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Home , Alresford Pond, Andover Down, Binswood, Blashford Lakes, Cheesefoot Head, Chessel Bay

Report 2014

Hampshire Ornithological Society Published December 2015 Published December 2015 by the Hampshire Ornithological Society Hampshire Registered Charity no. 1042309 www.hos.org.uk Bird Report 2014

ISBN 978-0-9567712-7-8 Price £10

Text, photographs and artwork copyright © the Hampshire Ornithological Society and named authors and contributors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. The views expressed in this report are not necessarily those held by the Hampshire Ornithological Society.

Printed by Henry Ling Ltd., Dorchester.

Front cover: Short-toed Eagle, Frame Wood, , June 30th by Alan Lewis. Frontispiece: Wryneck by Dan Powell. Additional artwork by Dan Powell (www.powellwildlifeart.com).

Editor: John Clark AIMS OF THE SOCIETY [email protected] The Hampshire Ornithological Society has three broad aims: • To promote the recording and study of bird life in Hampshire and to publish the results in its Production Editor: John Norton annual Bird Report. • To use these results to encourage and support the conservation of wild and their habitats in the County. County Recorder: Keith Betton • To foster a wider interest in the recording and preservation of Hampshire bird life by organising HOS Records Panel: Keith Betton, Bob Chapman, Andy Johnson, Nigel a programme of indoor and outdoor meetings, by publishing a quarterly magazine and other Jones, Dave Unsworth, Marcus Ward and Simon Woolley forms of publicity.

MEMBERSHIP Hampshire Ornithological Society The annual subscription is £12 for Ordinary, Joint or Family membership; £5 for Junior membership (under 18s). Full membership information is given on p.216 and on the HOS web site: http://www.hos.org.uk.

LIFE MEMBERS (date awarded) Ralph Cook (1989), Michael Bryant (1990), Peter Puckering (1992), Rosemary Billett (1998), Eddie Wiseman (2000), John Wood (2001), Norman Pratt (2005), John Clark (2011), Margaret Boswell, John Eyre and Nigel Peace (2012), Alan Cox (2013), Glynne Evans (2015). Published December 2015 Contents Chairman’s Report 2014

Chairman’s Report 2014 Alan Snook 3 This is my third annual report to the Society as Chairman taking us up to the 2015 AGM. By the time you read this report our new atlas should have been published. It shows the state Editorial and Acknowledgements John Clark 4 of Hampshire’s birdlife and features photographs galore the huge majority of which were Obituary: David Frederick Billett (1932-2014) John Bowers, Graham Rees & Ed Wiseman 6 taken in the county by local photographers. It is a monumental work that the editor John Eyre deserves huge credit for, although many others played no small part either, but more Review of Birds in Hampshire 2014 Richard Carpenter 10 on this next year. A quiet unassuming giant of a man (not literally) stood down at the AGM in March, Systematic List of Species someone who played a huge part on the ornithological scene, not just for HOS but also for Keith Betton, Mike Chandler, John Clark, Rob Clements, Mark Edgeller, Philip Fawkes, the British Trust for Ornithology. A work colleague, who badgered me to get involved in John Jones, William Legge, Graham Osborne, John Shillitoe, Barry Stalker, Dave Unsworth, surveys, first introduced me to Glynne Evans many years ago and I haven’t looked back since, Andrew Walmsley, Marcus Ward, Keith Wills and Simon Woolley 17 but back to Glynne. He has served us so well in various capacities including a very long stint as chairman of the Scientific sub-committee and through the BTO has organised countless Escapes and others 157 county surveys. It was gratifying therefore to bestow upon him Life Membership, something Table 1: Results of Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths breeding bird surveys 159 so well deserved, along with our thanks for jobs well done. Table 2: Results of BTO Garden BirdWatch Survey in Hampshire 160 Peter Thompson stood down as Conservation Liaison Officer at the AGM. Our thanks Table 3: Results of BTO Breeding Bird Survey in Hampshire 162 go to him for all his efforts on behalf of the Society over many years. It is heart-warming to report that we have new young blood for the post and welcome Simon Boswell to the role. Table 4: Results of New Forest Wintering Bird Survey 164 Table 5: Summary of WeBS count coverage in Hampshire 165 I sometimes get frustrated by all the taxonomic changes that take place. I am still living in the days of Voous and cannot comprehend how in the modern order, falcons are no longer Table 6: Departure and arrival dates of winter visitors 167 with the other birds of prey. It must be a nightmare for those involved with the bird report Table 7: Arrival and departure dates of summer visitors 168 and yet John Clark and his team have once again come up trumps this year, with a fabulous report that we can all be proud of, so thanks to him, his writers, the photographers, artists Appendix 1: Records pending and not proven 169 and contributors all of whom have produced something marvellous once more. Observers and Contributors 2014 170 Kingfisher, your quarterly newsletter, continues to keep us in touch with the Hampshire birding scene, with excellent and often thought provoking articles and superb photographs Guidelines for the Submission of Records 175 in colour that brighten the pages. Phil Budd and all those who contribute to this excellent Photographs for inclusion in the Hampshire Bird Report 181 magazine deserve our thanks too. Hampshire Bird Ringing Report 2014 Tony Davis 182 Many other debts of gratitude are due, particularly to those members of the Management committee, the Scientific and Membership sub-committees and all those unsung heroes who Studying Hawfinch Roosts in the New Forest Marcus Ward 190 so ably lead our outdoor walks for the benefit of the membership. I would also like to thank all those involved in our stand at the New Forest Show and in particular Ray Morley who Birds of a Hampshire Garden Di Mitchell 202 did all the organizing. Firsts for Hampshire This brings me on neatly to Birdtrail 2014, held at Bolderwood in the New Forest and Short-toed Eagle in the New Forest Simon Colenutt 208 attended by 65 youngsters. They were given a great time and saw an iconic bird in the form of Firecrest, a species whose population is booming in the county; look it up in the forthcoming Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler at Barry Duffin 211 Atlas! Our thanks go to our friends at the National Park Authority, Forestry Commission, Hume’s Warbler at Pennington Bryan Pinchen 213 Wildlife Trust and RSPB, in particular Don Fuller who is standing down from the latter. It would be remiss of me if I didn’t thank Chris Packham our President for turning up to the Greenland White-fronted Geese at October 2014 T. Doran 214 delight of the children and also the many HOS representatives, particularly Paul, Jon, Ted, HOS Organisation and Membership 216 Ian and Ray. HOS Honorary Officers and Life Members 2014-15 217 Finally let me clamber onto my soap-box and bang on about conservation once more. It is perfectly correct that we have many successes in this field in terms of rescuing or helping List of Abbreviations 218 many individual species, however the crusade goes on. We need to look at the bigger picture and concentrate from the bottom upwards, after all none of us wants to leave our children Index to English Names 219 and grand-children a planet devoid of life, do we? There are so many ways to get involved and one of them is by belonging to Hampshire Ornithological Society. Alan Snook, September 2015

2 3 Editorial and Acknowledgements selection of pictures to choose from, and Keith Betton for his rapid responses when any queries about records have arisen. Keith has been highly successful in generating advertising Hopefully this new report will have hit your door mats just before the end of 2015, which revenue which has helped to offset production costs and he has also made available his means that there will have been two Hampshire Bird Reports published in the calendar year. invaluable electronic species files which contain the entries fromBirds of Hampshire and all the Having edited the last three reports and quite a few more in the last century, I have now bird reports since 1992. Thanks also to Bryan and Sandy Coates for organising distribution decided to hand over to some new blood! This year I have been ably assisted by Mike Chalmers, and sales, and Andrew Hunter of our printers Henry Ling Ltd. for ensuring the quality of the who not only acted as assistant editor but also stepped into the breach to write some final product and the efficient dispatch of members’ copies. species accounts that had been delayed. I’m delighted to announce that he will be assuming The Systematic List has been reviewed by Mike Chalmers, John Cloyne, Andy Collins, Tim the editor’s mantle for the 2015 report. Mike has fairly recently moved into Hampshire and Doran, Andy Johnson and Mark Painter. They have all made invaluable comments which have was previously resident for many years in Hong Kong where he was bird recorder and also been incorporated and also noticed many grammatical and typographic errors between them. a co-author of the acclaimed Avifauna of Hong Kong published in 2001. Hopefully not too many more have slipped through! Dan Powell has generously donated The format of the report is largely the same as the previous edition. I would first like to excellent artwork for use in the report. draw all readers’ attention to the obituary of David (D.F.) Billett compiled by John Bowers, Thanks are due to the following photographers who submitted images for possible inclusion: Graham Rees and Ed Wiseman. Dave was a founder member of the legendary Steve Bassett, Martin Bennett, Keith Betton, Trevor Carpenter, Martin Clay, Trevor Codlin, Group (PG) which set about the systematic recording of the birds of . He Simon Colenutt, Barry Collins, Geoff Doré, Andy Field, Richard Ford, Lee Fuller, Graham initiated systematic monthly wildfowl and wader counts there in 1951 which provided a model Giddens, Brian Harrison, Susan Hill, John Hilton, Richard Jacobs, Andy Johnson, Nigel Jones, that was adopted throughout the UK and beyond, providing data that would help to secure Richard Levett, Alan Lewis, Adrian Martin, Keith Metcalf, Peter Milinets-Raby, Marc Moody, the future of many important wildlife reserves. Dave was also a great conservationist and Will Morley, Mark Palmer, Chris Rose, David Ryves, Barry Stalker, Andy Thorpe, Marcus virtually single-handedly secured the future of Farlington Marshes as a nature reserve, often Ward, Ian Williamson, Jon Worthington and Paul Winter. My apologies that it has not been against dangerous odds. He was one of the founders of modern ornithology in Hampshire possible to include examples of the work of every photographer. and his contribution cannot be overemphasised. Our condolences go to his wife Rosemary Keith Betton would like to thank Mark Painter and Barry Stalker for their help in preparing and other family members. Birdtrack and Going Birding records respectively for import to the COBRA database, Matthew The Systematic List has been written by an expanded team of 15 writers who have Shaft for inputting paper-based records, Janet Shelley for transferring observations from the contributed species accounts: Keith Betton, Mike Chandler, Rob Clements, Mark Edgeller, Needs Ore log into a spreadsheet for import into the database, John Shillitoe for preparing Philip Fawkes, John Jones, Williams Legge, Graham Osborne, John Shillitoe, Barry Stalker, the monthly WeBS count tables and John Clark for importing all electronic records to the Dave Unsworth, Andrew Walmsley, Marcus Ward, Keith Wills and Simon Woolley. Writers’ COBRA database. contributions are indicated by their italicised initials in parentheses at the end of each account. The BTO have released data from the BBS, Birdguides, Birdtrack and Garden BirdWatch. I hope they will forgive the changes I made to some of the accounts to ensure a consistent Data from the visible migration website Trektellen have also been imported via Birdguides. style throughout. WeBS data have been provided with the agreement of the WeBS Partnership (WWT, RSPB, In addition to the Systematic List the annual Review of the Year and Hampshire Ringing BTO and JNCC) by Keith Wills (inland sites), John Shillitoe (coastal sites), John Clark (Avon Report are included and thanks are due to Richard Carpenter and Tony Davis respectively for Valley) and James Parkin (). Additional waterfowl counts for compiling these. The main paper in this year’s report is a detailed account by Marcus Ward Lakes have been provided by Bob Chapman (HWT). Keith Betton has again coordinated the describing his work to locate Hawfinch roosts in the New Forest. I think this is one of the New Forest Winter Bird Survey, 2Js Ecology has made available the results of the Thames most ground-breaking papers that has ever been published in the report and it illustrates Basin and Wealden Heaths Breeding Bird Survey and Brian Sharkey has provided the Heronries what rewarding and surprising results can be achieved with time and dedication. There is also Survey results. The Sandy Point Report, produced by Andy Johnson, provided an invaluable a paper by Di Mitchell documenting the changes in bird numbers recorded in her downland annual summary for that location. Most importantly, thanks are due to the many observers garden over a 35 year period and a short note by Tim Doran describing the detective work who have contributed their records via an ever-increasing number of channels. They are required to trace the history of six White-fronted Geese wearing neck collars which proved listed in full on pages 170-174. to be members of the largest flock of the Greenland sub-speciesflavirostris ever recorded in John Clark, November 2015 the county. We again have three new birds for Hampshire, bringing the county list to 377. The Short-toed Eagle was seen and enjoyed by many, not only in Hampshire but also in four other counties, and Simon Colenutt’s evocative account of the discovery of the bird at Beaulieu Road wonderfully describes his red-letter day. One of Alan Lewis’s fine photographs of the bird adorns our front cover. If the eagle was a rather unexpected addition to the county list, then Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler was not expected in a hundred years! Barry Duffin’s description of the finding of this bird in a net at Titchfield Haven seems rather matter-of-fact but I’m sure he and his two fellow ringers were extremely excited by their catch. It’s just a pity that it wasn’t a bird that others could see as well. Finally Bryan Pinchen describes seeing and photographing a Hume’s Warbler from his study window in Pennington which was an overdue addition to the county list. I would again like to thank John Norton for his expertise in designing and producing the report, Alan Lewis for taking on the role of Photographic Editor and sourcing us a magnificent

4 5 David Frederick Billett (1932-2014) ‘dropped-out’ to do the compulsory two years National Service. Some returned to Farlington, but one who did not was Cliff Henty, who said his life was changed by a chance meeting, David’s initial encounters with birds began in Portsmouth’s Central Library, with David who then introduced him to the marshes. He when he was a very young child. He was later went to university and became involved, at Oxford and Stirling, in the scientific study fascinated by in the garden of his of avifauna, work he continued, to this day. home in Portsmouth where he learned to In those early years the marshes, though no distance from Portsmouth with its population identify them, along with other commonly of a quarter of a million, were still rather remote, so much so, the Royal Navy were able to seen species, by name. Realising this was more safely utilise the area for the detonation of explosives: the resulting ‘bomb-craters’ provided than just a passing phase, when David was no fine habitat for amphibians and dragonflies. Few people, other than wildfowlers, the farm more than six or seven years old, his father owners and staff, a tramp named Trog, annual blackberry-pickers and birdwatchers, frequented bought him S. V. Benson’s The Observers Book the marshes in those early days. Then the marshes were more extensive, a substantial area of British Birds. This volume, published in 1937, to the north of a point at which the track leaves the Eastern Road, around to the ‘Swallow was in itself revolutionary, being the first well- Shelter’, a wartime bunker, where we left our bikes, now lies beneath the M27 and a domestic illustrated and inexpensive pocket textbook. waste tip. For years it remained the ‘working bible’ for budding birdwatchers. As a member of the In 1962 the newly formed Hampshire and Naturalists Trust was granted a Boy Scout movement he became acquainted management lease by the Cooper family, the owners. It was then that the work on habitat with a wider range of birds, including those management began, which was greatly facilitated by David’s Land Rover, acquired in the late of the West Sussex downland, in the region 1950s. The marsh fencing was entirely renewed, mostly by DFB & EJW, during the savagely of Cocking and West and East Dean and also cold winter of 1962/63, during which the marsh was frozen solid from Boxing Day (or Boxmas in time, the New Forest. Though ornithology Day by which it was known by the Portsmouth Group or PG), to well into March. We retained and specifically the conservation of close-by many memories of that winter, one of which was of Snow Buntings feeding at ‘nought feet’ (as Peter LeBrocq would have said) on crumbs, which we scattered close-by during lunch- Farlington Marshes and Langstone Harbour, Dave Billett (Barry Collins) discovered by him in the late 1940s, were to breaks. Additional freshwater habitat was created by damming a relic 18th century creek dominate his life, he was also a keen entomologist with a particular interest in beetles and in the grazing marshes close to the east seawall, but as soon as the dam was built, council in retirement he became an enthusiastic moth trapper. workers, whose brief was to control the Anopheles mosquito, demolished it. Known as the Deeps, it took several years of negotiation before the water body was allowed to remain A printer by profession, he was called-up for National Service in 1954. His ancestors and achieve its full potential. The marsh cattle tended to behave in the manner of their wild were from West Country maritime backgrounds and his father was also a sailor. Perhaps ancestors, often wading onto the saltings, where they grazed on whatever was available and unsurprisingly he enlisted in the Royal Navy, his ship, HMS Coquette, being employed on returned to the Marshes’ fields as the tide rose. fishery-protection duties in northern waters around Iceland and Bear Island. It is not known whether his singing disturbed fellow crew-members, but that of a great-great-grandfather David understood that wardening was an essential element of reserve management, certainly did so. During HMS Beagle’s epic five-year Darwin voyage in the 1830s, an entry in particularly when close to a large conurbation and subject to increasingly intensive public use. the ship’s log recorded that ‘the boy Billett kept the ship’s crew awake with his violin playing He acquired a reputation for reticence; in fact he thought it was very important to greet and and his singing’. talk to visitors and made many interesting contacts from all walks of life, including a Quarr Abbey monk and several Admirals. He was a great influence on both young and not-so-young, Possessed of an exceptionally astute and logical mind, David quickly perceived that the aspiring, volunteer wardens. Many teenagers ‘cut their teeth’ helping with the demanding fortunes of birds and other were directly linked to their habitats; he had become an physical tasks necessary for the maintenance and improvement of the habitat, an aspect all too ecologist long before the term was known outside academic circles. He was fully aware of the often forgotten by those wishing to enter a vocation involving birds and conservation. Some importance of accurate and systematic note-taking and anticipated the necessity to underpin ‘won their spurs’ and went on to achieve voluntary warden status, which they regarded as conservation proposals with accurate assessments of Langstone Harbour’s bird populations. an honour, at Farlington. They contributed much to the general management of the Marshes, This was achieved by combining personal observations with those of contemporaries, initially where they often demonstrated considerable maturity in dealing with demanding situations. George Clay, John Conchie, Cliff Henty, Graham Rees, Bryan Renyard and Colin Tubbs, which Some, unable to help with manual labour because of age, commitments or other reasons, he carefully recorded in yearbooks. In the first of these he wrote: but were keenly interested, became voluntary wardens. One such was Jack Copley who had ‘Status 1952 – Being the first volume of which it is hoped will be as complete a record of the an artificial leg and put in many hours, particularly early mornings, a likely time for trouble. status of all bird species occurring within the defined area of Langstone Harbour and its environs The ability to extend the oversight on the marshes, by working a flexible roster, undoubtedly as possible. The chief value of this and subsequent volumes will only be apparent in several years helped to preserve the lack of disturbance by human or dog intrusion on the main fields. This time and is, of course, dependent on a constant standard of observation being maintained’. These led to the creation of the spectacular high tide wader roosts, clearly visible from the adjacent yearbooks were maintained by Graham Rees in his absence in the Navy and required regular bank. Many who served ‘apprenticeships’ at the Marsh, went on to play active roles in the communication with David by letter, which predictably resulted in endless teasing by his ornithological and conservation field, with The British Trust for Ornithology, Hampshire shipmates, who insisted they were from a Portsmouth-based W.R.E.N. County Council, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, County Wildlife Trusts, as Here was a group of young men, David at 20, the oldest, showing the foresight to collect well as in similar capacities further afield, such as South America. records, which would be of inestimable value in later years and creating a pattern for doing Early Farlington days were beset with poaching problems, particularly uncontrolled so. They were in fact ‘into birding’ before birding became the ‘in thing’. One by one, they shooting. Many thought they had the right to do so but it became easier to do deal with,

6 7 waterfowl at least five years before similar initiatives were introduced elsewhere. Tony Prater, in Estuary Birds of Britain and Ireland (1981), summed-up David’s unique vision thus: ‘There have been thorough counts of birds in Langstone Harbour since 1952 and they provide an almost unparalleled documentation of changes on any major British estuary’. Without his continuous and unflagging commitment to its conservation, Langstone Harbour may not have survived as one of Britain’s major bird-rich estuaries: his stewardship certainly left it in a more favourable condition than he found it. He was also closely involved with Hampshire bird-recording and the annual Bird Report from 1961-1983 and was County Recorder from 1978-1983. Also, several notes to British Birds between 1952 and 1984 included his account of the Western Palearctic’s first Franklin’s GullLarus pipixcan in Langstone Harbour in February 1970. A person of the greatest integrity and never compromising his principles, he was mentor to many and also a friend to all three of us for 60 years and a major influence on our respective ornithological paths. We shared many birding experiences, including being driven around west Hampshire at breakneck speed by Edwin Cohen, an epic trip by train, bus and shanks pony to see breeding Bee-eaters in Sussex and what was a mammoth drive in the 1950s, which was undertaken in the Land Rover, to the Scottish Highlands. We admired him as a conservationist, but it was our united passions for Farlington Marshes and its wildlife and a determination to protect it at all costs, which bound us in enduring respect and friendship. It is a fitting tribute to David, that his wife, Rosemary, recently deposited his 40 volume yearbook record of the birds of Farlington Marshes and Langstone Harbour with the British Trust for Ornithology, at The Nunnery, their Thetford (Norfolk) headquarters. David and Rosemary Billett sitting by the Farlington Marshes sea wall, c.1975 (Kevin Kearns) We offer our deepest sympathies to Rosemary, his brother Keith (Cuff) Billett and his many friends. He will be greatly missed. John Bowers, Graham Rees & Ed Wiseman following trespass provisions of the Firearms Act 1968, when it then became an offence for a person, when in possession of a firearm, to enter land as a trespasser and without reasonable With thanks to Rosemary Billett and Keith Billett for their help in compiling this tribute. excuse. A key factor in David’s success was the forging of an understanding with Langstone & District Wildfowlers & Conservation Association, whose members were to prove staunch conservation allies, contributing many voluntary hours to marsh work-parties. Ironically, an incident that nearly cost him his life involved shotguns, when in February 1965 he suffered severe wounds to his chest while attempting to apprehend two armed trespassers. This took place at the furthest northeast corner of the Reserve, being also the most remote from a road. Very fortunately, the motorist flagged-down by Rosemary on the then far less busy A2030, responded without hesitation and immediately alerted Police and ambulance – no mobile phones then. David’s dedication led to an unbroken, four-decade involvement with Langstone Harbour and Farlington Marshes’ affairs. During his watch, the Harbour and the Marshes were notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1958, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Naturalists’ Trust, negotiated a lease with the Marshes’ private owner in 1962, declared the marshes a Local Nature Reserve in 1974 before acquisition of the freehold later in the decade, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds purchased islands in the Harbour in 1979 and together with adjacent Chichester Harbour, the area was classified, under the European Union Birds and Habitats Directives, as a Special Protection Area for Birds in 1987. David was a self-taught, first-class field man. There were no field-guides in the early 1950s, the continuing basic source of reference being The Observers Book of British Birds. Unidentified species posed problems and necessitated visits to Portsmouth’s Central Library, where field notes were matched with text and illustrations in the Handbook of British Birds or The Witherby, by which it was known. David’s contribution to ornithology cannot be over-estimated. He effectively founded the Portsmouth Group, setting them on the path of systematically counting Langstone Harbour’s Grey Plover, Farlington Marshes, Sep 10th (Trevor Carpenter)

8 9 Review of Birds in Hampshire in 2014 The storms in the first week resulted in many interesting sightings along the coast. Reports included Long-tailed Ducks, Great Northern Divers, Slavonian Grebes, Shags, Great Skuas, Richard Carpenter Kittiwakes, a few Little Gulls (including some inland), Guillemots and Razorbills. Red-necked Grebes were at Hurst on 3rd, Southsea on 6th, Langstone Harbour on 9th and 12th and Hayling Bay on 11th. A Grey Phalarope was at Eling Great Marsh on 21st. Single Glaucous Gulls were off Stokes Bay on 4th, Southsea on 5th and 31st and Hurst Beach on 25th and 26th, and an adult and a juvenile were off south from 12th. A Great Northern Diver was inland at Water on 26th. The extensive flooding led to some high concentrations of waterfowl especially in the Avon Valley where peak counts in the early year included 3950 Wigeon, 900 Pintail, 300 Shoveler, 2246 Lapwings and 2500 Black-tailed Godwits. February was another very mild month with strong winds and heavy rain adding to the already extensive flooding. There were SW/W gales on 1st, several days between 8th and 15th and 23rd – with storm to hurricane force winds on 8th, 12th and 14th – and SE winds on 3rd and 4th. There was heavy rain on five days, particularly on 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th and 28th. A male Smew was at Wellington CP on 4th, a redhead was at Fawley Reservoir from 3rd to 19th and three flew over Fishlake Meadows on 3rd. A Spoonbill was at Farlington Marshes from 27th until March 2nd. A Great Grey Shrike was at Kingsclere from 20th until 28th. Storms again led to many interesting sightings along the coast: generally the same species as in January but with a lot more Little Gulls. Also seen were single Great Skuas off on 8th and 9th and a Puffin off Hill Head on 5th. Sadly dead Puffins were found at Lesser Yellowlegs (Dan Powell) several coastal sites during the month which reflected a massive seabird wreck which occurred A total of 256 species was recorded in the county in 2014 including three additions to the throughout the south-western approaches. White-winged gulls reported were a juvenile county list – Short-toed Eagle, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler and Hume’s Warbler. Iceland Gull at Milford on Sea on 8th and Glaucous Gulls at on 1st and Franklin’s Gull and Siberian Stonechat each provided their second occurrence in the county. 2nd and off Hurst from 20th until March 10th. January was a very mild month best remembered for strong winds and heavy rain leading March was a mild, quiet and spring-like month compared with January and February. to extensive flooding. There were SW or westerly gales from 1st-4th, 6th, 7th, 25th and 26th The only day of heavy rainfall was 2nd, though there were many showery days. Winds were and SE gales on 5th. There was heavy rain on ten days, particularly on 1st, 4th, 6th and 31st. mainly west or SW but were largely from the east, SE or south from 11th to 13th and 21st to 31st. Winds were strongly from the west on 18th and south from 21st. Still present from 2013 were an adult Bewick’s Swan in the Avon Valley until 13th and again on 25th and 26th, a first-winter European White-fronted Goose at East Hayling which stayed The male Ferruginous Duck was at Ibsley Water on 4th Ivy Lake on 8th and returning on the Island until March 2nd and Black Brants in and around Chichester Harbour, Langstone Garganeys were at Posbrook Flood on 9th and Ivy Lake on 17th. A Red-necked Grebe was Harbour and the area, all of which remained until late March. A Green-winged in Langstone Harbour from 3rd to 9th and Spoonbills were at six coastal sites. At least six Teal at Avon Causeway stayed until March 6th and a Red-crested Pochard at Ibsley Water overflying Ospreys were seen, the first at Farlington Marshes on 4th. A recently dead Puffin stayed until April 12th. Two Velvet Scoters off Brownwich and Hill Head remained until 15th was found at Inchmery on 15th. A Richard’s Pipit was at Pennington Marshes on 9th and up and another was in Langstone Harbour on 4th. One or more Bitterns remained at Ivy Lake to five Common Redpolls were at from 15th to 22nd. until March 5th. The Long-billed Dowitcher at Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes, was seen Spring migrants appeared this month with Wheatear in the first week, Sand Martin in intermittently until April 14th and the Lesser Yellowlegs at Lepe remained until April 15th. the second week, Little Ringed Plover, Cuckoo and Swallow in the third week and Redstart The regular Ring-billed Gull at was last seen on March 17th. Great Grey Shrikes at Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler in the last week. and remained until Mar 12th and Jan 29th respectively. April was a calm and mild month with plenty of showers and significant rainfall only on The Red-breasted Goose was relocated at Park Farm on 4th and remained in the Needs 20th and 25th. The only day of strong winds was 8th, from the west; otherwise direction Ore area until March 6th apart from a brief excursion to Lower Pennington on 13th and 14th. was variable. A Ferruginous Duck was at Kingfisher Lake from 20th until February 8th and two pairs of Scaup were at Needs Ore on 19th. A male Smew was at Bramshill Plantation on 19th and a Interesting visitors included a male Green-winged Teal at Ibsley Water from 6th to 8th, a redhead was at Ivy Lake from 29th until February 8th. Single Bitterns were at Hook-with- Purple Heron at Dean near Romsey on 6th, adult Iceland Gulls at Titchfield Flood on 4th and Warsash from 2nd until 8th, Titchfield Haven from 9th until February 12th and Farlington Curbridge on 21st, a Tree Sparrow at Titchfield Haven from 15th until May 1st and a Red- Marshes on 19th. A Glossy Ibis was at Farlington Marshes on 21st. A Great White Egret rumped Swallow at Lower Pennington Lane on 18th and 19th. A Spotted Crake was heard was at remaining until February 16th and another was at Whitchurch from at Fishlake Meadows on 27th and again on May 5th. Spoonbills were noted at several coastal 24th to 26th. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Titchfield Haven on 4th, 5th (ringed) and 24th. A locations and incoming Ospreys at ten or more sites. A Dotterel was at on Great Grey Shrike was at Alton on 5th and two or more were in the New Forest from 11th 21st followed by two at Hampton Ridge, NF on 28th. The only Pied Flycatcher of the spring remaining until April 15th. Up to three Common Redpolls were at Blashford Lakes Centre was at Beaulieu Road on 11th. from 11th until March 27th and a Snow Bunting flew over Lepe on 3rd.

10 11 peaked on this date, when 1766 were counted passing east. A Roseate Tern also moved east on 5th, followed by two on 7th, five on 10th and one on 11th. Smaller numbers of most of these species were seen further east off Hill Head and Hayling Island. June was a mainly dry and warm month with significant rainfall only on 4th. Winds were mainly west or south-westerly but between east and south on 6th, 16th-19th and 25th. It was very warm from 6th. The main excitement was a Short-toed Eagle in New Forest, mainly in the Bishop’s Dyke/ Pig Bush area, and seen intermittently from 8th until July 5th. This is a first for Hampshire and was also seen in four other counties. Other rarities included a Purple Heron at Farlington Marshes on 3rd and a White Stork at Hedge End on 24th and 25th. A Great White Egret was at Shatterford Bottom NF on June 8th, a Glossy Ibis at Farlington Marshes from 14th to 16th and single Spoonbills flew over Ibsley Water on 14th and IBM Lake on 27th. A Wood Sandpiper was at Pennington from 25th to 27th. A Red-backed Shrike was at Pig Bush from 15th until July 5th and an adult Rose-coloured at Milford on Sea on 22nd. Our important breeding species fared as follows. A pair of Pintail bred for the first time in the county at Keyhaven and a pair of Garganey successfully bred at Titchfield Haven. Just two pairs of Pochard definitely bred, both in the , and one pair of Eider bred in the West Solent. Seven pairs of Honey-buzzard bred raising ten or more young. Thanks to better spring weather, Red Kites had a more successful year than in 2013 with an estimated 80 or more pairs breeding. Goshawks bred successfully at 26 sites and produced 58 or more young, slightly better than 2013. There were 14 pairs of Hobby in the New Forest and 16 pairs Tree Sparrow (Dan Powell) elsewhere but productivity was not established. Peregrines bred at 16 localities with 12 pairs The usual seabirds and waders were noted passing through albeit in fairly known to have fledged at least 26 young. Stone-curlews had a much better year than 2013 small numbers: unusually there were 22 Little Gulls off Milford on Sea on 16th plus smaller with 31 territories and at least 23 fledged young. There were fewer pairs of Mediterranean numbers further east at Hill Head and Hilsea Lines on the same day. Single Roseate Terns Gulls compared with 2013 but 47 fledged young was a similar outcome. A pure pair of were off Hurst on 26th and Hill Head on 29th. There was an exceptional count of 45 Arctic Yellow-legged Gulls bred for the first time in the county on a factory roof in Northam, along Terns inland at Ibsley Water on 23rd. the Itchen Estuary, raising three young. Both Little Terns and Sandwich Terns had a better breeding season than in 2013, the former with 41 pairs raising 48 or more young and the Other migrants at Ibsley Water included Garganey on 3rd, Ruff on 4th and from 12th latter with 111 pairs raising 47 young. Common Terns fared badly at coastal sites but inland to 15th and up to four Little Gulls on several dates. At Farlington Marshes migrants noted sites proved to be more productive. Ten pairs of Turtle Dove were considered to have bred included Spotted Redshank on 9th, Wood Sandpiper on 24th, Little Gull on 1st and Redstart but with an uncertain outcome. Ravens continue to do well, with several pairs breeding on on 8th. A pair of Garganey was at Posbrook Flood/Titchfield Haven from 18th until 25th pylons, but with an uncertain outcome. At least 700 Firecrest territories were in the New with the male remaining until 28th. Forest, with a further 160 elsewhere in the county although many areas were not covered. was a warm, showery month with little rainfall. There was just one day of heavy rain May was a dry and, at times, very warm month. The only significant rainfall was on 19th. on 22nd. Winds were from the east, SE or south on 5th, 17th-19th, 21st-23rd, 29th and 30th. July Winds were light or moderate and mainly from the west or NW but were from the east or There were strong westerly winds on 10th and 11th and strong southerly winds on 23rd. south on 1st, 4th and 16th-19th. Interesting raptors were single Black Kites at on 16th and Miles Hill, Bourley Exceptional sightings were of a juvenile Purple Heron at Ivy Lake on 4th and a Hoopoe on 18th and a Montagu’s Harrier flying north at Pennington Marsh on 11th. A Crane was over at Chandler’s Ford on 11th. Airport on 3rd and presumably the same bird flew north over Rake later that day; another flew over Acres Down on 17th. A Black-winged Stilt was at Titchfield Haven Returning waders were widely reported with Keyhaven/Pennington providing much of on 6th and two Glossy Ibis were on floods north of the reserve on 13th. A single Bee-eater interest including three Wood Sandpipers on 12th, two Little Stint from 18th and a Curlew was at Acres Down on 18th and four flew over Pig Bush on 31st. Sandpiper on 21st. A Spoonbill was at Titchfield Haven from 3rd to 10th. There was little activity offshore but three Balearic Shearwaters were off Milford on Sea on 5th. An early Garganey were seen at four sites and, unexpected for the time of year, was an immature returning Pied Flycatcher was at Stubbington on 31st. male Long-tailed Duck on Ibsley Water on 4th. Spoonbills were at Farlington Marshes until 11th, on 6th and 11th and Titchfield Haven on 12th and 15th. A Wood Sandpiper August was a warm and sunny month with significant rainfall only on 10th and 25th. was at Needs Ore on 5th and 6th and two were at Farlington Marshes on 17th. Both Quail Winds were predominantly from the west but from the east or south from 25th to 27th. and Turtle Dove were noted at Martin Down from 25th. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Pennington Marshes from 1st to 10th. Interesting passage There was an excellent sea-bird passage through the month, especially in the western birds included Montagu’s Harriers at Pennington Marshes on 20th and 31st, Ospreys at Solent, where the more interesting birds seen were two Black-throated Divers east on 4th eight or more sites, Wood Sandpipers at Ibsley Water, Farlington Marshes, Needs Ore and and 5th, eight Manx Shearwaters on 5th, followed by 13 on 10th and four on 11th and 23rd, Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes, Wrynecks at Farlington Marshes and Titchfield Haven and and maxima of 85 Pomarine Skuas and ten Arctic Skuas on 5th. Common Tern passage also Pied Flycatchers at ten or more sites. Interesting seabirds included a Manx Shearwater off

12 13 Weston Shore on 30th, Balearic Shearwaters off Hurst and Milford on Sea on 10th, possibly three different European Storm-petrels there on 25th and single Great Skuas off Hurst Beach on 1st and in Langstone Harbour on 3rd. A large gathering of 600 Mediterranean Gulls was at Chilling on 31st. The Great White Egret returned to Blashford Lakes on 23rd remaining there until the end of the year, another was at Needs Ore on 8th. Ibsley Water hosted a number of passage waders including Spotted Redshank on 26th and Ruff on 30th. Another inland Spotted Redshank was at Fishlake Meadows on 29th. Farlington Marshes attracted the first returning Wigeon plus Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Spotted Redshank on passage. Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes once again proved excellent for passage waders including Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank; and two Spoonbills were there on 31st. Titchfield Haven contributed sightings of Spoonbill, Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Black Tern. September was a warm, fairly sunny month with little rainfall. Winds were light and mainly from the west but easterly on 2nd-5th, 9th-19th, 28th and 29th. There was a county first this month when a juvenile Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler was ringed at Titchfield Haven on 6th. The site produced another notable Ring Ouzel (Dan Powell) rarity with a Lesser Yellowlegs present from 11th until 28th which had been at October was a generally mild month. There was heavy rain on 6th, 11th and 13th, strong Normandy Marsh from 5th to 9th. A winds from the SW on 6th, west and SW on 8th and 9th and NW gales on 21st. Roseate Tern was off Sandy Point on Rarities were Hampshire’s second Franklin’s Gull at Ibsley Water on 19th which was refound 1st, the only autumn record. A Cattle on 28th and remained until November 24th and second Siberian Stonechat at Titchfield Haven Egret was at Needs Ore on 6th and from 16th until 26th. An adult Eurasian White-fronted Goose was in Langstone Harbour on Great White Egrets were at Keyhaven/ 4th and ten adults of the Greenland sub-species were at Farlington Marshes on 22nd. Also Pennington Marshes on 3rd and 26th and of interest were Black Brants in and around Chichester Harbour and Langstone Harbour Farlington Marshes/Langstone Harbour remaining until the year’s end. The male Ferruginous Duck returned to Kingfisher Lake on on 10th, 15th and 26th. Ospreys were at 12th where it remained into 2015 and an adult Caspian Gull was at Ibsley Water on 27th. several sites and a Corncrake was at Itchen A Grey Phalarope was at Needs Ore on 19th. Yellow-browed Warblers were at 14 sites Valley CP on 22nd. A Richard’s Pipit was at and a Siberian Chiffchaff was ringed at Fishlake Meadows on 28th and re-trapped there on Pennington Marshes from 20th until 24th. November 29th. Single Red-backed Shrikes were at Sandy The Ring-billed Gull returned to Walpole Park, Gosport on 26th for its 12th year remaining Point from 4th until 28th and another was until March 2015. Great White Egrets were at Hatchet Pond, NF on 2nd and Lepe on 7th. near Titchfield Haven on 15th. Wrynecks Both Hen Harrier and Great Grey Shrike returned to the county with most sightings from were at seven sites and a Ring Ouzel was the New Forest. Continuing autumn migration produced more Ospreys and Ring Ouzels, at IBM Lake on 15th followed by others the latter particularly in the northern New Forest. in the New Forest. Pied Flycatchers were at Northney, Hill Head and IBM Lake. A Adverse weather led to several interesting sightings offshore including a juvenile Sabine’s Tree Sparrow was at on Gull off Hurst and Milford on Sea on 6th, a Sooty Shearwater off Hurst Castle on 26th and 14th and another flew over Sandy Point the three usual skuas at coastal sites. on 17th. Wader migration continued November was another mild month but with low overnight temperatures on 6th, 24th apace with further reports of Little Stints, and 25th. There was heavy rain on 20th and 25th and strong SW winds on 7th, 8th and 13th. Curlew Sandpipers, Ruffs and Spotted Redshanks and winter wildfowl, such as There was a county first this month with a Hume’s Warbler in a Pennington garden on 3rd. Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Wigeon and Six Bewick’s Swans were at on 23rd and one was at Ibsley Water on 29th. A Pintail, were increasingly seen along the Long-tailed Duck was off Hook-with-Warsash on 8th and another at Ibsley Water from 15th. coast. Goosander numbers built up at All three divers were seen along the coast and a Great Northern Diver was inland at Ibsley Ibsley Water and the first Redwing was Water on 3rd. The first Bittern of the winter was at Fishlake Meadows on 8th and a Great Black Tern (Dan Powell) noted on 28th. White Egret was at Needs Ore on 2nd. A wandering Spoonbill moved west along the coast

14 15 on 29th and 30th. Late Ospreys were at three sites. Single Grey Phalaropes were at Ibsley Systematic List of Species Water on 7th and South Moors, Langstone Harbour on 7th and 8th. A first-winter Caspian Gull was at Black Point on 28th. Introduction Short-eared Owls were at twelve or more sites and a Long-eared Owl roosted in Southampton Docks on 26th. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Lepe on 9th. Great Grey Species sequence, , vernacular and scientific names comply with the BOU maintained Shrikes were at Woolmer on 1st, on 6th and in the northern New Forest British List. Each species account begins with a brief statement of its status in Hampshire. throughout the month. A Serin flew NE over Sandy Point on 15th and a Snow Bunting was These use certain terms that have an approximate numerical range attached to them, as at from 9th until 12th with another at Hurst Beach on 23rd. A large Starling roost shown below. built up adjacent to Ibsley Water from 15th with a peak of 25,000 recorded on three dates Status Breeding pairs Winter/Passage Status Breeding pairs Winter/Passage between then and December 11th. Fewer than 5 Fewer than 10 Moderately Very rare 101-1000 201-2000 Seawatching was rewarding off Hurst and Milford on Sea with a Leach’s Petrel and a Long- records records common tailed Skua on 8th, a Great Skua on 22nd and a Red-necked Grebe on 28th. Further east a Rare Less than annual Less than annual Common 1001-5000 2001-10,000 Lit t le Auk flew west of f Hill He ad on 7t h and a B lack-t hroated Diver w as of f B rownwich on 9 t h. Very scarce 1-10 per year 1-20 per year Numerous 5001-30,000 10,001-60,000 In December the heaviest rainfall was on 12th and 26th. There were strong winds from Scarce 11-100 21-200 Abundant 30,000+ 60,000+ the north on 3rd and 27th and the SW from 11th to 13th. Temperatures dropped sharply from For most species monitored by the monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), the means 27th with overnight frosts; there was significant snowfall in central and northern at of maxima for up to three periods of five successive winters are given. For rare species, this time but not in Hampshire. three numbers are given in parentheses after the status statement. These refer to the total Wildfowl included a Pink-footed Goose SW over Romsey on 3rd, a Black Brant in the numbers of individuals recorded (i) prior to 1950, (ii) between 1950 and 2013 and (iii) in Gosport area from 12th until the year’s end, a White-fronted Goose at Hayling Island from 2014. Where statistical analysis has been more recently introduced (i) refers to the initial 23rd and Bewick’s Swans at Chichester Harbour and Farlington Marshes on 28th. Also seen year. All records of rare species that appear in the Systematic List have been accepted by were single Great White Egrets at Testbourne Lake on 9th and Lower Test Marshes on 28th. the BBRC or HOSRP as appropriate. Observers of species with fewer than ten records per Bitterns were at Titchfield Haven on 5th and 13th and Ivy Lake from 6th and one or two year are credited in the Systematic List although on some occasions it hasn’t been possible Spoonbills were at Oxey Marsh throughout the month. to trace the finder. Some claimed sightings of rare or scarce species which have either not been formally submitted or adequately documented are excluded from the Systematic List Marsh Harriers were seen along the coast at Farlington Marshes, Keyhaven/Pennington and can be found in Appendix 1. Marshes, Needs Ore and Titchfield Haven and Hen Harriers were in the New Forest and at three downland areas. Short-eared Owls were at four sites. In addition, for resident and regular visiting species, the conservation status is given in brackets based on the following European, national and county classifications. A Grey Phalarope was off Hill Head on 14th and five Jack Snipe were flushed at Titchfield Haven on 19th. An adult Ring-billed Gull was at Ibsley Water from 23rd and up to 13 Yellow- ET European threatened – included in Annex 1 of the EC ‘Birds Directive’ (79/409/EEC). legged Gulls were present there. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Eastleigh SW on 31st. Great SPEC Species with unfavourable conservation status (Birds in Europe 2004, Birdlife Grey Shrikes were at Ashley Warren on 19th and Bransbury Common from 20th. International). Offshore sightings included single Velvet Scoters off Milford on Sea on 14th and Hurst SPEC1 Global concern, i.e. classified as globally threatened, near threatened or data deficient. Castle on 28th and a male Scaup off Hill Head on 28th. A maximum of 300 Great Crested SPEC2 Population concentrated in Europe and critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. Grebes were off Brownwich on 30th. SPEC3 Population not concentrated in Europe but declining, rare, depleted, or localised, in Europe. The final cumulative monthly totals of species recorded in Hampshire in 2014 are tabulated Schedule 1 Included in Schedule 1 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. below. Red Red-listed as Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC 3), see British Birds 102: 296-341. Amber Amber-listed as Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC 3) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Green Species not categorised under any of the criteria for Amber and Red (BoCC 3) In month 176 170 185 200 194 179 177 181 183 189 184 168 UKBAP National Biodiversity Action Plan priority subspecies (race) Additions to year list 3 17 26 9 4 3 3 4 6 4 1 UKBAP1 Races designated as being of danger of extinction in Europe UKBAP2 Races of which the UK has at least 25% of the European population and which Year to date 179 196 222 231 235 238 241 245 251 255 256 have declined in the UK by at least 25% in the last 25 years (moderate decline and internationally important). UKBAP3 Races that have severely declined (at least 50%) over the last 25 years. UKBAP4 Races qualifying through other reasons, e.g. poor recovery from decline addressed by 1995 UKBAP. HBAP Hampshire Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species The accounts for some species, particularly those monitored by WeBS, include tabulated monthly maxima for various localities. These are the official WeBS counts or a higher count on a different day. For species well monitored by WeBS, the final row in each table shows the cumulative monthly totals of the official WeBS counts at all locations, not just those which are

16 17 listed. They represent the best available estimate of the county population for each month. DS has attributed this to the effects of late winter flooding which stripped out or buried In the tables, any locality that is indented is a sub-site of the site above. Complete counts for in silt and gravel the Ranunculus beds which are important for bringing breeding pairs into Chichester Harbour (Hampshire and Sussex) are tabulated but are not included in the county condition. Elsewhere around 73 breeding pairs were reported including 52 broods totalling total nor do they form part of the species account; only the sub-totals for the Hampshire 191 young although not all of these will have fledged. The total included six broods totalling sectors are included in the county total. Sites in tables are usually arranged coastally from 20 young on the Itchen Estuary between Woolston and Woodmill on Aug 9th, five nests at east to west and then inland from west to east. Footnotes to the tables indicate thresholds -Hurst of which three fledged eight young, five territories at Lower Test Marshes for concentrations of international and national importance for each species. These are but only one brood of three noted, three broods at Blashford Lakes totalling ten young but defined as 1% of the north-western European winter or passage population and 1% of the all outside the nature reserve area, three pairs fledging 16 young at Yateley GP, three pairs British winter or passage population of that species respectively. An asterisk in a table or at Titchfield Haven but only one brood of six reported, a brood of five including three Polish text indicates a record count for the site. Blanks indicate either that no visit was made to types at the Lymington Estuary and two females again apparently mated to one male and the site or that a visit was made but no birds were recorded. A summary of coverage at the nesting side by side at Testbourne Lake. (JMC) 78 sites covered for WeBS is given in Table 5. Information from the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths Breeding Bird Surveys and the Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus New Forest Winter Bird Survey is summarised in the species accounts and presented in A scarce and declining winter visitor and passage migrant, most frequent in the Avon Valley. more detail in Tables 1 and 4. Data from the BTO Garden BirdWatch survey is included in ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber, UKBAP1 selected species accounts. This comprises information from some gardens where weekly The adult in the Avon Valley on the water meadows above Ibsley Bridge from Dec 27th 2013 counts were made of all species and others where only presence was recorded. A summary was seen almost daily until Jan 13th and again on Jan 25th and 26th. of the data for all species is presented in Table 2. Results of the BTO Breeding Bird Survey are not included in the species accounts but are summarised in Table 3. The first and last Six were at Alresford Pond on Nov 23rd (DGHM, DS et al), one was at Ibsley Water on dates of winter and summer visitors are included in the Systematic List but are summarised Nov 29th (AlL), two flew NW over the southern end of Chichester Harbour at 0920 hrs in Tables 6 and 7. on Dec 28th (ACJ) and at 1015 hrs that day four arrived at Farlington Marshes from the east and were still present at dusk (TMJD et al). All were adults. (JMC) Reference is made to the term ‘bird-days’ in the Systematic List. It is used to give the sum of the numbers of birds recorded at a well-watched site over a given period, e.g. totals of Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus 3, 2, 1, 2, 4, 0, 2 recorded over a week would indicate 14 bird-days, although the number of different individuals involved could actually be anywhere between 4 and 14. A rare winter visitor but presumed feral birds have occurred in most months. (24,142,1) Amber One flew low SW calling loudly over Straight Mile, Romsey at 1615 hrs on Dec 3rd (NRJ). There have been records in every year this century except 2002, 2004 and 2013. (JMC) Mute Swan† Cygnus olor A moderately common resident. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 1063; 2002-07: 1015; White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 2007-12: 1037. Green European White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded 30 are tabulated below. A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant that has declined in recent years. Red, UKBAP3 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec The juvenile first seen at East Hayling on Dec 11th 2013 was Portsmouth Harbour 72 85 64 37 30 46 21 26 68 71 grazing with Brents in fields adjacent to West Hayling shore Itchen: -Woodmill 70 70 73 68 47 68 70 76 61 120 99 95 between Jan 4th and 30th (m.o.). It was then present in the Lower Test/Eling/Bury Tournerbury/Mill Rythe area of East Hayling between Feb Marshes 5 12 12 40 43 56 66 63 71 15 8 11 20th and Mar 2nd (ACJ, AlL). Lymington-Hurst 52 35 34 42 39 47 38 49 91 71 52 28 An adult was with Brents in Langstone Harbour on Oct Avon: - 105 72 62 89 105 40 48 4th (TMJD), the earliest ever autumn date for the county. Avon: Ringwood- 98 97 135 75 99 40 113 An adult, presumably the previous winter’s bird returning, Blashford Lakes 51 34 22 21 50 73 99 93 78 78 64 55 was with Brents at Tournerbury/Mill Rythe from Dec 23rd Avon above Fordingbridge 63 56 83 29 73 78 79 into 2015 (ACJ). (JMC) Juvenile White-fronted Goose, Test: Stockbridge-Fullerton 14 16 21 17 27 38 42 65 44 52 45 Hayling, Jan 21st (Richard Ford) Test: Testbourne Lake 7 10 9 27 36 15 9 3 8 6 33 15 Laverstoke Park 3 8 1 8 8 19 32 Greenland White-fronted Goose Alresford Pond 20 2 8 33 36 46 53 56 30 18 13 43 Anser albifrons flavirostris Yateley GP 45 5 38 28 50 A very rare winter visitor. (0,9,10) Red, UKBAP3 Tundry Pond 7 5 4 4 16 43 39 8 6 6 10 Ten adults arrived at Farlington Marshes at 0800 hrs on Oct 22nd; they left north at 0900 WeBS count totals 761 638 589 711 807 702 851 hrs before returning at 1020 hrs and eventually leaving west at 1050 hrs (TMJD). Further In Dave Stone’s study area in the Avon Valley (excluding Blashford Lakes) there were 30 details are given in the short note on p. 214. nesting pairs, of which ten raised 28 cygnets and 17 territorial pairs which did not breed. There have been five previous records involving singles in 2000, 2001, 2007 and 2011-12 This indicates a poor breeding season compared with 2013 when 29 pairs raised 129 cygnets. and a flock of five in 2007. (JMC)

18 19 Greylag Goose Anser anser Other sites with counts exceeding 200 were Needs Ore (max. 250, Jan 14th), Testwood A moderately common and increasing feral resident. Lakes (max. 256, Jan 19th), Fleet Pond (max. 290 roosting, Aug 2nd), Pitts Deep (510*, Aug 7th – Lymington-Hurst birds), Tundry Pond (max. 240, Aug 17th – Fleet Pond birds) and As usual, the WeBS count totals fluctuated greatly but the September total of 1251 gives a Ramptons Lane GP, Mortimer West End (max. 375*, Aug 23rd). fairly accurate assessment of the post-breeding population. Birds were clearly missed in most other months except December when some double-counting has probably occurred. Monthly The highest numbers of young were reported from Mockbeggar Lake (c. 5 broods, 25 maxima at sites where counts exceeded 40 in more than two months are tabulated below. young), Fleet Pond (6 broods, 20 young), Camp Farm GP (3 broods, 19 young), IBM Lake (3 broods, 19 young) and Titchfield Haven (7 broods, 15 young). Additional breeding records Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec comprised 45 broods totalling 141 young, 11 nests or pairs with unspecified numbers of young Beaulieu Estuary 120 40 66 30 30 56 12 65 53 40 66 56 and 18 nests where the eggs were pricked. (JMC) Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 137 184 128 661 335 243 348 Blashford Lakes/Ibsley area 73 59 28 18 48 443 387 250 697* 600 400 306 Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Test: Fishlake Meadows 41 14 22 190 36 142 180 A scarce and declining resident (feral population) and rare winter visitor (wild birds). ET, Amber Lakes 73 60 2 10 36 36 60 21 30 25 45 13 In January-March there was a scattering of records from coastal sites with four at Titchfield Testbourne Lake 170 134 105 32 23 35 147 106 270* 3 170 270 Haven (last seen leaving east on Mar 30th), three between Needs Ore and Hurst and singles Lower / 77 72 41 15 18 43 21 92 92 22 96 97* at Cherque, Frater (Portsmouth Harbour) and Farlington Marshes (assumed the same) and Lakeside CP Lower Test Marshes/. In the north-east up to 15 were at Eversley GP and a Tundry Pond 32 31 53 14 66 3 120 126 39 85 28 88 pair had returned to Wellington CP by Feb 4th. A flock of 14 was at Needs Ore from Mar Fleet Pond 1 4 9 120 122 41 1 1 19th-26th, then six on Apr 8th and 14 again on May 20th but only a single on intermediate dates. WeBS count totals 647 638 474 1251 612 794 1512 During the breeding season three pairs bred successfully at Wellington CP raising nine * = record for locality young and one pair bred at Baffins Pond but it is not known if any young survived. Other noteworthy counts included 56 at Hawley Lake on July 5th, 67 at Welshman’s Road In August-December the wintering flock at Eversley GP, now including the Wellington GP on July 19th and 140 there on Aug 23rd, 47 at Pitts Deep on Aug 7th, 101 at Bramshill offspring, peaked at 26 on Oct 16th and Nov 10th. At coastal sites there were three or Park Lake on Sep 21st, 55 west at Tanners Lane on Oct 2nd (Beaulieu birds), 135 at The Vyne four at Titchfield Haven from Aug 14th onwards with five from Aug 22nd-Sep 5th, two at on Nov 8th and 80 at Ewhurst Park and 65 at Broadlands Estate on Dec 7th. Lymington-Hurst on Oct 25th and Dec 6th and singles at Cherque, Frater and Farlington Breeding reports came from Hamer Warren Lake, Ringwood Forest (1 pair, 3 young), Marshes (assumed the same) and Lower Test Marshes/Redbridge. (JMC) Hawley Lake (several pairs), Ibsley Water (2 pairs, 9 young), Itchen Valley CP (2 pairs, 7 young), Longparish (c. 6 pairs, 39 young), Pennington Marshes (1 pair, 1 young), Spinnaker Brent Goose Branta bernicla Lake, Blashford (10 pairs attempted), Testbourne Lake (1 pair), Wellington CP (1 pair, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla bernicla young) and Woolmer Pond (1 pair, 4 young). (JMC) A numerous winter visitor; a few summer. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 16,627; 2002- Canada Goose Branta canadensis 07: 14,590; 2007-12: 13,793. SPEC3, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP A common resident and partial migrant. Mean maximum WeBS totals 2004-07: 2529; 2007-12: The WeBS counts for the 2013/14 winter peaked at 16,718 in February which is above average. 3346. National data indicate that flocks contained 23% juveniles in the late year, the highest since 2005/06 and the fourth out of the last five years in which the figure has exceeded 12%. This The peak WeBS monthly total of 3461 for December provides a fairly accurate assessment accounts for another high WeBS count peak of 16,359 in December. Monthly maxima at sites of the total population and is little changed from 2013 when the peak was 3551 in October. where counts exceeded 200 are tabulated below. However, the counts indicate some redistribution of flocks. There was a high total of 798 in the Avon Valley on Dec 7th and large numbers at several coastal sites including a record Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 716 at Lymington-Hurst on Oct 25th but in the north-east, previously a stronghold, counts Chichester Harbour 8288 10586 10031 11 4 2 14 13 1769 6782 4513 9119 did not exceed 290. Hampshire Sectors 3300 3967 4118 11 1 1 1699 3830 1688 5386 Monthly maxima at regularly-used sites where counts exceeded 300 are tabulated below. Langstone Harbour 5060 4601 5507 13 4 3 6 15 566 3065 3592 3414 Portsmouth Harbour 1918 3062 1720 3 2 147 549 1820 2851 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Titchfield Haven area 2300 1800 1250 35 1 11 1000 1968 1800 Langstone Harbour 202 150 23 38 54 73 67 100 109 265 325 266 Hamble Estuary 100 89 141 61 8 138 350 190 Titchfield Haven area 217 203 163 38 16 20 50 450 300 400 250 432 Itchen Estuary 90 163 194 41 50 33 Lymington-Hurst 222 140 120 72 104 150 137 420 220 716* 582 411 Hythe-Calshot 25 85 302 42 11 55 86 3 59 Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 679 179 322 484 437 433 364 Beaulieu Estuary 1406 995 1179 400 3 24 459 1015 992 Blashford Lakes/Ibsley area 188 295 231 70 139 575 99 52 90 193 32 434 Sowley-Lymington 700 700 180 4 4 1 17 195 715 850 Lower Test/Eling Marshes 19 103 38 41 67 172 187 394 129 398 150 209 Lymington-Hurst 1960 1900 118 0 106 6 1 1 4 950 1116 1545 WeBS count totals 2467 2146 1893 602 536 1444 914 1988 1426 2998 2593 3461 WeBS count totals 15104 16718 14586 123 20 3 6 4 2375 1005811272 16359 * = record for locality Sites of international importance: 2400+; national importance: 910+.

