Dorset Bird Report 2014
Published November 2016
© 2016 Dorset Bird Club
2014 Dorset Bird Report 1
2014Report.indd 1 14/11/2016 17:51 Taylor Andrews Ltd CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS
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2 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 2 14/11/2016 17:51 DORSET BIRD REPORT 2014
CONTENTS
...... 5 ...... Report Production Team ...... Notes for Contributors 6-7 ...... A Brief Review and Highlights of the Year 8-9 ...... 15 The Dorset List 10-14 NotesSystematic to Systematic List for List2014...... 16-146 ...... Escapes 147-148 ...... 151 Pending and Requested Records 149-150 ...... Not Proven Records ...... Dorset Bird Ringing – Summary for 2014 152-153 ...... Dorset Bird Ringing – Selected Recoveries in 2014 154-163 ...... Dorset Bird Ringing – County Totals up to end of 2014 164-169 ...... Short-toed Eagle - A new species for Dorset - Paul Morton 170 ...... Northern Harrier - A new species for Dorset - Peter Moore 171-172 ...... Little Bustard - Finders account - Mike Morse 172-174 ...... Purbeck Breeding Seabird Survey - Sophie Lake, Footprint Ecology 174-188 ...... County Map 189-191 ...... Gazetteer 192-196 ...... List of Contributors 197-201 Photographic Credits Inside Back Cover
2014 Dorset Bird Report 3
2014Report.indd 3 14/11/2016 17:51 We offer
Tailor-made birding & wildlife tours Specialists in out-of-print Themed birding and wildlife walks NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS Local guides for groups Books bought & sold Illustrated wildlife talks UK & overseas wildlife tours and guides Log on to our website for a full stock list or contact us for a copy Check out our website or contact us of our latest catalogue for further details
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Neil Gartshore, Moor Edge, 2 Bere Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4DD 01929 552560
4 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 4 14/11/2016 17:51 DORSET BIRD REPORT 2014
PRODUCTION TEAM
Editor:
Species Accounts: Marcus Lawson
Mute Swan to Mallard Marcus Lawson Pintail to Ruddy Duck Robin Trundle Galliformes to Spoonbill Marcus Lawson Raptors to Coot Geoff Upton Waders Daragh Croxson Skuas to Terns Ian Stanley Auks to Woodpeckers Clive Cottrell Larks to Wheatears Nevil Fowler Thrushes to Sylvia Warblers Shaun Robson Phylloscs to Starlings Geoff Upton Sparrows to Buntings John Lockwood Escapes Marcus Lawson Ringing Information:
Map: Kevin Sayer
Gazetteer: Nick Hull
Nick Hull
CURRENT COMMITTEE OF THE DORSET BIRD CLUB
Trustees: George Green, John Lockwood, Jol Mitchell, Robin Trundle General Manager: Marcus Lawson [email protected] Secretary: Allan Reese Treasurer: Trevor Buck Conservation Officer: Jol Mitchell Membership Secretary: Diana Dyer [email protected] Guided Walks: Richard Charman [email protected] County Recorder: Marcus Lawson [email protected]
Dorset Records Panel
: Dave Chown, Kevin Lane, Mike Morse, Ian Stanley, Dave Taylor.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 5
2014Report.indd 5 14/11/2016 17:51 NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS
Dorset Bird Report
The is an annual publication by the Dorset Bird Club of records and papers on all aspects of Dorset ornithology. All contributions, from both residents and visitors to the county, in the form of records, papers, drawings and photographs are welcomed. All contributors are acknowledged in the report. These notes should assist you if you wish to WHATcontribute RECORDS to the report. DO WE WANT?
Due to the volume of records received it is not possible to list every one in the report. All records are valuable and the report is an edited summary highlighting the occurrence and status of each species for that year. The DBC database, managed through the Dorset Environmental Records Centre, is an archive of all the records where they are accessible by groups or individuals for future reference.
Please refer to the Dorset Bird List here http://www.dorsetbirds.org.uk/#/dorset-bird- list/4545548008 which lists the type of records requested for each species. This list can also be found in this report on pages 10-14. Species requiring a full written description are marked with either (*) for national rarities, or (D) for birds which are rare or scarce in the county. Descriptions of national rarities will be forwarded to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), whilst records of locally rare or scarce birds will be assessed by the Dorset Records Panel (DRP). The DRP reserves the right to request further information in order to assess records, if necessary. This may include records of species not usually requiring a full written description if they are, for example, reported from an unusual ANDlocation WHERE or unseasonal FROM? time of year. Unsubstantiated records will not be published.
Records are welcomed from all parts of the county. There is a natural bias towards coastal sites and nature reserves as they are excellent places to see birds. Many of these sites produce their own reports, which are incorporated into the Dorset Bird Report, but please don’t assume that your records will be forwarded to us automatically by other organisations. Records away from these sites are often thin on the ground, so “local patch” records and casual recording from less well-watched areas are very important – this includes such sites as your own garden! These enable us to gain as full a picture as possible of what is happening to Dorset’s birds. Many national surveys are carried out annually in the county as part of the wider picture of the UK’s bird life. A copy of any Dorset results would be greatly appreciated HOWso the SHOULDinformation I SEND can beMY added RECORDS to our IN? database.
recorder@dorsetbirds .org .uk Casual records and descriptions of rare and scarce birds can be e-mailed to the DBC at the following address: This is also the correct address to send any local patch bird reports to, as well as any completed DBC spreadsheets.
6 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 6 14/11/2016 17:51 WHEN SHOULD I SUBMIT MY RECORDS?
If possible, individual records should be sent to the County Recorder periodically throughout the year to enable them to be logged on to the database over a period of time. This will help to ensure that there will not be a backlog of data inputting to be done all at once which can hold up production of the annual bird report.
Please, at the latest, send records in by the end of January the following year. Late records will be accepted, but it may not be possible to include them in the report for that year.
Records of birds requiring a full written description should be submitted as soon after the sighting as possible.recorder@dorsetbirds Rarity description .org forms .uk can be found here http://www.dorsetbirds. org.uk/#/dorset-bird-list/4545548008 and once completed should be sent to the county WHOrecorder SHOULD at I SUBMIT MY RECORDS TO?
BirdTrack,
The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) recording system, allows the individual to input records directly online which the County Recorder can then access. This is the preferred way in which we would like to receive your records. BirdTrack This from the BTO website: BirdTrack “ is an exciting tool that looks at migration movements and distributions of birds throughout Britain and Ireland. provides facilities for observers to store and manage their own personal records as well as using these to support species conservation at local, regional, national and international scales.”
More details on Birdtrack can be found here: Whenhttp://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/about/introducing-birdtrack-home registering please ensure to check the box which allows the forwarding of recordshttp://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/taking-part/how-register to the County Recorder .
All other records should be submitted directly to the County Recorder .
Please note that all records requiring a full written description at either county or national level should be sent directly to the County Recorder using the forms available here: http://www .dorsetbirds .org .uk/#/dorset-bird-list/4545548008
Records of rare and scarce birds in Dorset will only be entered onto the official Dorset totals after acceptance by either BBRC or DRP .
Excel
An spreadsheet is available for listing your sightings and is transferable directly into the database, thereby saving a lot of time. If anyone wishes to receive a copy (instructions will be given on its use), please contact the County Recorder.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 7
2014Report.indd 7 14/11/2016 17:51 A BRIEF REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Marcus Lawson
276 species recorded for the year is above the mean for the previous 9 years, although several more species could be added once descriptions have been received and accepted thereafter.2005 The table below shows2008 the annual totals2010 for the2011 past 102012 years. 2014 258 258 2006 2007 2009 2013 270 268 278 261 278 274 269 276
The 2013 total moves up to 269 with the acceptance of a Cory’s Shearwater on 23rd December.
1stBelow Northern are the Harrierrarity highlights (10 or fewer previous records) for the year in the county: 1st Short-toed Eagle Citrine Wagtail - Portland 21st April (see p171-172). Little Bustard - Morden Bog 31st May to 1st June (see p170). 2ndThrush Nightingale - Portland Bird Observatory 11th May. 5th Red-breasted Goose- West Bexington 18th November (see p172-174). 5th Isabelline Shrike - Portland Bill 13th June. 5th Western Bonelli’s Warbler - Poole Harbour & Stanpit Marsh 24th March to 3rd April. 6th Great Shearwater - Hengistbury Head 15th-16th November. 6th Lesser Yellowlegs - Portland Bird Observatory 16th August. 9th - St Aldhelm’s Head 8th July. 9th - Brownsea Lagoon 8th December.
Several veryKumlien’s rare subspecies Gull were also seen during the year: Greenland White-fronted Goose 3rd-4thGrey-headed Wagtail - Abbotsbury, Chesil Cove & West Bexington February and March. 6th - Abbotsbury Swannery 9th November to year end. 7th - TemperatureOld Harry in 31st South May. England 2014 (Against 1981-2010 Period Average)
20.0
18.0
16.0
14.0
12.0
10.0
Mean Temp (°C) Mean Temp 8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2014 S England 1981-2010 S England
8 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 8 14/11/2016 17:51 Short-toed Eagle and Northern Harrier 423 With the addition of the Dorset list now stands at species.
It is never too late to submit any descriptions of rare or scarce species from previous years and these late submissions are welcomed by the Dorset Bird Club as it helps to create a more complete picture of the frequency of their occurrence. I am indebted to Geoff Upton for his continued assistance in entering many thousands of records from various sources which otherwise would have beenRainfall lost. in South England 2014 (Against 1981-2010 Period Average)
180.0
160.0
140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0 Rainfall (mm)
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2014 S England 1981-2010 S England
Sunshine Hours in South England 2014 (Against 1981-2010 Period Average)
300.0
250.0
200.0
150.0 Sunshine Hours 100.0
50.0
0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2014 S England 1981-2010 S England
2014 Dorset Bird Report 9
2014Report.indd 9 14/11/2016 17:51 THE DORSET LIST
NBLetters - Species in brackets recorded indenote 2014 arewhich highlighted types of in recordsbold are requested for each species.
Mute Swan Bewick’s Swan Red-legged Partridge Whooper Swan (B C M) BlackGrey PartridgeGrouse (D) Bean Goose (A) Quail (B C) (D) Pheasant (A) White-fronted (D) Goose Golden (A) Pheasant GreylagPink-footed Goose Goose (D) Red-throated (U) Diver (A) Black-throated Diver (A) Canada Goose (A) Great Northern Diver (A) BarnacleSnow Goose Goose (D) (A) Brent Goose (B C) (A) Red-breasted Goose (A) LittleWhite-billed Grebe Diver (D) Egyptian Goose (C F&L I) GreatPied-billed Crested Grebe Grebe (*) (*) Red-necked (BGrebe C) Shelduck (A) Slavonian Grebe (B C) MandarinRuddy Shelduck (A) Black-necked Grebe (A) Wigeon (B C M) (A) (A) Fulmar (A) Gadwall (C M S) Black-browed Albatross (*) TealAmerican Wigeon (D) Great Shearwater (B I M) Green-winged (B C) Teal SootyCory’s ShearwaterShearwater (D) Mallard (B C M) Manx Shearwater (D) Pintail (D) Balearic Shearwater (A) Garganey (B C M) (A) (C M S) Storm Petrel (A) Shoveler (A) Leach’sMacaronesian Petrel Shearwater (*) Red-crestedBlue-winged TealPochard (*) Gannet (A) Pochard (C M S) Cormorant (D) (A) Shag (I M) (B C M) Bittern (B C I) TuftedRing-necked Duck Duck (D) (B C I) ScaupFerruginous Duck (D) (A) (B C M) American Bittern (*) Eider (A) Little Bittern (*) Lesser Scaup (*) Night Heron (D) Long-tailed (A) Duck LittleSquacco Egret Heron (*) CommonKing Eider Scoter (*) GreatCattle EgretWhite (D) Egret Surf Scoter (A) Grey Heron (A) Velvet Scoter (C M) (D) (D) (B C) Goldeneye (A) WhitePurple StorkHeron (D) SmewBufflehead (*) GlossyBlack Stork Ibis (*) Red-breasted (C MMerganser S) Spoonbill (D) Goosander (A) Honey Buzzard (*) Ruddy Duck (C I M S) (A) (A) (D) (A) Black Kite (D) 10 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 10 14/11/2016 17:51 Red Kite Little Stint Temminck’s Stint Short-toed (A) Eagle (A) MarshWhite-tailed Harrier Eagle (*) (D) Hen Harrier (*) PectoralWhite-rumped Sandpiper Sandpiper (D) Northern Harrier (A) Baird’s Sandpiper (*) (A) Curlew Sandpiper (D) (*) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (*) GoshawkPallid Harrier (*) Purple Sandpiper (A) SparrowhawkMontagu’s Harrier (D) StiltDunlin Sandpiper (*) Buzzard (D) (A) (B M) (C M) Osprey (B C M) RuffBroad-billed Sandpiper (*) KestrelRough-legged Buzzard (D) JackBuff-breasted Snipe Sandpiper (D) Red-footed (A) Falcon Snipe (A) Merlin (B M) (A) Hobby (D) (B C M) (A) Great Snipe (*) Peregrine (A) WoodcockShort-billed Dowitcher (*) WaterGyr Falcon Rail (*) Black-tailedLong-billed Dowitcher Godwit (*) Spotted Crake (B I) Bar-tailed Godwit(A) (B C M) Whimbrel (C M) (D) Curlew (C M) Little Crake (*) (C F&L M) MoorhenBaillon’s Crake (*) (B C M) Corncrake (D) CommonUpland Sandpiper Sandpiper (*) Coot (B C M) Terek Sandpiper (*) CraneAllen’s Gallinule (*) Green Sandpiper (C M W) Little (B Bustard C M) Spotted Sandpiper Redshank (*) (D) Greenshank (C M) Oystercatcher (*) Lesser Yellowlegs (C M) Black-wingedGreat Bustard (*) Stilt (C M) Avocet (B C M) Wood Sandpiper (*) Stone Curlew (*) RedshankMarsh Sandpiper (*) (A) Turnstone (A) (A) (B C M) LittleCream-coloured Ringed Plover Courser (*) Red-necked (C Phalarope M) RingedCollared Plover Pratincole (*) GreyWilson’s Phalarope Phalarope (*) (A) Pomarine Skua (D) (B C M) Arctic Skua (A) Kentish Plover (D) Long-tailed Skua (A) Dotterel (D) Great Skua (A) GoldenAmerican Plover Golden Plover (D) (D) GreyPacific Plover Golden Plover (*) Sabine’s Gull (A) (C M) KittiwakeIvory Gull (*) (C M) (D) LapwingSociable Plover (*) Black-headed (B C GullM) KnotWhite-tailed Plover (*) LittleBonaparte’s Gull Gull (*) Sanderling (B C M) (B C M) (A) (A) (A) Ross’s Gull (*) Semipalmated Sandpiper (*) MediterraneanLaughing Gull (*) Gull Western Sandpiper (*) Franklin’s Gull (*) Red-necked Stint (*) (A) 2014 Dorset Bird Report 11
2014Report.indd 11 14/11/2016 17:51 Common Gull Ring-billed Gull Kingfisher Lesser Black-backed (C M S) Gull Bee-eaterLittle Swift (*) Herring Gull (D) (A) Yellow-legged Gull (B C M) Hoopoe (D) Caspian Gull (B C M) RollerWryneck (*) (A) Green Woodpecker (A) Iceland Gull (D) Great Spotted (A) Woodpecker GlaucousAmerican HerringGull Gull (*) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (B) Great Black-backed (A) Gull (B M) (A) Short-toed Lark (A) (B C M) Calandra Lark (*) LittleSooty Tern (*) Woodlark (D) Bridled Tern (*) SkylarkLesser Short-toed Lark (*) (B C F&L M) (A) Gull-billed Tern (*) Sand Martin (B C M) BlackCaspian Tern Tern (*) SwallowShore Lark (D) White-wingedWhiskered Tern Black (*) Tern House Martin (B C F&L M) Sandwich Tern (A) Red-rumped (B C F&LSwallow M) (D) (B C F&L M) (B C F&L M) Richard’s Pipit (D) CommonLesser Crested Tern Tern (*) Cliff Swallow (*) RoseateForster’s TernTern (*) (D) Arctic Tern (B F&L I M) Blyth’s Pipit (*) Guillemot (A) TreeTawny Pipit Pipit (D) (A) Olive-backed Pipit (*) Razorbill (B I M) Meadow Pipit (A) BlackBrünnich’s Guillemot Guillemot (*) Pechora Pipit (*) Little Auk (B I M) Rock Pipit (B C M) Puffin (D) WaterRed-throated Pipit Pipit (D) (A) Yellow Wagtail (B C M) Feral Pigeon (A) Citrine Wagtail (A) StockPallas’s Dove Sandgrouse (*) Grey Wagtail (A) Woodpigeon (C U) White/Pied Wagtail (*) Collared Dove (C M) (B C M) Turtle Dove (C M) Dipper (B C M) Ring-necked Parakeet (C M) WrenWaxwing (A) (A) (A) Cuckoo (A) Dunnock (U) Great Spotted Cuckoo (*) Brown Thrasher (*) Barn Owl (B F&L M) Robin (U) Yellow-billed Cuckoo (*) AlpineThrush Accentor Nightingale (*) Little Owl (A) Nightingale (M U) TawnyScops Owl Owl (*) (*) Long-eared (A) Owl (A) Short-eared (B Owl C) Siberian Rubythroat (*) Nightjar (A) BlackBluethroat Redstart(D) (A) RedstartRed-flanked Bluetail (*) (A) Whinchat (A) SwiftEgyptian Nightjar (*) Stonechat (B F&L M) Common Nighthawk (*) (B F&L M) (B C F&L M) Wheatear (B C M) Pallid Swift (*) Siberian Stonechat (*) Alpine Swift (D) (B F&L M) 12 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 12 14/11/2016 17:51 Willow Warbler Goldcrest Pied Wheatear (*) Firecrest (B F&L M) Black-eared Wheatear (*) Spotted Flycatcher (B M) Desert Wheatear (*) Red-breasted (A) Flycatcher RingRock ThrushOuzel (*) (B F&L M) BlackbirdGrey-cheeked Thrush (*) Pied Flycatcher (D) (A) BeardedCollared Flycatcher Tit (*) Fieldfare (M U) Long-tailed Tit (A) SongBlack-throated Thrush Thrush (*) Blue Tit (A) Redwing (C F&L M) Great Tit (B C) Mistle Thrush (B M) Coal Tit (U) (C F&L M) (U) Cetti’s Warbler (B M) Marsh Tit (B C) American Robin (*) WillowNuthatch Tit (D) (A) (B C) GrasshopperFan-tailed Warbler Warbler (*) Treecreeper (B C) Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler (*) Wallcreeper (*) Aquatic Warbler (A) (B C) Savi’sSedge Warbler Warbler (*) GoldenShort-toed Oriole Treecreeper (*) (D) IsabellinePenduline Tit Shrike (*) (B F&L M) Red-backed Shrike (D) MarshPaddyfield Warbler Warbler (*) (*) ReedBlyth’s Warbler Reed Warbler (*) Great Grey Shrike (A) (D) Lesser Grey Shrike (*) (B F&L M) (A) Great Reed Warbler (*) JaySouthern Grey Shrike (*) Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (*) MagpieWoodchat Shrike (D) IcterineBooted Warbler Warbler (*) (B M) MelodiousSykes’s Warbler Warbler (*) (C) Blackcap (D) JackdawNutcracker (*) Garden Warbler (D) RookChough (D) Barred Warbler (B M W) Carrion Crow (C M) Lesser Whitethroat (B F&L M) Hooded (C) Crow (D) Raven (C) (B F&L M) Starling (A) WhitethroatOrphean Warbler (*) Rose-coloured (A) Starling DartfordAsian Desert Warbler Warbler (*) House Sparrow (C M) Subalpine Warbler (B F&L M) Tree Sparrow (D) (B M) (C M) (D) Chaffinch (A) Sardinian Warbler (*) BramblingRed-eyed Vireo (*) Pallas’sGreenish Warbler Warbler (D) Serin (C M) ArcticYellow-browed Warbler (*) Warbler Greenfinch (A) (D) Goldfinch (A) (A) Siskin (C M) DuskyHume’s Warbler Warbler (*) Linnet (C M) WesternRadde’s Warbler Bonelli’s (D) Warbler Twite (B C M) (D) Lesser (BRedpoll C M) Wood Warbler (*) Common(D) Redpoll ChiffchaffEastern Bonelli’s Warbler (*) (B C M) (A) (D) (B M W) Arctic Redpoll (D) Iberian Chiffchaff (*) Two-barred Crossbill (*) 2014 Dorset Bird Report 13
2014Report.indd 13 14/11/2016 17:51 Crossbill Yellowhammer Common Rosefinch Cirl Bunting Bullfinch (A) Ortolan Bunting (B C) Hawfinch (D) (D) (B C M) (A) (A) Rustic Bunting (D) Northern Parula (*) ReedLittle Bunting (D) Northern Waterthrush (*) Yellow-breasted Bunting (*) LaplandSavannah Bunting Sparrow (*) Corn Bunting (B C M) SnowDark-eyed Bunting Junco (*) Black-headed Bunting (*) (A) (A) (A) TotalBobolink – 423 (*) (2014 – 276) Pine Bunting (*) Selected Identifiable Subspecies
Blue-headed Wagtail Greenland White-fronted Goose Grey-headed Wagtail TundraPale-bellied Bean BrentGoose (D)Goose White Wagtail (A) Black Brant (D) Continental Stonechat(D) (A) (A) (D) Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (A) ‘Intermedius’Continental Cormorant Lesser Black-backed (A) Gull SiberianGreenland Chiffchaff Wheatear (A) ScandinavianKumlien’s Gull Herring Gull (A) (D) Scandinavian Rock Pipit (A) (A) (D) Continental Coal Tit (A) Category D Species (A)
Hooded Merganser White Pelican Baikal Teal Greater Flamingo Ruddy Shelduck Saker Wood Duck Eagle Owl Marbled Duck Red-headed Bunting Key
A B C All records D Breeding records F&L Counts of roosts, flocks or monthly maxima I Dorset rarities and scarcities (full written description required) M First and last dates recorded S All inland records U Migration or weather movements W All records from May to August * Unusual records (albino, behaviour, etc) All winter records National rarities assessed by BBRC (full written description required)
14 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 14 14/11/2016 17:51 SYSTEMATIC LIST FOR 2014
NOTES TO SYSTEMATIC LIST
NationalThe following and termsInternational are used Importance:in the species accounts:
These terms are only applied to waterfowl: a nationally important population is defined as 1% or more of the UK population. An internationally important population is slightly more complicated: for wintering wildfowl it is 1% or more of the north-west European population, that is, the population wintering between northern Norway and the Straits of Gibraltar. For waders, it is 1% or more of the East Atlantic flyway population. Furthermore, Bird-days:a site is of international importance if it holds more than 20,000 birds in winter.
These are usually given in monthly tables. The number of bird-days in any given month is the total of the day-counts of that species in the month, so if there are 2 Chiffchaffs every day in September at a regularly watched site, the bird-day total for September is 60. A monthly maximum is often included to provide perspective. Bird-days are normally used at sites which are watched regularly, as the bird-day total is of course greatly affected by the number of days on which counts are made.
For further information on bird population trends, the JNCC/BTO Breeding Birds in the Wider Countryside Report is of immense help. The report is a “one-stop-shop” for information about the population status of our common terrestrial birds. Users can quickly find all the key information about trends in population size and breeding performance over the period 1966-2008 as measured by BTO monitoring schemes. It not only reports on population trends over the UK as a whole, but also, where possible, within specific habitats and regions. An early warning ‘alerts system’ shows where there are worrying declines in population size or reproductive success,www.bto.org/birdtrends2010 with special reference to species on the BoCC lists.
AbbreviationsIt can only be accessed used: via the web – at
ad Adult bird incl Including CBs (Water)cress Beds juv Juvenile - a bird of the year CHOG Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group max Maximum CP Country Park n/c No Count received cy Calendar Year PBO Portland Bird Observatory GC Golf Course SF Sewage Farm GP/GPs Gravel Pit(s) WeBS BTO Wetland Bird Survey imm A bird in immature plumage WMs Water Meadows
(perN, S, E,DBC W, NW,et al NE,, SW, SE - Compass points, indicating direction of flight. and - photo) - Where no description has been forwarded to the Dorset Records Panel but the bird was multi-observed well photographed.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 15
2014Report.indd 15 14/11/2016 17:51 MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Common breeding resident & winter visitor.
Breeding:
The population at Abbotsbury Swannery is of national importance. This year there were 96 nests, 77 of which hatched young but only 70 cygnets fully fledged.
Breeding was also evidenced at: Canford School, Chard Junction GP, Charmouth, Dorchester WMs, Hampreston Meadows, Hatch Pond, Holes Bay, Lodmoor, Longham Lakes, Merley Park, Moors Valley CP, Poole Park, Radipole Lake, Stanpit Marsh, Sturminster Marshall GP, SiteSwineham maxima: Point and Warmwell GPs. Apr Sep Nov 485 585 282 Jan2 Feb Mar8 May11 Jun2 Jul Aug2 Oct4 Dec11 Abbotsbury Swannery 387 318 376 427 100490 572 678 667 102 664 Chard Junction GP 7 4513 21 413 3 28 827 Christchurch Harbour 32 13 36 n/c 12 n/c25 300 340 172 3 178 Longham Lakes 675 350 465 2 27 2 2 322 262 5 0 86 Radipole Lake 4 2 47 264 4 3 59 1016 26 4 Sturminster Marshall GP 6 WeBSWest Bexington count: 3 7 Apr Sep Nov 142 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec OtherPoole Harbour significant counts:93 68 73 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 126 191 94
Holes Bay 50 on 15th Oct. Lower Avon Valley 92 on 4th Jan. CoastalShapwick passage: 90 on 9th Nov.
Branksome Chine 2 E on 8th Oct. Winspit 2 offshore on 5th Nov. BEWICK’S SWAN Cygnus columbianus Scarce winter visitor - has become less regular.
Wareham Flood Meadow 2 from 3rd-5th Jan. WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Scarce winter visitor.
per DBC
Middlebere 4 (1 ad & 3 juv) on 31st Oct ( , photo).
16 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 16 14/11/2016 17:51 BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalis Rare winter visitor.
per DBC et al Bestwall 2 were present from 6th-8th Jan but were always too distant to safely assign to race ( , photo). WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Rare winter visitor & passage migrant.
After a blank-year in 2013 just the one record was received – if this trend continues then it may well become a description species for the county.
Christchurch Harbour 1 N on 29th Nov. Anser albifrons flavirostris Rare winter visitor. GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
per DBC et al, Abbotsbury Swannery 1 took up residence from 9th Nov until the year end ( photo). GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Increasing feral breeding resident.
Breeding:
Brownsea Lagoon 1 pair raised 2 young. Poole Park 30 goslings wereApr seen on 1st May. Sep Nov 15 11 4 15 Jan10 Feb2 Mar1 May20 Jun Jul Aug Oct 2 Dec28 Christchurch Harbour 9 6 32 3 142 Longham Lakes 7 OtherPoole Harbour significant counts:93 68 73 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 126 191 94
Avon Causeway 120 on 2nd Feb, 225 on 28th Sep & 300 on 12th Oct. Poole Park 150 on 4th Jun. Warmwell GPs 62 on 13th Sep. CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Very common feral breeding resident.
Breeding:
Breeding was noted at the following sites: Brownsea, Coward’s Marsh, Lodmoor, Longham Lakes, Morden Bog, Poole Park & Warmwell GPs.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 17
2014Report.indd 17 14/11/2016 17:51 Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 44 8 42 52 580 210 20 Jan Feb Mar25 4 May Jun11 Jul4 Aug 200 Oct Dec4 Abbotsbury Swannery 15 398 700 63712 4 2027 67 Christchurch Harbour 4029 8447 8 406 44 25066 30 5073 80 Longham Lakes 322 249 9 20 2019 2460 1566 Warmwell GPs 3 56 310 590 West Bexington 37 6 7 75 39 16 Other significant counts:
Chard Junction GP 168 on 8th Nov. Coward’s Marsh 358 on 4th Jan. WeBSLodmoor counts: c400 in early Sep. Apr Sep Nov 280 10 Jan44 Feb8 Mar 42 May52 Jun Jul 580Aug Oct 42 285Dec Poole Harbour 253 126 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 166 271 299 The Fleet 39 700B. c. 637maxima 516 27 B. c . canadensis A bird showing characteristics of Giant Canada Goose ( ) was observed with 120 at Swineham GPs on 6th Dec. BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Rare winter visitor & passage migrant in a wild state and scarce feral resident.
All records:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 from 4th Jun-11th Aug. 40 on 23rd Dec. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Stanpit on 11th May, 8th & 24th Jun. Coward’s Marsh 1 from 6th-12th May. Langton Herring In Dec there were 14 on 3rd, 37 on 4th then 38 on 15th-16th This flock was also seen at Rodden Hive on several dates to the year end. Lodmoor 2 S over the reserve on 23rd Nov. Poole Harbour 1 at Swineham GPs on 29th Apr & on Keysworth Marshes on 25th May. 2 at Lytchett Bay on 22nd Aug, 4th & 11th Oct. Portland 1 E past the Verne on 1st Jun. 12 past the Bill on 23rd Nov. DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 122 0 0 0 0 28 205 Jan Feb Mar 12 May1 Jun1 Jul1 Aug Oct 452 Dec Christchurch Harbour 200275 120300 34482 164 300 Poole Harbour 1,000 1,159 611 68 1,239 The Fleet 3 175 2,000 3,500 3,000
18 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 18 14/11/2016 17:51 Coastal passage:
Durlston CP A total of 21 E from 17th Mar-3rd Apr. A total of 407 W from 2nd Sep-20th Nov. Hengistbury Head A total of 400 E from 4th Mar-23rd Apr. A total of 596 W from 12th Sep-19th Nov. Portland Bill A total of 91 E from 4th Mar-21st Apr. Inland: A total of 223 W from 13th Sep-28th Dec.
Martinstown 24 NW on 10th Oct. Branta bernicla hrota Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant. PALE-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE First winter period:
Baiter Park 1 from 6th-17th Feb. Christchurch Harbour 1 at Stanpit on 9th Jan, 1 E past Hengistbury on 31st Mar. 2 at Stanpit on 7th Apr. Ferrybridge 2 on 2nd Jan, 3 on 26th Jan. SecondLodmoor winter period: 1 in off the sea on 13th May.
Arne RSPB 1 on 29th Nov. Christchurch Harbour Singles on 7th & 14th Nov. Durlston CP 6 W on 23rd Oct & 3 W on 30th Oct. Ferrybridge 7 on 26th Oct rising to a peak of 15 on 21st Dec. Weymouth Bay 1 W on 26th Dec. Branta bernicla nigricans Scarce winter visitor - first recorded in 1991, annual since 2004. BLACK BRANT
per DBC et al The Fleet 1 at Butterstreet Cove and Ferrybridge from 12th Oct-5th Nov ( , photo). RED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis Rare vagrant with just 4 previous records.
KE Lane, P Rendle et al Poole Harbour 1 at Middlebere on 24th Mar then FitzworthP Morrison on 30th Mar et al ( ). Stanpit Marsh 1 from 31st Mar-3rd Apr, same as above ( ).
2014 Dorset Bird Report 19
2014Report.indd 19 14/11/2016 17:51 EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiaca Uncommon, but increasing, introduced resident.
There is an established population in the Avon valley where this species now breeds. This is reflected in the increasing number of records in the rest of the county. Maximum count from Otherthe Avon records valley ofwas more 62 on than 28th 2 Sep.birds:
Abbotsbury Swannery 4 on 1st Dec. Bestwall 3 on 5th May. Longham Lakes 4 on 1st Dec. Portland Bill 4 W on 1st Dec represents only the 2nd record for the area. Warmwell GPs A pair with 8 juvs on 9th Jul. SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Locally common breeding resident & fairly common winter visitor.
Breeding:
Regular breeder in coastal habitats. The only records of confirmed breeding were received Sitefrom maxima: Arne RSPB, Brownsea, Hurn GP, Lodmoor & Stanpit Marsh. Apr Sep Nov 21 28 24 4 11 2 2 12 Jan Feb Mar 102 May100 100Jun Jul28 Aug45 41 Oct 248 Dec Christchurch Harbour 17 5849 16 13 14 41 Poole Harbour 346 1,072 1,257 175 964 The Fleet 23 39 38 46 37 37 6 9 MANDARIN Aix galericulata Uncommon introduced breeding resident, mainly along the Stour valley.
Breeding:
Canford Magna GC Several breeding pairs with plenty of young seen. Canford School 2 pairs in nest boxes, 1 of which contained 24 eggs. A female was seen with 7 near full grown young at nearby Canford Bridge on 6th July. Hod Hill 1 pair raised 5 juvs. Melcombe Bingham 1 pair raised at least 1 juv. OtherMerley records: Park 4 pairs raised 13 young. Max count of 40 birds in Sep.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 from 3rd-27th Dec. Chard Junction GP Max 9 on 30th Aug. Christchurch Harbour A drake on 6th Apr and a female-type N on 21st Jun. Delph Woods Pair in Mar. Hampreston 4 on both 26th Mar & 26th Apr. Lodmoor 2 N on 21st Mar. Marnhull 3 on 15th May. 20Tadnoll Dorset Heath Bird Report 2014 Pair in Apr.
2014Report.indd 20 14/11/2016 17:51 WIGEON Anas penelope Common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 1 0 Jan Feb Mar4 1 May1 Jun1 Jul Aug1 100 200Oct 40 Dec Christchurch Harbour 17841 162 19328 116 9 9 26525 543 350 600 Lodmoor 3 17 9 OtherWarmwell significant GPs counts: 26 30 216 362
Longham Lakes 305 on 11th Jan. Lower Avon Valley 470 on 25th Feb & 300 on 9th Nov. WeBSPuddletown counts: 250 on 9th Jan & 160 on 20th Dec. Apr Sep Nov 85 Jan80 Feb1 Mar2 2 May0 Jun0 Jul1 Aug0 Oct Dec Poole Harbour 700 436 79 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 1,765 1,900 2,665 The Fleet 130 826 622 1,314
GADWALL Anas strepera Uncommon breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
The only records of proven breeding came from Lodmoor where 1 pair raised 5 chicks and Siteat Lytchett maxima: Fields where a pair raised 3 chicks. Apr Sep Nov 4 4 4 2 4 10 2 12 4 Jan2 Feb1 Mar4 8 May4 Jun12 Jul Aug 4 Oct4 5 Dec0 Abbotsbury Swannery 2 20 3 6 8 11 25 8 Christchurch Harbour 20 21 803 1103 18 Hatch Pond 100 20 59 4 2 4 2 4 4 459 Lodmoor 16 11 4 1227 160 4 2 305 900 300 Longham Lakes 15 20 11 28 42 12 2247 200 Lytchett Fields 7 14 14 344 16 10 15 50 9 Radipole Lake 24 1438 1166 4 162 1 Swineham GPs 86 57 93 WeBSWest Bexington counts: 7 Apr Sep Nov 154 158 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec OtherPoole Harbour significant counts:95 34 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 34 29 70
Lower Avon Valley 100 on 2nd March (60 Avon Causeway, 40 Coward’s Marsh). Moors Valley CP 79 on 22nd Dec.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 21
2014Report.indd 21 14/11/2016 17:51 TEAL Anas crecca Scarce breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
No records of any confirmed breeding this year. A male was heard in song around midnight Siteon 23rd maxima May in (incl the WeBS):Old Decoy area of Morden Bog. Apr Sep Nov 220 4 0 4 11 20 225 200 Jan Feb Mar 18 May2 Jun12 Jul Aug55 Oct 220 Dec Christchurch Harbour 50 14620 213 2 5 350 56 Lodmoor 29 90 54 0 8 178 66 160 270 Longham Lakes 18 3 1 1 6 8 20 42 60 20068 Poole Harbour 500746 1,135144 43651 0 5070 983 3,837 3,554 3,010 Radipole Lake 25 2595 75 4 1 4 2 73 15 The Fleet 9 3 16 600 1,037 1,000 963 OtherWest Bexington significant counts: 16 30
Avon Causeway 300 on 6th Mar. Chard Junction GP 50 on 26th Sep. Lytchett Bay 917 on 24th Sep was near double the previous high count for the site. Winterbourne Herringston 76 on 27th Feb. GREEN-WINGED TEAL Anas carolinensis Rare vagrant from North America.
per DBC et al per DBC et al Abbotsbury Swannery Drake from 6th-9th SWNov Smith ( et al , photo). Avon Causeway Drake on 1st Jan ( , photo). Brand’s Bay Drake on 31st Dec ( ). MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Very common breeding resident & winter visitor.
Breeding:
Breeding was reported from 24 sites around the county but this is clearly understating their Sitetrue maxima:status as a widespread breeder. Apr Sep Nov 58 40 4 200 150 111 Jan 41Feb Mar 18 May40 Jun 100Jul 50Aug 50Oct 48 Dec Christchurch Harbour 12 10039 1007 14 17025 Hatch Pond 30 17 60 2560 10 62 Lodmoor 11 60 70 65 30 30 30 Longham Lakes 32 17 47 2529 2237 51 2078 46 61 66 Moors Valley CP 40 13 246 229 26 712 1472 47 4036 20 30 Poole Harbour 189 297 159 84 202 77 454350 337 448332 333 Radipole Lake 14 6 60 18 305 81 8553 82 10 66 The Fleet 263 17328 13515 10 69 1761 3382 574 603 Warmwell GPs 6 6 39 9 West Bexington 65 17 16 56 90 96 22 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 22 14/11/2016 17:51 Other counts of over 100 birds:
Chard Junction GP 105 on 1st Feb. Lower Avon Valley 109 on 4th Jan. PINTAIL Anas acuta Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 18 4 5 12 Jan18 Feb 48 Mar100 May 1 Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 28 3 3 23 101 3 100 Lower Avon Valley 102 11 20 44 100 5 Poole Harbour 3 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 16 157 The Fleet
Also reported at Arne, Branksome Chine, Chard Junction GP, Chesil Cove, Ferrybridge, Lodmoor, Longham Lakes, Lytchett Bay, Radipole Lake, Swineham GPs, West Bexington and Winterbourne CoastalHerringston. passage: Apr Sep Nov 2 8 15 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct 4 Dec Christchurch Harbour 3 34 106 3 7 4 16 Durlston CP Portland Bill 6 6 6 GARGANEY Anas querquedula Uncommon passage migrant, has occasionally bred.
Spring passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 5th Jun. Brownsea 2 on 16th Apr, 1 on 24th-25th Apr. 1 on 19th May. Chesil 1 past on 29th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 2 on 9th May. Hengistbury Head 1 on 27th Mar. 1 on 29th Mar. 2 on 5th May. Lodmoor 1 on 30th Mar. 1 on 1st Jun. 1 on 16th Jun. 2 on 28th Jul. Longham Lakes 2 present from 16th-24th Apr. 3 on 3rd May. 1 on 26th Jul. Lytchett Bay 1 on 6th Jun. Radipole Lake 1 present from 29th Apr-17th Jun. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 4th Apr, 2 on 22nd Apr. 1 on 12th May, 2 on 29th May. 2 on 1st Jun. 1 on 14th Jul. Swineham GPs 1 present from 6th-20th Apr. 3 present from 26th Apr-2nd May. 2 on 3rd May, 5 on 5th May & 3 on 6th May. AutumnWest Bay passage: 1 on 3rd May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 3rd Sep. Chalbury Basin 1 on 11th Oct. Hengistbury Head 2 on 3rd Sep. Stanpit Marsh 2 on 3rd Aug, 1 on 5th Aug, 1 on 15th Aug, 1 on 27th Aug. 3 on 3rd Sep, 1 on 13th Sep, 1 on 25th Sep. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 23
2014Report.indd 23 14/11/2016 17:51 ExtremeSwineham dates: GPs 1 on 14th Sep, 1 on 27th Sep.
Hengistbury Head on 27th Mar and Abbotsbury on 4th Nov. SHOVELER Anas clypeata Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
SiteAn adult maxima: with 7 ducklings recorded at Overcombe Pool on several dates in Jul. Apr Sep Nov 8 2 5 4 5 21 11 Jan15 Feb Mar20 May Jun10 Jul8 Aug 10 Oct20 Dec Christchurch Harbour 241 180 6 2 171 25 426 1217 1859 Lodmoor 1 7 3 2 1 17 15 4 257 164 Poole Harbour 100 12 6 2 21 Radipole Lake 100 2034 38 5 8 209 21 Swineham GPs 16612 12 4 47 5 12 59 The Fleet 6 3 3 30 31 160 West Bexington 13
Also recorded at: Arne RSPB, Chard Junction GP, Durlston CP, Hatch Pond, Longham Lakes (max 35), Lytchett Bay, Middlebere, Moors Valley CP, Morden Bog, Poole Park, Sturminster CoastalMarshall passage: GP and Warmwell GPs. Apr Sep Nov 100 12 12 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 7 7 7 7 16 RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina Scarce visitor, mainly winter, from feral populations on the continent or inland Britain.
First winter period:
Canford Bridge, Wimborne 2 on 18th Apr. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 22nd Apr. OtherWimborne records: 1 on 7th Jan.
Abbotsbury Swannery 4 on 23rd Jun. POCHARD Aythya ferina Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Lodmoor At least 2 broods (of 2 & 2) late Jul.
24 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 24 14/11/2016 17:51 Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 110 25 54 25 10 5 41 205 Jan20 Feb4 Mar2 May Jun Jul2 Aug 1 Oct Dec Lodmoor 19 6 6 16 1 Longham Lakes 4 4 1 4 5 1 1 16 34 Poole Harbour 37 26 2 23 Radipole Lake 1583 219 127 20 14 115 Swineham GPs 36 38 33 9 9 The Fleet 315 19 3 7 275 360
Also recorded at: Chard Junction GP, Chesil Beach, Durlston CP, Ferrybridge, Hatch Pond, Lytchett Bay, Middlebere, Moors Valley CP, Poole Park, Stanpit Marsh, Sturminster Marshall GP and West Bexington. TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Chard Junction GP Jun to Aug 4 pairs bred, fledging 6, 4, 4 & 8 young. Lodmoor Jun 3 broods, raising 6, 4 & 3 young. Longham Lakes 21st Jul c140 young, crèche maximum 42. 24th Jul c136, Site maxima: crèche maximum 53. Apr Sep Nov 8 12 18 24 14 14 8 14 11 Jan25 Feb28 Mar14 8 May2 Jun2 Jul Aug4 14 Oct8 11 Dec Chard Junction GP 50 100 50 14 247 1023 5 1016 12 Hatch Pond 112 1403 100 23 Lodmoor 31 60 11 54 1109 Longham Lakes 16340 778 213 98 20 n/c 16310 191 32 20 164 Poole Harbour 192 2898 21 18 5 1 1 8 2077 Radipole Lake 34 31 25 16 529 8 32 35 36 Sturminster Marshall GP 2038 16 1 1 1 35 The Fleet 209 173 109 73 39 113 190 237 290 West Bexington 32 9 6 7 7 3
Also recorded at: Christchurch Harbour, Chesil Beach, Chesil Cove, Dorchester WMs, Ford Abbey, Hengistbury Head, Kingcombe Meadows NR, Lytchett Bay, Manor Farm Hampreston, Moors Valley CP, Morden Bog, Portland Harbour, Stanpit Marsh, Swineham GPs and Warmwell GPs. SCAUP Aythya marila Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 8 8 1 1 1 1 1 4 5 5 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec OtherAbbotsbury records: Swannery 3
Arne RSPB 1 on 18th Jan, 2 on 19th Jan. 3 on 5th Feb. Brownsea 1 on 4th Feb. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 25
2014Report.indd 25 14/11/2016 17:51 Butterstreet Cove 6 on 16th Feb. 3 on 17th Mar. Chickerell 6 on 18th Feb, 7 on 25th Feb. 8 on 1st Mar, 2 on 2nd Mar. Ferrybridge 1 on 26th Feb. Hatch Pond Singles on 23rd & 28th Jan. 1 on 1st Feb. Hengistbury Head 2 on 2nd Apr. 2 on 12th Oct. Lodmoor 1 on 9th Feb. Longham Lakes Singles on 19th & 21st Feb. Lytchett Bay 3 on 13th Nov. Poole Harbour 1 on 26th Jan. 3 on 23rd Feb. Poole Park Singles present from 5th-14th Jan & from 5th-25th Feb. Swineham GPs 3 on 22nd-23rd Feb, 4 on 24th Feb. 3 on 2nd Mar. Wyke Regis 3 on 19th Mar. AYTHYA HYBRID Aythya sp.
All records:
Lodmoor 1 showing characteristics of Tufted Duck x Scaup on 31st Dec. EIDER Somateria mollissima Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.
First winter period:
Christchurch Harbour 2 E 3rd Feb, 1 on 10th Feb. 3 W 7th Mar. Newton’s Cove 1 on 28th Jan. Poole Harbour 4 on 21st Jan, 1 on 7th Jan. Portland Castle 1st1 on Apr 2nd Jan, 1 on. 12th Jan. Portland Harbour 1 on 1st-10th Jan. 1 on 2nd Feb. 1 on 5th Mar, 1 on 7th Mar & Passage
: Christchurch Harbour 1 on 25th Apr. 2 on 16th May. 8 W 24th Jul. Durlston CP 1 on 30th Sep. Old Harry 2 on 30th May. Peveril Point 2 on 11th May. Poole Harbour 2 on 31st May. 2 on 8th Jun. 1 on 15th Jul. Portland Bill 12 birds past between Jan & 13th Apr. 3 on 14th Jun. 7 birds Second winter period: past between 23rd Nov & Dec.
Christchurch Harbour 4 E on 13th Oct, 10 E on 25th Oct, 3 on 26th Oct, 1 W on 27th Oct. 4 on 14th Nov, 1 on 16th Nov. Durlston CP 2 on 21st Nov. Ferrybridge 3 on 9th Dec. Portland Castle 1 on 7th Dec. Portland Harbour 3 on 17th Dec, 5 on 31st Dec. West Bexington 1 W on 22nd Nov. 26 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 26 14/11/2016 17:51 LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.
First winter period:
Chesil Cove Singles on 22nd Jan & 17th Feb then 2 on 1st Apr. Durlston CP 1 on 31st Mar. Hengistbury Head Singles on 9th Feb, 17th Feb & 31st Mar. Mudeford Quay Singles on 3rd Jan & 9th Feb. Portland Bill 1 on 26th Mar. Portland Harbour 1 on 11th Jan. SecondSwineham winter GPs period: 1 on 1st Jan.
Abbotsbury Swannery Between 26th Oct-29th Dec birds were seen virtually every day with a maximum of 4 on 4th & 15th-16th Dec. Arne RSPB 1 on 15th Dec. Chesil Cove 1 on 10th-11th Nov. Ferrybridge 1 on 10th-12th Nov. Hengistbury Head 1 on 13th Nov. Holes Bay 2 on 23rd Sep. Langton Herring 1 on 16th Nov. 2 on 16th Dec. Portland Bill 2 on 28th Dec. Radipole Lake 1 on several dates between 3rd Oct-11th Nov. Sandbanks 1 from 16th-23rd Nov. Seacombe Cliff 1 on 12th Dec. COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Locally common non-breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Coastal passage: Monthly totals: Apr Sep Nov 4 141 80 22 18 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug 85 Oct 154 Dec45 Chesil Cove 278 437 218 15 100 47 22 Durlston CP 161 79 9 40835 11813 1894 21 Hengistbury Head 177 310 165 385 146 West Bexington 27 183 168 47 36
Portland Bill 4,714 moved offshore between Mar and Jun. Other significant records: 2,424 moved offshore between Jul and Nov.
