Website: www.bedsbirdclub.org.uk

Issue 149: Published January 2017 Editor: Andy Grimsey 61 Wychwood Avenue Luton LU2 7HT Tel: 07402 429 312 E-mail: [email protected]

EDITORIAL

Welcome to the January 2017 edition of the Hobby. In this edition is included a report from Barry on last summer’s garden bird feeding survey while included with hardcopy and available on the website is the form for 2017 survey which starts as soon as March 5 th . Graham also presents the first information on this years county survey of Waterways Breeding Birds as we look forward to the spring and we have additional input on activities at the Marston Vale Country Park Andy Grimsey

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2016 BIRD NEWS

Contributors: please phone Steve Blain on 07979 606300 or email [email protected] with any news or records. Records are preferred via the online system BirdTrack, using the Excel file found on the Bird Club Website, singly using the online form ( http://tinyurl.com/2v6oweh ), or on paper.

November 2016

Bewick’s Swan – Two at Broom on 7 th

1 Whooper Swan - One flew over Sandy on 19th White-fronted Goose - Four appeared at Cainhoe Lakes from 10th (TD) and remained in to 2017. Pintail - A drake was at SW on 30th; Greater Scaup - A drake was on the Pillinge, MVCP on 3rd, and a female was on Lake on 19th. Common Scoter - Five were at Grovebury SP on 27th November-4th December Velvet Scoter - The first two birds for many years were found at Broom GP on 22nd (JG) but commuted between there and Blue Lagoon, (AG) until 4th December. Smew - Two were at Grovebury SP on 28th (DBi) Great Northern Diver - A juvenile was at Grovebury SP on 23rd November-11th December (JL) Black-necked Grebe - The single was still at Brogborough Tip on 5th, with presumably the same bird on Brogborough Lake on 8th (DJO, DF) Marsh Harrier - One flew over Upper Caldecote/Broom GP on 4th. Hen Harrier - A ring-tailed was in Quarry 7th-13th (CH) Avocet - One was at Grovebury SP on 26th (DH) Eurasian Curlew - Two were at Broom GP op 26th Mediterranean Gull - An adult roosted at Stewartby Lake on 6th-7th Arctic Tern - A late bird was present at Stewartby Lake on 7th. Waxwing - Three were at SW briefly on 6th (JT) Tree Sparrow - Up to three were in fields north of Upper Caldecote from 3rd.

December 2016

Brent Goose - One was at Priory CP on 29th (DK) Pintail - A drake was at Broom GP on 1st, another of suspect origin on Clifton duck pond on 31st. Greater Scaup - The drake and duck were still at Brogborough Lake on 23rd. Smew - One was at MVCP on 12th and another was at Cuckoo Bridge Lake on 17th Eurasian Bittern - One was at Brogborough lake on 31st Merlin - One was at Broom on 3rd. Males were at Gadsey Brook, Willington and at on 24th. Another male was at Broom GP on 29th and nearby on 31st. Jack Snipe - Up to three were at Broom GP.

Grey Phalarope - A first-winter was at Broom GP on 2nd-4th (RC)

2 Mediterranean Gull - An adult was at Brogborough Lake on Christmas Day, with presumably the same bird there on 31st. Yellow-legged Gull - Two roosted at Brogborough Lake on 31st. Short-eared Owl - One was at Thurleigh Airfield on 3rd, another at Knocking Hoe on 4th and another was at Grange on 6th. At least one was still at Thurleigh Airfield on 27th, with three there on 31st. Bearded Tit - Three were at Broom GP for most of the month with other records from the clay pits. Wood Lark - One flew over the Lodge RSPB on 21st (LB) Waxwing - Four were at Everton on 28th (DB), and five were at Luton on 30th (PW). Tree Sparrow - One was at on 18th, and another was in a Willington garden on 31st.

Observers : TD - Tony Donnelly; JG - Jim Gurney; AG - Andy Grimsey; DBi - Dick Bodily; JL - John Lynch; DJO - Dave Odell; DF - David Fisher; CH - Clive Harrington; DH - Duncan Hilliard; JT - John Tomlin; DK - Dave Kramer; RC - Richard Cooper; LB - Lizzie Bruce; DB - Dave Buckingham; PW - Paul Wright;

We thank all contributors who have submitted their records directly to the Recorder, or via Bedsbirds Email Group as well as other sources. Compiled by Steve Blain [email protected]

PROGRAMME MATTERS

Forthcoming events Tuesday 31 st January. ‘Saving Nature Abroad – the RSPB’s international work’ by Dr Tim Stowe, Director, International Operations. As previewed in our last issue, Tim will talk about some of the ongoing overseas projects including the Indian Vulture recovery programme, the Albatross Taskforce and conservation work in the UK Overseas Territories.