20 21 In the early year the only other coastal records were of 13 at Cracknore Hard, Black Brant Branta bernicla nigricans on Jan 9th and 38 at Eling/Redbridge on Mar 29th. Inland, singles were at Bishopstoke on Formerly rare but now a very scarce winter visitor recorded annually since 1999. (0,30,1) Feb 1st, flying south over Itchen Valley CP on Feb 26th (presumably the same) and at Ibsley Water the next day. In contrast to last year, departure was early with few remaining in early Four recorded in December April. Recorded eastward spring passage involved a minimum total of 1296 between Feb 26th 2013 remained into the and May 21st with monthly totals of 23, 557, 686 and 30. Individual site totals included 1242 New Year. Two were in the at Sandy Point (peaks 233, Mar 31st and 462, Apr 4th), 266 at Hurst Beach (peak 118, Mar Langstone Harbour area until 31st) and 46 at Stokes Bay (peak 48, Apr 30th, not recorded elsewhere). Mar 1st with one still present on 10th, one was in Chichester Returns were early with 18 west off Sandy Point on Sep 11th, 36 at Mengham Salterns, Harbour until Mar 24th and Chichester Harbour and three at Pennington Marshes on 13th and then rapidly increasing was frequently seen feeding numbers culminating in the WeBS count total of 2375 on 27th. Inland seven flew over off Warblington, and another Tweseldown in fog on Oct 15th and 60 over airfield on Oct 29th. In the late was in the Keyhaven area year the only other coastal records were from Eling/Bury Marshes where there were regular until Mar 3rd at least. In the records from Oct 18th with monthly maxima of 51, 48 and 81. Nine flew north inland over late year presumed returnees Purbook on Dec 6th. (JMC) were in Chichester Harbour from Oct 24th and Langstone Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota Harbour from Oct 31st but one A scarce but increasing winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber in Portsmouth Harbour from Dec 12th into 2015 is assumed to be a new individual. (JMC) Adult Black Brant, Warblington, Mar 11th (Peter Milinets-Raby) Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis A rare vagrant recorded in every month from September to March. (0,10,0) ET, SPEC1 The adult present in Hampshire since Sep 27th 2013, which ventured to the IOW from Dec 17th-20th, was relocated at Park Farm on Jan 5th (DJU). It remained in the Needs Ore area until Mar 6th (m.o.) apart from a brief visit to the fields at Lower Pennington Lane on Jan 13th and 14th (PDW et al). It was back at Needs Ore later on the second day. (JMC) Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca A scarce but increasing feral resident. Numbers continue to increase, particularly in the Avon Valley where the count of 62 at Avon Causeway on Sep 28th probably included most of the Blashford Lakes flock. There was again a large post-breeding concentration at Lyndridge Farm but counts of this flock at roost at Eversley GP were not made. Monthly maxima at sites where counts regularly exceeded five are tabulated below. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blashford Lakes/Ibsley Adult Red-breasted Goose with adult Light-bellied Brent Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Geese and area 15 8 13 12 24 34 31 30 35 24 32 22 apparent hybrid juveniles, Needs Ore, Jan 25th (Alan Lewis) Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 3 3 62* 6 4 It was a poor year by recent standards with only nine recorded. The adult at Chilling in Avon: Somerley Estate 3 10 12 16 2 12 December 2013 was last seen on Feb 3rd. Other records involved singles in Langstone Fleet Pond 2 4 4 4 6 9 12 4 2 2 Harbour from Jan 4th-Mar 7th, Needs Ore/Lepe from Jan 15th-Apr 22nd, Keyhaven/Sturt Lyndridge Farm, Eversley 38 9 36 19 152 125 112 Pond from Feb 15th-Mar 30th, flying east past Southsea and presumably the same at Black Eversley GP 6 7 9 25 15 16 18 22 40 32 34 6 Point on Apr 5th and at Keyhaven from May 2nd-10th. Heath Pond, Petersfield 5 3 11 14 12 14 21* 20 13 16 17 11 The only late year records were of singles in Chichester Harbour from Sep 22nd-27th, at * = record for locality Needs Ore on Dec 7th and at Chilling on Dec 28th. The only other counts to exceed five were of six at Passfield Pond on Jan 19th, ten at The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below. (JMC) Wellington CP on June 18th, six at Ramptons Lane GP, Mortimer West End on Aug 21st, nine east at Hurst Beach on Oct 25th which landed at Keyhaven Marshes and six at Bramshill Park Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Lake on Dec 29th. Successful breeding reports came from (single broods unless otherwise 3 4 3 2 1 1 2 stated) Bramshill Park Lake (2 broods, 3 young), Busta Triangle, Eversley Common (4 young),

22 23 Fox Lane GP, Eversley (2 broods, 13 young), Ibsley Water/Mockbeggar Lake (2+ broods, 9 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec young), Lyndridge Farm (6 young), Petersfield GC (4 young), Somerley Estate (2 broods) Alresford Pond/Drayton and Wellington CP (1 young). Two broods at Fleet Pond and one at Bagwell Pond (Odiham Farm WCB 3 2 6 8 4 2 2 9 3 3 7 Common), Hartley Wintney, Rockford Lake and Stratfield Saye definitely perished. One pair WeBS count totals 992 859 780 399 184 114 118 48 95 138 279 551 failed at the egg stage at Spinnaker Lake. (JMC) There was an increased number of successful breeding reports from coastal localities with 37, Avon Causeway, Aug 20th. 2013 addition: four broods at Titchfield Haven, three at Lymington-Hurst and the Beaulieu Estuary and single broods at Sowley Marsh, the Alver Valley (the first ever there) and Farlington Marshes. There were nine territorial pairs at the last-named site. Inland two pairs raised seven young at Alresford Pond and single pairs at Ibsley Water and The Grange Lake raised three young each. Breeding was also suspected at and Welshman’s Road GP. Elsewhere inland there were reports from 20 localities between Jan 16th and July 14th, all of one to four apart from eight at Heath Pond, Petersfield on Feb 20th and six to seven at Moorcourt Farm, Broadlands from Mar 16th-20th, then three at Fleet Pond on Sep 18th, two at Heath Pond on Dec 17th and one at Welshman’s Road GP on Dec 20th. Recorded spring passage involved a total of 34 east on seven dates between Mar 28th and May 6th with 21 off Hill Head-Stokes Bay and 13 off Sandy Point. (JMC) 2013 addition: 60, Avon Causeway, Feb 20th. Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata A moderately common resident. Mandarins are largely inactive during the day and so tend to be overlooked. Counts reached double figures at nine sites but only on a regular basis at two, for which monthly maxima are tabulated below. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Broadlands Estate 15 2 2 5 18 6 14 14 , NF 22 21 10 4 1 3 9 Egyptian Goose, Ibsley WM, Nov 18th (John Hilton) Other double figure counts were of ten at Paultons Park on Oct 7th, 22 leaving north Shelduck Tadorna tadorna at dawn from Fishlake Meadows and ten at Adhurst Woods, Steep on Oct 20th, 40 at Stratfield Saye on Oct 27th, 17 at Hook Heath Farm, on Nov 16th and 16 there A scarce breeder and moderately common but declining winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals on Dec 21st, 15 at Mellow Farm, Headley on Nov 30th and 20 there on Dec 31st and ten at 1997-2002: 1794; 2002-07: 1353; 2007-12: 1296. Amber Waggoners Wells on Dec 11th. The only reports of successful breeding involved five broods WeBS count totals in the main months of January-March were below average levels after at Mockbeggar Lake/Ibsley Water, two at Welshman’s Road GP and on the River Slea at two years in which the February count was above the mean maximum for the two most Headley and single broods at , Bradshott, Old Basing, and Sowley recent five year periods. Monthly maxima at coastal sites where counts exceeded 50 and Pond. The Amport pair fledged five young from a Tawny Owl box although another pair in regularly-used inland sites are tabulated below. a box at Empshott failed. (JMC) Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Wigeon† Anas penelope Chichester Harbour 309 363 255 155 56 25 35 19 12 124 179 Hampshire Sectors 86 101 48 20 2 5 24 6 10 17 50 112 A common winter visitor and passage migrant; a few summer each year. Mean maximum WeBS Langstone Harbour 378 384 202 120 18 24 21 3 73 62 115 128 totals 1997-2002: 11,656; 2002-07: 10,697; 2007-12: 8655. Amber Portsmouth Harbour 84 102 121 39 4 6 9 1 10 32 118 The WeBS count totals were again above average in the early year with the January total 82 93 70 45 55 23 1 3 14 8 5 44 similar to that recorded in February 2013. The highest numbers were recorded in the Avon Beaulieu Estuary 70 68 120 90 20 48 25 8 5 1 14 50 Valley with a peak count of 3950 on Feb 2nd and four figure counts also in the Lower Test Lymington-Hurst 246 104 180 118 48 17 17 16 3 50 106 113 and Lymington-Hurst areas. There was some evidence of departure from late March with Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 29 5 18 30 east at Hurst Beach on 30th and 35 east there on Apr 1st. In contrast to last year few Blashford Lakes/Ibsley remained in early April with 40 at Hook-with-Warsash on 4th and 25 at Ibsley Water the area 10 5 3 2 7 2 1 1 3 next day the only counts to exceed 12. Returns were evident from late August as shown by Testwood Lakes 2 4 12 2 1 1 nine west at Hurst on 29th and ten west at Sandy Point on Sep 1st. A large arrival was noted Marsh Court 4 2 2 6 4 in the three eastern harbours in the second half of September but as often happens numbers at these sites reduced in subsequent months as the food supply of eelgrass was exhausted

24 25 and there was a corresponding increase at sites further west along the coast and inland. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Late year WeBS count totals were rather low due to the lack of flooding in the Avon Valley Winchester SF 124 106 129 49 14 41 25 54 32 63 93 53 although the count of 1824 in the Lower Test area on Dec 20th was the highest there since Avington Lake 20 16 55 71 33 24 21 35 34 26 17 16 January 2003. Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded 100 are tabulated below. Alresford Pond 12 19 10 28 10 21 9 154 260* 127 26 46 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bramshill Park Lake 28 13 48 84* 67 58 Chichester Harbour 1792 1162 998 8 42 1162 1053 1206 1532 Eversley GP 141 74 10 6 10 10 6 30 20 107 89 Hampshire Sectors 140 152 186 1000 284 146 515 Yateley GP 54 3 1 11 109 Langstone Harbour 852 819 614 2 1 1 1 7 500 314 295 475 WeBS count totals 1523 1010 758 247 130 236 147 336 651 910 1217 1511 Portsmouth Harbour 627 533 254 10 620 251 260 597 Sites of international importance: 600+; national importance: 250+; * = record for locality. Titchfield Haven 466 412 314 10 1 7 28 41 113 202 Other sites with counts above 20 in January-March were Lymington-Hurst (22, Jan 6th Hamble Estuary 425 275 256 40 2 5 66 152 95 169 and Mar 1st), The Grange (45, Jan 8th), Bramshill Plantation Lakes (35, Feb 15th), Stratfield Lower Test/Eling/Bury Marshes 1511 1514 724 4 3 3 264 597 966 1824 Saye (41, Feb 18th), Fishlake Meadows (27, Feb 19th) and Overton Lagoons (30, Mar 16th). In Hythe-Calshot 276 282 157 63 125 326 279 spring a total of ten was noted moving east along the coast between Apr 16th and May 20th. Beaulieu Estuary 816 584 213 12 5 4 3 3 185 273 456 519 A total of 28 broods was reported (cf. 40 in 2013) with six at Ibsley North Lake, five Sowley-Lymington 200 150 10 6 306 340 480 200 at Winchester SF, four at Avington Lake, three at Alresford Pond, two at and Lymington-Hurst 1388 860 461 2 4 459 945 960 1148 Stratfield Saye and one at Drayton Farm WCB, Hook-with-Warsash, Longparish, Overton Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 1765 2615 1826 17 59 455 268 Lagoons, Testbourne Lake and Titchfield Haven. Additionally, four territories were estimated Avon: Somerley Estate 12 215 250 8 at Farlington Marshes, a nest with eggs was found at Needs Ore and breeding was strongly Blashford Lakes 1800 1120 749 25 2 1 3 103 144 566 909 suspected at . Eversley GP 523 420 50 1 54 57 143 169 Other sites with counts above 20 in October-December were Marsh Court (30, Oct WeBS count totals 10379 9839 6157 39 8 2 2 5 1710 3365 5379 6910 11th), The Vyne (23, Oct 11th), Welshman’s Road GP (26, Oct 11th), St. Mary Bourne (27, Sites of international importance: 15,000+; national importance: 4400+. Oct 12th), Stubbs Farm Pond (41, Oct 14th), The Grange Lake (26, Oct 20th), Stratfield Saye (50, Oct 27th), : Stockbridge-Fullerton (38, Nov 5th), Bramshill Plantation Lakes In January-February maxima at other inland sites with double figure counts included 90 at (22, Nov 8th), Lymington-Hurst (23, Nov 8th), Overton Lagoons (28, Nov 9th), Tundry Pond The Vyne on Jan 19th, 25 at Fishlake Meadows on Jan 25th, 26 at Marsh Court on Jan 29th, (23, Dec 7th), Park Lake (44, Dec 7th), Badminston Ponds (26, Dec 24th) and East 42 at Dogmersfield Lake on Feb 9th and 63 at Testwood Lakes on Feb 16th. In September- Worldham (25, Dec 29th). (JMC) December maxima included 14 at Alresford Pond on Sep 27th, 20 at on Oct 12th, 25 at Dogmersfield Lake on Oct 20th, 32 at Bramshill Park Lake on Oct 26th, 43 at Teal Anas crecca The Vyne on Nov 9th, 51 at Testwood Lakes, 45 at Broadlands Estate and 30 at Tundry Pond on Dec 7th, ten at Winchester SF on Dec 8th, 17 at Fishlake Meadows on Dec 12th, 64 at A very scarce and declining resident and common winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997- Bramshill Plantation Lakes on Dec 13th and 74 at Yateley GP on Dec 25th. (JMC) 2002: 6164; 2002-07: 6202; 2007-12: 5567. Amber The WeBS count totals were above average in January when high numbers were attracted to Anas strepera floods in the Avon Valley and the Lymington-Hurst area. High numbers were again present Gadwall at Lymington-Hurst at the end of the year but overall totals were lower due to a lack of A moderately common winter visitor and scarce breeder. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: flooding in the Avon Valley. Monthly maxima at sites where counts regularly exceeded 50 1552; 2002-07: 1790; 2007-12: 1844. SPEC3, Amber, HBAP are tabulated below. The WeBS count totals indicate that numbers were below average at both ends of the year. This is largely due to a decline at Blashford Lakes where counts were over 35% lower than Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec in the 2012/13 winter but numbers at seven other sites which held in excess of 50 in 2013 Chichester Harbour 529 760 516 6 505 415 233 1153 did not reach that level. By way of contrast, high numbers were at Testbourne Lake at both Hampshire Sectors 189 234 181 13 168 227 69 702 ends of the year including a record 205 on Jan 17th and a post-breeding gathering at Alresford Langstone Harbour 272 137 236 8 17 12 20 265 234 135 277 Pond peaked at a record 260 on Sep 5th. Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded Portsmouth Harbour 72 151 116 200 4 41 122 50 are tabulated below. Titchfield Haven 171 120 147 24 18 31 71 275 263 421 466 Hamble Estuary 127 201 71 1 24 183 267 87 152 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Lower Test/Eling/Bury Langstone Harbour 131 64 84 18 15 23 22 32 23 8 32 109 Marshes 238 177 136 1 3 1 12 50 63 43 183 Titchfield Haven 68 101 62 32 17 6 5 9 18 42 23 57 -Calshot 48 257 53 3 65 27 22 Hook-with-Warsash 5 2 7 4 1 34 60 31 6 12 2 Beaulieu Estuary 592 688 302 20 2 1 70 338 279 909 518 Beaulieu Estuary 45 20 18 8 10 14 14 14 3 24 52 Sowley-Lymington 30 40 9 7 3 150 8 90 105 Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 37 53 102 Lymington-Hurst 1990 625 1009 29 4 5 767 1532 1330 1943 Blashford Lakes 528 277 111 58 22 64 51 117 137 132 470 622 Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 2370 1930 630 11 84 156 124 Testbourne Lake 205* 80 80 29 41 70 15 32 18 90 100 150 Avon: Somerley Estate 32 300 47 8 2

26 27 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec The peak WeBS count total of 4745 in October was well above average. However, the total Blashford Lakes 477 216 266 27 2 12 55 76 75 159 is undoubtedly hugely inflated by the presence of released birds at several sites, particularly in Test: Fishlake Meadows 30 32 65 46 15 45 18 110 the Test Valley and at Ewhurst Lake and Tundry Pond. In reality wild stock are clearly present in much reduced numbers compared with two or three decades ago. Monthly maxima at Testbourne Lake 75 60 70 4 4 70 55 80 70 sites where counts regularly exceeded 200 are tabulated below. Winchester SF 156 135 154 77 11 2 39 73 195 175 105 Avington Lake 53 7 1 2 10 10 18 56 120 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Alresford Pond 61 23 14 20 11 8 89 90 104 128 111 Chichester Harbour 555 292 185 62 13 37 48 40 377 448 382 356 The Vyne 180 111 120 27 50 150 155 Hampshire Sectors 253 40 107 35 14 44 290 270 179 271 Stratfield Saye 36 18 175 140 Lymington-Hurst 137 145 100 87 70 226 342 276 108 208 151 259 WeBS count totals 7140 5607 3801 118 14 57 198 2502 3822 4214 5532 Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 154 79 144 270 275 127 140 Sites of international importance: 5000+; national importance: 2100+. Test: Broadlands Estate 20 45 35 210 260 120 190 Test: Fishlake Meadows 30 25 25 475* 210 65 60 The only other counts to exceed 50 were of 72 at the Grange Lake on Jan 8th, 60 at Marsh Test: Longparish 40 44 37 27 27 100 210 110 210 180 64 Court on Dec 4th and 64 at Testwood Lakes on Dec 7th. Test: Testbourne Lake 175 80 50 51 137 140 130 400* 124 190 130 230 The only records suggestive of breeding were of a female at Bratley Water, NF on June Ewhurst Lake 239 237 143 116 150 541 429 9th and four at Bishop’s Dyke on July 11th. However, there was evidently an early return as Tundry Pond 65 84 25 30 40 90 225 325 190 160 90 double figure counts were made at four sites before the end of June. (JMC) WeBS count totals 2999 2153 1552 905 577 899 1409 2182 3165 4745 4157 3927 Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis * = record for locality A rare vagrant recorded in every month from October to May. (0,23,0) Maxima at other sites with counts above 150 were of 152 at Fleet Pond on July 18th, 172 at Blashford Lakes on July 26th, 216 on the Itchen Estuary between Woolston and Woodmill What was presumably the male at Ivy Lake in January and February 2013 returned to the Avon on Aug 9th, 159 at Heath Pond, Petersfield and 127 at the Beaulieu Estuary on Aug 10th, 200 Valley in early 2014. It was found on floods south of Avon Causeway on Jan 1st and remained at Winchester SF on Oct 13th, 200 at Stratfield Saye on Oct 27th, 182 at Alresford Pond and in this area, mostly on the Hampshire side of the river, until at least Mar 6th (DHT et al) and 151 at The Vyne on Nov 9th, 170 at Andover on Nov 10th, 176 at Titchfield Haven on Nov then appeared at Ibsley Water from Apr 6th-8th (CH, MC). There have been records in six 21st and 206 along the between Darby Green and Hawley on Dec 29th. years this century including two in 2013. (JMC) There were 23 territories on the two CBC plots at Lower Test Marshes (cf. 27 in 2013) Anas platyrhynchos and an estimated 16 at Farlington Marshes. Other counts of broods included 16 at Itchen Valley CP (from which 71 young fledged), 11 at Fleet Pond, the most there for several years, A common resident and winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 3008; 2002-07: five at Hook-with-Warsash, four at Winchester SF (33 young fledged) and four at Avington 3698; 2007-12: 4063. Amber Lake. (JMC) Pintail Anas acuta A moderately common winter visitor and passage migrant; occasional in summer. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 918; 2002-07: 1360; 2007-12: 774. SPEC3, Amber The monthly WeBS count totals in January-March were above average due to the high numbers in the Avon Valley, where peak counts in the favoured areas were 380 at Ibsley Water on Jan 19th and 905 on the floods between Sopley and on Mar 2nd. The December total was similar to the most recent five year mean, largely due to a high count of 460 at Lymington-Hurst on 7th. Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded five are tabulated below. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Chichester Harbour 16 3 7 1 20 16 14 33 Hampshire Sectors 11 3 2 1 2 8 Langstone Harbour 56 83 53 2 2 68 77 69 100 Titchfield Haven 44 42 37 2 4 7 5 12 74 Hook-with-Warsash 13 14 2 17 46 56 86 Fawley-Calshot 10 6 3 10 42 Beaulieu Estuary 25 22 18 2 2 6 4 33 Sowley-Lymington 34 12 9 22 26 17 Lymington-Hurst 116 137 102 3 1 2 5 19 108 241 460 Mallard, Farlington, Jan 11th (Andy Thorpe)

28 29 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 900 680 905 1 Langstone Harbour 20 43 20 4 17 35 32 56 Ibsley Water 380 140 60 6 2 17 24 Baffins Pond 17 14 8 4 21 Test: Fishlake Meadows 2 2 3 7 2 18 Titchfield Haven 45 76 46 19 5 2 6 18 17 32 25 39 WeBS count totals 994 1128 1178 5 1 2 103 124 304 790 Fawley Reservoir 52 82 20 35 43 Beaulieu Estuary 35 14 30 17 6 5 2 6 42 8 14 16 Sites of international importance: 600+; national importance: 290+. Sowley-Lymington 6 7 10 4 30 The only early year records away from tabulated sites were of two at Frater, Portsmouth Lymington-Hurst 79 67 121 3 1 3 15 29 40 67 211 Harbour on Feb 3rd and Mar 24th and two at Marsh Court and one at Testwood Lakes on Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 300 174 191 3 35 2 Mar 16th. Passage was suggested by a flock of 12 east off Hurst on Mar 28th. Most had left Blashford Lakes 355 180 246 275 4 4 6 151 125 114 45 by Apr 6th but in the Keyhaven area three remained in that month, then a male was seen Test: Fishlake Meadows 6 25 23 18 12 22 20 regularly until early June, a female on May 21st and two juveniles on June 14th. This indicates Winchester SF 27 37 37 4 1 5 7 15 22 14 that breeding occurred in the area, the first such record for Hampshire. There was also a Bramshill Park Lake 5 68 12 15 26 19 female which flew first east and then west off Stokes Bay on May 23rd and two at Needs Eversley GP 87 78 26 5 15 38 14 45 Ore on July 11th. One was at Titchfield Haven on Aug 1st and records followed from five Yateley GP 6 2 1 30 sites during the month including two at Frater on 28th. Subsequently the only records away WeBS count totals 666 839 547 142 6 7 10 53 262 377 448 578 from tabulated sites were of one or two at Alresford Pond between Sep 5th and Nov 29th with four on Oct 16th and three on 25th and a male at Ewhurst Lake on Dec 30th and 31st, Sites of international importance: 400+; national importance: 180+. the first ever there. (JMC) Maxima at other sites with double figure counts were of 12 at Testwood Lakes on Mar 12th and 20 there on Oct 7th, 12 at Welshman’s Road GP on Oct 11th and 25th, 14 at The Garganey Anas querquedula Grange on Oct 20th, 19 at The Vyne and 11 at Overton Lagoons on Nov 9th and 18 at A scarce passage migrant and summer visitor; occasionally breeds. SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber Alresford Pond on Nov 24th. A low total of 11 was seen in spring. The first was an early male at Posbrook Floods on The only report of successful breeding was from Titchfield Haven where some young Mar 9th followed by another at Ivy Lake on 17th, nearby Ibsley Water on 20th and back at fledged from a single brood. Other summer records included up to six at Needs Ore and Ivy Lake the next day. Subsequently there was a female at Ibsley Water on Apr 3rd, a pair three at Pennington/Keyhaven Marshes in May and June, a pair at Testbourne Lake on May at Posbrook Floods from Apr 18th-25th with the male until 28th, two males and a female 15th and June 5th, a male at Woolmer Pond on May 15th and 22nd, a pair at Fleet Pond on at Lower Pennington Lane floods on May 1st and males at Farlington Marshes on May 2nd, May 28th and 29th and a female at The Grange on June 12th. (JMC) Fishlake Meadows on May 5th and Lower Test Marshes and Testwood Lakes on May 28th (assumed same). A pair bred at Titchfield Haven. There were regular records of up to two males and a female between May 6th and July 5th, then a female with two juvenile males from July 24th- Aug 1st which ventured to the nearby Posbrook Floods on 27th. One juvenile male remained at Titchfield Haven from Aug 8th-15th and possibly the same bird was there again on Sep 8th. The only other autumn records were of a female at Hook-with-Warsash on Aug 5th (possibly from Titchfield Haven), a male at Pennington Marshes from July 31st-Aug 5th, two there on Aug 19th and 23rd, one on 30th and two again on Sep 13th, the last of the year. (JMC) Shoveler Anas clypeata A moderately common winter visitor and passage migrant; occasionally breeds. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 662; 2002-07: 742; 2007-12: 741. SPEC3, Amber, HBAP n the early year the WeBS count totals were above average. The Avon Valley was again the principle location although numbers did not reach the unprecedented level of late January 2013 when 1190 were on Ibsley Water alone. There were 655 on the floods at Bisterne and at Blashford Lakes on Jan 20th but many of these were missed by the WeBS counts there which contributed 364 to the January total of 666. The WeBS counts evidently peaked in February at 839 which included 354 from the Avon Valley. Numbers there remained high through March and early April with 275 still at Ibsley Water on Apr 2nd. Only light spring passage was detected this year with a total of 36 east at Hurst on four dates between Mar 9th and May 4th. Late year numbers were generally below average apart from a large gathering in the Lymington-Hurst area which numbered 211 on Dec 7th. Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded 20 are tabulated below. Shoveler, Titchfield Haven, Jan 3rd (Andy Thorpe)

30 31 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula A very scarce feral visitor, or escape. A moderately common breeding species whose numbers increase considerably in winter. Mean The male at Ibsley Water from Oct 19th 2013 remained until Apr 12th but ventured to maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 1294; 2002-07: 1568; 2007-12: 1557. SPEC3, Amber Rockford Lake from Jan 9th-30th and also visited Kingfisher Lake on Jan 30th. (PFF) Pochard Aythya ferina A scarce breeder and moderately common but declining winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 831; 2002-07: 673; 2007-12: 445. SPEC2, Amber At Blashford Lakes the count of 217 on Jan 20th was the highest there since January 2011 but elsewhere numbers continued at a very low level. Counts did not exceed 20 at any site apart from an isolated peak of 41 at Testwood Lakes on Jan 19th. Monthly maxima at sites with regular double figure counts are tabulated below. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Titchfield Haven 14 15 1 1 3 11 14 16 2 6 18 Blashford Lakes 217 193 139 4 6 6 9 6 10 8 65 132 Test: Fishlake Meadows 11 14 12 12 6 7 7 10 Winchester SF 20 19 17 3 2 10 Dogmersfield Lake 13 15 1 1 7 Tundry Pond 4 4 13 5 Eversley GP 15 17 3 3 3 4 13 16 17 WeBS count totals 274 298 164 25 6 14 14 14 13 37 103 127 Sites of international importance: 3000+; national importance: 380+. The only other double figure counts were of 11 at Welshman’s Road GP on Jan 11th and Female Tufted Duck, Langstone Mill Pond, June 9th (Peter Milinets-Raby) ten at Woolmer Pond on Feb 26th. WeBS counts in January-March were again above average but not quite at the high level of The only proven breeding came from the Test Valley where there were single broods at early 2013. The Avon Valley and, to a lesser but significant extent, the Blackwater Valley GPs Longstock Water Gardens and Testbourne Lake. Other sightings in May-June suggestive of at Eversley and Yateley, contributed roughly 50% to the county’s tally at this time. Counts breeding came from Alresford Pond (pair, Apr 28th-May 13th), Ibsley Water (3 pairs, May at Blashford Lakes peaked at 561 on Mar 17th and 608 on Apr 6th, the latter the highest at 20th), (pair, May 21st), Longparish (max. 4, May 21st), Needs Ore (male and female the site since 705 in November 1988. This suggests passage through the area. Numbers in on different dates) and Woolmer Pond (max. 4, May 2nd). Other summer records were of November-December were well below average which can largely be attributed to the low single males at Pennington Marshes on May 5th, Farlington Marshes on June 1st, Cemetery counts at Blashford Lakes. Monthly maxima at regularly watched sites where counts exceeded Lake, Southampton on June 6th and Heath Pond, Petersfield on June 9th. (PFF) 50 are tabulated below. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Baffins Pond 124 92 19 37 49 47 A rare vagrant recorded in every month from September to April. (0,12,0) ET, SPEC1 Milton Common 13 21 84* 48 6 6 11 The male that frequented Blashford Lakes in Avon: Somerley Estate 18 172 141 18 16 November and December 2013 reappeared at Blashford Lakes 449 479 561 608 216 218 180 168 208 137 333 321 Kingfisher Lake on Jan 20th. It vanished after Test: Longparish 46 33 22 19 18 12 24 8 18 27 18 59 Feb 8th but was at Ibsley Water on Mar 4th Testbourne Lake 45 22 52 40 44 34 23 32 36 40 17 20 and Ivy Lake on 8th. It returned to Kingfisher Anton/Charlton Lakes 60 48 17 58 36 37 Lake on Oct 12th where it remained into 2015. St. Mary Bourne 5 15 9 59* 17 6 It is presumed that the same bird has been Meon: Warnford Park 51 50 20 49 31 52 25 27 24 46 58 69 responsible for all sightings since the 2011/2012 Ewhurst Lake 20 54 24 21 3 16 3 19 winter. (PFF) Wellington CP 8 65 13 10 2 7 20 22 33 Returning male Ferruginous Duck, Kingfisher Eversley GP 237 168 188 78 34 102 102 85 83 73 214 161 Lake, Nov 27th (Lee Fuller) Yateley GP 245 108 95 201 235 WeBS count totals 1622 1712 1562 972 409 405 310 275 514 786 1225 1186 Sites of international importance: 12,000+; national importance: 1100+; * = record for locality.

32 33 Other sites with counts in excess of 25 in January-May (maxima in parentheses) were Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camp Farm GP (32, Jan 3rd), Bramshill Park Lake (42, Jan 5th), Welshman’s Road GP (38, Jan Lepe-Needs Ore 8 1 5 5 2 4 11th), Alresford Pond (29, Jan 19th), Passfield Pond (28, Jan 19th), Needs Ore (49, Feb 2nd), Sowley-Lymington 1 5 7 1 11 5 Avington Lake (40, Feb 16th), Broadlands Estate (35, Feb 16th), Fishlake Meadows (49, Feb Lymington-Keyhaven 10 3 20 11 10 11 19 26 22 12 5 7 19th), Testwood Lakes (39, Mar 16th), Posbrook Floods, Titchfield Haven (33, Mar 23rd), Off Hurst and Milford Overton Lagoons (27, Apr 19th), Heath Pond, Petersfield (26, Apr 28th), Langstone Harbour on Sea 18 8 3 2 6 2 20 18 (26, May 17th) and the River Test: Stockbridge-Fullerton (38, May 21st). Last season’s exceptional breeding numbers in the Avon Valley were not repeated and Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis so the total number of broods recorded was down from 95 to 46; this is more in line with pre-2013 success rates. In addition to the 17 broods at Blashford Lakes (including five at A very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Schedule 1, Green Ibsley North Lake cf. 30 in 2013) there were 14 in the Test Valley, including six between The pair present at the mouth of the Stockbridge-Fullerton and three at Testbourne Lake, and seven in the Itchen Valley, including Beaulieu Estuary towards the end of 2013 three at Alresford Pond and Avington Lake. Elsewhere single broods were noted inland at was present into March and seen from Needs Bramshill Park Lake, Ewhurst Lake, Heath Pond, and Wellington CP and on Ore, Inchmery and Lepe with the last date the coast at Farlington Marshes, Hilsea Lines, Keyhaven Marshes and Langstone Mill Pond. for the female being Mar 16th and for the male, Mar 21st. Two off Pitts Deep on Feb Other sites with counts in excess of 25 in September-December (maxima in parentheses) 1st were presumably these birds. The first- were Avington Lake (33, Sep 7th), Fishery (60*, Nov 6th), Bramshill Park Lake winter male present in Langstone Harbour (42, Nov 8th), Lymington-Hurst (32, Nov 8th and Dec 7th), Alresford Pond (30, Nov 24th) from November 2013 stayed until Mar 31st and and Brownwich Pond (28, Dec 8th). (PFF) was joined by another on Jan 4th and Feb 13th. Two first-winter males were found at Fishery Scaup Aythya marila Creek, Chichester Harbour on Jan 4th with Long-tailed Duck, Black Point, Hayling Island, Jan A very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. SPEC3, Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP1 three on 6th. These remained in the Harbour 7th (Andy Johnson) There was a paucity of records compared with recent years. In the north of the county, the until Mar 31st although one occasionally went first-winter male at Camp Farm GP, present from Nov 13th 2013, was last recorded on Jan missing. A male and a female were on Southampton Water between Weston Shore and Fawley 5th (KBW). There were two pairs at Blackwater, Needs Ore on Jan 19th (BRC, VAL, SPP, on Jan 12th; these may have been the Beaulieu birds although they were also reported off IDW) and a male drifted east on the tide off Hill Head on Dec 28th (IAS). (PFF) Needs Ore on that date. Further records were of one off Southsea Castle on Mar 10th and a first-winter male inland at Ibsley Water on May 4th. Eider Somateria mollissima Two late year records were of one off Hook-with-Warsash on Nov 8th and a first-winter A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; small numbers usually summer; a very scarce breeder male at Ibsley Water from Nov 15th into 2015 which visited nearby Rockford Lake from since 2003. Amber, HBAP Dec 17th-19th. (PFF) In January and February counts in Chichester Harbour and west to Southsea were in single figures with the exception of 18 off Southsea on Jan 4th and 43 off Sandy Point on Jan 30th. Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Numbers were low across the county’s coastline in February but 66 off Sandy Point on Mar A moderately common but declining passage migrant; scarce in summer and winter. 16th mirrored last year’s peak there in March although without any evidence of a gradual Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP3 build-up. Thereafter, numbers east of Southampton Water were disappointingly low. Hill Head A record of 80 off Lepe on Jan 5th eclipsed all others for the early year with the only significant was the only site to record double figures with 13 west on Mar 16th and ten on the water, raft elsewhere being off Sandy Point and Eastoke which peaked at 19 on Mar 17th. Off Hurst at some distance, on Dec 26th. This compares unfavourably to numbers there a decade ago; Beach and Milford on Sea there were 38 on Mar 28th increasing to 138 on Apr 2nd which the downward trend continues. heralded the start of spring passage although visible migration through the Solent was light in The West Solent recorded small flocks in every month with peaks of 26 off Pennington April. Eleven flew east past Sandy Point on Mar 28th, 50 east at Hill Head on Apr 22nd and Marshes on Aug 7th and 20 off Hurst Beach on Oct 13th. there were fluctuating numbers off Hurst/Milford from mid-April with 22 being reported flying west on 15th, 43 east on 16th and 78 lingering off the beach on 17th. Following a movement Away from the open sea the long-staying male in Fareham Creek was last recorded on of 113 east off Hurst/Milford on May 4th, the next day was perhaps the most significant of Mar 15th and two were in Langstone Harbour from July 13th-Aug 8th and on Sep 5th and the spring, with easterly movements of 235 off Hurst (although some lingered offshore), 20 27th. Breeding was confirmed at one site when a brood of five was seen on Aug 7th. past Stokes Bay and 67 off Sandy Point. Passage continued until early June, principally off Monthly maxima at sites with regular records are tabulated below. (PFF) Hurst/Milford and Sandy Point, but day totals did not exceed 33. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec In the rest of the year the only counts to exceed 20 were of 131 off Milford on Sea on June Chichester Harbour 6th, 32 west there the next day, 23 off Pennington Marshes on June 20th, 22-32 off Milford Entrance-Eastoke 43 6 66 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 between July 9th and 15th, 21 east off Hill Head on July 26th, at least 30 east off Lepe on Aug Eastney-Southsea 18 3 1 5th, 37 east off Milford and 36 off Sandy Point on Aug 10th and 26 off Milford on Oct 26th. Stokes Bay-Hill Head- 6 13 3 1 1 10 Away from the open coast there were records from upper Southampton Water of a female Hook-with-Warsash off Netley and Weston Shore from Jan 2nd-Mar 8th, two females off Weston on July 7th, a

34 35 female off Cracknore Hard on Oct 28th and nearby Southampton Town Quay on Nov 14th only records were of single females at Fleet Pond on Nov 6th and Heath Pond, Petersfield and a female in Langstone Harbour on Nov 8th. Inland there were males at Ibsley Water on on Dec 17th. (PFF) Mar 15th and Fleet Pond on Sep 13th. Monthly maxima of birds offshore at various sites and monthly totals of birds moving Smew Mergellus albellus (taking the maximum count from any location on each date) are tabulated below. (PFF) A very scarce winter visitor. ET, SPEC3, Amber A small influx of six occurred in January and February. A male was at Bramshill Plantation on Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 19th (BS) and Wellington CP on Feb 4th (JMC). It was also seen on the Berkshire side Sandy Point and Hayling Bay 15 12 19 1 36 2 of Eversley GP from Jan 11th-19th and again from Feb 7th-25th. It was possibly the returning Stokes Bay-Hill Head-Chilling 3 1 2 3 35 17 4 4 12 first-winter male which was at Wellington CP in early 2013. A redhead was at Ivy Lake from Southampton Water 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 Jan 29th-Feb 8th (MLC, SPP et al) which may have been the individual there in early December Needs Ore 80 3 3 2 2013. Three redheads flew over Fishlake Meadows on Feb 3rd (PDW) and another redhead Hurst and Milford on Sea 2 3 38 138 120 131 32 26 18 26 7 3 was at Fawley Reservoir from Feb 3rd-13th (JGR). There have been records in every year Moving east 1 1 61 204 453 36 21 75 4 2 3 this century except 2007 and 2008. (PFF) Moving west 17 2 29 45 32 2 2 18 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca A moderately common but declining winter visitor and passage migrant; rare inland. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 415; 2002-07: 393; 2007-12: 337. Green A scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Schedule 1, Amber The WeBS count totals compared favourably with those for 2013 and that for March was The two females or first-winters off Hill Head and Brownwich from Nov 30th 2013 remained the highest since December 2005 when 400 were counted. Monthly maxima at sites with until Jan 15th. The only other early winter record was one flying south off West Hayling LNR regular records are tabulated below. in Langstone Harbour on Jan 4th. Spring passage records came exclusively from Hurst Beach/Milford on Sea with three on Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Apr 1st, three on 27th, four on May 4th and one south on May 18th. Chichester Harbour 189 214 267 8 89 66 Hampshire sectors 81 49 71 14 2 18 38 The only late year records were of singles off Milford on Sea on Dec 14th and Hurst Langstone Harbour 223 160 205 22 2 1 1 42 140 179 Castle on Dec 28th. (PFF) Portsmouth Harbour 35 56 47 6 3 48 60 Hill Head/Brownwich 2 2 1 3 Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Upper Southampton A scarce and declining winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 176; 2002-07: 124; Water 6 6 4 1 1 6 2007-12: 88. Amber Lepe-Needs Ore 6 11 6 9 1 8 Numbers were reasonably stable at Blashford Lakes (Ibsley Water and Rockford Lake) but Sowley-Lymington 12 20 4 20 coastal counts continued to decline as confirmed by the WeBS returns. In the three eastern Lymington-Hurst 31 44 34 2 3 2 17 28 harbours individual counts did not exceed 14 in any month and the combined maximum was WeBS count totals 376 278 384 2 1 1 47 223 310 29 on Feb 1st. The largest gathering along the West Solent coast was of nine (one male) off Sites of international importance: 1700+; national importance: 84+. Oxey Marsh on Dec 30th. Monthly maxima at sites with regular records are tabulated below. There was little evidence of eastward spring movement with two off Gilkicker Point on Jan Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec Mar 29th, three at Sandy Point on Apr 20th, one at Stokes Bay on 26th, four off Keyhaven Chichester Harbour 11 23 3 on May 2nd and four off Sandy Point on 4th. The only summer records were of a pair off Hampshire sectors 13 1 1 Pook Lane, Warblington on May 23rd, two females at West Hayling LNR on June 16th and Langstone Harbour 9 9 13 2 14 one in Langstone Harbour on July 12th. The first autumn records were of one east off Sandy Portsmouth Harbour 13 7 13 13 Point on Sep 19th, one in Langstone Harbour on 27th and three at Keyhaven Marshes the Lymington-Hurst 5 3 2 2 9 next day. The only inland record was of an adult male and a first-winter male roosting with Ibsley Water/Rockford Lake 24 21 24 11 1 11 15 Goosanders at Ibsley Water on Nov 21st. (PFF) WeBS count totals 48 56 50 5 11 26 Goosander Mergus merganser Southampton Water, a former stronghold, contributed just five records – a male east off A scarce but increasing winter visitor; very scarce breeder in the Avon Valley since 1998. Mean Hook-with-Warsash on Jan 4th, two off Bay on Feb 2nd, a female flying down the maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 94; 2002-07: 95; 2007-12: 194. Green, HBAP estuary on Feb 14th, a female off Weston Shore on Dec 26th and, slightly inland, a pair on The WeBS totals suggest a continuing decline particularly in November and December Bilcombes Pond, Fawley on Dec 27th, possibly the first ever there. but the principal roosts were often not covered leading to underestimates of the county At Ibsley Water last year’s high April count was not repeated but it had the county’s last population. Nonetheless, numbers at Ibsley Water fell from 133 (39 males) on Dec 8th 2013 sighting on Apr 21st and the first returnee on Oct 22nd. Nearby on the River Avon above (a cold weather peak) to an early year peak of 70 (2 males) on Jan 12th. Although numbers Ibsley there were five on Jan 25th, six on Feb 2nd and four on Mar 2nd. Elsewhere inland the dropped further thereafter, the proportion of males increased until there were 22 in a roost

36 37 count of 55 on Feb 27th. Early year maxima at the two principal roost sites in the north-east In October-December there were records from a further 12 localities including early birds of the county were 39 (21 males) at Bramshill Plantation on Jan 19th and a low 29 (15 males) north over Itchen Valley CP on Oct 23rd, at Winchester SF on Nov 3rd and at Hook-with- at Eversley GP on Feb 25th, no doubt due to the mild weather. Apart from breeding birds, Warsash from Nov 6th-9th, eight at Eyeworth Pond on Dec 6th, seven at Cadman’s Pool on the last were two at Ibsley Water on Apr 21st with no more recorded there until Aug 3rd Dec 20th and a male at Hiltingbury Lake on Dec 29th (the first ever there). (PFF) despite the presence of breeding birds nearby. Locally bred birds roosted at Ibsley Water from late August with winter visitors arriving from early November. Numbers rose to 59 (11 Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis males) on Nov 18th, 80 (18 males) on Nov 23rd and the annual maximum of 90 (33 males) A rare resident, passage migrant and winter visitor, now almost exterminated by the Defra on Dec 21st. In the north-east the first returns were redheads at Bramshill Plantation at eradication programme. Nov 8th and Eversley GP on 10th. Numbers increased to peaks of 12 (7 males) at Bramshill on Dec 20th and 78 (42 males) at Eversley on 29th. Monthly maxima at regularly used sites At Ibsley Water there were two first-winters on Jan 11th, a male on Jan 29th and 30th and up are tabulated below. to three males and four females from Oct. 12th-Dec 22nd including four females on Oct 25th, two males from 29th-31st, four (sexes not stated) on Nov 1st and three males on Dec 14th Jan Feb Mar Apr May July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec and 20th. In addition two males were at another location on May 22nd and June 12th. (PFF) Ibsley Water (roost) 70 55 39 33 15 24 32 80 90 Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 6 2 7 5 8 6 Quail Coturnix coturnix Avon: Ringwood- 6 8 12 10 7 A scarce summer visitor occasionally occurring in higher numbers; very rarely recorded in winter. Fordingbridge SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber Avon above Fordingbridge 2 16 1 The fortunes of this species continue to fluctuate with this year’s records suggesting a slight Sowley Pond 5 4 2 improvement in status on last year. The first arrival was at Southwick on Apr 27th. Three, Testwood Lakes/Broadlands 4 6 possibly five, singing males were heard and a female seen at Martin Down on May 25th; three Bramshill Plantation (roost) 39 33 3 1 12 were calling on 27th and then one or two until July 19th. There were two singing males in the Tundry Pond 3 6 5 Ashley Warren/ area on June 28th/29th and one there on July 11th and further males Bramshill Park Lake 3 3 16 at on July 11th, Down on July 21st and Windmill Hill near Hurstbourne Eversley GP (roost) 23 29 22 5 78 Tarrant on Aug 9th. The last of the summer were two at Buriton on Aug 22nd. (PFF) WeBS count totals 109 94 40 1 2 25 35 41 44 Sites of international importance: 2700+; national importance: 120+. Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa In January-April there were records of one or two from a further 15 localities including a A common resident; numbers are supplemented by releases. SPEC2 female at Buriton Pond from Jan 8th-Feb 10th, a pair at Ewhurst Lake on Jan 18th, Feb 2nd There were relatively few records submitted, so any analysis or comparison with past years is and 16th (the first ever at these sites) and a female at Langstone Mill Pond from Mar 21st-Apr somewhat spurious. Autumn gatherings of 82 at Lepe and 30 at Needs Ore doubtless relate 14th (the first there since 1999). to reared birds on the Drummond and Montagu Estates respectively. Somewhat unusual, In the Avon Valley, two broods totalling 14 young fledged on the Somerley Estate and perhaps, were singles at Badgers Farm on Jan 4th, Mansbridge on Jan 23rd, Sandy Point from three broods totalling 22 young fledged in the Wattons Ford/Bisterne area. Mar 19th-27th, Ivy Lake on Apr 15th, on a West End allotment on May 3rd, Blackbushe Airfield on May 17th and Northney on June 19th, two at Fawley Power Station on Mar 29th and in a garden on Apr 4th, three around moored boats at Calshot on Nov 12th and nine walking up the observer’s drive at Down on Nov 19th. Breeding was suspected at Winchester SF and confirmed in Woolmer Forest, where a pair and three juveniles were seen on Aug 24th, the first reported breeding there since 1997.(PFF) Grey Partridge Perdix perdix A moderately common but declining resident with numbers supplemented by releases. SPEC3, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP During the winter months of January-March and September-December there were sightings at 25 localities. Martin Down was well documented but the largest coveys were of only five on Jan 23rd, six on Oct 30th and seven on Dec 9th. Elsewhere, the largest coveys were of 18 at Tidpit Down on Jan 17th, 23 at Colemore on Jan 29th, 28 at Plain Farm, East Tisted on Sep 6th, 30 at Over Wallop on Oct 1st, which may have been released birds, ten at Longwood Warren on Oct 26th, 12 at Hillside Marsh, Odiham on Nov 11th, the first there for several years and 14 at Malthouse Farm, Sleaford on Dec 29th. Two on Farlington Marshes on June 15th and seven at Fawley Power station on Dec 22nd were unusual records. Although single birds or pairs were seen, or heard, during May and June at 11 localities, Goosanders, Cadman’s Pool, Dec 8th (Martin Bennett) including five possible pairs on Martin Down, breeding was not proven at any. (PFF)

38 39 Pheasant Phasianus colchicus In the second half-year the first report was one at Brownwich on Nov 9th followed by An abundant resident, the naturalised population being supplemented by releases. singles flying east at Hurst Castle on Nov 21st and 23rd, up to two at Milford on Sea between Nov 30th and Dec 23rd and singles at Sandy Point on Dec 3rd and Chewton Bunny on Dec Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Longmoor 23rd and 27th. Inclosure, 15 (7); Lower Test Marshes, 4 (6); Martin Down CBC, 4 (3); Titchfield Haven, 12 (14). Breeding was confirmed at , NF with a female and five chicks on June 10th. The The approximate monthly totals are shown below. These have been conservatively estimated largest gathering reported of 190 at Longparish on Sep 22nd no doubt referred to released to allow for multiple sightings of the same individuals ranging over large areas. (MLC) birds but the annual maximum of 21 at Winchester SF on Feb 16th presumably involved ‘wild’ Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec stock. Other unusual records pertinent to the area included two on the beach at Sandy Point 3 3 1 5 2 3 3 on Mar 26th, a female on Farlington Marshes on Oct 15th, 27th, Dec 24th and two there on 31st and three on the beach at Hythe on Dec 17th. (PFF) Great Northern Diver Gavia immer Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata A scarce but increasing winter visitor and passage migrant. ET, Schedule 1, Amber A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber Above average numbers were reported in the first half-year with regular reports of one to The total of 104 bird-days comprised 70 in the first half-year and 34 in the second. The three from widespread coastal sites, especially Chichester Harbour and Southampton Water year began with regular reports from Hurst/Milford between Jan 1st and May 5th with the and occasional high counts between four and seven. A total of 218 bird-days was recorded highest counts of five flying west at Hurst Castle on Jan 5th and 6th and seven at Milford on in the first half-year and 33 in the second. Sea on Jan 22nd and from Sandy Point between Jan 30th and May 5th with a maximum of The approximate monthly totals are shown below. These have been conservatively estimated four flying east on April 22nd. Three flying east at Milford on Sea on May 4th were in partial to allow for multiple sightings of the same individuals ranging over large areas. breeding plumage. Elsewhere, there were singles at Lepe on Jan 2nd, Lymington on Jan 2nd and 3rd, Hill Head on Jan 3rd and Feb 19th, Weston Shore on Mar 9th, Stokes Bay on May Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 6th, Hook-with-Warsash on May 13th and finally a first summer on the sea at Hill Head on 14 16 17 6 3 1 1 5 4 the unusually late date of June 23rd. With at least 17 present in the first half-year and five in the second half, this was the most The first report in the second half was one at Hurst Castle on Oct 25th. This was followed numerous of the three regular diver species in winter. Between January and March relatively by one to three at Hurst/Milford between Nov 8th and Dec 23rd including three flying east high numbers were recorded at Chichester Harbour/Sandy Point with four on Jan 20th and at Hurst Castle on Nov 28th and three at Milford on Sea on Dec 23rd. At Sandy Point there 30th, Feb 11th, 16th, 17th and March 1st and six on Feb 19th and Mar 3rd, and at Weston were one or two between Nov 6th and Dec 15th with three flying east on Nov 21st. In Shore with six on Jan 8th, four on Feb 16th, six on Feb 19th, seven on Mar 1st and six on Mar Southampton Water one was reported between Weston Shore and Hill Head on five dates 5th. Elsewhere one to three were reported from Langstone Harbour, Southsea, Portsmouth between Nov 8th and Dec 26th with three off Hill Head on Dec 5th. At other sites singles Harbour, Hill Head/Brownwich, Hook-with-Warsash, various sites in Southampton Water were reported at Lepe on Nov 8th, Taddiford Gap on Nov 22nd, Needs Ore on Dec 14th, up to Eling/Redbridge, Lepe/Needs Ore, Tanners Lane and Lymington-Hurst. There was also Chewton Bunny on 27th and Southsea on 28th. an inland record of one at Ibsley Water on Jan 26th. Numbers reduced in April with singles The approximate monthly totals shown below are based on conservative assessments. between 4th and 29th at Sandy Point, Stokes Bay, Hill Head, Netley, Calshot, Lymington and Whilst some of those in flight will refer to short-distance movements of individuals wintering Hurst and up to two still present at Weston Shore on 11th and 12th. The only May records in local waters, the higher numbers moving west in January and east between March and May were of singles at Weston Shore on 4th and 5th, Stokes Bay on 5th and Hurst on 24th. The indicate passage with all but one of those in spring being between Mar 28th and May 6th. (MLC) last spring report was one at Sandy Point on the late date of June 9th which is only the fourth for that month and follows sightings on 9th in 2012 and 22nd in 2013. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec On sea 9 2 2 1 1 1 2 7 Moving east 1 1 6 12 12 8 2 Moving west 13 2 2 1 1 6

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica A very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber, UKBAP1 Reported in ones and twos only with a total of 47 bird-days comprising 35 in the first half- year and 12 in the second. In the first two months singles flew west through Hurst Narrows on Jan 1st and were noted at Needs Ore on 2nd, Hurst Castle on 5th and 6th, Chichester Harbour between Jan 25th and Feb 4th, Langstone Harbour on Feb 6th and 15th and Solent Breezes on 22nd. Two were at Milford on Sea on Jan 22nd and Chilling on Feb 16th and 19th. The only March records were of singles at Black Point on 1st and 4th. Sightings then increased slightly in April and May with singles east at Stokes Bay on Apr 16th, 23rd and 26th, singles off Hurst Beach on Apr 16th, 17th, 21st and 27th and two there on May 4th and 5th and one off Weston Shore on Apr 17th. Great Northern Diver, Keyhaven, Apr 18th (Will Morley)

40 41 In the second half-year the first report was one at Hurst on Oct 9th followed by one Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus or two between Nov 8th and Dec 30th at Chichester Harbour/Black Point, Sandy Point, A very scarce but regular passage migrant, mostly in late summer and autumn. (0,213,5) Langstone Harbour, Southsea, Brownwich, Weston Shore, Lymington and Hurst. There was also a further inland record at Ibsley Water of one on Nov 3rd. (MLC) ET, SPEC1, Red, UKBAP1 It was a relatively poor year following 28 birds in 2013. Singles were seen from Milford on Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Sea at 0725, 0755 and 0926 hrs on July 5th (SPP, SGK, CA, MPM) and 0915 hrs on Aug 10th A scarce visitor, most frequent in spring and early autumn; breeds nearby in west and east of Isle of (SPP); another was west of Hurst Castle at 1014 hrs on the same day (MPM). (KFB) Wight. Amber Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus As usual most reports came from Hurst Beach/Castle and Milford on Sea. The first report was two flying south at Hurst Castle on Feb 3rd. Between one and four continued to be A very scarce visitor, usually appearing after autumn gales but recorded in every month from May recorded from the same area with scattered sightings in every month except October and to January. (1,324,3) ET November. Maximum counts were off Milford Shelter with five singles flying south on May One was close in off Milford on Sea in rough weather at 0710 hrs on Aug 25th (AIL) and 20th, six lingering on May 23rd and seven flying east on Aug 10th. This excludes a subsequent presumably a different bird passed east at 0835 hrs (AIL, TP, ME). A bird which passed east report of up to ten on Aug 25th due to likely double counting. Elsewhere, only singles were through Hurst Narrows at 1026 hrs was probably a third individual (MPM). There have been recorded at Sandy Point and Gunner Point at Hayling Island on several dates between Feb records in every year this century except 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2009. (KFB) 8th and May 28th and on Aug 10th. Singles were also seen flying west off Tanners Lane on Jan 17th and Needs Ore on Feb 8th, east at Hill Head on Feb 28th and Apr 27th, west at Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Southsea on Apr 20th, east at Stokes Bay on Apr 26th, May 1st and 8th and west at Lepe A very scarce autumn and winter visitor, usually appearing after gales; mostly recorded in September- and east at Brownwich on Sep 6th. In addition, two flew east at Stokes Bay on Apr 27th and January but once each in February and April. (11,322+,1) ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber three flew west off Southsea on May 10th. One was feeding just off Hurst Castle from 0840-0901 hrs on Nov 8th (MPM). There have The monthly maxima are shown below. This change from approximate monthly totals shown been records in every year this century except 2003 and 2011. (KFB) in previous reports has been adopted to give a clearer picture of the likely numbers involved and follows the tables for other comparable seabird visitors such as Shag and Gannet. The Gannet Morus bassanus table includes three tideline corpses found at Hurst Beach on Feb 27th and one at Taddiford A moderately common non-breeding summer visitor from its nearest colony in Alderney; scarce but Gap on Mar 9th. (MLC) increasing in winter. Amber Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec As usual there were very few records in the first quarter, the only reports being of singles 1 3 3 3 6 2 2 7 1 1 in Stokes Bay on Jan 1st and 4th, Hurst Castle on Jan 1st and 5th and Hurst Beach on Mar 2nd, 24th and 28th, and one found dead at Taddiford Gap on Mar 8th. Numbers started to increase in April with one to four at Sandy Point, Stokes Bay, Hill Head and Hurst except Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus for ten at Hurst Beach on 26th and 16 at Stokes Bay the next day. Spring numbers then A rare autumn passage migrant, also recorded once in April, June and July (long dead). (0,31,1) peaked in May at Hurst Beach/Milford on Sea with 51 south on 20th and 110 east on 23rd. SPEC1, Amber Elsewhere between one and nine were recorded at Sandy Point, Southsea, Weston Shore, One was seen from Hurst Castle on Oct 26th (MPM). Apart from a corpse in 1974 all records Hythe, Calshot and Needs Ore and this pattern continued through the summer including have been since 1994 with sightings in every year this century except 2001, 2003, 2006 and sightings from Chilling and Hook-with-Warsash. High numbers continued at Hurst/Milford 2013. (KFB) with 50 or more reported on three days in June, two in July and three in August with a maximum of 113 on Aug 10th, whereas counts at other sites did not exceed six for the same Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus three month period apart from 13 off Normandy Marsh on Aug 22nd. The high numbers in summer off Hurst/Milford repeat the expected foraging pattern attributed to breeders from A scarce spring and summer visitor and passage migrant, most frequent in spring. SPEC2, Amber the nearest colonies at Les Etacs and Ortac near Alderney in the Channel Islands which are There were fewer records than in recent years. All reports were from Hurst Beach/Castle approximately 110 km south-west. and Milford on Sea except for one at the unusual location of Weston Shore on Aug 30th feeding with terns. The first report was on May 5th when a flock of eight flew into the bay Numbers then declined in September with a high of only 38 south at Hurst on 14th off Hurst Beach and out again. Similar behaviour was noted on May 10th with small groups and no more than two at other sites. In October small numbers not exceeding six were of between one and five totalling 13. Subsequent sightings were of four on May 11th, 23rd reported at Milford on Sea on 4th, Sandy Point between 4th and 9th and Tanners Lane on and June 4th; those on 23rd appearing to be lingering. The above behaviour suggests foraging 16th. November commenced with 11 at Hurst Castle on 2nd, four on 8th and then increased rather than passage, the nearest colonies being in the Scilly Isles and Brittany approximately to 107 on 14th, associated with strong south-westerly gales, before dropping to 26 on 21st. 350 km to the west. The concentration of records in May coincides with the beginning of The only December records were of up to seven at Sandy Point between 19th and 22nd, up breeding and arrival of non-breeding immatures at the colonies. The approximate monthly to four at Hurst Castle between 20th and 23rd and 13 at Chewton Bunny on 27th. totals are shown below. (MLC) All of the few aged records in the first half referred to adults with the first juvenile reported on June 25th amongst a flock of 53. By contrast, the peak September count of 38 comprised Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 23 adults, 13 immatures and two juveniles indicating post-breeding dispersal, possibly from 29 4 1 Alderney or North Sea colonies. The peak November count of 107 comprised 85 adults, 20

42 43 immatures and two juveniles and given the late date probably involved those wintering in or adjacent to UK south-western waters. Monthly maxima at the main localities are tabulated below. (MLC) Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sandy Point/Hayling Bay 3 7 4 6 3 2 6 7 Stokes Bay-Hill Head 1 13 9 3 1 Southampton Water 2 1 5 3 Hurst Castle/Milford on Sea 1 1 10 110 60 58 113 38 6 107 4