Branksome Chine 1 on 7th Jan. 3 on 10th May. 3 on 10th Aug. 2 on 6th Nov, 8 on 8th Nov, 5 on 13th Nov, 2 on 28th Nov. Chard Junction GP 1 on 5th-6th Apr represents the first site record. Christchurch Harbour Numbers of between 40 and 58 throughout Jan up to 22nd Feb. Portland Harbour 2 on 3rd Mar. 7 on 12th Dec. South Haven 14 on 26th Oct.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 27
2014Report.indd 27 14/11/2016 17:51 SURF SCOTER Melanitta perspicillata
Very rare winter visitor & passage migrant. J, T & P Gale et al
Abbotsbury Swannery 1per first-winter DBC et al drake from 9th-21st Nov ( , photo). Brands Bay The first-winter from 2013 remained until 5th Apr ( , photo). VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.
All records:
Arne RSPB 1 on 15th Nov. Chesil Cove 1 on 4th Feb. 1 on 5th May. Durlston CP 2 on 25th Oct. Ferrybridge 2 on 26th Oct. Hengistbury Head 2 on 11th Jan. 1 on 13th Feb. 1 on 6th Mar, 3 on 7th Mar. 5 on 2nd Apr. 1 on 26th Oct. 1 on 7th Nov. 1 on 1st Dec, 2 on 30th Dec. Mudeford Quay 1 on 7th Jan, 2 on 12th Jan, 1 on 21st Jan. Osmington Bay 2 on 8th Dec. Poole Harbour 1 on 19th Feb. 4 on 14th Nov. Portland Bill 2 on 13th Jan, 2 on 22nd Jan. 1 on 5th May. 1 on 6th Jun. 3 between 25th Oct-6th Nov. Portland Harbour 2 on 2nd Jan, 1 on 4th-5th Jan, 1 on 19th Jan. 1 on 26th Nov. 2 on 29th Dec. Ringstead Bay 2 on 1st-23rd Nov. 2 on 7th-21st Dec. GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 8 2 15 80 Jan Feb14 Mar5 May Jun Jul Aug 1 Oct1 Dec Poole Harbour 30 OtherThe Fleet records: 32 3 6
Baiter Park 2 on 9th Feb, 6 on 13th Feb. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 1st Jan, 1 on 27th Jan. 1 on 2nd Feb, 1 on 16th-19th Feb. 1 on 5th-6th Nov. 1 on 12th Dec. Ferrybridge 7 on 19th Jan. Lytchett Bay Max of 3 seen on 9 dates between 4th Jan-9th Feb. Poole Park 3 on 4th Jan, 9 on 10th Jan, 11 on 12th Jan, 6 on 22nd Jan. 7 on 19th Feb, 8 25th Feb. 4 on 4th Mar, 2 on 6th Mar. UnseasonalSwineham GPs records: 1 on 1st Jan, 7 on 19th Jan. 1 on 13th Apr.
Arne RSPB 1 on 24th May.
28 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 28 14/11/2016 17:51 SMEW Mergellus albellus Scarce winter visitor, subject to cold weather influxes.
First winter period:
Longham Lakes 1 on 1st Feb. Lytchett Bay 1 from 3rd-22nd Jan. SecondSwineham winter GPs period: 1 from 25th Jan-16th Feb (same as Lytchett Bay).
None were seen. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 2 11 120 Jan Feb Mar 8 May2 Jun Jul Aug Oct1 200Dec Poole Harbour 157 264 9 238 OtherPortland records: Harbour/Fleet 60 350 60 30
CLodmooroastal passage: 4 on 25th Nov. Monthly totals: Apr Sep Nov 11 14 11 55 Jan Feb Mar 2 May Jun Jul Aug 1 Oct 5 Dec Christchurch Harbour 6 6 3 Durlston CP 6 6
Branksome Chine 8 on 8th Nov, 4 on 13th Nov. Portland Bill 14 moved offshore from 28th Jan to 21st Apr. 11 moved offshore from 11th Nov to 5th Dec. GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Uncommon winter visitor, passage migrant & occasional breeder.
Breeding:
A female with 10 ducklings was seen in the Avon Valley on 15th May, though the duckling Firstfigure winter had gone period: down to 8 by 19th May.
Avon Causeway 3 on 1st & 6th Jan. 2 on 17th Feb. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 5th Jan, 1 on 19th Jan,1 on 21st Jan,2 on 30th Jan. 1 on 28th Mar. Shapwick 1 on 19th Jan. 2 on 23rd Mar. Spetisbury 2 on 7th Jan, 2 19th Jan. 1 on 2nd Mar. West Bexington 2 on 3rd Jan, 2 on 22nd Jan. 5 on 9th Feb.
Also recorded at Baiter Park, Canford Bridge Wimborne, Cowards Marsh, Ferrybridge, 2014 Dorset Bird Report 29
2014Report.indd 29 14/11/2016 17:51 SummerFrampton, reports: Holes Bay, Longham Lakes, Pamphill, Poole Park & St. Leonards Farm.
SecondChristchurch winter Harbour period: 1 on 25th May. 1 on 22nd-25th Jun. 1 on 6th Jul.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 7th Dec, 1 on 13th Dec. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 24th Oct. 1 on 5th Nov, 8 W on 14th Nov, 1 W on 19th Nov, 5 W on 22nd Nov, 1 S on 26th Nov. 2 N on 7th Dec, 1 N on 12th Dec, 1 N on 28th Dec. Cuttcleaves Cove 6 on 20th Nov. Langton Herring 4 on 3rd Dec. Rodden Hive 7 on 18th Nov. 1 on 3 dates between 30th Nov-29th Dec. Spetisbury 2 on 7th Dec, 7 on 18th Dec, 7 on 23rd Dec. West Bexington 1 on 12th Nov, 1 on 19th Nov. 1 on 4th Dec, 1 on 16th Dec, 1 on 23rd Dec.
Also recorded at Blandford Forum, Bridging Camp, Butterstreet Cove, Canford Bridge Wimborne, Chard Junction GP, Sturminster Marshall GP, Swineham GPs and White Mill. RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis A once regular introduced resident, now all but extirpated by the Defra eradication programme.
One record: Lodmoor 1 drake on 23rd-24th Jun then became part of the cull. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa An under-reported non-native species; numbers are supplemented by releases for shooting.
Breeding:
Several pairs noted regularly at West Bexington & Cogden, an adult with 4 young was seen Notableat the former records: on 18th Sep.
1 at Radipole on 5th Mar was only the 4th record for the site whilst single birds were at nearby Lodmoor on 22nd Mar and Abbotsbury Swannery on 11th Mar. Durlston CP recorded Significant1 on 7th Jul &counts: 2 on 23rd Sep.
60 were at Langton Herring on 29th Jan and were noted as being recently released. On 3rd Jan 13 were seen at Chebbard Farm & 9 were at nearby Lyscombe Farm. Peak count at Maiden Castle for the year was 17 on 9th Mar whilst highest total at Wyke Down was 15 on 1st Nov. A covey of 19 on 3rd Dec at West Bexington were thought to relate to released birds being displaced by nearby shooting.
30 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 30 14/11/2016 17:51 GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Uncommon declining resident; numbers are supplemented by releases for shooting.
Breeding:
The only confirmed breeding was received from Mike Coleman as follows: “4 pairs nested near Milborne St Andrew on 3,000 acres with covey sizes in Nov as follows: 10; 12; 4; 2 (failed pair). These farms have had no breeding Grey partridge for many years prior to 2014. I started feeding them in 2013. In 2012 & 2013 there was a single pair which fledged no young. No keepering or predator control is carried out, the partridges are not Allshot non-breeding & I simply feed records: wheat all year. Cover crops are provided.”
Ackling Dyke 1 on 24th Feb, 2 on 11th Mar & 1 on 15th May. Bradford Peverell 2 on 14th Mar. Eggardon Hill 2 on 20th Mar. Lower Avon Valley 2 seen near Hawthorn Farm on 14th Apr. Maiden Castle 2 on 11th Feb, 3 on 8th Mar & 2 on 12th Apr. Morden Bog 2 on 1st Jun. Newlands Farm, Lulworth 2 on 20th Apr. Sixpenny Handley 2 on 13th Jun. Wyke Down 1 on 24th Feb & 9th Nov. QUAIL Coturnix coturnix Uncommon breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Passage:No records of singing birds in potential breeding habitat were received this year.
Dancing Ledge 1 on 11th Jun. Salway Ash 1 on 19th Jul. Stanpit 1 flushed on Priory Marsh on 14th Jul. PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus An abundant, but under-reported, introduced species supplemented by releases for shooting.
Breeding:
Brownsea Island A few pairs were thought to have bred. Hengistbury Several pairs raised young. Lodmoor At least 3 pairs bred in the area. Merley Park 3 females were seen with 11 chicks on 30th Jun. OtherWest Bexington records (10 or moreBreeding birds): was confirmed but no numbers given.
Abbotsbury Swannery 23 on 16th Nov. Beaminster (east) 16 on 8th Nov. Beaminster (south) 20 on 28th Sep. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 31
2014Report.indd 31 14/11/2016 17:51 Beaminster (west) 14 on 13th Apr. Fiddleford 10 on 10th Apr. Pentridge (Manor Farm) 14 on 21st Apr. Ringstead Bay 12 on 12th Oct. Wyke Down 15 on 18th Apr. GOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus pictus Uncommon introduced breeding resident on Brownsea & Furzey Islands, Poole Harbour.
All records:
Brownsea Island 1-2 males were seen on 4 occasions. Furzey Island 1 on 20th Nov. Round Island 2 males in May. RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata A scarce but increasing winter visitor & passage migrant.
CHOG reported above average numbers with 224 bird-days in the first winter/spring period against a thirty-year average of 105. Similarly, during the autumn/second-winter period 117 bird-days were logged versus the thirty-year average of 77. West Bexington logged a total of 57 bird-days, well down on the average of 81. Seasonal totals off Portland Bill constituted 824 between Jan & 9th Jun and 221 between 26th Oct & the year end. The yearly total of 1,045 was just short of the record total in 2013 of 1,054. Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov Coastal passage: 5 11 2 1 2 2 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug 2 Oct2 8 Dec15 Chesil Cove 1519 25 6 21 1 1 1 4 81 Durlston CP 6 6 13 1 20 Hengistbury Head 26 32 UnusualWest Bexington records and selected23 peak3 counts: 3 6
In Weymouth Bay singles were present on 15th Jan, 17th Feb, 17th & 22nd Mar and 4th Apr, 1 in partial breeding plumage was present from 16th-20th Jun and just 1 was seen over the 2nd winter period on 30th Nov. At West Bexington a bird on 30th Sep was still in breeding plumage and was calling regularly. One at Stanpit on 1st-2nd Jul was found dead Extremeoff Fisherman’s dates: Bank on 3rd Jul.
Stanpit 2nd Jul and Durlston CP 5th Sep. BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.
CHOG experienced a good showing in first winter/spring with 21 bird-days but the second winter period was the poorest since 2008. 32 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 32 14/11/2016 17:51 Portland Harbour max count in Jan/Feb was 7. One was present from 2nd-4th June and just 1 was in the harbour during the second winter period. Off Portland Bill 22 were recorded Coastalbetween passage: Jan & 5th May. Just three were seen off there between 6th Nov and year end. Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 1 1 1 Jan Feb Mar4 May1 Jun Jul Aug Oct 1 Dec2 Durlston CP 3 OtherHengistbury records: Head 7 3 6
Baiter Park 1 intermittently 30th Jan-5th Mar. Branksome Chine Singles on 4th Jan, 7th Jan, 1st Feb & 12th Feb. West Bexington 1 on 3rd Jun. Weymouth Bay A record year with as many as 12 different birds from Jan-24th Extreme dates: Apr. 1 on 20th Jun was unseasonal. Just 1 was offshore in Dec.
Weymouth Bay 20th Jun and Durlston CP 30th Oct. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.
Coastal passage: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 5 5 2 Jan Feb4 Mar May5 Jun Jul Aug Oct2 8 Dec Durlston CP 6 3 Hengistbury Head 6 9 6 3
Portland Bill In the spring 79 were logged from 1st Mar-5th Jun. This surpasses the record total of 73 in 2013. West Bexington 1 from 18th-22nd May joined by a second on the latter date. Singles from 31st May-1st Jun, 18th Jun, 3rd Jul, 15th Oct & Other records: 27th Nov.
Poole Harbour First winter period max 11 on 23rd Feb. Second winter period max 2 on 23rd Nov. Portland Harbour First winter period max 25 on 2nd Jan. Second winter period max 7 on 29th Nov. Studland Bay 8 on 7th Jan. Wareham Channel 1 seen from Swineham Point on 9th Feb was unusual this far into Poole Harbour. Weymouth Bay First winter period max 8 on 4th Apr. 2 breeding-plumaged birds 28th May-2nd Jun. Extreme dates: Second winter period max 4 in late Dec.
West Bexington 3rd Jul and Durlston CP 9th Oct.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 33
2014Report.indd 33 14/11/2016 17:51 LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Chalbury Basin Ad with 3 juvs on 13th Sep. Chard Junction GP 3 pairs raised 6 juvs. Cogden Beach 2 territories but no young seen. Coward’s Marsh 25 on 4th Jan, 10 on 2nd Mar & 11 on 26th Sep were peak counts. Higher Hyde Heath NR Pair with 1 juv on 15th Sep. Lodmoor Up to 7 pairs present but only 2 were known to be successful. Longham Lakes 2 pairs raised 4 juvs. Radipole Lake 2 pairs raised 3 juvs. Swineham GPs 4 pairs bred successfully. Warmwell GPs 5 pairs raised at least 8 juvs. SiteWest maxima: Bexington 2 territories but no young seen. Maxima: Apr Sep Nov 2 1 4 8 22 14 Jan5 Feb4 Mar 8 May8 Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Abbotsbury Swannery 47 4 4 0 0 1 0 0 231 23 5 Chard Junction GP 6 1 8 Christchurch Harbour 8 18 3 3 Longham Lakes 19 9 6 6 38 34 27 19 OtherSwineham counts: GPs 7 6 6 3
Holes Bay 15 on 14th Jan & 21 on 18th Nov. Lytchett Bay Max 8 on 10th Dec. Poole Park Max 11 on 23rd Nov. Portland Harbour First winter period max 15 on 29th Jan. WeBS counts: Second winter period max 7 on 28th Dec. Apr Sep Nov 10 1 0 5 28 25 Jan10 Feb Mar0 0 May0 Jun0 Jul0 Aug0 0 Oct0 0 Dec1 Poole Harbour 0 n/c0 n/c0 n/c1 n/c0 n/c8 24 22 149 Portland Harbour 3 The Fleet 7 6 23 GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Uncommon breeding resident & locally common winter visitor.
Breeding:
Coward’s Marsh 1 pair raised 3 juvs. Creekmoor Ponds 1 pair raised 1 juv. Lodmoor 3 pairs present but productivity was poor with 2 pairs raising just 1 juv each. Moors Valley CP Pair on nest but no reports of juvs. Radipole Lake Up to 6 pairs. Sturminster Marshall GP 1 pair raised 2 juvs. Swineham34 Dorset Bird GPs Report 2014 2 pairs raised 2 & 3 juvs respectively.
2014Report.indd 34 14/11/2016 17:51 Site maxima: Maxima: Apr Sep Nov 1 55 45 42 44 Jan Feb Mar5 0 May2 Jun0 Jul1 Aug1 0 Oct Dec Abbotsbury Swannery 87 87 11 1134 1427 4 11 10 47 2868 28 2013 Christchurch Harbour 3 3 14 5 22 1 8 3 3 68 Longham Lakes 2 2 4 1 27 1 2 Radipole Lake 6 3 WeBSWest Bexington counts: 3 Apr Sep Nov 22 45 11 Jan4 Feb18 Mar8 4 May0 Jun0 Jul0 Aug0 0 Oct0 2 Dec Poole Harbour 2266 1 n/c n/c28 n/c50 n/c n/c42 51 8019 5162 56 Portland Harbour 7 The Fleet 17 34 31 19 RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.
All records:
Chesil Cove 1 on 6th Jan. 1 flew SW on 7th Oct. Christchurch Harbour Singles off Hengistbury on 19th Jan and E past Mudeford Quay on 22nd Jan. Portland Bill 1 W on 13th Dec. Portland Harbour 6 different birds present between 1st Jan & 1st Apr. 1 from 24th Jul-1st Sep. Sandbanks 1 on 18th Dec. SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.
Portland Harbour First winter period max 19, last recorded on 1st Apr. Other records: Second winter period max 3, first recorded from 28th Nov.
Baiter Park 1 from 30th Jan-21st Feb. Brand’s Bay Singles on 21st Jan & 16th Feb. Butterstreet Cove 1 from 19th Jan-19th Feb. Chesil Cove 2 from 20th-24th Mar. Christchurch Harbour 2 W past Hengistbury on 12th Dec. 1 offshore on 30th-31st Dec. Langton Herring 1 on 29th Dec. Lodmoor Singles on 19th Feb & 30th Dec. Ringstead Bay Singles on 25th Jan & 8th-28th Dec with 2 present on the latter date. Studland Bay Singles on 25th Feb & 26th-28th Oct then 2 on 20th-24th Dec. Sturminster Marshall GP 1 on 27th Nov was the second record for the site and only the Extreme dates: 6th inland Dorset record.
Portland Harbour 1st Apr and Studland Bay on 26th Oct. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 35
2014Report.indd 35 14/11/2016 17:51 BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Nationally important numbers of this grebe now roost in Studland Bay during the winter, although numbers were well down on last winter. Birds from within Poole Harbour are not consideredSite maxima: to join the evening roost just outside it. Apr Sep Nov 15 15 15 Jan Feb11 Mar25 May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Poole Harbour 23 19 Studland Bay 17 19 26 26
Portland Harbour First winter period max 22, last recorded on 7th Mar. Other records: Second winter period max 16, first recorded from 9th Nov.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 from 7th-19th Feb. Hengistbury Head 1 W on 27th Jan, 1 on 2nd Mar, 2 E on 4th Apr, 1 on 1st Oct, 1 W on 7th Nov, 1 from 10th-12th Dec & 1 on 22nd Dec. Langton Herring 3 from 21st-27th Sep and 1 from 30th Nov-15th Dec. Longham Lakes Singles from 7th Jan-21st Feb & 6th-15th Sep. Poole Park 1 from 4th-6th Mar. ExtremeSwineham dates: GPs 1 from 6th-9th Apr.
Swineham GPs on 9th Apr and Langton Herring 21st Sep. FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Locally common breeding resident & passage migrant.
A perennially under-recorded species particularly at its breeding sites. More details of this Breeding:species can be found in the article produced by Footprint Ecology on p174-188.
Portland, Blacknor Cliffs 8 chicks were seen on 12th Aug. Portland, Grove Cliffs 2 chicks were seen on 8th Aug. Portland, Weston At least 18 apparently occupied nests. Purbeck Seabird Survey 34 pairs represented a healthy increase after last years poor showing. WestCoastal Bay maxima: Several pairs on ledges but no breeding details reported. Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 12 1 Jan Feb Mar May Jun2 Jul1 Aug Oct Dec1 Durlston CP 2 69 1464 5 2 30 3 Hengistbury Head 6 26 16 38 79 37 3 9 OtherWest Bexington notable records: 7 7 9 3
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 1st May and 2 on 25th Aug. 36 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 36 14/11/2016 17:51 Branksome Chine 5 on 12th Feb, 2 on 9th May, 8 on 10th May & 2 on 10th Aug. Chesil Cove 90 past on both 26th April & 23rd May. Portland Bill 90 W on 5th Feb. GREAT SHEARWATER Puffinus gravis Very rare passage migrant.
(G Pictor) . St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 8th Jul, initially over fields being mobbed by 2 juv Peregrine then glided down to the sea heading south CORY’S SHEARWATER Calonectris borealis Rare passage migrant.
Additional 2013 record: D Croxson
Weymouth Bay 1 on 23rd Dec ( ). SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus Uncommon autumn passage migrant.
A well below average year with just 11 birds recorded.
Chesil Cove 2 W on 8th Nov. Portland Bill 9 between 30th Aug & 7th Nov. MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Fairly common passage migrant & non-breeding summer visitor.
Coastal passage: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 252 2 1 2 Jan Feb Mar May4 Jun Jul Aug Oct 1 Dec Durlston CP 213 24 7 12 Hengistbury Head 3 West Bexington
OtherPortland notable Bill records: Total of 4,741 between 23rd Feb & 7th Dec.
Branksome Chine 3 on 10th Aug. Chesil Cove Singles on 3rd Jan & 4th Feb. A dead bird was found here on 27th Feb. In May 300 past on 10th with 864 past on 23rd.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 37
2014Report.indd 37 14/11/2016 17:51 BALEARIC SHEARWATER Puffinus mauretanicus Locally common non-breeding summer visitor, autumn passage migrant & occasional winter visitor, mainly off Portland.
Coastal passage: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 2 4 5 12 4 Jan1 Feb Mar 1 May Jun Jul Aug2 Oct1 Dec Durlston CP 3 OtherHengistbury records: Head
Chesil Cove 1 on 2nd Jan then 13 between 6th Aug and 8th Nov. Portland Bill Singles on 1st & 6th Jan then 352 between 23rd May and 8th Nov. Portland Harbour 1 on 6th Jan. Overcombe 1 on 8th Sep. West Bexington 3 E on 10th Aug. STORM PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus Uncommon non-breeding summer visitor & autumn passage migrant.
All records:
Chesil Cove 2 on 9th Oct. Durlston CP 3 past on 23rd May. Hengistbury Head 1 on 10th May, 2 on 23rd May & 1 on 25th May. 2 on 25th Jun. Portland Bill Singles past on 23rd & 24th May. 48 trapped and ringed between 26th May and 7th Jul. Portland Harbour 1 on 3rd Jan. LEACH’S PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa Rare autumn & winter visitor, subject to wrecks in adverse weather.
Just two records of up to 4 individuals this year. DH Taylor et al per DBC Mudeford Quay 1-3 past on 6th Oct ( ). AdditionalPortland Bill 2013 record: 1 past on 8th Nov ( , photo). D Foot, J & M Down
Chesil Cove 1 past on 26th Oct ( ). GANNET Morus bassanus Fairly common passage migrant, offshore all year.
Site maxima: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 15 5 451 518 Jan Feb Mar2 18 May188 Jun88 Jul Aug 10 Oct10 Dec Durlston CP 12 28 60 468 264 52 Hengistbury Head 19 97 178 264 227 OtherWest Bexington sites maxima: 7 86 268 87 628 35 62 31
Chesil38 Dorset Cove Bird Report 2014 Max count of 1,370 past on 23rd May.
2014Report.indd 38 14/11/2016 17:51 CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Purbeck Seabird Survey 77 apparently occupied nests is slightly up on last year’s record low of 73. However, productivity was the highest level Site maxima: recorded at 2.04 chicks per nest. Maxima Apr Sep Nov 2 5 4 4 20 5 Jan28 Feb55 Mar4 May Jun Jul55 Aug 84 Oct44 Dec Abbotsbury Swannery 22 12 9 164 1023 18 19 6 Christchurch Harbour 2 0 1 260 n/c0 270 0 724 0 392 67 Longham Lakes 17 6 43 73 93 OtherSturminster sites Marshall maxima: GP 3 3
Arne RSPB 120 on 17th Aug. Brownsea Lagoon 88 on 30th Jul. Poole Quay 200 on 21st Oct. Portland Harbour 40 on 25th Oct. Slaggyford 26 on 9th Aug. Warmwell GPs 20 on 4th Oct. WeBSWest Bexington counts: 33 on 24th Aug. Apr Sep Nov 54 80 251 Jan Feb24 Mar8 May0 Jun Jul5 Aug0 11 Oct20 Dec Poole Harbour 2196 n/c8 n/c5 n/c12 n/c20 n/c28 311 864 62 Portland Harbour 19 6 9 36 17 The Fleet 3 9 30 72 17 19 SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Portland Bill Breeding activity noted but no census carried out. Purbeck Seabird Survey 25 apparently occupied nests, the lowest since the peak in the WeBS counts: 1970s. Apr Sep Nov 55 4 44 51 Jan0 Feb Mar2 May Jun Jul Aug 0 Oct4 8 Dec1 Poole Harbour 19 2 n/c1 n/c0 n/c n/c0 n/c0 790 39 Portland Harbour 17 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c OtherThe Fleet records (all counts29 of 1049 or more): 3 23 37 29
Brand’s Bay 30 on 2nd Feb. Hengistbury Head 10 on 4th Mar. Portland Harbour 70 on both 2nd Jan & 8th Nov.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 39
2014Report.indd 39 14/11/2016 17:51 Other unusual records:
Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 8th Oct & 12th Nov. Cogden Beach An adult in a field on 16th Feb relocating to West Bexington the next day. 1 offshore on 22nd Aug. West Bexington 1 on the Mere 6th-7th Jan and 17th Feb. Singles offshore on 5th & 17th Sep. BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Uncommon winter visitor.
First winter period:
Arne Moors 1 on 4th Jan & 17th-18th Feb. Lodmoor 1 booming from 16th Mar-10th Apr with at least another 2 individuals during that period. Lytchett Bay 1 on 13th Jan over the Far Fields and 1 at Turlin Shore on 7th Mar. Radipole Lake Up to 2 present until 16th Mar. Stanpit 1 on 19th Jan. SummerWinkton Weir,records: Avon Valley 1 in Jan but no exact date available.
SecondLodmoor winter period: 1 booming on 3rd Jun & 1 on 14th Jun.
Arne Moors 1 on 12th-13th Dec. Lodmoor 1 on 25th Sep. 2 from 15th Nov-19th Dec. Radipole Lake 1 from 3rd Oct-22nd Nov. Swineham GPs 1 on 30th Dec. LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Locally common breeding resident.
Breeding:For the second year running no species of heron nested on Brownsea.
Fiddleford area 5+ nests, at least 4 produced 2 half-grown young each. Hengistbury Head 4 successful pairs. Lower Avon Valley The Heronry at St Catherine’s Hill held several birds in early Site maxima: May but no confirmed breeding was evidenced. Maxima: Apr Sep Nov 14 5 11 11 4 4 Jan8 Feb Mar May Jun Jul55 Aug Oct Dec Abbotsbury Swannery 53 53 22 6 9 19 1426 20 Christchurch Harbour 1 46 131 n/c1 n/c2 302 2 n/c 641 462 261 161 Lytchett Bay n/c n/c 6 9 19 23 32 West Bexington
The count of 32 in Lytchett Bay during Dec was a new record for the site. 40 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 40 14/11/2016 17:51 WeBS counts: Apr Sep Nov 8 Jan Feb Mar45 May Jun Jul Aug 242 Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 1 06 130 n/c0 n/c0 n/c0 n/c0 n/c0 640 46 260 160 Poole Harbour 1835 2030 51 n/c n/c14 n/c12 n/c28 n/c41 25 22721 14915 1459 Portland Harbour 3 InlandThe Fleet counts of 10 or more: 17
Briantspuddle 19 on 15th Jan. Frampton 19 on 12th Feb. Holmebridge 25 on 28th Apr. Longham Lakes 27 on 7th Dec. Lower Avon Valley 19 at Bockhampton Fields on 1st Feb and 19 at Winkton Fields on 30th Nov. RoostMaiden counts: Newton 13 on 25th Feb.
CoastalLittlesea, movements: Studland Max 118 on 13th Sep.
Durlston CP A total of 18 birds on 15 dates between 1st Apr & 28th Oct. GREAT WHITE EGRET Ardea alba Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor - annual since 2002.
As ever it is impossible to determine how many individuals are involved in the records listed below but the year on year increase continues. A description is still required for this species Allin Dorset records: but this will be reviewed if this upward trend continues.
P Hadrill et al Arne Moors 1 on several datesper DBCfrom 13th Jan-27th Feb. Also seen at Swineham GPsL andChappell Shipstal Point ( ). Chard Junction GP 1 on 20th Jul ( J Picksley, photo) DN Smith Coward’s Marsh 1C on Chapleo 4th Apr ( ) Hengistbury Head Singles on 8th DAug Croxson, ( R Morris), 6th Nov ( ) & 20th Nov ( ). D Croxson Lodmoor 3 on 1st Aug ( ). Overcombe 1 on 13thS Smith Aug et ( al ). Poole Harbour 1 at Middlebere from 7th Sep joined by a second bird from 28th Sep ( ). These birds also visiting Littlesea and Brownsea Lagoon where they were last seen together on 16th Oct. 1 remainedper in DBCthe Poole Harbour area until the year end also being seen at Arne Moors,MJ Morse Holes Bay & Lytchett Bay. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 2nd Oct ( , photo). West Bexington 1 flew over on 24th Jul ( ) and was also seen at Abbotsbury Swannery, Radipole Lake and Lodmoor on the same day.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 41
2014Report.indd 41 14/11/2016 17:51 GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Fairly common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
For the second year running no species of heron nested on Brownsea. On the positive side a pair nested for the first time at Lodmoor. No data was received from the Nottington heronry Breeding:again.
Fiddleford area 6 nests, most with half-grown young in mid-May. Hengistbury Head 3 pairs of which 2 raised 3 & 1 juvs respectively. Lodmoor 1 pair raised at least 2 juvs. SiteLower maxima: Avon Valley 5 occupied nests but no further breeding evidence supplied. Maxima: Apr Sep Nov 1 1 1 1 5 4 1 2 1 1 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Abbotsbury Swannery 4 4 6 15 8 4 Chard Junction GP 2 1 5 5 2 1 1 4 2 Christchurch Harbour 5 6 n/c5 n/c4 n/c n/c12 n/c12 5 59 Fiddleford 83 5 2 4 5 5 5 4 Lodmoor 183 7 21 8 187 7 Longham Lakes 3 3 2 13 1 23 1 2 Radipole Lake 3 3 WeBSWest Bexington counts: 3 3 7 Apr Sep Nov 2 1 15 8 4 Jan11 Feb Mar4 May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 13 0 0 n/c0 n/c0 n/c0 n/c0 n/c0 0 0 0 19 Poole Harbour 5 131 1 n/c1 n/c n/c n/c2 n/c0 30 37 30 321 Portland Harbour OtherThe Fleet counts: 3 7 3 3 3
Portland Harbour 15 in Dec. CoastalSwineham passage: GPs 20 on 21st Feb.
Christchurch Harbour 13 NW on 6th Jun, 4 E on 21st Jun. In Aug 4 S on 8th, 9 S on 23rd, 7 SW on 24th & 16 W on 31st. 7 W on 3rd Sep and 11 N on 11th Sep. Ringstead Bay 1 W on 3rd Jul. WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Rare passage migrant.
(per DBC, Hazelbury Bryan 1 photographed in a recently harvested field on 19th Jun photo).
42 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 42 14/11/2016 17:51 GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus Rare but increasing passage migrant.
Coward’s Marsh 2 2cy birds from 6th-26th May one of which was ringed as a female at Doñana National Park, perSpain DBC in Julet al2013. The ringed bird was then present again from 4th Jun until 21st Jul when it (perwas last DBC seen et al on, Stanpit Marsh ( , photo). Radipole Park 1 from 2013 until 14th Jan, also visiting Lodmoor photo). SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
A pair at Arne RSPB on 1st May were seen in courtship display, how long will it be before they stay to breed? A new Poole Harbour record was set when 49 were counted on Brownsea SiteLagoon maxima: on 19th Oct. Apr Sep Nov 4 4 1 4 2 1 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec 24 12 8 Lodmoor OtherPoole Harbour records: 27 27 7 6 17 39 49 46 43
Christchurch Harbour 1 E on 7th Feb, 2 E on 17th Mar, 2 W on 11th Apr, 1 N on 15th Apr, 2 W on 23rd Apr, 1 W on 9th May, 1 W on 5th Jul, 2 E on 6th Aug, 1 W on 26th Aug, 2 in off the sea on 31st Aug, 1 W on 10th Oct, 1 on 6th Nov, 1 E on 16th Nov. 4 at Stanpit on 16th Dec. Radipole Lake 2 on 11th Sep. Southbourne 2 flew past on 31st Aug. HONEY BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Uncommon passage migrant and summer visitor, attempts to breed annually.
As in previous years more were reported than shown below but no supporting documentation Breeding:was submitted unfortunately.
Breeding season records were received from two sites: one in an area where it has bred in Springthe past, passage: and one other. G Tims D Croxson Hilfield 1 on 31st May (L Chappell). Lodmoor 1 on 12th Aug ( ). AdditionalMudeford Quay 2012 record: 1 on 13th May ( ). FC Clark
Arne RSPB 1 on 11th Aug ( ). 2014 Dorset Bird Report 43
2014Report.indd 43 14/11/2016 17:51 BLACK KITE Milvus migrans Rare passage migrant, mainly spring.
Additional 2013 record: SA Groves
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 17th May ( ). RED KITE Milvus milvus Scarce passage migrant, and increasing wanderer from introduction schemes elsewhere in Britain.
A good year, with 176 records, compared with 222 in 2011, 196 in 2012 and 138 in 2013. Significantly, there were more multiple sightings, with 7 records of 4 or more, and a pair was seen displaying at one site in Apr. Later in the year, a roost was found elsewhere in the county containing a large number of birds. As the species could be breeding regularly in the county, or on the verge of doing so, we have chosen not to publish the locations of sightings. We urge all observers to continue to send records in, especially if displaying or other breeding activity is noted, so that the population can be monitored.
As in other years, sightings were scattered widely across the county, without a coastal bias, andRecords with by a month: marked peak in spring and relativelyApr few in autumn and winter.Sep Nov 4 5 42 14 2 8 10 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec All sites 31 33 9 3 9 SHORT-TOED EAGLE Circaetus gallicus Very rare vagrant.
The biggest and most exciting surprise of the year for Dorset birders, this bird was subsequently seen in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Norfolk. P . Morton, J Hunt et al, Morden Bog 1 first-summer on 31st May & 1st Jun, also seen at Arne RSPB ( photo). See also the finder’s account on p170.
The first for Dorset and only the third British record. MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Scarce breeding resident, uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding records:
Lodmoor Two birds resembling the 2013 pair were displaying from mid-Jan and nest building by mid-Apr. A third bird, a near- tailless female, appeared occasionally in Apr. The pair was seen food-passing in early May and apparently feeding young by 24th. The first fledged juvenile appeared on 25th Jun, with 44 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 44 14/11/2016 17:51 2 the next day and 4 by late Jul. Birds were still present occasionally up to mid Aug. Poole Harbour Food-passing was observed in west Poole Harbour between a male and female on 21st Jan. By May it was apparent that there was a breeding trio involving two females, mated to the same male. A third un-mated female remained early in the month and the same, or another, was seen daily 23rd-30th Jun. Fledging from the two nests was recorded from 10th Jul with 7 juveniles (4+3) flying by the end of the month. Radipole Lake A pair, different from the Lodmoor pair, was displaying from 30 Mar. Two juveniles surfaced on 23rd Jul, and a third was First winter period: seen in a different part of the reserve on 10th Aug.
Abbotsbury Swannery Single birds on 16 dates between 6th Jan and 9th Apr. Christchurch Harbour Singles on 18th-21st Jan, 2nd Feb, 16th Feb, 19th Feb, 7th Mar & 21st Mar. Morden Bog 2 on 26th Feb. Poole Harbour Numbers of wintering birds increased further, with up to 9 in Jan and a max of 12 in Feb, reducing to 7 by late Mar, and up to 5 still present by late Apr, including the breeding trio. Birds mainly frequented the Wareham Channel/Arne/ Middlebere area and Lytchett Bay, and there was a single sighting at Brand’s Bay on 2nd Feb. SpringWest Bexington passage: Singles on 22nd Feb and 27th Mar.
Chickerell 1 on 18th May. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Hengistbury Head on 11th Apr and Stanpit Marsh on 16th Jun. Great Ovens Hill 1 on 1st Jun. Morden Bog Singles on 21st Apr, 24th Jun & 28th Jun. Poole Harbour A migrant bird passed NW on 19th Apr. Portland 1 over Weston on 15th Jun. AutumnSt Catherine’s passage: Hill 1 on 8th Apr.
Abbotsbury Swannery Single birds on 14 dates between Jul and Oct, with 2 on 12th Oct; some of these sightings may have related to the Weymouth breeding birds. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Stanpit Marsh on 31st Jul, 16th Aug &18th Aug; and at Hengistbury on 30th Aug, on 3rd Sep (2), on 5th Sep, 9th Sep, 16th Oct & 31st Oct. Durlston CP 1 on 9th Sep. Herbury Gore 1 on 9th Sep. Lodmoor Various sightings of 1 or 2 in Sep and Oct, some of which related to a second year male and a new immature female, which remained to Dec.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 45
2014Report.indd 45 14/11/2016 17:51 Morden Park Lake 1 on 31st Aug, seen to take a grebe chick. Poole Harbour In addition to the breeding birds, a female was present 23rd- 25th Jul. The breeding cohort had mostly left by the second week of Aug, after which a single juvenile male remained. 5 different birds were seen during Aug and 6 in Sep. A migrant bird flew SW on 20th Sep and another S on 30th Sep. Up to 8 different birds were present in Oct, peaking on 23rd. Portland Singles over the Bill on 15th Aug, 27th Aug (also over Ferrybridge), 4th Sep, 11th Sep, 14th Sep, 16th Sep & 13th Oct. West Bexington 1 on 27th Aug was the only autumn sighting. Winterbourne Herringston 1 on 29th Jul, this sighting may be related to the Weymouth Second winter period: breeding birds.
Abbotsbury Swannery 11 sightings of singles in Nov and Dec, usually an adult male. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Stanpit Marsh on 4th Nov, 9th Nov, 16th Nov, 5th- 6th Dec, at Hengistbury Head on 11th Dec and in the Harbour on 28th Dec. Lodmoor The breeding pair was displaying on several occasions in Dec. Poole Harbour Up to 8 were present during Nov with maxima on 13th & 30th; by 12th Dec the number had risen to at least 11, reducing to 7 or 8 by the end of the year. Most sightings were from Middlebere & the Wareham Channel. Radipole Lake 3 birds on 5th Nov and 18th Nov, including an adult male. West Bexington Singles on 26th Nov and 26th Dec. HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Localised winter visitor and scarce passage migrant.
First winter period:
Christchurch Harbour 1 ring-tail at Hengistbury Head on 18th Jan. Milborne St Andrew A male was seen on 11th Jan,12th Jan, 30th Jan &, 1st Feb. Morden Bog Singles on 19th Jan, 17th Feb, 24th Feb, 9th Mar and 29th Mar. Poole Harbour Up to 6 individuals were present at different times during Jan and early Feb (3 grey males & 3 ring-tails) with at least 4 still present 20th-24th Feb (2 grey males & 2 ring-tails). At least two birds remained until late Mar, a grey male last seen on 24th Mar and a female remaining to 28th Mar. Most sightings were in Arne, Lytchett Bay, Middlebere & the Wareham Channel.
Also recorded on one or two dates from Ackling Dyke (24th Feb), Blandford Forum (11th Mar), Durdle Door (21st Mar), Holt Heath (5th Feb), Puddletown Forest (12th Mar), Sixpenny Handley (16th Feb & 23rd Mar), Tarrant Rushton Airfield (23rd Feb &13th Mar), SpringWest Morden passage: (19th Jan & 7th Feb), Wool (2nd Feb) and Wyke Down (24th Feb and 5th Mar).
Chesil Cove 1 on 15th Apr. East Lulworth 1 on 4th Apr. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 1 on 21st Apr.
46 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 46 14/11/2016 17:51 Greenland White-fronted Goose at Abbotsbury - 30th November 2014 - Brett Spencer
Eider at Portland Harbour - Surf Scoter at Abbotsbury - 14th December 2014 - Tony Hovell 14th November 2014 - John Gale
2014 Dorset Bird Report 47
2014Report.indd 47 14/11/2016 17:51 Garganey at Radipole Lake - 29th April 2014 - Brett Spencer
Great White Egret at Middlebere - 12th November 2014 - Simon Kidner
48 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 48 14/11/2016 17:51 Autumn passage:
Christchurch Harbour Single ring-tails were seen coming in off the sea on 20th Oct and flying W on 21st Oct. Durdle Door Singles on 19th Sep and 26th Sep. Hilfield 1 on 5th Oct. Poole Harbour A juvenile male frequented Hartland Moor, Middlebere and Swineham Point from 25th Sep to 13th Oct, when it was joined by an adult female. An adult male was at Middlebere on 19th Oct. A second adult female was present briefly on 25th Oct, when 3 birds were seen together on Hartland Moor. Two birds remained into Nov. West Bexington A first-winter ring-tail on 5th Sep. SecondWinspit winter period: A ring-tail, probably a juvenile, on 18th Oct.
Lytchett Bay At least 2 individuals - an adult male and a ring-tail were seen on 6 dates from 1st Nov. Poole Harbour At least 5 birds were present at different times during Nov & Dec. Birds were seen at Arne RSPB, Hartland Moor, Lytchett Bay, Middlebere and Swineham Point, where 4 were seen together on 18th Dec (an adult male, two females and a juv male). Sixpenny Handley Single birds on 9th Nov, 23rd Nov, 10th Dec, 12th Dec, 13th Dec & 16th Dec Wyke Down Singles on 18th Nov (2), 24th Nov, 25th Nov, 11th-13th Dec, 19th Dec & 31st Dec.
Single birds were also reported from Bindon Abbey (7th Dec), Winspit (10th Dec) and Wool (30th Nov) NORTHERN HARRIER Circus hudsonius Very rare vagrant.
A remarkable record of this recently-split species, thanks to the advent of digital photography and the alertness of the observer as well as the Portland bird fraternity. P Moore
Portland A male flew N at Barleycrates Lane on 21st Apr ( , photo). See also the finder’s account on p171-172.
Another first for Dorset and only the seventh accepted British record. GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis Very rare visitor – has bred.
The species remains rare and has yet to establish a population, as reflected in the few records in 2014. Most sightings in Dorset are thought to relate to the expanding population in the New Forest. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 49
2014Report.indd 49 14/11/2016 17:51 All records: RA Hume N Fowler et al Alderholt 1 on 18th Feb ( ). Undisclosed site 1 on various dates from 5th Jun ( ). SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
The species remains widespread. Breeding was confirmed or presumed at: Bere Regis, Hengistbury Head, Lodmoor/Lorton Meadows (2 or 3 pairs), Merley Park (1 pair with 2 young), Poole, Portland, Stanpit and Warmwell GPs. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 suggests that since 1988-91 relative abundance has declined in some parts of the county, but has Migrants:increased in north Dorset.
Christchurch Harbour 4 birds arrived high over Hengistbury Head on 17th Mar. Durlston CP 3 on 17th Oct, 5 on 24th Oct and 3 on 28th Oct were the only counts of 3 or more. Lodmoor Difficult to separate migrants from local birds, but high numbers in Sep, when 7 were seen most days, suggest passage. BUZZARD Buteo buteo Common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Widely reported throughout the county, and remains the commonest raptor in most parts, although few details of breeding success were received. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 confirms Largethat since counts 1988-91 (all counts relative of abundance 10 or more has are increased given): throughout Dorset.
Great Oven Hill 12 on 1st Jun. Kingcombe Meadows 10 on 11th May dispersing from a communal roost. Maiden Newton 10 on 18th Apr. Migrants:Ringstead Bay 14 on 5th Jan.
Durlston CP 8 heading W on 22nd Oct. Portland 10 moved N over Verne Common on 23rd Sep. OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Uncommon passage migrant.
Spring passage:
A rather poor spring by recent standards, with only 23 records (24 bird-days), compared to 30 records (57 bird-days) in 2013. For the first time since 2006, no spring migrants were seen in the CHOG area. 50 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 50 14/11/2016 17:51 Lodmoor Singles on 5th Apr, 10th Apr, 3rd May, 5th May & 11th Jun. Poole Singles over on Baiter Park on 26th Mar & Fleetsbridge on 29th Mar. Poole Harbour 1 at Brand’s Bay on 25th Mar, then singles in the Arne RSPB/ Middlebere area on 28th Mar, 9th Apr, 10th Apr & 18th Apr. Portland Singles on 10th Apr, 13th Apr & 16th May. Weymouth Singles over the town on 26th Mar & 8th Apr and Nothe Fort on 8th May.
Also recorded on one or two dates from Abbotsbury Swannery (14th Apr & 17th Jun), Coward’s Marsh (26th Mar), Durlston CP (1st Apr), Wardon Hill (5th May) and Warmwell AutumnGPs (18th passage: Jun).
Autumn migration through Dorset continues to improve steadily. Several birds were in Poole Harbour from mid-Jul to early Oct, and one or more birds also lingered at Abbotsbury Swannery and Christchurch Harbour, making it difficult to assess overall numbers. A minimum of 45 different individuals passed through the county (117 bird-days) compared with 41 last year (80 bird-days).
Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 26th Aug, 1st-4th Sep & 11th-20th Oct. Christchurch Harbour Singles on 21st Jul, 3rd Aug & 20th Aug with 2 on 2nd Sep, 3rd Sep (at least 3), 10th Sep & 12th Sep, then single birds on 19th Sep & 13th Oct. Poole Harbour Single birds at Arne/Middlebere on 29th Jul, 6th-9th Aug, 21st Aug–12th Sep, 19th Sep & 23rd Sep with 2 on 24th Aug, 31st Aug, 2nd Sep, 4th Sep, 6th Sep, 10th Sep & 15th Sep; Brand’s Bay 4th-5th Sep, 16th–18th Sep & 27th Sep-7th Oct; Brownsea Island 30th Aug, 11th Sep & 13th Sep; Lytchett Bay 5 dates between 21st Aug & 4th Sep; Wareham Channel 1 or 2 routinely from early-Aug to mid-Sep, with a max of 3 on 28th Aug. Portland 12 between 26th Aug & 30th Sep.
Also recorded on one or two dates from Burton (12th Sep), Durlston CP (1st Sep & 14th Oct), Langton Matravers (2nd Sep), Lodmoor (28th Sep), Moonfleet (14th Oct), Morden Park Lake (31st Aug), Poole (24th Oct), Norden Common (5th Sep), Rodden Hive (3rd Aug), Sturminster Marshall GP (2nd Sep & 4th Sep), Thorncombe Beacon (3rd Sep) and Upton Extreme(30th Jul). dates:
25th Mar at Brand’s Bay and 24th Oct at Poole. KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Fairly common breeding resident & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Widely reported throughout the year, although few records of confirmed breeding. At least nine pairs bred successfully on Portland; elsewhere bred at: Arne RSPB (pair in nest box), Christchurch Harbour, Durlston CP, Lodmoor area (2 pairs) and West Bexington. The Bird 2014 Dorset Bird Report 51
2014Report.indd 51 14/11/2016 17:51 Atlas 2007-11 suggests that relative abundance has decreased in most parts of the county Migration:since 1988-91, in common with the rest of the country.
Christchurch Harbour Probable passage birds were noted at Hengistbury on 9th Sep (3), 27th Sep (1 E), 11th Oct (1 S) & 13th Oct (5 in off the sea). RED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus Rare passage migrant.
L Chappell
Coward’s Marsh A first-summer male flew E on 29th Jun ( ). MERLIN Falco columbarius Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.
First winter period:
Arne Moors (14th Jan), Baiter Park (6th Feb), Blandford (10th Jan), Broadwindsor (12th Feb), Brownsea Island (19th & 21st Jan), Cheselbourne (18th Jan & 23rd Feb), Cogden Beach (17th Jan), Hartland Moor (29th Jan & 10th Feb), Hengistbury Head (7th Feb), Lytchett Bay (9th Jan), Middlebere (2nd, 10th & 25th Jan), Milborne St Andrew (1st Feb), Stanpit Marsh Spring(11th Jan), passage: Stoborough Heath (4th Feb), Swanage (8th Jan), Wyke Down (30th Jan).