Tuesday 28 th February (starting at 7.45pm). Bird Club AGM followed by ‘Birding Israel’ by Mike Alibone, Northamptonshire Bird Recorder and optics guru. I think it’s true to say that Israel is recognised as one of the best birding countries in the Western Palearctic. With direct flights from Luton it’s also very accessible to Beds birders. So Mike’s talk should be of great interest whether you have already experienced the sheer magic of spring migration at Eilat or need a little encouragement to book a flight. You may have read about the ‘Champions of the Flyway’ bird race held in Israel at the end of March to raise funds for conservation. In 2016 Mike teamed up with Mark Avery, Andy Clements (BTO) and Birdwatch staff writer David Callahan for this event and will tell us about this experience. Mike also writes regular reviews of optics for Birdwatch magazine.

Tuesday 28 th March. ‘Making your records count’ by Nick Moran, Organiser of BirdTrack at the BTO. This visit by Nick Moran, who heads the BirdTrack team, could not be better timed. Our Bird Club records are becoming increasingly dependent on this system as the volume increases year on year and it requires modern data processing to cope. There has been recent chatter on our email group about updates, some complementary, some not so happy with the changes. We really do need members to use this method of recording the county’s birds so it’s important to make the most of this opportunity to learn more about this tool and to make any concerns known to the man who can do something about them. Finally, I would like to share a big thank you to all who contributed to the raffle at our brilliant Christmas meeting. You will be interested to know that we cleared £150 will go towards more top-flight talks next winter.

Don Green

3 MARSTON VALE MILLENIUM COUNTRY PARK NEWS

The activity of the mainly visitor focused spring and summer has shifted into a different kind of busy, focusing on site and habitat management through the autumn and winter. As always the jobs list is long and the challenge is to balance what can be achieved by the small Ranger team (2.5 people), volunteers and contractors- both in time and finances. One of the joys of being a Ranger, and volunteering with our team is the variety of work- we have been fencing, clearing vegetation from ponds, repairing paths, raking meadows, hedge laying and maintaining site structures to give just a few examples. Bird wise, we had an exceptional year with the Sand Martin Bank. When we cleaned it out we found 71 of 88 holes had nests in them- the best year yet. Barn owls have also done well, I had the privilege of watching a late brood being ringed in October. We have put up 6 more swift boxes out on the Tower Hide, adding to the 10 on the Forest Centre building. Both sets of boxes have ‘callers’ as advised by Swift Conservation- we are hoping for some interest in spring. Sheep and Exmoor ponies are again munching down the grazing meadows after a lengthy growing season although the scrapes and wet areas of bottom meadow are still looking rather dry for the time of year- not surprising given the relatively low rainfall. The big job for the new year is cutting reed, a very labour intensive job which usually highlights the excesses of Christmas to the team! The reed bed management does seem to be paying dividends with a breeding attempt by marsh harriers and a booming bittern both being firsts for us in 2016. The Millennium Country Park is owned and managed by the small charity the Forest of Marston Vale Trust, and we do need your support. There is a small entry cost to Wetlands Nature Reserve with options for an annual pass for regular visitors. The proceeds from the ticket sales are all ploughed back into managing the site so please do always purchase your ticket if you visit and help us to keep building on our achievements so far. Feedback and ideas are always very welcome so please don’t hesitate to contact me on [email protected]

Anna Charles - Head Ranger, Millennium Country Park

VELVET SCOTERS IN

Two immature Velvet Scoters were found at Gypsy Lane West pit at Broom on 22 nd November and subsequently at Arlesey Blue Lagoon from 23 rd November into December (with occasional returns to Broom) were the 20th, 21st or 22nd individuals recorded in the county and the 10th or 11th county record. These were the first since 1991 after a series of records through the later 1980’s. Details of all records are noted below noting that November and December are the prime months of previous occurrence with all but one of the previous of records coming from the deeper clay pits of the Marston Vale.

4 19-20th November 1983 - A female at Chimney Corner CP 6th December 1983 - A female on Brogborough Lake considered probably same as above 19-20th & 24th December 1985 - A first-winter male on Stewartby Lake also located at Millbrook Pillinge on 25th and then on Fishing Pit on 27th where it was recorded until 13th January 1986 9th January 1986 - Two at Stewartby Lake at the same time as the previous bird remained at Lidlington 30th January 1986 - Two males at Brogborough Lake 14th April 1986 - One at Stewartby Lake 26th December 1986 - Three males at Stewartby Lake 20th November 1988 - Two males & a female on Stewartby Lake 23rd April 1989 - Three females & a male at Radwell Pits 21st November 1991 - Two males on Stewartby Lake 22nd November 2016 - Two immatures at Gypsy Lane West pit at Broom GP, relocated at Arlesey Blue Lagoon on 23rd where they remained until 3rd December at least with brief visits back to Broom noted.

