Seasonal reports
Spring 1992
Barry Mghtingale and Keith Allsopp A mild and changeable March, with little sunshine, was followed by a rather cloudy April, but with temperatures mostly 1°C above average. Northern Britain again had rainfall on or above par, but it was rather dry in eastern England. In contrast, May was sunnier than average everywhere, in some parts the warmest May of the century. Rainfall was variable, caused partly by the localised storms during Ike last week. June was the warmest since 1976, and over most parts was sunnier and drier than average. Some unchecked reports are included, as well as authenticated records A superlative spring Headlines in the ornithological press and reports that we have received have already proclaimed their verdicts on the 1992 spring: 'Extremely busy and ex citing', 'Migrants in force', 'Best-ever spring passage' and 'Falcons flood in'. No justification for these commentaries is necessary other than to consider the impressive list of rarities (with four or perhaps five potential additions to the British list) and scarce migrants which occurred: Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens, Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata, Red-fronted Serin Serimis pusillus, Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica (plate 297), Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni, Marmora's Warbler Sylvia sarda, Pied- billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps (plate 299), Paddyfield Warbler Acro- cephalus agricola, possibly up to 17 Catde Egrets Bubulcus ibis (plate 293), Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melxmokuca, Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris, White-throated Sparrow ^onotrichia albi- collis (plate 295), two Collared Flycatchers Ficedula albicollis, Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis and Siberian Thrush ^pothera sibirica. Multiple arrivals involved three Booted Warblers Hippolais caligata (plate 294), about 150 Red-footed Falcons Falco vespertinus, 40 Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervi- nus, 16 Greenish Warblers Phylloscopus trochiloides, 175 Icterine Warblers H. kterina, 65 Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris, 80 Hoopoes Upupa epops, four Sardinian Warblers S. melanocephala, 22 Subalpine Warblers S. cantillans, at least 12 Black-headed Buntings Emberiza melanocephala, and countless Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio, with up to 90 on Fair Isle alone, and Scarlet Rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus.
Spring seems to get earlier and earlier. Indeed, over Wychwood Forest (Oxfordshire), and a we must go back to February for the first very speedy Sand Martin Riparia riparia spring migrants, with Swallow ffirundo rustka which had made it to Staveley (North York- and Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe both in shire) by 1st March, that county's earliest ever. Dorset on 27th. Perhaps less expected as a By the next day, several reports of Sand Mar- front runner was an Osprey Pandion haliaetus tins were received from the south coast of
636 \Brit. Birds 85: 636-647, December 1992] Spring 1992 637
England, including Dungeness (Kent) and 20th-24th March, but a Sedge Warbler Radipole (Dorset), and by 7th March inland Acrocephalus schoenobaenus at South Norwood Kent, the West Midlands and Bedfordshire. (Greater London) on 23rd March was very Reports of more Wheatears were coming in much a loner. Five days of cold northerly by 1st March, from Hampshire, Guernsey and winds put a halt to further passerine move Bedfordshire. With winds from the southwest ments from the south, but seabirds were re and temperatures generally mild in the turning earlier than is usual, with 5,000 southerly half of Britain, more migrants ar Puffins Fratercula arctica back on Skomer by rived. A Garganey Anas querquedula at Elmley 28th. The next day, a Black Guillemot Cep- (Kent) on 3rd was followed by reports of five phus grylle off Bexhill was the first for Sussex others during March, and an early Hoopoe in since 1969. During 30th and 31st, a deep low Exeter (Devon) on 5th preceded six others else covered southern England and, with strong where. A Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvkensis at easterly winds over the northern half of the Ferrybridge (Dorset) on 6th was early, as was country, the first fall of the spring occurred, on an Alpine Swift Apus melba at New Brighton North Ronaldsay (Orkney) and Fair Isle (Shet (Merseyside) on the same day. By 8th March land). This involved a mixture of thrushes