The Birds of Herefordshire 2016
Herefordshire Ornithological Club Annual Report Herefordshire autumn colours – at Fiddler’s Green and Fownhope Park in mid-November 2016 (Photo: Mick Colquhoun) Editorial
I am pleased to present to you the 2016 annual report of the Herefordshire Ornithological Club (HOC), the 66th edition of ‘The Birds of Herefordshire’. The 2016 birding year was a very interesting one with 179 species recorded, including three new species – Spoonbill, Bearded Tit and Shore Lark – details of which are presented in the new species section on pages 23 – 26. There were also many more sightings of rarity species than in recent years, including a further 17 species previously seen in the county but recorded less than 20 times. The HOC Rarities Subcommittee, under the chairmanship of Michael Colquhoun, has worked hard to scrutinise these and apply the rigorous approval procedure to produce an accepted rarities list (see pages 18 – 22). This Subcommittee has also re-examined some of the Club’s historic records and updated the definitive list of species for the county with a few minor amendments (see pages 16 – 17).
The usual systematic list follows on pages 27 – 101 with an overview presented on each species observed during the year and written by the following script writers – Mike Bailey, Tony Eveleigh, Gareth & Una Morgan, Gerald Parker, John Pullen, Espen Quinto-Ashman, Robert Taylor and Gerald Wells – to whom I am indebted for their commitment to produce these summary accounts, often distilled from hundreds of records, on time and to the guidelines issued. I am also grateful to Tony Eveleigh, John Pullen and Nick Smith for their behind-the-scenes work to rigorously check these species accounts. Of course, all this has only been possible because of the many observers and recorders who have not only had their eyes peeled to identify the birds they have seen throughout the year, but also to record these, mainly through the BTO BirdTrack scheme, so that over 43,000 records could be processed and summarised in this annual report. We are most grateful to all who have contributed in this way (a list of observers is included on pages 138 – 139) and to Chris Robinson, our Data Manager, for extracting and summarising the data.
It gives me pleasure again this year to include five review articles in this report (on pages 105 – 125) on a range of interesting subjects covering: a 30-year review of arrival and departure dates of summer migrants in Herefordshire; the BTO House Martin survey; White Storks in Herefordshire; an update on the birds of Gamber Meadows and the final one on practical experience with implementing environmental schemes to benefit farmland birds. I commend these to you, along with the 2016 reports on bird ringing and nestbox monitoring in the county and the Garden Birdwatch summary on pages 126 – 137.
2016 has also produced a large number of good photographs, some of which are included in this publication to add illustrative interest for the readership, and I am grateful to Michael Colquhoun for sourcing and collating these. Of course, photographs are invaluable for identification purposes (worth a thousand words) when it comes to reviewing the rarer sightings in the county, so please continue to consider this side of your birdwatching too.
Finally, a gazetteer of county places names referred to in the systematic list section is provided on pages 140 – 143 and an alphabetical species index is included on pages 144 – 145 to help readers navigate around the British List order. I hope you enjoy reading this 2016 annual report.
Mervyn Davies
1 Herefordshire Ornithological Club
Founded 1950 Registered charity No. 1068608
Committee March 2016 – March 2017
President ...... John Pullen Vice President ...... Gareth Morgan Vice President ...... Tom Weale Vice President ...... Brian Willder Chairman ...... Gerald Wells Vice Chairman ...... Susanna Grunsell Secretary ...... Una Morgan Treasurer & Membership Secretary ...... Jim Wilkinson Recorder ...... Michael Colquhoun Annual Report Editor ...... ,...... Mervyn Davies HOC News Editor ...... ,...... Nicky Davies Meetings Secretary ...... Gerald Parker BTO Representative ...... Chris Robinson Other Committee Members ...... Dave Coker, Rachel Jenkins Mary Roberts & Robert Taylor
ISBN 978-0-9933694-2-1
Copyright © 2018 Herefordshire Ornithological Club
www.herefordshirebirds.org
Edited by Mervyn Davies
Printed by CMP Digital Print Solutions (www.cmp-uk.com)
Front cover: Male Bearded Tit at Wellington Gravel Pits in October (Photo: Kevin Jones) Back cover: Shore Lark on Garway Hill in November (Photo: Mick Colquhoun)
2 Contents
Chairman’s report – Gerald Wells ...... 5
Obituaries .……………………………………………………………...... 7
Weather summary – John Pullen ……………………………………...... 8
Indoor and field meetings …………………………………………...... 10
County bird list …………..………………………………………...... 11
Towards a definitive list of the birds recorded in Herefordshire – an update – Michael Colquhoun …...... 16
Accepted rarities ………………………………..…………………...... 18
New species 2016 – Nick Pegler, Craig Jones & John Tilby ...... 23
Systematic list:
Introduction ………………………………………………………...... 27
Mute Swan to Goosander – Gerald Parker ………………………...... 30
Quail to Osprey – Robert Taylor ……………………...……..…...... 42
Water Rail to Snipe – Espen Quinto-Ashman ……………………...... 49
Black Tern to Peregrine – Gerald Wells ………………………...... 60
Great Grey Shrike to House Martin – Gareth & Una Morgan …..…………….... 75
Cetti’s Warbler to Treecreeper – Tony Eveleigh ……………………...... 80
Wren to Greenland Wheatear – John Pullen ……...... ……...... 85
Dunnock to Reed Bunting – Mike Bailey ………………………...... 94
Addendum to 2015 systematic list ...... 101
Exotica & escapes – Tony Eveleigh ………………………………...... 102
Summer & winter migrants………………………………………...... 103
continued overleaf
3 Review articles and reports:
Arrival and departure dates of summer migrants in Herefordshire, 1987 – 2016 – Mervyn Davies ...... 105
BTO House Martin survey, 2015 – 2017 – Chris Robinson ………………...... 113
White Storks in Herefordshire 2016 – Michael Colquhoun ...... 116
The birds of Gamber Meadows, 2005 – 2015 – John Pullen…...... 118
Birds, Bureaucracy and Brexit – Patrick Wrixon ...... ……...... 123
Bird ringing in Herefordshire 2016 – David Coker …………………...... 126
Herefordshire Nestbox Recording Scheme 2016 – Beryl Harding ……...... 132
Garden Birdwatch 2016 – Ian & Natalie Buttriss ………………...... 135
List of observers ...... 138
Gazetteer of place names ……………………………………………...... 140
Index to systematic list ………………………………………………...... 144
Sites of ornithological interest in Herefordshire …………………………...... 146
4 Chairman’s report
I would like to thank the President, all members of the Executive Committee, the main Committee and our Subcommittees for their hard work and support throughout the year. Many thanks also go to all those members who make a contribution to HOC activities, be it at meetings, through submitting records, or in other background ways.
This year we launched an on-line members’ survey which achieved replies from 57% of the membership, an exceptionally good level of response for such surveys. In general, it reflected a high degree of satisfaction with most aspects of the Club’s activities and further analyses will provide a better insight into what members would like from their Club and, indeed, what they can contribute to its future success.
We continue to have good attendances at all indoor meetings with a record high of 85 in January. The Dr Walker memorial lecture in February, given by our member Stephanie Tyler, provided a fascinating insight into her expert knowledge of Dippers. Throughout the winter periods we were successful in securing speakers covering a wide range of topical, scientific and entertaining ornithological subjects.
The Editorial Subcommittee continues to achieve a high standard in the publication of the Annual Report; such that it now compares favourably with that of other county club reports. Your Rarities Subcommittee, chaired by Michael Colquhoun, our County Bird Recorder, has the important task of validating records of rarities reported in the county. These activities require a high level of birding skills and, in the case of national rarities occurring in the county, interaction with the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC). The newly formatted county bird list adopted in the 2014 Annual Report was further updated with information from a recovered HOC document of a review of county rarities in 1997, carried out in conjunction with BBRC.
The Club has entered into more effective collaboration with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT). We provided HWT with records and a letter of support for the Lugg Wetland Gems project, part of the wider Lower Lugg Living Landscape Project, which seeks to enhance the wildlife potential of several of the former gravel pit sites in this valley. In relation to the their newly acquired role of management of the Bodenham Lake site, the HOC has, in part enabled by a substantial bequest, funded a new bird hide as part of the environmental improvement project at the Bodenham site.
We continue to participate in a number of bird surveys, some through contribution to BTO projects and some from members’ initiatives. In 2015, we participated in the BTO House Martin survey and that continued this year. From the distribution study surveying random 1-km squares in 2015, the survey moved on to nest recording in 2016 requiring regular observations at individual colonies to collect information about nesting activity.
The serious decline of the lowland breeding Curlew has been publicised nationally and, after contact with a group in Shropshire, further work is planned to assess the species status in Herefordshire and to identify threats and possible conservation measures. Swifts are currently threatened by diminishing breeding sites and work has been started to assess their use of churches as nesting sites.
A small group of members have investigated the feasibility and merits of revisiting a local farmland bird survey carried out 50 years ago and a pilot study is planned.
5 To help members access the county’s best birding sites we have embarked on a project to roll out a series of site guides which will be published in the HOC newsletter. The first of these is on Garway Hill. Field meetings have taken us all over the county and as well as finding good birds have always promoted much banter and humour. A special ‘thank you’ goes to Gerald Parker who has been our field meetings organiser for the past six years.
At the AGM, Tom Weale retired as the Club’s Secretary, a post he has served in for the past 14 years; the President presented him with two birds of prey figurines with our sincere thanks for his long contribution.
The Club’s River Wye Award, for outstanding contribution to the HOC, went to Tony Eveleigh who, among the many other areas in which he has helped the Club, has been a member of the Rarities Subcommittee for over 10 years.
In May, Nick Smith, a former Chairman and Vice President of the Club was presented with the BEM by Lady Darnley, the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire.
Historical Club records and documents, which in the past have been passed or kept by successive officers of the Committee, were deposited with the Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre at Rotherwas, for safe keeping and future reference.
I wish you all great birding experiences through the coming year and make the usual request to all members to get more involved in Club activities. Gerald Wells Mick Colquhoun Mick The breeding status of Curlew in Herefordshire is being assessed
6 Obituaries
Jeremy Russell, OBE
Jeremy was born in London in 1935, and lived for many years in Hertfordshire before moving to Herefordshire on retirement in the early 1990s. His career with Shell Oil took him all over the World but he maintained a strong affection for the countryside and spent a large part of his life working to balance the commercial needs of industry with those of the environment. He moved with his wife and two children to Almeley on retirement in the early 1990s and began to turn the cottage and the 5-acre plot into a unique garden containing nearly 500 trees and shrubs, open to the public for many years, through the National Garden Scheme.
He joined the HOC in 1993 and was co-opted onto the Committee in 1995. During his time on the committee he became the first Chairman of the newly formed Strategy Committee. This committee was largely responsible for the introduction of many of the systems and Subcommittees present in the Club today. He played a large part in the River Wye survey and was a surveyor for the 4-year duration of the Titley project in the late 1990s. A committed countryman he enjoyed cricket, fishing and walking. His passing in February 2016 was a great loss and he will be sadly missed by those who knew him.
Peter Eldridge
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Josie Field
Josie Field died on the 22nd October 2016 at the age of 91 and she had a full and active life living in Hereford for all of those years. A fall a few weeks before her death resulted in a fractured hip and ultimately pneumonia from which she never recovered. She was a member of HOC for over 40 years – originally with her husband Maurice, also an enthusiastic observer of nature in our beautiful county – who sadly died suddenly of a heart attack in 1988.
Josie loved to bird watch in the Olchon Valley, along the Brockhampton stretch of the River Wye and in Paget’s Wood at Fownhope, and was also an avid attendee of indoor meetings, always helping with the teas. She was one of those quiet devoted HOC members who worked hard, often unnoticed, yet a small cog essential to the smooth running of our bird organisation. She was a quiet unassuming person, passionate about birds, local wildlife and environmental issues, when they were not as topical as they are now, and voiced strong, forceful opinions about any harassment of her feathered friends. She always fed the birds in her garden, the observations of which gave her so much pleasure. Chris Mason & John Pullen
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7 Weather summary
The following weather records are based on observations at a South Herefordshire location at a height of 150 metres above sea level.
January The mild winter weather in late 2015 continued this month, which was one of the wettest Januarys on record, with a total rainfall of 130 mm or nearly twice the long-term average; the wettest day was 3rd with 25 mm recorded. Localised flooding encouraged some birds: Wigeon, Teal and Pintail on flooded meadows at Wergins Bridge, while others avoided the floods, for example, 32 Reed Buntings recorded in Cleeve Orchard, Ross-on-Wye on 5th. There were large Starling roosts of 2,200 at Wellington Heath, near Ledbury on 5th and of 5,000 at Widemarsh, Hereford on 11th. Oystercatchers had returned to Brockhall GP and Wellington GP by 9th, while the Black Redstart remained on Hereford Cathedral and Whooper Swans were at Winforton until 9th.
February A month of moderate sunshine, although wetter than average with a total rainfall of 64 mm, with nearly 50% falling on 6th (27 mm), and frosts were recorded on nine nights. A Red-crested Pochard was at Wellington GP until 24th, also a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Cetti’s Warbler were recorded there towards the end of the month. Two Green Woodpeckers were observed in a courtship display on the Gamber Meadows on 19th, going around and around a tree trunk and finally rubbing beaks together. According to the BTO, the mild winter allowed good numbers of Song and Mistle Thrushes to survive.
March Southerly winds in mid-March brought the start of the spring migration with Sand Martins arriving at Wellington GP on 19th, Chiffchaffs calling by 26th and Willow Warblers singing at Hartleton Lakes on 31st. Total rainfall was 78 mm, well above the long-term average with 34 mm falling on 27th, one of the wettest March days ever recorded. Snow lay on the Black Mountains on 6th and 7th and frosts were recorded on seven nights during the month. A Common Scoter and Rock Pipit were noted at Brockhall GP on 20th, also a Kittiwake was present at Wellington GP on 20th and five Short-eared Owl were seen at Monkland on 21st.
April The month was much colder than average with strong north winds delaying many summer migrants arriving, especially the main body of Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Rainfall totalled 51 mm or near the long-term average. Ring Ouzel and Wheatear were observed on Garway Hill on 4th, along with eight Hawfinch, a Great Grey Shrike, singing Tree Pipit and Redstart and a Stonechat. A Little Owl was observed at Brockhall GP and a Garganey was at Walford, near Ross-on-Wye.
May A near long-term average rainfall of 56 mm was recorded. A BTO newsletter stated that the mild winter weather had increased the numbers of Robin, Dunnock and Song Thrush and minimal snow covering allowed ground feeding birds to survive the winter easily; however, the dull, cooler days of May affected the hatching of tits and Great and Blue Tit numbers were
8 down by 22% and 31% respectively. At Brockhall GP, a Wood Sandpiper was seen on 6th and a Curlew Sandpiper and nine Sanderling were present on 10th.
June The first 13 days were dry and sunny and the month was one of the hottest Junes on record, although by the end of the month a total rainfall of 64.5 mm had fallen, which was above the long-term average. A Caspian Gull was noted at Brockhall GP on 17th and a Kittiwake was there on 21st.
July An exceptionally dry month with only 11.5 mm of rainfall, well below the long-term average of 46 mm. Large mixed flocks of up to 100 Jackdaws and 150 Rooks, joined on some days by 90 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, were observed feeding in a field with cattle in Garway from 15th onwards. A large flock of 61 Mistle Thrush were recorded at St Weonards on 21st.
August The rainfall total for the month was 56 mm, slightly below the long-term average. There were many hot, sunny days with temperatures exceeding 23oC recorded on six days. Four Little Stint were at Brockhall GP on 26th and a White-winged Black Tern was there on 28th.
September The first weeks were generally sunny and dry; the month’s rainfall total was 61 mm. Seven Spoonbills, the first county record, were seen flying over Brockhall GP on 10th. During the month, this site also held a group of rarer county birds: Sanderling, Turnstone and Mediterranean, Yellow- legged and Little Gulls.
October The month was one of the driest Octobers on record with a total rainfall of only 18.5 mm, one third of the long-term average. Although an extended period of south-easterly winds saw rare vagrants in other parts of the country, Herefordshire contented itself with a Great White Egret at Brockhall GP on 1st, a Cetti’s Warbler at Wellington GP on 2nd, an American Wigeon at Lugg Bridge Quarry from 15th, a Water Pipit at Brockhall GP on 23rd and a first record for the county of a Bearded Tit at Wellington GP also on 23rd.
November A wetter than average month with a total rainfall of 119 mm. On the first few days and last day of the month frosts were recorded, also on 17th and 18th along with light dustings of snow on Garway Hill. Here on 18th a Shore Lark, the first record for the county, took up residence for a few days. A Red-crested Pochard was at Wellington GP on 2nd.
December A much drier month than 2015 (119 mm) with a total of only 33 mm, less than 50% of the long-term average. A Mistle Thrush was singing at Mathon on 12th and Whooper Swans had returned to their winter feeding grounds along the River Wye at Winforton by 10th. John Pullen
9 Indoor and field meetings
Indoor meetings:
Date Topic Speaker Jan 14 Pied Flycatchers in Herefordshire David Boddington & David Coker
Feb 11 Dippers (Dr Walker memorial lecture) Stephanie Tyler
Mar 10 AGM & Members’ meeting –
Sep 8 Herefordshire’s National Nature Reserves Bob Silverwood
Oct 13 Wildlife of Glamorgan Paul Denning
Nov 10 From 60 degrees North Oliver Smart
Dec 8 Shetland to Scilly Ashley Grove
Field meetings:
Date Venue Leader
Feb 18 Forest of Dean John Pullen
Mar 19 Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Llanelli Gerald Parker
Apr 14 Talybont Reservoir and Llangorse Lake Gerald Parker
May 5 Olchon Valley John Pullen
May 18 Lea and Paget’s Wood and Common Hill, Fownhope John Pullen
May 21 Cotswold Water Park Nick Smith
Jun 4 Madley BT Nature Reserve and Honeymoor Common Geoff Davis
Jun 21 Aylestone Country Park (Hereford Walking Festival) Phil & Chris Williams
Jul 21 Mary Knoll Valley and High Vinnals Gerald Parker
Sep 15 The Weir Gardens and Kenchester Pools Mervyn Davies
Oct 3–7 HOC visit to RSPB Minsmere Chris & Pam Bartlett
Oct 12 River Wye and Holme Lacy Tony Eveleigh
Oct 27 Yarkhill, Monkhide and Homend Brian Wilder
Dec 10 Wildlife and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge John Pullen
10 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 2016.
Please note :– • species occurring in 2016 are shown in bold in the first column • the number of county records for rarities that have occurred 20 or fewer times is given in the second column • the last year of occurrence for species not recorded in 2016 is shown in the third column
The HOC Rarities Subcommittee completed a comprehensive review of all historical rarity records during 2015 and 2016 (for details, see articles in HOC Annual Report 2015, pages 12 – 18 and in this Annual Report on page 16 – 17). For some species, this has resulted in discrepancies between this county bird 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 Shoveler Bewick’s Swan* 2014 Red-crested Pochard* 16 Whooper Swan* Pochard Bean Goose* 4 1997 Ring-necked Duck* 2 2001 Pink-footed Goose* 2014 Ferruginous Duck* 1 1989 White-fronted Goose* Tufted Duck Greylag Goose Scaup* 2015 Canada Goose Lesser Scaup* 1 2013 Barnacle Goose Eider* 2 1997 Brent Goose* 2015 Long-tailed Duck* 5 2014 Egyptian Goose* 9 2011 Common Scoter* Ruddy Shelduck*† 1 1892 Velvet Scoter* 2 1979 Shelduck Goldeneye Mandarin Duck Smew 2015 Wigeon Red-breasted American Wigeon* 5 Merganser* 2012 Gadwall Goosander Teal Ruddy Duck* 2013 Green-winged Teal* 1 2005 Quail*2 Mallard Red-legged Partridge Pintail Red Grouse*3 Garganey*1 Black Grouse* 1939 Blue-winged Teal* 1 2013 Grey Partridge
11 Species No. records Year last Species No. records Year last if ≤ 20 recorded if ≤ 20 recorded Pheasant Buzzard Red-throated Diver* 5 1996 Rough-legged Buzzard* 2 1964 Black-throated Diver* 4 1996 Spotted Eagle* 1 1915 Great Northern Diver* 9 2010 Osprey* Fulmar* 1 1889 Water Rail Manx Shearwater* 2012 Spotted Crake* 2013 Storm Petrel* 5 1959 Corncrake* 1991 Leach’s Petrel* 9 1978 Moorhen Gannet* 15 2010 Coot Cormorant Crane* 5 2003 Shag* 7 2002 Little Bustard* 1 1849 Bittern* Stone-Curlew* 4 1894 Night Heron* 2 1989 Black-winged Stilt* 1 2004 Cattle Egret* 1 1981 Avocet* 5 Little Egret Oystercatcher Great White Egret* 2 Grey Plover* 15 2009 Grey Heron Golden Plover Purple Heron* 1 2011 Dotterel* 12 2011 White Stork* 7 Killdeer* 1 1985 Glossy Ibis* 4 2010 Ringed Plover Spoonbill* 1 Little Ringed Plover Little Grebe Lapwing Great Crested Grebe Whimbrel Red-necked Grebe* 6 2013 Curlew Slavonian Grebe* 9 2012 Black-tailed Godwit Black-necked Grebe* 15 Bar-tailed Godwit* 14 2014 Honey-buzzard* 2015 Turnstone* 17 Black Kite* 2 2013 Knot* 2015 Red Kite Ruff* White-tailed Eagle* 6 1947 Curlew Sandpiper* 10 Marsh Harrier* 9 Temminck’s Stint* 4 2015 Hen Harrier* Sanderling* Montagu’s Harrier* 4 2005 Dunlin Goshawk Little Stint* Sparrowhawk Pectoral Sandpiper* 2 2012
12 Species No. records Year last Species No. records Year last if ≤ 20 recorded if ≤ 20 recorded Red-necked Phalarope* 2 2015 Mediterranean Gull* Grey Phalarope* 2010 Common Gull Common Sandpiper Ring-billed Gull* 3 2000 Spotted Sandpiper* 1 2015 Lesser Black-backed Green Sandpiper Gull Spotted Redshank* 10 2014 Herring Gull Greenshank Yellow-legged Gull* Lesser Yellowlegs* 2 2012 Caspian Gull* 13 Wood Sandpiper* Iceland Gull* 3 2001 Redshank Great Black-backed Jack Snipe Gull Woodcock Feral Pigeon Snipe Stock Dove Great Snipe* 2 1887 Woodpigeon Collared Pratincole* 2 1994 Collared Dove Cream-coloured 2 2012 Turtle Dove Courser* Cuckoo Pomarine Skua* 2 1902 Barn Owl Arctic Skua* 3 1999 Little Owl Great Skua* 3 2010 Tawny Owl Puffin* 4 1977 Long-eared Owl* 2009 Little Auk* 2 1994 Short-eared Owl* Little Tern* 5 1975 Nightjar* 2006 Whiskered Tern* 1 2009 Swift Black Tern* Alpine Swift* 2 2004 White-winged 2 Hoopoe* 2015 Black Tern* Bee-eater* 5 Cabot’s Tern* 1 1984 Roller* 1 1857 Sandwich Tern* 3 2014 Kingfisher Common Tern Wryneck* Arctic Tern 2015 Green Woodpecker Sabine’s Gull* 1 1997 Great Spotted Kittiwake* Woodpecker Black-headed Gull Lesser Spotted Little Gull* Woodpecker
13 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* Grasshopper Warbler* 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 Bearded Tit* 1 Redwing Woodlark 2015 Mistle Thrush Skylark Spotted Flycatcher Shore Lark* 1 Robin 4 Sand Martin Nightingale* 2012 Swallow Bluethroat* 1 2014 House Martin Pied Flycatcher Red-rumped Swallow* 2 2003 Black Redstart* Cetti’s Warbler* 7 Redstart Long-tailed Tit Whinchat Yellow-browed 2 Siberian Stonechat* 1 2012 Warbler* Stonechat
14 Species No. records Year last Species No. records Year last if ≤ 20 recorded if ≤ 20 recorded Wheatear Bullfinch Desert Wheatear* 1 1994 Greenfinch Dunnock Linnet House Sparrow Twite* 2005 Tree Sparrow Lesser Redpoll Yellow/Blue-headed Common Redpoll* 12 Wagtail Crossbill Grey Wagtail Parrot Crossbill* 1 2014 Pied/White Wagtail Goldfinch Tawny Pipit* 1 2010 Siskin Tree Pipit Snow Bunting* 13 2006 Meadow Pipit Corn Bunting* 2012 Red-throated Pipit* 1 2012 Cirl Bunting* 1960 Rock Pipit* 3 Yellowhammer Water Pipit* 13 Reed Bunting Brambling Little Bunting* 1 2012 Chaffinch Ovenbird* 1 2002 Hawfinch
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
15 Towards a definitive list of the birds recorded in Herefordshire – an update
A review of the rare birds recorded in the county was published in the 2015 Annual Report. The Rarities Subcommittee considered this the most accurate possible with the information available at the time. It was stressed, however, that the pursuit of a definitive list was a dynamic process and that further changes would be made if new information became available.
During the year, the Rarities Subcommittee reconsidered the records of Velvet Scoter, Melanitta fusca. A record from the River Wye from 17 – 19 February 1979 had initially been considered unreliable, but further examination of the evidence showed that this record was valid and should be included. A report from 1976 raised the possibility of two birds, one at Hampton Bishop and a second bird seen at Sink Green. The two sites are less than a kilometre apart and Steve Coney remembered that it was the same bird that flew from Hampton Bishop to Sink Green. The conclusion therefore was that there were two records for the species having occurred in Herefordshire, one in 1976 and a further single record in 1979.
The status of Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax was also reviewed. The first valid record was from Wilton Bridge in Ross-on-Wye in 1912. A sighting from Caynam in Shropshire in 1988 could not be included because the only evidence that it had flown into Herefordshire was entirely speculative. An adult was recorded between 16 – 18 January 1989 at Hindwell Brook. This tributary of the River Lugg runs very close to the border between England and Wales, crossing between the two countries in several places. The bird was seen flying up and down the brook within both Herefordshire and Powys. It was concluded that this record was well authenticated and should stand as a valid record.
A report of a single bird from Madley Tracking Station on 8 February 1991 was also reviewed. This bird cleared a pond of goldfish before leaving. The bird had appeared very tame and had a ring on the right leg suggesting it was an escape. It was considered that there was insufficient evidence that this was a wild bird and therefore this record should not be counted.
An adult bird with plastic rings on both legs was found at Bodenham Lake by Paul Downes on 19 April 2000. The pattern of the rings did not correspond to any known to have been issued for wild Night Herons, so it was presumed an escape. It was noted at the time that there was a known feral population in the UK. Again, it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence that this was a wild bird for it to be included.
The updated information for these two species, together with a date correction for Little Bustard from the 2015 Annual Report, are shown in the table opposite.
Michael Colquhoun, County Recorder
16 Updated information for species seen 20 or fewer times in Herefordshire
Species Total Dates Notes Velvet Scoter 2 1979, 1976 Night Heron 2 1989, 1912 A record for 1837 was considered not to be a local bird; a 1988 record was at Cayman (Shrops) and bird was not seen in Herefordshire; records for 1991 and 2000 were considered escapes. Little Bustard 1 1849 Shot at Dorstone and specimen in Hereford Museum Mick Colquhoun Mick A Stone-curlew specimen from Lyde in 1854 held in the Hereford Museum
17 Accepted rarities
2016 was a very eventful year for birding in Herefordshire with three species recorded for the first time: Bearded Tit, Spoonbill and Shorelark. There are detailed accounts of the discovery of these birds published in this report. The year also saw the second record of White-winged Black Tern.
A pair of Black-necked Grebes in breeding plumage stayed at Brockhall for most of May raising hopes that they might breed, but they left at the end of the month. A separate male bird was recorded at the same location from the 11 – 18 June.
Other rarities included: two records of Wryneck, one of Bittern and two records of White Stork. One of these, an escape from a rehabilitation centre in Norfolk, became a local celebrity overwintering in the county and is described in detail elsewhere in this report. A Bee-eater was recorded flying over Woolhope, calling as it passed over.
Other scarcities included: White-fronted Goose, American Wigeon, Common Scoter, Turnstone, Black Tern, Kittiwake, Caspian Gull, Turtle Dove, Great Grey Shrike, Grasshopper Warbler, Rock and Water Pipits. Great White Egrets were seen more frequently than ever before; first recorded in Herefordshire in 2012, the species now seems firmly established as a winter visitor. Perhaps a future breeding bird?
Many thanks to everyone who sent in records and supplied descriptions; increasingly the documentation of new or scare birds has included photographs, making their identification increasingly secure. Michael Colquhoun, County Recorder Mick Colquhoun Mick The most recent sighting of Bittern in the county was at Docklow in September 2016
18 Species Date Location Observers Notes Whooper Swan 1 Jan Winforton Wye P.H. Downes A group was present in the Winforton area from 1 – 9 Jan with a max. of eight on 1 Jan. 16 Jan Brockhall GP J. Tilby & Four birds. N. Pegler 2 Nov Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Single. 13 Nov Lugg Bridge A.H. Eveleigh Two birds. Quarry 10 Dec Winforton Wye P.H. Downes Single on 10 Dec, two on 11 Dec, one stayed until 27 Dec. 26 Dec Lower Moccas P. Venvil Single stayed until 31 Dec. Farm, Moccas White-fronted 9 Oct Brockhall GP J. Tilby & Four birds present, also Goose N. Pegler seen at Wellington GP on 12 Oct and at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 15 Oct. 22 Oct Brockhall GP J. Tilby Four adults + five juveniles, also seen on 23 Oct. 12 Nov Brockhall GP J. Tilby & Adult + four juveniles that N. Pegler remained until 20 Nov, also seen at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 13 Nov. American 10 Feb Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Female, 4th county record. Wigeon 15 Oct Lugg Bridge A.H. Eveleigh & Male present until 18 Nov, Quarry J. Tilby 5th county record. Garganey 9 Apr Walford, near J.R. Beck Single male. Ross-on-Wye 5 Jun Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Single male. Red-crested 2 Jan Wellington GP K. Lloyd & Male stayed until 15 Feb Pochard P.H. Downes (first seen 26 Dec 2015), 15th county record. 2 Nov Wellington GP E. Quinto- Single male, 16th county Ashman record. Common 20 Mar Brockhall GP J. Tilby Single male. Scoter 4 Jun Wellington GP J. Kedward Three males + seven females. Quail 26 May Stocklow Manor, P. Jennings Single heard. Staunton on Arrow 17 Jun Whitton, M. Bailey Single heard. Leintwardine Bittern 17 Sep Lower Nicolson T & P Brooke Farm, Docklow
19 Species Date Location Observers Notes Great White 1 Oct Brockhall GP & N. Pegler 2nd county record, seen later Egret Wellington GP on same day at Wellington GP where it stayed until 12 Oct. 16 Oct Leintwardine S.P. Nicol & Same bird, also seen on 17 Oct. area W. Marler 27 Oct Letton Lakes C. Overton Same bird, seen intermittently here until 25 Dec. 13 Nov Lugg Bridge A.H. Eveleigh Same bird, also seen on 14 Nov. Quarry White Stork 9 Feb Upper Buckton Y. Lloyd 6th county record. Farm, Leintwardine 10 Jun Weston Beggard S. Thackwray 7th county record, seen at many county locations there- after throughout the year. Spoonbill 10 Sep Brockhall GP N. Pegler 1st county record, seven birds circled around. Black-necked 12 May Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Male & female stayed until Grebe 30 May, 14th county record. 11 Jun Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Single male stayed until 18 Jun, 15th county record. Marsh Harrier 16 Aug Wellington GP E. Quinto- 9th county record. Ashman Hen Harrier 28 Jan N. Herefordshire C. Johnson Ringtail, also seen on 9 Feb, a long-staying bird from Nov 2015. Osprey 15 Apr Stocklow Manor, P. Jennings Staunton on Arrow 20 Apr Wellington GP C. Parr 16 Aug Wellington GP E. Quinto- A long-staying bird that Ashman remained until 8 Sep. Avocet 4 Jun Brockhall GP R. Stead 5th county record. Turnstone 4 Sep Brockhall GP J. Tilby & 16th county record. N. Pegler 27 Sep Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Three juveniles, 17th county record. Ruff 9 May Brockhall GP J. Tilby Single female. 28 May Brockhall GP J. Tilby Male + female. 27 Jul Wellington GP G. Bilbao Species was recorded regularly during 27 Jul – 16 Aug with a max. of five on 16 Aug.
20 Species Date Location Observers Notes Ruff (cont’d) 11 Aug Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Single females regularly recorded during 11 – 23 Aug, with two present on 27 Aug. 2 Oct Brockhall GP G. Parker Female, seen until 8 Oct. Curlew 10 May Brockhall GP J. Tilby Single, also seen on 11 May, Sandpiper 10th county record.