Arlesey Blue Lagoon has a small Sailing Club and it may be that the birds moved from there occasionally in response to disturbance. Most observers reported that the birds fed actively during their presence at this pit suggesting there was a good food source on the site. The topography of this lake is very similar to the brick pits where the majority of the previous records have been noted.

This winter has seen other records of Velvet Scoter in neighbouring counties including two similar looking birds at Willen Lake Milton Keynes from 7th until the 16th November which could potentially have been the same individuals as our birds with another bird at Dorney Lake near Marlow from 8th to 18th November. If the Milton Keynes and Broom/Arlesey birds were the same, where were they from 17th to 21st ? It may be speculated that they had been present previously at the Blue Lagoon prior to the appearance at Broom as the former site is very underwatched and the latter one of the most watched areas of water in the county.

On the coast this winter, numbers around north Norfolk and on the south coast are also higher than most recent years. Andy Grimsey

WATERWAYS BREEDING BIRDS SURVEY 2017

The Bird Club survey for 2017 is a Waterways Breeding Birds Survey. So, if you would like to enhance a walk along your local river or canal, please consider giving it a go. When you have chosen your survey route, make a note of the start and finish points using 1km squares or specific grid references; plus place names where applicable. Please inform Graham Goodall (email: [email protected] ) of your chosen route in order to avoid duplication.

Survey methodology. The route you choose should keep as close as possible to the edge of the watercourse; ideally, within 25 metres of the water’s edge. The length of the survey is up to you, but please bear in mind that you will probably need to retrace you route to get back to your car if you have driven to the site. The survey route should be a minimum of 1km (one way); 2km or more would be better. Record the birds you see or hear with 25 metres either side of your route. Surveys should be carried at least four weeks apart, as follows: · First survey: mid-March to mid-May. · Second survey: mid-May to mid-July.

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Surveys should be conducted during the morning; ideally, between the hours of 6 – 11am and should be conducted in good weather conditions.

1. Use the survey sheet to record the birds you see during the two surveys. It is important that you include breeding codes for each species; see below. 2. Please enter all your survey records on to BirdTrack, BTO website. 3. Send your survey sheet to Graham Goodall, Research Officer (email: [email protected] ). This is very important and will enable the results to be analysed and a paper produced for the Bird Report.

A form has been produced to collate data counts and noting status using the standard BTO breeding codes for Possible, Probable and Confirmed breeding. Details will be provided and updated on a dedicated page on the Bird Club website at: http://bedsbirdclub.org.uk/waterways-breeding-bird-survey-2017/ Graham Goodall

THE GARDEN BIRD FEEDING SURVEY – SUMMER 2016

Introduction

Here are the results of our 19th Summer Garden Bird Feeding Survey, which covered the period 6th March to 1st October, 2016. We received a total of 76 returns, the same as the previous summer, comprising 46 from rural gardens (up six from Summer 2015) and 30 from urban gardens (down six from Summer 2015). The gardens covered in our survey range from small town gardens to large rural gardens, including at least one with ‘a small lake’, with others bordered by a stream or river. These gardens tend to account for the less-typical garden species in this list, such as Gadwall, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Cormorant and Pink-footed Goose. In total, for the 76 gardens, there were over 30,000 records submitted, at an average of almost 400 records per garden, so once again our thanks go to all those who took the time to do that.

The gardens in rural sites recorded an average of 31 species feeding or foraging, whilst the gardens in urban areas recorded, on average, 21 species. Those levels have stayed remarkably consistent over the last few years, as can be seen in the following table.

Table 1 Average number of species per garden Summer 2016 to 2008 and number of contributors 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Rural 31 30 29 31 30 29 29 29 27 Urban 21 20 19 21 20 21 20 21 22

Contributors 76 76 66 75 78 77 77 78 83

The Results

A total of 83 species was recorded in our ‘summer gardens’ in 2016, and these, with all other species that have been recorded since our summer survey began in 1998, are shown in Table 2.