Acton (11th May), Arne Moors (17th Apr), Chapman’s Pool (21st Apr), Durlston CP (2nd Apr), Hengistbury Head (3rd & 7th Apr), Lodmoor (7th Mar & 8th Apr), Portland (6 between 9th Feb and 15th Apr), Southbourne (7th May), Stanpit Marsh (3rd Mar), West Bexington Autumn(8th & 30th passage Mar). and second winter period:
Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 6th Sep, 8th Sep & 25th Oct. Cogden Beach Singles on 23rd Sep, 17th Oct and 22nd Oct. Durlston CP Singles on 37 dates between 8th Sep and 20th Oct, with 2 on 8th, 14th, 16th & 17th Oct and 12th Nov. Hartland Moor Daily sightings from 3rd Oct involved at least 3 different birds, with 2 present to 31st Oct then singles daily until 5th Nov. 1 on 23rd Nov and a single bird from 18th–31st Dec. Hengistbury Head Singles on 29th Sep, 6 dates in Oct, and 6th, 7th, 15th & 18th Nov. Lodmoor Singles on 4th Sep, 29th Sep, 7th Oct, 9th Oct & 15th Oct (thought probably the same bird) and on 27th Nov. Middlebere Singles on 26th Sep, 19th Oct, 31st Oct and 27th Dec. Milborne St Andrew Singles on 25th & 29th Oct and 8th, 21st & 23rd Nov. Portland Total from all sites of 63 between 31st Aug and 28th Nov, and 3 between 23rd & 31st Dec. Wyke Down Single birds on 15th & 16th Nov and 9th & 13th Dec.
Also reported on one or two dates from Ashley Heath (24th Dec), Brand’s Bay (13th Nov), 52 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 52 14/11/2016 17:51 Brownsea Island (19th Sep & 15th Dec), Chaldon Down (1st Nov), Child Okeford (12th Dec), East Holme (2nd Oct), Glebelands (15th Oct), Greenlands Farm (18th Oct), Hilfield (26th Oct), Langton Herring (15th Dec), Litton Cheney (24th Dec), Lytchett Bay (26th Oct & 28th Nov), Maiden Castle (12th & 30th Oct), Mudeford Quay (18th & 19th Oct), Piddlehinton (15th Nov), Ridge (21st Oct), South Haven (13th Oct), Stanpit Marsh (10th Sep), Swineham GPs (12th Oct & 18th Dec), West Bexington (21st Sep), Weymouth Bay (12th Dec), Winspit (21stTotal recordsOct) and by monthWorgret (14th Dec). Apr Sep Nov 14 4 8 2 0 21 12 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec ExtremeAll sites dates: 7 13 76 39 56
11th May Acton and 31st Aug Portland. HOBBY Falco subbuteo Locally common breeding visitor & passage migrant.
A poor year for migrants, with Christchurch Harbour, Lodmoor, Lytchett Bay and Morden Bog all noting fewer sightings than in recent years. Feeding groups of 4 or more were Breeding:observed only at Great Ovens Hill (9 on 1st Jun) and Morden Bog (4 on 16th Jun).
Breeding season records (Jun and Jul) were received from 20 sites, compared with 17 in 2012 and 30 in 2011. Records of confirmed breeding were received from only one site. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 suggests that although breeding abundance has improved in some areas of Dorset since 1988-91, it has remained stable or declined in most. Observers are asked to Extremecontinue todates: submit sightings.
21st Mar Studland Bay and 7th Nov Child Okeford. PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
A record number of 32 sites were occupied, of which 22 were coastal and 10 on inland pylons. However, breeding success was poor: only 8 of the coastal pairs successfully raised young (17 juveniles fledged), and only 2 of the pairs on pylons (2 juveniles). The well- publicised pair on the Lansdowne Tower in Bournemouth is included in the coastal2000 2001 sites. 8 10 12 12 12 14 20 20 22 Year 19894 1990 199124 1992 199321 1994 1995 1996 1997 199818 1999 28 22 Pairs 6 7 16 23 Juveniles 2002 13 2004 200513 13 200819 27 201032 2011 201224+ 2014 24 25 28 28 28 Year 2003 25 2006 200728 2009 2013 Pairs 23 32 30 27 30 27 29 32 Juveniles 27 23 29 32 30 37+ 26+ 32 23 30 19 2014 Dorset Bird Report 53
2014Report.indd 53 14/11/2016 17:51 WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
There has been no change in the breeding status at Lytchett Bay since the 2013 survey which found 67 pairs, with a total of 177 pairs in Poole Harbour.
Elsewhere breeding was confirmed at Hengistbury Head (2 or 3 pairs), Lodmoor (at least 2 Migration:pairs) and Radipole Lake.
North Portland A total of 15 recorded between 1st Jan & 9th Apr, and 63 between 21st Sep & 31st Dec. Portland A regular migrant and winter visitor. SiteWinspit maxima: 1 on 22nd Nov. Apr Sep Nov 21 10 Jan Feb Mar1 May Jun Jul Aug 5 Oct5 Dec Christchurch Harbour 8 0 1 1 5 1 Lodmoor 156 6 3 4 6 6 Poole Harbour 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 03 0 0 13 Radipole Lake The Fleet 3 SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana Rare passage migrant.
IM Ballam et al P Morrison et al Lytchett Bay 1 from 20th Jul to 1st Aug ( , photo). Stanpit Marsh 2 singing from 3rd-4th Jun with 1 until 8th ( ) MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Common breeding resident.
Breeds commonly throughout the county, although often inconspicuous. Bird Atlas 2007-11 suggests that there has been a decline in breeding abundance across Dorset since 1988-91, Siteas part maxima: of an overall national decline. Apr Sep Nov 2 25 11 10 Jan Feb5 Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 11 20 50 20 20 8 10 20 Hatch Pond 8 18 8 6 Lodmoor 5 20 9 4 40+ 40+ 40+ Poole Harbour 1216 27 2 0 2 2 4 9 8 20 19 Radipole Lake 7 7 The Fleet 6 17 6
54 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 54 14/11/2016 17:51 COOT Fulica atra Common breeding resident & winter visitor.
Bird Atlas 2007-11 suggests that there has been a decline in breeding abundance across Dorset since 1988-91, although there have been increases elsewhere in the country. Breeding was confirmed at the usual sites, and birds at Lodmoor had an excellent year, with broods of young appearing constantly between early Apr and the end of Jul. However, at Sturminster Marshall GP the breeding population has dropped from 10 pairs in 2013 to 6 Siteor 7 maxima:this year. Apr Sep Nov 88 58 Jan Feb Mar 50 May50 Jun40 Jul40 Aug11 40 Oct 50 Dec50 Christchurch Harbour 129 37 287 285147 202123 90 Lodmoor 13 121 60 10 12 30 148 Longham Lakes 46 3 4059 1543 66 17828 26125 20 15310 Poole Harbour 164 12226 45 454 73 65 Radipole Lake 130 27 30 60 30 The Fleet 1,200 335 46 61 283 731 1,620 1,098 1,700 CRANE Grus grus Rare passage migrant & winter visitor (some records may relate to the reintroduction scheme at Slimbridge and the Somerset levels).
The increase in the number of records is undoubtedly due to birds wandering from the release scheme in Somerset.
Cheselbourne area 2per first-winters DBC et al from Dec 2013 until 9th Mar. They continued to range across a wide area during their four-month stay Known wanderers from Somerset( release, photo). scheme: per DBC
ChardAdditional Junction 2012 GP record: 4 colour-ringed birds on 21st Apr ( , photo). R Hewitt
Bovington 1 on 20th Jan ( ). LITTLE BUSTARD Tetrax tetrax Very rare vagrant.
AJ Barrett, MJ Morse
West Bexington 1 on 18th Nov ( ). See finder’s account on p172-174. OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Uncommon breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
In Poole Harbour at least 5 pairs appeared to breed successfully on Brownsea Lagoon, and 2014 Dorset Bird Report 55
2014Report.indd 55 14/11/2016 17:51 about 4 pairs bred at Arne raising least 3 young . Further west pairs with juveniles were also noted on Portland Harbour breakwaters, by the Sailing Academy, at Ferrybridge and at Abbotsbury Swannery, where a pair raised 3 chicks. However, both breeding pairs at Lodmoor failed to raise young this year for the first time, and in Christchurch Harbour the Wintering/passage:birds failed once again.
Numbers in Poole Harbour were between 600 and 700 during Jan-Mar, then peaked in the autumn, with 1,100 on Brownsea on 30th Aug; the highest subsequent counts in Poole Harbour were 875 in Oct and 823 in Nov. A record count of 300 was made in Christchurch Harbour in Sep, and the highest count in west Dorset came in Feb with 104 on The Fleet. There were several inland records: singles at Longham Lakes on 13th May and 13th Jul and 1 over Monmouth Road in Dorchester on 20th Jul. BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus Rare but increasing passage migrant.
Dorset’s best ever year including the first inland record:P Morton et al R Harris DW Helliar Bestwall Pair on 12th & 13th Apr ( D, photo).Croxson et al Chard Junction GP Adult male on 4th May ( , ID Ballam) et al, Lodmoor Adult male on 5th May, same as above ( , photo). Lytchett Bay 3 (1 male and 2 females) 21st-25th May ( photo). AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Common winter visitor to Poole Harbour, which is of international importance. Elsewhere, a scarce passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 41 12 1 14 44 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Poole Harbour 1,030 359 3 380 373 1,047 1,398
SpringIn Christchurch passage: Harbour there were 1-3 birds erratically during Jan-Feb and in late Dec.
, Brownsea Lagoon 3 on 18th May. Hengistbury Head 3 flew past on 6th Mar then singles on 28th & 31st Mar, 4 E on 9th Apr, 2 on 14th Apr and 4 on 14th May. Lodmoor 1 on 8th Mar, 2 on 16th Apr and 1 on 8th May. Lytchett Bay 2 on 28th & 29th May. AutumnMiddlebere passage: 2 on 28th May.
Brownsea Lagoon The first returning birds, a pair and 2 juvs, arrived on 14th Jul. Christchurch Harbour 20 from 22nd Jul-15th Nov. Max 5 on 6th Oct. Lodmoor 1 on 3rd Aug.
56 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 56 14/11/2016 17:51 STONE CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus Rare passage migrant and formerly regular breeding species.
A return to the norm after last years flurry of records.
Christchurch Harbour 1 N on 8th Jun, a juv at Stanpit on 13th Jul and 1 flew over on 27th Oct. Portland 1 in Top Fields on 7th & 8th Aug. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius Scarce breeding visitor & uncommon passage migrant.
Breeding:
Three pairs bred at Warmwell GPs. One pair fledged 2 young and the other two probably nested successfully. The success of this small colony is thanks to the quarrying company working with local birders to avoid disturbing nesting birds. In addition, as many as 3 pairs may have bred at Hurn Court GPs, where 4 fledged young were seen. Surprisingly, a freshly fledged juv was seen with 2 other birds at Sturminster Marshall GP on 11th Apr; it is not Springknown whetherpassage these birds bred in Dorset or a neighbouring county.
: Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 29th Mar. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 17th Mar, 3 on 10th Apr, 1 on 24th Apr. Lodmoor Singles on 15th, 18th & 21st Apr. Lytchett Bay 1 on 26th Mar, 2 on 30th Mar, 1 on 20th & 21st Apr. Portland 4 from 22nd Mar-31st May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 1 on 27th Mar.
Abbotsbury Swannery 7 from 7th-27th Jul, with a max of 4. Brownsea Lagoon 2 on 13th Sep. Chard Junction GP 2 juvs on 18th Jul and 1 ad on 19th Jul. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 16th Jun, then 17 from 10th-30th Jul, with a max of 4. Singles at Stanpit on 7th & 19th Aug. Lodmoor 4 on 30th Jun, then 8 singles, all juvs, from 7th Jul-7th Sep. Longham Lakes 3 on 12th, 1 on 13th Jul. Lytchett Bay 1 on 30th Jun, then 133 bird-days in Jul and Aug, with a max of 5, followed by 2 on 4th and 1 on 13th Sep. Portland 12 from 18th Jul-7th Sep. Radipole Lake 1 on 15th Jul. RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
On Portland a pair bred raised 3 young near the Sailing Academy. A second pair fledged at least 1 chick at Ferrybridge. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 57
2014Report.indd 57 14/11/2016 17:51 Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 15 4 25 41 Jan Feb Mar May50 Jun25 Jul Aug 120 Oct85 50 Dec Christchurch Harbour 560 83 1119 235 7 1035 2835 44 2471 Ferrybridge/The Fleet 30 26 30 60 75 209 n/c SpringPoole Harbour passage: 35 n/c 26 n/c 32
Lodmoor 1 on 18th & 19th Feb, then 16 on 13 dates from 1st Apr-28th May. Lytchett Bay Max of 5 on 31st May. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 15 past from 29th Apr-25th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery Present from 15th Jul-23rd Oct, with a max of 10. Christchurch Harbour 42 on 13th Aug, 21 over Hengistbury on 16th Aug and 25 over on 21st Aug. Durlston CP 8 between 5th Aug-11th Oct. Ferrybridge Max of 209 on 15th Aug. Langton Herring 55 on 24th Aug. Lodmoor c26 moved through from 29th Jul-7th Sep, then up to 20 on Preston Beach from 13th Sep, with a small flock lingering into Dec. Lytchett Bay Present from 12th Aug-22nd Sep, with a max of 9. Portland Bill 31 past from 11th Jul-12th Oct. South Haven 24 on 9th Oct. Warmwell GPs 2 on 4th Sep.
GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Winter
In early winter the Maiden Castle flock peaked at 700 in late Jan, with 205 still there on 8th Mar. Later in the year 100 were back there by 30th Oct, rising to 250 by 24th Nov and then 1,100 from 12th Dec to the end of the year. 80 gathered at West Compton on 29th Mar before Springheading passage: north.
Hengistbury Head 1 E on 2nd Apr and 1 on 7th May. Portland 12 through from Jan-28th May. Stanpit Marsh 1 E on 28th Mar. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 1 on 30th Apr.
Abbotsbury Swannery 7 from 12th Oct-1st Dec. Butterstreet Cove 1 on 20th Nov. Christchurch Harbour site7 birds . on 5 dates from 18th Jul-21st Sep. Then 37 on 6 dates from 1st Oct-27th Nov, with a max of 9. A very poor year for this
Durlston CP 16 past from 12th Sep-21st Nov. 58 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 58 14/11/2016 17:51 Langton Herring 20 on 14th Sep and 1 on 16th Nov. Lodmoor 8 N on 13th and 1 W on 22nd Oct. South Haven 1 on 22nd Oct. Swineham GPs 2 on 30th Nov. GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 12 1 5 2 2 0 21 Jan15 Feb Mar 0 May Jun1 Jul0 Aug0 0 Oct0 Dec11 Christchurch Harbour 25 200 22 43 15 07 0 0 3 49 107 125 Poole Harbour 7 6 3 3 SpringThe Fleet/Ferrybridge passage: 3
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 5th May. Arne RSPB 15 briefly on 1st May. Brownsea Lagoon 4 on 20th May. Christchurch Harbour 13 E on 6 dates from 28th Mar-30th May. Durlston CP 1 on 23rd May. AutumnLodmoor passage: Singles on 17th Apr and 22nd & 31st May.
Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 13th Sep. Subsequent records here and at nearby Brand’s Bay in late Sep/early Oct probably relate to wintering birds. Christchurch Harbour 3 W on 18th Jul and 2 on 28th Jul. Then a gap to 13th Oct when 7 flew E. 13 from 19th Oct-8th Nov, followed by 21 E past Hengistbury on 19th Nov. Durlston CP 5 singles from 23rd Sep-21st Oct. Lodmoor 1 on 14th Jun. Lytchett Bay Singles on 27th Aug and 27th Sep. West Bay 1 W on 12th Dec. LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Declining breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Depressingly few breeding records this year: Just 1-2 pairs were reported from Keysworth, Hurn Court GPs and Lower Woodbury Farm, Bere Regis. Elsewhere 1-2 pairs in suitable habitat at Fiddleford and at Stour River NR. A pair attempted to nest at Lytchett Bay but the female was predated, probably by a fox. A pair were also displaying at Lodmoor in Jun, Sitealthough maxima: there was no suggestion of breeding there. Apr Sep Nov 45 10 5 41 150 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug 28 Oct 400 400Dec Christchurch Harbour 100 n/c0 03 0 12 70 10310 11 106 650 510443 Poole Harbour 830 387 n/c n/c 7 n/c n/c n/c 86 The Fleet/Ferrybridge 360 7 19 206 2014 Dorset Bird Report 59
2014Report.indd 59 14/11/2016 17:51 Winter:
In Jan flooding at Stanpit probably explained the lowest wintering numbers in Christchurch Harbour for 25 years. On the other hand, there were high counts of 650 at Swineham, 500 at Maiden Castle and 440 at Lodmoor. At the other end of the year there was an obvious arrival in Nov, incl 164 at Abbotsbury 9th and 370 on Tarrant Rushton airfield on 29th. Numbers continued to build in Dec, with 500 at Abbotsbury on 9th, 430 on Lodmoor by 21st and 300 Passage:at Maiden Castle by 26th.
Lapwings tend to be an early spring migrant through Dorset and there were few reported after Mar, incl 4 singles at Lodmoor mid-May. Returning birds/non-breeders appeared on Lodmoor from 28th May, at Abbotsbury from 13th Jun, Longham Lakes from 21st Jun, and Middlebere from 22nd Jun. Numbers at most of the regular stopovers increased only gradually over the summer. 140 had gathered at Stanpit by 14th Sep, but elsewhere flocks did not exceed 100 until Oct or Nov. KNOT Calidris canutus Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 1 15 0 0 0 1 5 1 Jan Feb Mar22 8 May2 Jun0 Jul1 Aug10 22 Oct0 Dec Christchurch Harbour 1 1 0 0 1 2 09 27 13 1 7 Poole Harbour 30 61 7 103 The Fleet/Ferrybridge 3 233 6
Elsewhere there was 1 on West Bexington on 30th Jan. In Poole Harbour there was a major Springarrival inpassage: Dec.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 21st May. Brownsea Lagoon 2 on 20th May. Lytchett Bay 2 on 13th May. Portland Bill 5 past on 14th May. AutumnStanpit Marsh passage: 6 on 6th Jun.
Abbotsbury Swannery 9 on 7 dates from 20th Jul-22nd Aug; 1 on 9th Nov. Brand’s Bay 3 on 24th Aug, rising to 14 by 15th Sep. Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 25th Jul, 2 on 3rd & 15th Aug and 10 on 23rd Aug rising to 12 by 27th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 28th Jul, 6 on 21st Aug, 5 on 24th Aug & 4 W on 14th Nov. Durlston CP 1 past on 6th Oct. Ferrybridge Noted intermittently from 26th Jul-6th Dec with a max of 23 on 13th Sep. Langton Herring 1 on 7th Sep. Lodmoor Singles on 26th Jul and 24th Sep. Lytchett Bay Present from 25th Aug-24th Sep, incl 19 on 7th Sep.
60 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 60 14/11/2016 17:51 SANDERLING Calidris alba Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 1 1 2 2 58 25 25 2 5 2 Jan41 Feb44 Mar22 1 May Jun Jul15 Aug4 2 Oct Dec41 Christchurch Harbour 0 0 1 24 22 1827 14 207 0 0 0 Poole Harbour n/c n/c 3 35 The Fleet/Ferrybridge 3
The biggest counts in Poole Harbour, at either end of the year, came from the Sandbanks/ SpringShore Road passage: area.
The third excellent spring in a row. Abbotsbury Swannery 35 from 16th May-5th Jun, when 22 arrived. Durlston CP 2 past on 23rd May, 1 on 29th May and 1 on 9th Jun. Ferrybridge Present from 21st Apr-20th Jun, with a max of 24 on 22nd May. Hengistbury Head 182 in May incl 24 E on 5th, 88 E on 7th and 63 E on 9th. Preston Beach/Lodmoor 71 on 8 dates from 27th Apr-7th Jun, with a max of 36 on 20th May. Portland Bill/Chesil 114 past from 5th-25th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: Max of 25 in May.
Abbotsbury Swannery Present from 19th Jul-6th Sep, with a max of 14 on 7th & 8th Aug. Brownsea Lagoon 3-4 on 23rd & 24th Aug and 2 or 3 from 17th-24th Oct. Brand’s Bay 15 on 30th Jul and 1 or 2 from 14th-17th Sep. Chesil Cove 25 SW on 12th Aug Christchurch Harbour 5 E on 2nd & 5th Aug, 11 on 27th Aug, 10 on 4th Sep, 1 W on 6th Sep and 5 E on 13th Oct. Durlston CP 1 on 14th Oct. Ferrybridge Present intermittently from 4th Jul-18th Sep, with a max of 18. Langton Herring 11 on 4th Aug. Portland Bill/Chesil c35 from 23rd Jul-6th Nov. West Bexington Max 16 on 16th Aug. Weymouth 1 on Preston Beach 12th-14th Sep. LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn & rare winter visitor.
Spring passage:
Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 5th Jun. AutumnChristchurch passage: Harbour 1 Hengistbury Head on 1st, 1 over on 30th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 juv from 14th-16th Sep. Brownsea Lagoon 2 on 4th-6th Sep and a single from 11th-13th Sep. Ferrybridge 1-3 intermittently from 28th Aug-21st Sep. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 61
2014Report.indd 61 14/11/2016 17:51 Hengistbury Head 1 W on 4th Oct. Langton Herring 2 on 1st Sep and 3 on 7th Sep. Lodmoor 4-6 juvs from 31st Aug-20th Sep. Lytchett Bay 1 on 29th Aug, then 33 bird-days to 20th Sep, with a max of 5 on 4th Sep; all juvs. Radipole Lake 1 on 13th Sep and 2 on 15th Sep; possibly the Lodmoor birds. WinterStanpit Marsh 6 singles on 6 dates from 19th Aug-1st Oct and 3 on 19th Sep.
Mudeford Quay 1 flew past on 23rd Dec. TEMMINCK’S STINT Calidris temmincki Rare passage migrant, mainly in spring.
per DBC et al per DBC et al Lodmoor 1 in partial summer-plumage on 30th May ( , photo). Lytchett Bay 1 on 17th May ( , photo).
These are only the 7th and 8th Dorset records this century. The Lytchett bird was new for the site and only the 3rd ever in Poole Harbour. The Lodmoor record was the first there since 1996 and the first west Dorset record for 10 years. PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos Scarce autumn passage migrant.
per DBC et al per DBC et al Chard Junction GP 1 juv on 5th Oct ( L, photo).Chappell Lytchett Bay 1 juv from 3rd-6th Oct ( , photo). Stanpit Marsh 1 on 20th Sep before flying N ( ).
The Chard individual was a first site record. CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn.
Spring passage:
Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 6th May. Ferrybridge Singles on 25th Apr & 24th May. AutumnLodmoor passage: 1 on 17th May.
The majority of birds passing through Dorset in the autumn are juveniles, so the double figure flock of adults at Stanpit was exceptional. Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 3rd Aug, then 7 on 4th Sep, followed by 1-7 on 7 dates to 26th Sep. Ferrybridge Singles on 20th Jun, 19th Jul & 4th Sep, with 2 on 3rd Sep. Holes Bay 2 on 20th Sep. Langton Herring 2 on 7th Sep. Lodmoor62 Dorset Bird Report 2014 2 juvs on 11th, with 1 remaining on 12th Sep.
2014Report.indd 62 14/11/2016 17:51 Lytchett Bay A series of records relating to probably the same juv from 21st Aug-2nd Sep. Then single juvs on 12th & 17th Sep. Middlebere 1 on 12th Sep. Stanpit Marsh 10 ads on 19th Jul with 1 present the next day. Singles on 5th & 20th Aug, then 39 bird-days in Sep (max 5), 1 on 2nd Oct and 2 on 3rd Oct. PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 25 21 14 1 0 0 0 0 4 21 Jan Feb Mar4 0 May0 Jun0 Jul0 Aug0 0 Oct0 8 Dec Hengistbury/Mudeford 4 4 340 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,8122 Lyme Regis (The Cobb) 83 57 15 0 0 1 0 1 4 2 6 Poole Harbour 3 Winter:Portland Bill 7 6
Numbers at Mudeford have been consistent over the past few years; however, the small Passage:flock frequenting The Cobb at Lyme Regis seems to be getting smaller each year.
A single at Castletown on Portland on 6th Jan was probably a wandering local wintering bird. On the other hand the birds at Portland Bill on 26th Jul, Ferrybridge on 28th Aug and ExtremeNothe Fort dates: in Weymouth on 13th Nov were probably genuine migrants.
2nd May at Mudeford and 26th Jul at Portland Bill. DUNLIN Calidris alpina Common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 280 400 10 150 250 200Jan Feb Mar 100 May100 Jun Jul Aug54 Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 120 100494 66 145190 100 100146 89 39 4069 Poole Harbour 2,195 380 n/c 30 69 230 116 1,238 The Fleet/Ferrybridge 30 30 1,500 160 90 70
Wintering numbers generally were modest this year. Lytchett Bay logged the biggest single site total of the year, with 764 on 18th Feb. Passage birds were also relatively scarce, with the best movement totals from Hengistbury Head, where 115 flew E on 7th May and 101 W on 6th. Elsewhere flocks of 100 built up at both Abbotsbury Swannery and on Brownsea Lagoon on 7th May. Records away from the usual sites included 7 at Chard Junction GP on 21st Apr and 5 over Winterbourne Herringston on 30th Apr.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 63
2014Report.indd 63 14/11/2016 17:51 RUFF Philomachus pugnax Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
Wintering:
The mild weather meant few records: 3 at Bestwall on 3rd Jan were followed by singles at SpringLytchett passage: Bay on 11th and at Stanpit on 18th, with 2 at Avon Causeway on 18th Feb.
Lodmoor 1 on 30th May. AutumnStanpit Marsh passage: 1 on 18th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 11th Jul, 25th Aug & 17th Sep with 2 on 7th Sep. Brand’s Bay 1 on 1st Oct. Christchurch Harbour 63 bird-days from 28th Aug-7th Dec, with a max of 6. Ferrybridge Single male on 26th Aug. Lodmoor 5 on 28th Aug, then probably just 2 birds on 11 dates from 2nd-25th Sep. Lytchett Bay Noted almost daily from 17th Aug-29th Oct, incl 5 on 28th Aug. Middlebere 2 on 24th Oct. Swineham 2 on 14th Sep. JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.
First winter/spring:
A total of about 17 birds turned up at 10 different, mainly coastal, locations. This included no fewer than 5 seen during a night survey at Lytchett Bay on 9th Jan. Inland 2 were at Chard Autumn/Junction GP second in Jan. Thewinter: last sighting of the spring was of 1 at Longham Lakes on 31st Mar.
About 18 birds were recorded from 9 locations, with the first a migrant in Christchurch Harbour on 15th Aug. 5 more migrants were noted there in Sep & Oct. Most birds were recorded in Nov & Dec, including 1 at Winyard’s Gap, Chedington. SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Scarce breeding resident, fairly common but declining winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Most of the few potential breeding reports came from the Poole Basin. Drumming birds were seen at: Bestwall, Hartland Moor, Holt Heath and Middlebere. Birds were also noted in Wintering/Passagesuitable habitat at the right time of year at Morden Bog and West Moors.
: The highest winter counts this year was of 90 at Lodmoor in late Nov. However, this is a very widely recorded bird in winter, with reports from more than 30 different localities. In the spring the last passage bird was on 13th May; the first returning individual appeared on 1st 64 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 64 14/11/2016 17:51 faeroeensis
Jul. A bird at Abbotsbury Swannery on 25th Apr was of the race, which breeds from Iceland to the Orkney Islands. WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Uncommon breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
The good series of breeding season reports suggests that this species may be doing reasonably well in Dorset. Breeding records included 6 in the Shaftesbury Estate, Wimborne St Giles. Elsewhere records came from Great Ovens, Holt Heath (3), Merley Park (4), Oakers FirstWood, winter Penwood period: (2), Pistle Down, West Moors CP and Whitesheet Plantation. ,
Reports came from 11 locations including Lytchett Bay, where the wintering population Springwas estimated passage: at 8 birds, and Came Wood where 5 were noted in Jan.
Autumn/secondA total of 5 singles winter: were noted on Portland from 1st Mar to 4th May.
Portland hosted the first returning bird on 28th Sep. As usual, most records were in Oct and Nov, when a total of 37 were noted at various locations. 14 at Thorncombe on 25th Nov was the biggest count of the year. Further records in Dec included 9 at Shapwick. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant. Some birds over-summer.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 2 0 5 20 4 42 200 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 7 34 32 49 95 Winter:Poole Harbour 468 1,073 1,950 1,030 265 273 322 477 1,522 1,690 1,971 2,636
The wintering birds in east Dorset commute to and from the Hampshire side of the Avon Valley, depending on the water levels. Flooding in Jan meant that most left Christchurch Harbour and moved on to the Hampshire side of the Avon valley, where there were well over 1,000 in early Mar. In west Dorset, 2 were at Ferrybridge on 2nd Jan and up to 22 Passage:frequented Lodmoor and Radipole Lake in Nov and Dec.
Spring passage included 3 inland at Chard Junction GP on 7th Apr, only the 3rd site record there. In Lytchett Bay, a flock that began forming in mid-May steadily grew to 273 by the end of Jun. The first returning birds appeared at Middlebere and Brownsea on 22nd Jun. Numbers then built up to 477 in Holes Bay on 5th Aug, with 1,029 gathered at Middlebere on 30th Sep. The biggest fly-by flocks were 75 W on 16th Oct & 46 SW on 17th Nov over Christchurch Harbour.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 65
2014Report.indd 65 14/11/2016 17:51 BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Spring passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 15 from 9th Apr-23rd May. Butterstreet Cove 85 on 4th May. Christchurch Harbour c64 through from 31st Mar-17th May, max 36 E on 5th May. Cogden Beach 2 on 14th May. Ferrybridge Max 23 on 5th May. Lodmoor 1 on 4th Mar was exceptionally early. Then 31 from 15th Apr- 12th May, max 14. Lytchett Bay 1 on 26th & 27th Apr. Portland 197 past Chesil and 63 off the Bill from 16th Apr-21st May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 2 on 26th Apr and 17 E on 5th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 3rd Sep. Brownsea Lagoon First returning bird 4th Jul, then 5 on 2nd Aug. Regular in Sep, max 8. Butterstreet Cove 11 from 24th Aug-29th Sep. Christchurch Harbour About 25 through from 18th Jul-13th Oct. Ferrybridge Max 5 on 1st Sep. Lodmoor 2 on 20th Aug, 1 on 2nd Sep. Lytchett Bay 1 on 6th Sep. Portland 10 past the Bill between 9th-12th Sep. Winter:West Bexington 8 on 10th Sep, with 1 at nearby Cogden Beach on 12th Aug.
At the start of the year the Shore Road flock in Poole Harbour had swelled to 230, with at least 226 remaining in Poole Harbour in Feb. Numbers fell away sharply after that with just 63 left by late Mar. Wintering birds began arriving in Poole Harbour in earnest in Oct when numbers climbed to 97, with 127 in Dec. Further east 5 were around Christchurch Harbour in Jan, with 2 at the end of the year. Up to 13 were on The Fleet in Jan, but just 2 had returned there in Nov. WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Locally common passage migrant & rare winter visitor.
Spring passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery c150 from 10th Apr-28th May. Max 31. Brand’s Bay 19 from 21st Apr-16th May. Christchurch Harbour A total of 754 bird-days from 3rd Apr-Jun. Max 144 E on 23rd Apr. Durdle Door 11 on 3rd May. Holes Bay 53 from 27th Apr-13th May. Lodmoor c140 from 15th Apr-1st Jun. Max 38 on 26th Apr. Lytchett Bay 96 bird-days from 17th Apr-20th May. Portland A total of 518 from all sites through from 12th Apr-13th Jun, including 47 at Ferrybridge and 26 off the Bill on Apr 26th. West Bay 115 past on 26th Apr. 66 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 66 14/11/2016 17:51 West Bexington Max 12 in Apr and 14 in May. Wyke Regis 30 through on 26th Apr.
A really strong showing for the third spring in a row. Numbers passing through Dorset often peak in late April and this year was no exception. Away from the coastal watch points a flock was heard going over Gillingham on the night of 29th Apr and 1 went over Broadstone at dusk Autumnon 3rd May. passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1-3 regularly from 7th Jul-14th Aug. 1 on 4th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 282 bird-days from Jul-Sep. Durlston CP 13 between 30th Jun & 9th Oct. Lodmoor 8 singles from 11th Jul-22nd Aug. Lytchett Bay 35 bird-days from 13th Jul-12th Sep. Portland c70 from 6th Jul-6th Oct. CURLEW Numenius arquata Scarce breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
TheWintering: only breeding season report was of a pair at Arne RSPB in Jun.
Poole Harbour remains enormously important for this species both as an autumn staging area and a wintering ground. The December count was particularly impressive. The Jun and Jul Sitecounts maxima: both come from one of its favourite haunts at Middlebere. Apr Sep Nov 20 40 15 200Jan Feb Mar 120 May Jun Jul 100Aug Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 1826 32 2 19 17 171 314 32 371 351 1 1 Poole Harbour 1,014 902 3 135 636 896 970 857 1,588 SpringThe Fleet passage: 16 3
A really poor spring.
Abbotsbury Swannery 6 singles 17th Mar-23rd May. Lodmoor Just 5 from 3rd Mar-23rd May. Portland Bill 15 from 18th Mar-16th Apr. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 6 from 23rd Feb-9th Mar.
Abbotsbury Swannery 10 from 19th Jun-12th Sep. Durlston CP 11 from 14th Aug - 11th Nov. Hengistbury Head Small numbers, including 5 W on 15th Aug. Lodmoor 9 from 9th Jun-19th Sep. West Bexington Singles on 16th Jul & on 27th Aug.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 67
2014Report.indd 67 14/11/2016 17:51 COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Fairly common passage migrant & scarce winter visitor.
Winter:
The regular Holes Bay bird failed to reappear in late 2013 but one there on 8th & 19th Mar had surely been over-wintering nearby. It or another returned from late Nov to the year’s Springend. One passage: also reported from Rodden Hive on 29th Dec.
Reports came from a total of 15 locations from 26th Mar-5th Jun. As usual most records came in the second half of Apr. This species turns up regularly inland as well as the coastal Autumnstrip and passage:at one point 10 birds had gathered at Chard Junction GP.
The first returning birds appeared on 21st Jun and numbers built up during Jul and Aug. It was a particularly good autumn at Christchurch Harbour, where 32 in Jul was the highest count for more than 20 years. Records were also broken at Lytchett Bay: up to 9 birds were noted on 45 days from 11th Jul-6th Oct, the best autumn ever. Elsewhere numbers peaked at Lodmoor with 10 on 30th Jul and at Abbotsbury Swannery with 11 in Aug. As usual most birds had moved through by early Sep, but a few birds continued to trickle through or linger, with the last migrant noted at Lodmoor on 1st Nov. GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Locally common passage migrant & winter visitor.
First winter period/spring passage:
There were no obvious influxes during what was a generally mild start to the year. As usual the county’s cress beds provided the highest counts early on, with 7 at Bere Regis CBs in Jan and 6 still there in Mar.
There seems to be a small but regular movement of birds through Dorset in mid Apr. A total of 13 migrants were recorded at 7 sites from 2nd Apr-5th May. Christchurch Harbour failed to Autumnregister any passage: winter or spring records for the first time in 10 years.
Birds began appearing from as early as 7th Jun, with a surge of records in early Jul, incl 14 at Lytchett Bay on 1st. Christchurch Harbour watchers reported their 3rd poor autumn in row. Elsewhere, however, reasonably good numbers were noted from 16 widespread locations. The Secondheaviest winter movement period: was in Jul and Aug but records also extended through Sep and into Oct.
In Nov and Dec 1 or 2 birds were reported from 11 places, with 12 at Bere Regis CBs on 25th Dec the peak count.
68 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 68 14/11/2016 17:51 SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
Winter:
In Poole Harbour the highest count early in the year was 12 in Holes Bay in Jan. The last birds were 2 that had lingered on Brownsea Lagoon until 22nd Apr. Passage/returning wintering birds started reappearing on 26th Jun, when 2 were in Lytchett Bay. Numbers had built up to 17 by late Sep with 22 in Oct. However, the peak count in Dec was just 8, suggesting that birds move on elsewhere. The 2013 bird lingered in Christchurch Harbour until 24th Apr. It was joined by a second bird on a couple of dates. It or another arrived on Passage2nd Oct and (away remained from Poole until theHarbour): end of the year.
Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 1st & 9th Sep. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Hengistbury on 30th Jul & 13th Sep, in the harbour on 1st Sep, and Stanpit Marsh on 3rd & 12th Sep. Lodmoor Singles on 31st Aug and on 7th-8th & 15th Sep. Radipole Lake 2 on 8th Sep and a juv on 11th-13th Sep. Christchurch Harbour Apart from the Apr records 1 at Stanpit on 13th May. In the autumn singles on 1st and 22nd Aug, 20 bird-days in Sep, 7 singles in Oct. GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Locally common passage migrant & uncommon winter visitor.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 0 0 0 2 2 1 40 8 0 0 Jan8 Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug 28 Oct 15 Dec Christchurch Harbour 6 7 Wintering:Poole Harbour 6 7 7 3 3 13 26 27 9
SpringThere were passage: no winter records outside Poole Harbour.
Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 20th & 22nd Apr. Brownsea Lagoon 3 on 10th May. Chard Junction GP Singles on 21st Apr & 17th May. Lodmoor An outstanding spring featuring 9 birds from 19th Apr-24th May, incl 5 on 16th May. Longham Lakes 1 on 15th Apr. Portland 3 from 25th Apr-26th May. AutumnWinspit passage: 1 on 3rd Apr.
Abbotsbury Swannery Present from 23rd Jun-22nd Oct, max 7. Brownsea Lagoon Present from 21st Jun, max 12 in Aug, 15 in Sep, and 27 on 18th Oct. Chard Junction GP 1 on 27th Jun. Durlston CP 1 past on 12th Sep. Herbury Gore 1 on 9th Sep. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 69
2014Report.indd 69 14/11/2016 17:51 Holes Bay Max 20 on 3rd Sep. Lodmoor The first returning bird arrived on 30th Jun; up to 4 regularly from 13th Jul-27th Aug. Lytchett Bay Max 9 on 28th Aug. Middlebere First arrival 22nd Jun; max 26 on 29th Aug. Portland 12 from 30th Jun-9th Sep. West Bexington 2 W on 18th Aug. LESSER YELLOWLEGS Tringa flavipes Very rare vagrant.
GJ Armstrong et al
Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 8th Dec ( ). WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn.
All records:
Abbotsbury Swannery Singles from 24th-28th Jul and from 4th-8th Sep. Chard Junction GP 1 ad on 10th Jun and a juv from 27th Jul-6th Aug. The 4th and 5th site records. Hengistbury Head 3 W on 6th Aug. Lodmoor Up to 4 daily from 27th Jul-14th Aug. 1 on 27th-28th Aug. Lytchett Bay 1 from 17th-19th May, then 1-2 regularly from 23rd Jul-18th Aug. Last recorded 31st Aug. Portland Bill Singles on 26th Aug & 5th Sep. Radipole Lake 1 on 24th Jul. Stanpit Singles on 25th Jun, 22nd & 28th Jul, 19th Aug, and on 5 dates 3rd-18th Sep.
The spring record at Lytchett Bay was almost certainly a Dorset first; a singing and displaying bird! REDSHANK Tringa totanus Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
A survey carried out by the RSPB identified a population of between 74 and 147 breeding pairs in Poole Harbour using different calibration methods. A further eight pairs were located on adjacent wet grassland sites. This represents the largest population on the south coast of SiteEngland. maxima: Apr Sep Nov 81 115 124 158 220 80 211Jan Feb Mar 80 May Jun Jul51 Aug Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 10318 2 3 162 390 153 143 40 Poole Harbour 629 723 n/c 26 67 632 1,258 952 1,218 The Fleet 56 30 n/c 13 7 3 38 70 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 70 14/11/2016 17:51 For the second year running some very impressive numbers in Poole Harbour. The counts in Mar, Nov & Dec are a throwback to the size of flocks that wintered in Dorset 20 years ago. Further west, 3 at West Bexington from 13th Jan-3rd Feb may have been part of the regular OtherFleet flock. records and passage:
The inter-tidal zones in the east of the county serve as an important stopover as well as a wintering ground. A flock of 289 had gathered in Holes Bay in Sep. In west Dorset passage is always lighter but has increased in recent years. At Lodmoor adults initially, and then increasingly juveniles, were present almost daily 17th Jun-18th Oct, with a max of 13. Abbotsbury Swannery enjoyed a similar autumn, with small numbers regular from 21st Jun-22nd Oct, with a max of 13 on 8th Aug. On Portland a total of 66 went through from 14th Jun-26th Nov. There were two records well inland at Chard Junction GP, with singles on 16th Jun & 15th Jul. TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant - a few non-breeders over-summer.
Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 28 28 1 14 5 10 15 22 Jan4 Feb8 Mar50 8 May Jun2 Jul2 Aug 20 Oct41 50 Dec Christchurch Harbour 34 23 17 29 Portland Hrbr/Ferrybridge 3 9 36
Passage/recordsIn Poole Harbour numbers from elsewhere peaked at include: 64 in Jan and 63 in Dec.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 16th May, then 1-6 on 10 dates from 15th Jul-23rd Oct. Brownsea Lagoon 5 on 18th May. Hengistbury Head 8 E on 6th Jun. Holes Bay 1 on 18th Jul was a good record this far north in Poole Harbour. Lodmoor 4 on 27th May, 1 on 20th Jul and 3 on 27th Aug. Longham Lakes 1 on 23rd Jun. Lyme Cobb 3 on 7th Sep. Lytchett Bay 1 on 27th May. As with Holes Bay this is a very scarce bird here. Preston Beach Up to 22 from early Jan-22nd Feb, then up to 32 regularly from late Sep-year end. The same flock frequented Nothe Fort and Newton’s Cove. West Bay 2 on 3rd May. RED NECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus Rare passage migrant.
M Jackson, P Morrison, S Simmonds Hengistbury Head 1 on the sea off beach huts on 6th Jun. ( ).
The first Christchurch Harbour record for 9 years. Unfortunately it flew E after 30 minutes.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 71
2014Report.indd 71 14/11/2016 17:51 GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius Scarce autumn passage migrant and rare winter visitor.
All records:
Chesil Cove At least 3 from 10th-11th Oct. Hengistbury Head Singles on 15th Sep, 13th Oct & 6th Nov. Kimmeridge Bay 2 on 2nd-3rd Jan with 1 on 4th.. Mudeford Quay 1 flew past and into Christchurch Harbour on 21st Oct. South Haven/Studland 1 on 28th Oct. West Bexington 1 on sea 14th Nov. Winfrith Heath 1 on 10th Oct on newly created pool complex on nature reserve.
The Winfrith Heath record was a wonderful reward for the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s efforts. POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus Uncommon passage migrant, mainly spring.
Strong up-channel movement on 5th May was noted from locations in the east and west, as Springwell as thepassage: more traditional sites on Portland:
Hengistbury Head 22 E on 5th May, 2 on 10th May. Portland Total of 92 from all sites 15th Apr-7th Jun, with a max of 47 on 5th May. West Bay 11 on 5th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 8 on 5th May.
Branksome Chine 2 on 6th Oct, 1 on 6th Nov, 4 on 8th Nov. Durlston CP Singles on 5th Sep, 12th Nov & 13th Dec. Hengistbury Head 8 past from 26th Oct-3rd Dec, max 3 on 8th Nov. Mudeford Quay Singles on 8th Nov & 25th Nov. WinterPortland records: Total of 67 from all sites 6th Aug-13th Nov.
Portland Bill 1 on 3rd Jan. ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus Locally common passage migrant.
Spring passage:
Durlston CP 5 noted 7th Apr-4th Jun. Hengistbury Head 14 from 31st Mar-25th May. Mudeford Quay 6 from 27th Apr-23rd May. Portland 153 noted from all sites 20th Mar-18th Jun. West Bay 1 on 5th May. West Bexington 1 on 30th Apr, with 3 on 5th May. 72 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 72 14/11/2016 17:51 Autumn passage:
Branksome Chine 11 noted 10th Aug-8th Nov, max 8 on 6th Oct. Durlston CP 20 from 1st Aug-12th Nov, max of 11 on 6th Oct. Hengistbury Head 19 from 13th Jul-8th Nov. Mudeford Quay 7 from 22nd Sep-14th Nov. Portland Total of 173 from all sites 5th Jul-7th Dec. WinterSouth Haven records: 1 on 26th Oct.
Cogden Beach 1 on 16th Feb in a ploughed field. Mudeford Quay 1 on 3rd Jan. Portland 1 on 6th Jan and 15th Feb. LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus Rare passage migrant.
All records: CE Richards CE Richards Chesil Cove Juv on 8th Oct ( R Newton,). G Walbridge Juv on 2nd Nov ( ). AdditionalPortland Bill 2012 record: Adult on 14th Jun ( ). D Croxson, R Morris
Weymouth Bay Imm on 27th Aug ( ). GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua Uncommon passage migrant & scarce winter visitor.
Main coastal sites:
Durlston CP Total of 22 from 3rd Jan-21st Nov. Hengistbury Head Total of 23 from 1st Jan -6th Nov, max 3 on 4th Jan. OtherPortland Spring migrants: Total from all sites of 422.
OtherWest Bay Autumn migrants: 2 on 26th Apr.
WinterAbbotsbury records: Swannery Singles on 10th Aug & 17th Oct.
Branksome Chine Singles on 4th Jan & 8th Jan. Butterstreet Cove 1 on 26th Feb. Poole Bay 1 on 16th Jan. Rodden Hive 1 on 19th Jan. West Bexington 1 on 1st-6th Jan was later found dead. 1 on 20th Feb.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 73
2014Report.indd 73 14/11/2016 17:51 SABINE’S GULL Xema sabini Scarce offshore migrant, usually storm driven.
Just one record submitted this year: L Chappell
Mudeford Quay 1 E on 11th Nov ( ). KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding:
Blackers Hole 26 pairs nested at this declining colony, mirroring the national trend. CoastalPortland passage Bill maxima: Again no full census of the small colony here.
Branksome Chine 100 W on 4th Jan. Durlston CP 450 W on 12th Nov. Hengistbury Head 248 W on 4th Jan, 175 W on 10th Dec. Mudeford Quay 800 W on 3rd Jan. Portland Bill 1,000 W on 6th Nov. West Bexington 200 E on 2nd Mar. UnusualWeymouth records: Bay 200 on Jan 1st, 67 W on 12th Feb.
Baiter Park, Poole 1 on 1st Jan, 2 on 18th Feb. Chesil Beach 14 dead birds found between Abbotsbury and Ferrybridge in mid-Mar during beached bird survey. Lodmoor 1 on 16th Oct. Lytchett Bay 1 on 14th Jan was just the 5th site record since 1992. Radipole Lake 1 on 2nd Jan. BLACK-HEADED GULL Chroicocephalus ridibundus Locally abundant breeding resident, fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding:
Brownsea Island Poor year with only c25 young fledged Lodmoor First breeding at this site, with one pair fledging 3 chicks on the tern islands, a second pair also attempted but quickly abandoned. CoastalWareham passage: Channel No counts received from the colony here.
Chesil Cove 255 from 28th Mar-9th May. Hengistbury Head 470 W on 27th Aug, 530 W on 5th Nov.
74 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 74 14/11/2016 17:51 Large counts:
Lytchett Bay 3,000 on 2nd Jan. Swineham Point 2,800 on 2nd Sep. Warmwell GPs 850 on 4th Dec. LITTLE GULL Hydrocoloeus minutus Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
Spring passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 10th May. Bestwall 3 on 16th May. Camp Road, Wyke Regis 1 on 26th Apr. Cowards Marsh First-summer from 15th-30th May. Hengistbury Head Max of 9 E on 2nd Apr. Lodmoor Singles on 6th Apr, 12th May & 27th May. Longham Lakes 1 on 12th May. Portland 365 from all sites 8th Mar-4th May. SummerSwineham records GPs 1-3 from 13th Apr-28th May.
: Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 15th Jul. Stanpit Marsh First-summer present most days 13th Jun-19th Aug, also Autumn passage: visited nearby Cowards Marsh on 10th Jul.
