BIRDS OF BRENT RESERVOIR Facts & Figures
BIRDS OF BRENT RESERVOIR: FACTS & FIGURES
Introduction
This publication is supplementary to the Birds of Brent Reservoir (Welsh Harp Conservation Group, 2002) and lists every species of bird recorded at the reservoir with various facts and figures. It is intended to update this every few years. Some records have been marked as questionable and require reviewing. All the information in this second edition is correct up until March 31st, 2017.
Status:
Very common: seen on every visit in appropriate season, abundant Common: often seen in appropriate season Annual: seen in each of last 10 years Near annual: seen in 8-9 of last 10 years Scarce: 15+ records Rare: 6-15 records/birds Very rare: 1-5 records/birds
Breeding: breeds annually Former breeder: bred since 1900 but not currently Historical breeder: last bred prior to 1900 Breeding attempted: incomplete or unsuccessful breeding attempt
Numbers given in brackets relate to the all time total number of rare or very rare birds recorded unless otherwise stated. All records of very rare birds are detailed. Additionally, the number of records of rare and scarce birds from January 1st, 2000 is given as this was the cut-off point for the Birds of Brent Reservoir.
General facts and figures
Spring Birdcount, most species: 81 on April 30th, 2011 Autumn Birdcount, most species: 78 on September 5th, 1998 Most species of wader in a day: nine on April 30th, 2011 Most species of wader in a year: 20 in 2009 & 2010 Most species in a year: 148 in 1997 and 2009 Total species: 252
Cover photographs by Andrew Self
Third Edition published April 2017 Compiled by Andrew Self © 2017 Welsh Harp Conservation Group
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MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Very common breeding resident Highest count: 89 on August 15th, 2010 Breeding: most nesting pairs, 11 in 2013; most broods, 5 in 2013, 2014 & 2015
BEWICK'S SWAN Cygnus columbianus Rare winter visitor (13 records, 52 birds; 3 records since 2000) Largest flock: 19 on January 5th, 1962 Earliest date: October 22nd, 1997 Latest date: April 30th, 1956 Longest stay: February 25th-April 30th, 1956 (66 days) Most recent record: two on December 27th, 2015
WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Rare winter visitor (9 records, 31 birds) Largest flock: 10 on an unknown date in 1955 Earliest date: November 4th, 1990 Latest date: March 6th, 1956 Most records in a year: three in 1956 Most recent record: five on December 29th, 1997
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus Very rare winter visitor (2 records, 57 birds; 1 record since 2000) 1962: 54 flew over on January 5th 2003: 3 flew over on January 4th, 2003
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Rare winter visitor (7 records of 180+ birds; 2 records since 2000) Largest flock: 110 flew over on January 16th, 2000 Latest date: April 1st, 1996 Longest stay: one for a few hours on March 5th, 1962 All records between January and early April Most recent record: one on February 16th, 2002
GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Annual visitor Largest flock of wild birds: 30 in the winter of 1860/61 Largest flock of naturalised birds: 10 on October 18th, 2012
BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla Rare winter visitor (12 records, 125 birds; 1 record since 2000) Largest flock: 42 flew over on November 5th, 1994 Earliest date: October 20th, 2001 Latest date: February 19th, 1979 Most recent record: one on October 20th, 2001
CANADA GOOSE Anser canadensis Very common breeding resident Highest count: 302 on July 12th, 2002 Breeding: most nesting pairs, 14 in 1990; most goslings, 50 on May 30th, 1993
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiaca Common visitor; bred once Largest flock: 10 on October 11th, 2010 Breeding: first bred in 2015
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SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Annual visitor Largest flock flying over: 29 on February 27th 1965 Largest flock present: 18 on September 3rd, 1969
MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata Scarce visitor (14 records since 2000) Highest count: four on December 27th, 1990 Longest stay: September 4th-13th, 2016 (10 days) Most number of records in a year: three in 2010
WIGEON Anas penelope Annual autumn/winter visitor Highest count: 46 on October 24th & November 3rd, 2009 Earliest date: July 9th, 2014 Latest date: June 4th, 2006
GADWALL Anas strepera Very common breeding resident Highest count: 477 on January 12th, 2010 Breeding: most broods, 11 in 2003
TEAL Anas crecca Very common winter visitor, occasionally over-summers; bred once Highest count: 253 on October 16th, 2013 Breeding: bred in 1991 (pair with a brood of eight young)
MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Very common breeding resident Highest count: c300 on November 17th, 1984 Breeding: most pairs, 28 in 1990; most broods, 12 in 1996 Largest brood: 15 in 2003
PINTAIL Anas acuta Annual winter visitor, rare in summer Largest flock: seven from December 9th-15th, 2001
GARGANEY Anas querquedula Scarce summer visitor, overwintered once Highest count: 11 on August 17th, 1959 Earliest date: pair on March 29th, 2009 Latest date: November 8th, 1975 Over-wintering: immature female from September 2nd, 1995-January 6th, 1996 Most recent record: September 6th, 2014
BLUE-WINGED TEAL Anas discors Very rare vagrant (1) 1995: a female from December 9th-January 30th, 1996
SHOVELER Anas clypeata Very common autumn/winter visitor; occasionally breeds Highest count: 241 on October 10th, 1999 Breeding: first bred in 1979; last bred in 2010
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RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina Scarce visitor (7 records since 2000) Largest flock: six on December 8th, 2008 Longest stay: up to four from October 14th, 1973 to an unknown date in January 1974 Most recent record: October 14th, 2010