Cormorant† Phalacrocorax carbo A moderately common passage migrant and winter visitor with scattered non-breeding summer records. One to three pairs bred annually from 2006-10. Mean maximum WeBS total 2007-12: 720. Green The peak WeBS count of 569, which occurred in November, was 21% below the five year average for 2007-2012. There were records from widespread coastal and inland sites with consistently highest numbers at Blashford Lakes with over 50 in February, March and from September to December including the maximum day count of 123 on Oct 15th. Maxima at other sites where counts exceeded 50 were all roost counts in December with 64 at Hythe on 13th, 76 at Fleet Pond on 19th and 110 at Eversley GP on Dec 29th (including 83 roosting on the Berks side). Monthly maxima from regularly-watched sites where counts reached 25 Shag, Brownwich Pond, Jan 8th (Richard Levett) are tabulated below. (MLC) the coast between Sandy Point and Southsea between Jan 2nd and June 7th and from Nov Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 14th with a high of six at Sandy Point on Jan 10th. In addition there were scattered reports Chichester Harbour 3 1 1 1 9 4 45 of ones and twos elsewhere, mostly in the winter months. January and February records Hants Sectors were from Taddiford Gap, Cliff, Lymington-Hurst, Needs Ore, Lepe, Calshot, Hythe, Langstone Harbour 8 5 5 4 5 6 7 15 24 29 14 10 Southampton Town Quay and Mayflower Park, Weston Shore, Netley, Brownwich Pond, Portsmouth Harbour 32 34 32 9 25 44 47 Gilkicker Point, Portsmouth Harbour and Langstone Harbour. In March one was reported Titchfield Haven# 46 20 16 9 9 6 11 12 15 25 22 42 at Weston Shore on 1st and in December two flew west at Chewton Bunny on 23rd. Lower Test/Eling/Bury Marshes 12 24 25 1 3 16 15 15 10 11 23 Monthly maxima from sites with regular reports are tabulated below. (MLC) # Hythe MOD base 23 10 5 12 6 46 34 55 64 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Fawley Refinery 18 16 14 3 1 25 21 10 6 Sandy Point/Chichester Sowley-Lymington 7 6 2 2 3 2 8 10 25 29 3 6 Harbour 6 1 1 1 2 Avon: Ringwood- 61 17 15 11 19 Langstone Harbour Fordingbridge Entrance 1 1 Blashford Lakes 43 69 85 1 4 25 26 48 80 123 113 115 Southsea 4 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 Test: Fishlake Meadows# 20 9 7 4 1 8 19 17 36 17 33 Hurst Castle-Milford 2 1 2 1 4 1 1 4 6 2 9 Heath Pond Petersfield 1 1 7 2 20 35 40 on Sea Allington GP# 22 32 9 14 10 Eversley GP# 81 94 31 5 3 2 19 17 45 20 79 110* Yateley GP 22 4 1 4 32 Bittern Botaurus stellaris Fleet Pond# 31 3 3 1 5 6 7 23 45 51 76 A very scarce but regular winter visitor. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP4, HBAP WeBS count totals 476 399 261 39 16 44 81 139 344 504 569 564 Lower numbers were recorded than last year with a total of six at the beginning of the year # = mostly nocturnal roost countsl; * = record for locality. including four remaining from December 2013 and three at the end. At Blashford Lakes one or two were regularly reported at Ivy Lake from Jan 1st-Mar 5th with a maximum of three Phalacrocorax aristotelis on Jan 12th and singles at nearby Ibsley Water on Jan 6th and Feb 17th. Singles were also Shag recorded at Hook-with-Warsash from Jan 2nd-8th, Titchfield Haven from Jan 9th-Feb 12th A scarce visitor; breeds nearby in west of Isle of Wight. Amber and Farlington Marshes on Jan 19th and Feb 19th. The first report for the end of the year Between one and four were reported from Hurst Beach/Milford on Sea in every month except was of one at Fishlake Meadows on Nov 8th and 29th. Singles were then seen at Titchfield September with maxima of six on Oct 1st and nine on Dec 20th. It was also regular along Haven on Dec 5th and 13th and Ivy Lake from Dec 6th-30th. (MLC)

44 45 Cattle Egret Bubuculus ibis Great White Egret† Ardea alba A rare vagrant. (0,26,1) A very scarce visitor, recorded in every month. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP4, HBAP (0,56,4) One flew west over Needs Ore at 0715 hrs on Sep 6th. It It was another good year with records in every was searched for nearby but not relocated. (AIL, photo). month except March, April and July. In addition This century there have been records in 2001 and annually to the regular Blashford bird, there was one from 2006-12. (KFB) record for January, one for June and 12 for August-December. It is impossible to know Cattle Egret, Needs Ore, Sep 6th (Alan Lewis) how many new individuals were involved but a conservative analysis indicates four although Little Egret Egretta garzetta it could be considerably higher. A moderately common winter visitor, passage migrant and scarce breeder since 1998. Mean The long-staying colour-ringed bird at maximum WeBS totals 2002-2007: 353; 2007-2012: 430. ET, Amber, HBAP Blashford was reported intermittently around Great White Egret near Whitchurch, Jan 25th The peak WeBS count of 451 in September was 5% higher than the average maximum for the lakes up to Feb 16th. The only other (Barry Stalker) the five year period 2007-2012 and 8% higher than the 2013 peak count of 416. There were sighting at this time involved one near Whitchurch from Jan 24th-26th although the bird had reports from widespread coastal and inland locations. Excluding Chichester Harbour joint probably been in the area since 21st (LG et al). The only spring record was of one in the boggy county totals, the highest totals of more than 50 were reported from Langstone Mill Pond, area at Shatterford Bottom, NF on June 8th (JA). The Blashford bird returned for its 12th Langstone Harbour including Farlington Marshes and Budds Farm SW, Portsmouth Harbour winter on Aug 23rd, being seen regularly until the year-end. Records of singles in the west of including Horsea Island and Frater, the Beaulieu Estuary and the marshes between Lymington the county at Needs Ore on Aug 8th, Keyhaven on Sep 3rd, Oxey Marsh on 26th, Hatchet and Hurst between July and November reflecting successful breeding and post-breeding Pond on Oct 2nd, , Lepe on 7th and Needs Ore on Nov 2nd possibly relate to dispersal. Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded twenty in at least two separate the same individual, while sightings at Langstone Harbour on Sep 10th, 15th, 26th and Oct months are tabulated below. 26th similarly may only involve one bird. Other late year records of singles at Testbourne Lake on Dec 9th and Lower Test Marshes on Dec 28th presumably involved a third bird Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec which ranged widely up and down the Test Valley in early 2015. (KFB) Chichester Harbour 39 33 43 19 20 29 38 72 233 164 102 59 The Blashford bird was also seen at Avon Causeway on Dec 27th. Hampshire sectors 14 13 5 3 4 4 18 25 29 31 11 9 2013 addition: Langstone Mill Pond# 46 62 34 59 195 60 17 Langstone Harbour 15 15 30 24 27 47 56 58 148 70 48 46 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Portsmouth Harbour 7 6 34 13 26 80 47 76 82 50 37 A moderately common but declining resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green Hook-with-Warsash 2 2 31 27 2 13 Coverage of known heronries was almost complete with only Elvetham Park not visited. Lower Test/Eling/Bury 4 6 8 4 2 9 11 43 31 11 10 7 Most of the nesting trees at Elson Wood, Gosport were blown down in winter storms and Marshes this site held only five pairs compared with 51 as recently as 2009 and 84 in 2004. A new Calshot 1 1 2 22 14 24 5 heronry was located at Kingston North Common in the Avon Valley, breeding was detected Beaulieu Estuary 8 14 6 4 6 12 41 21 57 25 10 10 for the first time in the egretry at Langstone Mill Pond and a single pair nested successfully at Lymington-Hurst 13 4 5 16 17 14 21 66 78 30 32 14 King’s Pond, Alton. Counts of apparently occupied nests (with 2013 figures in parentheses) Allington GP# 25 18 18 22 11 were as follows: Arlebury Park, 8 (12); Bramshill Plantation, 5 (1); Efford Mill, 3 (4); Elvetham WeBS count totals 128 117 137 75 61 84 170 178 451 306 261 228 Park, nc (12); Eversley GP, 3 (3); Fleet Pond, 9 (7); Fort Elson, 5 (16+); Holt Pond Inclosure, Sites of international importance: 1300+; national importance: 45+; # = night roost. Alice Holt Forest, 11 (6); near Fordingbridge, 26-28 (20); King’s Pond, Alton, 1 (0); Kingston North Common, 6 (2); Lammas Wood, Fawley Refinery 20 (nc); Langstone Mill Pond, 3 Elsewhere, ten or more were reported from the coast at the Upper Hamble Estuary, Weston (0); Sowley Pond, 11 (9); Somerley Estate, 7 (9); Tournerbury Wood, 11+ (14). Assuming an Shore, Fawley, Ashlett Mill Pond and Lepe with a maximum of 23 at Weston Shore on Sep unchanged 12 nests at Elvetham, these data suggest a county population of around 141-143 28th and inland at Ibsley Water, Abbotts Ann, Testbourne Lake, Highbridge, Hurstbourne pairs compared with 176-204 in 2009 and 204-225 in 2004. The reduction is largely accounted Priors, West Meon, , Cheriton, Bentley, Dogmersfield Lake, Greywell, Eversley for by the demise of the Fort Elson colony. GP and Standford, also with a maximum of 23 at Cheriton on Jan 18th. Whilst numbers in coastal areas were only slightly higher than last year, numbers inland appeared to have Counts outside the breeding season have also declined in recent years. In 2014 only three increased at higher rates suggesting continued steady expansion and consolidation. sites (other than heronries) attracted gatherings in excess of 20. Monthly maxima at these sites are tabulated below. Breeding was confirmed at seven sites, a significant increase over the two confirmed sites last year, with highest numbers at Langstone Mill Pond where a minimum of 31 apparently Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec occupied nests was counted on Apr 15th with at least 40 young on June 1st. Other reports Avon: Ringwood- 15 7 12 13 25 of apparently occupied nests were four near Fordingbridge, one at Tournerbury, four at Fordingbridge Sowley Pond, ten at Holt Pound Inclosure, five at Elson Wood, Gosport and eight at Fawley Blashford Lakes 4 3 1 1 22 26 97 90 40 14 Refinery. (MLC) Farm Reservoir 1 1 7 9 38 21 27 25 12 21

46 47 The only other sites to attract double figure gatherings (annual maxima in parentheses) Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus were Titchfield Haven (10, July 26th), Langstone Harbour (17, Aug 9th and Sep 27th), Bury A rare but increasing vagrant, recorded in every month. (2,43,4) ET, SPEC3 Marshes (10, Dec 6th) and Portsmouth Harbour (20, Dec 6th). Additionally 15 flew south over Lower Test Marshes on July 7th and 15 west over North Baddesley on Sep 3rd. (KFB) One was at Farlington Marshes on Jan 21st (SW, RAC). There were no further sightings until one arrived from the SE over Titchfield Haven, gained height and left high to the NE at Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 1330 hrs on May 13th (DES). An hour later two were on the Bridge Street floods north of Titchfield Haven and departed south at 1530 hrs, where they were viewed from the Meadow A rare vagrant recorded in April-October. (1,34,3) Hide in the reserve (MJP, PDW). One of these (a female) was colour-ringed as a pullus on There were three records, all of first-years. One flew up July 24th 2013 in the Coto Doñana in SW Spain. The two birds were in the Avon Valley at in front of a train as it approached Dean Station from the Cowards Marsh, Dorset from May 6th-12th and again from 15th-26th with one remaining in Romsey direction at 1529 hrs on Apr 6th and was watched that area until July 21st. It seems likely that the single bird was one of these two individuals. by the observer (who was on the train) as it dropped out of Finally one was at Farlington Marshes from June 14th-16th (JRDS et al). sight (MPM). Another was at Farlington Marshes from 1240- This century there have been annual records since 2008. (KFB) 1245 hrs on June 3rd when it left high to the east (TMJD) and finally one was photographed and video-recorded at Ivy Lake, Blashford on July 4th (GD). Three in one year equals Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia the best ever in 1999. Since then there have been four in A scarce visitor, most frequent in spring and autumn but recorded in every month.(20+,298,31) 2000-02 and singles in 2006, 2007 and 2013. A settled bird ET, SPEC2, Schedule 1, Amber is still awaited by most Hampshire listers! (KFB) Videograb of first-year Purple Heron, Ivy Silt Pond, Blashford Lakes, July 4th (Geoff Doré)

White Stork Ciconia ciconia A rare vagrant recorded in every month except February and December. (5,51,1) ET, SPEC2

Spoonbill, Keyhaven Lagoon, Dec 13th (John Hilton) Small numbers were recorded in every month except January and September. Monthly totals have been conservatively estimated as the same individuals probably moved between sites with some appearing to stay for extended periods. The first report was of an adult at Farlington Marshes from Feb 27th-Mar 2nd. Possibly the same adult was then seen flying west at Sandy Point on Mar 7th, Titchfield Haven from 9th-15th, Pennington Marshes on 9th and 23rd, Needs Ore from 11th-22nd with two there on 19th and Hook-with-Warsash on 31st White Stork, Hedge End, June 25th (Alan Lewis) with sightings assumed to be of the same individual continuing until Apr 4th at Hook and An unringed adult was discovered by a member of the public in a field at Bubb Lane, Hedge Titchfield Haven. The next day three left SE from Needs Ore and an immature was there on End on June 24th. It gave birders the run-around, moving between several locations but was 9th. The same day an adult was at Titchfield Haven and one (age unspecified) was there again still present the next morning before leaving high to the west at 0845 hrs (SI et al). There on 19th. An immature with Dutch colour-rings was seen at Keyhaven Marshes on 15th and have been records in every year this century except 2007, 2009 and 2011. (KFB) Needs Ore on 29th. What is assumed to be a different individual was at Farlington Marshes

48 49 from Apr 28th-May 11th. In the north-east an adult was seen at Fleet Pond on May 6th and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 11th, the first ever there. Reports of single birds continued at Farlington Marshes, Titchfield A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals Haven, Lepe and Needs Ore between May 12th and 17th and again at Needs Ore on 25th. 2004-07: 189; 2007-12: 363. Green One was also present at Lower Test Marshes on May 15th. The peak WeBS count total of 453 in December was 25% above the average maximum for Singles were at Titchfield Haven from July 3rd-10th and at Needs Ore and Tanners Lane the five year period 2007-2012, while those for other months all exceeded last year’s figures on 13th. A group of five comprising two adults and three immatures was at Needs Ore on except in February and September. Blashford Lakes maintained high numbers in every month July 27th with four there on 30th and presumably the same five at Pitts Deep on Aug 7th. including a peak of 108 on Aug 16th. A spell of freezing weather in late December brought An adult was at Titchfield Haven from Aug 21st-24th and two (age unspecified) circled over a typical influx to Southampton Water with 164 off Hythe on 20th and 170 there on 28th Pennington Marshes on 31st. The only report in the next two months was of eight at Needs and 280 off Brownwich on 29th with an accurate count of 300 there on 30th (DW). It is not Ore on Oct 2nd. There was a further gap in sightings until the end of November when one known how much overlap there was between counts at the two locations but the Hythe flew west at Tanners Lane on 28th and another was at Titchfield Haven and Hook-with- counts were evening roost gatherings while those at Brownwich were made during the day. Warsash on 29th. A juvenile first seen at Salterns Marsh, Lymington on 30th was presumably The count of 300 is the highest ever single site count although a co-ordinated count of 326 in the Tanners Lane bird; it remained in the area, most frequently at Oxey Marsh, throughout Southampton Water in January 2010 comprised 175 off Brownwich and 151 between Hook- December with two recorded there on 7th and 31st, when one flew east offshore. with-Warsash and Eling. Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded 20 in at least two The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below. (MLC) separate months are tabulated below. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 7 4 5 5 8 2 2 Chichester Harbour Hampshire Sectors 14 1 13 6 7 36 23 Langstone Harbour 44 25 20 20 19 8 9 14 36 82 70 55 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Portsmouth Harbour 5 7 36 2 45 A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals Hill Head-Brownwich 104 11 11 8 114 300* 2004-2007: 349; 2007-2012: 378. Amber Mid Southampton Water 82 118 14 9 1 16 52 170 Fawley-Calshot 10 10 11 9 1 15 13 22 41 The peak WeBS monthly total of 440 in December was similar to the 450 recorded in November Blashford Lakes 65 40 61 56 51 54 86 108 86 94 54 45 2013 and maintains the slight increase recorded when compared with the mean maxima for the two most recent five year periods. Blashford Lakes held the largest concentration in most Eversley GP 4 7 10 38 26 12 7 months with comparable high numbers towards the end of the year on the Test between WeBS count totals 266 285 220 107 80 87 117 133 232 306 295 453 Stockbridge and Fullerton and at Portsmouth Harbour. * = record for locality Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded 20 on at least two separate months are In addition, over 20 were recorded in December only at the Beaulieu Estuary with a tabulated below. maximum of 21 on 12th. Other sites with maxima between ten and 20 were Fleet Pond, Lymington-Hurst, Testwood Lakes Wellington CP and Yateley GP. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Langstone Harbour 20 18 26 2 14 4 6 10 12 13 12 22 The highest concentration of breeding pairs was at Blashford Lakes where 23 pairs raised Portsmouth Harbour 21 45 45 21 33 65 at least 36 young (cf. 25 pairs raised 50+ young in 2013). Breeding was also confirmed at Lymington-Hurst 26 6 13 3 16 21 40 36 25 Bramshill Park Lake (1 pair, 3 young), Dogmersfield Lake (2 pairs, 5 young), Eversley GP (2 pairs, 2 young), Ewhurst Park (1 pair failed), Fishlake Meadows (3 pairs), Lakeside CP (1 pair Blashford Lakes 50 26 39 27 23 27 39 50 58 43 66 41 failed), the River Test between Longstock and Leckford (2 pairs, 1 young), Sowley Pond (2 Test: Broadlands Estate 15 5 7 9 22 21 pairs, 1 young), Tundry Pond (1 pair failed), Titchfield Haven (1 pair failed) and Wellington Test: Stockbridge- Fullerton 36 11 7 3 9 20 38 44 55 52 58 CP (5 pairs, 2 bred raising 1+ young). A pair was at Allington GP on Feb 27th but no visits Testbourne Lake 6 8 8 11 9 10 16 26 23 25 14 7 were possible to this traditional site in summer. Birds were also present in spring or summer WeBS count totals 305 214 275 84 82 62 111 144 249 392 382 440 at Fleet Pond (max. 11), Heath Pond, Petersfield (max. 4), Lodge Pond, Alice Holt (2, May 24th), Welshman’s Road GP (2, May 10th) and Woolmer Pond (max. 3) but breeding did Over 50 breeding pairs were reported from widespread locations although the total not occur at these sites. Singles were at Fishers Pond (a traditional breeding site) from Feb breeding population is thought to be several times higher. The highest numbers of pairs were 17th-Apr 28th but not subsequently, Avington Lake from Apr 26th-May 10th (the first ever recorded at Ibsley North Lake (6), Itchen Valley CP (6, with 3 raising 5 young), Titchfield there, following dredging of the lake) and Hatchet Pond from May 5th-22nd (the first there Haven (6, which was the highest since 1988 probably as a result of mink control), Winchester since at least 1992). (MLC) SF (4-5 but no young reared), Farlington Marshes (3), Hook-with-Warsash (3) and Pennington Marshes (3). Nest building was first noted at King’s Pond, Alton on Feb 16th and the first Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena young were reported from Rudley Mill from May 10th. A recently hatched chick was seen to A very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber be predated by a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Hook Links on Aug 2nd. (MLC) There were records from four sites in the first winter period. At Hurst Narrows one flew 2013 amendment: The Grange Lake was shown in the table without any numbers. The west at 0937 hrs on Jan 3rd (MPM). Singles were off Southsea on Jan 6th (RT), in Langstone maximum there was 12 on Nov 1st and thus the site didn’t qualify for inclusion. Harbour on Jan 9th (MGP) and 12th (SPP) and from Mar 3rd-9th (m.o.) and in Hayling Bay

50 51 off Eastoke on Jan 11th (ASD). Conceivably, these records for the east of the county may only have involved one individual. The only late year record was of one passing west through Hurst Narrows at 0854 hrs on Nov 28th (MPM). (KFB)

Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber Above average numbers were again reported from widespread coastal sites in the first three months with a peak of around 35 present in mid-February. Late year numbers were lower with around 15 present in December. Monthly maxima from the main sites are tabulated below.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes, Oxey Lake, Feb 9th (Marcus Ward) Chichester Harbour Black Point-Hayling Bay 8 18 10 2 5 Langstone Harbour 4 9 7 4 Harbour entrance on Dec 29th and two at nearby Sandy Point on 30th and one at Needs Stokes Bay-Brownwich 2 2 Ore also on 30th. Southampton Water 2 2 Monthly maxima from the main sites and the approximate monthly totals are tabulated Lepe-Needs Ore 4 7 6 2 1 below. (MLC) Sowley-Lymington 1 Lymington-Hurst 4 5 3 4 5 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Langstone Harbour 15 12 20 1 4 8 The highest counts in the early year were in Chichester Harbour entrance and the nearby Ibsley Water 2 2 2 1 1 1 3 2 open sea off Sandy Point with peaks of seven on Jan 5th and 28th, eight on Jan 27th, 18 on Approx monthly totals 23 15 24 1 1 2 6 4 15 Feb 19th and ten on Mar 4th. Maxima in other areas were seven at Langstone Harbour on Feb 18th and Mar 6th, seven at Lepe on Feb 16th and five in the evening roost off Normandy Marsh on Feb 8th. The only reports away from tabulated sites were of singles off Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus on Jan 5th, Southsea on Feb 1st and Pitts Deep on Mar 1st, two off Hill Head on Jan 19th A very scarce summer visitor and passage migrant. ET, Schedule 1, Amber, HBAP and one or two there between Feb 13th and 17th and three in Northney Marina, Chichester There were 84 individual recorded sightings across the county with the first record of the Harbour on Feb 15th with one until 23rd. The last reports were of three at Needs Ore and year on May 3rd from the Pittleworth area. Thirteen further May records came from ten one at Oxey Lake, Lymington on Mar 17th. different locations including one flying north over Hitches Lane CP, Fleet on 28th. There The first report for the second half was of one off Pennington Marshes on Nov 1st. Numbers were 26 records during June involving 14 different areas and 24 records in the peak activity increased up to the year’s end with highs of four in Langstone Harbour on Dec 4th, five at month of July involving ten locations. Oxey Lake on Dec 9th and five in Chichester Harbour entrance on Dec 20th. Elsewhere, The licensed monitoring group recorded singles or pairs from a minimum of nine sites singles were off the northern shore of Chichester Harbour at Warblington on Nov 8th and within the county with successful breeding proven at seven of these. These seven pairs raised Emsworth on Dec 6th, and in Portsmouth Harbour on Nov 10th. (MLC) a minimum of ten young. Breeding did not progress past nest building at one site and the outcome at another was inconclusive. A further four Hampshire chicks were colour-ringed as Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis part of the national project looking at recruitment and site fidelity of locally fledged individuals. A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; rare in summer but has bred, most recently in 2004. There were 17 records for August from ten different areas including singles at Curbridge on Schedule 1, Amber 8th, Greenhill, Romsey the next day, Ibsley Water on 12th and 19th and Pennington Marshes High numbers were reported in Langstone Harbour between Jan 4th and Mar 9th with peak on 27th and two at Timsbury on 31st. The last were an adult west over Normandy Marsh on counts of 14 on Jan 5th, 15 on Jan 25th, 12 on Feb 1st and 20 on Mar 3rd. At Ibsley Water Sep 4th and another SW from Keyhaven towards Hurst Castle on 6th. (AP) there was one from Jan 1st-9th, two from Jan 10th-Feb 16th with one remaining until Mar 3rd, then one on Mar 15th, two on 31st and one on Apr 24th. Other records were of one off Black Kite Milvus migrans Sandy Point on Jan 3rd, one at Oxey Lake, Lymington from Jan 11th-Mar 3rd, two off Lepe/ Inchmery on Jan 4th and 11th and one there on Mar 11th and two in Chichester Harbour on A rare vagrant recorded in every month from April to September. (0,35,2) ET, SPEC3 Jan 20th with one until 25th. Although a number of claims were submitted, only two descriptions were accepted by HOSRP. One drifted west over Fulflood, Winchester from 1510-1515 hrs on May 16th (GM) In the second half the first report was a juvenile at Weston Shore on Aug 28th followed and another drifted WNW over Miles Hill, Bourley from 0905-0920 hrs on May 18th (GCS). by in Langstone Harbour on Sep 14th. Numbers there steadily increased to six on Dec 6th There have been records in nine years this century, annually since 2006. (KFB) and eight on Dec 30th. At Ibsley Water there was one from Sep 27th-Oct 31st then two from Nov 1st-Dec 31st with three on Nov 19th and 30th. Other reports were of one at Oxey Lake between Oct 25th and Nov 24th with two there on Dec 9th, one at Chichester

52 53 Red Kite Milvus milvus On June 10th it was discovered near Wych A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Cross, East Sussex and a pattern soon emerged ET, SPEC 2, Schedule 1, Amber, HBAP with the bird hunting over Ashdown Forest, then returning to the New Forest on several There were reports from around 340 sites during the year with the highest density in the occasions. Sightings were made in the Beaulieu north-west of the county. The number of sightings remained at about the same level as in 2013 Road/Bishop’s Dyke area of the New Forest although a significant increase in reports was recorded from the Test Valley north of Romsey on June 12th and 13th, from June 30th-July 2nd (74 sightings in SU32 compared with 25 in 2013). There was also a continued strengthening and again on July 5th. After this it made a visit of numbers in the north-east of the county. to Surrey on July 12th, moving back to East It was a better breeding season than in 2013 due to the improved weather in spring. The Sussex later that day and was finally reported actual breeding population probably numbered in excess of 80 pairs with perhaps 150 first- from Norfolk on July 19th and 20th. years in addition. The largest count anywhere was 79 on June 11th at Stratfield Saye over This is the first record for Hampshire and a field where silage was being cut. Certainly birds do move in on silage operations in large Short-toed Eagle, Frame Wood, NF, June 30th the third for Britain. The species migrates from (Alan Lewis) numbers and perhaps this explains the total of 16 seen to fly over Fleet Pond in four groups Africa to Europe in the spring, breeding in (3,6,1,6) between 0935-1005 hrs on June 1st. France and Spain eastwards to Russia and beyond. It occurs regularly as a vagrant in continental Monthly bird-day totals of sightings along the coast are tabulated below. With the spread north-west Europe but avoids crossing major stretches of water wherever possible – hence towards the south and east it is difficult to assess the numbers present in areas where they the paucity of British records. However the species is often present during the summer in are not breeding. In the New Forest (where breeding is still not known) there were spring Brittany and its distribution in France is creeping northwards. (KFB) sightings in May and June of eight and four respectively, indicating small spring movements – probably of first-years. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Monthly bird-day totals of sightings along the coast are tabulated below. A scarce but increasing passage migrant and winter visitor; occasionally summers and has bred once, in 1957. ET, Schedule 1, Amber Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec In January around seven were present with two individuals reported from Lepe/Needs Ore 1 1 5 13 12 3 3 7 4 5 2 0 and Titchfield Haven and singles in the Avon Valley, at Farlington Marshes and Keyhaven. Monthly maxima at roost sites are tabulated below. However the only report for February was of a female at Titchfield Haven through the month. Numbers apparently increased in March and April with last records at both Needs Ore and Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov Dec Farlington Marshes on May 3rd, Pennington Marshes on 14th and Titchfield Haven on 19th. 24 60 Presumed migrants included a female south over Ibsley Water on Mar 31st, a male north Hare Warren 1 30 25 over Lower Test Marshes on Apr 19th, a female west over Stokes Bay on 23rd, a female over Sydmonton 27 Hook-with-Warsash and later at Lower Test Marshes on 24th and singles at Over Wallop East Meon 24 20 3 11 14 on May 16th and Woolmer Pond on 17th and 21st. West End Green 15 23 32 A female was at Lower Test Marshes on July 23rd but numbers increased in August with Tunworth 31 68 records from Itchen Valley CP on 3rd, Fishlake Meadows on 5th, Hook-with-Warsash on 9th, Keyhaven and on 18th, Rowbarrow, NF on 24th and Titchfield Haven on Numbers at roosts remained low in the early year reflecting the relatively poor breeding 28th. A juvenile was at Lower Test Marshes on Sep 4th, 7th and 13th and possibly the same seasons in 2012 and 2013. Roosts are primarily made up of non-breeders aged less than two individual arrived from the north at Hythe on 6th. Further records away from regularly used years so they are a good indication of how the population is changing. The 2014 breeding areas included one SW over Kempshott, Basingstoke on Oct 2nd, a female at , season was probably much better as the numbers seen in winter roosts in November and Hayling on 12th, a female SW over Lower Test Marshes also on 12th, a male there from December were much higher. Birds did use the Faccombe roost in the late year but few 16th-19th and females over East on Nov 3rd and at Fishlake Meadows on Nov 18th. reports were received. Meanwhile a new roost has possibly been established at Sydmonton By December at least nine were wintering with three using the reed-bed roost at Keyhaven as 27 were seen circling there on Dec 27th. (KFB) and similar numbers in the Titchfield Haven area. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus The minimum monthly totals in the regularly used areas are tabulated below. The numbers of males are given in parentheses. (RC) A very rare vagrant (0,0,1) Following the discovery of an immature at Morden Bog, Dorset on May 31st it was still present Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec there the next day. However it was not seen on June 2nd. One reliable observer has said Farlington Marshes/ 1(1) 1 1 1 1 1 1(1) that he saw it in the New Forest that day but has declined to provide a written description. Langstone Harbour However during an early morning walk on June 8th Simon Colenutt was lucky to discover Titchfield Haven area 2(1) 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2(1) 3(2) the bird at Bishop’s Dyke at 0735 hrs. Both he and Dave Cuddon obtained photographs. Beaulieu Estuary/Needs 2 2(1) 1 1 1 1 2 Unfortunately the bird was seen by only a few observers that morning as it disappeared into Ore the distance at 0955 hrs. See paper on p. 208 for a full account of its discovery in Hampshire. Keyhaven area 1 3(2) 1 1 1 1 1 3 3

54 55 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus A scarce and declining winter visitor and passage migrant. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Red, HBAP A very scarce passage migrant and summer visitor; last bred 1998. ET, Schedule 1, Amber After a blank year in 2013 there were three sightings from Keyhaven Marshes. The only spring record was a female which flew north over Pennington Marsh on May 11th (MPM). A juvenile flew south there between 0848 and 0856 hrs on Aug 20th (MPM) and probably the same bird was seen again heading north at 1136 hrs (MCC). Finally a bird thought to be a different juvenile flew west on Aug 31st (MPM). (KFB) Juvenile Montagu’s Harrier, Keyhaven Lagoon, Aug 20th (Marc Moody)

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis A scarce but increasing resident. Schedule 1, Green, HBAP The New Forest NP population increased slightly in 2014 but within the Crown managed land is probably near its holding capacity. A minimum of 27 pairs attempted breeding with a further two sites holding presumed singles only. Of these, 21 pairs raised a minimum of 49 Hen Harrier, Slufters Inclosure, Jan 8th (Martin Bennett) young of which 44 (27 males and 17 females) were ringed. Of the remaining six pairs, three failed where incubation had definitely started and for three it was unclear if eggs had been This was probably the worst year on record with a minimum of two males and five ringtails laid. In adjacent areas a minimum of four pairs was present of which three were successful wintering in January-February and four males and four ringtails in November-December. raising at least four young. A single male regularly roosted in the north-west of the New Forest until Mar 24th and Elsewhere eight pairs attempted breeding but only two are known to have been successful was widely reported in the area. Roosting birds are known to forage widely in the forest, raising a minimum of five young. Two pairs failed and the outcome was unknown for four. the Avon Valley and on nearby downland, thus males at Martin Down on Jan 9th and Feb Records away from known breeding areas included singles at Fleet on Mar 8th, Hill Head 13th, Toyd Down on Jan 16th and in the south-east of the forest on Jan 17th and 19th may on May 19th, Harewood Forest on June 21st, Alice Holt Forest on July 18th and Dec 25th, have referred to the same individual although the usual male was at roost 18 km away on on Nov 11th, Breamore on Dec 6th and Old Alresford on Dec 27th. (AP) 18th. Adjacent to the forest a ringtail was at on Jan 3rd and another was at Needs Ore on Jan 28th and Mar 8th, Lymington-Hurst on Feb 25th, Mar 1st and 3rd and at Lisle Court on Mar 7th. Elsewhere in the county a male roosted at Woolmer regularly until Mar 16th and probably accounted for sightings at Plain Farm, East Tisted on Jan 28th, Colemore the next day and Kingsley on Mar 11th. A ringtail roosted at Alresford Pond on Jan 19th and possibly the same individual was at on Jan 26th. Further ringtails were at Tidgrove Warren near Hannington on Jan 25th and at on Jan 30th. The only other records, both of ringtails, involved possible migrants at the Wildgrounds, Gosport on Mar 16th and Ashley Warren on Apr 12th although the latter could have been the Tidgrove bird going undetected in what is an under-watched area. The first returning bird was a ringtail in the north-west of the New Forest on Oct 17th. Reports continued into early November with probably two individuals, a female and first- winter male involved. This was confirmed when a male and two ringtails roosted on Nov 22nd. During December, the NFWBS on 13th produced sightings of a male and two ringtails including a first-winter male while two males and a ringtail were at roost on 21st. The only other report from the forest was of an adult male at Holmsley Passage, 15 km from the known roost, at 1445 hrs on Dec 19th. Elsewhere the only records were a ringtail at Pennington Marshes on Oct 31st, a male and a ringtail at Beacon Hill, Warnford on Dec 6th, a male at Martin Down on Dec 18th (assumed to roost in the New Forest), a male at Bransbury Common on Dec 28th and 31st and a ringtail near Upton Grey on 31st. None were recorded at three traditional roost sites. The minimum monthly totals are tabulated below. (RC, JMC)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 6 3 4 1 2 3 8 First-summer Goshawk, central Hampshire, Mar 12th (Richard Jacobs)

56 57 Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Buzzard Buteo buteo A common resident, passage migrant and probable winter visitor. Green A common resident, passage migrant and probable winter visitor. Green As usual there were numerous counts of ten or more in the early part of the breeding season with a maximum of 32 at Blackhamsley Hill, NF on Mar 1st. The NFWBS produced totals of 39, 32 and 136 in January-March and 56, 29 and 43 in October-December. In the New Forest, the study group found 22 successful nests with a minimum of 31 young fledged. In addition family groups were noted or young heard in five other areas. From casual observation birds were in the usual territories (probably about 70) (JMT et al). Counts of breeding pairs in other areas (2013 counts in parentheses) were as follows: , 4 (3); Itchen Valley CP, 3 (5); Roydon Woods, 5 (3). All of these raised young. In other areas a further 20 pairs raised young although this represents just a small proportion of the total county population. Evidence of dispersive or migratory movements are provided by the monthly bird-day totals from Sandy Point, where none breed, which are tabulated below. (RC) Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sandy Point - - 6 4 1 3 4 4 10 1 - -

Sparrowhawk, Furze Hill, Oct 18th (Martin Bennett) There were very few records of confirmed or probable breeding this year with most from urban areas where Sparrowhawks are successfully breeding in gardens, cemeteries and similar locations. In contrast to most other raptor species, there appears to be currently little interest in recording breeding numbers. As usual there were very few breeding season records from the New Forest which surely understates their current status in that area despite evidence of their displacement from some traditional sites by Goshawks. At Tweseldown, there were 39 bird-days between Sep 21st and Dec 6th with a peak of 13 from Oct 25th-28th. The NFWBS produced totals of two, one and five for January-March and five, four and three for October-December. Monthly bird-day totals in four locations with fairly constant coverage through the year are tabulated below. (RC) Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Petersfield, private garden 10 15 3 3 1 5 6 10 19 19 12 7 Regents Park, private garden 6 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 7 1 1 Sandy Point 3 1 12 23 4 10 32 29 24 13 7 Waterlooville, private 1 1 5 3 5 4 7 7 1 8 3 2 garden Buzzard, St Leonard’s Barn, Beaulieu, Mar 15th (Ian Williamson)

58 59 Osprey Pandion haliaetus Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov A scarce passage migrant. ET, SPEC1, Schedule 1, Amber Fawley/Calshot 14 8 1 Lepe/Beaulieu Estuary 1 8 6 3 Keyhaven area 1 1 3 5 2 2 Blashford Lakes/Avon Valley 1 1 1 7 1 Itchen Valley 4 2 3 Test Valley 4 3 1 Elsewhere 3 4 1 1 3 2 1 Approx no. of new arrivals 8 18 3 7 15 6 1

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus A scarce resident, moderately common passage migrant and winter visitor. Green Records for January-April involved a low total of 62 at 37 sites (cf. 117 at 56 sites in 2013). The only count to exceed three was of 11 at Titchfield Haven on Jan 2nd. Breeding was confirmed* or suspected at Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes* (several territories), Titchfield Haven* (2+), Fleet Pond* (1-2) and Avington Lake, Bishop’s Juvenile Osprey, Sparks Marina, Chichester Harbour, Oct 12th (Alan Lewis) Dyke* (NF), Holmsley (NF), Hook Analysis of the records received suggests totals of around 29 in spring between Mar 4th and Lake and Lower Test Marshes* (1). May 25th and a minimum of 29 in autumn between Aug 24th and Nov 28th. The presence There were also records in late of long-staying birds in autumn makes accurate assessment of the number of individuals April and early May from Breach impossible and possibly more were involved. Marsh (Bishopstoke), Dark Water, Fishlake Meadows, Hitches Lane CP Juvenile Water Rail, Fishlake Meadows, Sep 3rd The first was over Farlington Marshes on Mar 4th, followed by singles NE over on (Fleet) and Itchen Valley CP. (Simon Ingram) 7th and north over Marchwood on 10th, Sandy Point on 15th, Warblington on 24th, Hedge End and Ibsley Water on 26th and Hurst Beach on 28th. There were 22 sightings in April Records for September-December involved a total of 135 at 52 sites (cf. 146 at 55 sites evenly spread through the month and around the county involving around 18 individuals. in 2013). A survey of Fleet Pond on three evenings between Nov 15th and Dec 6th located There were only three sightings in May at Burghclere on 2nd, Hook-with-Warsash on 5th 13, while at Titchfield Haven there were 27 on Dec 5th. At Ibsley Water seven were heard and Ibsley Water on 25th. on Nov 30th and five on Dec 6th, when calling was precipitated by shooting on the adjacent Mockbeggar Lake. Other counts included seven in Langstone Harbour on Dec 6th, five at The first returning bird was at Langstone Harbour on the surprisingly late date of Aug Pennington Marshes on Sep 6th and four at Fishlake Meadows, Hook Links, IBM Lake, Lower 24th. One was at Lymington on the following day and reports followed almost daily through Test Marshes and Milton Common. (JMC) the rest of the month and into September and October. Multiple sightings included two in Langstone Harbour from Aug 31st-Sep 5th, three over Fawley Reservoir on Sep 19th and two Spotted Crake Porzana porzana there on 25th and Oct 5th and two at Needs Ore on Oct 5th. Several evidently stayed into A very scarce passage migrant (most frequent in autumn) and rare winter visitor; has bred. November. Two juveniles were at Lower Test Marshes on Nov 2nd, one of which arrived on (?,166,1) ET, Schedule 1, Amber Oct 12th. Further reports were of singles at Needs Ore and Titchfield Haven on 11th and and Tanners Lane on 15th although timings provided suggest that only one The only records were of a calling bird at Fishlake Meadows at 0200 hrs on Apr 27th (SPP) was involved on each day. The last was one which caught a fish at Hurst Castle on Nov 28th. and again at 0200 hrs on May 5th (NRJ, SI). This is the first report of a calling bird since 2008. There have been records in every year this century except 2000, 2006 and 2011. (KFB) Monthly bird-day totals for various areas are tabulated below. (RC) Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Corncrake Crex crex Chichester Harbour 2 1 1 3 3 Formerly bred but very scarce autumn passage migrant since 1960. (bred,63,1) Langstone Harbour 1 2 4 14 ET, SPEC 1, Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP 4 Titchfield Haven/Hook-with-Warsash 2 1 1 1 2 1 One was flushed at Itchen Valley CP on Sep 22nd (MJWH). There have been five records this Lower Test Marshes 1 2 20 4 century, the most recent of one at Cholderton Estate on Sep 11th 2007. (KFB)

60 61 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Coot Fulica atra A numerous resident and winter visitor. Green A common resident and winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals 2002-07: 3150; 2007-12: 3585. Green WeBS counts were higher than in 2013 but the totals in the peak months of January and November were still below the mean maxima for the last two five year periods. Only four waters held in excess of 100 in the early year and ten in the late year. Monthly maxima at sites where counts exceeded 100 are tabulated below. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blashford Lakes 1479 515 150 110 140 530 689 817 930 1141 1338 1163 Fishlake Meadows 45 40 55 120 20 110 120 90 River Test: Stockbridge- Fullerton 66 15 18 30 24 82 95 98 23 90 102 Testbourne Lake 97 32 14 45 52 15 52 75 96 104 100 120 Alresford Pond 8 6 6 17 16 39 74 90 130 123 21 12 Wellington CP 82 116 27 40 44 20 4 13 14 Bramshill Park Lake 67 30 23 38 40 109 135* 130 110 Eversley GP 358 121 41 180 201 224 188 Yateley GP 157 47 70 83 117 Dogmersfield Lake 40 32 14 28 72 96 111 104 75 50 Heath Pond, Petersfield 62 60 32 36 30 35 81 85 83 83 103* 101 WeBS count totals 3108 1623 946 531 380 868 1321 1423 2160 2753 3018 2852 Sites of international importance 17,500+; national importance 1800+; * = record for locality. In January and February other sites to hold in excess of 50 were (maxima in parentheses) Moorhen, Testwood Lakes, May 24th (Andy Thorpe) Tundry Pond (75, Jan 5th) and Titchfield Haven (67, Feb 3rd). In July and August such sites were Blackwater, Needs Ore (70, July 13th), Langstone Harbour (77, July 12th), Tundry Pond Monthly maxima at sites with regular records where counts exceeded 25 are tabulated below. (72, July 12th), Sowley Marsh (80, July 13th), Lymington-Hurst (62, Aug 9th) and in November Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec and December Longparish Trout Fishery (51, Nov 8th), Titchfield Haven (58, Nov 21st), Lakeside Holiday Camp, Hayling (93, Dec 6th), Warblington Shore, Chichester Harbour (71, Chichester Harbour 74 39 53 10 2 6 24 39 34 31 Dec 6th), The Vyne (63, Dec 7th) and Warnford Park Lake (65, Dec 7th). Hampshire sectors 33 20 32 19 24 17 20 Langstone Harbour 38 22 53 16 12 22 19 16 33 23 6 35 Counts of territories (some incomplete) were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Titchfield Haven 18 16 17 48 48 48 36 50 Abbotts Ann, 2; Alresford Pond, 3 (3); Avington Lake, 6; Blashford Lakes, 20+ including 6 on Brownwich Pond 32 29 38 38 Ibsley Water; Bramshill Park Lake, 8 (4); Farlington Marshes, 8; Fishlake Meadows, 6; Fleet Avon: Ringwood- Pond, 2; Heath Pond, Petersfield, 10; Itchen Valley CP, 5 or 6 (4); Lower Test Marshes, 1; Fordingbridge 14 15 8 13 30 Sparsholt College Fishery, 2; Stratfield Saye, 10; The Grange Lake, 2 (2); Titchfield Haven, Blashford Lakes 17 19 20 15 5 20 19 34 39 23 24 21 (17); Wellington CP, 7; Winchester SF, 5. (JMC) Test: Stockbridge- 2013 corrections: The counts for Lakeside CP of 82 on Jan 5th and 55 on Dec 7th Fullerton 13 2 7 4 4 24 22 30 24 23 44 referred to Lakeside Holiday Village, Hayling. Bramshill Park Lake 6 4 2 8 27 31* 7 Heath Pond, Petersfield 14 14 13 6 6 5 11 14 21 31 31 34* Crane Grus grus * = record for locality A rare vagrant recorded in every month except March, July and August. (0,136+,2) Maxima at other sites where counts exceeded 25 were 30* at Fleet Pond on Sep 12th, ET, SPEC3, Amber 26 at St Mary Bourne on Oct 12th, 27 in flooded field north of Langstone Mill Pond on Dec There were just two sightings, both in May and in flight. On May 3rd an adult flew low across 2nd, 26 at Ashe on Dec 7th, 27 at Drayton Farm WCB on Dec 9th, 32 on ponds around Itchen Valley CP and Southampton Airport before heading west (ARF, MJWH), after which Badminston Common on Dec 14th and 41 at Yateley GP on Dec 25th. it was seen to fly north over Rake (CBa). It was later seen in Sussex. On May 17th a single Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): flew NE over Acres Down, NF at 1555 hrs (JS). There have been records in eight years this Abbotts Ann, 1; Farlington Marshes, 13; Fleet Pond, 10; Lower Test Marshes, 12 (11); Titchfield century, annually since 2008. (KFB) Haven, 24 (30); Winchester SF, 3 (4). (JMC)

62 63 Black-winged Stilt the presence of around 24-26 birds, only one pair managed to successfully fledge one young. Himantopus himantopus At nearby Hook Links, one pair raised one young. A rare vagrant, attempted breeding in 2012. Other coastal records included five at Pitts Deep on Feb 1st, two there on Apr 19th and (5,21,1) ET one at Eling/Redbridge from Oct 11th-13th. Inland there were records of one which dropped The only record was of one at Titchfield Haven in briefly to Alresford Pond on Feb 18th, two at Heath Pond, Petersfield on Mar 3rd and on May 6th (AR et al). There have been six two in flight over Fishlake Meadows for five minutes before leaving west on Aug 23rd. These records in five years this century involving a are the first ever for Heath Pond and Fishlake Meadows and the third record for Alresford total of ten birds, most recently of a pair at Pond. (DJU) Pennington Marshes in May and June 2012. † (KFB) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus A moderately common breeding resident, common passage migrant and winter visitor. Mean Black-winged Stilt, Titchfield Haven, May 6th maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 3711; 2002-07: 3784; 2007-12: 3110. Amber (Paul Winter) WeBS count totals in January-March were higher than for the corresponding period in 2013. Burhinus oedicnemus The autumn peak recorded in September 2013 was not repeated this year; the highest late Stone-curlew year numbers were in December. Overall numbers remain below the mean maxima recorded A scarce summer visitor. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber, UKBAP1, HBAP in each of the last three five-year periods. Monthly maxima at the main high tide roosts are The first sighting was at Ashley Warren on Mar 27th. A total of 31 pairs was recorded on tabulated below. territory of which 24 tried to nest at least once. Of 31 known nesting attempts, 14 failed at the egg or chick stage but from the remainder 23 chicks fledged. These data do not include Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec two areas where landowners do not permit access where it is estimated that a further three Chichester Harbour 1608 1460 844 407 230 78 363 875 97 1322 1328 532 or four pairs bred. Currently the county supports around 20% of all known Stone-curlews Hampshire sectors 55 59 41 16 13 8 5 23 57 3 241 in southern England. Black Point 120 148 86 5 2 1 2 16 105 210 191 Langstone Harbour 1089 1029 625 189 181 236 537 875 952 1283 1089 954 Breeding conditions in 2014 were favourable with a warm summer and no prolonged rain Portsmouth Harbour 267 329 330 90 77 52 180 205 80 301 228 441 during critical periods such as when the chicks are hatching. It also appeared that there was Titchfield Haven 129 95 107 102 115 95 133 plenty of invertebrate food available as chicks were recorded growing rapidly and fledging earlier than expected, especially where only single chicks survived. Hamble Estuary 97 24 45 8 2 8 62 65 Lower Test/Eling/Bury 48 64 35 52 41 24 10 35 59 66 47 45 The largest autumn flock was of 32 at the edge of Porton Down on Sep 2nd and the last Hythe 114 92 81 30 7 38 84 338 81 53 103 record was of one heard near on Oct 31st. (KFB) Calshot 300 620 150 142 200 750 600 Beaulieu Estuary 247 225 229 158 74 76 128 100 130 52 156 102 † Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Lymington-Hurst 193 167 210 42 38 37 51 149 26 106 165 60 A scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; a scarce but increasing breeder which nested for the WeBS count totals 2692 2861 1912 494 379 376 801 1293 1853 2152 2679 2781 first time in 2002. ET, Schedule 1, Amber, HBAP Sites of international importance: 3200+; national importance: 610+. In Langstone Harbour the wintering flock of 23 present in December 2013 remained until Jan 14th falling to five by Jan 30th. This flock subsequently vacated the area with no sightings Significant low tide counts were made at the Hamble Estuary including 218 on Aug 17th, during February. Breeding was attempted at four sites with 30 pairs raising a minimum of 311 on Sep 7th and 258 on Oct 14th, 160 on Nov 15th and 197 on Dec 28th. These birds fly 19 young. The wintering flock in Langstone Harbour became established in mid-November across to Calshot to roost at high tide. with a peak count of 58 on Dec 27th. At the Beaulieu Estuary, the peak count was 14 on Counts of coastal breeding pairs from east to west were as follows (2013 figures in Nov 18th, followed by a slight reduction to a December peak of ten in the first week of the parentheses): West Hayling LNR, 5 (3); Langstone Harbour RSPB islands, 17 (25); Farlington month. Monthly maxima at sites with regular records are tabulated below. Marshes, 1; Titchfield Haven, 6 (5); Hook-with-Warsash, 4 (5); Bunny Meadows, 2; Curbridge, 1; Lower Test Marshes, 2 (1); Needs Ore shore, 5-7; Needs Ore fields, 14; Park Shore, 1; Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sowley-Lymington, 15 (15), Lymington-Hurst shore, 16-17 (20); Lymington-Hurst lagoons, Langstone Harbour 39 3 2 4 6 5 1 22 58 10 (9). Breeding success, where reported, was mostly poor. Only two young were raised at Titchfield Haven 3 41 27 26 24 21 16 16 7 2 Langstone Harbour and none at West Hayling LNR and only two juveniles were reported at Beaulieu Estuary/Needs 3 6 22 56 47 28 26 20 7 3 14 10 Needs Ore. The two pairs at Bunny Meadows raised five young, the pair at Curbridge had Ore one chick and one pair at Lower Test Marshes raised two young. Lymington-Hurst 1 2 1 5 1 4 3 1 5 Single pairs bred on roofs at IBM Lake (raising three young), in Fareham town centre and At the main breeding colony at de L’Orne, Needs Ore, at least 24 pairs had active nests at Quayside Road, Southampton (raising one young). Possibly three further pairs bred in the early in the season. Three of the first pairs to hatch their young walked them to Great Quayside Road area. Inland, one pair raised one young at Testwood Lakes and two pairs Marsh and six fledged. The remaining nests were hit hard by predators and failed. Five pairs raised one young at Ibsley Water. Elsewhere inland, a pair was at Welshman’s Road GP on nested at Great Marsh and three of these fledged a total of six young. Later in the season, four dates between Apr 21st and June 21st and one or two were at Fleet Pond on eight dates four further pairs nested at de L’Orne and fledged ten young. At Titchfield Haven, despite between Feb 22nd and July 25th but with no evidence of breeding at either site, two were

64 65 at Hatchet Pond, NF on Mar 8th, two were at Tundry Pond on Apr 27th (probably the Fleet Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Pond birds), one flew north over Bishopstoke after dark on May 4th, one was at Hamer A moderately common but declining winter visitor and passage migrant; often present in small Warren (Ringwood Forest) on June 30th and one flew south over Itchen Valley CP on Sep numbers in summer. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 3087; 2002-07: 2346; 2007-12: 16th. Additionally there were regular records throughout the year at Badminston Common 1824. Amber with a peak count of 19 on Dec 14th. The long term decline in Grey Plover numbers continued. Early year WeBS count totals Coastal spring passage was under-recorded. Thirteen flew east off Sandy Point on six were apparently stable at just below 1000 compared with the 2013 peak of 1618 during dates between Apr 3rd and May 3rd and eight flew east at Stokes Bay on May 3rd. (DJU) December. Late year numbers were unexceptional with a peak of 1196 during December. Monthly maxima at the main high tide roosts are tabulated below. Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec A common but declining winter visitor and passage migrant; very scarce in summer. ET, Amber Chichester Harbour 476 225 710 103 20 1 176 282 850 513 535 In the early year the highest numbers were inland in the Gander Down area with 1000 on Mid Hayling 15 100 300 100 15 50 250 200 20 200 Jan 18th, 1500 on Jan 29th and 1000 on Feb 2nd and at South Warnborough with 500 on Feb Langstone Harbour 675 579 310 70 46 10 46 130 373 646 569 657 10th and 300 on Mar 10th. In the late year there were high numbers in the Hampshire part Hamble Estuary 69 73 57 3 15 26 39 52 of Chichester Harbour with a maximum count of 542 feeding off Pook Lane, Warblington on Hythe 23 14 37 2 10 10 5 56 83 the falling tide on Dec 2nd and 600 in the high tide roost at East Hayling on Dec 6th. Inland Beaulieu Estuary 53 100 20 2 9 1 1 26 69 20 79 flocks were evidently more widespread than earlier in the year with the largest being of 422 Sowley-Lymington 100 100 1 20 30 50 100 at Hillside, Odiham on Dec 9th. Monthly maxima at sites where counts regularly exceeded Lymington-Hurst 106 137 20 10 10 6 8 25 84 74 119 109 100 are tabulated below. WeBS count totals 972 914 926 181 72 10 55 136 780 1073 997 1196 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sites of international importance: 2500+; national importance: 430+. East Hayling HT roost 17 40 50 300 600 The only other count to exceed 20 was of 25 at Weston Shore on Dec 26th. Warblington-Emsworth 233 60 171 418 542 Titchfield Haven area 60 180 58 120 60 Easterly movement in spring was very light and involved a total of 23 off Hurst between Hamble Estuary 88 170 135 43 163 239 279 Mar 30th and May 18th, peak eight on Apr 20th. In addition ten flew west there on May 1st. Beaulieu Estuary/Needs Inland one was at Ibsley Water on Apr 22nd and two flew SW over Middle Wallop Airfield Ore 350 250 55 2 7 90 230 218 on Nov 7th. (DJU) Lymington-Hurst 30 300 115 1 5 42 32 220 275 2013 addition: 2 were at Avon Causeway on Mar 31st. Middle Test Valley 20 24 1 120 150 100 Gander Down area 1500 1000 200 180 56 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Odiham/South Warnborough 500 300 150 170 422 A common but declining breeder, passage migrant and winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 13580; 2002-07: 11565; 2007-12: 5516. SPEC2, Red, UKBAP1, HBAP Sites of international importance: 9300+; national importance: 4000+. Away from tabulated sites the only early three figure counts were of 250 at Wootton St. Lawrence on Jan 12th, 140 at Chilbolton Telescope on Mar 6th and 158 at Romsey Road, Cholderton on Mar 14th rising to 350 on 20th, presumably a spring passage peak. Numbers were much reduced during the last ten days of March although 107 were still present on the Hamble Estuary on 26th. The only April record was of 81 at Wootton St Lawrence on 6th but subsequently one of the northern form in full summer plumage was in a field at New Lane, Keyhaven on May 1st and two in summer plumage were at Farlington Marshes on June 14th. This is the fifth June record this century. The first returns in autumn involved three at Lymington-Hurst on July 12th and five there on July 29th, followed by two at Needs Ore on Aug 31st. Records were received for five coastal and two inland sites during September with peak counts of 42 at Lymington-Hurst on 22nd and 43 at the Hamble Estuary on 27th. From mid-October higher numbers became apparent inland. Away from tabulated sites three figure counts included 200 at Overton on Oct 27th, 250 at the next day, 120 at Preston Candover on 31st, 200 at Middle Wallop Airfield on Nov 13th and 14th, 215 at Bere Hill Farm, Whitchurch on 15th, 120 in flight to the west of Tweseldown on 29th (probably Odiham birds), 100 at Fobdown near Alresford on Dec 20th and 150 at Ladle Hill on 28th. On the coast 110 were grounded at Farlington Marshes on Dec 24th. (DJU) Lapwing, Kingsclere, Mar 30th (Barry Stalker)

66 67 Despite their long term decline, WeBS count totals in the early year showed an increase As in 2013, post-breeding dispersal was most evident at Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes, from late 2013 with peak four figure counts of 1284 at Lymington-Hurst on Jan 6th and 2246 where the peak count was 15 (10 juveniles) on July 15th. The last there was on Aug 24th. Other on the Avon floods on Feb 2nd. Late year numbers were lower although still higher than the records came from Hook-with-Warsash (2, July 6th; 1, July 13th and 26th-27th), Farlington corresponding period during 2013. Monthly maxima at sites where counts regularly exceeded Marshes (1-2 regularly from July 11th-Sep 8th; 4, July 17th), Needs Ore (1, July 13th, 24th 200 are tabulated below. and Sep 9th), Drayton Farm WCB (1, July 16th), Titchfield Haven (2, July 21st-27th, 1-2, Aug 17th-Sep 5th), Hill Head (1 E, Sep 5th) and Hythe (Sep 7th). The last of the year was at Ibsley Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Water on Sep 12th. (DJU) Chichester Harbour 1928 1172 72 11 5 69 39 98 371 751 907 Hampshire sectors 660 613 1 2 15 7 117 47 420 2013 additions: 9 at Avon Causeway, Apr 4th and 5 on 5th. Langstone Harbour 568 552 143 35 33 33 19 66 90 97 186 364 † Titchfield Haven area 300 320 25 14 6 10 66 55 131 158 338 450 Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Hamble Estuary 130 260 18 1 16 9 27 50 195 A moderately common but declining breeder, passage migrant and winter visitor. Mean maximum Lower Test Marshes-Eling 600 465 14 32 23 71 300 400 WeBS totals 1997-2002: 872; 2002-07: 809; 2007-12: 691. Amber Dibden Bay 500 278 31 104 241 200 The peak autumn WeBS count of 819 in September showed a modest increase compared Beaulieu Estuary 600 717 50 30 14 25 34 75 152 200 606 457 with 742 in October 2013. Monthly maxima from sites where counts exceeded 20 in more Lymington-Hurst 1284 711 203 41 9 50 73 83 17 313 555 924 than one month are tabulated below. Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 1500 2246 706 232 83 373 401 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blashford Lakes/Somerley Estate 220 22 5 33 284 186 142 372 124 356 360 Chichester Harbour 73 158 39 27 22 16 2 751 220 196 81 29 Testwood Lakes 78 340 5 29 56 52 91 200 Black Point 57 25 21 5 16 2 102 227 264 190 125 Overton/Whitchurch area 242 200 300 290 Sandy Point-Gunner Point 6 82 160 Winchester SF 660 495 10 3 1 21 77 98 88 203 163 220 Langstone Harbour 12 46 25 2 11 10 11 55 232 216 111 88 WeBS count totals 6425 7358 1274 119 80 269 342 613 1101 1311 2881 4120 Portsmouth Harbour 21 60 1 39 16 2 Titchfield Haven- Away from the tabulated sites the only count to exceed 200 was of 250 at Lodge Farm, Brownwich 54 1 2 40 2 1 3 Odiham on Nov 27th. Additionally, the NFWBS recorded a total of 372 on Dec 13th and 14th. Hamble Estuary 40 16 1 25 11 3 6 96 76 111 55 54 Breeding season reports referred to approximately 181 territories or pairs (cf. 148 in Weston Shore 18 2 1 5 6 16 36 47 2013) from the following localities (number of young raised in parentheses): Beaulieu Heath Hythe 1 2 59 89 8 70 West, 22; , 1; Bishopstoke, 3 (3); Long Valley, Bourley, 3 (9); Brick Kiln Inclosure, Lepe 1 44 65 NF, 3; Brockwood Park, 2 (2), Brown Candover, 2; Chidden Down, 3; Chilbolton, 7; Chilton Beaulieu Estuary 11 46 12 14 12 6 8 47 6 50 15 22 Candover, 1; Cholderton, 2 (7); Crondall, 4; , 1; Farlington Marshes, 16 (13); Sowley-Lymington 1 5 1 1 6 44 Fleet Pond, 2-3 (2 – first ever breeding at the site); Ford Farm, Greywell, 3; Hannington, 1 Lymington-Hurst 66 6 21 16 10 6 9 200 278 201 150 7 (3); Holmsley, 1 (3); Hook Links, 5; Ibsley/Harbridge WM, 3; Ibsley Water, 7 (12); , WeBS count totals 153 129 61 26 37 6 22 278 819 391 281 207 1; Langstone Harbour RSPB, 2 (2); , 6 (5); Lymington-Hurst, 19; Neatham Sites of international importance: 730+; national importance: 340+. Down, Alton, 1; Needs Ore, 8 (5); New Forest N of A31, 11 in partial survey; Old Winchester Hill, 3 (3); Overton, 2; Patchington Copse, , 2; Penny Moor, NF, 6; Small Down, East Other notable counts not included above were 132 at Warblington Shore on Aug 22nd, Meon, 2; Testbourne Lake, 4 (5); Testwood Lakes, 3 (1); Titchfield Haven, 5 (2+); Totford, 2; 55 at Stokes Bay on Oct 9th and 84 at Calshot on Oct 26th. Truncheants, Alton, 2; , 2; Upper Froyle, 1; Waters Down Farm near , Easterly spring passage was evidently very light with only 25 recorded moving at Hurst 1; Welshman’s Road GP, 1; Wheely Down, Warnford, 1; Whitewool near Old Winchester between Apr 10th and May 18th. Spring inland records (which may have included prospecting Hill, 2+; Yew Tree Heath, 3. (DJU) breeders) were mostly from Ibsley Water, where there were six on Apr 7th, two on May 1st, one on May 11th and two on May 17th. Other records were of one near Burley on May 5th, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius two at Testwood Lakes on May 8th and four at Testbourne Lake on May 15th. A scarce summer visitor and passage migrant. Schedule 1, Green Counts of coastal breeding pairs from east to west were as follows (2013 figures in The first of the year was at Titchfield Haven on Mar 15th (remaining to 21st), followed by parentheses): West Hayling LNR, 1 (0); Langstone Harbour RSPB, 6 (5); Hook Spit, 1 (2); singles at Ibsley Water on Mar 19th and at Lower Test Marshes and Testwood Lakes the Needs Ore, 14-18 (nc); Park Shore, 2 (nc); Tanners Lane, 1 (1); Lymington/Hurst, 6-7 (10). following day. Sightings in April indicative of spring passage included singles at Winchester Successful breeding was confirmed at Hook Spit, Needs Ore and Park Shore. SF on 4th, Ashe floods on 6th and flying NW over Woolmer Pond on 18th and two at There was little evidence of any autumn build-up during late July. However, on Aug 15th, Winchester SF on 22nd. 751 were counted in Chichester Harbour as a whole during the WeBS count, indicating the The number of breeding pairs located was the lowest on record with 11 pairs raising 13 strength of the arrival around that time. Other counts included 96 at the Hamble Estuary young as follows: Ibsley Water, 2 pairs raised 4 young; Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes, 1 pair on Aug 23rd, 102 at Black Point on Aug 27th and 200 at Hurst Castle on Aug 30th. The only raised 2 young; north and north-, 7 pairs at 5 sites with 3 raising 7 young; autumn inland records came from Ibsley Water with two on Aug 30th, one on Sep 1st and Testwood Lakes, 1 pair failed. There were also records during May and June from a further 6th and four on the late date of Nov 21st. (DJU) six sites where breeding was not proven.