Baiter Park 1 on 11th Oct. Branksome Chine 7 on 6th Nov, 3 on 8th Nov. Camp Road, Wyke Regis 1 on 30th Sep. Durlston CP 11 on 12th Nov. Christchurch Harbour 17 W on 5th Nov. Lodmoor 1 on 9th Nov. Portland 18 from all sites 13th Sep-10th Nov. WinterSouth Haven records: 2 on 10th Sep.
Abbotsbury Swannery 4 on 9th Feb, 13 on 5th Feb. Avon Valley 2 on 16th Feb. Baiter Park 1 from 3rd-10th Jan, with 1-3 from 6th-19th Feb. Boscombe Beach 1 on 9th Jan Branksome Chine 5 on 4th Jan, 1 on 5th Feb, 2 on 12th Feb. Brands Bay 1 on 30th Dec. Chesil Beach 3 dead on beached bird survey in mid-Mar. Christchurch Harbour 173 bird-days in Jan & Feb, max of 5 on 4th Jan & 6 on 15th Feb. Cogden Beach 1 on 31st Jan with up to 22 present 2nd Feb-24th Feb feeding in ploughed fields behind the beach. Lodmoor 1 on 14th Feb. Lyme Regis 1 on 9th Feb. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 75
2014Report.indd 75 14/11/2016 17:51 Poole Quay Singles on 1st Jan & 17th Feb. Portland 41 from all sites 15th Jan-18th Feb. Radipole Lake 1 on 16th & 21st Feb. West Bexington Singles on 9th & 10th Feb, 3 on 18th Feb, 1 on 19th Nov. MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus Locally common breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding:
Poole Harbour No counts received from the colony in the Wareham Channel Coastal sites maxima: or Brownsea Lagoon.
Baiter Park 120 on 17th Feb. Brownsea Lagoon 30 on 1st Apr. Chesil Cove 400 on 28th Feb, 200 on 31st Oct & 30th Nov. Ferrybridge Max of 600 in Feb & Nov. Lodmoor 110 on 22nd Jan, 108 on 17th Oct. Radipole Lake 175 on 23rd Oct, 100 on 18th Dec. West Bexington 43 in Feb, 130 in Nov. CoastalWeymouth passage: Bay 200 on 3rd Jan, 400 on 19th Dec.
Durlston CP 20 E on 29th Oct. Hengistbury Head 80 E on 29th Apr, 43 W on 25th Jul. Mudeford Quay 103 E on 17th Apr. InlandStanpit maxima:Marsh 202 E on 24th Apr.
Avon Causeway 27 on 8th Jul. Longham Lakes 54 on 22nd Feb, 85 on 2nd Apr, 10 on 12th Jul. Sturminster Marshall GP 38 on 3rd Apr. Warmwell GPs 19 on 28th Nov. Winterborne Herringston 126 on 1st Dec. Wimborne 99 on 29th Mar. COMMON GULL Larus canus Common winter visitor & passage migrant.
First winter period maxima:
Abbotsbury Swannery 900 on 4th Feb. SecondWest Bexington winter period maxima:1,000 on 11th Feb.
Abbotsbury Swannery 400 on 17th Dec. Radipole Lake 500 on 18th Dec. Swineham Point 320 on 16th Nov. 76 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 76 14/11/2016 17:51 Warmwell GPs 600 on 28th Nov. CoastalWeymouth passage: Bay 2,000 in Nov/Dec roost.
Chesil Cove Total of 400 from 20th Mar - 10th May. Hengistbury Head Notable counts of 127 E on 23rd Apr, 165 W on 5th Oct and 350 on 3rd Dec. RING-BILLED GULL Larus delawarensis Rare winter visitor & passage migrant.
Just one record this year: MJ Lawson
Swineham Point Ad on 30th Nov ( ). LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus graellsii Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Dorchester At least 2 pairs fledged young on rooftops. Easton, Portland 1 pair fledged 1 young. North Portland 6 non-breeding pairs. CoastalPortland passage: Harbour 2 pairs on breakwater.
Durlston CP 55 W on 12th Oct, 45 W on 14th Oct. OtherHengistbury maxima: Head 63 W on 12th Oct.
Abbotsbury Swannery 21 on 10th Aug, 30 on 6th Nov. Longham Lakes 30 on 23rd Apr. Warmwell GPs 100 on 13th Nov. West Bexington 29 on 25th Dec. Larus fuscus intermedius Uncommon passage migrant. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL intermedius
All records received of -types or intergrades: Durlston CP 1 on 1st May Lodmoor 1 on 1st Feb. Swineham Point 1 on 9th Feb.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 77
2014Report.indd 77 14/11/2016 17:51 HERRING GULL Larus argentatus argenteus Locally abundant breeding resident, very common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Lodmoor 1 pair bred here for the first time. Portland 280-300 pairs nested on buildings. Portland Harbour 10 pairs on breakwater. Purbeck coast 168 pairs from Handfast Point to White Nothe. WinterWest Bexington Roosts: 14 nests in the village.
OtherChesil CoveCounts: 3,500 on 16th Feb.
Lodmoor 200 on 12th Mar. Maiden Castle 200 on 22nd Aug. Ringstead Bay 580 on 6th Sep. Warmwell GPs 780 on 31st Aug. West Bexington 1,000 on 15th Aug. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Scarce breeding resident, locally common passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding:
PooleBrownsea Harbour: Island The usual pair again nested successfully, and fledged one young, fed on a near exclusive diet of Common Tern chicks.
Arne RSPB 6 on 8th Aug. Middlebere 10 on 9th Jul & 6th Aug Holes Bay 1 on 10th Jan. Lytchett Bay Max 4 in Sep. Swineham Point 48 on 30th Aug. OtherSwineham coastal GPs sites: 6 on 7th Aug.
Christchurch Harbour Total of 13 from 13th Jan-1st Oct, max of 2 on 10th Jul. Portland 22 recorded from all sites 9th Jul-2nd Nov. Radipole Lake Singles on 7th Sep and 23rd Oct. Lodmoor Total of 11 singles from Mar-Nov. Inland:West Bexington 1 on 24th Aug.
Longham Lakes Singles on 12th Feb & 22nd Oct.
78 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 78 14/11/2016 17:51 Hen Harrier at Middlebere - 28th December 2014 - Brett Spencer
Kestrel at Hengistbury Head - 8th March 2014 - Joe Murphy
2014 Dorset Bird Report 79
2014Report.indd 79 14/11/2016 17:51 Dunlin at Ferrybridge - 23rd May 2014 - Brett Spencer
Purple Sandpiper at Sandbanks - 14th January 2014 - Peter Moore 80 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 80 14/11/2016 17:51 CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor - 10 previous records.
Just one record this year: DJ Chown et al
Radipole Lake First-winter on 14th Dec ( ). ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.
Even allowing for some duplication an excellent series of records:
Boscombe Beach First-winter on 12th Mar. Bournemouth 1 on 17th Mar. Bridging Camp, The Fleet 1 on 23rd Feb. Christchurch Harbour First-winter on many dates from 11th Feb-5th May presumably involved more than one individual. A second-winter was also present 25th-28th Feb. Cogden Beach 1 on 23rd Feb. Holes Bay 1 on 2nd Mar. Langton Herring 1 on 27th Feb. Lodmoor Second-winter on 18th & 20th Mar, first-winter on 8th May. Lyme Regis 1 on 16th Mar. Mudeford Quay Ad on 24th Jan. Poole Park 1 on 3rd Mar. Portland Up to 6 first-winters noted from 27th Jan-3rd May, max of 3 on 9th Mar in Chesil Cove/Ferrybridge area. Radipole Lake 1 on 2nd & 5th Mar, 2nd, 12th & 16th Apr. St. Leonards Fm, Ferndown 1 on 31st Mar. West Bexington First-winter on 20th & 25th Feb, second-winter on 8th Mar. Weymouth Bay 1 on 2nd Feb & 6th May. Winspit Second-winter on 4th Apr. Larus glaucoides kumlieni Rare vagrant. KUMLIEN’S GULL
With just two previous county records (found dead at Abbotsbury in 1995 and at Corfe Mullen Tip in 2001) a nationwide influx brought at least two to Dorset. More birds were reported but in the absence of any submitted notes or photographs the two individuals below are the only ones to make the report. per DBC et al per DBC et al Abbotsbury Beach 3cy on 21st-26thA Feb Barrett, & 2nd GMar Bright, ( MJ Morse, photo). et al Chesil Cove 3cy on 4th Mar, same as Abbotsbury ( , photo). West Bexington Ad on 21st Feb ( ).
2014 Dorset Bird Report 81
2014Report.indd 81 14/11/2016 17:51 GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.
As with Iceland Gull a good winter for this species with at least 3 different adults in west Dorset:
Abbotsbury Swannery Ad on 20th-26th Feb, first-winter on 27th Feb & 18th Mar. Bournemouth Second-winter taken into care and later released on Brownsea. Brownsea Lagoon Imm on 19th Feb & second-winter on 14th Mar. Chesil Cove Second-winter on 1st Jan. Ferrybridge First-winter on 14th Jan. Hengistbury Head First-winter on 6th Mar. Lodmoor Ad on 12th & 2nd Feb, first-winter on 23rd Feb. Portland Bill First-winters on 29th Jan, 25th Feb & 6th Mar. Portland Many sites here were visited by at least 1 adult 20th Jan-18th Mar. Sandbanks Second-winter on 15th Mar. Radipole Lake First-winter on 31st Jan & 20th Feb. West Bexington Ad (from 2013) remained until 10th Mar, with a second adult 18th Feb-9th Mar, with a first-winter from 14th Feb-9th Mar & on 31st Mar. Weymouth Bay Ad on 5th Jan. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Brownsea Island 1 pair bred fledging 2 young. Portland Breeding population estimated at around 50 pairs. Purbeck 16 nests recorded during the Purbeck Seabird Survey from Other counts: Handfast Point to White Nothe.
Abbotsbury Swannery 303 on 10th Aug. Chesil Beach Estimate of 1,000 between Chesil Cove and Burton Bradstock on 6th Aug. Hengistbury Head 83 E on 8th Mar. Portland Harbour Max of 410 on breakwater roost in Nov. Stanpit Marsh 40 on 14th Sep. West Bexington 30 on 1st Jan. LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons Uncommon breeding visitor and passage migrant.
Breeding:
Ferrybridge 33 pairs, an increase from the 25 in 2013.
82 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 82 14/11/2016 17:51 Coastal passage:
Christchurch Harbour 131 bird-days 14th Apr-2nd Sep. Mudeford Quay 14 on 7th May, 8 W on 29th Aug. Portland Bill Total of 21 past from 16th Apr-7th May. OtherWest Bexington records: 1 E on 16th Apr.
Brownsea Island 2 on 20th & 22nd Jun, 1 on 16th Aug. Lodmoor 2 on 22nd-23rd & 30th Apr. Weymouth Bay 5 on 5th May. BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Uncommon passage migrant.
Spring passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 ad on 26th Apr. Camp Road, Wyke Regis 4 on 5th May. Chesil Cove 1 on 18th Apr, 3 on 5th May & 23rd May. Durlston CP 1 on 19th May. Mudeford Quay Singles on 8th, 13th & 23rd May. Portland Bill 10 E from 27th Apr-5th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 2 E on 5th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 ad on 19th-26th Jul. Lodmoor 1 on 19th Jul and a very late juv on 9th Nov. Mudeford Quay Juv on 25th Aug. WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN Chlidonias leucopterus Rare passage migrant.
per DBC,
Radipole Lake 1 first-winter onper 3rd MJ Nov Lawson ( et al, photo) Swineham GPs 1 juv on 10th-11th Sep had been seen earlier on the first date at South Haven ( photo). SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis Very local breeding visitor, passage migrant and scarce winter resident.
Breeding:
Brownsea Lagoon c200 pairs, but due to heavy predation a min of 20 young Coastal passage: fledged.
Hengistbury Head Max of 62 E 31st Mar, 250 W on 17th Aug. Mudeford Quay 1,340 W on 29th Aug. Portland Bill Spring total of 438 past 9th Mar-10th Jun, the return in autumn of 70 from 8th Jul-21st Nov. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 83
2014Report.indd 83 14/11/2016 17:51 Winter records:
Hengistbury Head 1 on 3 dates in Jan, followed by 20 bird-days in Feb, max of 5 on 9th Feb. 1 at Stanpit on 24th Dec. Mudeford Quay 2 on 31st Dec. Poole Harbour 1-3 in Jan & Feb, with 1-2 in late Dec. OtherFerrybridge records: 1-2 in Jan & Feb.
Abbotsbury Swannery Max 90 on 12th Apr. Longham Lakes Singles on 12th & 20th May, 23rd Jun, 4th & 7th Jul. COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Locally common breeding visitor & common passage migrant.
Breeding:
Abbotsbury 50-60 pairs nested, c100 young fledged. Brownsea Lagoon 145 pairs fledged 60-70 young, a big improvement in productivity compared to the past two years. CoastalLodmoor passage: 45 pairs with 60 young fledged.
Mudeford Quay Max of 112 W on 8th May, 800 W on 29th Aug. ExtremeHengistbury dates: Head 530 W on 17th Aug. past
29th Mar at Christchurch Harbour and 27th Oct Portland Bill. ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii Uncommon passage migrant - occasionally breeds.
Spring passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 23rd May, different bird on 27th & 31st May & 1st Jun. Camp Road, Wyke Regis 2 on 5th May, 1 on 24th May. Chesil Cove 1 on 5th May. Hengistbury Head 1 on 2nd Jun. Mudeford Quay 2 W on 6th May, 1 on 16th May. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 3 on 9th-10th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 21st Jul. Chesil Cove 1 on 24th Sep. Hengistbury Head 1 on 18th & 28th Jul, 2 (ad & juv) on 22nd Aug, 1 on 2nd Sep, 2 on 11th Sep. Lodmoor 2 on 3rd Aug. Mudeford Quay 1 on 6th Sep.
84 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 84 14/11/2016 17:51 ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Fairly common passage migrant.
Spring passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 4th & 6th May, 3 on 10th May. Durlston CP 2 on 23rd May AutumnMudeford passage: Quay 4 W on 8th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 5th Aug, juv on 31st Aug & 1st Sep. Baiter Park 1 on 6th Oct. Branksome Chine 2 on 6th Oct. Cogden Beach 1 on 15th Oct. Durlston CP Singles on 8 dates between 17th Sep-12th Nov. Lytchett Bay 1 on 15th Oct was the first here since 1995. Mudeford Quay 9 W on 29th Aug, 3 W on 6th Oct. Sandbanks 1 on 29th Sep. West Bexington 2 on 7th Oct, 1 on 21st Oct. OtherWeymouth records: Bay 2 on 28th-29th Aug, 1 on 24th Sep & 7th Oct.
Lodmoor The usual adult returned to the Common Tern colony for his 6th year (although failed to find a mate this time), present Extreme dates: from 8th May-24th Jun, and again 3rd-23rd Aug.
15th Apr Portland and 12th Oct Portland. Sterna hirundo/paradisaea
‘COMMIC TERN’
Records of Common or Arctic Terns not positively identified to species level are given below:
Mudeford Quay 2,000 W on 29th Aug. Portland Bill 3,871 from 2nd Apr-10th Jun. GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding: 2014 2013
Anvil Point - Ragged Rocks 45 birds 29 birds Blackers Hole - Reform 148 birds 105 birds Crab Hole - Buttery Corner 282 birds 257 birds Durlston - Lighthouse 339 birds 144 birds Totals 914 birds 555 birds White Ware - Little Hedbury 100 birds 20 birds
2014 Dorset Bird Report 85
2014Report.indd 85 14/11/2016 17:51 To ensure there is no confusion these counts refer to individuals and not pairs. The Purbeck population fluctuates markedly and the current total of 914 birds is the highest since systematic recording began in the 1960s. This is largely due to a recovery at Durlston and increases at Blacker’s Hole and Bird Cove.
AwayPortland from Bill the breeding sites:Breeding colony of c500 birds. No full census made.
Christchurch Harbour Recorded up to Jun from Hengistbury and Mudeford Quay, max 70 W on 2nd Jan & 60 W on 4th Jan. RAZORBILL Alca torda Local breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
2014 2013 A full census of breeding birds was carried out in Purbeck:
Blackers Hole - Reform 42 birds 17 birds Crab Hole - Buttery Corner 8 birds 14 birds Durlston - Lighthouse 26 birds 10 birds Totals 79 birds 41 birds White Ware - Little Hedbury 3 birds 0 birds
The Purbeck population of 79 birds is also the highest since systematic recording began in the 1960s. Numbers were much higher in the 1880s when they outnumbered Guillemots.
AwayPortland from Bill the breeding sites:No complete count made but up to 100 birds present.
Hengistbury Head Recorded up to May from Hengistbury and Mudeford Quay with a high day total of 4 birds. Recorded from Aug-Oct & Dec. All singles except 4 W at Uria/Alca sp. Hengistbury on 18th & 22nd Dec.
AUK sp.
Christchurch Harbour 200 W at Mudeford Quay on 3rd Jan. 139 birds in Nov. 168 birds in Dec with a peak of 80 W and 10 E at Hengistbury on 10th Dec. BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grylle Rare winter visitor & passage migrant.
DN Smith L Chappell Hengistbury Head 1 E on 13th Nov ( ). Mudeford Quay 1 on 21st & 22nd Dec ( ). Portland Harbour 1 first-winter from 2013 to at least 27th Apr with a second bird 86 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 86 14/11/2016 17:51 per DBC et al from 7th Feb to 23rd Mar.per 1DBC from et 20th al Sep into 2015 ( , photo). Sandbanks 1 on 13th & 31st Dec ( , photo). LITTLE AUK Alle alle Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn, and winter visitor.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 7th & 8th Nov. Chesil Beach, Portland 1 on 10th Mar. Christchurch Harbour 1 past Mudeford Quay on 6th Jan. 3 W past Hengistbury on 6th & 1 W on 7th Nov. Portland Bill 2 on 8th Nov. PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Uncommon breeding visitor & scarce passage migrant.
The Purbeck total is now but a shadow of its former self. Puffin was abundant up until 1939 but by 1958 only 85 birds were present falling to 23 by 1975. Since the mid-90s it has Breeding:stabilised at around 3 breeding pairs. No juveniles have been seen recently.
Dancing Ledge Up to 4 birds from 30th Mar to 28th Jun. It is thought that 2-3 pairs may have been present. Portland Bill Present between 10th Apr & 13th Jul with 4 birds on several Other records: dates in Jul.
Branksome Chine 1 on 12th Feb. Chesil Beach 9 found dead between 9th & 22nd Feb. 11 on 10th Mar. Chesil Cove 1 on 1st, 2nd & 8th Feb, 6 on 15th Feb. Durlston CP 11 on 29th Jun. Hengistbury Head An exhausted bird on 7th Feb. 1 on 27th Feb & 1 E off Hengistbury on 23rd Apr. Portland Bill Singles on 11th Jan, 5th Feb & 5th Mar. 2 on 13th Nov. Southbourne 2 on 13th Feb. ROCK DOVE/FERAL Pigeon Columba livia Common urban breeding resident, also breeds locally along the coast.
Breeding:
OtherDurlston records: CP Bred at Tilly Whim.
Bournemouth Centre 120 on 26th Feb. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 87
2014Report.indd 87 14/11/2016 17:51 Bournemouth Lower Gdns 140 on 4th Mar. Durlston CP 20 on 20th Mar. Portland Bill 30 on 28th Apr. Radipole Lake 50 on 17th Nov. STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Common, but declining, breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding:
Hengistbury Head 3 pairs present 2 young seen. West Bexington 3 pairs on territory.
These were the only breeding records received, however the species is present in low Springdensities passage: throughout the county.
AutumnPortland passage:Bill 8 N on 1st May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 100 on 31st Oct & 500 on 4th Nov.
Durlston CP 146 on 20th & 20-90 between 23rd-29th Oct. 50 on 1st, 130 on 10th, 110 on 15th & 65 on 18th Nov. East Bexington 806 on 5th Nov. Hengistbury Head 15 W on 20th & 165 W on 22nd Oct. 215 SW on 5th & 65 W on 15th Nov. 38 at roost on 3rd & 91 there on 13th Dec. Portland Bill 735 mainly S over Portland between 22nd Oct & 5th Nov. FlocksWest Bexington above 20: 200 W on 5th Nov.
Cheselbourne 100 on 9th Jan. Grove Hill Bottom 80 on 11th Jan, 5th & 18th Feb. 50 on 30th Nov. Merley Park 24 on 30th Jun. WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Very common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
Autumn passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 3,000 on 5th Nov. Durlston CP 3,000 on 1st Nov. East Bexington 13,360 on 5th Nov. Hengistbury Head 59,300 between 20th Oct & 3rd Dec. 13,170 in Oct, best 9,100 W on 28th. 45.500 in Nov, best 21,000 W on 6th. 630 in Dec. Lodmoor 20,000 on 5th Nov. Poole, Constitution Hill 2,200 on 31st Oct & 21,500 on 5th Nov. Portland Bill 26,415 mainly S over Portland between 21st Oct & 13th Dec. West Bexington 6,000 W on 5th Nov. 88 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 88 14/11/2016 17:51 Weymouth 3,000 on 1st & 5,000 on 4th Nov.
FlocksThe peak above counts 100: recorded are shown above, with peak passage on 5th Nov.
Grove Hill Bottom 500 on 11th Jan, 1,000 on 5th & 500 on 18th Feb. 400 on 30th Nov. COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common breeding resident.
Breeding:
FlocksBreeds abovethroughout, 10: but detailed information is lacking for this under-recorded species.
Gillingham 20 birds on 14th Dec. Langton Herring 30 on 14th Sep. Middle Bockhampton 56 on 25th Aug. St Leonard’s Farm 20 on 28th Nov. Wick 33 on 8th Aug. TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Declining breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.
Breeding season records:
Black Hill, Bere Regis 1 on 16th Jul. Bovington Camp 1 on 6th Jul. Chideock 1 on 28th May. Clouds Hill 2 on 30th May. Higher Hyde Heath 1 on 16th Jun, & 13th-15th, 28th Jul. Puddletown Forest 1 on 8th Jul. Turnerspuddle Heath 2 on 8th Jun. Wyke Regis 1 on 30th May.
CoastalNo confirmed migration: breeding but a few more records in suitable habitat than last year.
Christchurch Harbour 1 on 14th and 30th May & 1 on 5th Jun at Hengistbury. 1 on 6th Aug at Hengistbury & 1 on 28th Aug at Stanpit. Portland Bill 25 birds from 3rd-30th May. Only 4 birds from 14th Sep to 4th Oct. West Bexington 1 on 29th & 30th Sep.
ExtremeAutumn passage dates: was exceptionally low.
3rd May Portland & Turnerspuddle Heath and 4th Oct Portland.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 89
2014Report.indd 89 14/11/2016 17:51 RING-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Uncommon introduced breeding resident.
All records:
Merley 1 on 28th Jan. Studland Up to 4 birds, recorded in all months. Swanage 3 on 9th Mar & 1 on 4th Sep. CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Fairly common, but declining, breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
No confirmed breeding records.
Recorded in the breeding season from the following sites: Abbotsbury Gardens, Agglestone Rock, Alners Gorse NR, Arne, Badbury Rings, Brand’s Bay, Briantspuddle, Broadstone, Brockington, Brookes Coppice, Castle Woods, Cerne Abbas, Chard Junction GP, Child Okeford, Cogden, Compton Abbas, Coombe Heath, Corscombe, Culpeppers Dish, Durlston CP, East Stoke, Farm View, Fiddleford, Fontmell Down, Gillingham, Greenland’s Farm, Halstock, Hartland Moor, Hengistbury Head. Hampreston, Hengistbury Head, High Hall, Hilfield, Holt Heath, Kingcombe Meadows, Langton Herring, Lankridge, Lawson Clump, Lodmoor, Longcoombe Bottom, Longham Lakes, Middlebere, Moors Valley CP, Morden Bog, Ower Bog, Pentridge, Powerstock Common, Puddletown Forest, Rempstone Forest, Sherford Bridge, Soldiers Road, Spetisbury, St Aldhelm’s Head, Stanpit, Studland, Sturminster Marshall GP, Swineham GPs, Todber Farm, Upton Heath, Verne Common, West Bexington, White Mill, Whitesheet Plantation, Wimborne, Winterbourne Stickland, Witchampton. Migration:A total of 66 sites this year.
Christchurch Harbour First record 27th Mar at Hengistbury. 16 records on 15 dates to 22nd Jun & 2 birds in Jul. In autumn 5 singles including 3 juvs, not known to be locally bred. ExtremePortland dates: 10 birds between 18th Apr and 22nd May. 1 on 1st Jul.
27th Mar at Hengistbury Head and 10th Sep at Morden Bog. BARN OWL Tyto alba Scarce breeding resident.
Breeding:
Langton Herring Calls heard from nest box. Lorton Meadows Occupied nest. Swineham GPs At least 2 fledged young on 20th Jul. Verne Common 2 chicks seen on 8th Jun. West Bexington 2 broods reared.
90 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 90 14/11/2016 17:51 Also recorded from: Abbotsbury Swannery, Arne, Blandford Forum, Child Okeford, East OtherHolme, records: Fiddleford, Martin’s Down and Middlebere (pair) in the breeding season.
Reported from: Abbotsbury Swannery, Came Down, Cashmoor, Child Okeford, Elm Lane (2), Holes Bay, Lewell Mill, Maiden Castle, Middlebere, Milborne St Andrew, Morden Park Corner, Motcombe, Shapwick, Sixpenny Handley, West Bexington, Wimborne St Giles, Winspit, Wool, and Wyke Down. LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Local & declining breeding resident.
Breeding:
West Bexington 1 juv on 17th Aug. West Morden 2 owlets seen at West Morden on 17th Jun.
Also recorded from Fiddleford, Holton Lee, Marshwood, Portland Bill (2), Tarrant Rushton OtherAirfield records: (2 pairs) and White Mill in the breeding season.
Recorded from Avon Causeway (2), Cheselbourne, Langton Matravers and Portland Bill. TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Common breeding resident.
Confirmed breeding:
Burton, Christchurch One pair bred, at least 1 juv seen. Durlston CP 2 juvs in nest in the gully. Hengistbury Head 2 young in nest box. Kingcombe Meadows 2 juvs. Merley Park Pair with 3 young. Warmwell GPs Juv calling. Wimborne 2 fledglings seen. White Mill 2 fledged young. OtherWinterborne breeding Stickland season records:1 juv seen.
Abbotsbury Gardens, Abbotsbury Swannery, Alderholt, Alum Chine, Bone Acre Wood (2), Boveridge Farm, Christchurch, Corfe Castle (2), Garston Wood, Greenlands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Morden Bog, Mudeford Woods, Nottington Court, Rushcombe Bottom LNR, Stapehill, Swineham GPs (2), Turlin Moor, Upton Heath, Wareham Forest, Warren Park Farm and Winspit.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 91
2014Report.indd 91 14/11/2016 17:51 LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor.
All records:
Verwood 2 young birds calling on 9th Jun. AdditionalWhite Mill records from previous1 on 23rd years: Aug.
Winspit 1 in the quarries on 23rd Oct 2012. Swineham GPs 1 on 13th Apr 2013. SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
Beginning of year / spring passage:
Ferrybridge 1 on several dates from 10th Jan & 23rd Feb. AutumnHengistbury passage Head and end of1 onyear 13th records Mar. .
Ackling Dyke 2 on 22nd Nov. Arne Moors 1 on 13th-15th & 20th Dec. Blacknor 1 on 20th Nov. Branksome Chine 1 on 11th Nov. Chesil Cove 1 on 23rd Sep. Durlston CP Singles on 6th Sep, 1st, 14th, 23rd & 26th Oct. 10th, 15th, 21st (4 birds), & 28th Nov. Ferrybridge 1 on 7th & 22nd Oct. Hartland Moor 1 on 14th , 16th Nov & 27th Dec. Hengistbury Head 1 on 29th Sep, 1 on 10th, 19th & 25th Oct. 1 on 1st & 1 on 21st Nov. 1 on 22nd Nov at Wick. Portland Bill Recorded from 5th Sep to 26th Nov. In Sep singles on 5th, 6th, 12th & 14th. In Oct 2 on 18th, 1 on 28th & 2 on 30th, and in Nov 2 on 1st, 2 on 8th, 2 on 14th, 2 on 16th, 2 on 19th 2 on 21st, 3 on 22nd, 1 on 23rd & 2 on 26th. An all sites total for Portland between 6th Sep & 1st Dec amounted to 57 birds. No doubt there is considerable duplication. Slepe Heath 1 on 20th Dec. Wyke Down Recorded from 31st Oct-28th Dec. In Oct 2 on 31st. In Nov 1 on 2nd, 2 on 9th & 10th, 2 on 15th, 1 on 16th & 19th, 2 on 22nd & 1 on 23rd. In Dec 1 on 4th, 3 on 10th, 3 on 12th, 5 on 13th, 4 on 16th, 3 on 20th, 4 on 25th & 28th. Again this will doubtless involve considerable duplication. NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Fairly common breeding visitor & scarce passage migrant.
Breeding:
Recorded in the breeding season from: Arne (8), Avon CP (10), Black Down , Broadstone GC 92 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 92 14/11/2016 17:51 (4), Brownsea Island, Canford Magna, Chickerell, Clouds Hill (2), Corfe Mullen (2), Dunyeats Heath (2), East Holme, Great Ovens Hill, Hardy’s Monument (2), Hartland Moor (5), Hengistbury Head (2), Holt Heath (5), Holton Lee (2), Langton Matravers, Lawson Clump (4), Martinstown, Merley Park, Middlebere, Morden Bog (6), Oaker’s Wood (6), Rushcombe Bottom LNR (3), Stoborough Heath, Town Common, Upton Heath (3), West Moors CP (5), ExtremeWest Morden dates: & Whitesheet Plantation (3).
4th May West Morden and 16th Oct Langton Matravers. SWIFT Apus apus Declining breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Migration:No records received.
Christchurch Harbour First on Apr 18th at Mudeford Quay. In May, 777 bird-days, best 130 Hengistbury on 9th, 127 Hengistbury on 10th & 200 on 26th. In Jul, 745 bird-days, best 310 W at Hengistbury on 25th. In Aug, 97 bird-days, best 25 Hengistbury on 16th. Last at Stanpit on 5th Sep. Durlston CP 450 on 29th May. Lodmoor 100 on 2nd May, 75 on 9th May. Longham Lakes 50 on 20th May. Portland Bill 1 on 12th Apr. A very late record on 18th Dec. Radipole Lake 60 on 8th May. Stoborough 1 on 15th Sep. Swineham GPs 74 on 25th May, 20 on 13th Aug. Upton Heath 100 on 27th May. ExtremeWhite Sheet dates: Downs 200 on 14th Jul.
12th Apr & 18th Dec at Portland Bill. KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Fairly common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Canford Magna One pair bred, fledged young seen.
Also recorded in the breeding season from Abbotsbury Swannery (2), Arne RSPB (3), Chard Junction GP (2), Higher Hyde Heath, Lodmoor (2), Lytchett Bay (3), Manor Farm Hampreston (3), Merley Park, Moors Valley, Morden Park Lake, Radipole Lake, Sturminster Newton GP, OutsideSwineham the GPs breeding (3) & Warren season: Park Farm.
Recorded from 42 sites. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 93
2014Report.indd 93 14/11/2016 17:51 BEE-EATER Merops Apiaster Scarce passage migrant, mainly in late spring & summer. Attempted to breed in 2006.
per DBC et al Portland 4 at several sites across the island on 27th, 28th & 31st May. ( , photo). HOOPOE Upupa epops Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in spring.
AllAn aboverecords: average showing with several late records although duplication is likely.
Bridport 1 on 24th Apr. Corfe Mullen 1 on 9th Sep. Corscombe 1 from 7th to 9th May. Durdle Door 1 on 6th Dec. Durlston CP Singles on 3rd & 30th Apr & 26th Nov. Greenlands Farm 1 on 24th Apr. Lodmoor 1 on 2nd Aug. Lulworth Cove 1 on 2nd Dec. Lyme Regis 1 from 7th-15th May. Portland 1 at many sites between the Bill and Osprey Quay from 15th Nov until found dead at Wakeham on 5th Dec. Portland Bill 1 on 1st & 28th Apr. Portland Castle 1 on 29th Nov. Portland Suckthumb Quarry 1 on 1st Apr. Portland Top Fields 1 on 28th Apr. Portland Wakeham 1 on 21st Mar. Sandford 1 on 5th Jul. Swanage 1 on 2nd May. West Lulworth 1 on 3rd Dec. Winspit 1 on 30th Nov. WRYNECK Jynx torquilla Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn.
All records:
Bridport 1 on 8th Oct. Cogden Beach 1 on 5th Sep. Durlston CP 1 on 8th & 12th Sep. Hengistbury Head 1 on 15th Oct. Lodmoor 1 on 19th Sep. Nothe Fort 1 on 17th Sep. Portland Bill 1 on 27th Aug, 1 from 7th-11th Sep, 1 from 20th Sep-2nd Oct, 1 on 5th Oct. Portland - Reap Lane 1 from 7th-10th Sep. Rodden Hive 1 on 9th Sep. Stanpit 1 on 8th & 1 on 29th Sep. 94 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 94 14/11/2016 17:51 Verwood 1 on 7th Sep. West Bexington 1 on 8th, 16th & 17th Sep. GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Confirmed at: Brownsea Island (fledged young), Hengistbury Head (2 pairs reared at least 4 young), Merley Park (pair with 2 young), Stanpit (1 juvenile) & West Bexington (1 juvenile). GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Common breeding resident & rare passage migrant.
Breeding:
Confirmed at: Avon Heath (fledged young), Brownsea Island (fledged young), Cerne Abbas (fledged young), Corfe Mullen (fledged young), Delph Woods (4 nests found), Higher Hyde Heath (nest with young), Merley Park (3 pairs, 5 young), Powerstock Common (2 fledged young), Rushcombe Bottom (pair with fledged young), Stanpit (2 pairs reared at least 4 Post-breedingyoung) & St Leonard’s dispersal Farm or (fledgedmigration: young).
Poole, Constitution Hill 3 on 31st Oct. Durlston CP 6 on 20th Oct & a few singles during the month. 12 on 10th Nov. South Haven 1 on 26th Oct. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor Scarce & declining breeding resident.
Breeding:
OtherNo breeding records: records received.
Arne RSPB 1 on 4th Dec. Briantspuddle 1 on 11th Jan. Holton Lee 1 on 30th Mar, 1 on 15th Jun. Lydlinch Common 1 on 2nd Jan. Oaker’s Wood 1 on 19th Jan. Rempstone Forest 1 on 23rd Feb. Sherford Bridge Pair frequently calling and drumming, 9th Mar, 2 on 11th Mar, 3 birds, a male & 2 females, on 15th Mar & 1 on 16th Mar. Upton CP 1 on 26th Oct.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 95
2014Report.indd 95 14/11/2016 17:51 WOODLARK Lullula arborea Scarce breeding resident & uncommon passage migrant, forming flocks during winter.
Breeding:
Avon Heath Family group on 14th May. Hartland Moor Family party on 17th Aug. Higher Hyde Heath Juv on 16th Jun.
Also reported during the breeding season at Arne RSPB, Clouds Hill, Crossways, Holt Heath, Holton Lee, Hurn Forest, Morden Bog, Oak Hill, Pentridge Hill, Slepe Heath, Soldiers Road, Stoborough Heath, Turnerspuddle Heath & West Knighton Heath.
As usual the majority of sightings come from heathland sites in the east of the county with the same sites often holding birds well into the autumn. The report from Pentridge Hill of a Springsinging passage:bird is away from the core area.
AutumnPortland passage: 1 on 28th Apr.
Cogden/West Bexington 2 on 14th Oct, 1 on 22nd Oct Christchurch Harbour 25 bird-days between 11th Sep & 6th Nov. Durlston CP 60 bird-days between 30th Sep & 20th Nov. East Bexington 1 on 14th Oct & 4 on 22nd Oct. Lodmoor 5 bird-days between 12th Oct & 15th Nov. Lytchett Bay 3 on 5th Jun, 1 on 6th Oct. WinterPortland periods: 16 bird-days between 26th Oct and 1st Nov.
Frome Valley A flock of 20 in stubble fields. Lytchett Bay 1 on 11th Jan. Wareham 12 on 21st Jan. SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Declining breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Christchurch Harbour 6 pairs Hengistbury raised 15 young & 1 pair Stanpit Marsh raised 1 young. Cogden/West Bexington 20+ pairs. Ferrybridge 5 pairs. Lytchett Bay 2 birds on territory. AutumnSturminster passage: Marshall GP Present in breeding season.
Abbotsbury Max 500 on 22nd Oct. Christchurch Harbour 1,166 bird-days between 29th Sep & 15th Nov. Cogden/West Bexington Max 1,000+ on 22nd Oct. Durlston CP Max 155 on 22nd Sep. 96East DorsetBexington Bird Report 2014 1,940 on 22nd Oct & 351 on 5th Nov.
2014Report.indd 96 14/11/2016 17:51 Lodmoor 680 W between 8th Sep & 25th Oct. Lytchett Bay 131 bird-days between 30th Sep & 15th Nov, max 50 on 9th Nov. Milborne St. Andrew 400 on 11th Oct. WinterPortland flocks (30 and over):Max 1,000 on 11th and 31st Oct.
Cogden/West Bexington Max 100 on 28th Dec Grove Hill Bottom 100 on 30th Dec. Shroton 50 on 28th Dec. SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Locally common breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Christchurch Harbour 18 occupied nest-holes at Hengistbury. SpringWarmwell passage GPs (counts of 50230 and occupied over): nest-holes.
Christchurch Harbour Max 120 on 9th Apr & 7th May. Lodmoor Max 200 on 7th Apr. Longham Lakes 50 on 23rd Apr. Lytchett Bay Max 50 on 4th Apr. Radipole Lake 50 on 8th May. Sturminster Marshall GP 60+ on 21st Mar. AutumnSwineham passage GPs (counts ofMax 100 74 and on over):6th Apr.
Abbotsbury Swannery 610 bird-days between 1st Jul & 12th Sep. Christchurch Harbour Max 520 on 27th Aug. Cogden/West Bexington Max 325 on 25th Jul. Durlston CP 3,066 bird-days between 5th Aug-16th Oct, max 750 on 27th Sep. Langton Herring 250 on 4th Aug. Lodmoor Max 100+ end Aug. Lytchett Bay Max 150 on 12th Aug. Portland Max 300 on 7th Aug. ExtremeSwineham dates: GPs Max 460 on 14th Sep.
11th Mar at Lodmoor and 16th Oct at Portland & Durlston CP. SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Canford School 4 nesting attempts Cerne Abbas Young fledged. Cobbidge 7 nesting attempts. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 97
2014Report.indd 97 14/11/2016 17:51 Chard Junction GP 1 pair raised 4 young. Christchurch Harbour 2 pairs bred at Hengistbury. Doles Ash 1+ juv. Fleet Bridging Camp 5 pairs Langton Herring 5 pairs SpringOvercombe passage (peak counts):1+ pair.
Christchurch Harbour Max of 800+ on 7th May. AutumnLodmoor passage (all recordsMax of 250+ 1,000 on or 9th more May. birds):
Cogden/West Bexington Max 3,000+ on 17th Sep. Christchurch Harbour Max of 17,400 on 17th Sep. Durlston CP Max 25,500 27th Sep. ExtremeLodmoor dates: Max 2,000+ on 17th Sep.
A bird at Mudeford on the 9th Jan was probably a late bird from the previous autumn. Next report was 17th Mar at Hengistbury which also hosted the last on 16th Dec. HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Beaminster 3+ young fledged. Canford School 8 pairs. SpringSutton Waldronpassage (all counts Stillof 200 feeding or more young birds): on 24th Sep.
AutumnDurlston passageCP (all counts400 of on1,000 14th or May. more birds):
Christchurch Harbour Max of 16,500+ on 15th Sep. Cogden/West Bexington Max 3,000+ on 17th Sep. ExtremeDurlston CPdates: Max 8,000 on 27th Sep.
14th Mar at Portland Bill & 5th Nov at Lodmoor. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Cecropis daurica Scarce migrant, mainly in spring & summer.
All records: per DBC et al
AdditionalLodmoor 2010 record: 1 from 5th–8th Apr ( , photo). D Croxson, R Morris
Lodmoor 1 on 18th Sep ( ). 98 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 98 14/11/2016 17:51 Whimbrel at Middlebere - 10th September 2014 - Mark Wright
Grey Phalarope at Kimmeridge - 3rd January 2014 - Peter Moore
2014 Dorset Bird Report 99
2014Report.indd 99 14/11/2016 17:51 Iceland Gull at Hengistbury Head - 8th March 2014 - Joe Murphy
Arctic Tern at Lodmoor - 18th May 2014 - Brett Spencer
100 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 100 14/11/2016 17:51 RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus richardi Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn.
All records:
D Foot et al Cogden 1 from 14th to 23rdper DBC Oct was et al joined by a second bird from 15th to 17th Oct ( ). per DBC et al Greenlands Farm, Studland 1 on 24th Apr ( , photo). RedcliffAdditional Point 2013 record: 1 from 3rd Dec into 2015 ( , photo). (N Hopper et al
Durlston CP 1 flew over on 6th Oct ). TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Locally common breeding visitor & fairly common passage migrant.
Breeding:
Powerstock Common 5 territories.
Also reported during the breeding season at Arne RSPB, Avon Heath, Briantspuddle Heath, Holt Heath, Holton Lee, Morden Bog (including a count of 16 on 9th Jun), Oak Hill, Rempstone Forest, Slepe Heath, Tadnoll Heath, Turnerspuddle Heath, White Sheet Plantation & Winfrith SpringHeath. passage:
Christchurch Harbour 22 bird-days between 9th Apr & 14th May. AutumnPortland passage (all counts50 of bird-days 10 or more between are shown): 4th Apr & 15th May
Christchurch Harbour 320 bird-days between 25th Jul & 10th Nov. Durlston CP 151 bird-days between 23rd Jul & 30th Oct. Lodmoor 25 bird-days between 20th Aug & 28th Sep. ExtremePortland dates: 253 bird-days between 20th Jul & 14th Oct.
4th Apr at Portland & 10th Nov at Hengistbury. MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
Breeding
: Christchurch Harbour 9-12 pairs at Hengistbury & 3 pairs at Stanpit. Cogden/West Bexington 1 pair thought to have bred. Gad Cliff 3 singing birds. Hartland Moor 4 singing birds. RedcliffFleet Bridging Point Camp 12 pairs.singing bird. Lytchett Bay 1 pair. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 101
2014Report.indd 101 14/11/2016 17:51 Spring passage (all counts of 100 or more birds):
Christchurch Harbour 3,184 bird-days between 7th Mar & 17th Apr, max 670 on 27th Mar. Cogden/West Bexington 100 on 5th Mar. Durlston CP Max 200 on 16th Mar. AutumnPortland passage (all counts2,500 of over N on 400 27th birds): Mar.
Christchurch Harbour 18,511 bird-days between 31st Aug & 18th Nov, max of 2,030 E on 27th Sep. Durlston CP Max 2,400 on 22nd Sep. WinterGlebelands flocks: 882 on 21st Sep.
Arne RSPB 120 on 24th Dec. Christchurch Harbour About 35 early winter period & 25 late winter period. ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus petrosus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
A. p. littoralis A. p. petrosus . Small numbers are seen most years by dedicated visible migration watchers which Breeding:undoubtedly relate to migrant as opposed to the sedentary
Christchurch Harbour 4 pairs at Hengistbury Head. WinterWinspit counts: Probable pair with young 14th Jul.
Baiter Park 9 on 13th Feb. Christchurch Harbour In both winter periods up to 5 at Hengistbury and up to 11 at Stanpit. Passage:Preston Beach (Weymouth) 2 from 11th-12th Oct & 1-2 between 17th Nov & 13th Dec.
East Bexington 3 W on 14th Oct. Anthus petrosus littoralis Locally common winter visitor. ‘SCANDINAVIAN’ ROCK PIPIT
Christchurch Harbour 22 bird-days in early winter period & 124 bird-days in Dec was exceptional. Ferrybridge 1 on 13th Mar. Lytchett Bay 14 mid-February. Swineham Point Max 8 early winter period and 12 late-winter period.
102 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 102 14/11/2016 17:51 WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.
First winter period: Low numbers generally and no reports from inland cress beds.
Christchurch Harbour Between 1 & 4 on many dates until 10th Apr. Lodmoor 10 bird-days between 2nd Jan & 23rd Feb. Lytchett Bay 1 from 9th Feb-4th Mar. Swineham Point Singles on 19th Jan & 22nd Feb. SecondWytch Causeway winter period: 1 on 4th Jan.
Christchurch Harbour 1-2 birds on many dates from 15th Oct. Lodmoor 6 bird-days between 21st Nov & 30th Dec. Lytchett Bay 2 from 5th-31st Dec Lytchett Way 1 on 30th Nov. YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima Fairly common passage migrant.
Spring passage (all counts of 10 or more birds):
Christchurch Harbour 65 bird-days between 1st Apr & 30th May, max 15 on 24th Apr. AutumnPortland passage (all counts118 of bird-days30 or more between birds): 9th Apr & 22nd May.
Abbotsbury Swannery SepMax . 400 at the traditional roost on 31st Aug. Christchurch Harbour 1,217 bird-days between 7th Jul & 2nd Oct, max 145 E on 6th
Cogden/West Bexington 321 bird-days between July & 21st Sep. Durlston CP Max 110 on 6th Sep. Lodmoor 200 bird-days between 24th Jul & 23rd Sep, max 37 on 24th Aug. Lytchett Bay 2 unusually early records on 9th & 14th Jul (4 birds) then 503 bird-days between 21st Aug & 22nd Sep, max 150 on 7th Sep. Portland 1,222 bird-days between 11th Jul & 25th Oct Sutton Waldron 35 on 7th Sep. ExtremeSwineham dates GPs 59 on 30th Aug.
: 1st Apr & 12th Oct both Christchurch Harbour. Motacilla flava flava Scarce passage migrant. BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL All records:
Abbotsbury Swannery 3 on 8th Sep. Lytchett Bay Female on 22nd Apr. Portland Bill Singles on 15th,18th & 21st Apr, & 24th May. Stanpit 1 on 24th Apr. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 103
2014Report.indd 103 14/11/2016 17:51 Motacilla flava thunbergi Very rare passage migrant. GREY-HEADED WAGTAIL SW Smith
Old Harry 1 female on 31st May ( ) CITRINE WAGTAIL Motacilla citreola Very rare vagrant with only 1 previous record.
per DBC et al Portland Bird Observatory A first-summer female briefly on the pond on 11th May was the first island record ( , photo). GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Locally common breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding:
SpringTolpuddle passage: 1 pair
AutumnPortland passage (all counts4 bird-daysof 10 or more between birds): 14th & 27th Mar.
Bere Regis 15 on 22nd Aug. Christchurch Harbour 290 bird-days between 22nd Jul & 15th Oct. Cogden/West Bexington 31 bird-days between 31st Aug & 9th Nov. Durlston CP Max 19 on 6th Sep. Lodmoor 70 bird-days between 18th Aug & 22nd Oct. Winter:Portland 244 bird-days between 21st Aug & 1st Nov.
Widespread reports in small numbers in suitable habitat from autumn through till late winter. PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrellii Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
Breeding:
Abbotsbury swannery 2 pairs Canford School 1 pair. Cobbridge 1 pair. Cogden/West Bexington Bred. Hampreston 1 pair raised 7 young from 2 broods. Lytchett Bay Bred successfully. Overcombe Pair raised 3 young. Portland 10 pairs north Portland.
104 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 104 14/11/2016 17:51 Spring passage:
Christchurch Harbour 74 bird-days between 7th Mar & 27th Mar. AutumnLongham passage Lakes (all counts34+ of on100 17th or more):Mar.