POCHARD Aythya ferina Very common winter visitor; occasionally breeds Highest count: 500-600 in February 1979 Breeding: last proved in 2016
RING-NECKED DUCK Aythya collaris Very rare visitor (1) 2017: male from March 11th-20th
FERRUGINOUS DUCK Aythya nyroca Rare visitor (6) Longest stay: September 20th-October 2nd, 2016 (13 days)
TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Very common breeding resident Highest count: 580 on November 19th, 1995 Breeding: most pairs, 32 in 1988; most broods, 10 in 1999
SCAUP Aythya marila Scarce visitor Highest count: six on January 2nd, 1996 Earliest date: July 27th, 2012 Latest date: May 17th, 1971 Most recent record: male on May 11th, 2016
LESSER SCAUP Aythya affinis Very rare vagrant (1) 2003: immature male from February 14th-23rd & April 17th
EIDER Somateria mollissima Very rare winter visitor (2) 1961: two immature males from December 17th-27th
LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Very rare winter visitor (3) 1951: female/immature from November 18th-February 16th, 1952 1973: December 9th-29th 2002: male on March 23rd
COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Scarce visitor (4 records since 2000) Largest flock: six on April 14th, 1973 Longest stay: 2-3 birds from April 23rd-May 2nd, 2004 (10 days) Most recent record: November 8th, 2011
VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca Rare winter visitor (9) 1947: one in January and February 1948: male and two immatures on October 30th (male found dead on November 27th) 1956: immature male from February 22nd*-March 7th (found dead on last date) 5
1966: male and three females on March 14th *date corrected (not as in Birds of Brent Reservoir)
GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Scarce winter visitor Largest flock: 10-12 in the 19th Century; highest count since 1900: six on January 2nd, 1997 Earliest date: August 8th 1995 Latest date: April 18th, 2009 Most recent record: January 15th, 2017
SMEW Mergus albellus Scarce winter visitor (4 records since 2000) Highest count: 144 on February 28th, 1956 Earliest date: October 23rd, 1993 Latest date: April 17th, 1955 Most recent record: three redheads on November 21st, 2011
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Scarce winter visitor (4 records since 2000) Largest flock: four on February 25th, 1956 Earliest date: October 2nd, 1989 Latest date: April 30th, 1963 Longest stay: from March 16th-April 30th, 1963 (46 days) Most recent record: October 20th, 2010
GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Scarce winter visitor Highest count: two flocks totalling 65 birds flew south on December 30th, 1962 Largest flock on reservoir: six on December 6th, 1995 Earliest date: October 20th, 1991 Latest date: April 4th, 1988 Summer record: June 10th, 1997 Most recent record: December 10th, 2016
RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis Former breeding resident; almost extinct after national cull Highest count: 147 on October 2nd, 2004 Breeding: most broods, six in 1994; last bred in 2012 (2 broods) Last record: two on January 11th, 2015
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa Rare visitor (8; 2 records since 2000) Highest count: two on May 14th, 1946 Longest stay: from March 28th-April 27th, 2010 (31 days) Most recent record: March 29th, 2017
GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Rare visitor; former breeder (8 since 1964) Last bred: 1961 (occasionally seen during the breeding season until 1963) Longest stay since 1964: one from July 14th-August 24th, 1974 Most recent record: May 8th, 1995
QUAIL Coturnix coturnix Very rare summer visitor (1) 1882: heard near Kingsbury in May [Record needs reviewing as ‘near Kingsbury’ could also mean Fryent CP] 6
PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Near annual visitor, mostly in spring Longest stay: from November 5th, 2015 to March 13th, 2016 (130 days)
RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata Very rare winter visitor (3) 1954: on November 7th 1986: on March 1st-2nd 1991: on December 9th
BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Very rare winter visitor (3) 1843: shot in winter 1893: shot on January 15th 1962: on January 21st
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Very rare winter visitor (5) 1875: shot, exact date unknown 1949: from November 26th-January 3rd, 1950 1950: on February 5th 1951: on November 22nd 2006: on December 7th-8th
LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Very common breeding resident Highest count: 121 on October 11th, 1953 Breeding: most pairs, 16 in 1977
GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Very common breeding resident Highest count: 104 on April 19th, 1991 Breeding: most nests, 55 in 1987
RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Rare winter visitor (15; 1 record since 2000) Highest count: two on March 18th, 1939 and from February 19th-24th, 1979 Earliest date: August 28th, 1988 Latest date: on May 23rd, 1983 Longest stay: from February 6th-24th, 1979 Most recent record: September 2nd-7th, 2000
SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Scarce winter visitor (2 records since 2000) Highest count: two on November 7th-8th, 1970 Earliest date: on Sept 11th, 1947 Latest date: on March 30th, 1954 Longest stay: from February 27th to March 30th, 1954 (32 days) Most recent record: March 4th, 2013
BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Scarce visitor Highest count: three on May 2nd, 1977 and on May 10th, 1998 Longest stay: from August 14th-September 9th, 1998 (27 days) Most in a year: seven in 1998 Most recent record: March 11th, 2012 7
LEACH'S PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa Very rare autumn/winter visitor (5) 1952: on November 3rd 1976: on October 15th 1979: on December 15th 1989: on December 23rd 1998: January 2nd
PETREL sp: one on October 23rd 1966 was possibly a European Storm Petrel.
CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Very common resident; breeding attempted Highest count: 92 on October 29th, 2006 Breeding: attempted in 2008 (pair built nest but no eggs laid)
SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Scarce visitor (2 since 2000) Highest count: four on May 16th, 1962 Longest stay: November 9th-December 8th, 1991 (30 days) Most recent record: April 30th, 2011
BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Rare winter visitor (9; 3 since 2000) Earliest date: August 5th, 1959 Latest date: March 14th, 1986 Longest stay: January 31st-March 14th, 1986 (43 days) Most recent record: February 18th-March 4th, 2012
LITTLE BITTERN Ixobrychus minutus Very rare vagrant (1) Pre-1843: male shot prior to 1843
NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax Very rare vagrant (2) Pre-1843: prior to 1843 1994: first-summer on May 19th Two probable records were not accepted: immature birds on April 25th, 1951 and April 5th, 1996
SQUACCO HERON Ardeola ralloides Very rare vagrant (2) 1840: shot 1840-66: on unspecified date
LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Annual visitor Largest flock: nine on July 18th & 23rd, 2016
GREAT WHITE EGRET Ardea alba Very rare visitor (3) 1997: May 13th 2013: April 20th 2013: September 30th
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GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Very common resident; breeding attempted Highest count: 30 on December 9th, 2001 Breeding: six attempts (once in the early 1950s, five since 2000)
PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea Very rare vagrant (2) 1972: September 12th 1999: May 30th-June 3rd
WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Very rare vagrant (1) 1999: flew over on May 3rd
SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia Very rare vagrant (5) 1865: two shot on October 23rd 1993: May 25th 1997: July 8th 2009: May 16th
HONEY BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Rare passage migrant (8; six since 2000) Earliest date: April 27th, 2007 Latest date: October 9th, 2016 Most in a day: three on September 24th, 2000 Most in a year: four in 2000 Most recent record: October 9th, 2016
RED KITE Milvus milvus Annual visitor, mainly in spring Highest count: two on April 8th, 2010; September 21st, 2014; June 6th, 2015; and January 12th, 2016 Most in a year: nine birds in 2015 and 2016
MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Rare passage migrant (10; 6 since 2000) Earliest date: April 3rd, 2011 Latest date: August 22nd, 2010 Most in a year: two in 2011 Winter record: January 27th, 2013 NB. Record of one on August 5th, 1995 published in Birds of Brent Reservoir now withdrawn
HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Very rare winter visitor (3) 1869: January 12th 1996: December 22nd 1999: November 25th
MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygargus Very rare passage migrant (2) 2009: juvenile on September 13th 2015: female on August 28th, 2015
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GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis Very rare visitor (3) 1997: March 23rd 2010: April 17th 2015: September 13th
SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Common breeding resident Breeding: up to three territories
COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo Annual visitor Largest flock: 17 on September 15th, 2011 Most in a year: 35 in 2011 & 2016
OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Rare passage migrant (15; 8 since 2000) Earliest date: March 28th, 1982 Latest date: November 9th, 1961 Most in a year: three in spring 2008 Most recent record: April 7th, 2015
KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Common resident; former breeder Highest count: five on March 29th, 2002 Breeding: maximum, three pairs: last proved breeding in 2008
MERLIN Falco columbarius Rare passage migrant/winter visitor (15; 9 since 2000) Earliest date: September 18th, 2009 Latest date: April 4th, 1958 Most in a year: two in autumn 2009 Most recent record: October 21st, 2016
HOBBY Falco subbuteo Annual summer visitor/passage migrant Highest count: two on many dates Earliest date: April 15th, 1995 & 1997 Latest date: October 23rd, 1994
PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus Common visitor Highest count: two on various dates Most records in a year: 34 in 2014
WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Very common winter visitor Highest count: 22 tape-lured on January 16th, 2000 Earliest date: July 19th, 2015 Latest date: May 20th, 1984
SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana Rare passage migrant (7) All records on one day only between August and November Three in three consecutive years (1957-59) Most recent record: November 8th, 1975 10
CORNCRAKE Crex crex Historic breeder Last recorded in the 19th century
MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Very common breeding resident Highest count: 148 on December 28th, 1999 Breeding: most pairs, 30-40 in 1980s
COOT Fulica atra Very common breeding resident Highest count: 1,086 on October 9th, 2010 Breeding: most nests, 26 in 2015
OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Annual visitor Highest count: six on August 20th, 2014 Most records in a year: four in 2009 & 2014 Longest stay: February 11th-12th, 1961 (2 days)
BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus Very rare vagrant (2) 1918: two in September
AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Rare passage migrant (10; 8 since 2000) Highest count: two shot on August 30th, 1897 & June 29th, 2014 Earliest date: March 25th, 2001 Latest date: August 30th, 1897 Most recent record: August 13th, 2015
STONE-CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus Very rare passage migrant (1) 1969: April 15th
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius Common summer visitor; occasionally breeds Highest count: eight on July 5th, 2010 & July 6th, 2014 Breeding: only confirmed record in 1974; several subsequent attempts and breeding suspected Earliest date: March 21st, 2009 & 2014 Latest date: September 9th, 1960
RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Near annual passage migrant Largest flock: 20 prior to 1866 Largest flock since 1900: 17 on May 10th, 2016
DOTTEREL Charadrius morinellus Very rare passage migrant (1) 1856: one shot in September [Record to be reviewed to see if Fox Mead Farm, Kingsbury is in recording area]
GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Scarce winter visitor (8 records since 2000) Largest flock: 60 on December 15th, 2013 11
Largest movement: 65 on January 19th, 2013 Earliest date: two on August 15th, 1962 Latest date: March 16th, 1993 Most recent record: one on November 20th, 2016
GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Scare passage migrant/winter visitor (6 since 2000) All records of single birds on one date Most records in a year: three in 2000 & 2012 Most recent record: May 6th, 2012
LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Common summer visitor, scarce winter visitor; breeding attempted recently Highest count: 1,000+ for a few days in February 1956 Breeding: last bred around 1900; breeding attempted 2009-2012 Largest movement: 500 in two hours on January 23rd, 1984
KNOT Calidris canutus Scarce passage migrant/winter visitor (3 since 2000) Largest flock: “a small flock” on February 23rd, 1870 Most recent record: January 20th, 2013
SANDERLING Calidris alba Scarce passage migrant, very rare winter visitor (4 since 2000) Largest flock: five on May 21st, 1961 Earliest date: April 29th, 1946 Latest date: October 23rd, 1958 Winter record: January 7th 1973 Longest stay: September 14th-17th, 1959 (4 days) Most recent record: June 2nd, 2012
LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Scarce passage migrant (1 since 2000) Largest flock: four on June 10th, 1865 Earliest date: May 20th, 1870 Latest date: October 29th, 1863 Longest stay: September 27th to October 2nd, 1929 (6 days) Most recent record: June 12th, 2010
TEMMINCK'S STINT Calidris temminckii Scarce passage migrant (2 since 2000) Largest flock: four shot on September 15th, 1866 Earliest date: May 13th, 2003 & 2012 Latest date: two on October 4th, 1871 Most birds in a year: at least nine in 1839 Most recent record: May 13th, 2012
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis Very rare vagrant (1) 1856: shot on unknown date
PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos Very rare vagrant (1) 1846: shot on unknown date
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CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Scarce passage migrant Largest flock: 36 on September 28th, 1960 Earliest date: May 6th, 1961 Latest date: October 4th, 1981 Most recent record: October 4th, 1981
DUNLIN Calidris alpina Annual passage migrant, scarce winter visitor Largest flock: 15 on May 3rd, 2004 Most birds in a day: 20 on May 3rd, 2004 Most records in a year: 13 in 2015 Longest stay: July 24th to August 6th, 2015 (14 days)
RUFF Philomachus pugnax Scarce passage migrant (8 records since 2000) Largest flock: 20 on August 25th, 2013 Longest stay: September 29th to October 29th, 1937 (31 days) Most recent record: August 30th, 2015
JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Scarce winter visitor Highest count: five on December 27th, 1981 Earliest date: September 20th, 2016 Latest date: April 20th 1967 Most recent record: December 21st, 2016
COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Very common winter visitor Highest count: 57 on January 16th, 2010 Earliest date: June 29th, 2014 Latest date: June 11th, 2016
GREAT SNIPE Gallinago media Very rare vagrant (2) 1842: shot on unknown date 1856: shot in autumn
WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Near annual passage migrant/winter visitor Highest count: two on several dates Earliest date: October 19th, 2013 Latest date: April 7th, 2013 Summer records: July 25th, 1949 and twice in June 1979 when seen roding
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa Scarce passage migrant (13 records since 2000) Largest flock: 36 on April 29th, 1985 Earliest date: April 6th, 2015 Latest date: October 12th, 1997 Most records in a year: six in 2014 Longest stay: from September 13th to October 12th, 1997 (30 days) Most recent record: September 16th, 2016
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BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Scarce passage migrant (13 records since 2000) Largest flock: 25 on August 19th, 2007 Earliest date: three on March 27th, 2004 Latest date: September 17th, 1961 Most recent record: April 26th, 2014
WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Annual passage migrant Largest flock: three on May 3rd, 1990 & April 28th, 2007 Earliest date: April 13th, 2013 Latest date: September 12th, 1997 Most in a year: seven birds in 2008, six records in 2012 Longest stay: May 4th-9th, 2012 (6 days)
CURLEW Numenius arquata Scarce passage migrant Largest count: eight on August 31st, 1959 Most recent record: September 4th, 2016
COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Common passage migrant Highest counts: 41 on August 14th, 1984 and 40-50 on July 21st, 1987 Earliest date: April 3rd, 1996 Latest date: October 20th, 1997
SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularius Very rare vagrant (2) Pre-1852: shot prior to 1852 2016, June 11th
GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Common passage migrant and winter visitor Highest count: nine on August 20th, 2014 Highest winter count: five on December 5th, 2015
SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus Rare passage migrant (13 records, 20 birds) Highest count: three on September 17th, 1961 Earliest date: two on May 25th, 1865 Latest date: September 21st, 1982 Longest stay: from August 7th-21st, 1964 (15 days) Most recent record: August 12th-17th, 1984
GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Near annual passage migrant Highest count: 26 on August 8th, 1967 Earliest date: April 18, 1997 Latest date: October 13th, 2016 Winter record: December 15th, 1984 Longest stay: from May 23rd to July 22nd, 1963 (61 days)
WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola Scarce passage migrant (10 since 2000) Highest count: three on August 3rd, 1960 Earliest date: April 26th, 1997 14
Latest date: October 23rd, 2016 Longest stay: 1-2 from August 7th-September 4th, 1959 (29 days) Most recent record: October 23rd, 2016
REDSHANK Tringa totanus Annual visitor Highest count: five on unknown date in 1959 Most birds in a year: 17 in 1997 Longest stay: from December 27th, 1996-March 9th, 1997 (73 days)
TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Scarce passage migrant, very rare winter visitor (7 records since 2000) Largest flock: four on May 13th, 2001 Earliest date: March 3rd, 1963 Latest date: November 7th, 2016 Winter records: on December 9th, 1945 & January 20th, 2013 Most recent record: November 7th, 2016
GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius Rare autumn passage migrant (8) Highest count: two on September 28th, 1841 & from September 8th-14th, 1950 Earliest date: September 8th, 1950 Latest date: October 13th, 1870 Longest stay: two from September 8th-14th, 1950 (7 days) Most recent record: two from September 8th-14th, 1950
POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus Very rare passage migrant (1) Pre-1843: immature on unknown date prior to 1843
ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus Rare autumn migrant (4 records, 12 birds) 1842: four juveniles shot in autumn 1970: immature on September 11th 2000: five on September 16th, 2000 2008: two on September 7th
Skua sp: one on October 3rd, 2004 was probably an Arctic Skua
GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua Very rare passage migrant (2) 2011: November 9th 2014: October 15th
KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Scarce visitor (11 since 2000) Highest count: three in May 1859 (two on April 23rd, 2011, rest all singles) Longest stay: from July 25th-30th, 1990 & August 9th-14th, 1992 (6 days) Most recent record: March 19th, 2016
BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus Very common winter visitor Highest roost count: c. 6,000 on September 12th, 1988 Highest day count: 1,077 on November 16th, 2008
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LITTLE GULL Larus minutus Scarce visitor Largest flock: 22 on April 16th, 2003 Earliest date: April 4th, 1998 Latest date: October 27th, 2002 Winter records: December, 1932, 1996 & 2006 Longest stay: July 16th-27th, 2003 (12 days) Most recent record: April 23rd, 2015
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus Near annual visitor Highest count: two adults on August 17th, 1998 & May 3rd, 2014 Longest returner: 2005/06 – 2011/12 (6 winters)
COMMON GULL Larus canus Very common winter visitor Highest count: 825 on December 5th, 2009 Earliest date: July 14th, 2012 Latest date: June 8th, 2009
RING-BILLED GULL Larus delawarensis Very rare vagrant (1) 1996: a first-summer bird on March 23rd
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus Very common breeding resident Highest count: c. 500 on March 30th, 1966 Breeding: first bred in 2001; most pairs, three in several years
HERRING GULL Larus argentatus Very common resident; bred twice Highest count: 600 in the winter months of 1962 Largest movement: 75 flew East on December 25th, 1996 Breeding: bred in 2002 & 2006
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Near annual visitor Highest count: three on December 26th & 30th, 1996
CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans Very rare visitor (1) 2015: first-winter on October 23rd
ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Very rare winter visitor (4) 1961: first-winter on February 1st 1962: second-winter on March 17th-18th 1962: April 16-18th 1993: first-winter on February 8th [Record of one on Dec 18th, 1943 published in Birds of Brent Reservoir no longer considered acceptable]
GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Rare winter visitor (7) Highest count: two on March 25th, 1961 Earliest date: January 1st, 1955 Latest date: April 9th, 1961 16
Longest stay: an adult on several dates from January 1st-February 26th, 1955 (57 days) Most recent record: January 22nd, 1964
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Annual visitor Highest count: up to 50 in winter in the 1960s
LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons Scarce passage migrant (5 since 2000) Largest flock: six on May 15th, 1950 Earliest date: April 29th, 1960 Latest date: October 5th, 1952 Longest stay: August 24th-26th, 1957 (3 days) Most recent record: May 26th, 2012
BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Scarce passage migrant Largest flocks: in spring, 26 on May 11th 1960; in autumn, 14 on September 23rd, 2010 Earliest date: April 20th, 2008 Latest date: October 7th, 2015 Longest stay: April 20th-22nd, 2008 (3 days) Most recent record: October 7th, 2015
WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN Chlidonias leucopterus Very rare vagrant (2) 1883: shot in May 1996: July 27th
SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis Scarce passage migrant (10 records since 2000) Largest flock: 42 on September 9th, 1973 Earliest date: April 4th, 2002 Latest date: October 4th, 1967 Most recent record: September 6th, 2014
COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Very common summer breeder Highest count: 106 on August 7th, 1999 Breeding: first bred, in 1983; most pairs, 44 pairs nested and 32 broods hatched in 2000 Earliest date: March 28th, 2005 Latest date: September 21st, 2014
ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii Very rare passage migrant (2) 1866: two on August 16th, one of which was shot
ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Near annual passage migrant Largest flock: 27 on May 2nd, 1998 Earliest date: April 13th, 1996 & 2003 Latest date: October 17th, 1967 Longest stay: August 31st-September 12th, 1992 (13 days)
PALLAS'S SANDGROUSE Syrrhaptes paradoxus Very rare vagrant (1) 1863: shot near Neasden in August 17
[Record should be reviewed as may not be in recording area]
FERAL ROCK DOVE Columba livia Very common breeding resident Highest count: “flocks of up to several hundred”
STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Common breeding resident and passage migrant Highest count: flocks of 100+ were frequently seen in the winter in the 1950s Breeding: first attempted in 1990; first proved in 2008; three pairs in 2009 Largest passage: 268 in autumn 2014; 39 on November 11th, 2014
WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Very common breeding resident and passage migrant Highest count: 1,310 roosting on November 26th, 1994 Largest passage: 53,414 in autumn 2013; 15,100 on November 3rd, 2013 Largest winter movement: 10,000+ flew SW on December 28th, 1960
COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common breeding resident First recorded: May 6th, 1961 Highest count: 20 on March 1st, 2013 Breeding: first proved in 1988
TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Scarce passage migrant; former breeder Highest count: three on June 10th, 1990 Earliest date: April 18th, 1995 Latest date: September 21st, 1991 Last territory: June 10th-July 14th, 1996 (near the Field Studies Centre) Most recent record: May 5th, 2014
RING-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Very common resident; presumed breeder First recorded: April 6th, 1975 Highest count: c. 500 flew over on November 2nd, 2014
CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Scarce passage migrant; former breeder (21 since 2000) Highest count: four on May 6th, 1995 Earliest date: April 17th, 2006 Latest date: September 2nd, 2000 Last territory: May 24th-June 5th, 1989 Most recent record: August 1st, 2010
BARN OWL Tyto alba Rare visitor; former breeder (4 since 1960; 1 since 2000) Last bred: early part of the 20th century Most recent record: in mid-March 2009
LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Scarce visitor; occasional breeder Breeding: regular from the 1920s to the early 1960s; bred in 2009 Absent from August 1964 until December 4th, 2008
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TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Common breeding resident Highest count: four on August 30th, 2008 Breeding: up to three pairs
LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Rare winter visitor (6; 1 since 2000) Up to five wintered from 1994/95 to 1997/98 (four consecutive winters) Most recent record: one wintered in 2008/09
SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Scarce passage migrant/winter visitor (13 since 2000) Highest count: three on January 6th-7th, 1979 & January 3rd, 1983 Earliest date: August 16th, 1980 Latest date: April 14th, 1979 Most recent record: December 4th, 2015
NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Very rare passage migrant (1) 1956: on unknown date in August
COMMON SWIFT Apus apus Very common breeding summer visitor Largest flock: c. 2,500 on July 13th, 2011 Earliest date: April 14th, 2007 Latest date: six on October 5th, 2010
ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba Very rare vagrant (2) 1841: on unknown date in August 2003: May 5th
KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Common breeding resident Highest count: five on March 11th, 2012 Breeding: up to three pairs
HOOPOE Upupa epops Very rare vagrant (3) 1865: shot in April 1963: April 23rd 2013: April 21st [Record in April 1865 was “shot at Neasden” so needs reviewing as may not be in recording area]
WRYNECK Jynx torquilla Very rare passage migrant; former breeder (2 since 1926) 1956: September 3rd 1989: September 23rd Breeding: last bred in 1926
GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Common breeding resident Highest count: 11 on August 26th, 2013 Breeding: 2-3 pairs breed
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GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Common breeding resident Highest count: seven on December 24th, 2005 Breeding: six drumming in 2005 & 2016 Passage: 30 in autumn 2012; four on September 26th, 2015
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor Near annual visitor; former breeder Highest count: three on several dates Breeding: last proved in 1990; possibly bred in 1991-93 & 2001-02
WOODLARK Lullula arborea Scarce passage migrant/winter visitor (1 since 2000) Largest flock: 12 on December 28th, 1961 Longest stay: 5-6 from January 17th-22nd, 1960 (6 days) Most recent record: October 13th, 2007
SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Annual passage migrant/winter visitor; former breeder Largest movement: 1,250 flew South on January 1st, 1962 Breeding: at least seven pairs bred annually in the 1970s; last bred in 1989
SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Common passage migrant; bred twice Earliest date: March 5th, 1977 Latest date: October 8th, 1988 Breeding: 1-3 pairs bred in 2011-12 Passage: spring, 112 on April 14th, 2008; autumn, “up to 200 in a day”
SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Common passage migrant; former breeder Earliest date: March 23rd, 2003 Latest date: November 3rd, 2012 Breeding: last bred in “at least the first decade of the 20th Century and probably later” Passage: spring, 400+ on April 16th, 2016; autumn, 629 on September 25th, 1999
HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum Very common breeding summer visitor Breeding: most nests, 50-55 on West Hendon Broadway in 2009 Earliest date: April 5th, 2005 Latest date: October 28th, 1993 Largest flock: c. 600 on September 15th, 2015 Passage: 1,580 on September 15th, 2015
RICHARD'S PIPIT Anthus novaeseelandiae Very rare vagrant (1) 1963: 19th October
TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Near annual passage migrant Highest day count: two on several dates Earliest date: two on April 16th, 2013 Latest date: September 30th, 1994
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MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Common passage migrant, uncommon winter visitor; former breeder Breeding: proved in 1930 & 1957; a pair held territory in 1974 Passage: spring, 178 on April 6th, 2015; autumn, 141 on September 26th, 1999
ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus Scarce passage migrant (8 since 2000) Highest count: several records of two together Earliest date: October 6th, 2013 Latest date: April 18th, 1976 Longest stay: October 7th-8th, 1967 (2 days) Most recent record: October 6th, 2013
WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Rare passage migrant (11; 4 since 2000) Highest count: two on October 6th, 1984 Earliest date: October 6th, 1984 Latest date: May 7th, 1962 Most recent record: October 26th, 2016
YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava Annual passage migrant; former breeder Highest count: several hundred at the end of August 1945 Breeding: last bred in 1968 Earliest date: March 28th, 2005 Latest date: November 29th, 1960 Passage (recent): six on September 8th & 9th, 2012
Blue-headed Wagtail M. f. flava: many records, most recent on April 26th, 1997 Grey-headed Wagtail M. f. thunbergi: male on April 7th, 1945 (record of one shot in 1864 was flava) Sykes’s Wagtail M. f. beema: records claimed on April 30th and May 6th, 1950 & April 14th, 1963
GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Common breeding resident and passage migrant Breeding: most pairs, two-three present in 1984 & 2002 Passage: six on August 10th, 2005 & September 23rd, 2014
PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba Common breeding resident and passage migrant Highest count: up to 200 in some autumns in the 1950s and 1960s Passage: 30 on Oct 13th, 2002
White Wagtail M. a. alba: highest count, up to five on May 1st-2nd, 1960
WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus Scarce winter visitor/passage migrant (all records since 2000) Largest flock: 75 on November 8th, 2008 Earliest date: November 8th, 2008 Latest date: May 2nd, 2011 Most records in a year: seven in 2011 (January-May) Most recent record: March 19th, 2017
DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Very rare vagrant (1) 1862: on the Silk Stream in spring [One was probably seen on March 26th & 31st, 1990 but was not accepted by the LNHS] 21
WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Very common breeding resident Breeding: most territories, up to 43 in East Marsh in 1990
DUNNOCK Prunella modularis Very common breeding resident Highest count: c. 60 on December 28th, 1961 Breeding: most singing males, 51 on March 8th/9th, 2008
ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Very common breeding resident Highest count: 25 on February 10th, 2008 Breeding: most territories, 32-42 on two CBC plots
NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos Scarce passage migrant (12 since 1950); occasional breeder Breeding: ceased breeding in the early part of the 20th Century, bred 2007-08 Earliest date: April 18th, 2008 Latest date: September 5th, 2009 Most recent record: May 3rd, 2015
BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros Rare passage migrant (13; 3 records since 2000) Earliest date: April 6th, 1963 Latest date: September 27th, 1976 Singing: immature male on April 28th, 2008 Most recent record: April 28th, 2008
COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus Near annual passage migrant; historic breeder Highest count: three on May 2nd, 1965 Breeding: last bred around 1900 Earliest date: April 3rd, 2016 Latest date: October 2nd, 1993 Most in a year: five in 1994 & 2012
WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Annual passage migrant; former breeder Highest count: five on August 31st, 1996 Breeding: bred up to at least 1926 and again in 1960 Earliest date: March 30th, 1960 Latest date: November 2nd, 1982
