded as ‘present’, counts of 20 or more fell from 35 times in 2014 to 13 in 2015. As in 2014, the higher counts were recorded more frequently in Mar, Apr, Sep and Oct. There were three counts of 45 or more birds: 250 at Hill Farm Ledbury on 17 Aug; 70 at Coppet Hill on 18 Sep and 45 at Eastnor Park South on 24 Sep.

Although there were over 20 records of ‘probable breeding’, there was no record of confirmed breeding, which clearly under-represents the breeding status of the species in the county.

Cormorant (Great Cormorant) Phalacrocorax carbo Fairly common non-breeding resident and winter visitor

Following records of attempted but unsuccessful breeding at Bodenham Lake in 2013 and Wellington GP in 2014, there were no records of attempted breeding in 2015.

Monthly maxima for the main sites (excluding birds flying over) were: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool - - 9 2 - 1 - 3 3 4 2 6 Bodenham Lake 13 6 15 5 6 - - - 16 - 44 40 Brockhall GP 75 10 4 2 3 6 19 27 50 4 12 10 Harleton Lakes 2 5 1 - - - - 2 3 1 3 4 Lugg Bridge 4 4 9 3 - 1 3 20 10 7 7 5 Quarry Old Letton Court 5 2 13 1 - - - 2 3 - - - Wellington GP 50 27 17 14 3 nc 5 15 14 8 5 nc Whitney-on-Wye 4--1--23422- South

46 Records (including birds flying over) of 10 or more from other sites were: 64 at Portway near Burghill on 6 Jan; 37 at King’s Acre Hereford on 17 Jan; 12 at Coppet Hill on 28 Aug, 20 there on 18 Sep and 10 on 16 Oct; an unusual sighting of 42 birds flying north in V-formation at Coxall near Buckton on 23 Sep; 20 at Brampton Bryan East on 1 Oct; 13 at Marden West on 19 Oct; 27 flying west at Stocklow Manor on 22 Oct and 25 at Ross Wye on 27 Nov.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Scarce resident

The 127 records represents the highest number of sightings for the county, continuing the trend noted over recent years and reflecting the increasing spread of the species within the county. Five or more separate records were submitted from: Brockhall GP (17 records), Buckton (5), Graham’s Cottage Leintwardine (9), Leintwardine South (7), Wellington GP (29), Whitney- on-Wye South (9) and Winforton South (6). The greatest change from 2014 is the doubling of the number of records from Wellington GP and an increase in the number of records from the Buckton and Leintwardine areas.

There was a single record of three birds at Winforton South on 28 Nov and twos were reported from seven locations. As in 2014, over 80% of the sightings were either of singletons or ‘present’, with records from across the year and, compared with 2014, considerable increases in Feb, Sep and Oct.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Number of records 18 28 3 3 4 2 8 17 13 12 8 11

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Fairly common resident

Confirmed breeding was recorded at the same five locations noted in 2014, with occupied nests at: Leach Pool Clifford (three nests and six birds on 16 Apr); The Weston Bredwardine (40 nests and 55 birds on 16 Apr); Berrington Hall Pool (at least 17 occupied nests and 25 birds on 19 Apr); Buckton (a maximum of six occupied nests with a mix of different ages of juveniles on 19 Apr) and Eccleswall Court Bromsash (three nests with three adults and two juveniles on 3 May).

Non-breeding records were spread across all months but with considerably more sightings in Jan, Feb and Apr and fewer in Oct and Dec, compared with 2014. Just over 90% of the non- breeding records were of ‘present’, single or two birds. A maximum of 10 birds was recorded at Lower Eaton House Breinton on 12 Sep and at Mathon GP on 6 Dec.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Uncommon resident and winter visitor

Evidence of breeding, having increased considerably in 2014, involving seven sites, was confirmed at just four sites in 2015. Juvenile birds were reported from: Almeley West on 25 Jul (two juveniles); Glewstone Court on 13 Aug (two juveniles with six adults); Brockhall GP on 15 Aug (three juveniles) and Overross Ross-on-Wye on 14 Sep (one juvenile with five adults).

47 The majority of records were of one or two adults and were spread relatively evenly across the year, but with peaks in Aug and Sep. The larger counts recorded were: 10 at Glewstone Court on 4 Feb and 13 at Brockhall GP on 12 Sep and 10 there on 16 Sep and 18 Oct. Counts of five or more birds were limited to the following additional sites: Bodenham Lake, Burrington, Kenchester Pools and Overross.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Uncommon resident and winter visitor

The improvement in breeding success over the past two years was not repeated in 2015. Records were received from eight sites, but breeding evidence was confirmed from only three of these: Brockhall GP, Eastnor Lake and Wellington GP.

Monthly maxima for main recorded sites: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 1 - 2 4 5 - - - 5 - 2 - Brockhall GP 9 10 16 8 8 5 17* 20* 20* 10 nc 2 Eastnor Lake - 7 7 6 8* 2 - - - - - 1 Lugg Bridge -44532213334 Quarry Wellington GP 10 12 15 18 10 nc 4 5 2 8 23 6 * includes juveniles Gerald Parker

48 As in 2014, the greatest number of breeding records was from Brockhall GP, with the earliest being of an occupied nest on 10 Jul, two months later than the earliest record in 2014. Two chicks were reported there on 27 July, followed by three juveniles and two chicks on 1 Aug and one juvenile and one chick on 8 Aug. Late breeding attempts were also reported on 4 Sep with an adult on a nest with a small chick on its back being fed by the partner and another adult feeding three small chicks on open water. At Eastnor Castle the first young (two juveniles) were reported on 19 May and an occupied nest was reported at Wellington GP on 31 May.

Singles were reported from the three other sites: Arkstone Court Kingstone on 6 Jun, Berrington Hall Pool on 17 May and Hartleton Lakes on 11 dates between 30 Jan and 11 Mar.

Honey-buzzard (European Honey Buzzard) Pernis apivorus Very scarce passage migrant; has bred BoCC listed: Amber

Single birds were recorded at two unspecified sites in the north of the county on 20 May (A. Eveleigh & A. Marchant) and 18 June (P.H. Downes & C. Downes).

Red Kite Milvus milvus Uncommon resident

The apparently inexorable rise of this species continued, with a two-thirds increase in the number of records, including two tagged and two ringed birds. However, much of the increase can be accounted for by repeated observations at specific sites in the north of the county.

Records were received in all months, peaking in Feb/Mar, which is similar to 2014: Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Number of records 38 51 72 49 33 40 22 18 20 31 35 18

Confirmed evidence of breeding remains elusive, with a record from the east of the county of two ‘possible’ juveniles with two adults on 3 Aug at a site where a pair had been in residence since the spring. There was however more evidence of probable breeding than in 2014. Pairs were seen at sites in the east of the county on 3 Apr and 3 Jul and in the south-west on 5 Apr. In the north, a bird carrying a three foot long twig was spotted on 5 Mar, along with two birds seen at the same ‘possible nest site’ on 31 Mar. At another site a courtship display was reported on 10 Apr.

Reports of singles or ‘present’ accounted for 75% of records, while reports of twos (excluding ‘pairs’) accounted for a further 14%, which was similar to 2014. Excluding a count of 25 birds at an undisclosed private feeding site, there were 37 records of three to 13 birds. The largest count was of 13 at Burrington on 16 Nov. The trend over time of an increasing number of birds recorded in a single count continued, with an increase of over 60% in counts of three or more birds, but with a possible levelling off of the maximum count size.

Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Maximum count size 3 3 4 4 6 8 12+ 13* * excludes a count of 25 birds at a private feeding station

49 Marsh Harrier (Western Marsh Harrier) Circus aeruginosus

Rare passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

A female/juvenile was seen being mobbed by crows flying west over Wellington GP on 19 July (J. Tilby). This was the 8th county record for this species and the first since 2011, which was also at Wellington GP.

Goshawk (Northern Goshawk) Accipiter gentilis

Uncommon resident

There were 46 records from 26 locations, which were similar to 2014. There were sightings in all months except June, with peak numbers reported in Feb, Mar and Oct, including an unusual sighting of a bird seen flying over woodland ‘during a lunar eclipse’ on 20 Mar.

There was circumstantial evidence of breeding with courtship and display recorded on three separate occasions from the same site during late March and permanent territories recorded at two further sites. The majority of records were of singles, but there were four sightings of two and one sighting of four birds.

Sparrowhawk (Eurasian Sparrowhawk) Accipiter nisus

Fairly common resident

There was confirmed evidence of breeding from only two sites with recently fledged young seen at Clehonger on 25 Jul and Backney on 8 Aug. In addition, birds on permanent territories were reported at: Buckton on 9 Apr, Brampton Bryan on 24 Apr and Abbey Dore on 3 Jul. Birds were seen visiting a probable nest site at Much Marcle on 22 Apr and a pair was seen near Mathon on 26 Apr.

Over 95% of records were of singles or ‘present’, but with fewer records of two birds, than in 2014. There was only one record of three birds outside the breeding season, from Wellington GP on 17 Feb.

The following reported incidents illustrate the dramatic nature of the Sparrowhawk: “a female Sparrowhawk shot within inches of my head and turned sharp left past the back door, swallows and martins going mad, a very dramatic encounter” and another: “a male flew in through back door over my head and crashed into the window from the inside, caught and released without any visible damage to the bird, but clearing up inside was another matter”.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Common resident

As in recent years, records were widely dispersed across the county and throughout the year, but with some evidence of peak sightings occurring during March and April and with fewer records in November and December.

50 There was considerably more evidence of breeding than in 2014, perhaps as a result of better reporting. Breeding was confirmed at 11 sites as follows: an occupied nest at on 10 Jun; a nest with young at Clehonger on 21 Jun and fledged young were reported at Ashperton on 25 Jun, Brockhall GP on 10 Jul, Leintwardine on 23 Jul, Eastnor Castle on 27 Jul, Bacton and Wellington Heath on 8 Aug, Donnington on 11 Aug, Cobnash on 13 Aug and Kenchester Pools on 23 Aug.

Over 80% of records were of one or two birds, but there were seven counts in excess of 20 at the following sites: 30 at Garway Hill Common on 27 Jan and 10 and 11 Feb; 26 at Brampton Bryan East on 23 Mar; 22 on newly-ploughed land at Stocklow Manor on 30 Apr and 33 there while drilling maize on 17 May, and the largest count of 40 at Lower Lugg Meadows on 15 Sep.

Osprey (Western Osprey) Pandion haliaetus Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

There were only two records, significantly fewer than in recent years, but not dissimilar to most years during the 1990s and 2000s; the ‘high’ record years were 2007 (27 records), 2012 (22) and 2014 (13).

Single birds in flight were reported from Letton near Bredwardine on 17 Apr (N. Smith) and Wellington GP on 19 Aug (B. Daniels).

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Uncommon resident and winter visitor

The majority of records were of ones and twos, except six were at Wellington GP on 1 Jan and four were there on 17 Jan; this site accounted for just over 50% of all sightings. In total there were 32 records from 10 sites.

Records were also received from: Berrington Hall Pool, Brockhall GP, Buckton Park Leintwardine, Gamber Meadows North, Hampton Park Hereford, Hartleton Lakes, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Much Marcle North and The Weston Bredwardine. Most records were from the Jan – Mar and Sep – Dec periods; the only record outside these months came from Buckton Park on 30 Aug.

Moorhen (Common Moorhen) Gallinula chloropus Common resident

Breeding was confirmed from the following 30 sites with young seen from 15 May onwards: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Aston Crews West, Aylton Court, Berrington Hall Pool, Brockhall GP, Brockhampton North, Clehonger West, Eastnor Castle, Gatsford Farm near Brampton Abbotts, Glewstone Court, Hartleton Lakes, Hentland, Hillend Farms Much Cowarne, Holmer Hereford, Kingstone East near Ross-on-Wye, Laddin Farm Much Marcle, Madley Satellite Earth Station, Michaelchurch near St Weonards, Much Marcle South, Overross Ross-on-Wye, Pencoyd, Perryhill Farm Clehonger, Peterstow, Phocle Green, Stocklow Manor, Titley Pool, Wayend Street Eastnor, Wellington GP, Weston under Penyard and Wigmore East.

51 Monthly maxima at major sites were:

Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool 5 3 1 4 2 5 5* 8 4* 3 3 2 Brockhall GP 3 2 4 6 3* 2 2 4 8 7 nc 1 Hartleton Lakes 19 20 15 7* 6* 10* 9* 11* 12 8 13 14 Overross, 16 3 2 6 1 6 6 15 9 15 11 10 Ross-on-Wye Wellington GP 25 5 6 4 nc nc 6* 7 2 nc 3 3 * includes juveniles

Coot (Eurasian Coot) Fulica atra Fairly common resident

Breeding was confirmed from the following 18 sites with young seen from 25 Apr onwards: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Aylton Court, Brockhall GP, Buckton Park Leintwardine, Burrington, Bury Hill Weston under Penyard, Eastnor Castle, Gatsford Farm near Brampton Abbotts, Glewstone Court, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Michaelchurch near St Weonards, Pencoyd, Perryhill Farm Clehonger, Peterstow, Overross Ross-on-Wye, Mathon GP, Stocklow Manor and Titley Pool.

Monthly maxima at major sites were:

Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool 4 21 18 4 5 3 9 1 - - 2 - Bodenham Lake 10 4 4 3 8 - - 17 25 - 30 nc Brockhall GP 47 36 57 42 43 29 27* 115 200 42 12 24 Lugg Bridge 1 14 26 18 13 15 17* 31 43 25 50 56 Quarry Overross, 6 - - 10* - 20 15* 13* 6 14 17 13 Ross-on-Wye Wellington GP 150 60 34 32 14 nc 55 60 27 20 16 nc * includes juveniles

Oystercatcher (Eurasian Oystercatcher) Haematopus ostralegus Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

Brockhall GP accounted for nearly 60% of all records; a single was present there throughout Jan and this increased to three on 7 Feb, nine on 13 Feb, peaking at 10 on 28 Feb. An occupied nest was identified there on 5 Apr and the first juveniles recorded were three on 29 Apr, but this had dropped to two on 2 May and to one on 4 May. Counts of up to 10 birds were recorded at this location in late May and the species remained here until 25 Jul when two were seen.

52 The only other breeding site, albeit unsuccessful, was Hereford Livestock Market car park at Lower Veldifer Stretton Sugwas, where a nest with eggs was observed on 21 May. With only two attempted breeding sites in 2015, this was a decrease on the two previous years when breeding was confirmed from four sites.

Sightings of ones and twos were also received during the Feb – Jul period from seven other sites: Kenchester Pools, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Tatteridge Hill Leintwardine, Wellington GP, Whitney-on-Wye South, Willersley SE and Winforton South.

Golden Plover (European Golden Plover) Pluvialis apricaria Fairly common winter visitor and uncommon passage migrant

The earliest record in the first winter period was a flock of 180 on Hergest Ridge on 2 Jan. A very large flock was present during the period 21 Jan – 13 Mar in the Brandon/Grafton Wood area to the south of Hereford City, peaking at 512 on 25 Jan. The latest sighting was a single at Garway Hill Common on 15 Apr.

During the second winter period, the earliest record was of a single at Stocklow Manor on 17 Sep. A flock of 100 at Red Hill, Hereford on 30 Oct remained in the Brandon/Grafton Wood area, peaking at 231 on 21 Nov and with lower numbers remaining until 4 Dec. The latest record was a single at Stocklow Manor on 13 Dec.

Ringed Plover (Common Ringed Plover) Charadrius hiaticula Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

The earliest record was a single at Brockhall GP on 1 Apr and the latest was of two there on 1 Sep. For comparison, the earliest and latest sightings at Wellington GP were 10 Apr and 30 Aug respectively.

There was a total of 37 records from the two sites. At Brockhall GP, the larger counts included eight on 30 May and nine on 19 Aug. A juvenile with an adult was seen there on 16 Aug. At Wellington GP, the largest count was five on 31 May and birds of the smaller, darker tundrae race were recorded there on 16 and 29 May.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant

The earliest record was of two at Brockhall GP on 21 Mar and the latest record was of two at Wellington GP on 5 Sep.

Breeding was confirmed from three sites with juveniles recorded at: Brockhall GP on 27 May; Lugg Bridge Quarry on 8 Jul and Wellington GP on 19 Jul.

At Brockhall GP, five were present on 13 Apr, increasing to six on 15 Apr, eight on 25 Apr and peaking at nine on 27 Jun; the latest record there was a single on 30 Aug. At Lugg Bridge Quarry, records were received during the period 3 Apr – 15 Aug, peaking at six on 15 Jun. At Wellington GP, the earliest record was three on 5 Apr, then six on 29 Apr and the highest count was eight on 19 Jul, which included six recently-hatched chicks.

53 Gerald Parker

Other sightings came from: Buckton (two records), Whitney-on-Wye South (two records) and Winforton South.

Lapwing (Northern Lapwing) Vanellus vanellus

Fairly common resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

Monthly maxima at major sites were:

Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 100 29 9 1 1 nc - nc - 23 60 82 Kenchester Pools 30 130 - 2 - nc 8 9 10 11 13 30 Lugg Bridge - 28 17 5 2 20 2 62 4 60 - - Quarry Wellington GP 300 50 8 12 5* nc 28 12 12 62 120 300 * includes juveniles

Other large flocks were: 200 at Kinley Farm on 2 Jan; 739 at Lower Burton on 3 Jan; 100 at Tyberton East on 19 Feb and 5 Nov and 120 at Milton Cross on 23 Nov.

Breeding was confirmed at two sites: an occupied nest at Eau Withington Court on 1 Apr and an adult with four chicks at Wellington GP on 24 May.

54 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

Due to increased occurrence of this species in the county over recent years there is no longer a need to assess records for acceptance as rarities. This increase was reflected again in 2015 with eight records from four sites.

The earliest record was of a one flying north-west over Shobdon NE on 4 Apr. Other sightings were: a single at Brockhall GP on 11 Apr, two there on 10 May and a single on 25 May; a single flying north over Stocklow Manor on 23 Apr and singles at Wellington GP on 29 Apr and 3 May and two there on 6 May.

Curlew (Eurasian Curlew) Numenius arquata

Fairly common resident and uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

The earliest record was of three at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 20 Feb. Most records were of ones or twos but larger counts included: 12 at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 1 Mar, 14 there on 7 Mar and seven on 15 Apr and eight at Old Letton Court on 9 Apr. The last record of the year was of two at Brockhall GP on 22 Aug.

Although birds were seen displaying at a few locations, breeding was only confirmed at one site, Parc y Meirch near Craswall.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

The earliest record was of a single at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 1 Apr, but the main movement of birds was during Jul – Sep. There were 13 records from three sites.

Most sightings were of singles, but there were: four at Wellington GP on 3 Jun, six there on 5 Jul, four on 18 Jul and eight on 2 Aug, and the largest group seen was nine at Brockhall GP on 8 Aug. The latest sighting was a single at Brockhall GP on 11 Dec.

Turnstone (Ruddy Turnstone) Arenaria interpres

Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

A single summer plumage male was at Brockhall GP on 9 May (J. Tilby & P.H. Downes); this was the 15th county record.

Knot (Red Knot) Calidris canutus

Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

A single was present at Wellington GP on 20 May (J. Tilby).

55 Ruff Calidris pugnax Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

It was another good year for this species in the county with six records from three sites.

A single was at Wellington GP on 29 Apr (E. Quinto-Ashman) and was still present on 30 Apr. All other sightings were in Aug/Sep: a single at Brockhall GP on 19 Aug (N. Pegler); three juveniles at Kenchester Pools on 22 Aug (P.H. Downes) that remained until 29 Aug; singles at Wellington GP on 23 Aug (G. Bilbao) and 8 Sep (G. Bilbao) and finally, a juvenile at Brockhall GP on 11 Sep (J. Tilby) that stayed until 21 Sep. Gerald Parker

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii

Rare passage migrant

A single was present at Brockhall GP on 13 May (A. Wilson); this was the 4th county record of this diminutive wader which no longer breeds in the UK.

Sanderling Calidris alba

Scarce passage migrant BoCC status: Amber

This year there were five records at two sites: singles were at Wellington GP on 9 and 25 May (both P.H. Downes) and 5 Jun (N. Pegler) and at Brockhall GP on 18 May (J. Tilby), and up to

56 four were seen at Wellington GP during the period 29 – 31 May (P.H. Downes, T. Downes, J. Tilby & N. Pegler).

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

The earliest record was of two at Wellington GP on 1 Jan and the latest was also at Wellington GP on 24 Nov. Records were received in every month except December.

Most records were of one to three birds, but larger counts were recorded: five at Wellington GP on 25 Apr, increasing to eight on 26 Apr and four on 28 July and five at Brockhall GP on 29 Apr, eight there on 9 May and six on 22 Nov. Records were also received from Lugg Bridge Quarry (Mar) and Kenchester Pools (Aug).

Little Stint Calidris minuta

Very scarce passage migrant

The only record was a single juvenile at Wellington GP on 25 Sep (G. Bilbao).

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius

Very rare passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

A juvenile was at Brockhall GP on 12 Sep (T. Downes) and stayed until 21 Sep; this was the 2nd county record of this charming and often confiding small wader, which was normally observed feeding in one corner of the gravel pit and allowed close views.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

The earliest record was of one at Wellington GP on 1 Jan and the latest, also a single, there on 11 Dec. The number of records was highest in Apr and Aug/Sep, while there were no records during Feb/Mar.

Just over 80% of records came from Brockhall GP and Wellington GP. Most sightings were of one to four birds, but the larger counts were: 14 at Wellington GP on 16 Apr, with six to seven there during 29 – 31 Aug and eight at Brockhall GP on 29 Apr with five or six there regularly throughout August. Other records came from a further 17 sites around the county, most notably including eight along a 3.5-km stretch of the R. Wye between Turner’s Boat and The Weston, Bredwardine on 24 Apr.

Evidence of probable breeding was observed at five sites: Brandon Camp near Adforton, Buckton, Brockhall GP, Graham’s Cottage Leintwardine and Great Corras near Kentchurch.

57 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Very rare vagrant

An adult in summer plumage was at Wellington GP on 24 May (S. Coney & P.H. Downes) and was still present the following day. This was the 1st county record of this American species. Gerald Parker

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

Records were received in every month, except May, and the number of sightings was highest during Aug. Most records were of ones and twos, but six were observed at Wellington GP on 14 and 23 Aug and five were at Kenchester Pools on 16 Aug.

Other sites contributing records were: Brockhall GP, Buckton, Felton, Hurstley near Letton, Kynaston Farm Hentland, Leintwardine Fishery, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Moreton on Lugg, Much Marcle North, New House Egleton, Old Letton Court, Pistle Brook Farm Kentchurch, Primrose Bank Holme Lacy, R. Monnow Kentchurch, R. Monnow Llangua, Rhydspence, Walford near Brampton Bryan and Whitehouse Grange Tretire.

Greenshank (Common Greenshank) Tringa nebularia Scarce passage migrant BoCC status: Amber

There were only four records at two sites this year. The first sighting was of two birds at

58 Brockhall GP on 9 Aug and this was followed by singles on 15 Aug and 31 Aug, which was also the latest record. A single was at Wellington GP on 23 Aug.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

A juvenile was at Brockhall GP on 23 Aug (P.H. Downes) and remained until the following day.

Redshank (Common Redshank) Tringa totanus

Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

The earliest record was a single at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 14 Mar and the latest was three at Wellington GP on 2 Aug. There were 18 records from three sites.

Ones and twos were recorded at Brockhall GP in March, April and July and twos and threes were at Wellington GP in June, July and August.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

Uncommon winter visitor

There were only three records from two sites this year, down from 16 from five sites in 2014 and 21 from five sites in 2013.

Singles were seen at Wellington GP on 17 Jan and 20 Mar and a single was flushed from a sedge meadow at Sturts South Nature Reserve Kinnersley on 14 Feb.

Woodcock (Eurasian Woodcock) Scolopax rusticola

Uncommon resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

There were 28 records from 19 sites this year. Records of this elusive crepuscular wader came from: Abbey Dore, Barnett Wood West Wigmore, Bishopswood North, Credenhill Park Wood West, Cwmma Moors Brilley, Didley, Eign Hill Hereford, Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common, Haugh Wood, Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop, Milton Cross, New House Wood South near Craswall, Sellack, St Margarets, Sturts South Nature Reserve, Sunny Bank Farm Longtown, Sutton St Nicholas, Titley Pool and Wolferlow.

Although there was no confirmed breeding, ‘roding’ was observed at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 20 May and 10 Jun and in Barnett Wood West, Wigmore on 29 Jun.

Snipe (Common Snipe) Gallinago gallinago

Scarce resident and fairly common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

59 Monthly maxima at major sites were: Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 2 18 26 5 nc - - 2 1 6 3 2 Gamber Meadows 1 19 12 2 ------8 7 Letton Lakes 9 8 10 19 - - - - - 1 - - Sturts Nature 1 17 5 ------29 Reserve Wellington GP 21 10 9 3 nc 1 - - 3 3 1 nc

All other records were of one to three birds, except fives in an oilseed rape field at Town Farm Middleton on the Hill on 18 Mar and in stubble fields at Bowley Town North on 19 Mar. Records were received from 26 sites this year.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger

Scarce passage migrant

A single was recorded at Brockhall GP on 23 Aug (N. Pegler).

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

A single was noted at Wellington GP (08:45 hrs), and later two (19:30 hrs), on 26 Jul. A single was at Wellington GP (07:00 hrs) and two at Brockhall GP (09:00 hrs) on 23 Aug.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

A single adult was recorded at Brockhall GP in the evening of 14 May.

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Fairly common resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

In the first winter period (Jan – Mar) counts of 100 or more were confined to Feb and Mar. There were 250 at Ross Sewage Works on 5 Feb and 120 there on 15 Feb; 111 at Brockhall GP on 10 Mar, 100 there on 14 Mar, 200 on 20 and 21 Mar, 750 on 22 Mar (in a roost at 18:00 hrs), 250 on 28 Mar and 350 on 29 and 30 Mar and 370 at Mathon GP on 22 Mar.