Stone-curlews Burhinus oedknemus had re Turdus, Black Redstarts Phoenicurus ochruros, turned to the Brecks (Norfolk/Suffolk) and Lit Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla and ChifFchafls tle Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius were PhyUoscopus coUybita. reported from Surrey and the West Midlands; Cold northeasterly winds covered Britain for less typical on this day were a Wood Sand the first three days of April, not stopping an piper Tringa glareola in Cornwall and Tree Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta appearing at Pipits Anthus trimalis in Haldon Forest (Devon). Staines Reservoir (Surrey) on 2nd, but perhaps The earliest House Martin Delichon urbica encouraging the Rough-legged Buzzard brought to our attention was on 11 th March Buteo lagopus to linger at Benacre (Suffolk) until at Radipole, the same day as a Richard's 12th April. Ospreys were arriving in some Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae on Skomer (Dyfed), force, about 40 in all this month, mainly dur with the first Willow Warbler PhyUoscopus ing 2nd-6th and 11th-16th April. On 3rd trochilus on 12th March at Portland Bill April, 112 Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra (Dorset). Inland movements of Kittiwakes were unusual at Kedington (Suffolk) and there Rissa tridactyla are now a regular spring feature, were 55 at Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire). On and 23 passed through Holmefhorpe (Surrey) the same day, a very early Grasshopper on 13th March followed by a small, but steady Warbler Locustella naevia was in Derbyshire, passage through the London area and the and a Serin Serinus serinus at Portland was the midland counties of England, lasting until 24th first of about 15 to be reported during April. March, with the largest count of 71 at Belvide On 4th, a visible migration of Meadow Pip Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 15th. A Yellow its Anthus pratensis, about 400 per hour, was Wagtail Motacilla jlaoa at Abberton Reservoir noted over Billinge (Merseyside), and even (Essex) on 14th March was followed by others more obvious were Hoopoes, at Montrose on Tresco (Isles of Scilly) on 19th and Hamp- Tayside) and Welland (Worcestershire), the stead Heath (Greater London) on 25th March. first of many. An adult Caspian Tern Sterna Duplicating the remarkable March influx of caspia appeared at Lackford (Suffolk) on 5th— Alpine Swifts in 1991 came seven more this the fourth record of this species at this site year, during 18th-20th, including five together since 1987, perhaps all relating to the same in over Killiney (Co. Dublin) on 20th. dividual—and it stayed on and off, apart from By mid March, Ring Ouzels Turdus torqua- a brief foray into Buckinghamshire and over tus were back in Derbyshire, but inland pas Bedfordshire, until 18th April. sage was noted right through into April. A Cattle Egret in Poole Harbour (Dorset) on 19th March was a highlight for some, but gave no indication of what was to come from this erratic wanderer. Setting more of a pattern, dare we say it, is our resident population of Little Egrets Egretta garzetta, with around 30 reported, mainly from the western half of Britain, but with five along the English south coast. The first big arrival of Wheatears ap peared in mild southwesterlies during 638 Spring 1992
Heavy rain lell in Wales and southern Eng sively good numl)ers of Ring Ouzels ap land 293. Flight Cattle Fjgrets Bubukus ibis, Lynster's Farm, West Hyde, Maple Cross, Hertfordshire, May 1992 K J. Carter) 294. Booted Warbler Hippakik caligata. Spurn, Humbcrside,June 1992 (Steve Voting/'Birdwatch) 295. White-throated Sparrow ^pnotrkhia albkollis, F'elixstowe, Suffolk, June 1992 [Tim Ijoseby/Avian Photos] 'l*he inclusion of plates 293-295 in colour has been subsidised by a donation from (ktrl £eis$ Germany. i 640 Spring 1992 Kittiwakes, heading north, included 7,700 passing Eyemouth (Borders) in 30 minutes. Whimbrels showed well during 24th-26th, with a steady passage dirough the London area, 41 on Beaulieu Estuary (Hampshire), 60 at Durleston (Dorset), 107 at Kenfig NNR (Mid Glamorgan), 100 on Parrett Estuary (Somerset) and 43 at Gibraltar Point. These numbers were totally eclipsed, however, by 1,000 which passed over Mounts Bay (Corn wall) on 25th. An early Quail Coturnix cotumix was at Little Marlow (Buckinghamshire) on 24th April, and 111 Yellow Wagtails dropped down at Swalecliffe (Kent) on 25th, the day not one but two Black-eared Wheatears Oerumthe hispan- ica appeared, at Keyhaven (Hampshire) and at Chearsley (Buckinghamshire) (plate 