6 O 0621 0421 02aeaeaverage average 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 POS 2 IDWGAL2 92 82 63 9 ANOL1001510.3 1 0.7 5 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 COMMON REDSTART BARN OWL 69= 69= 27 36 35 26 28 23 32 28 23 21 28 29 28 28 PIED WAGTAIL 32= PHEASANT 32= 0 RYHRN2 71 21 9 TNCA 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 STONECHAT 69= GOOSE PINK-FOOTED 1 2 69= RAIL WATER GADWALL 69= LARK SKY 69= 69= GOOSE GREYLAG CORMORANT 15 7 69= 69= 9 2 2 10 23 19 8 13 3 8 13 16 14 7 3 1 10 9 24 12 25 12 5 9 2 5 14 18 13 18 14 33 8 32 29 15 17 35 5 31 0 26 9 9 18 20 29 29 24 15 20 8 17 20 24 19 5 22 5 11 20 23 22 25 20 9 21 24 HERON 22 GREY 7 25 FLYCATCHER SPOT 7 40= REDPOLL LESSER 60= 40= WARBLER REED OWL TAWNY 60= 37= BULLFINCH 37= PIGEON FERAL YELLOWHAMMER 37= ROOK 53= 35= MALLARD 83 35= KESTREL 53= 49 89 76 61 99 72 67 86 62 55 64 61 65 95 83 68 70 87 68 79 95 89 95 93 THRUSH SONG 94 18= CARRIONCROW 97 18= 93 WREN 11= STARLING 11= =GLFNH9 99 39 17 9 OB 6 5 7 4 8 7 7 6 3 6 5 11 9 7 6 2 3 6 9 1 7 13 8 7 23 8 8 8 8 11 2 8 15 12 7 12 WAGTAIL GREY 16 14 49= BRAMBLING 12 49= 14 HOBBY 13 20 49= LPARTRIDGE RED 16 48 COMMON BUZZARD 82 BUNTING REED 14 47 95 45= 16 71 COMMON W'THROAT 45= 90 96 99 KITE RED MISTLETHRUSH 43= 97 43= 98 91 90 100 91 96 100 98 92 94 94 98 100 96 93 95 99 100 95 97 97 95 99 100 100 100 99 98 99 99 95 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 97 100 100 100 100 100 CHAFFINCH 100 8= 100 MAGPIE 100 100 100 8= 100 GOLDFINCH 100 100 8= 100 100 100 DUNNOCK 100 1= TIT GREAT 1= ROBIN 1= TIT BLUE 1= PIGEON WOOD 1= BLACKBIRD 1= 1JY2 52 32 31 9 ITEERT11000010 1 0.4 0.1 0.9 4 0 2 2 1 0.3 6 7 0 0.7 3 3 4 0 1 0 15 2 3 9 6 0.7 0 3 1 1 0 3 0 5 5 1 3 1 3 7 1 1 7 1 0 0 2 3 5 3 3 0 1 1 1 1 5 3 LITTLE EGRET 3 3 5 69= 4 1 0 COMMON CROSSBILL 3 3 1 69= 0 SPARROW 3 TREE 1 69= 4 FIELDFARE MUTE SWAN 3 3 69= 4 69= 14 0 W'DPECKER SP LSR 69= LITTLE OWL BLACK H GULL 4 27 65= 65= 24 3 SAND MARTIN 23 65= 14 6 CUCKOO MARSH TIT 4 62= 65= 21 27 15 23 33 27 18 18 22 29 LINNET 13 62= WARBLER SEDGE 35 30 21 25 62= 35 15 29 24 31 33 40 24 22 16 30 21 47 20 33 26 41 26 29 24 30 29 9 41 24 56 28 34 38 31 51 37 33 WILLOW 45 WARBLER 32 40 27 34 38 9 33 29 44 42 33 3 38 JAY 39 67 69 41 57 31 SWALLOW 28 46 41 41 30 DOVE STOCK 42 47 43 67 29 MARTIN HOUSE 58 56 41 28 68 SWIFT 65 27 GOLDCREST 62 58 26 W'DPECKER GREEN 71 25 63 CHIFFCHAFF 63 24 61 SISKIN 23 BLACKCAP 22 WOODPECKER GT SP 21 SPARROWHAWK 20 6JCDW7 66 76 34 3 IGIHR7334345 5 4 4 8 6 3 5 6 9 4 1 3 3 6 12 5 3 7 2 5 7 8 5 7 5 7 3 GARDEN WARBLER 53= 7 KINGFISHER 7 53= WHITETHROAT LSR REDWING 53= TREECREEPER 59 53= 53= 43 68 60 53 98 98 64 60 65 62 67 71 95 91 70 67 72 66 79 94 75 87 81 91 87 65 86 88 83 89 88 80 89 84 TIT COAL 17 JACKDAW 16 LONG TAILEDTIT 15 SPARROW HOUSE 14 GREENFINCH 13 OLRDDV 79 7109 89 9 ORE 191 19 11 8 12 9 11 8 MOORHEN 49= 98 98 97 100 97 96 97 DOVE COLLARED 7 TABLE 2 TABLE % OF GARDENS% OF 05t 0119 o20 2NTAC 71 81 21 10 13 22 19 18 16 17 NUTHATCH 42 2004 to 1998 2011 to 2005 O 0621 0421 02aeaeaverage average 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 POS 01 21 824 18 18 12 14 20 11 41 9 10 14 11 11 9 % OF GARDENS% OF 0.3 0 3 0 0 4 4 1 1 5 . 1 0.9 3 0 0.6 2 4 0 2 1 0 2005 to 2011 1998 to 2004 to 1998 2011 to 2005 0 0 15 7 0 2 0.7 1 1

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During last summer six species appeared in all of the gardens that were surveyed – Blackbird (in all gardens since 2002), Blue Tit (in all gardens since 2004), Wood Pigeon (in all gardens since 2005), Robin (in all gardens since 2007, except in 2013 when in 99%), Great Tit and Dunnock. In addition the Chaffinch appeared in all rural gardens. The Jackdaw was in 75% of gardens, the highest since our summer surveys began, and similarly Coal Tit reached a new high, in 72% of gardens, as did Siskin, in 46%, Goldcrest, in 39% and Stock Dove, in 32%. At the other end of the spectrum, the House Sparrow was reported in only 84% of gardens, the lowest since our summer surveys began.