Sanderling 3 May Wellington GP G. Bilbao Single. 10 May Brockhall GP P.H. Downes, Nine birds. T. Downes & J. Tilby 24 Aug Wellington GP G. Bilbao Two birds. 3 Sep Brockhall GP G. Bilbao 22 birds. Little Stint 26 Aug Brockhall GP J. Tilby, G. Bilbao Up to four present, two & N. Pegler remained until 29 Aug. Wood 6 May Brockhall GP J. Tilby Single. Sandpiper 6 Jul Brockhall GP G. Parker & Three birds. A.H. Eveleigh Black Tern 19 Aug Brockhall GP N. Pegler Single. White-winged 28 Aug Brockhall GP J. Tilby & 2nd county record. Black Tern N. Pegler Kittiwake 20 Mar Wellington GP E. Quinto- Single. Ashman 21 Jun Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Single. 7 Jul Wellington GP G. Bilbao Single. Little Gull 11 Apr Brockhall GP P.H. Downes Two adults + one first summer bird. 14 Apr Brockhall GP M. Colquhoun Two first summer birds. 26 Sep Brockhall GP G. Wells & Juvenile. G. Parker Mediterranean 25 Apr Brockhall GP G. Bilbao Long-staying bird until 5 Jun. Gull 15 Jul Brockhall GP G. Bilbao 17 Sep Brockhall GP P.H. Downes First winter bird, remained until 1 Oct. Caspian Gull 19 Apr Brockhall GP G. Bilbao & 10th county record. J. Tilby 24 Apr Brockhall GP P.H. Downes 11th county record. 14 May Brockhall GP G. Bilbao 12th county record. 17 Jun Brockhall GP G. Bilbao 13th county record.
21 Species Date Location Observers Notes Turtle Dove 15 May Littlemarsh G. Davis Common, Eaton Bishop Short-eared 21 Mar Monkland SW M. Williams Five birds. Owl 11 May Stocklow Manor, P. Jennings Staunton on Arrow Bee-eater 6 Jun Woolhope East M. July 5th county record. Wryneck 14 Sep Kivernoll, Much S. Betty Ottaway Dewchurch 26 Sep Bishopstone M. Davies Also seen on 27 Sep. Great Grey 4 Apr Garway Hill M. Bailey Single, stayed until 9 Apr. Shrike Firecrest 19 Apr West Herefordshire P. Jennings Bearded Tit 23 Oct Wellington GP C. Jones 1st county record, single male present until end of year. Shore Lark 18 Nov Garway Hill J. Tilby 1st county record, stayed until 22 Nov. Cetti’s Warbler 6 Feb Wellington GP J. Tilby 6th county record, sightings or song heard many times at this site during the year. 22 Sep Much Marcle M. Greening Juvenile, 7th county record. Yelllow-browed 9 Oct Ross-on-Wye T. Chinnick 2nd county record. Warbler Grasshopper 20 Apr Stocklow Manor, P. Jennings Also heard on 21 Apr. Warbler Staunton on Arrow 23 Apr Lower Veldifer, S. Potter Stretton Sugwas 9 Jul Wellington GP G. Bilbao Heard reeling. Ring Ouzel 4 Apr Garway Hill A.H. Eveleigh & Two males + four females, J.R. Pullen singles seen until 17 Apr. 10 Apr Red Daren E. Quinto- Single. Ashman 28 Apr Llanveynoe M. Bailey Two males. Black Redstart 16 Jan Hereford Cathedral J. Tilby Female, stayed until 24 Jan. 1 Aug Dorstone S. & K. Boyce Rock Pipit 20 Mar Brockhall GP P.H. Downes 3rd county record. Water Pipit 23 Oct Brockhall GP P.H. Downes 13th county record. Common 29 Apr Staunton on Arrow P. Jennings Six birds, also seen on 30 Redpoll West/Milton Cross Apr, 12th county record.
22 New species 2016
Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) at Brockhall Gravel Pits
On Saturday 10th September I awoke at 07:00 hrs and as I got out of bed I could hear heavy rain hitting the conservatory roof. My usual routine for a Saturday was to meet up with John Tilby and birdwatch at Brockhall Gravel Pits for a couple of hours. John was away that day so I sat down for breakfast to see if the rain would ease. At 08:00 hrs I headed out and got to the lay-by near Brockhall and waited, unfortunately the heavens opened again, so rather than make the visit in the rain, I set off back home albeit a little disappointed.
As the day wore on the rain eased and the sun came out, so I decided on an afternoon visit to Brockhall for a change. I arrived around 14:30 hrs, sat in my chair and began to observe the lake; there were the usual duck species, Common and Green Sandpipers and the ever-present large number of Canada Geese.
At 15:10 hrs I observed a small group of seven large white birds flying in a line coming in over the north-west side of the gravel pits above the large island. They circled around several times before coming low over the water, lowering their legs as if they were going to land near one of the smaller islands in the middle of the lake, however, for some unknown reason they never actually touched down. They did another couple of circuits of the lake, gaining height and then moving off in a south-easterly direction.
My initial thoughts were that they were Egrets, however, as soon as I got my binoculars on them I could see they were very large birds with long, extended, heavy legs stretched out behind them. Unlike Herons, Spoonbills fly with their necks outstretched and their spoon-shaped bills were unmistakable. It is a species I am very familiar with from my regular visits to Cyprus.
The breeding bird is all white, except for its dark legs, has a black spoon-shaped bill with a yellow tip and a yellow breast patch. It has a crest in the breeding season, whereas non-breeders lack the crest and breast patch and immature birds have a pale bill and black tips to the primary flight feathers.
The Eurasian Spoonbill is a wading bird feeding mainly on aquatic insects, molluscs, newts, crustaceans, worms, leeches, frogs, tadpoles and small fish up to 10 – 15 cm long. It is a member of the Ibis and Spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. The genus name Platalea is derived from Latin and means “broad”, referring to the distinctive shape of the bill, and leucorodia is from ancient Greek word leukerodios, derived from leukos meaning “white” and erodios meaning “heron”.
This is a Palearctic species, breeding from the UK and Spain in the west through to Japan and North Africa. Most birds migrate to the tropics in winter, with European birds going to Africa but with a few remaining in the UK in mild winters. The species disappeared from the UK around 1670 when birds in the East Anglian fenland, the last of a former population, were wiped out by hunting and land drainage. Sporadic breeding attempts in the early 21st century culminated in the formation of a small colony at Holkham National Nature Reserve in Norfolk; in 2010, six pairs fledged 10 young and the following year, eight pairs fledged 14 young.
I was unable to determine the age of the birds at Brockhall or whether there were young birds amongst the group. Let’s hope the next visit of Spoonbill to the county will be a more prolonged one.
Nick Pegler
23 Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus) at Wellington Gravel Pits
It was a typical late October day, dull and very raw, not a great day traditionally to see much bird-wise. Like most Sundays, I did my usual route of going around the main lake at Wellington Gravel Pits, then going down by the railway pit, before heading around the fly-fishing lake and finally checking the new workings. I was a little frustrated as there was very little about. I was with my father and actually it was he who first spotted the Bearded Tit feeding on the Phragmites reeds at the south end of the scrape, although he was not totally sure of its identification.
By strange coincidence, the previous weekend I had met my uncle at RSPB Middleton Lakes, as this is about midway between Hereford and where he lives in Chester. We had discussed Bearded Tits and the fact I had never seen one, and I planned to go with him to Leyton Moss which is a good spot to see them. So, he was the first person that I told about this sighting.
Once I had seen this male bird I knew it would be very rare in the county because we do not generally have the ideal habitat for them. At this point, I did not realise it was a county “first”. After watching the bird feed for about ten minutes we left Wellington and went to Brockhall Gravel Pits to see what birds were there. While walking around there I met Paul Downes and his brother Terry and discussed the sighting with him. He confirmed that it was indeed a “first” for Herefordshire and it was he who put the record on the HOC website the following day after having seen it himself. I was so pleased to get the sighting verified by others.
The Bearded Tit is a small, sexually dimorphic reedbed passerine bird, also known as the Bearded Reedling. It is a small, dumpy, ginger-brown bird with a long tail and an undulating flight. The male has a lavender-grey head, a black moustache and the lower tail coverts are also black. The female is generally paler with no black. Flocks often betray their presence in a reedbed by their characteristic “ping” call. The species is a wetland specialist, breeding colonially in large reedbeds by lakes or swamps and feeding on reed invertebrates in summer and reed seeds in winter. Phil Parsons
24 The Bearded Tit is a species of temperate Europe and Asia. It is resident in the UK and most birds do not migrate other than eruptive or cold weather movements. There are an estimated 630 breeding pairs in the UK, with Suffolk, Norfolk and Yorkshire accounting for most of these. However, the largest single population in Great Britain is to be found in the reedbeds at the mouth of the River Tay in Scotland. Because Bearded Tits depend on extensive Phragmites- dominated reedbeds, habitat availability is likely to be the key factor limiting their distribution. Nonetheless, their distribution nationally has increased markedly in recent decades.
Despite visiting Wellington at least once a week since the initial sighting, I have not seen the Bearded Tit since that day, although have heard it on a few occasions. This makes me feel even more privileged to have seen such a stunning bird, and as is so often the case with birdwatching, we happened to be in the right place at the right time. Craig Jones
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Shore Lark (Eremophila alpestris) on Garway Hill
On the morning of 18th November, I decided to set off early and driving in darkness I headed for my only planned destination of the day, Red Daren. I was hoping to connect with Red Grouse and this would involve climbing to the top (610 m altitude), but also keeping an open mind for possible Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel or Snow Bunting. The wind was strong and icy cold (especially at the top) but it was sunny and clear, stunningly beautiful and immensely invigorating, even though I did not see a single person at this site. On my descent, I was happy that I had come into contact with Red Grouse and had some of the best views of Raven that you can get.
I arrived back at the car at about 10:20 hrs and from this point nine out of ten times I would dash off to Brockhall Gravel Pits, thinking I could be missing something good there and generally being in need of seeing large numbers of species. But this time I decided to persevere with the mountain/hill theme and headed for Garway Hill. This hill rises to a height of 365 metres and is a favourite site for me. You can take a leisurely stroll to the summit or walk around the hill and spiral to the top taking in a wider range of habitat and getting in a good bit of exercise. It has produced some good species of late, with Wryneck, Ring Ouzel, Great Grey Shrike and Hawfinch seen.
After leaving the parking area at about 10:45 hrs I headed west and downwards with a plan to spiral clockwise up to the top. Most of the ground cover was of stubble where the bracken had been harvested to make fuel briquettes. After a while you pass an area of hawthorn and gorse on the right, where you would expect to find many species, including Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and Linnet and of note earlier in the year, Hawfinch.
As you start to climb you pass trees to your left from an elevated view point, a good place to observe Tree Pipit in spring/summer, however as I passed this point and came back into open plain hillside, I realised that I had hardly seen a bird, and as I passed the trig point at the summit I had only recorded five species. I carried on circling wide to scan the north-east area where the telecommunication mast stands, but still very few birds to see and no more species; the path then takes you to a small pool. By this point I was not expecting much more from the
25 John Tilby visit and the small pool is not the sort where you expect to find many, if any birds, but as I came over the brow at 12:15 hrs I realised that there was a small bird at the water’s edge. It moved on seeing me and was agitated; I was assuming it was a Meadow Pipit but on checking through my binoculars I immediately realised that it was a Shore Lark, my first, but there was no doubt! At this point I was not sure if there had been a county record for this species before.
The bird then flew high over my head and back up the hill in the direction I had come from, I followed it through my binoculars until it landed on the ground in the bracken stubble – well, I thought it had! But I could not re-locate the bird through my spotting scope; initial elation had turned into horror! No one was going to believe this sighting without pictures. I spent some time trying to re-locate the bird but with no luck, so I decided the best plan was to take a wide arc around the pool and approach it from the opposite side; this turned out to be a good move because somehow the Shore Lark had eluded me and returned to its original spot and I was able to sit down and get excellent views.
The Shore Lark (or Horned Lark) is slightly smaller than a Skylark with a distinctive black and yellow head pattern and elongated black feathers form narrow “horns” along the side of the crown. They are scarce winter visitors to Britain, breeding in Scandinavia, they overwinter along North Sea coasts, the majority around the Dutch and German Wadden Sea with varying numbers reaching predominantly the east coast of Britain where they feed on the shore line.
After quickly taking a few ‘record’ shots I got the word out to other Herefordshire birders and settled down to enjoy some great views. A reply text from Paul Downes soon confirmed that it was indeed a county ‘first’. The bird stayed until at least 22nd November and was enjoyed by birders from Herefordshire and the surrounding counties. John Tilby
26 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) and, where observed, subspecies recorded in Britain given in the British List 8th Edition (BOU, 2013). The sequence of species listed, species names, and the taxonomy follows the on-line version of the British List (12 December 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 144 – 145 to assist the reader to locate species. In addition, a gazetteer of place names used in the following species accounts is given on pages 140 – 143.
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
27 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 that 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 three 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.
28 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 Pit; 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: https://www.bou.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/British-List-12- Dec-2016.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 United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds, 108: 708 – 746.
Gill, F & Donsker, D. (eds) (2016). IOC World Bird List (version 6.4). Available at http:// www.worldbirdnames.org. Mick Colquhoun Mick Whooper Swans are scarce winter visitors to Herefordshire
29 Mute Swan Cygnus olor Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Amber
The highest counts for the main sites were: 77 at Brockhall GP on 16 and 23 Jan; 62 at Ballingham on 24 Jan; 60 at Holme Lacy Church on 22 Feb; 93 at Bridge Sollers West on 6 Mar; 59 at Wellington GP on 4 Apr; 87 at Ross Sewage Works on 10 Sep; 52 at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 13 Nov; 75 at Sutton Marsh on 2 Dec and 68 at Monnington House on 31 Dec.
Breeding was confirmed from 21 sites, which was down from last year, with occupied nests reported from 13 Mar at Wellington GP and fledglings observed from 28 May at Brockhall GP. The breeding sites were: Aston Crews West, Aymestrey, Baregains Farm Ledbury, Berrington Hall Pool, Brockhall GP, Burrington, Falcon Lane Wood Ledbury, Foxhall Phocle Green, Hartleton Lakes, Holme Lacy Village, Kenchester Pools West, Leintwardine Fishery, Marden SW, Old Letton Court, Ross Wye, The Mynde Much Dewchurch, Turner’s Boat Bredwardine, Walford near Brampton Bryan, Wellington GP, The Weston Bredwardine and Whitehouse Grange Tretire.
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Scarce winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
There were six separate records from four sites this year with varying counts as follows: a group at Winforton South from 1 – 9 Jan with a maximum of eight on 1 Jan (P.H. Downes); four at Brockhall GP on 16 Jan (J. Tilby & N. Pegler) and a single there on 2 Nov (G. Bilbao); two at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 13 Nov (A.H. Eveleigh); a single at Winforton South on 10 Dec (P.H. Downes) and two there on 11 Dec, with one staying until 27 Dec, and a single at Lower Moccas Farm on 26 Dec (P. Venvil) that stayed until 31 Dec.
White-fronted Goose (Greater White-fronted Goose) Anser albifrons Very scarce winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
There were records from three sites this year, with the birds remaining for just over a month, as follows: a single was at Brockhall GP on 9 Oct (J. Tilby & N. Pegler); this increased to four at Wellington GP on 12 Oct and these were also recorded at Brockhall GP and Lugg Bridge Quarry on 15 Oct; four adults and five juveniles were at Brockhall GP on 22 and 23 Oct (J. Tilby); this group decreased to an adult with four juveniles at Brockhall GP on 12 Nov (J. Tilby & N. Pegler), that stayed until 20 Nov, but they were also seen at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 13 Nov.
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 24 9 16 18 12* 44* 1 - - - - 2 Bodenham Lake nc - 5 7 4 - 6 - - 3 - - Brockhall GP 2 1 nc - 3 - 1 3 4 1 1 2 Eastnor Castle - - - - 2 7* 3* 3* - - - - Wellington GP 10 17 17 8 17 17 - 3 4* 4 12 - * includes juveniles
30 Other sightings were recorded at: Burrington, Gamber Meadows, Hartleton Lakes, Leominster SE, Little Berrington near Bodenham, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Much Marcle South, Old Letton Court, Pencoyd and Whitney-on-Wye South. These sites had single figure counts and were reported mainly in the Feb – May period.
Evidence of confirmed breeding came from three sites: two broods of eight and nine goslings at Berrington Hall Pool on 8 May and eight pairs with 28 goslings, comprising six broods of varying ages, there on 4 Jun; one pair with three goslings at Eastnor Castle on 7 Jun and nine adults with seven juveniles at Little Berrington near Bodenham on 6 Jul.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis Common resident and winter visitor
Numbers continue to increase within the county with the epicentre at Brockhall GP.
Monthly maxima for the main recorded sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool 2 52 73 41 61* 32 2 - - - - 30 Bodenham Lake 20 - 31 16 7 225 52 - 53 70 30 4 Brockhall GP 600 300 150 110 150 250* 160* 600 750 500 800 600 Hartleton Lakes 86 62 88 52 45* 62 76 2 34 148 148 208 Kenchester Pools 40 nc 20 nc 80 nc 49* - 26 - 302 300 Lugg Bridge 180 21 14 21 31* 46* 47 3 8 261 303 238 Quarry Wellington GP 120 300 213 36 9 58 11 47 140 4 300 3 * includes juveniles
Large counts of 100 or more were: 300 at Winforton South on 1 Jan; 143 at Ross Sewage Works on 5 Jan and 174 on 6 Sep; 125 at Rowland’s Green Ledbury on 13 Sep; 316 flying over The Weir Garden on 14 Sep, 160 on 15 Sep and 288 on 14 Dec; 140 at Sellack on 15 Sep; 100 at The Flits Preston on Wye on 26 Sep and 100 at Whitchurch East on 25 Nov.
Evidence of confirmed breeding was received from the following 24 sites with juveniles seen during the period 18 Apr – 26 Jul: Aston Crews West, Berrington Hall Pool, Brockhall GP, Burrington, Eccleswall Court Bromsash, Flights Farm Ledbury, Foxhall Phocle Green, Greytree Ross-on-Wye, Hartleton Lakes, Kenchester Pools, Ledbury West, Little Berrington near Bodenham, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Merrivale Ross-on-Wye, New House Egleton, Old Letton Court, Peterstow, Phocle Green, Ross Central, Ross Wye, The Mynde Much Dewchurch, Titley Pool, Wellington GP and Whitehouse Grange Tretire.
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Uncommon resident and winter visitor; has bred BoCC listed: Amber
There was a similar number of records to 2015 and birds were reported in every month of the year. The majority of the records came from Brockhall GP with three or four birds present
31 during much of the Jan – Mar period and ones or twos at other times; they were usually feeding with Canada Geese. There were records from two other sites: a single at Kenchester Pools on 6 Jul and two there on 24 Nov and two or three at Wellington GP on 9, 11 and 13 Sep and 16 Oct.
Shelduck (Common Shelduck) Tadorna tadorna Scarce winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
There was little change from last year with 54 records from seven locations. The majority of the records (75%) were from Brockhall GP, where the species was observed during two periods, 1 Jan – 29 May and 18 Aug – 12 Nov; records were generally of ones and twos, but with a maximum of five on 20 Apr. Interestingly, a mating pair was observed on 14 Apr.
Other sightings of ones and twos were received from: Kenchester Pools (Mar & Aug), Lugg Bridge Quarry (Apr), Lugg Meadows (Mar), Pipe and Lyde North (Feb) and Wellington GP (Feb, Apr, Oct & Nov).
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata Fairly common resident
There were records from 67 1-km square locations this year and confirmed breeding evidence from six locations, both slightly lower than the previous year. The breeding records came from: Graham’s Cottage Leintwardine on 30 May; Wayend Street Eastnor on 10 Jun; The Weston Bredwardine on 18 Jun; The Mynde Much Dewchurch on 30 Jun; Backney on 10 Jul and Leintwardine South on 23 Jul.
Monthly maxima for sites with counts in four or more months:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 6 - 4 ------5 9 Hartleton Lakes - - 1 4 1 - - 1 1 - 2 - Phocle Green 5 26 4 10 6 10 7 8 - 2 - 8 R. Wye - 2 2 1 - 3 3 14 6 6 - - Coppet Hill Wayend Street - - - - 1 3* - - 2 2 - - Eastnor * includes juveniles
Other large counts were: 12 at Holme Lacy North on 24 Jan; 25 at R. Wye Capler Wood on 1 Jun; 10 at Old Letton Court on 29 Aug; 70 counted from a canoe from Ross-on-Wye to Symonds Yat on 10 Sep; 10 at Sutton Lakes North on 10 Oct and 19 at Hampton Bishop North on 28 Dec.
Wigeon (Eurasian Wigeon) Anas Penelope Fairly common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
The latest sighting in the first period was of a male and female at Brockhall GP on 2 May and the earliest in the second period was a single at the same site on 18 Aug.
32 Monthly maxima for the main recorded sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 170 ------5 112 60 Brockhall GP 146 115 120 53 2 - - 2 25 79 195 223 Kenchester Pools 25 - 80 - nc - - - 6 9 4 7 Lugg Bridge 67 131 96 31 - - - - 8 115 119 99 Quarry Old Letton Court - 13 34 - - - - - 29 - 64 - Wellington GP 87 40 30 - - - - - 16 15 31 6
Counts of note from other sites were: 120 at Lugg Bridge on 3 Jan, 50 there on 17 Nov and 120 on 29 Nov; 54 at Sutton Rhea on 10 Jan and 107 at Wergins Bridge Sutton St Nicholas on 11 Jan.
American Wigeon Anas Americana
Very rare winter visitor
A female at Brockhall GP on 10 Feb (G. Bilbao) was the fourth county record. A male at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 15 Oct (A.H. Eveleigh & J. Tilby), which stayed until 18 Nov, was the fifth county record.
Gadwall Anas strepera
Uncommon resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
There were records from 15 locations this year, although the majority (80%) came from Brockhall and Wellington GPs. Confirmed breeding records were received from two sites: two broods of five and six ducklings at Brockhall GP on 11 Jun and a female with nine ducklings at Kenchester Pools on 10 Jul.
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 15 22 14 7 22* 17 14 13 10 8 3 Hartleton Lakes - - 3 4 4 2 1 1 2 - - - Kenchester Pools nc nc - - 2 - 11 19 - - 2 8 Lugg Bridge 5-3-----1395 Quarry Wellington GP 15 12 5 1 nc - - - - 2 9 8 * includes juveniles
Teal (Eurasian Teal) Anas crecca
Fairly common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
33 Sightings came from 31 1-km square locations and 70% of records came from Brockhall and Wellington GPs.
Monthly maxima from sites with counts in six or more months:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 60 62 40 13 2 9 2 24 65 40 108 40 Kenchester Pools 3 4 ------12 9 7 8 Lugg Bridge 81 112 49 4 - - - - 7 18 150 64 Quarry Wellington GP 120 150 28 8 - - - 3 40 20 150 30
Larger counts from other locations included: 60 at Thornbury SW on 4 Jan; 52 at Sutton Rhea on 10 Jan; 100 at Wergins Bridge Sutton St Nicholas on 11 Jan; 111 at Bodenham Lake on 25 Jan; 36 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 16 Mar and 36 at Buckton Park Leintwardine on 2 Oct.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Common resident; releases occur annually BoCC listed: Amber
Monthly maxima for the main sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool 49 14 13 4 7 6* 11 13 21 4 5 - Bodenham Lake nc - 4 9 3 24 5 - 8 9 12 12 Brockhall GP 62 43 37 10 17 35* 170* 120 75 50 40 36 Eastnor Castle/ 8 - 8 30 45* 12* - - - - 72 - Park Hartleton Lakes 55 40 40 36* 34* 96* 68* 77 98 128 58 75 Kenchester Pools 5 nc 6 - 2 - 10* 4 43 5 - 12 Lugg Bridge 121 64 40 32 43* 83* 36* 83 106 45 45 45 Quarry Phocle Green 31 42 38 33 30* 37* 43* 41 39 34 23 24 Wellington GP 80 40 15 8 11 48* nc 19 27 11 16 30 * includes juveniles
Additional large counts at other sites were: 87 at Ross Wye on 7 Jan, 55 there on 10 Jun and 60 on 10 Oct; 88 at Old Letton Court on 16 Jan and 73 there on 27 Oct; 220 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 2 Feb; 51 at Greytree Ross-on-Wye on 1 Jul, 54 there on 24 Nov and 72 on 7 Dec; 59 at Ross Central on 19 Aug, 61 there on 4 Sep, 59 on 6 Oct and 71 on 2 Dec; 150 at Sutton Lakes North on 10 Oct, 125 there on 19 Oct and 110 on 25 Oct and 61 at Leintwardine Fishery on 11 Nov.
Breeding records were received from 33 1-km square locations this year, slightly down from the previous year, and fledglings were seen from 12 Apr onwards.
34 Gerry Bilbao White-fronted Geese at Wellington GP in October Mick Colquhoun Mick A distant shot of a pair of Black-necked Grebe in summer plumage at Brockhall GP in May – 14th county record
35 Mick Colquhoun Mick A Cormorant flying from Brockhall GP in August John Tilby A digiscoped image of a male Common Scoter at Brockhall GP in March
36 Mick Colquhoun Mick A Great White Egret at Wellington GP in October – 2nd county record Mick Colquhoun Mick A Little Grebe at Brockhall GP in August
37 Mick Colquhoun Mick The long-staying White Stork on a Weston Beggard rooftop in June – 7th county record Mick Colquhoun Mick A Red-crested Pochard drake at Wellington GP in November – 16th county record
38 Pintail (Northern Pintail) Anas acuta Scarce winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
Sightings were up this year with 28 records from eight locations. Half of the records were from Wellington GP, mostly during the month of January with a peak count of 25 on 2 Jan. Records were also received in January from five other sites: Bodenham Lake, Brockhall GP, Sutton Rhea, Thornbury SW and Wergins Bridge Sutton St Nicholas, with the highest count of seven males and six females at Brockhall GP on 9 Jan. There were only three records post-Jan in the early period: two pairs at Brockhall GP on 25 Feb; a record for Wellington GP on 5 Mar and a single male at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 6 Mar
There were only five records during the second period: 10, including six juveniles, at Wellington GP on 15 Sep, two there on 18 Sep and a single female on 15 Nov; a single male at Sutton Lakes North on 1 Nov and a male and female at Brockhall GP on 3 Dec.
Garganey Anas querquedula Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
There were just two records this year: a single male at Kiln Green near Walford on 9 Apr (J.R. Beck) and a single male at Brockhall GP on 5 Jun (G. Bilbao) that remained until 11 Jun.
Shoveler (Northern Shoveler) Anas clypeata Uncommon 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 Brockhall GP 4 3 3 4 2 - - 6 21 18 30 32 Kenchester Pools -- nc ------2 14 16 Lugg Bridge 9 4 4 ------10 1 - Quarry Wellington GP 56 42 11 7 - - - - - 12 11 14
The counts were higher this year at Brockhall GP in Jan/Feb and at Wellington GPs in Nov/Dec; these two sites accounted for 90% of the records received. Additional records came from four other sites: Hartleton Lakes (Oct), Thornbury SW (Jan), Titley Pool (Jun) and Wergins Bridge Sutton St Nicholas (Jan).
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Very scarce passage migrant
A long-staying male (first seen on 26 Dec 2015, 15th county record) was reported on the main lake at Wellington GP on 2 Jan (K. Lloyd & P.H. Downes). It was present throughout Jan and
39 stayed until 15 Feb. Another single male was on the new workings at Wellington GP on 2 Nov (E. Quinto-Ashman), this was the 16th county record.
Pochard (Common Pochard) Aythya farina
Uncommon winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
There were sightings from five locations; the latest in the first period was four at Brockhall GP on 8 May and the earliest in the second period was a single at the same site on 13 Aug.
Monthly maxima for the main recorded sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 6 1 1 1 4 - - 2 - 3 3 1 Lugg Bridge 8282------Quarry Wellington GP 30 30 25 1 - - - 1 2 2 13 22
There were two additional records: eight at Thornbury SW on 4 Jan and one at Canon Frome on 16 Apr. Brockhall and Wellington GPs accounted for 37% and 58% respectively of all sightings.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Fairly common resident and winter visitor
Monthly maxima from sites with counts in six or more months:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake nc -54-5--15-1 Brockhall GP 65 42 43 63 60 40 39* 65* 30 45 50 34 Kenchester Pools 1 nc 5 nc 10 - 4* 2* 4 3 1 - Lugg Bridge 113 34 44 28 13 13 5 1 7 24 36 37 Quarry Old Letton Court - - 5 12 2 3 - 2 - 1 - - Wellington GP 100 30 61 5 5 15 15 6 40 31 43 47 * includes juveniles
Additional records were received from 30 other sites. Breeding was confirmed from eight locations: Brockhall GP, Burrington, Canon Frome, Glewstone Court, Greytree Ross-on-Wye, Kenchester Pools, Little Berrington near Bodenham and Ross Wye.
Aythya hybrid
A single male hybrid duck was at Brockhall GP on 6 and 7 May (J. Tilby); it resembled a Lesser Scaup but had too much black on the bill tip, too much contrast between the back and the flanks and the head was brown-tinted, so it was probably a Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid.
40 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
There were just two records this year: a single male at Brockhall GP on 20 Mar (J. Tilby) and three males and seven females at Wellington GP on 4 Jun (J. Kedward).
Goldeneye (Common Goldeneye) Bucephala clangula Uncommon winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
There were sightings from five locations; the latest in the first period was a pair at Wellington GP on 13 Apr and the earliest in the second period was a single male at the same site on 8 Nov.
Monthly maxima for main sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 9 1 6 ------3 4 Lugg Bridge -52------Quarry Wellington GP 8 9 7 2 ------4 5
The majority of sightings were from Wellington GP (65%) and a smaller number from Bodenham Lake (23%); there were just four records from Lugg Bridge Quarry. Other records were: a single female at Brockhall GP on 16 Jan and a single at Whitney-on-Wye South on 4 Feb.
Goosander (Common Merganser) Mergus merganser Fairly common resident
Monthly maxima for main sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 55 70 5 10 1 - - 13 13 27 37 30 Hartleton Lakes 13 12 12 ------28 53 R. Wye Hereford 4 9 7 5 - 12 - - - - 8 18 City φ R. Wye Hampton 2 8 2 8 9 - - 16 7 2 3 17 Bishop – Ballingham Whitney-on-Wye - 1 6 - 12 4 - - 1 - 6 - South φ R. Wye from Broomy Hill to Hampton Park
Records were received from 80 1-km square locations this year, which is similar to the previous year. Other large counts were: 35 at Lugg Bridge on 3 Jan; 10 females with 10 juveniles at Winforton South on 21 May; 13 at Capler on 30 Jun; 10 at Sutton Lakes North on 19 Oct and 18 at Titley Pool on 11 Dec.
41 There was evidence of confirmed breeding from ten sites: four very young chicks seen briefly at Brampton Bryan East on 24 Apr; a female with 11 young on R. Wye at The Weir Garden on 27 Apr; a female with seven young at R. Teme Tatteridge Hill Leintwardine on 7 May; two broods totalling 10 juveniles at Winforton South on 21 May; a female with eight newly-hatched chicks at Sink Green on 26 May; a female with seven juveniles at The Wellands Sellack on 6 Jun; a female with seven juveniles at The Holm Willersley and a female with nine juveniles at Willersley SE, both on 18 Jun; a female with 11 young at Shelwick East on 5 Jul and seven young at Backney on 10 Jul.
Quail (Common Quail) Coturnix coturnix Scarce summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber
There were two records in 2016, as in 2015. Singing males were heard at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 26 May (P. Jennings) and at Whitton Leintwardine on 17 Jun (M. Bailey).
Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa Fairly common resident; releases occur annually
Following an increase in 2015, the number of records in 2016 were similar. There were records from each month, with a distinct peak in April. Counts of 10 or more birds recorded were: 22 in two coveys at Milton Cross on 1 Jan; 47 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 31 Jan; 12 at Kilbury Camp Ledbury on 2 Feb; 20 at Bringewood Forge NE on 2 Feb; 23 in two coveys at The Old Vicarage Downton on the Rock on 29 Sep and 10 at Welsh Bicknor on 25 Dec.
Evidence of breeding was confirmed at one site: a recently fledged young bird at Kilbury Camp Ledbury on 15 Aug.
Red Grouse (Willow Ptarmigan) Lagopus lagopus Scarce records from the Black Mountains BoCC listed: Amber
Four records were received, all, as in recent years, from the Black Mountains in potential breeding habitats. A pair was seen at Hatterrall Hill East on 13 Apr; four birds were at Olchon Valley Apex on 18 Nov; a single was at Hay Bluff on 19 Nov and the largest count of five birds was at Red Daren on 27 Dec.
A controlled heather burning programme and new grazing patterns were introduced by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority in 2015, including on Hatterrall Hill, with the aim of increasing numbers of breeding Red Grouse. There is no evidence to date of greater numbers, but increased observational activity in future years would be valuable.
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Uncommon resident; releases occur annually BoCC listed: Red
Nine records from seven sites in 2016 represents an increase compared with the previous four years. In 2016, as in 2015, there were no confirmed breeding records, although two pairs plus a single were noted at Crow Hill North on 12 Mar and also one pair was seen plus two other birds heard there on 22 Mar.
42 Further records consisted of: two at Upper Grove Common Sellack on 20 Feb; singles at Vowchurch East on 27 Apr, Holme Lacy Church on 30 Aug and Wyelea Ross-on-Wye on 2 Oct and large counts of 25 ‘reared’ birds at Hampton Meadows SE on 13 Nov amongst a flock Red-legged Partridge feeding around hoppers and game crops and 14 feeding on roadside grit at Moorhampton Bridge Bacton on 27 Dec.