Christchurch Harbour 4,851 bird-days between 11th Sep & 28th Oct, max 730 SE on 29th Sep. Durlston CP Max 610 on 27th Sep. Littlemoor Ponds 300 on 4th Nov. Radipole Lake 1,000 gathering to roost on 22nd Oct. WinterRingstead roosts/flocks: 100 on 5th Oct.
Castlepoint 100 on 25th Jan. Stanpit 55+ on 9th Jan. Motacilla alba alba Fairly common passage migrant. WHITE WAGTAIL Spring passage:
Christchurch Harbour 23 bird-days between 7th Mar & 14th Apr. Lodmoor Singles on 15th Apr & 14th May. Longham Lakes 1 on 24th Mar. AutumnPortland passage: 20 bird-days between 5th Mar & 24th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 7 bird-days Sep. Christchurch Harbour 6 bird-days between 7th & 14th Oct. Cogden/West Bexington 3 on 1st Sep. Lodmoor 1 on 4th Sep. Portland 66 bird-days between 9th Aug & 30th Sep. DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Uncommon breeding resident in the west of the county.
No confirmed breeding and few breeding season records but undoubtedly present year round on some west Dorset rivers. The birds at Lyme Regis are generally the most obliging.
Beaminster-Netherbury 1-2 several dates. Chard Junction GP 1 singing on 2nd Nov. Lyme Regis 1-2 on several dates. Maiden Newton Singles on 11th & 15th Apr.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 105
2014Report.indd 105 14/11/2016 17:51 WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Very common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Amongst several breeding reports of this common resident a count of 21 singing males at Steamer Point Nature Reserve was the highest received. DUNNOCK Prunella modularis Very common breeding resident.
Passage:
Durlston CP A count of 25 on 11th Oct suggests some migrants added to the local population. ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Very common breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.
Passage:
Christchurch Harbour c80 Hengistbury on 25th Sep. THRUSH NIGHTINGALE Luscinia luscinia Very rare migrant
J Thomas et al
Portland Bill 1 male in song in the Top Fields on 13th Jun ( ). NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos Uncommon, declining breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Alners Gorse 7+ singing. Corfe Castle 2+ singing. Deadmoor Common 5+ singing. Lydlinch Common 2 singing Ringstead 3+ singing. SpringRooksmoor passage: 1 singing.
Lodmoor 1 singing from 17th May–13th Jun. Portland 1 at The Bill on 22nd Apr & 1 Blacknor on 14th May. AutumnStoborough passage: Heath 1 singing 5th May.
Christchurch Harbour 1 Hengistbury on 27th Aug. Portland 2 at The Bill 6th-18th Sep. 106 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 106 14/11/2016 17:51 Extreme dates
: 14th Apr at Rooksmoor & Alners Gorse, 18th September at Portland Bill. BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochuros Locally common passage migrant & winter visitor, occasionally breeds.
Breeding:
No definite breeding but 2 at Hedbury Quarry near Langton Matravers on 20th Aug were Allquite records early for are migrants listed: and may have been local birds.
Arne RSPB 2 on 31st Oct & 2nd Nov. Baiter Park 1 on 10th Nov. Bestwall RSPB 1 on 13th Apr. Bournemouth Centre 1 on 4th Nov. Briantspuddle 1 on 30th Oct. Bridport Singles on 21st, 22nd & 27th Oct. Brownsea Island 1 on 8th Mar. Christchurch Harbour 47 bird-days early-winter period into spring included a late bird on 31st May. 6 bird-days from 7th Oct into winter. Cogden/West Bexington 2 on 14th-15th Mar, 3 on 22nd Mar, 1 on 1st Apr, 30th-31st Oct & 1 from 15th-23rd Nov. Corfe Castle 1 on 28th Nov. Durlston CP 6 bird-days between 10th & 26th Mar, 3 bird-days between 25th Sep & 21st Nov. Fleet Bridging Camp Singles on 1st Jan, 4th Feb & 24th Nov. Forston 1 on 3rd Nov. Langton Matravers 2 on 20th Aug & 3 on 19th Sep. Lodmoor area Singles 10th Apr, 24th Oct, 3rd Nov & 1st-2nd Dec. Lyme Regis 1 on 16th Mar. Lytchett Bay 1 on 1st Nov was the 4th record here since 1992. Maiden Castle 1 on 22nd & 24th Nov. Marshwood Singles on 3rd, 8th & 16th Nov. Nothe 11 bird-days between 8th Jan & 7th Mar, 1 on 18th Nov & 1 on 27th Dec. Poole 7 bird-days between 31st Oct & 10th Dec. Portland 42 bird-days between Mar & 2nd May, 185 bird-days between 14th Oct and Nov. Puddletown 2 on 31st Oct. Seacombe 1 on 18th Nov. Sherborne 1 on 29th Dec. Stourton Caundle 1 on 9th Dec. Tarrant Rushton 1 on 11th Mar. West Morden 2 on 12th Nov. Winspit Singles on 27th Sep, 5th Nov & 20th Nov.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 107
2014Report.indd 107 14/11/2016 17:51 REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus Scarce breeding visitor & fairly common passage migrant.
Breeding:
Morden Bog At least 3 pairs, one of which was seen with young. SpringLamberts passage Castle (all counts Fledgedof 5+ birds/bird-days): young seen.
Acton Quarry 7 on 4th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 77 bird-days between 2nd Apr & 14th May. Cogden/West Bexington 6 bird-days in April/May. Langton Matravers 7 on 14th Apr. AutumnPortland passage (all counts130 of bird-days5+ birds/bird-days): between 29th Mar & 25th May.
Christchurch Harbour 40 bird-days between 28th Jul & 25th Sep. Cogden/West Bexington 6 bird-days in Aug/Sep. Durlston CP 81 bird-days between 5th Aug & 5th Oct. Greenlands Farm 5 bird-days on 3rd Sep. Kingston 7 on 6th Sep. Lodmoor 19 bird-days between 2nd Sep & 21st Sep incl 8 Lorton Vale on 2nd Sep. Portland 93 bird-days between 28th Jul & 30th Sep. Seacombe 7 on 2nd Sep. ExtremeSlepe Heath dates 7 on 22nd Aug.
: 29th Mar at Portland & Hilfield and 5th Oct at Durlston CP. WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Fairly common passage migrant.
Spring passage (all counts of 2+ birds):
Christchurch Harbour 22 bird-days between 11th Apr & 15th May. Cogden/West Bexington 8 bird-days in April. Durlston CP 4 on 14th May. Lytchett Bay 5 bird-days between 22nd Apr & 12th May. AutumnPortland passage (all counts118 of bird-days4+ birds): between 18th Apr & 17th May.
Abbotsbury Swannery 10 on 3rd Sep. Christchurch Harbour 101 bird-days between 21st Jul & 12th Oct. Cogden/West Bexington 121 bird-days Aug-Oct. Durlston CP 6 on 16th Sep. Grove Hill Bottom 6 on 24th Aug. Hartland Moor 9 on 30th Aug. Lodmoor 11 bird-days between 27th Aug & 24th Sep. Lytchett Bay 15 bird-days between 18th Aug & 13th Sep. Portland108 Dorset Bird Report 2014 230 bird-days between 7th Aug & 5th Oct.
2014Report.indd 108 14/11/2016 17:51 Extreme dates
: 11th April at Hengistbury & 1st Nov at Lulworth. STONECHAT Saxicola torquatus Fairly common breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding:
Abbotsbury 1+ pair, juvs seen. Arne RSPB Juvs seen. Challow Hill Family party of at least 3 birds. Christchurch Harbour 5 pairs Hengistbury. Cogden/West Bexington 7 pairs. Middlebere Juvs seen. Morden Bog Juvs seen. Redcliff Point 1 pair. Studland 6+ pairs. Stoborough Heath 2 family parties. Swineham GPs Family party of 7 birds. SpringUpton Heath passage: Family party of 3 birds.
Christchurch Harbour Influx of c20 on 1st Mar. AutumnDurlston passage:CP 10 on 10th Mar.
Abbotsbury Swannery 10 on 11th Oct. Christchurch Harbour Influxes of c50 on 25th Sep & c30 on 30th Sep. Cogden/West Bexington Max 30 on 27th Sep. Durlston CP Max 30 on 13th Oct. Langton Matravers 18 on 9th Oct. Lytchett Bay Max 8 on 17th Oct. Ringstead 33 on 5th Oct. Saxicola torquatus rubicola
“CONTINENTAL” STONECHAT th Males showing characteristicsth of thisth subspecies were at Hengistbury on 14 October and at Wick Fields between 16 and 18 November, with a second, less well-marked bird, at Whitepits on the latter date. WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe A rare breeding species and common passage migrant.
Breeding:
No breeding records this year.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 109
2014Report.indd 109 14/11/2016 17:51 Spring passage (all counts of over 25 birds):
Christchurch Harbour 538 bird-days between 9th Mar & 25th May. Cogden/West Bexington 220 bird-days Mar-Jun. Greenlands Farm 50 on 24th Apr. Grove Hill Bottom 50 on 22nd Apr. Lodmoor About 60 bird-days between 26th Mar & 15th May. Lytchett Bay Max 39 on 22nd Apr. Portland 150 bird-days between 9th Mar & 20th Jun. AutumnStudland passage (all counts70 of on over 24th 25 Apr. birds):
Christchurch Harbour 344 bird-days between 20th Jul & 25th Oct, with a late bird on 6th Dec at Hengistbury. Cogden/West Bexington 171 bird-days Jul-Oct. Durlston CP 35 on 6th Sep. Lodmoor 80 bird-days between 7th Aug & 21st Oct was a good autumn. Portland 2,481 bird-days between 20th Jul & 30th Nov. ExtremeStonehill Downdates 40 on 14th Aug.
: 2nd Mar at Durlston CP & 6th Dec at Hengistbury. RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Scarce passage migrant, especially autumn.
Spring passage:
A poor spring total. Bincombe 2 on 12th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 6 bird-days between 14th-22nd Apr, max 3 on last date. Durlston CP 4 bird days between 2nd -22nd Apr, max 2 on last date. East Lulworth 1 on 18th Apr. Hartland Moor 1 on 16th Apr. Lytchett Bay A male flew north on 10th Apr. Nine Barrow Down 1 on 14th Apr. Portland 18 bird-days between 26th Mar-29th Apr. Studland 1 on 14th Apr. Sturminster Marshall GP A male on 11th Apr. 2nd record for the site. AutumnWest Morden passage: 1 on 15th Apr.
Numbers recorded were pretty typical but site diversity was good. Arne RSPB 1 on 19th Oct. Ballard Down 1 on 21st Sep, 5 on 12th Oct and 1 on 14th Oct. Boys Hill 1 on 9th–15th Nov. Broadwindsor 1 on 22nd-23rd Nov. Charmouth 1 on 1st Nov. Chard Junction GP 1 on 2nd Nov was the first site record. Chewton Bunny 1 on 22nd Sep. 110 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 110 14/11/2016 17:51 Christchurch Harbour 25 bird-days between 23rd Sep-12th Nov, max 10 on 3rd Oct. Corfe River Meadows 1 on 13th Nov. Durlston CP 37 bird-days between 6th Sep-10th Nov, max 5 on 15th Oct. Hartland Moor 1 on 9th Nov. Lodmoor 1 on 24th Sep, 1 on 11th Oct. Middlebere 1 on 29th Oct. Moonfleet 1 on 14th Oct. Portland 34 bird-days between 15th Sep-4th Dec, max 8 on 15th Oct. Sherford Bridge 1 on 5th Oct. Slepe Heath 1 on 1st Nov. Studland Singles on 14th and 18th Oct with 2 on 26th. West Bay 1 on 20th Nov. West Bexington 4 on 19th Oct and 1 on 24th Oct. Winspit 2 on 16th Oct, 3 on 18th and 1 on 5th Nov.
Winter: Extreme1 was on Coombedates: Valley Road, Weymouth on 29th-30th Dec. An unusual winter record.
26th Mar at Portland and 30th Dec at Weymouth BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Blackbird breeding distribution is unchanged since the first atlas in 1968-72. The abundance of the species is also unchanged and Dorset has relatively high abundance of breeding BeginningBlackbirds comparedof the year to and many spring parts passage of the UK.
AutumnThere were passage no significant and winter: counts at any location. Many sites recorded up to 40 birds.
Only Lodmoor with an influx involving at least 120 in Nov recorded a three figure count. No other site exceeded 25 on any one date. FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common winter visitor & passage migrant.
The BTO Atlas work shows that the winter distribution of Fieldfare has hardly changed since 1981-84. The abundance of the species is relatively high in Dorset compared to the west and north of UK. The Purbeck area, central Dorset and northern chalk are the most Beginningfavoured parts of the of the year county. and spring passage (counts above 100):
This species was very thinly spread. Only 3 counts in excess of 100 were recorded. Morden Bog 114 on 1st Mar. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 111
2014Report.indd 111 14/11/2016 17:51 Pentridge 250 on 9th Jan. AutumnSpetisbury passage and end of300 year: on 11th Jan.
An unremarkable autumn. Significant counts listed below. Cerne Abbas 100 on 14th Nov. Christchurch Harbour 143 N on 15th Nov. Lytchett Bay 281 N on 18th Nov. Maiden Castle 200 on 13th Dec and 31st Dec. Portland 107 at the Bill between 29th Oct-30th Dec. 80 at Blacknor on 11th Nov. Shroton 200 on 28th Dec. Sturminster Marshall GP 200 on 10th Nov. ExtremeWyke Down dates: 200 on 16th Nov.
4th Apr at Swineham GPs and 29th Sep at Ringstead. SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Song Thrush breeding distribution is unchanged since 1968-72, though there does appear to have been a decline on Portland since 1988-91. Abundance has increased in parts of central Dorset and the species is as abundant here as in any other part of the UK and Ireland. BeginningHowever in of much the yearof the and county spring it is passage:less so.
AutumnIn the absence passage of any and cold end weather of year: there were no remarkable counts.
The only notable counts were 53 N on 15th Oct and 85 N on 20th Oct at Christchurch Harbour. REDWING Turdus iliacus Common winter visitor & passage migrant.
The BTO Atlas work shows that the winter distribution of Redwing has hardly changed since 1981-84. The abundance of the species is relatively lower in Dorset compared to areas Beginningfurther to the of southyear and west spring and in passage: Ireland.
Not surprisingly this species mirrors Fieldfare. Very few records of flocks early in the year.
Child Okeford 100 on 29th Jan. Merley Park 250 on 18th Feb.
112 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 112 14/11/2016 17:51 Autumn passage and end of year:
A very poor autumn for this species in terms of significant counts. Only Durlston produced a good day.
Boys Hill 100 on 16th Nov. Durlston CP 3,220 on 14th Nov. Portland 537 bird-days between 13th Oct-30th Dec. Stoborough 146 on 14th Dec. Extreme Dates:
5th Oct at Durlston CP and 4th Apr at Christchurch. MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Whilst the distribution of Mistle Thrush has hardly changed since 1968-72, the abundance of the species has. Declines have been detected across most of Dorset and most of southern England. Only in west Purbeck is Mistle Thrush relatively abundant and the population there seems stable.
Breeding records this year were received from Chard Junction GP, Cogden Beach, Fiddleford, Lytchett Bay, Merley Park, Rempstone Forest, Sherford Bridge, Studland, Swineham GPs and Post-breedingWest Bexington. flocks of 10+:
Despite the availability of BirdTrack to pick up records from a wide audience only 3 records matched the above criteria.
Chard Junction GP 16 on 11th Aug. Hartland Moor 12 on 23rd Jul. AutumnMiddlebere passage: 20 on 3rd Sep.
Small numbers were reported from a variety of sites throughout the autumn. 16 at Shapwick on 28th Sep were notable. CETTI’S WARBLER Cettia cetti Locally common breeding resident.
Dorset is one of the UK strong holds of Cetti’s Warbler followings its arrival as a breeding species in Kent in 1973. Since then it has colonised quickly and its distribution and abundance in Dorset has increased significantly. It is now present in suitable habitat across coastal Dorset and has spread inland up most river valleys.
Without a specific survey it is difficult to make any comment about changes in the population on a year-by-year basis. Records were received from all of the expected2014 Dorsetsites. Bird Report 113
2014Report.indd 113 14/11/2016 17:51 GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Uncommon passage migrant - occasionally breeds.
Breeding:
The breeding status of this species in Dorset is unclear. The recent BTO Atlas survey recorded “possible breeding” in eight 10km squares across Purbeck and surrounding areas. Specific records suggest that the bird does not breed here and we have to wonder if the Atlas records refer to singing migrants? No breeding attempts were logged this year.
All records received are published. No doubt under recorded in autumn when if it were not Springfor ringing passage: many would pass through undetected.
Abbotsbury 1 on 14th Apr. Beaminster 1 on 21st Apr. Burton Bradstock 1 on 27th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 23 bird-days between 9th–28th Apr, max 9 on 17th. 1 on 14th May. Corfe Castle 1 on 21st Apr. Dorchester 1 on 24th Apr. Durdle Door 1 on 3rd May. Durlston CP 1 on 17th Apr and 2 on 22nd Apr. Lodmoor Singles on 21st Apr and 2nd May. Portland Bill 34 bird-days between 11th Apr-22nd May The Fleet (Camp Rd) 1 on 14th Apr. Tyneham 1 on 25th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 1 on 24th Apr.
Abbotsbury 2 on 27th Jul and 1 the next day. Christchurch Harbour 13 bird-days between 30th Jul–1st Oct, max 2 on 13th Sep. Durlston CP 43 bird-days between 23rd Jul-15th Oct, including 11 birds ringed, max 3 on several dates. Gad Cliff 1 on 23rd Aug. Lytchett Bay 30 trapped between 25th Jul-27th Sep, max 5 on 25th Jul. Melcombe Bingham 1 on 22nd Aug. Portland Bill 40 bird-days between 19th Jul-16th Oct. ExtremeWest Bexington dates: Singles on 8th and 9th Sep.
9th Apr at Christchurch and 16th Oct at Portland. AQUATIC WARBLER Acrocephalus paludicola Rare autumn passage migrant.
KE Lane, S Robson et al
An adult was trapped and ringed at Lytchett Bay on 25th Jul ( ). This is the 6th record for the site and the first adult. It is only the 2nd or 3rd adult to be recorded in the hand and is the earliest record in Dorset, the previous earliest being at Brownsea Island on 26th Jul 1976. 114 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 114 14/11/2016 17:51 There were just 2 records in Britain in 2014, the other being a bird trapped and ringed in Cornwall in Sep. SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
The overall picture for this species in a Dorset sense is one of decline. The species now appears to be absent from tetrad squares that were previously occupied. Abundance has declined notably in West Dorset. It appears that only the Avon Valley and small parts of the Springriver valleys passage: in the eastern end of the county now hold good concentrations.
Christchurch Harbour 26 bird-days between 4th Apr-14th May, max 7 on last date. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 133 bird-days between 16th Apr-31st May.
Christchurch Harbour 1,403 bird-days between late Jul-15th Oct, max 500 on 7th Aug. Lytchett Bay 998 bird-days between Jul and 2nd Oct, max 200 on 8th Aug. A day record count for the site. Portland Bill 581 bird-days between 21st Jul-11th Oct. ExtremeWest Bexington dates: 105 trapped and ringed in autumn.
2nd Apr at Lodmoor and 15th Oct at Christchurch. MARSH WARBLER Acrocephalus palustris Rare passage migrant, not annual.
Both records this year came from Christchurch Harbour and represented the 9th and 10th records for the area. per DBC, et al per DBC et al Stanpit Marsh 1 in song, but not seen, on 18th Jul ( sound recording, ). Hengistbury Head 1 trapped and ringed on 6th Sep ( , photo, ). REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
There has been little change in the status of this species in Dorset over the last 40 years. Small losses in some areas have been compensated for by small gains in others. This species Springremains passage: an abundant breeding bird in suitable habitat across Dorset.
Portland Bill 75 bird-days between 14th Apr-11th Jul. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 115
2014Report.indd 115 14/11/2016 17:51 Autumn passage:
Portland Bill 40 bird-days between 7th Aug-30th Oct ExtremeWest Bexington dates: 167 were trapped and ringed during the autumn.
10th Apr at Lodmoor, Christchurch & Radipole and 30th Oct at Portland. ICTERINE WARBLER Hippolais icterina Rare passage migrant, mainly in autumn.
Just the one record this year. This species just about hangsper DBC on as et an al, annual scarce migrant.
One 2000at Portland2001 2002 Bird Observatory2004 2005 from 5th-10th Sep2008 ( 2010 2011photo).2012 2014 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 4 1 2003 2006 2007 2009 2013 3 MELODIOUS WARBLER Hippolais polyglotta Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn.
Three records represent an average year byM recent Constantine, standards. Mo Constantine per DBC et al Greenlands Farm, Studland 1 on 13th SepJP ( Martin et al ). Portland Bill Singles on 2nd Aug ( , photo, ) and in the Top Fields on 30th Aug ( , photo). 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2008 2010 2011 2012 2014 4 11 2 2 4 10 0 4 4 1 2 2003 2006 2007 2009 2013 7 7 3 3
The peak period for Melodious Warblers was the late 1970s and early 1980s with the best years being 1979 (17) and 1981 (16). BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Common breeding visitor & passage migrant & uncommon winter visitor.
Breeding:
There has been little change in the distribution of this species in Dorset over the last 40 years. However Blackcap has increased in abundance markedly since 1988-91. It is as Springabundant passage: in Dorset as anywhere in the UK.
Christchurch Harbour 463 bird-days between 12th Mar-14th May, max 85 on 17th Apr. Portland Bill 616 bird-days between 25th Mar-3rd Jun, max 100 on 14th Apr.
116 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 116 14/11/2016 17:51 Autumn passage:
Christchurch Harbour 555 bird-days between 9th Aug-5th Nov, max 130 on 9th Sep. Quite amazingly this is the same number of bird-days as in 2013. Durlston CP 2,408 bird-days between 5th Aug-31st Oct, max 250 on 19th Sep. Kingston, Purbeck 80 on 6th Sep. Portland Bill 923 bird-days between 18th Aug-6th Dec. West Bexington Max 17 on 22nd Sep. Winter:Winspit 100 on 27th Sep.
Once again there were very few reports from sites across the whole county. In reality this species is an uncommon winter visitor and most urban gardens will witness an occasional visit during that season. Supplying the preferred food, sunflower hearts and/or fat blocks, can attract birds on a daily basis. A recent study suggested that garden feeding was influencing this species migratory evolution. http://www.bto.org/news-events/press- releases/feeding-garden-birds-shown-affect-their-evolution GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Local breeding visitor & fairly common passage migrant.
Breeding:
There are limited indications that this species has declined in the north and west of Dorset. Abundance is highest in the east.
Records were received during the breeding season from Alners Gorse, Cranborne, Fiddleford, Higher Hyde Heath, Kingcombe, Lydlinch, Moors Valley, Powerstock Common Springand Rooksmoor. passage:
Christchurch Harbour 26 bird-days between 4th Apr-14th May, max 15 on last date. The 4th Apr is the earliest record at this site. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 164 bird-days between 19th Apr-29th May.
Christchurch Harbour 58 bird-days between 21st Jul- 2nd Oct, max 11 on 8th Aug. Durlston CP 150 bird-days between 25th Jul-14th Oct, incl 71 ringed, max 10 on 7th Aug. Portland Bill 37 bird-days between 25th Jul-27th Sep.
ExtremeRecords involving dates: small numbers recorded at many sites.
4th Apr at Christchurch and 24th Oct at Durlston CP. BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria Rare autumn migrant.
The December record is the first for the county in that month. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 117
2014Report.indd 117 14/11/2016 17:51 per DBC et al Portland First-winter in the Obs Quarry/Beach hut fields on 27th-28th Sep ( , photo).per DBC et al First-winter at PBO/Beach hut fields from 1st to 26th Dec, trapped and ringed ( , photo). LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca curruca Fairly common breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
This species is widely distributed in the county. There has not been significant change in abundance since 1988-91. Whilst there have been gains in parts of the east there has also Springbeen some passage: slight declines in the north and west.
Christchurch Harbour 21 bird-days between 11th Apr-14th May, max 4 on last date. Portland Bill 15 bird-days between 11th Apr-13th May
AutumnWidely reported passage: in small numbers across the county.
Christchurch Harbour 47 bird-days between 28th Jul-13th Oct, max 4 on 18th Aug and 11th Sep. Durlston CP 43 bird-days between 5th Aug and 1st Oct, max 4 on several dates. Portland Bill 32 bird-days between 12th Jul-22nd Sep.
ExtremeRecords involving dates: small numbers recorded at many sites.
8th Apr at Lodmoor and 31st Oct at Radipole Lake. Sylvia curruca blythi Very rare late autumn passage migrant. SIBERIAN LESSER WHITETHROAT
One at PBO and the Obs Quarry from 22nd Sep to 2nd Oct; photographed, mtDNA sequenced. WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
This species is a widespread breeder across Dorset and there has been little change in its distribution or abundance during the last 20 years. The highest densities are found along Springthe coastal passage: strip and in the northern chalk.
Christchurch Harbour 160 bird-days between 10th Apr-14th May, max 90 on last date. 118Portland Dorset Bird Report 2014 Max day count was 50 on 18th Apr.
2014Report.indd 118 14/11/2016 17:51 Autumn passage:
Christchurch Harbour 930 bird-days between Aug-11th Oct, max 95 on 18th Aug. Durlston CP Distinguishing breeding and migrant birds was very difficult. Max day count of 40 was recorded on several dates. Lodmoor 30+ daily during early Sep.
The species was widely reported in small numbers across the county in both migration Extremeseasons and dates: throughout the summer.
10th Apr at Christchurch and 5th Nov at Lodmoor. DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata Locally common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Dorset is one of the UK strongholds for this species. The range in the county has hardly changed since 1968-71, though a small extension to the west is noted. Abundance has increased since 1988-91. Recent cold winters have had an impact on the population of this species. Despite this setback a fast recovery is likely given the availability of high quality and highly protected habitat.
AutumnRecords were passage received and endfrom of all year: suitable habitat and along the coastal fringe.
Small numbers widely reported during post breeding dispersal.
Lodmoor 1 between 13th-15th Oct. Now a rare species at this location. Portland Bill 5 bird-days between 13th-27th Oct. SUBALPINE WARBLER Sylvia cantillans Rare passage migrant.
S. subalpina The taxonomy of Subalpine Warblers S. is c. a inornata subject of muchS. c. iberiae debate. Moltoni’s Warbler S. isc. cantillansnow recognisedS. c. by albistriata BOURC as a separate species. It has not yet been recorded in Dorset. Western Subalpine Warbler and and Eastern Subalpine Warbler and are still considered to be a single species (Subalpine Warbler) pending further research. Both Western and Eastern have occurred in Dorset.
The position with record assessment is further complicated by BBRC treating both Moltoni’s Warbler and Eastern Subalpine Warbler as British rarities but not Western Subalpine Warbler, records of which are to be assessedS. c. cantillans/albistriata by the Dorset Records Panel. per DBC et al Portland Bill A male ( ) in Helen’s Fields from 1st-3rd May ( , photo, sound recorded).
2014 Dorset Bird Report 119
2014Report.indd 119 14/11/2016 17:51 PALLAS’S WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus Scarce autumn passage migrant - has overwintered.
per DBC et al Portland Bill 1 at PBO on 31st Oct-1st Nov and then at Avalanche Road on 2nd Nov, trapped and ringed ( , photo). YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus Uncommon autumn passage migrant, occasionally overwinters.
All Records:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 from 25th-27th Oct. Bournemouth 1 in Boscombe on 4th Nov. Broadstone 1 trapped and ringed on 5th Dec. Brownsea Island 1 on 3rd Oct. Chickerell 1 on 18th Oct. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Hengistbury Head on 23rd Sep, 15th Oct & 2nd Nov and at Stanpit on 13th & 18th Oct. Dorchester 1 on 26th Oct. Durlston CP 14 bird-days between 11th Oct and 12th Nov, with 2 present on 25th & 27th Oct. Forston 1 at Brooklands Farm on 28th Oct. Gillingham 1 on 31st Dec. Glebelands 1 on 12th Oct. Langton Matravers 1 on 30th Oct. Lodmoor Singles at the Country Park on 17th & 30th Oct, 15th-18th Nov & 21st-22nd Nov. Lytchett Bay 1 on 27th Oct. Osmington Mills 1 on 27th Oct. Portland (all sites) A total of at least 22 between 21st Sep and 5th Dec. Radipole Lake Up to 3 birds present 25th-30th Oct, with another in Radipole Park on 13th Oct. Ringstead Bay 1 on 26th & 27th Oct. Studland Bay 1 at Knoll Beach from 5th Jan to 4th Apr (from Dec 2013). Also singles on 11th, 18th, 26th & 29th Oct and 2nd Nov with 2 on 31st Oct. Swineham GPs 1 on 12th Oct. West Bay Singles on 20th & 25th Dec. West Bexington 1 on 11th Oct and 2 on 22nd Oct.
An excellent year for this species, with records from most of the regularly-watched sites, suggesting a major arrival, peaking in the last week of Oct. DUSKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuscatus Rare autumn passage migrant - 18 previous records.
All records: per DBC et al per DBC et al Portland 1 at Avalanche Road from 12th -16th Nov ( photo). 120 Dorset Bird Report 2014 1 at Blacknor on 19th Nov ( , photo).
2014Report.indd 120 14/11/2016 17:51 Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at Wareham Forest - 15th March 2014 - Brett Spencer
Left to right
: Tree Pipit at Portland - 25th April 2014 - Peter Moore Rock Pipit at Hengistbury - 16th December 2014 - Joe Murphy Richard’s Pipit at Redcliff - 14th December 2014 - Brett Spencer 2014 Dorset Bird Report 121
2014Report.indd 121 14/11/2016 17:51 Citrine Wagtail at Portland - 11th May 2014 - Martin Cade
“Eastern” Subalpine Warbler at Portland - 1st May 2014 - David Carr
122 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 122 14/11/2016 17:51 WESTERN BONELLI’S WARBLER Phylloscopus bonelli Rare passage migrant.
M Cade et al Portland 1 at the Observatory on 16th Aug, trapped and ringed ( , photo, DNA analysis). WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Uncommon passage migrant & sporadic breeder.
SpringA disappointing passage: year, with fewer records than usual in both spring and autumn.
Bloxworth Heath 1 on 21st Apr. Hengistbury Head Singles on 17th Apr and 14th May. Portland (all sites) 6 between 19th Apr and 5th May, with 2 on 29th Apr. AutumnRadipole passage:Lake 1 on 17th Apr.
Durlston CP 1 on 6th Oct. ExtremeHengistbury dates: Head 1 on 28th Jul.
Portland and Radipole Lake on 17th Apr and Durlston CP on 6th Oct. CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita collybita Very common breeding visitor, passage migrant & uncommon winter visitor.
Breeding:
Breeding season records were received from 49 sites, and successful breeding was confirmed at Merley Park. The sites recording 5 or more territories were: Alners Gorse (9 singing males), Chard Junction GP (7 singing males), Christchurch Harbour (up to 13 territories), Lodmoor (c6 pairs bred), Lytchett Bay (c12 territories), Ringstead Bay (6 singing males), Warmwell Heath (7 singing males), West Knighton Heath (5 singing males). The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows that relative abundance of breeding birds has increased slightly in Dorset Passagesince 1988-91. at the main sites:
Christchurch Harbour 541 between 9th Mar and 17th Apr, with peaks of 88 on 20th Mar and 85 on 9th Apr. 1,960 between late Aug and 22nd Nov, with peaks of 25 on 31st Aug, 250 on 25th Sep and 233 on 2nd Oct. Durlston CP All counts of over 100 are given: 250 on 25th Sep, 110 on 27th Sep, 120 on 30th Sep and 600 on 5th Oct, Portland (all sites) 1,370 between 10th Mar and 29th Jun; 1,928 between 2nd Sep and 7th Dec. Portland (north) 268 recorded 9th Mar to 31st May; 375 recorded 22nd Jul to 30th Nov. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 123
2014Report.indd 123 14/11/2016 17:51 Other passage records:
Holes Bay 30 on 14th Sep. Lytchett Bay Sep95 bird-days . during Mar/Apr and 349 bird-days Aug-Nov, the best ever autumn migration, with peaks of 35 on 7th & 27th
Ringstead Bay 45 on 25th & 29th Sep. South Haven 50 on 22nd Sep. Swineham GPs 37 on 31st Aug, 30 on 7th Sep and 31 on 27th Sep. WinteringWest Bexington records: 377 birds were trapped and ringed during the autumn.
Birds were recorded during winter from Abbotsbury Swannery, Bourne Valley NR (2), Canford School, Christchurch Harbour (7), Corfe Castle, Eye Mead, Holes Bay (3), Lodmoor (8+), Martinstown, Portland (Single figure totals at several sites), Ringstead Bay, South Haven, Stanpit Marsh, Sturminster Marshall GP (2), Swineham GPs (6), West Bay, West Bexington (5), Wimborne, Winspit, Winterborne Stickland and Winterbourne Steepleton. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows a substantial increase in both the distribution and abundance of wintering birds since 1981-84, including in Dorset. Phylloscopus collybita tristis Scarce autumn migrant & increasing winter visitor. SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF All records:
Ballard Down 1 on 19th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 1 at Stanpit Marsh 22nd-24th Feb, joined by another from 26th Feb into Mar, with 3 on 9th Mar and 4 on 10th Mar; 2 on 3rd Apr. Holes Bay 1 on 11th Jan. Lodmoor Singles on 13th Jan andtrapped in late and Nov. ringed. Lytchett Bay 1 on 2nd Dec. Portland 1 at PBO on 28th Apr, Sturminster Marshall GP 1 on 14th Jan. Swineham GPs 1 on 27th Jan, 2-3 present 9th to 22nd Feb, 1 on 6th Apr. Winspit 1 on 27th Nov Wyke Regis 1 on 23rd Nov. WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus Breeding:
Records were received indicating breeding from Alners Gorse (1 singing male), Brownsea Island (2 singing males), Chard Junction GP (5 singing males), Culpepper’s Dish (2 singing males), Great Ovens Hill, Hartland Moor, Lodmoor (1 singing – a potential first breeding record), Morden Bog (1 singing male), Ower Bog (2 singing males), Powerstock Common, Ringstead Bay (1 pair may have bred), Rooksmoor (1 singing male), Thorncombe Woods (fledged young seen), Warmwell Heath and Winfrith Heath. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows that, in common with most of southern England, abundance has declined significantly in Dorset since 1988-91, although breeding distribution in England remains unchanged.
124 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 124 14/11/2016 17:51 Passage:
Abbotsbury Swannery 100 on 26th Aug. Christchurch Harbour 1,567 between 16th Mar and 31st May, with peaks of 370 on 9th Apr, 470 on 14th Apr and 120 on 14th May; 1,645 from third week of Jul to 25th Oct, with peaks of 170 on 30th Jul and c100 on 6th & 15th Aug. Durlston CP Counts of 30 or more on 6th Aug (30), 7th Aug (35), and 6th Sep (35). Lodmoor Up to 35+ daily in Aug until 25th Aug. Lytchett Bay Daily max of 21 in Jul, 15 in Aug and 25 in Sep on 7th – a record day, count. , Middlebere 30 on 11th Aug. Portland (all sites) 3 552 between 26th Mar and 23rd Jun; 1 225 between 21st Jul and 29th Sep. Late birds were at Portland Castle on 1st Nov, Avalanche Road on 19th Nov and PBO on 24th Nov. Portland (north) Total of 510 recorded 28th Mar to 8th Jun Nov; 116 recorded 22nd Jul to 12th Oct. Ringstead Bay 30 on 24th Aug. Rushcombe Bottom 25 on 15th Aug, 30 on 18th &19th Aug, 45 on 24th Aug. OtherSlepe Heath records: 30 on 19th Aug.
Cogden Beach The mixed-singing male . first recorded last year (adding Chiffchaff-like phrases to the end of its song) was again present from 24th Apr to early May
Extreme dates: Stanpit Marsh on 16th Mar and Winspit on 27th Nov. GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Breeding records were received from Abbotsbury Gardens (fledged young seen), Alners Gorse (3 singing males), Badbury Rings (fledged young seen), Bournemouth Centre (at least 1 territory), Cerne Abbas (1 singing male), Lodmoor (at least 1 pair), Lytchett Bay (3 singing males), Melbury Osmond (1 singing male) and Merley Park (1 pair with 2 young). The Bird Passage:Atlas 2007-11 shows a slight increase in relative abundance in Dorset since 1988-91.
Arne RSPB 10 on 15th Nov. Brownsea Island 10 on 14th Oct. Christchurch Harbour At Hengistbury Head 15 on 20th Mar was the only sign of spring Novmigration. . In autumn 830 between 4th Sep and 13th Nov, with peak counts of 38 on 4th Sep, 155 on 2nd Oct and 40 on 13th
Durlston CP Max in spring of 6 on 10th Mar. Autumn migration was between 17th Sep and 21st Nov with peak counts of 18 on 5th Oct, 15 on 27th Oct and 14 on 12th Nov. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 125
2014Report.indd 125 14/11/2016 17:51 Lodmoor Very few in early part of year, but up to 12 daily from 18th Sep to end Dec, with 15+ wintering. Lytchett Bay A record year: 181 bird-days between Aug and Dec, with a peak of 23 on 30th Oct. Portland Bill 12 between 6th Mar and 5th May; 128 between 3rd Sep and 23rd Nov. Ringstead Bay 13 on 29th Sep, 11 on 15th Nov. Rushcombe Bottom 17 on 28th Sep, 10 on 9th Nov. South Haven Point 10 on 25th Sep. , Although always prone to extreme fluctuations, numbers at migration points have been low in recent years: the last good year was 2008 when the total at Portland was above 1 000 and at Hengistbury Head above 1,500. FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor - occasionally breeds.
Breeding & summer records:
Abbotsbury A bumper year at the Subtropical Gardens with 4 pairs producing at least 7 young. Peak counts of 12 birds on 17th Aug & 11th Oct, 10 on 1st Nov and 11 on 29th Nov. Broadstone 2 singing males in May. East Lulworth At least 2 singing males during Apr.
Elsewhere single singing males were recorded from: Arne RSPB, Brownsea Island, Rempstone Forest and Sherford Bridge. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows that the species has increased significantly since 1968-72 as a breeding bird in the south and east of England, Passageincluding records: extending its breeding range into Dorset.
Christchurch Harbour Spring passage was light and the few sightings at Hengistbury Head in Mar and Apr may have related to wintering individuals. Last seen 14th Apr. Autumn passage commenced 5th Sep with a peak of 4 on 5th Oct. Durlston CP Spring max of 4 on 1st Mar. Autumn passage from 27th Oct to 14th Dec, with peaks of 7 on 27th Oct and 21st Nov. Lytchett Bay Recorded on 14 dates from 5th Oct to the end of the year. Portland Bill 17 between 10th Mar and 4th Apr; 23 from 20th Sep to 20th Nov - the poorest year since 1991.
1 or 2 birds were also recorded from Arne RSPB, Bestwall, Bournemouth, Briantspuddle, Brownsea Island, Corfe Mullen, Hatch Pond, Holmebridge, Kingston Lacy, Lodmoor, Longham Lakes, Merley, Moreton, Poole, Puddletown, Rushcombe Bottom, Stoborough, WinterStudland, records: Verwood and Winspit.
Noted at: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (present throughout both winter periods, peak counts 12 in Feb, 11 in Nov and 6 in Dec), Bournemouth, Brownsea Island, Christchurch 126 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 126 14/11/2016 17:51 Harbour, Creekmoor Ponds, Durlston CP (max 3 In Jan, 4 in Dec), Fitzworth Point, Goathorn, Harman’s Cross, Langton Herring, Lodmoor, Martinstown (2 in Dec), Melcombe Bingham, Osmington Mills, Portland (up to 5 overwintered), Rushcombe Bottom, Swineham GPs, West Knighton Heath and West Moors CP. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows that the species has increased significantly since 81-84 as a wintering bird across the whole of England and Wales, more than doubling its winter distribution. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata Fairly common, but declining breeding visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Child Okeford 1 pair successfully bred with fledged young seen late Jul. Morden Bog 1 pair nested. Sutton Waldron 1 pair nested.
These were the only records of confirmed breeding. Records indicating likely breeding were also received from: Alners Gorse, Arne RSPB, Badbury Rings, Corfe Castle, Frampton, Hooke, Melbury Osmond and White Sheet Downs. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows that, in common with nearly all of the British Isles, relative abundance has declined significantly in Dorset since 1988-91, although breeding distribution remains unchanged. The decrease is estimated to amount to a 50% decline in population between 1995 and 2010. Because of the serious downward trend, observers are urged to submit all breeding season records (Jun Passage:and Jul) so that the population can continue to be monitored.
Christchurch Harbour 251 bird-days between 28th Apr and 30th May, including the highest-ever day count for the Harbour of 212 moving off Hengistbury Head on 14th May. The next best spring count was 10 on 10th May. In autumn, 100 bird-days between 8th Aug and 15th Oct, with high counts of 10 on 27th Aug and 17 on 3rd Sep. Durlston CP 1 or 2 on several dates between 14th May and 30th May; light autumn passage from 19th Aug to 2nd Oct with max of 3 on 19th Sep. Greenlands Farm 5 on 15th Sep. Kingston 17 on 6th Sep, on track to Chapman’s Pool. Lambert’s Castle 5 on 14th May. Lodmoor At least 20 between 13th Aug and 28th Sep, with a peak of 13 in the Lorton Valley on 2nd Sep. Lytchett Bay 22 bird-days between 24th Aug and 24th Sep, with max 5 on 16th Sep. Portland (all sites) 211 between 25th Apr and 7th Jun; 109 between 21st Jul and 30th Sep. Seacombe 6 on 2nd Sep. Studland village 7 on 4th Sep. Sturminster Marshall GP 7 on 28th Aug. . Trent 18 on 18th Aug. West Bexington 9 bird-days in spring and only 6 bird-days in autumn Winspit 6 on 14th May. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 127
2014Report.indd 127 14/11/2016 17:51 Extreme dates:
Portland Bill on 25th Apr; Upton Heath on 12th Oct. RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva Scarce passage migrant, mainly in the autumn.
All records: per DBC et al per DBC et Portland Bird Observatory al1 first-summer on 28th May, trapped and ringed ( , photo). 1per first-year DBC et onal 10th Oct, trapped and ringed, ( , photo). Another first-year on 16th-19th Oct, trapped and ringed ( , photo). PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Uncommon passage migrant.
Spring passage:
Christchurch Harbour 8 at Hengistbury Head between 10th Apr and 14th May, with 2 on 14th Apr and 14th May. Durdle Door 1 on 3rd May. Durlston CP Singles on 15th & 22nd Apr. Langton Matravers 1 at Acton Quarry on 14th Apr. Portland Bill 39 between 9th Apr and 14th May. Portland (north) 9 between 9th and 21st Apr. AutumnSeacombe passage: 1 on 24th Apr.
Arne RSPB 1 on 19th Aug. Brownsea Island 1 on 4th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 7 at Hengistbury Head between 30th Jul and 12th Sep; 1 at Stanpit Marsh 8th Aug. Cogden Beach 1 picked up dead on 3rd Sep, apparently having collided with a car; 1 on 5th Sep. Corfe Castle 1 on 5th Aug. Durlston CP 13 between 5th Aug & 16th Sep, with max of 3 on 23rd Aug. Hartland Moor 1 on 27th Jul. Holes Bay 1 on 23rd Jul. Langton Matravers 1 on 16th Aug. Lodmoor 1 in the CP on 3rd & 4th Sep. Lytchett Bay 1 on 7th Sep. Martinstown 1 in Grove Hill Bottom on 6th Sep. Portland Bill 29 between 25th Jul and 16th Oct. Portland (north) Singles on 3rd & 6th Sep. Seacombe 1 on 2nd Sep. Slepe Heath Singles on 27th Jul and 10th Sep. Studland 1 in the village on 3rd Sep; 1 at Little Sea on 15th Sep. Weymouth 1 in Broadwey on 23rd Sep.
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2014Report.indd 128 14/11/2016 17:51 Extreme dates:
Hengistbury Head on 10th Apr; Portland Bill 16th Oct. BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus Uncommon breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.
Breeding:
Christchurch Harbour In Priory Reeds one pair raised three young in the first brood and five in a second brood; in Central Marsh a pair raised at least three young. In addition, two juveniles were seen at Wick in Jun, suggesting possible breeding there. Lodmoor At least 3 pairs bred, and fledged young were seen being fed at both ends of the reserve in Jun. Lytchett Bay At least 1 pair bred, with a family party seen in Jul. Radipole Lake Breeding was confirmed, but no estimate of numbers. Swineham Point 1-3 during the breeding season and may have bred.
The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows a 40% expansion of the breeding range Dorset since 1968- Other72, including records: an increase in Dorset.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 4th-5th Mar. 1 or 2 from 11th Oct to 24th Nov. Charmouth 4 on 16th Oct. Christchurch Harbour Low numbers in the first winter period. 11 flew high over Hengistbury Head on 3rd Oct and 24 dropped into Wick Reeds on 16th Oct. Holton Lee 18 on 19th Oct. Lodmoor At least 10 present early in the year. In Sep at least 30 were present, starting to irrupt in late Sep/early Oct. About 15 stayed to the end of the year. Portland 2 at Wakeham on 31st Oct. Radipole Lake Max of 20 on 20th Sep. Upton CP 1 on 10th Jan. West Bexington 2 on 12th Jan, 2 on 26th Feb and 4 on 24th Nov. LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Breeding records were received from: Arne RSPB, Briantspuddle Heath, Bridport, Brownsea Island, Chard Junction GP, Cogden, Coombe Heath, Fiddleford, Hengistbury Head (4 pairs), Lodmoor (up to 3 pairs), Lytchett Bay, Merley Park (5 pairs), Moors Valley CP, North Portland (2-3 pairs), Powerstock Common, Ringstead Bay, Stanpit Marsh (2 pairs), Swineham GPs, Upton Heath and West Bexington. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows that relative abundance of breeding birds since the early 1980s, with a 97% increase in numbers in the UK between 1985 and 2010. The breeding abundance in Dorset has increased in line with the national picture. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 129
2014Report.indd 129 14/11/2016 17:51 Post-breeding/winter flocks of 11+ birds:
Avon Heath 11 on 14th Jan. Badbury Rings 15 on 5th Oct. Broadstone 12 on 19th Dec. Christchurch Harbour 30 on 31st Oct. Durlston CP Peak counts in autumn of 20 on 23rd Sep, 13th Oct, 24th Oct & 15th Nov. Eye Mead (Stour Valley) 16 on 16th Oct. Hampreston 17 on 24th Sep. Lodmoor Peak count of 20 on 21st Sep. Longham Lakes 17 on 12th Oct. Moors Valley CP 19 on 15th Oct. Rushcombe Bottom Peak count of 20 on 23rd Sep. St Leonards Farm 12 on 24th Aug. West Bexington 25 on 8th Aug. West Knighton Heath 13 on 7th Oct. Winterbourne Herringston 14 on 19th Jan. BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Very common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Breeds commonly across the county, although 2014 seems to have been a poor year. PBO noted a recent decline in numbers: the annual ringing total has failed to reach double figures in two of the last three years. In north Portland, only c10 pairs bred compared to 30+ in 2013. SignificantThe Bird Atlas counts: 2007-11 shows no significant change in southern England since 1988-91.
Garston Wood 30 on 12th Apr. GREAT TIT Parus major Very common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Breeds commonly across the county. Few records were received, but no change in status was noted at most locations. The highest site counts received were from Merley Park (10 pairs) and north Portland (c10 pairs). The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows no significant change Significantin southern counts:England since 1988-91.
The highest counts of the year came from Winterbourne Herringston (14 birds on 19th Jan) and Steamer Point (13 birds on 9th Apr).