STONECHAT Saxicola torquata Near annual passage migrant, scarce winter visitor; former breeder Highest count: up to ten from January 1st-February 19th, 1961 Breeding: bred in 19th century and again in 1978-79
WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe Annual passage migrant Highest count: 17 on March 28th, 1965 Breeding: a pair possibly bred in 1944 Earliest date: March 12th, 1961 & 1995 Latest date: November 1st, 1959
Greenland Wheatear O.o.leucorrhoa: highest count: seven on May 3rd, 2002 22
RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Scarce passage migrant (21 since 2000) Largest flock: three on April 6th, 1971 Earliest date: April 5th, 2000 Latest date: November 21st, 2016 Winter record: December 3rd, 1960 Passage: four on October 10th, 2010 Longest stay: April 5th-7th, 2000 (3 days) Most recent record: November 21st, 2016
BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Very common breeding resident, passage migrant Highest count: roost of up to 2,000 in 1960s Passage: seven on October 15th, 2014
FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common passage migrant and winter visitor Largest movement: 1,500 on January 5th, 1963 Earliest date: two on August 19th, 1984 Latest date: May 19th, 1970 Passage: 1,250 on November 4th, 1961
SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Common breeding resident, passage migrant Highest count: 22 on February 17th, 2013 Singing: 22 on February 17th, 2013 Passage: 72 on October 14th, 2016
REDWING Turdus iliacus Common passage migrant and winter visitor Largest flock: c. 650 on October 13th, 2009 Earliest date: September 25th, 1993 Latest date: April 29th, 1995 Passage: 3,600 on October 12th, 1997
MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Common breeding resident, passage migrant Largest flock: 18 on August 5th, 2005 Breeding: 2-3 pairs most years Passage: 18 on Oct 17th, 2010
CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti Near annual visitor Highest count: four on several days in 2017
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Scarce passage migrant; former breeder (3 since 2000) Highest count: three on September 21st, 1929 & August 27th, 1959 Breeding: last proved in 1964 Earliest date: April 15th, 2006 Latest date: September 21st, 1929 Most recent record: April 28th, 2013
AQUATIC WARBLER Acrocephalus paludicola Very rare vagrant (1) 1955: August 28th 23
SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common breeding summer visitor Breeding: most pairs, 18+ in 1989 Earliest date: April 3rd, 2016 Latest date: October 11th, 2015
REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Very common breeding summer visitor Breeding: 43 singing males in 1990 Earliest date: April 11th, 2016 Latest date: October 12th, 1991
BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Very common breeding summer visitor; scarce winter visitor Highest count: 40 on April 30th, 2016 Singing: 40 on April 30th, 2016
GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Common breeding summer visitor Breeding: six territories in May 2007 & 2012 Earliest date: April 16th, 2011 Latest date: September 21st, 1995
LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca Common breeding summer visitor Highest count: 10 several dates in August Breeding: most pairs, six pairs in 1970s & 1980s Earliest date: April 11th, 2001 Latest date: October 3rd, 1998 & 2015
COMMON WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Very common breeding summer visitor Highest count: 26 on July 23rd, 2011 Breeding: 25 singing males on May 5th, 1997 Earliest date: March 23rd, 1957 Latest date: October 21st, 1996
DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata Very rare visitor (1) 2000: March 4th
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus Very rare vagrant (5) 1994: September 18th-20th 2003: October 31st-November 2nd 2015: December 23rd-January 1st, 2016 2016: April 3rd-17th (15 days) 2016: October 21st-November 3rd
HUME’S WARBLER Phylloscopus humei Very rare vagrant (1) 2004: singing male on May 1st
WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Rare passage migrant (8; 2 since 2000) Highest count: two on August 30th, 1960 24
Earliest date: April 8th, 1960 Latest date: August 30th, 1960 Most recent record: August 3rd, 2013
CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita Very common breeding summer visitor, common winter visitor Highest count: 40 on August 30th, 2003 Breeding: most territories, eight in 2015 Singing: 21 on March 26th, 2017
Siberian Chiffchaff P.c. tristis (4): one over-wintered in 1989/90
IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus ibericus Very rare vagrant (1) 1972: singing male on June 3rd
WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus Common passage migrant; former breeder Highest count: c. 20 on August 22nd, 2011 Breeding: most pairs, 20 in 1989; last bred in 2006 Earliest date: March 22nd, 2003 Latest date: September 29th, 2001 Winter record: January 4th-9th 1977
GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Common breeding resident Highest count: 26 on October 28th, 1990 Breeding: most pairs, two bred in 2008
FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla Scarce winter visitor, passage migrant (10 since 2000) Highest count: two on November 4th, 1974 & from December 24th, 2008-January 2nd, 2009 Earliest date: October 8th, 1992 Latest date: May 14th, 2002 Longest stay: November 23rd, 1995 to March 30th, 1996 (129 days) Most recent record: November 12th-13th, 2010
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata Annual passage migrant; former breeder Highest count: eight on September 16th, 1990 Breeding: last bred in the early 1970s Earliest date: May 3rd, 1997 Latest date: October 10th, 1995 Most recent spring record: June 4th, 2000
PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Scarce passage migrant (7 since 2000) Earliest date: April 21st, 2001 Latest date: September 25th, 1971 Most in a year: four in 2001 Most recent record: September 4th, 2004
BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus Scarce winter visitor (2 since 2000) Highest count: 17 on October 20th, 1971 Earliest date: September 23rd, 1982 25
Latest date: March 25th, 1977 Longest stay: three from November 12th 1988-March 11th, 1989 (120 days) Most recent record: November 18th, 2012-February 9th, 2013
LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Very common breeding resident Highest count: 60+ on October 6th, 1997
BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Very common breeding resident Highest count: 100+ on August 25th, 2014 Breeding: most pairs, 20-25 in the 1980s
GREAT TIT Parus major Very common breeding resident Highest count: 51 on December 26th, 2013 Breeding: most pairs, 10-15 in the 1980s
CRESTED TIT Parus cristatus Very rare vagrant (1) 1860: one shot in spring
COAL TIT Periparus ater Common breeding resident Highest count: four on December 26th, 2013 Breeding: most pairs, three bred in 1970 & 2016 Singing: four in March 2011