296). Re markably, on the next day, and less than 25 Calandrella brachydactyla were all found in Scilly, km away, at Radley (Oxfordshire), a Pied- two Greenish Warblers, another Little billed Grebe was found (plate 299). Who Bittern, a Red-rumped Swallow Himndo said inland birdwatching was dull? daurica and a Subalpine Warbler in Ireland, Two Woodchat Shrikes Lanius senator also a Bluethroat Ijiscinia svecka in Derbyshire, arrived on 26th April, at Auchencairn (Dum only their second, and the first Dotterels fries & Galloway) and Porthmellon (Cornwall), Charadrius morinellus of spring, with two in Scilly and the month closed with Ortolan and one on the Isle of Wight, and there were Buntings Emberiza hortulana at Landguard other Tawny Pipits elsewhere, including one (Suffolk) and Fair Isle, an Arctic Redpoll at Titchfield Haven. By 20th April, eight Carduelis hornemanni also there, three Dotterels Hoopoes had been reported, but 13 more on over Staines Reservoir and a Great White 21st signalled a dramatic rush, and by the Egret Egretta alba at Minsmere (Suffolk). From month end about 50 had appeared, with a dis 25th April the combined presence of an anti tinct concentration of records coming from cyclone to the west of Spain, until the end of southwest England and Ireland. Whinchats the month, and a deep depression just to the Saxkola rubetra were first evident on 22nd April, south of Iceland brought a strong southwest with 19 on Farlington Marsh (Hampshire), airstream throughout the whole area. A small whilst a Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa fkwipes at influx of Cattle Egrets into Northern France Lough Beg (Co. Ijondonderry) might have during this period, and at least five into Belgium been a recent transatlantic traveller, aided by gave a hint of what was to come our way. the southwesterlies that had preceded its ar rival. The 72 Ruffs Philomachus pugnax on Cattle Egrets and other rarities . . . Trimley Marshes (Suffolk) and ten Ring Dotterel reports included ten at Swinefleet Ouzels on Fair Isle on 23rd were overshad (Humljerside) on 1st May, 14 at Tormarton owed by the arrival of seven Alpine Swifts (Avon) on 8th, and 19 at Deeping St Nicholas during 22nd-26th. Avocets reached a maximum (Lincolnshire) on 10th. Six more Hoopoes in of 226 on Havergate (Suffolk) on 24th, and cluded one at Marton Mere (Lancashire) on 296. Black-eared Wheatear Oerumthe hispanica, Chearsley, Buckinghamshire, April 1992 (Michael S. Waller!) The inclusion of plates 297-299 in colour has been subsidised by a donation from Carl ^eiss—Germany. 297. Above, Brown Flycatcher Musckapa dawrica, Fair Isle, Shetland, July 1992 (Dennis Coutls)' 298. Right, Japanese Grosbeak Eophona personata, Ronas Voe, Main land, Shetland, June 1992 (Dennis Coutts) 299. Below, Pied-billed Grebe Podi- lymbus podkeps, Radley Gravel-pits, Oxfordshire, April 1992 (David Tipling/Avian Photos) 642 Spring 1992 4th, the same day us a Short-toed Lark on Blakeney Point (Norfolk). It was, however, a long-awaited Lesser Short-toed Lark Cabin- drella ntfrsmis at Portland on 2nd that grabbed the attention, though it was s Maps 2 & 3. Red-footed Falcons Falco vesperlimts in spring 1992 lavoured, there was a marked shift to the west delightful falcons. With line, amicyclonic and north ('see map 3), Some of these, of weather, and with the temperatures above nor course, may well have been earlier arrivals fil mal, conditions were right for south European tering through the country. It was significant species to overshoot. It was these conditions that 32 reports were from north of the Hum- that led to the high numbers of Hoopoes at bcr in this second wave, with 12 of these in the end of April, and now it was the turn of the Northern Isles. Although there were "new' Golden Orioles Ormlus mollis. About 100 reports every day (except on seven) between poured in during the second half of .May, with 14th May and 28th June, there were two dis the first concentrations in the southwest, in tinct peaks: the first during 14th-17th May cluding up to 12 daily in Scilly, and along the with 32, and the second during 28th-30th May English south coast. The second surge, from with 24. 