130 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 130 14/11/2016 17:51 COAL TIT Periparus ater Common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Breeds commonly across much of the county. Few records were received, but successful breeding was reported from: Abbotsbury Gardens, Avon Heath CP, Bridport, Canford School, Delph Woods, Lodmoor, Merley Park (2 pairs) and Stanpit Marsh (2-4 pairs). Recorded at many other sites during the breeding season. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows a slight increase Otherin breeding records: abundance in Dorset since 1988-91.
The only double-figure count this year was fromP. a.Garston ater . Wood (10 on 12th Apr) and there were no reports from unusual locations. There were also no reports this year of birds identified as belonging to the continental race MARSH TIT Poecile palustris Uncommon declining breeding resident.
Breeding:
The status of this species continues to cause concern. Successful breeding was confirmed only at Powerstock Common (2 families) and Larmer Tree Studio, Tollard Farnham (newly fledged young seen). The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows a significant reduction in breeding range across England and Wales since 1968-72, including disappearance from coastal Dorset. In Breedingaddition, breeding season records: abundance has declined in most parts of Dorset since 1988-91.
Records of birds during the breeding season were also received from: Alners Gorse, Arne, Badbury Rings, Corfe Castle, Garston Wood, Grange Woods, Kingcombe, Powerstock WinterCommon, records: Stanpit Marsh, Trent and West Knighton Heath.
Records of birds during the winter months were received from: Ackling Dyke, Athelhampton, Badbury Rings, Cerne Abbas, Child Okeford, Corfe Castle, Crow Hill, Delph Woods, Forde Abbey, Hilfield, Langton Herring, Morden Bog, Oakers Wood, Powerstock Common, Studland Heath, Thornecombe Wood, Wareham Forest, West Bexington, West Knighton Heath, Witham Park and Wyke Down. NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Fairly common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Confirmation of breeding was reported from: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Canford School (2 nests but no young known to have fledged), Cerne Abbas, Corfe Castle, Kingcombe, Merley Park (3 pairs), Powerstock Common (2 fledged young), Rushcombe Bottom, Swineham GPs and Upton Heath. Many other records were received of birds in suitable habitat during the breeding season. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows a substantial increase in Otherbreeding records: abundance since 1988-91, including east Dorset.
The highest count received was of 7 at West Knighton Heath on 13th2014 Mar. Dorset Bird Report 131
2014Report.indd 131 14/11/2016 17:51 TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Fairly common breeding resident.
Breeding:
Records were received from: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (fledged young seen), Lodmoor (1 or 2 pairs bred in Two Mile Copse), Merley Park (2 pairs with young), Ringstead Bay (2 singing males), Rooksmoor (1 singing male), Swineham GPs (1 singing male), Town Common (fledged young seen) and West Knighton Heath (1 singing male). The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows breeding abundance has increased in Dorset since 1988-91, whereas other counties in the south have suffered decreases. GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus Scarce passage migrant, mainly in spring & summer.
DN Smith
Christchurch Harbour 1 flew over Hengistbury Head on 14th May ( ). Additional 2012 record: E Brett, R Howell
Hengistbury Head 1 on 12th May ( ). ISABELLINE SHRIKE Lanius isabellinus Rare vagrant.
S Simmonds, N Whitehouse et al Christchurch Harbour 1 first-winter (not determined to subspecies) at Wick Fields on 15th & 16th Nov ( , photo). L. i. isabellinus The 6th record for Dorset. The bird present at Portland Bill from 23rd-27th Oct 2012 has been accepted by the BBRC as an adult male , commonly known as Daurian Shrike. A BBRC review of earlier records is now underway to establish whether any can be attributed to a particular taxon. RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio Scarce passage migrant.
All records:
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 juv on 22nd Sep. Portesham 1 on 10th & 11th Oct. Portland 1 at Avalanche Road, Weston, on 14th Oct. Radipole Lake 1 at North Hide from 6th-12th Sep.
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2014Report.indd 132 14/11/2016 17:51 GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor.
First winter period:
Milborne St Andrew 1 on 11th & 12th Jan & 1st Feb, first seen in Nov 2013. SecondWareham winter Forest period: 1 at Oak Hill from 1st-27th Mar.
Coombe Heath 1 on 27th & 28th Nov. Milborne St Andrew 1 on 8th Nov. Tonerspuddle Heath 1 on 12th Dec. Wareham Forest 1 at Oak Hill on 1st Aug. JAY Garrulus glandarius Common resident & scarce passage migrant, subject to autumn influxes.
Breeding:
Breeding records were received from: Chard Junction GP, Hengistbury Head (3 pairs), Lodmoor (1 pair at Two Mile Copse) and Merley Park (6 pairs, all with young). The Bird SignificantAtlas 2007-11 counts shows & nopassage significant movements: change in southern England since 1988-91.
Abbotsbury Gardens 8 on 5th Oct, 32 on 11th Oct. Abbotsbury Swannery 15 on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 6 on 10th Mar; in autumn from 1st Sep to 18th Nov with peak counts of 25 on 25th Oct and 24 on 28th Oct. Hengistbury Head 154 during autumn, mainly moving W. Peak counts were 21 on 28th Sep, 27 on 1st Oct and 36 on 3rd Oct. Lodmoor 24 migrants, mainly heading W, between 25th Sep & 20th Oct. Peak count of 6 on 2nd Oct. Lytchett Bay 10 W on 25th Sep. Poole 21 high over Constitution Hill on 28th Sep and 7 on 31st Oct. Portland 1 over the Bill on 30th Sep. Swineham GPs 6 on 30th Nov. West Bexington Peak counts of 6 on 5th Oct and 29 on 11th Oct. MAGPIE Pica pica Very common resident.
Breeding:
Notable breeding records were received from: Merley Park (8 nests, all with young) and North Portland (c10 pairs). The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows a slight decrease in abundance Countsin Dorset of since 30+ birds:1988-91.
OtherHatch Pondrecords: Peak roost counts of 100 on 14th Oct and 140 on 21st Oct.
A leucistic bird was at Stinsford, near Dorchester, on 14th Mar. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 133
2014Report.indd 133 14/11/2016 17:52 JACKDAW Corvus monedula Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Notable breeding records were received from: Merley Park (10 breeding pairs, all with young) and Verne Common (50 pairs bred in the area). The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows a Passagesignificant records: increase in the UK since 1988-91, including in Dorset.
Abbotsbury Swannery 100 on 22nd Oct. Durlston CP 120 on 27th Oct and 750 on 28th Oct. Hengistbury Head 1,436 bird-days in Oct and Nov, with peak counts of 385 on 12th Oct, 265 on 20th Oct and 380 on 28th Oct, all heading W. Lodmoor 200 W over Southdown Ridge on 28th Oct. Poole 52 over Constitution Hill on 31st Oct. Portland 340 over the Bill between 22nd and 27th Oct. CountsWest Bexington of flocks of 100+ birds:600 on 22nd Oct and 700+ west on 28th Oct.
Bere Regis 150 on 1st Mar. Lytchett Bay 100 on 3rd Aug. Portland 150 at Grove Stadium roost on 12th Jan; 200 there on 27th Dec. Ringstead 100 on 6th Nov. ROOK Corvus frugilegus Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Breeding records were received from: Almer (56 active nests), Littlesea Holiday Camp, (15 breeding pairs), Lytchett Bay (23 nests at the Watery Lane colony), Maiden Newton (20 breeding pairs), Poxwell (42 active nests) and Puddletown (50 breeding pairs). The Bird CountsAtlas 2007-11 of 200+ shows birds: a slight decrease in the Dorset breeding population since 1988-91.
Langton Herring 200 on 1st Sep. PassageStony Down records: Plantation 2,000 on 27th Sep and 1,500 on 18th Oct.
Durlston CP Passage noted during Sep-Nov; peak counts of 82 on 17th Oct and 55 on 24th Oct. Hengistbury Head Light passage noted in spring and autumn; peak counts of 16 arriving on 17th Mar, 31 W on 1st Oct and 48 W on 12th Oct.
134 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 134 14/11/2016 17:52 CARRION CROW Corvus corone Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Breeding records were received from: Lodmoor (2 pairs), Merley Park (1 pair raised 2 young), North Portland (15 pairs), Stanpit Marsh (2 pairs) and West Bexington (several pairs). The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows that the population in southern England has remained Countsfairly stable of 40+ since birds: 1988-91.
Alderholt 50 at Warren Park Farm on 6th Jun. Bincombe 80 on 14th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 53 at Stanpit Marsh on 20th Feb. Fiddleford 57 on 5th Sep. Hampreston 50+ Apr-Jun and Aug-Dec, with peak counts of 60 on 25th May and 115 on 24th Sep. Lytchett Bay 50 on 3rd Aug. Portland 50+ at the Bill during Apr-Jun, with peak counts of 100 on 22nd and 23rd Apr and 80 on 29th Jun; 142 on 24th Oct. Portland (north) 130 at Grove Stadium roost on 12th Jan, 200 in The Verne/ Grove area on 14th Jun & 13th Jul and 150 at Grove Stadium roost on 27th Dec. Sandbanks 40 on 26th Sep. HOODED CROW Corvus cornix Rare passage migrant.
Christchurch Harbour A hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow was present on 22nd & 26th Jun and on 5th Aug. Another bird exhibiting genes of Hooded Crow was recorded on 6th Dec; this is one of two birds thought to be the offspring of a pure individual that frequented the areaper DBCin the et late al 1990s. Portland 1 present at The Grove pig farm from 13th Jun into 2015 ( , photo). RAVEN Corvus corax Fairly common breeding resident - has been increasing.
Breeding:
Records of breeding were received from: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (2 young in nest), Alderholt (used nest), Briantspuddle Heath (at least 2 chicks seen in nest), Corfe Castle (3 fledged young), Hartland Moor (3 fledged young), Portland (3 resident breeding pairs, the pair at Blacknor raised 3 young), St Aldhelm’s Head (probable nest site) and Warmwell Quarry (3 fledged young). The Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows that the species has expanded its range very substantially since 1968-72, including extending into north Dorset. Breeding abundance also appears to have increased since the 1988-91 survey.2014 Dorset Bird Report 135
2014Report.indd 135 14/11/2016 17:52 An amazing total of 21 active nests were located on pylons in Dorset from the Devon border Significantthrough to the counts Hampshire (10+ birds): border during a Peregrine survey carried out by Granville Pictor.
Alderholt 30 at Warren Park Farm on 6th Jun. Dancing Ledge 43 on 28th Jun. Hengistbury Head 14 flew W on 27th Aug; 26. on 20th Oct - the best day count for Christchurch Harbour. Verne Common 11 flew over on 10th Nov STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:
Bred at Briantspuddle Heath, Canford Heath, Christchurch Harbour, Gillingham (triple brooded, with young in May and Jun), Hampreston, Lodmoor area (32 juvs on the reserve mid-Jun), Merley Park (2 breeding pairs with 6 young), North Portland (up to 10 pairs bred) and Upton Heath. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 highlights major declines in breeding abundance Passagethroughout records: England and Wales, estimated as a 50% decline between 1995 and 2010.
Durlston CP Light passage between 5th Sep and 21st Nov; peak counts of 55 on 12th Oct and 115 on 28th Oct. East Bexington 485 on 5th Nov, mostly heading W. Hengistbury Head 1,121 bird-days in Oct and Nov, with peak counts of 245 N on 28th Oct, 230 E on 31st Oct and 270 on 15th Nov. Portland Bill Visible passage included 1,516 north and south between .16th October and 27th November. WinterPortland roosts (north) and other counts635 between of 300+ 7th birds: Sep and 22nd Nov, mostly moving N or S
Abbotsbury Swannery 1,000 on 17th Nov. Avon Causeway late afternoon gathering of 5,000+ on 7th Dec. Bridging Camp, The Fleet 500 on 28th Jul. 300 on 2nd Sep. Lodmoor Comparatively modest numbers in the winter roost, peaking at 10,000 in early Nov. Swineham GPs 370 on 16th Nov. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 1,200 on 29th Nov. Verwood Pre-roost gathering of 1,500-2,000 on 7th Dec. West Bexington 300 on 19th Jun. Wimborne 1,000 on 4th Mar. Rose-coloured starling Pastor roseus Rare passage migrant.
per DBC et al
Portland 1 at Reap Lane between 3rd and 18th Oct ( , photo).
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2014Report.indd 136 14/11/2016 17:52 HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Common, but declining breeding resident.
Breeding:As ever, under-recorded, but very good numbers noted at Portland Heights.
Christchurch Harbour, Gillingham, Lodmoor, Lytchett Bay area, Maiden Newton, Melbury AutumnOsmund, passage:Portland (c200) and West Bexington.
SignificantDurlston CP counts: Small numbers from 15th Sep to 12th Nov, max 18 on 19th Sep.
Cerne Abbas 35 on 5th Jan. Fiddleford 35 on 28th Jan. Manor Farm, Hampreston 45 on 23rd Jul. Portland Heights 1,000 (ad and juv) on 15th Aug and 500 in Nov and Dec. Ringstead 95 feeding in wheat field on 15th Aug. Stanpit Marsh 70 on 24th Aug. West Bexington 60+ on 18th Sep. Weymouth 100 on 26th Nov (garden flock). TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Scarce local breeding resident & uncommon passage migrant.
SpringMore records Passage: than in 2013, but no confirmed breeding.
Hengistbury Head Singles on 10th & 12th Apr. AutumnPortland passage: 1 on 3rd May.
Durlston CP 1 on 21st & 2 on 23rd Sep, 1 on 2nd, 3 on 10th, 1 on 14th, 1 on 22nd & 5 on 25th Oct. Wick 5 on 14th Sep. CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:So abundant, but so under-recorded.
FirstChristchurch winter period:Harbour, Durlston CP, Merley Park, Portland (10), West Bexington and Cogden.
Manor Farm, Hampreston 60 on 24th Feb.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 137
2014Report.indd 137 14/11/2016 17:52 Spring passage:
Durlston CP Small numbers from 14th Mar to 2nd Apr, max 5 on several dates. AutumnHengistbury passage: Head c100 on 10 Mar.
Christchurch Harbour 3,895 bird-days from 7th Oct to 15th Nov, max 85 on 28th Sep. In Oct 440 on 11th, 630 on 20th & 530 on 28th. 425 on 5th Nov. Durlston CP 4,374 bird-days from 19th Sep-21st Nov, max 180 on 30th Sep. Second winter period: 520 on 12th, 410 on 14th & 425 on 25th Oct. 110 on 14th Nov.
East Bexington 86 on 5th Nov. Sherford Bridge 100 on 25th Dec. BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.
Both wintering and spring passage numbers were poor, and CHOG noted that autumn Firstpassage winter was theperiod: lowest since 2000.
Corfe Mullen 1 on 24th Jan. Hengistbury Head Singles on 2nd & 29th Jan. Longham Lakes 1 on 22nd Feb. Morden Park Lake 1 on 18th Mar. SpringThorncombe passage: Woods 2 on 19th & 1 on 21st Feb.
Durlston CP Singles on 10th & 31st Mar and 2nd & 3rd Apr. AutumnPortland passage:Bill Singles on 3 dates from 10th Mar and 26th May.
Durlston CP 183 bird-days from 5th Oct to 21st Nov, max 46 on 25th & 18 on 28th Oct. Hengistbury Head 56 bird-days from 7th Oct to 15th Nov, max 6 on 30th Oct. Portland 42 bird-days from 12th Oct to 24th Nov. SecondWest Bexington winter Period: 2 on 22nd Oct.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 30th Oct. Avon Causeway 1 on 23rd Nov. Brownsea Island 1 on 2nd Nov. Corfe Castle 1 on 10th Nov. Hengistbury Head 2 on 3rd Dec. Studland Beach 1 on 31st Oct. Studland Village 1 on 29th Oct. Wick 1 on 12th Dec.
138 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 138 14/11/2016 17:52 SERIN Serinus serinus Scarce to uncommon passage migrant - has bred.
SpringA few more and recordssummer than records: in recent years for a bird that is always so welcome in Dorset.
Abbotsbury 1 on 30th Apr. Christchurch Harbour Male on 9th Apr, 1 on 22nd-23rd Apr. Durlston CP 1 on 29th May. AutumnPortland records:Bill Singles on 24th Apr and 5th & 26th May.
Durlston CP Singles on 7th & 10th Oct. Winspit 3 on 16th Sep and 2 on 20th Nov. GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Numbers generally do not seem to be yet recovering from Trichomonosis outbreaks, Breeding:although CHOG noted that they seem to be flourishing now locally.
Christchurch Harbour, Lodmoor, Lytchett Bay, Merley Park (6), Portland (c150), West AutumnBexington passage: and Cogden, Winspit.
Durlston CP 455 bird-days from 21st Sep to 22nd Nov, max 15 on 27th Sep. 45 on 12th & 67 on 20th Oct. 21 on 10th Nov. East Bexington 279 on 22nd Oct. Hengistbury Head 645 bird-days from 15th Oct, max 201 E on 28th Oct. 210 on Wintering and post breeding15th flocks: Nov.
Abbotsbury Swannery 100 on 28th Jan. Longham Lakes 25 on 16th Feb. Lytchett Bay 40 in early Nov. Manor Farm, Hampreston 25 on 25th Oct. St. Leonards Farm 50 on 24th Aug and 50 on 30th Sep. GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:Better numbers recorded on autumn passage than in 2013.
Corfe Mullen, Gillingham, Melbury Osmund, Merley Park, Portland and West Bexington.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 139
2014Report.indd 139 14/11/2016 17:52 Spring passage:
Durlston CP 228 bird-days from 10th Mar to 29th May, max 112 on 10th Mar. Hengistbury Head 70 on 3rd, 56 on 9th & 75 on 14th Apr. AutumnPortland passage: 150 on 15th, 25 on 16th & 20 on 26th Apr.
Hengistbury Head 12,742 bird-days from 28th Sep to 29th Nov, max 55 on 28th Sep. 850 on 12th, 2300 on 17th, 1,000 E on 27th & 1100 E on 28th Oct. 490 on 15th Nov. Durlston CP 16,894 bird-days from 1st Sep to 21st Nov, max 85 on 22nd Sep. 1,685 on 12th, 1,115 on 22nd, 1,080 on 24th & 1,670 on 27th Oct. 740 on 14th Nov. WinterPortland and post breeding flocks570 on (counts 27th Oct. of 60 100 on or21st more): Nov.
Lodmoor 200 on 20th Oct. Portland 150 on 3rd Aug. SISKIN Carduelis spinus Locally common resident, fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor.
Again widely recorded from gardens in winter, but much lower autumn passage numbers Breeding:from Durlston CP.
FirstLodmoor, winter St. Catherine’speriod: Hill & Town Common (Christchurch) and Wareham Forest.
Christchurch 12 on 15th Feb. SpringMorden passage: Park Lake 20 on 18th Mar.
Durlston CP 18 bird-days from 10th Mar to 3rd Apr, max 4 on 31st Mar. Hengistbury Head 19 bird-days from 10th Mar to 10th Apr, max 5 on 10th Mar. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 3 bird-days in Mar & Apr. 22 on 2nd May.
Durlston CP 1,136 bird-days from 1st Sep to 21st Nov, max 116 on 20th Oct and 380 on 9th Nov. Hengistbury Head 367 bird-days from 4th Sep to 1st Dec, max 75 on 17th and 67 W on 20th Oct. SecondPortland winter Bill period: 106 bird-days from 23rd Sep to 13th Dec, max 30 on 30th Oct.
Lodmoor 40 on 4th Nov. Poole 12 on 31st Oct.
140 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 140 14/11/2016 17:52 LINNET Carduelis cannabina Fairly common, but declining breeding resident, common migrant & winter visitor.
CHOG noted an increase in breeding numbers. As last year, some interesting comments from Breeding:West Bexington on the attraction of the local quinoa crops to linnets.
Crouch Hill, Dancing Ledge, Hengistbury Head (8+), Holt Heath, Lodmoor (c5), Lytchett Bay, Osmington Bay, Portland (c100), Ringstead, Stanpit (5+), Thornicombe, Town Common. SpringWest Bexington passage: and Cogden.
Durlston CP 166 bird-days from 10th Mar to 4th May, max 50 on 3rd Apr. AutumnHengistbury passage: Head 535 bird-days from 29th Mar to 14th Apr, max 220 on 3rd.
Durlston CP 16,025 bird-days from 31st Aug to 21st Nov, max 850 on 27th Sep. 1,340 on 9th, 1,400 on 10th, 1,225 on 12th & 1,160 on 15th Oct. 220 on 14th Nov. East Bexington 200 on 5th Nov. Hengistbury Head 18,206 bird-days from 23rd Sep to 5th Dec, max 320 SE on 29th Sep, 2,600 S on 11th, 2,200 E on 15th Oct and 310 on 14th Nov. Lodmoor 80 on 5th and 250 on 20th Oct. North Portland 900 bird-days from 11th Oct to 10th Nov. NotablePortland flocks (counts of 100+,150 on excluding 30th Aug. obvious visible migration):
Abbotsbury Swannery 500 on 27th Sep. Avon Causeway 140 on 28th Sep and 250 on 12th Oct. Grove Hill Bottom 1,500 on 11th Jan. Longham Lakes 100 on 17th Oct. Rainbarrow Farm 100 on 15th Dec. West Bexington 200 from 10th Jan to 21st Feb. 400 on 13th Oct. West Compton 180 on 31st Mar. West Knighton Heath 200 on 21st Aug. Winspit In Oct 130 on 16th & 18th and 500 on 21st. TWITE Carduelis flavirostris Rare passage migrant.
The record at Stanpit Marsh was the first December record in theDN CHOG Smith area for 30 years. (L Chappell) . Christchurch Harbour Singles on 15th Nov at Hengistbury ( ) and 1st Dec at Stanpit Marsh
2014 Dorset Bird Report 141
2014Report.indd 141 14/11/2016 17:52 LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Scarce breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.
As in recent years, another decline in numbers recorded for 2014.
FirstNo breeding winter recordsperiod: were received this year.
Hengistbury Head 38 bird-days in Jan-Feb, max 11 on 29th Jan. Morden Park Lake 10 on 18th Mar. SpringThorncombe passage: Wood 10 on 2nd Feb.
Durlston CP 9 bird-days from 10th Mar to 2nd Apr, max 3 on 27th Mar. Hengistbury Head 4 birds recorded in Mar-Apr. AutumnPortland passage: 2 birds recorded in Mar-Apr.
Durlston CP 47 bird-days from 1st Oct to 20th Nov, max 5 on 24th Oct. Hengistbury Head 78 bird-days from 23rd Sep to 5th Dec, max 4 on 28th Sep, 15 on 17th Oct. 15 on 15th Nov. SecondPortland winter period: 4 birds recorded in Oct-Nov.
Chard Junction GP 14 on 17th Nov. COMMON REDPOLL Carduelis flammea A very rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
DN Smith
Hengistbury Head 1 by Double Dykes on 14th May ( ). CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Uncommon breeding resident, irruptive passage migrant & winter visitor.
BreedingApart from season the January records: count at Throop Heath it was a very poor year for this species.
SignificantMorden Bog, counts Newton & Heath,site summaries: Rempstone Forest and Sugar Hill.
Bloxworth Heath 8 on 18th Mar. Morden Bog 8 on 18th Mar. Throop Heath 50 on 19th Jan. Many records received of 8 birds or fewer from other sites.
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2014Report.indd 142 14/11/2016 17:52 Summer and Autumn passage:
Durlston CP 21 on 29th May, 12 on 12th Jun and 7 on 8th Jul. Hengistbury Head 11 on 15th Nov. Stanpit Marsh 4 on 16th Jul. COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus Rare passage migrant.
N & D Stantiford Portland First-summer male in song in a Southwell garden on 26th May ( , photo). BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Fairly common breeding resident.
Much larger numbers noted on autumn migration than 2013. Several comments indicate Breeding:an increase in the breeding population in Dorset.
Bournemouth, Chard Junction GP, Durlston CP, Lodmoor (5), Merley Park, Portland (5 to Significant10), Powerstock counts: Common, Upton Heath, West Bexington and Cogden.
Chard Junction GP Max 8 in Oct. Lytchett Bay 10 on 20th Nov. SpringWinspit passage: 9 on 9th Dec.
Hengistbury Head 1 or 2 birds on several dates from Feb to Apr. AutumnPortland passage: 20 bird-days from 6 Apr to 29th May.
Christchurch Harbour 42 bird-days from 20th Oct to 18th Nov, max 9 E on 30th Oct. Durlston CP 385 bird-days from 2nd Sep-21st Nov, max 20 on 2nd Sep, 22 on 12th, 37 on 20th, 59 on 25th & 33 on 27th Oct.12 on 14th Nov. Glebelands 17 on 14th Oct. Lodmoor Small numbers in Oct. Ringstead Many dates in autumn, max 9 on 23rd Nov. HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor.
Again very few records this year. Those record 2005 autumn migration numbers are now Winterbecoming and a distant inland misty-eyed sites: memory!
Portland Singles at Southwell on 16th and 21st Jan. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 143
2014Report.indd 143 14/11/2016 17:52 Autumn passage
: Durlston CP Singles on 16th & 22nd Oct. 4 on 9th & 2 on 14th Nov. Stanpit Marsh 1 W on 15th Oct. West Bay, Bridport 3 on 4th & 1 on 9th Nov. LAPLAND BUNTING Calcarius lapponicus Uncommon passage migrant, mainly autumn, & rare winter visitor.
Christchurch Harbour 1 on 25th Sep. 1 on 2nd & on 12th Oct. 2 on 1st, 1 on 2nd, 2 on 3rd, 1 on 12th & 1 on 28th Nov. Durlston CP Singles on 23rd Sep and 25th Oct. Glebelands 1 on 21st Sep. Portland Bill 4 present from 11th Sep to 24th Nov. The Wilderness (nr Muscliff) 1 on 2nd Oct. SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Uncommon passage migrant, mainly autumn, & rare winter visitor.
Christchurch Harbour 1 on 10th Jan. 1 on 6th & 13th Feb. 1 on 5th Dec. Ferrybridge 1 on 23rd Nov. Portland Harbour 1 on 2nd Feb. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 10th Jan. West Bexington 3 birds from late 2013 remained there until 2nd Jan when there was heavy flooding of the Mere – their favoured site. 1 on 12th Mar. YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella Declining breeding resident & passage migrant.
Breeding:No obvious change in overall numbers from the last few years.
Singing males at: Badbury Rings, Boveridge Farm, Chaldon Herring, Christchurch Harbour, Coldharbour, Gussage St. Andrew, Hammoon, Hanbury Tout, Holt Heath, Plush, Thornicombe, FirstWest Bexingtonwinter period: and Cogden.
Briantspuddle Heath 200 on 8th Feb. Fiddleford 20 on 21st Jan. Grove Hill Bottom 20 on 5th Feb. West Compton 50 on 31st Mar. SpringWinterborne passage: Stickland 20 on 5th Feb.
Christchurch Harbour 4 bird-days from 4th Mar to 8th Apr.
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2014Report.indd 144 14/11/2016 17:52 Autumn passage:
Christchurch Harbour 7 bird-days from 30th Sep to 1st Nov. SecondDurlston winter CP period: 14 on 12th Oct.
Cogden 20 on 28th Dec. Grove Hill Bottom 60 on 30th Nov and 100 on 30th Dec. CIRL BUNTING Emberiza cirlus Rare vagrant, formerly bred (until 1971).
3 welcome records this year from coastal west Dorset.A Barrett, I McLean J McCarthy Cogden Beach 1 male on 14th Dec ( ). 2 females on 24th Dec (A Barrett, MJ). Morse et al, photo West Bexington 1 male on 19th Dec, thought same as above ( ). ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana Rare passage migrant, mainly in the autumn.
Blacknor 1 on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 1 on 17th Sep. Portland Bill Singles on 5th-7th & 15th Sep. REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Declining breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.
Breeding:Numbers suggest no obvious change around the county.
Canford, Chard Junction GP, Cogden (3), Cowgrove, Christchurch Harbour (15), Lodmoor (6+), Longham Lakes, Lytchett Bay (c23),, Radipole Lake, Sopley Is (12), Sturminster FirstMarshall winter GP (2), period: Warmwell GPs and West Bexington (3).
Longham Lakes Max 12 on 16th Mar. Manor Farm, Hampreston Max 24 on 27th Jan. SpringSwineham passage: Point 12 on 13th Apr.
Durlston CP 1 on 14th Mar. Portland 5 bird-days between 7th and 17th Mar. Stanpit Marsh 30 on 25th Mar.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 145
2014Report.indd 145 14/11/2016 17:52 Autumn passage:
Durlston CP Small numbers daily from 15th Sep to 21st Nov, max 31 on 20th Oct. East Bexington 60 on 22nd Oct, 18 on 5th Nov. Hengistbury Head 944 bird-days from 12th Sep to 15th Nov, max 50 on 25th Sep, 155 S on 11th Oct and 54 on 15th Nov. Lodmoor Small numbers in Oct. SecondPortland winter period: 219 bird-days from 14th Sep to 30th Nov.
Grove Hill Bottom 30 on 30th Dec. Lodmoor 25 wintering. Longham Lakes 14 on 13th Jul. Lytchett Bay 32 in Nov. Manor Farm, Hampreston 11 on 25th Oct. Swineham Point 14 on 31st Aug. CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra Locally common breeding resident.
A good number of breeding season records from suitable habitats. Overall numbers seem Breeding:to be stable.
Singing males at: Abbotsbury, Badbury Rings (2), Chaldon Herring, Compton Down, Critchel Down, Durdle Door, Durlston CP, Grove Hill Bottom, Gussage St. Andrew, Maiden Castle, Martinstown, Milborne St. Andrew, New Barn Farm (Piddletrenthide), Pentridge, Plush, Ringstead, St. Aldhelm’s Head, Tarrant Rushton Airfield (10), West Compton, White Nothe, FirstWinspit winter and Winterbourne period: Kingston (2).
Ackling Dyke 27 on 24th Feb. Maiden Castle 20 on 1st Feb and 28 on 9th Mar. Rainbarrow Farm 20 on 19th Jan and 30 on 7th Feb. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 30 on 19th Feb and 40 on 11th Mar. SecondWyke Down winter period: 27 on 24th Feb.
Grove Hill Bottom 20 on 30th Dec. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 40 on 29th Nov. Wyke Down 80 on 13th Dec.
146 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 146 14/11/2016 17:52 SELECTED ESCAPES IN 2014
BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus Native range: Australia.
Abbotsbury Swannery 2 from 11th Mar-4th Nov. Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 14th May. Canford Bridge 3 from 29th Nov to year end. Lytchett Bay 2 on 25th Nov. Manor Farm, Hampreston 1 from 19th Aug-17th Dec. Poole Park 2 on 3rd & 4th Nov. WarehamSNOW GOOSE WMs Anser caerulescens2 from 19th Jan-9th Feb. Native range: NE Siberia & North America.
Chard Junction GP 1 un-ringed blue morph on 31st Dec. BAR-HEADEDCoward’s Marsh GOOSE Anser1 on indicus 14th Apr. Native range: Central and South Asia.
Abbotsbury Swannery 2 in May with 3 in Jun then 1 from Jul-Sep. Avon Causeway 1 on 9th Nov. Lodmoor 1 from 28th Aug-1st Sep. PooleMUSCO ParkVY DUCK Cairina moschata1 from 2nd-19th Jul. Native range: South America.
RINGEDAbbotsbury TEAL Swannery Callonetta leucophrys1 on 30th & 31st Jan. Native range: South America.
HOODEDAvon Causeway MERGANSER Lophodytes1 on several cucullatus dates between 28th Jan & 3rd Apr. Native range: North America.
RadipoleREEVES’S Lake PHEASANT SyrmaticusThe long-staying reevesii drake remained throughout the year. Native range: China
Briantspuddle 1 male on 15th & 16th Jan. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 147
2014Report.indd 147 14/11/2016 17:52 LADY AMHERST’S PHEASANT Chrysolophus amherstiae Native range: South-west China & Burma.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 ad male from 2013 until 11th Jan and again on 15th Apr. PorteshamGOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus1 male on pictus9th Apr. Native range: South-west China & Burma.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 imm male from 1st Jan to 6th Mar with another in the nearby RED GROUSE Lagopus lagopusSubtropical Gardens on 28th Sep. Found on heather moorland in Great Britain and Ireland.
A tide line corpse was picked up on Brownsea Island on 29th Sep. A couple of other nearby HARRIS’Srecords in recent HAWK years Parabuteo perhaps unicinctus suggests that a local estate may occasionally release birds. Native range: South America.
Abbotsbury Swannery 1 from 7th Jan-12th Apr. GREATHoles Bay BUSTARD Otis tarda1 on 5th Nov. Former breeder, all records refer to birds from the attempted reintroduction scheme currently taking place in Wiltshire.
Langton Matravers 2 on 20th Nov. Lytchett Bay 1 on 21st Dec. Portland Bill 3 on 16th Dec. WeymouthDIAMOND DOVE GeopeliaSingles cuneata on 23rd Oct & 9th Nov. Native range: Australia.
SOUTHERNSturminster Marshall RED BISHOP 1 Euplecteson 27th Dec. orix Native range: Southern Africa.
HengistburyCANARY Serinus canaria 1 on 8th Aug. Native range: Macaronesia.
Seacombe Bottom 1 on 10th Sep.
148 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 148 14/11/2016 17:52 PENDING AND REQUESTED RECORDS
Records pending BBRC/BOURC at the time of publication:
South Polar Skua West Bexington 27th Jan to 4th Feb 1996 Iberian Chiffchaff Portland Bill 11th May 2000 Elegant Tern Christchurch Harbour 10th May 2005 Caspian Tern Brownsea Lagoon 3rd Aug 2011 RecordsCaspian Tern pending DRP at the time ofBrownsea publication: Lagoon 6th Jul 2012
RequestedBlack Kite records: Slepe Heath 31st Aug 2014
The following records from 2014 have not been substantiated or submitted at the time of publication. If you were the finder or simply an observer of any of the birds listed below, please submit supporting evidence as soon as possible to ensure these records are not lost dorsetbirdclub@hotmailto history. Accepted records .com will appear as additional recordshttp://www in the systematic .dorsetbirds list of next.org . year’suk/#/dorset-bird-list/4545548008 report. Please submit the records to the County Recorder via the following email using the forms found here
Barred Warbler Portland Bill 7th Sep Barred Warbler Portland Bill 17th Sep Bee-eater Durlston CP 29th May Bee-eater (x4) Charmouth 1st Jun Bee-eater Burton 7th Jun Bee-eater (x3) Highcliffe 7th Jun Bee-eater Portland Bill 10th Jun Black Guillemot Portland Bill 28th Sep Black Guillemot Portland Bill 29th Sep Black Guillemot Portland Bill 20th Oct Black Guillemot Portland Bill 25th Oct Black Kite Nettlecombe 26th May Black-browed Albatross Durlston CP 5th Jul Black-browed Albatross Portland Bill 5th Jul Cory’s Shearwater (x2) Portland Bill 2nd Aug Cory’s Shearwater Portland Bill 11th Aug Cory’s Shearwater Portland Bill 12th Aug Cory’s Shearwater Portland Bill 23rd Aug Crane (x7) Winfrith Heath 25th Apr Crane Ferndown 17th May Crane Durlston CP 2nd Jun Crane (x2) Portland East Cliffs 14th Oct Crane (x3) Stoborough 4th Nov Crane (x2) Cogden 18th Nov Dotterel Abbotsbury Swannery 28th Sep Dotterel Portland Bill 28th Sep Goshawk (x2) Mid-Dorset 4th Oct Goshawk Penn Weares 31st May 2014 Dorset Bird Report 149
2014Report.indd 149 14/11/2016 17:52 Great White Egret Arne Moors 13th Jan Great White Egret Lodmoor 9th Jan Great White Egret Stoborough 28th Apr Great White Egret Stoborough 15th May Great White Egret Wareham 18th May Great White Egret Wareham 27th May Great White Egret Stoborough 28th May Great White Egret Arne RSPB 22nd Jun Great White Egret South Haven 15th Aug Great White Egret Chard Junction GP 22nd Nov Great White Egret Eype 6th Dec Greenish Warbler Durlston CP 30th May Gull-billed Tern Lodmoor 29th Apr Honey Buzzard Weymouth 10th May Honey Buzzard Verwood 3rd Jun Honey Buzzard Lodmoor 13th Jun Honey Buzzard Alderholt 21st Jun Honey Buzzard Christchurch Harbour 23rd Jul Honey Buzzard Durlston CP 12th Sep Honey Buzzard Portland Bill 15th Sep Leach’s Petrel Branksome Chine 11th Nov Leach’s Petrel Durlston CP 6th Oct Leach’s Petrel Portland Harbour 15th Feb Little Bunting Durlston CP 12th Oct Little Bunting West Bay, Bridport 22nd Oct Long-tailed Skua Portland Bill 6th Aug Long-tailed Skua Portland Bill 27th Oct Montagu’s Harrier Abbotsbury Swannery 29th Jul Pectoral Sandpiper Abbotsbury Swannery 17th Jun Red-breasted Flycatcher Weston 27th Oct Red-footed Falcon Portland Bill 3rd May Red-footed Falcon Portland Bill 27th May Red-rumped Swallow Portland Bill 17th Apr Richard’s Pipit Abbotsbury Swannery 25th Oct Richard’s Pipit Abbotsbury 21st Nov Rose-coloured Starling West Bexington 31st May Sabine’s Gull Abbotsbury Beach 11th Aug Sabine’s Gull Portland Bill 17th Aug Sabine’s Gull Portland Bill 8th Nov Sabine’s Gull Portland Bill 21st Nov Savi’s Warbler Radipole Lake 17th Apr Savi’s Warbler Radipole Lake 22nd May Spotted Crake Wareham 6th May Tawny Pipit Portland Bill 17th Sep White-billed Diver Ferrybridge 7th Feb
150 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 150 14/11/2016 17:52 Records considered not proven by Dorset Records Panel (DRP) or British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).
It should be noted that a Not Proven outcome rarely implies that a record is not as claimed, but just that the evidence presented falls short of being enough to ensure panel members BBRCare as confident as the submitter that the record was as claimed.
Red-throated Pipit Radipole Lake 16th Apr 1991 DRPGlossy Ibis Hengistbury Head 25th Oct 2012
Honey Buzzard Morden Bog 14th Jun 2011 Pallas’s Warbler Moreton 25th Nov 2011 Black Kite Bardolf Farm 26th May 2012 Goshawk Lodmoor 6th Nov 2012 Goshawk Wyke Down 24th Oct 2012 Great White Egret (x3) Holes Bay 17th Jul 2012 Montagu’s Harrier Hengistbury Head 31st Aug 2012 Montagu’s Harrier Avon Causeway 4th Sep 2012 Cattle Egret Christchurch 4th Aug 2013 Goshawk Upton 6th May 2013 Great White Egret Lytchett Bay 10th June 2013 Great White Egret Portland Bill 17th Nov 2013 Richard’s Pipit Portland 5th Oct 2013 Whooper Swan (x3) Upwey 12th Feb 2013 Siberian Lesser Whitethroat Ferndown early Feb 2014 Goshawk Martin Down (Dorset side) 8th Sep 2014 Great White Egret Holes Bay 13th Mar 2014 Richard’s Pipit Stanpit Marsh 25th Sep 2014 Rose-coloured Starling Turlin Moor 6th Jul 2014
2014 Dorset Bird Report 151
2014Report.indd 151 14/11/2016 17:52 DORSET BIRD RINGING 2014 Kevin Sayer
Below are details of groups and individuals who have submitted ringing details for Dorset for 2014. Interesting recoveries and controls are shown at the end of this report. 32,053 birds of 119 species are known to have been ringed in the county during 2014. This represents a PORTLAND17% increase BIRD on the OBSER numberVATORY caught : in 2013.
(www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk) 6573 birds of 70 species were ringed at the Obs and other nearby sites. Totals included 1543 Willow Warbler, 1097 Chiffchaff, 736 Goldfinch, 583 Blackcap and 478 Linnets. Infrequently ringed species handled during the year included the second and third Common Buzzard and STOURthe fourth RINGING Western GROUP Bonelli’s : Warbler.
The group has 2 main sites at Lytchett Bay and Durlston Country Park. At Lytchett Bay they managed to catch 1871 birds of 44 species. The totals included 895 Sedge Warblers, 216 Reed Warblers, 111 Pied Wagtails and 29 Grasshopper Warblers. Their highlight was the capture of Dorset’s earliest Aquatic Warbler – an adult was trapped on 25 July. At Durlston CP the group caught 2925 birds of 40 species. The totals included 860 EASTBlackcaps, FLEET 701 RINGING Chiffchaff, STATION 410 Willow Warblers and 158 Meadow Pipits.
: Ian Dodd informs me that he managed to ring 2218 birds of 48 species in 2014. His sites include the MOD Firing Range at Tidmoor, the adjacent Cuttcleaves Cove and Littlesea. Three new species were added to his area, these were Kingfisher, Treecreeper and Jay. Other notable species were Black Redstart, Whinchat (5), Stonechat (33), Dartford Warbler, Firecrest (2), Pied Flycatcher and Reed Bunting (117). In total Ian ringed 239 Chiffchaff, 231 Blackcap, 172 Sedge Warbler, 153 Whitethroat and 140 ROGERGoldfinch. PEART :
A total of 1179 birds of 37 species were trapped by Roger in 2014. Roger continues with his CES at Longham along with other projects at Canford School and Cobbridge. His totals included 240 Chiffchaff, 207 Blue Tits, 139 Blackcaps and 93 Great SIMONTits. LANE :
Simon reports that in 2014 he managed to ring 415 birds in Dorset. The Tawny boxes in the woods around Milton Abbas were far more productive than in 2013 as was seen throughout the UK. The Tit boxes at Melcombe Park were less successful and he has now had several consecutive years of poor productivity. Most of the passerines were ringed at a site in Tincleton. His totals included 90 Blue Tits, 87 Great Tits, 37 House CHRISTCHURCHSparrows and 32 TawnyHARBOUR Owl pulli. RINGING STATION
: (http://www.chog.org.uk) In 2014 we managed to trap 1384 birds of 36 species. Our totals included 734 Sedge Warblers, 200 Reed Warblers, 131 Willow Warblers and 53 Chiffchaff. Highlights included a Marsh Warbler KEtrappedVIN SAYER: during a Ringing Demo and a Dartford Warbler.
In 2014 I started a colour-ringing study of Dartford Warblers on Parley Common of which we managed to trap 8 birds. In my Ferndown garden I managed to trap a further 173 birds of 16 species. My feeders attracted a good number of finches which 152included Dorset 42 Bird Siskins, Report 412014 Lesser Redpolls and 26 Goldfinches.
2014Report.indd 152 14/11/2016 17:52 CHRIS REYNOLDS :
Chris managed to catch a total of 109 birds at his Sandbanks, Poole Park and Ensbury sites. This included 29 Dunlin, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Sanderling and 15 TONYBack-headed TAYLOR Gulls. :
Tony continues to ring in his Spetisbury garden and in 2014 managed a total of 84 birds of 11 species. This included 13 Swallow (all pulli),28 House Sparrows,18 JASONBlue Tits FATHERS: and 10 Great Tits.
Jason as usual concentrated his efforts on owls and raptor pulli. He managed 33 Barn Owl chicks from 7 nests, 16 Kestrels from 3 nests, 8 Hobby from 3 nests, ANDY4 Little DAW: Owl from 1 nest, 22 Swallows from 5 nests and 2 Stock Doves from a single nest.
Andy managed to ring 244 adults and 144 pulli during 2014 at his sites at Martinstown and Kingston Maurward College estate. These included 34 Swallow, 42 Blue RADIPOLETits, 47 Great RINGING Tit pulli GROUPand 88 adult: House Sparrows.
Terry Coombs informs me that in 2014 his group ringed 21 Mute Swans, 13 Mallard and 7 Herring Gulls at Radipole. At Portland Break Waters they managed a further 43 Great Black-backed Gull pulli (all darvic ringed) as well as 51 Herring Gull pulli. So far the gulls have been re-sighted as far away as western France and Guernsey. . If anybody is interested in training to become a BTO Licensed Ringer then you can get more information at http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/taking-part/learn-ring NB . Many of the sites used by the Ringers mentioned above are on private land and birders are asked to respect the landowner’s privacy .
The BTO Ringing Scheme is funded by a partnership of the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of: Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage and the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland), The National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) and the ringers themselves.
Reference: Robinson, R.A., Leech, D.I. & Clark, J.A.(2015) The Online Demography Report: Bird ringing and nest recording in Britain & Ireland in 2014 BTO, Thetford (http://www. bto.org/ringing-report, created on 7th September 2015)
2014 Dorset Bird Report 153
2014Report.indd 153 14/11/2016 17:52 Recoveries and Controls
Mute Swan Cygnus olor GERMANY
DEW119775 Nestling 11.08.2011 Gelsenkirchen, Field record 03.02.2014 Christchurch Canada Goose Branta canadensis 617 Km, 2y 5m 23d
SPAIN 5212447 First Year 13.12.2011 Poole Park SPAIN Field record 19.10.2013 Gijon,Oviedo, Field record 15.03.2014 Gijon,Oviedo, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 845 Km, 2y 3m 2d
RUSSIA GC59529 First-year Female 28.11.2013 Abbotsbury Shot Dead 03.05.2014 Babino, Lake Babinskoe, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 2206 Km, 0y 5m 5d
RUSSIA FP57919 Adult Male 24.01.2004 Radipole Lake, Weymouth Shot Dead 19.05.2014 Beloyarskiy, Khanty-Mansi, Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 4362 Km, 10y 3m 25d
WALES 2489110 Adult 09.07.2003 Portland Bill WALES Caught by ringer 16.06.2006 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, WALES Caught by ringer 27.06.2008 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, WALES Caught by ringer 13.06.2011 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, WALES Caught by ringer 09.08.2013 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, WALES Caught by ringer 28.07.2014 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, Caught by ringer 06.08.2014 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellusur 241 Km, 11y 0m 28d SPAIN
ESAH40003 Nestling Male 24.07.2013 Parque Nacional Donana, Field record 06.05.2014 Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch Gannet Morus bassanus 1566 Km, 0y 9m 12d CHANNEL ISLANDS
CIJF15906 Nestling 13.06.1992 Alderney, Freshly dead 28.06.2014 Hengistbury Head 116 Km, 22yCHANNEL 0m 15d ISLANDS
CIJF34082 Nestling 24.06.2006 Alderney, Spoonbill PlataleaLong leucorodia dead 19.10.2014 Chesil Beach,Portland 101 Km, 8y 3m 25dDENMARK
DKC2L0227 Nestling 28.06.2013 Var Holm, Nibe, Field record 05.10.2014 Brownsea Island Lagoon 154 Dorset Bird Report 2014 1029 Km, 1y 3m 7d
2014Report.indd 154 14/11/2016 17:52 NETHERLANDS
NLA8056344 Nestling 23.07.2013 Den Oever Hooge, Field record 05.10.2014 Brownsea Island Lagoon 541 Km, 1y 2m 12d NETHERLANDS
NLA8059171 Nestling 02.06.2014 Spuitkop,Markiezaat, Field record 15.12.2014 Middlebere farm Field record 30.12.2014 Poole Harbour Sparrowhawk Accipter nisus 447 Km, 0y 6m 28d
EW94191 First year female 29.08.2014 Walsey Hills, Norfolk Kestrel Falco tinnunculusFreshly dead 21.12.2014 Coombe Keynes 342 Km, 0y 3m 22d
ES03074 Nestling 26.05.2014 Squire’s Down Sick 21.12.2014 Dunball, Somerset Hobby Falco subbuteo 50 Km, 0y 6m 25d
EL78155 Nestling 27.07.2008 Cotleigh Farm, West Milton Field record 09.07.2010 Nantwich, Cheshire Sick 03.05.2014 Barnstaple, Devon Peregrine Falco peregrinus 112 Km, 5y 9m 6d SWEDEN
90A75309 Nestling female 09.06.2008 Vastra Gotaland, Freshly dead 14.03.2009 Sturminster Newton Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 1284 Km, 0y 9m 5d
NETHERLANDS FP76255 Adult 14.02.2014 Poole Harbour Freshly dead 26.06.2014 Vlissingen, Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 397 Km, 0y 4m 12d SWEDEN
3574165 Nestling 15.05.2013 Vellinge, Field record 20.07.2013 Ferrybridge Field record 15.08.2014 Ferrybridge Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 1164 Km, 1y 3m 0d
FRANCE EG25243 Nestling 16.06.2010 Seal Sands, Teesmouth Field record 18.04.2013 Aisne,Picardy, Field record 19.02.2014 Lytchett Bay 436 Km, 3y 8m 3d EW28644 Nestling 17.07.2011 Nosterfield, N Yorkshire Field record 30.05.2013 Richmond, N Yorkshire Field record 25.01.2014 Lytchett Bay 389 Km, 2y 6m 8d
2014 Dorset Bird Report 155
2014Report.indd 155 14/11/2016 17:52 EW43222 Nestling 04.06.2011 Orfordness, Suffolk Field record 14.04.2012 Orfordness Field record 30.03.2013 Orfordness Field record 14.01.2014 Brownsea Island Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 291 Km, 2y 7m 10d
FRANCE DD35922 Nestling 14.05.2010 Week Farm, Avon Valley Sick (shot) 06.12.2010 Bassussarry, Dunlin Calidris alpina 819 Km, 0y 6m 22d
NT34656 Adult 24.11.1998 Poole Harbour Caught by ringer 20.01.2014 Poole Harbour 0 Km, 15y 1m 27d
This record is just 4 years & 2 months short of the BTO longevity record.