Summer period (Apr – Sep): records were from 37 sites, with nearly 80% coming from Brockhall GP, Hartleton Lakes, Kenchester Pools, Lugg Bridge Quarry and Wellington GP. Breeding was confirmed at Brockhall GP with counts of 300 on 5 Apr and nest building underway; 350 on 19 Apr when courtship displays were evident; a maximum of 280 over the period 25 Apr – 21 May, during which there were occupied nests and 175 on 14 June, with fledged young present. Numbers diminished thereafter with 11 on 19 Jul and 10 on 16 Aug and juveniles present on both dates.

60 During the second winter period (Oct – Dec) counts of 100 or more were: 160 at Hartleton Lakes on 1 Oct, 120 there on 7 Oct and 250 on 11 Oct; 200 at Ross Wye on 2 Oct and 100 there on 5 Oct; 121 at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 12 Nov and 100 in a roost at Brockhall GP on 15 Nov.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

A single was noted at Brockhall GP on 27 Dec (G. Bilbao).

Common Gull (Mew Gull) Larus canus Common winter visitor and uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

There was a total of 37 records from 19 sites; a reduction in both values from 2014.

First winter period (Jan – Mar): counts of 100 or more were confined to a single count of 100 on the edge of floodwater at Lugg Bridge on 18 Jan. Of the 15 other records with counts for the period, five were in double figures.

Summer period (Apr – Sep): the highest count was 50 at the Racecourse Hereford on 26 Aug. Of the remaining 11 records, seven of which were from Brockhall GP, counts, where given, were in single figures.

Second winter period (Oct – Dec): the only large counts were 300 at Lugg Bridge and 200 at Ballingham on 31 Dec. There were eight other records and where counts were provided they were all in single figures, except for 22 at Red Hill Hereford on 23 Dec.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Fairly common resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

In the first winter period (Jan – Mar) the highest count was 60 at Hole-in-the-Wall on 10 Mar. The largest of the remaining 10 double figure counts were: 40 at Whitney-on-Wye South on 27 Jan; 40 at Ledbury SW on 31 Jan and 50 at Eign Hill Hereford on 19 Mar.

During the summer period (Apr – Sep) confirmed breeding records were: recently fledged young at Bartonsham Hereford on 18 Jun; a nest with young at the Railway Station Hereford on 11 Jul and recently fledged young at Widemarsh Hereford on 14 Jul and among 50 at Brockhall GP on 16 Aug. The largest count for locations within Hereford City was 180 at Widemarsh on 3 Sep.

Monthly maxima for the two main wetland sites in the period: Site Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Brockhall GP 45 47 20 nc 230 250* Wellington GP 135 160 nc 3 9 4 *includes juveniles

Counts of 100 or more at other sites were: 300 at Burghill South on 16 Aug and 100 there on 29 Aug; 200 at St Mary’s Hospital Burghill on 18 Aug; 300 at Credenhill West on 31 Aug; 150 at

61 Bromsash East on 1 Sep; a remarkable 970 feeding in a meadow at Donnington South on 16 Sep and 245 at Milton Cross on 18 Sep.

During the second winter period (Oct – Dec), of 14 counts of 100 or more, eight were from Brockhall GP where there were 250 on 10 Oct, rising to 450 on 18 and 24 Oct, mainly noted in the roost, and peaking at 650 on 15 Nov. Remaining larger counts were: a total of 200 flying south at Ross Wye on 27 Oct; 143 flying south-east at Fownhope West on 31 Oct; 320 on a newly drilled field at Stocklow Manor on 16 Nov; 150 at Gosford near Brimfield on 18 Nov; 101 flying over at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 14 Dec and, 1000, the largest count of the year, spread out across flooded fields between Ivington and Newtown near Monkland on 24 Dec.

Herring Gull (European Herring Gull) Larus argentatus Uncommon resident BoCC listed: Red

In the first winter period (Jan – Mar) the larger counts were: 22 at Rotherwas Industrial Estate SW on 8 Feb; 20 at Welsh Bicknor on 1 Mar and 50 at Coppet Hill on 17 Mar. Eleven of the 24 records in this period, with counts of one to five, were from locations in Hereford City.

Summer period (Apr – Sep): two recently fledged young were noted at Bartonsham Hereford on 18 Jun, but there was no other breeding evidence. The only double figure counts were: 31 at Bromsash East on 8 Apr and 17 also there on 1 Sep. On both occasions the gulls were feeding behind field cultivation activities. The majority of records for the period (total 51) were from Brockhall GP (16), Wellington GP (9) and Hereford City (8).

Second winter period (Oct – Dec): there were 28 records, 11 of which were from Brockhall GP and six from Hereford City. All counts in this period were single figures. First winter birds featured predominantly in the roost at Brockhall GP.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

There were 11 records in total, although none in the first winter period.

Summer period (Apr – Sep): a single with c.50 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Wellington GP on 12 Jul; two first winter birds at Brockhall GP on 30 Aug, a single there on 1 Sep and an adult on 12 and 16 Sep.

During the second winter period (Oct – Dec) five of the six records were from Brockhall GP: a single first winter bird on 10 Oct and two on 11 Oct; a first winter on 17 Oct and an adult in winter plumage and a first winter on 18 Oct and 15 Nov. A third winter bird was noted with Lesser Black-backed Gulls on floodwater near Ivington on 24 Dec.

Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans Scarce passage migrant BoCC status: Amber

There were three records, all at Wellington GP: one on 25 Sep (G. Bilbao; 7th county record); a first winter bird on 16 Oct (G. Bilbao; 8th county record) and a single on 25 Oct (G. Bilbao; 9th county record).

62 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

There was just one record in spring, a single at Whitney-on-Wye South on 1 Apr. The other records were in the autumn/winter months at Brockhall GP: a first winter bird on 12 Sep, a second winter briefly, followed later by a juvenile late afternoon on 18 Oct. A juvenile/first winter, considered the same bird, was also observed in the roost on 24, 25 and 31 Oct and on 15 Nov.

Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia Common resident

One-third of the records came from various locations within Hereford City with a maximum of 50 birds recorded on 1 Jan, 19 Apr and 13 Jul; occupied nests were noted on the last date. In Ross-on-Wye town centre counts of 15-30 were recorded through the year. Counts of 10-27 were noted at seven other locations.

Stock Dove Columba oenas Abundant resident BoCC listed: Amber

Breeding was confirmed at four sites with occupied nests noted at: Clehonger East on 23 May, Gethenfield Farm, Clehonger on 6 Jun; Madley Satellite Earth Station on 10 Jun and Clehonger West on 25 Jul. A further 13 locations had records coded to indicate probable breeding.

There were some notably large counts: 100 at Cublington Madley on 2 Feb; c.150 at Paytoe Hall Leintwardine on 5 May and 200 at Sturts South Nature Reserve on 12 Dec. The largest of the double figure counts were: 50 feeding on stubble at Arkstone Court Kingstone on 21 Apr; 50 at Buckton on 6 Sep and 55 at Stocklow Manor on 30 Nov.

Woodpigeon (Common Wood Pigeon) Columba palumbus Abundant resident and winter visitor

The ubiquity of this species clearly discourages many observers from recording breeding activity; there were confirmed breeding codes for 21 locations during the period 14 Apr – 11 Oct.

In the period Jan – Mar, there were flocks of 200 or more from just six locations and the largest were 300 feeding on rape at Burghill South on 17 Jan and 300 feeding on set aside fields at Orleton on 20 Feb.

In the second winter period (Oct – Dec), there were flocks of 200 or more recorded from 16 locations. The first record of significant numbers on passage was 455 at Garway Hill Common on 26 Oct and the last, 200 at Garway West on 15 Dec. The two largest passage movements south observed over several days were at Stocklow Manor and Clehonger West. At Stocklow Manor there were: 320 on 6 Nov, 1010 on 8 Nov, 725 on 11 Nov, 820 on 14 Nov and 420 on 21 Nov and at Clehonger West: 300 on 8 Nov, 1000 on 14 and 16 Nov, 800 on 20 Nov, 200 on 23 Nov and 600 on 25 Nov. These records reflect considerably fewer passage numbers compared to last year.

63 Collared Dove (Eurasian Collared Dove) Streptopelia decaocto Abundant resident

Breeding was confirmed at eight sites. Occupied nests were recorded at: Mawfield Farm Clehonger on 14 Apr; Saycells Much Marcle on 2 May and Madley Satellite Earth Station on 10 Jun. Fledged young were noted at: Birchall on 17 Jun; College Hill Hereford on 21 Jun; Ledbury Central on 24 Jun; Haywood Lane Ashperton on 25 Jun and Moorhampton Court Farm Bacton on 8 Aug. Although in all probability still under recorded, these breeding records are an improvement on last year’s submissions.

In general, records were distributed fairly evenly through all months. Counts in excess of 10 were: 12 at Shobdon NE on 2 Jan and at College Hill Hereford on 21 Jun; 11 at The Wellands Sellack on 10 Jul; 18 at Marden West on 19 Oct and a maximum of 18 at Bromsash East on 24 Oct.

Cuckoo (Common Cuckoo) Cuculus canorus Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red

The earliest singing male was recorded at Fownhope West on 10 Apr and the latest adult, on permanent territory, was at Whitestone on 29 Jun, but a juvenile was noted at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 11 Aug.

Breeding records were sparse: a male and a female calling were noted at Black Hill Craswall on 12 May; two males were seen pursuing a female at Sellack on 18 Jun; occupation of permanent territory was recorded at Bishopstone East, Eaton Bishop, Evens/Mary Knoll/ Climbing Jack Common and Whitestone. There were males calling or birds seen on several dates during Apr – Jun at: Bircher Common East, Hillend Farms Much Cowarne, Kynaston Farm Hentland, Lugg Bridge and The Wellands Sellack, these may also reflect territorial locations.

There was a total of 178 records from just over 100 locations spread widely across the county, with calling males representing almost 100 records. The majority of records were of singles, but four were noted at Clifford South on 22 Jun and, apart from probable breeding records above, three were at Lugg Bridge on 8 Jun; Sellack on 17 Jun and Swainshill on 24 Jun and two were at 16 other locations.

Barn Owl (Western Barn Owl) Tyto alba Uncommon resident and winter visitor

The 71 records spread throughout the year were almost twice those submitted for 2014 and came from 51 locations.

Breeding evidence was very limited: a pair, first noted at Linton on 4 Jan, had a clutch of five eggs on 12 May and three fledged juveniles by 30 Jun; one very small juvenile having not survived. Two juveniles were noted there on 8 Aug. Occupation of permanent territory was noted at Eastnor Castle on 27 Jul.

Apart from the breeding records, two birds were seen on a roadside hedge at Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop on 2 Apr, but all other observations were of singles. Road fatalities accounted for three birds: one at Wall End Monkland on 7 Feb: one at Walford East on 20 Oct and one at Hollies Wood South Peterchurch on 29 Nov.

64 Mick Colquhoun Mick

A juvenile Red-necked Phalarope at Brockhall GP in September – the 2nd county record Gerry Bilbao

Long-distance shot of a juvenile Little Stint at Wellington GP in September

65 John Tilby A large flock of Golden Plover was present at Bullinghope during January – March Mick Colquhoun Mick John Tilby An Oystercatcher sitting on eggs at Hereford Livestock Mart car park in May (left) and a juvenile Ruff that remained at Brockhall GP for 10 days during September (right)

66 Paul Downes Paul One of four Sanderling seen at Wellington GP in late May Mick Colquhoun Mick

Long-distance shot of a Yellow-legged Gull at Wellington GP in July

67 Carole Protherough Carole A male Cuckoo at close quarters in a Clehonger garden in May Paul Leafe

A Temminck’s Stint at Brockhall GP in May – the 4th county record

68 Little Owl Athene noctua Fairly common resident

Spread throughout the year, there were only 48 records, markedly fewer than last year and these involved 30 sites, as in 2014.

There were only two confirmed breeding records: an occupied nest at Saycells Much Marcle on 2 May and fledged young at Carwardine Farm Lulham on 12 Jun. Two birds were at Homme House Much Marcle on 15 Mar and one there on 11 Jul and singles noted at Great Moorcourt Farm on 25 Mar, 5 Apr and 14 Aug may all relate to the same birds breeding at Much Marcle, as the sites are in adjacent 1-km squares.

Other records of interest include: at Much Cowarne West, in the same location where probable breeding was recorded last year, an adult was present on 16 Mar; a pair was there on 25 Mar and remained on territory on 8 Apr, but breeding was not confirmed. Two birds at Wellington GP on 20 Mar and 19 Apr and at Hampton Bishop North on 10 Jul and singles at Wellington GP on three more breeding season dates may indicate occupation of territory. There were records of singles from 12 additional sites on dates from 9 Apr to 10 Jul.

Apart from two birds at Sink Green on 11 Dec the remaining 19 records were of singles in Jan, Feb and Aug – Dec months and eight of these were from Wellington GP.

Tawny Owl Strix aluco Common resident BoCC status: Amber

Seven locations provided confirmed breeding evidence: an adult with two juveniles at Coxall near Buckton on 22 May; an adult with five juveniles at Lord’s Wood Great Doward on 23 May; a pair with two juveniles at Much Dewchurch on 4 and 5 Jun; single juveniles at Wolferlow on 7 Jun and at Hillend Farms Much Cowarne on 22 Jun; two juveniles at Wellington Heath on 8 Aug and a single juvenile at Eardisley West on 2 Sep.

Other evidence of breeding is difficult to assess and probably underestimated from the submissions as this is a species that holds territory throughout the year and therefore most observations have the potential to represent birds in breeding habitat. Males calling in suitable breeding habitat, or birds noted on territory were at: Eaton Bishop on 23 Jan; Whitestone on 18 Mar, 22 and 23 Apr, 13 May and 14 Jul; Welsh Bicknor on 5 Apr; Showle Court Monkhide on 13 Apr; The Weir Garden on 5 and 19 Jun; Brockhampton South and Mathon GP on 7 Jun; Credenhill Park Wood West on 9 Jun and Marden on 23 Jun and 14 Jul.

Two birds were recorded at: Bringsty Common NE on 10 Mar; Green Lane Wood Upper Breinton on 22 May; Adleymoor Common Buckton on 6 Jun; Tretire North (male and female) on 1 Sep; Ledbury Central on 29 Sep and Moorhampton Court Farm Bacton on 23 Dec.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber

Singles were noted at Wellington GP on 13 Jan (G. Bilbao) and at Gamber Meadows South on 28 Oct (J. R. Pullen) and one was found dead at Wellington GP on 23 Dec (E. Quinto-Ashman & D. Rouse).

69 Swift (Common Swift) Apus apus Common summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber

The earliest record came from Rhydspence on 24 Apr and the latest, a single, at Brockhall GP on 17 Sep.

Confirmed breeding evidence was provided by records of occupied nests and/or presence of juveniles at: Bromsash East, Hill Farm Leysters, Ledbury Central, Llancillo, Perryhill Farm Clehonger, Westfields Hereford and Wigmore in the period 17 Jun – 20 Jul. In addition to the above, adults plus up to six juveniles were observed feeding in the Clehonger area on 30 Jun, 10 and 22 Aug and 4 and 10 Sep.

Probable breeding evidence, including pairs, display and visiting probable nest was noted at: Bredenbury NW, Brimfield, Buckton Park Leintwardine, Duxmoor, Eastnor Park South, Millend Farm Castle Frome, The Weir Garden, Wellington NE and Widemarsh Hereford during 8 May – 1 Jul. In addition, adults were noted on permanent territory at: Brockhall GP, Buckton, Kingsland NW, Leintwardine, Old Country House Mathon and The Verzons Ledbury during 16 May – 23 Jul. Increasing numbers over Ross-on-Wye from five on 7 May to 38 on 20 Jul also suggest occupation of territories in the town.

Twenty-three records were of counts of 20 or more, the larger of which were: 60 at Wellington GP on 6 May and 80 there on 29 May; 100 at Brockhall GP on 10 May and 50 there on 14 May; 50 at Sink Green on 1 Jun; 100 at White Cross Hereford on 23 Jun; 60 at College Hill Hereford on 1 Aug and a passage south of 55, observed over 25 mins, late evening at Ledbury Central on 2 Aug.

Hoopoe (Eurasian Hoopoe) Upupa epaps Scarce passage migrant; has bred

There were two spring records: one at Much Dewchurch on 14 Apr (J. Waugh) and one at Pembridge on 9 May (M. Evans). In the autumn, a long-staying single was first seen at Brockhall GP on 8 Oct (G. Bilbao) and subsequently on 11, 12, 13, 17 and 18 Oct and a single was at Whitney-on-Wye on 10 Oct (P.H. Downes & T. Downes).

Kingfisher (Common Kingfisher) Alcedo atthis Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Amber

Breeding was confirmed at: Colwall Church (recently fledged young) on 20 Jun; Hollow Lane Ledbury (nest with young) on 3 Jul and Eastnor Castle (adult with a juvenile) on 27 and 28 Jul. The juvenile sighted on 27 Jul was perched on a fisherman’s rod. Two at Fownhope West on 12 May were showing frequent flight activity suggesting they were feeding young.

Evidence of probable breeding comprised: a pair at R. Wye Coppet Hill on 17 Mar and nest building there on 21 Apr; an adult on territory at Ewyas Harold on 13 Apr; a pair at R. Monnow Llangua on 1 May and 18 Jun and a probable nest site at Haywood Lane Ashperton being visited on 25 Jun.

Records were distributed fairly evenly through the year. There were, apart from breeding records, 22 records of two or more birds. Records of three or four were: four at Wellington

70 GP on 17 Jan and three there on 28 Feb, also three at Blackmarston Hereford on 20 Mar, The Wellands Sellack on 12 Jul and Hampton Bishop North on 27 Jul.

Wryneck (Eurasian Wryneck) Jynx torquilla Very scarce passage migrant; has bred

There was a single record of one at Garway Hill Common East on 8 Sep (J.R. Pullen).

Green Woodpecker (European Green Woodpecker) Picus viridis Common resident

Breeding was confirmed at: Madley Satellite Earth Station on 10 Jun (nest with young); Much Dewchurch on 5 and 11 Jul, also 3 and 7 Aug (female with juvenile), a juvenile then being seen 15 – 17 Aug; Bishopswood North on 7 Aug (juvenile in garden); Bishopstone East on 12 and 15 Aug (adult plus juvenile) and Brockhall GP on 16 Aug (three birds including fledged young). There were adults recorded on territory in four other locations from 9 Mar onwards at: Brass Knoll Farm Llanveynoe, Colwall Church, Credenhill Park Wood West and Eastnor Park South.

There was a remarkable record of seven birds at Brockhall GP on 10 Oct. Three birds were noted at: Great Moorcourt Farm, Much Marcle on 5 Apr and 17 Apr; Hartleton Lakes on 17 Apr and 14 Jul and Brockhall GP on 8 Oct.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Common resident

The first “drumming” of 2015 was noted at Brockhall GP on 4 Jan and there were 24 more reports through to the end of Apr, but two only in May and in Jun. The first “drumming” noted in the second winter period of the year was at St Margarets on 28 Dec and at Bishopstone East on 29 Dec.

Evidence of confirmed breeding, in the period 22 May – 25 Jul, came from 11 locations: Adforton West, Bishopswood North, Bringewood, Brockhampton South, Clehonger West, Coppet Hill, Cummin’s Farm Colwall, Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common, Linton Wood East Gorsley, Shobdon SW and Whitestone. Of these, there were two reports of recently fledged young being fed at garden fat and peanut feeders.

While more than half the total number of records were of single birds, the larger multiple counts were: five at – Upper Breinton on 9 Feb; Lower Eaton House Breinton on 10 Feb and Coppet Hill on 18 Sep, and four at – Coppet Hill on 20 Feb; Welsh Bicknor on 8 Mar; Green Lane Wood Upper Breinton on 13 Mar; Haugh Wood Central East on 14 Mar; Lugg Bridge on 15 Apr and 8 Jun; The Weir Garden on 20 May and Nether Wood North Aconbury on 21 Jun.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Red

There were 16 records this year, the same as in 2014. There were two reports of two birds: a male drumming and a female at Bodenham Lake on 7 Mar and two at Broomy Hill Hereford on 3 Nov.

71 Singles were noted at: Preston Court and Church (with a tit flock) on 1 Jan; Lower Breinton on 4 Jan (a female in an orchard) and 18 Jan (a male); Winnal on 4 Jan; King Arthur’s Cave Little Doward (heard calling) on 6 Feb; King’s Acre Hereford on 15 Feb; Ewyas Harold (a male) on 20 Feb; Lord’s Wood Great Doward on 10 Mar; Coldborough Park North on 9 Apr; Stretton Grandison North on 1 Aug; Mathon GP on 29 Aug; Much Marcle North on 7 Sep; Bradnor Hill South (a male on an apple tree) on 24 Sep; Eardisland on 21 Nov and Haugh Wood Central East (a male) on 9 Dec.

Kestrel (Common Kestrel) Falco tinnunculus Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Amber

Confirmed breeding evidence came from eight, possibly ten, locations and comprised: a pair at Bromsash East, first noted on 8 Apr and then with young on 3 Jun and with two juveniles on 30 Jun; distraction display at Black Darren on 11 Apr; a nest with young at Llanrothal on 25 Jul; fledged young at Wellington Heath West (bred in Barn Owl nestbox) on 5 Aug, Wayend Street Eastnor on 6 Aug, Donnington South on 11 Aug and King’s Acre Hereford (two juveniles and an adult) on 12 Aug. In addition, four birds observed at Hergest Ridge NE on 23 Jun were thought to include juveniles and three at Burrington South on 12 Oct were probably a family group.

Evidence of probable breeding was noted as: courtship display at Bishopswood North on 10 Apr, a pair at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 18 Apr and birds on territory at Eastnor Park South on 6 Mar, Credenhill Park Wood West on 9 Jun and Hollow Lane Ledbury on 3 Jul.

Apart from these records, three birds were noted at Brockhall Farm near Mathon on 3 Aug and twos were seen at 14 other locations. Records per month fluctuated through the year with most in Nov (57 records) and least in May (16).

Merlin Falco columbarius Scarce resident BoCC listed: Red

There were just 11 records from 10 sites, fewer than the 17 records from 12 sites the previous year.

Two were displaying at Birchall on 17 Jun, but there was no other evidence of breeding. Singles were recorded at: Wellington GP on 18 Jan (a male) and 7 Mar (a female hunting Fieldfare); Much Marcle South on 21 Feb; Yarkhill on 1 Apr (a male); The Wellands Sellack on 4 Apr; Chapel Farm How Caple on 18 Apr; Clehonger West on 6 Jun (a male); Tyrrell’s Court Dilwyn on 5 Oct; Brockhall GP on 22 Nov and Lugg Meadows North on 29 Dec.

Hobby (Eurasian Hobby) Falco subbuteo Uncommon summer visitor

The earliest of the 77 records was of two at King Arthur’s Cave Little Doward on 13 Apr and the latest was a single at Hampton Park Bodenham on 30 Sep. Records were distributed throughout Apr – Sep.

Confirmed breeding was noted in the east of the county, where a nest with young on 17 Jul and five birds, including juveniles, on 9 Aug were observed at a long established breeding site. Two birds seen in the north of the county on 13 Sep included a probable immature.

72 Interesting behaviours included: a male and female hunting dragonflies at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 20 Jun; four adults circling in thermals catching insects above Abbey Dore on 30 Jun and one showing persistent aggressive flight behaviour directed at a Raven at Brampton Bryan East on 31 Jul.

Peregrine (Peregrine Falcon) Falco peregrines Uncommon resident

There were 121 records from 56 locations which are similar numbers to those of 2014. Twenty-eight of the records, spread throughout most of the year, were from locations in Hereford City and except for two adults noted on 21 Feb, all were of singles. In 2014, when there were more records in the city, sightings of two adults, which were identified as a pair on two occasions, represented about half of the total records. It seems that this year pairing at this location was less successful and again there was no confirmed breeding. Of the remaining records, there were four displaying birds noted in the Black Mountains on 5 Apr. An adult and two juveniles were recorded at another site on 17 Aug and among 17 further sightings of two birds, there was evidence of probable or confirmed breeding at three sites. All other records were of singles and records were distributed throughout the year.

Magpie (Eurasian Magpie) Pica pica Abundant resident

Breeding was confirmed in the period from 11 Apr to 25 Jul at: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Bishopstone East, Chanstone Court Farm Vowchurch, several sites in the Clehonger area, Gorsley NE, Ledbury Central, Linton Wood East Gorsley, Madley Satellite Earth Station, Moorhampton Court Farm Bacton, The Weir Garden, Westfields Hereford and Whitestone. Large groups reported were: 16 at Brockhall GP on 5 Jan; 25 at Wellington GP on 10 Jan; 20 at Brockhall GP on 14 Feb; 20 at Lower Breinton on 1 Mar and 61 at Wellington GP on 26 Dec. This last count was the pre-roost count of birds gathering at 4.00 p.m. at the back of a Moreton on Lugg depot with more birds arriving. Two birds at Bishopstone East on 10 Jun were reported as looking for an opportunity to predate fledglings in a garden.

Jay (Eurasian Jay) Garrulus glandarius Common resident

Confirmed breeding was reported at: Clehonger East on 23 May; Haywood Lane Ashperton on 25 Jun and Brockhall GP on 23 Aug. In addition, ‘probable’ breeding was indicated for 14 other sites; this represents a marked increase in breeding information received for this year. The larger numbers were: 12 at Brockhall GP on 10 Oct; 12 at Bircher Coppice on 18 Oct; eight at Mawfield Farm Clehonger on 25 Oct and seven at Haugh Wood Central East on 9 Dec.

Jackdaw (Western Jackdaw) Corvus monedula Abundant resident

Breeding was confirmed in the period from 25 Apr to 25 Jul at: Arkstone Court Kingstone,

73 Bartonsham Hereford, Byford North, Clehonger West, Dormington, Eastnor Park, Ledbury Central, Moorhampton Court Farm Bacton, The Weir Garden, Turnastone and Whitestone.