68 69 Dotterel Charadrius morinellus Curlew Numenius arquata A rare passage migrant with one record of wintering. (8,106,3) ET, Schedule 1, Amber A common passage migrant and winter visitor. A scarce and declining breeder, mainly in the New One was at Croft Farm, Over Wallop on Apr 21st (MGP, SPP) and two were at Hampton Forest. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 2850; 2002-07: 3077; 2007-12: 2933. Ridge, NF on Apr 28th (AB, photo). These are only the third and fourth records ever for SPEC2, Amber, UKBAP2, HBAP that month, the earliest having been at Sandy Point on Apr 15th 1996. There have been nine previous records this century involving 30 individuals in six different years with the most recent of four at in May 2011. (JMC) Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus A common passage migrant. Very scarce but increasing in winter. Schedule 1, Red In the early year possibly eight were wintering with regular records of up to three at Bury/ Eling Marshes and singles in the Keyhaven/Pennington area and Langstone Harbour. Other records were of one at Tanners Lane on Jan 19th and two at Frater, Portsmouth Harbour on Feb 3rd. What may have been the wintering bird was seen again in Langstone Harbour from Apr 3rd-9th and one was at Black Point from Apr 5th-8th. The first obvious migrants were seven which flew east over Pennington Marshes on Apr 12th and subsequently at least 732 were logged moving east until May 23rd. A total of 637 was recorded at Hurst including peak counts of 75 on Apr 20th, 63 on Apr 25th, 110 on Apr 26th and 47 on May 5th. Typically, lower numbers were recorded further east as some birds or groups turned inland along the main river valleys. At Stokes Bay, a total of 164 flew east between Apr 16th and May 18th with peak counts of 39 on Apr 26th and 28 on May 4th. At Sandy Point, 66 were recorded between Apr 19th and May 15th and, in addition, 55 flew west there on May 9th. Other Curlew, Normandy Marsh, Mar 13th (Marcus Ward) notable coastal counts at this time included 30 east at Lepe on Apr 29th, 29 east at Tanners Lane on May 5th and 45 NE at Titchfield Haven on Apr 30th. High counts of grounded In the early year, WeBS counts were above average for the time of year with relatively higher coastal flocks were mostly in late April with peaks of 55 at Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes numbers remaining into March. The peak autumn count of 2486 came a month earlier than in and 47 in Langstone Harbour on 26th and 112 in Portsmouth Harbour on 29th. In early May 2013 and can largely be accounted for by higher counts in Langstone Harbour and Lymington- there were 50 at Keyhaven on 2nd and 55 at Curbridge on 5th. Inland counts were low but Hurst. However when compared with the five year means it is clear that numbers at this included traditional sites such as Thicket with seven to 12 between Apr 24th and time of year are in decline. Monthly maxima at the main high tide roosts are tabulated below. May 11th (peak on May 5th) and Moorgreen Farm, West End with 15 from Apr 27th-May Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 8th. In addition, 23 were recorded arriving in Langstone Harbour from inland on May 6th. Chichester Harbour 1007 1347 1227 173 117 42 1165 1381 1363 978 994 822 Other inland records included singles over Alton on Apr 23rd, at Southampton Airport on Mid Hayling 100 400 300 100 75 350 500 500 500 200 200 May 7th, Itchen Stoke on May 9th and on May 15th. The last in spring were Langstone Harbour 704 298 168 115 80 89 539 1231 791 663 581 430 on May 25th when two flew NE at Hook-with-Warsash. Portsmouth Harbour 16 503 294 40 550 239 81 60 During June, one was at Needs Ore on 7th and 13th, another flew north calling over Southampton Water 462 456 342 18 10 8 91 161 139 273 442 335 Straight Mile, Romsey on 11th and 32 were disturbed from a high-tide roost in Portsmouth Beaulieu Estuary 292 184 224 130 16 50 237 83 117 270 148 Harbour on 23rd (GC). These were presumably early returning birds and the total is the Sowley-Lymington 57 83 35 5 2 5 6 34 37 5 27 121 highest count ever for that month. Lymington-Hurst 413 118 182 49 7 8 66 323 76 103 107 120 In autumn the highest counts were in Portsmouth Harbour with 36 on July 8th, 57 on July WeBS count totals 2225 2183 1760 297 174 121 1094 2486 1626 1869 1774 1467 30th and 25 on Aug 3rd and 25th. Elsewhere there were July peaks of 12 at East Hayling on Sites of international importance: 1400+; national importance: 550+. 11th, 18 at Langstone Harbour on 12th and 11 at Needs Ore the next day. Numbers were lower in August with ten at East Hayling on 15th the only double figure count away from Spring passage was recorded at four sites on the coast with a total of 80 moving east or Portsmouth Harbour. Few were recorded in September; the only counts above four were of north-east between Mar 3rd and May 1st with a peak count of 17 at Hurst on Apr 3rd out five at Needs Ore on 10th and seven at Weston Shore on 28th. Inland sightings were confined of a spring total of 61 for the site. to Aug 28th when a flock of five was seen over Fishlake Meadows and North Baddesley and In the New Forest there were summer records from 16 sites with approximately 22 one flew south at Bishopstoke. There were late records of one at Black Point on Oct 14th territories. Breeding was confirmed at Ibsley Common and Brogenslade Bottom with two and two at Hythe on Oct 25th but during November and December possibly only four were juveniles seen at both locations. wintering with regular records of two at Bury/Eling Marshes and singles in Langstone and Away from the New Forest inland records came from the Lower Itchen Valley (17, Jan Portsmouth Harbours. (DJU) 19th; 1, Feb 24th), Ibsley Water (3, Apr 10th), Fleet Pond (1 left W, June 8th), Midanbury (1 N, July 13th), Fleet (1 NW, July 16th; 3 W, Aug 21st), (1 over, Aug 17th) and Lodge Farm, Southwick (4, Dec 26th). (DJU)

70 71 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Icelandic race L.l. islandica is a common winter visitor and passage migrant. Small numbers Chichester Harbour 1072 110 0 154 57 68 42 84 71 155 248 333 213 summer. Status of European nominate race unknown. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: Mid Hayling 220 100 100 12 5 150 200 10 10 1653; 2002-07: 2753; 2007-12: 2210. SPEC2, Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP1, HBAP Black Point/Dip Rithe 50 52 60 66 Extensive flooding in the Avon Valley between Sopley and Bisterne again attracted high (L) numbers with monthly maxima of 2500 on Jan 30th (not included in WeBS), 2060 on Feb Warblington (L) 112 2 1 6 46 138 166 107 2nd and 2234 on Mar 2nd. Unprecedented numbers were in the Eling/Bury area with peaks Langstone Harbour 27 200 19 1 2 4 18 13 2 71 of 413 on Feb 27th and 409 on Mar 1st, the latter contributing to the above average WeBS Titchfield Haven-Chilling 6 6 5 13 20 total for that month. The Avon flock dispersed in mid-March as the floods receded although Beaulieu Estuary 6 1 5 12 1 2 1 2 up to 400 at Ibsley Water on Mar 25th and Apr 2nd and further records of up to 16 until Sowley-Lymington 4 3 5 1 7 6 Apr 26th were presumably remnants of this gathering. Late year WeBS totals were below Lymington-Hurst 17 15 18 44 14 3 1 5 2 5 21 average due to the limited flooding in the Avon Valley although a one-off record of 63 at WeBS count totals 255 138 123 50 20 2 9 174 223 12 102 Ibsley Water on Nov 21st was notable. Monthly maxima at various sites are tabulated below. Sites of international importance: 1200+; national importance: 380+; L = Low tide count(s). Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec In Southampton Water there were sightings up to May 6th. Three were on the Hamble Chichester Harbour 1 595 45 42 242 541 511 367 414 Estuary on Jan 27th with six there on Feb 2nd. Up to two were at Weston Shore on Apr East Hayling/Emsworth 40 43 50 59 121 25th-26th and finally two off Redbridge Wharf on May 6th. In the late year the only sightings Langstone Harbour 86 130 301 31 2 144 239 607 610 594 308 were of singles at Calshot on Dec 13th and 30th-31st. In Portsmouth Harbour, one was off Portsmouth Harbour 7 45 20 68 144 Portchester Castle on Jan 21st, two were there on Feb 10th and one was off Hardway on Titchfield Haven 70 6 100 114 60 64 100 58 130 116 65 77 Apr 5th. Hamble Estuary 1 2 47 120 24 200 334 280 37 4 32 Eastward passage through the Solent was again light with a minimum of 207 recorded Itchen Estuary 83 34 7 3 between Apr 16th and May 26th. At Hurst, 193 were recorded between Apr 19th and May Lower Test/Eling/Bury 318 413* 409 1 14 80 91 112 296 18th with peak counts of 38 on Apr 20th, 28 on Apr 29th and 37 on May 4th. At Stansore Marshes Point, 21 were recorded on Apr 20th. At Hill Head, 55 moved east between Apr 27th and Hythe-Calshot 9 1 2 12 2 102 64 78 50 18 May 19th with peak counts of 19 on Apr 27th and 28 on May 5th. Nearby at Stokes Bay, 43 Beaulieu Estuary 18 10 1 7 22 12 6 20 10 40 92 25 were recorded between Apr 16th and May 5th with a peak of 14 on Apr 29th. Finally, at Sowley-Lymington 6 42 6 100 1 Sandy Point 31 flew east between Apr 27th and May 5th with a peak of 11 east on May 4th. Lymington-Hurst 17 1 5 53 3 15 248 390 276 224 370 374 Inland at this time, four were at Ibsley Water on Apr 26th and one was at Testwood Lakes Avon: Sopley-Ringwood 2500 2060 2234 5 120 on May 8th and 9th. Additionally, five were seen in flight over Sowley Pond on May 6th. The Ibsley Water 300 400 2 2 1 1 63 1 only other inland record involved one at Ibsley Water on Nov 21st. (DJU) WeBS count totals 1828 2279 2861 491 1 2 183 1110 1256 926 1246 1422 Sites of international importance: 610+; national importance: 430+; * = record for locality. Turnstone Arenaria interpres A moderately common passage migrant and winter visitor; small numbers summer. Mean maximum Away from the Avon Valley, the only inland records were of one at Fleet Pond on July WeBS totals 1997-2002: 611; 2002-07: 915; 2007-12: 874. Amber 22nd, two at Alresford Pond from Aug 27th-Sep 5th and eight SW over Four Marks on Oct 26th. Spring coastal passage is rarely observed for this species as it is thought to WeBS counts in the early year showed a reduction from late 2012 although there were notable mostly move at night but a flock of 19 moved east off Hurst at 0812 hrs on Apr 28th.(DJU) increases in March with counts of 219 in Portsmouth Harbour on 1st and 320 in Langstone Harbour on 4th. Autumn passage was light with indicative counts including 42 in Langstone 2013 correction: November maximum for Avon: Sopley-Ringwood was 252 (on 24th), not 5. Harbour on July 12th and 108 there on Aug 9th. Elsewhere during August there were 158 at the Hamble Estuary on 7th, 145 at Lepe on 16th and 118 at Titchfield Haven on 30th. In the Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica last three months of the year the highest count was of 352 in Langstone Harbour on Oct A moderately common but declining passage migrant and winter visitor. Small numbers summer. 25th. One other notable count outside the WeBS count area was of 137 at Gunner Point, Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 1188; 2002-07: 795; 2007-12: 342. ET, Amber South Hayling on Jan 20th. In the early year numbers were low with only 27 being recorded on the WeBS count in Monthly maxima at the main high tide roosts are tabulated below. Langstone Harbour on Jan 4th and seven on Feb 1st. However, a separate count of 200 was made there on Feb 7th. The only other notable early year count was 112 at Warblington Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec on the falling tide on Mar 12th. Late year numbers were also low with the highest numbers Chichester Harbour 150 41 120 25 16 10 8 155 156 130 recorded from the Hampshire side of Chichester Harbour, including 200 at East/Mid Hayling Black Point 133 45 2 13 1 40 28 17 on Oct 25th, 166 on the rising tide at Warblington on Nov 9th and 107 there on Dec 10th Langstone Harbour 10 43 320 38 3 42 108 96 352 197 161 (these birds roosting on Thorney Island). Monthly maxima at the main high tide roosts are Portsmouth Harbour 110 50 219 50 124 52 165 tabulated below. Titchfield Haven/Hill Head/Brownwich 57 60 69 80 10 1 18 118 130 81 25 30 Hamble Estuary 108 111 112 5 8 158 85 150 149 167

72 73 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ruff Calidris pugnax Weston Shore (L) 65 45 36 4 22 50 66 A scarce but regular passage migrant and very scarce winter visitor. ET, SPEC2, Schedule 1, Red Hythe-Calshot 26 40 38 8 1 35 96 55 28 39 In the early year birds were reported from the Keyhaven/Lower Pennington Lane area between Lepe 34 6 145 120 72 25 Jan 3rd and Apr 27th with monthly maxima of 7, 6, 8 and 3. Elsewhere there were two to Beaulieu Estuary 50 50 79 32 12 6 14 36 64 56 42 three at Avon Causeway between Jan 16th and Mar 2nd and singles at Titchfield Haven on Sowley-Lymington 53 1 25 8 14 60 5 20 13 Jan 19th and Mar 16th. Subsequently, single migrants were at Ibsley Water on Mar 31st, Apr Lymington-Hurst 41 75 52 70 4 4 70 146 62 74 95 4th and Apr 12th-15th and Farlington Marshes on Apr 12th. WeBS count totals 439 410 865 194 7 4 61 414 522 609 682 723 The first in autumn was a moulting male at Keyhaven Marshes on June 29th and 30th. Sites of international importance: 1400+; national importance: 480+; L = Low tide count(s). Subsequently in that area there was an adult from Aug 1st-12th and juveniles on Aug 18th and There were no reports of spring passage and the only inland sightings came from Ibsley from Sep 8th-Oct 6th including three on Sep 20th. At Titchfield Haven there was an adult Water with singles on May 1st, July 27th and Aug 3rd. (DJU) from July 18th-Aug 2nd, one on Aug 21st and 22nd and one or two from Sep 15th-Oct 13th with three on Sep 28th. Other records were of singles at Needs Ore from July 24th-27th, Knot Calidris canutus Winchester SF on July 31st, Hook-with-Warsash on Aug 16th, Farlington Marshes from Aug 24th-Oct 5th, Ibsley Water on Aug 30th and Curbridge on Sep 7th, three juveniles at Hythe A moderately common winter visitor (to the eastern harbours) and passage migrant. Mean maximum on Aug 31st and two east at Hurst Beach on Oct 12th. In the second winter period the only WeBS totals 1997-2002: 1414; 2002-07: 1108; 2007-12: 1045. SPEC3, Amber sightings were again in the Keyhaven/Lower Pennington Lane area with one or two from Oct Counts in the early year showed an improvement on the very low numbers present at the end 26th into 2015 with peak counts of four on Dec 6th and 20th. of 2013. However they were still low with the highest being of 288 in Langstone Harbour on The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below. (DJU) Jan 4th, 320 at East Hayling on Feb 1st, 830 there on Mar 1st and 300 at Pitts Deep, also on Mar 1st. Notable low tide counts from Chichester Harbour included 686 feeding in Emsworth Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Channel on Jan 30th and 931 there the next day (both counted from a series of photographs) 10 9 12 6 1 3 8 8 7 2 4 and a maximum of 500 at Dip Rithe on Feb 26th. It is not known whether a count of 400 at Park Shore on Feb 26th referred to feeding or roosting birds but they presumably refer to the Pitts Deep flock. Monthly maxima at the main high tide roosts are tabulated below. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea A passage migrant, very scarce in spring and scarce in autumn; has wintered. Green Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Chichester Harbour 1013 481 839 1 1 5 1 55 20 There were no records in the spring for the first time since 1991. Hampshire sectors 320 830 1 1 5 5 20 The regular early autumn passage of adults involved singles at Pennington Marshes on July Black Point 60 60 280 8 3 10 21 21st and Aug 7th, four at Farlington Marshes on 10th, one at Keyhaven Lagoon on Aug 11th Langstone Harbour 288 217 220 1 2 28 61 13 50 and 12th, and five in Keyhaven Harbour and one at Needs Ore on 12th. Further adults were Beaulieu Estuary 1 1 46 3 10 at Black Point on Aug 27th and Keyhaven Marshes on 30th. Sowley-Lymington 100 300 40 300 The first juvenile was at Farlington Marshes from Aug 30th-Sep 1st followed by daily Lymington-Hurst 50 65 70 15 1 2 6 62 48 13 46 reports of up to six from 5th-30th with nine on 15th, seven on 24th and nine on 26th. In the WeBS count totals 389 537 1351 1 3 55 110 31 397 Lymington/Hurst area there were ten at Normandy Lagoon on 6th followed by daily reports Sites of international importance: 4500+; national importance: 3200+. of up to three at Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes until Oct 5th with five on 21st, six the next day and four on 23rd and 26th. In Chichester Harbour up to four were regularly seen on the Visible spring passage was negligible with singles east at Hill Head and Stokes Bay on May incoming tide off Pook Lane, Warblington between 1st and 25th with five on 9th and singles 5th and Hurst on May 18th. Other sightings at this time came from Keyhaven/Pennington in the high tide roost at Black Point on 3rd, 10th, 15th and 26th. Other September records Marshes with one on May 5th and 18th, 15 on 19th, three on May 21st and 24th and Langstone were of two at Sandy Point on 2nd and one there on 21st and singles at Hythe on 2nd and Harbour with singles on May 5th and 23rd. 15th, West Hayling LNR on 7th and 25th, Titchfield Haven from 14th-22nd, Hurst Castle on The first return was one at Keyhaven Marshes on June 27th with numbers remaining low 21st and Needs Ore on 25th. until September when there were ten at the Beaulieu Estuary on 16th, 62 at Pennington One was at Warblington on Nov 9th, 28th, 29th, Dec 2nd and 4th and intermittently until Marshes on 20th and 28 at Langstone Harbour on 27th. Although late year WeBS numbers March 2015. This was the first in winter since January 2002. were higher than the corresponding period during 2013, they were still low and were largely accounted for by a count of 300 at Tanners Lane on Dec 6th. Low tide counts at Warblington The minimum monthly totals are shown below. (JRDS) in the late year included 316 on Nov 29th and 256 on Dec 30th. Sightings in Southampton Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Water were largely confined to the Hamble Estuary with one to three recorded intermittently between Jan 4th and 27th and Aug 2nd and Dec 30th. Elsewhere singles were at Titchfield 1 14 37 3 1 1 Haven/Hill Head on July 14th, Sep 27th and Dec 26th, Southsea Castle from Dec 1st-7th and Portsmouth Harbour on Dec 6th. (DJU)

74 75 Sanderling† Calidris alba period although the long term decline in wintering numbers is likely to be continuing. Monthly A moderately common passage migrant and winter visitor. Green maxima at the main high tide roosts are tabulated below. As usual wintering birds were Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec largely confined to sites east Chichester Harbour 12666 10641 5161 305 44 5 202 741 183 1762 1460 3944 of Southampton Water with Warblington Shore (L) 32 21 135 117 177 605 560 records from further west and Mid and North Hayling 212 3006 2000 1 4 10 60 190 inland relating to migrants. Black Point 30000 6000 2666 2 8 2 28 333 1500 4000 8000 Records from the main sites, Langstone Harbour 14001 15902 11301 26 1 334 722 5551 10597 13543 Black Point and Sandy Point, Portsmouth Harbour 5449 560 127 420 are likely to refer to the same Hamble Estuary 750L 762 773 5 1 26 1 60 600 750 birds, which also roost at Pilsea Weston Shore/Chessel in the West Sussex portion Bay (L) 500 4 1 2 100 300 of Chichester Harbour. The Hythe 320 1223 1000 6 49 10 160 1700 monthly maxima in the early Beaulieu Estuary/Needs year were all at Black Point with Ore 397 208 40 15 30 6 50 12 61 171 471 a peak of 350 on Jan 2nd. The Sowley-Lymington 650 200 600 24 100 300 600 800 last three figure flock of the Lymington-Hurst 2000 900 515 49 250 6 527 671 413 340 980 2000 spring was 100 at Sandy Point Sanderling with colour-rings and flag, Black Point, Feb 16th WeBS count totals 23600 26359 18888 92 38 15 778 1365 6716 13224 21498 on May 15th. Numbers built (Trevor Carpenter) up in autumn with 46 at Sandy Sites of international importance: 13,300+; national importance: 3500+; L = Low tide count(s). Point on July 26th, 89 there the next day and 300 on Aug 1st. Three figure flocks were regular In the early year three figure roosts away from tabulated sites included 400 at Lepe CP on at Sandy Point and Black Point until mid-November. The only other three figure count was Jan 1st, 1200 at on Jan 2nd, 300 at Fawley Refinery on Jan 4th, 1500 at Gilkicker of 215 at Stokes Bay on Oct 9th but few records were received for this location. Point on Feb 4th and 370 at Lepe CP on Feb 13th. At the last-named site 520 were roosting two hours before high tide on Jan 25th but it is not known if they remained there over the Monthly maxima at the main localities are tabulated below. high water period. Inland records involved two on floods at Avon Causeway on Feb 2nd and Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec six nearby at Avon on Mar 11th. Black Point 350 260 270 2 5 57 12 250 200 74 Eastward migration through the Solent in spring was mainly recorded at Hurst where 444 Sandy Point-Gunner Point 158 120 100 100 5 89 400 400 200 40 12 were recorded between Apr 2nd and May 31st with a peak of 271 on Apr 20th. Westerly Eastney-Southsea 10 4 movements of 400 off Sandy Point on Apr 13th and 20 off Southsea on May 10th were Hill Head-Brownwich 13 14 20 27 14 15 2 1 3 18 19 presumably local. Inland records were of one or two at Ibsley Water on 13 dates between Hook-with-Warsash 12 16 21 5 Mar 31st and May 22nd, three there on Apr 12th, seven on May 6th and eight on May 11th Lepe-Needs Ore 8 24 3 and singles at Woolmer Pond on Apr 12th and Testwood Lakes on May 8th. Lymington-Hurst 15 14 6 8 3 For the second year running a prominent autumn passage was noted at Lymington/Hurst, Sites of international importance: 1200+; national importance: 160+. where the first returns were 11 on July 12th rising to 527 at Keyhaven Marshes by 27th and Away from tabulated sites there were coastal records of two in Langstone Harbour on peaking at 671 there on Aug 12th. Inland there were two at Ibsley Water on July 20th and Jan 4th and Feb 2nd, three at Weston Shore on May 4th, ten at Taddiford Gap on June 2nd, singles there on Aug 13th, 30th, Sep 22nd and Oct 2nd and at Winchester SF on Aug 11th. three at Hythe on Sep 19th and seven in Langstone Harbour on Dec 6th. Inland, singles were In the late year the only three figure roost counts away from tabulated sites were of at Ibsley Water on May 5th and 11th. 135 at Cracknore Hard, Marchwood on Nov 20th and 168 at Calshot on Nov 30th. Other Eastward spring passage recorded at Hurst Beach involved 286 on 21 dates between April sizeable counts included 1009 feeding along the north shore of Chichester Harbour between 6th and June 7th, peak 43 on May 5th. Further east 14 moved east at Hill Head/Stokes Bay on Warblington and Emsworth on Dec 26th and 620 feeding at Lepe CP on Dec 28th. (JRDS) three dates between Apr 16th and May 20th and 16 moved east at Sandy Point on four dates 2013 additions: 10 at Avon Causeway on Jan 26th and Mar 23rd. between Apr 26th and May 5th. There were three reports of autumn coastal movements, all at Hurst, involving five birds. (JRDS) Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Schedule 1, Amber Dunlin Calidris alpina With records on 60 dates in the early winter period and spring, the main site in the county A numerous but declining winter visitor and moderately common passage migrant; small numbers continues to be Southsea Castle. The last report was of one on May 18th. The first returns summer. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 35,171; 2002-07: 29,906; 2007-12: 24,140. were two on Oct 17th and there were reports on a further 15 dates up to the end of the SPEC3, Red year. Monthly maxima at Southsea Castle are tabulated below. Numbers in January and February were a little higher than December 2013. The maximum WeBS count total in February was above the mean maximum for the 2007-2012 five year Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 14 17 17 17 11 2 15 15

76 77 The only other reports came from Hurst, with singles on Feb 2nd, Nov 3rd and Dec 3rd, Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius and Chewton Bunny, where 15 flew briefly into Hampshire from Dorset on Jan 29th.(JRDS) A very scarce autumn and early winter visitor, usually occurring after gales. Rare from December to February. (?,286,5) Little Stint† Calidris minuta A passage migrant, very scarce in spring and scarce in autumn; occasional in winter. Green One in winter plumage was at Pennington Marshes from Apr 8th-26th and another, or the same, then in summer plumage, was there on May 10th and 14th. The first return was of two at Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes on July 18th with one or two there until Aug 1st. The first juveniles were singles there on Aug 25th and 28th, followed by eight on Aug 31st. Subsequently there were virtually daily reports there up to Oct 15th amounting to approximately 164 bird-days with a maximum of 14 on Sep 8th reducing to six on 27th and 28th and four on Oct 2nd. One or two were at Farlington Marshes from Sep 11th-16th, then four on 24th, three until 28th, two until Oct 5th and the last on Oct 11th. Two were at Titchfield Haven from Sep 19th-25th with one remaining until Sep 30th and one there on Oct 16th. Elsewhere two were off Pook Lane, Warblington on Sep 1st and 9th. The minimum monthly totals are shown below. (JRDS) Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 1 2 9 22 7

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos A rare passage migrant recorded in every month from May to October. (0,89,1)

First-winter Grey Phalarope, Needs Ore, Oct 18th (Alan Lewis) One was found by a member of the public feeding on insects on flooded sea water trapped behind the sea wall at Eling Great Marsh on Jan 21st (REC, PDW). This is only the ninth to be recorded in January since 1950. There were four singles in autumn, at Needs Ore Point on Oct 18th (AIL) and 19th (PEJ, A&CD), Ibsley Water on Nov 7th (RKP, EJB, AIL), South Moors, Langstone Harbour on Nov 7th (RKP, EJB et al) and 8th (SW, LO) and Hill Head on Dec 14th, which dropped in and fed with Sanderling on the beach before departing towards Brownwich (DH). There have been records in every year this century except 2006 and 2007. (KFB) Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos A moderately common passage migrant; a few regularly winter; has attempted breeding at least once. SPEC3, Amber In January-early April there were regular records from the Itchen Estuary (monthly maxima 5, 3, 5, 5), Lower Test Marshes/Eling Great Marsh/Redbridge (4, 4, 2, 3) and the Upper Hamble Estuary (1, 2, 1, 0). One at Forton Lake, Portsmouth Harbour on Mar 16th was probably wintering. The first spring migrants appeared at Farlington Marshes on Apr 10th and Pennington Marshes on 12th. Subsequently there was a light passage until May 28th involving a further 44 at 16 inland sites and 20 at 12 coastal sites. The only counts above two were of seven at Redbridge on Apr 12th, three at Riverside Park on Apr 16th (these counts no doubt involving Adult Pectoral Sandpiper, Pennington Marshes, Aug 1st (Simon Colenutt) some wintering birds), three at Hurst on Apr 22nd and three at Ibsley Water on Apr 29th. After a splendid showing of five in 2013 it was a return to normal numbers with just an adult The first returns were one at Keyhaven Marshes on June 25th and two at Ibsley Water at Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes from Aug 1st-10th (SC et al). There have been records the next day. Autumn passage continued until late October and involved an estimated 161 in every year this century except 2000 and 2007. (KFB) at 23 coastal sites and 81 at 25 inland sites. The only counts above seven were of eight at

78 79 Chessel Bay on July 17th, 11 at Ibsley Water and the adjacent Mockbeggar Lake on July 20th between Mar 13th and Apr 20th but nearby there were up to five at Dark Water, Lepe and nine at Lower Test Marshes on Aug 11th. from Jan 16th-19th, one at Park Shore on Feb 26th and Mar 1st, four at Dark Water on Mar In November and December there were regular records from the Itchen Estuary (monthly 12th and three there on Apr 6th. At Nore Barn, Emsworth one, thought to be the regular maxima 3, 3), Lower Test Marshes/Eling Great Marsh/Redbridge (2, 5) and the Upper Hamble wintering bird, was last seen on Mar 27th and was regularly joined by another between Jan Estuary (0, 2). There were also singles at Ivy Lake on Nov 1st, Ibsley Water from Nov 1st- 20th and Feb 20th. Possibly a third individual moulting into summer plumage was there from 23rd, Testwood Lakes on Nov 9th, Needs Ore from Dec 5th-7th and on 30th and Rockford Mar 24th-Apr 1st. Elsewhere, singles were at Farlington Marshes on Mar 20th and Apr 9th, Lake on Dec 26th (probably the Ibsley Water bird). Two were along the north shore of three were at Pitts Deep on Apr 19th and the last of the spring was at Frater, Portsmouth Langstone Harbour on Dec 6th. Harbour on May 16th. The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below. (JRDS) The first returns were at Needs Ore from June 13th-16th with two on July 2nd, Titchfield Haven on June 30th and Oxey Marsh, Lymington on July 12th and 13th. There were frequent Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec records for the Lymington/Hurst area from July 30th through to the year end with a maximum 10 9 15 38 26 6 100 75 46 21 8 14 of ten on Nov 30th and for Needs Ore between July 24th and Nov 23rd with a maximum of nine on Oct 1st, 4th and 8th. On the north shore of Chichester Harbour a ringed bird was seen intermittently off Pook Lane, Warblington between July 31st and Nov 15th and an Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus unringed bird was there on Aug 3rd and Sep 6th. Nearby at Nore Barn, what was assumed A passage migrant, scarce in spring and moderately common in autumn. Small numbers winter. to be the regular unringed wintering bird returned for its 11th winter from Oct 9th and was Schedule 1, Amber joined by a second unringed individual on Nov 11th, 24th and Dec 11th. At Farlington Marshes Between January and March, there were around 44 at 23 inland sites and 20 at 10 coastal there were regular records of singles between Aug 15th and Dec 28th with two on Sep 25th, sites. Most had departed by April 23rd but the last of the spring was at Chilling on May 8th 26th and Nov 8th. Other coastal sightings were of singles at Titchfield Haven on Aug 24th associating with a Greenshank in a flooded field. and from Oct 3rd-5th and at Hook-with-Warsash on Sep 19th. The only inland migrants were singles at Ibsley Water on Aug 26th and Fishlake Meadows on Aug 29th. There was one at Breach Farm, Bishopstoke on June 2nd and two at Needs Ore on June 13th, before returns became widespread starting with one at Titchfield Haven on June 20th. Monthly maxima at the two main localities and the totals elsewhere are tabulated below. Autumn passage continued with approximately 126 at 30 inland sites and 87 at 14 coastal Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec sites to the end of October. In November and December, there were around 26 at 14 inland Needs Ore 2 2 1 3 5 7 9 1 sites and 19 at 12 coastal sites. Monthly maxima at the main localities are tabulated below. Lymington-Hurst 9 9 7 5 3 2 5 6 10 9 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Totals elsewhere 7 3 8 8 1 1 1 6 5 4 5 3 Hermitage Stream, For more information about the Spotted Redshanks and other birds occurring at Nore Havant 1 2 4 1 1 Barn, see Brian Fellows’ excellent blog at http://www.emsworthwildlife.hampshire.org.uk/0-0-0- Farlington Marshes / South Moors 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 wildlife-diary.htm (JRDS) Titchfield Haven 1 1 2 1 2 1 3 Lower Test Marshes 2 1 5 11 12 6 3 2 2 Greenshank Tringa nebularia Testwood Lakes 3 2 2 3 2 A moderately common passage migrant; scarce winter visitor. Schedule 1, Green Badminston GP 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 In January to March, approximately 61 wintered at 16 sites. Numbers decreased through Lepe CP 1 1 2 1 1 April and May with a total of around 32 recorded at ten coastal sites. The last of the early Needs Ore 3 1 2 3 3 6 4 1 1 year was at Needs Ore on June 7th with the first return at Titchfield Haven on June 26th. Blashford Lakes 1 1 2 5 5 4 2 3 Autumn passage involved a minimum of 177 up to the end of October with records from 19 Winchester SF 4 8 coastal and four inland sites. In November and December, approximately 55 wintered at 13 Alresford area 2 3 3 2 10 3 6 5 3 4 sites. Monthly maxima at the main localities are tabulated below. The only counts to exceed three at non-tabulated sites were of four at Totford on Aug Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 17th and six at Longparish on Aug 30th. Chichester Harbour 9 7 4 1 12 15 18 12 13 9 The approximate monthly totals based on maxima at each site are tabulated below. (JRDS) Hampshire Farlington Marshes / 1 1 3 6 1 19 40 43 20 3 1 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Langstone Harbour 22 21 22 18 1 15 45 72 59 37 23 22 Portsmouth Harbour 1 6 6 5 19 10 4 3 5 Titchfield Haven 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 6 2 1 Hamble Estuary 8 7 4 1 1 2 5 9 10 11 10 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Curbridge 3 6 10 2 A scarce and declining passage migrant and winter visitor. SPEC3, Amber Beaulieu Estuary 1 1 2 3 1 2 7 18 18 10 3 In the early year there were regular records from the Lymington/Hurst area up to Apr 29th Tanners Lane/Pitts Deep 1 1 1 1 1 7 4 3 1 with a maximum of nine on Jan 14th and Feb 22nd. At Needs Ore there were one or two Lymington-Hurst 10 1 9 3 1 13 14 21 21 8 7

80 81 Away from the tabulated sites there were coastal sightings from Ashlett Mill Pond, Bury Approximately 15 were seen in autumn. Early returning birds were at Pennington Marshes Marshes, Calshot, Chessel Bay, Fawley, Lower Test Marshes, Sandy Point and Weston Shore. from June 25th-27th and heard over Southampton Airport at 2230 hrs on June 26th. Three All records were of one to three. adults were at Pennington Marshes on July 12th. Up to three juveniles were at Pennington/ Inland there were reports of singles at Ibsley Water on July 8th and Fleet Pond on July Keyhaven Marshes between Aug 1st and 12th and singles were at The Deeps, Farlington 13th, two at Lakeside CP on Aug 27th, one at Woolmer Pond on Aug 30th and two there Marshes on 1st and 7th, Needs Ore on 18th, Ibsley Water on 30th and flying west over Iley on Sep 9th and one at Ibsley Water the next day. Point, Keyhaven on 31st. The last of the year was one at Pennington/Keyhaven Marshes from Sep 19th-27th which was joined by a second individual on 26th. (JRDS) The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below. (JRDS) Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Redshank Tringa totanus 28 31 41 30 9 3 65 121 143 92 49 36 A moderately common but declining breeder, common passage migrant and winter visitor. Mean maximum WeBS totals 1997-2002: 1858; 2002-07: 2453; 2007-12: 2455. SPEC2, Amber, HBAP As in 2013, the January WeBS total was noticeably lower than the preceding December. The Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes difference is due to reduced numbers in the eastern harbours. Also as in 2013, numbers A rare vagrant. (0,14,1) recovered to normal levels in February. The annual maximum was in autumn as usual with 2711 in October which is somewhat higher than recent maxima. Monthly maxima at the main high tide roosts where counts exceeded 100 are tabulated below. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Chichester Harbour 1653 1709 1488 87 9 16 481 1555 1949 1610 2379 909 Hampshire sectors 448 753 528 11 2 86 137 367 323 561 325 Langstone Harbour 229 226 507 78 14 43 305 642 762 1009 835 864 Portsmouth Harbour 232 390 424 170 300 736 414 668 Hamble Estuary 39 54 94 6 17 86 75 74 63 122 Hythe-Calshot 72 188 62 14 4 5 53 130 69 27 Beaulieu Estuary 135 95 114 24 15 20 92 79 126 108 145 149 Lymington-Hurst 313 118 240 31 15 26 160 226 358 246 244 140 WeBS count totals 1541 1889 2063 172 37 79 450 1183 1894 2711 2451 2314 Sites of international importance: 2400+; national importance: 1200+. Roost counts at other regularly watched sites during the first winter period included 65 at Bury/Eling/Lower Test Marshes on Jan 4th, 28 at Quayside Road, Itchen Estuary on Jan 22nd, 22 at Chessel Bay, Itchen Estuary on Feb 18th and ten at Pitts Deep/Tanners Lane on Mar 2nd. In spring, inland records came from The Vyne Water Meadows (2-6, Mar 9th-31st), Bishopstoke (1, Mar 29th) and Ibsley Water (1, Mar 2nd; 2, Mar 8th). Elsewhere in the Avon Valley, there were records of pairs at Avon Causeway from Mar 2nd-11th and at Ibsley Flash on Mar 30th. In the New Forest possible territorial behaviour was reported from three sites Juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs, Titchfield Haven, Sep 19th (Brian Harrison) in May. There was a welcome increase in breeding season reports from coastal sites as follows: Langstone Harbour RSPB (8 pairs raised at least one young), Farlington Marshes (13 pairs), The first-winter that was found at Stansore Pools, Lepe on Nov 10th 2013 remained until Titchfield Haven (1 pair), Hook-with-Warsash (2 pairs raised 1 young), Lepe CP (1 pair with Apr 15th. It was mostly faithful to the site although it occasionally moved a short distance four chicks, one predated by a Sparrowhawk), Needs Ore (10 territories, 3 young raised), to Dark Water (m.o.). Almost a year on a juvenile was at Normandy Marsh from Sep 5th- Pylewell/Tanners Lane (3 pairs with young) and Lymington-Hurst (15/16 pairs). 9th (JRJ, MW, SPP et al, photo). It was relocated at Titchfield Haven on Sep 11th where it remained until Sep 28th (AM et al). The only other records this century were of a first-winter Post-breeding dispersal was illustrated by inland records of singles in the Avon Valley at at Titchfield Haven from Oct 23rd-28th 2005 and an adult at Park Shore, Needs Ore on Rockford Lake on June 30th and Ibsley Water on July 19th, 27th, Aug 3rd and Sep 7th, two Sep 21st 2008. (KFB) at Fleet Pond on July 28th and two at Welshman’s Road GP on Aug 31st. Roost counts at other regularly watched sites during the second winter period included Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 66 at Pitts Deep/Tanners Lane and 54 at Bury Marshes on Sep 27th and 44 at Quayside Road, A passage migrant, very scarce in spring and scarce in autumn; one winter record in February and Itchen Estuary on Nov 19th. High numbers were noted at Warblington Shore, Chichester March. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber Harbour on incoming tides in the late year with monthly maxima in July-November of 137, 184, 263, 90 and 60. (JRDS) Four were seen in spring with singles at Farlington Marshes on Apr 24th and Needs Ore on May 5th and 6th and two at Farlington Marshes on May 17th.

82 83 Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Snipe† Gallinago gallinago A scarce but overlooked winter visitor and passage migrant. SPEC3, Amber A scarce and declining breeder now largely confined to the New Forest, common passage migrant Between January and mid-April a minimum of 22 (including two trapped at night) was reported and winter visitor. SPEC3, Amber, HBAP from 14 sites (cf. 54 at 25 sites in 2013). There were multiple reports from Sandy Point (max. After the high numbers in the early year in 2013, counts in the first three months of 2014 2, Jan 21st), Itchen Valley CP (6, Jan 22nd; 5, Jan 24th and Mar 17th) and Farlington Marshes were noticeably lower. Three figure counts were made at three sites cf.( eight in 2013) with (max. 3, Mar 1st). The last were two at Farlington Marshes on Apr 14th. a maximum of 164 at Itchen Valley CP on Feb 24th and counts in excess of 20 at a further The first of the autumn were two at Itchen Valley CP and one at Hucklesbrook on Oct ten sites. Most had left wintering sites before the end of April with the last being at Avington 12th. Subsequently a minimum of 23 was reported from 12 sites (cf. 34 at 20 sites in 2013). Lake on Apr 28th. There were three singles away from breeding areas in the summer, at There were multiple reports from Itchen Valley CP (max. 3, Nov 10th and Dec 8th), Long Hitches Lane CP on May 18th, Needs Ore on June 3rd and Farlington Marshes on June 24th. Valley (max. 4, Nov 13th), below Avon Causeway (3, Dec 7th) and Titchfield Haven (5, Dec The first returning migrants were two at Highbridge on July 10th and numbers grew quickly 19th). (JRDS) through the month with 25 in the Lymington/Hurst area on July 27th. Titchfield Haven was the only site with three figure counts in November and December and counts in excess of Limnodromus scolopaceus 20 were recorded at a further nine sites. Monthly maxima at sites with regular counts are Long-billed Dowitcher tabulated below. A rare vagrant recorded in every month except June, July and August. (0,11,0) The adult which arrived at Pennington Marshes Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec in July 2013 had last been seen on Nov 19th Portsmouth Harbour 1 73 112 1 59 2013. However it reappeared at the site on (inc. Frater) Jan 20th and 21st 2014 but then vanished until Titchfield Haven 16 8 9 5 1 20 33 51 101 179 Feb 1st. It was then seen intermittently on a Hook-with-Warsash 7 103 62 1 5 1 12 8 further 20 dates up to Apr 14th (m.o.). The Lower Test Marshes 31 34 43 4 9 16 11 26 only other records this century were a juvenile Lepe 13 19 26 1 1 12 at Ibsley North Lake on Oct 11th 2009 and a Needs Ore 16 20 42 1 1 3 2 4 1 15 15 first-winter at Needs Ore on Mar 10th 2012. Lymington-Hurst 3 3 12 25 14 21 1 23 19 Adult summer Long-billed Dowitcher, Pennington (KFB) Blashford Lakes 7 12 2 5 11 29 23 Marsh, Apr 14th (Paul Winter) Testwood Lakes 7 12 3 8 11 Fishlake Meadows 31 14 10 1 Woodcock † Scolopax rusticola Test: Stockbridge- Fullerton 19 3 1 12 A moderately common resident and winter visitor. SPEC3, Amber Testbourne Lake 10 15 1 5 17 2 10 7 6 There were widespread reports between January and March with at least 62 at 45 sites, Lakeside CP 12 21 8 21 including a maximum of eight at Cholderton on Jan 25th and five at Somerley Estate on Jan Itchen Valley CP 57 164 26 24 1 10 10 32 45 4th. Sites with records on more than one date were Badminston GP, Blashford Lakes, , Winchester SF 3 4 19 4 2 19 17 25 95 Itchen Valley CP, Long Valley, Lower Test Marshes, Moorgreen Farm (West End), Netherton Avington Lake 22 3 5 5 1 6 6 17 11 Bottom and Titchfield Haven. The Vyne 70 60 57 1 42 32 83 Roding was first recorded from Pamber Forest on Mar 11th. Incomplete surveys of the Hillside Marsh, Odiham 75 1 21 83 Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths produced totals of 20 and three roding males respectively Hitches Lane CP (Fleet) 3 9 13 1 1 2 10 (see Table 1, p. 159). Further reports came from 16 sites outside the New Forest. Most involved just one or two but four were seen simultaneously at on May 3rd. The only counts to exceed 20 away from The last report of roding was on July 20th. There were no further reports until Oct 5th, tabulated locations were of 35 in Langstone when there were singles at Beech Bed Inclosure, NF and Castle Bottom, followed by one at Harbour on Mar 1st, 35 at Mansbridge on Mar Blackwater Arboretum on Oct 19th. 5th, 33 between Avon Causeway and Wattons Ford on Sep 28th and 21 between Sopley and In November and December a total of 28 was reported from 23 sites. All were singles, Avon Causeway on Dec 7th. apart from three at Allington GP on Nov 30th and Sandy Point on Dec 3rd and two at Blackfield on Dec 8th. There were reports on four or more dates from Blackfield, Sandy Reports of drumming birds (singles unless Point and Itchen Valley CP. stated) were only reported from the New Forest at Acres Down, Black Gutter Bottom, The New Forest Woodcock group continued its monitoring of roding birds and the ringing Backley Plain, Beaulieu Heath West (4), Bishop’s study. A team has been counting roding birds at numerous localities in the New Forest and Dyke (4), Brogenslade Bottom (2), Duckhole will soon publish their results on a population estimate for the site. Over 180 new birds Bog, Hinchelsea Bog, Holm Hill, Ibsley Common were caught as well as numerous recaptures of birds ringed in previous years. The ringing (2), Millersford Bottom, Newlands Plantation recoveries show that the majority of our wintering population is from Russia with seemingly (3), Penny Moor, Pig Bush (2), Setley Plain (2), few Fenno-Scandian birds present. (JRDS, NRJ) Slufters Inclosure and Studley Wood. (JRDS) Snipe, Titchfield Haven, Sep 1st (Mark Palmer)

84 85 Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus east past Hill Head/Stokes Bay (peak 3, Apr 23rd and 27th) and six past Sandy Point (peak 4, A scarce passage migrant, most frequent in spring; very scarce in summer and rare in winter. Apr 23rd). The final spring birds were three east off Hurst on May 25th. Green Autumn passage started with one attacking a Grey Heron off Hurst Beach on Aug 1st and It was an excellent year with approximately 102 recorded. This is the second highest annual another, or the same, flying over Hayling Bridge into Langstone Harbour on 3rd. The next total only being exceeded by the 113 in 1997. Spring passage was exceptional with 95 recorded were singles off Hurst Beach on Oct 6th and 8th. One off Weston Shore on Oct 14th was of which 85 were seen on May 5th. The first was a single east at Hurst, Needs Ore and Sandy unusual so far up Southampton Water and may have been the same bird that was off Lepe Point on Apr 26th. Three flew east off Hurst on May 1st but there were no further sightings on 18th. The last of the year was a single off Hurst Beach on Nov 22nd. (MLE) until May 5th when favourable weather conditions saw a rush of birds moving through the Solent ahead of a westerly rain front. More than 13 hours of observation at Hurst Beach and Puffin Fratercula arctica Castle produced 85 east with 15 at 1349 hrs the largest flock. Some of these were noted A rare visitor; very small numbers breed nearby on the Dorset coast. (1,44,16) SPEC 2, Amber further along the coast with seven at Hill Head/Stokes Bay, three past Southsea and 11 east Bad weather in the English Channel in the winter of 2013/2014 had a serious impact on auks at Sandy Point. Observers hoping to get in on the action on subsequent days were, in the wintering at sea causing increased levels of mortality. A total of 15 Puffin corpses was found main, disappointed. One moved east off Lepe and Stokes Bay on 6th, two flew west at Hurst along the tideline in four places: Hordle Cliff on Jan 30th, Feb 9th (2), 11th and 16th (AL); Beach on 8th and additional singles flew east there on May 18th, 20th and 23rd. All were Hurst Beach on Feb 9th, 10th, 15th, 23rd and 27th (4) (MPM); Sandy Point on Mar 2nd (LP); recorded as pale phase apart from three dark birds off Hurst on May 5th. Inchmery on Mar 15th (AJBL). Although corpses or sick birds have occasionally been found Approximately seven were seen in the autumn. At Hurst Beach a pale adult/sub-adult and in the past, the maximum number in any year has been three (in 2000 and 2003). two immatures were noted on Oct 6th. Further sightings of one or two immatures on five The only live bird was about 300 m off Hill Head on Feb 5th before flying off east (MJP, dates between Oct 10th and Nov 11th probably relate to the two original birds lingering. An IC, RKL). It would seem possible that it was unwell as one observer noted that it appeared additional single was noted offshore on Nov 21st and 28th. Elsewhere one was off Hook- to have a damaged beak. The casualties in Hampshire formed part of a much larger wreck in with-Warsash on Oct 9th and two were off Lepe on Oct 24th. (MLE) the NE Atlantic Ocean involving an estimated 54,000 seabirds including 29,500 Puffins with most found on the Biscay coast of France. See the report of the UK Beached Seabird Survey Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 2014 at https://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/schmitt_2014_tcm9-389064.pdf for more details. A scarce passage migrant, most frequent in spring; very scarce in summer and rare in winter. Prior to this year a total of 19, including three corpses, was recorded in six different years Red, UK BAP 3 this century. The most recent were four in 2011. (KFB) The first was a dark phase east at Hurst on the afternoon of Mar 28th. Thereafter approximately 93 were noted between Apr 7th and June 6th. Totals at individual sites were 87 at Hurst/ Razorbill† Alca torda Milford on Sea (peak 10, May 5th), four at Keyhaven, singles off Inchmery and Lepe, 24 off A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; breeds nearby on Purbeck coast of Dorset. Amber Hill Head/Stokes Bay (peak 5, May 5th) and 17 past Sandy Point (peak 10, May 5th). Approximately 110 were recorded in 2013 of which two-thirds were tide line corpses found in One flew east off Hurst Beach on July 16th. Autumn passage extended from Aug 1st to January and February. Counts of dead birds included 41 between Becton Bunny and Taddiford Nov 29th and involved 29 with six in August, one in September, 17 in October and five in Gap, 25 in the Hurst Beach area, five at Lepe/Beaulieu Estuary and three at Sandy Point. November at Hurst Beach/Milford on Sea (21), Hook-with-Warsash (1), Weston Shore (2) Prolonged stormy weather through to March caused what the UK Beached Bird Survey 2014 and Sandy Point (5). A late bird was off Weston Shore on Dec 17th. (MLE) described as ‘what may have been the biggest North Atlantic mass seabird mortality event (seabird wreck) in living memory’. Huge numbers of dead seabirds were found along west Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus facing coasts from northern Portugal to Shetland. See the link under Puffin above. A very scarce passage migrant, also recorded twice in winter. (1,44,1) Green In the early winter period live birds were seen in groups of one to four along the length of One flew west at Milford on Sea on Nov 8th. It then headed back east and harassed Kittiwakes the coast with six off Hill Head on Jan 5th the peak count. This included one found dying in before hovering a while, landing on the sea and drifting out on the tide (SGK, MJH). A total a Milford on Sea garden on Feb 15th. The only bird in March was at Weston Shore on 16th. of 24 has been recorded this century with records in every year except 2004 and 2012. (KFB) Spring passage was, perhaps unsurprisingly after the high winter mortality, light with five flying east at Hurst Beach (1, May 5th; 2, May 18th; 2, May 25th) and one east at Lepe on Great Skua Stercorarius skua May 24th. A scarce but increasing passage migrant, most frequent in spring; very scarce in summer and rare in winter. Amber The first of the autumn was off Hurst Beach on Aug 10th but there were no further records until October when singles were off Hurst Beach on 3rd, 4th and 26th and another It was a good year for this species with approximately 50 recorded. Eight were seen during was in Langstone Harbour on 25th. The last records of the year were at Hurst Beach where unsettled weather at the beginning of the year. Between Jan 1st and 4th four were off Hurst one was offshore on Nov 14th and two on 21st. Beach, one or two at Stokes Bay and one off Sandy Point. A further single was noted at Hurst Beach on Jan 26th and Feb 8th and 9th. The approximate monthly totals of live birds are tabulated below. (MLE) Spring passage started with one at Sandy Point on Mar 31st. There were no further sightings Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec until Apr 20th and numbers peaked in the last week of April. As usual the majority were in Offshore 17 2 1 1 3 3 the Hurst/Milford on Sea area with 30 recorded (peak 7, Apr 23rd). Elsewhere seven flew Moving East 2 6 Moving West 1 1

86 87 Little Auk Alle alle Little Tern Sternula albifrons A very scarce visitor recorded in every month from October to February, usually appearing following A moderately common but declining summer visitor and passage migrant; recorded once in winter. storms. (10+,138+,1) ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber, HBAP The only record was of one which flew west past Hill Head on Nov 7th at 100 m range in The first were two at Normandy Marsh on Apr 6th. Spring passage through the Solent strong offshore winds (RHM). There were annual records from 1992-2007 but since then involved a minimum of 116 east between Apr 9th and May 10th with totals of 34 at Hurst there have been only three in 2009 and singles in 2012 and 2013. (KFB) Beach (peak 10, May 9th), 71 at Hill Head/Stokes Bay (peak 37, May 5th) and 66 at Sandy Point (peak 25, May 5th). † Guillemot Uria aalge It was a better breeding season than of late with 38-42 young reared. In Langstone Harbour A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; breeds nearby in west of Isle of Wight. Amber 31 pairs raised 28 young and in the Lymington area ten pairs raised 10-14 young. A high total of approximately Post breeding counts were again highest on Hayling Island with peak monthly counts at 176 was recorded. Tideline the Black Point roost of 38 on Aug 18th and ten on Sep 1st. The last was a single at Sandy corpses found in the early year Point on Sep 9th. (MLE) accounted for 61 of these with dead birds recorded between Black Tern Chlidonias niger Becton Bunny and Taddiford A scarce passage migrant. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber Gap (42), Hurst Beach (12), Park Shore/Needs Ore (5) and A total of 52 made for a poor year. The first flew east past Hill Head on the afternoon of Apr Sandy Point (2) (cf. Razorbill). 23rd and was followed by a further 19 at Hill Head/Stokes Bay up to May 5th including the Wintering birds were, as usual, highest day count of 15 on Apr 27th. Elsewhere five were logged at Hurst Beach between concentrated around Hurst Apr 25th and May 5th and two flew east past Eastney on Apr 26th. One lingered at Titchfield Beach, Southampton Water Haven from Apr 23rd-30th. Inland, one was at Woolmer Pond on May 1st and two were at and the eastern harbours. Ibsley Water on May 19th. Small groups were seen flying Autumn passage began with one off Lymington on July 30th. Further records were in two Guillemot, , Milford on Sea, Feb 9th (Alan Lewis) west at Hurst Beach during the distinct peaks around Aug 4th-9th and Aug 30th-Sep 2nd. Singles were off Keyhaven on Aug first week of January with the 4th, Sandy Point on 6th and Hill Head on 8th and 9th with five fishing off Hurst Beach on highest count of 24 on 3rd. Up to four lingered there until Feb 20th. There were regular 8th and nine roosting at Hawkers Lake, Lymington on 9th. Two were off Sandy Point and sightings in the inner Solent but with birds flying in and out of Southampton Water it was one was at Normandy Lagoon on Aug 28th. Two fed with the Common Tern flock between very difficult to get a definitive count for the stretch of coast between Needs Ore and Hill Lepe and Weston Shore from Aug 30th-Sep 2nd. Head. Approximately 14 appeared to be wintering with nine in Southampton Water on Jan The approximate monthly totals are shown below. (MLE) 22nd the highest day count. Further east, eight were off Southsea on Jan 8th, one or two were in Langstone Harbour throughout January and three were in the Sandy Point/Chichester Apr May June July Aug Sep Harbour entrance area from Jan 2nd-Mar 2nd. 26 4 1 21 Spring passage was noted at Hurst Beach/Castle with 26 between Apr 13th and June 6th 2013 correction: The record of one at Alresford Pond on Apr 19th should be deleted. including six on May 10th and five on May 25th. Elsewhere singles were off Lymington on Apr 21st, Stokes Bay on Apr 24th and Needs Ore on May 17th. Sandwich Tern† Sterna sandvicensis The first of the autumn were in Chichester Harbour on Sep 14th and off Stokes Bay on Sep A moderately common summer visitor and passage migrant; small numbers now winter. 21st. Thereafter all records came from the Hurst Beach area where approximately 33 were ET, SPEC2, Amber, HBAP noted from Oct 4th to the year’s end. This included 15 offshore on Dec 14th (cf. Auk species). In the early winter up to 11 were in the Chichester Harbour/Hayling Island area (peak on Feb The approximate monthly totals of live birds are tabulated below. (MLE) 1st) through to mid-March. Elsewhere, singles were off Hurst Castle on Jan 1st and Keyhaven Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec on 7th, between Needs Ore and Calshot from Jan 2nd-Mar 3rd, in Langstone Harbour on Jan 14th and in Portsmouth Harbour on several dates in January. Offshore 23 20 10 7 21 2 6 25 Moving East 3 2 1 Spring passage started with two past Hurst Beach on Mar 24th and involved approximately Moving West 24 3 2 1 339 east up to May 9th. Totals at individual watch points were 155 at Hurst Beach (peak 28, Mar 28th), 158 at Stokes Bay (peak 41, May 5th) and 234 at Sandy Point (peak 57, Apr 23rd). Auk species Inland, singles were at Ibsley Water on Apr 7th and 12th. Five were recorded at Sandy Point (singles on Jan 30th, Nov 8th and 3, Dec 20th), two at It was a much more successful breeding season than 2013. In Langstone Harbour 66 pairs Stokes Bay (singles on Jan 3rd and Nov 8th which were both thought to be Razorbills) and raised 27 young and in the Lymington area 45 pairs raised 20 young. 64 at Hurst Beach which included 13 on May 20th and six on June 6th. Sixty off Hurst Beach Autumn roost counts at Black Point peaked at 88 on Aug 19th, 16 on Sep 24th and 33 on on Dec 14th were thought to be Guillemots but only 15 were close enough to identify with Oct 10th, a roost on saltmarsh north of Hurst Castle held 120 on Aug 8th and 122 on Aug certainty. (MLE) 25th and 24 were roosting on boats in Langstone Harbour on Oct 17th.