Pheasant (Common Pheasant) Phasianus colchinus Abundant resident; releases occur annually
Ninety per cent of records were single figure counts or recorded as ‘present’. Counts of 20 or more rose from 13 in 2015 to 31 in 2016, close to the 2014 figure. As in 2014 and 2015, the higher counts were recorded more frequently in Mar and Apr, although in 2016 the higher counts extended into May. There were greater numbers of higher counts throughout the autumn and winter than in 2015. There were eight counts of 40 or more birds: 226 at Capler Farm Fownhope on 19 Aug; 70 at Buckton West on 24 Aug; 200 at Pools Farm Downton on the Rock and 100 at Downton Castle South, both on 7 Sep and both being ‘released poults’; 50 at Coppet Hill on 24 Oct and 43 at Welsh Bicknor on 11 Dec, 53 there on 18 Dec and 50 on 25 Dec.
There were only four records of confirmed breeding, these were at: Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop on 1 and 4 Jun; Wayend Street Eastnor on 15 Aug and Prior’s Frome South on 21 Aug. The low breeding figure reported each year 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
As in 2015, there were no reports of attempted breeding.
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 1 3 2 2 1 - - - - 4 3 1 Bodenham Lake 20 12 20 - - 1 1 - 14 100 33 51 Brockhall GP 20 4 2 8 2 2 11 36 177 10 4 4 Harleton Lakes 12 6 6 - - - - 1 3 4 9 1 Lugg Bridge 4 14 13 6 3 5 2 3 4 8 17 11 Quarry Wellington GP 15 5 8 5 1 6 nc 13 111 59 15 40
The greatest changes from 2015 were the higher peak counts recorded at Bodenham Lake, Brockhall GP and Wellington GP. The monthly maxima at each in 2016 being 100, 177 and 111 respectively (all in Sep/Oct), compared with 44 (Nov), 75 (Jan) and 50 (Jan) in 2015.
Records (including birds flying over) of 10 or more from other sites were: 14 at Coppet Hill on 16 Feb, 10 there on 12 Aug, 10 on 14 Oct and 12 on 16 Dec; 14 at Backney on 27 Mar and 39 at Leintwardine Fishery on 16 Oct.
43 Bittern (Eurasian Bittern) Botaurus stellaris Rare winter visitor; has bred BoCC listed: Amber
A single bird was seen at Lower Nicholson Farm Docklow on 17 Sep (T. & P. Brooke), this being the first record since 2012.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta Scarce resident
The 126 records this year recorded from 38 1-km square locations in the county is similar to 2015. Five or more records were submitted from: Brockhall GP (8 records), Buckton (11), Graham’s Cottage Leintwardine (7), Wellington GP (40), Whitney-on-Wye South (9) and Winforton South (5).
There were two records of five birds: at Buckton Park Leintwardine on 5 Jan and at Trippleton Leintwardine on 10 Jan, and four birds were reported from: Brockhall GP, Whitney-on-Wye and Winforton South and SW.
There were fewer sightings of singletons or ‘present’, in 2016 compared with 2015, with records from across the year and, compared with 2015, there were nearly twice as many records during the Northern Europe breeding season (Mar – Jul).
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2016 10 4 10 7 6 4 11 13 11 13 17 20 8% 3% 8% 6% 5% 3% 9% 10% 9% 10% 13% 16% 2015 18 28 3 3 4 2 8 17 13 12 8 11 14% 22% 2% 2% 3% 2% 6% 14% 10% 10% 6% 9%
Great White Egret (Great Egret) Ardea alba Very rare vagrant
Multiple sightings of a single bird represent the second county record, the first being in 2012 at the same two gravel pit locations. It was first recorded at Brockhall GP on 1 Oct at 15.30 hrs (N. Pegler), and after being disturbed by walkers it flew to Wellington GP arriving at 15.55 hrs, where it stayed until 12 Oct. The same bird was seen in the Leintwardine area on 17 Oct, (S.P. Nichol & W. Marler) and at Waterloo Nature Reserve Letton on 27 Oct (C. Overton) and was intermittently there until 25 Dec. The bird was also seen at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 14 Nov (A.H. Eveleigh).
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Fairly common resident
Confirmed breeding was recorded at three of the five locations noted in 2015, with occupied nests at: Berrington Hall Pool (at least 14 nests of which at least nine were occupied on 21 Feb and approximately 16 nests on 10 Apr); Buckton (16 nests, with eight adults and at least five chicks on 5 Apr) and Eccleswall Court Bromsash (three occupied nests on 19 Feb, seven
44 occupied nests with young being fed on one nest on 5 Apr, six adults sitting and three juveniles on 24 Apr, these being the maximum number of juveniles recorded through to 27 Jun). Eight active nests were also recorded at Knill Wood South on 6 Apr (where breeding was last reported in 2013). There were no counts carried out in 2016 at either Leech Pool Clifford or The Weston Bredwardine (site of large colonies in 2014 and 2015). The first records of occupied nests in 2016 were considerably earlier than in 2015.
Non-breeding records were spread across all months but with the greatest number of sightings during Aug – Oct. Just over 90% of the non-breeding records were of ‘present’, single or two birds. A maximum of 11 birds was recorded at Buckton on 24 Sep. Mick Colquhoun Mick
White Stork Ciconia ciconia Rare passage migrant
The sixth county record was recorded at Upper Buckton Farm Leintwardine on 9 Feb (Y. Lloyd), followed by the seventh county record at Weston Beggard on 10 Jun (S. Thackwray). This latter ringed bird (Z1213) was seen at many county locations thereafter throughout the year (see article on pages 116 – 117).
Spoonbill (Eurasian Spoonbill) Platalea leucorodia Very rare visitor BoCC listed: Amber
This first county record for the species was a flock of seven birds at Brockhall GP on 10 Sep (N. Pegler); they flew in from the north-west, circled around three or four times as if they were going to land before circling back up and leaving to the south-west (see article on page 23). With increasing numbers of records from neighbouring counties, including Gwent and Gloucestershire, the likelihood of further sightings in Herefordshire will probably increase.
45 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Uncommon resident and winter visitor
Evidence of breeding was confirmed at seven sites. Juvenile birds were reported from: Burrington on 2 Jun (adult plus one chick), which is a particularly early date; Little Berrington Bodenham on 6 Jul (seven adults and two juveniles from different broods); Brockhall GP on 16 Jul (two juveniles); Kenchester Pools on 25 Jul (two juveniles); Greytree Ross-on-Wye on 17 Aug (one juvenile) and 4 Sep (five adults with one juvenile) and Glewstone Court on 20 Aug (two very young juveniles with two adults). In addition, an adult was recorded on a nest at The Mynde Much Dewchurch on 30 Jun.
The majority of records were of one, two or three adults and were spread relatively evenly across the year, but with lower numbers in May and June. There were four counts of 10 or more birds: 13 at Glewstone Court on 7 Jan and 10 there on 4 Feb; 12 at Greytree Ross-on-Wye on 2 Feb and 14 at Kenchester Pools West on 28 Aug. Counts of five or more birds were recorded at a greater number of locations than in 2015 and were from the following additional sites: Bringewood Forge North; Burrington; Eign Hill Hereford; Kenchester Pools East; Little Berrington near Bodenham; Lugg Bridge Quarry and Rotherwas Industrial Estate SW.
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Uncommon resident and winter visitor
Following a small decline in breeding success reported in 2015, there was an increase in confirmed breeding records, but not in breeding sites in 2016. Evidence of breeding behaviour was reported from five sites and breeding was confirmed at four of these: Brockhall GP, Eastnor Castle Lake, Shelwick East and Wellington GP.
As in recent years, the greatest number of confirmed breeding records was from Brockhall GP, with the earliest being of distraction display on 6 Jun. Adults on nests there were reported three times between 22 Jun and 6 Jul, with the first juveniles noted on 24 Jul. Late breeding records were reported on 30 Aug and 10 Sep. The earliest confirmed breeding record was of one adult and six young at Shelwick East on 25 May. The only breeding record from Eastnor Castle Lake was of a pair with two young on 1 Aug and at Wellington GP young were reported on 5 and 14 Aug.
Monthly maxima for main recorded sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake 1 - 4 1 - 2 1 - 2 - - 2 Brockhall GP 2 2 2 6 8 10 16* 15* 12 10 3 3 Eastnor Lake - 4 4 7 4 3 - 4* 1* - - - Lugg Bridge 133333221332 Quarry Wellington GP 11 6 14 10 10 3 4 6 5 15 18 8 * includes juveniles
There was an increase in non-breeding records from other sites, compared with 2015. Four birds were recorded at Thornbury SW on 4 Jan, two were at Old Letton Court on 22 Apr and singles
46 were at: Berrington Hall (8 May); Hartleton Lakes (on 14 dates between 12 Feb and 26 Nov) and Mathon GP (21 Jun).
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Rare passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
The first record since 2010 was of a male and female at Brockhall GP on 12 May (G. Bilbao), which stayed until 30 May; this was the 14th county record. Another record of a single male, also at Brockhall GP, on 11 Jun (G. Bilbao) and staying until 18 Jun, was the 15th county record.
Red Kite Milvus milvus Uncommon resident
Following a two-thirds increase in the number of records in 2015, there was a more modest increase in 2016 of around 15%, but with an increase in the number of records of tagged birds from two to seven. As in recent years, many of the records are of repeated observations at specific sites in the north of the county. Records were received in all months, but the peak in Feb/Mar noted in 2014 and 2015 was not repeated in 2016.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec No. of records 26 36 51 57 51 28 27 30 46 49 49 51
As in previous years, there was no reported evidence of confirmed breeding, although a juvenile was reported on 7 Aug and there were three chicks ringed in the county as part of the BTO National Ringing Scheme. There was however slightly more evidence of probable breeding than in 2015, with the majority of the records coming from the west and north of the county. Pairs were seen at six sites on various dates between 7 Apr and 24 Jun. Display or potential courtship behaviour was reported at five sites on dates between 25 Jan and 3 Dec.
Reports of singles or ‘present’ accounted for almost 70% of records, while reports of twos (excluding ‘pairs’) accounted for a further 17% – there being fewer single or ‘present’ records and more twos than in 2015. The largest count, excluding a count of 19 birds adjacent to a kite feeding station, was of 17 at Buckton on 15 Nov. The trend over time of an increasing number of birds recorded in a single count continued, and with a large increase in counts of three or more birds from 37 in 2015 to 65 in 2016.
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Max. count size 3 3 4 4 6 8 12+ 13* 17** * excludes a count of 25 birds at a private feeding station ** excludes a count of 19 birds adjacent to a kite feeding field
Marsh Harrier (Western Marsh Harrier) Circus aeruginosus Rare passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
A female was seen circling over the main lake at Wellington GP before flying slowly west on 16 Aug (E. Quinto-Ashman); this was the ninth county record for this species.
47 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
A ringtail was reported from a site in the north of the county on 28 Jan (C. Johnson) and was seen again on 9 Feb. This was a long-staying bird first reported in Nov 2015 (see page 101).
Goshawk (Northern Goshawk) Accipiter gentilis Uncommon resident
There were 52 records from 34 locations, which was a small increase in both the number of records and sites from 2015. There were sightings in all months, with a distinct peak in Feb – Apr.
There were greater numbers of records of circumstantial evidence of breeding than in 2015, with courtship and display recorded at seven sites between 7 Feb and 8 Apr, and a permanent territory recorded at a site on 12 May where a pair had been recorded previously. In addition, an unusual call heard immediately before a soaring probable male bird was sighted on 25 Feb was thought to have possibly been a female calling from a nest site below. Agitated behaviour was also reported from a site on 11 Jun. The majority of records were of singles, but there were five sightings of two, one sighting of three and two sightings of four birds.
There were seven chicks ringed in the county as part of the BTO National Ringing Scheme.
Sparrowhawk (Eurasian Sparrowhawk) Accipiter nisus Fairly common resident
As in 2015, there was confirmed evidence of breeding from only two sites with recently fledged young seen with an adult male at Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun and an adult male carrying food (probably a vole) at Pencoyd on 30 Jun. Probable breeding was reported from four additional sites: birds displaying at Welsh Bicknor on 1 Mar; nest building at Westfields Hereford on 10 Apr and birds on permanent territories at Buckton on 3 May and Wigmore on 10 Jun.
Ninety-five per cent of the records were of singles or ‘present’, with 11 records of two birds and one record of five birds at Wellington GP on 20 Feb.
Recorded prey items included: Blackbird, Goldfinch and House Sparrow, with Mistle Thrushes and Linnets being pursued unsuccessfully and Greenfinches aggressively driving a Sparrowhawk away.
The following record illustrates the hunting skills of the Sparrowhawk: “Male Sparrowhawk flying very low along road for a long way with occasional passes at hedgerow bushes, but I was able to time it accurately as doing 35 miles an hour along the straight.”
Buzzard Buteo buteo Common resident
48 There was little change in the total number of records between 2015 and 2016. As in recent years, records were widely dispersed across the county and throughout the year, but as in 2015, evidence of peak sightings occurring during March and April and with fewer records in November and December.
Breeding was confirmed at 10 sites as follows: a bird carrying food at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 5 Jun; an occupied nest at Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun; a bird carrying food (possibly a vole) at Gough’s Wood Peterchurch on 10 Jun; an occupied nest at Haywood Lane Ashperton on 28 Jun; an adult and juvenile at The Mynde Much Dewchurch on 30 Jun; two fully-grown juveniles standing on a nest at Walford near Brampton Bryan on 13 Jul and recently fledged birds were at: Brockhall GP on 7 Aug; Brampton Bryan East on 9 Aug; Falcon Lane Wood Ledbury on 11 Aug and Leintwardine West on 16 Aug.
Just under 80% of records were of one or two birds or ‘present’, but there were counts of 20 or more at the following five sites: 26 at Warham on 10 Mar; 32 at The Barn Adleymoor on 6 May; 28 in fields feeding on worms at Holme Lacy Church on 13 Nov; 20 in flight, together with four Red Kites, over Devereux Wootton Norton Canon on 19 Nov and 27 at Cwm Madoc Farm Broad Oak on 30 Nov.
Osprey (Western Osprey) Pandion haliaetus Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
There were three records in 2016, one more than in 2015, but still significantly fewer than in recent years, although not dissimilar to most years during the 1990s and 2000s.
Single birds were reported from: Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 15 Apr (P. Jennings); Wellington GP on 20 Apr (C. Parr) and at the same site on 16 Aug (E. Quinto-Ashman), the latter being a long-staying bird that remained until 8 Sep.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Uncommon resident and winter visitor
There were 50 records from 12 locations. The majority of records were of ones and twos, but three and four were present on five occasions during Nov/Dec at Wellington GP, where over 70% of the records came from. No records were received between 13 Mar and 4 Oct.
Records were also received from: Berrington Hall Pool, Buckton Park Leintwardine, Eastnor Castle, Gamber Meadows, Hampton Bishop North, Hartleton Lakes, Holme Lacy Church, Holme Lacy North, Lugg Bridge, Lugg Bridge Quarry and Pembridge East.
Moorhen (Common Moorhen) Gallinula chloropus Common resident
Breeding was confirmed at 30 sites with young seen from 15 May onwards.
49 Monthly maxima at the main sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berrington Pool 1 1 1 2 1 4 4 3* 4 2 1 3 Brockhall GP 4 2 6 1 3 5 5 14 12 6 2 3 Glewstone Court 3 4 7 4 3 2 4* 5* 4 8 2 3 Greytree 11 7 10 6 6 8* 8* 9* 6 5 9 8 Ross-on-Wye Hartleton Lakes 12 19 12 12 10 7 12* 11* 10 8 14 20 Lugg Bridge 2 - 2 1 1 - - 9* 10 3 2 - Quarry Phocle Green 3 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 4 4 8 4 Wellington GP 15 6 4 3 2 2 4 3 4 8 9 2 * includes juveniles
Counts from others sites were in single figures, except for 10 observed at: Ross Central on 20 Nov and Canon Frome on 30 Nov.
Coot (Eurasian Coot) Fulica atra
Fairly common resident
Breeding was confirmed from 17 sites with young seen from 8 May onwards.
Monthly maxima for the main sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bodenham Lake nc - - 5 - 11 4 - 8 14 - - Brockhall GP 30 37 45 11 17 51* 75* 85 40 7 9 10 Greytree 8 14 17 10 10* 15* 24* 18 17 8 9 9 Ross-on-Wye Kenchester Pools - - 6 nc 3 - 3* 15 11 2 nc - Lugg Bridge 14 19 22 22 20* 15 33* 40 58 54 57 79 Quarry Wellington GP 140 20 20 2 10* 20 30 78 155 30 35 72 * includes juveniles
Counts from others sites were in single figures, except that 11 were observed at The Mynde Much Dewchurch on 30 Jun and 19 were at Titley Pool on 11 Oct. Brockhall and Wellington GPs accounted for 54% of records.
50 Avocet (Pied Avocet) Recurvirostra avosetta Very rare passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
One of these elegant waders was seen at Brockhall GP on 4 Jun (R. Stead), representing the fifth county record.
Oystercatcher (Eurasian Oystercatcher) Haematopus ostralegus Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
Brockhall GP again accounted for 55% of records; the first record was of a single at this site on 6 Jan, increasing to six by mid-Feb and with the highest count of 13 on 30 Apr. The latest record at this site was of one on 26 Jul, a day later than last year.
The following sites had records with up to six individuals recorded: Bodenham Lake, Buckton, Credenhill West (flying overhead), Graham’s Cottage Leintwardine, Hartleton Lakes, Kenchester Pools, Leintwardine Fishery, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Old Letton Court, R. Teme Tatteridge Hill Leintwardine, Walford East, Walford near Brampton Bryan, Wellington GP, Whitney-on-Wye South, Winforton South and Winforton SW.
There were three confirmed breeding records this year. The earliest occupied nest was at Brockhall GP on 2 Apr with up to five occupied nests recorded there throughout the month and the first chicks were seen on 30 Apr. Other breeding records were: a pair with two chicks at R. Teme Tatteridge Hill Leintwardine on 14 May and an occupied nest at Winforton South on 21 May.
Golden Plover (European Golden Plover) Pluvialis apricaria Fairly common winter visitor and uncommon passage migrant
There were eight records during the first winter period and the earliest records were of a wintering flock of 226 south of Hereford City at Brandon on 1 Jan and a single was also at Wellington GP on that date. The wintering flock at Brandon remained until at least 6 Feb, by which time the count had dwindled to 92 birds. The last record during the first winter period was of 200 at Hergest Ridge on 12 Mar.
The first record during the second winter period was of three at Wellington GP on 16 Oct (a full month later than in 2015) and there were five more records during this period: 33 birds had returned to the regular wintering area at Grafton Wood/Brandon just south of Hereford City by 26 Oct; a single at Wellington GP on 30 Oct; 50 at Hergest Ridge NE on 4 Nov; three at Hay Bluff on 19 Nov and 32 at Wellington SE on 7 Dec, which was the latest record of the year.
Ringed Plover (Common Ringed Plover) Charadrius hiaticula Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
Over 90% of records came from Brockhall GP. The earliest record was of three at Brockhall GP on 2 Apr and the latest was a single there on 10 Oct; the equivalent dates for Wellington GP
51 were: a single on 30 Apr and two on 9 Sep respectively. The other location was Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow where a single was observed on 2 Aug.
The highest count from Brockhall GP was 13 on 27 Sep and from Wellington GP, seven on 10 May. A single tundrae race bird was recorded at Wellington GP on 30 Apr.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant
The earliest records of the year were on 25 Mar from two sites: two at Brockhall GP and a single at R. Teme Tatteridge Hill Leintwardine. The latest record was of four at Brockhall GP on 23 Sep.
Breeding was confirmed from two sites with juveniles recorded at: Brockhall GP on 12 May and Lugg Bridge Quarry on 7 Aug. At Brockhall GP, where 65% of records came from, the peak count reached 14, including juveniles, on 10 Jul. At Lugg Bridge Quarry the earliest record was of three on 2 Apr and the latest was a juvenile on 21 Aug. At Wellington GP the earliest and latest dates were 3 Apr and 14 Sep respectively, with peak counts of four on 10 May and 10 Jul.
Other records came from: Pontshill East, Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow, Walford near Brampton Bryan, Whitney-on-Wye South and Winforton South.
Lapwing (Northern Lapwing) Vanellus vanellus
Fairly common resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
Monthly maxima at the main sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 340 300 12 3 2 2 8 12 19 12 37 160 Kenchester Pools 115 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 21 - 7 140 Lugg Bridge - 150 9 19 4 17 31 23 51 46 - - Quarry Wellington GP 600 250 40 8 6 4 15* 29 86 150 638 884 * includes juveniles
Other large flocks were: 200 at Ivington on 15 Jan; 180 at Winforton South on 23 Jan; 500 flying over Lugg Bridge on 24 Jan; 200 at Leominster SE on 15 Feb and 150 there on 25 Feb and 111 at Buckton on 7 Dec.
A reasonable breeding season was reflected by breeding being confirmed at three sites: at least 10 young were produced by 13 pairs at Weobley in mid-May; two pairs with two chicks were at Wickton Court Stoke Prior on 25 Jun and one juvenile was seen at Wellington GP on 2 Jul.
52 John Buttriss A soaring Red Kite photographed in December Mick Colquhoun Mick A Dunlin in summer plumage at Brockhall GP in May
53 Mick Colquhoun Mick Mick Colquhoun Mick A Little Ringed Plover at Brockhall GP in June Angela Starling A Common Snipe at Mansel Lacy on a frosty morning in December
54 John Buttriss A female Sparrowhawk at Canon Pyon in May Mick Colquhoun Mick A juvenile Little Stint at Brockhall GP in August
55 Mick Colquhoun Mick A Ringed Plover at Brockhall GP in May Mick Colquhoun Mick Two Whimbrel at Brockhall GP in May
56 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
In 2016 there were eight records from two sites. Three birds were present at Brockhall GP on 28 Apr, decreasing to two on 29 Apr and these remained until 2 May. Two more were logged at the site on 8 May, decreasing to one by 10 May when it departed to the east; this was presumably the same bird seen at Wellington GP later the same day.
Curlew (Eurasian Curlew) Numenius arquata Fairly common resident and uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
The earliest record was a single calling at Mordiford Bridge on 27 Jan. Most records were of ones or twos but some larger counts were recorded: 16 at Lugg Bridge on 12 Mar, seven at Winforton SW on 1 Apr and six at Winforton South on 9 Apr. On two occasions in late autumn, single birds were sound recorded flying over Tupsley at night, one on 23 Oct and the other on 1 Nov; these were the latest records of the year.
Although birds were observed in suitable habitat at a number of localities, sometimes as pairs and calling, breeding was only confirmed at one site: Moorhampton Court Farm Bacton on 24 Jun.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
There were 14 records from three sites. The earliest record was of seven at Wellington GP on 2 Jan, but the majority of sightings were during Jul/Aug with peak counts of six at Wellington GP on 10 Jul and at Brockhall GP on 20 Aug. Three were present at a third site, The Wellands Sellack, on 10 Aug. The latest sighting was of two juveniles at Brockhall GP on 29 Aug.
Turnstone (Ruddy Turnstone) Arenaria interpres Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
The first of two records was of a single bird at Brockhall GP on 4 Sep (J. Tilby & N. Pegler), the second involved three juveniles at the same site on 27 Sep (G. Bilbao); these represented the 16th and 17th county records.
Ruff Calidris pugnax Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
At Brockhall GP, a single was present on 9 May (J. Tilby) and a male and female were there on 28 May, the male in full summer plumage (J. Tilby). Single females were reported there on 11 Aug (G. Bilbao) and during 20 – 23 Aug and two were present on 27 Aug. Finally, a female seen there on 2 Oct (G. Parker) remained until 8 Oct.
57 At Wellington GP, one or two were regularly seen from 27 July (G. Bilbao) until finally an impressive five were present on 16 Aug.
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Very scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
A single adult in summer plumage was present on 10 May at Brockhall GP, where it remained until the following day (J. Tilby); this represented the 10th county record.
Sanderling Calidris alba Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
This was an exceptional year for this species, with four records from two sites involving an incredible 34 individuals. The first record was of a single at Wellington GP on 3 May (G. Bilbao); nine were at Brockhall GP on 10 May (P.H. Downes, T. Downes & J. Tilby); two were at Wellington GP on 24 Aug (G. Bilbao) and finally, and most impressively, 22 were at Brockhall GP on 3 Sep (G. Bilbao). The latter group arrived ahead of a heavy rain shower in mid-afternoon and departed south once the rain had passed through.
Dunlin Calidris alpina Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
The earliest record was of one at Brockhall GP on 6 Jan and the latest was also from Brockhall GP on 27 Nov.
Most records were of one to four birds, but five were recorded at Brockhall GP on 14 Apr and 29 Aug, six on 12 May and seven on 22 Sep. Other records were received from Wellington GP and Kenchester Pools.
Little Stint Calidris minuta Very scarce passage migrant
Four birds were present at Brockhall GP on 26 Aug (J. Tilby, G. Bilbao & N. Pegler), two of which remained until 29 Aug.
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 was a single there on 20 Nov. Evidence of probable breeding was observed at only one site this year, Walford near Brampton Bryan.
Eighty-five percent of records were of five or fewer individuals, but the following counts of 10 or more were received: 12 at Brockhall GP on 29 Apr, 15 there on 1 May and 13 on 26 Jul, whilst 14 were at Wellington GP on 28 Jul. Records were received from a further 22 sites.
58 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
The earliest record was at Brockhall GP on 2 Jan and the latest was from Wellington GP on 31 Dec. Records were received in every month except May.
Most records were of ones and twos, but six were at R. Monnow Llangua on 12 Mar and four were at: Brockhall GP on 10 and 19 Jul and 18 Aug; Kenchester Pools on 20 Aug and Wellington GP on 13 Nov. These three sites contributed over 70% of sightings and there were records from 22 other sites.
Greenshank (Common Greenshank) Tringa nebularia Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
In 2016 there were 38 records from seven sites, a large increase from the previous year when there were only four records from two sites. The earliest record was of a single at Wellington GP on 7 Jul and the latest was a single at Brockhall GP on 9 Oct.
Most records were of ones and twos, but three were at Brockhall GP on 18 Aug. Records also came from: Hampton Bishop North, Kenchester Pools, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow and Wellington GP.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
A single was present at Brockhall GP on 6 May (J. Tilby) and three were there on 6 Jul (G. Parker & A.H. Eveleigh).
Redshank (Common Redshank) Tringa totanus Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
The earliest record was at Nokelane Head Staunton on Arrow on 31 Jan and the latest was of three at Wellington GP on 18 Oct. There were 28 records from seven sites.
Most records were of ones and twos, but larger counts included: four at Wellington GP on 10 Jul and five at Lugg Bridge Quarry on the same date. Records were also received from: Backney, Brockhall GP, Hurstleywood Farm Kinnersley and Kenchester Pools.
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Uncommon winter visitor
In 2016 there were 16 records from five sites, an increase on the previous year when there were only three records from two sites, but similar to both 2014 and 2013.
59 There were six records during the first winter period, all singles, and the latest sighting was at Withington Marsh on 28 Feb. The earliest of the 10 records during the second winter period was a single at Brockhall GP on 15 Oct, two were seen at Wellington GP on 30 Nov, 9 Dec and 30 Dec and three were there on 3 Dec. Birds were also recorded at: Gamber Meadows and Sink Green.
Woodcock (Eurasian Woodcock) Scolopax rusticola
Uncommon resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
There were 28 records from 24 sites, very similar to the two previous years. No breeding or ‘roding’ was reported this year, although one was deemed to be ‘on permanent territory’ at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 5 May.
There were 21 records during the period 5 Jan – 5 May, one record in late July and six records during 20 Nov – 30 Dec. Most records were of singles, but there were at least five, with several duelling, at Wigmore Rolls on 19 Apr.
Snipe (Common Snipe) Gallinago gallinago
Scarce resident and fairly common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
The latest record in the first period was a single at Wellington GP on 3 May and the earliest in the second period was a single at Kenchester Pools on 17 Jul.
Monthly maxima at main sites:
Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brockhall GP 22 5 4 nc - - - 3 11 21 10 8 Gamber Meadows 17 26 27 2 ------2 3 Letton Lakes - 2 35 ------1 - - Sturts Nature - 54 24 ------Reserve Wellington GP 8 21 6 2 1 - - 6 3 19 16 2
The majority of other records were of one to five birds; larger counts included: 12 at Killbreece Tretire on 12 Feb; 40 at Portley Moor near Leominster on 13 Feb; 16 at Bowley Town North on 14 Mar; 14 at Backney on 20 Mar and 15 there on 27 Nov and nine at Hurstleywood Farm Kinnersley on 17 Dec.
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Scarce passage migrant
An adult stayed for 15 minutes at Brockhall GP in the evening of 19 Aug (N. Pegler).
60 White-winged Black Tern (White-winged Tern) Childonias leucopterus Very rare passage migrant
A single was recorded at Brockhall GP on 28 Aug (J. Tilby & N. Pegler; second county record). The previous sighting was at Wellington GP on 8 Jun 2010.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
The majority of records were from Brockhall GP where the species was present on 10 dates: a single adult on 13 Apr; a total of eight by 08:44 hrs on 10 May, all departed north-east at 09:40 hrs; two on 11 May; maxima of five on 12 May and seven on 14 May; six on 16 May; one on 21 and 30 May; one on 4 Jun and 10 on 27 Aug. There were also four records from Wellington GP: a maximum of eight “commic”, some of which were identified as Common Tern, on 11 May; singles on 1 Jun and 19 Jul and two on 4 Aug. A probable single was reported at Eastnor Castle on 28 Jun.
Kittiwake (Black-legged Kittiwake) Rissa tridactyla Very scarce passage migrant and storm-blown visitor BoCC list: Red
Single adults were noted: at Wellington GP on 20 Mar, departing at 17:00 hrs with a mixed flock of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (E. Quinto-Ashman), and on 7 Jul (G. Bilbao) and at Brockhall GP on 21 Jun (G. Bilbao).
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Fairly common resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
First winter period (Jan – Mar): there were counts of 100 or more from 11 locations. Five sites provided counts in excess of 200: 206 at Ross Sewage Works on 3 Mar; 280 at Kenchester Pools West on 6 Mar; 430 at Hartleton Lakes on 8 Mar (associated with ploughing in adjacent fields); 400 at Brockhall GP on 19 Mar (a peak count for the site with records of 100 or more from 20 Feb) and 400 at Wellington GP on 20 Mar. Other sites recording 100 – 150 were: Bromsash West and East, Lugg Bridge, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Ross Wye and Wergins Bridge Sutton St Nicholas. Double figure counts came from an additional nine locations.
Summer period (Apr – Sep): confirmed breeding was established at Brockhall GP and Wellington GP. At Brockhall GP, there were nests with young on 9 May, 30 juveniles of varying ages by 28 May, 75 juveniles on 22 Jun and at least 250 juveniles by 25 Jun. Maximum monthly counts at Brockhall GP, unspecified as to age of birds, were: 400 on 11 Apr, 300 on 6, 7 and 10 May, 280 on 30 Jun, 39 on 8 Jul,120 on 27 Aug and 110 on 1 Sep. Diminishing numbers in the summer months probably partially reflects dispersal of juveniles, but the counts do not give a clear indication of breeding success. At Wellington GP, just two juveniles were recorded on 7 Jul and one on the 10 Jul. Counts at 26 other locations in the period were mainly in single figures, but the highest was 52 at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 18 Sep.
Second winter period (Oct – Dec): counts greater than 100 were: 141 at Lugg Bridge Quarry on
61 15 Oct; 146 at Hartleton Lakes on 16 Oct and 200 at Brockhall GP on 19 Oct. There were several double figure counts from these and 11 additional sites.
Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus Very scarce passage migrant
Recorded only at Brockhall GP: a first summer and two adult summer birds on 11 Apr (P.H. Downes); two first summer birds on 14 Apr (M. Colquhoun) and a juvenile on 26 Sep (G. Wells & G. Parker).
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
A second summer bird noted at Brockhall GP on 25 Apr (G. Bilbao) was observed subsequently there on several occasions until 5 Jun and was also seen at Kenchester Pools on 7 May. A single was present at Brockhall on 15 Jul (G. Bilbao) and a first winter immature, there on 17 Sep (P.H. Downes), remained until 1 Oct.
Common Gull (Mew Gull) Larus canus Common winter visitor and uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
A total of 61 records from 23 1-km squares is a substantial increase from 2015, but similar to 2014.
First winter period (Jan – Mar): counts of 100 or more were confined to Jan: 100 at Lugwardine South on 1, 5, 6 and 7 Jan; 180 at The Wellands Sellack on 2 Jan; 150 on flood water at Lugg Bridge on 3 Jan and 175 there on 24 Jan and 110 flying south-east at Clehonger West on 27 Jan. Double figure counts ranging from 16 to 90 were noted at six additional locations on eight dates through the period. Twelve records gave single figure counts.
Summer period (Apr – Sep): there were only six records during this period: a first summer bird was recorded at Brockhall GP on 2 Apr and the species was present there on 3 and 14 Apr; two were at Lower Hope Ullingswick on 17 Apr; a juvenile at Wellington GP on 29 Aug and two at Bromsash East on 1 Sep.
Second winter period (Oct – Dec): there were records from 10 sites and the higher counts were – 60 at Gamber Meadows North on 10 Nov and 150 there on 14 Dec; 65 at Welsh Newton Common West on 2 Dec and 150 at Gamber Meadows South on 14 Dec. Birds flying over, mainly south-west, were noted at Clehonger West on six days between 17 Oct and 1 Dec with the most, 36, on 9 Nov. Records from the six other sites were mainly of single birds.