The larger counts were: 500 at Kinnersley and 400 at Milton Cross on 1 Jan; 300 at Whitestone on 11 Jan; a pre-roost flock of 500 at The Weir Garden on 22 Jul; 220 at Buckton Park Leintwardine on 6 Sep; 550 at Milton Cross on 17 Dec and 700 roosting on overhead wires at Clehonger Church on 18 Dec.

Rook Corvus frugilegus Abundant resident

Breeding at The Weir Garden meant much activity around the two adjacent and linked rookeries on 18 Mar with a final colony size of 90 nests reported on 8 Apr; many of the young had left the nest by 20 May. Forty birds were reported sitting close to 20 nests near the Labels roundabout at Overross Ross-on-Wye on 5 Mar.

Breeding was confirmed at the following sites: Overross Ross-on-Wye on 19 Mar; Hill Farm Whitchurch on 24 Mar; Welsh Bicknor on 29 Mar; New House Egleton on 10 Apr; Castle Frome, Cold Green Farm Bosbury, Hill Farm Ledbury, Hill Top Farm Wellington Heath and Pow Green Bosbury, all on 14 Apr; Lugg Bridge on 15 Apr; Turnastone on 25 Apr; Hartleton Lakes on 6 May; Old Country House Mathon on 8 May; Ledbury Central on 10 May and Brandon Camp Adforton on 24 Jun.

The larger flocks were: 70 at Hole-in-the-Wall on 6 Jan; 70 at Hollow Lane Ledbury on 15 Jan; 110 at The Weir Garden on 18 Mar, 90 there on 8 Apr and 89 on 8 Nov; 66 at Lugg Bridge on 15 Apr; 80 at St Weonards on 16 Apr; 200 at Bromsash East on 1 Oct and 68 at Credenhill Park Wood West on 9 Nov.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone Abundant resident

Breeding was confirmed from 36 sites across the county in the period 7 Apr to 25 Jul. The larger flocks reported were: 33 at Lugg Bridge on 15 Apr; 35 at Stonewall Hill on 11 May; 50 at The Weir Garden on 22 Jul; 40 at Buckton on 6 Sep and 52 at Bishopswood North on 3 Oct.

Interesting observations included: a Carrion Crow killing a domestic hen chick and taking an egg from a clutch of three in a garden at Buckton West on 21 Jun and one mobbing a Sparrowhawk at Bartestree North on 22 Oct.

Raven (Northern Raven) Corvus corax Fairly common resident

Breeding was confirmed at: Chase Wood South Coughton (nest on a pylon) on 21 Mar; Gullet Quarry Hollybush on 3 Apr; The Wellands Sellack on 11 Apr; Credenhill Park Wood West on 18 Apr; Buckton West on 9 May; Clehonger West on 10 May; Mill Lane Colwall on 2 Jun and Wigmore Rolls on 11 Jul. Probable breeding activity was reported from a number of other sites.

74 Mick Colquhoun Mick

The large groups were: 24 at Deerfold near Lingen on 12 Feb; 40 at Hope Mansell on 12 Feb; 29 at Demesne Larches Garway on 23 Mar; 40 at Brinstone Farm St Weonards on 18 Apr; 23 feeding in a recently cleared hay field at Little Woolpits Ledbury on 5 Aug and 17 gathered in tree tops at Grove Wood near Kerne Bridge on 28 Dec. Interestingly, a Raven was seen mobbing a Red Kite at Old Gore on 14 Mar.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus Common resident

Singing commenced in January on Bringsty Common NE and was frequently reported through March and April at many sites.

Confirmed breeding reports were: an occupied nest at Clehonger West on 10 May and fledglings seen at: Eastnor Castle on 19 May; Wellington GP on 31 May and The Weir Garden on 17 Jun. Probable breeding evidence included: agitated behaviour at Wayend Street Eastnor on 1 Apr; pairs in suitable nesting habitats at Colwall Church on 5 Mar, Castle Coppice Hollybush and Whitestone on 9 Mar and Much Marcle South on 18 Mar. Birds were holding territory at Credenhill Park Wood, Gorsley NE and Whitestone through May/June.

The highest count was of 100-plus birds on bracken and bushes in Bircher Coppice on 18 Oct. Other high counts included: 20 at Climbing Jack Common and at Mary Knoll Valley on 24 Jan; 16 at St Margarets on 8 Mar and 30 at Shobdon Hill Wood West on 22 Mar and 9 Apr.

Firecrest (Common Firecrest) Regulus ignicapilla Scarce summer visitor; has bred

There were four separate sightings during the year: at Pencoyd on 16 Mar (A. Buttriss); at High Vinnals (with possibly a second bird) on 7 Jun (J. Tilby & S. Coney); at Buckton West one was

75 seen hovering beneath the leaves of a tall hazel hedge on 26 Jul (W. Marler) and one was seen at an undisclosed site in North Herefordshire on 13 Sep (P.H. Downes).

Key identifying features were seen on the Buckton West bird – “the fire-crest was blazing, the bronze shoulder patches shone distinctly and there was a good view of the eye stripe before it flew into mixed woodland”.

Blue Tit (Eurasian Blue Tit) Cyanistes caeruleus Abundant resident

Breeding was confirmed at 47 sites across the county from 14 Apr to 20 Jul. Interesting comments included: a pair visiting a nest box on a greenhouse at Bishopstone West as early as 4 Feb and young fledging from there on 8 Jun; three family groups seen at Willersley SE on 12 Jun and a pair feeding young on a garden fat feeder at Linton Wood East Gorsley on 25 Jun. For other breeding records, see also the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (page 136).

Larger counts were: 20 at The Weir Garden on 21 Jan; 20 at Coppet Hill on 30 Jan and 22 there on 20 Feb; 25 at Lugg Bridge on 15 Apr; 20 at Tyrrell’s Court Dilwyn on 12 Jul; 20 at Eardisley West on 2 Sep and 28 Oct and 60 at Brampton Bryan East on 1 Oct.

Great Tit Parus major Abundant resident

Breeding was confirmed at 33 sites from 14 Apr to 29 Aug with fledglings seen from 11 May. There were a number of breeding reports from gardens, including a pair feeding three juveniles in a garden at Bromsash East on 23 May and adults and juveniles on feeders at Upper Egleton on 27 Sep. For other breeding records, see also the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (page 136).

Larger counts were: 20 at Haugh Wood NE on 4 Jan; 13 at Coppet Hill on 20 Feb; 11 at Westfields Hereford on 1 Mar; 10 at Hartleton Lakes on 11 Mar; 20 at Lugg Bridge on 15 Apr; 10 at Eardisley West on 2 Sep; 13 at The Weir Garden on 16 Dec and 12 at Red Hill Hereford on 23 Dec.

Coal Tit Periparus ater Common resident

Breeding was confirmed at: Byford on 3 May; Clehonger West on 10 May; Barnett Wood West near Wigmore on 23 May; Hill Top Farm Wellington Heath on 1 Jun; St Margarets on 21 Jun and Much Dewchurch on 18 Jul. In addition, birds were holding territory at: Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 10 Apr and Credenhill Park Wood on 9 Jun. Juveniles were observed at Eardisley West on 2 Sep and on feeders at Clehonger West from 20 – 30 Sep.

The larger counts were: 20 at Mary Knoll Valley on 24 Jan; 30 at Shobdon Hill Wood West on 7 Feb; 15 at Queen’s Wood Central Gorsley on 14 Feb; 15 at Eardisley West on 28 Oct and 30 at Wapley Hill East on 28 Nov. The Shobdon Hill Wood group included a large squabbling flock of around 12 birds.

76 Willow Tit Poecile montana Uncommon resident BoCC listed: Red

The majority of the 34 records came from the north of the county with High Vinnals, Shobdon Hill Wood, Staunton on Arrow and Wapley Hill East contributing most records from the 16 sites where the species was reported. They were seen in mixed tit flocks at Wapley Hill East on 8 Jan and at New House Wood South near Craswall along the Dulas Brook on 24 Feb.

There was one confirmed breeding record; a pair fledged at least two young at Staunton on Arrow West on 1 Aug.

Most records were of one or two birds, but a family group of four were observed at Staunton on Arrow on 9 Aug and three were seen at High Vinnals on 9 Sep. Two birds were seen regularly on a garden feeder at Wapley Hill East from 20 Jun to 28 Nov.

Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Common resident BoCC listed: Red

There was just one confirmed breeding record: fledglings seen at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 10 June. In addition, probable breeding evidence came from four other sites: a pair on bird feeders at St Margarets on 3 Apr; a pair carrying nesting material at Rotherwas Park Wood on 16 Apr; an agitated bird at Devereux Wootton Norton Canon on 28 Apr and a pair visiting a nest site at Eardisley West on 27 Jun.

The largest group seen was six birds at Credenhill Park Wood East on 14 Feb in a mixed tit flock. Three birds were recorded at: Mary Knoll on 17 Jan, 20 Oct and 10 Nov; Stanford on Teme West on 9 Jul; Wolferlow on 23 Nov; Haugh Wood Central East on 9 Dec during an HOC field trip and Credenhill Park Wood West on 17 Dec.

Woodlark Lullula arborea Rare passage migrant; has bred

One was seen and photographed at Oakchurch Farm Staunton on Wye on 7 Apr (P. Leafe). The two most recent county records for this species were at Ewyas Harold in Jul 1988 and at Elton in North Herefordshire in spring 1969.

Skylark (Eurasian Skylark) Alauda arvensis Abundant resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

Breeding was confirmed at four sites in the Clehonger area between 23 May and 21 Jun. Display flights were seen at Devereux Wootton Norton Canon on 28 Apr and Craswall Church on 11 May. Singing males were also reported from numerous sites including Whitestone from 9 Mar to 1 Jul.

The larger autumn flocks recorded were: 85 at Stocklow Manor on 8 Oct; 66 at Garway West on 20 Oct; 440 in stubble fields at Cobnash South on 22 Oct; 80 at Grafton Wood on 21 Nov and up to 110 at Garway West on many days in December. There were numerous reports of birds in cereal crops and on stubbles after harvest.

77 Sand Martin Riparia riparia Common summer visitor

The earliest sighting was at Wellington GP on 7 Mar, when one flew over the scrape for 20 minutes, and the latest was of 15 at Brockhall GP on 17 Sep.

Confirmed breeding was reported at: Whitney-on-Wye South on 16 Apr; Ross Wye on 21 Apr; R. Monnow Llangua on 10 May (but with very few pairs); Lugg Bridge Quarry on 16 May; Willersley SE on 12 Jun, with at least 33 occupied nests; Burrington West on 23 Jun; Buckton on 24 Jun; Walford near Brampton Bryan on 29 Jun; Leintwardine South on 23 Jul; Llanrothal West on 25 Jul and Foxhall Phocle Green on 18 Aug.

Many observers commented on the large numbers of birds this year, but some sites had very few pairs breeding. The larger numbers reported were: 500 at Brockhall GP and 600-plus at Wellington GP, both on 11 Apr; around 100 feeding near the surface of the water at Brockhall GP on 14 May and 172 at Backney on 1 Jun. A ‘feeding frenzy’ was the description for 40 birds at Buckton on 8 May.

Swallow (Barn Swallow) Hirundo rustica Abundant summer visitor

The earliest sightings were at Brockhall GP and The Wellands Sellack, both on 1 Apr. The latest report was at Stocklow Manor on 3 Nov.

Confirmed breeding was reported from 30 widespread locations throughout the county from 25 Apr to 21 Aug. Two reports of second broods were received from: Buckton West on 30 Jul and Bromsash East on 21 Aug.

Larger counts were: 200 at Brockhall GP on 14 May and up to 640 at Stocklow Manor during 2 – 12 Sep. An interesting observation was a large flock of around 150 Swallows and House Martins flying overhead and feeding after a night of heavy rain at Bishopstone East on 23 Aug.

House Martin (Common House Martin) Delichon urbicum Abundant summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber

The earliest sighting was of 10 at Welsh Bicknor on 29 Mar and the latest was of a single at Clehonger East on 12 Oct.

Breeding was confirmed at 43 locations from 9 May to 27 Sep. There were eight nests and more being built on the front of the National Trust manor house at Brockhampton North on 13 May. Some unusual breeding outcomes reported included: four pairs completed their nest building on 28 May at Buckton but that very evening all four nests were usurped by House Sparrows, and a pair returned to an old nest site at Bishopstone West on 15 Apr, but were not seen again until 11 May, then started nest building on 21 May, but did not complete the task until 30 Jun and the young fledged on 23 Aug.

78 Large counts were: 150 at Brockhall GP on 14 May; 250 at Cadbury Factory Marlbrook on 8 Aug; 200 at Eastnor Castle on 23 Aug; 290 at Sapey Common North on 27 Aug; 200 at Kenchester Pools on 12 Sep and 200 at Horn Hill Farm near Hope Mansell on 4 Oct. A Hobby was chasing a flock of 100 at Pencoyd on 17 Aug.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Common resident

Breeding was confirmed at 26 locations which were spread throughout the county and fledglings were recorded from 10 May onwards.

The larger counts were: 23 at Lugg Bridge on 4 Jun; 24 at Brampton Bryan East on 9 Jun; 36 at Clehonger West on 25 Jul; 26 at Berrington Hall on 24 Aug; 35 at Wellington GP on 17 Nov and 36 at Wolferlow on 23 Nov.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red

There were 28 records from 14 sites in the north and west of the county this year, which is a 100% increase on 2014. The earliest sighting was of a single at Staunton on Arrow West on 15 Apr and the latest was a single at Wapley Hill East on 21 Jun.

Breeding was recorded at one site only, with adults carrying food at Wigmore Rolls on 7 Jun. The larger counts were: five at Wigmore Rolls on 25 Apr; seven at Barnett Wood West Wigmore on 23 May and four at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 28 May.

Chiffchaff (Common Chiffchaff) Phylloscopus collybita

Abundant summer visitor and uncommon resident

During the first winter period (Jan/Feb), there were 10 records from seven locations. The first record was a single at Wellington GP on 1 Jan. The start of the main influx of migratory birds was seen during the early days of March, at Eaton Bishop Church and Rotherwas Industrial Estate on 4 Mar.

Breeding was confirmed at 12 locations: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Clehonger East and West, Credenhill Park Wood, Hartleton Lakes, Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Madley Satellite Earth Station, Michaelchurch near St Weonards, Michaelchurch-on-Arrow, Perryhill Farm Clehonger and Westfields Hereford.

Larger numbers recorded were: 13 at Hartleton Lakes on 17 Apr and 21 there on 20 Aug; 17 at Wolferlow on 25 Apr; 18 at Haugh Wood Central East on 15 May and 13 there on 23 Jun; 28 at Much Marcle North on 7 Sep and 21 at Garway Hill Common on 8 Sep.

For the second winter period (Nov/Dec), there were 15 records from seven locations. Five were seen at Wellington GP on 19 Dec and the last record was of two seen there on 28 Dec. A single of the tristis race (Siberian Chiffchaff) was observed at Wellington GP on 7 Nov.

79 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Abundant summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber

The earliest record was of a single at Wellington GP on 27 Mar and the latest was a single at The Weir Garden on 16 Sep.

Breeding was confirmed at: Coppet Hill on 22 May; Clehonger West on 23 May; Madley Satellite Earth Station on 10 Jun; Lugg Bridge Quarry on 15 Jun and Bartonsham Hereford on 18 Jun.

The larger counts were: 18 at Garway Hill Common on 15 Apr and 10 there on 23 Jul; 12 at Wapley Hill East on 16 Jun and 10 at Red Daren on 27 Jun. Mick Colquhoun Mick Blackcap (Eurasian Blackcap) Sylvia atricapilla Abundant summer visitor and fairly common resident

During the first winter period (Jan/Feb), there were 22 records from 14 locations spread throughout the county. Three were seen at: Ross Sewage Works on 8 Jan and 5 Feb; Ledbury South on 20 Feb and Eaton Bishop Church on 25 Feb.

The main arrival of migrant birds was from mid-Mar onwards and through Apr. Breeding was confirmed at 20 locations within the county with fledglings seen from 23 May onwards.

Larger numbers recorded were: 14 at Rough Acre Staunton on Arrow on 22 Apr; 14 at Credenhill Park Wood on 11 May; 13 at Haugh Wood Central East on 15 May and 14 at The Wellands Sellack on 21 Jun.

For the second winter period (Nov/Dec), there were eight records from seven locations and the last record was a single at Lower Breinton on 27 Dec.

80 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

Common summer visitor

The earliest record was one seen at St Margarets on 12 Apr and the latest was at Whitney-on-Wye South on 7 Sep. The number of records received was similar to 2014.

Breeding was confirmed at: Clehonger West on 23 May; Madley Satellite Earth Station on 10 Jun and Bartonsham Hereford on 18 Jun.

The larger counts were: four at Bircher Common East on 1 May; six at Lyndor Wood Hole-in-the- Wall on 4 May; five at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 10 May; five at Credenhill Park Wood on 11 May; six at Haugh Wood Central East on 15 May; four at Whitchurch East on 18 May and four at St Margarets on 30 May.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca

Common summer visitor

The earliest sighting was at Sutton St Nicholas North on 22 Apr and the latest was at Wellington GP on 13 Sep, which was one day earlier than in 2014 at the same location.

No confirmed breeding evidence was received; however probable breeding was recorded at: Backney, The Wellands Sellack and Turner’s Boat near Bredwardine. The only large count was of four at Wellington GP on 13 Sep.

Whitethroat (Common Whitethroat) Sylvia communis

Abundant summer visitor

The earliest record was a single at Stocklow Manor on 15 Apr and the latest was on 16 Sep at the same location.

Breeding was confirmed at nine locations: Brockhall GP, Devereux Wootton Norton Canon, Foxhall Phocle Green, Gethenfield Farm Clehonger, King’s Caple, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Madley Satellite Earth Station, Stocklow Manor and Wellington GP,

The larger counts were: 12 at Wellington GP on 19 Apr, 20 there on 25 Apr and 15 on 29 Apr and 17 at Gamber Meadows South on 12 May and 18 there on 17 Jun.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

Common summer visitor

The earliest record was of three birds at Fownhope West on 14 Apr and latest was a single at Brockhall GP on 20 Sep.

Breeding was confirmed at: Buckton Park Leintwardine on 7 Jun; Ross Sewage Works on 12 Jul and Wellington GP on 19 Jul. The larger counts were: 10 at Wellington GP on 19 Apr, nine there on 25 Apr and eight on 19 Jul and eight at Ross Sewage Works on 12 Jul.

81 Reed Warbler (Eurasian Reed Warbler) Acrocephalus scirpaceus Fairly common summer visitor

The earliest record was one at Wellington GP on 18 Apr and the latest was a single at Much Marcle North on 7 Sep. Breeding was confirmed at: Arkstone Court Kingstone on 6 Jun; Pencoyd on 18 Jun; Wellington GP on 19 Jul and Gamber Meadows South on 22 Aug. The larger counts were: four at Berrington Hall East on 17 May; six at Wellington GP on 19 Jul and 13 at Pencoyd on 17 Aug.

Nuthatch (Eurasian Nuthatch) Sitta europaea Common resident

Breeding was confirmed at eight locations: Barnett Wood West, Eardisley West, Eastnor Castle, Hergest Ridge NE, Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop, Old Country House Mathon, St Margarets and Wigmore. For other breeding records, see the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (page 136). The larger counts were: five at Coppet Hill on 30 Jan and 17 Mar and six there on 21 Apr; six at Queenswood North on 12 Feb; five at Old Country House Mathon on 7 Jun and five at Credenhill Park Wood on 29 Jun.

Treecreeper (Eurasian Treecreeper) Certhia familiaris Common resident

Breeding was confirmed at nine locations: Barnett Wood West, Bartonsham Hereford, Chanstone Court Farm Vowchurch, Clehonger West, Credenhill Park Wood, Croft Castle, Eardisley West, Overross Ross-on-Wye and Shobdon. The larger counts were: four at Clehonger West on 10 May; four at Brockhampton South near on 7 Jun; four at Coppet Hill on 28 Aug and five at Eardisley West on 2 Sep.

Wren (Eurasian Wren) Troglodytes troglodytes Abundant resident

Most records were of one or two birds, with all larger numbers coming from monthly surveys as follows: 38 from Tregate Bridge to Skenfrith on 19 Mar and 39 there on 1 May; 23 on Garway Hill Common on 25 Mar; 20 at Hartleton Lakes on 17 Apr; 30 at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 24 Apr and 35 there on 21 Jun and 20 at Gamber Meadows South on 22 Aug.

Breeding was confirmed at 22 sites spread throughout the county compared to only 11 sites last year, although the breeding success of the Wren is still under recorded, the species being present in all areas of the county.

Starling (Common Starling) Sturnus vulgaris Abundant resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

In the first winter period, the larger flocks noted were: 1,000 at St Mary’s Hospital Burghill on 10 Jan; 2,200 at Wellington Heath West on 18 Jan; 3,000 at SE on 2 Feb;

82 2,650 at Red Hill Hereford on 1 Mar and 2,390 at Brandon Hereford on 2 Mar.

During August flocks of up to 200 were seen flying over Burghill South, other larger flocks were: 650 and 200 feeding on newly-hatched insects over Buckton on 19 and 28 Oct respectively; 350 feeding on a manure heap at Bromsash East on 3 Nov and 2,000-plus heading west to roost seen at the Sturts South Nature Reserve on 6 Dec.

Breeding was confirmed at 21 sites, this was an increase on the seven sites recorded last year. Dipper (White-throated Dipper) Cinclus cinclus Fairly common resident BoCC status: Amber The number of records received was 136, nearly double the 73 records of last year. The larger numbers seen were: six at R. Monnow Llangua on 27 Jan and three there on 1 Mar and 9 Oct; three at Brampton Bryan East on 8 Mar and three at Dulas Court on 10 Jun. Two birds, including pairs, were recorded from 32 other locations.

Breeding was confirmed at 19 sites, 17 from the Monnow catchment area and two from the north of the county at Brampton Bryan East (R. Teme) and Upper Lye (R. Lugg).

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

Five records were received from four sites and it would appear that all sightings were of birds on passage.

Single males were observed at: Demesne Larches Garway on 23 Mar (J. & V. Phillips); Hergest Ridge NW on 11 Apr (P.H. Downes & T. Downes); Garway Hill Common on 15 Apr (J.R. Pullen & A.H. Eveleigh) and 24 Apr (J. Tilby) and six birds were at Bringewood West in the north of the county on 17 Oct (J. Macdonald). No records were received from traditional breeding sites this year.

Blackbird (Common Blackbird) Turdus merula Abundant resident and winter visitor

Probably due to the mild winter, no large flocks of Blackbirds were noted in the first winter period, the only large recorded numbers were from monthly surveys and were: 30 at The Wellands Sellack on 4 Jan; 23 at Whitestone on 22 Jan and 24 at Queenswood North on 12 Feb. Later in the year there were counts of: 25 at Great Doward on 4 May; 22 at Hartleton Lakes on 9 May; 23 at Buckton on 7 Jun; 27 at Nether Wood North Aconbury and 25 at College Hill Hereford, both on 21 Jun, and 23 at Garway Hill Common on 26 Oct.

It is pleasing to note that breeding was confirmed at 53 sites, a large increase compared to last year’s figure of 17. Blackbirds were noted singing at Ross Wye by 20 Jan and a female was feeding a well-grown juvenile there on 9 Apr.

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Abundant winter visitor BoCC listed: Red The latest record for the first winter period was from Warham on 5 Apr and the earliest record

83 for the second winter period was from Graham’s Cottage Leintwardine on 12 Oct.

Although reasonable size flocks were noted in the first winter period, only one large flock was recorded, 1,000 at Portway near Burghill on 6 Jan. Other flocks were: 350 feeding on apples at Staunton on Arrow West on 6 Jan; 300 at Bromsash East on 25 Jan and 400 at Redding End Much Marcle on 5 Feb.

The second winter period flocks remained small: 150 at King’s Caple on 27 Nov; 150 at North on 29 Nov and 300 at the Sturts South Nature Reserve on 6 Dec, until a larger flock of 1,150 was seen at Staunton on Arrow West on 17 Dec.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Abundant resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

Breeding was confirmed at 22 sites, more than twice the number recorded last year. A Song Thrush was noted singing at Fownhope West on 5 Jan and at Ledbury Central cemetery on 8 Jan. In the autumn, singing was noted at Hereford Sewage Works on 17 Oct and one was in full song at Linton on 15 Nov. A Song Thrush was heard mimicking a Green Woodpecker at Burrington West on 23 Jun.

The larger counts were all recorded in the first part of the year (some were Breeding Bird Survey counts) and were: seven at Much Marcle South on 7 Feb; seven on Bromyard Downs NE on 2 Apr; 11 at Lugg Bridge on 15 Apr; nine at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 24 Apr and 13 there on 21 Jun; eight on the Great Doward on 4 May; seven on Coppet Hill on 22 May; 11 at Sandy Cross Bromyard Downs on 25 May and seven at St Margarets on 30 May.

Redwing Turdus iliacus Abundant winter visitor BoCC listed: Red Gerald Parker

84 The latest record for the first winter period was on Bromyard Downs NE on 2 Apr and the earliest record for the second winter period was from Stocklow Manor on 2 Oct.

In the first winter period, the larger numbers were: 120 at Welsh Newton Common on 2 Jan; 170 at Wellington Heath West on 19 Jan; 300 at Coddington on 5 Feb; 120 at Plaistow Ledbury on 4 March and 140 on Gamber Meadows North on 6 Mar. Later in the year, most flocks were small: 60 at Buckton on 24 Nov and 21 Dec and 100 at Stocklow Manor on 17 Dec being the largest flocks recorded.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Common resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

Breeding was confirmed at 11 sites: Bredwardine, Camp Wood Abbey Dore, Clehonger East and West, Eastnor Park South, Hartleton Lakes, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Stockton, The Weir Garden, The Wellands Sellack and Whitestone.