Table 3 shows the frequency of the ‘Top 20’ species in our summer gardens. This is measured by calculating how many weeks in total each species was recorded (all gardens), and comparing it with the maximum possible number of weeks, in the case of 2016 this being 2,280 weeks (76 gardens x 30 weeks). For the fourth summer in a row the Wood Pigeon was the most frequent visitor to our gardens. Several species occurred at the highest levels of frequency since our summer survey started, including Great Tit, Goldfinch (a level of 65% compared to just 16% in 1998), Magpie, Jackdaw (a level of 38% compared to a mere 6% in 1998), Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit. We can also see in Table 3 the percentage-points change between the average during 1998-2004, and 2016. The clear ‘winner’ is the Goldfinch (up 42 points), others with large gains being Wood Pigeon (up 23 points), Jackdaw (up 24 points) and Magpie (up 20 points). No prizes for guessing what the biggest ‘losers’ were over the same period, with Starling down 20 points, Greenfinch down 17 points and House Sparrow down 18 points.

TABLE 3 FREQUENCY OF THE TOP 20 SPECIES POS 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 average average % point change 2005 to 2011 1998 to 2004 1998-2004 to 2016

1 WOOD PIGEON 90 90 90 90 91 86 67 +23 2BLACKBIRD 89 88 88 89 92 88 87 +2 3BLUE TIT 86 83 84 82 86 84 82 +4 4ROBIN 84 81 79 77 81 80 72 +12 5DUNNOCK 75 75 73 73 78 73 66 +9 6GREAT TIT 73 71 71 68 72 69 64 +9 7 COLLARED DOVE 66 69 65 71 73 75 75 -9 8GOLDFINCH 65 63 61 59 60 52 23 +42 9CHAFFINCH 64 63 63 65 69 67 62 +2 10HOUSE SPARROW 61 61 59 60 65 69 79 -18 11=MAGPIE 57 55 53 46 45 42 37 +20 11=STARLING 57 56 56 55 60 64 77 -20 13GREENFINCH 51 48 51 55 57 66 68 -17 14WREN 39 32 28 28 32 31 35 +4 15JACKDAW 38 35 33 29 27 22 14 +24 16COAL TIT 28 25 20 18 20 21 18 +10 17LONG-TAILED TIT 26 20 17 19 21 15 11 +15 18 GT SP WOODPECKER 24 23 19 23 25 21 17 +7 19CARRION CROW 23 24 21 19 20 19 15 +8 20SONG THRUSH 20 18 16 19 20 23 28 -8

8 The Species

The following comments cover the more significant events in Summer 2016, and major changes since the summer survey started in 1998.

Wildfowl to Grey Heron As usual, the Mallard is the highest placed species of wildfowl, appearing in 25% of gardens, mostly those in rural areas. Four other species of wildfowl were also recorded in summer 2016. The Pheasant is the highest-placed game bird, recorded in 28% of gardens, with Red-legged Partridge in 12%, both appearing only in rural gardens, as might be expected. Recorded in both rural and urban sites, the Grey Heron was in 20% of gardens, the highest since our summer surveys began. One that visited Lawrence Jarrett’s Luton garden during the winter of 2015/16 then lost the lower part of its left leg, but was seen again in his garden in September, when it managed to “stumble over the protective wires to catch a goldfish!”

Raptors Once again the Sparrowhawk remains the most regular raptor in our survey, but is erratic in its appearances, recorded in 63% of gardens in Summer 2016. Both Common Buzzard and Red Kite are being seen hunting over, or even perched in, our gardens and that of course reflects the general pattern seen in the county at large. However, please ensure that if you ‘tick the box’ on the survey form for these species, that they are actively hunting your garden space and not merely flying over. The Kestrel and the Hobby also make their appearances in our list, though both as usual, were restricted to rural gardens.

Rails to pigeons The Moorhen appeared in six rural gardens, but a surprise was the debut appearance of Water Rail in our Summer survey.

Black-headed Gulls appeared in just two gardens, typically both in urban areas, but Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull failed to appear at all.

Once again the Wood Pigeon was recorded in all gardens, as it has been since 2005. In fact it has only been missing from one garden since our summer survey started in 1998. For the fourth summer running it was also the most frequent visitor. The Collared Dove was recorded in 97% of gardens surveyed last summer, being absent only from one rural and one urban garden. As reported in our previous summer survey the Stock Dove is becoming more frequent in our gardens in urban as well as rural gardens, in total appearing in 32% of gardens last summer, the highest level since our summer survey began. The Feral Pigeon shows more regularly, as we would expect, in urban gardens, being recorded in 43% of those last summer, compared to 9% of rural gardens.