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Fairly common resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
First winter period (Jan – Mar): the largest counts were 50 at Eaton Bishop on 2 Jan; 100 at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 5 Jan and 50 there on 9 Jan; 50 at Lugwardine South on 5 Jan and 7 Jan;
62 75 at Lugg Bridge on 24 Jan and 180 there on 12 Mar; 200 at Clehonger East on 28 Feb and 60 at Wellington GP on 19 Mar. Lower double figure counts were recorded at 11 additional sites.
Summer period (Apr – Sep): confirmed breeding evidence was confined to an adult with three recently fledged juveniles near the Railway Station Hereford on 9 Jun.
Monthly maxima for the two main wetland sites in the period:
Site Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Brockhall GP 32 169 32 13 43 160 Wellington GP 20 51 19 7 45 147
Interestingly there are some similarities in these figures between the two sites, but they differ widely from those of 2015.
Counts in excess of 100 at other sites in the period were: 215 at St. Mary’s Hospital Burghill on 16 Jun; 350 at Garway West on 8 Aug and 200 at Bromsash East on 2 Sep. There were double figure counts from 24 other 1-km squares. A single adult, possibly of ssp. intermedius or nominate fuscus, was at Leominster SW on 10 Aug.
Second winter period (Oct – Dec): counts of 100 or more were: 400 at Brockhall GP on 3 Oct, mostly moving through with c.150 remaining in the roost at dusk; 605 at Gamber Meadows South on 19 Oct; at least 100 at Walford near Brampton Bryan on 20 Oct; 169, including a range of age plumages and several suggestive of ssp. intermedius, at Buckton on 20 Oct; 179 at Wellington GP on 24 Oct and 100 at Brockhall GP on 30 Oct, 163 there on 14 Nov and 200 on 19 Nov. Double figure counts were obtained from 16 additional locations.
Herring Gull (European Herring Gull) Larus argentatus Uncommon resident BoCC listed: Red
First winter period (Jan – Mar): double figure counts were: 10 at Lugg Bridge on 3 Jan and 20 there on 12 Mar; 14 at Widemarsh Hereford on 4 Feb, 18 there on 5 Feb and 27 on 10 Feb with Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 50 at Coppet Hill on 16 Feb; 12 at Rotherwas Industrial Estate SW on 2 Mar and 20 at Lugg Bridge on 12 Mar. Single figure counts, or presence, were recorded at seven locations within Hereford City and in 14 other 1-km squares.
Summer period (Apr – Sep): there was no evidence of breeding and double figure counts in the period were confined to: 27 at Rotherwas Park Wood on 19 Apr; 11 at Rotherwas Industrial Estate SW on 13 Jun and 17 at Holme Lacy Church on 20 Aug. The majority of the remaining single figure counts or presence records were from Brockhall or Wellington GPs.
Second winter period (Oct – Dec): double figure counts were: 12 at Brockhall GP, comprising an adult, a second winter and 10 first winter birds at 19:00 hrs on 3 Oct and 14 there on 9 Oct; 20 at Rotherwas Industrial Estate SW on 1 Nov and 12 at Widemarsh Hereford on 17 Dec. Interestingly, predominance of first winter birds at Brockhall GP was also noted in 2015. The majority of remaining records were of singles from nine other locations.
63 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
The total of 11 records this year is the same as in 2015. All records were of singles and apart from the one record at Wellington GP in the second winter period, all were from Brockhall GP.
First winter period (Jan – Mar): a first winter plumage bird at roost on 3 Jan. Summer period (Apr – Sep): a third summer on 16 Apr; a first winter on 24 Apr; a second winter on 18 Sep and an adult on 24 Sep. Second winter period (Oct – Dec): a second winter on 1 Oct; adults recorded on 2, 3 and 9 Oct and 19 Nov. A second winter was at Wellington GP on 12 Oct.
Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
All records were of singles at Brockhall GP: 19 Apr (G. Bilbao & J. Tilby, 10th county record); 24 Apr (P.H. Downes, 11th county record); 14 May (G. Bilbao, 12th county record) and 17 Jun (G. Bilbao, 13th county record).
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
Very sparsely recorded this year: a single at Queenswood North on 6 Apr; a first winter bird at Brockhall GP on 3 Oct and an adult there on 15 Oct.
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia Common resident
Double figure counts were recorded from Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, with a maximum of 60 at Bartonsham Hereford on 24 Jan and 50 at Ross Central on 21 Dec. Fifteen were noted at Sandy Cross Bromyard Downs on 14 May and there were records from 15 other locations.
Stock Dove Columba oenas Abundant resident BoCC listed: Amber
Confirmed breeding records were from: Sunny Bank Farm Longtown on 6 May; Mawfield Farm Clehonger on 7 May; Ross Sewage Works on 7 Jun; Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun and Hill Farm Ledbury on 24 Jun. A used nest with addled eggs was found in a Kestrel nest box inside a barn at Croose Farm Woolhope on 30 Nov. Probable breeding criteria, including pairs, display, occupation of territory and nest building, featured in records from 21 other locations in the period from 16 Feb – 25 Sep.
Larger counts were: 50 at Wellington GP on 25 Jan; 50 at Devereux Wootton Norton Canon on 10 Feb; 144 at Gamber Meadows North on 19 Feb; 65 at Gamber Meadows South on 17 Aug and 80 at Walford near Brampton Bryan on 18 Oct. Records were from a total of 180 locations.
64 Woodpigeon (Common Wood Pigeon) Columba palumbus Abundant resident and winter visitor
Confirmed breeding codes came from 16 locations in the period 5 Mar to 5 Oct and probable breeding was recorded from 32 additional sites.
The largest counts were associated with autumn movements recorded at Clehonger West: 1,800 flying east on 8 Oct and 1,200 flying west on 24 Oct with three figure counts here also on 21 and 22 Oct and 1 and 2 Nov. Other large movements noted were: 700 flying west at Wellington GP on 25 Oct and 638 flying south-west there on 2 Nov and 950 flying south-west at Tupsley also on 2 Nov. Other three figure counts, confined mainly to winter months, were recorded from 22 additional sites.
Collared Dove (Eurasian Collared Dove) Streptopelia decaocto Abundant resident
Breeding was confirmed at: Mawfield Farm Clehonger on 5 Mar; Much Dewchurch on 22 May; Perryhill Farm Clehonger on 27 May and Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun. Probable breeding was established at 10 additional locations between 25 Jan and 20 Jul.
Counts of 10 or more were: 11 at Bromsash East on 1 Mar; 12 at Bishopstone West on 9 Nov, inclusive of several juveniles, and 33 at Hampton Bishop North on 12 Nov. Mick Colquhoun Mick
Turtle Dove (European Turtle Dove) Streptopelia turtur Declining scarce summer visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
A single record, at Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop on 15 May (G. Davis), is the first since 2013 when there were just two records. With the “significant downward trend” of this species in the
65 county over the first decade of this century, noted in the Atlas account, and the last confirmed breeding record in 2011, it is highly likely that the Atlas forecast of imminent extinction in the county, is, regrettably, now a reality.
Cuckoo (Common Cuckoo) Cuculus canorus Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red
The earliest records were: one in flight at Bishopswood North and a male singing at Great Moorcourt Farm Much Marcle on 13 Apr. The latest records were of one at Lower Lugg Meadows on 5 Jul and a juvenile at Bryngwyn Wormelow on 7 Jul. The latter provides the only record confirming breeding.
Evidence of probable breeding comprised: a pair at Cross End Farm Moccas on 2 May; a pair displaying at Mawfield Farm Clehonger on 7 May and a pair at Backney on 18 Jun. Males were recorded as on permanent territory at Hillend Farms Much Cowarne, Lower Lugg Meadows, Much Dewchurch and Veldo Withington. Within a smaller area (part of Bridge End Farm) than that defined by the Hillend Farms Much Cowarne 1-km square, song was recorded from 22 Apr, each day, through to 5 Jun and frequently subsequently to the 28 Jun. Multiple records from Bircher Common East, Bishopstone East, Eaton Bishop, Great Moorcourt Farm Much Marcle, Much Dewchurch and The Wellands Sellack may also reflect occupation of territory.
Excluding pairs, records of multiple birds comprised two males calling at five locations: Little Black Hill West Llanveynoe on 28 Apr; Lower Wolton Farm Much Marcle on 30 May; Staunton on Wye NE on 3 Jun; Ham Green near Malvern on 4 Jun and Foy Bridge on 14 Jun, but the bulk of records were of singles. The total number of records (159) was slightly reduced from the figure of 178 for last year but, very similar to last year, records were from some 100 locations.
Barn Owl (Western Barn Owl) Tyto alba Uncommon resident and winter visitor
There were 97 records from 78 1-km squares; a 37% increase in records and a 53% increase in 1-km square sites compared to 2015 observations. These substantial increases may to some extent reflect same bird recording over time in one or adjacent 1-km squares, but hopefully also improving success of the species.
Breeding was confirmed from six sites: at least one juvenile at Hatfield South on 7 Jul; a barn owl box with at least two juveniles at Donnington North on 10 Jul; one juvenile in a barn owl box at Evesbatch on 11 Jul; juveniles in a barn owl box at Burley near Bromyard on 24 Jul; a pair with a juvenile at Linton on 24 Jul and a pair with three nestlings at Plaistow Ledbury on 2 Aug.
Apart from two, possibly three birds together at Ledbury SE on 5 Oct and two at Buckton Park Leintwardine on 9 Dec, all other records were of singles, seen or heard. There were records from every month of the year with most in winter months and birds were recorded or pellets found in barn owl boxes or other roosts in Nov and Dec from nine locations.
66 Little Owl Athene noctua Fairly common resident Sixty-three records this year is an increase on 2015 submissions (48) but these were from 29 sites, almost the same total as last year.
Two recently fledged juveniles at Weobley on 15 May provided the only confirmed breeding record. Probable breeding evidence was from five further sites: a pair occupying territory at Great Moorcourt Farm Much Marcle on 6 Mar; a pair at Much Cowarne West, initially on 11 Mar, an adult there on 25 and 31 Mar and 4 Apr, with the pair present again on 14 Apr and a single on 20 Apr; adults visiting probable nest sites at Lugg Bridge Quarry and Lugwardine West on 5 Jul and an adult on territory at Hampton Bishop South on 13 Jul. The pair at Much Cowarne West was at the same presumed nest site as in 2014 and 2015, but observation to confirm breeding was curtailed by growth of foliage after 20 Apr.
There were two records of two birds at Wellington GP, one 28 Feb and the other on 11 Mar, and seven more records of singles or presence from there during the spring. These records and those of single adults at 10 more sites during the months of Apr – Jul may reflect possible breeding activity. Two birds were also seen at Brampton Abbotts on 4 Dec.
Tawny Owl Strix aluco Common resident BoCC listed: Amber A female and two juveniles at King’s Acre Hereford on 3 Jun and a juvenile at Turnastone on 9 Jun were the only confirmed breeding records.
Probable breeding on the basis of occurrence of pairs or evidence of permanent territory was noted at Buckton West, Clehonger West, Eardisley West, Much Dewchurch and Whitestone during the period 16 Feb to 10 Jun. Records of birds seen, sometimes at roost, or heard, through all months from 57 other locations may well also reflect occupation of permanent territory. Two birds were found dead – one at Wellington Heath on 24 Nov and the other at Wayend Street Eastnor on 5 Dec.
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Scarce passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber There was a remarkable record of five birds in hedges around a stubble turnip field and in the crop at Monkland SW on 21 Mar (M. Williams). A single was noted at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 11 May (P. Jennings).
Swift (Common Swift) Apus apus Common summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber The earliest noted in the county were six among large numbers of hirundines at Wellington GP on 21 Apr and the latest was a single entering a nest site under the eaves of the church at Docklow on 7 Sep.
In 2016, effort was initiated to specifically survey the use of churches in the county as nesting sites by Swifts. The following overall summary includes that information (specifying church) collated
67 by Denise Foster from the Herefordshire Bat Group. Counts of adults associated with occupied nest sites and, where given (number of occupied nests), were: two (1) at Bromsash East on 10 May; four at Perryhill Farm Clehonger on 27 May; five (3) at Letton near Bredwardine (Letton church) and six at Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun; four at Norton Canon East on 13 Jun; eight (8) at Wellington NE (Wellington church) on 23 Jun; six (1) at Pembridge East (Pembridge church) on 27 Jun; nine (9) at Wigmore North (Wigmore church) on 30 Jun; two (1) at Merrivale Ross-on-Wye on 4 Jul; 20 (10) at Bosbury (Bosbury church) on 6 Jul; 14 (4) at King’s Pyon (King’s Pyon church) on 9 Jul; 30 (2) at Mathon (Mathon church) on 12 Jul; seven (9) at Oakchurch Farm Staunton on Wye (Staunton church) on 15 Jul; one (1) at Brampton Abbotts (Brampton Abbotts church) on 23 Aug and one (1) at Docklow (Docklow church) on 7 Sep. Counts of adults inclusive of juveniles at three other sites were: 20 at Weston Beggard (Weston Beggard churchyard) on 1 Jul; 11 at Coddington (Coddington church – five nests under eaves) on 5 Jul and 12 at Westfields Hereford on 23 Jul.
The larger counts were: 250 at Brockhall GP and 150 at Wellington GP on 21 May and 400 over Clehonger Church on 28 Jul. There were counts of 50 or more from seven additional sites. Smaller numbers, or presence, were recorded frequently at Brockhall GP, Buckton West, Clehonger West, Ross-on-Wye, The Wellands Sellack and Wellington GP.
Bee-eater (European Bee-eater) Merops apiaster Very rare passage migrant; attempted breeding 2005
One recorded at Woolhope East on 6 Jun (M. July, fifth county record) is the first since 2005.
Kingfisher (Common Kingfisher) Alcedo atthis Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Amber
Breeding was confirmed at: Lugg Green Kingsland (adult carrying food on R. Lugg) on 10 May; Holme Lacy Church (adult and one juvenile on R. Wye) on 22 Jun; Leintwardine South (occupied nest on R. Clun) on 15 Jul and Blackmarstone Hereford (two juveniles flying upstream on R. Wye) on 11 Aug. Probable breeding sites were: Llanrothal West (adult visiting probable nest site on R. Monnow) on 6 Apr; Leominster NE (pair on R. Lugg) on 23 May; Backney (adults entering probable nest site on R. Wye) on 19 Jun. Several sightings at Buckton (R. Teme) from 11 Jun may reflect a permanent territory.
Records, totalling 161, were distributed throughout all months. Most were of single birds but, apart from breeding records, twos were noted at: Hartleton Lakes, Pembridge East, Ross Wye, R. Wye Coppet Hill, Sellack, Sink Green, Wellington GP, Whitney-on-Wye South and Winforton South on dates from 28 Jul through to 11 Nov. Three were at Mordiford Bridge on 10 Oct and at Eign Brook Hereford and Whitney-on-Wye on 2 Nov and there were four seen on a HOC walk along the R. Wye at Holme Lacy Church on 12 Oct.
Wryneck (Eurasian Wryneck) Jynx torquilla Very scarce passage migrant; has bred
One was seen at Kivernoll Much Dewchurch on 14 Sep (S. Berry Ottaway) and one at Bishopstone West on 26 Sep, remained until 27 Sep (M. Davies).
68 Green Woodpecker (European Green Woodpecker) Picus viridis Common resident
Records of one or two recently fledged juveniles formed the basis of confirmed breeding evidence at: Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun; Moorhampton Court Farm Bacton on 24 Jun; The Weir Garden on 13 Jul; Leominster North on 21 Jul; Bishopstone West on 25 Jul, 29 Aug and 15 Sep; Eastnor Park South on 1 and 22 Aug and later on 5 Oct; Bishopswood North on 10 Aug and Ross Sewage Works on 23 Aug.
A pair at Gamber Meadows on 19 Feb was showing typical display activity with bill contact. Display behaviour was also noted at Clehonger West on 12 Feb; Mawfield Farm Clehonger on 5 Mar and Clehonger East on 13 Mar. Permanent territories were recorded at Great Moorcourt Farm Much Marcle on 27 Mar; Olchon House Farm Llanveynoe on 28 Apr; Wayend Street Eastnor on 30 Jun and Didley North on 5 Jul.
There were five at Whittlebury Wood Sollers Hope on 28 Apr and four at Lower Breinton on 1 Apr. Excluding confirmed breeding data, three were noted at five locations and two at 33 locations. These and the remaining over 100 sites with records of singles or presence, distributed throughout the year, may indicate additional possible breeding territories given the high fidelity of the species to a home range.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Common resident
The first record of “drumming” was at Bishopstone East on 5 Jan and “drumming” was subsequently recorded at 15 other sites through spring to the end of Apr and then also at Leintwardine Fishery on 9 Jun. An interesting statistic from Halmond’s Frome North was the occurrence of a total of five birds “drumming” on a 60-hectare farm on 3 Mar. The first “drumming” noted in the second winter period of the year was at Bishopstone West on 31 Dec.
In the period 31 May to 25 Aug fledged young, sometimes with a parent bird, were noted at 11 sites, four of which birds were on garden feeders (often feeding on peanuts). Other confirmed breeding records were: an occupied nest at Clehonger West on 15 May; adults carrying food or faecal material at Perryhill Farm Clehonger on 27 May and Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop on 1 and 4 Jun and nests with young at Bodenham Lake on 28 May and Sturts South Nature Reserve on 1 Jun. Probable breeding evidence came from eight additional sites in the period 16 Feb – 6 Jun.
In addition to Halmond’s Frome North, there were counts of five at Batchy Hill Madley on 9 Apr and Logaston East near Almeley on 18 Apr and counts of four at: Swainshill on 5 Feb; King’s Acre Hereford on 10 Feb; Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 30 Mar; Winnal on 1 Apr; Wigmore Rolls South on 19 Apr; Coppet Hill on 25 May and Wellington GP on 17 Jun. Except for breeding records three birds were noted at 14 other locations. Where a count was supplied, singles accounted for 70% of observations.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Red
69 There were 13 records, which is very similar to last year. Except for three birds at Little Merthyr Whitney-on-Wye on 29 Apr, all records were of singles or presence at: Bodenham Lake (male) and Pencoyd on 24 Jan; Warham on 10 Mar; Bodenham on 30 Mar; Green Lane Wood Upper Breinton on 8 Apr; The Row Much Marcle on 14 Apr and 25 May; Gilbert’s Hill Wood Abbey Dore on 30 Apr; Clehonger East on 4 May; Pedwardine Wood near Brampton Bryan (male drumming) on 7 May; Clifford North (adult female) on 29 Sep and Bircher Common West on 3 Oct.
Kestrel (Common Kestrel) Falco tinnunculus
Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Amber
Records of fledged young at Pembridge NE and Weobley on 15 May and Eastnor Park South on 7 and 24 Jun, provided the only confirmed breeding evidence, but a pair displaying at Bishopswood North on 12 Mar and 11 Apr; a pair visiting a probable nest site at Wellington GP on 26 Mar; a pair at Black Darren on 10 Apr and an adult on territory at Buckton West on 3 May indicated probable breeding.
Three birds were at Holme Lacy Church on 24 Jul and twos were noted at eight other locations in the period 10 Jan – 13 Sep, but 95% of records were of singles or presence. Records were unevenly spread through all months with the most in Jan (41) and the least in Aug (9).
Merlin Falco columbarius
Scarce resident BoCC listed: Red
Overall occurrence was 11 sightings at 10 locations, the same as 2015. Two were seen at Breinton Common on 3 Jun but all other records were of singles at: Pipe and Lyde North on 10 and 22 Feb; Wellington GP on 16 Feb (female); Wapley Hill East on 21 Feb; Baysham on 5 Mar; Brockhall GP on 12 Mar; Dinedor on 20 Mar; Walford near Brampton Bryan on 21 Oct (female); Brockhall GP on 28 Oct and Whitney-on-Wye South on 2 Nov.
Hobby (Eurasian Hobby) Falco subbuteo
Uncommon summer visitor
There were 85 records in total, the earliest of which was an adult at Bodenham Lake on 19 Apr and the latest record was at Wellington GP on 8 Oct. Sightings were distributed mainly from May to Aug, peaking in Aug at 29.
Breeding was confirmed at three sites: at one a pair bred successfully for a second year, at another site two juveniles were seen with adults and at the third a juvenile was with a female adult. Pairs were also noted (with one pair displaying) at two further sites.
Apart from breeding records, most sightings were of singles but two were at King’s Acre Hereford on 13 May; four at Whitney-on-Wye South and two at R. Monnow Llangua on 14 May; two at Hole-in-the-Wall on 6 Jun and three at Backney on 7 and 13 Aug. Singles were noted hunting on several dates over Brockhall GP (May to Sep) and Wellington GP (Jun to Oct).
70 John Buttriss A perched and “waiting” Kingfisher photographed in November Mick Colquhoun Mick A second-year Mediterranean Gull at Kenchester Pools in May
71 Mick Colquhgoun Mick A Swift on a house wall at Old Gore in July Gerry Bilbao Long-distance shot of a Caspian Gull at Brockhall GP in April – 10th county record
72 Mick Colquhoun Mick Two first summer Little Gulls at Brockhall GP in April Bernard Swaffield A Wryneck on passage at Kivernoll in September
73 Mick Colquhoun Mick A Hobby photographed near Upton Bishop in July Nick Pegler Nick A Lesser Black-backed Gull with two juveniles on a Hereford City rooftop in July
74 Peregrine (Peregrine Falcon) Falco peregrines
Uncommon resident
Seventy-eight records from 43 locations is a 36% reduction in records and 23% fewer locations than in 2015. Seventeen records were from 1-km squares in Hereford City, several referring to the specific locations of the Cathedral or All Saints Church. Nine of these records were in the early part of the year up to 5 Feb, the others in Apr, Jun, Oct and Nov. There was just one record of a pair in the City on 11 Jan, others noting single birds or presence.
Three birds together were recorded at one site in Dec. Pairs were noted in eight locations, displaying at two sites in May and breeding was confirmed at one site. Remaining records were of singles or presence; specified at one location in Feb was an immature male and at another site a juvenile/ immature in Sep.
Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant
One was on Garway Hill Common from 4 – 9 Apr (M. Bailey) where it was seen impaling beetles on hawthorns on the south side of the hill about 300 metres from the top.
Magpie (Eurasian Magpie) Pica pica
Abundant resident
Breeding was confirmed in the period 3 Mar to 4 Aug at: Bromsash East, Buckton, Buckton Park Leintwardine, several sites in the Clehonger area, Eardisley West, Haywood Lodge Belmont, two sites in Ledbury, Leominster SW, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Madley Satellite Earth Station, two sites in Ross-on-Wye, Symonds Yat West, The Wellands Sellack, Walford near Brampton Bryan and Whitchurch East. There were other probable breeding reports including adults carrying sticks at Bishopstone East on 4 Mar and at Kenchester on 6 Mar.
The larger counts were: 13 at Monnington on Wye on 17 Mar; 34 at Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop on 1 Jun; 16 at Madley Satellite Earth Station on 4 Jun and 16 at Ross Central at the caravan park pools on 20 Nov.
A resident pair of Magpies was seen perching atop a large horned ram in the meadow at Buckton West on 7 Jan, with one on its rump and another on its neck looking for parasites. A magpie was eating the contents of a pigeon nest at Much Dewchurch on 14 Apr.
Jay (Eurasian Jay) Garrulus glandarius
Common resident
Breeding was confirmed at five locations: Mawfield Farm Clehonger on 7 May; Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop on 15 May; Madley Satellite Earth Station on 4 Jun; Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun and Wayend Street Eastnor on 30 Jun. There was probable breeding at 10 further sites.
75 The largest numbers were: six at Credenhill Park Wood on 20 Sep and 12 Oct and five at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 8 Apr; Wellington Heath on 5 Jun; Lower Breinton on 4 Sep; Aconbury on 5 Dec and Credenhill East on 30 Dec.
Jackdaw (Western Jackdaw) Corvus monedula Abundant resident
Breeding was confirmed at 17 sites during the period from 19 Apr to 5 Jul: Clehonger West, Colwall Church, Colwall Green, Eardisley West, Eastnor Castle, Fair Oak Farm Newton St Margarets, Haywood Lodge Belmont, Hollow Lane Ledbury, Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop, Ledbury Central (several broods), Lower Lugg Meadows, Madley Satellite Earth Station, Perryhill Farm Clehonger, Ross Wye, The Weir Garden, The Wellands Sellack and Widemarsh Hereford.
The larger counts were: 750 at Wellington GP on 1 Jan; 2,000 at Rotherwas Industrial Estate NW on 2 Mar and 700 at Trippleton Leintwardine on 15 Dec. There were several reports of mixed flocks, often with juveniles, such as 150 juveniles with 51 adults at Lower Lugg Meadows on 5 Jul. Another observer reported a spectacular sight of a ‘murmuration’ of 500 corvids in a mixed flock comprising 90% Jackdaws at Moreton near Luston on 12 Feb. A strange behaviour reported was a group of 60 Jackdaws gathered in conifer trees, then flying in small groups to peck moss from a house roof, presumably finding insects, at Garway West on 19 Oct.
Rook Corvus frugilegus Abundant resident
Rooks at The Weir Garden started nest building in the rookery on 10 Feb and there were finally 99 nests on 30 Mar. There were 62 active nests at Linton on 23 Mar. At New House Egleton, two new nests were present on 24 Mar at a site which used to have a colony of 20 nests, but which was abandoned three years ago, and there were five nests at a new rookery in a large oak tree at Preston on Wye on 7 May.
Breeding was also confirmed at the following sites: Lower Lugg Meadows on 1 Feb; Leintwardine South on 8 Mar; Hartleton Lakes on 19 Mar; Ross Wye on 20 Mar; Stoke Lacy on 25 Mar; Weston under Penyard on 29 Mar; Welsh Bicknor on 3 Apr; Ledbury Central and Petty France Ledbury, both on 6 Apr; Hergest Croft Gardens on 12 Apr; Cold Green Farm Bosbury and Hill Top Farm Wellington Heath, both on 20 Apr; Hill Farm Ledbury on 26 Apr; Kington West on 30 Apr; Peterstow on 19 May; Perryhill Farm Clehonger on 27 May and Madley Satellite Earth Station on 4 June.
The larger flocks were: 330 feeding on pasture before roosting in ash coppice at Hollow Lane Ledbury on 6 Jan; 180 at The Weir Garden on 30 Mar; 150 at Hartleton Lakes on 4 May; 150 at Garway West on 21 Jul and 200 in a mixed flock with Jackdaws and ‘wheeling’ in the sky at Cholstrey Leominster on 31 Dec.
An unusual behaviour was noted at Great Moorcroft Farm Much Marcle at the end of March of four to six rooks feeding on a regular basis on fat balls and seed feeders.
76 Carrion Crow Corvus corone
Abundant resident
Breeding was confirmed at 23 sites across the county in the period from 5 Mar to 17 Jul. A pair was reported defending their regular nest site at Buckton West on 14 Oct by ‘mobbing’ the Ravens which had predated their nest during the breeding season.
The larger counts were: 50 at Lugwardine South on 28 Jan; 47 at Wellington GP on 2 Feb; 83 at Stonewall Hill and 51 at Mynde Park Much Dewchurch, both on 7 May, and 104 at Bredenbury SW on 7 Jun.
Raven (Northern Raven) Corvus corax
Fairly common resident
Breeding was confirmed at 10 sites: The Wellands Sellack, with an occupied nest on 5 Mar, young in the nest on 24 Apr and fledglings on 15 May; Weir Cliff Sugwas Pool on 30 Mar, where the adults were observed flying back and forth to the nest site throughout the day; Eastnor Castle on 4 Apr; Garway Hill Common on 14 Apr; Buckton West on 20 Apr; St Margarets on 22 Apr, with at least three fairly well grown chicks present; Lugwardine South on 17 May; Buckton on 30 May, with three recently fledged juveniles seen; Credenhill Park Wood West on 30 May, and Kilbury Camp Ledbury on 16 Jun.
The large groups were: 20 at Dinmore Manor on 29 Feb; 20 at Brockhall GP on 10 and 11 Sep and 21 at Garway Hill Common on 23 Sep and 20 there on 25 Sep
There were reports of Ravens mobbing Buzzards at The Weir Garden on 16 Mar and at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 19 Mar and a Raven was observed predating a Carrion Crow’s nest at Buckton West on 26 Apr.
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Common resident
There was only one report of confirmed breeding, at Wayend Street Eastnor on 10 Jun, but a further 14 sites where probable breeding was recorded.
The larger flocks seen were: 21 at St Margarets on 11 Sep; 15 at Wellington GP on 30 Sep and 20 there on 28 Oct and 15 at Lower Lugg Meadows on 11 and 12 Oct. Interesting behaviours included: a single Goldcrest on a garden feeder at Much Dewchurch on 10 Feb and one spotted ‘fly-catching’ tiny flying insects in a willow tree at Buckton on 6 Dec.
Firecrest (Common Firecrest) Regulus ignicapilla
Scarce summer visitor; has bred
The only record was of a pair carrying food for young in West Herefordshire on 19 Apr (P. Jennings).
77 Blue Tit (Eurasian Blue Tit) Cyanistes caeruleus Abundant resident
Breeding was confirmed at 32 sites across the county from 23 Apr to 18 Aug. For further breeding data on this species, see the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (on page 133).
Unusual observations included: a pair clearing out an old wood wasps’ nest from a nestbox at Upper Egleton on 28 Feb and a pair feeding young inside an eagle sculpture at Hartleton Lakes on 14 Jun.
Larger counts were: 21 at Upper Egleton on 28 Feb; 20 at Clifford North on 30 Apr; 49 at Mynde Park Much Dewchurch on 7 May during a Breeding Bird Survey count; 20 at Eardisley West on 14 Jun and 20 at Westfields Hereford on 23 Jul.
Great Tit Parus major Abundant resident
Breeding was confirmed at 32 sites across the county from 23 Apr to 13 Jul, with fledglings seen from 29 May. For further breeding data on this species, see the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (on page 133).
The larger counts were: 14 at Canon Frome on 23 Jan; 11 at Gilbert’s Hill Wood Abbey Dore on 30 Apr; 13 at Mynde Park Much Dewchurch on 7 May; 15, including juveniles, at High Vinnals on 2 Jul; 11 at The Weir Garden on 23 Nov and 12 at Hartleton Lakes on 26 Nov.
Coal Tit Periparus ater Common resident
Breeding was confirmed at four sites: Clehonger West on 15 May and 24 Jul; Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop on 1 Jun; two separate broods in a group of 12 at High Vinnals on 2 Jul and two adults with a juvenile at Chase Wood North Coughton on 4 Jul. In addition, nests were reported at Much Dewchurch on 28 May and at Eardisley West on 25 Jun and birds were holding territory at St Margarets on 4 Jun and at Credenhill Park Wood West on 14 Jun.
Many observers reported Coal Tits in their gardens on feeders and often singing in ones or twos. The only large count was of 30 at Wapley Hill East on 24 Jan.
Willow Tit Poecile montana Uncommon resident BoCC listed: Red
There were 25 records from 16 sites, almost all in the north of the county, but there was no evidence of confirmed breeding.
Three birds were observed at: Wapley Hill East on 23 Jan and 14 Feb and at Evens/Mary Knoll/ Climbing Jack Common on 21 Jul and there were nine sightings of two birds.
78 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Common resident BoCC listed: Red
Breeding was confirmed at five locations: a nest with seven eggs at Wellington NW on 24 Apr; adults feeding two young in a wood at Hole-in-the-Wall on 6 Jun; an adult feeding a fledgling on Merbach Hill on 21 Jun; three juveniles at High Vinnals North on 2 Jul and fledglings at Wayend Street Eastnor on 1 Aug.
The larger counts were: five at Mynde Park Much Dewchurch on 7 May and Brampton Bryan East on 9 Aug; four at Credenhill Park Wood West on 2 Feb and 30 Nov and at High Vinnals North on 2 Jul.
Bearded Tit (Bearded Reedling) Panurus biarmicus Very rare visitor
A single male at Wellington GP on 23 Oct was a first county record for this species (C. Jones). It stayed until the end of the year, being recorded on 17 dates by various observers who reported a stunning male, showing well and sometimes seen or heard calling from a small Phragmites reedbed at the north-west corner of the fly fishing pit (see article on pages 24 – 25).
Skylark (Eurasian Skylark) Alauda arvensis Abundant resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
Breeding was confirmed at seven sites: three farms in the Clehonger area between 7 and 27 May; Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop on 4 Jun; Marden SW on 13 Jun; Monkland on 24 Jul and Merbach Hill on 29 Jul. There were many reports of singing males from 14 Feb onwards, including six at Garway Hill Common on 4 Apr.
The larger flocks reported were: 50 at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 16 Feb; 50 at Bradnor Hill on 4 Apr; 50 at Holme Lacy Village on 12 Oct and 60 at Brockhall GP on 15 Oct.
Shore Lark (Horned Lark) Eremophobia alpestris Very rare winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
The first county record for this species was a single at Garway Hill Common on 18 Nov (J. Tilby) that stayed until 22 Nov. It was seen by several observers near a small pond but was quite mobile between the pond and the summit (see article on pages 25 – 26).
Sand Martin Riparia riparia Common summer visitor
The earliest sighting was at Wellington GP on 19 Mar, when a lone bird was on the new workings, and the latest was of two at Brockhall GP on 1 Oct.
Confirmed breeding records were received from eight sites, commencing with occupied nests at Ross Wye on 25 Apr and continuing through to Ballingham Hill and Sellack on 8 Jul and
79 young seen in nests at The Wellands Sellack on 14 Aug. The other breeding sites were: Backney, Buckton, Leintwardine Fishery and Lugg Bridge. In addition, birds visiting probable nest sites were reported at Llanrothal West on 6 Apr, R Monnow Llangua on 7 Apr and The Holm Willersley on 18 Jun and birds on permanent territory were noted at Burrington West on 12 May.