Two larger flocks were noted early in the year: 21 at Shobdon NE on 13 Jan and 28 at Clehonger East on 24 Jan. All other large flocks were post-breeding in July and August and these were: 24 at Upper Lyde on 23 Jul; 31 at Bishopswood North on 2 Aug, 25 there on 15 Aug and 49 on 23 Aug; 50 at The Wellands Sellack on 27 Aug and 21 at Lugg Meadows Central on 20 Sep.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red

Although the species is in decline in this country, more records (99) were received this year than the previous year (87). The earliest record was from Winforton South on 30 Apr and the latest was from Falcon Lane Wood Ledbury on 7 Oct, the latter being 18 days later than last year.

Breeding was confirmed at eight sites as follows: an adult carrying food for young at Bartonsham Hereford on 18 Jun; a pair with three juveniles at Linton on 6 Jul; a nest with young at Pow Green Bosbury on 9 Jul; fledglings at Eastnor Park South on 12 Aug; an adult feeding a juvenile in a garden at Wellington Heath and a family group at nearby Raven Hill Wood, both on 20 Aug; adults plus four juveniles at Gamber Meadows North on 22 Aug and fledglings at Hartleton Lakes on 2 Sep.

The larger counts were: six at Staunton on Arrow West on 21 May; eight at Old Country House Mathon on 7 Jun; six at Kentchurch on 11 Jun; eight at Rhodds Farm Lyonshall on 20 Jun; six at Highmoor Wood Almeley on 21 Jun and six at Gamber Meadows North on 22 Aug.

Robin (European Robin) Erithacus rubecula Abundant resident

More than 1,300 records were received, of which 31 were confirmed breeding records received during the period 15 Apr – 13 Aug, with fledglings reported from 25 Apr onwards.

The larger counts from monthly surveys were: 16 at R. Monnow Llangua on 27 Jan and 17 there on 1 Mar; 16 at Queenswood North on 12 Feb; 17 at Gamber Meadows South on 21 Feb and

85 22 there on 15 Sep; 19 at Hartleton Lakes on 11 Mar and 17 there on 20 Aug; 22 on Garway Hill Common on 25 Mar and 20 there on 8 Sep; 17 at Bromyard Downs NE on 2 Apr; 22 at Lugg Bridge on 15 Apr and 16 at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 24 Apr.

Pied Flycatcher (European Pied Flycatcher) Ficedula hypoleuca

Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red

There were 34 records from 19 sites, a slight increase on the previous year. The earliest record was from Wigmore on 10 Apr and the latest was from Rhodds Farm Lyonshall on 20 Jun.

Breeding was confirmed at: Credenhill Park Wood, Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common, Little Merthyr Whitney-on-Wye, Mary Knoll and Wigmore Rolls. For other breeding records, see the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (page 136 – 137).

Seven birds were recorded at Barnett Wood West Wigmore on 17 Apr and 10 were there on 25 Apr and five were at Mary Knoll Valley on 17 May.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; has bred BoCC listed: Red

There were sightings of seven separate birds during the year. The same male as last year (first seen on 19 Nov 2014) remained around the cathedral at Bartonsham Hereford; it was seen on 1 Jan (S. Coney & P.H. Downes) and on 10 more occasions until 23 Feb, but photographic evidence suggested strongly that there were two separate males at the cathedral in January.

Another wintering male was seen at The Weston Bredwardine on 2 Feb (J. Tilby) and stayed until 14 Feb. A male was also noted in High Town Hereford on 7 Mar (J. Tilby). There was an unusual summer report of a single at Hawkelts Coppice Malvern Hills on 31 Jul (B. Stretch). During the second winter period, a single was seen on College Hill Hereford on 13 Nov (I. Jones) and a female/juvenile was reported around the cathedral at Bartonsham Hereford on 21 Nov (J. Tilby) and was last observed there on 23 Dec.

Redstart (Common Redstart) Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Common summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber

The earliest record was a single from Stocklow Manor on 7 Apr and the latest was a juvenile on Gamber Meadows North on 16 Sep.

Breeding was confirmed from 13 sites: Draen Farm Dorstone, Garway Hill Village, Hampton Court, Haye Park Wood near Richard’s Castle, Kite’s Wood Blakemere, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Old Letton Court, Red Daren, Shobdon SW, Stocklow Manor, The Weir Garden, Wapley Hill East and Waters Farm Sapey Common. The larger counts were: six at Rough Acre Staunton on Arrow on 22 Apr; six at Rhodds Farm Lyonshall on 30 Apr; 25 noted on a HOC trip around the Olchon Valley on 11 May; six at Garway Hill Village on 15 June and eight there on 23 Jul and seven at Red Daren on 27 Jun.

86 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

Five records were received this year, the earliest was a single at Wellington GP on 30 Apr and the latest was a single at Brockhall GP on 12 Sep. Other records were: a female at Stocklow Manor on 8 May; eight at Red Daren on 4 Jul (including five males singing on territory suggesting probable breeding here) and a single at Bishopswood North on 2 Aug.

Stonechat (European Stonechat) Saxicola rubicola Uncommon resident

A greater number of records (38 from 25 sites) were received this year, although only one provided breeding evidence: a sighting of four, including juveniles, seen on Garway Hill Common on 22 Jul.

The winter records (Jan – Mar) were: singles on Hergest Ridge NW on 2 Jan and at Winforton South on 14 Feb and 13 sightings during Mar, including five birds on Hergest Ridge on 4 Mar and four at Old Letton Court on 6 Mar. There were 17 records from the summer months (Apr – Aug), including three records of pairs in Apr and one record of three at Brockhall Farm near Mathon on 3 Aug. There were two records in Sep (including two birds on Garway Hill Common) and four in Oct (including three birds at Bircher Coppice).

Wheatear (Northern Wheatear) Oenanthe oenanthe Fairly common summer visitor and uncommon passage migrant

Sixty-four records were received, the earliest from Stocklow Manor on 18 Mar and the latest from Herefordshire Beacon NE, Malvern Hills on 25 Oct. Breeding was confirmed at Red Daren on 4 Jul when seven, including two fresh juveniles, were seen.

The larger numbers observed were: 12 at The Darens on 11 Apr; six on Garway Hill Common on 15 Apr; six at Bradnor Hill on 24 Apr and 15 there on 10 May. Passage birds were noted from 20 Aug at Hartleton Lakes and most of the remaining records were from Brockhall GP and Wellington GP; all were singles, apart from four at Holmer, Hereford on 16 Sep.

Greenland Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa Scarce passage migrant

Seven records were received from four sites: a male on Garway Hill Village on 15 Apr; a single at Wellington GP on 21 Apr and two males there on 25 Apr; two males and a female at Stocklow Manor from 23 – 26 Apr, a male and female there from 7 – 15 May and one on 19 May and one at Stonewall Hill on 9 May.

Dunnock Prunella modularis Abundant resident

The earliest singing bird was at Cleeve Orchard Ross-on-Wye on 8 Jan and the earliest confirmed breeding record was at Chanstone Court Farm Vowchurch on the 25 Apr. The 23 confirmed

87 breeding records received were distributed throughout the lowland areas of the county, with the latest at Buckton West on 11 Aug. A nest at Linton Wood East Gorsley was predated by Magpies on 15 May.

Most records were of low numbers, the highest being 15 at Wellington GP on 19 Apr. Twelve were noted at Hartleton Lakes on 9 Apr, eight of which were singing.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus Abundant resident BoCC listed: Red

While the numbers of sightings remained similar to last year, the number of confirmed breeding records was much higher with evidence coming from 43 1-km squares (no doubt a reflection of improved recording). The earliest breeding record was observed at Buckton West on 7 Apr, where up to 22 birds were occupying about ten nests. Fledglings were seen from 29 Apr (at Whitestone) and breeding was recorded throughout the county until 12 Aug.

The largest counts occurred in Jul, when 130 birds were feeding on unharvested wheat at Stocklow Manor on 27 Jul and 115 were at Waters Farm Sapey Common on 29 Jul.

Tree Sparrow (Eurasian Tree Sparrow) Passer montanus Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Red

There were 13 records (from eight sites) this year compared with nine the previous year and 20 in 2013. The only breeding record was from Walford near Brampton Bryan where a group of five birds, including juveniles, were noted on 4 Jun.

The earliest record was of two birds seen at a feeder over a number of days at Coxall near Buckton from 19 Mar. Five more records came from Byton Hand and Buckton West during Apr and May, including four seen at the latter location on 8 May, some of which were displaying. There were three records in Aug of up to three birds at Whitney-on-Wye South and Winforton South. Later sightings were at Buckton on 6 Sep and 25 Oct and at Tatteridge Hill Leintwardine on 12 Oct.

Yellow Wagtail (Western and Eastern Yellow Wagtail) Motacilla flava Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Red

There were 129 records this year, a modest increase over the previous two years, albeit from less sites. The largest count was of 22 birds at Whitney-on-Wye South on 2 Aug.

The earliest record was at Stocklow Manor on 9 Apr and the latest was at Hartleton Lakes on 22 Sep.

There were nine breeding records from eight sites: three records of adults carrying food at Walford near Brampton Bryan on 29 May; Buckton (possibly two pairs) on 4 Jun; Backney on 14 Jun; two pairs were nesting in a wheat crop at Devereux Wootton Norton Canon on 23 Jun; six, including fledglings, were catching flying insects at Walford near Brampton Bryan on

88 24 Jun; a female and a juvenile were at Wellington GP on 27 Jul; a pair at Eccleswall Court Bromsash on 14 Aug was described as ‘very agitated with distracting display’; a group of up to eight, including juveniles, were observed at Hartleton Lakes golf course on four occasions during 16 Aug – 7 Sep and a juvenile was at Kenchester Pools on 29 Aug.

Blue-headed Wagtail Montacilla flava flava

A male Blue-headed Wagtail was seen among other wagtails at Wellington GP on 2 May; this bird was considered to be a “Channel Wagtail” that is a M.f.flava x M.f. flavissima hybrid.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Red

Breeding was confirmed at eight locations: two birds were attending a nest at both Cap and Alltyrynys railway bridge near Walterstone on 1 May; a male was observed gathering/ carrying food in Birtley Brook near Harley’s Mountain on 11 May; four ‘fully-grown’ fledglings were found in three nests at Buckton on 13 May (a total of six nests were found in this locality); an adult was carrying food at The Wellands Sellack on 21 Jun; three juveniles were at R. Monnow Llangua on 28 Jun; two adults and three juveniles were at Leintwardine South on 23 Jul and two juveniles were at Hartleton Lakes on 21 Jun, with two adults and one juveniles there on 27 Aug and three adults and one juvenile on 1 Sep.

The largest counts were six at R. Monnow Tregate Bridge on 19 Apr and six at Stocklow Manor on 11 Sep.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii

Common resident and abundant winter visitor

Breeding was confirmed from 24 sites, the earliest was an occupied nest at Haybrook’s Wood Vowchurch on 25 Apr and the latest was at Ledbury Central on 25 Jul, where two juveniles were observed.

The larger counts were: 80 at The Wellands Sellack on 6 Jan; 200 in a multi-storey car park at Blackmarston Hereford on 11 Feb; 56 at Hartleton Lakes on 11 Aug; 200 on cereal stubbles at Milton Cross on 29 Aug and 80 at Brockhall GP on 31 Oct. There were fewer reports of large winter roosts from town centres and supermarket car parks this year.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

Uncommon passage migrant

There were only four sightings from two locations this year: two males at Brockhall GP and a single male among c.20 Pied Wagtails at Wellington GP, both on 11 Apr; a single at Wellington GP on 21 Apr and three among 100 Pied Wagtails on freshly-ploughed land there on 3 Oct.

89 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis

Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red

The earliest record was from Hawkelts Coppice Malvern Hills on 6 Apr and the latest was from Stocklow Manor on 10 Sep. There were 58 records from 30 sites.

Breeding was confirmed at two sites: an adult was carrying food at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 27 May and another also carrying food was at Mary Knoll on 30 Aug.

Evidence of probable breeding came from five other sites: courtship/display at Credenhill Park Wood West and Fair Oak Farm Newton; pairs at Wapley Hill East and birds on permanent territory at Bringewood and St Margarets. In addition, singing males were noted from a further nine sites during 6 Apr – 11 Jul, suggesting this species probably breeds more widely in the county than the records indicate.

The highest counts were six, seen at Garway Hill Common on 15 Apr and at Wapley Hill East on 20 Jun.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Common resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

There were fewer records compared with the previous year and only four confirmed breeding records were received: fledglings were seen at Hergest Ridge NE on 23 Jun; many birds, among a flock of 30, were carrying food at Red Daren on 4 Jul; ‘several birds were singing and carrying food’ at Little Mountain Westbrook (near Dorstone) on 11 Jul and adults were also carrying food at Upper Park Wood Haywood Common (near Hergest Croft) on 18 Jul. Evidence of probable breeding was received from four other sites: Black Darren, Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common, Garway Hill Common and Whitney-on-Wye South.

The higher counts were: 100 at Brockhall GP on 21 Feb; 80 on spring passage at Stocklow Manor on 6 Apr and 80 on autumn passage there on 4 Nov and 230 at Burcher, Titley on 24 Sep.

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

Common winter visitor

The number of records received was slightly increased over last year (32 records from 23 sites compared with 26 records from 11 sites), suggesting that the food supply in continental Europe was still adequate to sustain the population closer to their breeding areas.

The latest sighting in the first winter period (12 records) was at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 10 Apr and the earliest in the second winter period (20 records) was at Clehonger West on 14 Oct.

The larger counts were: 20 feeding with a large flock of Chaffinches under beech trees in Bircher Coppice on 17 Jan and 20 there on 15 Mar; 30 feeding with c.300 Chaffinches at New House Wood South near Craswall on 25 Jan and 35 feeding on beech mast at nearby Mynydd Brith the following day.

90 Gerald Wells

A Whitethroat at Wellington GP in May Archie Buttriss Archie

A Firecrest photographed at Pencoyd in March

91 John Tilby A female Pied Flycatcher at Wigmore Rolls in late April Mick Colquhoun Mick A Redwing feeding on berries at Wellington GP in November

92 Tom Weale Tom A female Kestrel photographed on a post at Bringsty in April Mick Colquhoun Mick A female Grey Wagtail in January

93 Mick Colquhoun Mick

A Spotted Flycatcher carrying food for young at Perrystone Hill in June Mick Colquhoun Mick

A Goldfinch on a teasel plant at Wellington GP in November

94 Chaffinch (Common Chaffinch) Fringilla coelebs Abundant resident

Breeding was confirmed at 16 sites during the period 10 May – 25 Jul: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Bartonsham Hereford, Brampton Bryan East, Clehonger East and West, Credenhill Park Wood West, Eardisley West, Gethenfield Farm Clehonger, Hartleton Lakes, Leintwardine South, Little Marcle East, Madley Satellite Earth Station, Much Dewchurch, Perryhill Farm Clehonger, The Wellands Sellack and Whitestone.

A flock of 175 was recorded feeding on stubble at Shobdon NE on 5 Feb. Other large flocks included: 80 feeding on beech mast at Welsh Newton Common on 2 Jan; 100 feeding on common hemp nettle seed at Rough Acre Staunton-on-Arrow on 29 Sep; 80 at Staunton on Arrow West on 12 Nov and 55 at Buckton on 22 Dec.

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Uncommon resident BoCC listed: Red

The numbers of this species found in the county continue at a low level with only seven records from five locations, similar to 2014, but much less than the 65 records from 16 sites in 2013. No records were received during the breeding season.

The earliest sighting was of two birds feeding in yew trees at the church in Shobdon NE on 4 Jan, other sightings were: three at King Arthur’s Cave Little Doward on 4 and 6 Feb and 10 Nov; four at Yazor on 29 Sep; a single seen briefly in a garden hedge at Bishopswood North on 29 Oct and two in the churchyard at Yarpole West on 6 Dec.

Bullfinch (Eurasian Bullfinch) Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common resident BoCC listed: Amber

Breeding was confirmed at 10 sites during the period 1 Jun – 14 Aug: Adleymoor Common Buckton, Arkstone Court Kingstone, Bishopswood North, Brampton Bryan East, Credenhill Park Wood West, Gethenfield Farm Clehonger, Kentchurch, Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop, Madley Satellite Earth Station and Wigmore Rolls. A female and juvenile were seen on four consecutive dates (23 – 26 Sep) feeding on honeysuckle berries at Clehonger West.

The largest count was of 11 recorded at Mary Knoll Valley on 24 Jan. Other larger groups observed were: eight (six male and two female) at Bodenham on 8 Jan; eight at Staunton on Arrow SE on 10 Feb; nine at Bodenham Lake on 15 Feb and nine at Wellington GP on 27 Dec.

Greenfinch (European Greenfinch) Chloris chloris Abundant resident

The number of records received was only slightly less than the previous year indicating that this species is holding its recovered position after the devastating outbreak of trichomonosis in 2009.

Breeding was confirmed at 12 sites during the period 23 May – 16 Aug: Arkstone Court Kingstone, Bartonsham Hereford, Buckton West, Cleeve Orchard Ross-on-Wye, Clehonger

95 East, Cummin’s Farm Colwall, Eardisley West, Eastnor Park South, Gethenfield Farm Clehonger, Hartleton Lakes, Perryhill Farm Clehonger and St Margarets.

The largest count was 150 at Glewstone Court on the 11 Dec. There were nine reports of large groups of adults with juveniles at garden feeders at Clehonger West during the period 2 Jul – 25 Sep, the largest being 22 adults and 14 juveniles on 11 Sep.

Linnet (Common Linnet) Linaria cannabina Common resident BoCC listed: Red

Breeding was confirmed at three locations: Gethenfield Farm Clehonger on 30 May; Madley Satellite Earth Station on 10 Jun and Hartleton Lakes on 26 Jul.

The larger flocks observed were: 200 at Welsh Newton Common on 2 Jan; 152 at Buckton on 24 Jan; 250 at Elton on 27 Jan; 130 in weedy stubble fields at Stocklow Manor on 12 Apr; 100 at Kenchester Pools on 12 Sep; 100 at Burghill South on 19 Sep and 130 at Marden SW on 15 Nov.

Lesser Redpoll (Common Redpoll) Acanthis cabaret Fairly common resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Red

The latest record for the first winter/spring period was at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 28 May and the earliest sighting in the second winter period was a flock of nine at Brockhall GP on 20 Sep. One-third of the records received involved birds feeding on niger seeds in gardens.

The larger flocks observed were: 20 at Staunton on Arrow West on 6 Jan and 20 there on 11 Dec; 50 at Bringsty Common SE on 10 Jan, 30 there on 14 Jan and 20 on 21 Jan; 20 at Wapley Hill East on 22 Feb and 35 at Eaton Bishop Church on 16 Nov.

Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea Rare winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber

There was just one sighting this year: two feeding in silver birch trees in a garden with Lesser Redpoll near Eaton Bishop Church on 16 Nov (M. Bailey); this was the 11th county record.

Crossbill (Red Crossbill) Loxia curvirostra Uncommon resident and fairly common winter visitor

There were 17 records from 12 sites, less than half the number of records received in 2014, indicating another low influx of this species. However the records were spread over seven months of the year.

Apart from a group of 13 noted at High Vinnals on 2 Dec and 40 at School Wood Lucton on 7 Dec, all the other sightings were in single figures and came from: Buckton West, Graham’s Cottage Leintwardine, Haugh Wood Central East, Mynydd Brith and New House Wood South

96 (both near Craswall), Shobdon Hill Wood West, Staunton on Arrow West, Stocklow Manor, The Wellands Sellack and Wigmore Rolls.

Interestingly, a pair was noted with the female ‘carrying nesting material or food’ at Newhouse Wood South near Craswall on 25 Jan, suggesting a nesting attempt.

Goldfinch (European Goldfinch) Carduelis carduelis

Abundant resident

Breeding was confirmed at 21 sites during the period 2 May – 16 Aug. A few larger groups of adults with juveniles were seen during Jul – Sep, including 50 at Eardisley West on 28 Sep.

The larger counts were: 160 feeding in larches at Wapley Hill East on 8 Jan; 200 at High Vinnals North on 24 Jan; 105 at Ledbury Central on 19 Feb; 150 at Brockhall GP on 30 Aug and 100 there, including many juveniles, feeding on thistles on 12 Sep.

Siskin (Eurasian Siskin) Spinus spinus

Fairly common resident and common winter visitor

Breeding evidence was confirmed by three records of juveniles: adults feeding recently fledged young at Queenswood North on 8 Jul; four juveniles feeding on niger seed and sunflower hearts at Eardisley West on 25 Jul and six juveniles present at Hampton Court, also on 25 Jul.

A large count of 160 was noted at Wapley Hill East on 26 Feb, this was made up of two flocks of 60 with the remaining 40 being part of a mixed flock with around 20 Lesser Redpoll and 30 Goldfinch. Another large flock of 100 was at Wapley Hill East on 20 June, with 60 seen there the following day, and 100 were noted at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 6 Sep.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

Abundant resident BoCC listed: Red

Breeding was confirmed at nine locations: adults carrying food at Gethenfield Farm Clehonger on 30 May; eight pairs bred at Stocklow Manor during May/Jun; six including fledglings at Buckton on 7 Jun; a female carrying food at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 15 Jun; adults carrying food at The Wellands Sellack on 21 Jun; three including fledglings at Hollow Lane Ledbury on 3 Jul; a pair with the male carrying food at Bromsash East on 17 Jul; a family of four at Buckton West on 22 Jul and a fledgling perched in a tree and calling near Brilley on 31 Jul. Birds were recorded on ‘permanent territory’ at five further sites: Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common, Marlow near Leintwardine, The Willows Burrington, Walford South near Brampton Bryan and Whitestone.

The larger flocks were: 21 at Brockhall GP on 1 Feb; 56 at Stocklow Manor on 8 Feb; 22 feeding on a stubble field at Bishopstone East on 3 and 8 Mar; 30 at Marden SW on 15 Nov and flocks varying in size from 35 to 150 at Garway West on four occasions during 7 – 29 Dec.

97 Reed Bunting (Common Reed Bunting) Emberiza schoeniclus Common resident BoCC listed: Amber

Breeding was confirmed at two sites: a pair was observed on a nest at Stocklow Manor on 1 Jun and a pair were noted feeding young at Madley Satellite Earth Station on 10 Jun.

Although no breeding evidence was reported from Wellington GP, it was considered that there were probably as many as 30 pairs at the site, and the species was recorded there in every month except Oct. A count of 25 was reported at Clifford South on 22 Jun. Mick Colquhoun Mick

[The species accounts in this section were written by the following authors: Tony Eveleigh, Gareth & Una Morgan, Gerald Parker, John Pullen, Espen Quinto-Ashman, Robert Taylor, Gerald Wells and Brian Willder]

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98 Exotica & Escapes

This section includes those species observed during the year from BOU categories D (it is doubted that they have ever occurred in a natural state) and E (introductions, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity, and, if breeding, are thought not to be self-sustaining).

Chukar/Red-legged Partridge (hybrid)

The following hybrid records were received: one in a garden at Tupsley on 25 Feb; two in a garden at Tyrrell’s Court Dilwyn on 21 Mar and one still there on 22 Mar; one seen on roof tops at Clehonger East on 27 Mar; one in a garden at on 10 May and one at Lower Hill Farm Breinton on 16 Jul and 1 Aug.

Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Two Black Swans were seen in the county during 2015.

The first was seen at: Clifford South and Leech Pool Clifford on 5 Jan; Wellington GP on 21 Mar and 5, 18, 20 and 21 Apr; Weir Cliff Sugwas Pool on 7 May and Old Letton Court on 7 Sep, 1 Oct and 11 Nov.

The second was at Hartleton Lakes from 7 Mar to 13 Aug inclusive and then from 18 – 20 Nov when it was coming to bread.

White-fronted Goose (hybrid)

One was seen at Brockhall GP on 19 Jan, then at Kenchester Pools on 25 Jan and back at Brockhall GP on 28 Jan. Finally it was seen at Bodenham Lake on 26 May.

Greylag Goose (domestic) Anser anser

Two were seen at Hartleton Lakes on 26 and 30 Jan and 1 Feb, also one was seen here 14 times between 10 Feb and 14 Jul. One was also observed at Lynders Wood East Upton Bishop on 15 Mar and one at Pencoyd on 15 Apr and 18 Jun.

Small (Ridgway’s) Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii minima

As in 2013 and 2014, two individuals of the race minima were present in the county.

One was seen at Brockhall GP on 19 Jan and 8 Feb. The second was seen at Hartleton Lakes on 2 Jan, 13, 14, 16 and 19 Feb and 13 Nov. It was also observed at Eccleswall Court Bromsash on 12 Apr and 3 and 10 May.

A different individual (specific race unknown) was seen at Brockhall GP on 31 Jan.

99 Mallard (Domestic) Anas platyrhynchos

The following domestic Mallard records were received: four at Elton on 27 Jan and 12 Feb and 27 were there on 16 Nov; two at Wellington GP on 6 Apr and one at R. Wye Coppet Hill on 3 Aug.

Budgerigar Melopsittacus Undulatus

One was seen at Stocklow Manor on 11 Jul.

Eagle Owl Bubo bubo

An Eagle Owl species was seen at Cholstrey near Leominster on 22 Jul, the race was not determined.