21st May, had a more northerly bias and we High numbers of Red-footed Falcons were can expect these to have arrived from the east also reported from the western Mediterranean rather than from the south. This is supported and Spain during May. Although this species perhaps by the arrival of other species nor has a strong southwest-to-northeast bias across mally a-ssociated with northeastern Europe. Europe during its spring exodus from Africa, it Seven Red-throated Pipits came on 14th, seems that conditions moved the main concen with about 40 by the end of May, ami, of tration even farther west than is usual. This these, nine, and possibly 12, were seen on Fair shift in the normal pattern mttst have contin Isle, with the majority of others in British ued right up into Northern Europe, with the eastern coastal counties. In parallel came an high-pressure area over western Russia forcing influx of Yellow Wagtails of the grey-headed the main stream westward. Thus, countries to race M. flmm thunbergi, which breeds from the immediate east and southeast of southeast central and northern Fennoscandia eastwards. England reported very high numbers during Up to ten were at Cley (Norfolk) on 14th and May: Belgium, the Netherlands, and particu 20 at Happisburgh (Norfolk) on 15th, with larly Denmark, where up to 600 were seven on Fair Isle on 29th May. Single Icter- recorded between 14th May and 11th June. It ine Warblers at Flamborough Head {Hum- is clear that those which reached our shores berside) and Blakency Point on 14th, were the did so from that direction, rather than the first of a mini-invasion later in the month, and south, and this of course is borne out by the there was the first of three Black-headed distribution maps. Buntings. Seven Woodchat Shrikes arrived during 14th- 16th and 17 Bee-eaters Merops Orioles and other jewels apmster during 14th-26th May. The 14th May was notable not just for those Curiously, the common migrants did not 644 Spring 1992 24th-29th May, at Filey (North Yorkshire). By now, Scarlet RoseSnches were hitting the East Coast in force, and in particular the Northern Isles, in an unprecedented spring in flux (see map 5). Red-breasted Flycatchers Fkedula pawn, too, featured strongly, with nine during 25th-31 st May, but were totally eclipsed by a massive fall of Spotted Flycatchers, with 400 on North Ronaldsay, 350 on Fair Isle and 70 on Sanday (Orkney), all on 27th. figure in unusual numbers, with 200 Turtle Doves at Sandwich Bay on 15th May and 400 Black Terns Chlidonias niger, at various Midland sites during 14th-25th, the exceptions. Briefly diverting the focus away from the north and cast came two rarities to Cornwall: Squacco Heron at Towednack and Black- winged Stilt Himantopus himanlopus at Marazion, both on 15th. A Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus cmmdmacewi in Devon on 17th, and then one at Chew Valley Lake, Avon's first, on 18th, preceded nine widely scattered Red-rumped Swallows during 3 9th-31 st and eight Subalpine Warblers during 20th-28th May. . . . and more rarities Few inland Arctic Terns Sterna paradisaea had been reported, although there was a small movement noted on 16th May, but, in sharp contrast, 17 White-winged Black Terms CMidonias kucopterm during 18th-19th surpassed the previous best spring total. Map 4. Icterine Warblers Hippohis icterina in Long-tailed Skuas Stercmarim longicaudus spring 1992 appeared past Bowness-on-Solway, with eight during 6th-15th May, and a single past Mins- Red-backed Shrikes were also much in mere on 21st was the first spring record for evidence, with about 120 being reported in the Suffolk. The same day saw a Long-billed latter half of May, again mostly from the Bowiteher IJmnodronws scolopaceus at Sidle- Northern Isles. The peak day was 27th, with sham Ferry (West Sussex), and on 23rd an 20 on Fair Isle and 12 on North Ronaldsay, Alpine Accentor at Walberswick (Suffolk), and those two islands also attracted a sizable which was overshadowed by the excitement proportion of the 100 or so Icterine War elsewhere, as was a Greater Yellowlegs on blers that were reported in the last week of 24th on the Ouse Washes (Cambridgeshire) May (see map 4). Nine Marsh Warblers and a Collared Flycatcher on St Kilda and 35 Bluethroats also used Fair Isle as a (Western Isles). Much more accessible was a stop-over during the month, with about 40 of Spectacled Warbler surely now to end its the latter elsewhere. Many of these were of the on-off appearance on the British list by per nominate red-spotted form, the race that forming to respectful ranks of observers during breeds in eastern Europe and northern Scandi navia, and this also suggests the intended desti nation of most of the migrants that were arriving on our northern and eastern coasts. A Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nihtica, a Sardinian Warbler and the only Thrush Nightingale iMscima luscinia of the period, all during 25th-27th May on North Ronaldsay, added to that locality's growing reputation. Nearby Sanday