88 89 Late year records came from six sites with up to ten in Chichester Harbour from early Autumn passage began with a juvenile at Sandy Point on Aug 16th. Thereafter 12 were November, singles off Hurst Beach on Nov 4th and 8th (possibly late migrants), two in recorded at eight sites along the coast including a late adult off Milton Common on Nov Langstone Harbour on Nov 27th, a single off Needs Ore, Lepe and Warsash on several dates 12th. (MLE) between Nov 6th and Dec 28th and three in Portsmouth Harbour through December. (MLE) Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini Common Tern Sterna hirundo A rare visitor, usually storm driven, mostly recorded in August-December but once each in January A moderately common summer visitor and common passage migrant. ET, Amber and May. (1,161,1) The first was off Hurst Beach on Mar 28th and was followed by two ‘Commic’ Terns past there The only record was of a juvenile heading east past Milford on Sea at 1121 hrs on Oct 6th on Apr 2nd and a single at Ibsley Water the next day. Passage through the Solent involved (WB) and probably the same bird seen high over Hurst Beach at 1330 hrs on the same day approximately 3500 between Mar 28th and May 24th and was a significant improvement on (MPM). There have been records in every year this century except 2002, 2004, 2009 and the 2525 recorded in 2013. At Hurst Beach 3482 were counted with a peak of 1766 east on 2010. (KFB) May 5th. In the Hill Head/Stokes Bay area 680 were noted (peak 200, Apr 23rd) and 530 flew past Sandy Point (peak 228 also on Apr 23rd). Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla It was another poor breeding season on the coast. In Langstone Harbour 21 pairs on A passage migrant and winter visitor, usually scarce but sometimes occurring in large numbers after the islands and 96 pairs at West Hayling LNR failed to raise any young. This was thought to gales; breeds nearby on Purbeck coast of Dorset. Amber be the result of the birds settling to breed late coupled with tidal surges in early July and possible fox predation. Eleven nests at Needs Ore were abandoned. In the Lymington area 156 nests were counted; two fledged young at Normandy and ten at Pylewell were the only indications of success. At Titchfield Haven five pairs raised two young. Inland, successful breeding occurred at the same three sites as in 2013. At Ivy Lake 22 pairs raised 34 young, at Fleet Pond ten pairs raised 11 young and at Testwood Lakes a single pair raised two young. Post-breeding numbers were generally low with three figure counts at six sites between July 9th and Sep 3rd. These included 300 at Black Point on Aug 20th and 190 there on Sep 3rd, 302 at Titchfield Haven on Aug 21st, 300 at Sandy Point on 24th and 1000 moving west past Hurst Beach on 29th. Numbers declined rapidly from mid-September although there were 39 at Hythe on 28th. October records came from Hurst Beach on 6th, Sandy Point on 10th and Hythe where six were still present on 11th. (MLE) Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii A very scarce passage migrant which occasionally breeds. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP Spring passage involved a minimum of 11 individuals. April birds were noted at Hurst Beach on 26th and Hill Head on 29th. The next was a single past Hurst Beach on May 5th with a Adult Kittiwakes, Sandy Point, Hayling Island, Jan 5th (Andy Johnson) further two on 7th, five fishing offshore there from 0734-0755 hrs on 10th and one east on 11th. A single at Keyhaven Lagoon and two moving west off Southsea at 0925 hrs on May A succession of stormy weather systems that started in mid-December brought a large influx 10th may have been birds previously seen at Hurst Beach. early in the month that accounted for the majority of the January count of 625. The worst of the storms was over by Jan 7th and the total influx up to Jan 8th amounted to 589. During One flying west off Sandy Point on Sep 1st was the only autumn record. (MLE) this eight day period the highest totals were 114 at Hurst (peak 32 on 3rd), 27 at Hook- Sterna paradisaea with-Warsash (peak 22 on 6th), 329 at Stokes Bay (peak 280 on 4th), 41 at Southsea (peak Arctic Tern 20 on 6th) and 29 at Sandy Point (peak 13 on 8th) while smaller numbers were observed at A moderately common but overlooked passage migrant. ET, Amber viewpoints all along the coast. The highest day count was on Jan 4th with a total of 301 which It was a poor year with only 89 recorded of which half were seen on one date at Ibsley Water. included the 280 at Stokes Bay. Between Jan 8th and the end of the month, with the weather Spring passage was the lightest since 1997 with only 24 recorded along the coast on eight less stormy, a further 36 were counted with total day counts all in single figures. An adult at dates between mid-April and mid-May. The first were two off Hurst on April 16th. They IBM Lake on Jan 1st was the first ever there and well inland one at Woolmer Pond from Jan were followed by a further nine in April and 13 in May. Stokes Bay recorded the highest day 4th-6th was found dead there on Jan 18th. The total of 625 was the highest monthly count count of five on May 5th and the last of the spring on May 18th. since there were 854 in April 2005, and it was the highest January count since January 1998 Inland, passage started with two at Fleet Pond on Apr 20th. These were eclipsed three when stormy weather led to a total influx of 1050. days later when 45 were at Ibsley Water. Coastal passage that day was limited to four past The stormy weather continued into February bringing another influx that boosted the Stokes Bay and two past Sandy Point. Interestingly none of the Ibsley birds remained the monthly total to 199. The worst of the stormy weather ended on 15th by which time there next day. This is the highest inland count since Apr 23rd 2008 when 80 were at Fleet Pond. had been a total count of 165. The highest totals for the month were 71 at Hurst (peak A further four were noted at Ibsley Water on Apr 27th (1), Apr 29th (2) and May 13th (1). 20 on 8th), 34 at Hill Head (peak 30 east on 8th) and 20 at Stokes Bay (all on 9th). Other The only other inland record was of one at Fleet Pond on Apr 29th. reports included those of a storm-blown adult found in woodland at Mansbridge on 8th and

90 91 released at Weston Shore, further adults at Ibsley Water on 8th and Walpole Park, Gosport Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec from 17th-21st, a first-winter at Riverside Park, Southampton from 17th-19th and an adult Portsmouth Harbour there on 22nd. WeBS 1127 1761 1357 844 1134 1137 Spring passage was light with a total of 44 between Mar 31st and June 16th of which 36 Titchfield Haven 1453 887 1500 2330 237 415 452 were at Hurst with a maximum of 23 moving south on May 20th. Elsewhere there were Beaulieu Estuary/Needs 505 232 285 376 301 454 419 245 113 259 324 94 totals of five at Hill Head and three at Stokes Bay with one each at Needs Ore, Lepe and Ore Southsea Castle. Ibsley Water# 1500 1500 4000 110 0 250 345 120 60 1200 2000 5000 6000 Winchester SF 243 272 295 158 1 4 166 171 90 309 286 267 Between July 5th and Oct 31st there were reports of 31, the highest counts being of eight Alresford Pond 18 200 1 413 308 1000 1000 25 1350 at Hurst on Aug 10th and five there on Aug 25th. Low pressure and strong winds on Nov Heath Pond, Petersfield 125 70 25 1 1 13 17 14 300 205 255 200 7th and 8th resulted in a large influx, the main impact of which was reported from Hurst on 8th where there was a westward movement of 137 (85 adults and 52 juveniles) between # = night roost 1014 and 1401 hrs. Other reports on that date included five adults at Southsea, six west at Hill Head and seven adults east at Stokes Bay. Most of the December total was reported Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus from Hurst over the Christmas period with five on 23rd, 16 west on 24th and seven on 25th. A scarce visitor, although sometimes moderately common, recorded in all months but most numerous The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below. (JRJ) in spring and autumn. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber The stormy conditions in January and February led to higher numbers than usual at this time Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec of year. The first report was of three at Sandy Point on Jan 2nd and subsequently there were 625 199 7 4 33 5 2 17 2 10 156 32 sightings, mainly of singles, from 12 coastal locations. The highest total for the month was at Hurst with five including two east on 5th, one east on 7th and two on 26th. The only inland Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus record was of five adults which roosted at Ibsley Water on 30th. A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber In February there were reports on 25 days. The highest totals were 51 at Hurst (peak 14 east on 9th), 28 at Titchfield Haven/Hill Head (peak 10 on 24th), 19 at Southsea (peak 4 on In the first part of the year the highest counts were at the tabulated sites of Ibsley Water, 9th) and nine at Chichester Harbour (peak 3 on 17th). In addition there were records from Portsmouth Harbour and Titchfield Haven. There were no counts from Southampton Water 13 other coastal viewpoints. The highest day-count was on Feb 9th with a total of 26. A but 1725 were counted at St Denys flying down-river to roost on Mar 14th and 450 were group lingered on floods above Titchfield Haven with three adults on 9th increasing to five counted between Northam and Mansbridge on Feb 17th. Other high coastal counts were adults and a first-winter on 16th and eight adults, one first-winter and one second-winter of 750 at Lymington/Hurst on Feb 1st and 1000 there on Mar 1st. In the Avon Valley south on 24th and the last six on 28th. At Hurst a wreck of seven adults, one of them oiled, was of Bisterne there were 500 on water meadows on Feb 2nd and 920 there on Mar 2nd. At in a field on 15th. The only inland record during the month was of a single flying south at Broadlands Estate in the Test Valley there were several high counts during the period with a Ibsley Water on Feb 4th. maximum of 800 on Jan 19th. The highest of several three figure counts at Queens Parade, Aldershot was 550 on Jan 5th. Spring passage extended from Mar 28th to May 19th with at least 77 east along the coast and 25 off-passage of which 14 were inland at Ibsley Water. Most were recorded at Hurst In the breeding season a total of 12,120 pairs was reported with good breeding success. Beach with 59 between Mar 28th and May 19th (peaks 10 on Mar 28th, 8 on Apr 2nd and In the Lymington area there were 5350 pairs which was significantly lower than last year’s 22 on April 16th). Other movements included 15 summer plumage adults east at Hill Head 6952. Disturbance on Normandy Marshes early in the season displaced all 1500 pairs from at 0910 hrs on Apr 16th and 30 minutes later 14 adults east at Hilsea Lines (clearly different there to nearby colonies. The final nesting counts for these colonies were 3750 on Pylewell to the Hurst birds as a flock of 20 was not seen there until 1015 hrs), four east at Stokes Bay where large numbers fledged, 1100 at Boiler and 500 at Keyhaven. On Langstone Harbour on Apr 23rd and one east at Sandy Point on Apr 28th. Other records during the passage islands 4534 pairs raised 2977 young and at nearby West Hayling LNR 677 pairs raised 1015 period came from Titchfield Haven (1, Mar 30th; 1, Apr 4th-13th with 2 on 6th), Ibsley Water young. At Titchfield Haven 1165 pairs nested with good success though the number nesting (around 14 with 1-2 on 5 dates, Mar 31st-20th with 3 on Apr 3rd, 3 on 19th and 4 on 21st; 1, was reduced by about 30% due to fox disturbance. Inland at Blashford Lakes there was a total May 6th), Farlington Marshes (1, Apr 1st), Weston Shore (1, Apr 8th), Hook-with-Warsash of 86 pairs with 50 on Ibsley Water which raised around 125 young, 30 on Spinnaker Lake (2, Apr 17th; 1, Apr 24th) and Southsea (2, Apr 19th). and six on Ivy Lake. At Fleet Pond there was a considerable increase from 25 last year to 130 nesting pairs which raised at least 150 young. Other sites included Hook-with-Warsash There were only two records in the period June to August, both first summers, one at where 28 pairs nested and the Beaulieu Estuary where 150 pairs nested. Sturt Pond on June 9th and another at Avon Causeway on July 10th. The first juvenile was recorded at Netley on Sep 1st. Between Sep 1st and Oct 25th there were records of 27 (of The largest post-breeding flocks reported were at Hook-with-Warsash (464, July 12th), which at least ten were juveniles), mainly in ones and twos except for 12 at Hurst on Oct the Hamble Estuary (444, Aug 9th), the Itchen Estuary at St Denys (1120, Aug 14th), Chidden 6th. In the final two months of the year there were no significant influxes, the highest count (2000, Aug 29th; 600, Sep 22nd), Northington Down (450, Sep 8th), East Meon (750, Sep 25th) being of six moving east at Hurst on Nov 6th. The approximate monthly totals are tabulated and Fox Lane GP, Eversley (600, Sep 25th; 800, Oct 16th). Early morning counts at Riverside below. (JRJ) Park of movements up-river from the overnight roost in Southampton Water amounted to 3150 on Nov 8th, 3475 on Nov 19th, 4350 on Dec 6th and 5350 on Dec 28th. The highest Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec count of the year was 6000 at the Ibsley Water roost on Dec 6th. 27 130 20 84 5 1 1 0 8 19 15 3 The monthly maxima at regularly counted sites are tabulated below. (JRJ)

92 93 Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec A very rare vagrant. (0,1,1) Lepe/Beaulieu Estuary 15 10 18 28 3 6 56 12 60 13 6 7 An adult was watched hawking over trees to the west of Sowley/Lymington 3 7 1 1 1 12 Ibsley Water from 1200-1300 hrs on Oct 19th before flying Lymington-Hurst 6 2 4 9 7 91 9 110 81 33 55 off south (RAH). It was rediscovered roosting among other Avon Causeway/Sopley 3 10 20 gulls at Ibsley Water on Oct 28th (DJR, OF). It then returned Pig Farm most evenings to be enjoyed by many birders, being last seen Ibsley Water 1 4 3 2 4 6 1 1 4 on Nov 24th (m.o., photo). This is only the second record for Hampshire, the first Common Gull Larus canus being way back in 1970 when an adult was present in the A common winter visitor and passage migrant; small numbers summer. SPEC2, Amber Franklin’s Gull, Ibsley Water, Nov Langstone Harbour area from February to May. That was In the first three months of the year numbers were generally lower than normal. Away from 16th (Steve Bassett) the first record for Britain and the Western Palearctic.(KFB) tabulated sites there were only six three figure counts. Those from coastal locations included Mediterranean Gull† Larus melanocephalus 170 at Stokes Bay on Jan 3rd, 127 at Langstone Harbour entrance the next day and 150 at Farlington Marshes on Feb 15th. On the there were 130 at Exton on Feb 28th A moderately common and increasing visitor and breeder. ET, Schedule 1, Amber, HBAP and 140 at nearby in Mar 26th, while in the north-east there were 80 at Queens In the first two months of the year numbers remained relatively low with just seven counts of Parade, Aldershot on Jan 5th and 85 there on Feb 9th. ten or more submitted. The highest count in this period came from West Hayling LNR with 16 on Feb 22nd. Numbers grew through March and April at traditional pre-breeding gathering In the breeding season two nests containing eggs were found in the Lymington area but sites with peak counts of 166 at West Hayling LNR on Mar 9th and 80 at Titchfield Haven the outcomes were not established. on Mar 31st. Large numbers were also reported from the Lymington-Hurst area during this The first returnees were recorded on June 19th when seven flew SW over Petersfield and period although no detailed counts were made. The highest inland count at this time was of one was at Farlington Marshes where it lingered until the 26th. Subsequently the highest early 14 north over Leigh Park, Havant on Mar 22nd. autumn counts came from Lepe where there were 45 on Aug 2nd and again on Sep 16th. In Breeding occurred at three locations. At Langstone Harbour 104 pairs raised 40 young the remainder of the year there were 16 three figure counts away from tabulated sites. On within the RSPB reserve while nearby at West Hayling LNR nine pairs raised five young. At the South Downs there were 300 at Gander Down and 200 at Clanfield on Oct 5th, 220 at Titchfield Haven 28 pairs again had low success with just two fledged young recorded. In Chidden on Oct 12th, 150 at Soberton on Dec 13th and 1500 at West End Farm north of the north-west Solent just three nests were located during the annual count and no young Hambledon on Dec 21st. The last count was the highest of the year and gives an indication were subsequently recorded suggesting that these pairs failed. of the numbers that might have been roosting in the eastern harbours at that time. All the other counts came from coastal locations where the peak counts were of 330 at Calshot Good numbers were recorded moving inland from coastal areas in summer. Peak inland on Oct 28th, 285 at Farlington Marshes on Nov 22nd and 121 at Redbridge on Dec 15th. counts included 38 foraging on newly mown pasture at Hipley Farm, Hambledon on May 26th, 22 at Newtown, Wickham on June 16th, 32 at Winchester SF on July 9th and 32 at Hundred The monthly maxima at regularly counted sites are tabulated below. (JRJ) Acres, Wickham and 25 south over Lakeside CP after ‘anting’ over Eastleigh on July 17th. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Significant post-breeding gatherings were reported from four locations. In the Titchfield Portsmouth Harbour 24 24 53 46 115 350 Haven/Brownwich/Chilling area there were counts in excess of 100 between Aug 7th and Beaulieu Estuary 2 18 32 3 1 13 1 8 6 3 1 Sep 14th with a peak of 600 at Chilling on Aug 31st. Peak counts elsewhere included 287 Ibsley Water 41 2 1 5 110 at Curbridge on Aug 22nd, 110 at Pennington Marshes on Sep 12th and 350 in Chichester Winchester SF 2 2 15 1 1 1 5 19 10 Harbour from Sep 14th-16th. Away from the coast the only double figure count was of 13 Alresford Pond 27 3 118 1 7 21 95 138 191 ‘anting’ with Black-headed Gulls over Waterlooville on Aug 7th. Numbers dropped during the last quarter with the only significant counts coming from Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis the western Solent where gatherings occur to take advantage of feeding opportunities during low spring tides. Peak counts included 81 to the west of Hurst Castle on Oct 25th and 55 A very scarce visitor recorded in every month except May. (0,39,1) at Oxey Marsh on Dec 4th. The usual adult at Walpole Park, Gosport was last seen on Mar 17th and returned for its 12th winter on Oct 26th, staying into 2015. An adult was discovered at Ibsley Water on Dec Monthly maxima at regularly counted localities are tabulated below. (MW) 23rd and remained into 2015 (RAH et al). There have been annual records this century but Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec the Ibsley Water sighting was the first new individual since 2011. (KFB) Chichester Harbour 12 50 3 10 350 1 1 South Hayling shore 6 2 3 300 3 26 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Langstone Harbour 2 16 166 208 1 A common visitor, mostly to inland sites, which occurs in all months; small numbers have bred since Portsmouth Harbour 6 4 1 15 52 5 5 3 2001. It is most numerous in autumn and increasing in winter. Amber Titchfield Haven area 12 23 96 97 50 56 27 600 500 1 1 1 The species was considerably under-recorded in the early year with a maximum of only 100 Hamble Estuary 1 2 9 20 3 3 61 287 100 3 at Ibsley Water on Jan 4th. Further inland the highest counts came from Welshman’s Road

94 95 GP where there were 48 on Jan 2nd and 54 on Jan 18th. The only other double figure count quarter were of 340 at Weston Shore on Oct 11th, 220 at Itchen Valley CP the next day, was of 15 flying down the Itchen Valley at St Denys to roost on Southampton Water on Mar 371 at Winchester SF on 20th, 260 at Avington Park on 21st, 113 at Northam/Mansbridge on 14th. Presumed passage movements were noted at Hurst Beach with 59 north between Apr 24th, 150 at Blackdown Farm, Baybridge on Nov 15th and 150 at Hurst Beach on Dec 23rd. 2nd and May 11th, peak 23 on Apr 2nd, and Trigpoint Hill with 122 NE between Mar 15th A pronounced SW movement was recorded in a series of mid-morning counts at Trigpoint and May 25th including 17 on Apr 2nd (cf. Hurst), 24 on 3rd and 32 on 8th. Hill between Oct 14th and Dec 26th which produced a total of 1043 with a maximum of 111 There were 22 confirmed breeding pairs of which 20 were in Southampton. A full survey on Nov 1st. Similar movements have been reported before (see HBR 2009, 2011 and 2012). of the city revealed 17 pairs and a further three were recorded on roofs in the old docks at Two observers noted the presence of sub-species argentatus. Several were identified in Dock Head from a viewpoint on Weston Shore. Elsewhere single pairs bred on roofs at IBM the large roost at Ibsley Water on Dec 5th and a yellow-legged type was sighted at Eling (Cosham) and near Anton Lakes near Andover. on Nov 13th. A leucistic adult was reported from Weston on Mar 23rd and Dec 29th. (JRJ) At inland sites recorded autumn movements were light. At Trigpoint Hill 40 moved SW and 16 NE between July 2nd and Aug 27th but subsequently only four singles moved NE in Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis the period up to Dec 6th. At Tweseldown 53 moved SW and 20 NE between Aug 31st and Scarce visitor recorded in all months; bred for the first time in 2014; previously hybridised with other Nov 29th with a maximum day count of 13 on Nov 1st. This was followed only three days large gull species. Amber later by a noteworthy movement of 158, including 14 first-winters, SW at Hurst on Nov There were records from ten coastal and 13 inland sites. Monthly maxima at the most 4th. These two records perhaps indicate genuine departures from the county rather than frequently counted sites and the approximate monthly totals are shown below. diurnal feeding movements. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec The post-breeding build-up at Ibsley Water led to monthly maxima of 2000 on Sep 14th, Blashford Lakes (mostly 2500 on Oct 25th, 4000 on Nov 18th and 3000 on Dec 5th. At Fox Lane GP, Eversley there Ibsley Water roosts) 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 20 13 were 1500 on Sep 25th and Oct 16th. Most other sizeable counts in the final few months Itchen Estuary area 1 3 2 3 1 2 7 4 2 2 3 1 came from the north with 120 at on Sep 14th, 150 at Ramptons Lane Lower Test Marshes/Eling 1 1 9 7 2 1 2 GP, Mortimer West End on Sep 25th, 152 at Turrills Hill Farm, Overton on Oct 12th, 503 Approx monthly totals 9 5 4 4 5 7 21 14 15 18 32 17 SW over Overton on Nov 2nd, 250 at Testbourne Lake on Nov 13th, 400 at Ramptons Lane GP on Nov 22nd and 197 at Turrills Hill Farm and 170 at Thruxton Airfield on Dec 3rd. Most In the first half of the year sightings were confined to the coast and Ibsley Water. In addition of these probably flew to the roost at Theale in Berkshire although the Thruxton birds may to tabulated sites there were reports from Stokes Bay (1, Jan 1st and 26th), Chichester well have flown down the Bourne Valley to Salisbury and on to Ibsley Water. (JRJ) Harbour (1, Jan 2nd), Gilkicker Point (1, Jan 4th), Lee-on-the-Solent (1, Feb 11th and 18th; 1, 2011 addition: a pair laid two eggs at Ibsley Water but the nest was unsuccessful (RAC). May 2nd), Hurst/Milford on Sea (1, Mar 23rd; 4, June 6th), Farlington Marshes (2, May 2nd) and Titchfield Haven (1, June 18th). Herring Gull† Larus argentatus In the breeding season a pair nested and raised three young on a roof at Northam along A common winter visitor and passage migrant; moderately common and increasing breeder. the Itchen Estuary. This is the first record of a pair nesting in Hampshire, all previous nesting Red, UKBAP2, HBAP records being of mixed pairs. The mixed pair of Yellow-legged Gull and Herring Gull that had bred on another roof along the Itchen Estuary for the previous six years did not return In the early year the highest count was of 1500 at Hayling Bay on Feb 16th. Counts from the to nest in 2014. nearby harbours included 200 roosting on the shingle spit at Langstone Harbour entrance on Jan 1st, 130 at Walpole Park, Gosport on Jan 20th and a maximum of 300 in the high tide Numbers were higher in the second half of the year and reports were from a wider spread roost at Black Point on Feb 12th and 14th. The only counts of over 50 from the Southampton of locations particularly in the north of the county. In addition to the tabulated sites there were area were of 212 roosting on roofs along the Test Estuary waterfront on Jan 17th and 120 coastal reports from Titchfield Haven (1, July 1st), Chichester Harbour (1, July 10th-31st; 1, flying down river over St. Denys to roost in Southampton Water on Mar 14th. The highest Sep 2nd-27th), Farlington Marshes (1, Aug 20th), Sturt Pond (1 juv, Sep 26th) and Portsmouth inland count was of 82 at Winchester SF on Jan 2nd. There were few spring counts of note Harbour (1, Nov 29th, Dec 28th and 31st). Inland reports came from Fleet Pond (1, July the highest being of 160 at Weston Shore on Apr 17th. 18th-Nov 29th), Blackbushe Airfield (1, July 20th), Alresford A total of 158 breeding pairs was reported. The majority of these were on roofs in Pond (1, Sep 8th; 1, Nov 5th), Southampton where a full census of the city counted 123 pairs with at least a further 27 pairs Ramsdell (1, Sep 23rd), Fox in the old docks at Dock Head which were counted from Weston Shore. Other breeding sites Lane GP, Eversley (5, Sep 25th were High Street where one pair raised two young, a factory roof at Burrfields, and Oct 16th), Tundry Pond (1, Portsmouth where a pair was seen with chicks and at Bedhampton where at least six pairs Oct 20th), Dogmersfield Lake were nesting on a building scheduled for demolition. The only significant counts of non- (1, Oct 20th and Nov 16th), breeders were of 80 over Turf Hill Inclosure, NF on May 17th, no doubt en route to or from Winchester SF (1, Nov 3rd), Pound Bottom RT just over the Wiltshire border, and 230 at Weston Shore on May 17th. Ramptons Lane GP, Mortimer Post-breeding there were three figure counts of 250 at Weston Shore on July 26th, 258 West End (1, Nov 16th and at Harfield Farm, Easton on Aug 21st, 500 south to roost over Waterlooville on Aug 28th, 22nd), Yateley GPs (1, Nov 106 at Alresford Pond on Sep 8th and 400 at Ibsley Water on Sep 16th. Numbers at the last 20th), Eversley Common (1, site increased to 820 on Nov 2nd and 600 on Dec 5th, while 1200 SW over Black Gutter Dec 7th) and Trigpoint Hill (1 Yellow-legged Gull (right) with Herring Gull on R. Itchen, Northam, Bottom, NF at dusk on Nov 21st were no doubt headed there. Other high counts in the final SW, Dec 17th). (JRJ) July 27th (Steve Bassett)

96 97 Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans Creek and feeding on bread at Walpole Park (JAN et al). From the dates it is possible that A very scarce autumn and winter visitor. (0,37,2) all the records of juveniles referred to the same individual but photographs show that the Portsmouth bird appeared to have a slightly darker head.

First-winter Caspian Gull, Black Point, Nov 28th (Andy Johnson) Just two records were accepted this year. An adult was at Ibsley Water on Oct 27th (SKW) and a first-winter was in the high tide roost at Black Point on Nov 28th (ACJ). There have been records in every year this century except 2006. (KFB) Juvenile Glaucous Gull, Beachlands, Hayling Island, Jan 26th (Alan Lewis) Meanwhile, in the west of the county a third- or fourth-winter was along Hurst Beach on Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides Jan 25th and 26th (MPM, CB). A juvenile flew west off Hordle Cliffs on Feb 20th and then A very scarce visitor, usually in winter, but recorded in every month. (3,92,3) Amber was seen almost daily commuting between Hurst Castle and Milford on Sea and also visiting Sturt Pond between Feb 23rd and Mar 10th (MPM et al). (KFB) There were three records. A juvenile flew towards Milford on Sea and then headed west 2013 correction: The observers of the Mar 10th bird at Hurst Castle were MPM and CB. on Feb 8th (AIL, KDM). An adult was on the Bridge Street flood north of Titchfield Haven Great Black-backed Gull† Larus marinus on Apr 4th (MJP, WB) and another, or the A moderately common winter visitor and passage migrant; scarce but increasing breeder. Amber same, was roosting by the river at Curbridge In January-April the only double figure counts were of 14 at Portsmouth Harbour on Jan on Apr 21st (DJR). (KFB) 1st and 11 there on Feb 1st, 14 at Needs Ore on Feb 4th, 17 east at Hurst Castle on Feb Adult Iceland Gull, Curbridge, Upper Hamble 14th, ten at Calshot on Mar 10th, 24 at Keyhaven on Apr 19th and 26 there on Apr 22nd. Estuary, Apr 21st (David Ryves) Inland there were reports from 22 localities, all in the Avon, Itchen and Test Valleys with the highest counts of four at Broadlands Estate on Jan 19th, Itchen Valley CP on Mar 4th 2013 correction: The adult at Sopley Pig Farm on Mar 26th was actually recorded flying and Longstock on Apr 14th. east over Avon Causeway. In the breeding season 11 pairs nested. Six of these were at rooftop sites, five in Southampton Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus and one at Burrfields, Portsmouth. A pair bred at Titchfield Haven for the first time but failed due to predation, another used the Osprey platform at Needs Ore and raised one young A very scarce visitor, usually in winter, but recorded in every month. (3+,107,6) Amber and three attempted breeding between Lymington and Keyhaven. Summering flocks were In January there was an influx into south-east England and around six were present on the smaller than usual with the highest at the Beaulieu Estuary with counts of 20 on May 20th, 23 Hampshire coast. The first was a second- or third-winter that flew east past Stokes Bay on on June 15th and ten on July 3rd. There were also double figure counts at Lymington/Hurst Jan 4th (JAN). This was perhaps the bird seen at Southsea on Jan 5th (KAT). A juvenile was of ten on May 17th and 11 on July 3rd. No counts were received for the eastern harbours. on the beach at Eastoke on Jan 12th and 13th (SPP, ACJ, REF, RT, KAT, LMF) and presumably All inland reports again came from the three main rivers with frequent sightings of one to the same bird was at Beachlands, Hayling on Jan 26th (LMF). An adult was there and also four at Itchen Valley CP in May-July, which suggests breeding nearby, possibly at Chickenhall at Black Point on Jan 28th (PFF, RC, GCB). A juvenile was at Southsea on Jan 31st (PH) and Lane trading estate. around Portsmouth Harbour on Feb 1st and 2nd, roosting on the MOD piers at Haslar

98 99 In September-December the highest counts were of 123 feeding west of Hurst Castle If autumn is defined as beginning on Aug 22nd, when 140 moved over Casbrook Common, on Oct 20th and 109 there on Nov 11th. Elsewhere numbers were much lower with the 203,937 Woodpigeons were noted on the move during late 2014. The main W/SW ‘push’ began only double figure counts being of 16 at Brownwich on Sep 27th, 21 at Mayflower Park, a little earlier than usual towards the end of October and is summarised below. To illustrate Southampton on Oct 9th, 19 at Portsmouth Harbour on Nov 8th and 17 at Titchfield Haven the scale of movements at individual sites, inland peaks at Trigpoint Hill and Tweseldown on Nov 21st. There were reports from 13 inland locations with a maximum of three at Ibsley were 17,100 on Oct 27th and 37,900 on Nov 6th. Counts exceeded 5,000 at Tweseldown Water on Oct 12th. (JRJ) on three other dates between Oct 22nd and Nov 4th. Around this time other counts of more than 5000 were of 5500 at Lakeside CP on Oct 27th, 12,300 at Chessel Bay the next Feral Pigeon Columba livia day, 5500 at Weston Shore on Nov 5th and then widespread highs the next day with 5900 A common resident. Green at Sandy Point, 8000 at Weston Shore, 9300 at Itchen Valley CP and 6000 at Middle Wallop. A typical scatter of counts was received from largely urban areas with no suggestion of a Despite the surge in late October and early November the total is unexceptional. The lack change of status. The highest count was of 290 at Andover on Nov 10th. (SKW) of coastal records after Nov 6th is noteworthy compared with continued mobility inland, increasingly between north and east as November wore on. This repeats the pattern in some Stock Dove Columba oenas previous years and gives some evidence of a return movement. As ever, weather conditions are the main drivers of the visibility of the phenomenon. (SKW) A numerous resident and winter visitor. Amber Oct Oct Oct 29 Nov Nov Nov Nov 26 Dec Dec Dec Just five records of three figure grounded flocks were submitted, the largest being of 350 at 15-21 22-28 -Nov 4 5 -11 12-18 19-25 -Dec 2 3-9 10-16 17-23 Totals Ranvilles Lane, Fareham on Feb 28th. The others were 300 at Upham on Feb 23rd, 101 at Coast moving Warblington Shore on Feb 25th and 102 there on Mar 4th and 220 at Beacon Hill, Warnford SE/SW/NW 300 27,871 3586 34,430 66,187 on Dec 14th. Few breeding records were submitted but across the county 29 pairs were Coast moving recorded at least attempting to breed in nest boxes intended for owls and Kestrels. Counts N/E 200 200 of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Itchen Valley Inland moving CP, 10 (9); Lower Test Marshes, 3 (4); Titchfield Haven, 1 (2). SE/SW/NW 3852 51,543 14,618 47,471 143 1821 70 119, 518 During the year 2835 were recorded on the move with 93% of those between September Inland moving N/E 55 45 2570 845 1470 1890 3810 2883 675 14243 and November. Inland totals included 816 mostly SW over Trigpoint Hill through the year Totals 4352 79,469 18,249 84,471 988 3291 1960 3810 2883 675 196,048 including 519 in September with a peak day count of 85 on 21st, and 1465 mostly west over Days with Tweseldown between Sep 21st and Dec 13th including 1089 in October with a peak day movements 7 7 6 7 4 4 1 3 2 4 38 count of 114 on Oct 7th. Coastal totals were lower but included 269 mostly west at Sandy Point on ten dates between Oct 25th and Nov 16th, peak 75 on Nov 5th, and 263 over the Hurst area on three dates between Oct 22nd and Nov 19th including 176 west on Nov 4th. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto This species appears to start moving earlier in the year than Woodpigeon, albeit in much A numerous but possibly declining resident and passage migrant. Green smaller numbers, with 22% of autumn ‘migrants’ in September, 52% in October and 26% in There were just five counts of over 50 and only one of those reached three figures with (mostly early) November. Within October, there appeared to be a mid-month lull (ten-day 120 at Warblington on Oct 15th. This was one of several higher counts submitted for late totals being 526, 262 and 571) but this may be an artefact of observer effort and awareness August-November but these probably represented post-breeding feeding gatherings rather of columbid movements later in the month. The modal direction of autumn movement was, than anything resembling ‘migration’. Just 22 were noted moving with purpose all year and by some margin, south-westwards. (SKW) most of them were in late winter and spring. Only two were recorded moving during autumn (SKW) Woodpigeon Columba palumbus proper! An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Just 23 records not relating to movement were submitted: this remains one of the most A scarce and rapidly declining summer visitor and scarce passage migrant. abundant and familiar of Hampshire’s birds. Out of a mere 11 counts of grounded flocks, SPEC3, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP only four exceeded 1000, the largest being of 2000 leaving a roost at Hursthill Inclosure, The first was inland at Willesley Warren on Apr 21st and only two others were noted away NF on Nov 5th. from potential breeding sites all spring. Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Fifty-nine percent of the meagre 113 records submitted referred to just one site: Martin Longmoor Inclosure, 56 (37); Martin Down CBC, 15 (14); Titchfield Haven, 27 (24). Down. Ten were reportedly in song there on May 25th (with seven others present making An interesting series of records of movement in January and early February totalled 4290 17), down from 2013’s maximum of 13 and this was easily the highest count of the year. Four in various directions at three different sites with 1370 counted on the move on Jan 2nd territories were confirmed on the Martin Down CBC plot (five in 2013, 10 in 2012) but this alone. Observers are encouraged to keep an eye out for Woodpigeon movements outside does not cover all the suitable habitat at the wider site. the traditional late October-December period. For instance, 180 were noted on the move Records of pairs or singing males elsewhere involved around 21 at 17 sites. At probable in July, 2392 in August (including 1592 mostly north at Romsey on 24th), 1002 in September or certain breeding sites from 2013, birds were recorded only at (one, possibly and 4491 in the first three weeks of October. two on one date only), Bramshill Plantation (three territories but breeding not confirmed) and Warren Heath (one or two July dates only). Other possible breeding records came from

100 101 Golden Pot near Alton (two in May, one in June), Fort Widley (two in July), Kingsley (two Barn Owl Tyto alba seen on multiple dates), West Walk (two singing in June), and Benyon’s Inclosure, Cholderton, A moderately common resident. SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber Compton, , Needs Ore, North , , Weston Common and Woolmer Forest (all singles on fewer than three dates). Reports were received for 75 locations. The mild winter of 2013/14 and an abundance of voles saw breeding numbers recover from the disastrous season of the previous year. In nest Being very generous, there was therefore an absolute maximum of 31 singing males/ boxes monitored across the county at least 80 broods were recorded and 254 young ringed. potential breeding pairs reported but in all likelihood probably no more than 20 actual pairs. In one study involving 130 nest boxes, 65 were occupied with 57 pairs laying 239 eggs and Given the species’ rarity and raised profile, perhaps very few were missed elsewhere. None fledging 179 young, including four second broods; this included nine pairs which fledged 42 have been recorded at or close to since at least 2011, presumably for the young, including a brood of eight, in 8 km2. Other studies involved seven broods of 30 young first time in modern history and certainly since Gilbert White’s time. in the SW of the county, eight broods of 29 young in the centre of the county and six broods The autumn ‘passage’ was very poor: eight were recorded at seven sites with the last a of 29 young SE of Alton. Elsewhere, broods of seven and six were recorded. Where noted, single at Winchester SF on Aug 27th. For the first time ever, not one was seen in Hampshire all breeding sites were artificial with no natural sites recorded. in September or beyond. Truly this species is on the brink in Hampshire, not to mention in Most sightings outside the breeding season were of one or two but four were at Bransbury Britain as a whole. (SKW) Common on Nov 4th. (BS) Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Little Owl Athene noctua A moderately common but declining summer visitor. Amber, UKBAP3, HBAP A moderately common but declining resident. SPEC3 Reports were received for 65 sites. Breeding was confirmed at Littleton, where four young were ringed in a nest box, Manor Farm CP, where three young were ringed at a natural site, Moorgreen Farm, West End, where at least one juvenile fledged from a natural site and SE of Alton, where seven successful pairs were located. Nine boxes were checked in northwest Hampshire. Three of these were occupied with two pairs fledging six young and a clutch of four eggs being predated. Probable breeding was recorded at a further six sites. (BS) Tawny Owl Strix aluco A common resident. Green Reports were received for around 116 sites. The highest concentration was of six calling males at Ackender Wood, Alton. Breeding was confirmed at 30 sites and, as with Barn Owl, was a significant improvement on the previous year. In one study, 25 young were ringed from 16 occupied nest boxes containing a total of 32 eggs. In addition, at least 37 fledged from other unspecified sites. (BS)

Cuckoo, Furze Hill, NF, June 10th (Martin Bennett) Two early birds at Mansbridge on Mar 30th and Holmsley Ridge the next day were welcome vanguards with 19 recorded before Apr 10th and 82 by mid-month. Forty-four of all records were from the New Forest with maximum counts of five at Bishop’s Dyke and Pig Bush in late May/early June. Six other counts of four were made, all but two in the New Forest. Few complete counts of territories were submitted but Lower Test CBC held steady at three. No substantial change in the species’ status is suspected this year. In fact, it may have been quite a good breeding season judging by the 22 birds aged as juveniles reported between June 28th and Sep 16th, when the last of the year departed Ibsley Common after spending at least four days fattening up on fox moth caterpillars. This was one of only four September records for the year. (SKW) Little Owl, St Leonard’s Barn, Beaulieu, July 12th (Ian Williamson) and Long-eared Owl, Southampton Docks, Nov 26th (Adrian Martin)

102 103 Long-eared Owl Asio otus Swift Apus apus A very scarce resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green A numerous but declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber In the early year a roost at a location in the north held two on Jan 24th, four on Feb 20th and The first spring arrival was a single over Titchfield Haven on April 14th. There were just three on 21st. After a two year break, successful breeding was again confirmed. Three young two double figure counts in April with ten over Ibsley Water on 26th and 20 over Fishlake were observed in the north of the county on June 10th. A second pair, again in the north, also Meadows on 30th. Seventeen three figure counts were recorded in May, notably 400 over raised three young and were observed on June 11th. One of the juveniles was seen roosting Titchfield Haven on 27th and 550 over Ibsley Water on 28th. during the day on June 14th. This was the first time since 1997 that successful breeding by Breeding was confirmed at four sites, including Regents Park, Southampton, where ten two pairs has been confirmed in the same season. One was seen at a third location in the out of 12 nest boxes were occupied and young were observed in at least five. same general area on July 18th. One roosted at the Oceanography Centre in Southampton Docks on November 26th and possibly arrived on a ship (APM et al). (BS) The highest number recorded during return migration and the final three figure count was of 125 over on July 29th. Small numbers were recorded throughout August Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus with 25 over Charlton Lakes, Andover on 3rd being the highest count. The final record of A scarce but regular winter visitor and passage migrant; occasionally breeds, most recently in the year was of two over Sholing on Sep 6th. (BS) 1997. ET, SPEC3, Amber Hoopoe Upupa epops In the period up to early April there were records from Bransbury Common (monthly maxima 2, Jan 2nd; 4, Feb 22nd; 7, Mar 1st), Farlington Marshes (1, Jan 4th-30th), the Kench (1, Jan A very scarce visitor recorded in all months; bred on eight occasions during 1953-59 but not since. 8th), Martin Down (1, Jan 10th-30th with 3 on 17th; 1, Feb 13th; 1, Mar 21st-Apr 15th), White (?,244,1) SPEC3, Schedule 1 Hill, Kingsclere (3, Feb 22nd) and Portsmouth Harbour (1, Apr 1st). Late spring sightings One was seen briefly in a garden in Chandler’s Ford on July 11th (DJL). There have only been (all singles) were made at Sandy Point on May 2nd, Martin Down on 5th and Black Gutter four other July sightings since 1959. The species is most frequently reported in April and May. Bottom, NF, also on 5th. There have been annual records this century. (KFB) The first return was one moving east over Weston Shore on Sep 28th. During October, two were present at Tidgrove Warren on 18th and singles were recorded at Chichester Bee-eater Merops apiaster Harbour on 7th, Farlington Marshes and Regents Park, Southampton on 16th and Sandy A rare summer visitor recorded in April to August and October. (0,26,5) SPEC3 Point on 22nd. November saw a sharp increase in sightings with three at on Two records were accepted. One flew SW over Acres Down, NF at 1115 hrs on May 18th. 1st and two on 15th, singles at White Hill, Kingsclere on 1st, Sandy Point and Oxey Marsh It was calling and picked up gliding high over the viewpoint. It was much admired by at least on 3rd, Farlington Marshes from 9th-15th, Wheely Down on 9th, Hillside, Odiham on 10th, nine observers who had gathered there to look for raptors instead! (AIL et al). A group of Leaden Hall, Hampton Ridge and Browndown on 15th, Hurst Beach on 21st, Old Winchester four circled low over Pig Bush, NF at 1420 hrs on May 31st, remaining in the area for four Hill on 22nd and Bransbury Common on 30th. During December, five were at Bransbury minutes before flying north (TJP). Common on 26th and three on 28th and singles were reported from Needs Ore on 6th, May and August are the peak months for this vagrant which is being recorded more Tidgrove Warren on 21st and White Hill, Kingsclere on 29th. frequently than at any time previously. Apart from an early record in 1903 and sightings in The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below. (BS) 1979 and 1981, all other records have been since 1995. Nesting took place on the Isle of Wight in 2014 and it is possible that an unconfirmed sighting of five seen from a moving vehicle in Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec June involved these birds. (KFB) 7 8 8 2 3 0 0 0 1 6 15 8 Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus A moderately common resident whose numbers may be severely depleted during harsh winters. A moderately common summer visitor and passage migrant. ET, SPEC2, Red, UKBAP4, HBAP ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Amber The earliest spring arrival was at Burton Common on May 3rd. Records were received from around 200 locations, including 17 in the Test Valley catchment, 19 in the Itchen catchment, 18 in the Avon catchment, 15 in the north-east, 21 in the New There was no systematic coverage of the New Forest but at Foxbury Plantation on the Forest and 66 on the coast. Breeding was confirmed at Riverside Park, Southampton, where Northern Commons, coordinated counts by National Trust staff and members of HOS in an adult was observed feeding a juvenile on July 28th and Blashford Lakes, where two pairs June and July produced 22 churring males. Elsewhere casual records submitted from the fledged at least one young each. No other definite breeding records were received. Post- NF amounted to around 70 churring males from 43 sites, including six at Ibsley Common. breeding dispersal and over-wintering on the coast are demonstrated by the monthly bird-day Surveys of the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths produced totals of 82 and 58 churring totals from three sites with regular records tabulated below. (BS) males compared with 76 and 47 in 2013 (see Table 1, p. 159). Elsewhere counts of pairs or churring males were as follows: Alder Moor, 1; Alice Holt Forest, 6; Wood, 3+; Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Botley Wood, 2; Burton Common, 2+; Creech Wood, 3+; Great Covert Wood, 1+; Havant Lymington-Hurst 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 2 8 8 Thicket, 3; Mortimer West End, 1-2; West Walk, 9; , 1. (BS) Lower Test Marshes 6 4 3 0 1 1 4 25 11 22 5 6 Titchfield Haven 9 3 4 1 2 2 9 20 29 24 26 25 During September, two were present on Ibsley Common from 2nd-7th, reducing to one by 11th and singles were at Dundridge Meadows on 3rd and Needs Ore on 6th. One was found freshly dead in a road at Chandler’s Ford on 26th.

104 105 Wryneck Jynx torquilla Lesser Spotted Woodpecker A very scarce passage migrant; formerly a moderately common summer visitor which last bred in Dendrocopos minor 1975. SPEC3, Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP3 A scarce and declining resident. Eleven were recorded, all in the autumn. Singles were at Titchfield Haven on Aug 26th, Red, UKBAP1, HBAP Farlington Marshes on 28th, Welshman’s Road GP on 30th, Needs Ore on Sep 5th, Normandy The majority of records again came from the Lagoon on 6th and 7th, Eight acre pond, Normandy on 7th (considered different to the New Forest. It remains uncertain whether Normandy Lagoon bird), Barton on Sea on 7th, Needs Ore on 16th, South Moors, Langstone the population outside the Forest is stable or Harbour on 20th and 21st, Hook-with-Warsash on 20th and 21st and Thornhill Park on continues to decline. Even within the Forest, 30th. In addition, the distinctive droppings of Wryneck were found at Gutner Point, Hayling it seems likely that many pairs go unrecorded Island on Sep 27th. (BS) and that the real population is considerably larger than recorded here. Survey work by Green Woodpecker Picus viridis one observer in the New Forest located 34 A common resident. SPEC2, Amber territories (MW). Breeding season presence Records were received for 39 locations. Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as was noted in at least 16 further New Forest follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Itchen Valley CP, 6 (10); Lower Test Marshes, 2 (1); locations. At Roydon Woods birds were Martin Down CBC, 2 (1); Titchfield Haven, 2 (4). In addition, there were 40 territories at located in three areas but breeding was not 11 sites on the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths including 22 at Longmoor Inclosure (see confirmed. Records elsewhere came from around 20 locations. All records were of singles Table 1, p. 159). Successful breeding was confirmed at a further seven sites including Lakeside Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Mark Ash CP and Ibsley Common where four and three juveniles were observed respectively. apart from two at West Meon on Jan 8th and two at Manor Farm CP on Mar 26th. (RC) Wood, Feb 21st (Martin Bennett) The NFWBS produced totals of 23, 15 and 26 in January-March and 21, 19 and 27 in October-December. (BS) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Great Spotted A common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. SPEC3, Amber Woodpecker Long spells of warm, settled weather allowed Kestrels to have a highly productive breeding Dendrocopos major season. In the long-running county survey of the species, 83 nest boxes were checked with 31 showing signs of occupation (MS). Of 27 nesting attempts only one pair failed. In total, A common resident. Green 147 eggs were laid including one clutch of seven and six clutches of six (mean 5.4), resulting Records were received for 49 in 117 fledged young (mean 4.3). In three smaller surveys, five pairs in the Beaulieu area all locations. Counts of territories had above average broods of five, five broods at East Tisted resulted in 20 fledged young in surveyed areas were as follows and six broods SE of Alton were all successful. Breeding was reported from at least 15 other (2013 figures in parentheses): locations within the county. As usual there were few records from the New Forest with Itchen Valley CP, 8 (6); Lower probable/confirmed breeding reported from only two sites. Whether this is simply under- Test Marshes, 3 (1); Titchfield reporting or a real reduction in breeding numbers remains uncertain. Haven, 4 (7). In addition, there The NFWBS produced totals of eight, six and one in January-March and 29, six and ten were 47 territories at eight in October-December. (RC) sites on the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths including 24 at Longmoor Inclosure (see Merlin Falco columbarius Table 1, p. 159). Occupied nests A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. ET, Schedule 1, Amber or juveniles were recorded at a In January-April there were regular records from Needs Ore with a male and female present further 20 locations. up to Mar 22nd and Lymington/Keyhaven with two females to Apr 19th. Singles were reported A total of 179 bird days was on several dates from Old Winchester Hill, Titchfield Haven and Farlington Marshes and one recorded at Titchfield Haven or two dates from a further 17 sites elsewhere. There were only a few records of singles during the year and 69 at from the usual wintering sites in the New Forest with the last record from Beaulieu Road Sandy Point between May and on Apr 18th. Other April records included one at Trigpoint Hill on 2nd, Hook-with-Warsash December. Possible migrants on 8th and the last record from East Tisted on 19th. included singles flying east at The first autumn record was at Solent Court on Aug 15th. Subsequently, there were Farlington Marshes on Sep 27th regular records from Needs Ore (eight dates, September/October), Titchfield Haven/Hook and Hurst Beach on Oct 12th. area (ten dates, September-December), Old Winchester Hill (four dates) and Black Point/ (BS) Sandy Point (3 dates). Records were scarce from Lymington/Keyhaven and Farlington Marshes Great Spotted Woodpecker, (two from each) while up to three were present in the New Forest and singles were seen on Longparish, Dec 27th (Martin Clay) one or two dates at a further 12 sites.

106 107 The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below with numbers of adult males, where Bishop’s Waltham on June 22nd, Walpole Park in Gosport on June 23rd, Fareham on four noted, in parentheses. (RC) dates between June 28th and Dec 12th, Moorgreen Farm, West End from Aug 8th regularly until Sep 23rd, Overton on Oct 15th and Tweseldown on Oct 31st. (MLC) Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 13(2) 10(0) 6(2) 5(0) 1(0) 4(1) 6(2) 9(0) 12(1) Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio A very scarce passage migrant; formerly a moderately common summer visitor which last bred in Hobby Falco subbuteo 1984. (since 1984: 57,3) ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Red, UKBAP3 A moderately common summer visitor and passage migrant. Schedule 1, Green There were three records. A female was The first was at Whitchurch on Apr 10th with two over Chandler’s Ford on 12th and daily discovered at Pig Bush, NF on June 15th and records from 15th. Few pre-breeding gatherings of any size were noted with four at Fishlake remained in the area until July 5th (A&SAF Meadows on several dates in May being the largest group reported. et al). This is the longest stay of a spring bird since the species last bred in the county in A thorough survey in the New Forest found at least 14 pairs, of which 11 definitely bred, 1984. In the autumn a juvenile was at Sandy two probably bred and one pair was thought not to have attempted breeding. Several pairs Point from Sep 4th-28th (ACJ et al, photo) failed late in the breeding cycle with photographic evidence showing Goshawk predation of and a female was at Titchfield Haven on Sep the single fledgling at one nest. 15th (DG, photo). (KFB) Outside the New Forest, coverage was patchy with records only of single birds from Juvenile Red-backed Shrike, Sandy Point NR, Sep large parts of the county where much suitable habitat exists. Breeding was confirmed or 8th (Andy Johnson) deemed probable at 16 sites, including concentrations of four/five pairs in the north-east and the Test Valley. A few October records included singles at Woolmer Forest on 3rd, Overton on 6th and Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Titchfield Haven on 10th. The last was over on Oct 15th. (RC) A very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. SPEC3 Peregrine Falco peregrinus A scarce but increasing resident; numbers are augmented throughout the year by visitors from neighbouring counties. Probably also a passage migrant and winter visitor from further afield. ET, SPEC3, Schedule 1, Green There were reports from 176 sites across the county including 29 locations in the New Forest and around 82 elsewhere inland. Birds were reported from 68 locations during April-July. Breeding was confirmed at 16 localities with 12 pairs known to have fledged at least 26 young. A number of traditional pylon sites remained unavailable because National Grid blocked access to any nesting cavities two years previously. However, there were six pylon nests which fledged seven chicks in total despite two nests failing. Pairs at other sites were on buildings (4), tall chimneys (2), quarries (2) plus single pairs on a grain silo and a crane. The pair nesting on the grain silo actually chose to lay their eggs on a pile of spilled grain below a damaged pipe. The female continued to incubate her eggs despite grain falling on her! She was colour-ringed as Orange AP, which allowed us to trace the fact that she was hatched in Vauxhall, Greater London in 2012, so this was her first year of breeding. The project to install nesting boxes continued and four of these were used with a total of ten chicks being fledged. This gives an average fledging rate of 2.5 chicks per nest compared with a county average of 1.6 chicks per nest. A further four nest boxes were not used. The programme of colour-ringing chicks continued and 13 birds were fitted with orange colour rings which carry a two-letter or number code. Anyone seeing a bird carrying such Great Grey Shrike, White Hill, Kingsclere, Feb 26th (Barry Stalker) a ring is asked to send in details to the County Recorder. (KFB) The bird present in the Ibsley Common/Hampton Ridge area of the New Forest since Oct Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri 10th 2013 remained there until Apr 15th, probably ranging to Rockford Common as well. This was presumably the bird seen near Pitts Wood Inclosure on Jan 11th. Although absent A very scarce visitor, possibly resident. from the Beaulieu Road area in late 2013, one was present between Jan 11th and Apr 14th. There were reports from ten scattered locations. All records refer to singles except for This also ranged widely between Denny Wood and Pig Bush. Other sightings from the New three in flight at Fleet on Oct 25th. The first of the single records was at Sowley, East End Forest were at Handy Cross Plain on Jan 11th, Hinchelsea Moor on Feb 10th, Ocknell Plain on Jan 20th followed by Houghton in the Test Valley between Feb 22nd and Mar 22nd, on Feb 16th and in a clearing within Mark Ash Wood between Feb 19th and Mar 18th.