Tony Eveleigh

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100 List of observers

E.M. ab Owain T. Clark I.S. Downie T. Adams G. Clarkson I. Draycott J. Allen C. Clements N. Duggan J. Allsopp D. Coker J. Edwards L. Armstrong J.R. Coleman P. Eldridge J. Arnsby S. Coleman R. C.D.C. Avanti P. Collins M. Evans D.V. Avis M. Colquhoun A.H. Eveleigh A. Bailey E.R. Coney T. Fairfield M. Bailey P.W. Coney J. Farrar S.R.J. Barker S.P. Coney N. Fincham C. Bartlett J. Conlon S. French G. Bellville J. Cook C. Furley C. Bennett T.C. Cooke J.D. Gambles E.J. Betteridge V.A. Cooke D. Gardiner N.P. Betts T. Coombs J. Gascoyne G.S. Bilbao A. Cooper N.A. Geeson M.E. Bird S. Cooter N.J. Godwin J.W. Birkinshaw K. Coupland M. Greening P. B on e R.J.W. Cowell S. Greenwood R. Bottomley D.J. Crook B. Gregory E. Bowen-Jones R. Curtis D. Griffith K. Brannon B. Daniels T. Griffiths P. B r i s t ow J.C. Davies R.D. Gross T. Brooke M.H. Davies I.B. Hart C. Brooks Neville Davies S. Hastie L. Brooks Nicky Davies J.J. Hatcher G. Brown R.T. Davies N. Hawkridge P. B row n S. Davies M. Hazleton F. Burge G.M. Davis R.F.W. Hemming P. Butson A. Dawson I.C. Herbert A. Buttriss M. Dawson M.P. Hobson I.J. Buttriss U. Dawson A. Hoddell P. Cannings J. Dent C. Holt M. Chadwick S. Denyar N. Hopkinson J. Chamberlain J.A. Dix C. Horsley N. Chapman C. Downes T. Hulme P. Chapman P.H. Downes T. Hunt P. Chase T. Downes R. Husbands

101 L. Ison J. Parker S.R. Shutt S. Jarrett C. Parr L. & L. Smith S.J. Jenkins A. Parry N.A. Smith P.P. Jennings J. Parry S. Smith P. Jinman P. Pa r s on s J. Sparey C.M. Jones R. Pearce T. Speller G.J. Jones L. Pegler I.M. Spence I. Jones N.C. Pegler B. Stretch J. Kedward C. Phelps T. Sykes A. Keeble T. Phelps R.C. Taylor H. Krajenbrink J.B. Phillips A. Thomas C.E. Lankester J. & V. Phillips D.H. Thomas D. Lawson M. Pittaway J. Tilby P. Leafe R. Pitts K. Tillett F.R. Leathart R. Pote E.J. Timms K. Leyland S. Potter R. Tushingham R. Little J.R. Powell S.J. Tyler K. Lloyd D.G. Price P. Venvil I. Lyall G. Price R. Vernon J. Macdonald L. Price D.J. Viles D. Macklin N. Price R.H.W. Vine A. Marchant C. Protherough J.C. Voysey F.D. Marco J.R. Pullen A. Walker A.R. Marfell M. Pullen S. Watkins W. Marler E. Quinto-Ashman M.I.G. Watson N. Marriner C. Reed W. Watson J.P. Martin R. Rees J. Waugh P.D. Masters J. Renowden T. Weale P. Matthews F. Riddell D. Webb P. McQuail D. Rippe R. Webb A. Mellors D. Roberts G.A.H. Wells M. Merritt C.M. Robinson J. Whitfield R. Miller I. Rose B. Wildey K. Mitchell D.W. Rothwell J. Wilkinson D. Mullin L. Russell B. Willder S.P. Nicol T.J. Russell M.J. Williams R. Oliver R. Ruston D. Williams-Jones E. Osbaldeston P. Sansum A. Wilson D. Page D. Saunders J.S. Woodhall S.M.T. Page J. Seaward H. Woodman J. Paige E. Sentier J.R. Wright G.R. Parker M. Sharp M. Wright

102 Summer and winter migrants

Summer migrants – earliest and latest dates

Species Earliest Location Latest in Location in 2015 2015

Garganey 25 Sep Brockhall GP 18 Oct Kenchester Pools

Osprey 17 Apr Letton, near Bredwardine 19 Aug Wellington GP

Ringed Plover 1 Apr Brockhall GP 1 Sep Brockhall GP

Little Ringed 21 Mar Brockhall GP 5 Sep Wellington GP Plover

Common 1 Jan Wellington GP 11 Dec Wellington GP Sandpiper

Greenshank 9 Aug Brockhall GP 31 Aug Brockhall GP

Cuckoo 10 Apr Fownhope West 11 Aug Evens/Mary Knoll/ Climbing Jack Common

Swift 24 Apr Rhydspence 17 Sep Brockhall GP

Hobby 13 Apr King Arthur’s Cave, 30 Sep Hampton Park, Little Doward Bodenham

Sand Martin 7 Mar Wellington GP 17 Sep Brockhall GP

Swallow 1 Apr Brockhall GP & 3 Nov Stocklow Manor, The Wellands, Sellack Staunton on Arrow

House Martin 29 Mar Welsh Bicknor 12 Oct Clehonger East

Wood Warbler 15 Apr Staunton on Arrow West 21 Jun Wapley Hill East

Willow Warbler 27 Mar Wellington GP 16 Sep The Weir Garden, Kenchester

Garden Warbler 12 Apr St Margarets 7 Sep Whitney-on-Wye South

Lesser 22 Apr Sutton St Nicholas 13 Sep Wellington GP Whitethroat North

Whitethroat 15 Apr Stocklow Manor, 16 Sep Stocklow Manor, Staunton-on-Arrow Staunton-on-Arrow

Sedge Warbler 14 Apr Fownhope West 20 Sep Brockhall GP

Reed Warbler 18 Apr Wellington GP 7 Sep Much Marcle North

Ring Ouzel 23 Mar Garway Hill 17 Oct Bringewood, North Herefordshire

103 Species Earliest Location Latest in Location in 2015 2015

Spotted Flycatcher 30 Apr Winforton South 7 Oct Falcon Lane Wood, Ledbury

Pied Flycatcher 10 Apr Wigmore 20 Jun Rhodds Farm, Lyonshall

Redstart 7 Apr Stocklow Manor, 16 Sep Gamber Meadows Staunton on Arrow North

Whinchat 30 Apr Wellington GP 12 Sep Brockhall GP

Wheatear 18 Mar Stocklow Manor, 25 Oct Hereford Beacon NE, Staunton on Arrow Malvern Hills

Yellow Wagtail 9 Apr Stocklow Manor, 22 Sep Hartleton Lakes Staunton on Arrow

Tree Pipit 6 Apr Hawkelts Coppice, 10 Sep Stocklow Manor, Malvern Hills Staunton on Arrow

Winter migrants – latest and earliest dates

Species 1st winter Location 2nd winter Location period in period in 2015 2015

Whooper Swan 30 May Belmont Abbey - -

Wigeon 25 Apr Brockhall GP 9 Aug Brockhall GP

Teal 26 May Wellington Heath West 11 Jul Brockhall GP

Pintail 26 Mar Brockhall GP 28 Sep Brockhall GP

Pochard 18 May Brockhall GP 11 Jul Brockhall GP

Goldeneye 7 Apr Wellington GP 16 Oct Wellington GP

Golden Plover 15 Apr Garway Hill 17 Sep Stocklow

Jack Snipe 20 Mar Wellington - -

Fieldfare 5 Apr Warham 12 Oct Graham’s Cottage, Leintwardine

Redwing 2 Apr Bromyard Downs NE 2 Oct Stocklow Manor, Staunton on Arrow

Brambling 10 Apr Evens/Mary Knoll/ 14 Oct Clehonger West Climbing Jack Common

104 Bird recording in Herefordshire

2015 was the first full year when the Club used BirdTrack, the on-line and smartphone bird recording system run by BTO on behalf of the BirdTrack partnership, exclusively for the collection and storage of county bird records. Although we still accept a few paper or computer-generated files and transfer them to BirdTrack, the vast majority of records are now entered directly into the system by the observer, a considerable saving in workload for the County Recorder and Data Manager. As a result, in 2015 we amassed around 46,000 records, which was a significant increase over any previous year and a very pleasing improvement.

BirdTrack Although BirdTrack was originally devised as a national bird recording system, BTO are continuing to make improvements to it in order, among other things, to accommodate the needs of bird clubs. Herefordshire is not alone in now using it as their main county database. This brings benefits to both parties – Herefordshire’s bird records now become part of a national dataset for use by the BirdTrack partners and for wider conservation, while our county gets a secure database with a user-friendly interface for observers and data administrators.

Unlike our previous county recording systems which were mapped using a site or place name, BirdTrack records are mapped by 1-km grid squares. These may be given any name which is convenient or meaningful to the observer and as a result the same grid square may end up with two or more different names given by different observers. You might think this would cause us problems, but it is easily fixed as at the end of each year when we prepare the annual records list we simply re-name each to a “preferred name” taken from a master list compiled by myself and our County Recorder, Mick Colquhoun. In reality then, the site name ascribed by the observer is primarily of use to him or her, though it does provide us with a useful way to cross-check grid references.

One slight drawback of recording at the 1-km level is that it does not easily lend itself to recording over an area larger than 1 square kilometre – if walking a larger area observers have to be aware when they have crossed a grid line and moved into a new square if they want to maintain precision of sightings! There is an option to record at a 2-km square (tetrad) level or even at a 10-km level, but records at these levels are far less useful to us as they are less accurately positioned. One way around this problem is to use the BirdTrack App on a smartphone. You can download this free from the App Store or Google Play and it will run on any iOS or Android smartphone. The latest version of the App will keep track of your location if you have selected ‘Track my location’ in the ‘Settings’. When you start to record sightings, tap the ‘+’ to the right of ‘Place’ and then select ‘Use current’ and your location is shown on a Google Map. The green pointer shows your position and the name of the area will be filled in for you automatically by the App. Even if the map does not appear because of a lack of data connection, the GPS in your device will still allow you to ‘Use current’ to select your present location. You can edit the name of the place presented if you wish. Although the name of the grid square (e.g. SO1234) is not displayed (only the latitude and longitude), the displayed map is a 4-km x 4-km grid, so by keeping an eye on the movement of the green pointer you can gauge roughly when you have moved to a new 1-km square.

Bird counts There are a couple of other important pieces of information that we encourage observers to include with their records. The first is the number of birds you see. When entering data into

105 BirdTrack, whether online or via the App, the default count is null and the record is classed as ‘present only’. From a county records perspective, including a count adds value to the record. We are pleased to say that 71% of Herefordshire BirdTrack records included a count in 2015, which is well above the national average (64%). However, to avoid us having to decipher a count from the comments or resort to using ‘1+’, please log a count for all sightings if possible! The new App makes this considerably easier because, like the on-line entry, count qualifiers of ‘c’ (for circa) and ‘+’ are now available, so estimates can be used whenever it is not practical to make an accurate count. During the breeding season please if possible try not to include juvenile birds in your counts, although it is quite acceptable, indeed useful, to include this information under ‘Comments’. We appreciate that it is not always easy to separate juveniles from adults so, if you suspect that a flock contains young birds, an intelligent guess based on average clutch size may be a way around this problem. For example, average clutch size for Starlings (and many other birds) is 4-5 so, assuming both parents are also present and perhaps four have fledged, the count could be recorded as one-third of the total number seen. If that seems too complicated, just record what you see and make a note under ‘Comments’!

Breeding status The second piece of really useful information is breeding status. There were 1,484 confirmed breeding records in 2015, which was a large improvement on the 2014 figure of 673 and it was even better for probable breeding records (1,430 compared to a mere 252 in the previous year). Nevertheless, these figures are only a small percentage of the total number of summer records and it would be great to improve this further. If you are entering records on-line, breeding status information can be added by clicking the drop-down arrow in the ‘Breeding status’ box and you can see further information about the codes by clicking the small ‘information’ symbol to the right of ‘Breeding status’. We welcome further supplementary information about breeding or other behaviour and this can be included in one or more of the 10 fields which appear if you click the ‘+’ under ‘Optional’. If entering records via the App, the scope is more restricted but you can still enter breeding status information very easily – just click on the ‘>’ at the right- hand side of each record and use the drop-down under ‘Highest breeding evidence’ to enter the appropriate code. At a county level it may be possible in future to produce annual breeding distribution maps for some species if sufficient records are received from a wide enough area of the county. We therefore encourage submission of any breeding evidence for any species – please do not think that the Robin nesting in your garden shed is too common to be of interest, any and all records are needed! And, do not forget – apart from helping monitor breeding at a local level, adding breeding evidence at the appropriate time of year also means that your records will contribute to on-going conservation effort and projects, such as the European Breeding Bird Atlas.

Further information If you are have any difficulty using BirdTrack (either web-based or the App) or you have any other questions about recording, please give me a call (Tel: 01981 510360) or drop me an email ([email protected]) and I will be happy to help.

Chris Robinson

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106 The birds of the River Wye between Mordiford and Hampton Bishop

This article is an abridged and restructured version of Graham Cundale’s full report, including the results of his bird survey along this stretch of the River Wye during 2010 – 2014.

This is an account of the birds recorded along a 5½-km stretch of the River Wye and its environs between Mordiford (Grid reference SO 570374) and Hampton Bishop (Grid reference SO 549382) during the period 2009 – 2014. It was based mainly on a systematic survey carried out from August 2010 – October 2014.

Similar surveys of the same stretch of the River Wye have been conducted previously by J.L. & J.V. Fox during the periods 1971 – 1980 (HOC, 1980) and 1981 – 1985 (HOC, 1985). Other surveys of the River Wye have included one in the spring/summer 1977 (RSPB, 1977) and a longer-running series of observations between 1977 and 2006 (Cundale, 2012). Where possible some comparisons of the results of the present study are made with these earlier observations, especially in the full report.

Survey area The survey area was just to the south-east of Hereford City. It comprised the River Wye, a short section of the between its confluence with the Wye and Mordiford Bridge and their banks and adjacent enclosures, from Mordiford Bridge southwards and westwards to the bend in the river some 200 metres to the north-west of the Bunch of Carrots Inn at Hampton Bishop. The adjacent enclosures consisted mainly of a fairly even balance of grass and arable fields. The survey area also included limited areas of riverside woodland and, to the extent that it was visible from the riverside walking route, a little public and residential land on the edge of the two villages. It did not include New Pond, reportedly excavated in 1976, which is nearby but not visible or publicly accessible from the river.

Method At each visit a survey route was walked, following the paths along the north sides of the rivers. Each bird species seen, or heard, was identified and counts were made of most species. A total of 178 visits were made between August 2010 and October 2014. Visits were made weekly whenever possible and were distributed throughout the survey period, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Monthly distribution of the systematic survey visits Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Number of visits 13 10 11 15 17 16 17 17 21 21 10 10

In addition, 18 visits were made in the year prior to commencing the systematic survey (August 2009 – July 2010). During this preliminary period, five species were observed that were not recorded during the four-year systematic survey period, and these are indicated in Table 2.

Counts were limited to birds seen and heard within the area and those in flight where they could be identified. Double-counting during the course of a visit was avoided as far as possible and so counts were conservative, representing the minimum number of each species present.

107 Results and discussion During the survey a total of 110 species were recorded. The list of species observed is presented in Table 2, together with the percentage of systematic survey visits on which each species was observed (‘frequency %’). An attempt has also been made to identify species for which there appeared to have been a significant change of status over the last 45 years (‘status change’), as assessed from the previous literature. It should be noted that the status changes indicated in the table are not based on statistical significance but on the author’s judgment, and taking into account that earlier surveys were not all directly comparable with the present survey.

Table 2: List of species observed with their frequency percentages and status changes where applicable Species Frequency Status Species Frequency Status % change % change Barn Owl –* Goldfinch 98 Blackbird 100 Goosander 85 ++ Blackcap 55 + Goshawk <1 Black-headed Gull 41 Great Spotted 96 Blue Tit 100 M Woodpecker Brambling <1 Great Tit 98 Bullfinch 15 M Greenfinch 84 Buzzard 99 ++ Green Sandpiper 7 Cackling Goose <1 Green Woodpecker 20 M Canada Goose 80 ++ Greylag Goose <1 Carrion Crow 100 Grey Heron 85 Chaffinch 95 M Grey Wagtail 29 Chiffchaff 68 ++ Herring Gull 18 Coal Tit 23 Hobby <1 Collared Dove 71 Arrived House Martin 46 1974 House Sparrow 90 M Common Gull 6 Jackdaw 99 Common Sandpiper 22 Jay 34 Coot 6 Kestrel 18 Cormorant 85 Kingfisher 65 Cuckoo 18 Lapwing 4 MM Curlew 33 Lesser Black-backed 68 Dunnock 92 Gull Fieldfare 36 Lesser Redpoll 7 M Gadwall 1 Lesser Spotted –* M Garden Warbler 14 Woodpecker Goldcrest 77 Lesser Whitethroat 12 Goldeneye 1 M Linnet 44 M

108 Species Frequency Status Species Frequency Status % change % change Little Egret 15 ++ Shelduck <1 Little Grebe 24 Shoveler –* Little Owl 7 M Siskin 23 Long-tailed Tit 88 Skylark 67 MM Magpie 100 Smew –* Mallard 100 + Snipe 3 M Mandarin Duck 34 ++ Song Thrush 78 M Marsh Tit <1 Sparrowhawk 20 Meadow Pipit 16 Spotted Flycatcher 7 M Mistle Thrush 52 Starling 73 Moorhen 88 Stock Dove 79 Mute Swan 99 + Stonechat –* Nuthatch 28 Swallow 54 Oystercatcher <1 Swift 23 Peregrine 16 ++ Tawny Owl <1 Pheasant 84 Teal 6 M Pied Wagtail 82 Treecreeper 27 Raven 32 + Tufted Duck 3 Red Kite <1 Water Rail 1 Red-legged Partridge 1 M Wheatear <1 M Redshank <1 Whinchat <1 M Redstart 9 Whitethroat 37 Redwing 30 Whooper Swan 5 Reed Bunting 59 Wigeon 6 Reed Warbler <1 Willow Warbler 25 Robin 99 + Woodpigeon 100 Rook 40 Wren 99 + Sand Martin 48 M Yellowhammer 9 MM Sedge Warbler 17 Yellow Wagtail 12 MM

Notes: The symbol –* in the ‘frequency %’ column indicates that the species was observed only during the preliminary period (August 2009 – July 2010). The notations in the ‘status change’ column above represent subjective comparisons of species occurrence with the earlier survey data as follows: + = an increase; ++ = a very significant increase; M = a decrease and MM = a very significant decrease.

109 Overall, there were 22 species with notable decreases in comparison with the 1970s and 14 species with notable increases, including the Collared Dove that was not seen in the area until 1974. The scales are tipped much further in the negative direction if species seen during 1971 – 1980, but not in the latest survey, are taken into account - these species are listed in Table 3. To those ‘decreased’ species can be added Turtle Dove: from the data of J.L. & J.V. Fox the maximum count for this species was 32 birds and J.L. Fox (pers. comm.) remarked that they declined steadily after 1973, but were still present, albeit reduced, in 1981 – 1985.

Table 3: Species recorded during 1971 – 1980 but not during 2009 – 2014

Species 1971 – 1980 remarks Bewick’s Swan Occasional Common/Arctic Tern Occasional after 1974 Dunlin Small flocks in late winter or September Golden Plover Occasionally one or two birds with Lapwings Great Black-backed Gull An unusual visitor, mainly in January Greenshank 1 A regular autumn migrant Grey Partridge Breeding Jack Snipe Singles from time to time in January Pochard Sightings increased, with a maximum of five birds Tree Sparrow Some autumn flocks of 80 – 100 birds Willow Tit Has bred and appears to be more numerous than Marsh Tit 1 In November 1987, J.L. Fox wrote that in 16 years of recording birds here only one year, 1985, yielded no Greenshank

In addition to the species listed above, a further 16 species not recorded during 2009 – 2014 were present during 1971 – 1980 but “recorded less than four times” by J.L. & J.V. Fox (HOC, 1980). These were: Black Tern, Dipper, Great Crested Grebe, Great Grey Shrike, Little Ringed Plover, Marsh Warbler, Merlin, Osprey, Pied Flycatcher, Quail, Spotted Redshank, Velvet Scoter, Water Pipit, White-fronted Goose, Wood Sandpiper and Wood Warbler. Interestingly, Marsh Warblers nested regularly along the rivers Wye and Lugg from 1938 up until 1953, and at least one territory was at Hampton Bishop (Dr C.W. Walker, pers. comm., March 1971).

In their report for the period 1971 – 1980, J.L. & J.V. Fox made comparisons with the early observations of Mr J.A. Hutton for the period 1908 – 1933 along the same stretch of river (HOC, 1980). Hutton recorded a total of 88 species, including Corncrake, Nightingale and Nightjar – species which are now absent. During their 15-year survey (1971 – 1985), J.L. & J.V. Fox made over 1,000 visits to the site and recorded over 128 species (HOC, 1980 &1985). Their methods appear to have been similar to those of the current survey, although unfortunately some details of their route and method are lacking and so caution is required in comparing results.

Brief overview of selected species A detailed account of all species listed in Table 2 can be found in the full report (available from HOC), but here some notes on selected species are presented, most of which are associated with riverine habitats.

110 Black-headed Gull: seen on 41% of visits and in all months, especially in the July to October period. Nearly all counts were of less than 50 birds, and most were in single figures, but the largest flock was of 142 in October 2011; the larger numbers gathered in arable fields along the river, but smaller groups were occasionally seen on/by the river or flying along it.

Canada Goose: recorded on 80% of visits and sometimes in substantial numbers; the larger flocks (over 100 birds) were mainly in the period from mid-August until the end of the year and a maximum count of 240 birds was recorded in September 2009 (prior to the start of the systematic survey). Favoured spots were the river bends at Sink Green and Holme Lacy and the riverside grassland opposite the Bunch of Carrots.

Common Gull: an occasional visitor seen every year during the October to March period, with a maximum of 60 birds in March 2010. Most sightings were in mixed gull flocks in arable fields.

Common Sandpiper: a regular migratory visitor with most sightings being of single birds, although occasionally a few were seen together. All records were in the April to October period, mostly during July/August.

Coot: seen in three of the four years and nearly all records in winter and spring, with birds resorting to the river when local ponds and lakes froze over. Numbers were limited apart from double figure counts in the severe weather conditions of December 2010 and January 2011.

Cormorant: seen on 85% of visits throughout the year feeding in the river, flying along the river valley, or assembled on a pylon or dead riverside tree. Numbers tended to increase in the autumn; there was a notable influx in late October/early November 2012 with a maximum count of 21 birds.

Curlew: bred within or close to the site each year, with all records in the mid-February to mid-July breeding period. They were usually seen in grassland fields towards both the Mordiford and the Hampton Bishop ends of the route, but numbers were always small with a maximum of five birds.

Goosander: there was no distinct seasonal pattern to numbers, although these were boosted by broods of young (usually of 8 – 13) in April/May; counts were variable from week to week suggesting quite a lot of movement up and down the river. Since the 1970s they have become more numerous and have established themselves as a regular breeding species.

Green Sandpiper: up to six sightings each year, with sightings in most months except April to June. Records were usually of single birds with a maximum of three in March 2013. However, the species appears to have declined because, for the 1971 – 1980 period, it was noted that “up to three birds wintered” here and “counts in August and September can be as high as nine birds”.

Grey Heron: seen on 85% of visits throughout the year. They were seen anywhere along the river, but in winter they were also found in riverside fields, particularly those growing arable crops.

Grey Wagtail: seen on 29% of visits but with counts of only one or two birds and a maximum of four in September 2014. Although mainly a bird of tributary streams, it was seen by the main River Wye as well as by the River Lugg, and occasionally in nearby grazed pasture.

Herring Gull: seen on 18% of visits with most records during August to October. Nearly all counts were in single figures and were of birds within mixed gull flocks in arable fields along the river; the maximum count was 42 in August 2014.

111 Kingfisher: recorded on 65% of visits, in every month except February and frequenting all stretches of both the Wye and the Lugg. Most records were in summer and early autumn when young birds were around, and a maximum count of four birds was recorded on a few occasions.

Lapwing: a few records each year, although all but three counts were in single figures with a maximum of 50 birds in February 2012. Sightings were mainly in fields near to the river or flying over the site, but they no longer breed within or close to the site. Comparison with earlier surveys reflects decades of national population decline: the 1971 – 1980 survey reported that “the largest flocks occur in August (maximum c.2,500) after which numbers decrease to the year’s end”.

Lesser Black-backed Gull: seen on 68% of visits and in every month, with most records occurring during May to August and a maximum count of 180 in January 2013. Most records were of singles or small, loose groups flying (“patrolling”) along the river, or settled at favoured riverside locations, but larger flocks were occasionally seen in the adjacent arable fields.

Little Egret: a conspicuous species seen only occasionally, normally by the river or perched in riverside trees. Sightings were of 1 – 3 birds, all in the May to October period, with most sightings in August/September. Mick Colquhoun Mick

Little Grebe: a few present every winter, arriving in the autumn and maintaining a presence until February/March; individuals or small groups were seen on most visits from November to January.

Mallard: the most numerous water bird species here. It breeds regularly and overall numbers followed a consistent seasonal pattern: counts lowest during February to mid-April, rising to a usual peak of around 200 birds during August to mid-October (maximum 318 in October 2014).

112 Mandarin Duck: this species was not referred to in earlier surveys and, interestingly, it increased substantially in both frequency and numbers year on year during the survey period – from a frequency percentage of 8% and a maximum count of three birds in 2011 to 78% and 24 respectively in 2014. This may reflect the successful breeding noted after 2011. Most records occurred in April/May and July; they were mainly absent during winter months.

Moorhen: seen on 88% of visits, with most records in September and October, but numbers were small. Breeding took place, but judging by the few occasions on which juveniles were seen the success rate was probably not high. Interestingly, during the 1971 – 1980 survey it was reported as “a greatly reduced species, falling to its lowest ebb in 1978 since when there has been some recovery”, with mink implicated in the decline.

Mute Swan: several pairs usually nested, but success was dependent on the absence of high levels of floodwater that can inundate nests in some years. Occasionally numbers were boosted by the arrival of non-breeding or wintering flocks; the maximum count was of 95 birds in January and November 2013 – by comparison, substantially lower maximum counts of 28 and 23 birds were reported from the 1971 – 1980 and 1981 – 1985 periods respectively.

Pied Wagtail: recorded on 82% of visits with a notable peak in numbers in February/March (maximum count of 45 in February 2013) and August – October (maximum of 38 in October 2012); these high numbers probably reflecting a steady trickle of birds leaving a roost (in the Mordiford direction) rather than to seasonal migratory movement. There was one record of a White Wagtail.

Reed Bunting: recorded on 59% of visits with a notable concentration of records in March – July, which was also reflected in peak counts being in excess of five birds in all weeks during this period. The maximum count of 11 birds (in May 2013) was substantially less than the ‘high’ of 62 birds during 1971 – 1980.