The larger flocks were: 100 at Wellington GP on 27 Mar; 150 at Brockhall GP on 28 Apr and 400 there on 29 Apr; 100 at Backney on 19 Jun and 100 at Ballingham Hill on 8 Jul.
Swallow (Barn Swallow) Hirundo rustica Abundant summer visitor
The earliest sighting was a single at Garway Common on 25 Mar and the latest was of 12 at Ross Sewage Works on 8 Oct.
Confirmed breeding was reported from 29 sites across the county from 15 May to 13 Sep. There were second broods reported at Buckton on 16 Jul and at Eardisley West on 21 Aug.
Interesting observations included: a nest noted on a new-build barn at Red Daren on 4 Jul; 12 juveniles seen on a roof at Bromsash East on 20 Jul; a Swallow taken by a Hobby from an overhead wire at Kingsland West on 29 Aug and a late brood fledged at Bishopstone East on 10 Sep.
The large flocks were: 200 at Brockhall GP on 29 Apr; 1,200 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow with House Martins on 6 Sep and 2,000 circling and feeding over the R Wye floodplain at Breinton Common on 14 Sep.
House Martin (Common House Martin) Delichon urbicum Abundant summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber
The earliest sighting was of four at Wellington GP on 26 Mar and the latest were a single at Wellington GP and two juveniles at Clehonger West, both on 9 Oct.
Breeding was confirmed at 35 sites from 13 May to 1 Oct. There were 20 nests in a residential road in Ledbury Central on 18 May and 17 nests on the manor house, dovecote and granary at Brockhampton North on 15 Jul. Mixed flocks of adult and juveniles were reported regularly over the Clehonger area during Jul – Sep. This was the second year of the BTO House Martin Survey, which was focused on collecting information about nesting activity, and may have contributed to greater breeding obsevation.
There was a flock of 200 at Buckton West on 31 Aug and at least 2,500 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on the evening of 6 Sep as part of a large flock of hirundines spanning the whole farm.
Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti Very rare visitor
A bird first seen at Wellington GP on 6 Feb (J Tilby) was the sixth county record, it proved to be very elusive and only showing intermittently until 19 Mar; it did not sing but contact calls
80 were heard on 10 separate dates during this period. The same bird, or another, was singing at the same site on 2 Oct and was viewed occasionally up to 31 Dec; this bird was heard singing on at least five visits during this period.
In addition, a juvenile female was caught and ringed (as part of the annual county ringing programme) at Much Marcle North on 22 Sep (M. Greening), this was the seventh county record.
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Common resident
Breeding was confirmed at 21 locations spread throughout the county and fledglings were seen during the period 15 May – 8 Jul.
The larger counts were: 35 at Wellington GP on 20 Feb in many small flocks around the site; 32 at Bishopswood North on 8 Oct; 30 at Lower Lugg Meadows on 11 Oct; 29 at Coppet Hill on 14 Oct; 36 at The Wellands Sellack on 13 Nov and 20 at Mordiford Bridge on 18 Dec.
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Very rare vagrant
One was seen at Ross-on-Wye on 9 Oct (T. Chinnick), this was the second county record.
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red
The earliest sighting was at Wigmore Rolls on 19 Apr and the latest was at the same location on 9 Jun. There were 16 records from 11 sites for the year; this is a 43% decline in records from 2015 but similar to 2014.
There was one breeding record this year, this came from Wigmore Rolls on 9 Jun, and this location also provided the highest count of eight birds on 28 May. A count of five birds was recorded at Hill Farm Ledbury on 16 May.
Chiffchaff (Common Chiffchaff) Phylloscopus collybita Abundant summer visitor and uncommon resident
The first observation of the year came from Wellington GP on the 1 Jan. During this first winter period (Jan/Feb), there were 25 records from eight locations, 17 of which came from Wellington GP with a maximum of 12 birds seen on 27 Feb. A single of the tristis race (Siberian Chiffchaff) was at Wellington GP from 25 Jan until 29 Feb.
The main influx of birds came from 20 Mar with 43 records received from 31 locations during the next 10 days. Breeding was confirmed during the period 22 May – 29 Jul at the following 10 locations: Eardisley West, Hartleton Lakes, Haywood Lodge Belmont, Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop, Hope’s Rough Much Cowarne, Kenchester Pools, Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop, Lugg Bridge Quarry, Ross Central and The Wellands Sellack.
81 The larger counts were: 20 at Titley Pool on 2 Apr; 16 at Batchy Hill Madley on 9 Apr; 20 at Wolferlow on 13 Apr; 14 at Rowlestone South on 25 Apr; 14 at Tregate Farm Llanrothal on 8 May; 14 at Gilbert’s Hill Wood Abbey Dore on 3 Jun; 18 at Garway Hill Common on 12 Aug; 15 at Gamber Meadows on 17 Aug and 17 at Hartleton Lakes on 18 Aug.
During the second winter period (Nov/Dec), there were 14 records from five sites. Twelve birds were seen at Wellington GP on 12 Nov and the last record for the year also came from this site on 28 Dec.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Abundant summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber
The earliest record was of two singing males at Hartleton Lakes on 31 Mar and the latest was a single at Wellington GP on 9 Oct.
Breeding was confirmed at five locations: Perryhill Farm Clehonger on 27 May; Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop on 1 Jun; Haywood Lodge Belmont and Wigmore Rolls, both on 9 Jun, and Lugg Bridge Quarry on 3 Jul.
The larger counts were: 16 at Garway Hill Common on 14 Apr and 15 there on 21 Apr; 12 at Wigmore Rolls South on 19 Apr; nine on Merbach Hill on 26 May and 13 at Garway Hill on 18 Jun and 12 there on 20 Jul. Mick Colquhoun Mick Blackcap (Eurasian Blackcap) Sylvia atricapilla Abundant summer visitor and fairly common resident
During the first winter period (Jan/Feb), there were 31 records from 13 locations, the earliest was of three birds seen at Ledbury SE on 2 Jan.
82 Breeding was confirmed during the period 15 May – 28 Jul at the following 11 locations: Clehonger West, Eardisley West, Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common, Hartleton Lakes, Haywood Lodge Belmont, Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop, Madley Satellite Earth Station, Shelwick Green, St Margarets, The Weir Garden and The Wellands Sellack.
The larger counts were: 12 at Wellington GP on 24 Apr; 15 at Rowlestone South on 25 Apr and 16 there on 18 Jun; 14 at Mynde Park Much Dewchurch on 7 May; 15 at Tregate Farm Llanrothal on 8 May and 12 there on 9 Jun; 12 at Credenhill Park Wood on 30 May and 14 at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 4 Jun.
During the second winter period (Nov/Dec), there were 20 records from 12 sites, the last was of five seen at Ledbury SE on 31 Dec.
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Common summer visitor
The earliest record was a single at Logaston East near Almeley on 18 Apr and the latest was two at Ross Wye on 26 Aug.
Breeding was confirmed at seven locations: Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop on 15 May; Madley Satellite Earth Station and Wellington GP, both on 4 Jun; Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun; Credenhill Park Wood on 14 Jun; Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 27 Jun and Bringewood on 3 Jul.
The larger counts were: six at Ross Wye on 4 May; five at Bringsty Common NE on 9 May; seven at Nokelane Head West Staunton on Arrow on 15 May; five at Wellington GP on 4 Jun and five at Credenhill Park Wood on 14 Jun.
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Common summer visitor
The earliest record was of two singing at Shelwick Green on 14 Apr and the latest was of two at Wellington GP on 13 Sep. There were 73 records from 37 sites for the year, but nearly 50% of records came from six sites only. Lesser Whitethroat is almost certainly under-recorded in the county, perhaps as some observers may be unfamiliar with its song.
There were two confirmed breeding records: five juveniles seen at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 24 Apr, which remained there until 1 Sep, and two juveniles were observed at Ross Sewage Works on 24 Aug. The largest count was of three birds at Leominster SE on 16 Apr.
Whitethroat (Common Whitethroat) Sylvia communis Abundant summer visitor
The earliest record was of a single at Wootton near Checkley on 12 Apr and the latest were of singles at both Kenchester Pools West and Wellington GP on 13 Sep.
Breeding was confirmed at: Gethenfield Farm Clehonger on 7 May; Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop on 1 Jun; Madley Satellite Earth Station on 4 Jun; The Wellands Sellack on 5 Jun;
83 Bromsash East on 7 Jun; Michaelchurch near St Weonards on 30 Jun; High Vinnals North on 2 Jul; Black Darren and Hildersley Ross-on-Wye, both on 4 Jul; Wellington GP on 6 Jul; Buckton Park Leintwardine on 13 Jul; Hartleton Lakes on 23 Jul; Gamber Meadows on 26 Jul and Merbach Hill on 29 Jul.
The larger counts were: 10 at Wellington GP on 6 and 16 May and 13 there on 30 Jun; 15 at Gamber Meadows on 19 and 20 May, 18 there on 27 Jun, 20 on 26 Jul and 25 on 27 Jul.
Grasshopper Warbler (Common Grasshopper Warbler) Locustella naevia Scarce summer visitor BoCC listed: Red
There were three records in 2016, the most since 2012, these were: a single singing at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 20 and 21 Apr; a single at Lower Veldifer Stretton Sugwas on 23 Apr (a bird was recorded at this location in 2012) and an adult ‘reeling’ at Wellington GP on 9 Jul.
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common summer visitor
The earliest sighting was recorded at Wellington GP on 9 Apr and the latest was at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 23 Sep, which is the latest record during the last 30 years.
Breeding was confirmed at: Hildersley Ross-on-Wye on 5 Jul; Wellington GP on 6 Jul; Buckton Park Leintwardine on 13 Jul and Gamber Meadows on 17 Aug. The larger counts were: 14 at Wellington GP on 3 May and 20 there on both 3 and 6 May and there were five at Winforton South on 4 Jun.
Reed Warbler (Eurasian Reed Warbler) Acrocephalus scirpaceus Fairly common summer visitor
The earliest record came from Wellington GP on 30 Apr and the latest was a single at Pencoyd on 14 Sep
There were three records of confirmed breeding: six juveniles seen at Pencoyd on 30 Jun; fledglings on Lugg Meadows Central on 5 Jul and a juvenile at Hartleton Lakes on 28 Jul. The larger counts were: six at Wellington GP on 7 May; six at Pencoyd on 17 May, 20 there on 30 Jun and seven on 11 Aug; five at Berrington Hall Pool on 5 Jun and five at Gamber Meadows on 27 Jun.
Nuthatch (Eurasian Nuthatch) Sitta europaea Common resident
Breeding was confirmed at six locations: The Wellands Sellack on 22 May; Eardisley West on 22 Jun; Eastnor Park South and Hill Farm Ledbury, both on 24 Jun; Much Dewchurch on 7 Jul and Wilton Ross-on-Wye on 3 Aug. For other breeding records, see the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (on page 133).
84 The larger counts were: five at Bodenham on 30 Mar; eight at Hergest Croft Gardens on 3 Apr; six at Whitchurch East on 8 Apr; five at The Wellands Sellack on 14 Aug and seven at Credenhill Park Wood on 20 Sep.
Treecreeper (Eurasian Treecreeper) Certhia familiaris Common resident
Breeding was confirmed at only two locations: Bringsty Common NE on 4 Jun and Hartleton Lakes on 27 Aug. This was a considerable drop compared with 2015 when there were nine confirmed breeding locations reported.
The larger counts were: four at Wapley Hill East on 24 Jan; five at Titley Pool on 2 Apr; three at Bringsty Common NE on 4 Jun; five at Downton on the Rock on 18 Jun and three at Coppet Hill on 21 Jul.
Wren (Eurasian Wren) Troglodytes troglodytes Abundant resident
The number of confirmed breeding sites was only 17 this year compared to 22 last year, although two interesting details were recorded: five juveniles calling at Hildersley Ross-on-Wye on 4 Jul and a Wren feeding three juveniles at Bishopswood North on 30 Jul.
Of more than 1,000 records received, two-thirds were of one or two birds or recorded as ‘present’. Larger numbers, mostly from surveys, were: 42 at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 8 Apr; 23 at Rowlestone South on 25 Apr; 32 at Mynde Park Much Dewchurch on 7 May; 23 at Tregate Farm Llanrothal on 8 May; 28 at Pools Farm Downton on the Rock on 18 Jun and 27 in the Gamber Meadows on 14 Dec.
Starling (Common Starling) Sturnus vulgaris Abundant resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
During the first winter period, the larger flocks observed were: 2,200 at Hill Top Farm Wellington Heath on 5 Jan; 5,000 at Widemarsh Hereford on 11 Jan; 6,000 at Newton Farm Hereford on 22 Feb and 1,000 at Broomy Hill Hereford on 3 Mar and 2,000 there on 5 Mar. Later in the year the larger flocks seen were: 1,000 at Wellington GP on 30 Oct and 20 Nov and 5,000 there on 28 Nov and 800 on the Lugg Meadows feeding on the edge of floodwater on 23 Nov.
Breeding was confirmed in 15 1-km squares between 19 Apr and 24 Jul, with three broods noted at Ledbury Central on 5 Jun.
Dipper (White-throated Dipper) Cinclus cinclus Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Amber
The number of records and breeding sites reported were slightly down on last year. Twelve confirmed breeding records were received from the R. Monnow catchment area, with eggs in the nest first recorded on 3 Apr. Another record came from an occupied nest on the R. Dore at
85 Pontrilas on 3 Apr and a further two records of fledglings from the north of the county on the R. Teme at Brampton Bryan East on 8 May and on the R. Lugg at Lugg Green Kingsland on 10 May.
Dippers were recorded singing at Staunton on Arrow SE on 24 Jan and at Wellington GP on 11 Mar. The largest counts were three at Altyrynys Walterstone on 7 Apr and at Lugg Green Kingsland on 10 May. Other than at confirmed breeding locations, two birds were recorded on nine occasions, but singles accounted for 83% of sightings.
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus
Uncommon passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
Three records were received: passage birds were on Garway Hill Common on 4 Apr (A.H. Eveleigh & J.R. Pullen), where six were reported and singles were present there on five further dates through until 17 Apr; a single male was at Red Daren on 10 Apr (E. Quinto-Ashman) and two males were at Little Black Hill West Llanveynoe on 28 Apr (M. Bailey).
Blackbird (Common Blackbird) Turdus merula
Abundant resident and winter visitor
Confirmed breeding records, during the period 13 Mar to 16 Aug, came from 46 1-km squares this year, compared with 53 locations in the previous year. A Blackbird was reported nesting in a stone wall which was concealed by honeysuckle in a garden at Buckton West on 30 Apr.
The larger numbers were mostly from surveys: 42 at Mynde Park Much Dewchurch on 7 May and 35 there on 11 Jun; 28 at Humber on 10 Jun; 51 on Garway Hill Common on 13 Oct, mostly feeding on haws; 25 at Hampton Bishop South on 6 Nov and 50 at The Wellands Sellack on 20 Nov.
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Abundant winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
The latest record for the first winter period was from Leintwardine NW on 17 Apr and the earliest record for the second winter period was from Brockhall GP on 4 Oct.
During the winter months, a few large flocks were noted with the largest being 700 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 16 Feb. Other flocks of note in the first winter period were: 200 at Milton Cross on 1 Jan; 300 at Shelwick Green on 9 Jan; 400 at Brockhall GP and 200 at Gamber Meadows, both on 19 Mar.
In the second winter period, there were: 500 at Brockhall GP on 4 Oct; 200 at Foy Bridge on 25 Nov; 270 at Walford near Brampton Bryan and 200 at Trippleton Leintwardine, both on 15 Dec; 300 at Green Lane Wood Upper Breinton on 17 Dec and 300 at Hampton Bishop North on 28 Dec.
86 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Abundant resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
Some HOC members welcomed the New Year with serenading Song Thrushes at Newton near St Margarets, Much Dewchurch and two at Hartleton Lakes on 1 Jan. Breeding was recorded from 21 locations, not truly representative considering the distribution of this species throughout the county.
The larger counts were: 25 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 19 Feb; 12 at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 8 Apr; 10 at Tregate Farm Llanrothal on 9 Jun; 10 at Rowlestone South and at Pools Farm Downton on the Rock, both on 18 Jun; 16 at Tupsley on 8 Oct and 18 at The Wellands Sellack on 29 Dec.
Redwing Turdus iliacus Abundant winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
The latest record for the first winter period was at Buckton West on 29 Apr and the earliest record for the second winter period was of birds migrating at night over Tupsley Hereford on 2 Oct.
The larger flocks recorded were: 500 at Shelwick Green on 9 Jan; 480 at Staunton on Arrow East on 5 Mar; 200 at Brockhall GP on 19 Mar; 200 at Foy Bridge on 25 Nov; 200 at Backney on 18 Dec and 220 at The Wellands Sellack on 29 Dec.
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Common resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
At the beginning of the year, Mistle Thrushes were recorded singing at: Buckton on 1 Jan; Bishopstone East on 5 Jan and at Slough Bridge Turnastone on 6 Jan.
Breeding was confirmed at eight sites. Adults were noted carrying a faecal sac or food at Madley Satellite Earth Station on 23 April and a breeding pair was noted at Bircher Common East on 30 April. Juveniles were recorded at: Ross Wye on 6 May; Lugg Bridge Quarry on 22 May and 5 and 19 Jun; Littlemarsh Common Eaton Bishop on 1 Jun; Ross Sewage Works on 7 Jun; Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun and Hartleton Lakes on 14 Jun.
The larger groups were all in the post-breeding period, including a large flock of 61 flying from an oak tree at Brinstone Farm St Weonards on 21 Jul; all other counts were much smaller: 15 at Lugg Bridge Quarry on 19 Jun; 17 at Bishopswood North on 16 Jul and 4 Sep and 16 at Leominster NE on 22 Aug.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red
Fewer records were received this year, 76 compared to 99 last year. The earliest record was from Old Gore West on 3 May and the latest was from Norton Canon East on 22 Sep.
87 Breeding was confirmed at 11 locations: an adult sitting on five eggs at Kentchurch on 19 Jun; a nest with young at Whitfield Court Marstow on 27 Jun; an adult carrying a faecal sac or food at Bircher Coppice on 24 Aug and juveniles were noted from eight other sites: Haywood Lodge Belmont on 9 Jun; Eardisley West on 21 Jun; Old Gore West on 30 Jun; Buckton Park Leintwardine on 13 Jul; Croft Castle on 2 Aug; Adamswood Farm Upper Sapey on 6 Aug; Strangford on 9 Aug and Skenchill Llanrothal on 28 Aug.
Robin (European Robin) Erithacus rubecula
Abundant resident
Although over 1,150 records were received, mostly of singles and ‘present’, confirmed breeding records were noted from only 35 1-km squares, during the period 19 Apr – 27 Aug, with fledglings seen from 1 May; this suggesting considerable under-reporting.
The larger counts, mainly from surveys, were 23 on Garway Hill Common on 1 Apr, 34 there on 22 Sep and 24 on 13 Oct; 20 at The Wellands Sellack on 2 Apr and 18 Sep; 24 at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 18 Apr; 22 at Mynde Park Much Dewchurch on 7 May; 23 from Tregate Farm Llanrothal on 8 May; 20 at Eardisley West on 3 July and at 20 Hartleton Lakes on 23 Sep.
Pied Flycatcher (European Pied Flycatcher) Ficedula hypoleuca
Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red
There were 33 records from 21 sites. The first birds to appear were at Brockhall GP (on passage) and at Mary Knoll Valley, both on 13 Apr, and the last sighting was at Falcon Lane Wood Ledbury on 11 Aug, this is 52 days later than last year suggesting that as soon as breeding is complete the birds hide in the canopy before migrating in Aug/Sep.
Breeding was confirmed at two sites: there were six chicks in each of two nests at Dulas Court and a male was noted carrying food at Wigmore Rolls, both on 9 June. In addition, a pair was observed at a nesting box at Fair Oak Farm Newton St Margarets on 3 May and at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 5 May and a female was seen in a nestbox at Nokelane Head West Staunton on Arrow on 14 May. For other breeding records, see the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (on pages 133 – 134).
There were four records of seven to 11 birds at Wigmore Rolls between 19 Apr and 28 May; four records from Red Daren and Black Darren during 5 – 9 May, with a maximum of six on 9 May, and seven at Nokelane Head West on 15 May.
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; has bred BoCC listed: Red
There were sightings of two birds: the same female was recorded on four dates between 16 Jan (J. Tilby) and 24 Jan on Hereford Cathedral and in Hereford High Town; it was likely to be the one remaining from Nov/Dec 2015. The other sighting was during the summer, at Dorstone on 1 Aug (S. & K. Boyce).
88 Mick Colquhoun Mick A Mistle Thrush feeding on yew berries in November Mick Colquhoun Mick A juvenile Yellowhammer at Old Gore in August
89 Mick Colquhoun Mick A female Wheatear on passage at Brockhall GP in April Mick Colquhoun Mick A singing Tree Pipit at Cleeve Orchard, Ross-on-Wye in September
90 Mike Bailey A Great Grey Shrike on Garway Hill in April John Buttriss Fieldfare and Redwing feeding amongst fallen leaves at Dilwyn in December
91 Mick Colquhoun Mick A female Redstart at Cleeve Orchard, Ross-on-Wye in September John Tilby A Lesser Redpoll at Wellington GP in January
92 Redstart (Common Redstart) Phoenicurus phoenicurus Common summer visitor BoCC listed: Amber
The earliest records were from Bircher Coppice and Bishopswood North on 3 Apr and the latest was from Cleeve Orchard Ross-on-Wye on 6 Sep.
Breeding was confirmed from nine sites: Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 15 May (two pairs bred); The Weir Garden on 12 Jun; The Weston Bredwardine on 18 Jun (two families of young juveniles); Fair Oak Farm Newton St Margarets on 22 Jun; St Margarets on 28 Jun; Gilbert’s Hill Wood South and Camp Wood, both near Abbey Dore, on 1 Jul; Garway Hill on 20 Jul and Merbach Hill on 29 Jul. For other breeding records, see the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Nestbox Recording Scheme report (on page 133).
The larger counts were: 21 at Little Black Hill West Llanveynoe on 28 Apr during a BTO Upland Farmland Wader Survey; 15 at Red Daren on 6 May and 12 there on 7 May and 15 at Holly Farm Llanveynoe on 6 May. Other sites with counts of note included: six birds at Nokelane Head West Staunton on Arrow on 15 May and five at Hergest Croft Gardens on 19 Apr and at Wellington GP on 29 Jul.
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
There were three records: a single male was observed at Red Daren between 5 and 7 May with two seen there on 6 and 9 May; a single, possibly a juvenile, at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 6 Aug and a single at Brockhall GP on 21 Aug.
Stonechat (European Stonechat) Saxicola rubicola Uncommon resident
Fifty-eight records were received from 24 1-km locations, which is an increase in the number of records received in the previous year (38) but from a similar number of sites. Two birds were likely to have wintered on the Gamber Meadows, whereas other winter records were probably of passage birds.
The following probable breeding reports were received: a male and female on Garway Hill Common during 4 Apr – 17 May; a pair on Bradnor Hill on 14 May; a pair at Bircher Common East on 25 May and 3 and 24 Jun; six birds, including four territories with two pairs agitated, at Cefn Hill North near Craswall on 8 Jul and three adults and a juvenile at Gamber Meadows on 17 Aug.
Other larger counts received were: four on the Gamber Meadows on 17 May and at Whitney- on-Wye South on 2 Nov.
Wheatear (Northern Wheatear) Oenanthe oenanthe Fairly common summer visitor and uncommon passage migrant
Seventy-four records were received, the earliest from Wellington GP on 26 Mar and the latest sightings were from there and Brockhall GP on 2 Oct.
93 No breeding was proven though probably did occur on the Darens and on Bradnor Hill. However, single juveniles were noted at Brockhall and Wellington GPs on 6 and 18 Aug respectively and three juveniles were on Merbach Hill on 30 Aug, but no doubt they were all passage birds.
The larger counts were: seven at Caelees Wood near Bredwardine on 12 Apr; seven at Merbach Hill on 17 Apr and nine on Bradnor Hill on 22 Apr and eight there on 26 Apr.
Greenland Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa Scarce passage migrant
One of five birds recorded on Garway Hill Common on 13 Apr was probably of this sub-species.
Dunnock Prunella modularis Abundant resident BoCC listed: Amber
Unsurprisingly, Dunnock was recorded in every month of the year and from locations spread across the whole county. The earliest record of a singing bird was on 5 Jan at Wellington Heath and the earliest confirmed breeding was on 23 Apr at two separate locations on the same day: Ledbury Central and Madley Satellite Earth Station. Breeding was confirmed at 22 locations, the latest of which was at Herefordshire Beacon NE on 5 Aug, although it seems likely that confirmed breeding for this species is significantly under-recorded.
The highest total recorded at one site was 20 at Nether Wood North Aconbury on 8 Apr, during a Breeding Bird Survey count, whilst another noteworthy count was of 15 on Garway Hill Common on 13 Oct.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Abundant resident BoCC listed: Red
Recorded in 196 1-km squares on all but 72 days of the year, but this species did not appear to have had as productive a year as in 2015, with confirmed breeding down from 43 to just 30 1-km squares. The earliest breeding record was of 15 birds counted entering nests at Buckton West on 5 Apr, whilst the same location also reported the last fledgling of the year on 24 Aug; elsewhere in the county, the earliest fledglings were observed at Bishopstone West on 7 May.
The largest counts this year were 90 observed at Monkland on 24 Jul (indicating a strong local recovery in the village for the species) and a minimum of 150 dust-bathing on a roadside verge in Letton near Brampton Bryan on 8 Sep.
Tree Sparrow (Eurasian Tree Sparrow) Passer montanus Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Red
There were five records of this rapidly declining species from just three separate sites in 2016 compared to 13 records from eight sites in 2015. No breeding was recorded this year, reflecting the continuing downward national trend.
94 Two birds were eventually confirmed at Pedwardine in the roadside hedge between Birtley and Brampton Bryan on 6 Apr having been glimpsed briefly in previous days. A single bird was observed on three dates at Winforton South on 13 May, 10 Jul and 28 Jul, although observers thought that more than one bird may have been present. A single bird was heard, but not seen, in a wheat field at Wellington GP on 10 Jul.
Yellow Wagtail (Western and Eastern Yellow Wagtail) Motacilla flava Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
Birds were observed at 30 different sites with a total of 98 records for this year; a slight reduction from the 129 in 2015. The largest counts were of 15 birds at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 8 Aug and also at Brockhall GP on 30 Aug.
The earliest record was at Wellington GP on 5 Apr, four days earlier than in 2015, and the latest was at Brockhall GP on 10 Oct, 18 days later than the previous year.
There were five confirmed breeding records from four sites this year compared with nine from eight sites last year, these were: at least two fledged young at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 30 Apr; a single carrying food at Old Letton Court on 14 May; a female carrying food at Wellington GP on 19 Jun and fledglings seen there on 14 Aug and a male and female with six juveniles at Winforton South on 2 Jul.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Fairly common resident BoCC listed: Red
A slight increase in the number of breeding records from eight sites in 2015 to 11 sites this year is a positive sign for this species.
Nests containing eggs were located at: R. Monnow Kentchurch on the early date of 7 Apr; Great Blackhill Farm Craswall on 15 Apr and Ruinsford Farm Craswall on the same day. A pair were seen entering a nest at Welsh Bicknor on 17 Apr; a nest containing young was found at Ty Mawr Clodock on 28 Apr; an adult carrying food was seen at Ross Wye on 4 May and an adult feeding four juveniles was seen there on 15 May; fledged young were seen at R. Monnow Llangua on 14 May; an occupied nest was found at Wayend Street Eastnor on 5 Jun; a pair with one fledgling were seen at Eastnor Castle on 28 Jun and then presumably the same pair with two juveniles on 1 Aug; a pair was seen feeding young at Brockhampton North near Bromyard on 15 Jul and a pair with three juveniles were recorded at Harleton Lakes on 27 Aug, followed by presumably the same pair with three juveniles on 1 Sep.
The highest number of birds seen together was five: the aforementioned families at Ross Wye on 15 May and at Hartleton Lakes on 1 Sep and a record from Brockhall GP on 29 Oct.
As expected, the majority of Grey Wagtail sightings were in the vicinity of water, but one record of a single bird high up on Herefordshire Beacon NE on 19 Jul is perhaps noteworthy.
Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii Common resident and abundant winter visitor
95 There was a slight reduction in the number of confirmed breeding sites, down from 24 in 2015 to 17 this year. The earliest evidence of breeding was a bird carrying food at Mawfield Farm Clehonger on 17 May and the latest was of an adult with seven juveniles at Newton near St Margarets on 1 Aug.
As in previous years, there were fewer reports of large gatherings of Pied Wagtail, the higher counts this year were: at least 100 at Rotherwas Industrial Estate NW on 4 Feb and 80 at Wellington GP on 24 Apr.
White Wagtail Motacilla alba Uncommon passage migrant
There were 11 sightings from four sites this year as follows: a single at Wellington GP on 3 Mar and a male there on 16 Apr; a female at Brockhall GP on 20 Mar followed by additional birds on 7, 14, 24 (a male) and 29 Apr, 19 Jul and 2 Sep; a single at Black Darren on 5 May and, the latest bird of the year, at Buckton West on 20 Sep.
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Fairly common summer visitor BoCC listed: Red
The earliest record was of a single at Credenhill Park Wood West on 4 Apr and the latest was of two at Bishopswood North on 13 Sep.
The highest concentration of birds was found on Garway Hill Common where 10 were singing on 14 Apr. Wigmore Rolls South came a close second with eight birds singing on 28 May.
Whilst this species was recorded at 27 sites across the county, and singing males were reported from 12 sites, evidence of confirmed breeding was much harder to prove with just one record received of at least two pairs collecting and carrying food at Wigmore Rolls South on 28 May. Probable breeding was noted at three sites: two pairs on Merbach Hill on 27 Apr; a bird on territory at Evens/Mary Knoll/Climbing Jack Common on 5 May and a displaying bird at Credenhill Park Wood West on 30 May.
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Common resident and winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
Birds were observed in 73 different 1-km squares and this species was recorded in every month of the year. Flocks containing at least 25 birds were encountered 16 times and the higher counts were: 50 at Brockhall GP on 20 Mar and 40 there on 15 Oct; 40 on Garway Hill Common on 9 Apr, 50 there on 14 Apr and 40 on 22 Sep; 50 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 23 Sep; 60 at Wellington GP on 1 Oct and 40 at Rotherwas Industrial Estate SW on 22 Nov.
Probable breeding was noted at three sites, but whilst no records of confirmed breeding were received it is assumed that this species probably breeds more widely than records indicate. A pair was seen at Donnington South on 11 Mar; many of the flock referred to above on Garway Hill Common on 14 Apr were thought to be potential breeders and 12 birds were demonstrating agitated behaviour suggesting they had young nearby at Herefordshire Beacon NE on 5 Aug.
96 Rock Pipit (Eurasian Rock Pipit) Anthus petrosus Very rare visitor
A single, well-watched individual at Brockhall GP on 20 Mar (P.H. Downes), was the third county record.
Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Rare passage migrant BoCC listed: Amber
Two birds spent just two minutes at Brockhall GP before flying off together on 23 Oct, this constitutes the 13th county record (P.H. Downes).
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Common winter visitor
Recorded on 41 days at 33 different sites, the vast majority of sightings were in the early winter period with the first record of the year at Milton Cross on 3 Jan and the latest at Bromsash East on 11 Apr. The first returning birds were two seen together at Devereux Wootton Norton Canon on 16 Nov and the last record of the year was of 20 birds at Bircher Common East and 10 more at Bircher Coppice on 26 Dec.
Many of the records were of birds feeding on garden feeders. There was a notable peak of activity in March with birds recorded on 20 days at 17 different sites suggesting a movement of birds passing through the county on their way back to Scandinavia.
The higher counts included the aforementioned 20 and 10 at Bircher Common East and Bircher Coppice respectively on 26 Dec and the largest flock was of 40 birds seen with other finches at The Hill Castle Frome on 23 Jan.
Chaffinch (Common Chaffinch) Fringilla coelebs Abundant resident
Breeding was confirmed during the period 7 May – 2 Aug at 12 sites this year (compared to 16 in 2015) and fledglings were seen from 27 May.
The largest flock was 300 seen at Devereux Wootton Norton Canon on 20 Jan. Other large flocks in excess of 100 birds included: 200 at Wapley Hill East and 230 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow, both on 31 Jan; 150 at Pipe Aston on 7 Feb; 110 at Staunton on Arrow East on 15 Feb; and 130 at Wern Farm Welsh Newton on 2 Dec.
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Uncommon resident BoCC listed: Red
No breeding records of this elusive species were received this year, although a single bird was seen in Little Merthyr Whitney-on-Wye on 6 Sep and was possibly a resident bird.
97 March and April accounted for the majority of records suggesting that many of these birds may have been passing through on their way to breeding sites elsewhere. At Coneygree Wood Ledbury, up to 30 birds were seen between 8 and 25 Mar and a spate of sightings on Garway Hill Common between 4 and 23 Apr was particularly noteworthy and involved at least eight birds (seen together on 8 Apr). Later in the year, at least three birds were seen at School Wood Lucton from 11 – 31 Dec.