NT34960 Adult 18.01.2001 Poole Harbour Caught by ringer 04.01.2014 Poole Harbour Sanderling Calidris alba 0 Km, 12y 11m 17d
BT27584 First year 28.12.2012 Poole Harbour Caught by ringer 05.10.2013 Snettisham, Norfolk Caught by ringer 11.09.2014 Snettisham, Norfolk Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 295 Km, 1y 8m 14d
EY10719 First year 02.12.2012 Ocknell Plain, New Forest Shot dead 17.01.2014 Rempstone, Poole Harbour Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 36 Km, 1y 1m 15d Netherlands
1504963 Adult male 21.05.2007 Terschelling, Field record 18.05.2008 Stanpit Marsh Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 569 Km, 0y 11m 27d SWEDEN
6179288 Adult 12.05.1999 Malmo, Field record 21.09.2013 Mudeford Field record 28.12.2013 Avon Beach Field record 04.02.2014 Avon Beach 1119 Km, 14y 8m 23d EG02223 Nestling 07.07.1999 Hamford Water, Essex Field record 08.02.2006 Radipole Lake Field record 18.01.2009 Radipole Lake Field record 27.12.2013 Radipole Lake 293 Km, 14y 5m 20d 156 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 156 14/11/2016 17:52 BELGIUM
6T62574 Adult 27.05.2000 Antwerp, Field record 14.02.2006 Radipole Lake Field record 18.01.2014 Radipole Lake Field record 23.02.2014 Radipole Lake 482 Km, 13y 8m 27d
ET43137 First year 19.11.2005 Talbot Village Field record 05.03.2008 St James’s Park, London Caught by ringer 08.03.2014 Pitsea Landfill Site, Essex 189 Km, 8y 3m 17d LITHUANIA EW56197 Adult 09.01.2010 Poole Park Field record 08.04.2014 Klaipeda, 1633 Km, 4y 2m 30d
EL84447 Adult 02.01.2009 Christchurch NETHERLANDS Field record 26.02.2011 Clacton-on-sea, Essex Field record 21.06.2014 Den Burg,Texel, 519 Km, 5y 5m CZECH19d REPUBLIC
ES32523 Nestling 31.05.2012 Frydek Mistek, Field record 05.01.2014 Radipole Lake Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1485 Km, 1y 7m 5d NETHERLANDS
3585319 Nestling 24.06.2003 Middelharnis, Field record 19.10.2014 Radipole Lake,Weymouth 478 Kms, 4135 days BELGIUM
E907356 Nestling 17.05.2004 Zwijndrecht, Antwerpen, Field record 02.11.2014 RSPB Radipole, Weymouth 480 Kms, 3821 daysGERMANY
5350493 Full-grown 22.05.2010 Pionierinsel Luhe, Field record 30.10.2014 Weymouth 887 Km, 4y 5mPOLAND 8d
FN10008 Nestling 15.06.2006 Paczkowski, Field record 18.12.2006 Radipole Lake Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1374 Km, 0y 6m 3d
E15971 Nestling 10.07.2009 Burhou, Alderney Field record 24.08.2010 Gloucester Field record 08.07.2014 Radipole lake 102 Km, 4y 11m 28d
2014 Dorset Bird Report 157
2014Report.indd 157 14/11/2016 17:52 PORTUGAL GR62670 Nestling 24.06.2013 Bristol Field record 20.10.2013 Quarteira, Field record 04.09.2014 West Bexington Herring Gull Larus argentatus argenteus 88 Km, 1y 2m 11d
GA09777 Nestling 20.07.1997 Weymouth Field record 15.05.2014 Farne Islands 561 Km, 16y 9m 25d
GC02312 Nestling 03.07.2006 Sanda Island, Kintyre Field record 26.01.2014 Radipole Lake 558 Km, 7y 6m 23d
GR26645 Nestling 30.06.2011 Portland BreakwaterFRANCE Field record 21.05.2014 Radipole Lake FRANCE Field record 28.08.2012 St Denis D’Oleron, FRANCE Field record 19.02.2013 Charente-Maritime,FRANCE Field record 14.07.2013 St Denis D’Oleron, Field record 19.03.2014 St Denis D’Oleron, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 512 Km, 2y 8m 17d
MA31596 Nestling 27.06.2012 Ferrybridge, Weymouth Field record 25.01.2013 St Saviour, GuernseyFRANCE Field record 06.04.2014 Camel Estuary, Cornwall Field record 06.08.2014 Ver-Sur-Mer, 199Km, 2y 1m 10d FRANCE MA33455 Nestling 27.06.2012 Ferrybridge,FRANCE Weymouth Field record 11.01.2013 Les Sable D’Olonne, Field record 02.08.2014 Le Croisic, Razorbill Alca torda 367 Km, 2y 1m 6d
M55390 Adult 24.06.1991 Lunga, Treshnish Isles, Western Isles Freshly dead 08.03.2014 Chesil Beach 696 Km, 22y 8m 12d
K33257 Adult 03.07.2012 Garbh Eilean, Western Isles Freshly dead 24.02.2014 Hengistbury Head 854 Km, 1y 7m 21d M82064 Adult 30.06.2001 Isle of Canna, Highland Freshly dead 16.02.2014 Kimmeridge Bay Guillemot Uria aalge 771 Km, 12y 7m 17d EIRE
X77305 Nestling 23.06.1997 Great Saltee Island, Wexford, Freshly dead 14.02.2014 West Bexington 158 Dorset Bird Report 2014 318 Km, 16y 7m 22d
2014Report.indd 158 14/11/2016 17:52 R58687 Adult 29.06.2003 Faraid Head. Highland Caught by ringer 05.07.2004 Faraid Head, Highland Freshly dead 23.02.2014 Lyme Regis 885 Km, 10y 7m 25d
R72509 Adult 23.06.2007 Lunga, Treshnish Isles, Western Isles Freshly dead 17.02.2014 Charmouth 682 Km, 6y 7m 25d
R47226 Nestling 25.06.2003 Sanda Island, Argyll & Bute Long dead 08.03.2014 Chesil Beach Puffin Fratercula arctica 562 Km, 10y 8m 11d
EW60370 Adult 10.07.2007 Sule Skerry, Orkney Long dead 01.03.2014 Kimmeridge Bay All the above Auks were found along our beaches following952 Km, the 6ybig 7m storms 19d of the late winter.
Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus
X087753 Juvenile 13.09.2008 Ferndown Caught by ringer 26.01.2010 Ferndown Caught by ringer 01.03.2014 Ferndown The oldest surviving Blue Tit from my garden! 0 Km, 5y 5m 16d
Blackbird Turdus merula
CW38748 First year male 14.12.2007 Ferndown Caught by ringer 25.06.2013 Ferndown Caught by ringer 21.01.2014 Ferndown One of my longest survivors. Not re-trapped since the last6y 1m record 7d above.
LE13773 First year female 01.04.2014 Fair Isle, Shetland Sand Martin RipariaCaught riparia by ringer 05.11.2014 Portland Bill 1004 Km, 0y 7m 4d
Y786437 Juvenile 15.07.2014 Point of Ayre Caught by ringer 26.08.2014 Abbotsbury Swannery 434 Km, 0y 1m 11d
Y356098 First year 09.09.2012 Hengistbury Head Centre Caught by ringer 20.07.2014 Backney, Herefordshire 148 Km, 1y 10m 11d
2014 Dorset Bird Report 159
2014Report.indd 159 14/11/2016 17:52 D294687 Adult male 21.06.2013 Blashford Lakes, Hants Freshly dead 13.06.2014 Burton, Christchurch Swallow Hirundo rustica 14 Km, 0y 11m 23d
SPAIN D535436 First year 10.08.2013 Ryewater Nursery, Boys Hill Caught by ringer 03.09.2013 Laguna de Sarinena, Huesca, 1029 Km, 0y 0m 24d SPAIN X038927 Nestling 20.06.2013 Poplar Farm,Cowgrove Caught by ringer 13.09.2013 Laguna de Sarinena, Huesca, House Martin Delichon urbicum 1014 Km, 0y 2m 24d
D920538 Nestling 31.07.2014 Upper Breamish Valley, Northumberland Caught by ringer 20.09.2014 West Bexington 531 Km, 0y 1m 20d
Z376337 First year 20.09.2014 West Bexington Caught by ringer 27.09.2014 Sandwich Bay Estate, Kent Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 293 Km, 0y 0m 7d
D900569 First year male 03.09.2014 Silt Fen Farm, Norfolk Caught by ringer 16.09.2014 Squire’s Down 258 Km, 0y 0m 13d
D804812 First year male 18.09.2014 Tidmoor, The Fleet Caught by ringer 22.09.2014 Nanjizal, Land’s End 234 Km, 0y 0m 4d SPAIN Y254210 First year female 29.09.2011 Durlston CP Dead electrocuted 17.03.2014 Garrapilos, Jerez de la Frontera, 1581 Km, 2y 5m 16d SPAIN
N859726 First year male 25.09.2010 Soto de Vinuelas, Alcobendas, Grasshopper WarblerCaught by Locustella ringer naevia03.04.2013 Portland Bill 1113 Km, 2y 6m 9d
D091253 First year 21.08.2013 Squire’s Down Caught by ringer 01.08.2014 Pett Level, East Sussex Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 213 Km, 0y 11m 11d
D588095 Juvenile 08.06.2014 Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Caught by ringer 19.09.2014 Squire’s Down 453 Km, 0y 3m 11d
ECK237 First year 30.09.2011 Wheldrake Ings NR, Yorkshire Caught by ringer 26.03.2014 Portland Bill 160 Dorset Bird Report 2014 389 Km, 2y 5m 24d
2014Report.indd 160 14/11/2016 17:52 CDT269 First year 02.10.2014 Middleton NR, Lancashire Caught by ringer 12.10.2014 West Bexington 373 Km, 0y 0m 10d
ABE951 Full grown male 01.04.2012 Lodge Moor, Sheffield Caught by ringer 13.03.2014 Tidmoor, The Fleet (314 Km) Evidence of someCaught breeding by ringer site fidelity, 31.05.2014 albeit in Yorkshire! Lodge Moor, Sheffield
HBV050 First year 30.04.2014 Portland Bill Caught by ringer 12.05.2014 Bardsey Island 297 Km, 0yGERMANY 0m 12d
V35337 First year 19.04.2014 Helgoland, Caught by ringer 05.05.2014 Portland Bill Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 812 Km, 0y 0m 16d
EIRE ELP210 First year male 10.08.2013 Durlston CP EIRE Caught by ringer 04.05.2014 Ballynafagh, Kildare, Caught by ringer 28.07.2014 Ballynafagh, Kildare, 448 Km, 0y 11m 18d NETHERLANDS ECX216 First year male 04.09.2013 Martinstown, Dorchester Caught by ringer 09.06.2014 Bentveld, Zandvoort, Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 519 Km, 0y 9m 5d
L066618 First year 26.07.2014 Seaside Dyke, Errol, Perth & Kinross Caught by ringer 20.08.2014 Hengistbury Head Centre 637 Km, 0y 0m 25d
D476727 Juvenile 22.06.2014 St Abb’s Head, Scottish Borders Caught by ringer 23.07.2014 Wick 579 Km, 0y 1m 1d Y895573 First year 12.09.2012 Squire’s Down Caught by ringer 16.07.2013 University of Ulster, Londonderry Caught by ringer 17.07.2014 University of Ulster, Londonderry 547 Km, 1y 10m 5d BELGIUM D461948 First year 08.08.2014 Lytchett Bay Caught by ringer 16.08.2014 Woumen, 347 Km, 0y 0m 8d MAURITANIA Y321584 Adult 24.08.2011 Tidmoor, The Fleet Caught by ringer 25.12.2013 Pn Diawling, 4004 Km, 2y 4mSPAIN 1d
2N73332 Full grown 20.04.2011 El Acebuchal, Caught by ringer 13.08.2012 Squire’s Down 1539 Km, 1y 3m2014 24d Dorset Bird Report 161
2014Report.indd 161 14/11/2016 17:52 Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
FRANCE N307671 Juvenile 29.08.2007 Lytchett Bay Caught by ringer 19.08.2014 Terres D’oiseaux, Gironde, 614 Km, 6y 11m 21d
D330561 Juvenile 25.07.2014 Marsworth Reservoir, Tring, Herts Caught by ringer 02.08.2014 Squire’s Down 150 Km, 0y 0m 8d
Z376115 First year 20.09.2014 West Bexington Caught by ringer 23.09.2014 Titchfield Haven 103 Km, 0y 0m 3d FRANCE N307671 Juvenile 29.08.2007 Lytchett Bay Caught by ringer 19.08.2014 Terres D’oiseaux, Gironde, 614 Km, 6y 11m 21d FRANCE
6355650 Adult 10.08.2010 Roseliere, Charente-Maritime, Caught by ringer 22.07.2013 Tidmoor, The Fleet Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti 579 Km, 2y 11m 12d
V386495 Full-grown female 29.04.2009 Hengistbury Head Centre Caught by ringer 24.04.2011 Hengistbury Head Centre Caught by ringer 28.04.2013 Hengistbury Head Centre Caught by ringer 30.04.2014 Wick One of our moreCaught long-lived by ringer and site-faithful 18.05.2014 birds. Hengistbury Head Centre 0 Km, 5y 0m 19d
D765492 Juvenile Female 30.06.2014 Wintersett Reservoir, Wakefield Pied FlycatcherCaught Ficedula by ringer hypoleuca 04.11.2014 Longham Lakes 319 Km, 0y 4m 5d
D328277 Nestling 01.06.2014 Llewesog Hall, Prion, Denbighshire Freshly Dead 23.07.2014 Fleet’s Corner, Poole 284 Km, 0y 1m 22d
Y880000 Second year female 07.06.2013 Pontrhyfdendigaid, Ceredigion Caught by ringer 22.04.2014 Portland Bill Caught by ringer 23.05.2014 Pontrhyfdendigaid, Ceredigion 216 Km, 0y 10m 15d
D976646 Nestling 03.06.2014 Sunnyhill Wood, Tregaron, Ceredigion Freshly dead 04.08.2014 Corfe Mullen Pied/White Wagtail Motacilla alba 209 Km, 0y 2m 1d
D160571 Adult male 17.10.2013 Abbotsbury Swannery Freshly dead (hit glass)21.06.2014 Llanhamlach, Brecon 162 Dorset Bird Report 2014 152 Km, 0y 8m 4d
2014Report.indd 162 14/11/2016 17:52 D726441 First year male 21.09.2013 Abbotsbury Swannery Caught by ringer 04.02.2014 St Helier Marina, Jersey Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 0y 4m 14d
V219158 First year male 16.02.2013 Upton, Poole Caught by ringer 11.01.2014 Caer Du, Howey, Powys 190 Km, 0y 10m 26d FRANCE D463133 First year 13.10.2013 Durlston Country Park Freshly dead 09.03.2014 Laval, Mayenne, Linnet Carduelis cannabina 293 Km, 0y 4m 24d
Y835063 First year male 28.09.2012 Portland Bill Siskin CarduelisFreshly spinus dead (cat) 28.04.2014 Bishop Aukland, Durham 463 Km, 1y 7m 0d SCOTLAND D098804 Adult female 13.01.2013 Braytown, near Wool Caught by ringer 04.05.2014 Kingussie, Highland, 722 km, 1y 3m 21d
D702710 First year female 01.03.2014 Ferndown Caught by ringer 29.03.2014 Peebles, Scottish Borders An interesting Caughtset of movements. by ringer Firstly23.12.2014 this bird managed Peebles, to fly Scottish from my Borders Ferndown garden to Scotland in only 28 days which averages at 20 kms 546per day.Km, Did0y 9m this 22d bird then stay to breed in Scotland before being re-trapped that following winter?
NETHERLANDS
AX68243 Full grown female 27.04.2013 Walcheren, Possibly a continentalCaught bybreeder ringer deciding 25.01.2014 to over-winter Leigh, in Dorset. Dorset 422 Km, 0y 8m 29d Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
D293846 First year male 28.04.2013 Leigh, Dorset Caught by ringer 25.05.2014 Bardsey Island, Gwynedd Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 261 Km, 1y 0m 27d
Z131564 First year female 03.09.2014 Middleton NR, Lancashire Caught by ringer 30.10.2014 Tidmoor, The Fleet 381 Km, 0y 1m 27d
2014 Dorset Bird Report 163
2014Report.indd 163 14/11/2016 17:52 DORSET RINGING TOTALS
Species Pre-2011 2011 2012 2013 2014 Totals 1 1 1 10 Black-throated Diver 1 1 Little Grebe 9 8 8 Great Crested Grebe 12 12 Fulmar 5 1 Manx Shearwater 1 1 2 Gannet 6 2 2 Cormorant 1 Bittern Grey Heron 6 7 182 Little Egret 3 3 852 5 18 Mute Swan 9,015 279 96 71 9,643 2 Canada Goose 13 9 897 11 11 Shelduck 293 295 5 8 Gadwall Teal 3,669 3 27 3,712 55 50 Wigeon 60 60 Mallard 3,510 19 27 3,661 50 2 52 Shoveler 49 49 Eider 1 1 Pochard 1 1
Garganey 24 Pintail 357 357 1 1 Tufted Duck 436 7 3 470 2 48 Red-breasted Merganser 1 1 Storm Petrel 437 9 496 12 12 Leach's Petrel Shag 2 2 Quail 3 3 442 14 25 24 528 Great Crested Grebe 5 88 Sparrowhawk 23 1 1 Buzzard 71 6 3 3 12 21 422 Rough-legged Buzzard 2 1 Kestrel 367 16 6 25 1 Merlin 3 5 5 Hobby 3 29 1 1 Peregrine Red-legged Partridge 2 2 Corncrake 3 3 20 20 Water Rail 264 6 3 277 Spotted Crake
164 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 164 14/11/2016 17:52 Species Pre-2011 2011 2012 2013 2014 Totals 4 15 5 1 Moorhen 495 7 506 12 Coot 1,024 26 1,071 15 28 Oystercatcher 1,546 26 3 13 1,600 10 10 Avocet 43 4 2 1 Little Ringed Plover 4 4 Ringed Plover 262 269 50 1 1 1 Dotterel Grey Plover 53 5 5 5 515 Golden Plover 9 9 251 5 4 1 Lapwing 491 9 20 21 Knot 16 277 25 25 Sanderling 33 17 6 97 1 1 Little Stint 10 1 11 Pectoral Sandpiper 120 1 121 Purple Sandpiper 200 Curlew Sandpiper 1 1 Dunlin 10,972 146 130 86 11,534 Buff-breasted Sandpiper 58 4 82 Ruff 13 13 1 Jack Snipe 3 17 48 11 12 18 105 Snipe 1,160 13 3 9 1,186 5 2 1 1 85 Woodcock 16 12 5 Black-tailed Godwit 76 1 Bar-tailed Godwit 264 7 6 294 25 2 1 28 Common Sandpiper 243 3 247 8 8 Green Sandpiper 2 2 Wood Sandpiper Curlew 729 733 55 1 Whimbrel 157 157 10 10 Greenshank 56 4 2 814 Spotted Redshank 1 1 Redshank 789 16 3 Turnstone 47 49 Grey Phalarope 13 13 1 1 Mediterranean Gull 7 7 24 Little Gull 8 8 Black-headed Gull 3,262 34 30 29 3,379 10 10 Common Gull 41 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull 84 Herring Gull 930 37 65 1,098 5 5 Great Black-backed Gull 46 56 31 60 277 4 4 Kittiwake Roseate Tern 2014 Dorset Bird Report 165
2014Report.indd 165 14/11/2016 17:52 Species Pre-2011 2011 2012 2013 2014 Totals 2 2
Arctic Tern 1 184 Little Tern 60 60 1 Sandwich Tern 174 3 6 4 4 Common Tern 1,004 49 87 1,141 12 1 Black Tern Guillemot 13 1 1 Razorbill 7 7 1 1 Little Auk 4 18 22 Puffin 58 42 Stock Dove 330 7 381 12 10 Woodpigeon 647 53 30 830 1 Collared Dove 290 13 9 334 1 2 Turtle Dove 59 60 1 1 Cuckoo 57 60 450 45 4 580 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 1 Barn Owl 34 47 14 5 Scops Owl 5 4 182 Little Owl 278 9 3 309 1 Tawny Owl 126 9 38 1 4 Long-eared Owl 16 17 22 Short-eared Owl 3 1 1 Nightjar 972 31 38 31 1,094 Swift 1 Pallid Swift 851 475 476 2 2 Kingfisher 744 27 19 27 34 80 2 2 4 Hoopoe 251 5 4 4 Wryneck 3 91 410 52 45 580 Green Woodpecker 7 271 11 11 Great Spotted Woodpecker 38 35 1 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 2 Short-toed Lark 8 2 Woodlark 29 3 34 145 Skylark 1,198 7 9 1,224 Sand Martin 10,878 138 113 97 11,371 115 Swallow 37,116 786 1,212 1,924 2,000 43,038 2 2 House Martin 30,268 506 130 1,579 32,598 Blyth's Pipit 1 1 Tawny Pipit 3 3 51 25 Olive-backed Pipit 201 Tree Pipit 707 16 34 833 428 2 1 12 Meadow Pipit 5,967 301 495 553 7,517 Rock Pipit 16 459 Water Pipit 16 16 166 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 166 14/11/2016 17:52 Species Pre-2011 2011 2012 2013 2014 Totals 482 2 1 2 2 Yellow Wagtail 13,497 293 660 260 15,192 214 Grey Wagtail 772 779 Dipper 15 15 Pied/White Wagtail 9,406 292 352 247 10,511 585
Wren 13,186 287 323 370 14,751 1 1 Waxwing 3 3 504 522 Brown Thrasher 1 1 Dunnock 11,893 622 531 14,072 Alpine Accentor 5 48 Robin 17,605 696 1,004 741 1,011 21,057 2 1 Bluethroat 43 2 10 1 1 Thrush Nightingale 3 2 2 2 140 Nightingale 300 314 58 Black Redstart 131 3 10 25 Common Redstart 3,542 78 90 87 3,855 28 Whinchat 632 9 9 685 15 810 Stonechat 1,959 53 31 113 2,184 1 1 Wheatear 646 75 37 37 1 1 Pied Wheatear 1 1 Desert Wheatear 1 5 1 2 Grey-cheeked Thrush Ring Ouzel 138 147 11 10 Blackbird 21,223 661 923 726 679 24,212 210 Fieldfare 754 9 3 787 154 182 184 Song Thrush 7,928 207 273 227 8,845 4 5 1 4 Redwing 4,268 447 5,235 25 45 Mistle Thrush 324 338 1 1 Cetti's Warbler 1,037 36 62 1,205 108 182 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler 4 4 Grasshopper Warbler 1,322 213 302 2,127 1 5 1 1 Savi's Warbler Aquatic Warbler 227 235 1 1 Sedge Warbler 76,167 2,388 2,059 2,527 3,323 86,464 4 1 5 Paddyfield Warbler 21 1 22 Blyth's Reed Warbler Marsh Warbler 2 2 Reed Warbler 35,048 1,060 690 829 1,217 38,844 Great Reed Warbler 4 4 Eastern Olivaceous Warbler 3 3 1 1 Booted Warbler 1 1 1 50 Sykes's Warbler 4 1 1 1 Icterine Warbler 47 Melodious Warbler 123 130 2014 Dorset Bird Report 167
2014Report.indd 167 14/11/2016 17:52 Species Pre-2011 2011 2012 2013 2014 Totals 12 15 1 1 1 12 Dartford Warbler 992 27 23 1,069 1 1 Subalpine Warbler 9 1 1 Asian Desert Warbler Orphean Warbler 545 Lesser Whitethroat 1,689 76 61 60 90 1,976 201 180 Whitethroat 12,630 901 571 746 15,393 2 1 Garden Warbler 7,036 163 264 7,844 Barred Warbler 26 29 5 1 Blackcap 29,840 1,626 1,952 2,179 3,290 38,887 1 1 Greenish Warbler 6 1 14 Arctic Warbler 2 Pallas's Warbler 13 2 1 Yellow-browed Warbler 43 6 6 57 10 10 Hume's Leaf Warbler 3 4 1 1 Radde's Warbler 1 4 Dusky Warbler 6 150 1 154 Western Bonelli's Warbler 3 Wood Warbler 3 2 2 Chiffchaff 40,074 2,845 2,868 3,223 3,706 52,716 Iberian Chiffchaff 251 Willow Warbler 71,497 2,985 2,996 1,837 2,541 81,856 28 Goldcrest 19,566 289 655 314 21,075 102 Firecrest 1,490 61 43 33 1,655 Spotted Flycatcher 4,280 72 135 83 4,672 8 40 28 25 Red-breasted Flycatcher 31 3 34 4 15 Pied Flycatcher 1,581 1,682 Bearded Tit 1,433 17 60 1,529 Long-tailed Tit 6,111 308 233 305 300 7,257 Marsh Tit 813 17 6 30 17 883 124 115 Willow Tit 162 162 Coal Tit 2,540 71 61 2,911 Blue Tit 43,118 2,086 1,490 1,484 1,241 49,419 52 Great Tit 17,938 1,244 887 849 775 21,693 14 21 Nuthatch 715 53 46 35 901 2 2 Treecreeper 1,069 26 17 1,147 1 1 18 Isabelline Shrike Red-backed Shrike 16 8 1 1 10 Woodchat Shrike 13 13 215 11 5 8 245 Golden Oriole 15 Jay 6 8 12 18 Magpie 236 9 16 19 295 80 11 22 8 124 Jackdaw 309 6 353 Rook 3 168 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 168 14/11/2016 17:52 Species Pre-2011 2011 2012 2013 2014 Totals 81 1 4 2 88
Carrion Crow 121 114 Raven 3 3 458 Starling 13,931 209 67 14,442 1 House Sparrow 11,347 436 358 396 12,995 Tree Sparrow 328 6 335 8 12 5 Chaffinch 10,950 565 576 364 283 12,738 8 1 1 10 Brambling 611 636 804 520 Serin Greenfinch 30,354 999 374 33,051 215 400 Goldfinch 10,204 1,340 1,498 2,044 1,636 16,722 404 Siskin 2,514 263 195 3,587 2 2 Linnet 20,914 1,348 453 517 23,636 48 1 8 1 58 Twite 584 122 105 Redpoll sp. 1 1 5 Lesser Redpoll 127 73 1,011 Common Redpoll 3 2 Crossbill 6 6 128 88 Common Rosefinch 7 9 Bullfinch 3,578 167 97 4,058 2 2 Hawfinch 6 6 1 1 Northern Parula 20 28 14 Savannah Sparrow Yellowhammer 2,375 29 2,466 11 1 12 Cirl Bunting 6 6 Little Bunting 1 1 Lapland Bunting 3 3 Ortolan Bunting 7 9 1 1 Reed Bunting 10,459 396 177 319 392 11,743 1 Black-headed Bunting 1 1 Corn Bunting 1,455 1,456 1 1 Dark-eyed Junco Northern Waterthrush Totals: 744,210 27,045 28,133 27,480 32,053 858,921
Number of Species: 238 135 122 123 119 244
2014 Dorset Bird Report 169
2014Report.indd 169 14/11/2016 17:52 SHORT-TOED EAGLE Morden Bog, 31st May-1st June 2014 A new species For Dorset
Paul Morton
It all started last night at 19:00 when I left the house on a Poole Harbour Little Owl hunt, visiting every suitable area hoping to hear birds calling around dusk. Fairly unsuccessful, I decided to go and watch Nightjar instead on Soldiers Road where around 3 or 4 birds were actively calling. There was also lots of Fox cubs around, no less than 7 on various roads in the general area. Knowing I had to get up and lead a guided walk at 07:00 at Morden Bog in the morning I decided to leave the Nightjars at around 23:30 and head for home. Then the Great White Egret bug got me again, and as I set my alarm for 06:00 I thought ‘sort it’, I may as well set it for 04:00 instead and try for the Egret one last time, before going to lead the walk. So at 04:20 I found myself out on Arne Moors poised and ready. The most incredible thing I saw was a Hobby hunting Skylark in almost near darkness as I arrived...bizarre. Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Grey Heron and Little Egret after Little Egret was all that showed...still no Great White Egret. Off to Morden Bog...
A group of 10 members of the public and I headed out from Sherford Bridge on our monthly Birds of Poole Harbour field trip to see what we could see. Despite the obvious, it was a near perfect walk - stonking views of Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo, 5 flyover Crossbill, loads of Stonechat and 2 Hobby. Then, as we were walking along one side of the decoy ponds a member of the group pointed out a bird of prey sat in a tree on the other side of the heath. Through bins it was just a white blob, and through a scope is was a white blob with talons. I immediately confirmed it as one of Dorset’s incredibly pale morph Buzzards but was amazingly surprised at how pale it actually was. We were kind of heading that way, so I suggested we get a closer look, as it’s always a good idea to see how pale these buzzards can be, so as not to mis-ID them in the future (ha). We stopped again about 100m on to look at the bird and this time things didn’t seem to add up, and the bird was beginning to look quite strange. Honey Buzzard was my next rational thought, but the head was way too big. We then edged a bit closer and got good views of the bird as it sat minding its own business, and as I started making field notes and going through everything in my mind it suddenly hit me in the stomach like a sack of spuds topped up with cannon balls. We watched for a few more minuets as I wanted to be 100% sure that I wasn’t going totally nuts, and in that time the bird turned on its branch, defecated then flew off right over our heads, giving stunning underwing views. My experience of Short-toed Eagle is somewhat limited but this just had to be. I didn’t say anything straight away to the group, but asked one of them who was hold- ing a Collins Field Guide to turn to the Short-toed Eagle page. Puzzled but excited the group waited for the page to be opened, and there it was...an exact replica of what had been in the tree up ahead of us. There were members of the group with better cameras than my iPhone so I asked them to take as many pics as possible which worked well, as I was frantically try- ing to phone people and email photos despite no signal. Anyway, to cut a long story short, we quickly finished the walk still dragging our jaws along the ground and I hot-footed it over to Shaun Robson’s house where I arrived on his doorstep looking like a man who had just been given dreadful news, held up my phone and showed him the photo. ‘Yeah, that’s a Short-toed Eagle’ he said.
I’m so glad the bird came back and everyone could it enjoy it as much as I did, even though it almost gave me a heart attack. That’s why I love birding, you just never, ever, EVER know 170what’s Dorset going Bird to Report happen 2014 next.
2014Report.indd 170 14/11/2016 17:52 NORTHERN HARRIER Portland, 21st April 2014 A new species for Dorset
Peter Moore
‘Re-identified from photos’ is one of those phrases which makes good birders roll their eyes in pity at the halfwit who has the good fortune to stumble across a quality bird and not know what it is. Serendipity and digital cameras have combined to make this an increasingly frequent phenomenon, and on 21st April 2014, blessed with the benefit of both, I became that halfwit.
My patch at Swineham had been a source of frustration the previous week, turning up a pair of Black-winged Stilt the minute my back was turned, so still piqued with it, I headed off early to Portland that morning for a change of scene. A fistful of Northern Wheatears, a Whinchat and a flyover Yellow Wagtail enlivened Barleycrates Lane, and having walked Reap Lane and compared notes with Pete Coe, I doubled back on myself to catch out the sneaky rarities which I surmised had been pulling faces behind my back on the way down.
I was a good way down Barleycrates from the seaward end when, at 07:57, I looked back and saw a large pale bird flying purposefully north in the distance, which I suspected was a Har- rier. A quick view through binoculars appeared to confirm a male Hen Harrier but it was too far away to be completely sure to species level so I hoisted the lens for some record shots. It was on view for a matter of seconds and while the back of the camera shots were very small they cropped up surprisingly well.
We see Hen Harrier through the winter in Poole Harbour so I didn’t think it that remarkable, though on arrival at the Portland Bird Observatory and telling others about it, it seemed that Hen Harrier was rarer than I realised on Portland. The Warden, Martin Cade, said he would appreciate even a poor Hen Harrier shot for the website so I happily obliged when I got home. Shortly after the phone rang and it was MartinCircus asking hudsonius if I had considered Northern Harrier, then regarded as the American subspecies of Hen Harrier, since afforded full spe- cies status by the British Ornithologists’ Union as . In all honesty, I hadn’t.
I had noticed some apparent rufous markings on the underside in some shots, but having ruled out Montagu’s Harrier, I put this down to it being a not quite adult male. Martin had additionally noted the darkness of the hood, and the more limited extent of black in the pri- maries. The former I had dismissed as a trick of the light, the latter I just hadn’t studied hard enough having concluded it was obviously not the black wedge of a Pallid Harrier.
I was then tied up with family duties for the afternoon and had to leave it to the experts to ponder further - Martin contacted the late, great Martin Garner who shared the belief that it was a Northern Harrier, a view which Brett Spencer had also come to independently having seen the photos, and the news went out as such.
So while delighted to play a part in turning up a first for Dorset, I confess I felt a bit of a chump for not realising what it was at the time, and bad that no-one else saw it subsequent- ly. In my defence I had no experience of Northern Harrier in the UK or anywhere else, and a memory like a sieve, so even if I had it might not have helped. After I put the phone down to Martin, I Googled a Birding Frontiers blog post about a male Northern Harrier in Cornwall and had a moment of recognition like Dory in the film Finding Nemo, which any parents reading this are sure to be familiar with. It all came flooding back - a bit late, admittedly, but 2014 Dorset Bird Report 171
2014Report.indd 171 14/11/2016 17:52 as others have reminded me since, if I hadn’t had the presence of mind to raise the lens for that record shot it might have been just another one that got away.
Northern Harrier at Barleycrates Lane, Portland - 21st April 2014 - Peter Moore little bustard West Bexington, 18th November 2014 2nd modern record for Dorset
BACKGROUND: Mike Morse and Alan Barrett
On the 30th October Alan Barrett and I had a Great Bustard fly through our patch at West Bexington, Dorset. It didn’t stop and disappeared to the SE with only a hastily taken picture to record the occurrence. Fast forward to the morning of 18th November when, from the edge of the nature reserve, Alan and I picked up a bird flying along the beach with a very odd flight action. A bustard was not what sprung to mind, but as the bird flew away from us and banked briefly it displayed its upper wing and a bustard was clearly what it was. I managed to get a couple of record shots and thought that was that, but the bird had other ideas and cut in over the beach and dropped into a field between us and the car park. We approached the area cautiously knowing just how flighty bustards can be but, having seen a Great Bustard just a few weeks before our lazy assumption was that was what we would
Little Bustard at West Bexington - 18th November 2014 - Mike Morse 172 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 172 14/11/2016 17:52 find on the ground. Alarm bells started ringing as soon as we got a good look at the bird. It was obviously smaller than it had looked in flight, was short-necked and delicate looking with a dainty bill; we then recalled the odd flight action...We asked ourselves the seemingly impossible, “It can’t be a Little Bustard can it?” I hadn’t seen Little Bustard since the Lizard bird in 1996, Alan not since a trip to southern France in the early 1980s so it was a huge call for us and we wanted to get it right. Despite it looking the part we wanted to make sure we could fully eliminate any alternative, but realistically, was there one? We were aware that larger bustards took a number of years to mature, but how small could they get, not this small surely? And not this well-marked on the breast and neck? Unexpectedly, the bird then made a short flight away from us. It landed briefly but then flew again low northwest and slightly inland and we lost it behind some low trees. We took the opportunity to dash back to the car for a field guide. After a perusal of the bustard plate in the Collins guide it became obvious that there was nothing else it could be, we had a Little Bustard on the patch! We sent out messages to local birders whilst the bird information services paged it out and we returned to the fields we thought the bird had flown to, but there was no sign of it. We widened the search and with the help of the birders starting to arrive checked as far as Cogden Beach to the west and areas east of the car park; but without success. Sadly, the bird was not seen again.
This bird has been accepted as the fifth record for Dorset. However, it is only the second modern day record following a well watched bird at Coward’s Marsh, Christchurch in 1987. DESCRIPTION:Let’s hope it’s not 27 years before the next one.
The bird was picked up flying SE over the beach at around 08:15 (the camera time on the first image is 09:16, but the time setting was still on BST), so effectively not long after sun- rise which that day was approximately 07:30.
When we saw the Great Bustard on 30th October, I was first to pick it up and it took but a moment to recognise it for what it was and ‘call’ the bird. This bird was different, the light was poor and we weren’t initially picking up any plumage detail, but its flight action was so odd it immediately gained our interest. It had broad wings but ‘flicky’ wing beats and we really struggled to put a name to it. It was also holding its head low which added to the con- fusion. It was a definite “what the hell’s this?” moment. However, when we got a brief view of its upper-wing it became obvious that the bird was a bustard with a boldly marked black/ white/brown wing pattern. Having caught up with it on the ground, I spent a few minutes photographing it while Alan set up his telescope. Alan had already mentioned its short neck, and when we took a proper look at it alarm bells really did start to ring. To start with it looked smaller on the ground than it had in the air; Pheasant sized or perhaps a bit larger. I don’t know whether the dawn light fooled us into misjudging its size but, even though there was nothing to compare it to, with a delicate look and a dainty bill it didn’t have the feel of a large bird. It was also extensively and finely streaked about the head and neck (although more solidly dark at the base of the hind-neck) and finely barred across the breast. The cryptic sandy brown/dark brown streaking and barring continued across the bird’s back and scapulars relieved only by some paler areas across the wing coverts. The birds belly was whitish, although it had picked up a small smudge of oil from somewhere. Its gait was slow and deliberate on relatively short legs and when stationary, it often held its head tucked in. It was on view for about 15 minutes before it flew off over a banked pond 2014 Dorset Bird Report 173
2014Report.indd 173 14/11/2016 17:52 and before we could really catch up with it, it flew again. These flights happened so unex- pectedly that we hardly had a chance to note its flight action a second time, or the detail of its upper wing pattern other than it was striking and included an extensive area of white. However, I did manage another rushed flight shot in the now improved light. The last flight shot taken was out of focus, but even so viewing the back of the camera we were able to see that there was indeed extensive white in the wing which seemed to merge with white sides of the rump/upper-tail, all the secondary coverts with the exception of the greater coverts were buff/brown (as was the mantle), the four outer primaries were black to their base, the fifth had a black tip, the next a small black sub-terminal bar and each of the remainder had a large black spot near each feather tip. There was a large black ‘comma’ across the primary coverts. Together, these plumage details proved to be diagnostic. Luckily, most of my other pictures turned out well and when cropped provide a good record of the bird on the ground. Even the flight shots taken at dawn when lightened sufficiently, reveals the upper wing pattern in detail. PURBECK breeding SEABIRD SURVEY 2014
1 . Summary Sophie Lake, Footprint Ecology
1.1 Counts of breeding seabirds have been carried out on the Purbeck coast since the mid-1960s. This article summarises the results of the 2014 survey in the light of previous trends and the national context. 1.2 In contrast to recent years, 2014 was a positive season for several species of breeding seabird on the Purbeck coast. Of the nine species breeding between Ballard Down and White Nothe, Guillemot, Razorbill and also Herring Gull reached their highest numbers since monitoring began in the 1960s and 2001 respectively. Numbers of Fulmar, Cormorant and Great Black-backed Gull also increased, but there was an ongoing decline in the number of breeding Shag and Kittiwake. 1.3 The Guillemot population remained the largest at around 914 individuals. The tiny but apparently stable Puffin population remained the smallest at just two or three breeding pairs. There were just over 168 breeding pairs of Herring Gull; all other species had populations within the ranges of about 20-80, except Great Black-backed Gull, which had a population of 14 breeding pairs. 21.4 . IntroductionCormorant productivity was high, but Kittiwake productivity remained very low.
2.1 The stretch of coast between Ballard Down and White Nothe is notable along the south coast of the UK in that it supports nine species of breeding seabird: Fulmar, Kittiwake, Cormorant, Shag, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Guillemot, Razorbill, and Puffin. Eight of these species are birds of conservation concern, the only exception being Cormorant. Fulmar, Great black-backed Gull, Guillemot and Razorbill are amber listed; Puffin, Kittiwake, Shag and Herring Gull are red listed (Eaton et al. 2009). None of the populations is large, and only five species currently occur west of St Aldhelm’s Head. 2.2 The bird populations of the Purbeck coast, particularly the stretch between Durlston and St. Aldhelm’s Head have been observed and recorded since the 1960s by Trev Haysom, latterly helped by staff from Durlston Country Park and National Trust. This long-term data set provides a fascinating insight into the status 174 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 174 14/11/2016 17:52 and fortunes of our breeding seabirds. In some cases, counting techniques or count areas have changed, but overall the data provide a fairly comprehensive picture. 2.3 Concern about declines led to the introduction of climbing exclusion zones to prevent disturbance to birds prior to and during the seabird breeding season by restricting climbing to areas where seabirds were not nesting. Set up in the 1990s, these have been considered a success in that they are now widely accepted and most climbers visiting the area adhere to them. However, as they were established according to known climbing routes, there is the possibility that it only protected areas from which the birds had already be displaced. More recently, an exponential increase in the number of visitor groups taking part in coasteering activities has caused further concern. National Trust is working with outdoor pursuits providers and has instigated a licensing system to help ensure that organised activities do not disturb breeding seabirds. However, the exact impact of climbing, coasteering and other recreational activities on seabirds is not yet fully understood, and the identification of a limit on sustainable numbers of coasteers, routes and timings of activities is therefore difficult. 2.4 The South Dorset Coast is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation, and Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site for its wildlife and ecological interest. However, breeding seabirds are not a designated feature. 2.5 This report presents data up to and including 2014. It is hoped that future articles will provide annuals updates. Since 2000, methods have been standardised, and follow those recommended by Walsh et al. (1995). Limited productivity monitoring Censuswas results carried out for Kittiwake and Cormorant.
3. 3.1 Summary results are presented in Table1. All records are maximum counts. Table 1 . BreedingSurvey sections seabirds follow records those on theused Purbeck historically Coast, (and 2014 are . described in Lake et al. 2011). Shag Puffin Fulmar Razorbill Kittiwake Guillemot Cormorant backed Gull backed Great Black- Great Herring Gull
20 4 2 Handfast Point – Ballard Down 6 35 4 2 1 45 Durlston Head - Lighthouse 6 9 339 26 2 1 148 42 Anvil Point - Ragged Rocks 9 8 1 100 1 Blacker’s Hole - Reforn 9 26 1 55 White Ware - Little Hedbury 9 3 2-3 10 11 1 282 8 Seacombe - Winspit 3 3 1 18 8 Crab Hole - Buttery Corner 6 15 Gad Cliff - Worbarrow 3 1 1 Mupe rocks - Fossil Forest 0 24 Stair Hole - Scratchy Bottom 6 16 TOTAL 34 77 25 168 14 26 914 79 2-3 Swyre Head - White Nothe 6
(Footnotes) 1 The maximum number of Puffin seen at any one time was eleven. The possible number of breeding pairs was thought to be two or three (based on the number of birds seen flying into Bird Cove with fish during the boat-based survey) or three. Observations from Scratch Ass quarry above on 7th July (Richard Caldow, pers. comm.) suggest that at least six birds had worn brown primaries, which is often seen in breeding birds towards the end of the season (Harris & Wanless 2011). 2014 Dorset Bird Report 175
2014Report.indd 175 14/11/2016 17:52 4 . Discussion of population trends
Fulmar
Purbeck individuals Purbeck AOSs UK index 100 160
90 140 80 120 70 60 100 50 80 UK index AOS 40 60 30 40 20 10 20 No.s of AOS/individuals in Purbeck 0 Year 0 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Figure 1 . Changes in the numbers of individuals (Durlston Head – Buttery Corner) and, later, the numbers of apparently occupied nest sites (Handfast Point – White Nothe) of Fulmar (note different survey areas) .
4.1 Since the first record of prospecting Fulmar on the Purbeck coast in 1943 (Haysom 1977), numbers increased to a peak of 87 individuals in the early 1980s. Since then, the overall trend has been a decline, with peaks and troughs from year to year and Haysom (1993) notes that chicks have rarely been recorded. An Comparison increase with was UK trendsrecorded in 2014, after the lowest recorded total in 2013.
4.2 The Purbeck trend is similar to that of the UK as a whole (see Fig. 2 on next page). A spectacular increase in the number and distribution of Fulmar in the UK and north Atlantic throughout the 20th century ceased in the last 20 years, and numbers are now declining. The decline in Purbeck has been steeper. The UK wide decline has been attributed to a reduction in the North Sea whitefish industry, resulting in a decrease in offal and declines in sand eel populations in the North Sea and zooplankton in the Atlantic, possibly due to climate change. Large numbers are also caught and accidentally killed by long-line fishing in the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic. The Fulmar is amber listed due to the decline and degree of C ormorantlocalisation of the breeding population.
4.3 There are three main Cormorant colonies in Purbeck: Ballard, Gad Cliff and White Nothe. The cliffs around Old Harry (Ballard) were described as being “covered with nests” in the late 19th Century Mansel-Pleydell 1888) but subsequently the numbers decreased, probably due to persecution. However, numbers increased from the late 1960s to a peak in the early 1990s. Since then, a decrease of 77% resulted in a total of 73 birds in 2012, the lowest on record. The number remained at this low level in 2013, but increased a little in 2014 to 77.
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2014Report.indd 176 14/11/2016 17:52 UK index Purbeck index
160
140
120
100
80
60 Index of abundance 40
20
0 Year Figure1985 2 Changes in1990 the UK and1995 Purbeck indices2000 of abundance2005 (note2010 differing start2015 dates) .
200 300 180 Ballard Gad Cliff 250 160 White Nothe 140 English index 200 120 100 150 80 No. Of AONs
100 UK index of AONs 60 40 50 20 0 0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Figure 3 . Numbers of apparently occupied Cormorant nests at different locations in Purbeck compared to the English index of abundance .
Comparison with UK trends
4.4 The overall decline seen in Purbeck is more severe than that seen in England as a whole, and started earlier. Because of significant regional variation in the UK (declines are particularly severe in Northern Scotland), Figure 3 shows the trend for the total Purbeck population for the years in which these data are available compared to the English index of abundance. The Purbeck population decreased while the English index was still increasing, and has decreased further. The upturn in numbers nationally since 2011 has barely been seen in Purbeck.