Sand Martin: seen on nearly all visits during April – August; most counts were of up to 60 birds with a maximum of 85 on two dates in 2011. Historically, a maximum of 300 birds was recorded during 1971 – 1980, but numbers declined from around 1973 onwards and by 1980 some traditional nesting sites were unoccupied.

Sedge Warbler: a regular summer visitor between late April and early August; most often heard in areas of tall riverside herbage and scattered shrubs, with a maximum of four birds recorded in May 2014.

Snipe: only one or two records each year, but none in 2014, and sightings were at the water’s edge or in riverside vegetation. All counts were in single figures, with a maximum of seven birds, whereas J.V. & J.L. Fox reported a maximum count of 31 birds during 1971 – 1980 but commented that “fewer numbers have come to the area in recent years”.

Swallow: seen on nearly all visits during April – September with counts of usually up to 20 birds. They bred locally and fed over the river and nearby fields, especially grazed pasture. Large flocks were sometimes seen high over the river valley on arrival in the spring or prior to autumn migration.

Swift: seen on most visits during May to July each year, with normal counts of up to 12 birds and a maximum of 25 in June 2011. Sightings were of birds feeding over the river corridor, at various heights, and often over Mordiford where they appeared to breed in limited numbers.

113 Teal: recorded every year between October and May, normally as ones or twos seen on the river, riverside or nearby floodwater, and with a maximum of nine birds in December 2012.

Tufted Duck: only five records for this species, three of which were during the very cold conditions in December 2010, when a maximum count of 14 was recorded. Historically, sightings increased after the creation of New Pond in 1976.

Whooper Swan: one bird was seen on the river with Mute Swans on eight visits between 16 January and 21 March 2013.

Wigeon: this species made short visits each winter, albeit infrequently. Apart from four counts during the very cold December 2010 (maximum 100 birds on 25 December), all counts were in single figures.

Yellow Wagtail: seen each summer except 2012, arriving in mid-April and seen occasionally until August or early September. Breeding within the site was attempted in 2013 and probably also in 2011. Most sightings were of birds by the river, in riverside vegetation or in adjacent fields. Historically, numbers appear to have been much greater and J.L. & J.V. Fox (HOC, 1985) reported a steady decline since 1971, commenting that “there were years in the seventies when we had about a dozen nesting pairs, in 1985 we had one pair”.

Species occurrence on upstream and downstream River Wye stretches In 2013 and 2014, the author carried out additional bird counts on stretches of the River Wye both upstream and downstream of the Mordiford/Hampton Bishop stretch, at Rotherwas (Grid reference SO 5338) and to the south of Fownhope (Grid reference SO 5734) respectively. It was of interest to note how the bird communities differed, especially on the downstream stretch at Fownhope. The latter was covered systematically on 42 visits from September 2013 to October 2014, during which 81 species were recorded. However, only one of these species (Barnacle Goose) was not recorded on the Mordiford/Hampton Bishop stretch. Differences were less noteworthy on the Rotherwas stretch.

Although a relatively small number of visits were made, it is clear that several species were less frequently seen and in fewer numbers along the Fownhope stretch. These included: Curlew, Goosander, Grey Heron, Little Grebe and Willow Warbler, as well as a number of more common species, such as Greenfinch and House Sparrow, and the gull species, which was not unexpected on this river stretch away from the urban development in local villages and Hereford City. Conversely, some species were more frequently encountered on the Fownhope stretch, for example: Linnet, Mandarin Duck, Meadow Pipit, Mute Swan, Red-legged Partridge, Reed Bunting and Skylark, and both the densities and frequencies of Sedge Warbler and Yellowhammer were notably higher, due to the composition of the riverside vegetation and to arable crops in adjacent fields respectively.

Summary A survey of the birds along a 5½-km stretch of the River Wye between Mordiford and Hampton Bishop during the period 2009 – 2014 is summarised and some comparisons are made with earlier reports. A total of 110 species were observed during 196 visits.

The species profile is compared with the 128 species recorded by J.L. & J.V. Fox during their over 1,000 visits from 1971 to 1985, and interesting species changes and trends are highlighted. Briefly, very large increases in occurrence were reported for: Buzzard, Canada Goose, Chiffchaff,

114 Collared Dove, Goosander, Little Egret, Mandarin Duck and Peregrine, while very large decreases were apparent for: Lapwing, Skylark, Yellowhammer and Yellow Wagtail. Interestingly, 28 species recorded during 1971 – 1980 were not observed during this latest study. From additional observations made on a downstream stretch of the River Wye near Fownhope some interesting bird community differences were identified.

The full report covers much greater detail on individual species, including their peak and median counts, where they were observed and changes in status that have taken place over the last 45 years. Of course such trends reflect wider changes in populations and geographical ranges of species, as well as changes in the composition and management of the river and adjoining farmland.

References Cundale, G.C. (2012). Birds of the Middle Wye, 1977 – 2006.

HOC (1980). Walking the Wye, 1971-1980 (J.L. & J.V. Fox). Herefordshire Ornithological Club Annual Report 1980, pp 418 – 423.

HOC (1985). Walking the Wye, 1981-1985 (J.L. & J.V. Fox). Herefordshire Ornithological Club Annual Report 1985, pp 222 – 224.

RSPB (1977). A survey of the birds of the River Wye. RSPB, Sandy, Beds.

For those interested in further reading, an electronic copy of the full 38-page report can be obtained from HOC.

Graham Cundale

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115 The birds of Garway Hill revisited: 2004 and 2014

This article should be read as a continuation of “The Birds of Garway Hill” account published in the HOC Annual Report 2004 (pages 33 – 36).

Garway Hill is mostly common land comprising 84.6 hectares enclosed by woods on its western slopes and by non-intensive farmland on the other sides. The commoners have rights, many of which are not exercised nowadays other than the grazing of sheep and horses. Garway Hill rises to 366 metres and its underlying rocks are mostly the Dittonian series of sandstones from the Old Red Sandstone or Devonian period. Although it has patches of acid grassland (5%), most of the area is covered with bracken (87%), some of which is cut annually. There are also some mature trees, newly planted hedges around its boundaries and small areas of gorse, much of which has died back due to the cold easterly winds of the 2013/14 winter. Since 2006 the Common has been managed by the commoners in a Higher Level Stewardship agri-environment scheme which ensures areas of bracken are regularly cut after the wild birds, mainly Skylark and Meadow Pipit, have nested.

The table below presents two sets of data, from 2004 and 2014, of total bird counts on a prescribed route around Garway Hill for the five months of April, May, June, July and September (one visit per month).

Total bird counts on Garway Hill over five visits in summer months of 2004 and 2014

Species 2004 2014 Species 2004 2014 Blackbird 69 60 Green Woodpecker 7 1 Blackcap 5 9 House Martin 90 74 Blue Tit 96 64 House Sparrow 9 31 Bullfinch 8 6 Jay 3 3 Buzzard 10 10 Kestrel 1 - Chaffinch 63 57 Linnet 79 45 Chiffchaff 35 43 Long-tailed Tit 14 - Coal Tit 2 4 Magpie 7 21 Collard Dove 2 1 Mallard - 2 Carrion Crow 31 64 Meadow Pipit 118 92 Cuckoo 2 1 Mistle Thrish 2 20 Dunnock 28 36 Nuthatch 4 4 Garden Warbler 1 - Peregrine 1 - Goldcrest 10 10 Pheasant 6 8 Goldfinch 19 4 Pied Wagtail 1 11 Great Spotted 2 3 Raven 4 23 Woodpecker Redstart 13 32 Great Tit 67 30 Robin 83 62 Greenfinch 13 3 Sand Martin 3 -

116 Species 2004 2014 Species 2004 2014 Skylark 28 35 Tree Pipit 12 13 Song Thrush 29 9 Whitethroat 2 - Spotted Flycatcher 2 - Willow Warbler 49 49 Starling 9 - Woodpigeon 32 25 Stock Dove 8 1 Wren 89 64 Stonechat 8 - Yellowhammer 23 38 Swallow 22 17

In any comparison of the two years, caution should be exercised as not all other variables were constant, especially the weather – 2004 weather was not ideally repeated in 2014. The first two months of 2014 were much wetter and milder (310 mm compared to 117 mm in 2004). In 2014, May was also very wet which affected tit numbers, whereas May 2004 was a drier month allowing above average broods of tits; this is reflected in tit numbers as follows: 96 vs. 64 for Blue Tits and 67 vs. 30 for Great Tits in 2004 and 2014 respectively. The months of June and July were hot and sunny in both years, but September was drier in 2014 and the dominant wind in 2004 was easterly, although no notable bird migration was observed over Garway Hill.

In the intervening years the amount of bracken cutting has increased under the terms of the Stewardship scheme, which may have affected the number of nesting Meadow Pipit with smaller numbers recorded in 2014 (118 vs. 92). There was however an increase in the number of Skylark observed from 28 in 2004 to 35 in 2014. The absence of Stonechats in 2014 may be due to the three preceding severe winters; it is pleasing however to note their recovery and breeding presence again in 2015.

Forty-nine species were recorded in 2004 compared with just 41 in 2014; Garden Warbler, Kestrel, Long-tailed Tit, Peregrine, Sand Martin, Spotted Flycatcher, Starling, Stonechat and Mick Colquhoun Mick Female Stonechat

117 Whitethroat were present in 2004, but not in 2014. The only extra species observed in 2014 was Mallard. The following comparisons are not intended to suggest statistical significant differences but simply to summarise the observations.

The numbers of Starling have declined nationally and Garway Hill numbers reflect this trend, also they no longer breed in the area. Stock Dove numbers have declined generally because of the lack of suitable feeding areas. Green Woodpeckers are still present but not as prevalent as in 2004 (seven versus one in 2014), whereas Great Spotted Woodpecker numbers appear stable or marginally increased, against a background of a national increase.

There was a large increase in the number of Pied Wagtail observed and it has become a breeding species. In recent years, no Garden Warbler or Spotted Flycatcher has been noted. However the numbers of Blackcap and Chiffchaff have increased, consistent with change in the UK population, whereas Willow Warbler numbers do not appear to have declined in line with the national trend.

Finch numbers observed have declined similarly to the UK figures; although Linnet numbers have no doubt also been affected by the bracken cutting, as for Meadow Pipit. Blackbird and Song Thrush numbers decreased, whereas the number of Mistle Thrush increased. The numbers of House Sparrow noted showed an increase, along with that of Ravens and other corvids.

There was an increase in the number of Yellowhammer sightings and more nesting territories were noted in 2014 (6) than in 2004 (3); could this be due to an enlargement of the bracken area cut or to increased food availability? With cropping constant and only two fields sown to corn in both years, it is difficult to identify the main reason.

As already discussed, tit numbers were fewer in 2014, probably due to the much wetter spring. Both House Martin and Swallow numbers reflect the national trend downwards. Buzzard, Cuckoo, Nuthatch, Pheasant and Tree Pipit numbers remain unchanged, while other raptors seen occasionally as flyovers in most years were: Kestrel, Peregrine and Red Kite.

Garway Hill remains on a migration route with notable passages of Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Woodpigeon in the autumn. Wheatears continue to be found on passage too, while other migrants are probably present for a short time and would only be noted with more frequent visits. In the intervening years between 2004 and 2014, other species have been noted: Red Kite have been seen more regularly; Goshawk and Hobby have also been observed; occasionally Lesser Black-backed Gulls have been recorded flying over and the occasional Curlew in April 2004 and January 2012.

The future for Garway Hill is reasonably optimistic while the Friends of Garway Common continue to manage the Common and the Higher Level Stewardship scheme remains available from Government. John Pullen

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118 Unusual nesting behaviour in House Martins

In a Note to ‘British Birds’ the author described the previously unreported use of a Schwegler nestbox by House Martins (Wells, 2015). The nest box was one of two standard ‘woodcrete’ artificial Schwegler Swallow cup nests which had been placed in 2009 under the eaves of a converted barn dwelling to complement four natural Swallow nests, built under the eaves and occupied in most years since 2008, the year after the barn had been converted to a house. Presumably, Swallows had, prior to the development, built conventionally in the interior of this and adjoining farm buildings, now all converted for human habitation. In the Note, it was also described that toward the end of the 2014 breeding season two natural eaves-situated Swallow nests on nearby garages (vacated by Swallows after rearing a single brood), had undergone partial ‘conversion’ by House Martins with several courses of mud-pellets added around the rim of each nest. In this short communication, further account of this unusual House Martin nesting behaviour is given for the 2015 breeding season.

While Swallows have nested under the eaves at this site only since the development was carried out, there is a 1960s brick-built detached house, approximately 100 metres away, on which there has long been a House Martin colony comprising about 20 nests. In May 2014, agonistic behaviour with alarm calls between Swallows and House Martins was apparent around the barn and one of the Swallow Schwegler nestboxes was adopted by a pair of House Martins and ‘converted’ (Fig 1). This process consisted of the progressive layering of courses of mud pellets to the rim of the artificial cup nest, until, as with a conventional House Martin nest, the structure was completed with the top of the nest in apposition to the soffit. Whether by design or opportunity this had the effect of creating a more spacious nest cavity than usually available in a natural House Martin nest. Two broods were successfully reared in this nest in 2014. By 4 May 2015, a pair of House Martins had again occupied the nest and subsequently successfully reared two broods. Gerald Wells Figure 1: Adult House Martin building the “extension” to a Swallow Schwegler nestbox

119 Interestingly, a pair of Swallows used a nest, present from previous years and only 75 cm distance from this House Martin nest, rearing at least one brood successfully. Also, one of the natural eaves Swallow nests, which had undergone partial ‘conversion’ by House Martins late in the 2014 breeding season (referred to above), was by 17 April occupied by a pair of House Martins. Building continued and the nest was completed by 11 May, young were vocalising from the nest by 9 June and were fully fledged by 7 July.

It is well known that many avian species will utilise the nests of others, and at this site, Swallow nests have in some seasons been occupied, sometimes temporarily, by Pied Wagtail and Robin. It has also been noted previously that, hirundines may experience competition from other species, including other hirundines, and House Martins Delichon urbicum will occasionally use an old Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica nest (Turner, 2004), but this was qualified by suggesting that such behaviour is related to a scarcity of suitable nest sites, something that would not seem to be the case at this site.

Although further observations in subsequent years are required, it is tempting to speculate that the nearby main House Martin colony is either expanding or attempting a partial relocation. There is no evidence that the nests in the main House Martin colony are diminishing, or that there are any adverse factors affecting the colony. As with any novel observations, further questions arise; why now and why site new nests apparently in competition with Swallows? If the phenomenon continues it seems that the very small population of Swallows may be ousted from their unconventional eaves-nesting situation.

Footnote: The House Martins at this site and in the main nearby colony have been included in the BTO House Martin Nest Study. In 2016, with the re-occupation of the converted natural Swallow nest on the garage, the building of a new House Martin nest adjacent to it and the first use of a twin Schwegler House Martin nest box erected in 2009, it appears that a new colony is in progress. Only one pair of Swallows have nested at the site in 2016, using the nest next to the original converted Schwegler nest box, which although visited by House Martins early in the breeding season, was not occupied, so that this year the Swallows prevailed. References

Turner, A.K. (2004). Family Hirundinidae (Swallows and Martins). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Christie, D. (eds). Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 9, pp 602 – 685. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Wells, G.A.H. (2015). Use of a Schwegler nestbox by House Martins. British Birds, 108: 431 – 432.

Gerald Wells

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120 Abnormalities in colouration in birds

The colour of a bird’s plumage is determined by the presence of coloured pigments incorporated into the feathers during their growth in the feather follicle. These pigments fall into two broad categories, carotenoids and melanins.

Carotenoids are derived from components present in food and the resulting pigments vary in colour from yellow to red. Abnormalities in these colours are usually due to a dietary deficiency, as occurs for example, when the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is deprived of red carotenoids in the diet resulting in a bird that appears almost white. Genetic abnormalities that result in changes in carotenoid-based pigments are rare.

Melanins that contribute to feather colouration exist in two forms, eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin is the most abundant and is responsible (depending on concentration) for black, grey or dark brown colours in feathers; it is also the only type of melanin found in the skin and eyes. Phaeomelanin is responsible for a reddish brown colouration in feathers seen, for example, in the red breast of the Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and the underwing of the Redwing (Turdus iliacus). In many cases, the final colour of an individual feather is due to the relative amounts of the two melanins.

The formation of melanin starts in specialised colour cells at a very early stage in the development of the embryo. During development, these colour cells migrate to the feather follicles and are subsequently responsible for imparting the final colour to an individual feather. Colour cells also migrate to the skin and eyes and enable the formation of melanin at these sites. Crucially, the whole process is under genetic control and is therefore susceptible to genetic mutation; failure in the formation of the enzyme responsible for the initial stage in the formation of melanin (tyrosinase) will result in the failure of melanin production. When this is complete, and no melanin synthesis is possible, the result is an albino.

Albinism

Albinism results form a total lack of melanin due to an inherited absence of tyrosinase; melanin cannot be produced and the feathers are therefore white. The eyes and skin also lack melanin and appear pink due to blood visible through the colourless tissues of the skin and eye. A mostly white bird which shows some melanin pigmentation is not an albino!

An albino may still show pigmentation caused by carotenoid pigments as these do not require tyrosinase for their synthesis, so yellow and red colouration may still be visible. The gene responsible for albinism is relatively common, yet albino birds are rarely seen; this is largely due to defective vision caused by an absence of pigment in the eye. Such birds (being white and severely visually impaired) are easy prey for predators and most die shortly after fledging.

Leucism

Leucism is caused by an inherited disorder that causes a failure of deposition of melanin in the feathers. Tyrosinase is present and the production of melanin is normal, but a genetic mutation prevents the pigment being deposited in the feathers. Leucism exists in different forms and may affect only a proportion of the feathers; in some birds all feathers are affected resulting in a totally white bird, like the Blackbird described below.

121 The skin and eyes are usually pigmented normally in leucistic birds, and even if the pigment is missing from the iris, the pigmentation of the retina is normal. Leucistic birds therefore, always have dark coloured eyes. This was the case with the Blackbird described below and illustrated in the accompanying photograph. The eyesight of leucistic birds is normal so there is a much better chance of survival; this explains why such birds are seen relatively commonly. Leucistic Blackbird at Adforton John Voysey John

On 16 October 2014, a leucistic Blackbird took up residence in John Voysey’s garden at Adforton and gradually carved out a territory for itself there. At first, it seemed rather shy and hesitant as it was a long way down the pecking order amongst the other garden birds. Nevertheless it slowly enlarged its domain with the house as the epicenter of its territory, until it was “cock o’ the midden” and took over the bird table, which at the beginning it had avoided. In all, its territory was about 30 metres in diameter. It was named “M. le Blanc” because it was perceived to be a male. It flew around the garden like a spirit or wraith, shining like a beacon and became a target for the local Sparrowhawks. On one occasion it was seen heading for cover hotly pursued by one, which no doubt was not the first time.

Then on 5 April 2015, Easter Sunday, it had gone, as suddenly as it had appeared with no trace of white feathers, so maybe it had returned to Europe, from where it may have come, or was it another resurrection?

Further Reading: Van Grouw, H. (2006). Not every white bird is an albino: sense and nonsense about colour aberrations in birds. Dutch Birding, 28: 79 – 89 (available at: http://www.housesparrow.eu/pdfs/ english/vanGrouwHein2006_NotEveryWhiteBirdIsAnAlbinoSenseAndNonsenseAboutColour AberrationsInBirds.pdf). Mick Colquhoun & John Voysey

122 Bird ringing in Herefordshire 2015

This is a summary of birds ringed in Herefordshire in 2015, together with brief details of significant recoveries of birds previously ringed in the county and of ‘controls’ in Herefordshire of birds ringed outside its borders. Ringing provides information essential to science, conservation and government on bird movements, migration, survival, longevity, breeding success and habitat use, among other aspects. More details on the Ringing Scheme, its objectives, methods and results can be found on the British Trust for Ornithology website at http://www.bto.org (look under Volunteer Surveys or Core Surveys).

Ringing totals

Species Pulli Juv. Adult Not 2015 Retrap. Recov. aged total Mute Swan 3 3 6 1 1 Red Kite 2 2 Goshawk 3 3 Sparrowhawk 2 2 Buzzard 6 6 Lapwing 2 2 Woodpigeon 3 1 4 Collared Dove 2 2 Little Owl 2 2 Kingfisher 2 2 Green Woodpecker 1 1 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 15 21 1 37 10 Kestrel 4 1 5 Hobby 12 12 Magpie 1 1 2 Jay 1 1 Jackdaw 6 6 1 Rook 1 1 Goldcrest 72 46 19 137 12 Blue Tit 970 546 120 2 1,638 119 1 Great Tit 457 179 74 710 69 1 Coal Tit 58 18 76 15 1 Marsh Tit 4 3 3 10 8 Sand Martin 35 100 135 34 3 Swallow 85 1 8 94 2 Long-tailed Tit 30 39 42 111 36 Wood Warbler 13 13

123 Species Pulli Juv. Adult Not 2015 Retrap. Recov. aged total Chiffchaff 323 40 1 364 35 2 Willow Warbler 24 23 47 Blackcap 149 58 207 3 1 Garden Warbler 2 4 6 Lesser Whitethroat 4 4 2 Whitethroat 4 1 5 Sedge Warbler 5 3 8 Reed Warbler 38 4 42 20 Nuthatch 38 5 6 4 53 7 Treecreeper 8 5 6 19 9 Wren 41 13 54 16 1 Starling 4 4 Dipper 102 3 10 115 25 4 Blackbird 18 35 36 89 27 1 Fieldfare 1 1 2 Song Thrush 13 7 6 26 3 Redwing 3 5 8 Mistle Thrush 1 1 Robin 28 72 17 117 30 1 Pied Flycatcher 666 94 760 79 12 Redstart 12 1 3 16 Dunnock 60 18 78 42 House Sparrow 2 8 11 11 32 1 Grey Wagtail 16 16 Pied/White Wagtail 5 1 6 Tree Pipit 1 1 Chaffinch 19 21 40 4 Bullfinch 26 21 47 3 Greenfinch 9 11 20 Lesser Redpoll 72 22 94 Goldfinch 15 11 26 1 Siskin 22 18 40 2 Yellowhammer 3 3 Reed Bunting 1 3 4 1 Grand Total (61 species) 2,464 1,904 918 89 5,375 614 32

124 ‘Pulli’ are birds ringed as nestlings; Juveniles (‘Juv.’) are those identified as being in their first calendar year, whereas ‘Adults’ are birds in their second or later calendar year; birds of some species cannot be aged in this way, and are listed separately (‘Not aged’). ‘Retrap.’ are birds recaptured (for most species) within 5 km of the place of ringing; Recoveries (‘Recov.’) are birds found dead, or found alive away from the place of ringing.

The overall ringing total for the county is only slightly lower than for 2014. However, there is a marked reduction in the number of birds retrapped: the numbers of such Blue Tits, Great Tits, Blackbirds and Robins in particular are notably lower. This may reflect a population change, or result from changes in catching activity – see comments on the Much Marcle CES below.

Comparable totals for other areas and for the whole country, and for recent years, are available on the BTO website at: http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/publications/ online- ringing-reports

BTO monitoring schemes

CES: Part of the county’s ringing has previously been undertaken at Much Marcle as part of the BTO’s Constant Effort Sites (CES) Scheme to provide data on changes in population size (abundance) and breeding success and on adult survival rates for 24 species of common songbird. The annual catching effort from May to August is kept constant at a CES, so variations in numbers of birds caught should relate to actual changes in the avian population. As explained below, Much Marcle was not a formal CES during 2014 and 2015.

RAS: Some ringing of Pied Flycatchers formed part of the BTO’s Retrapping Adults for Survival (RAS) Project, for estimating survival of species that cannot be monitored so effectively by other ringing projects such as CES. More details and national results of both these on-going surveys can be found on the BTO website (http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/surveys/ces and http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/surveys/ras), and in particular in the BTO magazine Life Cycle, available for download on the website.

NRS: The ringing of nestlings often also generates complete nest histories which are submitted to the BTO’s Nest Record Scheme, enabling monitoring of nest success and productivity of nesting birds – see http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/nrs and Life Cycle.

The 2015 season (summarised from Life Cycle, Spring 2016)

Most of the country experienced a sunny winter and a relatively benign start to the year, including dry conditions at the beginning of the breeding season. By May, things had taken a turn for the worse, however, with unsettled, cool weather resulting in wetter-than-average conditions, particularly in northern parts of Britain. Although June was mostly dry and calm, the warm summers of the previous two years were a distant memory by July and August, which also witnessed spells of heavy rain.

Migrant abundance

CES results indicate that our summer visitors experienced mixed fortunes. Chiffchaff and Blackcap, both short-distance migrants that typically winter around the Mediterranean Basin/North Africa, were the only migratory warblers to demonstrate significant increases in abundance over the five-year mean (2010 ‒ 2014), with numbers of the latter potentially inflated by the high number of young produced in 2014.

125 For Willow Warbler and Whitethroat, both long-distance migrants that winter south of the Sahara, 2015 proved more challenging, with significant decreases in abundance recorded across the country. Whitethroat was particularly badly affected, with numbers at their lowest since CES began in 1983, despite a productive breeding season in 2014. Individuals of all ages may well have struggled over winter or on passage as a result of another dry growing season in the Sahel, the second in succession.

The long-term trends (1983 ‒ 2015) continue to show declines in abundance for all six long- distance migrants monitored through CES: numbers of Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler have all decreased by more than 50%. In contrast, Chiffchaff and Blackcap have increased by 385% and 125% respectively over the same period. Migrants that winter on the near continent perhaps encounter fewer challenges during passage than longer-distance migrants and are in a better position to alter the timing of their journey in relation to weather conditions on the breeding grounds, and this may influence both survival and productivity.

Migrant survival

House Martin, which has seen survival rates decline to their lowest since the start of the index in 1994, demonstrated a small increase in survival in 2015. For the second consecutive year, Pied Flycatcher exhibited an increase in survival and the estimate is now at its highest. Sand Martin and Swallow did not fare so well, with survival for both decreasing. CES indicated no significant differences in survival for migrants relative to the previous five years.