Bullfinch (Eurasian Bullfinch) Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common resident BoCC listed: Amber
This is a widespread species in Herefordshire, recorded from 173 1-km squares across the county. Breeding was confirmed at nine sites during the period 15 May – 16 Aug: Bishopswood North, Buckton Park Leintwardine, Buckton West, Burrington West, Clehonger West, Eardisley West, Haywood Lodge Belmont, Ledbury NE and Merrivale Ross-on-Wye.
The larger counts were: 12 at Wellington GP on 2 Jan; eight at The Hill Castle Frome on 23 Jan; 10 at Cleeve Orchard Ross-on-Wye on 15 Mar; eight at Garway Hill Common on 13 Oct and eight at Burrington South on 24 Dec. Mick Colquhoun Mick Greenfinch (European Greenfinch) Chloris chloris Abundant resident BoCC listed: Red
Records were again received this year of ‘sick birds’, presumably from trichomonosis, and HOC would remind readers of the importance of applying appropriate hygiene practices at feeding stations and drinking/bathing facilities.
Breeding was confirmed at nine sites during the period 11 May – 3 Aug: Bromsash East, Eardisley West, Eastnor Park South, Gilbert’s Hill Wood Abbey Dore, Haywood Lodge Belmont, Hill Farm Ledbury, Honeymoor Common Eaton Bishop, Ledbury SE, and Perryhill Farm Clehonger.
98 The largest count was of an impressive 250 that roosted regularly at Queenswood North and reported on 10 Feb. Flocks of 20 birds were reported at Devereux Wootton Norton Canon on 20 Jan and at High Vinnals on 28 Oct.
Linnet (Common Linnet) Linaria cannabina
Common resident BoCC listed: Red
Breeding was confirmed at eight sites (an increase on the three sites recorded last year): Bishopswood North, Bridge Sollers West, Garway Hill (32 birds reported), Haywood Lodge Belmont, Hollow Lane Ledbury, Madley Satellite Earth Station, Merbach Hill and The Wellands Sellack.
The largest flock was an impressive 200 at Walford near Brampton Bryan on 5 Oct. Elsewhere, other large flocks included: 120 at Sturts South Nature Reserve on 2 Jan, 60 at Ross Wye on 16 Apr, 100 at New House Egleton on 29 Aug, 70 at Holme Lacy Village on 12 Oct and 90 at Garway West on 23 Oct.
Lesser Redpoll (Common Redpoll) Acanthis cabaret
Fairly common resident and common winter visitor BoCC listed: Red
The latest record for the first winter period was of two birds in Ledbury SE on 7 May, and the earliest sighting in the second winter period was at High Vinnals on 10 Oct. As in previous years, many of the records were of birds feeding on niger or sunflower seed in gardens.
Only one record of probable breeding was received of four birds displaying at Haywood Lodge Belmont on 16 Feb.
The largest flock recorded was of 120 birds at Staunton on Arrow on 29 Apr. Other significant flocks included: 40 at Bodenham Lake on 30 Oct and 90 at Bringsty Common SE on 27 Dec.
Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea
Rare winter visitor BoCC listed: Amber
At least six birds, and possibly up to ten, were seen feeding with Lesser Redpoll, Linnet and Goldfinch in an orchard at Staunton on Arrow/Milton Cross on 29 Apr (P. Jennings) and were still present the following day; this was the 12th county record.
Crossbill (Red Crossbill) Loxia curvirostra Uncommon resident and fairly common winter visitor
Records came from 15 1-km squares this year; a slight increase from the 12 sites in 2015. Sightings occurred in eight months of the year, there were no records in Apr/May and Aug/Sep.
No confirmed evidence of this early breeding species was reported, but an active and noisy group of four birds in the top of spruce trees in New House Wood near Craswall on 8 July contained possible juveniles.
99 Several flocks were seen including: 30 at Wapley Hill East on 30 Jan, with five other records of 20 or more here during Jan/Feb, and 25 at School Wood Lucton on 25 June. Elsewhere, birds were reported from the following locations: Buckholt Wood near Welsh Newton, Credenhill East, Evens/Mary Knoll Valley/Climbing Jack Common, Haye Park Wood near Richard’s Castle, High Vinnals North and South, May Hill and Penyard Park East.
Goldfinch (European Goldfinch) Carduelis carduelis Abundant resident
Breeding was confirmed at 15 sites during the period 7 May – 17 Sep, including one used nest reported from a crab apple tree in a garden at Wigmore.
As usual, a few large groups of adults with juveniles were seen during Aug – Oct, including 90 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 10 Sep and the largest flock seen all year of 100 birds at Weston Beggard on 29 Oct.
Many birds were reported from gardens feeding on sunflower and niger seed in every month of the year reflecting this species’ eagerness to make use of supplementary food sources, although a flock of 60 feeding on groundsel in orchards at Staunton on Arrow West on 29 Apr is a reminder that they will seek out natural seeds too.
Siskin (Eurasian Siskin) Spinus spinus Fairly common resident and common winter visitor
As with Lesser Redpoll and Goldfinch, this species was again reported with increasing frequency from garden feeders containing sunflower hearts and niger seed throughout the year.
Breeding evidence was confirmed by three records of juveniles (exactly the same as last year): a female feeding two juveniles at Bromsash East on 16 May; a male feeding a juvenile at a bird table in Moreton near Luston on 21 May and fledglings at Ledbury SE on 2 Jul.
Keen HOC members out on 1 Jan found large flocks of 45 at Brockhall GP and 41 at Hartleton Lakes; flocks of 40 were seen at Sink Green on 3 Jan, Bodenham Lake on 24 Jan and Ballingham on the same day; but the largest flock of the year was 60 recorded in riverside alders at Bodenham Lake on 30 Oct.
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Abundant resident BoCC listed: Red
Breeding was confirmed from just four locations this year compared to nine in 2015 reflecting the continuing downward trend for this species nationally, although singing males were reported from 20 different 1-km squares suggesting that breeding success may be under-recorded.
Breeding evidence was primarily based on adults seen carry food: a pair at Haywood Lane Ashperton on 28 Jun; a female carrying food at Killbreece Tretire on 30 Jun; a pair accompanying four recently fledged juveniles at Donnington South on 28 Jul and an adult carrying food at Bringewood on 31 Jul.
100 Of the larger flocks reported, the following are most noteworthy: 30 at The Hill Castle Frome on 30 Jan; 36 at Stocklow Manor Staunton on Arrow on 7 Feb; 40 at Lower Grove Common Peterstow on 25 Feb and 30 there on 27 Feb, with a mixed species flock of approximately 20 Reed Bunting, 20 Greenfinch and up to 100 Chaffinch feeding in a winter stubble field, and 40 were at Old Gore West on 12 Mar.
Reed Bunting (Common Reed Bunting) Emberiza schoeniclus Common resident BoCC listed: Amber
Evidence of confirmed breeding came from just one site this year at Wellington GP where a male was seen carrying food on 6 Jul. Probable breeding, as pairs in suitable breeding habitat, were observed at four sites and singing males were reported from a further 16 sites.
The highest count recorded at Wellington GP during the spring was of 25 birds on 4 Apr and, whilst singing males were described as ‘present’, there were up to 30 pairs reported there in 2015 so it is hoped that numbers have not reduced.
Outside of the breeding season, the largest flocks involved 32 birds at Ross Sewage Works on 5 Jan, described as escaping the flooded fields in which they had been feeding, and 30 at Wellington GP on 30 Oct.
Perhaps the most interesting record was of a single bird recorded at night migrating over Tupsley on 31 Oct. Exactly how many other migrating birds fly over the county at night would undoubtedly make a fascinating future research project for any ornithologists with an interest in acoustic monitoring.
[The species accounts in this section were written by the following authors: Mike Bailey, Tony Eveleigh, Gareth & Una Morgan, Gerald Parker, John Pullen, Espen Quinto-Ashman, Robert Taylor and Gerald Wells]
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Addendum to 2015 systematic list
The following record should be added to the 2015 systematic list:
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant BoCC listed: Red
A ringtail was reported in the north of the county on 12 Nov (C. Johnson) and was seen on three further occasions in late Nov/early Dec in the same area by the same observer.
101 Exotica and 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).
California Quail Callipepla californica
One was seen at Wellington Heath on 24 Apr.
Reeves’s Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii
Three were seen at Hospital Wood Ledbury on 22 Dec.
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
One was seen at Wapley Hill East on 19 May.
Black Swan Cygnus atratus
One was seen at Old Letton Court each month during the period 16 Jan to 8 Jul.
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii minima
One was seen in the south of the county in the early part of the year at: Hartleton Lakes on 18 Feb and 26 Mar and at Eccleswall Court Bromsash on 23 Mar, 24 Apr and 15 May. A different bird was seen further north in the latter part of the year at: Bodenham Lake on 8 and 14 Oct; Wellington GP on 11 and 12 Oct and 5 Nov and Brockhall GP on 15 and 16 Oct and 12 Nov.
While this species was added to the British list in March 2016 the observations noted here are not consistent with the circumstances for occurrence of wild birds.
Mallard (Domestic)
There were three records: two birds at Halmond’s Frome North on 12 Feb; two at Ross Wye on 2 Apr and finally many at Elton on 7 Oct.
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
A single bird was seen at three locations in the village of Much Marcle at the TV transmitter mast, in the village and close to the Royal Oak public house on 5 May. This was proved to be an escape from the International Centre for Birds of Prey at Newent.
Western Rosella Platycercus icterotis
An escapee was seen at Bishopstone West on 13 Aug and was later observed for a number of weeks during Oct/Nov in Byford where it was seen regularly on garden feeders.
Tony Eveleigh
102 Summer and winter migrants
Summer migrants – earliest and latest dates
Species Earliest in Location Latest in Location 2016 2016 Garganey 9 Apr Kiln Green, Walford 11 Jun Brockhall GP Quail 26 May Stocklow Manor, 17 Jun Whitton, Leintwardine Staunton on Arrow Osprey 15 Apr Stocklow Manor, 8 Sep Wellington GP Staunton on Arrow Ringed Plover 2 Apr Brockhall GP 10 Oct Brockhall GP Little Ringed 25 Mar Brockhall GP & 23 Sep Brockhall GP Plover R. Teme Tatteridge Hill Common 1 Jan Wellington GP 20 Nov Wellington GP Sandpiper Greenshank 7 Jul Wellington GP 9 Oct Brockhall GP Turtle Dove 15 May Littlemarsh Common, - - Eaton Bishop Cuckoo 13 Apr Bishopswood North & 7 Jul Bryngwyn, Wormelow Great Moorcroft Farm, Much Marcle Swift 21 Apr Wellington GP 7 Sep Docklow Hobby 19 Apr Bodenham Lake 8 Oct Wellington GP Sand Martin 19 Mar Wellington GP 1 Oct Brockhall GP Swallow 25 Mar Garway Common 8 Oct Ross Sewage Works House Martin 26 Mar Wellington GP 9 Oct Clehonger West & Wellington GP Wood Warbler 19 Apr Wigmore Rolls 9 Jun Wigmore Rolls Willow Warbler 31 Mar Hartleton Lakes 9 Oct Wellington GP Garden Warbler 18 Apr Logaston East, 26 Aug Ross Wye near Almeley Lesser 14 Apr Shelwick Green 13 Sep Wellington GP Whitethroat Whitethroat 12 Apr Wootton, near Checkley 13 Sep Kenchester Pools & Wellington GP Grasshopper 20 Apr Stocklow Manor, 9 Jul Wellington GP Warbler Staunton on Arrow
103 Species Earliest in Location Latest in Location 2016 2016 Sedge Warbler 9 Apr Wellington GP 23 Sep Stocklow Manor, Staunton on Arrow Reed Warbler 30 Apr Wellington GP 14 Sep Pencoyd Ring Ouzel 4 Apr Garway Hill Common - - Spotted Flycatcher 3 May Old Gore West 22 Sep Norton Canon East Pied Flycatcher 13 Apr Mary Knoll Valley & 11 Aug Falcon Lane Wood, Brockhall GP Ledbury Redstart 3 Apr Bircher Coppice & 6 Sep Cleeve Orchard, Bishopswood North Ross-on-Wye Whinchat 5 May Red Daren 21 Aug Brockhall GP Wheatear 26 Mar Wellington GP 2 Oct Brockhall GP & Wellington GP Yellow Wagtail 5 Apr Wellington GP 10 Oct Brockhall GP Tree Pipit 4 Apr Credenhill Park Wood 13 Sep Bishopswood North
Winter migrants – latest and earliest dates
Species 1st winter Location 2nd winter Location period in period in 2016 2016 Whooper Swan 16 Jan Brockhall GP 2 Nov Brockhall GP Wigeon 2 May Brockhall GP 18 Aug Brockhall GP Teal 26 Jun Stocklow Manor, 17 Jul Brockhall GP Staunton on Arrow Pintail 6 Mar Lugg Bridge Quarry 15 Sep Wellington GP Pochard 8 May Brockhall GP 13 Aug Brockhall GP Goldeneye 13 Apr Wellington GP 8 Nov Wellington GP Golden Plover 12 Mar Hergest Ridge 16 Oct Wellington GP Jack Snipe 28 Feb Withington Marsh 15 Oct Brockhall GP Great Grey Shrike 9 Apr Garway Hill Common - - Fieldfare 17 Apr Leintwardine NW 4 Oct Brockhall GP Redwing 29 Apr Buckton West 2 Oct Tupsley Brambling 11 Apr Bromsash East 16 Nov Devereux Wootton, Norton Canon
104 Arrival and departure dates of summer migrants in Herefordshire, 1987 – 2016
Background For many birdwatchers, the spring migration period is the most exciting time of the year; it is a time of change, with the departure of winter visitors and arrival of summer migrants. Birdwatchers regularly record the date of their first observation of migrants in spring, such as the first Swallow or Cuckoo of the year. However, migration is often protracted in the autumn and recording the departure dates of migrants is more sporadic.
In recent years across Europe the dates on which migrant birds return from their wintering locations have been getting earlier and the departure dates from their breeding grounds have been getting later (Mason, 1995; Sparks et al., 2007; Eddowes, 2011; Newson et al., 2016). It is thought that changes in day length trigger migration from Africa, but that temperature modifies migration speed, leading to changes in arrival dates (Sparks, 2007). Failure of a species to keep pace with changing environmental conditions may result in population decline. Long-distance migrants may be particularly vulnerable to such changes as they rely on a network of widely separated sites for breeding, staging and wintering. Changes in conditions at any of these sites may disrupt their schedule and impact on their survival and reproduction success (Newson et al., 2016).
Herefordshire data, 1987 – 2016 Summer and winter migrant arrivals and departures in Herefordshire have been recorded and presented as a summary table of earliest and latest dates in HOC Annual Reports since 1997. For the 10 years previous, these dates were embodied in the systematic list for most species in most years, but there were some gaps in this period (1987 – 1996). This article is based on these data and has attempted to compile an overview for the 30-year period, 1987 – 2016, with some analyses on trends. Only the data relating to the summer migrant species for Herefordshire are presented here.
The Herefordshire data is more robust for some species than others; those species of greatest occurrence and abundance, and utilising county locations that are more intensively observed, have the most reliable data, whereas those species of lower occurrence, some not even recorded in certain years, and some on passage or breeding in the more remote parts of the county, have less data and so provide less reliable information on arrival and more particularly on departure dates. The earliest recorded arrival dates in spring and the latest recorded departure dates in autumn, together with the means of these dates, for 27 species are presented in Table 1. These data are based on at least 20 years’ records (except where indicated) from the period 1987 – 2016, and over 80% of these data are means from more than 25 years’ records. The data for three species, Garganey, Quail and Nightingale, have less than 20 years’ records and have been omitted.
While it is not possible here to give a comprehensive analysis for all species, detailed results are presented for selected summer migrant species, both in terms of representation of their taxonomic families and of covering the full spring migration period window. Information on eight species are presented graphically in Figures 1 – 4 to demonstrate changes which reflect variations in response to possible climate change and the many other environmental influences
105 Table 1. Mean, earliest and latest dates for spring arrival and autumn departure of summer migrants in Herefordshire, 1987 – 2016
Species Arrival or Mean Earliest date Latest date departure date Osprey arr. 27 Apr 15 Mar 2009 8 Jul 1990 dep. 18 Sep 27 Jul 2005 2 Nov 2007 Little Ringed Plover arr. 23 Mar 7 Mar 2003 26 Apr 1987 dep. 26 Aug 2 Jul 1996 23 Sep 2016 Common Sandpiper arr. 25 Mar 1 Jan 2015 & 2016 26 Apr 1997 dep. 27 Oct 8 Sep 1989 30 Dec 1996 Greenshank arr. 12 May 29 Mar 2009 7 Jul 2008 & 2016 dep. 25 Sep 16 Aug 1988 18 Dec 2005 Turtle Dove arr. 7 May 20 Apr 2007 5 Jun 2001 dep. 6 Aug 17 Jun 2006 23 Sep 1995 Cuckoo arr. 10 Apr 19 Mar 2007 25 Apr 2001 dep. 22 Jul 10 Jun 2000 15 Oct 2005 Swift arr. 21 Apr 1 Apr 2007 1 May 1987 dep. 4 Sep 18 Aug 1996 22 Sep 1987 Hobby arr. 24 Apr 20 Mar 2005 16 May 1991 dep. 24 Sep 22 Aug 1998 31 Oct 2007 Sand Martin arr. 15 Mar 27 Feb 2008 30 Mar 1988 dep. 19 Sep 7 Aug 2005 12 Oct 2000 Swallow arr. 25 Mar 23 Feb 2005 10 Apr 1990 dep. 17 Oct 1 Oct 2009 5 Nov 2002 House Martin arr. 1 Apr 17 Mar 2004 13 Apr 1999 dep. 16 Oct 3 Oct 1989 17 Nov 2005 Wood Warbler arr. 22 Apr 8 Apr 2000 6 May 1991 dep. 9 Jul 30 May 2014 13 Sep 2007 Willow Warbler arr. 29 Mar 14 Mar 1989 13 Apr 1992 dep. 21 Sep 3 Sep 1996 16 Oct 1998 Garden Warbler arr. 17 Apr 26 Mar 1997 2 May 1994 dep. 31 Aug 27 Jun 1996 30 Sep 2002 Lesser Whitethroat arr. 23 Apr 11 Apr 2012 5 May 1997 dep. 5 Sep 31 Jul 1990 6 Oct 2012 Whitethroat arr. 17 Apr 1 Apr 2007 4 May 1991 dep. 7 Sep 29 Jul 1989 25 Sep 1998 Grasshopper Warbler arr. 3 May 16 Apr 2014 16 Jun 1996 dep. 11 Jul * 8 Jun 2010 13 Sep 2005
106 Species Arrival or Mean Earliest date Latest date departure date Sedge Warbler arr. 20 Apr 2 Apr 2011 8 May 1991 dep. 21 Aug 12 Jun 1989 23 Sep 2016 Reed Warbler arr. 3 May 17 Apr 2012 26 Jun 1990 dep. 25 Aug 1 Jul 1994 22 Sep 2012 Ring Ouzel arr. 4 Apr 11 Feb 2007 14 Jun 2001 dep. 19 Oct * 8 Aug 1990 9 Dec 2002 Spotted Flycatcher arr. 4 May 4 Apr 2006 22 May 1989 dep. 18 Sep 31 Aug 1998 19 Oct 2014 Pied Flycatcher arr. 15 Apr 2 Apr 2004 24 Apr 1998 dep. 20 Jul 20 May 2008 27 Sep 2000 Redstart arr. 10 Apr 26 Mar 2003 6 May 1994 dep. 12 Sep 20 Aug 1998 11 Oct 2005 Whinchat arr. 1 May 29 Mar 2003 29 Jun 2014 dep. 10 Sep 5 Jul 2010 20 Nov 2006 Wheatear arr. 20 Mar 4 Mar 2011 7 Apr 2007 dep. 4 Oct 20 Aug 2001 8 Nov 1998 Yellow Wagtail arr. 7 Apr 27 Mar 2009 17 Apr 1992 dep. 27 Sep 6 Sep 2005 19 Oct 1992 Tree Pipit arr. 17 Apr 4 Apr 2003 & 2016 19 May 2001 dep. 22 Aug 27 Jun 1992 28 Sep 2013 * mean dates from 16 years’ (Grasshopper Warbler) and 17 years’ (Ring Ouzel) data only that have occurred during the last 30 years. The eight species selected are: Cuckoo, Hobby, Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.
The earliest spring arrival and latest autumn departure dates recorded in each year are plotted together with the trendlines, as computed by the regression facility in MS Excel. The dataset, which represents extreme single date points, and for some of the species considered, large variations from year to year, warrants only relatively simple statistical analysis. Where in the following presentation of results and discussion of Figures 1 – 4 statistical significance of the resulting trendlines are indicated, the significance is at the 5% level of probability, that is the p value was less than 0.05.
Results and Discussion It is interesting to note that mean spring arrival dates for summer migrants in Herefordshire (Table1) are in line with equivalent data from counties recorded by the West Midlands Bird Club (BTO, 2003) and that the range of earliest and latest arrival dates agree well with those published for Leicestershire (Mason, 1995). There is however, more variation between the datasets for autumn departure dates, but this is expected because of the lower volume of records submitted during that season. Consequently, autumn departure dates are less well estimated, especially for those species that are less abundant or have declining populations in the county.
107
Figure 1. Annual plots with trendlines of earliest arrival dates for Cuckoo, Hobby, Sand Martin and Swallow, 1987 – 2016
Figure 2. Annual plots with trendlines of latest departure dates for Cuckoo, Hobby, Sand Martin and Swallow, 1987 – 2016
108 The date span for mean spring arrival dates for summer migrant species in Herefordshire was 50 days, ranging from Sand Martin arriving on 15 March to Spotted Flycatcher on 4 May. The autumn departure period was twice the length, from Pied Flycatcher and Cuckoo leaving as early as 20 – 22 July to Swallow and Ring Ouzel remaining until 17 – 19 October.
Figure 1 shows that the arrival date for Cuckoo (mean 10 April) has remained almost constant over the 30-year period. This concurs with that reported by Newson et al. (2016) from their examination of national databases comparing years 2000 – 2010 with 1963 – 1966 for 14 common breeding migrant species, and also by other authors investigating more limited county datasets (Mason, 1995; Sparkes et al., 2007; Eddowes, 2011). Similarly, the Herefordshire autumn departure data for Cuckoo (Figure 2), which has much larger year-to-year variation than for arrival dates, depending on whether later-leaving juveniles were reported, show that departure date has also remained constant over the same period.
In contrast, the spring arrival of Hobby has advanced by 22 days (or 0.75 days/year) over the period, 1987 – 2016. Eddowes (2011), investigating Cheshire and Wirral data for the period 1974 – 2009 and Sparkes et al. (2007) examining data from six English county bird clubs for the latter half of the 20th century, also demonstrate advancement by 1.13 and 0.59 days/year respectively in spring arrival date for this species. At the other end of the breeding season, Herefordshire data show the departure of Hobby has extended by 26 days (0.88 days/year) over the same period of time, meaning the length of stay for this species in the county has increased by nearly seven weeks.
For the hirundine species, Swallows now arrive in Herefordshire 17 days earlier (0.55 days/year) than they did in the late 1980s (around 17 March compared to early April), which is in line with the 0.20 – 0.91 days per year advancement found by other authors (Sparkes et al., 2007; Eddowes, 2011; Newson et al., 2016). The smaller but similar trend in spring arrival date for Sand Martin was not significant and the autumn departure dates for both species have remained unchanged during the 30-year period (Figure 2).
In the second group of four species (Figures 3 and 4), both of the warbler species show significant advancement in spring arrival dates; by 9 days (0.31 days/year) for the earlier-arriving Willow Warbler and by 14 days (0.48 days/year) for the later-arriving Whitethroat. These figures are slightly greater than the 0.17 – 0.20 days/year advancement for Willow Warbler and 0.24 – 0.35 days/year for Whitethroat calculated by Eddowes (2011) and Newson et al., (2016) from their data.
In autumn, the departure for Whitethroat is extended by 24 days (0.80 days/year), meaning this species now leaves the county around 20 September compared to late August in the late 1980s. Whitethroat now spend over five weeks longer in the county during the breeding season.
For Redstart, the spring arrival date has advanced by 16 days (0.54 days/year) compared with the late 1980s (Figure 3), but due to the large year-to-year variation the trend towards a later autumn departure date, indicated by the trendline in Figure 4, was not significant. On the other hand, there was a significant trend for Spotted Flycatcher to leave 15 days (0.50 days/year) later in the autumn than it did 30 years ago.
Although it is not possible here to present the full 30-year trend data for all summer migrants, the significant changes in arrival and departure dates for the other 19 summer migrant species listed in Table 1 can be summarised as follows:
109
Figure 3. Annual plots with trendlines of earliest arrival dates for Willow Warbler,
Whitethroat, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher, 1987 – 2016
Figure 4. Annual plots with trendlines of latest departure dates for Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher, 1987 – 2016
110 • Eight other species – Osprey, Common Sandpiper, Swift, House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler – demonstrated a significant trend towards earlier spring arrival dates.
• In the autumn, four other species – Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Wheatear – showed a significant trend toward later departure dates, but for House Martin the trend was towards earlier departure.
Thirteen of the of the 27 summer migrant species listed in Table 1, showed a significant advancement in spring arrival date during the period, 1987 – 2016. For autumn departure dates, there was a significant change for eight species, seven now leaving later in the season, and House Martin leaving earlier.
Although spring migration phenology of birds is one of the best documented responses to climate change, obtaining unbiased estimates is problematic, and, because of the very large numbers of variables, there is also immense difficulty trying to correlate phenological changes with causation. The question of bias also arises because casual records from observers in a few chosen locations do not necessarily provide a good assessment of the first arrival or last departure dates. Variation in observer ability and behaviour over the time series of the study can also be a factor and is impossible to control. Furthermore, species population size and changes in population status (declining or increasing numbers) over time affect the detection sensitivity of observing a species.
Many of these limitations apply to the Herefordshire dataset which was based on casual records of single date points for first arrival and last departures dates. These biases also apply to the studies of other authors referred to earlier, although less so for Newson et al. (2016) who analysed a large national dataset using standardised measures to be representative of the whole population. Despite these perceived limitations, it is interesting that our estimates for advancement in spring arrival dates are broadly in line with those of Newson et al. (2016) for the 14 common migrant species they considered; their figure of 0.22 days/year comparing favourably with the Herefordshire figure of 0.24 days/year for 12 of those species. However, for the 27 species in the total Herefordshire dataset the mean figure was somewhat larger at 0.48 days/year advancement (equivalent to 14 days advancement over the 30-year period), although this included some species that have relatively few annual records (e.g. Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler, Ring Ouzel and Whinchat) and some with declining county populations (e.g. Cuckoo and Turtle Dove). Interestingly, the equivalent mean advancement in arrival date calculated by Sparkes et al. (2007) from their data was 0.25 days/year for the 33 species they considered.
Changes in autumn departure dates were smaller and more variable and averaged 0.21 days/year delay for the 27 species in the Herefordshire dataset. The equivalent figure calculated for the 14 species considered by Newson et al. (2016) was a delay of 0.10 days/year.
The similarity of trends produced here from analyses of casual county records to those of Newson et al. (2016), analysing a national database from which casual records were excluded, may suggest that the concerns of these authors regarding the biases inherent in such data require re-examination in the context to approaches to understanding phenological trends. Knowledge on the true distribution of arrival/departure date periods for the population of an individual species is lacking, but if it is skewed toward first arrival/last departure dates then this could be an explanation for these dates being very similar to the median or modal values, and therefore for both sets of data to produce similar trends.
111 This review is the first attempt to collate and examine the phenological data of Herefordshire’s summer migrants and some interesting trends in spring arrival and autumn departure dates have been identified. The on-going use of BirdTrack to capture and store all HOC data (since 2015) will allow easy future access to a dataset that will become increasingly valuable over time and provide opportunities for more in-depth examination and analysis of migrant species information.
Acknowledgements Thanks are due to many individuals for their observational skills and diligent recording of the presence of summer migrant species within the county during the 30-year period that this review covers. I am also grateful to Gerald Wells and John Wilesmith for their constructive comments and suggested amendments to improve an earlier version of this article.
References BTO (2003). Recording year by migration season: spring and autumn migration. Available at: https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/bird-recording/by-migration-season/spring- migration [accessed 25/11/2017]
Eddowes, M.J. (2011). Longer term trends in arrival timing of long distance migrants: the influence of abundance and population change. Ringing & Migration, 26: 56-63.
Mason, C.F. (1995). Long-term trends in the arrival dates of spring migrants. Bird Study, 42: 182-189.
Newson, S.E., Moran, N.J., Musgrove A.J., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Gillings, S., Atkinson, P.W., Miller, R., Grantham, M.J. & Baillie, S.R. (2016). Long-term changes in migration phenology of UK breeding birds detected by large-scale citizen science recording schemes. Ibis, 158: 481-495.
Sparks, T. (2007). Impact of Climate change in Guernsey, No.21: Spring arrival dates of migrant birds, pp 52-53. Available at: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/1178/1/Sparkschapsguernseyimpacts_8.pdf
Sparks, T.H., Huber, K., Bland, R.L., Crick, H.Q.P., Croxton, P.J., Flood, J., Loxton, R.G., Mason, C.F., Newnham, J.A. & Tryjanowski, P. (2007). How consistent are trends in arrival (and departure) dates of migrant birds in the UK? Journal of Ornithology, 148: 503–511.
Mervyn Davies
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112 BTO House Martin survey, 2015 – 2017
Introduction This was a three-year national survey co-ordinated by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in order to gain more information about House Martin population numbers and their breeding behaviour. Although the species is known to be in decline (it is currently on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern, BoCC 4, 2015), information is lacking on the causes and there are no recent estimates of population size. The survey was divided into two parts:- • Year 1 (2015) aimed to update the information on population size and distribution • Years 2 and 3 (2016 – 17) gathered information about choice of nest site and the timing of nesting and fledging This is a report on the findings of the first-year survey which used a standardised survey method based on a sample of randomly selected 1-km squares across the UK. Although randomised, the square selection was stratified in order to eliminate those squares which would have been totally unsuited to House Martins, for example mountain regions. Method Surveyors were asked to make three visits to their square: • A “recce” visit in mid- to late May to look for existing sites (including old nests) and talk to house or land owners about access if required. • A survey visit between 1st and 24th June to count nests and assess occupation status. • A second survey visit between 25th June and 19th July to check status of previously located nests and record details of any new ones.
Surveyors also recorded information about the location of nests and the type of building they were on. Results and Discussion In Herefordshire, a total of 51 squares were allocated to surveyors and of these only five were not visited at all. Of the 46 which were, almost half (22) were found to contain one or more pairs of breeding House Martins. Figure 1 shows the locations of all the allocated 1-km squares and their usage (if any) by House Martins.
House Martins generally nest colonially and numbers of nests per colony varied quite widely with a minimum of one and a maximum of nine being recorded. However these figures may be slightly misleading as surveyors were instructed to treat nests on different parts of a building as separate colonies so many colonies (in the conventional sense) could have been somewhat larger. Due to the varying ways which surveyors had used to name their colonies it was not always possible to ascertain whether these relate to truly separate colonies or not. For example, ‘Smith Street 1’ and ‘Smith Street 2’ could have related to either two groups of nests on separate sides of the same house or two separate colonies on different houses in the same street. Figure 2 therefore simply shows the number of nests per 1-km square rather than by colony.
The two maps and associated data do not really tell us a great deal about the distribution or breeding densities of House Martins in the county except perhaps that the species is widespread and not confined to any particular parts of it. The mean colony size from these data was 5.23 which is probably a fairly typical average for this species. Prior to the survey commencing, and with over
113
7
6
5
4
3
2
3 4 5 6 7 Figure 1. Distribution of House Martin colonies in Herefordshire
7
6
5
4
3
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3 4 5 6 7 Figure 2. House Martin nest density per 1-km square
114 50 potential survey squares being covered, it seemed possible that there would be a sufficient sample size to generate an estimated figure for the county population. That calculation is shown below, but although the figure of 5,538 is of the same order as the estimate of 10,261 breeding pairs generated from the county bird atlas data (Davies et al., 2014), it is considerably lower and possible reasons are considered later. Firstly, let us look at how the figure was derived:- Number of 1-km squares in Herefordshire* = 2,336 Less estimated number of unsuitable squares (estimated as 130) = 2,206 Percentage of surveyed squares occupied by House Martins in survey = 48% Mean no. of pairs per 1-km square = 5.23 Estimated number of breeding pairs is therefore 2,206 x 0.48 x 5.23 = 5,538 (* being all squares which include any part of Herefordshire)
There are at least two possible explanations for the large discrepancy between the two population estimates:- 1. The House Martin survey method was not really designed to estimate population estimates to the county level. The colonial nesting of this species means that nest sites are aggregated rather than evenly distributed throughout a square with the result that:- a. if only a small sample of squares are surveyed (in this case 2% of Herefordshire 1-km squares were visited) this may not be sufficient to ensure that the random selection is a true representation of the county as a whole. b. any colonies missed by surveyors consequently have a greater impact on total counts. This is especially likely to occur in areas of denser housing, e.g. colonies at the back of houses not being visible to surveyors. 2. The population of this species is already known to be in decline. The 20-year Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) trend for House Martin for the West Midlands region at the time of this survey was -36% (Harris et al., 2016). Taking the middle year of the five-year Herefordshire Atlas survey work (2010) as the reference point for the Atlas population estimate, that trend then was only -10% (Risely et al., 2011), so even over this short period there seems to have been a significant loss of breeding pairs in the group of counties which include Herefordshire.