108 109 Away from the New Forest singles at Bransbury Common on Nov 29th 2013 and Woolmer Point there was a total of 40 bird-days between Sep 2nd and Nov 15th with a peak count Forest on Dec 28th 2013 remained until Mar 12th and Jan 29th respectively. Other sightings of nine on Oct 11th. were at Truncheants near Alton on Jan 5th, White Hill near Kingsclere from Feb 20th-28th Numbers returned to normal for the remainder of November and December with not and Sarisbury on Mar 16th. more than six being reported from any one site. (MLC) The first return was at Harvest Slade, NF on Oct 25th. This bird was seen again on Nov 4th and was perhaps the bird that was in the area between Ocknell Plain and Milkham Bottom Jackdaw Corvus monedula from Oct 27th to the year-end. Another took up residence on Ibsley Common from Oct A numerous resident. Green 27th to Nov 15th, presumably that also seen at Ogdens Purlieu and Hampton Ridge. Away from the New Forest singles were at Woolmer Forest from Oct 26th-Nov 1st, Gravel Hill, Chilbolton on Nov 6th, Ashley Warren on Dec 19th and Bransbury Common from Dec 20th-31st. (KFB)

Magpie Pica pica A numerous resident. Green In the first winter period, the only counts to equal or exceed 50 were of 200 roosting in willows in reed beds at the Wildgrounds, Gosport on Jan 3rd, 65 gathering to roost at Allington GP on Jan 19th and 50 at Mansbridge on Mar 5th. Movements across the Solent were noted in spring at Keyhaven with six flying north from the IOW on Mar 15th and one south on May 31st and at Hurst Castle with one flying north from the IOW on Apr 9th. At Sandy Point NR there were peaks of 16 on Mar 15th and 28 on Nov 18th. Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses where available): Farlington Marshes, 2; Longmoor Inclosure, 3 (3); Lower Test Marshes, 2 (6); Martin Down CBC, 3 (2); Titchfield Haven, 8 (8). In the second winter period roost counts of more than 50 were reported at Fleet Pond with 100 on Nov 29th and 125 on Dec 19th and at Itchen Valley CP with 89 on Dec 1st. Autumn morning counts at Tweseldown peaked with 39 on Oct 27th, 31 of which flew SW, possibly dispersing from the nearby Fleet Pond roost. (MLC) Jay Garrulus glandarius A numerous resident and passage migrant. Green Following high counts of up to 76 in spring 2013, numbers returned to normal in autumn Jackdaw, Charter Alley, May 8th (Barry Stalker) 2013 and remained so throughout the first half of 2014 with counts not exceeding five at any site. Possible movement was indicated at Sandy Point by 11 records of singles on dates As usual, high counts were reported at winter roosts and along flight paths to and from between Mar 16th and May 16th. roosts. In the first half-year, the highest count was at Allington GP with a minimum of 2350 on Jan 19th. At Mansbridge, 550 were counted flying NE to roost at Allington on Mar 5th. During the breeding season, counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 Elsewhere, 220 were reported at the roost in Lakewood Road, Chandler’s Ford on Feb 10th. figures in parentheses where available): Itchen Valley CP, 8 (8); Longmoor Inclosure, 4 (6); Also of note was a count of 700 at Longwood Warren on Jan 23rd. Lower Test Marshes, 2 (3); Titchfield Haven, 4 (7). The only breeding season counts from surveyed areas were of eight territories at Longmoor Numbers in autumn then rose to comparable levels with spring 2013 and large groups were Inclosure, two more than last year and one at Lower Test Marshes, unchanged from 2013. reported from widespread localities from mid-September to mid-October with numbers Elsewhere, Jackdaws attempted to use 14 nest boxes provided for other species (seven Barn reducing towards the beginning of November. The highest count was 64, including 38 west Owl, four Tawny Owl and three Kestrel). and seven north, at Itchen Valley CP on Sep 25th. Other counts there exceeding 20 were of 24 on Sep 17th, 25 on 22nd, 40 west on 26th and 36 on Oct 5th. Similarly, at Tweseldown In the second half-year, the roost at Allington GP was again the largest reported with 1750 there were 22 on Sep 25th and 27th, 25 on Oct 5th and 13 other counts between ten and birds approaching from the east on Nov 29th and 4500 there on Dec 11th. At Southampton 20 from Sep 21st until Nov 3rd. Where directions were noted at this last site, totals were Airport, 1800 headed west towards Allington on Dec 11th and at Mansbridge 650 were 201 SW and 191 NE. Other evidence of movement was from Trigpoint Hill with high counts counted flying NE towards the same roost on Dec 31st. In the north of the county, 720 flew of 49, 34 and 22 on Sep 25th, 27th and 30th respectively, 25 on Oct 10th and a further eight NW to roost at Stratfield Saye on Nov 17th, 400 were counted in a field at Odiham on Nov records between ten and 20 from Sep 22nd to Oct 14th. Where directions were noted, the 27th and 500 were reported flying to roost at Greywell on Dec 28th. totals at Trigpoint Hill were 118 NE and 185 SW. Elsewhere, 22 were at Newlands Farm, Westerly movements were noted in autumn at coastal sites with 500 at Calshot on the Fareham on Sep 28th, 20 flew west at Weston Shore on Oct 5th and 8th while at Sandy morning of Oct 16th, 150 at Havant on Oct 22nd and 92 at Sandy Point on Oct 28th, this

110 111 being the highest of seven westerly movements there totalling 190 between Sep 22nd and 25th, 15 on Nov 1st and six on Dec 24th. The NFWBS produced totals of 29, 20 and 15 in Nov 19th. In the north-east, regular observations during the autumn at Tweseldown showed January-March and 14, six and 19 in October-December. no strong overall direction and peaked with 102 moving SE on Oct 28th. (MLC) Evidence of coastal movements involving more than five came from Hurst/Milford on Sea with eight east on Sep 13th and 13 south on Oct 12th; 11 south at Keyhaven on Sep 27th; Rook Corvus frugilegus and 14 at Barton on Sea on Oct 12th during a three hour migration watch with 12 east and A numerous resident and probable winter visitor. Green two SE towards the Needles. The highest recorded number in the first winter period was at the roost near Allington GP Definite breeding was reported from ten locations, at least four being on pylons, with where 920 arrived from E/SE on Jan 19th. pairs in suitable habitat in at least eight other sites. Five were noted feeding on a dead calf Only 27 rookeries were reported, a significant drop from 55 last year, with a total of at Normandy Marshes on July 10th and two were feeding on a dead swan at Ibsley Water 1161 nests. Counts exceeding 50 nests were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses where on Sep 26th. (MLC) available): South Warnborough, 110 (105); Leckford, 100 (102); Longstock, 100; , 88; Houghton, 80 (114); Damerham, 71 (84); Widley, 65 (72). The rookery at Hoglands Park Goldcrest Regulus regulus in central Southampton held 17 nests, six less than 2013. A high post-breeding count of 700 A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green was reported from birds foraging in a pig field at Bigpath Farm, Upham on June 21st. Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses where In the second winter period, counts exceeding 500 included 900 at Longwood Warren available): Bourley Woods, 13; Itchen Valley CP, 14 (26); Longmoor Inclosure, 20 (9). on Nov 16th, 580 at the Allington GP roost on Nov 29th with a maximum of 1800 there At coastal sites singles were recorded at Sandy Point on three dates between Jan 2nd and on Dec 11th, 700 at Old Winchester Hill on Dec 3rd and 500 at the Greywell roost on Dec Feb 19th and eight dates between June 30th and Sep 14th and at Hurst Castle one flew in off 28th. (MLC) the sea on Mar 9th. Autumn passage was apparent at Titchfield Haven where 51 were trapped between July 20th and Nov 9th, while on the Cadland Estate 52 were trapped between Aug Carrion Crow Corvus corone 2nd and Nov 11th. High counts of 19 at Barton Common on Oct 12th, 20 at both Andover A numerous resident. Green Down Farm on Oct 18th and Lepe CP on Nov 9th and 13 at Blashford Lakes on Dec 13th As in previous years many large gatherings were reported from coastal locations. The most were further evidence of autumn movements. (MLC) regularly counted site was Weston Shore where monthly maxima in January-June were 60, 130, 100, 120, 145 and 170 and in July-December 260, 170, 180, 260, 280 and 110. The peak Firecrest† Regulus ignicapilla of 280 occurred on Nov 24th. Other three figures counts were of 100 at Mengham Salterns, A moderately common and increasing resident and passage migrant. Schedule 1, Amber, HBAP Chichester Harbour on Jan 16th, 120 at Kingsley on Jan 31st and 100 there the next day, 120 Just short of 1000 records were submitted for this species although it continues to be under- at Deadman Hill, NF on Feb 8th, 140 at Warblington Shore, Chichester Harbour on Mar recorded in parts of the county; the population is certainly larger than the records suggest. 4th, 150 at Hythe flying towards Weston Shore at dusk on Sep 17th, 100 at Chilling on Oct Survey work in the New Forest by MW and RC and in Southampton by MJP continues to 12th, 120 near Keyhaven the next day, 100 at Newlands Farm, Fareham on Nov 16th and shed light on the continued expansion of both breeding and wintering populations. 101 at Titchfield Haven on Nov 27th. Inland in the north-east at Tweseldown regular counts In January and February wintering individuals were reported from widespread areas across between Oct 5th and Nov 5th peaked at 80 with 25 SW on Oct 27th. The NFWBS produced the county mainly in small groups of one to three. However survey work in Southampton was totals of 432, 318 and 269 in January-March and 512, 446 and 438 in October-December. rewarded with larger counts including 25 at Southampton Common from Jan 21st-23rd and Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): an impressive count of 35 there from Feb 25th-27th. The first singing Firecrest was recorded Longmoor Inclosure, 18 (17); Lower Test Marshes, 5 (5); Itchen Valley CP, 5 (4); Titchfield at Blackwater Arboretum on Feb 13th and returning birds were recorded in the New Forest Haven, 3 (3). from late February with seven at Holm Hill Inclosure on 21st and nine at Bolderwood on 23rd. A possible hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow was seen flying up the Itchen from Weston During the breeding season survey work in the New Forest found a total of 255 territories Shore on May 5th. (MLC) in the central 46 km2 woodland block (cf. 145 during last survey in 2011). Elsewhere in the New Forest a further 276 territories were mapped as part of systematic survey work. Raven Corvus corax Extrapolating this data to all suitable habitat within the perambulation we can estimate a A scarce but increasing resident which bred successfully for the first time since 1887 in 2004. New Forest population of c. 700 pairs in 2014. Elsewhere significant counts of territorial Green Firecrests came from Bourley Woods, 30; the Southampton area, 24 and Ampfield Wood, nine in addition to 99 from 51 sites across the county. This species continued to expand and range widely across the whole county with reports from 360 separate one km squares compared with over 230 locations last year. Most reports Thus the county total for 2014 exceeds 850 breeding territories although a number of were of one to five, typically comprising up to two pairs or a family group. Higher numbers core areas such as Alice Holt and Queen Elizabeth CP were not surveyed. The species is were reported as follows: ten at Bolderwood, NF on Jan 11th and 16 south over Blackwater now widespread across the county and under-recorded in many areas suggesting the true Arboretum on Jan 20th; eight at Tidpit Down on Mar 16th increasing to 29 on May 2nd with total for the breeding population is considerably higher. Breeding Firecrest can be found in 20 on 5th, nine on June 23rd and 13 on Nov 30th; eight SW at Cholderton Park on Mar 21st; a wide variety of woodland habitats with a preference for ‘soft’ conifers such as Douglas fir, seven at Martin Down NNR on May 5th and ten there on Aug 16th; six at Rowbarrow, NF Norway spruce or ornamental garden conifers and increasingly in mixed woodland with an on July 2nd. It was also recorded in every month of the year at Old Winchester Hill with understorey of yew or holly. monthly highs of more than five as follows: ten on July 18th, nine on Aug 28th, six on Sep

112 113 As in previous years relatively small numbers were reported between July and September. Willow Tit Poecile montana From October onwards the species becomes more vocal and conspicuous as they establish A scarce and declining resident. Red, UKBAP1, HBAP and maintain winter feeding territories. As summarised in the table below, survey work in the Southampton area produced totals of 87 in October and 64 in November while in December a maximum of 33 was counted on Southampton Common. In the New Forest mild winter weather ensured small numbers remained in core areas with peak counts including 11 at Bisterne Close, Burley, Oct 27th and six at Bolderwood, Dec 20th. Ringing activities at Southampton Common resulted in 77 being caught during the year, 57 for the first time, seven retraps from 2012, 12 from 2013 and one controlled on Oct 27th which had been ringed in Cornwall on Dec 8th 2012. A summary of all records is tabulated below. (MW)

Jan Feb Mar July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec New Forest totals 12 31 77 3 10 26 27 19 21 New Forest sites 5 10 28 3 5 10 9 13 11 Southampton Common 25 35 5 7 1 33 Southampton area 33 64 6 5 10 2 87 64 11 Southampton area sites 14 16 3 2 4 2 19 17 5 Other inland locations 15 21 33 8 12 20 24 28 23 Number of sites 12 17 26 3 8 18 19 17 14 Coastal locations 10 11 10 5 6 36 14 13 Number of sites 7 6 7 3 6 16 9 8 Total recorded 95 162 131 16 44 54 174 126 101

Willow Tit, Netherton Valley, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Feb 16th (Alan Lewis) Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus An abundant resident and passage migrant. Green There were sightings at the three best known locations for this species, namely Netherton Bottom near Faccombe, Hurstbourne Common near Hurstbourne Tarrant and Walkers Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses where Copse near Dummer. All of these sites are partially private but the birds can be viewed from available): Longmoor Inclosure, 48 (65); Lower Test Marshes, 22 (18); Farlington Marshes, public rights of way. 4; Titchfield Haven, 28 (35). Thanks to a Government grant the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust organised High counts reported were of 34 at Fleet Pond on Jan 12th, 27 at North Waltham on Feb a survey of suitable woodland in an area of approximately 100 km2 mostly west of the A34 1st, 35 at on Mar 1st, 50 in mixed tit flock at Breamore Down on Aug 21st and and north of the A303. The species sings primarily in February and March so survey work 50 at Fleet Pond on Sep 13th. Birds were noted moving over Trigpoint Hill on three dates was undertaken at this time. Importantly tape lures were used to encourage birds to sing. between Feb 18th and Mar 4th with a total of 12 NE and on Oct 10th and 25th with totals A number of HOS members took part and as a result 34 woodlands were visited twice. In of five SW and three NE. (MLC) total 17 woodlands had Willow Tits present and 22 territories were located. Great Tit Parus major In a parallel exercise MLC carried out a similar survey in woodlands close to Dummer. Eight woods were visited and Willow Tits were found in five of these, of which four were An abundant resident. Green not previously known to hold the species. Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses where In both surveys the woods were mostly private and only visited with permission. For that available): Longmoor Inclosure, 30 (41); Lower Test Marshes, 20 (13); Farlington Marshes, reason exact site details are not listed here. Further surveys are planned for 2015. (KFB) 4; Titchfield Haven, 19 (24). The only movement detected at migration points was at Sandy Point where one flew north on Apr 4th. (MLC) Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Coal Tit Periparus ater A common but declining resident. SPEC3, Red, UKBAP4, HBAP A numerous resident. Green In addition to the winter surveys referred to below, records were received for 29 New Forest sites and 90 elsewhere across the county. Numbers were generally low, the only The breeding season survey of 8 km2 of Longmoor Inclosure revealed a total of 104 territories counts of five or more being of seven at Mark Ash Wood, NF on Feb 18th, five at Noar Hill compared with 87 in 2013 and 114 in 2012. on May 26th, 15 at Acres Down, NF on June 26th and nine at Weston Common on July 8th. The only record of apparent movement during visible migration watches was of two SW The NFWBS produced totals of ten, four and six in January-March and seven, 11 and 14 in over Trigpoint Hill on Jan 14th. (MLC) October-December.

114 115 Out of 377 Hampshire observers contributing to the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch, 13 (3.5%) Breeding season surveys of the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths SPAs produced totals recorded Marsh Tits at least once during the year and a further 22 (5.8%) recorded Marsh/ of 52 and 36 pairs/singing males respectively compared with 47 and 36 in 2013 (see Table 1, Willow Tits with the majority of these, if not all, probably being Marsh Tits. Combining the p. 159). There were numerous casual records from the New Forest with reports from over totals gives 35 out of 377 gardens (9.3%). This compares to other reporting rates over the 60 one km squares indicating a healthy population. Other breeding season reports came from same period of 95% for Blue Tits, 92% for Great Tits and 71% for Coal Tits. In January-early 18 widespread sites including many on the chalk; however breeding was only confirmed at March 20 gardens reported between one and five and in November-December 20 gardens, Mortimer West End where juveniles were seen in May and July. of which 15 were the same as before, reported between one and two. (MLC) There were many reports of post-breeding gatherings, particularly from the New Forest where there were 12 at Long Beech Inclosure on July 21st, 11 at Longwater Lawn on Aug Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus 24th, 11 at Acres Down and Ibsley Common on Sep 2nd and ten at Common on A scarce resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Schedule 1, Amber, HBAP Sep 23rd. In the north-east there were 11 at Woolmer on Sep 14th, nine at Tweseldown There were reports from five sites in January with maxima of ten at Titchfield Haven on on 27th and a notable seven at Kingsley Common on Oct 1st, while four at Ibsley Water on 8th, five at Hook-with-Warsash on 11th, 22 at Farlington Marshes on 14th, four at Keyhaven Sep 1st was the eighth record for that site since 1998. Autumn dispersal and passage was on 15th and five at Lower Test Marshes on 28th. In February and March reduced numbers well recorded. At Tweseldown, 18 moved mostly SW on nine dates between Sep 25th and were reported from all these sites except Lower Test Marshes while additionally one was Oct 31st and at Trigpoint Hill 30 moved in various directions on 12 dates between Sep 10th at Needs Ore on Mar 4th. and Nov 10th. Elsewhere inland singles were noted in October at Stoneham on 4th, Itchen Valley CP on 5th, Chandler’s Ford and Overton on 12th and Abbotstone and Farley Mount In summer at least five pairs bred at Titchfield Haven, at least four at Farlington Marshes on 25th. At coastal sites 16 were noted moving between Sep 18th and Nov 9th with totals and one at Keyhaven. of six in the Hurst area, four at Warsash (on Oct 22nd) and three at Sandy Point and Hill Post-breeding, exceptional numbers were at Titchfield Haven with monthly maxima of at Head/Brownwich. least 36 on Sep 30th and Oct 16th, 17 on Nov 10th and 15 on Dec 16th. There were also In November and December wintering flocks were located in stubble fields on Portsdown regular records from Farlington Marshes with a maximum of 25 on Nov 9th and at Keyhaven Hill (max. 9, Dec 21st) and old asparagus fields at Blackmoor (max. 14, Dec 30th). In the New with peaks of eight on Oct 16th and 11 on Dec 29th. Other records were of seven at Needs Forest three were found during the NFWBS on Nov 15th but none were found in December. Ore on Nov 3rd and two at Hook-with-Warsash on Nov 29th. (JMC) The only other records were of one flying over near on Nov 9th and one at Badminston GP on Nov 16th and 30th. (JMC) Woodlark Lullula arborea A moderately common resident and passage migrant. Skylark Alauda arvensis ET, SPEC2, Schedule 1, Amber, UKBAP4, HBAP A numerous but declining resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. SPEC3, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP In the early year double figure flocks were reported at four locations with a maximum of 80 at Colemore on Jan 29th. The NFWBS produced totals of two, 13 and 50 in January-March. Just 13 were noted moving including two singles north over Sandy Point on Mar 16th and 29th. Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): 3 km2 at Butser Hill, 13 (18); Farlington Marshes, 11; Martin Down CBC, 16 (9). Breeding season surveys of the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths SPAs produced totals of seven and two pairs/singing males respectively compared with 13 and zero in 2013 (see Table 1, p. 159). Autumn passage was detected from mid-September and peaked during October with 2150 logged. Coastal movement was principally recorded at Hurst Beach with 530 over in various directions on 14 dates between Sep 17th and Nov 28th, peaks 119 mostly south on Oct 12th and 114 mostly north on Oct 20th, and Sandy Point with 224 over on 12 dates between Oct 3rd and Dec 5th, peaks 62 NW on Oct 12th and 55 west on Oct 28th. Inland, 921 moved in various directions over Trigpoint Hill on 34 dates between Sep 20th and Dec 17th, peak 67 SW on Oct 31st, and 180 moved mostly SW over Tweseldown on 31 dates between Oct 1st and Dec 6th. The minimum half-monthly totals of autumn migrants are tabulated below. Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec 17-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 Coast moving 47 302 602 75 13 1 Inland moving 114 429 401 154 4 8 Woodlark, Mortimer West End, Jan 11th (Barry Stalker) In the late year double figure flocks were reported at 12 locations including 150 in stubble There were no reports of wintering flocks but returns to breeding territories were evident at on Nov 29th, 80 at East Meon on Dec 14th, 75 at Portsdown Hill on Dec from Jan 11th when there were reports from Deerleap Inclosure (NF), Woolmer Forest and 21st and 85 at Crookham on Dec 29th. The NFWBS produced totals of 59, eight and seven Mor timer West End and additionally two were heard singing over asparagus fields at Blackmoor in October-December. (SKW) and one was at East Meon. The NFWBS produced totals of two, 12 and 16 in January-March.

116 117 Sand Martin Riparia riparia try to detect and report if ‘large numbers’ at a site actually refer to settled birds feeding, or A common but declining summer visitor and numerous passage migrant. SPEC3, Amber a regular flow of migrants. This applies to all diurnal migrant species. The first were singles at Lower Test Marshes on Mar 9th, Badminton GP on 14th and Ibsley Just 609 were recorded as definitely on the move in spring, which is a huge underestimate! Water on 15th. The next were 19 at seven sites on 19th and 260 at ten sites the next day Nonetheless, only two counts of any kind reached three figures (max. 118 north at Hurst including 100 moving up the Itchen Valley in the Mansbridge/Southampton Airport area. on May 7th) with no large gatherings at for example Blashford Lakes in May (indeed only 75 Subsequently flocks reached three figures at Itchen Valley CP, Ibsley Water, Titchfield Haven, were reported from there all spring!). This paucity was presumably weather-related; Swallows Alresford Pond and Heath Pond (Petersfield) with a maximum of 500 (and probably more) pass through fast and high when the weather is fine. at Ibsley Water on Apr 8th. Breeding was noted only at Kingsley Sand Pit, Ibsley Water (32 Juveniles were noted from June 28th and migration was under way by the end of the month. occupied nests) and Testwood Lakes (61 occupied nests). It was by no means a ‘vintage’ autumn migration, certainly compared with 2013, with just Return movement, or at least dispersal, was detected as early as mid-June at Casbrook under 25,000 logged. The highest numbers were recorded at Trigpoint Hill with 8249 mostly Common (on 16th) and Farlington Marshes (on 17th) but comprised only 303 individuals. The south between June 16th and Oct 23rd including 5315 in the last ten days of September and largest movements were of 110 west at Weston Shore on July 9th (noted as a very unusual peak day totals of 1540 on 27th and 1150 on 28th. The mismatch in timings between coast local movement) and 47 east at Browndown on the late date of Oct 11th. Subsequently the and inland tabulated below is noteworthy and interesting. Just 54 were seen in the last third only records were from Ibsley Water where there was one on Oct 19th and 20th, two on of October, two singles in November at Longparish on 5th and Needs Ore on 9th and a very 25th, one on 26th and one south on Nov 1st. late (or possibly wintering) bird at Calshot on Dec 18th. The half-monthly totals of all birds recorded as moving are tabulated below. (SKW) The half-monthly totals of all birds recorded as moving are tabulated below. (SKW) Mar Apr Apr June July July Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Mar Apr Apr May May June July July Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct 16-31 1-15 16-30 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 20-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-23 Inland 5 71 43 24 1 1 9 41 1 30 Inland 2 144 77 51 30 26 138 169 353 991 1993 6333 1729 77 Coast 110 15 6 160 11 25 47 Coast 102 12 192 25 27 1983 6517 3178 1056 42 House Martin Delichon urbicum Swallow Hirundo rustica A numerous but declining summer visitor and abundant passage migrant. SPEC3, Amber A numerous summer visitor and abundant passage migrant. SPEC3, Amber The first were singles at Titchfield Haven on Mar 26th and Lower Test Marshes on Apr 2nd. Only 123 were reported in the first half of April and just 209 in the second. These totals included settled as well as migrating birds. The first and highest of just five three figure counts in May was of 500 in the Eastleigh SW/Itchen Valley CP area on 11th. The table below belies the fact that arrival dates appear to be getting significantly later. One observer reckoned the species is consistently arriving on territory two weeks later than 30 years ago, a Farlington Marshes regular saw only one there all spring and a long-time contributor saw none at all in April in Bitterne Park. Breeding season reports were fragmentary but several observers reported rapid declines or total disappearance, e.g. at Furze Hill (NF) and Portsmouth. This is clearly a species in some trouble. There were reports of birds using artificial nests in a former breeding site at Bitterne Park, which is encouraging. Hopefully the BTO survey of 2015 will supply better data. Autumn migration was interesting in that inland more than twice as many were counted moving as at the coast. The peak movement was in a very tight and slightly later period than that on the coast. All but one of the four figure autumn counts were inland with the heaviest movement on Sep 26th when 8060 flew SW over Tweseldown in 3.5 hours and 1480 west at nearby Fleet Pond in 1.75 hours (no doubt with some overlap between these counts). Numbers on the coast at this time were unexceptional. Just two were seen in the last week of October, then two SW over Brownwich Pond on Nov 5th and the last at Emsworth on Dec 2nd. The half-monthly totals of all birds recorded as moving are tabulated below. (SKW) Apr Apr May May June July July Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov 9-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-5 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-26 1-5 Swallow, Farlington, June 15th (Andy Thorpe) Inland 56 23 1 8 5 23 210 273 432 426 13472 963 1 Just seven March birds were seen, the first being two at Mansbridge on 20th. Widespread Coast 3 2 3 103 3713 3324 581 56 2 records were largely of first dates and simple counts. Observers are encouraged always to

118 119 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): A rare vagrant recorded in April-July and October. (0,12,1) Itchen Valley CP, 20 (12); Lower Test Marshes, 6 (7); Longmoor Inclosure, 1 (4); Titchfield Haven, 4 (6). After the breeding season counts of 20 or more were received from ten sites with a maximum of 35 at Itchen Valley CP on Sep 20th and Needs Ore on Oct 30th. Additionally, c.100 comprising several flocks were estimated to be present along the at Mansbridge on Oct 1st. (KBW) Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus A very scarce visitor, most frequent in autumn, but recorded in every month from September to April. (0,75,20) It was a record year for the species with possibly 20 being found between Oct 5th and Red-rumped Swallow, Lower Pennington Lane, Apr 19th (Lee Fulller) Nov 9th including eight during Oct 17th-19th. The first was One was watched for ten minutes on wires at Hurst View caravan site on Apr 18th before in the observer’s garden at flying off west; it was relocated the next morning around the new pool at Lower Pennington Stubbington on Oct 5th. Lane but eventually drifted off north (SAB, LMF, photo). This is the earliest ever for the Another was located along the county. There have been records in six previous years this century comprising one in April, Danes Stream at Milford on Sea six in May, one in June, two in July and one in October. The most recent was one flying west Pleasure Gardens on 12th, with over Sandy Point on July 10th 2011. (JMC) two there on 19th and one on † 22nd. One was heard several Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti times at Sway on 13th. Singles A moderately common resident; first bred in 1979. Schedule 1, Green were found with tit parties at Yellow-browed Warbler, Fishlake Meadows, Oct 25th Records of territorial males amounted to around 160 but coverage was far from complete, Warren Lane (Needs Ore), (Simon Ingram) especially in the Avon Valley and along stretches of the Test and Itchen Valleys. Bitterne Park and Woodmill on 17th and on the same day one was trapped at Titchfield Haven. One was at The two principal monitored sites in the county both showed increases. At Titchfield Common on 18th and 19th, another was at Titchfield Haven on 19th and singles were with Haven numbers were the highest since 2004 with 42 territories compared with 34 in 2013. a tit flock at Haven Road near Sandy Point and heard at Pilot Hill, Ashmansworth on 24th. At Lower Test Marshes there were 22 compared with 14 in 2013 but some way below the Three were found on 25th with singles at Farlington Marshes and Sinah Common and one record of 38 in 2002. Counts from other coastal sites from east to west (not necessarily trapped at Fishlake Meadows. One was trapped at Titchfield Haven on 26th, another was at complete) amounted to at least 51 as follows: Farlington Marshes, 6 in survey but up to 12 Wood, NF on 29th and the last was at Lepe CP on Nov 9th. males reported by other observers; Great Salterns Lake, 4; Milton Common, 7; IBM Lake, 2; Paulsgrove Reclamation, 1; Browndown North, 1; Hook-with-Warsash, 4; Hamble Common, The previous highest total was ten in 2007. There have been records in every year this 1; Fawley Refinery, 5; Ashlett Creek, 1; Calshot, 3; Stansore Point, 1; Dark Water, 1; Needs century except 2000 and 2005. (KFB) Ore, 5; Sowley, 1; Lymington River, 1; Lymington-Hurst, 7-8. In the Test Valley there was one 2013 addition: Sopley Cemetery, Nov 13th (LC). at Mill, six at Fishlake Meadows and 24 in 13 one km squares between Bossington and Longparish. In the Itchen Valley there were six at Itchen Valley CP and a further three 2012 addition: observer’s garden, Pennington village, Nov 8th (BJP). north to Bishopstoke but the rest of the valley was poorly covered with only five singing 2008 addition: observer’s garden, Pennington village, Sep 29th (BJP). males reported. No meaningful data were received for the Avon Valley. Reports at presumed non-breeding locations (all of singles) came from Badminston GP Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei (Sep 10th, the second ever there), Blashford Lakes (Ibsley Water from Jan 1st-Feb 26th and A very rare vagrant. (0,0,1) Oct 17th-Dec 31st; Ivy Lake from Dec 12th-31st), Bransbury Common (Mar 19th), Broadlands One was photographed in a garden in Pennington village on Nov 3rd (BJP). The observer Estate (Oct 12th), Fleet Pond (Oct 18th-Nov 23rd), Hitches Lane CP, Fleet (1 from 2013 until was also able to note the call which is distinctive and reminiscent of Pied Wagtail. This is the Feb 16th; 2, Jan 19th), the Kench (May 25th), Overton Lagoons (Nov 9th, the first ever there), first record for Hampshire. See the paper on p. 213 for further details. Sandy Point (Oct 15th, the third ever there), Testwood Lakes (Dec 23rd) and Winchester SF (Feb 10th, the first ever there). (JMC) This species was well-overdue to make an appearance in Hampshire, given that Dorset, Sussex and the Isle of Wight have logged 14 records between them! It is a rare vagrant Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus anywhere in Britain with most of the 132 records (to the end of 2013) having been seen on the east coast between Norfolk and Northumbria – half of them in November. The race A numerous resident. Green recorded in Britain (humei) breeds in eastern central Asia and winters mainly in Afghanistan In the early year the only count of 20 or more was of 31 at Twyford on Feb 2nd. and . (KFB)

120 121 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Pond on Sep 13th, 40 at Lower Test Marshes A scarce and declining summer visitor now largely confined to the New Forest. on Sep 16th, 26 at Brownwich on Sep 20th SPEC2, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP and 21 there on 28th, an exceptional count of 132 at Fawley Power Station on Sep 23rd and The first for the year was a singing male on passage at Sandy Point on Apr 14th. The first 30 at Needs Ore on Oct 2nd rising to 100 on in the New Forest was singing in Holly Hatch Inclosure on Apr 21st, while a migrant was 5th and then dropping to 40 on 12th. On the reported at Stockbridge Common Marsh on the same day. The species was recorded at three Cadland Estate 139 were trapped between Aug other New Forest sites by the end of the month but it was not until May 1st that numbers 2nd and Oct 31st with a maximum of 39 on started to build with six singing males noted in Holly Hatch Inclosure and four in Burley New Sep 27th. Even higher numbers were recorded Inclosure the following day. at Titchfield Haven with 616 trapped between Obtaining accurate numbers of pairs present in the New Forest is difficult due to reports July 20th and Nov 9th with an impressive peak being received from many observers, some of whom supply six figure grid references while of 138 on Sep 23rd. At IBM Lake 50 bird-days others submit a count for one general area. However, an estimated 85 pairs/singing males were were recorded between Sep 13th and Nov 1st. present at 35 localities with the main concentration being in the area between Bolderwood Reports of presumed winterers in Nov- and Acres Down. At least 46 of these were located during the course of a Firecrest survey. Putative male Chiffchaff x Iberian Chiffchaff Dec totalled 152 at 75 sites, an increase over hybrid, Sandy Point NR, Mar 28th (Richard Ford) Elsewhere, the only records were of a singing male in Bourley Woods on May 6th and 7th last year’s total of 93 at 51 sites. All were of and one singing briefly at Chilling on May 14th. one to four apart from higher numbers again at Eastleigh SW with monthly maxima of eight The final report from the New Forest was one at Highland Water Inclosure on July 17th. on Nov 29th and 21 on Dec 29th and in the Blackwater Valley between Darby Green and Even allowing for the fact that the species normally disappears from the county virtually Hawley with nine also on Dec 29th. unnoticed, it was a particularly poor autumn with the only record being of a juvenile trapped A bird holding territory at Sandy Point from Mar 18th-July 2nd had a very distinctive and at Titchfield Haven on Aug 5th. (KBW) loud song including unusual phrases that the finder (ACJ) considered to be suggestive of it being a hybrid with Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus. (MLC) Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Common Chiffchaff† Phylloscopus collybita collybita Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis A numerous summer visitor and passage migrant; moderately common in winter. Green A rare autumn passage migrant and winter visitor. (since 2009: 8,3) In January-February there were reports totalling 66 at 32 sites, mostly between one and four In addition to the main account above, three records of the distinctive Siberian race tristis except for five at Titchfield Haven on Feb 24th and regularly higher numbers at Eastleigh SW were accepted. A juvenile was at Titchfield Haven on Jan 4th, 5th and 24th during which peaking at ten on Feb 1st and 18 on Feb 16th. Overall numbers were lower than last year time it was trapped (DH, BSD, JL&MS). One was trapped at Fishlake Meadows on Oct 28th, when 89 were reported at 42 sites. being re-trapped on Nov 29th (NRJ, SI). A single at Eastleigh SW on Dec 31st was seen and heard well (DJU). Wit h wintering birds so widespre ad , it w as dif ficult to detec t when t he first migr ant s arrived but numbers appeared to have increased from the end of the first week of March with many Current recommended guidance from BBRC for assessing tristis race Chiffchaffs is that in new sightings in the second week. One at Farlington Marshes on Mar 4th was considered addition to noting suitable plumage features it is also essential that the call is heard clearly. to be new and an increase to ten at Mansbridge was noted on 5th. Although sub-song was This is very distinctive and is also the best way to locate individuals. It has been described noted from some wintering birds in February, the first males in full song reported in March as being similar to a faint Bullfinch but with the chiming quality of a Dunnock. The HOSRP were at Petersfield on 5th, Bishopstoke on 6th, Badminton GP on 8th and Ewhurst Park therefore only considers those records where the observers have heard the call clearly. This and Winchester on 9th. Over the next week singing males assumed to be new arrivals were year the Panel considered three records that met these criteria. (MLC) reported from widespread locations. At Sandy Point records indicative of passage were one on Mar 11th followed by up to three from 13th-21st. Double figure counts were reported at Willow Warbler† Phylloscopus trochilus Itchen Valley CP with 12 on 15th and 16th, 19 on 23rd and 21 on 30th and 25 at Mansbridge A numerous but declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber on 20th. At Lakeside CP a noticeable increase to seven was reported on 17th. Passage The first for the year was one at Fishlake Meadows on Mar 24th with reports of singing continued in April with highs of 12 at Needs Ore on 1st, 30 at Mansbridge on 4th followed males from another twelve sites by the end of the month. The main arrival was from Apr by 25 there on 14th and 30 on 24th and 26 at Long Valley, Bourley on 11th. 1st with the first double figure count being of ten at Milton Common on 10th. Significant Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): spring passage was noted at Sandy Point where there were 122 bird-days between Mar 28th Blashford Lakes, 9 (11); Farlington Marshes, 2; Itchen Valley CP, 55 (54); Longmoor Inclosure, and May 15th with a peak count of 25 on Apr 14th. However, very few were recorded from 22 (14); Lower Test Marshes, 16 (12); Ludshott Common, 30 (12); Martin Down CBC, 20 (9); other coastal localities. The only other noteworthy count received during April was of 20 Titchfield Haven, 30 (28). The total at sites covered in both years showed a 30% increase at Dur Hill Down, NF on 11th. from 140 to 182 but still short of the 203 recorded in 2012. Although present in suitable habitat throughout the county the only significant counts As usual, large numbers were recorded on autumn passage, especially in the last two received during the breeding season came from the north-east. Counts of territories included weeks of September and first week of October, although there were also some highs earlier 35 at Yateley Common, 26 at Ludshott Common (18 in 2013), 19 at Longmoor Inclosure in September and up to mid-October. Daily counts in excess of 20 included 80 between (11 in 2013), 11 at and eight at Blackbushe Airfield (16 in 2013). The species Mansbridge and Eastleigh SW on Sep 2nd dropping to 25 on Sep 5th and Oct 1st, 25 at Fleet is common in the New Forest with seven singing males reported at King’s Hat Inclosure on

122 123 Apr 13th and six at on May 3rd but no systematic counts were received from 55 were recorded at 32 sites. All reports were of one to four except for six at Chilbolton the national park. One singing at Sandy Point on June 29th was unusual. An individual, first on Dec 21st and 26th. A variety of winter food sources was reported in each winter period seen in 2013, giving a mixed song of both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, returned to the including berberis, callicarpa, ivy, elderberry and spindle berries, sunflower hearts, biscuits same territory at Woolmer Pond on Apr 10th. and fatballs. In autumn a total of 268 was trapped at Titchfield Haven between July 20th and Sep 23rd Further data from the BTO Garden BirdWatch showed one to four between January- with peaks of 31 on July 29th and 30 on July 31st. On the Cadland Estate a total of 102 was early March in 96 gardens and up to three between November-December in 63 gardens. trapped between July 30th and Sep 9th with a peak of 37 on Aug 7th. At Old Winchester The Jan-Mar figure is much lower than 2013 (142 gardens) but continues on from the low Hill there were 199 bird-days between Aug 24th and Oct 9th with a maximum of 25 on Sep figure in late 2013 (60 gardens). The figure for Nov-Dec is similar to 2013. In addition, out 5th, while at Sandy Point there were 148 bird-days between July 24th and Sep 10th with a of 377 Hampshire gardens, 181 recorded Blackcaps at least once during the year. However, peak of 20 on Aug 31st. At Butser Hill at least 120 (along with 30 Chiffchaffs) were counted the monthly reporting rates, expressed as percentages of gardens, were far from uniform as crossing a gap in a hedgerow heading south over the hill on Aug 7th. Other counts included shown by Table 3 on p. 162. From less than 3% of gardens in the late summer and autumn, 15 at Needs Ore on Aug 9th, 20 at Crookham Village on Aug 23rd and 17 at Brownwich on rates increased to over 8% in December and then to over 13% in January and February Aug 31st. Small numbers continued to be reported throughout September but the last for before gradually dropping back again to around 5% in mid-summer. This demonstrates the the year was one at Old Winchester Hill on Oct 9th. (KBW) reliance on gardens and feeders in mid-winter, following the exhaustion of wild berries and the scarcity of other natural food sources. (MLC) Blackcap† Sylvia atricapilla A numerous summer visitor and passage migrant; moderately common in winter. Green Garden Warbler Sylvia borin During January-March there were reports of 137 (67 males, 26 females, 44 unspecified) at A common summer visitor and passage migrant; recorded once in winter. Green 73 different sites, many at garden feeders. This is similar to the 138 at 67 sites last year. Up The first for the year was one singing and seen at Woolmer Pond on Apr 11th followed by to mid-March all reports were between one and four except for five in a Chilbolton garden singles at Liss on 12th, Mansbridge on 14th and Conford Moor on 16th. The main arrival was on Jan 2nd and six there between Jan 5th and 19th. from Apr 18th and the species was widely reported by the end of the month. As is normally the case, there was little evidence of spring passage through the county with very few reports New arrivals were reported from Mar 21st when one was singing at Blashford Lakes Centre from coastal sites, e.g. just one at Sandy Point on May 6th. where this species is not known to winter. Numbers increased towards the month end with a maximum of nine at the Wildgrounds, Gosport on 31st. Counts of more than ten were During the breeding season there were records of approximately 119 singing males/pairs then recorded in April, especially over the first two weeks, as follows: 12 at Mansbridge on at 63 widespread localities. This is significantly lower than numbers reported in 2013 but 4th and Bishopstoke on 5th, between ten and 12 at Longparish from 5th until May 6th, 14 at this is probably due to a lack of reporting rather than a genuine decrease. Of these, 32 were Itchen Valley CP on 6th, 20 at Bishopstoke on 9th, 14 at Trigpoint Hill on 10th and over ten in the New Forest including nine in five hectares of hazel coppice in Roydon Woods. Other at Keyhaven Marshes the same day, 20 at Lower Test Marshes on 11th, 15 at Mansbridge on counts of singing males included 13 at Blashford Lakes (ten in 2013), 12 at Binswood and five 14th and 20 there on 24th and finally 16 at Emsworth on 28th. at Martin Down (nine in 2013). The vast majority of sites where it was present during the breeding season only contained one or two territories. This species is more widespread Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): than the received records would suggest – it is usually located by song and can be easily Blashford Lakes, 8 (10); 5; Butser Hill, 13 (16); Conford Moor, 7 (14); Itchen Valley CP, 75 overlooked among the much commoner Blackcap. (67); Longmoor Inclosure, 14 (8); Lower Test Marshes, 33 (26); Martin Down CBC, 16 (12); Titchfield Haven, 17 (16); Farlington Marshes, 6. The total at sites covered in both years In autumn, a total of 63 was trapped at Titchfield Haven between July 31st and Sep 16th showed a 12% increase from 169 to 189. with a peak of 12 on Aug 23rd. Numbers on autumn passage were typically low with no count exceeding two. At Ranvilles Lane, Fareham there were seven bird-days between July The first evidence of autumn passage was of singles passing through Moorgreen Farm, 27th and Sep 6th, while at Sandy Point there were only six bird-days between Aug 14th and West End from Aug 9th, ten at Old Winchester Hill on 23rd and ten at Sandy Point, at least Aug 26th. There were eleven records of single birds in early September with the last for the ten at Keyhaven Marshes and 15 at Brownwich on 31st. Good numbers were then recorded year being of one at Itchen Valley CP on 27th. (KBW) in September, especially during the first two weeks, with an exceptional high of 70 at the north end of the path on 7th. Further reports of more than ten in September were as follows: 16 at Trigpoint Hill, 20 at Farlington Marshes and 30 at Mansbridge on 5th; Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 24 at Ranvilles Lane, Fareham and 50 at Farlington Marshes the next day; 14 at Calshot on A moderately common but declining summer visitor and passage migrant; recorded four times in 7th; 15 at Northney Paddocks and over 17 at Keyhaven on 8th; 14 at Brownwich on 13th and winter. Green 20th; 11 at Calshot on 15th; 12 at Gilkicker Point on 17th; and finally 15 at Ranvilles Lane on The first arrivals were at Farlington Marshes and Hook-with-Warsash on Apr 11th. There 19th. At IBM Lake 124 bird-days were recorded between July 31st and Oct 30th with a daily were daily sightings thereafter with arrivals noted at a further 29 sites by the end of the maximum of 15 between Sep 23rd and 27th. Numbers in October were much reduced with month. All records were of one to three apart from five at Farlington Marshes on 18th and no counts of more than ten after 2nd. 22nd. Of note were two at Woolmer Pond on Apr 23rd and one there on 29th, only the Fewer winterers were recorded in November-December compared with the first three third and fourth records ever for the site. months of the year with a total of 76 (29 males, 23 females, 24 unspecified) at 43 different This is a secretive species and calculating the number of breeding pairs present in the county sites, many in gardens as before. However, after allowing for the reduced period covered, is problematic. However, the general impression is that there was an increase, with reports being only two months as opposed to three and the absence of migrants, numbers were of singing males possibly holding territory totalling 88 at 58 localities (57 at 44 in 2013). As broadly comparable with the first winter period. They were also higher than last year when in previous years the most favoured site was Martin Down where there were at least six

124 125 singing males on June 28th. Elsewhere, four singing males were at Old Winchester Hill on June Gosport area breeding was confirmed at Gilkicker Point and Browndown South (MOD) and 16th, while three were reported singing at five other widespread localities during the spring. probable at Browndown North. Possibly more than three pairs were present but the lack Post-breeding dispersal was evident from late July but as usual recorded numbers were of six figure grid references and confusion over site names makes this difficult to determine. low. The highest bird-day totals were 23 at Farlington Marshes (peaks five, Aug 31st and Sep After the breeding season a female was at Heath Warren (Bramshill) on July 7th possibly 6th) and 19 at Hook-with-Warsash (daily max. two). There were daily records until Sep 28th indicating an overlooked breeding pair. Further records indicative of dispersal included three and the last for the year was at Farlington Marshes on Oct 2nd. (KBW) at Hook-with-Warsash from July 15th and monthly maxima there of five on Nov 9th and four on Dec 13th, one at Foxbury Plantation on July 17th and up to two males there from Whitethroat Sylvia communis Oct 21st-Dec 31st, one at Heath Warren from Sep 22nd-Oct 23rd, two at Sinah Common A numerous summer visitor and passage migrant; recorded three times in winter. Amber on Sep 25th, one at Tweseldown from Sep 28th-Oct 3rd, a juvenile at Ivy Lake on Oct 2nd (the second ever at Blashford Lakes), one at Castle Bottom on Oct 5th, one at Stansore The first arrivals were reported at Badminston GP on Apr 8th and Itchen Valley CP and Point on Oct 7th, three at Barton on Sea on Oct 12th and one or two there until Nov 24th Old Winchester Hill on 9th with singles at Farlington Marshes and Chilling the next day. at least, up to three at Roydon Woods from Nov 1st-Dec 31st (the first there since the These were followed by ones and twos over the next few days. Numbers then increased 2010/11 winter), one at Farlington Marshes from Nov 6th-Dec 29th, two juveniles at Itchen starting with five at Keyhaven Marshes on 15th, seven at Lower Pennington on 17th, six at Valley CP from Nov 16th-Dec 14th with one remaining until Dec 19th at least and singles Hook-with-Warsash and eight at Lepe on 18th, 15 at Milton Common on 21st and 25 there at Forest Front Reserve, Dibden Purlieu from Nov 16th-Dec 25th, Crookham Village from on 30th. Breeders were widely established on territories by May. Nov 16th into 2015, Hazeley Heath on Nov 19th, Hamble Common on Nov 21st and Sprats Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Down on Dec 6th. (JMC) Butser Hill, 8 (10); Itchen Valley CP, 45 (44); Lower Test Marshes, 9 (8); Martin Down CBC, 15 (9); Titchfield Haven, 11 (14); Farlington Marshes, 12. The breeding surveys of the Thames Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola Basin and Wealden Heaths SPAs produced totals of 75 and 67 territories respectively (see A very rare vagrant. (0,0,1) Table 1, p. 159). This was a significant increase over last year as a result of some different sites being included and increases at Yateley and Ludshott. The total at the six sites covered A juvenile was trapped at Titchfield Haven on Sep 6th (BSD, DAB, TDC). This is the first in both years showed a 50% increase from 77 to 116. record for Hampshire. See the paper on p. 211 for further details. Return passage began with two at Sandy Point on July 27th. Passage remained strong Of the species that one might have predicted dropping into a mist net in Hampshire, this throughout August with counts exceeding ten reported as follows: 19 at Keyhaven on 7th, 15 would have been way down the list! Of the 53 British records over 40 have been in Shetland at Needs Ore the next day, 15 at Blackbushe Airfield on 15th, 16 at Pennington Marshes on and all of them in September or October. The only previous record from southern England 22nd, 52 at three sites on Hayling Island on 24th, 18 at Pennington Marshes on 27th and 11 was at Portland Bill, Dorset where one was trapped on Sep 13th 1996. The species breeds at Farlington Marshes on 31st. The main passage continued into the first week of September across Siberia to NE Kazakhstan, Mongolia and N China and winters from India to S China with a surge between 5th and 7th when 12 were reported at Farlington Marshes on 5th, 28 and throughout much of SE Asia. (KFB) there on 6th and 12 at the north end of the Hayling Bally path on 7th. At Titchfield Haven † 153 were trapped between July 20th and Sep 21st with a peak of 32 on Sep 6th. At IBM Lake Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia a total of 22 bird-days was recorded between July 31st and Sep 20th. A scarce spring passage migrant and summer visitor; a moderately common autumn passage There were no reports of more than three after Sep 8th. The last records for the year were migrant mostly recorded at Titchfield Haven. Red, UKBAP3, HBAP singles recorded at Milton Common, Redbridge, Hurst Castle and Lepe all on Oct 2nd. (MLC) 2014 was the worst year on record for this species with a total of only 17 records received. In spring six reeling males were reported at five sites but only one of these was confirmed Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata as remaining on territory during the breeding season. On a positive note there was a slight increase in the number trapped at Titchfield Haven in the autumn with records of migrants A moderately common resident, largely confined to the heaths of the New Forest and north-east but received from four other localities. with small numbers in coastal scrub. ET, SPEC2, Schedule 1, Amber, HBAP Early year records included one or two at Hook-with-Warsash until Jan 31st, one at Stansore The first was one singing at Leckford in the Test Valley on Apr 14th. During April presumed Point on Feb 21st, a pair at Tweseldown on Mar 6th and one at Titchfield Haven on Mar 31st. migrants were reeling at Sandy Point on 14th and 22nd and along the Ancient Highway at Breeding was not recorded at these sites. Keyhaven Marshes on 15th. The only locality from which records were received that was indicative of breeding was Titchfield Haven where a male held territory from May 16th On the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths SPA there was a welcome increase as the onwards. A reeling individual at Fishlake Meadows on June 2nd was possibly too late to be a species continued to recover from the run of cold winters between 2008 and 2011. A total migrant and may also have been on territory. An unusual record was of one at Acres Down of 57 pairs/singing males was located at eight sites compared with 30 at five sites in 2013. On on July 1st. the Wealden Heaths SPA the recovery was much slower with only five pairs/singing males at three sites compared with just one pair in 2013. There was the usual plethora of records In autumn, 341 were trapped at Titchfield Haven between July 20th and Sep 23rd cf( . 315 from the New Forest but no survey work was undertaken. Records from the periphery of in 2013) with peaks of 22 on Aug 19th and 40 on Aug 31st. Elsewhere singles were recorded the forest included three territories at Badminston Common/Toms Down. The only other at Old Winchester Hill on Aug 23rd, Field Farm, Blackfield (trapped) on Sep 1st, Keyhaven inland record involved a pair at Burton Common. At coastal sites, there were at least five Marshes on Sep 7th and Fishlake Meadows on Sep 12th. The last for the year was one along territories at Lymington-Hurst, two at Needs Ore and one at Calshot. At Sandy Point a Saltgrass Road, Keyhaven on Oct 3rd. (KBW) pair raised three juveniles which was the first confirmed breeding there since 2009. In the

126 127 Sedge Warbler† Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Treecreeper Certhia familiaris A common summer visitor and passage migrant. Green A numerous resident. Green There was an early arrival with the first for the year being two singing males at Farlington Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Marshes on Mar 30th, followed by two at Fishlake Meadows the next day. The main arrival Longmoor Inclosure, 11 (4); Itchen Valley CP, 7 (10); Lower Test Marshes, 3 (2); Titchfield was from Apr 8th although the first double figure count was not until Apr 21st. As usual, Haven, 2 (2). (WGDL) passage was light at non-breeding localities, e.g. only two individuals were noted at Sandy Point on Apr 21st and May 6th. One singing in a Basingstoke garden on May 16th was unexpected. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes During the breeding season approximately 228 singing males were reported from 35 An abundant resident. Green localities. Some of these were undoubtedly migrants passing through but many others Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): would have been missed due to the difficulty of access along sections of the major river Farlington Marshes, 6; Fleet Pond, 18+; Longmoor Inclosure, 99 (85); Lower Test Marshes, valleys. Counts of territories at surveyed sites were as follows (2013 figures, as available, 90 (66); Martin Down CBC, 13 (3); Titchfield Haven, 118 (97). Counts were significantly up in parentheses): Blashford Lakes, 8 (9); Farlington Marshes, 12; Fishlake Meadows, 14 (22); at all sites indicating a good recovery from the cold spring of 2013. The total at Titchfield Itchen Valley CP, 25 (31); Lower Test Marshes, 30 (17); Titchfield Haven, 24 (25). Counts in Haven was the highest there since 1999. (WGDL) the Test Valley included eight singing males at Oakley Copse and six at Stockbridge Common Marsh. In the north-east of the county where the species is normally scarce the only records Starling Sturnus vulgaris were of singles at Woolmer Pond on Apr 10th and June 2nd, Hitches Lane CP, Fleet on Apr A numerous but declining resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. 14th and Headley on May 31st. SPEC3, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP In autumn, a total of 1224 was trapped at Titchfield Haven between July 20th and Oct In the opening two months of the year, numbers were highest in the Avon Valley with reports 3rd (cf. 1426 in 2013) with peaks of 165 on Aug 5th and 104 on 31st. The only other double of 1000 at Blashford Lakes on Jan 2nd, 3000 at Avon Tyrrell on Jan 15th and nearby at Avon figure counts were of 15 at Keyhaven Marshes on Aug 8th and 15 at Needs Ore the following Causeway on Jan 19th and 10,000 murmurating over Ringwood on Jan 26th. The only other day. Several migrants were recorded away from breeding sites: at Sandy Point there were site to record a flock over 250 was Farlington Marshes where 500 were counted on Jan 15 bird-days between July 31st and Aug 20th, six were at Calshot on Aug 29th and three at 25th. Spring passage was very light with the only record of note being again from Farlington Warblington Shore on Aug 31st. The only records from the north-east were four at Woolmer Marshes with a flock of 2000 on Mar 20th. A total of 207 flew over Trigpoint Hill (165 SW Pond on Aug 31st and one at Tundry Pond on Sep 7th. There were four records in October and 42 NE) on eight dates between Mar 1st and Apr 2nd. with the last being singles at Lepe on 7th and at IBM Lake on 10th – the only record of the autumn at this site. (KBW) Post-breeding flocks with juveniles started to appear in the last week of May. Six flocks of over 100 were recorded in June, the largest of 400 at Hurst Beach on June 18th, suggesting Reed Warbler† Acrocephalus scirpaceus that it had been a reasonable breeding season. Numbers continued to increase as the summer progressed and between July and September flocks in excess of 200 were counted at nine A common summer visitor and passage migrant. Green sites including 3000 roosting at Keyhaven on July 3rd and 2000 at Farlington Marshes on Aug The first for the year was one at Titchfield Haven on Apr 8th. The main arrival was from Apr 30th, increasing to 3000 by Sep 6th. 12th although the first double figure count was not until Apr 27th when ten were at Needs Ore. Reports of migrants at non-breeding sites included three at Sandy Point on May 14th Autumn passage peaked in a three week window between Oct 26th and Nov 12th. At but very few were encountered elsewhere. the two main inland watch points, 7744 flew mostly SW over Tweseldown between Sep 26th and Nov 29th with peaks of 744 on Oct 26th, 1674 on Oct 27th, 760 on Nov 1st, 644 Breeding season records totalled approximately 395 singing males/territories at 48 on Nov 8th and 917 on Nov 12th and 2015 flew mostly NE over Trigpoint Hill between Sep sites (cf. 498 in 2013). As with the previous species, some of these may have been passage 20th and Dec 1st with a peak 597 NE on Oct 27th. Elsewhere 460 flew mostly south over migrants but others will have been missed on privately owned sites along the major river Greenhill, Romsey on three dates with a peak of 317 south on Oct 26th. Movement was far valleys. Counts of territories at surveyed sites were as follows (2013 figures, as available, lighter at coastal sites with just 640 west at Sandy Point on five dates between Oct 13th and in parentheses): Blashford Lakes, 24 (39); Farlington Marshes, 21; Fleet Pond, 24 (18); IBM Nov 11th with a peak of 250 on Nov 11th. The only other notable coastal movement was Lake, 23 (20); Itchen Valley CP, 19 (25); Lower Test Marshes, 61 (70); Titchfield Haven, 86, of 200 west at Titchfield Haven on Nov 1st. The minimum half-monthly totals of autumn the lowest for two decades (97). migrants are tabulated below. In autumn 695 were trapped at Titchfield Haven cf( . 608 in 2013) between July 20th and Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Oct 19th with a peak of 49 on Aug 31st. Elsewhere, the only double figure count received 7-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-29 was 11 at Keyhaven/ Pennington Marshes on Aug 7th. Eight were recorded at Farlington Coast movements 200 120 520 Marshes on Sep 6th but numbers rapidly declined thereafter. Away from Titchfield Haven Inland movements 124 837 5951 4108 305 25 the only October record was of one there on Oct 5th. (KBW) As in 2013, a large roost formed at Blashford Lakes in the late autumn with peak counts Nuthatch Sitta europaea conservatively estimated at 25,000 on Nov 15th, 18th and again on Dec 11th. Elsewhere, A numerous resident. Green six sites recorded four figure flocks in the last three months of the year as follows: 1000 at on Oct 2nd; 2000 at Greenhill, Romsey on Oct 12th; 1500 at Hythe on Nov Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Itchen 2nd and 1000 there on Nov 24th); 1000 at Old Portsmouth on Nov 23rd; 3640 roosting at Valley CP, 6 (6); Longmoor Inclosure, 3 (3). (WGDL) Fishlake Meadows on Nov 29th; and 2500 roosting at Hitches Lane CP, Fleet on Dec 28th.