produced a Greenish War bler on 28th, and there were five others Spring, 1992 645 reported elsewhere during 28th-31st May. Ail these species would have been travelling in a northwesterly direction away from their.Asian wintering areas and in the prevailing warm easterlies overshot their normal destination in classic style. Considering the numbers and ori gin ol' the species involved, it is surprising that there was only one Thrush Nightingale. On the other hand, two Red-headed Buntings Emberiza kmnkeps that arrived in this period, in Bedfordshire and more particularly at Spurn (Humberside), will never arrive in such solid circumstances or with better travelling com panions to support claims of genuine vagrancy. Apart from these rarities, there were other interesting local records almost in danger of going unnoticed. A steady inland trickle of Common Scoters Melamtta nigra included 31 through the West Midlands during 29lh-31st May and 21 at Barn Elms Reservoir (Surrey) on 30th. A Honey Buzzard Pemh aphorus on South Walney on 28th was the first in Cum bria since 1985, whilst one in Co. Kerry on 28th was the first in Ireland for 20 years. Strangely, after all the emphasis in the north Map 5. Scarlet Roscfmches Carpodfttits enlhrinm and northeast over the last half of May, it was in spring 1992 southern England that stole the attention on the last day of a dramatic and unforgettable month. A Collared Pratincole Glareola prat- incola at Portland Bill, a White-throated Belfast harbour (Co. Down) on 2nd-3rd June Sparrow at Fagbury Cliff (Suffolk) (plate 295) was a rare visitor for Ireland. and a Lesser Kestrel over Hampstead The crowds visiting Fagbury for the White- Heath were a breathtaking trio. Is it coinci throated Sparrow found, in sequence, a dence that the best year for this latter species, Black-headed Bunting on 4th June, a Red- when there were three, was 1973, the last big fronted Serin an intriguing possible addi Red-footed Falcon year? tion to the British List on 6th, and a Greenish Warbler on 7th. During 5th-9th, . . . and it goes on many new overshooting migrants were occur The frenzy continued into June and, whilst ring elsewhere. Over 75 more Icterine War there were many lingerers from the falls in the blers, 55 Marsh Warblers, seven more last week of May, there was much evidence of Greenish Warblers and a total of eight fresh arrivals, including a Lesser Grey Black-headed Buntings were reported. Of Shrike Lanius minor at Hook Head (Co. Wex the 75 or so Scarlet Rosefinches, many ford) on 1st. With high pressure still over were singing, and included, on 21st, the first northern Scandinavia and warm temperatures for Guernsey (see map 5). An overdue across northern Europe, conditions were still Thrush Nightingale was trapped on Fair favourable for migrants to reach us from the Isle on 5th, and on 7th a Booted Warbler northeast, and make their landfalls in northern on Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland) was Britain. We received reports of 85 Red- Britain's first spring record. There were to be backed Shrikes for June, 20 of which were others, at Spurn on 11 th-22nd (plate 294) and on Fair Isle. at South Walney on 17th. A Marmora's A Sardinian Warbler in Surbiton Warbler at Spurn on 8th June was followed (Greater London) on 2nd June was quite by a Paddyfield Warbler, Stone-curlew amazing and our first inland record, and other and Great Reed Warbler on Fair Isle on good inland reports included a Roseate Tern 9th. Many of these species were also making Sterna dougallii in Nottinghamshire on 4th and headlines in countries to the east of Britain, in Night Herons Jfycticorax nyctkorax at Chew cluding a Paddyfield Warbler in Denmark Valley Lake and Hatton Cross (Greater Ixm- on 4th June, and five Booted Warblers in don) on 9th. A Little Ringed Plover in Finland. 646 Spring 1992 From even farther afield came a truly Asi breeding. It is not altogether surprising, there atic vagrant when a female Siberian Thrush fore, that, of the influx species, Red-backed at Barns Ness showed itself to two lucky ob Shrikes bred in Suffolk, raising four young, servers on 10th June: Britain's first spring and Scarlet Rosefinches established a long- record. A Black Stork Ciamia nigra over Bath awaited foothold. In Suffolk, they bred in two on 13th, sandwiched between Great White localities, and an adult with a brood patch was Egrets on Ythan Estuary (Grampian) on 11 th trapped at a third, whilst near Flamborough and Breydon (Norfolk) on 14th, was surpris three pairs were confirmed breeding, a further ingly the only one of the spring, considering