WILLOW TIT Poecile montana Rare visitor; former breeder Highest count: three on several dates Breeding: bred from 1957-1972 Most recent record: July 1st, 1989
MARSH TIT Poecile palustris Rare visitor (8; 2 since 2000) Highest count: two on September 4th, 1987 & January 6th, 2003 Earliest date: September 4th, 1987 Latest date: March 3rd, 1988 Most recent record: two on January 6th, 2003
NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Near annual visitor (17 since 2000) Highest count: two on June 15th, 2008 and several dates in 2017 Longest stay: July 11th-October 25th, 2015 (107 days)
TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Scarce visitor; former breeder (19 since 2000) Breeding: most pairs, three believed to have bred in 1987
PENDULINE TIT Remiz pendulinus Very rare vagrant (4) 1996: from November 16th-22nd 1997: three on November 2nd
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RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio Very rare passage migrant; former breeder (1 since 1945) Breeding: last bred in 1945 Most recent record: September 25th-26th, 1971
GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Rare winter visitor/passage migrant (7; 1 since 2000) Earliest date: September 28th, 2008 Latest date: April 15th, 1967 Longest stay: one wintered in 1952/53 and 1953/54 Most recent record: September 28th-October 2nd, 2008
JAY Garrulus glandarius Common breeding resident Highest count: 28 on December 28th, 1984 Breeding: 2-4 pairs in the 1980s Passage: eight on October 1st, 2016
MAGPIE Pica pica Very common breeding resident Largest flock: 50+ on October 6th, 1990 Breeding: most pairs, 20 in 1990
JACKDAW Corvus monedula Common breeding resident; large roost Largest flock: c. 200 on October 17th, 2010 Highest roost count: 350+ on February 24th, 2014 Passage: 355 on October 17th, 2010
ROOK Corvus frugilegus Near annual visitor; former breeder Largest flock: up to a hundred in the 1960s Breeding: last bred in 1959 Passage: five on November 10th, 2001
CARRION CROW Corvus corone Very common breeding resident Highest count: 550 roosting on February 19th, 1998
HOODED CROW Corvus cornix Rare winter visitor (11 since 1950) Highest count: up to two from January 2nd-March 3rd, 1953 and two on January 23rd, 1963 Earliest date: November 5th, 1971 Latest date: April 16th, 1967 Longest stay: December 20th, 1952-March 3rd, 1953 (73 days) Most recent record: January 14th, 1973
RAVEN Corvus corax Very rare visitor (2) 1962: August 19th 2014: October 12th
STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Very common breeding resident, passage migrant Highest count: 5,000+ flying over to roost on August 5th, 1992 Largest flock: several thousand roosting in East Marsh in the 1970s 27
Passage: 880 on November 9th, 2012
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Very common breeding resident Highest count: c. 30 on August 29th, 2003
TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Scarce passage migrant/winter visitor (3 since 2000) Highest count: c. 300 on December 27th, 1961 Breeding: last bred in 1965 (2-3 pairs) Most recent record: two on October 6th, 2007
CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Common breeding resident, passage migrant Breeding: most singing males, eight on April 30th, 2011 Passage: 542 on October 20th, 2012
BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Near annual passage migrant; uncommon winter visitor Largest flock: c. 60 on January 17th, 1960 Earliest date: September 30th, 1995 Latest date: April 23rd, 1984 Passage: 16 on October 12th, 1997
SERIN Serinus serinus Very rare vagrant (1) 1991: singing male on April 26th-27th
GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Common breeding resident, passage migrant Highest count: 20-30 in early 1992 Breeding: most pairs, 10 in 1989 & 1990 Passage: 200-250 on August 29th, 1992
GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Common breeding resident, passage migrant Largest flock: c. 130 on July 31st, 2011 Breeding: most pairs, 10 in 1990 Passage: 55 on October 11th, 1997
SISKIN Carduelis spinus Passage migrant, scarce winter visitor Largest flock: 120 on January 2nd, 1986 Earliest date: July 6th, 1997 Latest date: May 13th, 1997 Passage: 52 on October 11th, 2011
LINNET Carduelis cannabina Passage migrant; former breeder Largest flock: 100+ on October 12th, 1980 Breeding: 8-10 pairs from 1988-1991; last proved in 1997 Passage: 50 on October 9th, 2010
TWITE Carduelis flavirostris Scarce winter visitor/passage migrant Largest flock: 15 flew over on December 7th, 1996 28
Earliest date: unknown dates in October 1864 & 1865 Latest date: April 28th, 1961 Most recent record: 15 on December 7th, 1996
LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Passage migrant, scarce winter visitor; bred once Largest flock: 25 on December 15th & 18th, 2009 Breeding: one pair bred in 1987 Passage: 36 on Oct 8th, 2012
MEALY REDPOLL Carduelis flammea Very rare winter visitor (3) 1965: October 17th 1965: October 28th 2006: January 23rd
CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Rare passage migrant (15 records, 70+ birds; 8 records since 2000) Largest flock: 15 on July 26th, 2009 Most in a year: four flocks totalling 31 birds in July 1997
BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common breeding resident Highest count: 12 on December 20th, 1997 Breeding: most pairs, five in 1987 & 1989
Northern Bullfinch P.p. pyrrhula: up to 40 in January 1962
HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Very rare passage migrant (3) 1991: November 1st 2008: November 1st 2013: October 8th
LAPLAND BUNTING Calcarius lapponicus Very rare winter visitor/passage migrant (4) 1892: October 25th 1959: December 13th 1961: December 19th 2010: November 14th
SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Scarce winter visitor/passage migrant Largest flock: four on November 5th, 1933 Earliest date: October 18th, 1956 Latest date: February 8th, 1865 Longest stay: November 28th-December 9th, 1949 (12 days) Most recent record: November 23rd, 1996
YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella Scarce passage migrant/winter visitor (6 since 2000) Highest count: seven on January 3rd, 1962 Most recent record: November 2nd, 2016
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CIRL BUNTING Emberiza cirlus Very rare visitor (1) 1859: one shot in autumn
ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana Very rare vagrant (5) 1867: two in early May 1868: on unknown date in October 1956: September 2nd 2010: October 12th
REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Common breeding resident, passage migrant Highest count: 50+ at roost on December 27th, 1981 Breeding: most pairs, 19+ in 1988
CORN BUNTING Milaria calandra Rare visitor (14) Largest flock: five on January 17th, 1982 Breeding: a male on territory in 1960 Most recent record: November 15th, 1997
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