4.5 Nationally, increases in abundance up to 1995 are likely to have been facilitated by increased legal protection instigated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Factors responsible for recent declines are likely to include increased mortality from licensed and unlicensed shooting, as well as possible changes in food availability (JNCC 2011). 2014 Dorset Bird Report 177
2014Report.indd 177 14/11/2016 17:52 Cormorant productivity
4.6 Cormorant productivity has been monitored since 2001, and has fluctuated markedly, with a particularly poor year in 2012 followed by the highest level recorded (2.04 chicks per nest) in 2014. However, the small number of visits undertaken mean the data should be interpreted with caution, and may represent an overestimate. Over the UK as a whole, productivity declined from 1988, but has increased in the last few years. The reasons for the national trends are unknownBallard Produc3vity (JNCC 2011). English produc3vity 2.5
2
1.5
Produc'vity 1
0.5
0 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 Year Figure 4 . Cormorant productivity at Ballard compared to average UK productivity .
Shag
4.7 Shag records were sparse in Purbeck until the latter half of the 20th century. Since 1965 numbers increased rapidly to a peak in the early 1970, as the cliffs between Crab Hole and Buttery Corner were colonised (Haysom 1993), after which the population remained fairly stable but with significant annual fluctuations. Over the last three years, the populations has declined, and the 2014 count of 24 was the lowest since the increased of the 1970s. The tendency for adults not to breed every yearDurlston - St. Aldhelms may be one reason forGad Cliff - Scratchy BoDom the variability in the PurbeckUK index population. 70 140
60 120
50 100
40 80
30 60 UK index AONs Purbeck AONs 20 40
10 20
0 0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Year Figure 5 . Changes in numbers of apparently occupied nests of Shag in two stretches of the Purbeck coast compared to the UK index of abundance .
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2014Report.indd 178 14/11/2016 17:52 UK index Durlston - St Aldhelm's index 160
140
120
100
80
60 Index of abundance 40
20
0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Figure 6 . Changes in the UK index for Shag compared to that for Durlston-St Aldhelm’s (for which there is a more complete data set) .
Comparison with UK trends
4.8 Overall, the changes in numbers of nesting Shag in Purbeck are only broadly similar to national trends, showing wider fluctuations that may be concealing a long-term decrease. Having increased from late 1960s to the mid-1980s (possibly due to increased legal protection and reduced persecution (JNCC 2011) the UK population gradually decreased - abrupt crashes in 1994 and again in 2005 were due to a wrecks - mass mortality events - caused by food scarcity during a H erringperiod Gull of prolonged onshore gales on the east coast (Harris & Wanless 1996).
4.9 Little is known about the Purbeck Herring Gull population prior to 1965. The patchy records available subsequently suggest a decline of 77% between 1965 and 1989 in the stretch of coast between Durlston and St. Aldhelm’s. Since 2000, numbers have also been counted from Ballard Down to White Nothe (see Figure 7). During this period, numbers have fluctuated. Recovery from a sharp decline in 2011 was maintained in 2014, and numbers reached (just) the highest since systematic recording began. Choice of nesting site seems quite dynamic, with numerous changes in nesting locations noted in 2013 and 2014.
2014 Dorset Bird Report 179
2014Report.indd 179 14/11/2016 17:52 Ballard Durlston - St Aldhelm's Gad Cliff - White Nothe 250 120
200 100 80 150 60 100 40 UK index AONs Purbeck AONs 50 20
0 0 1964 1974 1984 1994 2004 2014
Figure 7 . Variation in Herring Gull numbers in different stretches of the Purbeck coast .
Comparison with UK trends
4.10 Fluctuations in the Purbeck population appear wider than those seen nationally (partly a reflection of changes in a small population size) but show a more positive increase in recent years. UK Index Purbeck index 250
200
150
100
50
0 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
Figure 8 . Purbeck and UK indices of abundance (note the different monitoring start date – UK trend indexed to 1985 start point) . Only years with full data from Ballard – White Nothe have been included .
Great Black-backed Gull
4.11 There is no data for Great Black-backed Gull in Purbeck before the late 1990s. Since then the small populations has remained fairly stable (note that the large percentage changes seen in Figure 9 involve small numbers of nests). Between one and nine apparently occupied nests (AONs) were recorded between Durlston and St. Aldhelm’s Head, and between four and twelve AONs at Ballard. Patchy records from Gad Cliff – White Nothe suggest a population of one or two pairs, with one in 2014. An ongoing decline at Ballard Down has been partially compensated for by an increase between Durlston and St. Aldhelm’s Head.
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2014Report.indd 180 14/11/2016 17:52 Ballard Durlston - St. Aldhelm's Gad Cliff - White Nothe UK index 14 140
12 120
10 100
8 80
6 60 UK index AONs Purbeck AONs 4 40
2 20
0 0 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Figure 9 . Numbers of apparently occupied nests of Great Black-backed Gull at three Purbeck survey locations compared to the UK index of abundance . Note the low numbers on the Pur- beck AON axis .
4.12 The 20th century saw widespread expansion of the Great Black-backed Gull breeding range and numbers. The abundance of Great Black-backed Gull decreased a little between the first census of their numbers in 1969/70 and 2000. Between 1986 and 2010, abundance peaked in 1999 at 115% of the 1986 reference level, but has since decreased by around 20%. The Purbeck trend since 2000 (when systematic surveying began) fluctuates more than the UK trend, but the overall downward UK trend appears to be reflected in Purbeck (see Figure 10). UK index Purbeck index
140
120
100
80
60
Index of abundance 40
20
0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Figure 10 . Purbeck and UK indices of abundance for Great Black-backed Gull . Note the different monitoring start date . Only years with full data from Ballard – White Nothe have been included .
Kittiwake
4.13 Kittiwake were present around Durlston in the 1880s (Haysom 1977) and there may have been other colonies, but the species declined and in the 20th Century 2014 Dorset Bird Report 181
2014Report.indd 181 14/11/2016 17:52 did not breed until 1956, again at Durlston. This remained the only colony until the late 1960s/early 1970s, when Sutton Rock, Bird Rock, Blackers Hole and Crab Hole were all colonised. By 1980 the overall population peaked near 300 AONs. After this, all colonies declined rapidly, and since the mid-1990s, only the Blackers Hole colony has persisted. Despite an increase in the mid-2000s, this colony is in overall decline and its future is bleak given the poor productivity recorded in
recentDurlston years (seeBlackers Hole - Reforn Figure 11). Crab Hole - SuEon Rock Purbeck total
350
300
250
200
150 No. Of Purbeck AONs
100
50
0 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 Year
Figure 11 . Changes in numbers of apparently occupied nests of Kittiwake in Purbeck .
Comparison with UK trend
4.14 Changes in the Purbeck population mirror the UK trend (see Figure 12) although the population may have peaked earlier and the decline occurred more rapidly until it slowed in the 21st century. Fifty-eight percent of colonies have been abandoned on the southern coast of England (the southern edge of the species’ northeast Atlantic range) since 1985 (McMurdo Hamilton, Brown & Lock 2016), although some sites in the region have experienced increases. This suggests that large scale issues such as climate change and food availability may not be responsible for all breeding failures. It is possible that, while initial declines were triggered by food availability, the impacts of disturbance and predation may be more important in small and fragmented colonies (McMurdo Hamilton, Brown Kittiwake & productivity Lock 2016. at Blackers Hole
Productivity has been monitored at Blackers Hole in most years since 1991. It has been variable, increasing to a peak of over 1.2 in the mid-1990s (just after the demise of the two other Purbeck colonies), then following a fluctuating trend that decreased overall. Patchier data from 2004 onwards show a sharp decline until 2011, when productivity was zero. Although it increased in 2012 (in contrast to the national trend), it declined again to 0.09 in 2013 and again to 0.04 in 2014. 182 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 182 14/11/2016 17:52 Productivity in Purbeck was higher than the national average at its peak, but has sincePurbeck total declined moreUK index rapidly and Purbeck index to a lower level. 350 140
300 120
250 100
200 80
150 60 Index
No. AONs in Purbeck 100 40
50 20
0 0 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005 2015 Figure 12 . Changes in numbers of apparently occupied nests of Kittiwake in Purbeck and in Purbeck and UK indices of abundance from 1985 .
Purbeck produc5vity UK produc5vity 1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6 Produc'vity
0.4
0.2
0 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Year Figure 13. Productivity (expressed as total number of fledglings/total number of AONs) in Pur- beck compared to the UK figure.
Guillemot 4.15
The number of Guillemot in Purbeck declined from an estimated 2500-3500 in the 1930s to about one quarter of this (around 700) in the 1970s. After this the overall population began to increase, mainly at the Durlston colony. Since the mid- 2000s, numbers at Durlston have fluctuated widely, with the lowest number ever recorded seen in 2013 (144) despite an increase in 2012 (see Figure 14). In 2013 the sub-colony known as “Main Ledge” was entirely deserted possibly due to heavy predation from a pair of resident ravens. In 2014 the Durlston population recovered, and together with an increase in numbers at others sites, notably at Blackers Hole and Bird Cove, the overall population reached the highest level recorded in Purbeck since the 1960s at 914. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 183
2014Report.indd 183 14/11/2016 17:52 Durlston Anvil Point - Ragged Rocks Blackers Hole - Reforn White Ware Smokey Hole - Halsewell Crab Hole to SuKon Rock
500
400
300
200 No.s of individuals
100
0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Figure 14 . Changes in numbers of Guillemot individuals at breeding colonies in Purbeck since
Purbeck total UK index Purbeck index
1000 250 900 800 200 700 600 150 500 400 100 Index of abundance
No. of individuals (Purbeck) 300 200 50 100 0 0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Figure 15 . Changes in the total number of individuals recorded at breeding ledges in Purbeck compared to the UK index of abundance .
Comparison with UK trends
4.16 Changes in the Purbeck population broadly correlate with changes in the national index of abundance, which showed a considerable increase from the mid-1980s, although more recent fluctuations in Purbeck do not correlate with the relatively stable national trend over the last five years. However, observed low UK productivity thought to be due to food shortages combined with low return rates at sampled colonies suggests that future declines may be likely nationally (JNCC 2011).
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2014Report.indd 184 14/11/2016 17:52 Razorbill
4.17 Razorbill were considered to be breeding on the Purbeck Coast in great numbers than Guillemot in the 1880s, although Guillemot were more numerous by 1920 (Haysom 1977). In 1932, only 130 birds were recorded and by 1970 many colonies had disappeared altogether. The population then fluctuated but remained steady overall until the late 1980s, after which two crashes, roughly a decade apart, were followed by recoveries to higher peaks. The 2014 total (79 individuals) Comparison is the with highest national level recordedtrends since systematic recording began.
4.18 The Purbeck trend is far more variable than the UK trend (although note that the small size of the population means a small change in numbers results in a large percentage change) (see Figure 16). As with Guillemot, it has been suggested that the levelling out seen in the UK index in the 2000s may be due to density dependent mechanisms (JNCC 2011). Purbeck numbers rose markedly in 2014. UK Razorbill productivity has declined steadily since 1993 (possibly due to food shortages), and unless this trend reverses, a continuing overall decline is predicted (JNCC 2011). Purbeck total UK index Purbeck index 90 300 80 250 70 60 200 50 150 40 30 100
20 Imdex of abundance 50 10 No.s of indiviuals in Purbeck 0 0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Figure 16 . Changes in the counts of individual Razorbill and the UK and Purbeck indices of abundance . Puffin
4.19 The Puffin population of Purbeck declined dramatically in the 20th century. Puffin were thought to be abundant in Purbeck at least until 1939 (see Haysom 1977) but by 1958 there were only 85 individuals recorded, dropping to 23 in 1975. The population subsequently declined much more slowly until the mid- 1990s, since when is has stabilised at around three breeding pairs. The numbers of breeding sites has correspondingly declined to two (adjacent) sites at Bird Cove and Scratch Ass Cove. No juvenile birds have been observed in recent years and Comparison the futurewith UK of thistrends colony remains precarious.
4.20 The downward trend in Puffin numbers in Purbeck does not reflect the overall increase suggested by UK census returns between 1969 and 2002. UK-wide data are not available on more recent trends, but monitoring results from two large 2014 Dorset Bird Report 185
2014Report.indd 185 14/11/2016 17:52 colonies show subsequent declines. Productivity has fluctuated but appears to have been lower since the 1990s. However, caution should be used in drawing widerNo. of pairs geographicalNo. of breeding sites conclusions from theseNo. of individuals data. 40 90
35 80
30 70 60 25 50 20 40 15
30 No. of individuals No. of pairs and sites 10 20 5 10 0 0 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005 2015 Figure 17 . Numbers of individuals, breeding pairs and breeding sites in Purbeck between 1958 and 2013 (note the different scale for no . of individuals) . 5 . Conclusions
5.1 The 2014 monitoring data shows notable increases in the numbers of Guillemot and Razorbill. For these species the counts were the highest since systematic recording began in the 1960s, following substantial declines in 2013. A smaller upturn was also seen in the number of Fulmar, Cormorant, Herring Gull (which also reached the highest number since systematic recording began in 2013) and Great Black-backed Gull. These are welcome increases in the context of long- term and often substantial declines (see Lake et al. 2013 and Table 1). Kittiwake numbers continued to decline in 2014, and a marked decline was seen in the Shag population, which decreased by over 25% to 25 apparently occupied nests. The Puffin population appears to be stable but remains in a precarious state given the lack of sub-adults at the colony.
5.2 Population changes in Purbeck are generally in line with national trends, although long-term declines have started sooner or progressed more rapidly. They generally show wider fluctuations (which is to some extent expected as the UK trends are averaged over many sites). The declines in the Fulmar and Kittiwake populations have been steeper than those seen nationally. Cormorant have declined steadily in contrast to the national trend, which shows more fluctuation. However the Shag population in Purbeck show more variability than nationally; having increased to 2000 then declined sharply and fluctuated since. Herring Gull also show greater fluctuations, possibly with less of an overall decline, while Great Black-backed Gull show a similar decline but with more fluctuations. Guillemot and Razorbill increased in line with national trends, but have fluctuated more widely.
5.3 Cormorant productivity, which has fluctuating since monitoring began in 2000, again increased to the highest level recorded (but see text for data constraints). Productivity at the Kittiwake colony remains very poor, and shows a decline from 2012 and 2013. 186 Dorset Bird Report 2014
2014Report.indd 186 14/11/2016 17:52 Table 2 . Summary of breeding seabird population changes in Purbeck . Year % % Max of Change change Species 2014 Long term trend count max since since count max 2013
28 52 2001 Colonised in 1940s, peaked in Fulmar -47 65 1980s then declined, small up- turn in 2014
Declined to 1960s, increased to Cormorant 77 320 1990 -76 6 1990, declined again since but slight upturn in 2014 25 Increased rapidly in 2nd half of Shag 66 1992 -63 -27 C20th, subsequent wide fluctua- tions suggest overall decline 2014 0 Considerable decline 1960s - Herring Gull 168 168 13 1980s, fairly stable since 2001, 14 small upturn in 2014 Great Black- Fairly steady decline since 2000, 19 2006 -27 17 backed Gull small upturn in 2014
Rapidly increased throughout 1960s & 1970s, equally rapid de- Kittiwake 26 297 1982 -92 -4 cline, which slowed in the 2000s but continues 2014 0 Large declines up to mid C20th, increased to peak 2006, fluctuat- Guillemot 914 914 65 ing since, with peak in 2014 fol- lowing crash in 2013 2014 0 Large declines up to mid C20th, fluctuating increase to peak in Razorbill 79 79 93 2006, fluctuating since with peak in 2014 50 Large declines up to mid C20th Puffin 3 37 1969 -92 which stabilised at current level around 1990
5.4 Since the instigation of seasonal climbing seclusion zones, local conservation effort has focused on carrying out an annual census of each species, with addition productivity monitoring for Cormorant, Kittiwake and Guillemot. Most breeding seabird populations on the Dorset coast fluctuate notably, and it can be hard to predict future trends even with long term data sets available. More recently, National Trust and Durlston Country Park, together with the Lulworth Estate and MoD have been discussing potential research and conservation measures that might prevent further declines in those species which are faring badly, and help safeguard those currently doing well, particularly given the context of low national productivity for some of them. 2014 Dorset Bird Report 187
2014Report.indd 187 14/11/2016 17:52 6 . Acknowledgements
6.1 Colin Waters skippered the boat transect, and survey work was carried out by Neil Gartshore, Trev Haysom, Simon Breeze, Ben Wallbridge, and Robin Plowman. Katie Black assisted with the Kittiwake monitoring. The work was funded by the National Trust and Durlston Country Park. David Brown (National Trust) kindly 7 . Referencescommented on the text.
Eaton, M.F., Brown, A.F., Noble, D.G., Musgrove, A.J., Aebischer,British BirdsN.J., Gibbons,102 D.W., Evans, A. & Gregory, R.D. (2009) Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. , Uria, 296–341. aalge Phalacrocorax aristotelis 43 Harris, M.P. & Wanless, S. (1996) Differential responses of Guillemot a n d S h a g to a late winter wreck. Bird Study, , 220–230.
Harris, M.P. & Wanless, S. (2011) The Puffin. T & AD Poyser Ltd Dorset(A & C Black).Natural History and Archaeological Society Haysom, W.T. (1977) The status of some Purbeck seabirds. , IC, 97–103. Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society 144 Haysom, T.S. (1993) The status of some Purbeck sea birds 2. Seabird Population, , 215–220. Trends and Causes of Change: 2011 Report Updated April 2011 JNCC. (2011) . Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Purbeck Seabird Survey 2013 Lake, S., Wallbridge, B., Breeze, S., Haysom, T.S. & Kershaw, J. (2013) . Footprint Ecology/NationalBirds ofTrust/Durlston Dorset Country Park,/MoD.
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McMurdo Hamilton,British T., Birds Brown,109 A. & Lock, L. (2016) Kittiwake declines extend to southern England and beyond: an update on colonies at the southern edge of the species Northeast Atlantic range. , , 199–210. Seabird Monitoring Handbook for Britain and Ireland: A Compilation of Methods for Survey and Walsh,Monitoring P.M., of Halley, Breeding D.J., SeabirdsHarris, M.P., . del Nevo, A., Sim, I.M.W. & Tasker, M.L. (1995)
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01 Lyme Regis SY3492 46 Chapman’s Pool SY955770 02 Burton Bradstock SY4889 47 St Aldhelm’s Head SY961755 03 Peascombe SY498944 48 Winspit Valley SY976760 04 Loscombe SY506982 49 Middlebere/Hartland SY968863 05 South Poorton SY512975 50 Stoborough Heath SY924850 06 Brackett’s Coppice ST514074 51 Arne RSPB SY979887 07 West Bexington SY527866 52 Ham Common SY979910 08 Powerstock Common SY540973 53 Lytchett Bay SY972919 09 Kingcombe Meadows SY555992 54 Upton Heath SY989951 10 Sutton Bingham Res. ST544094 55 Corfe Mullen Meadow SY980967 11 Abbotsbury SY5785 56 Pamphill & Eye Mead ST995001 12 Langton Herring SY6182 57 Upton Country Park SY993928 13 Nunnery Mead SY615953 58 Townsend NR SZ024782 14 Muckleford SY642931 59 Durlston SZ032773 15 Ferrybridge SY667762 60 Kitt’s Grave SU025210 16 Lorton Meadows SY674826 61 Sutton Holms SU055095 17 Haydon Hill SY669946 62 Garston Wood RSPB SU002191 18 Brooklands Farm SY666952 63 Whitesheet Plant’n SU048036 19 Sherborne Castle Lake ST6416 64 Canford Heath SZ031955 20 Holway Woods ST633200 65 Brownsea Island SZ028878 21 Portland Bill SY677682 66 Ballard Down SZ054824 22 Chesil Cove SY6873 67 Knoll Beach SZ033835 23 Kingbarrow Quarry SY690728 68 South Haven SZ036867 24 Portland Castle SY684743 69 Branksome Chine SZ065896 25 Sandsfoot Castle SY674773 70 Alder Hills SZ063931 26 Radipole Lake RSPB SY6779 71 Ferndown Common SZ0699 27 Lodmoor RSPB SY6881 72 Holt Heath SU050050 28 Tadnoll Heath SY792873 73 Cranborne Common SU100110 29 Winfrith Heath SY805870 74 Troublefield SZ124975 30 Greenhill Down ST792037 75 Sopley Common SZ132976 31 Broadoak Orchard ST791123 76 Coward’s Marsh SZ151951 32 Piddles Wood ST797133 77 Stanpit Marsh SZ169919 33 Girdler’s Coppice ST797133 78 Hengistbury Head SZ176908 34 Mill Ham Island ST824126 79 East Holme SY895863 35 Higher Hyde Heath SY851902 80 Seacombe Valley SY984766 36 East Stoke Fen SY864866 81 Osmington Mills SY735817 37 Coombe Heath SY862848 82 Ringstead Bay SY760815 38 Fontmell Down ST884176 83 White Nothe SY772809 39 Purbeck Marine Res SY905792 84 Portland Bird Obs SY681689 40 Stonehill Down SY925822 85 Morden Bog SY913920 41 Kilwood Coppice SY933825 86 Soldier’s Road SY944855 42 Sherford Bridge SY919926 87 Holes Bay SZ0092 43 Ashley Wood ST925051 88 Dancing Ledge SY997768 44 Sovell Down ST985107 89 Baiter Park SZ020901 45 Swineham GP & Point SY937879 2014 Dorset Bird Report 189
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Abbeycroft Down ST 9505 Bride Valley SY4789/SY5888 Abbotsbury Beach SY559845 Bride Valley Fish Farm SY 521899 Bridport Abbotsbury Swannery SY 578839 Bridging Camp, The Fleet SY 652773 Ackling Dyke SU 015163 SY 4694 Acton SY 989784 Broadoak SY 4396 Affpuddle SY 805936 Broadcroft Quarry SY 698718 Alderholt SU 1112 Broadstone SZ 0095 Alners Gorse ST 737103 Broadstone GC SZ 0097 Alweston ST 664143 Brockington SU 019107 Arne Moors SY 947868 Brownsea Island SZ 0288 Arne RSPB SY 975878 Brownsea Lagoon SZ 029880 Ashley Wood ST 9205 Bryanstone ST 8706 Ashmore ST 9117 Buckland Ripers SY 6482 Athelhampton SY 771941 Bucknowle SY 949813 Avalanche Rd (& Hump) SY 686705 Bugley ST 7824 Avon Causeway SZ 1497 Bulbarrow Hill ST 7705 Avon Heath CP SU 1203 Burleston SY 776942 Avon River Valley SZ1692-SU1307 Burning Cliff SY 761815 Babylon Hill ST 576155 Burton (Avon Valley) SZ 1694/95 Badbury Rings ST 9603 Burton Bradstock SY 48/4989 Baiter Park SZ 022904 Burton Mere SY 508879 Ballard Down SZ 381 Bushey SY 979834 Bardolf Farm SY 763952 Butterstreet Cove SY 6379 Bardolf WM SY 7694 Canford SZ 0398 Barleycrates Lane SY 685710 Canford Heath SZ 032983 Batcombe Walk ST 6303 Canford Magna GC SZ 041986 Beacon Hill Landfill SY 973950 Cashmoor ST 9713 Beaminster ST 4701 Castle Cove SY 676775 Beaminster Down ST 4903 Castlepoint, Bournemouth SZ 112947 Bearwood SZ 0496 Cerne Abbas ST 685011 Bembury Walk ST 6014 Chafey’s Lake SY 6680 Bere Regis SY 8495 Chalbury Hill SU 0106 Bestwall SY 9287 Chamberlayne’s Heath SY 838913 Bincombe SY 6884 Chapman’s Pool SY 955771 Bindon Abbey SY 854867 Charborough Park SY 922298 Black Down SY 609876 Chard Junction GP ST 3404 Black Hill, Bere Regis SY 836941 Charlton Marshall ST 902039 Black Hill, Holton Heath SY 946910 Charminster SY 6892 Blackers Hole SZ 007767 Charmouth SY 3693 Blacknor SY 677714 Chaston Farm ST 718057 Blandford Forum ST 88/8906 Cheselbourne SY 7699 Bloxworth SY 881948 Chesil Beach SY 57/68 Blue Lagoon, Lilliput SZ 035899 Chesil Cove, Portland SY 984734 Bokerley Dyke SU 0418 Chettle ST 963134 Boscombe SZ 11/1291 Cheyne Weare SY 693705 Bourne Valley SZ 0693 Chickerell SY 6481 Bournemouth Hospital SZ 126942 Chickerell Hive Point SY 637791 Bovington Camp SY 8388 Chilcombe SY 527910 Bowleaze Cove SY 703819 Child Okeford ST 8312 Boys Hill ST 673102 Christchurch Harbour SU 1791 Bracketts Coppice ST 5107 Church Hill ST 715035 Bramble Bush Bay SZ 031862 Church Ope Cove SY 698711 Brand’s Bay SZ 0185 Cleaval Point SZ 005865 Branksome SZ 0592 Clifton Wood ST 5712 Branksome Chine SZ 0689 Cogden Beach SY 5087 Brenscombe Hill SY 986819 Colehill SU 0201 Briantspuddle SY 8193 Compton Abbas ST 869185
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Compton Valence SY 593932 Fitzworth SY 992867 Coombe Heath SY 975867 Flaghead Chine SZ 053887 Coombe Hill ST 775025 Fleetsbridge SZ 010933 Coombe Valley SY 6983/84 Fontmell Down ST 884176 Corfe Castle SY 9682 Forde Abbey ST 359050 Corfe Common SY 9580/81 Forston SY 6695 Corfe Hills SY 9996 Fortuneswell SY 6873 Corfe Mullen SY 9798 Foxholes, The Fleet SY 652778 Corfe River Meadows SY 9684 Frampton SY 6295 Corscombe Cross ST 5105 French’s Farm SY 968930 Coward’s Marsh SZ 1595 Frome Whitfield SY 6991 Cranborne SU 0514 Furzehill SU 0102 Cranborne Common SU 104112 Furzey Island SZ 00/0187 Creech Heath SY 9283 Gad Cliff SY 882795 Creekmoor Ponds SY 999939 Gallows Hill SY 844911 Critchel Down ST 961101 Garston Wood SU 002190 Critchel Lake SY 9907 Gillingham ST 8026/27 Crossways SY 76/7788 Glebelands SZ 0381 Crouch Hill, Stanpit SZ 169918 Goathill ST 675172 Culverwell SY 982690 Godlingston Heath SZ 0182 Dancing Ledge SY 997768 Golden Cap SY 407923 Deadmoor Common ST 7511 Golden Springs SY 8290 Dean ST 9715 Gore Heath SY 9291 Delph Woods SZ 0197 Gotham SU 083113 Dewlish SY 775985 Grange Heath SY 9083 Didlington SU 010075 Grange Wood ST 665065 Dodding’s Farm CBs SY 852934 Great Coll Wood SY 8899 Dorchester SY 68/69 Great Ovens Hill SY 925903 Dorey’s Farm Pond SY 911850 Greenlands Farm SZ 0184 Down Farm, Blandford ST 993148 Grimstone SY 6494 Dudmoor Farm SZ 150960 Grove Point SY 706722 Dunyeat’s Heath SZ 0196 Grove Stadium SY 698726 Durlston Bay SZ 0377 /78 Gussage All Saints SU 0010 Durlston CP / Head SZ 0277 Gussage St Andrew ST 986145 East Almer SY 924991 Gussage St Michael ST 9811 East Bexington SY 550858 Hambledon Hill ST 8412 East Fleet SY 635800 Ham Common SY 9790/9890 East Holme SY 8986 Hammoon ST 8114 East Knighton SY 8084 Handfast Point/Old Harry SZ 055825 East Lulworth SY 8692 Handley Cross SU 011166 East Parley SZ 105975 Hardy’s Monument SY 613876 East Stoke SY 8786 Harpitts Lake ST 784242 East Stoke Fen SY 864866 Hartgrove ST 8318 East Stour ST 8023 Hartland Moor SY 9585 East Weare SY 7073 Hatch Pond SZ 013938 Easton SY 6971 Haven Hotel, Poole SZ 0387 Eccliffe ST 798254 Hazelebury Bryan ST 745085 Edmonsham SU 0611 Hedbury Quarry SY 992768 Eggardon Hill SY 5494 Henbury Plantation SY 9697 Eight Kings Quarry SY 688699 Hengistbury Head SZ 1790 Enmore Green ST 8523 Herbury Gore SY 6180/81 Eyebridge ST 995000 Herston SZ 0178 Farrington ST 8415 Hethfelton SY 851883 Ferndown Common SZ 0799 High Hall nr. Wimborne SU 001027 Ferrybridge SY 667762 Highcliffe SZ 2194 Fifehead Magdalen ST 779214 Higher Bockhampton SY 7292 Fifehead Wood ST 774215 Higher Hyde SY 851902
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Hilfield ST 634050 Lyme Bay SY 3391/6768 Hinton Parva ST 998044 Lyme Regis SY 3492 Hinton St Mary ST 7816 Lynch Cove SY 648781 Holcombe Bottom SY 6996/7185 Lyons Gate ST 660058 Holes Bay SY 0092 Lytchett Bay SY 9792 Holmebridge SY 8986 Lytchett Matravers SY 9495 Holnest ST 6509 Maiden Castle SY 66/6788 Holt Heath SU 0504 Maiden Newton SY 5997 Holton Heath SY 9591 Magiston SY 638968 Holton Lee SY 954914 Mapperton, nr Blandford SY 9098 Horse Down ST 965095 Mapperton, nr Beaminster SY 5099 Horselynch Plantation SY 6881/6882 Mappowder ST 734061 Horton SU 027074 Marnhull ST 7718 Hungry Hill SY 529974 Martin Down SY 5791 Iford Hurn SZ 1297 Martinstown SY 6488 SZ 1393 Masters Pit (MOD) SY 9184 Keysworth SY 9488 Matchams Viewpoint SU 134020 Kilwood Coppice SY 512975 Maunbury Rings SY 690899 Kimmeridge SY 918799 Melbury Park, Evershot ST 5705 Kingcombe ST 741002 Melcombe Bingham ST 7602 King’s Park, Bournemouth SZ 116929 Merley SZ 020980 King’s Stag ST 7210 Merley Park SZ 00/0198 Kingston, North Dorset ST 755095 Middlebere SY 968863 Kingston, Purbeck SY 956796 Milborne St Andrew SY 8097 Kingston Lacy ST 977013 Milton Abbas ST 8001 Kingston Maurward SY 717910 Minchington ST 9614 King’s Wood, Purbeck SZ 000815 Monkton-up-Wimborne SU 0113 Knitson SZ 0080 Moonfleet SY 6180 Knowlton SU 022101 Moor Critchel ST 9908 Knowlton Church SU 024104 Moors Valley CP SU 1205 Lamberts Castle SY 372991 Morden Bog SY 914917 Lane End SY 850925 Morden Park Lake SY 907927 Langton Herring SY 6182 Morden Park Corner SY 9093 Langton Matravers SZ 0078 Moreton SY 8089 Lankham Bottom SY 6099 Mudeford SZ 1892 Launceston Down ST 953106 Mupe Bay SY 844799 Lawson Clump SY 921909 Muscliffe SZ 0995 Leigh ST 6208 Nath Point SY 980859 Lewesdon Hill ST 4301 Nether Cerne SY 670982 Lillington ST 629127 Newton Bay SZ 0085 Littlebredy SY 5889 Newton Heath SZ 004840 Little Sea, Studland SZ 0384/85 Newton’s Cove SY 684782 Littlesea, The Fleet SY 645781 Nine Barrow Down SZ 002811 Litton Cheney SY 5590 Norden SY 945835 Loddon Lakes ST 812258 Norden Sewage Works SY 961831 Lodmoor SY 6881 North Poorton SY 519982 Long Bredy SY 570904 Northbourne SY 0896 Long Critchel ST 9710 Northport Heath SY 911894 Longburton ST 6611 Nottington SY 6682 Longham Lakes SZ 062981 Oakers Wood SY 8091 Louds Mill SF SY 7190 Oborne ST 6518 Lower Bockhampton SY 7290 Okeford Fitzpaine ST 806109 Lower Parkstone SZ 0391 Organford SY 939924 Lulworth Cove SY 8279 Osmington SY 7283 Lulworth Ranges SY 8370/9082 Ower Bay SY 9986 Lydlinch ST 7413 Ower Quay SY 997862 Lydlinch Common ST 7313 Pallington SY 789912
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Pamphill ST 9900 Rodwell SY 6778 Parkstone Bay SZ 0290 Ryewater ST 667108 Parley Court Farm SZ 0997 Saltern’s Marsh SY 9686 PC World, Poole SZ 066828 Sandbanks SZ 03/0487 Pennsylvania Castle SY 6971 Sandford Heath SY 9389 Pentridge SU 0317 Sandsfoot Castle SY 674773 Peveril Point SZ 040786 Scotland Farm SY 961840 Piddle Valley SY9488-ST6902 Seaborough ST 4305 Piddlehinton SY 7197 Seacombe SY 9876 Piddletrenthide SY 7099 Shaftsbury SY 8622/23 Pilsden Pen ST 4001 Shapwick ST 9401 Pimperne ST 9009 Shell Bay SU 0386 Plush ST 7102 Sherborne ST 6678 Poole Bay SZ 08 Sherborne Lake ST 64/6516 Poole Harbour SY 9988 Sherford Bridge SY 919927 Poole Park SZ 0290/91 Shillingstone ST 825110 Poole Quay SZ 011902 Shipstal Point SY 983884 Portesham SY 602857 Shipton Gorge SY 4991 Portland Bill SY 677682 Sixpenny Handley ST 9917 Portland Castle SY 684744 Slepe Copse SY 957863 Portland Harbour SY 68 / 69 Slepe Plantation SY 951859 Portland Heights SY 689730 Soldier’s Road SY 9485 Poundbury SY 6790 Solent Meads GC SZ 159913 Povington SY 8882 Sopley Common SZ 12/130974 Povington Heath SY 53 / 5496 South Down SY 7781 Powerstock SY 517961 South Haven Point SZ 0386 Powerstock Common SY 540963 South Lake, Poole Hbr SZ 0286/0386 Poxwell SY 741841 South Poorton SY 519978 Preston SY 7083 Southbourne SZ 1491 Preston Beach SY 6880-6981 Southover, Frampton SY 6294 Priory Marsh SZ 162924 Southwell SY 6870 Puddletown SY 7594 Sovell Down ST 990107 Puddletown Forest SY 737927 Spetisbury ST 9102 Puncknowle SY 5388 Squirrel’s Corner SU 025145 Purewell Meadows SZ 1692/93 St Aldhelm’s Head SY 961752 Purse Caundle ST 695175 St Catherine’s Hill SZ 145953 Radipole Lake SY 675796 St Leonards SU 112036 Ramsdown SZ 1396 Staggs Folly ST 6100 Raymonds Hill SY 323963 Stalbridge ST 7317 Reap Lane, Portland SY 682705 Stanbridge SU 004038 Redcliff Point SY 713816 Stanpit Marsh SZ 16/1792 Redhill LNR SZ 087954 Steamer Point SZ 197929 Redhorn Point SZ 021855 Stoborough Heath SY 92/9385 Rempstone SY 989825 Stock Gaylard ST 725135 Rempstone Forest SY 985845 Stoke Heath SY 84 8897 Renscombe SY 964775 Stokeford Heath SY 8788 Ridge SY 9386 Stonehill Down SY 925822 Ringstead Bay SY 760810 Stoney Down Plantation SY 9696 Ringwood Forest SU 1205 Stourton Caundle ST 715154 River Allen SU1307-SZ1692 Stourpaine ST 8609 River Axe ST3202-ST4904 Stubhampton ST 9113 River Frome SY9487-ST5704 Studland Bay SZ 040840 River Lim SY3492–SY3196 Studland Beach SZ 040826 River Wey River Stour SZ1692-ST 7731 Studland Village SZ 0382 SY 6780-6685 Sturminster Marshall ST 9400 Rodden SY 611842 Sturminster Marshall GP SY 9599 Rodden Hive SY 604821 Sturminster Newton ST 7814
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Suckthumb Quarry SY 686708 Walditch SY 485925 Sugar Hill SY 883924 Wareham SY 91/9288 Sutton Bingham Res ST 549110 Wareham Common SY 9087 Sutton Hill ST 882160 Wareham Forest SY 9092 Sutton Waldron ST 887160 Wareham Moors SY 9287 Swanage SZ 02/0378/79 Warmwell Heath SY 7586 Swanage Bay SZ 0379 Warmwell Quarry SY 7588 Swanworth Quarry SY 969782 West Bay SY 4690 Swineham GPs SY 932880 West Bexington SY 525868 Swineham Point SY 944878 West Chaldon SY 777828 Swyre Head SY 933784 West Compton SY 5694 Sydling St Nicholas SY 6399 Westfields SY 932889 Symondsbury SY 4493 West Knighton Dump SY 7488 Tadnoll Heath NR SY 794872 West Knighton Heath SY 7488 Tarrant Crawford ST 921033 West Lulworth SY 8280 Tarrant Gunville ST 9212 West Moors Plantation SU 0903 Tarrant Hinton ST 9310 West Parley SZ 0898 Tarrant Keyneston ST 926043 West Morden SY 9095 Tarrant Monkton ST 9408 Weston SY 6871 Tarrant Rushton Airfield ST 9405 Weymouth SY 6880 The Fleet SY 5683-6675 Whitcomb Hill SY 714885 The Grove SY 700723 White Horse Hill SY 715843 The Nothe SY 6878 White Lackington SY 715985 Thorncombe SY375034 White Mill ST 956006 Thorncombe Wood SY 726921 White Nothe SY 7780 Thornford ST 6013 Whitesheet Plantation SU 054032 Thornicombe ST 870032 Whitecliff SZ 0390 Three Legged Cross SU 0805 Wick SZ 160920 Throop Heath SY 820918 Wick Hams SZ 167912 Tidmoor Point, The Fleet SY 643785 Wimborne SU 010000 Tincleton CBs SY 766917 Wimborne St Giles SU 0312 Tolpuddle SY 7994 Winfrith Heath SY 805870 Tout Quarry SY 686726 Win Green ST 9417 Town Common SZ 140960 Winkton SZ 1696 Townsend SZ 128948 Winspit SY 9776 Townsend Reserve SZ 0278 Winterborne Came SY 704884 Trickett’s Cross SF SU100005 Winterborne Herringston SY 6887 Tripps Farm ST 687161 Winterborne Houghton ST 8104 Tuckton SZ 1492 Winterborne St Martin SY 6488 Turlin Moor SY 977917 Winterborne Steepleton SY 6289 Turnerspuddle SY 8393 Winterborne Whitchurch ST 8300 Turnerspuddle Heath SY 830934 Winterbourne Abbas SY 6190 Turnworth ST 8207 Witchamton ST 9806 Two Mile Copse SY 674821 Woodley Down ST 93179 Ulwell SZ 0181 Wool SY 8486 Up Cerne ST 6502 Woolbridge SY 844871 Uplyme SY 325936 Woolgarston SY 982814 Upton SY 9893 Woolsbarrow Fort SY 895925 Upton CP SY 993930 Worbarrow SY 872797 Upton Heath SY 9894 Worgret SY 906870 Upwey SY 6684 Worth Matravers SY 9777 Verne Common SY 692740 Wyke Down SU 0015 Verwood SU 0808 Wyke Regis SY 6677 Waddock Cross SY 799910 Wytch Causeway SY 981852 Wakeham SY 6971 Wytch Lake SY 9886
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Best A Abbotsbury Swannery Bellamy JRW Butcher S Abrahams R Cade M Acornley R Best TJ Cadogan P Adamcik T Betteridge EJ Caldwell C Adams J Biggs A Camp S Adams T Billingsley RW Campbell J Bird D Agombar D Bingley JH Caplin B Alexander I Carey S Allan D Bird ME Carley T Allen CA BirdGuides Carpenter BR Allen J Bishop G Carpenter M Allison S Bissell LJ Carpenter R Alway F Blain S Carter G Andrews MS Blake R Case N Applebee J Blakeley AF Chainey C Armstrong GJ Blandford D Chambers H Arnold N Blood V Chambers K Arton P Blumsom WG Chapleo C Avanti CDC Boarder WJ Chapman P Avery MI Bollen CF Chappell L Bailey C Bolton A Chapple B Bailey L Boswell R CHOG Bailey N Boswell SA Chown DJ Baker P Bourne A Christopher R Bale JV Bowker DJ Churchill R Bale R Bowles J Clark FC Balfour VG Bown W Clarke JA Ball D Bradford D Clarke S Ball K Bradley J Clarkson G Ball S Braithwaite T Claydon W Ballam ID Bray B Clements B Balmer T Breakspear MA Clements C Brett E Bandfield D Breeze S Clements J Brewer S Banham N Coadwell D Brodie ES Barclay I Codlin TD Barlow GF Coe PA Barrett AJ Brook R Cole CA Barrett GC Brown A Coleman M Barrett P Brown GB Coller M Bartlett D Brummitt R Collins MJ Barton M BTO BirdTrack Collins N Batho GS Budden MD Collis A Batiste E Bunker D Collop CH Battson DA Burgum N Constantine M Belcher RT Butcher JR Constantine Mo
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Conway T Down J Gardner A Cooke D Down M Gardner IC Coombs DC Downing AJ Gartshore N Gerry S Cooper A Downton T Gayer RA Cope NJC Dowty M Corrigan C Drake P Gibbons M Cottrell C Dresh C Gibson N Gifford R Couzens D Drewitt EJA Gifford J Coward B Duckworth NA Dyer D Cox J Dunk A Gilham R Dyer R Cox R Gleason R Craft SJ Goble PR Godfrey D Crandley E Dymock A Godden N Craven PJM Ebsworthy KG Creighton RH Edge A Goodwin T Cross M Elborn T Gorringe DJ Croton N Elliot JM Gough SJ Crowter P Elliott-Moustache G Gould M Croxson D Ellis J Graham T Crump D England P Green C Cuff P Evans G Green GP Cutts MAJ Evans J Green T Dadds J Evans M Greenfield C Greves D Dale C Everitt J Greig C Dale R Farr T Darby P Farrell C Grimbly I Groves SA Darke M Fenegan I Grinter A Davies J Flanagan T Davies KJ Flannagan AW Gutteridge AC Davis AP Floyd P Hackett SJ Davis S Flynn P Hadrill P Dawson R Foot D Hammick J Dewey S de Mora A Ford RA Hammond M Forrest P Hansford G Dibben P Forster M Hares S Dingwall T Foster S Harmer A Dixon M Fowler D Harmer F Dodd I Dixon R Fowler N Harris NDC Dodd S Frampton O Harris P Dodds A Francis J Harris PM French CD Harris R Dove A Doughty A Freney K Harrison S Friend I Hart R Dove MJ Furley C Hastings R Dowle S Gale J Hayden A
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Gardner A Haydon RM King M Mears A Gardner IC Hazell J King S Miles R Gartshore N Hazelwood PJ Kingman D Millar A Gerry S Gayer RA Hearn S Kirk I Milner C Heawood R Kitchen S Mitchell JR Gibbons M Heinz G Knight DC Mockler M Gibson N Helliar DW Knight G Moore F Gifford R Gifford J Hetherington P Lane KE Moore P Hewitt R Lang IM Moran NJ Gilham R Hicks R Lawson MJ Morgan KJ Gleason R Highfield M Leadbetter D Morris G Goble PR Hill A Leaver K Morris R Godfrey D Godden N Hipkin MR Leevers P Morrison S Hoar N Legg J Morse MJ Goodwin T Holland D Leishman S Mortimer L Gorringe DJ Hooker T Levey P Mortimore K Gough SJ Hopper N Lewis IM Morton P Gould M Horobin P Lewis MR Morton SD Graham T Horsley C Lewis P Moses S Green C House A Liley D Mould R Green GP Howell J Lister P Munro Y Green T Howell R LLoyd S Murphy J Greenfield C Hughes D Lockwood J Murray DP Greves D Greig C Hull J Lowther J Murray FAE Hull N Lyness D Murray H Grimbly I Humphreys R Malins J Nairn I Groves SA Grinter A Jackson M Mallett K Naish A Jackson P Mannering J Neal SM Gutteridge AC James RMR Manson P Neilson A Hackett SJ Jeffrey M Mantripp K Nelson LDS Hadrill P Johnson S Marchant JH Nelson R Hammick J Joicey D Marchant RH Newnham JA Hammond M Jones C Markham RJ Nicklin RS Hansford G Jones CM Marriner N Nolan S Hares S Jones DA Marsh N Norman S Harmer A Jones J Marshall R Norquoy G Harmer F Jones M Martin JP Obray J Harris NDC Jones PD Martin P Orman PR Harris P Jones T Martin RJ Owen N Harris PM Julian D Massey A Page SD Harris R Keene S Massey MJ Painter M Harrison S Keevill A McCarthy J Papas N Hart R Kennard A McCarthy JS Parnell C Hastings R Kennardy T McMillan JD Parr K Hayden A Kidner S Mead G Patmore S
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Patrick C Rendle P Sketch PA Patterson D Reynolds CM Skidmore D Patterson J Reynolds JL Slade AM Patterson V Rhodes AR Smallwood J Peacock J Richards CE Smart S Peacock M Richardson A Smith A Pearce A Riddle D Smith DN Peart RH Robinson DR Smith SF Peck R Robson S Smith SW Peters A Perrin CA Rochester M Smith VJ Rogers C Snook N Peverett CB Rogers DI Southworth I & J Phalp M Rogers G Spencer B Phillips J Rogers P Spring NP Rose A Phillips L Rooke R Squire T Pictor G Stachnicki IA Pierce C Ross J Standfield P Piotrowski S Rowbotham BJ Stanley IM Piper DJ Rowland C Stantiford N Pledge D Russell L Steedman B Plumpton JR Russell T Stephens NJ Poole C Ryall C Stevens M Potter N Portland Bird Obs. Rylands K Stevens P Rymell A Stockwell J Powne JD Rysiok G Stokes M Prendergast H Saunders D Strong S Price N Saunders P Sutton P Pritchard DM Saville V Swallow JL Pritchard KV Sayer K Taylor AM Puffett T Saynor P Taylor DH Pugh A Scott-Martin M Taylor J Pyke L Scutt P Taylor L Quinney A Shaw A Taylor PR Randall C Shaw MD Taylor R Rankin G Shaw T Tebbs M Raper MGT Sheffield JM Teesdale R Rare Bird Alert Sheils B Telfer N Rawlings B Sheppard D Thain C Rawlings ND Sherran S Thompson P Reese A Raymond CJ Shimeld Kevern S Thorpe T Sibsey I Tigwell EM Reeve JC Simmonds S Tilley J Reeves M Simpson M Tilsley J Relf PA Simpson S Tims G Rendell P Sitjar A Tims R
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Sketch PA Tinlin TC Whitehead RD Skidmore D Tomlinson N Wilcox C Slade AM Tooth ND Wilkes K Smallwood J Townsend M Wilkinson D Smart S Tragett B Williams G Smith A Trektellen Williams M Smith DN Trew M Williams P Smith SF Trundle R Williamson J Smith SW Tubb MJR Wilson J Smith VJ Tuck P Wilson M Snook N Tucker K Wollen J Wood SD Southworth I & J Turton MH Wood M Spencer B Tyler D Woodford E Spring NP Upton G Wood-Homer HG Squire T Urch N Stachnicki IA Viles DJ Woodruff J Woods N Standfield P Vodden CH Woods AEL Stanley IM Wade T Stantiford N Walbridge A Worton D Steedman B Walbridge D Wright JF Stephens NJ Walbridge G Wright M Stevens M Walker S Wright S Stevens P Wallace J Wright SJ Stockwell J Walls S Wyeth C Stokes M Walters JM Young CA Strong S Warburton D Sutton P Wareham D Swallow JL Warren N Apologies if your name does not appear here, if so Taylor AM Warrick T please email: [email protected] Taylor DH Waterfall KW Taylor J Waterman P Taylor L Watts BH Taylor PR Weaver S Taylor R Webb R Tebbs M Weston ILG Teesdale R Wheatcroft AV Telfer N Whitby C & G Thain C White B Thompson P White B & H Thorpe T White CM Tigwell EM White D Tilley J White G Tilsley J White P Tims G White T Tims R Whitehead J
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