two pairs probably did, and individuals were the bumper year in 1991. seen at seven additional sites (Bird Watching September 1992, pages 84-85). Mediterranean Gulls Imus melanocephalus bred in Norfolk, the returning Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis reared one hybrid young on the Fame Islands, Eiders Somateria molhssima bred for the first time on the Calf of Man, Curlews Munenius arquala for the first time in Bedfordshire, Ravens Corvus corax in Derbyshire for the first time in 24 years, and Egyptian Geese Alopochen ae- gyptiacus in Hertfordshire. Jackdaws C. mon- edula summered in Scilly for the first time and Woodlarks Lullula arborea raised record The band of strong easterlies which had numbers of young in Thetford Forest (Nor stretched from eastern Europe since 24th May folk), showing an increase of 33% over 1991. persisted until 12th June, when the Scandina One Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus and vian high declined. A new but more-familiar 14 Whooper Swans C. cygnus summered in pattern, with high-pressure centres to the south the north of Ireland, and Whoopers bred and west, steered in Atlantic air from the west there for the first time, one pair raising one and north, and, although this spring period cygnet. had one or two more surprises up its sleeve, On the other hand, early indications were activity generally quietened down. The origins that numbers of Yellow Wagtails, of a Japanese Grosbeak Eophona personata at Grasshopper and Willow Warblers were Ronas Voe (Shetland) on 14th (plate 298) will down. Raptors had a mixed season, although be much debated (especially following the two mostly good, with Red Kites Mibus mihus in Norway, in June 1989 and April 1990, Brit. raising 93 young in Wales, and, from the re Birds 85: 461, and one in Sweden in May lease programme, nine chicks in England and 1990, Var Fdgelv. 50(8): 28), but a Roller Com- one in Scotland. Merlins Falco columbarius in cias garmlus at Monkton (Kent) on 15th was a Orkney had their best season for a long time, more typical midsummer record. A Pallid with at least 35 young, but Hen Harriers Swift Apus pallidum over Weybourne (Norfolk) Circus cyaneus their worst season since 1979, on 16th was a remarkable 'garden list tick' for perhaps owing to the poor weather in the pre- its amazed observer. egg-laying period. Finally, this memorable period of migration came to an end, with a flourish in the last few days: a Broad-billed Sandpiper Lmdcohjal- cinellus at Teesside (Cleveland) on 26th June, a scattering of Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus, and another Roller, at North Walney NR (Cumbria) on 27th, and a Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva at Needs Oar Point on 28th. Potentially Britain's first, a Brown Flycatcher trapped on Fair Isle on lst-2nd July (plate 297) was a fitting cli max to a fabulous spring. Breeding records broken, too During the period discussed here, birds are not just on the move, they are also intent on Spring 1992 647 Generally, seabirds in the Northern Isles did from: C. Darbyshire, I. Kinlcy, F, J. Lambert, A. well, but Arctic Terns had mixed fortunes. McGeehan, E. R. Meek, C. Murphy, P. Murphy, A. Colonies on Papa Westray raised 1,600 young, Perry, M. J. Rogers, M. Wallen; and published infor mation including that in the newsletters of the Bed but the colonies in the southern isles in fordshire Bird Club, Bristol Ornithological Club, Orkney raised virtually none. Buckinghamshire Bird Club, Derbyshire Ornithologi Finally, and perhaps for the first time, cal Society, Devon Bird Watching and Preservation House Sparrows Passer domestkus get a men Society, Fife Bird Club, Hampshire Ornithological tion in 'Seasonal reports'. Three on Skomer Society, 1-43 Societc Guernesiaise, Leicestershire and during the summer made their first breeding Rutland Ornithological Society, Leigh Ornithological attempt on that island for over 30 years, a Society, London Natural History Society, South East sobering note on which to end after this rarity- Scotland Bird Bulletin, Sussex Ornithological Society, West Midland Bird Club, Fair Isle Bird Observatory, ridden summary. Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory, Kenfig National Nature Reserve, Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory. We are especially grateful to Rare Bird News, Acknowledgments which supplied copies of all the records reported to This summary was compiled from contributions its phone service, and to Birding South West. Barry Nightingale & Keith Allsopp, 7 Bloomsbury Close, Woburn, Bedfordshire MKH 9QS