Despite the foregoing and the somewhat simplistic nature of the population calculation it would appear that there has certainly been some decline in House Martin numbers in Herefordshire. Whether it really is as much as the -46% the calculation suggests is a matter for conjecture and this figure should certainly be viewed with caution. However there seems to be a worrying downward trend which would be worthy of further study. References: 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. Harris, S.J., Massimino, D., Newson, S.E., Eaton, M.A., Marchant, J.H., Balmer, D.E., Noble, D.G., Gillings, S., Procter, D. & Pearce-Higgins, J.W. (2016). The Breeding Bird Survey 2015. BTO Research Report 687. British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford. Risely, K., Renwick, A.R., Dadam, D., Eaton, M.A., Johnston, A., Baillie, S.R., Musgrove, A.J. & Noble, D.G. (2011). The Breeding Bird Survey 2010. BTO Research Report 597. British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford. Chris Robinson
115 White Storks in Herefordshire 2016
The arrival of a White Stork in Weston Beggard on 10th June 2016 caused considerable excitement among birdwatchers in the county. It was first identified by Sheila Thackwray who saw the bird in a field next to her house. It flew onto the roof and proved to be quite confiding being apparently unconcerned by people or dogs. The prominent green ring on the bird’s right leg was immediately apparent and the number Z1213 was clearly visible with binoculars or in photographs and this enabled the bird to be traced.
This Stork (identified as male) was one of four healthy nestlings ringed in the village of Kleszewo, Poland by Krzysztof Załuski on 21st June 2011. Unfortunately, the bird was injured in a collision with a power line during migration south in 2014, and with 21 other injured White Storks, was imported by Shorelands Wildlife Gardens, based at Dickleburgh, near Diss in Norfolk. After care and rehabilitation at the centre, Shorelands were delighted to announce in November 2015 that several of the birds had recovered sufficiently to fly again. Shorelands now had to decide whether to transport them back to Europe in spring 2016 to join the migration north or whether to await events. Z1213 pre-empted the decision and returned to the wild without human assistance!
After leaving Shorelands, he made his way across Norfolk to Welney WWT reserve arriving on 27th February 2016. He stayed until the 29th February flying off at 10.25 a.m. and was seen flying over Downham Market 25 minutes later. He was next located on 4th March at Lyng, Norfolk where he remained for three days, next appearing at the Nar Valley fisheries near King’s Lynn. He was subsequently recorded at a number of sites in Norfolk over the following weeks, never staying in one place for more than a few days. He was last confidently identified as Z1213 in East Anglia at Worlingham in north Suffolk on 29th May. A green-ringed bird was recorded flying over Lakenheath, Suffolk on 5th June but the number was not read.
He was then recorded in Herefordshire on 10th June 2016, seen initially in Weston Beggard and around Withington, roosting on the roof of a barn at Weston Beggard. He left the county briefly, arriving at Slimbridge WWT on 18th July but only stayed one day. He was then seen at Noke in Oxfordshire on the 26th July and subsequently arrived back in Herefordshire, at Bartestree, on 31st July 2016.
He was now back to stay and was seen regularly in Herefordshire for the remainder of the year over-wintering in the Holme Lacy, Dinedor and Sink Green areas, often feeding in a field by the hairpin bend at SO541369 and roosting on the roof of a house nearby. He was last seen in the county on the 31st March 2017 at Almeley.
His movements over the next few months are not well documented but he headed north. Green-ringed birds were reported in Derbyshire on 1st April, Rutland Water 8th/9th April, Yorkshire 12th/13th April and he was confidently identified as Z1213 on 21st April at the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve in Aberdeenshire.
Where is he now? His movements over the summer are unclear; to complicate the issue, there are other White Storks with green rings at large in the UK. Unfortunately none of their numbers have been reported since April. In late July one was recorded in Kelling, Norfolk and is thought also to be an escapee from Shorelands although not Z1213 (another green-ringed bird Z9404 has been present for several months in East Anglia). In August 2017, a bird was present in Dorset in the Portland/Chesil Beach area, first seen on 11th August staying until at least the 30th August, another was recorded briefly in Bewdley, Worcestershire on 14th August 2017. Two
116 Mick Colquhoun Mick green-ringed birds were seen together in Romney Marsh, Kent in late August. Other sightings of two green-ringed birds have been at Pagham Harbour from 9th – 15th September. Hopefully the numbers on these birds will be read soon and more information will be available.
There are several records of White Stork annually in the UK, predominantly in England. Many relate to escapes, although some, particularly on the south and east coast may be wild birds arriving by their own efforts. There appears to be a well established resident feral population but at present there have been no reports of attempted breeding. The White Stork has bred in the past, although the last record was in Edinburgh in 1416; perhaps the situation is about to change.
There were two other records of the species in Herefordshire in 2016, both in early February in the north of the county at Becton Bridge (Sarah and Millie Rogers) and at Upper Buckton Farm (Yvonne Lloyd) which almost certainly relate to the same bird, which becomes the sixth record for the species in the county. This was clearly a different bird as Z1213 was still in Norfolk at the time. Many thanks to William Marler for collecting the descriptions of these two sightings.
Should Z1213 be regarded as a wild bird and therefore become the seventh record? He always was a wild bird, ringed as a nestling in the wild and remained wild until injured and unable to fly. He was then captive until he had recovered well enough to escape and promptly returned to the wild and has lived independently (and unsupported) since then. Purists might argue that he did not come to the UK of his own accord and therefore must be seen as a captive bird that has escaped. If that is the case it could be argued that many of the White-tailed Eagle sightings are introduced birds that did not come to the UK of their own free will, as are many of the Red Kites, Great Bustards and other reintroduced species. Michael Colquhoun
117 The birds of Gamber Meadows, 2005 – 2015
This article reports on the continuation of the bird species survey of Gamber Meadows since 2005; earlier results were first reported in the HOC Annual Report 2007 (pages 14 – 17).
The area studied is from 400 metres north of Audit’s Bridge (SO 504258) and downstream for two kilometres to SO511246 along the St Weonards – Tretire parish boundary. Data over the 11- year period, 2005 – 2015, is presented here.
The Gamber is a south-easterly flowing stream which rises at Grit Hill, Wormelow and joins the River Wye at Goodrich. It has alder trees along its banks, a few of which are now dying from Phytophthora disease, and marshy areas in the adjoining meadows that regularly flood in winter. There is small lake with an island at the northern end of the study area, and an enlarged scrape and a pond with a small reedbed at the southern end. Since 2005, the reedbed in the southern scrape has enlarged a little and two other small ponds have gradually silted up. Between 30 and 50 metres distance on either side of the stream, the land rises from 60 to 75 metres in altitude; the meadows on the west side are grazed by cattle while the land to the east is mainly in arable crops.
A similar survey methodology has been used each year since 2005. This entailed walking along a defined route adjacent to the stream at a similar time of day (starting around 08.45 – 09.00 hrs) on one date each month. On each date, the bird species present, the numbers seen or heard using the area and any breeding activity were recorded.
As many of the species are attracted to the area in larger numbers in winter by the availability of food and the lack of it in other areas, it is difficult to make valid comparisons from year to year without supporting data on other variables, e.g. weather, numbers of successful fledglings and, for winter migrants, their success at their summer breeding grounds. It is more meaningful to look at trends in species that breed in the area, but once again caution needs to be exercised when trying to identify reasons.
The table below presents the total annual count data from monthly visits to the area for the 11 consecutive years between 2005 and 2015 inclusive.
Species recorded on Gamber Meadows, 2005 – 2015
Species 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mute Swan 9 42 11 16 41 37 38 42 31 32 19 Canada Goose 28 72 83 145 175 23 30 283 208 51 3 Wigeon 6------Teal 2 4 - - - - - 15 1 - - Mallard 64 105 83 30 45 41 24 29 44 33 21 Tufted Duck ---2------Red-legged Partridge - - - - 1 - - 2 6 10 1 Pheasant 32 24 30 32 46 35 41 32 39 26 30 Cormorant - - 1 5 3 1 4 1 2 1 Grey Heron 12 10 9 8 6 8 1 4 1 2 1 Little Grebe 2----2--3--
118 Species 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Sparrowhawk 423333-1221 Buzzard 31 38 36 32 38 39 43 31 40 30 30 Water Rail ------11313 Moorhen 37 30 31 22 16 22 12 15 30 23 27 Coot 2-1------Golden Plover - 1 1 1 ------Lapwing - 6 - - - - - 14 - - 35 Green Sandpiper -----1-1--- Jack Snipe -11-2--1--- Snipe 55 29 9 19 47 13 15 1 2 39 50 Woodcock ------1---- Black-headed Gull 83 41 - 69 70 33 16 - - - - Common Gull 45 5 12 204 388 97 63 397 159 - 57 Lesser Black-backed 6 4 87 147 56 119 149 174 35 416 268 Gull Stock Dove 147 527 167 186 198 112 411 105 425 181 61 Woodpigeon 927 394 414 1202 586 1143 1105 305 442 323 351 Cuckoo -1------1 Tawny Owl -1------Swift 3 2 12 3 1 10 - 10 2 - 2 Kingfisher -1111-----1 Green Woodpecker --4634--135 Great Spotted 8 13 5 10 20 10 21 20 17 21 16 Woodpecker Kestrel 135124-1--- Hobby -1------1-- Peregrine -1-11-11--1 Magpie 37 44 65 50 53 46 28 48 41 40 39 Jay 19 21 25 18 17 22 15 21 21 15 24 Jackdaw 104 215 347 930 217 153 101 263 132 229 160 Rook 124 161 208 407 323 143 134 150 175 273 143 Carrion Crow 98 95 109 96 96 84 93 119 123 103 90 Raven 17 18 70 15 5 15 12 13 5 22 20 Goldcrest -12----46-2 Blue Tit 103 190 183 180 218 148 142 142 131 127 116 Great Tit 90 97 103 118 94 85 56 119 72 47 44 Coal Tit -1243121122 Marsh Tit -1------Skylark 107 85 170 234 166 138 142 94 187 125 59 Swallow 26 28 62 77 14 221 16 21 40 9 31
119 Species 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 House Martin 56 61 168 77 15 69 46 34 34 4 55 Long-tailed Tit 87 72 52 70 62 32 55 69 97 69 78 Chiffchaff 29 29 44 40 59 73 61 44 67 58 43 Willow Warbler 3 6 8 2 15 2 - 1 - 3 - Blackcap 18 21 18 22 32 21 35 34 25 40 26 Garden Warbler 267455----- Lesser Whitethroat - - - 2 ------Whitethroat 58 102 71 58 58 102 100 65 91 54 41 Grasshopper Warbler 2------Sedge Warbler - - 2 6 - 1 3 - - - - Reed Warbler - - - - - 6 6 2 9 3 8 Nuthatch 31------132 Treecreeper 415--73413- Wren 192 217 244 223 185 153 151 153 175 148 164 Starling 278 125 182 142 268 72 19 96 - 88 4 Blackbird 151 185 161 142 214 146 156 129 149 110 92 Fieldfare 302 696 341 408 249 440 218 291 158 55 108 Song Thrush 42 31 24 30 50 29 19 22 10 11 16 Redwing 130 54 101 107 45 16 25 21 58 15 234 Mistle Thrush 6 7 2 3 - 7 3 4 2 8 4 Spotted Flycatcher -1313312--6 Robin 146 162 188 154 167 103 71 80 104 128 120 Redstart -11-2-52331 Stonechat 25953----1- Dunnock 141 144 131 141 179 86 89 89 79 73 75 House Sparrow 2-24-2--244 Yellow Wagtail - - - 2 4 - 3 1 2 - 1 Grey Wagtail 10 3 - 2 1 - 5 - - 2 - Pied Wagtail 22 21 11 14 2 4 4 2 2 10 14 Meadow Pipit 21 90 23 49 9 12 17 8 14 6 6 Chaffinch 183 140 131 191 105 79 128 112 98 66 103 Bullfinch 20 8 7 4 11 14 10 20 8 - 8 Greenfinch 34 38 25 34 39 29 21 29 10 8 32 Linnet 34 21 15 39 10 89 81 22 52 22 28 Lesser Redpoll 10 8 - 3 25 8 47 28 59 3 2 Goldfinch 119 114 123 136 94 98 101 61 906992 Siskin 50 111 27 99 145 66 234 100 76 33 63 Yellowhammer 59 67 47 31 58 56 16 22 30 18 7 Reed Bunting 20 25 36 40 34 22 24 14 30 37 22
120 Brief overview of species Two pair of Mute Swan breed regularly and their numbers increase significantly during winter months. Canada Geese have bred but not every year. Mallards were seen most months, breeding sometimes, but the only other duck species seen very occasionally were Teal and Tufted Duck. Cormorant were seen sometimes, Grey Heron more regularly and the Little Grebe was an occasional winter visitor. Buzzard and Pheasant were present each month and numbers remained constant during the study period; they also bred in the area.
Moorhen numbers were relatively consistent year on year and there were two or three breeding pairs. In recent winters, a Water Rail has been heard in the area. A single or two Jack Snipe were noted in four winters, while Snipe numbers show no consistency in number, i.e. in years 2009, 2014 and 2015 numbers of 39 or more were recorded, whereas in 2012 and 2013 only one or two were noted, although these latter winters had periods with frozen ground. It is difficult to make reasoned judgements regarding the variation in gull numbers other than to note that Gamber Meadows was a regular feeding ground in some winters for Common and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Stock Dove numbers remain reasonably constant with occasional irruption years, as in 2006, 2011 and 2013. Large numbers of migrating Woodpigeons were observed in 2008, 2010 and 2011, while in other years the numbers were between 300 and 400. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen monthly and breed in the area, while Green Woodpeckers were heard in seven of the 11 years. Jay and Carrion Crow were seen in most months of the year and breed in the area. Jackdaws and Starlings used to breed here but no longer do even though there are potential nest sites. Ravens have been seen more regularly in the area and for the last two years have been successful breeders.
Long-tailed Tit numbers seem to be unaffected by harsh winters, other than 2010, and remain reasonably constant, whereas Great and Blue Tit numbers were apparently affected by cold Mays and wet summers, as in 2011, 2013 and 2015. In most years there were up to six Skylark territories with numbers observed boosted during September/October when some were on migration; the numbers for 2015 were lower because the passage of migrants did not coincide with the monthly visit. During the study period, there has been little change in the pattern of farming so helping the numbers of breeding Skylark territories to remain constant. Swallow and House Martin numbers using the area vary from year to year as no suitable nest sites exist within the study area.
Reed Warbler have been present since 2010 and in recent years at least two pairs have bred successfully, but no Sedge Warblers have been recorded since 2011. Whitethroat numbers vary from year to year and in 2014 numbers were reduced by constant irrigation of a nearby potato crop, which kept part of the normal breeding territory constantly wet and probably also accounted for the low numbers in 2015 (numbers have increased again in 2016). Garden Warblers and Willow Warblers are no longer present, whereas Blackcap and Chiffchaff presence remains healthy. In 2006, a wintering Chiffchaff of the north European race abietinus was noted. Grasshopper Warbler has not been recorded since 2005.
Blackbird and Song Thrush numbers were lower in 2014 and 2015 than at the beginning of the study, but this does not reflect the national trend. However, winter thrushes do show a wide annual variation in numbers depending on food supply. Spotted Flycatchers have bred in the area and families have been seen in August, but it is difficult to conclude if they have bred in the area or were just passage birds. Redstarts were seen on autumn passage and wintering Stonechats were
121 noted during 2006 – 2009. Wagtail numbers vary and both Yellow and Grey Wagtail have bred in the area. Wren numbers appear to have decreased since 2009, as have those for Dunnock and Robin, the reasons for which are unknown.
Chaffinch were not as frequently seen/heard in recent years compared to 2006 – 2008, although Greenfinch numbers seem to have recovered in 2015 to those present in 2006 and 2009. The numbers of Goldfinch seen were lower in recent years compared to 2005 – 2008. Siskin and Lesser Redpoll numbers are more difficult to comment on as they were mainly winter migrants whose numbers vary nationally year on year. Other than in 2014, Bullfinch were seen in most months, and numbers in 2015 were similar to 2006 and 2007. Yellowhammer numbers show the largest decrease from 67 and 47 in years 2006 and 2007 to 18 and seven in 2014 and 2015 respectively; sadly, this reflects the national trend, but to change this requires positive effort to adapt farming methods to include more weedy margins, more winter food crops and thicker hedges. Reed Bunting numbers varied from 40 in 2008 to 14 in 2012, although in most years there were two to three breeding territories.
There were 66 species recorded in 2015 (of which 33 were breeding); a similar number to the 64 species in 2005. In total, 85 species were noted over the 11-year period, 2005 – 2015, although seven were only recorded once. Historically, before 2005, a total of 82 species had been recorded ‘using the area’, of which 37 were ‘known to have bred’. Interestingly, the pre-2005 data included six red-listed and five amber-listed species that were breeding – almost identical to five ‘red’ and six ‘amber’ species that were breeding here during the 2005 – 2015 period.
So, what does this study reveal? It contributes to the overall picture of the birds of Herefordshire, especially the species where breeding evidence has been confirmed, but also how certain species have interacted with the environment and weather conditions. The significant period of time over which this area has been regularly monitored does provide a robust baseline against which future trends and changes can be measured. The value of this and other ‘constant effort sites’ around the county cannot be overstated and other volunteers are encouraged to become involved to extend the number of sites monitored and improve our knowledge of the birds of the county.
Finally, I would like to place on record my thanks to the landowners and farmers who kindly allow me monthly access to their land. John Pullen
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122 Birds, Bureaucracy and Brexit
The overall statistics do not lie. The numbers of most farmland birds have declined significantly since 1960. Behind that bald statement there are a number of issues, some of which are contentious, that I would like to explore.
Farming takes the rap for most of the decline and indeed, it is true that the change in agricultural management, driven by the need to produce more food, is at the heart of the problem. Conversely, with farmland occupying over 70% of land in the country, farmers are well placed to be a large part of the solution.
During the last ten years, Devereux Wootton Farm at Norton Canon has been involved in the so-called ‘Higher Level Scheme’ of Environmental Stewardship and this article presents some of the outcomes of operating environmental management principles within a practical farm setting.
It is important for readers to understand how those elements of the landscape that are not supported by the market place, are rewarded. Public money for public goods is the theory and that is exactly how it works. Creating and managing habitat for birds and other wildlife is crucial to the recovery of bird numbers. Increased biodiversity is a key part of the jigsaw in the complex dilemma of balancing food production with environmental benefit. It comes at a price, hence the need for public funds.
The EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) comprises two pillars. Pillar One provides financial support for farms larger than five hectares. This money helps to ensure a continuity of affordable food and supplements farmers income in a notoriously volatile industry. Pillar Two concerns rural development policy and is aimed at achieving balanced territorial development and sustaining a farming sector that is environmentally sound, as well as promoting competitiveness and innovation. The amount of Pillar Two payments is at the discretion of the Member States of the EU; it is taken as a percentage of Pillar One funds and can range from 0-15%. England has opted for a 12% rate and this money supports the Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE). It is from this pot that the Environmental Schemes are paid.
A new scheme – Countryside Stewardship – that operates from January 2017 is voluntary but also competitive. A farmer has to submit a fairly complex application, which is scored according to the options chosen from a wide-ranging menu. Farmers are generally not averse to doing something for money but that is not always the priority. The most important thing is to get it right – to make the schemes work in a way that maximises the benefit and that help to reverse the decline that we have seen in the past.
The new round of Environmental Schemes comprises two levels – ‘Mid Tier’ and ‘Higher Tier’. The ‘Higher Tier’ is difficult to access at our size of operation and is targeted more at groups of farmers collaborating on a whole landscape basis. There are some excellent examples of these schemes, for example on the Wiltshire Downs, but getting farmers to work together on such a project has never been a British forte. So on this farm, a more manageable ‘Mid-Tier’ contract has been agreed for five years.
At Devereux Wootton, some of the original ‘Higher Level Scheme’ options of Pillar Two have proved successful but others less so. The attempts to revitalise the number of Lapwings on the farm, last seen in any quantity in the 1970s, have not produced great results. The birds did return to the farm and there were around six breeding pairs at one stage. These produced young and did so as intended by taking them from the fallow nesting sites to the wetlands that had been created. It was after that when the carnage started; raptors, corvids, herons, black-backed
123 gulls and foxes proved to be too big a force against such a small number. We never managed to generate sufficient critical mass of adults to provide effective protection to the young hatchlings. It was hugely disappointing as I had become very fond of the distinctive sound, flight and plumage of these magnificent birds.
The farm has not been allowed to continue ‘breeding Lapwing’ as a paid option because we were deemed to be unsuccessful. That may be true, but our hands were tied as far as controlling most of the predators were concerned. Is the answer to concentrate efforts where sufficient numbers of breeding birds already exist? Maybe it has to be accepted that lowland Herefordshire, other than around lakes and floodplains, will not be home to Lapwing and other waders now that much of the land has been drained and cultivated in favour of higher food production.
On a more positive note, there are Barn Owls breeding happily on the farm. The introduction of wide grass margins around most of the arable fields soon encouraged field voles to take up residence. The owls were not slow to follow and nesting boxes and hollow trees have provided satisfactory residences. The daytime vole feeders – the Kestrels – are also here, but their numbers are not what they were. Maybe something other than food supply is limiting their success.
The farm has adopted a biennial hedge cutting regime. The hedges have also been allowed to grow higher and wider than has been the convention in this part of the world. The benefits for nesting, berry feeding and predator protection have been extensive. The EU, however, has dictated that hedges shall not be trimmed from the 1 March to the 1 September. Field cultivations and the planting of certain crops, such as oilseed rape, often take place in August and a derogation from the rules has to be obtained in order to trim the hedges in those fields, even on the last day in August. The derogations are invariably granted so why not just change the restricted period to mid-August and save a lot of bother? We will, however, continue with our current hedge management because they provide such a fantastic habitat for a range of wildlife. Patrick Wrixon Patrick Wide field margins have encouraged field voles, and consequently Barn Owls, and biennial hedge cutting has benefitted nesting and berry feeding for birds
124 In the old scheme, one of the options adopted was ‘overwintered stubble’. This meant leaving the field uncultivated post-harvest until the spring of the following year. The efficiency of modern combines and the effect of residual herbicides limiting weed growth conspired to leave these stubbles with very little food or cover and was therefore deemed to be of limited benefit to birds. Under the new scheme, we have opted instead for ‘winter cover crops’. Immediately after harvest a mix of fast-growing seeds, such as oil radish, black oats and Phacelia, are planted. These crops do not provide a lot of food over the winter but do produce ample cover for birds, protect the soil from water erosion and mop-up unused nitrogen from the previous crop, preventing leaching into the water courses.
The new ‘Mid-Tier’ Scheme demands that all field margins are replaced with more flower-rich versions. I agree in principle, but growing wild flowers in our relatively fertile soil is not a guaranteed winner and killing off our established grass, in order to reseed, is causing me great anguish. Ten years of growth, with vetches and ox-eye daisies having become established, all being destroyed at the same time strikes me as short-sighted. Why not do it over a three-year period so that not all the voles are displaced at the same time and that a mosaic of growth stages is maintained? The bureaucracy of these schemes is often too inflexible to allow some common sense and good management to hold sway.
However, there are three options that the farm will continue with that seem sensible and have produced good results. Firstly, Skylark plots – 15 square metre fallow areas in cropped fields – have helped to ensure that this iconic bird continues to thrive here.
Secondly, winter seed mixes are sown on areas less than five hectares and are left unharvested to provide food over winter for birds to snack on at their leisure. Small-seeded plants like linseed, millet and kale provide abundant food for an assortment of finches. In that hungry gap of the mid-winter months, large flocks of Chaffinch, Linnet, Brambling, Greenfinch and others, can be seen taking advantage of these oases of feed and cover. It is a magnificent sight on a snow- covered January day, with the sun low in the sky, to see the benefits of these plots. They are not easy to grow. Everything from flea beetle, slugs, rabbits and deer, seem to have a passion for these plants, but if sufficient effort is put in to establish healthy crops with good seed numbers, the winter rewards can be spectacular.
Thirdly, food is spread on the farm tracks during the winter. Yellowhammers are a particularly rewarding vision as they learn to assemble at feed time. They are always alert to the threat of a Sparrowhawk and hurtle back to the safety of the hedges at the first hint of danger. Wheat comprises a proportion of the food, along with smaller seeds as in the winter seed mixes. The wheat is generally the last to go and may be picked up by larger birds, such as Pheasants and Rooks. Rats are a threat if too much food lies about for too long, so a little-and-often approach is adopted.
Where does Brexit take us in all this? At the moment, it is very hard to tell but one thing is for sure, that it presents an opportunity to review and improve landscape management for the benefit of wildlife without compromising the ability to feed the nation. Under what will effectively be a Domestic Agriculture Policy, we will not be inhibited by regulation from Brussels and can therefore produce tailor-made policies that will work for this country. Let’s make sure we get it right. Patrick Wrixon
125 Bird ringing in Herefordshire 2016
This is a summary of birds ringed in Herefordshire in 2016; for reasons of space details of recoveries of birds previously ringed in the county and of ‘controls’ in Herefordshire of birds ringed outside its borders are not included: these details are available on the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) website at: https://app.bto.org/ring/countyrec/results2016/recGBHF2016.htm.
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 BTO Ringing Scheme, its objectives, methods and results can be found on the BTO website at: http://www.bto.org (look under ‘Volunteer Surveys’). Ringing totals for Herefordshire
Species Pulli* Juv.* Adult* Not 2016 Retrap.* Recov.* aged* total Mute Swan 0 1 Red Kite 3 3 2 Goshawk 7 7 Sparrowhawk 1 1 Buzzard 4 4 1 Lapwing 18 18 Black-headed Gull 0 1 Woodpigeon 2 1 1 4 Little Owl 3 3 Tawny Owl 0 1 Kingfisher 1 1 Green Woodpecker 2 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 10 10 20 4 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 2 2 Kestrel 5 5 Hobby 3 3 Magpie 11 1 12 Jay 2 2 Jackdaw 19 1 20 Carrion Crow 5 5 Goldcrest 63 38 101 11 1 Firecrest 1 1 Blue Tit 659 57 83 799 44 3 Great Tit 352 32 34 418 22 1 Coal Tit 7 11 29 47 2 1 Willow Tit 1 1 Marsh Tit 2 6 8 2 Skylark 1 1 Sand Martin 23 20 43 1 1
126 Species Pulli* Juv.* Adult* Not 2016 Retrap.* Recov.* aged* total Swallow 40 40 1 Cetti’s Warbler 1 1 Long-tailed Tit 1 20 38 53 112 62 Wood Warbler 11 11 Chiffchaff 25 225 35 285 17 3 Willow Warbler 37 8 45 2 Blackcap 8 78 51 1 138 14 Garden Warbler 2 7 9 Whitethroat 24 3 27 Sedge Warbler 6 1 7 1 Reed Warbler 3 82 54 139 122 Nuthatch 31 4 4 39 7 Treecreeper 7 4 3 14 6 Wren 5 63 20 1 89 48 Dipper 80 3 11 94 17 4 Blackbird 40 22 47 109 24 3 Song Thrush 24 4 3 31 2 Redwing 5 3 8 Mistle Thrush 18 18 Spotted Flycatcher 4 1 5 1 Robin 87 51 24 1 163 25 Pied Flycatcher 707 99 806 67 25 Redstart 81 9 90 Dunnock 28 63 29 1 121 39 1 House Sparrow 6 2 5 36 49 8 Grey Wagtail 27 1 28 Pied/White Wagtail 5 1 6 Brambling 4 4 Chaffinch 8 16 32 56 1 1 Bullfinch 15 13 28 7 Greenfinch 5 4 20 29 Lesser Redpoll 61 55 116 3 Goldfinch 15 15 30 Siskin 20 35 55 1 6 Yellowhammer 2 2 Reed Bunting 2 9 11 7 Grand Total (65 species) 2,358 1,010 878 100 4,346 563 63 * ‘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 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.
127 The overall county ringing total for the year is only just over 80% of that for 2015. Numbers of Blue Tits and Great Tits were significantly down, for pulli and (proportionately) even more so for free-flying juveniles; these trends mirror those nationally, with both tit species showing declines in abundance and productivity. The various species in the table show typical fluctuations in numbers, but it may be noted the reduction in Blue and Great Tit totals corresponds closely to that in the county grand total. On the other hand, some species, such as Reed Warbler and Redstart, showed substantial increases.
The number of birds retrapped has also declined, for the second year running. Blue and Great Tit numbers were down in this respect too, but Long-tailed Tit, Reed Warbler and Wren showed notable increases.
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 2016 season – a national overview (This is a condensed summary of the detailed report for the UK in the Spring 2017 issue of the BTO publication ‘Life Cycle’; a PDF copy of the full report is available at: https://www. bto.org/research-data-services/publications/life-cycle/2017/life-cycle-issue-5-spring-2017).
Winter 2015/16 was one of the warmest and wettest since 1910 for the UK as a whole, and the warmest ever for England and Wales (mostly due to exceptionally high temperatures in December 2015). For Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, it was also the wettest on record, and it was the second wettest for the UK as a whole.
Mean spring temperatures were more typical, falling slightly below average in April and rising slightly above in May. However, breeding season rainfall varied dramatically between months. Southern and Eastern England experienced a wet March, April and June, with a brief respite in May. In July and August the trend reversed, with exceptionally dry conditions in the south, where summer temperatures were also above average.
128 Migrant survival and abundance
CES ringers recorded more adult Chiffchaffs at the start of the 2016 season than in any year previously and, along with Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler, that species demonstrated a significant increase in abundance when compared to the previous five-year mean (2011 – 2015). As Chiffchaff experienced a particularly poor breeding season in 2015, this increase in adult numbers is likely to be a result of high overwinter survival. Chiffchaff and Blackcap, short-distance migrants that winter around the Mediterranean Basin and North Africa, may both have benefited from warmer-than-average winter conditions across much of the northern hemisphere during winter 2015/16.
An increase in the number of long-distance migrants, notably Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler, may be related to good conditions on their wintering grounds, prompted by a wet growing season in the Sahel in 2015. By contrast, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat abundance was significantly reduced for the fourth consecutive season.
The long-term trends (1983 – 2016) show that there have been huge increases in the numbers of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps recorded during CES visits in the past 34 years, rising by 248% and 179% respectively. In contrast, all six long-distance migrants continue to exhibit long-term declines in abundance.
The long-term survival trend for Pied Flycatcher remains stable. After two positive seasons, House Martin survival rates declined to their second-lowest point since RAS monitoring began in 1994, but Sand Martin bounced back from a disappointing year in 2015 to show a small increase in survival.
Migrant productivity
Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Pied Flycatcher all bred significantly later in 2016 than the five-year mean; the delay in breeding may have been caused by low temperatures in April. By contrast, Sand Martin and Reed Warbler bred significantly earlier than average. The early breeding proved positive for Sand Martin; for the second consecutive year, the mean number of fledglings per breeding attempt (FPBA) was significantly higher than the five-year mean, apparently driven by larger- than-normal brood sizes. FPBA was however significantly lower for Reed Warbler, probably as a result of many broods being washed out by flooding resulting from the heavy rainfall experienced in the south at the end of June. CES results indicated that 2016 was a poor breeding season for the majority of migrants.
Resident abundance and survival
The mild winter of 2015/16 proved beneficial to some resident species, particularly ground feeders and those especially susceptible to low temperatures. CES ringers recorded significantly higher numbers of Cetti’s Warbler, Wren, Song Thrush, Robin and Dunnock relative to the five- year mean; in fact, Cetti’s Warbler, Wren and Robin were recorded in greater numbers than in any year since CES began. Wren was the only resident species to display a significant increase in adult survival (the highest on record), suggesting that reduced mortality of first-year birds was responsible for the observed rise in abundance of the other species.
Bullfinch appeared to struggle over the winter, being the only resident species to exhibit a significant decline in survival rates, reaching their lowest point since CES began. Blue Tit was the only resident species to demonstrate a decline in abundance at a national level in 2016, possibly a result of poor recruitment following a disappointing breeding season in 2015. Long-term
129 CES abundance trends continued to show declines of greater than 50% for Willow Tit and Reed Bunting and an increase of greater than 50% for Cetti’s Warbler.
Resident productivity
NRS data suggested that the timing of breeding was average for most resident birds, with only five species (Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch and Linnet) laying later relative to the five-year mean. Once again, NRS results showed that the biggest loser was Woodpigeon, with a near-50% reduction in FPBA; it was unclear from the data what caused this decline. CES results also indicated that 2016 was another poor breeding season for residents, with significant declines in productivity apparent for the majority of resident species; at 60% below the five-year mean.
NRS data identified declines in clutch and brood sizes for Blue and Great Tits (the lowest average clutch size on record for both and the lowest average brood size for Blue Tit), resulting in significantly reduced FPBA, as well as reduced clutch sizes for Dunnock. However, conditions did not seem to influence nesting success for the majority of CES species and negative impacts of the wet summer weather on post-fledging survival provided a more likely explanation for the low numbers of juveniles captured.
Owls and raptors
The survival trends for the three owl species monitored through RAS contrasted greatly in 2016. A disastrous breeding season saw few adult Tawny Owls caught, resulting in a severe decline in the apparent survival rate for this species. NRS data showed that clutch and brood sizes were also significantly reduced, although this did not result in a significant drop in FPBA. Little Owl continued to exhibit a very slight decline in survival, whilst the Barn Owl survival trend bounced back from a poor season in 2015. NRS data showed that laying dates for both of these species were later than average, with Barn Owl brood size also significantly reduced. The reduction is thought to be due to poor weather in April causing females to desert nests, leading to multiple nest failures and small broods at the start of the season. The improvement in weather later in the season resulted in successful second broods, or second attempts for pairs that failed initially, and this is probably the reason for the laying date being later than average.