128 129 Totals of site monthly maxima are tabulated below. (WGDL) (two, Oct 18th; female, Oct 19th); Farley Mount CP (3 south, Oct 18th); Ropley (Oct 18th); Testwood Lakes (male, Oct 18th-19th); Ranvilles Lane, Fareham (Oct 19th); Needs Ore (Oct Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 20th); Butser Hill (first-winter male, Oct 27th); Lower Froyle (Oct 30th); and Gander Down Roosts and grounded (male, Nov 2nd). The last was a male at Holmsley Walk, NF on Nov 15th. (WGDL) flocks (>25) 18,430 680 2360 30 120 1250 3580 3060 5070 5495 34,570 28,467 Blackbird Turdus merula Rose-coloured Starling Pastor roseus An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green A rare vagrant recorded in every month except January and December. (0,23,1) The only notable count in the early year involved 32 dispersing from a roost in the observer’s An adult was discovered on the bird feeders of a garden garden in Petersfield at dawn on Jan 30th. The NFWBS produced totals of 182, 168 and 205 in Milford on Sea on June 22nd (KDM). It was only in January-March, 10-20% below 2013 levels. present for a day but was also seen flying with juvenile Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Starlings over the Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes Farlington Marshes, 8; Longmoor Inclosure, 62 (45); Lower Test Marshes, 45 (45); Titchfield from 1910-1938 hrs (CB). There have been records in Haven, 22 (26); Martin Down CBC, 13 (12). eight years this century, most recently in 2012 when two were recorded. (KFB) Autumn passage was light with 34 moving mostly SW over Tweseldown between Oct 4th and Nov 8th (peak nine SW and two NE on Nov 8th) and 32 moving mostly SW over Rose-coloured Starling, Milford on Sea, June 22nd Trigpoint Hill between Sep 25th and Dec 4th. Only ten sites recorded double figure flocks (Keith Metcalf) between September and the end of the year, the largest being of 30 at Wilverley Plain, NF on Oct 12th, 70 at Itchen Valley CP on Dec 5th and 34 in the observer’s garden in Petersfield Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus and 30 at Malthouse Farm, Sleaford on Dec 29th. The NFWBS produced totals of 134, 373 A scarce passage migrant; has wintered. Red, UKBAP3 and 427 in October-December. (WGDL) In was a poor spring by recent standards with just 11 individuals recorded on 17 bird-days from ten sites, the lowest total since 2010 and surprisingly none were reported from Old Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Winchester Hill, a favoured site. All spring records involved just singles with the first a male A numerous to abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Schedule 1, Red at Fawley Power Station on Mar 20th, followed by a male at Itchen Valley CP on Mar 29th. Numbers in the early year were generally average. Grounded flocks in excess of a 100 were Records followed in April from Woolmer Pond (male, 6th-9th, male 23rd-26th), Four Marks recorded at 18 sites in January and ten in February, by far the largest being of 1000 at Wootton (male, 15th), Beaulieu Heath East, NF (female, 16th), Northington Down (male, 17th), Needs St Lawrence on Jan 21st and again on Feb 9th. Other notable grounded flocks included 390 at Ore (male, 21st) and Havant Thicket (male, 22nd). Two were seen in May, a female at Fort Nuthanger Down and 300 at Ashley Warren both on Jan 2nd, 500 at Kingsclere on Jan 13th, Cumberland on 1st and the last , also a female, at Titchfield Haven on the late date of May 26th. 350 at Armsworth on Jan 24th, 300 at Lane End Down on Feb 10th and 300 at Leckford on In contrast, passage was excellent in autumn with a minimum of 110 bird-days involving 52+ Feb 28th. Movement was light with a total of 353 over Trigpoint Hill on 12 dates between individuals in a two month window between mid-September and mid-November. The first, a Jan 2nd and Mar 25th, peak 135 NE on Feb 18th. The only other movement submitted was male, was at IBM Lake on Sep 15th. Thereafter, the New Forest dominated with 70 bird-days of 60 NE at Gander Down on Feb 16th. Numbers dropped significantly in March and April involving a minimum of 31 individuals including 25 during the NFWBS on the weekend of Oct with just five sites recording flocks exceeding three figures: 168 at Kings Somborne on Mar 18th/19th. The Leaden Hall, Ashley Walk and Black Gutter Bottom area had almost daily 16th; 100 at Longparish on Mar 16th and Mar 30th; 150 at Kilmeston Down on Mar 18th; 230 records between Sep 21st and Nov 6th with peaks of four on Oct 18th, 24th and 25th. Other at Leckford Village on Mar 23th; and 130 at Four Marks on Apr 1st. The NFWBS produced New Forest sites to record two or totals of 576, 772 and 361 in January-March and the BTO Garden BirdWatch produced records more were as follows: Wilverley from 24 gardens in January, 11 in February and eight in March, the highest count being of 15 Plain (three, Oct 11th; two Oct at during the week of Jan 12th. Only six records were submitted for April with 14th), Whitefield Moor (five, Oct the last a single at Four Marks on Apr 24th. 17th), Fritham Plain (four, Oct The autumn got off to a slow start with a single moving SW over Trigpoint Hill on the 18th), Clay Hill (seven, Oct 19th), late date of Oct 17th. Grounded numbers were low for the remainder of October with the Beaulieu Heath West (two, Oct highest count 22 at Deadman Hill, NF on 22nd. Peak passage was evident between Nov 15th 19th), Holmsley (two, Oct 19th) and and 24th before declining into December. Movement was recorded from Trigpoint Hill with Setley Plain (two, Oct 19th). Away 1538 over on 18 dates between Oct 17th and Dec 31st (peaks 278 SW on Nov 10th and 285 from the New Forest, records were SW on Nov 18th) and Tweseldown with 1266 over on 24 dates between Oct 22nd and Dec received as follows: Cheesefoot 13th (259 SW on Nov 19th). The heaviest movement elsewhere was of 100 NE over Woolmer Head (two first-winters, Oct 11th); Forest on Nov 16th. Nine sites recorded grounded flocks in excess of 100 in November, Farlington Marshes (Oct 11th-16th; including 730 at Longwood Warren and 420 at Calshot on 16th, 200 at Abbotswood, Romsey Oct 23rd-27th); Sandy Point (Oct on 18th, 250 at Middle Wallop Airfield, 200 at Selborne and 200 at Drayton Meadows all on 11th); Itchen Valley CP (male, Oct 21st and 230 at East Meon on 22nd. Numbers declined into December with just five sites 16th-17th); Old Winchester Hill recording three figure counts as follows: 310 at Coombe on 14th, 200 at Woolmer Forest and (Oct 16th-17th); Frater, Gosport Ring Ouzel, Leaden Hall, Sep 30th (Will Morley) 520 at Chidden on 21st and 220 at Stockbridge and 160 at Longstock on 27th. The NFWBS

130 131 produced totals of 26, 1665 and 447 in October-December. The BTO Garden BirdWatch Redwing† Turdus iliacus produced very few in the late year with just three gardens reporting the species as present A numerous to abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Schedule 1, Red in October, five in November and six in December. Numbers in the early year were below average and, in contrast to the influx in the cold spring Totals of site monthly maxima and movements are tabulated below. (WGDL) of 2013, most had left the county by March. Three figure flocks were recorded from just 15 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec sites in January and February with the largest being of 500 at Manor Farm CP on Jan 5th, 455 at Ampfield Wood on Jan 10th and 500 at Wootton St. Lawrence on Feb 9th. Records Grounded flocks 6071 4089 1606 216 210 5300 2793 suggested a swift exodus in February and only three sites recorded numbers in excess of a Movements 112 195 106 0 169 2701 219 hundred after Mar 1st as follows: 160 at Itchen Valley CP on Mar 6th; 115 at Four Marks on Apr 1st; and 150 at Leckford Estate in the Test Valley on Apr 5th. The NFWBS produced Song Thrush Turdus philomelus totals of 330, 566 and 284 in January-March. Data from the BTO Garden BirdWatch produced records from 43 gardens in January and 16 in both February and March with the highest count A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Red, UKBAP2 being of 33 at Shedfield during the week of Jan 12th. The last was a single at Monk Sherborne Between January and early April on the comparatively early departure date of Apr 19th. the only double figure counts were of 15 at Mansbridge on Jan The first report of the autumn was of one SW over Tweseldown on Sep 28th. For the 8th and 20 there on Apr 4th, second year in a row the bulk of movement took place in October with a particularly 17 at Ibsley Water on Feb 16th heavy diurnal passage in a 19-day period between Oct 14th and Nov 1st, which was widely and 16 there on Mar 22nd and witnessed from sites across the county. A second but smaller pulse of movement took place ten at Moorgreen Farm, West between Nov 18th and 22nd. The largest counts recorded were from the regularly watched End on Apr 6th. sites of Tweseldown with 7486 mostly SW on 46 dates between Sep 28th and Dec 14th (peaks 1831 on Oct 15th, 640 on Oct 28th, 529 on Nov 19th and 521 NE on Dec 6th) and Counts of territories in Trigpoint Hill with 6000 on 34 dates between Oct 5th and Dec 31st (3691 between Oct surveyed areas suggested it was 14th and 20th, peak 1150 SW on 17th). Other sites to record significant movement included a successful year as follows (2013 1131 over Itchen Valley CP (865 W and 266 S) and 400 NNE over Chessel Bay, both on Oct figures in parentheses): Itchen 17th and 740 SE over Farley Mount CP on Oct 18th. However, grounded flocks were few Valley CP, 44 (42); Longmoor and far between in October with only three counts in excess of a hundred reported: 975 Inclosure, 17 (4); Lower at Itchen Valley CP on Oct 16th; 300 at Blackwater Arboretum, NF on Oct 26th; and 204 Test Marshes, 11 (7); Martin at Holmhill Inclosure, NF on Oct 30th. The number of grounded flocks grew through the Down CBC, 6 (4); Titchfield remainder of the year and gatherings in excess of 100 were recorded at 17 sites in November Haven, 11 (12). Other counts and 11 in December. By far the largest was a conservative estimate of 3000 going to roost of territories/pairs included: at Long Beech Inclosure, NF on Dec 12th. Other notable grounded flocks included 650 at Farlington Marshes, 4; Ibsley Four Marks and 550 at Old Winchester Hill both on Nov 22nd, 550 at Cadman’s Pool, NF Water/Mockbeggar Lake, 9; and on Dec 12th and 500 at Fritham Plain, NF on Dec 13th. The NFWBS produced totals of 721, Mayfield Park, Southampton, 4. 990 and 1175 in October-December. The BTO Garden BirdWatch produced records from Autumn passage was best eight gardens in October, 19 in November and 21 in December with the highest count being recorded at Tweseldown with of 32 at Shedfield during the week of Dec 21st. 149 SW on 35 dates between Totals of site monthly maxima and movements are tabulated below. (WGDL) Sep 21st and Dec 6th (peaks 15, Nov 1st and 11, Nov 6th) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec and Trigpoint Hill with 108 Grounded flocks 4397 2281 782 290 3 2040 5052 6859 over mostly SW on 32 dates Song Thrush, Nore Barn, Emsworth, Mar 13th Movements 608 59 121 14 13631 2763 929 (Peter Milinets-Raby) between Sep 25th and Dec 31st (peaks 12, Sep 28th and 10, Oct 17th). Post-breeding gatherings and evidence of passage included grounded flocks of 29 at Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Appleshaw near Andover on Sep 14th, 20 at Testwood Lakes on Sep 18th and five at Sandy A common but declining resident and passage migrant. Amber Point on Oct 29th. In the early year the only double figure count was of 13 at Hurstbourne Tarrant on Feb 8th. In the late year there were just three reports of double figure grounded flocks with 12 The NFWBS produced totals of 71, 65 and 69 in January-March. A flock of up to 18 was at Itchen Valley CP on Nov 26th, 24 in a mixed thrush flock at Malthouse Farm, Sleaford on present at Badminston GP in early to mid-May. Dec 29th and ten at Setley Plain, NF on Dec 31st. In the breeding season, counts of territories were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Totals of movements are tabulated below. (WGDL) Itchen Valley CP, 3 (5); Longmoor Inclosure, 2 (3); Titchfield Haven, 1 (2). Post-breeding flocks started to appear in early June and based on the number and size of flocks, it was Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec a productive breeding season. Double figures were recorded at 19 sites between June and Movements 1 38 144 70 8 early October (cf. 12 sites in 2013). This included 135 at Rotherfield Park on Sep 6th, the

132 133 first three figure flock to be recorded in the county since 1992. Other notable gatherings included 39 at Kingsley Common on June 25th, 41 at Breamore Down on July 21st, 51 at Cholderton Park on July 29th and 40 at Badminston GP on Aug 1st. Autumn movement at the main inland watch points involved 134 mostly SW over Tweseldown between Sep 27th and Nov 20th (peaks 16 on Sep 27th and Oct 15th) and 106 over Trigpoint Hill between Sep 3rd and Dec 13th. No double figure counts were reported after Oct 1st, suggesting widespread dispersal from the post-breeding flocks reported in the late summer. The NFWBS produced totals of 58, 102, 86 in October-December. (WGDL) Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata A moderately common but declining summer visitor and passage migrant. SPEC3, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP The first arrivals were singles at Bishopstoke and Itchen Valley CP on May 6th, followed by one at Sandy Point on 8th. Arrival was swift and widespread thereafter and included four at Northney Paddocks on 10th, four at IBM Lake on 11th and five at Highland Water Inclosure, NF on 12th. The New Forest continued to be the county stronghold for breeding pairs with 40 locations holding at least 59 pairs, territories or individuals in suitable habitat. However, breeding success was under-reported with just five sites reporting young. Elsewhere in the county, pairs or singing males were reported from just 18 sites compared with 39 in 2013. Successful breeding was confirmed at Botley Wood, Leckford Village, Needs Ore, Roke, Ropley, Stoke Park Wood (Bishopstoke), Timsbury, Tundry Pond and Weston Common (Lasham). Migrants started to appear in the first week of August at non-breeding sites with a notable influx in the first week of September. The heaviest passage was recorded from Old Winchester Hill with 65 bird-days on 18 dates between Aug 7th and Sep 18th (peak 12, Sep 3rd), Itchen Valley CP with 41 bird-days on 16 dates between Aug 9th and Sep 18th (peak 7, Sep 3rd) and IBM Lake with 30 bird-days on 12 dates between Aug 15th and Sep 29th (peak 6, Sep 20th). The highest autumn counts from other locations were 12 at Roydon Woods, NF on Aug 8th, 16 between Mansbridge and Itchen Valley CP on Sep 2nd and 11 at Northney Paddocks on Sep 6th. The last of the year was at West Wood, Netley on Oct 1st. (WGDL) Robin Erithacus rubecula An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green Counts of breeding territories in surveyed areas showed an encouraging increase as follows Robin, Charter Alley, May 11th (Barry Stalker) (2013 figures in parentheses): Longmoor Inclosure, 109 (94); Lower Test Marshes, 55 (45); Martin Down CBC, 13 (6); Titchfield Haven, 45 (38), the highest since 2002. A partial survey at Farlington Marshes found 11 breeding pairs. Records indicative of immigration included 55 2013 2014 2013 2014 at West Hayling LNR on Sep 5th, one at Hurst Beach on Sep 21st and 40 at Needs Ore on Badminston Common/Toms Down 2 //Mottisfont 1+ 1 Dec 6th. Other notable records included counts of 60 along the Itchen Navigation on Sep Blackbushe Airfield/Yateley Common 2 1 Lymington River 1* 15th and 32 at Fleet Pond on Sep 29th. (APW) Bossington Farm 1/2 Martin Down 1 1 Botley Wood area 8 7 Needs Ore 4 1 Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Bramshill Plantation 0 2 1 A scarce and declining summer visitor. Amber, HBAP Calshot/Ashlett Creek 4 3 Redbridge, Test Lane 1 Eastleigh Railway Works 1 2 Romsey/Timsbury area 8 6 The first arrivals were singles at Titchfield Haven on Apr 5th (not recorded again), Casbrook Emer Bog 1 1* Common on 8th, Needs Ore on 13th and Ashlett Creek on 15th. Flexford 1 Testwood Lakes 1 Breeding season records totalled 33 pairs/singing males compared with 38 found in 2013 Hayling Island (the Kench) 1* Warsash Common 1 and 66 during the 2012 national survey. Coverage was, however, far from complete. (Several Horsea Island 1* The Warren, Oakhanger 1* single singing males were detected for under a week so may have been passage birds – sites Lepe area 1 1* West Walk 1 1 where this at least in part applied are indicated by * in the table below.) The only post-breeding record was of one at Needs Ore on Aug 8th. (APW)

134 135 Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca reported from New Forest sites by Apr 6th. A scarce passage migrant; rare in summer but has bred, most recently in 1995. Amber The first arrivals on the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths were at Bourley Woods on Only one was recorded in spring, a female at Beaulieu Road on Apr 11th. This is the poorest Apr 7th and Woolmer Forest the next day. showing since 2007 when none were recorded. There was one in summer, a female at Denny Coastal migrants were noted at Lower Test Wood on June 13th (LE). Marshes on Apr 1st, Sandy Point on 6th and The first returns were early at Ranvilles Lane, Fareham on July 31st and Badminston GP Farlington Marshes and Titchfield Haven on on Aug 1st, the first ever there. Further sightings came from Roydon Woods on Aug 12th, 8th. A further 17 were seen at six coastal and IBM Lake on 15th, Cherque Pond on 17th, Riverside Park on 27th and Frater, Gosport on four inland non-breeding sites up to Apr 28th 28th. A small influx occurred on 31st with singles at Hook-with-Warsash, Kites Croft and including six at Sandy Point on 14th. Moorgreen Farm (West End) and two at Titchfield Haven of which one was trapped. Only There was no systematic survey undertaken three were seen in September: at Northney Paddocks from 6th-8th, Hill Head on 14th and in the New Forest where the species remains IBM Lake from 21st-28th. (APW) common. Relatively high counts, for example, were 18 in Islands Thorns Inclosure on May Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 3rd, 12 singing males in Roydon Woods on A scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; occasionally breeds. Schedule 1, Amber June 1st and seven pairs, all feeding young, at Early year records in the Fawley Power Station/Calshot area were all of singles on various Pig Bush on June 9th. The breeding surveys of dates from Jan 11th to Mar 2nd, two were noted on Mar 17th, a pair on Mar 29th and a the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths SPAs singing male on Apr 9th. Elsewhere, singles were at Hythe (Jan 6th), Southampton Western produced totals of six and 23+ pairs/singing Docks (17th), Winchester (Feb 13th), Portsmouth Harbour (18th), Black Point (Mar 14th), males respectively (see Table 1, p. 159) but Four Marks (25th), North Baddesley and Hill Head (29th), Station (Apr 14th), yet again there was no systematic survey at Eastleigh SW (20th) and Netley Marsh (21st). Woolmer Forest. Of particular interest were Redstart, Woolmer Forest, May 6th (Richard Ford) singing males in suitable breeding habitat at Confirmed breeding came from Lee-on-the-Solent where a pair was seen feeding young Blackmoor on May 4th and Porton Down on July 2nd. At Fawley Power Station a male was heard singing between May 3rd and 6th and the next day. was still there on June 17th but there was no other evidence of breeding. Single males were in a garden at Havant on May 21st and at Trigpoint Hill on July 5th. The first evidence of presumed post-breeding dispersal was a single at Martin Down on June 27th followed by others at Needs Ore on 28th, Lepe CP on July 6th, Baddesley The first autumn records, presumed passage birds, were in October: singles at Black Point Common on 9th and Fawley Power Station on 11th. Autumn passage was evident from Aug (7th), Moorgreen Farm, West End (28th), Hill Head (28th-31st) and Middle Wallop Airfield 7th with around 219 recorded up to early October. The highest numbers recorded were at (31st); and a male and female at Portchester Castle and two females/juveniles at Whitenap Old Winchester Hill with 89 bird-days between Aug 7th and Sep 27th including peaks of 14 (30th). on Sep 5th and seven on 11th. The highest total elsewhere was in the Badminston Common November records – a mixture of presumed passage birds and winter arrivals – were more area where there were 30 bird-days between Aug 17th and Sep 18th with a daily maximum plentiful and came from Gander Down Farm and Fleet (2nd), Hurst Castle and Fleetlands, of four. The only higher day totals elsewhere were of five at Needs Ore on Sep 2nd and five Gosport (3rd), Nursling (3rd and 12th), Sandy Point (2 on 4th and again from 14th-18th), Calshot at Beacon Hill, Warnford on 6th. The last was at Titchfield Haven on Oct 5th apart from (10th), Bitterne (13th-14th), Newlands Farm, Fareham (1-2, 14th-17th), Old Portsmouth (1-3 singles at Sandy Point and Hordle on the very late date of Nov 1st. females/juveniles, 15th-27th, a male on 27th and a female/juvenile on 30th), Midanbury (15th), The approximate half-monthly totals of migrants are tabulated below. (APW) Priddy’s Hard, Gosport (male and female, 16th) and Romsey and Royal Victoria CP (18th). December records, all singles, were also relatively plentiful and came from Fawley Power Apr Apr June July July Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov Station (male, 3rd-31st and female, 15th), Priddy’s Hard (4th, 15th, 16th, 28th, 29th), Sandy 1-15 16-30 15-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 Point (5th, 7th, 9th, 14th), Hurst Beach/Milford on Sea (5th, 20th), IBM Lake (6th), Copnor Inland 3 1 1 1 5 52 71 13 1 (6th-20th), Calshot (15th, 18th, 20th, 31st), Royal Victoria CP (19th, 24th, 28th, 29th, 30th) Coast 13 4 1 2 2 28 41 5 1 1 and Portchester Castle (20th). The approximate monthly totals are tabulated below. (APW) Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec A moderately common passage migrant; formerly a very scarce summer visitor; last bred in 2004. Amber 3 3 6 4 2 1 3 8 22 9 The first was at Hook-with-Warsash on Apr 17th followed by singles at Setley Plain and Lower Test Marshes on 21st and four at Farlington Marshes, three at Lower Test Marshes and one Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus at Titchfield Haven on 22nd. Records of spring arrivals continued until May 20th when one A locally common summer visitor (mostly to the New Forest) and passage migrant. SPEC2, Amber was at Farlington Marshes. The first arrivals were noted at Stubby Copse Inclosure and Bishop’s Dyke, both in the Return migration was noted from July 27th when one was at Keyhaven Lagoon. Other New Forest, on the fairly typical dates of Mar 30th and 31st respectively. A further 15 were singles followed at Titchfield Haven on Aug 2nd and Farlington Marshes on 9th and 11th.

136 137 Daily records followed from Aug 15th until Oct 5th. Notable counts came from Farlington the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths revealed a good recovery from 2013 on the former Marshes (12 on Aug 19th and Sep 7th and 11 on Sep 9th), Fort Nelson (18 on Aug 30th), – 43 territories, up from 21, but numbers on the Wealden Heaths were still low – only nine Hook-with-Warsash (12 on Sep 5th), Keyhaven-Normandy (17 – mostly juveniles – on Sep territories were counted compared with six in 2013 although Woolmer was again not covered 7th) and Southampton Airport (17 on Sep 12th). The last were singles at Lower Test Marshes (see Table 1, p. 159). Elsewhere, pairs/singing males were reported in April-July at Alver on Oct 11th and Titchfield Haven on 16th and 26th. Valley (2), Gunner Point, Havant Thicket, Horndean Down, , Itchen Valley The approximate half-monthly totals are tabulated below. (APW) CP, Lower Test Marshes (2), Lymington-Hurst (2), Martin Down (2), Meon Canal Path near Titchfield Haven, Porton Down and Winchester SF. Apr May May July July Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Monthly totals of birds recorded in various grouped sites in January-March and August- 16-30 1-15 16-22 13-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-25 December are tabulated below. Inland 4 6 1 2 105 113 45 2 Coast 14 11 3 1 5 185 338 113 15 2 Jan Feb Mar Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec New Forest 86 57 319 53* 76* 258 112 104 Saxicola maurus Coastal sites 51 57 21 29 173 420 151 106 Siberian Stonechat River valley sites 30 22 9 4 41 71 43 44 A very rare vagrant. (0,1,1) Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths 4 8 28 30 19 14 7 2 Other sites 20 11 4 1 66 128 42 37 Total 191 155 381 117 375 891 355 293 * = casual records only Away from the breeding areas, 19 sites (12 coastal) had counts that exceeded five cf.( 9 in 2013). Numbers during the second period were particularly high compared with 2013 and included October counts of 16 at Lymington-Hurst on 2nd, 14 at Hook-with-Warsash on 4th and 17 there on 14th and 15th and 10-20 at Titchfield Haven on seven dates between 9th and 30th. The NFWBS produced totals of 258, 112 and 104 in October-December. (APW) Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe A common passage migrant; formerly a scarce summer visitor but may not now breed annually. SPEC3, Amber, HBAP The first was at Hag Hill, New Forest on the very early date of Mar 1st, followed by one at Longslade Bottom, NF on 9th and two at Taddiford Gap and singles at Sandy Point and South Moors, Langstone Harbour on 13th. By the end of the month sightings had been reported from another 22 locations. The highest March day total was 36 at 13 sites on 29th, whilst the highest individual March counts were seven near Sturt Pond on 22nd and at Tidgrove Warren the next day. In April, the highest day counts were of 111 at nine sites on 22nd including 34 at Hook-with-Warsash, 26 at Keyhaven-Hurst and 12 at Lepe and 40 at 12 sites on 24th including 21 at Farlington Marshes. Birds continued to pass through until May 22nd with a maximum of six at Sandy Point on May 2nd. The only June records were of singles at Siberian Stonechat, Titchfield Haven, Oct 20th (David Ryves) Normandy Marsh on 10th, Burley on 22nd and Stoney Cross Airfield on 26th. A first-winter was discovered near the Meadow Hide at Titchfield Haven on Oct 16th. It The first returning migrant was at Hurst Castle on the early date of July 7th followed by remained in the area until Oct 26th allowing everyone an opportunity to see it well (DJR one at Beaulieu Heath East on 19th and then a further 13 records of one or two up to the et al). There is just one previous record of one at Titchfield Haven on Oct 31st 1988. (KFB) end of the month. Daily records then followed until Oct 8th. Double figure counts came from Farley Mount CP (10, Aug 23rd), Sandy Point (10, Sep 1st), Farlington Marshes (11, Sep Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 7th and 24th), Sinah Common/Hayling GC (22, Sep 21st) and Hook-with-Warsash (13, Sep A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green 21st). The last, both singles, were at Park Shore (Needs Ore) and Barton on Sea on Nov 9th. The NFWBS total of 86 on the weekend of Jan 11th/12th was the highest ever for that month Numbers of incoming migrants were markedly lower than in 2013 – inland, there were 190 (previous highest – 75 in 2013). Numbers had reduced to 57 on Feb 8th but had significantly compared with 420 in 2013, whilst coastal numbers were 421 compared with 774 in 2013; a increased to 319 on Mar 8th as incoming migrants arrived. total reduction of 49%. The first arrivals were earlier although the peak occurred during the second half of April in both years. Numbers of outgoing migrants increased by 52% suggesting Systematic breeding season surveys were not undertaken in the New Forest but counts a relatively successful breeding season – inland there were 201 compared with 154 in 2013, of pairs included at least 14 on Beaulieu Heath West, nine on Setley Plain and five at Ibsley whilst coastal numbers were 805 compared with 510 in 2013. Common. It was a very good breeding season at the latter site where 30 were counted on July 28th and 38 on Sep 16th although this may have included migrants. Partial surveys of The approximate half-monthly totals are tabulated on the next page. (APW)

138 139 Mar Mar Apr Apr May May June June Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 A very scarce passage migrant, formerly a resident and winter visitor which last bred in 1996. Inland 2 36 58 70 19 3 2 SPEC3, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP Coast 7 61 75 193 82 2 1 July July Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov 7- 15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-9 Inland 8 30 62 39 39 16 7 Coast 1 8 97 201 213 183 80 17 5

Dunnock Prunella modularis An abundant resident. Amber, UKBAP2 Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Butser Hill, 11 (5); Longmoor Inclosure, 11 (8); Lower Test Marshes, 29 (25); Martin Down CBC, 7 (9); Ramsdean Road, Weston, 9; Titchfield Haven, 16 (16). The declines evident in 2013 at Butser Hill, Longmoor Inclosure and Lower Test Marshes have, at least in part, been reversed. A partial survey at Farlington Marshes found six breeding pairs. Other notable records included 25 at Lepe CP on Sep 2nd, including 18 in one area of scrub, and one flying NE at Casbrook Common on June 14th. (APW) House Sparrow Passer domesticus A numerous but declining resident. SPEC3, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP Sightings were reported from 39 locations with counts exceeding 20 noted from 21 of these. Flocks of 50 and above were noted at Petersfield (80, Jan 3rd and Feb 14th; 60, Aug 30th), (60, Jan 21st), East Tisted (200, Jan 28th and 87, Feb 11th), Needs Ore (100+, Feb 4th), Four Marks (104, Feb 9th and 113, Dec 29th), Stockheath, Havant (80, Apr 26th), Tree Sparrow, Titchfield Haven visitor centre, Apr 27th (Trevor Carpenter) Fareham (two flocks totalling 170, July 20th; 80, Aug 24th), Chilling (63, Aug 14th), Keyhaven There were only three records involving singles on feeders by the Cottage Hide at Titchfield (two flocks totalling 72, Sep 22nd), Botley (50, Nov 29th), Leigh Park, Havant (60, Dec 16th) Haven on many dates between Apr 15th and May 1st (BSD et al), at West Hayling LNR on and Longstock (55, Dec 27th). Data from the BTO Garden BirdWatch show records from Sep 14th (MK) and flying NE over Sandy Point on Sep 17th (ACJ). (KFB) 294 gardens with maxima reaching 50 in seven and peaking at 94 in Lyndhurst on Aug 24th and 88 in Andover on Aug 10th. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Five nest boxes were occupied at Titchfield Haven Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima compared with eight in 2013 A common passage migrant; formerly a locally common summer visitor which last bred in 2003. and 15 (the most ever) in Red, UKBAP2, HBAP 2012. Possible movement was The first flew over Hurst Beach on Mar 28th followed by one at Farlington Marshes on Apr detected at Hurst Beach where 3rd. Spring passage was light, even by usual standards, with only about 50 recorded up to 22 flew east on Oct 12th and May 17th including totals of 14 at Lymington-Hurst and 12 at Sandy Point. nine east on Oct 28th. (APW) The first report of return migration was one flying over Crookham Village on July 6th, A male showing the followed by a gap to the next record of four over Pennington Marshes on July 23rd. Two more characteristics of an Italian were reported in July with daily records from the third week of August. The largest numbers Sparrow, but possibly a hybrid were, once again, at the Titchfield Haven roost with numbers increasing to over 200 in the House x Spanish Sparrow, was first week of September and peaking at 250 on Sep 8th. Other three figure counts were of around the garden of the Izaak 118 at Lymington-Hurst including 91 at Normandy Marsh on Aug 30th and 100 at Farlington Walton public house, East Marshes on Sep 5th and 15th. The heaviest movements were of 66 west at Brownwich and Meon from May 5th-15th at 51 west at Keyhaven Marshes on Aug 31st and 89 NE at Sandy Point on Sep 6th. Numbers least. Italian Sparrow is now were lower inland where the highest counts were of 60 at Southampton Airport on Sep recognised by the BOURC as a 12th, the most recorded there by the observer in 50 years of watching and 27 at Moorgreen distinct species Passer italiae of Farm, West End on Sep 14th. The last double figure counts were 20 at Lymington-Hurst and hybrid origin, although as yet Putative Italian Sparrow or hybrid, East Meon, May 8th 11 at Hook-with-Warsash on Sep 23rd. Numbers declined rapidly in October and the last it has not been accepted on to (Nigel Jones) the British List.

140 141 records were one at Farlington Marshes on Oct 12th, followed by a gap to the last of the CP and Wickham. Post-breeding counts included seven at Pinglestone WCB on Aug 8th and year flying over Cherque Pond on Oct 22nd. 12th and a maximum of eight at Winchester SF on Aug 13th. The approximate half-monthly totals are tabulated below. (GO) Coastal movements were noted between late August and mid-October with six west at Brownwich on Aug 31st and five west there on Sep 5th, 18 bird-days at Needs Ore between Mar Apr Apr May May Sep 5th and 28th including seven east on 14th and eight over Stansore Point, Lepe on 15th. 28-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-17 At Sandy Point there were six bird-days in August, 78 in September and 23 in October Inland grounded 4 with a maximum of ten on Sep 6th and 8th. At Lymington-Hurst there were 66 bird-days Inland moving 2 in September and seven bird-days in October with a maximum of seven on Sep 27th. Inland Coast grounded 1 5 1 passage was recorded at Tweseldown with 17 between Sep 27th and Oct 31st and Casbrook Coast moving 1 5 17 10 2 Common with 27 between Aug 22nd and Oct 28th. A flock of ten over Wootton Copse July July Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Inclosure, NF on Oct 1st was notable. 6-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-22 In November and December there were records from 28 locations, all of one to three apart Inland grounded 1 1 81 177 16 8 from ten along the Blackwater Valley between Darby Green and Hawley on Dec 29th. (GO) Inland moving 1 55 57 7 2 Coast grounded 22 130 605 189 8 White Wagtail Motacilla alba Coast moving 5 3 363 327 9 9 1 Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber Three figure counts in January and February included 260 on flooded playing fields at Wide Lane, Eastleigh on Jan 4th, 130 in a field at Peak Lane, Fareham on 6th, 800 in a pre-roost at Southampton Airport multi-storey car park on Jan 11th (no doubt including the Wide Lane birds), 260 west to roost over Hook-with-Warsash on Jan 25th and 130 in a stubble field there on Feb 20th. Passage was evident at Sandy Point with a total of seven moving over between Mar 6th and 26th while inland at Casbrook Common 25 were recorded between Jan 2nd and Apr 19th mostly moving NE. Post-breeding movements inland totalled 737 SW and six NE at Tweseldown between Sep 18th and Nov 21st, peak 70 on Oct 16th, and 110 NE and 106 SW at Casbrook Common between Sep 5th and Nov 27th, peak 22 on Oct 11th. On the coast 928 flew mostly south at Hurst Beach between Sep 1st and Nov 1st with a peak of 267 on Sep 27th and 224 flew E/NE at Sandy Point between Sep 18th and Oct 31st with a maximum of 47 on Oct 12th. Other notable individual day counts were 65 north at Milton Common on Oct 2nd and 72 east at Barton on Sea and 61 east at Brownwich on Oct 12th. In September-December the highest counts of grounded birds were again in the Southampton Airport area with 220 on the adjacent playing fields on Sep 15th and 250 in the pre-roost gathering there on Dec 13th. Other three figure counts were of 100 at Waterlooville on Nov 19th, 100 at Eastleigh SW on Dec 5th and 120 at Chilling on Dec 15th. The approximate half-monthly totals of migrants are tabulated below. (GO) Mar Mar Apr Apr Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 Coast moving 4 3 7 1 1 198 667 125 100 Inland moving 8 3 7 88 219 513 72 22 Grey Wagtail, Longparish, Sep 16th (Martin Clay)

During January and February records were received from 20 sites with no more than two Motacilla alba alba present at any one location. Presumed migrants were recorded at Sandy Point on four dates White Wagtail between Feb 25th and Mar 10th and three flew NE at Casbrook Common on Mar 13th. A scarce spring and autumn passage migrant. During the breeding season pairs or singing males were recorded at 33 locations. Success The first of the year was at Hook-with-Warsash on Mar 9th. In a poorer than average spring was reported at Anses Wood, Bishop’s Sutton WCB, Drayton Farm WCB, Furze Hill, Itchen about 35 were recorded up to May 15th. The highest numbers were at Lymington-Hurst Valley CP, Lower Test Marshes, Marwell Activity Centre Lake, Overton Lagoons, Petersfield, where 20 were recorded between Apr 4th and May 15th including seven near the Ancient Pinglestone WCB, Riverside Park, St. Cross, Spring Gardens WCB, Testwood Lakes, Wellington Highway on Apr 13th and six at Hurst Beach on Apr 22nd. Other records were of two on floods at Upper Titchfield Haven on Mar 16th and at Hook-with-Warsash on Apr 11th and singles at Testwood Lakes from 20th-24th, Mayflower Park, Southampton on 25th, Ashe

142 143 Park Lake on Apr 7th, Milton Common on 10th, Farlington Marshes on 12th, Ibsley Water Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis on five dates between Apr 14th and May 5th, Woolmer Pond on Apr 18th and Hundred A locally common but declining resident, numerous passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber Acres, Wickham on May 14th. Mild weather in January and February may have been a factor in lower than average wintering Autumn was below average, the only records being of two at Dark Water, Lepe on Aug numbers. During this period double figure flocks were recorded at 12 sitescf ( . at 22 sites 23rd, one at Normandy Marsh on Sep 7th, two trapped at Ibsley Water on Oct 6th and one in 2013) including 150 at Denmead on Jan 10th, 70 at Drayton Farm WCB on Jan 24th and at Titchfield Haven on Oct 24th. (GO) 61 at Manor Farm the next day. The NFWBS produced totals of 290, 220 and 414 in January-March. Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi Spring passage began in the last week of February. On the coast the heaviest movement A rare autumn passage migrant; also recorded in March, April and July. (0,38,2) was recorded at Hurst where 3019 moved N/NE between Mar 9th and Apr 24th with 2109 There were two records. One was in the field behind the Fishtail Lagoon at Pennington from Mar 25th-29th (cf. 6885 in 2013). At Sandy Point 208 moved north between Feb 26th Marshes on Mar 9th (RCM, photo), the first ever in that month. Another was present around and Apr 17th with a peak of 50 on Mar 16th. At Trigpoint Hill 748 flew NE between Feb 24th Keyhaven Lagoon from Sep 20th-24th (AIL et al). There have been annual records this century and Apr 22nd with a maximum of 148 on Mar 19th. The largest grounded flock during this except in 2003 and 2006. (KFB) period was 60 at Moorgreen Farm, West End on Mar 16th. Breeding season coverage of this species was very sketchy but there were 26 territories Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis at Farlington Marshes, four Butser Hill and one at Blackbushe Airport. A moderately common but declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red, UKBAP3, HBAP Autumn passage was recorded over the period between Sep 1st and Nov 19th with the The first were one at Bourley South and two at Hazeley Heath on the comparatively late date peak movement occurring in the second half of September. At Sandy Point 2037 moved N/ of Apr 2nd. The next was at Holmhill Inclosure, NF on Apr 4th, followed by a coastal migrant NE between Sep 1st and Oct 31st with a peak of 410 NE on Sep 21st, at Hurst Beach 3842 at Sandy Point on Apr 6th. Subsequently few migrants were recorded away from breeding moved in various directions between Sep 1st and Nov 4th with a peak of 823 S/SE on Sep sites with singles at Casbrook Common on Apr 22nd, Empshott on Apr 22nd, Hurst Beach 27th, at Brownwich 371 moved east between Sep 14th and Oct 12th with a peak of 165 on on Apr 28th, Ancells NR on May 14th, Noar Hill on May 14th and Sandy Point on May 16th. Sep 27th, at Needs Ore 210 flew east between Sep 5th and Oct 12th and at Milton Common Breeding surveys on the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths produced 29 and 30 territories 344 flew north on Oct 2nd. Inland at Trigpoint Hill 1663 moved in various directions between respectively although the important site of Woolmer Forest was not fully covered. Coverage Sep 3rd and Nov 19th with a peak of 156 SW on Oct 10th and at Tweseldown 1524 moved in the New Forest was patchy although the species was clearly widespread with records mainly SW between Sep 24th and Nov 8th with a peak of 294 on Sep 28th. The highest from about 40 locations. It appears to be increasingly found away from its traditional haunts grounded counts during this period were 150 at Brownwich on Sep 18th, 120 at Newlands and singing males were recorded at 18 non-core locations with birds at Weston Common Farm, Fareham on Sep 21st and 120 at Up Somborne on Sep 26th. During December the (5), Martin Down (3), Golden Pot near Alton (2), Newtown Common (2), Abbotts Wood largest flocks were of 53 at Hitches Lane CP, Fleet and 50 at Moorgreen Farm, West End on Inclosure, Bentworth, Crux Easton (Ashmansworth), Dean Hill, Faccombe, Hannington, Dec 30th. Double figure counts were reported from 11 other sites during the month. The H arewood Forest , Mor timer West E nd , Preston Candover, Nor t h O ak ley, S haldon , Rot her field NFWBS produced totals of 1045, 576 and 269 in October-December. Park, Sandhill Plantation and Tidgrove Warren. The approximate half-monthly totals of migrants are tabulated below. (GO) The first returnee was at Hook-with-Warsash on the early date of July 22nd. In total Feb Mar Mar Apr Apr Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov approximately 300 autumn migrants were recorded. Sites that recorded in excess of ten were 24-28 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-22 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-19 as follows: Lymington-Hurst, 73 between Aug 8th and Oct 2nd; Sandy Point, 50 between Aug Coast moving 3 191 2668 357 16 875 4209 1538 387 23 8th and Sep 17th; Casbrook Common, 21 between Aug 16th and Sep 25th; Old Winchester Inland moving 13 176 227 223 9 138 1698 1014 658 40 10 Hill, 15 between Aug 23rd and Oct 5th; Brownwich, 13 between Aug 27th and Sep 27th; Titchfield Haven, 12 between Aug 19th and Sep 13th and Needs Ore, 12 between Aug 24th and Sep 6th. The highest day counts were 13 west at Hook-with-Warsash on Aug 16th, 11 at Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus Keyhaven on Aug 24th and 12 at Sandy Point and Needs Ore on Sep 6th. The majority had A scarce but increasing resident, scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Green, HBAP left by the end of September but there were three October records with the latest being of one at Old Winchester Hill on 5th. In January and February there were reports from 26 sites. During this period maxima recorded were 17 at Hythe on Feb 16th, ten at Farlington Marshes on Mar 6th, eight at Normandy The approximate half-monthly totals of migrants are tabulated below. (GO) Lagoon on Jan 2nd and seven at Needs Ore on Feb 16th. Apr Apr May May July Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct In the main breeding area between Milford on Sea and Hurst Castle there were 11 6-15 16-30 1-15 16 22-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-5 territories. Elsewhere the only pairs reported were at Portsmouth Naval Base and Southsea Inland grounded 1 2 3 19 19 6 3 Castle with successful breeding confirmed at the latter site. Inland moving 1 8 17 16 6 In September there were records from six sites as wintering birds began to arrive from Coast grounded 1 13 5 6 Sep 7th. In the final quarter there were records from 21 sites with a maximum of 27 counted Coast moving 1 1 1 1 20 89 59 16 1 at high tide at Hurst Castle and Beach on Nov 3rd. (GO)

144 145 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs A scarce and declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green Wintering numbers were below average with 14 up to Apr 18th. At the main site, Lower Test In January-March flocks exceeding 50 were recorded at ten sites including maxima of 300 Marshes, there were three in January, four in February and March and one up to Apr 5th. at Denny Wood, NF on Jan 7th, 80 in a Petersfield garden on Jan 12th and 85 in a maize Other records came from Normandy Marsh (1, Jan 2nd and 4th), Titchfield Haven (1/2, Jan strip at Longwood Warren on Feb 2nd. The NFWBS produced totals of 757, 419 and 333 2nd-Mar 16th), Drayton Farm WCB (1, Jan 8th-Mar 28th with 2, Feb 12th-16th), Farlington in January-March. No spring coastal passage was observed but 94 moved NE over Trigpoint Marshes (1, Jan 10th-Mar 2nd), Pinglestone WCB (1, Jan 12th-Mar 31st, possibly the second Hill between Mar 10th and Apr 22nd with a peak of 41 on Mar 13th. Drayton bird), Pennington/Keyhaven Marshes (1, Mar 12th-22nd and 2, Apr 18th) and Ibsley Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Water (1, Mar 27th). Martin Down CBC 17 (11); Lower Test Marshes 17 (18); Longmoor Inclosure 198 (164) – the The first returnee was at Lower Test Marshes on the early date of Oct 3rd. Only one was highest count there for three years. seen there subsequently until December when there were five on 9th increasing to eight on As in 2013 autumn coastal movements were light with just 164 bird-days at Sandy Point 31st. Elsewhere the only records were of singles at Titchfield Haven on Oct 23rd, Farlington including a peak easterly movement of 46 on Oct 12th which was also recorded at Barton Marshes from Nov 26th-Dec 31st and Manor Farm WCB, Old Alresford on Dec 19th. (GO) on Sea (64) and Browndown (51). The only other coastal reports were of 32 east at Needs Ore on three dates between Sep 14th and 28th and seven west at Tanners Lane on Oct Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 16th. Inland totals included 91 south at Greenhill, Romsey between Aug 24th and Oct 26th, A moderately common winter visitor and passage migrant. Schedule 1 peak 44 on Oct 19th; 418 SW and 166 NE at Trigpoint Hill between Sep 3rd and Dec 31st, The New Forest received excellent coverage with records from a total of 45 locations peak 37 SW on Oct 10th; 2467 SW and 49 NE at Tweseldown between Sep 24th and Dec principally focused on surveys of dawn roost departures. Wintering numbers increased in 6th, peaks 206 on Oct 10th and 320 on Oct 27th; and 70 SW at Fleet Pond on Oct 4th. The January with records from ten New Forest localities including 95 at Bolderwood and 30 at minimum half-monthly totals of autumn migrants are tabulated below. Mark Ash Wood on 11th and 150 at Denny Wood on 25th. Elsewhere records came from Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec ten localities including 25 at Ashley Warren and 40 in a pre-roost gathering at Yateley Heath 3-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-29 Wood on Jan 2nd and 110 at Watership Down on 29th. Lower numbers were reported from Coast moving 13 48 186 17 14 7 15 localities in February and 25 in March including 30 at Mark Ash Wood on Feb 3rd and 25 Inland moving 13 117 745 1783 551 28 15 13 there on Mar 22nd, 30 at Watership Down on Feb 25th, 15 at Selborne on Mar 5th and 40 leaving a New Forest roost on Mar 8th. In early April pre-migratory gatherings in the New In October-December dawn roost departures were monitored at one New Forest site with Forest included counts of 70-90 at Denny, Bratley and Brinken Woods between 4th and 6th peaks of 117 on Oct 30th, 146 on Nov 24th and 181 on Dec 21st. The only feeding flocks of and 65 still at Mark Ash Wood on 11th. The only April records elsewhere were of singles at 50 or more recorded were of 160 at Mark Ash Wood, NF on Nov 20th, 73 at Handy Cross Blashford Lakes Centre on 1st and 10th and a female grounded at Sandy Point on 21st. The Plain, NF on Dec 21st, 85 at East Worldham on 27th and 50 at Yarnhams near Alton on 31st. last was a single at Barrow Moor, NF on Apr 26th. The BTO Garden BirdWatch data showed The NFWBS produced totals of 215, 336 and 454 in October-December. (AFJC) ten gardens hosted up to four in the early year including seven in March. The first in autumn were singles south over New Lane, Milford on Sea on Oct 12th and Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes SW over Trigpoint Hill on 17th. A further 30 migrants were noted moving at five coastal and A scarce and declining resident, largely confined to the New Forest, passage migrant and winter four inland sites up to Nov 10th including five west over Titchfield Haven between Oct 18th visitor. Red, UKBAP3, HBAP and Nov 4th, four west over Weston Shore and three N/NW over Danes Stream, Milford A total of 330 records was received of which 188 came from a single observer. Ongoing survey on Sea on Oct 22nd, nine SW over Tweseldown between Oct 26th and Nov 10th and five work in the New Forest found four new roost sites bringing the total of known locations south over Midanbury, Southampton on Nov 6th. up to 15 by the end of 2014. Two roosts were monitored fortnightly throughout the year; The first returns to the New Forest were three detected leaving a roost at dawn on Oct monthly maxima at these sites are tabulated below. 22nd with 33 on 30th and five each at two more roosts on 26th and 27th. In November- Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec December t here were records from 21 New Forest localities; double figure roost s were found Blackwater Arboretum 25 24 35 23 20 15 5 4 1 7 28 33 at nine of these including 22 at one on Nov 20th and 40 at another on Dec 24th. Away from Roost 2 40 46 54 13 5 0 21 38 89 71 134 72 the New Forest very few were recorded; four were at Butser Hill on Dec 6th and singles were noted at five other sites. BTO Garden BirdWatch data showed two gardens visited in Of particular significance, high numbers of Hawfinch were using roost site 2 during autumn November and three different in December by at least nine individuals. and winter 2014 peaking at 134 in November. The New Forest roost surveys and approximate monthly totals (including Garden BirdWatch In addition to the regular monitoring of all known roosts sites, roosts were counted records) are tabulated below. (AFJC) consecutively in spring and early winter to get a snap-shot count of the New Forest population at those times. In March 337 were counted from 12 roosts and in November 351 from 15 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec roosts. These counts represent a bare minimum from known roosts as each was counted NF roost survey sites 5 4 7 2 3 10 4 just once. It often takes two or three attempts to get an accurate count. In addition the Monthly maxima NF roosts 59 10 87 37 43 121 44 weather during the November count was far from ideal making certain roosts difficult to County total grounded 544 135 175 371 47 177 113 count, resulting in an undercount of anything up to c. 20%. Further details of the survey work County total moving 4 1 17 15 3 are given in the paper on p. 190 of this report.

146 147 Away from the New Forest, early year records came from Crab Wood (1, Mar 13th), In January 35 were at Manor Farm CP, Hamble on 5th, 100 at Ranvilles Lane, Fareham Lakeside CP (1 on three dates between Jan 4th and 20th), Mercer Way, Romsey (2, Jan 20th on 12th and 25 at Manor Farm, North Baddesley on 24th. BTO Garden BirdWatch data and 25th) and Trigpoint Hill (2 NE Mar 15th and 1 SW Mar 19th). showed that 185 gardens were visited in January-April; of these 122 recorded a minimum During the breeding season a total of 75 territories was located at 39 widespread locations total of 664 including monthly maxima of 32, 55, 35 and 30 at Hiltingbury, 22, 31, 37 and in the New Forest. It was a successful season with good numbers of young birds recorded 10 at Waltham Chase and 20 at Cosham in February. No further double figure flocks were in the roosts and across the Forest as a whole between June and August. Elsewhere there reported from February-April. were reports in the Breamore area and at Straight Mile, Romsey during the season suggesting In the breeding season fledged young were seen from May 14th (Locks Heath). Counts breeding in those localities. of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Lower Test In the late year records from outside the New Forest came from Weston Common, Marshes, 6 (12); Titchfield Haven, 14 (18); Farlington Marshes, 16 (partial survey) and Longmoor Lasham (7, Aug 8th), Trigpoint Hill (22 on 11 dates between Oct 16th and Dec 23rd, peak 8 Inclosure, 1 (2). BTO Garden BirdWatch data showed that 154 gardens hosted birds in June; SW on Oct 19th), Adhurst Wood, Sheet (1, Nov 19th), Lakeside CP (1 on five dates between of these 99 recorded numbers of which 19 ranged between four and seven but peaks of Nov 28th and Dec 16th), Church (3, Dec 15th), Mercer Way, Romsey (1 or 2 on 24 were at Hiltingbury and 22 at Waltham Chase. Just two post-breeding dispersal flocks four dates between Nov 29th and Dec 28th) and Netherton Bottom (2, Dec 31st). (MW) were reported of 30 at Moorgreen Farm, West End on Aug 8th and 30 at Itchen Valley CP on Aug 31st. Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Autumn coastal passage reports totalled just 150, mainly easterly, between Sep 28th and A common but declining resident and passage migrant. Amber, UKBAP2, HBAP Nov 6th including peaks of 35 at Sandy Point on Oct 15th and 73 at Brownwich on 27th. In addition 80 were grounded on shingle at Gunner Point, Hayling on Nov 1st. Inland totals There were widespread reports from 153 localities across the county but few were from were 56 SW and 48 NE at Trigpoint Hill between Sep 6th and Nov 27th, 312 SW and 24 NE the coast with just one bird-day at Hayling and none at . at Tweseldown between Sep 21st and Nov 29th, peak 51 SW on Oct 20th, and 22 south at January-March reports of two or more were received from 58 localities. The highest counts Greenhill, Romsey on Oct 19th and 26th. Pre-roost gatherings in the late year included 50 were of 12 at Itchen Valley CP on Jan 19th, Trigpoint Hill on 14th and Southampton Common at Southampton Docks on Nov 7th and 150 at Chilworth and 300 at Ibsley Water on Nov on Feb 2nd; reports of six to eight came from a further seven sites. The NFWBS produced 15th. Additional data from the BTO Garden BirdWatch showed that 157 gardens were visited; totals of 16, nine and 23 in January-March. Additional data from BTO Garden BirdWatch of these 109 recorded a minimum total of 566 including counts of 43 at Hiltingbury and 33 showed that 87 gardens were visited of which 52 recorded numbers totalling 134, including at Waltham Chase. A record of 20 from a second Hiltingbury garden on Dec 21st was the nine with counts in the range four to nine. highest count there for many years. (AFJC) There were reports from 47 localities in May-July including just two from the coast. A pair arrived at Moorgreen Farm, West End, on May 26th and remained into December at least; Linnet Linaria cannabina it was the first blank early year ever there. One observer located a total of 21 territories A common but declining resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Red, UKBAP2 around Petersfield cf.( 20 in 2012) including six each at Longmoor Inclosure and Butser Numbers in the early year were much lower than in recent winters but a stronger autumn Hill. Territories surveyed elsewhere included seven at Itchen Valley CP, two at Lower Test passage (2788 coastal and 5399 inland) led to more widely scattered flocks in the late year. Marshes, one at Martin Down CBC and at least 14 reported from New Forest localities. Additional data in June from the BTO Garden BirdWatch showed a pattern of occupancy In January there were 234 at Colemore, East Tisted on 5th, 100 at New Lane, Keyhaven virtually unchanged since the early year. on 18th and counts of 50 or more at another eight localities. From February-April there were just five reports of flocks exceeding 50 including 130 at on winter cereals and 150 In autumn visible migration watches produced 42 SW and 14 NE at Trigpoint Hill between at Ranvilles Lane, Fareham on Mar 2nd and 120 at Down Farm, Cholderton on Mar Sep 27th and Dec 4th but just three SW at Tweseldown between Nov 1st and 29th, which 14th. A very light spring passage included 69 north over Keyhaven Marshes between March again suggests the Trigpoint Hill movements were local in nature. On the coast two were 26th and 29th and 39 NE at Trigpoint Hill between Mar 29th and Apr 3rd. at Titchfield Haven on Oct 22nd and one was briefly grounded at Sandy Point on Oct 23rd, the only record of the year there. From September-December two or more were present at Counts of breeding territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): 71 localities including double figure counts confined to November with 13 at Dibden Bay on Butser Hill 10 (9); Farlington Marshes 15 (nc); Martin Down CBC 3 (3); Titchfield Haven 9th, ten at Farm on 15th and Longparish on 16th and 14 at Itchen Valley CP 4 (3). Improved survey coverage of the Thames Basin and Wealden Heath SPAs produced on 29th. Other counts included nine at Old Winchester Hill on Sep 27th and eight there on totals of 39 (25) and 25 (12) respectively (see Table 1, p. 159). Dec 13th and two records from the coast of six at Titchfield Haven and eight at Dark Water, Post-breeding dispersal was evident in August when 173 flew NE at Trigpoint Hill between Lepe on Dec 21st. The NFWBS produced totals of 13, 38 and 33 in October-December. 16th and 31st and 93 SW on 24th. Grounded flocks included 70 at Lepe CP on 16th, 56 at BTO Garden BirdWatch data show that 70 gardens were visited with 46 recording a total Avington Manor Farm on 26th and 100 at Abbotstone on 30th. Autumn passage totals at the of 118 including 11 with counts from four to 12. (AFJC) main watch points were as follows: Sandy Point, 644 NE, Sep 6th-Nov 20th, peak 252 on Oct 15th; Hurst Beach, 1194 mostly south, Sep 1st-Oct 28th, peak 254 on Sep 27th; Tweseldown, Greenfinch Chloris chloris 2356 mostly SW, Sep 24th-Nov 29th, peak 353 on Oct 15th and Trigpoint Hill, 2909 mostly A numerous but declining resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green SW, Sep 6th-Nov 27th, peak 332 on Oct 11th. Elsewhere 409 flew east over Barton on Sea and 132 east at Browndown on Oct 12th. The half-monthly totals of autumn migrants are Just nine reports of flocks of 20 upwards were received including an exceptional count of 300 tabulated on the next page. in November. In addition BTO Garden BirdWatch data show two gardens hosting numbers above 20 for several months.

148 149 Sep 1-15 Sep 16-30 Oct 1-15 Oct 16-31 Nov 1-15 Nov 16-30 Coast moving 281 619 1315 565 8 33 Inland moving 150 222 1944 2502 311 45 Grounded flocks in September included 120 at Trigpoint Hill on 3rd, 130 at Farley Mount CP and 150 at Newlands Farm, Fareham on 19th, 130 at Fawley Power Station on 23rd, 125 at Brownwich on 27th and counts of 50-85 at another eight sites. From October-December flocks exceeding 50 were reported at 28 localities including 150 at Trigpoint Hill on Oct 2nd, 120 at Grove Farm, Crookham on 12th, 120-170 at Longwood Warren from Oct 19th-Dec 31st, up to 200 feeding on quinoa at New Lane, Keyhaven from 19th-30th, 130 at Ovington Down Farm on Nov 2nd, 200 at Avington Manor Farm on 3rd, 150 in stubble at Portsdown Hill on Dec 21st and 200 at Lodge Farm, Odiham and Kingsclere on 28th. (AFJC) Lesser Redpoll† Acanthis cabaret A moderately common passage and winter visitor; formerly a locally common breeder which last bred in 2006. Red, UKBAP3, HBAP From January-April there were reports from 46 localities of which 17 held double figure flocks. Numbers increased significantly in January compared with the final quarter of 2013 when only three flocks in excess of ten were recorded. Evidence of an influx was provided by a total of 13 SW over Trigpoint Hill on four dates while one at Lakeside CP from 15th was the first there since the previous autumn. Flocks included 20 at Ampfield Wood on Jan 10th, Common Redpoll (left) and Lesser Redpoll, Blashford Lakes Centre, Mar 23rd (Alan Lewis) 11 at the Wildgrounds, Gosport on 12th, 22 at Harewood Forest on 19th and 45 around the Blashford Lakes Centre on 20th. The NFWBS detected just six on Jan 11th but ten were found 30th. The only BTO Garden BirdWatch record was of one in December, again at the Black at three sites in dawn roost counts during the month. In February a total of 15 was located Knowl, Brockenhurst garden. (AFJC) at three New Forest sites and there were 12 at Woolmer Forest on 16th. March counts included an exceptional total of at least 100, of which 65 were trapped coming to niger seed Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea at Straight Mile, Romsey on 15th, 17 at Longmoor Inclosure on 17th, 20 at Blashford Lakes A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Green Centre on 23rd, 12 at Blackbushe Airfield on 26th and at least 60 at Long Valley on 31st, among which were several displaying pairs and singing males. The last flocks of the early year After a blank year in 2013 it was a return to more typical appearances. At Blashford Lakes were 20 at Woolmer Pond on Apr 12th and seven at Benyon’s Inclosure on 20th. Additional there were up to two regularly appearing on feeders near the Woodland Hide from Jan 11th- BTO Garden BirdWatch data showed a total of 106 visited 22 gardens including maxima of Mar 27th. Three were present on Jan 20th (EJB et al). In a garden at Straight Mile, Romsey 20 at Hook and Chilbolton and ten at Woolton Hill; two remained into mid-May at Black regular ringing sessions resulted in five being trapped between Mar 15th and 22nd although Knowl, Brockenhurst. Late spring/summer records were of singing males at Holmsley, NF no more than two were present at any one time (NRJ, SI). (KFB) on May 5th and Duckhole Bog, NF on June 1st and one over Yateley Common calling on 5th. Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Autumn passage was exceptionally light. Coastal movements totalled 26 between Oct 19th and Dec 6th including 14 over Sandy Point, peak five on Nov 19th, and seven east at A scarce resident whose numbers are periodically augmented by irruptions in summer or autumn. Brownwich on Nov 15th. Inland movements totalled 23 between Oct 22nd and Nov 27th Schedule 1, Green including eight SW at Tweseldown, peak six on Oct 27th, three over Midanbury on Nov 6th, The year was dominated by numbers still present from the 2013 irruption. In the New Forest five west at Fleet Pond on 9th and four over Dogmersfield Lake on 26th. The half-monthly many remained to breed but elsewhere, apart from single figure movements (max. 6), there totals of autumn migrants are tabulated below. was an almost complete absence after June. A summary of all records is shown below. Oct 16-31 Nov 1-15 Nov 16-30 Dec 1-15 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Coast moving 5 14 6 1 New Forest sites 108 41 172 101 234 60 31 17 63 87 95 50 Inland moving 8 10 5 North-east sites 13 12 25 13 7 11 2 1 Other sites 47 5 7 21 2 3 The first return in the New Forest was one in a dawn roost count on Oct 16th. None Moving 16 7 3 1 2 4 4 8 8 were found in the NFBWS on Oct 18th/19th but three were at Ashley Walk on 20th. Away from the New Forest one was at Hilliers Arboretum on Oct 24th. There were November- From January-April numbers in the New Forest were lower than at the end of 2013 but December reports from a total of 33 localities, 25 of which were different to the early year; there were double figure counts from ten localities including dawn departures from roosts eight held double figure flocks. In the New Forest the NFWBS registered 38 on Nov 15th; of 24 at Blackwater Arboretum on Jan 2nd and 21 at another site on Apr 17th; the highest double figure counts there were of 17 at Bishop’s Dyke on 18th and 35 at count was 62 at Stubby Copse Inclosure on March 30th. In the north-east there were on Dec 8th. Elsewhere peak counts were of 30 at Hartley Witney GC on Nov 24th, 50 at records from seven localities including counts of 12 at Woolmer Forest on Jan 5th and 18 at Heath Warren on Dec 1st, 11 at Woolmer Forest on 23rd and 26 at Yateley Common on Longmoor Inclosure on Mar 17th. Elsewhere reports came from nine widespread localities

150 151 including flocks of 20 at the Somerley Estate on Jan 4th, 12 at Ampfield Wood on Jan 10th, of 235 flew mostly SW between Sep 25th and Dec 4th. The minimum half-monthly totals of 11 at Sydmonton Common on Jan 16th and 20 at Benyon’s Inclosure on Apr 20th. autumn migrants are tabulated below. There was a marked increase in New Forest coverage in May as a result of the long-term Sep 21-30 Oct 1-15 Oct 16-31 Nov 1-15 Nov 16-30 Dec 1-15 Dec 16-24 Firecrest survey. A total of 234 was found at 28 locations including 189 at 16 recorded by Coast moving 84 1998 4205 1060 646 31 2 one observer who added 28 at another four sites in June. Fledged young were seen at Parks Inland moving 89 416 1201 174 62 18 5 Ground Inclosure on Apr 21st. The peak count was 70, including 15 juveniles, at Knightwood Inclosure on May 17th. In the north-east there was one territory at Hawley Common, five From October-December grounded flocks were more widespread and larger than in the were at Woolmer Forest on May 4th, a probable pair was at Bourley Reservoir on June 8th early year including 46 of 20 or more. The largest were of 150 at Farley Mount CP in a mixed and eight including juveniles were at Bramshill Plantation on 12th. Elsewhere one was at Stoke maize/wild bird seed strip on Oct 4th, 120 at Avon on 12th, 110 at Lakeside CP on 30th, 100 Park Wood, Bishopstoke on July 2nd but this could have been an immigrant by this late date. to roost at Chilworth on Nov 15th, 140 at Itchen Valley CP on 18th and 125 in alders at Fleet Movements in summer were recorded between May 18th and Aug 18th at just five localities; Pond on Dec 14th; a further ten were in the range 50-80. Additional data from the BTO all were of ones and twos apart from three over Dukes Mead, Fleet on Aug 15th. Garden BirdWatch showed that 174 gardens were visited; of these 114 recorded a total of 1121 including counts exceeding 20 in 13 gardens, the highest of which was 38 at Yateley. (AFJC) In the New Forest 26 were at Holmhill Inclosure on Sep 4th and dawn roosts surveys at 12 watch points on 27 dates between Sep 19th and Dec 24th registered double figure counts at Serin Serinus serinus six including 35 at one on Nov 5th and counts of 21 at another three sites. Late movements included four over Tweseldown (3 SW, Nov 3rd; 1 NE, 9th), four north at Stockbridge Down A very scarce visitor recorded in every month except August. (1,42,2) on Nov 29th, one over Blashford Lakes on Dec 6th and six NE at Lower Test Marshes on The only record was of one flying over Sandy Point NR on Nov 15th (ACJ). There have been 7th. Away from the New Forest possible pairs were at Woolmer Pond on Nov 22nd with a 24 previous records this century in every year except 2002, 2010 and 2012. (KFB) male singing on Dec 27th and at Wood, Romsey on Dec 21st. (AFJC) Siskin† Spinus spinus Goldfinch† Carduelis carduelis A moderately common breeder, common passage migrant and winter visitor. Green A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Green Numbers were again low, particularly at the end of the year. Double figure flocks were The BTO Garden BirdWatch data suggest an almost constant year round presence but outside reported from 30 localities but counts of 25 upwards from just 12. the garden environment numbers were greater in the second winter compared with the first In January there were 250 at Fleet Pond on 2nd, 40 at Denmead on 10th and 60 at Blashford winter period, presumably as a result of autumn passage which was heavier than 2013 but Lakes Centre on 20th and Lakeside CP on 31st. A movement of 21 NE over Trigpoint Hill still lighter than most previous years. on Jan 22nd was presumably local. A survey of three one km squares at Riverside Walk, Liss Flocks of 20 or more were reported from 11 localities in January, just one in February and registered 60 on Feb 19th. Further movements were evident when 200 were trapped in the four in March-April. These included a regular roost of 40 in holly and laurel in a Hurstbourne last few days of February and 80 were at niger feeders on 28th at Straight Mile, Romsey. Tarrant garden from Jan 22nd-Feb 24th. There were counts of 60 at Kingsclere on Jan 13th, The last early year count of 25 or more was at Blashford Lakes Centre on Mar 2nd. BTO 40 at Hampshire Hatches Lane, Ringwood on Mar 2nd and a pre-roost gathering at Chilworth Garden BirdWatch data showed that 120 gardens were visited in January-March. Of these 73 which increased from 80 on Mar 30th to 100 on Apr 1st. Additional data from BTO Garden included data on numbers which totalled 455 with counts over 25 in Eversley (60), Bashley BirdWatch show that 197 gardens were visited; of these 126 recorded a total of 1111 including Park (32) and Hiltingbury (32). one count of 40 at Clanfield and 20-38 in another 12 gardens. In May fledged young were seen at Romsey and Whitehill on 3rd, Fleet on 11th and Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Blackbushe Airfield on 19th. Single territories were registered at Hawley and Yateley Longmoor Inclosure, 5 (5); Farlington Marshes, 2, an incomplete survey; Titchfield Haven, Commons, two at Longmoor Inclosure and breeding was suspected at another six north-east 1 (1) and Lower Test Marshes, 1 (3). BTO Garden BirdWatch data showed that 176 gardens sites. No other evidence of breeding was received but there were reports from mid-May were still hosting birds in June of which 107 recorded numbers in the range one to seven. to June from Harewood Forest, Hundred Acres (Wickham), Rownhams Wood, Stoke Park Wood (Bishopstoke) and seven New Forest sites including ten at Acres Down on June 13th. Post-breeding gatherings totalled 27 at Longparish on July 12th and 50 at Testwood Lakes Records for May-August from BTO Garden BirdWatch involved 43 gardens (including 11 in on 21st, increasing to 100 in several scattered flocks on 25th. In August 11 localities held the New Forest and eight in the north-east) of which 13 recorded occupancy in three or all flocks of 20 or more including 100 feeding on teasel at Moorgreen Farm, West End on 8th, four months as summarised below. 70 at Crux Easton near Ashmansworth on 9th, 60 at West Wood, Netley on 18th, 60 at Hook-with-Warsash on 27th and 28 feeding on sunflower seeds in a Fulflood, Winchester May June July Aug garden on 28th. Gardens with counts 20 18 11 13 Autumn coastal passage was heaviest at Sandy Point where 5473 moved mostly NE between Total counted 47 46 25 31 Sep 25th and Dec 6th with peaks of 347 on Oct 12th, 612 on Oct 27th, 1142 on Oct 31st Other gardens birds present 11 7 6 5 and 702 on Nov 15th. At Hurst Beach 1905 moved mostly south from late September until Autumn visible migration was extremely light. Inland movements totalled 40 mostly south Nov 28th with peaks of 659 on Oct 12th and 643 on Oct 28th. Other counts from sites over six sites between Sep 14th and Nov 21st including 21 over Tweseldown. On the coast covered less frequently included 984 east at Barton on Sea GC on Oct 12th and 228 east at observers noted mainly N/NE movements totalling 54; the peak was just 25 north at Hurst Brownwich on Oct 27th. Inland at Tweseldown 1678 flew mostly SW between Sep 21st and Nov 29th including peaks of 165 on Oct 20th and 193 on Oct 31st. At Trigpoint Hill a total