Owls to woodpeckers Tawny Owls were recorded in 22% of our gardens last summer and, as expected, virtually all in rural areas. One lucky garden owner recorded a Barn Owl, whilst the Little Owl was reported in two of the gardens.

The Swift was recorded hunting over 37% of gardens, over slightly more rural gardens (39%) than urban (33%). Some fortunate garden owners recorded Kingfishers in their gardens and, in 7% of gardens, that was the highest since our summer surveys began.

The results for our two common woodpeckers remain fairly stable, with the Great Spotted Woodpecker appearing in 61% of gardens, and the Green Woodpecker showing in 41%. Both show a preference for rural gardens, particularly the Green Woodpecker. However one in Andrew Budd’s garden was

9 a garden first for him. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, now very scarce anywhere in the county, was reported from just one of the gardens surveyed in Summer 2016.

Crows Between them, members of the crow family remain widespread and very regular visitors to our gardens, and as before three crow species are included in the ‘Top 20’ most frequent visitors. The Magpie appeared in 95% of all gardens, being absent from just one rural and three urban gardens. Carrion Crows were reported in 68% of gardens, well spread in both rural and urban sites, whilst the Jackdaw was in 75% of gardens, the highest level yet for this increasing species. Compared to the Carrion Crow and Magpie it shows a stronger preference for rural gardens, in 91% of those, compared to 50% of urban sites. The Jay was in 29% of gardens, again mostly from those in rural areas.

Goldcrest to tits The Goldcrest appeared in 39% of gardens last summer, the highest level since our summer surveys started in 1998. It shows a preference for rural gardens (in 49% of those) compared to urban gardens (in 27% of those). One in Marion Hession’s Great Barford garden was her first garden record since 2009. The picture for Coal Tit continues to improve and, in 72% of gardens, was the highest since 2011, when in 77%. It is another species that shows a preference in the summer for rural gardens, appearing in 80% of those, compared to 60% of gardens in urban areas, although the recent growth has been in urban gardens, particularly noticed by Lawrence Jarrett in his Luton garden.

The Blue Tit has been recorded in all summer gardens (except from one in 2003, which was probably an anomaly), since our survey started. The level of frequency remains consistently high too. Much the same can be said for the Great Tit, recorded in all gardens last summer, and apart from the first summer of our survey, has never been lower than in 96% of gardens. The frequency is also increasing, and at 73%, reached its highest level yet. The Marsh Tit just about hangs on to its place in our summer survey, being recorded in just one rural and one urban garden last summer, but sadly no longer in my own garden in Woburn. The number of gardens attracting Long-tailed Tits was about average, but the frequency was the highest ever, at 26%, with rural gardens at 32% and urban gardens at 15%. Overall, that compares to a frequency of a mere 8% in 1998, a remarkable increase.

Warblers The Blackcap remains the most familiar warbler in our summer gardens, although it can be erratic from year to year, appearing in 58% of those gardens covered last summer. As expected, most of those were

10 in rural areas (in 67%) compared to urban sites (in 43% of those). Again, it has shown a huge increase since 1998, when in 25% of gardens, but that also reflects the increase in the Blackcap population in the countryside at large. The Chiffchaff appeared in more summer gardens than ever before (or at least since 1998), with a strong preference for rural sites. The Willow Warbler appeared in 26% of the gardens, somewhat above the average level for the last ten summers, but below the average for the first five summers in our survey. However, of the 20 gardens in which it appeared, it only showed for a maximum of four weeks in just two of those, suggesting that they were all merely passing through. That compares to the Chiffchaff, which appeared in 11 of the gardens for ten or more weeks, suggesting that they were breeding in the gardens, or at least close by. Other members of the warbler family to show in our Summer 2016 gardens were Common Whitethroat (in 14%), Garden Warbler (in 7%), Lesser Whitethroat (in 7%), Reed Warbler (in 5%) and Sedge Warbler (in 4%).

Nuthatch to Starling The Nuthatch appeared in 17% of gardens, about the average since 2011, but higher than the previous 13 summers to that. The Treecreeper showed in 7% of gardens, again about the recent average. As expected, both species show a strong preference for rural gardens.

The Wren appeared in 93% of gardens last summer, the highest since the same level in 2003. It remains comfortably in our ‘Top 20’ most frequent summer garden visitors, again at its highest frequency level since 2003.

Regarding the Starling, we wrote with some optimism after the result for the summer of 2015, but last summer the appearances dropped back to 93%, the lowest since 2010, when in 92%. In terms of sites, they showed in more rural gardens (89%) than in urban sites, but their frequency is slightly higher in urban gardens (at 59%) than those in rural areas (56%).