Migrant nesting & productivity

Laying dates for most migrants were about average; however, there were significant delays in laying dates for Sand Martin, Pied Flycatcher and Redstart. For Sand Martin, this was a result of a late start to laying rather than an extended season. Pied Flycatcher and Redstart arrival dates were fairly typical so it is possible that their delayed laying was a result of heavy rainfall in May. The mean number of fledglings produced per breeding attempt (FPBA) for Sand Martin was significantly higher in 2015 than the five-year mean despite the late start. FPBA was significantly lower than average for Pied Flycatcher, however, suggesting that the delay may have caused them to miss the caterpillar peak.

Only two migrants, Whitethroat and Reed Warbler, experienced a significant increase in productivity. For Whitethroat, numbers of which were significantly reduced, it is possible that this is an example of density dependence, with competition between individuals decreasing as numbers fell. In contrast, numbers of juvenile Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler recorded at CES locations dropped significantly in 2015; for Willow Warbler, it was the least- productive CES season on record.

Resident abundance & survival

The mild conditions over the 2014/15 winter appear to have helped many residents to survive. Goldfinch abundance was at its highest since CES began. However, CES results did not show any significant changes in adult survival rates for residents. This suggests the increases in abundance may be the result of higher levels of juvenile recruitment, with a large number of young produced during 2014’s bumper breeding season surviving the clement winter. However, Blackbird, which exhibited huge increases in productivity in 2014, did not display a significant increase in abundance in any region in the current year.

126 The sole resident to demonstrate a significant decline in abundance was Greenfinch. Great Tit was the only species to demonstrate a long-term (1983 – 2015) increase in abundance of greater than 50%, while numbers of Willow Tit and Reed Bunting declined by more than 50%, in line with Breeding Bird Survey trends.

Resident nesting & productivity

Few residents advanced their laying dates, suggesting that the spring sunshine came too early to influence breeding phenology. NRS data indicate that no resident passerines laid significantly earlier than average when compared to the five-year mean (2010 ‒ 2014), but Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Pied Wagtail all laid significantly later.

In complete contrast to 2014, CES results indicate that 2015 was a very unproductive year for residents, with seven species demonstrating significant declines. Blue Tit and Great Tit produced significantly fewer fledglings per breeding attempt; brood sizes were the lowest on record for both these species and clutch sizes were also the lowest recorded for Blue Tit. It is likely that the wet weather during May and July was the primary reason for the disappointing breeding season, with reduced brood sizes as well as poor egg and chick-stage survival being observed. Yet again, Woodpigeon had a terrible year with a near 50% decline in productivity rates relative to the average. NRS results suggest reduced brood sizes and poor egg-stage survival were to blame. David Coker David Pied Flycatcher clutch of eggs in a monitored nestbox

127 Summary of Much Marcle results

Since 1995 a Constant Effort Site has been operated at Much Marcle, courtesy of Westons Cider. Maintaining a stable CES is often a battle against habitat progression, and this has been the case at Much Marcle: a significant pathway through a reed bed, where several mist nets are located and where a major proportion of warblers are caught, became unsafe to use in 2014. The positions of nets had to be changed so much that the “effort” was no longer constant, and for 2014 and 2015 the site has not been a formal CES. However, ringing has continued, to maintain the momentum, and further changes in site operation should permit resumption of full CES ringing in 2016.

At Much Marcle, a total of 608 individual birds of 32 different species were captured in 2015. Of these, 570 birds were unringed when caught, while 37 were recaptures of birds ringed at the site in earlier years and one was a bird originally ringed elsewhere. In addition, during the year there were 72 other recaptures of some of these 608 birds, giving a grand total of 680 bird records for the year. These figures are comparable to those for 2014, but again much lower than the corresponding totals for 2013 (1063 records). This reflects the habitat changes at the site and a reduced number of visits during 2015.

Noteworthy points included:

• For Chiffchaff, 234 individuals were caught, a marked increase on 135 for 2014 and in notable contrast to the national situation described above; all but one were birds hatched in 2015, the exception being a bird ringed here in 2013 and caught again in 2014. Willow Warbler numbers however were down, from 20 birds to seven. Blackcaps held steady, while Reed Warbler numbers fell slightly.

• Amongst the resident species, Blackbird numbers fell sharply, though this may reflect the reduced number of visits; on the other hand, Goldcrests rose sharply from two to 15. Blue Tits were down from 79 to 45 (something our fingers did not complain about), and Great Tits also declined from 31 to 12. Goldfinches rose from a single bird in 2014 to 12.

• Less usual species for the site included two Swallows, a Tree Pipit, a Redstart, a Redwing, a Whitethroat, six Siskins and seven Lesser Redpolls.

Recoveries and controls

This section gives details of birds ringed or subsequently encountered in Herefordshire and felt to be of particular interest. In the interests of brevity only selected records are included here. Many more recovery summaries are available on-line at the website given above for ringing totals. Summary information for the whole of the country is also given in the annual report on Bird Ringing in Britain and Ireland included in the journal Ringing & Migration (BTO).

The recoveries are arranged by species, with the ringing information on the first line and one or more subsequent recoveries below. The symbols and conventions used are as follows:

(i) Age when ringed (and when recaptured if still alive); mostly determined by examination of condition and pattern of plumage:

128 • Nestling: ringed as a chick, typically in or close to the nest (Euring age code 1) • Juv.: caught in year of hatching, ‘post-juvenile’ moult incomplete (Euring age code 3J) • 1st-yr: caught in year of hatching, after post-juvenile moult (Euring age code 3) • F-grown: full-grown - year of hatching not determined (Euring age code 2) • 2nd-yr: caught in the calendar year after the year of hatching (Euring age code 5) • Adult: caught after the year of hatching (Euring age codes 4, 6, 8, etc.)

(ii) Sex: M = Male, F = Female

(iii) Circumstances of recovery: mostly self-explanatory, but in particular:

• Ct. alive: caught and released by a ringer, some distance from the site of ringing • Recap’d: caught and released by a ringer at or close to the site of ringing • Fnd. dead: freshly dead • Field: ring or wing tag read in the field (e.g. with binoculars or telescope)

For recoveries involving movement over a significant distance, details are given of the time elapsed in days between ringing and recovery, the distance between ringing and recovery site and the compass bearing of the recovery site from the ringing site. Elapsed time is stated as calendar years, months and days, for ease of reading; these years may contain 365 or 366 days (leap years), which should be borne in mind when making precise age comparisons.

‘Much Marcle’ refers to the CES discussed above, at grid reference SO6533. ‘Glos.’ is used as an abbreviation for Gloucestershire.

Mute Swan W25376 Adult 14-04-2010 River Severn, Worcester Ct. alive 29-09-2015 Whitbourne 5y 5m 10d 14 km WNW

Canada Goose 5272708 Adult F 02-07-2013 Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria Fnd. Dead 03-05-2015 Moccas 1y 10m 1d 256 km S 5274032 Adult F 28-06-2014 Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria Field 09-10-2014 Barnfields, near 0y 3m 11d 256 km S Swainshill Dead (wild 30-01-2015 Credenhill 0y 7m 2d 254 km S mammal)

129 Red Kite GC11804 Nestling 24-06-2009 Confidential site, Powys Field 23-04-2015 Confidential site, 5y 9m 30d 12 km NE Herefordshire GR19891 Nestling 02-07-2011 Confidential site, Shropshire Sick 24-08-2011 Llantysilio Hall, 0y 1m 22d 58 km NNW (natural Llangollen, causes) Denbighshire Field 21-05-2015 Confidential site, near 3y 10m 19d 53 km S Vowchurch

Black-headed Gull EW96273 Adult 27-02-2012 Daneshill Landfill Site, Nottinghamshire Field 04-11-2015 Ross-on-Wye 3y 8m 8d 194 km SW

Great Spotted Woodpecker LJ29013 1st-yr 11-08-2015 Sherpa Marsh, Velator, Braunton, Devon Fnd. dead 09-11-2015 Ash Grove, Westhide 0y 2m 29d 153 km NE (hit glass)

Goldcrest HPT745 1st-yr 18-10-2015 Eccles-on-Sea, Norfolk Ct. alive 22-11-2015 Hope under Dinmore, 0y 1m 4d 300 km WSW Leominster

Goldcrests will migrate from the continent across the North Sea in autumn (I have had an exhausted bird perch on my leg at Gibraltar Point!); this bird may be an example, perhaps ringed shortly after arrival on the east coast.

Blue Tit X808542 1st-yr M 30-08-2009 Much Marcle Recap’d at Much Marcle in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Recap’d 30-09-2015 Much Marcle 6y 1m 0d

Great Tit V603840 Adult M 13-05-2010 Upper Colwall Recap’d at Upper Colwall in 2011 and 2014 Recap’d 26-02-2015 Upper Colwall 4y 9m 13d

130 Sand Martin L174905 1st-yr 21-08-2012 Hengistbury Head Centre, Bournemouth, Dorset Ct. alive 21-06-2015 Backney 2y 10m 0d 148 km NNW Y950016 1st-yr 25-08-2013 Pett Level, East Sussex Ct. alive 20-07-2014 Backney Ct. alive 21-06-2015 Backney 1y 9m 27d 255 km WNW Paris Adult: F 01-08-2014 Pointe D’offoy, Cayeux- 7195791 Sur-Mer, Somme, France Ct. alive 25-07-2015 Backney 0y 11m 24d 348 km NW Z549784 Juv. 06-07-2015 Backney Ct. alive 13-08-2015 Etang de la Horre, 0y 1m 7d 644 km SE Lentilles, Aube, France Z549712 Juv. 21-06-2015 Backney Ct. alive 18-08-2015 Lagunage, Rochefort, 0y 1m 28d 678 km S Charente-Maritime, France

Productive ringing sessions again at a Sand Martin colony at Backney: a second bird ringed on the south coast was caught here; another bird returned to breed for a second year; two juveniles began their migratory adventure and another French-ringed bird was caught here.

Chiffchaff HAB639 1st-yr. 28-09-2014 Pett Level, East Sussex Dead 21-05-2015 Shelwick 0y 7m 23d 267 km WNW JCE687 Juv. 15-09-2015 Much Marcle Fnd. dead 02-10-2015 Rottingdean, Brighton 0y 0m 17d 216 km SE & Hove

Blackcap Y310643 2nd-yr. M 27-05-2012 Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve Recap’d 28-04-2013 Bodenham Lake

Recap’d 30-05-2015 Bodenham Lake 3y 0m 3d

Reed Warbler X258234 1st-yr 08-09-2008 Much Marcle Recap’d at Much Marcle in 2011 and 2014 Recap’d 10-05-2015 Much Marcle 6y 8m 2d

131 Treecreeper BRY198 F-grown 19-12-2010 Upper Colwall Recap’d at Upper Colwall in 2012 and 2013 Recap’d 02-02-2015 Upper Colwall 4y 1m 14d

Dipper RF56150 Nestling: F 20-04-2010 Vron, Bucknell, Shropshire Ct. alive 28-09-2010 Lingen Bridge, Bucknell 6 km SE Ct. alive 16-04-2012 Bucknell Wood, 2 km Shropshire Field 29-09-2012 Lingen Bridge Field 04-05-2013 Bucknell Wood Ct. alive 01-10-2013 Lingen Bridge Ct. alive 21-10-2014 Lingen Bridge Ct. alive 07-10-2015 Lingen Bridge 5y 5m 17d 6 km SE

Blackbird Stavanger Adult F 11-10-2010 Revekaien, Klepp, Norway 7403651 Fnd. dead 25-02-2015 Ledbury 4y 4m 14d 898 km SW - hit glass

Pied Flycatcher X760053 2nd-yr. M 13-06-2009 Whitney Wood Recap’d at Whitney Wood in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Recap’d 06-06-2015 Whitney Wood 5y 11m 24d T020429 Nestling 28-05-2011 Kensley, Forest of Dean, Glos. Ct. alive: F 30-05-2015 Crow Wood 4y 0m 2d 35 km NW Y190210 Nestling 12-06-2012 Mansel Lacy Ct. alive: M 28-05-2014 Moccas Ct. alive: M 25-05-2015 Moccas 2y 11m 13d 9 km WSW L862722 Adult F 09-06-2012 Court Wood, Bredwardine Ct. alive 15-05-2015 Moccas 2y 11m 6d 4 km ESE

132 Y202706 Nestling 08-06-2013 Stanner Rocks, Powys Ct. alive: M 06-06-2015 Whitney Court 1y 11m 29d 11 km W Y190646 Nestling 09-06-2013 Mansel Lacy Ct. alive: M 05-06-2014 Presteigne, Powys Ct. alive: M 05-06-2015 Presteigne, Powys 1y 11m 27d 23 km NW Y613271 Nestling 14-06-2013 Badger Moor, near Newcastle, Shropshire Ct. alive: F 14-06-2014 Mary Knoll, near Ct. alive: F 09-06-2015 Mary Knoll, near 1y 11m 26d 30 km ESE Ludlow Y890957 Nestling 18-06-2013 Coed-Dias, Monmouthshire Ct. alive: M 07-06-2015 Moccas 1y 11m 20d 21 km NNE Y996562 Nestling 12-06-2013 Longtown Ct. alive: F 30-05-2015 Crow Wood 1y 11m 18d 7 km NNE T693030 Nestling 18-06-2013 Itton, Monmouthshire Ct. alive: M 04-06-2015 Mansel Lacy 1y 11m 17d 50 km N D000685 Nestling 31-05-2014 Purlogue, Clun, Shropshire Ct. alive: M 09-06-2015 Moccas 1y 0m 9d 36 km S D620234 Nestling 04-06-2014 Mansel Lacy Ct. alive: M 09-06-2015 Moccas 1y 0m 5d 9 km WSW D583780 Nestling 15-06-2014 Wigmore Rolls Ct. alive: F 11-06-2015 Presteigne, Powys 0y 11m 27d 11 km WSW D558506 Nestling 02-06-2014 Rhos-y-Meirch, Powys Ct. alive: F 18-05-2015 Whitney Court 0y 11m 16d 22 km S L081297 Nestling 08-06-2014 Hollybush, Eastnor, Worcs Ct. alive: F 21-05-2015 Moccas 0y 11m 13d 42 km W

Dunnock V602096 F-grown 12-01-2010 Upper Colwall Recap’d 10-02-2015 Upper Colwall 5y 0m 29d

133 Pied Wagtail D512673 Adult 25-08-2014 Bardsey Island, Gwynedd Long dead 05-06-2015 The Weir 0y 9m 11d 154 km ESE in building

Greenfinch VZ13225 1st-yr: F 08-10-2015 North Somercotes, Lincs Ct. alive 20-10-2015 Moccas 0y 0m 12d 259 km SW

Lesser Redpoll T848569 1st-yr. M 30-09-2011 Blackditch, Wicklow Ct. alive 19-10-2015 Hope under Dinmore, 4y 0m 19d 246 km ESE Leominster

Siskin D511885 1st-yr: M 21-03-2014 Cradley Ct. alive 22-01-2015 Golspie, Highland 0y 10m 1d 658 km N

Acknowledgements

The continuing efforts of all the ringers who operate in the county and contribute to this aspect of monitoring its birdlife are gratefully acknowledged. Thank you to those ringers who continue to send me details of interesting retraps and recoveries – these are welcome. If any reader is interested in participating in ringing activities in the county, please feel free to contact me ([email protected]). David Coker

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134 Herefordshire Nestbox Recording Scheme 2015

Background

The Nestbox Recording Scheme (NRS) started when the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) came into being in 1962 via the Woolhope Club. In the following year, 60 nestboxes were made by pupils of Whitecross School under the supervision of Dr Charles Walker. As this was before any reserves had been acquired by HWT, they were set up in promising hilly woodlands, such as Moccas, Mary Knoll and Shobdon. The first volunteer recorders were HOC members who had joined HWT and had the expertise. Therefore, some of the early woodlands have long-term records with equally long-term recorders and ringers, some of whom have been involved for 40 years, and their dedication is much appreciated.

The duties of recorders are to maintain the boxes, provided by HWT, to clear them ready for occupation and, once nesting has started in April, to make as near-weekly visits as possible, recording the species nesting, the number of eggs laid and hatching and fledging numbers, which are passed on to the HWT Co-ordinator for collating. They also notify named ringers for certain species, such as Pied Flycatcher, Nuthatch and Redstart.

Please contact Beryl Harding if you feel inspired to become a volunteer in the Nestbox Recording Scheme, as she is always looking for help with either existing locations or new sites. Her email address is: [email protected].

Overall results for 2014 compared with previous years

Results for the last 10 years are as follows:

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Sites recorded 27 23 26 26 26 29 30 29 33 30 Boxes available 852 731 741 805 820 818 939 961 943 983 Boxes used 465 447 453 478 521 510 508 519 639 578 % used 54.6 61.1 61.1 59.3 63.5 62.3 54.1 54.0 67.8 58.7

In 2014 there was a reduction in sites recorded due to lack of recorders for various reasons plus the loss of one site as it was no longer suitable. Results are still lacking for two HWT reserves, but in 2015 three new recorded sites were gained and new recorders were found for the Lea & Paget’s reserve.

Taking into consideration the number of boxes now available, the number used showed the lowest take-up for many years. This was commented upon by several recorders and is a worrying observation. The 2014/15 winter had not been very cold, so it was disappointing that resident birds provided such low results.

135 Species results for 2015 compared with 2014

Species Sites Nests Eggs Hatched Fledged % success 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Pied 16 11 114 86 742 468 592 381 434 304 58.5 65.0 Flycatcher Blue Tit 27 23 187 194 1,540 1,545 1,091 1,247 782 936 50.7 60.6 Great Tit 25 22 163 140 816 896 589 749 434 639 53.2 71.3 Coal Tit 1 1 1 1 7 5 7 5 7 5 100.0 100.0 Tit species 2 3 8 6 45 49 20 31 12 15* 26.7 30.6* Nuthatch 8 5 19 13 94 78 74 66 62 55 66.0 70.5 Redstart 2 3 2 5 13 26 12 18* 11 14* 84.6 53.8* Wren 3 1 3 2 11 9 7 3 7 -* 63.6 -* * Eggs were predated or the outcome was unclear from one or more nests

As in 2014 most species were off to a fairly good start but then the cool wet weather in May and early June greatly affected hatchlings with some parents unable to cope and eventually abandoning the brood. The cool weather also affected the invertebrate food supply. It was another poor year for Nuthatch despite the increase in nest sites; they usually have 80 – 100% fledging results.

Comparative success rates in fledging for various species

Species 2015 2014 2013 2012 Sites % Sites % Sites % Sites % success success success success Pied 16 58.5 11 65.0 14 72.8 9 63.7 Flycatcher Blue Tit 27 50.7 23 60.6 26 69.1 26 58.7 Great Tit 25 53.2 22 71.3 26 68.0 26 67.4 Coal Tit 1 100.0 1 100.0 1 100.0 0 - Tit species 2 26.7 3 30.6* 0 - 0 - Nuthatch 8 66.0 5 70.5 5 42.8 9 41.5

Redstart 2 84.6 3 53.8* 4 72.1 2 100.0 Wren 3 63.6 1 -* 1 -* 1 58.3 * Eggs were predated or the outcome was unclear from one or more nests

136 Pied Flycatcher results summary, 2000 – 2015

Year Sites Nests Eggs Fledged % success 2015 16 114 742 434 58.5 2014 11 86 468 304 65.0 2013 14 135 773 563 72.8 2012 9 75 477 304 63.7 2011 11 87 543 354 65.2 2010 12 82 539 404 74.9 2009 13 93 525 353 67.2 2008 13 81 582 367 63.0 2007 12 107 636 263 41.4 2006 16 88 520 503 96.7 2005 14 85 574 423 73.7 2004 14 89 620 443 71.4 2003 14 109 708 376 53.1 2002 14 96 685 263 38.4 2000 24 140 669 494 73.8

Note: In 2001 there was no recording due to Foot & Mouth restrictions.

The average success rate over the 15 years has been 65.3%. While the percent success figure each year is interesting, it is the number of eggs laid and young subsequently fledged that are more important. Using these latter measures, 2015 was therefore a relatively successful year for Pied Flycatcher, the most successful sites being: Mary Knoll, Lower and Upper Moccas Park and The Leathers at Aymestrey.

General comments

This 2014/15 winter followed a similar temperature pattern to the previous winter, being comparatively mild with few frosts and no snow in the lower parts of the county, but with far less rainfall. The weekend of 11–12 April had strong westerly winds which may have delayed many migrants arriving from Europe and Africa, but the weather changed a few days later to cold easterly winds. After an unsettled start to the month it became the sunniest April since 1929 and with only 64% of the normal monthly rainfall, which seemed to give promise of a good start to the nesting season. Egg laying commenced in mid-April for most, other than the Pied Flycatchers, or nearly a week ahead of previous years. However, high winds and heavy rain in late May and early June combined with lower than average day and night temperatures, greatly affected the invertebrate food supply and hence fledging success, with many nests abandoned. Blue Tits and Great Tits seemed to be worst affected with very poor results.

Comments regarding abandonment were widespread. At Wellington Wood, a Blue Tit nest had 12 tiny dead young with another new nest built above but nothing further attempted. A Great Tit nest on the Doward had six eggs laid but a large tree slug had taken over so, hardly

137 surprising, it was abandoned. At White Rocks, a Nuthatch nest had been abandoned after three eggs had been laid and in a Great Tit nest, 12 eggs hatched but were then abandoned – was this due to lack of food or the loss of one parent?

In addition to abandonment, a lot of mouse predation was reported, mostly at the egg stage. At Nupend, a Wren’s nest was attacked with all four eggs lost; their nests are not easy to enter but posed no problem for a mouse. It proved a dire year at Merryhill, Mansel Lacy – of the 47 boxes taken up, 22 of the 32 tit species’ nests were attacked, with a further two abandoned after predator disturbance. After a good start for Pied Flycatchers with 11 nests made, five were totally predated.

At Mary Knoll, there was a good number of returning Pied Flycatchers keeping the population fairly stable with a 65% fledging success from 15 nests. Similarly, for Nuthatch there was a 74% fledging success from three nests on this site. At Crow Wood, there was a general improvement after two rather grim years, with more young Pied Flycatchers fledged, but still two nests close to a stream were predated – both the females and all the eggs. At Whitney Court, the results were considerably better on the main estate, which was essentially free from the rampant mouse predation of the previous year, but chicks were dying before fledging which suggested food supply problems.

New sites

Moccas Park, a National Nature Reserve (NNR) with its ancient oaks and consequently a high invertebrate population, is an ideal location for nest boxes and especially for Pied Flycatchers. Recording has taken place there for many years – by Alan Marchant during 1972 – 2012, David Boddington during 1968 – 1971 and previously by Peter McDougall during 1957 – 1967. This has provided long-term records for nesting populations and ringing results which have been channelled into the BTO database. Since 2012, Peter McDougall’s daughter, Rachel Jenkins, and Andrew Ramsay have continued recording work on this site.

In 2015, nestbox recording was extended to include a further 35 boxes in Upper Moccas Park, a comparatively higher area at around 240 metres above sea level, whereas the lower park with 70 nestboxes is at 60 – 120 metres. These two areas should provide an interesting population comparison over the coming years. Results for 2015 showed that Pied Flycatchers were able to make use of the extra area, although many boxes were not taken up.

Also in 2015, Natural England requested Rachel and Andrew to include another nearby NNR, a 28-hectare site between Blakemere and Preston on Wye, called ‘The Flits’. This is a totally different environment consisting of lowland marsh with a fen scrub of birch and willow. Being on the Wye floodplain it also has some boggy grazing land drained by a ditch system and partially silted giving a good bog plant flora and a notable invertebrate community. Fourteen new boxes were erected in spring 2015 and five were taken up by Blue Tits laying 42 eggs with a 71% fledging success. Although not a suitable site for Pied Flycatchers, Natural England considered that it could provide an interesting population comparison with Moccas Park for tit species.

For those interested in details of individual nestbox sites, an electronic copy of the full HWT report can be obtained from HOC or Beryl Harding.

Beryl Harding, HWT Co-ordinator

138 Garden Birdwatch report 2015

The Garden Birdwatch scheme is HOC’s own design on monitoring the number of species appearing in the gardens of participants living in Herefordshire as well as the maximum number of each species recorded at the same time. The survey records birds seen each week throughout the year and is summarised and reported in four quarters each of thirteen weeks, and as such is similar to the BTO Garden BirdWatch scheme. Only birds seen within the confines of a participant’s garden, including on their house and outbuildings, are included. ‘Garden’ also means any yard, balcony or structure attached to the house or flat, as well as overhead service cables and branches from trees overhanging the household boundary. Birds feeding in the airspace over a participant’s property, such as House Martins, are eligible, but not birds flying over, such as Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Participants are provided with a two-page form which lists all usual garden species (with an ‘other’ section for rarities) divided into 13 week-columns. The maximum number of each species seen at any one time is included in the appropriate week. For example, if in one week a Blackbird is seen on its own every day except one day, when three Blackbirds are seen at the same time, the entry for that week will be three (not nine which would be the total seen over the whole week).

The premise of the survey is that the total acreage of all the gardens taking part in the Garden Birdwatch is considerable and of immense benefit to birds in terms of the food, water, shelter and nesting sites provided by this man-made habitat. The survey was not set up to produce robust scientific data; its biggest weakness is the inability to provide species trends over time because the numbers of gardens and participants is continually changing. However, with the dedicated volunteer effort involved, it does give a strong indication of how species are faring in garden environments in the county.

Overview of results The overview of collated results from 2015 (with numbers in brackets from 2014 for comparison) is shown below:

Quarter No. gardens No. species Maximum no. of participating recorded birds recorded * Q1 (Jan – Mar) 35 (30) 64 (57) 3,418 (3,234) Q2 (Apr – Jun) 33 (32) 67 (61) 2,927 (2,879) Q3 (Jul – Sep) 33 (30) 63 (62) 3,464 (3,509) Q4 (Oct – Dec) 34 (36) 60 (64) 3,191 (3,721) * Totals for the maximum number of each species seen in any one week of each quarter from all gardens

On average, there were two more gardens participating in 2015 than 2014. There were more species recorded in the first three quarters of 2015, but less in the fourth quarter, compared with 2014. Some of this may be due to additional gardens participating, but there was no change in the totals for the maximum number of each species seen in any one week, suggesting that it was a good year for more species in gardens, particularly in Q1 and Q2.