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 we had been losing that battle: a significant pathway through a reed bed, where several mist nets were located and where a major proportion of warblers were caught, became unsafe to use in 2014. We had to change the positions of nets so much that the “effort” was no longer constant, and for 2014 and 2015 the site was not a formal CES. However, we continued ringing, to maintain the momentum, and further changes in site operation permitted resumption of full CES operation in 2016.
At Much Marcle, a total of 814 individual birds were captured in 2016, of 28 different species. Of these, 731 birds were unringed when caught, while 80 were recaptures of birds ringed at the site in earlier years and three were birds originally ringed elsewhere. In addition, during the year there were 243 other recaptures of some of these 814 birds, giving a grand total of 1057 bird records for the year. These figures are much higher than for the previous two years, and indeed comparable to those for 2013. This increase is most likely related to the resumption of full CES operation, and in particular to the ability to position nets within the reed beds.
130 Noteworthy points included:
• For Chiffchaff, 200 individuals were caught, a slight decrease on 2015; the majority were birds hatched in 2016. Willow Warbler numbers recovered, from seven birds to 20. Blackcaps increased slightly, but Reed Warbler numbers rose dramatically, from 45 to 159; this rise may be related to the resumed use of mist nets within the reed beds, and possibly to an increase in the area of the reed beds themselves.
• Amongst the resident species Blackbird numbers recovered slightly; on the other hand, Goldcrest numbers fell back to five. Wrens rose sharply, from 25 to 65, Blue and Great Tits held steady, while Long-tailed Tits almost doubled.
• Less usual species for the site included: a Redstart, a Cetti’s Warbler (possibly the first ringed in the county), three Whitethroats, two Spotted Flycatchers and two Siskins.
Recoveries and controls Details of birds ringed or subsequently encountered in Herefordshire in 2016 are available on the BTO website at: https://app.bto.org/ring/countyrec/results2016/recGBHF2016.htm. Recovery summaries for earlier years and other regions are available online at the website given above for ringing totals. Additional review information for the whole of the country is also given in the annual report on Bird Ringing & Nest Recording in Britain and Ireland included in the journal Ringing & Migration (BTO).
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. 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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131 Herefordshire Nestbox Recording Scheme 2016
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.
This reports presents summary data for 2016 from 10 HWT reserves, three National Nature Reserve (NNR) sites and 14 non-HWT sites.
Results
Overall results for the last 10 years, 2007 – 2016
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Sites recorded 27 27 23 26 26 26 29 30 29 33
Boxes available 871 852 731 741 805 820 818 939 961 943
Boxes used 501 465 447 453 478 521 510 508 519 639
% used 58.0 54.6 61.1 61.1 59.3 63.5 62.3 54.1 54.0 67.8
Additional nestboxes were added in April 2016 on the site at Upper Moccas Park, which was established in 2015, boosting the overall number of boxes available. There was a slightly improved take-up rate compared with 2015 with a total of 500 boxes utilised.
Generally, in the early part of the year, temperatures followed a similar pattern to the previous two years and were even more on the mild side. Rainfall was above average but well below the record heavy rainfall experienced during the closing weeks of 2015. Consequently, it appeared that it could be a promising season with an early start. However, the frosts in April changed events, with some birds delaying egg-laying after nest building or even delaying incubation of their eggs, so what initially appeared to be a promising season became one which was two weeks behind expectations. In addition, April was also wetter than average so that food was difficult to find and in short supply. There was a slight improvement in May but the outcome was smaller clutch sizes than last year. The poor weather in early June resulted in many deaths of fledglings and predation continued to be problem on some sites thus causing further losses.
132 Species results for 2016 compared with 2015
Species Sites Nests Eggs Hatched Fledged % success
2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015
Pied 17 16 120 114 666 742 540 592 401 434 60.2 58.5 Flycatcher
Blue Tit 27 27 198 187 1,463 1,540 1,085 1,091 718 782 49.1 50.7
Great Tit 27 25 159 163 922 816 739 589 536 434 58.1 53.2
Coal Tit 2 1 2 1 14 7 13 7 13 7 92.8 100.0
Nuthatch 7 8 12 19 69 94 60 74 43 62 62.3 66.0
Redstart 3 2 3 2 18 13 17 12 8 11 44.4 84.6
Wren 3 3 4 3 20 11 7 7 0 7 0.0 63.6
Pied Flycatcher and Great Tits performed slightly better than in 2015, but below that of previous years. Blue Tit results were again disappointing with only a 50% success rate for the second successive year, compared with over 60% in 2014 and 2013 (see below). The results for Redstart, although occupying only a few nests, was well down on previous years.
Comparative success rates in fledging for various species for the last four years
Species 2016 2015 2014 2013
Sites % Sites % Sites % Sites % success success success success
Pied 17 60.2 16 58.5 11 65.0 14 72.8 Flycatcher
Blue Tit 27 49.1 27 50.7 23 60.6 26 69.1
Great Tit 27 58.1 25 53.2 22 71.3 26 68.0
Coal Tit 2 92.8 1 100.0 1 100.0 1 100.0
Nuthatch 7 62.3 8 66.0 5 70.5 5 42.8
Redstart 3 44.4 2 84.6 3 53.8* 4 72.1
Wren 3 – * 3 63.6 1 – * 1 – *
* Eggs were predated or the outcome was unclear from one or more nests
133 Pied Flycatcher results summary, 2000 – 2016
Year Sites Nests Eggs Fledged % success 2016 17 120 666 401 60.2 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 Disease restrictions.
The average success rate over the 16 years has been 65.0%. 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, 2016 was an average year for Pied Flycatcher but there were high levels of predation, mainly by mice, at both Merryhill and the two Whitney Court sites; the most successful sites were : Brilley Dingle, Lower and Upper Moccas Park, Shobdon Hill Wood and The Leathers at Aymestrey.
Acknowledgements Although the results in 2016 were somewhat disappointing, we are very grateful to the ringers and the recorders who persevere with their visits in the face of nest failures and fledgling death. It is of course, even more depressing to think of the wasted efforts made by the birds themselves.
[For those interested in the details of individual nestbox sites, an electronic copy of the full HWT report can be obtained from HOC]
Beryl Harding, HWT Co-ordinator
134 Garden Birdwatch 2016
Background 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. As such it is very similar to the RSPB Garden Birdwatch in January every year, but rather than just one weekend, this survey aims to record throughout the year and is sectioned into four quarters each of thirteen weeks. 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.
Results Summary of results by quarter for 2016 (with 2015 data in brackets)
Quarter No. of gardens No. species Maximum no. of participating recorded birds recorded *
Q1 (Jan – Mar) 32 (35) 61 (64) 3,620 (3,418)
Q2 (Apr – Jun) 32 (33) 65 (67) 3,188 (2,927)
Q3 (Jul – Sep) 32 (33) 66 (63) 3,480 (3,464)
Q4 (Oct – Dec) 32 (34) 55 (60) 3,131 (3,191)
* Totals for the maximum number of each species seen in any one week from all gardens
On average, there were two less gardens participating in 2016 than 2015. There were less species recorded in quarters one, two and four of 2016, but more in the third quarter, compared with 2015. There were no significant changes in the totals for the maximum number of each species seen in any one week.
135 Species data
Each quarter, a newsletter is provided which shows a league table of species ranked by their totals for the maximum number recorded in any one week. For 2016, the data for the ‘top 10’ species is presented below:
Rank Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4
Species No. Species No. Species No. Species No.
1st House 423 House 355 House 568 House 527 Sparrow Sparrow Sparrow Sparrow
2nd Goldfinch 279 Starling 304 House Martin 324 Goldfinch 317
3rd Blue Tit 217 Goldfinch 153 Starling 209 Starling 311
4th Chaffinch 205 Blue Tit 151 Swallow 204 Long-tailed 167 Tit
5th Long-tailed 196 Blackbird 149 Blue Tit 161 Collared 146 Tit Dove
6th Blackbird 184 Siskin 132 Blackbird 159 Blackbird 144
7th Starling 163 Woodpigeon 115 Goldfinch 139 Blue Tit 142
8th Siskin 146 House Martin 114 Swift 126 Jackdaw 142
9th Woodpigeon 129 Swift 114 Collared Dove 117 Woodpigeon 131
10th Rook 128 Chaffinch 104 Woodpigeon 110 Chaffinch 107
As in previous years, House Sparrow topped the list in each quarter, helped by the fact they were present in good numbers, as well as being a very common garden species. Goldfinch were ranked second in both winter quarters, as in 2015, having demonstrated again their increased usage of garden feeders in recent years.
It was pleasing to see Siskin frequenting gardens more often in 2016 and appearing in the top 10 lists for both Q1 and Q2, and even as high as sixth position in Q2. The Q3 list comprised three summer migrants and two of these, House Martin and Swift, also made the top 10 in Q2.
The common residents: Blackbird, Blue Tit, Starling and Woodpigeon appeared in the top 10 species for all four quarters, while the other common residents normally present in ones and twos only, like Dunnock, Great Tit, Greenfinch and Robin, were found in the top 20 species recorded in each quarter.
136 Interesting observations
Q1: A Common Redpoll, two Lesser Redpolls and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker were the stand-out species in this quarter, as well as a close up, five-minute view of a Merlin perched on a garden fence in Hereford City. Despite the mild winter, 13 gardens had a Brambling sighting. Nineteen gardens (over half of gardens participating) recorded Sparrowhawk this quarter and the same number of gardens reported Siskin present, including two flocks of 40 and 20 birds.
Q2: A Pied Flycatcher seen in a garden near Presteigne, three records of twom or three Mandarin Ducks and a Barn Owl were the highlights this quarter. There was also a Lesser Whitethroat at Stretford Bridge and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Fownhope. There was concern amongst some recorders of very few Swallow sightings and no House Martin or Swift. On a more positive note, a pair of Wrens were observed successfully fledging four young as well as three broods of Robin in just three months in one garden.
Q3: A Ring Ouzel was recorded in a rowan tree at Clehonger, a Hobby was seen chasing House Martin at Moreton Eye, as well as a viewing of a Red Kite there, and there was a Wood Warbler sighting at Pencoyd. Following on from Q2 concerns, there were mixed reports of House Martin and Swallow numbers this quarter. More noticeable was the increase in the number of gardens with Bullfinch recorded – looking back through previous years’ records, there were seven in 2014, nine in 2015 compared with 13 in 2016.
Q4: The star bird of the quarter was a Wryneck in a Bishopstone garden, a Barn Owl at Coughton and a Red Kite at Moreton Eye were also recorded. Blue Tits were seen visiting a nestbox at the end of November. A couple of big flocks arrived in gardens – 80 Jackdaws at Moreton Eye in the early morning and 33 Goldfinches in Ledbury.
Further information Forms and newsletters for the Garden Birdwatch survey are provided both electronically and in paper format (when a S.A.E. is provided). If new participants are interested in becoming involved (or past participants wish to re-join), please email: [email protected] or let Ian know at HOC meetings.
Many thanks to all Garden Birdwatch participants for your quarterly records and interesting comments during 2016. Ian & Natalie Buttriss
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137 List of observers
D. Adams M.A. Cole J. Farrar J. Allsopp J.R. Coleman N. Fincham M.G. Archer P. Collins V. Fleming M. Attwood M. Colquhoun A.T. Foxton L. Bailey S.P. Coney N. French M. Bailey J. Conlon C. Furley S.R.J. Barker J. Cook D. Gardiner R. Barton M. Cook P. Garner J.R. Beck T.C. Cooke N.J. Godwin C. Bennett S. Cooter J.D. Gordon G. Bennett T. Corbett C. Greenfield N.P. Betts A. Cormack M. Greening G. Bilbao K. Coupland S. Greenwood J. Birks R.J.W. Cowell D. Griffith K. Blackmore G.C. Cundale K.D. Hall J. Blair B. Daniels I.B. Hart P. B on e J.C. Davies R. Hart J.C. Booth M.H. Davies A. Haycock E. Bowen-Jones N. Davies R. Hearn B. Bowerman R.T. Davies R.F. Hemming S. Boyce S. Davies K. Hewitt P. B r i s t ow G.M. Davis R. Higgins T. Brooke A. Dawson C.A. Holter C. Brooks P. Dawson N. Hopkinson P. B row n U. Dawson R. Hoskin F. Burge N. Devereux T. Hulme D. Burr J.A. Dix R. Husbands M. Busby S.G. Dodd L. Ison I.J. Buttriss P.H. Downes V.L. James P. Cannings T. Downes S.J. Jenkins J. Chamberlain P. Dryburgh P. Jennings N. Chapman C.D. Dyson C. Johnson P. Chase R.J. Ebrey C.M. Jones A.P. Chick P. Eldridge I. Jones T. Chinnick A.H. Eveleigh K.A. Jones G. Clarkson T. Eyles M.C. Jones D. Clayton T. Fairfield C. Joseph
138 M. July E.M. ab Owain B. Saunders J. Kedward S.M.T. Page A.D. Scott A. Keeble J. Paige J. Seaward A. King P. Papps P.M. Seligman P.L. King G.R. Parker M.D. Shaw G. King-Salter C. Parr M. Sheard C.P. Kirk J. Parry R. Shotton J. Knightbridge N. Pegler L. Smith R. Lakin A.S. Perry N.A. Smith C.E. Lankester C. Phelps S. Smith B. Laws I. Phillipson I.M. Spence F.R. Leathart A. Piccolo R. Stead C. Leatherdale S.J. Pinder L. Sysum S.A. Leyland R. Pitts F. Taylor M.J.S. Liley A. Platt R.C. Taylor K. Lloyd R. Pote A. Thomas Y. Loyd S. Potter S. & T. Thackwray G. Lowe G. Poulton J. Tilby J. Lyke J. Powell J.J. Tucker D. Macklin D.G. Price R. Tushingham A.R. Marfell G. Price S. Tyler W. Marler L. Price P. Venvil N. Marriner W.R. Pridie J. Walshe J.P. Martin C. Protherough W. Watson P.D. Masters J.R. Pullen T. Weale K.A. McGee M. Pullen D. Webb M.J. Mcgill M. Pymar G.A.H. Wells R. Miller E. Quinto-Ashman B. Wildey G. Moore R. Rees J. Wilkinson P. Morrison F. Riddell B. Willder A. Mountford D. Rippe M.J. Williams D. Napier E. Roberts D. Williams-Jones J. Newton C.M. Robinson M. Winrow S.P. Nicol I. Roe H. Woodman J. Nixon I. Rose S. Woolfenden S.J. Oates D.W. Rothwell J.R. Wright E. Osbaldeston N. Rowlatt J.M. Yelloly S. Berry Ottaway W. Ru s ht o n C. Overton T.J. Russell
139 Gazetteer of place names
All place names mentioned in species accounts of the systematic list section (pages 27 – 101) are listed below in alphabetical order with their OS grid references.
Place name 1km grid Place name 1km grid Adamswood Farm, Upper Sapey SO6865 Bryngwyn, Wormelow SO4830 Alltyrynys, Walterstone SO3323 Buckholt Wood, nr Welsh Newton SO5016 Aston Crews West SO6623 Buckton SO3873 Aymestrey SO4265 Buckton Park, Leintwardine SO3973 Backney SO5827 Buckton West SO3773 Ballingham SO5731 Burley, near Bromyard SO6653 Ballingham Hill SO5732 Burrington SO4472 Baregains Farm, Ledbury SO6738 Burrington South SO4471 Bartonsham, Hereford SO5139 Burrington West SO4372 Batchy Hill, Madley SO3936 Byford SO3942 Baysham SO5727 Caelees Wood, near Bredwardine SO3243 Berrington Hall East SO5163 Camp Wood, Abbey Dore SO3932 Berrington Hall Pool SO5063 Canon Frome SO6443 Bircher Common East SO4666 Capler SO5932 Bircher Coppice SO4667 Capler Farm, Fownhope SO5933 Bishopstone East SO4243 Capler Wood SO5832 Bishopstone West SO4143 Cefn Hill North, near Craswall SO2739 Bishopswood North SO5919 Chase Wood North, Coughton SO6022 Black Darren SO2929 Cholstrey, Leominster SO4659 Blackmarston, Hereford SO5039 Cleeve Orchard, Ross-on-Wye SO5923 Bodenham SO5351 Clehonger Church SO4637 Bodenham Lake SO5251 Clehonger East SO4537 Bosbury SO6943 Clehonger West SO4437 Bowley Town North SO5354 Clifford North SO2446 Bradnor Hill SO2858 Climbing Jack Common SO4872 Brampton Abbotts SO6026 Coddington SO7142 Brampton Bryan East SO3772 Cold Green Farm, Bosbury SO6842 Brandon, Hereford SO5037 Colwall Church SO7342 Bredenbury SW SO6055 Colwall Green SO7441 Breinton Common SO4539 Coneygree Wood, Ledbury SO7137 Bridge Sollers West SO4142 Coppet Hill SO5717 Bringewood SO4673 Credenhill East SO4543 Bringewood Forge NE SO4674 Credenhill Park Wood East SO4544 Bringewood Forge North SO4576 Credenhill Park Wood West SO4444 Bringsty Common NE SO7055 Credenhill West SO4443 Bringsty Common SE SO7054 Croose Farm, Woolhope SO6134 Brinstone Farm, St Weonards SO4823 Cross End Farm, Moccas SO3443 Brockhall Gravel Pits SO4542 Crow Hill North SO6327 Brockhampton North, nr Bromyard SO6855 Cwm Madoc Farm, Broad Oak SO4720 Bromsash East SO6524 Devereux Wootton, Norton Canon SO3848 Bromsash West SO6424 Didley North SO4532 Broomy Hill, Hereford SO4939 Dinedor SO5336
140 Place name 1km grid Place name 1km grid Dinmore Manor SO4850 Hatterrall Hill East SO3125 Docklow SO5657 Hay Bluff SO2436 Docklow NE SO5758 Haye Park Wood, nr Richard’s Castle SO4972 Donnington North SO7134 Haywood Lane, Ashperton SO6641 Donnington South SO7133 Haywood Lodge, Belmont SO4836 Dorstone SO3141 Herefordshire Beacon NE SO7640 Downton Castle South SO4474 Hergest Croft Gardens SO2856 Downton on the Rock SO4273 Hergest Ridge NE SO2656 Dulas Court SO3729 Hergest Ridge NW SO2556 Eardisley West SO3049 High Vinnals SO4772 Eastnor Castle SO7336 High Vinnals North SO4773 Eastnor Park North SO7438 High Vinnals South SO4771 Eastnor Park South SO7437 Hildersley, Ross-on-Wye SO6124 Eaton Bishop SO4438 Hill Farm, Ledbury SO7238 Eccleswall Court, Bromsash SO6523 Hill Top Farm, Wellington Heath SO7039 Eign Hill, Hereford SO5239 Hillend Farms, Much Cowarne SO6346 Evesbatch SO6848 Hole-in-the-Wall SO6128 Fair Oak Farm, Newton St Margarets SO3532 Hollow Lane, Ledbury SO7041 Falcon Lane Wood, Ledbury SO6838 Holly Farm, Lanveynoe SO2931 Flights Farm, Ledbury SO6837 Holme Lacy Church SO5634 Foxhall, Phocle Green SO6325 Holme Lacy North SO5536 Foy Bridge SO6028 Holme Lacy Village SO5535 Gamber Meadows North SO5025 Honeymoor Common, Eaton Bishop SO4338 Gamber Meadows South SO5024 Hope’s Rough, Much Cowarne SO6347 Garway Common SO4622 Hospital Wood, Ledbury SO7236 Garway Hill Common East SO4424 Hurstleywood Farm, Kinnersley SO3548 Garway Hill Common North SO4325 Ivington SO4756 Garway Hill Common South SO4324 Kenchester SO4343 Garway Hill Village SO4425 Kenchester Pools East SO4442 Garway West SO4522 Kenchester Pools West SO4342 Gethenfield Farm, Clehonger SO4436 Kentchurch SO4125 Gilbert’s Hill Wood S, Abbey Dore SO3929 Kentchurch (R. Monnow) SO4025 Glewstone Court SO5622 Kilbury Camp, Ledbury SO7239 Gough’s Wood, Peterchurch SO3440 Killbreece, Tretire SO5223 Grafton Wood SO5036 Kiln Green, near Walford SO6019 Graham’s Cottage, Leintwardine SO4172 Kilvernoll, Much Dewchurch SO4632 Great Blackhill Farm, Craswall SO2933 King’s Acre, Hereford SO4741 Great Moorcourt Farm, Much Marcle SO6632 King’s Pyon SO4350 Green Lane Wood, Upper Breinton SO4740 Kingsland West SO4361 Greytree, Ross-on-Wye SO5925 Kington West SO2956 Halmond’s Frome North SO6748 Kinley Farm, Moccas SO3642 Ham Green, near Malvern SO7444 Knill Wood South SO2961 Hampton Bishop North SO5538 Ledbury Central SO7037 Hampton Bishop South SO5537 Ledbury NE SO7138 Hampton Meadows SE SO5638 Ledbury SE SO7136 Hartleton Lakes SO6425 Ledbury West SO6937 Hatfield South SO5858 Leech Pool, Clifford SO2345
141 Place name 1km grid Place name 1km grid Leintwardine Fishery SO4271 Moreton, near Luston SO5064 Leintwardine South SO4073 Much Cowarne West SO6147 Leintwardine West SO3974 Much Dewchurch SO4831 Leominster NE SO5059 Much Marcle North SO6533 Leominster North SO4959 Much Marcle South SO6532 Leominster SE SO5058 Mynde Park, Much Dewchurch SO4629 Leominster SW SO4858 Nether Wood North, Aconbury SO5234 Letton Lakes SO3547 New House, Egleton SO6444 Letton, near Brampton Bryan SO3770 New House Wood North, Craswall SO2639 Letton, near Bredwardine SO3346 New House Wood South, Craswall SO2638 Linton SO6625 Newton Farm, Hereford SO4938 Little Berrington, nr Bodenham SO5250 Newton, near St Margarets SO3433 Little Black Hill West, Llanveynoe SO2832 Nokelane Head S, Staunton on Arrow SO3659 Little Merthyr, Whitney-on-Wye SO2648 Nokelane Head W, Staunton on Arrow SO3559 Littlemarsh Common, Eaton Bishop SO4337 Norton Canon East SO3847 Llangua (R. Monnow) SO3825 Oakchurch Farm, Staunton on Wye SO3744 Llanrothal West SO4618 Olchon House Farm, Llanveynoe SO3029 Logaston East, near Almeley SO3551 Olchon Valley Apex SO2634 Lower Breinton SO4739 Old Gore West SO6228 Lower Grove Common, Peterstow SO5525 Old Letton Court SO3446 Lower Hope, Ullingswick SO5850 Pedwardine, near Brampton Bryan SO3670 Lower Lugg Meadows SO5440 Pembridge East SO3958 Lower Veldifer, Stretton Sugwas SO4742 Pembridge NE SO3959 Lower Wolton Farm, Much Marcle SO6433 Pencoyd SO5126 Lugg Bridge SO5341 Penyard Park East SO6222 Lugg Bridge Quarry SO5342 Perryhill Farm, Clehonger SO4638 Lugg Green, Kingsland SO4462 Peterstow SO5624 Lugg Meadows Central SO5340 Petty France, Ledbury SO7240 Lugg Meadows North SO5241 Phocle Green SO6226 Lugwardine South SO5540 Pipe and Lyde North SO5044 Lugwardine West SO5441 Pipe Aston SO4671 Madley Satellite Earth Station SO4237 Plaistow, Ledbury SO6939 Marden SW SO5146 Ponshill East SO6421 Mary Knoll Valley SO4973 Pontrilas SO3927 Mathon SO7345 Pools Farm, Downton on the Rock SO4373 Mathon Gravel Pits SO7344 Portley Moor, near Leominster SO5061 Mawfield Farm, Clehonger SO4536 Preston on Wye SO3841 May Hill SO6921 Prior’s Frome South SO5738 Merbach Hill SO3044 Queenswood North SO5051 Merrivale, Ross-on-Wye SO6023 Railway Station, Hereford SO5140 Michaelchurch, near St Weonards SO5225 Red Daren SO2930 Milton Cross SO3860 Ross Central SO6024 Monkland SO4557 Ross Sewage Works SO5823 Monkland SW SO4456 Ross Wye SO5924 Monnington House SO3643 Rotherwas Industrial Est NW SO5238 Monnington on Wye SO3743 Rotherwas Industrial Est SW SO5237 Moorhampton Bridge, Bacton SO3832 Rotherwas Park Wood SO5337 Mordiford Bridge SO5637 Rowland’s Green, Ledbury SO6836
142 Place name 1km grid Place name 1km grid Rowlestone South SO3726 Veldo, Withington SO5543 Ruinsford Farm, Craswall SO2934 Vowchurch East SO3736 Sandy Cross, Bromyard Downs SO6756 Walford East SO3972 School Wood, Lucton SO4365 Walford, near Brampton Bryan SO3872 Sellack SO5627 Wapley Hill East SO3562 Shelwick East SO5343 Warham SO4839 Shelwick Green SO5242 Waterloo Nature Reserve, Letton SO3447 Sink Green SO5437 Wayend Street, Eastnor SO7436 Skenchill, Llanrothal SO4818 Weir Cliff, Sugwas Pool SO4441 Slough Bridge, Turnastone SO3435 Wellington Gravel Pits SO5047 St Margarets SO3533 Wellington Gravel Pits North SO5048 St Mary’s Hospital, Burghill SO4843 Wellington Heath SO7140 Staunton on Arrow East SO3760 Wellington NE SO4948 Staunton on Wye NE SO3746 Wellington NW SO4848 Stocklow Manor, Staunton on Arrow SO3761 Wellington SE SO4947 Stoke Lacy East SO6249 Welsh Bicknor SO5917 Stoke Lacy West SO6149 Welsh Newton Common SO5117 Stonewall Hill SO3168 Weobley SO4051 Strangford SO5828 Wergins Bridge, Sutton St Nicholas SO5244 Sturts South Nature Reserve SO3347 Wern Farm, Welsh Newton SO4917 Sunny Bank Farm, Longtown SO3331 Westfields, Hereford SO4941 Sutton Lakes North SO5447 Weston Beggard SO5841 Sutton Lakes South SO5446 Weston under Penyard SO6323 Sutton Marsh SO5444 Whitchurch East SO5517 Sutton Rhea SO5344 Whitehouse Grange, Tretire SO5124 Swainshill SO4641 Whitestone SO5642 Symonds Yat West SO5516 Whitfield Court, Marston SO5521 Tatteridge Hill, Leintwardine SO4272 Whitney-on-Wye SO2747 The Barn, Adleymoor SO3875 Whitney-on-Wye South SO2746 The Flits, Preston on Wye SO3740 Whittlebury Wood, Sollers Hope SO6233 The Hill, Castle Frome SO6745 Whitton, Leintwardine SO4174 The Holm, Willersley SO3146 Wickton Court, Stoke Prior SO5254 The Mynde, Much Dewchurch SO4729 Widemarsh, Hereford SO5040 The Old Vicarage, Downton SO4374 Wigmore SO4168 The Weir Garden SO4341 Wigmore North SO4169 The Wellands, Sellack SO5626 Wigmore Rolls Central SO3969 The Weston, Bredwardine SO3245 Wigmore Rolls South SO3968 Thornbury SW SO6158 Willersley SE SO3246 Titley Pool SO3259 Wilton, Ross-on-Wye SO5824 Tregate Farm, Llanrothal SO4817 Winforton South SO2946 Trippleton, Leintwardine SO4173 Winforton SW SO2846 Tupsley, Hereford SO5240 Winnal SO4534 Turnastone SO3536 Wolferlow SO6661 Turner’s Boat, Bredwardine SO3145 Woolhope East SO6135 Ty Mawr, Clodock SO3226 Wootton, near Checkley SO5939 Upper Egleton SO6345 Wyelea, Ross-on-Wye SO5825 Upper Grove Common, Sellack SO5526
143 Index to systematic list
Avocet ...... 51 Grebe, Black-necked ...... 47 Aythya hybrid ...... 40 Great Crested ...... 46 Bee-eater ...... 68 Little ...... 46 Bittern ...... 44 Greenfinch ...... 98 Blackbird ...... 86 Greenshank ...... 59 Blackcap ...... 82 Grouse, Red ...... 42 Brambling ...... 97 Gull, Black-headed ...... 61 Bullfinch ...... 98 Caspian ...... 64 Bunting, Reed ...... 101 Common ...... 62 Buzzard ...... 48 Great Black-backed ...... 64 Chaffinch ...... 97 Herring ...... 63 Chiffchaff ...... 81 Lesser Black-backed ...... 62 Coot ...... 50 Little ...... 62 Cormorant ...... 43 Mediterranean ...... 62 Crossbill ...... 99 Yellow-legged ...... 64 Crow, Carrion ...... 77 Harrier, Hen ...... 48 Cuckoo ...... 66 Marsh ...... 47 Curlew ...... 57 Hawfinch ...... 97 Dipper ...... 85 Heron, Grey ...... 44 Dove, Collared ...... 65 Hobby ...... 70 Stock ...... 64 Jackdaw ...... 76 Turtle ...... 65 Jay ...... 75 Duck, Mandarin ...... 32 Kestrel ...... 70 Tufted ...... 40 Kingfisher ...... 68 Dunlin ...... 58 Kite, Red ...... 47 Dunnock ...... 94 Kittiwake ...... 61 Egret, Great White ...... 44 Lapwing ...... 52 Little ...... 44 Lark, Shore ...... 79 Fieldfare ...... 86 Linnet ...... 99 Firecrest ...... 77 Magpie ...... 75 Flycatcher, Pied ...... 88 Mallard ...... 34 Spotted ...... 87 Martin, House ...... 80 Gadwall ...... 33 Sand ...... 79 Garganey ...... 39 Merlin ...... 70 Godwit, Black-tailed ...... 57 Moorhen ...... 49 Goldcrest ...... 77 Nuthatch ...... 84 Goldeneye ...... 41 Osprey ...... 49 Goldfinch ...... 100 Ouzel, Ring ...... 86 Goosander ...... 41 Owl, Barn ...... 66 Goose, Barnacle ...... 31 Little ...... 67 Canada ...... 31 Short-eared ...... 67 Greylag ...... 30 Tawny ...... 67 White-fronted ...... 30 Oystercatcher ...... 51 Goshawk ...... 48 Partridge, Grey ...... 42
144 Red-legged ...... 42 Swallow ...... 80 Peregrine ...... 75 Swan, Mute ...... 30 Pheasant ...... 43 Whooper ...... 30 Pigeon, Feral ...... 64 Swift ...... 67 Pintail ...... 39 Teal ...... 33 Pipit, Meadow ...... 96 Tern, Black ...... 60 Rock ...... 97 Common ...... 61 Tree ...... 96 White-winged Black ...... 61 Water ...... 97 Thrush, Mistle ...... 87 Plover, Golden ...... 51 Song ...... 87 Little Ringed ...... 52 Tit, Bearded ...... 79 Ringed ...... 51 Blue ...... 78 Pochard ...... 40 Coal ...... 78 Red-crested ...... 39 Great ...... 78 Quail ...... 42 Long-tailed ...... 81 Rail, Water ...... 49 Marsh ...... 79 Raven ...... 77 Willow ...... 78 Redpoll, Common ...... 99 Treecreeper ...... 85 Lesser ...... 99 Turnstone ...... 57 Redshank ...... 59 Wagtail, Grey ...... 95 Redstart ...... 93 Pied ...... 95 Black ...... 88 White ...... 96 Redwing ...... 87 Yellow ...... 95 Robin ...... 88 Warbler, Cetti’s ...... 80 Rook ...... 76 Garden ...... 83 Ruff ...... 57 Grasshopper ...... 84 Sanderling ...... 58 Reed ...... 84 Sandpiper, Common ...... 58 Sedge ...... 84 Curlew ...... 58 Willow ...... 82 Green ...... 59 Wood ...... 81 Wood ...... 59 Yellow-browed ...... 81 Scoter, Common ...... 41 Wheatear ...... 93 Shelduck ...... 32 Greenland ...... 94 Shoveler ...... 39 Whimbrel ...... 57 Shrike, Great Grey ...... 75 Whinchat ...... 93 Siskin ...... 100 Whitethroat ...... 83 Skylark ...... 79 Lesser ...... 83 Snipe ...... 60 Wigeon ...... 32 Jack ...... 59 American ...... 33 Sparrow, House ...... 94 Woodcock ...... 60 Tree ...... 94 Woodpecker, Great Spotted ...... 69 Sparrowhawk ...... 48 Green ...... 69 Spoonbill ...... 45 Lesser Spotted ...... 69 Starling ...... 85 Woodpigeon ...... 65 Stint, Little ...... 58 Wren ...... 85 Stonechat ...... 93 Wryneck ...... 68 Stork, White ...... 45 Yellowhammer ...... 100
145 Sites of ornithological interest in Herefordshire
Key Location NGR Type of habitat Access 1 Berrington Hall NT 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 Croft Ambrey Fort SO445667 Hill Fort & woodland National Trust & PRW 13 Croft Castle NT 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 Midsummer Hill & 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
146 Key to abbreviations: HWT = Herefordshire Wildlife Trust; NGR = National Grid Reference; NT = National Trust; 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