Thrushes and Spotted Flycatcher After the increase in gardens holding the Song Thrush in the summer of 2015, last summer saw another increase, to 68%, the highest since 72% in 2012 (but still much lower than the 83% of gardens in 2003). Once again, it is largely absent from urban gardens (showing in only 33%) of those, compared to rural sites (in 91% of those). It was only frequent (in more than seven weeks) in just one of the urban gardens, but David Withers was pleased with one in his Ampthill garden, his first for at least four years. Generally speaking, the Mistle Thrush is not doing so well (it is now Red-listed) and last summer it appeared in only 16% of gardens, after an apparent improvement in the previous summer. It is found almost entirely in only rural gardens.

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One of the most familiar garden birds remains the Blackbird. Once again there is not much new to say, apart from confirming that it has been seen in every surveyed garden since 2002, and it maintains a very high frequency rate too, beaten off the top spot only by the Wood Pigeon. Similarly, the Robin is a high- profile garden bird, in never less than 99% of gardens since 2004, and at a very stable frequency rate.

The situation for Spotted Flycatcher is rather different of course, and during last summer was recorded, for the third summer in a row, in just 5% of the gardens, and in only one garden with any regularity in 2016. In the summer of 1999 it appeared in 20% of the gardens!

Dunnock to buntings The Dunnock was reported from all gardens, and once again at a frequency of 75%, thus maintaining its position as one of our ‘Top 5’ most frequent garden visitors.

The House Sparrow was recorded in only 84% of gardens last summer, the lowest since our summer surveys began. The average number of gardens attracting this species for the period 1998 to 2004 was 98%. Scratching around for some positive news shows that at least the frequency has stayed fairly flat for the last four summers. As before, the best showing comes from urban gardens (in 90% of those), compared to rural sites (in 80% of those). The frequency of appearances is stronger too in urban areas, at 69%, compared to 55% in rural gardens.

Moving on to a more positive note, the Goldfinch appeared in 95% of gardens last summer, with a frequency of 65% the highest yet, making it the eighth most frequent summer garden visitor. In 1998, the first year of our summer surveys, it had a frequency of just 16%.

The Chaffinch appeared in an average of 98% of the surveyed gardens during 2002 to 2012, but since then that average figure has dropped to 95%. Perhaps more telling, the frequency has dropped too, from a high of 70% in 2008 to 64% for last summer. John Tomlin, from his garden, asked “where have all the Chaffinches gone?”, and similarly David Allen, from his Wootton garden, asked the same question. In my own garden, in Woburn, they used to be a ‘given’ each week, but now we have to search out for their visits to the garden. It is well known that the Greenfinch is suffering, although the number of gardens and frequency seems to have stabilized in the last two or three summers. Both Andrew Budd, in Ampthill, and Lawrence Jarrett, in Luton, remarked that their Greenfinches had increased this summer. Compared to the early years of our summer surveys, though, the current levels are extremely worrying. In the recent review of the state of our species, the British race of the Greenfinch is now Red- listed.

The Bullfinch showed in 22% of the gardens, a slight improvement after the previous summer, but down compared to the period 2010 to 2014. Of the 18 gardens that held Bullfinches, only eight recorded them on a regular basis.

Of the more typical ‘winter finches’, the Siskin showed in more of our summer gardens than before (in 46%) and Lesser Redpolls did well too, in 20% of gardens. The most widespread bunting in our gardens in the summer of 2016 was the Reed Bunting, in 14% of surveyed gardens. The next was the Yellowhammer, appearing in 7% of gardens, but that was the lowest level since 2007, when in 6%.

Summary Our summer garden survey has now been running for 19 years (and the winter survey even longer). Once again we have to thank the enthusiasm of our members for supporting our garden feeding projects, with many of you taking part since their inception. As usual, with the results from Summer

12 2016, we can see both expected and surprising trends, not all positive of course, but it does give us a good picture of what birds are occurring (or are not) in one of our most valuable habitats – our gardens.

Barry Nightingale

GARDEN SISKINS DURING WINTER 2015/16 TO SUMMER 2016

Introduction The appearances of Siskins in our gardens, as measured by our Garden Bird Feeding Surveys, can be very erratic from year to year, as indeed they can be in the countryside at large. During the Winter 2015/16 (i.e. October 2015 to March 2016) they were recorded in 32% of our gardens, one of the highest levels since our winter garden bird surveys began in 1993. In the summer period that followed (i.e. March to September 2016) they were found in 46% of the surveyed gardens, which is the highest level since our summer surveys started in 1998. The purpose of this brief article is to emphasise some of the findings, and also discuss the possibility that they may have bred in the county during the summer of 2016.