139 Species data

Each quarter, a newsletter is provided which shows a league table of species ranked by their totals for the maximum number of each species seen in one week (not necessarily frequency). For 2015 these data were as follows:

Rank Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Species No. Species No. Species No. Species No. 1st House 502 House 359 House 565 House 510 Sparrow Sparrow Sparrow Sparrow 2nd Goldfinch 268 Starling 353 House Martin 343 Goldfinch 292 3rd Chaffinch 223 Blackbird 145 Starling 294 Starling 247 4th Starling 204 Goldfinch 138 Blue Tit 192 Long-tailed 218 Tit 5th Jackdaw 199 Blue Tit 130 Goldfinch 173 Blue Tit 207 6th Blackbird 189 House Martin 121 Swallow 160 Blackbird 163 7th Blue Tit 188 Woodpigeon 118 Swift 155 Woodpigeon 117 8th Long-tailed 153 Great Tit 108 Blackbird 140 Great Tit 115 Tit 9th Woodpigeon 140 Chaffinch 104 Long-tailed 118 Coal Tit 111 Tit 10th Greenfinch 137 Greenfinch 94 Collared Dove 99 Collared Dove 105

As with last year, House Sparrow topped the list in all quarters with a marked increase in maximum numbers recorded in Q1 (502 birds in 35 gardens, or an average of more than 14 House Sparrows seen in one week in every garden) compared with the total of 386 in 2014. There are several species where there appears to be large changes in totals compared to the previous year – in summary, these were: Jackdaw and Greenfinch increases in Q1, a Swallow decrease in Q3 and a Starling decrease and Coal Tit increase in Q4. In the case of Coal Tit, a striking increase from 35 to 111 birds was observed.

Species that made a top 10 appearance in all four quarters, besides House Sparrow, included: Goldfinch, Starling, Blackbird, and Blue Tit. Most of the other species wrestled for rankings from quarter to quarter but by and large stayed consistently in the top 10. Fieldfare did not feature in the top 10 this year.

Some unusual species visiting gardens during 2015 included: Little Egret, Firecrest, Little Owl, Merlin, Teal and Yellow Wagtail.

Interesting participant observations Q1: Generally there were fewer birds than usual recorded, possibly due to another mild winter. This was borne out by only one Brambling and two Siskins being observed during this quarter.

140 Q2: A number of nests were raided by predators – observers noted grey squirrel, corvids and cats as the main culprits. One report from Lower Egleton mentions a stoat taking a fledgling Mistle Thrush and being chased by the parents.

Q3: Three separate gardens recorded Redstarts (two for the first time), including one in Hereford city. A garden at Bromsash observed several diseased finches.

Q4: There was a striking increase in the number of Coal Tits observed this quarter – a three-fold increase in reporting compared to 2014. One garden in Clehonger reported 64 Goldfinches in the garden at one time. Mick Colquhoun Mick Coal Tits were observed more frequently in Herefordshire gardens during Oct – Dec 2015

Further information Forms and newsletters for the Garden Birdwatch survey are provided in both paper form (posted when a SAE is provided) and electronically. If new participants are interested in becoming involved (or indeed past participants wishing to re-join), please email: natalie. [email protected] or let Ian know at HOC meetings.

Many thanks to all Garden Birdwatch participants for your quarterly records and interesting comments during 2015.

Ian & Natalie Buttriss

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141 Gazetteer of place names

All place names mentioned in species accounts of the systematic list section (pages 30 – 100) are listed below in alphabetical order with their OS grid references.

Place name 1km grid Place name 1km grid Abbey Dore SO3830 Bringewood West SO4573 Adforton SO4071 Bringsty Common NE SO7055 Adforton west SO3971 Brinkley Hill, Brockhampton SO5831 Adleymoor Common, Buckton SO3874 Brinshope Farm, Wigmore SO4267 Alltyrynys, Walterstone SO3323 Brinstone Farm, St Weonards SO4823 Almeley West SO3251 Brockhall Farm, near Mathon SO7543 Arkstone Court, Kingstone SO4336 Brockhall Gravel Pits SO4542 Ashe Ingen Court, Bridstow SO5826 Brockhampton, near Fownhope SO5931 Ashperton SO6441 Brockhampton North, nr Bromyard SO6855 Aston Crews West SO6623 Brockhampton South, nr Bromyard SO6854 Aylton Court SO6536 Bromsash East SO6524 Bacton SO3732 Bromyard Downs NE SO6755 Backney SO5827 Broomy Hill, Hereford SO4939 Ballingham SO5731 Buckton SO3873 Ballingham Hill SO5732 Buckton Park, Leintwardine SO3973 Barnett Wood West, Wigmore SO3968 Buckton West SO3773 Bartestree North SO5641 Bullinghope SO5137 Bartonsham, Hereford SO5139 Burcher, Titley SO3360 Baysham SO5727 Burghill South SO4743 Belmont Abbey SO4838 Burrington SO4472 Berrington Hall Pool SO5063 Burrington South SO4471 Berrington Hall East SO5163 Burrington West SO4372 Birchall SO6538 Bury Hill, Weston under Penyard SO6423 Bircher Common East SO4666 Byford North SO3943 Bircher Coppice SO4667 Cadbury Factory, Marlbrook SO5153 Bishopstone East SO4243 Camp Wood, Abbey Dore SO3932 Bishopstone West SO4143 Carwardine Farm, Lulham SO4040 Bishopswood North SO5919 Castle Coppice, Hollybush SO7537 Black Darren SO2929 Castle Frome SO6645 Black Hill, Craswall SO2734 Chanstone Court Farm, Vowchurch SO3635 Blackmarston, Hereford SO5039 Chapel Farm, How Caple SO6230 Bodenham SO5351 Chase Wood South, Coughton SO6021 Bodenham Lake SO5251 Cleeve Orchard, Ross-on-Wye SO5923 Bowley Town North SO5354 Cholstrey, Leominster SO4659 Bradnor Hill SO2858 Clehonger East SO4537 Bradnor Hill South SO2857 Clehonger West SO4437 Brampton Bryan East SO3772 Clifford North SO2446 Brampton Bryan Park West SO3571 Clifford South SO2445 Brampton Bryan West SO3672 Climbing Jack Common SO4872 Brandon Camp, Adforton SO4072 Cobnash SO4561 Brandon, Hereford SO5037 Cobnash South SO4559 Brass Knoll Farm, Llanveynoe SO3030 Coddington SO7142 Bredenbury NW SO6056 Cold Green Farm, Bosbury SO6842 Bredwardine SO3344 Coldborough Park North SO6429 Brilley SO2649 College Hill, Hereford SO5141 Brimfield SO5267 Colwall Church SO7342 Bringewood SO4673 Combe Moor, Byton Hand SO3663

142 Place name 1km grid Place name 1km grid Coppet Hill SO5717 Green Lane Wood, Upper Breinton SO4740 Coxall, near Buckton SO3774 Grove Wood, near Kerne Bridge SO6018 Craswall Church SO2836 Gullet Quarry, Hollybush SO7638 Credenhill Park Wood East SO4544 Hampton Bishop North SO5538 Credenhill Park Wood West SO4444 Hampton Court SO5152 Credenhill West SO4443 Hampton Park, Bodenham SO5252 Croft Castle SO4465 Hampton Park, Hereford SO5339 Cublington, Madley SO4038 Harley’s Mountain SE SO3569 Cummin’s Farm, Colwall SO7340 Hartleton Lakes SO6425 Cwmma Moors, Brilley SO2851 Haugh Wood Central East SO5936 Deerfold, near Lingen SO3768 Haugh Wood Central West SO5836 Demesne Larches, Garway SO4423 Haugh Wood NE SO5937 Devereux Wootton, Norton Canon SO3848 Haugh Wood SW SO5835 Didley South SO4531 Hawkelts Coppice, Malvern Hills SO7641 Donnington South SO7133 Haybrook’s Wood, Vowchurch SO3634 Dormington SO5840 Haye Park Wood, nr Richard’s Castle SO4972 Draen Farm, Dorstone SO2840 Haywood Lane, Ashperton SO6641 Dulas Court SO3729 Hentland SO5426 Duxmoor SO4477 Herefordshire Beacon NE SO7640 Eardisland SO4158 Hergest Ridge NE SO2656 Eardisley West SO3049 Hergest Ridge NW SO2556 Eastnor Castle SO7336 High Vinnals SO4772 Eastnor Park South SO7437 High Vinnals North SO4773 Eaton Bishop SO4438 Highmoor Wood, Almeley SO3152 Eaton Bishop Church SO4439 Hill Farm Ledbury SO7238 Eau Withington Court SO5443 Hill Farm, Leysters SO5863 Eccleswall Court, Bromsash SO6523 Hill Farm, Whitchurch SO5518 Eign Hill, Hereford SO5239 Hill Top Farm, Wellington Heath SO7039 Elton SO4571 Hillend Farms, Much Cowarne SO6346 Ewyas Harold SO3828 Hole-in-the-Wall SO6128 Falcon Lane Wood, Ledbury SO6838 Hollies Wood South, Peterchurch SO3340 Felton SO5748 Hollington Farm, Holme Lacy SO5633 Fownhope West SO5734 Hollow Lane, Ledbury SO7041 Foxhall, Phocle Green SO6325 Holly Farm, Lanveynoe SO2931 Foy Bridge SO6028 Holmer, Hereford SO5042 Gamber Meadows North SO5025 Homme House, Much Marcle SO6531 Gamber Meadows South SO5024 Honeymoor Common, Eaton Bishop SO4338 Garway Common SO4622 Hope Mansell SO6219 Garway Hill Common East SO4424 Horn Hill Farm, nr Hope Mansell SO6218 Garway Hill Common North SO4325 Humber SO5356 Garway Hill Common South SO4324 Hurstley, near Letton SO3448 Garway Hill Village SO4425 Ivington SO4756 Garway West SO4522 Kenchester Pools East SO4442 Gatsford Farm, nr Brampton Abbotts SO6126 Kenchester Pools West SO4342 Gethenfield Farm, Clehonger SO4436 Kentchurch SO4125 Glewstone Court SO5622 King Arthur’s Cave, Little Doward SO5415 Gorsley NE SO6826 King’s Acre, Hereford SO4741 Gosford, near Brimfield SO5368 King’s Caple SO5628 Grafton Wood SO5036 Kingsland NW SO4362 Graham’s Cottage, Leintwardine SO4172 Kingstone East, near Ross-on-Wye SO6324 Great Corras, near Kentchurch SO4224 Kinley Farm, Moccas SO3642 Great Doward SO5416 Kinnersley SO3449 Great Moorcourt Farm, Much Marcle SO6632 Kite’s Wood, Blakemere SO3541

143 Place name 1km grid Place name 1km grid Kynaston Farm, Hentland SO5427 Monmouth Cap, Llangua SO3926 Laddin Farm, Much Marcle SO6635 Moorhampton Court Farm, Bacton SO3734 Ledbury Central SO7037 Morton on Lugg SO5045 Ledbury SE SO7136 Much Cowarne West SO6147 Leech Pool, Clifford SO2345 Much Dewchurch SO4831 Leintwardine SO4074 Much Marcle North SO6533 Leintwardine Fishery SO4271 Much Marcle South SO6532 Leintwardine South SO4073 Mynydd Brith, near Craswall SO2740 Leominster SE SO5058 Nether Wood North, Aconbury SO5234 Letton Lake SO3547 New House, Egleton SO6444 Letton, near Bredwardine SO3346 New House Farm, Aston Ingham SO6822 Linton SO6625 New House Wood South, nr Craswall SO2638 Linton Wood East, Gorsley SO6726 Newtown, near Monkland SO4757 Little Marcle East SO6736 Oakchurch Farm, Staunton on Wye SO3744 Little Merthyr, Whitney-on-Wye SO2648 Old Country House, Mathon SO7244 Little Mountain, Westbrook SO2842 Old Gore East SO6328 Little Peterstow Farm, Peterstow SO5424 Old Gore West SO6228 Little Woolpits, Ledbury SO7235 Old Letton Court SO3446 Littlemarsh Common, Eaton Bishop SO4337 Orcop SO4726 Llangua SO3925 Orelton SO4967 Llanrothal East SO4718 Overross, Ross-on-Wye SO6025 Llanrothal West SO4618 Parc y Meirch, near Craswall SO2637 Lord’s Wood, Great Doward SO5515 Paytoe Hall, Leintwardine SO4171 Lower Breinton SO4739 Pembridge East SO3958 Lower Burton SO4256 Pen-y-Park, Clifford SO2644 Lower Eaton House, Breinton SO4440 Pencoyd SO5126 Lower Hill Farm, Breinton SO4840 Perryhill Farm, Clehonger SO4638 Lower Lugg Meadows SO5440 Perrystone Hill SO6329 Lower Veldifer, Stretton Sugwas SO4742 Peterstow SO5624 Lower Wolton Farm, Much Marcle SO6433 Phocle Green SO6226 Lugg Bridge SO5341 Pipe and Lyde North SO5044 Lugg Bridge Quarry SO5342 Pistle Brook Farm, Kentchurch SO4026 Lugg Meadows Central SO5340 Plaistow, Ledbury SO6939 Lugg Meadows North SO5241 Portway near Burghill SO4845 Lynders Wood East, Upton Bishop SO6526 Pow Green, Bosbury SO7044 Lyndor Wood, Hole-in-the-Wall SO6129 Preston Court and Church SO3842 Madley SO4138 Primrose Bank, Holme Lacy SO5435 Madley Satellite Earth Station SO4237 Queen’s Wood Central, Gorsley SO6727 Marden SO5247 Queenswood North SO5051 Marden SW SO5146 R. Monnow, Kentchurch SO4025 Marden West SO5147 R. Monnow, Llangua SO3825 Marlow, near Leintwardine SO3976 R. Monnow, Ruthlin SO4619 Mary Knoll SO4873 R. Monnow, Tregate Bridge SO4716 Mary Knoll Valley SO4973 Racecourse, Hereford SO5041 Mathon SO7345 Railway Station, Hereford SO5140 Mathon Gravel Pits SO7344 Raven Hill Wood, Wellington Heath SO7141 Mawfield Farm, Clehonger SO4536 Red Daren SO2930 Michaelchurch, near St Weonards SO5225 Red Hill, Hereford SO5038 Mill Lane Colwall SO7442 Redding End, Much Marcle SO6634 Millend Farm, Castle Frome SO6545 Rhodds Farm, Lyonshall SO3155 Milton Cross SO3860 Rhydspence SO2447

144 Place name 1km grid Place name 1km grid Ross Central SO6024 Town Farm, Middleton on the Hill SO5363 Ross Sewage Works SO5823 Tregate Bridge SO4717 Ross Wye SO5924 Tretire North SO5224 Rotherwas Chapel SO5338 Turnastone SO3536 Rotherwas Ind Est NW SO5238 Turners Boat, Bredwardine SO3145 Rotherwas Ind Est SW SO5237 Tyberton East SO3939 Rotherwas Park Wood SO5337 Tyrrell’s Court, Dilwyn SO4355 Rough Acre, Staunton on Arrow SO3560 Upper Breinton SO4640 Ryeford SO6422 Upper Egleton SO6345 Sandy Cross, Bromyard Downs SO6756 Upper Lyde SO4944 Sapey Common North SO7064 Upper Lye SO3965 Saycells, Much Marcle SO6631 Upper Park Wood, Haywood Common SO2756 School Wood, Lucton SO4365 Walford East SO3972 Sellack SO5627 Walford, near Brampton Bryan SO3872 Shenmore SO3938 Walford South, nr Brampton Bryan SO3871 Shobdon Hill Wood West SO3864 Wall End, Monkland SO4457 Shobdon NE SO4062 Wapley Hill SO3462 Shobdon North SO3962 Wapley Hill East SO3562 Shobdon SW SO3961 Warham SO4839 Showle Court, Monkhide SO6143 Waters Farm, Sapey Common SO6964 Sink Green SO5437 Wayend Street, Eastnor SO7436 Skenfrith East SO4620 Weir Cliff, Sugwas Pool SO4441 St Margarets SO3533 Wellington Gravel Pits SO5047 St Mary’s Hospital, Burghill SO4843 Wellington Gravel Pits North SO5048 St Weonards SO4924 Wellington Heath SO7140 Stanford on Teme West SO6965 Wellington Heath West SO7040 Staunton on Arrow East SO3760 Wellington NE SO4948 Staunton on Arrow West SO3660 Welsh Bicknor SO5917 Staunton on Arrow SE SO3759 Welsh Newton Common SO5117 Stocklow Manor, Staunton on Arrow SO3761 Westfields, Hereford SO4941 Stockton SO5161 Weston under Penyard SO6323 Stonewall Hill SO3168 Whitchurch East SO5517 Stretton Grandison North SO6244 White Cross, Hereford SO4940 Sturts South Nature Reserve SO3347 Whitehouse Grange, Tretire SO5124 Sugwas Pool SO4541 Whitestone SO5642 Sunny Bank Farm, Longtown SO3331 Whitney-on-Wye South SO2746 Sutton Marsh SO5444 Wickton Court, Stoke Prior SO5254 Sutton St Nicholas SO5345 Widemarsh, Hereford SO5040 Sutton St. Nicholas North SO5346 Wigmore SO4168 Swainshill SO4641 Wigmore East SO4268 Symonds Yat East SO5616 Wigmore Rolls SO3969 Symonds Yat West SO5516 Willersley SE SO3246 Tarrington SO6140 Winforton South SO2946 Tatteridge Hill, Leintwardine SO4272 Winnal SO4534 The Mynde, Much Dewchurch SO4729 Withington SO5643 The Verzons, Ledbury SO6639 Wolferlow SO6661 The Weir Garden, Kenchester SO4341 Yarkhill SO6042 The Wellands, Sellack SO5626 Yarpole West SO4664 The Weston, Bredwardine SO3245 Yatton West SO4266 The Willows, Burrington SO4371 Yazor SO4046 Titley Pool SO3259

145 Index to systematic list

Aythya hybrid ...... 43 Greenfinch ...... 95 Blackbird ...... 83 Greenshank ...... 58 Blackcap ...... 80 Grouse, Red ...... 45 Brambling ...... 90 Gull, Black-headed ...... 60 Bullfinch ...... 95 Caspian ...... 62 Bunting, Reed ...... 98 Common ...... 61 Buzzard ...... 50 Great Black-backed ...... 63 Chaffinch ...... 95 Herring ...... 62 Chiffchaff ...... 79 Lesser Black-backed ...... 61 Coot ...... 52 Mediterranean ...... 61 Cormorant ...... 46 Yellow-legged ...... 62 Crossbill ...... 96 Harrier, Marsh ...... 50 Crow, Carrion ...... 74 Hawfinch ...... 95 Cuckoo ...... 64 Heron, Grey ...... 47 Curlew ...... 55 Hobby ...... 72 Dipper ...... 83 Honey-buzzard ...... 49 Dove, Collared ...... 64 Hoopoe ...... 70 Stock ...... 63 Jackdaw ...... 73 Duck, Mandarin ...... 35 Jay ...... 73 Tufted ...... 43 Kestrel ...... 72 Dunlin ...... 57 Kingfisher ...... 70 Dunnock ...... 87 Kite, Red ...... 49 Egret, Little ...... 47 Knot ...... 55 Fieldfare ...... 83 Lapwing ...... 54 Firecrest ...... 75 Linnet ...... 96 Flycatcher, Pied ...... 86 Magpie ...... 73 Spotted ...... 85 Mallard ...... 37 Gadwall ...... 36 Martin, House ...... 78 Garganey ...... 38 Sand ...... 78 Godwit, Black-tailed ...... 55 Merlin ...... 72 Goldcrest ...... 75 Moorhen ...... 51 Goldeneye ...... 44 Nuthatch ...... 82 Goldfinch ...... 97 Osprey ...... 51 Goosander ...... 44 Ouzel, Ring ...... 83 Goose, Barnacle ...... 34 Owl, Barn ...... 64 Brent ...... 35 Little ...... 69 Greater Canada ...... 34 Short-eared ...... 69 Greylag ...... 33 Tawny ...... 69 White-fronted ...... 33 Oystercatcher ...... 52 Goshawk ...... 50 Partridge, Grey ...... 46 Grebe, Great Crested ...... 48 Red-legged ...... 45 Little ...... 47 Peregrine ...... 73

146 Phalarope, Red-necked ...... 57 Swallow ...... 78 Pheasant ...... 46 Swan, Mute ...... 33 Pigeon, Feral ...... 63 Whooper ...... 33 Pintail ...... 38 Swift ...... 70 Pipit, Meadow ...... 90 Teal ...... 37 Tree ...... 90 Tern, Arctic ...... 60 Plover, Golden ...... 53 Black ...... 60 Little Ringed ...... 53 Common ...... 60 Ringed ...... 53 Thrush, Mistle ...... 85 Pochard ...... 43 Song ...... 84 Red-crested ...... 38 Tit, Blue ...... 76 Quail ...... 45 Coal ...... 76 Rail, Water ...... 51 Great ...... 76 Raven ...... 74 Long-tailed ...... 79 Redpoll, Common ...... 96 Marsh ...... 77 Lesser ...... 96 Willow ...... 77 Redshank ...... 59 Treecreeper ...... 82 Redstart ...... 86 Turnstone ...... 55 Black ...... 86 Wagtail, Blue-headed ...... 89 Redwing ...... 84 Grey ...... 89 Robin ...... 85 Pied ...... 89 Rook ...... 74 White ...... 89 Ruff ...... 56 Yellow ...... 88 Sanderling ...... 56 Warbler, Garden ...... 81 Sandpiper, Common ...... 57 Reed ...... 82 Green ...... 58 Sedge ...... 81 Spotted ...... 58 Willow ...... 80 Wood ...... 59 Wood ...... 79 Scaup ...... 44 Wheatear ...... 87 Scoter, Common ...... 44 Greenland ...... 87 Shelduck ...... 35 Whimbrel ...... 55 Shoveler ...... 38 Whinchat ...... 87 Siskin ...... 97 Whitethroat ...... 81 Skylark ...... 77 Lesser ...... 81 Smew ...... 44 Wigeon ...... 36 Snipe ...... 59 Woodcock ...... 59 Jack ...... 59 Woodlark ...... 77 Sparrow, House ...... 88 Woodpecker, Great Spotted ...... 71 Tree ...... 88 Green ...... 71 Sparrowhawk ...... 50 Lesser Spotted ...... 71 Starling ...... 82 Woodpigeon ...... 63 Stint, Little ...... 57 Wren ...... 82 Temminck’s ...... 56 Wryneck ...... 71 Stonechat ...... 87 Yellowhammer ...... 97

147 Sites of ornithological interest in Herefordshire

Key Location NGR Type of Habitat Access 1 Berrington Hall SO510638 Lake, woodland & farmland National Trust 2 Bircher Common SO460670 Common & woodland Public access 3 Bodenham Gravel Pits SO527511 Lake & wetland Public access 4 Bradnor Hill NT SO282584 Hill & common Road & PRW 5 Bringsty Common SO702550 Common & woodland Public access 6 Brockhampton NT SO684549 Farmland, woodland, parkland National Trust & PRW 7 Brockhall Gravel Pits SO451423 Gravel pits PRW 8 Bunch of Carrots, River Wye SO551381 River & farmland Public access 9 Credenhill Park Wood SO454441 Woodland Public access 10 Coneygree Wood, Ledbury SO718375 Woodland Public access 11 Coppet Hill SO573178 Common & woodland Public access 12 Fort SO445667 Hill Fort & woodland National Trust & PRW 13 Croft Castle SO451657 Parkland & woodland National Trust & PRW 14 Eastnor Deer Park SO745378 Parkland PRW 15 Ewyas Harold Common SO385300 Common Public access 16 Garway Hill SO437251 Common Public access 17 Harley’s Mountain SO345690 Open farmland & hill Public footpaths 18 Hartleton Lakes SO652254 Lakes PRW 19 Haugh Wood SO593365 Woodland Public access 20 Holme Lacy, River Wye SO567347 River & farmland PRW 21 Hergest Ridge SO255562 Hill & common Public access 22 High Vinnals SO472731 Woodland Public access 23 Kenchester Pools SO432427 Farmland & pools Road & PRW 24 Leominster by-pass SO505585 Farmland & river Road & PRW 25 Letton Lakes SO354477 Farmland & wetland PRW 26 Lugg Meadows SO532418 Farmland & wetland PRW 27 Lyepole, River Lugg SO398654 River & farmland Public access 28 Mary Knoll Valley SO497718 Woodland Public access 29 Mathon Gravel Pits SO739454 Gravel pits PRW 30 Merbach Hill SO304447 Common & woodland PRW 31 & Hollybush SO760375 Hill & woodland Public access 32 Milton Cross & Shobdon Ind. Est. SO382606 Farmland & industrial estate Road only 33 Olchon Valley SO288317 Farmland PRW 34 Queenswood Country Park SO506514 Woodland Public access 35 Red Daren and Black Darren SO297300 Moorland Public access 36 Sellack, River Wye SO565277 River & farmland PRW 37 Shobdon Court Pools SO401626 Lake, woodland & farmland PRW 38 The Sturts HWT, Kinnersley SO336485 Farmland & wetland Public access 39 Titley Pool HWT SO324594 Pool & wetland Public access 40 Wapley Hill SO358623 Woodland Public access 41 Wellington Gravel Pits SO509480 Gravel pits PRW 42 Welsh Newton Common SO515175 Common & woodland Public access 43 Wigmore Rolls SO397688 Woodland Public access 44 Wilton, River Wye SO590242 River & farmland PRW 45 Winforton, River Wye SO293462 Farmland & river PRW

148 Key to abbreviations: HWT = Herefordshire Wildlife Trust; NGR = National Grid Reference; PRW = Public Rights of Way.

Please respect the access to some of these areas because they may be on private land for which the landowner’s permission must be sought. Please also remember the Birdwatchers’ code concerning access on land and disturbance of birds. www.herefordshirebirds.org