The results The following graph shows the gardens that held Siskins during the 52 weeks, from week starting 4th October 2015 (week 1 in the graph) to week starting 25th September 2016 (week 52 in the graph). As the surveyed summer gardens were slightly different to those covered in the winter period I have shown the gardens holding Siskins as a percentage of the total (82 gardens during Winter 2015/16 and 76 gardens during Summer 2016). Remarkably, in the weeks from 8th November 2015 to 10th July 2016, there was only one week when Siskins were not reported in at least one of our gardens.

The graph clearly shows that, although the percentage of gardens attracting Siskins started to increase around week 16 (starting 17th January), the peak level of gardens wasn’t reached until we were into the ‘summer survey’ period, during the week starting 20th March. That was presumably reflecting those Siskins that had spent the winter farther south and were passing through Bedfordshire as they headed north for the summer. The number of gardens remained at a relatively high level for another four weeks (until week starting 17th April) until tailing off.

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Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Did they breed locally in 2016? In my own garden, in Woburn, their winter appearances basically following the pattern shown in the above graph, and apart from a couple of records in December 2015, Siskins started appearing regularly each week from late January onwards. There was a maximum of two pairs visiting my feeders throughout March, then a male and two females up to the 16th April, with a single pair on the 18th. I didn’t see the female again, but the male (an incredibly bright specimen) was still visiting the feeders on the 7th May.

I was then away on holiday, returning home on the 29th May, by which time I had expected ‘my garden’ Siskins to have moved on. I was very surprised therefore to see two juveniles on the feeders on the 30th May, and then regularly until the 20th June. A single juvenile visited on the 29th June, and then the (presumed same) male appeared on the 1st July (giving me the first June and July Siskin records for my garden). There were then two juveniles on the 9th, and then four, or possibly five, juveniles on the 27th July. Three remained to the 5th August, two to 2nd September, and finally one on the 4th September.

Siskins typically breed in either Spruce or Larch, and whilst my garden does not offer any suitable breeding habitat, there are large stands of Larch less than half a kilometre away, in Woburn Park. If I compare this series of sightings with the BTO breeding status categories, then at best they only reach the status of ‘possible breeding’ (a singing male). However, with perhaps a large dose of wishful thinking on my part, I can imagine that the female, last seen on 18th April, then settled down to nest somewhere nearby, and the juveniles, seen from late May through to September, were the result of a successful local breeding activity. However, with no firm evidence to prove otherwise, then at best it was just a possibility that they bred in the Woburn area during the summer of 2016.

Barry Nightingale

FRANK GRIBBLE

Some of Bedfordshire's birders may have known Frank. I met him when I worked at the BTO but he was from Bedfordshire originally. The last time I saw him was at Danish Camp at Willington a few years ago when he was back visiting family. A really nice chap. – Richard Bashford

"I've heard that Frank Gribble passed away today. Many of my Shropshire and Staffordshire birding friends will have known Frank well. He made a huge contribution to local ornithology over the years, a keen supporter of BTO and bird clubs, and always a pleasure to be with." – Dawn Balmer

14 I met Frank when I first started birding in the early 1960s he was a great friend and inspiration to a group of aspiring young Bedfordshire birders in those days including Nick Dymond, Peter Raey, Peter Kitchener, Martin Wilkinson and myself. We use to meet up at the old Bedfordshire Sewage Farm in its glory years. - Peter Smith

Fantastic chap! He was the first to identify the first English (and Bedfordshire) and second European record of Wilson's Phalarope found by Harry Cole at Stanford G.P. on 10th May 1958. He identified it the following day from a painting by Arthur Brook in an old copy of the National Geographic Magazine which he had purchased because it contained plates of American birds. It was not illustrated in any British identification guides at that time. He also recalled that 'everyone else at all competent in the BNHS was on a field trip to the coast! - Dave Kramer

2016 BIRD RECORDS

Now the New Year is upon us please can you submit any remaining records for 2016 to me as soon as possible. If you have used BirdTrack then your records will have reached me, if not please ensure I have them by the end of February at the latest. We need your records not only to write the annual Beds Bird Report but to also identify key areas for birds in the county and afford them some protection for the future. This can only be done with comprehensive records of all species, not just rarities. Breeding evidence codes are especially useful and can be used to highlight that an area is even more important for the species recorded there.

I look forward to receiving your records Steve Blain [email protected]

NEW MEMBERS

We would like to welcome the following new members to the Beds Bird Club:

Craig Cairns, Marston Moretaine Dean Fryer-Saxby, Luton Stuart Warren, Langford Mark Worsey, Markyate

We hope you will enjoy many years of membership with us. Mary Sheridan

ILLUSTRATIONS BY:

Andy Grimsey: Velvet Scoter Full Moon Images: Siskin Sean D’Arcy: Starling; Goldcrest Steve Blain: Bewick’s Swans; Grey Phalarope

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The Bedfordshire Bird Club is the ornithological section of the Bedfordshire Natural History Society Registered Charity Number 268659

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