152 153 Beach on Oct 28th. Sandy Point reported just 14 bird-days (cf. a recent average of 1636). Downs 36 territories were reported including Butser Hill, 10 (7); Old Winchester Hill, 6; The minimum half-monthly totals of autumn migrants are tabulated below. Weston, 9 (7). Elsewhere five singing males were at Cutty Brow near Harewood Forest but records of ten at Over Wallop, ten at Crux Easton near Ashmansworth and six at Chilbolton Sep 7-15 Sep 16-30 Oct 1-15 Oct 16-31 Nov 1-15 Nov 16-30 were unspecific as to gender. The Wealden Heath SPA survey located 23 territories cf.( 16 in Coast moving 18 39 3 2013), including 13 at Longmoor Inclosure (up from eight in 2013), and on the Thames Basin Inland moving 2 6 23 23 3 Heaths SPA two were at Hazeley Heath, a welcome return after total absence in 2013. See In the New Forest dawn roost surveys recorded 37 departing Blackwater Arboretum on Table 1, p. 159 for full details. On the fringes of the New Forest, eight territories were Sep 19th rising to 231 on Oct 7th and 107 from another site on Oct 27th; there were just located in the Beaulieu Heath West/ area (not a complete survey) and three two reports of flocks of 40 at Vinney Ridge on Oct 12th and 60 at Cadnam Common on were at Badminston Common and Toms Down. 28th. Elsewhere from October-December double figure flocks were recorded at just eight The only notable post-breeding flocks were of 13 at Kingsclere on July 28th and 45 at localities including 70 at Blashford Lake Centre on Oct 14th and 80 there on Dec 27th, 30 Martin Down on Sep 6th. Light autumn south westerly movements were recorded at Trigpoint at Longstock on Nov 5th and 40 at Yateley GP on Dec 25th. BTO Garden BirdWatch data Hill on 22 dates between Oct 2nd and Nov 24th where a total of 53 included a maximum of showed eight gardens visited in September-October where no more than ones or twos nine on Oct 25th. At Tweseldown just four singles flew SW between Oct 2nd and Nov 1st. were recorded followed by reports from just six gardens in November-December. (AFJC) Double figure flocks in the late year were reported from ten localities. Notable counts in addition to the Three Halves Copse count above were of 35 at The Warren, Oakhanger on Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Nov 19th, 35 at Tigwell Farm, East Meon on Dec 7th and 50 at Toyd Down on 27th. (AFJC) A very scarce autumn passage migrant and winter visitor. Schedule 1, Amber Emberiza schoeniclus There were three records but Reed Bunting only one individual lingered. A A common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber, UKBAP4, HBAP male flew inland, calling, over Of concern is that during the year only three flocks exceeded 20, the lowest total on record. the Coastguard Cottages at HOS and BTO Garden BirdWatch records showed 19 garden feeding stations visited during Lepe on Jan 3rd (PFF) but was the year. A minimum of 33 was seen in 16 gardens up to May 5th, including a maximum count not relocated, an adult male of 12 at Chilbolton on Feb 9th. One in an Eastleigh garden on Mar 30th was the first there was at Calshot from Nov 9th- for 14 years. Flocks into double figures were reported from just four localities with 14 at 12th (ASR et al) and a first- Sparsholt College Fishery on Jan 10th, 15 at Ivy Lake, Blashford on Jan 20th, 12 at Eastleigh winter, possibly a male, was SW on Feb 2nd and ten, a site maximum, at IBM Lake on Feb 22nd. The NFWBS produced briefly at Hurst Beach on Nov totals of two, zero and 17 in January-March. 23rd (MPM). (AFJC) Counts of territories in surveyed areas were as follows (2013 figures in parentheses): Blashford Lakes, 9 (10); Itchen Valley CP, 19 (13); Lower Test Marshes, 18 (23); Titchfield Haven, 33 (32), the highest count there since 1999. Elsewhere there were 12 at Sopley Island in the Avon Valley and 12 from a partial survey of Farlington Marshes. The species was again under-recorded on the Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths with only four territories found Snow Bunting, Calshot Spit, Nov (see Table 1, p. 159). Elsewhere there were reports of seven territories in the north-east, 12th (John Hilton) three in the New Forest and ones and twos at a further nine sites. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Coastal passage totalled 61, mainly east, on six dates between Sep 28th and Oct 28th including at least 32 at five sites between Barton on Sea and Sandy Point on Oct 12th. Inland, A numerous but declining resident. Red, UKBAP3, HBAP visible migration was detected at Trigpoint Hill with 64 mostly SW on 27 dates between Flocks into double figures were reported from 28 localities including the annual maximum Sep 27th and Dec 1st, peak eight on Oct 25th, Tweseldown with 37 mostly SW on 17 dates of 70 at Three Halves Copse near Hurstborne Priors on Dec 12th. These numbers are of between Oct 1st and Nov 6th, peak seven on Nov 1st and Greenhill, Romsey with singles concern representing the lowest annual maximum ever recorded (previously 76 in 2007) and south on Oct 12th and 19th. a dwindling number of localities recording double figure counts. The minimum half-monthly totals of autumn migrants are tabulated below. In the early year there were counts of 49 at Longwood Warren on Jan 23rd and 35 there on Mar 11th, 30 at Longstock on Jan 25th, 42 at Colemore, East Tisted on Jan 29th, 55 at Sep 27-30 Oct 1-15 Oct 16-31 Nov 1-15 Nov 16-30 Dec 1-15 Hare Warren Farm on Feb 28th, 50 at on Mar 21st and 10-23 at another Coast moving 13 39 9 nine sites. At Trigpoint Hill movements recorded between Feb 18th and May 3rd totalled 60 Inland moving 4 28 44 20 5 2 NE and 25 SW (peak 15, Feb 26th) suggesting a proportion of local displacements. The first From October-December counts totalling a minimum of 16 came from six gardens and New Forest record of the year was of one at Black Gutter Bottom on Mar 5th followed by double figure flocks were reported from seven sites including 35 at Farlington Marshes on three at Badminston GP on the next day. Oct 4th, 42 at New Lane, Milford on Nov 29th and 64, the highest count of the year, arriving Breeding records came from 44 widespread localities, mainly on the chalk but also on to roost at Springhead, Greywell on Dec 28th. The NFWBS produced totals of 38, 17 and heathland. Counts of territories (2013 figures in parentheses) included nine at Martin Down 28 in October-December. (AFJC) CBC (12) and at least another 11 males present elsewhere on the reserve. On the South

154 155 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Escapes & Others A scarce and declining resident. SPEC2, Red, UKBAP3, HBAP Observers are once more asked to report all sightings of this declining species. Ideally likely The intention of this section is to report species in Categories D and E of the British List, breeding habitat should be visited from mid-June when males often first set up territories; birds whose origin cannot be accepted as from a wild state. It is not our intention here to earlier songsters may not commence breeding until this time (N.J. Aebischer, pers. comm.). follow BTO practice and record birds which are free-ranging but domestically held, such as Helmeted Guineafowl and Indian Peafowl. Most species reported here are escapes from January reports from west of the Avon Valley included 120 at Tidpit Down on 17th, well- captive origin but some will always be open to dispute. The taxonomic order and appellations separated flocks of 85 and 26 there on 23rd and 11 nearby at Toyd Down on 19th. West of which follow were mostly adopted by the International Ornithological Congress in 2007; the Test Valley there were early year reports of three at Shepherd’s Bush near Danebury exceptions relate to different names adopted by the BOURC. on Jan 25th, two at Quarley Down Farm on Mar 14th, four nearby at Cholderton on Apr 18th and three at Over Wallop on 21st. In the Test Valley there were singles at Longstock on Jan 25th and Chilbolton on Apr 1st. East of Winchester the only early year reports were Greater Rhea Rhea americana from the Cheesefoot Head/Longwood Warren area with monthly maxima of 26 on Jan 25th, Escape (South America) six on Feb 16th and one on Mar 1st and 11th and Gander Down with a single on Feb 27th. One was in the Long Sutton/Odiham area between Sep 21st and Dec 31st. Records providing six figure grid references produced an estimated total of 40-42 breeding territories in 18 tetrads compared with 36 in the same tetrads in the 2005 HOS survey. On Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor the chalk west of the Avon Valley there were four to six territories at Martin Down, two Escape (widespread in Africa, Americas and Asia). at Tidpit Down and one at Toyd Down; a total of eight at Breamore Down on July 21st was One was at Titchfield Haven between May 16th and Nov 15th and was with Canada Geese surprisingly the only record of the year there and possibly included juveniles. West of the at Hook-with-Warsash on Sep 5th and Oct 7th and Frater, Portsmouth Harbour on Sep 8th. Test Valley there were at least eight territories at Over Wallop, three at Houghton Down, one near and three at Quarley Hill. In the Test Valley just one territory was Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus reported at Chilbolton. In the Burghclere area there were three territories at Great Litchfield Down, two at Ladle Hill and one at Ashley Warren; further west one territory was reported The small feral population previously established in the north-east of the county is extinct but the at . Just east of Winchester there were four territories at Longwood Warren, species may breed in small numbers elsewhere in Britain (central Eurasia). three at Gander Down and Records came from Needs Ore (1 regularly Jan 2nd-Oct 7th with 2, Jan 25th), Titchfield one each at Cheesefoot Head Haven (1 regularly Jan 2nd-Feb 26th and on Aug 28th), Lymington-Hurst area (1, Jan 30th), and Ovington Down Farm Farlington Marshes (1, June 1st-5th), Pitts Deep (1, Aug 7th) and the Avon Valley between while further east one was Sopley and Ringwood (1, Sep 28th, Nov 9th and Dec 8th). at HMS Mercury. One on a fence at Lesser Canada Goose Branta hutchinsii Sandy Point before flying Escape (North America). Birds of wild origin have yet to be admitted to the British List although off north on Aug 15th was they presumably occur. the first there since 2000 One was in the Eling/Lower Test Marshes/Testwood Lakes area between Jan 13th and Feb and was possibly from the 24th and July 19th and Dec 31st. Other records were of two at Farlington Marshes on Jan population on the Selsey 21st and one there on Apr 21st, one at Heath Pond on Feb 25th and one at Winchester SF Peninsula, where breeding from Nov 24th-27th. was confirmed or probable in four tetrads during the Black Swan Cygnus atratus 2008-11 Atlas (Birds of Sussex). Escape (Australia) – only county breeding in the wild in 2007. There were just four records in October-November of two There were regular records of one with a crooked neck at the Itchen Estuary between Mar at Longwood Warren on Oct 28th and June 6th and then up to four there between June 13th and Oct 9th, one to three at 19th and ten at Longwood Eling/Redbridge between Apr 19th and Sep 27th, one to three, including the crooked neck Warren, 18 at Tidpit Down bird, at Titchfield Haven between Feb 3rd and July 14th and Sep 8th and Nov 1st, and two and 30 (including singing at Brownwich Pond from Nov 5th-Dec 5th. Other records of two at Farlington Marshes on males) at Toyd Down all on Mar 17th, one at Fishlake Meadows on Mar 24th and two at Canoe Lake, Southsea on Oct Nov 30th. There were five 16th and 27th presumably refer to the same individuals which probably numbered no more December reports of singles than four in total. Elsewhere there were singles in the Avon Valley at Searchfield Farm, Hale at Danebury on 3rd and Martin on Jan 23rd and on Sep 9th and one at Laverstoke Park throughout the year. Down on 16th and 24th, three at on 24th and two at Cheesefoot Head on 31st. (AFJC) Corn Bunting, Ladle Hill, June 29th (Barry Stalker)

156 157 Paradise Shelduck Tadorna variegata Table 1: Counts of territories of selected species on the Thames Basin and Escape (New Zealand). Wealden Heaths in 2014 One was at Lyndridge Farm, Eversley and Bramshill Park Lake on several dates between Feb 16th and Dec 29th. Wood Duck Anas sponsa Escape (North America) A male was at Eyeworth Pond, NF on Jan 19th and Feb 18th. This bird has been reported

in previous years. Woodcock Nightjar Woodpecker Green Great Sp Woodpecker Woodlark Skylark Whitethroat Dartford Warbler Redstart Stonechat Pipit Tree Pipit Meadow Linnet Yellowhammer Bunting Reed Thames Basin Heaths Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys Blackbushe Airfield* 1 3 10 3 3 1 5 Escape (South America) Bourley North/Long Valley 4 9 nc nc 9 4+ 8 5 9 3 nc A male was with Teal on the floods below Avon Causeway between Jan 21st and Apr 3rd and two males were at Langstone Mill Pond on Nov 27th. Bourley South nc 7 nc nc 9 15+ 17 1 15 13 nc 1 Bramshill Plantation nc 11 nc nc 1 nc Reeve’s Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii Bramshot Heath* nc nc nc nc nc Escape (China) Eelmoor Marsh/Pyestock Hill 1 1 nc nc 1 nc 1 3 2 1 Two males were at Wickham on Mar 10th. Eversley Common 2 4 2 nc 3 3 2 1 2 11 Jungle fuscus Castle Bottom 1 5 nc nc nc nc Hawley Common 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 Escape (South and south-east Asia) One was in gardens adjacent to Sandy Point on July 2nd, 15th and 16th. Hazeley Heath 5 7 6 6 3 16 6 10 2 Silchester Common* nc 2+ nc nc Tadley Common* nc nc nc nc 1 1 Tweseldown 1 3 nc nc 2 nc 1 1 nc Velmead Common 1 2 nc nc 1 nc 2 1 nc Warren Heath/Heath Warren nc 9 nc nc 10 nc 1 1 Yateley Common (HCC) 1 7 1 2 1 23 8 1 1 Yateley Common South (MOD) 1 8 nc nc 3 5+ 17 6 3 9 1 Yateley Heath Wood/Lichett Plain* 2 4 2 3 7 1 TBH total 20 82 13 14 52 7 75 57 6 43 29 1 39 2 3 Wealden Heaths Bramshott/Hammer Commons 1 2 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 Broxhead Common nc nc nc 6 6 2 3 Kingsley Common nc nc nc 1 1 2 Longmoor Inclosure 2 20 22 24 12 16 16 5 17 19 13 Ludshott Common nc 16 nc nc 1 40 1 2 3 4 nc 3 ** nc 1 nc nc 1 1 The Slab/Warren/Blackmoor GC** nc 4 2 8 2 2 4 1 1 3 Woolmer Forest nc 15 nc nc 10 3 5+ nc 5+ nc 2 1 Jungle Myna, Sandy Point, Hayling Island, June 29th (Susan Hill) WH total 3 58 27 33 36 2 67 5 23+ 9 30 0 25 23 1

* = not included in Thames Basin Heaths SPA; ** = not included in Wealden Heaths SPA; nc = no count; blank square = 0. Thanks are due to the following who contributed to this survey: J Baldwin, N Bolton, JM Clark, JR Collman, PJ Crowley, JA Eyre, J Hall, HCC Staff (Yateley Common), AR James, DBL James, C Jones, EA Lintott, D Murray, GJS Rowland, M Shaft, B Stalker, DJ Sussex, JA Wichall and KB Wills.

158 159 Table 2: Results of BTO Garden BirdWatch in Hampshire in 2014 BTO Garden BirdWatch, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU; email gbw@bto. The table below shows the mean monthly reporting rate (% of gardens reporting the species) org or call the Garden Ecology Team on 01842-750050. More information on the project, for 42 species recorded by BTO Garden BirdWatch. The final column shows the number of including the latest results, can be found at www.bto.org/gbw. gardens from which the species was reported during 2014. Thanks to Kate Risely of the BTO for supplying the table. She also provided the raw data of which that BTO Garden BirdWatch monitors the changing fortunes of birds and other garden wildlife for several species have been incorporated into the Systematic List. Thanks also to the 360 observers who contributed records. through its network of ‘citizen scientists’. The project, which involves weekly observation, is funded through the generosity of its participants. For a free enquiry pack, please write to Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Species Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sites Blackbird 96.5 96.8 95.5 96.1 96.9 96.3 94.9 Blackbird 80.4 76.5 80.0 85.9 94.6 359 Blackcap 13.4 13.5 12.0 10.3 6.3 5.1 5.2 Blackcap 2.4 2.4 2.3 1.6 8.5 181 Black-headed Gull 4.0 3.5 3.6 3.0 3.2 4.4 3.3 Black-headed Gull 2.7 2.7 2.2 2.5 4.0 58 Blue Tit 93.7 92.5 92.8 93.5 93.4 87.8 82.2 Blue Tit 83.4 81.7 80.7 86.0 90.8 357 Brambling 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 Brambling 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 15 Bullfinch 12.3 13.2 15.4 20.4 23.4 24.6 17.0 Bullfinch 15.2 7.3 4.4 5.8 11.7 170 Carrion Crow 23.2 26.6 27.9 28.0 31.5 29.8 24.4 Carrion Crow 19.7 21.7 22.0 24.9 25.5 237 Chaffinch 60.5 61.2 61.5 58.8 52.8 52.6 45.7 Chaffinch 43.4 41.2 41.7 49.0 55.9 307 Coal Tit 36.6 33.8 30.4 27.0 26.2 23.7 21.6 Coal Tit 25.7 25.8 26.4 36.5 38.2 267 Collared Dove 64.5 65.7 67.2 68.7 67.3 63.9 63.3 Collared Dove 62.6 59.1 53.4 51.7 59.0 338 Dunnock 72.9 73.0 77.4 74.9 73.1 71.3 71.0 Dunnock 62.9 67.5 66.2 65.6 74.2 337 Feral Pigeon 8.6 8.1 8.5 8.3 8.1 7.4 8.8 Feral Pigeon 8.6 8.9 8.1 7.8 9.3 72 Fieldfare 3.9 1.2 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.4 Fieldfare 0.0 0.1 0.0 1.3 1.2 35 Goldcrest 3.7 3.9 5.4 5.2 4.9 5.3 3.6 Goldcrest 2.0 3.3 4.3 6.9 5.4 114 Goldfinch 58.1 62.0 66.3 65.5 62.4 61.1 58.1 Goldfinch 52.1 50.5 51.6 52.7 53.9 328 Great Spotted Woodpecker 32.0 32.0 33.1 33.3 43.5 42.0 35.5 Great Spotted Woodpecker 20.0 17.8 26.1 31.5 36.2 270 Great Tit 72.0 72.8 72.9 75.8 76.5 73.5 67.4 Great Tit 70.0 67.4 64.0 71.3 74.9 348 Greenfinch 45.0 48.0 53.5 53.1 53.9 51.6 49.1 Greenfinch 49.4 43.6 44.7 42.0 39.3 297 House Sparrow 58.3 57.9 57.8 62.1 65.0 66.2 61.8 House Sparrow 55.4 51.9 52.7 52.7 56.3 296 Jackdaw 25.0 27.7 28.6 34.1 42.8 43.4 31.3 Jackdaw 24.0 26.8 28.8 31.6 33.1 234 Jay 6.4 6.7 8.6 8.6 13.9 15.9 11.6 Jay 9.0 14.2 16.7 19.2 20.0 206 Long-tailed Tit 32.9 35.4 30.6 16.6 9.7 11.7 11. 3 Long-tailed Tit 13.5 17.9 16.3 16.8 20.6 295 Magpie 57.1 56.8 55.7 61.1 67.8 66.6 60.2 Magpie 56.0 57.5 61.2 66.9 65.1 345 Marsh Tit 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.7 Marsh Tit 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.6 1.0 13 Marsh/Willow Tit 2.9 2.9 2.1 1.2 1.2 0.7 1.2 Marsh/Willow Tit 1.2 0.8 0.4 1.4 2.0 27 Mistle Thrush 3.6 2.6 3.8 4.5 3.4 3.4 2.7 Mistle Thrush 1.1 2.0 1.9 2.6 3.9 74 Nuthatch 27.4 26.2 24.2 22.4 22.3 27.4 26.4 Nuthatch 26.3 26.4 25.3 29.4 29.8 208 Pied/White Wagtail 8.4 6.7 7.1 5.0 4.8 6.4 4.2 Pied/White Wagtail 1.8 1.8 4.8 6.2 9.9 126 Redwing 7.4 2.6 2.4 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 Redwing 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.9 3.2 84 Reed Bunting 0.9 2.0 2.1 1.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 Reed Bunting 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.7 17 Robin 94.3 92.0 91.5 90.3 88.5 86.8 83.9 Robin 85.1 89.8 88.3 90.0 94.2 360 Rook 11.4 12.6 15.7 18.7 19.1 15.5 13.1 Rook 8.5 9.3 10.5 11.0 13.0 127 Siskin 10.1 17.5 18.8 11.6 6.7 5.0 4.2 Siskin 4.2 1.3 0.7 0.6 0.8 128 Song Thrush 26.1 22.8 18.8 21.0 19.4 21.7 18.9 Song Thrush 6.9 6.0 4.8 10.3 22.9 246 Sparrowhawk 8.4 8.1 7.1 4.9 5.9 7.1 8.3 Sparrowhawk 9.7 8.6 9.2 10.5 8.7 201 Starling 52.4 50.5 51.1 52.9 58.6 59.8 46.6 Starling 38.8 34.9 37.0 41.2 46.3 311 Tawny Owl 4.2 3.8 2.9 2.5 2.0 2.8 3.7 Tawny Owl 5.3 7.9 5.9 5.5 6.2 78 Tree Sparrow 0.5 0.6 1.1 0.3 0.9 0.7 0.9 Tree Sparrow 0.7 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.6 13 Treecreeper 0.9 0.6 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.7 1.0 Treecreeper 0.7 1.3 0.7 1.1 1.0 38 Willow Tit 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Willow Tit 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 3 Woodpigeon 89.6 92.8 92.7 94.6 94.8 94.8 91.5 Woodpigeon 88.7 88.1 84.2 87.4 91.7 354 Wren 24.5 27.8 33.8 28.6 23.5 24.4 26.4 Wren 21.8 22.7 32.6 32.7 31.5 299 Yellowhammer 0.5 1.1 1.9 2.1 2.1 1.8 1.5 Yellowhammer 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.2 23

160 161 Table 3: Results of Breeding Bird Survey in Hampshire BTO region in 2014 Species Square Occupancy Mean number of birds detected The BTO BBS project has been operating annually since 1994; in April-June 2014 a total of per occupied square 129 randomly located 1-km squares in the county were surveyed using the line-transect 2009-2013 2014 2009-2013 2014 counting technique. A line-transect count is the number of birds of a given species detected Mean Range Mean Range (heard or seen, including fly bys) on a two km walk completed in 2-3 hours within the 1-km Firecrest 4% 1-6% 9% 1.8 1.5-2 1.9 square. These figures provide a useful indication of the relative abundance of different species Blue Tit 97% 95-98% 98% 12.0 10-14 9.1 although they do not take account of differences in detectability between species. They do Great Tit 96% 93-98% 91% 7.4 6.8-8.5 5.6 not provide a measure of absolute abundance because the surveys do not detect all of the Coal Tit 36% 30-41% 33% 2.7 2.4-3.1 2.8 birds present in a particular square. Data are provided here for 2014 and earlier years in terms Marsh Tit 13% 10-15% 11% 1.4 1.2-1.6 2.1 of: (a) Square Occupancy = % of squares where a species is detected and (b) Mean number Skylark 59% 57-61% 59% 5.6 5.1-6.1 5.5 of birds detected per occupied square = the totals of the maximum counts recorded from Swallow 62% 58-69% 64% 5.1 4.5-6 4.2 each square divided by the total number of occupied squares. Species present in 2014 in ten House Martin 29% 27-31% 25% 6.3 4.4-9.4 6.5 or more squares are tabulated below followed by lists of scarcer registrations. Long-tailed Tit 58% 50-70% 55% 3.1 2.6-3.8 2.7 Chiffchaff 85% 76-91% 87% 3.9 3.3-4.4 3.7 Mean number of birds detected Willow Warbler 32% 29-35% 26% 2.4 2.2-2.8 2.2 Species Square Occupancy per occupied square Blackcap 88% 81-92% 90% 4.6 3.8-5.5 4.4 2009-2013 2014 2009-2013 2014 Garden Warbler 17% 10-20% 12% 1.4 1.2-1.7 1.4 Mean Range Mean Range Whitethroat 54% 48-61% 53% 2.9 2.5-3.4 2.6 No of squares surveyed 115.6 110 -125 129 Nuthatch 58% 51-65% 55% 2.8 2.4-3.3 2.6 Mute Swan 11% 11-12% 5.9 4.7-8.7 9% 6.0 Treecreeper 25% 20-31% 23% 1.7 1.4-2 1.8 Greylag Goose 7% 3-10% 8.6 5.5-12 8% 7.4 Wren 99% 97-100% 98% 9.4 9-11 11. 3 Canada Goose 21% 15-26% 6.2 4.2-7.1 23% 6.6 Starling 55% 52-60% 54% 11.1 9.3-13 12.4 Mallard 38% 33-47% 6.6 4.8-8.2 36% 9.4 Blackbird 100% 100% 100% 14.9 14-16 15.5 Tufted Duck 7% 6-10% 7.2 5.1-11 8% 8.9 Song Thrush 89% 88-90% 92% 3.9 3.3-4.3 3.6 Red-legged Partridge 33% 24-42% 3.4 3-3.9 32% 2.3 Mistle Thrush 48% 45-52% 53% 2.0 1.8-2.1 1.7 Pheasant 80% 73-84% 6.3 6-6.7 78% 4.9 Robin 98% 96-99% 96% 9.1 8.2-9.8 9.4 Grey Heron 23% 21-26% 1.7 1.5-2 19% 2.1 Stonechat 6% 5-8% 11% 3.8 3.3-5.1 4.0 Red Kite 12% 9-16% 1.5 1.2-1.8 13% 1.8 Dunnock 89% 85-92% 88% 4.1 3.8-4.4 3.7 Sparrowhawk 11% 8-14% 1.0 1-1.1 12% 1.0 House Sparrow 56% 54-58% 57% 12.6 9.5-15 12.4 Buzzard 60% 54-66% 1.9 1.7-2 51% 1.5 Grey Wagtail 5% 2-7% 9% 1.4 1.3-1.5 1.3 Moorhen 18% 13-22% 2.4 1.9-2.8 11% 1.9 Pied Wagtail 38% 33-45% 34% 1.6 1.5-1.7 1.7 Coot 12% 11-13% 5.0 3.7-6.4 9% 6.1 Meadow Pipit 11% 9-13% 11% 3.9 3.2-4.3 5.4 Lapwing 22% 17-26% 4.5 2.6-6.6 15% 5.6 Chaffinch 97% 96-98% 97% 10.5 9.2-12 8.3 Black-headed Gull 31% 28-34% 15.8 8.8-19 29% 11.7 Bullfinch 29% 17-37% 26% 1.7 1.7-1.8 1.9 Lesser Black-backed Gull 13% 10-17% 2.9 1.9-4.1 14% 2.1 Greenfinch 80% 77-83% 67% 5.6 5.2-6 4.1 Herring Gull 20% 13-28% 14.9 2.8-34 26% 10.3 Linnet 36% 31-41% 36% 6.1 4.1-8 4.3 Feral Pigeon 16% 14-18% 8.9 8 -11 13% 7.4 Goldfinch 77% 72-79% 73% 5.3 4.3-6.3 5.7 Stock Dove 44% 40-49% 3.2 2.5-3.9 3.4 46% Siskin 5% 4-6% 8% 2.1 1.3-2.5 3.0 Woodpigeon 99% 99-100% 34.3 32-37 100% 30.8 Yellowhammer 45% 43-48% 40% 4.3 3.8-4.7 3.9 Collared Dove 56% 53-59% 48% 6.0 5.7-6.4 5.6 Cuckoo 30% 26-36% 29% 1.6 1.4-1.8 1.6 Species recorded in 3-9 squares: Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Cormorant, Tawny Owl 4% 3-6% 9% 1.1 1-1.3 1.3 Little Egret, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Common Tern, Swift 30% 27-34% 27% 9.4 7.8-14 8.2 Mediterranean Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker 59% 55-62% 51% 2.1 1.9-2.3 1.7 Hobby, Peregrine, Raven, Woodlark, Cetti’s Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Dartford Warbler, Great Spotted Woodpecker 77% 73-79% 72% 2.5 2.2-2.7 2.4 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Crossbill Kestrel 23% 22-26% 19% 1.3 1.1-1.3 1.2 and Reed Bunting. Species recorded in one or two squares: Mandarin, Teal, Garganey, Magpie 77% 72-82% 77% 4.1 3.9-4.2 3.7 Shoveler, Pochard, Goosander, Quail, Grey Partridge, Gannet, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Jay 53% 50-58% 48% 1.9 1.8-2.1 1.9 Godwit, Redshank, Snipe, Sandwich Tern, Common Gull, Turtle Dove, Little Owl, Sand Jackdaw 80% 78-84% 78% 12.2 11-15 11.1 Martin, Wood Warbler, Black Redstart, Whinchat, Rock Pipit, Hawfinch and Corn Bunting. Rook 64% 60-68% 60% 27.0 23-31 22.2 Thanks are due to the BTO for managing the project, Glynne Evans for organising the survey in the Carrion Crow 95% 93-97% 94% 8.4 7.8-9.6 9.6 county, all participants, who are listed on pages 170-174, Sarah Harris BTO for providing the data Goldcrest 51% 47-59% 47% 2.7 2.1-3.3 2.9 and Alan Cox for compiling the table.

162 163 Table 4: Results of New Forest Winter Bird Survey, 2014 Cook, Mike Crutch, John & Janet Dedman, John Faithfull, Ashley Field, Owen Haisell, Ian Hampson, Steve Harrington, Alan Hayden, Judy Hunt, Kevin Kearns, Bob Lee, Mark Litjens, Bob Marchant, Adrian Jan 11th Feb 8th Mar 8th Oct 18th Nov 15th Dec 13th Martin, Keith Maskell, Melissa Matthews, Nigel Matthews, Dave Munday, Martin Orchard-Webb, Mark Sites Covered 30 34 35 33 36 38 Painter, Ade Parker, Kelvin Pearce, Tony Polley, Leo Pyke, Andy Pullen, Derek Radden, Mike Rafter, Little Egret 1 2 8 Barrie Roberts, Dawn Russell, Kevin Sayer, David Taylor, Martin Terry, Tony Tindale, Keith Vokes, Red Kite 1 1 Roger Webb, Ian Williamson, Keith Young. Hen Harrier 1 1 1 1 2 5 Goshawk 5 3 2 1 2 7 Sparrowhawk 2 1 5 5 4 3 Table 5: Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) coverage during 2014 Buzzard 39 32 144 56 29 43 The figures in each cell show the date of the months in which counts were carried out. Water Rail 1 1 Oystercatcher 2 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Lapwing 10 4 86 20 42 372 Coast: east to west Woodcock 2 3 1 Chichester Harbour Hampshire sectors (J Parkin et al) 4 1 1 19 16 11 15 27 25 8 6 Snipe 3 7 12 3 7 12 Sinah GP (T Timlick) 19 16 16 Kingfisher 1 1 Langstone Harbour (C Cockburn et al) 4 1 1 19 17 14 12 9 27 25 8 6 Green Woodpecker 23 15 26 21 19 27 Milton Common (K Crisp) 20 13 13 14 12 8 Kestrel 8 6 1 29 6 10 Baffins Pond (K Crisp) 20 13 17 14 12 8 Merlin 1 1 3 Portsmouth Harbour (DI Bill et al) 4 1 1 25 8 6 Peregrine 1 3 9 6 2 7 Titchfield Haven (BS Duffin) 2 3 4 12 26 30 20 23 21 5 Great Grey Shrike 3 1 2 1 3 Brownwich (MD Rolfe) 11 2 1 27 25 5 7 Carrion Crow 262 338 286 512 441 438 Hamble Estuary below M27 (RK Raven 29 20 17 14 6 19 Levett) 4 2 1 9 27 25 9 6 Firecrest 1 3 2 Hamble Estuary above M27 (J Faithfull) 1 1 19 15 13 9 27 25 6 Marsh Tit 10 4 6 7 11 14 R. Itchen: Weston-Northam (ML 2 1 27 16 7 Woodlark 2 12 16 12 3 Edgeller) R. Itchen: Northam-Mansbridge (IR Skylark 2 13 50 59 8 7 3 17 3 26 24 10 8 Dartford Warbler 86 23 92 80 126 125 Watts) Lower Test/Eling/Bury Marshes (SS Ring Ouzel 25 1 King, P Combridge) 4 1 1 19 17 14 12 9 27 25 8 6 Blackbird 182 168 229 134 373 427 Dibden Bay (J Smallwood) 5 2 2 22 9 7 Fieldfare 576 772 361 26 1665 447 Hythe (BJ Roberts) 2 1 1 28 20 18 18 27 25 22 6 Redwing 330 566 284 721 990 1175 Fawley Refinery (JG Ross) 4 1 1 19 17 27 25 8 6 Mistle Thrush 71 65 74 58 102 86 Ashlett/Calshot (AS Rhodes) 4 2 2 28 25 9 13 Stonechat 86 57 320 258 112 104 Beaulieu Estuary (DJ Unsworth et al) 5 2 2 20 18 15 13 10 28 26 9 7 Wheatear 1 Sowley Pond (ID Williamson) 19 16 7 12 9 7 Meadow Pipit 290 220 441 1045 576 269 Sowley-Lymington: Pitts Deep (EJ Chaffinch 757 419 359 215 336 454 Wiseman) 6 1 1 19 18 14 13 7 28 26 9 8 Brambling 9 38 1 3 3 Sowley-Lymington: Pylewell (EJ 6 1 2 18 17 15 13 13 27 26 7 6 Siskin 18 14 51 8 24 21 Wiseman) Linnet 39 17 45 114 42 48 Lymington/Hurst (EJ Wiseman et al) 6 1 1 19 17 14 12 9 27 25 8 7 Lesser Redpoll 6 11 12 38 Avon Valley Crossbill 2 4 10 1 5 R. Avon Sopley-Avon Causeway (A Hayden, L Pyke, O Frampton) 4 2 2 28 12 9 7 Bullfinch 8 5 23 13 38 33 R. Avon Avon Causeway-Wattons Ford Hawfinch 1 1 2 (JM Clark, K Sayer) 22 2 2 28 12 9 7 Yellowhammer 2 R. Avon Wattons Ford-Ringwood (K 22 2 2 30 11 9 8 Reed Bunting 2 17 38 17 28 Sayer) R. Avon Ringwood-Fordingbridge (JE People 970 374 1140 825 754 667 Levell) 5 2 2 12 7 Dogs 368 209 372 325 401 336 R. Avon above Fordingbridge (K Sayer) 23 2 3 30 14 10 6 Blashford Lakes (TMJ Doran, J M Clark Thanks to Keith Betton for organising the NFWBS. New volunteers are always welcome – please 4 2 8 5 31 30 26 16 28 12 18 7 email Keith at [email protected]. Thanks are due to the following observers who took part: R A Chapman) Josie Allen, Mark Andrews, Martin Bennett, Pam Bennett, Keith Betton, Tony Blakeley, Margaret Test and Anton Valleys Boswell, Simon Boswell, Andy Broadhurst, Alice Brown, Chris Chapleo, Brian Coates, Rosemary Testwood Lakes (I Pibworth) 19 16 16 7 12 9 7

164 165 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Stubbs Farm Ponds, Binsted (IR Broadlands Estate (DA Thelwell) 19 16 16 20 7 12 9 7 22 19 18 8 14 14 9 Fishlake Meadows (DA Thelwell) 19 27 15 29 7 22 7 12 Hainsworth) Marsh Court Lake (GC Evans) 29 21 16 15 16 29 8 18 11 6 4 King John’s Hill Pond (IR Hainsworth) 22 19 18 8 14 14 9 Marsh Court River (GC Evans) 29 21 16 15 16 29 8 18 11 6 4 Sleaford Reservoir (GH Huxley, RE Ford) 19 16 17 R. Test: Stockbridge-Fullerton (GC Evans) 19 21 14 21 6 20 13 24 19 5 5 Headley Mill Pond (GH Huxley, KB Wills) 19 16 17 14 29 Longparish Trout Lakes (GC Evans) 20 16 15 16 8 28 6 22 15 8 8 Passfield Pond (GH Huxley, KB Wills) 19 16 17 14 29 Testbourne Estate (GC Evans) 17 13 13 24 15 5 14 7 23 17 13 9 Heath Pond, Petersfield (AC Rooksbury Mill (AJ Polley) 19 16 16 12 9 6 Smallbone) 19 16 16 20 18 14 13 10 7 12 9 7 Anton Lakes (AJ Polley) 19 16 16 12 9 6 Warnford Park Lake (PP Short) 19 16 16 20 19 15 14 11 7 12 9 7 Charlton Lakes (AJ Polley) 19 16 16 12 9 6 St Mary Bourne (AJ Polley) 19 16 16 12 9 6 Chichester Harbour team: J Chapman, J High, AC Johnson, S McCullagh, T Bickerton. Langstone Harbour team: G Baker, T Baker, D Ball, GC Barrett, T Bickerton, C Cockburn, C Darnley-Smith, Laverstoke Park Lake (B Stalker) 29 26 19 23 21 16 15 28 23 M Eagles, G Farwell, A Field, C French, L MacCullum, D Minns, D Perks, PM Potts, A Robjohns, JRD Overton Paper Mill Lagoons (B Stalker) 19 23 16 19 18 13 12 9 7 Shillitoe, J Smallwood, W Smith, J Southgate, S Wiltshire. Portsmouth Harbour team: DI Bill, I Lower Ashe Farm (source of R Test) 19 23 16 19 18 13 12 9 7 Calderwood, TMJ Doran, JA Norton, J Nundy, J Smallwood, PJ Strangeman. Beaulieu Estuary team: (B Stalker) BR Cozens, A&C Dawson, G Johnstone, VA Lowings, BJ Pinchen, E Stubbs, JM Tubbs, DJ Unsworth. Ashe Park Lake (B Stalker) 19 23 16 19 18 13 12 9 7 Lymington/Hurst team: A Clark, PR Durnell, O Haisell, P Hobby, M Ward, EJ Wiseman. Itchen Valley Coastal organiser: John Shillitoe; Inland Organiser: Keith Wills; Avon Valley Organiser: John Lakeside CP, Eastleigh (S Ingram) 19 16 16 14 Clark. Allington GP roost count (DJ Unsworth) 18 27 15 29 30 Marwell New Ponds (JM Cloyne) 19 17 17 28 13 7 12 29 Marwell Manor Trout Fishery (JM Table 6: Departure and arrival dates of winter visitors Cloyne) 19 17 17 28 13 7 12 29 Fishers Pond, (JM Latest Average Latest Earliest Average Earliest Summering Cloyne) 19 17 17 28 13 7 12 29 1954-2013 1971-2013 2014 1954-2013 1971-2013 2014 records Winchester SF (JM Cloyne) 19 16 16 22 19 16 14 11 8 13 10 8 Bewick’s Swan 24 Mar 76 13 Mar 26 Jan 15 Oct 04 5 Nov 23 Nov 9 (Apr/May) Avington Lake (DJ Pearson) 19 16 16 5 12 9 7 White-fronted Goose 20 May 84 28 Mar 2 Mar 5 Oct 52 12 Nov 4 Oct 6 (June-Sep) Arlebury Lakes (DJ Pearson) 19 16 16 12 9 7 Scaup 23 May 13 10 Apr 19 Jan 9 Sep 00 25 Oct 28 Dec 4 (June-Aug) Alresford Pond (DJ Pearson) 19 16 16 5 12 9 7 Long-tailed Duck 27 May 00 1 May 4 May 23 Sep 61 5 Nov 8 Nov 3 (June-Aug) The Grange, Northington (AFJ & PR Cox) 8 5 14 20 Velvet Scoter 26 Jun 97 3 May 18 May 29 Sep 91 29 Oct 14 Dec North and north-east Smew 10 Apr 63 23 Feb 13 Feb 8 Nov 82 4 Dec* 1 (June) Wolverton Pond (B Sharkey) 19 16 16 20 12 9 4 Black-throated Diver 6 Jun 07 6 May 5 May 8 Sep 09 5 Nov 9 Nov 2 (May-Aug) Ewhurst Lake (B Sharkey) 19 16 16 20 12 9 4 Great Northern Diver 22 Jun 13 14 May 9 June 16 Sep 03 2 Nov 9 Oct 1 (Aug) The Vyne (MJ Pitt) 19 16 16 7 12 9 7 Red-necked Grebe 9 May 68 27 Mar 9 Mar 24 Aug 94 20 Oct 28 Nov Stratfield Saye (JM Clark, B Stalker) 21 18 26 27 17 Slavonian Grebe 22 May 59 10 Apr 17 Mar 18 Sep 09 25 Oct 1 Nov 2 (Aug) Wellington CP (JM Clark, B Stalker) 19 16 16 18 12 21 10 17 13 Bramshill Plantation (JM Clark, B Hen Harrier 10 Jun 86 7 May 12 Apr 23 Aug 07 24 Sep 17 Oct 19 15 16 21 10 8 13 Stalker) Purple Sandpiper 31 May 61 28 Apr 18 May 7 July 69 5 Oct 17 Oct 2 (July) Bramshill Park Lake (JM Clark) 5 16 5 14 12 21 11 8 13 Jack Snipe 9 May 77 15 Apr 14 Apr 21 Aug 08 28 Sep 12 Oct Lyndridge Farm, Eversley (JM Clark) 5 16 12 11 8 13 Merlin 24 May 03 23 Apr 19 Apr 30 Jul 05 24 Aug 15 Aug 1 (July) Eversley GP (JM Clark, RC Murfitt) 2 16 16 25 16 10 7 Great Grey Shrike 8 May 83 5 Apr 15 Apr 4 Oct 72 17 Oct 25 Oct Yateley GP (JM Clark) 6 18 21 6 15 Camp Farm GP/SF (KB Wills) 19 9 14 7 24 12 7 Fieldfare 23 May 80 29 Apr 24 Apr 3 Sep 04 29 Sep 17 Oct 4 (June) Fleet Pond (GC Stephenson) 19 16 16 13 7 11 9 7 Redwing 12 May 81 22 Apr 19 Apr 11 Sep 99 27 Sep 28 Sep 2 (June) Hitches Lane CP, Fleet (A Berryman) 19 16 16 19 18 15 16 Water Pipit 6 May 98 15 Apr 18 Apr 26 Sep 93 14 Oct 3 Oct Tundry Pond (KB Wills) 19 9 16 7 26 16 7 Brambling 13 May 83 20 Apr 26 Apr 22 Sep 96 5 Oct 12 Oct 1 (July) Dogmersfield Lake (KB Wills) 19 9 16 7 26 16 7 Twite 13 Apr 75 2 Mar* 30 Sep 83 6 Nov* Hillside, Odiham (KB Wills) 19 9 16 7 26 16 7 Snow Bunting 3 Apr 00 17 Feb* 3 Jan 3 Oct 75 30 Oct 9 Nov East Lapland Bunting 23 Apr 10 22 Feb* 9 Sep 70 16 Oct* Kings Pond, Alton (SJ Mansfield) 19 16 16 20 17 14 12 9 6 12 9 7 bold = new earliest or latest date; * = based on limited data set

166 167 Table 7: Arrival and departure dates of summer visitors Appendix 1 Earliest Average Earliest Latest Average Latest Wintering 1954-2013 1971-2013 2014 1954-2013 1971-2013 2014 records Records for which descriptions are required for consideration by the HOS Records Garganey 2 Mar 03 20 Mar 9 Mar 29 Nov 53 27 Sep 13 Sep Panel Quail 9 Apr 91 17 May 27 Apr 19 Nov 58 25 Aug 22 Aug 6 (Dec-Mar) The following are records which either (a) have not been officially submitted to HOS or Honey-buzzard 18 Apr 10 30 Apr* 3 May 30 Oct 76 2 Oct 6 Sep (b) have been submitted to HOS but without the necessary supporting documentation as detailed in the Guidelines for the Submission of Records on pages 170-174. The Recorder Montagu’s Harrier 8 Apr 79 3 May 11 May 2 Nov 60 28 Aug 31 Aug would appreciate receipt of the necessary documentation for consideration by the HOSRP. Osprey 7 Feb 07 3 Apr 4 Mar 11 Dec 99 16 Oct 28 Nov Without this, the records will be lost from the formal Hampshire avifauna. Stone-curlew 5 Feb 06 26 Mar 27 Mar 6 Nov 66 2 Oct 31 Oct 2 (Dec) 2014 Little Ringed Plover 29 Feb 08 17 Mar 15 Mar 29 Oct 08 18 Sep 12 Sep Storm Petrel: Southsea, Jan 4th. Dotterel 15 Apr 96 3 May* 25 Sep 82 4 Sep* 1 (Dec/Jan) Black-winged Stilt: Keyhaven Marshes, Aug 8th. Wood Sandpiper 23 Mar 03 3 May 24 Apr 26 Oct 75 20 Sep 27 Sep 1 (Feb) Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii: Needs Ore, May 29th. Arctic Skua 16 Mar 09 7 Apr 28 Mar 29 Jan 08 26 Oct 17 Dec 14 (Dec/Jan) Long-tailed Skua: Milford on Sea, May 9th; Milford on Sea, May 23rd. Little Tern 24 Mar 57 10 Apr 6 Apr 22 Oct 72 29 Sep 9 Sep 1 (Jan) Bee-eater: 5, Lymington, June 2nd. Common Rosefinch erythrina: female, Needs Ore, June 26th. Black Tern 10 Apr 11 22 Apr 23 Apr 15 Nov 67 5 Oct 2 Sep Common Tern 17 Mar 03 5 Apr 28 Mar 30 Nov 73 25 Oct 11 Oct 3 (Dec) Roseate Tern 17 Apr 11 2 May 26 Apr 10 Oct 99 10 Sep 1 Sep Records considered not proven by the HOS Records Panel or British Birds Rarities Committee Arctic Tern 29 Mar 58 20 Apr 16 Apr 19 Nov 08 11 Oct 12 Nov In the majority of cases, the records below were categorised as not proven because the panel Turtle Dove 25 Mar 70 17 Apr 21 Apr 7 Nov 70 2 Oct 27 Aug 5 (Dec-Feb) or committee was not convinced that the identification was fully established. Only in a few Cuckoo 15 Mar 89 3 Apr 30 Mar 30 Oct 10 13 Sep 16 Sep cases was it considered that a mistake had been made. Nightjar 22 Apr 09 4 May 3 May 13 Oct 74 8 Sep 26 Sep 1 (Nov) 2010 – HOSRP Swift 2 Apr 09 16 Apr 14 Apr 17 Nov 74 4 Oct 6 Sep Richard’s Pipit: Barton on Sea, Nov 22nd. Wryneck 2 Apr 61 26 Apr* 9 Nov 13 29 Sep 30 Sep Hobby 16 Mar 02 11 Apr 10 Apr 6 Nov 01 12 Oct 15 Oct 2011 – BBRC Sand Martin 27 Feb 90 15 Mar 9 Mar 28 Nov 13 16 Oct 1 Nov 2 (Dec/Jan) Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla: Farlington Marshes, Sep 8th. Swallow 23 Feb 09 20 Mar 20 Mar 22 Dec 77 27 Nov 18 Dec 6 (Jan) 2013 – BBRC House Martin 10 Feb 04 26 Mar 26 Mar 22 Dec 82 16 Nov 2 Dec 2 (Jan/Feb) Western Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli: Bordon, Aug 10th. Wood Warbler 1 Apr 06 19 Apr 14 Apr 29 Sep 64 24 Aug 5 Aug 2014 – HOSRP Willow Warbler 15 Mar 09 25 Mar 24 Mar 1 Dec 90 9 Oct 9 Oct Black Kite: Frater, Gosport, Mar 20th; Blackfield, Mar 22nd; Butser Hill, May 14th; Eastleigh, Garden Warbler 17 Mar 74 10 Apr 11 Apr 29 Nov 87 3 Oct 27 Sep 1 (Dec-Feb) May 27th; Portsdown Hill, June 14th; Fareham, June 21st. Lesser Whitethroat 1 Apr 89 15 Apr 11 Apr 31 Oct 82 3 Oct 2 Oct 9 (Nov-Mar) Common Crane: Beaulieu Estuary, Sep 19th. Whitethroat 7 Mar 97 8 Apr 9 Apr 17 Nov 95 7 Oct 2 Oct 5 (Dec/Jan) Caspian Gull: Ibsley Water, Feb 19th; Ibsley Water, Nov 7th. Sabine’s Gull: Milford on Sea, Aug 10th; Milford on Sea, Oct 10th. Grasshopper Warbler 1 Apr 97 16 Apr 14 Apr 20 Oct 01 20 Sep 3 Oct Little Auk: Beachlands, Hayling, Feb 6th. Sedge Warbler 17 Mar 63 7 Apr 30 Mar 9 Nov 63 11 Oct 10 Oct 1 (Dec) Bee-eater: 5, Emsworth, June 3rd. Reed Warbler 1 Apr 94 13 Apr 8 Apr 2 Dec 84 20 Oct 19 Oct Richard’s Pipit: Middle Wallop, Oct 27th. Ring Ouzel 3 Mar 96 30 Mar 20 Mar 4 Dec 03 30 Oct 15 Nov 5 (Dec-Feb) Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus: male and female, Bolderwood, Jan 19th. Spotted Flycatcher 8 Apr 00 28 Apr 6 May 29 Oct 61 2 Oct 1 Oct 2014 – BBRC Nightingale 3 Apr 75 14 Apr 5 Apr 9 Oct 85 21 Aug 8 Aug Short-toed Eagle: Clanfield, June 21st; Totton, June 24th. Pied Flycatcher 26 Mar 96 13 Apr 11 Apr 22 Oct 77 27 Sep 28 Sep Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii: Pennington Marshes, July 23rd Redstart 17 Mar 68 3 Apr 30 Mar 24 Nov 89 14 Oct 1 Nov 1 (Mar) Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla: Keyhaven Marsh, Sep 19th-20th. Whinchat 21 Mar 68 17 Apr 17 Apr 21 Dec 03 28 Oct 26 Oct 5 (Jan/Feb) Black-winged Stilt: Ellingham Lake, Blashford, Aug 2nd. Franklin’s Gull: first-winter, Riverside Park, Southampton, Feb 18th. Wheatear 6 Feb 89 11 Mar 1 Mar 31 Dec 94 10 Nov 9 Nov 3 (Jan) Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum: Keyhaven Marsh, June 14th. Yellow Wagtail 10 Mar 68 31 Mar 28 Mar 20 Nov 76 19 Oct 22 Oct 5 (Dec-Feb) Booted Warbler Iduna caligata: Keyhaven Marsh, June 30th-July 1st. Tree Pipit 16 Mar 92 29 Mar 2 Apr 25 Oct 79 4 Oct 5 Oct Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus: Gosport, Sep 7th. * = based on limited data set

168 169 Observers and Contributors A Clark WeBS IN Cox BBS T Duke GB R Gilham GB BL Clark BT BR Cozens (BRC) B Durham BBS D Gillingham BT FC Clark BT WeBS R Durkin GB M Gillingham GB Observers shown in bold below have submitted or all of their records directly to the County L Clark GB SJ Craft BT PR Durnell WeBS H Gillooly GB Recorder. Codes indicate observers have contributed via the routes shown, as follows: SF Clark PJM Craven BT L Easom BT B Goater GB GB Hampshire Going Birding web site WJ Clark GB KG Creed GB M Edgeller GB WeBS C Goble BT BT BTO BirdTrack JM Clark (JMC) M&JB Creese BBS H Edmunds B Goddard GB TB&WH WeBS T K Crisp GB WeBS N&M Elliott GB N Godden BT WeBS Wetland Bird Survey D Clarke GB A Cross BT D Ellis JJ Goodridge (JJG) GB NF New Forest Winter Bird Survey JA Clarke BT AR Cross BBS BT IM Elphick BT JR Goodspeed GB BBS BBS BTO Breeding Bird Survey K Clay GB T Crow BT M Emberson BT BT TB&WH Thames Basin and Wealden Heaths Breeding Birds Survey M Clay (MC) GB PJ Crowley TB&WH K Emmott GB D Gorman (DG) GB LR Living Record T Clayson BT D Crowther GB L Etheridge (LE) GB J Gowers BT PJ Clayton BT M Crutch GB NF DG Evans BBS A Graham BT T Trektellen visible migration database B Clements BT MJ Cuff BT GC Evans BT WeBS T Graham BT Initials in brackets after an observer’s name indicate an acknowledgement in the Systematic FA Clements BT G Culbertson BT GC&SL Evans BBS B Grantham BT List. Apologies for any errors or omissions. J Clements BT DA Cumming BT LGR Evans BT AE Green BT R Clements OT Cummins GB M Evans BT C Green BBS A Abbott BT T Bates GB IR Bowes BBS TJ Butler S Clemons BT D Dadam BBS JA Eyre BBS TB&WH L Greenwood GB M Acott BT M Bath GB DJ Bowker BT P Butson BT J Cliffe BT R Daley GB R Facey BT C Greig BT M Adams GB GS Batho BBS BT C Bowman GB C Butt BT JM Cloyne WeBS G Dando BT T Faichen BT W Griffiths GB MC Adams VR Beaney BT C Bown (CB) AMB Butterworth BBS BF Coates GB NF B Daniels BT M Fairley BT DM Grist BT T Adams BT M Bell BT S Boyle BT NA Calbrade BT C Cockburn WeBS M Darling GB J Faithfull WeBS NF RD Gross BT D Agombar BT MJ Bennett GB NF J Brandsma GB I Calderwood BT TD Codlin GB BT C Darnley-Smith WeBS E Farmer GB M Groves BT CA Allen BT P Bennett NF MA Breakspear BT WeBS D Cole GB B Darvill BT C Farrell GB BT M Guinane GB J Allen (JA) BT NF EJ Bennett (EJB) GB RG Breakwell BT G Calderwood (GC) MA Cole BT AS Davidson (ASD) G Farwell BBS BT C Gurney LR D Allnutt GB A Bentley BT H Bridgland BT GB AR Collins GB LR WeBS AC Gutteridge BT LJ Amey GB PJ Beresford GB P Bright-Thomas GB C Caldwell BT CB Collins G Davies GB PF Fawkes (PFF) GB B Gwynn GB M Andrews NF A Berryman GB WeBS AM Broadhurst GB BBS DK Campbell BT M Collins GB BT AM Davis GB BBS BJ Fellows PJ Hack GB RM Angus GB TJ Best BT BT NF G Campbell BT P Collins BT A&C Dawson GD Fennemore GB SJ Hackett BT R Ap Gwilym BT KF Betton (KFB) GB R Broadway GB MD Campbell BT JR Collman BBS (A&CD) WeBS A&SA Field (A&SAF) NJ Haigh BBS M Armitage GB NF R Brook BT P Campbell GB TB&WH T Day BT AR Field (ARF) GB BT IR Hainsworth GB WeBS J Badnell GB M Betts D Brookes GB BT N Cardinal GB P Combridge WeBS P Dean BT WeBS NF O Haisell GB NF J Bailey GB S Bevis GB C Brooks BT S Carey BT DK Compton J Dedman BT NF M Finlason GB APS Hale GB L Bailey BT T Bickerton WeBS A Brown NF R Carlyle BT S Coney GB JW Dedman BBS NF SL Fisher BT J Hale GB BBS L Baines BT SM Bignold BT C Brown GB R Carpenter GB D Conway GB BT N Dell BT P Floyd BT JA Hale BT A Baird BT DI Bill GB WeBS J Brown BT T Carpenter GB CR Cook LR T Denman GB P Foad GB B Hall GB G Baker BT WeBS JH Bingley BT MJ Bruce BT J Cattell GB D Cook BT J Dennis GB SR Foote GB G Hall BBS MJ Baker BT G Bird GB S Brunton GB N Catty GB LJ Cook GB J Denton PMS Ford BT J Hall TB&WH R Baker BT MA Birkin BT P Bryant BT S Chalmers GB R Cook NF DM Derrick GB RE Ford GB WeBS T Hall BT T Baker WeBS DR Bishop GB BBS RCS Bryant GB ML Chalmers (MLC) CM Cooke S Dewey BT S Ford GB BT RJ Hallett BT J Baldwin TB&WH G Bishop BBS BT DJ Buckler GB BBS BT JD Cooke GB GM Dicker J Fordham GB MJ Halligan (MJH) GB DJG Ball BBS WeBS LJ Bissell BT JL Budd GB P Chamberlain GB RE Cooke (REC) DEJ Dicks GB N Foster GB SA Halsey BT TG Ball BT AF Blakeley BT NF PA Budd K Chambers BT R Coomber GB T Dingwall BT A Fox GB JM Hammersley GB ID Ballam GB BT D Blandford BT T Bunce GB JR Champ GB A Cooper BT MJ Dixon BBS O Frampton BT WeBS IR Hampson GB NF AJ Balmer BT R Blenkey GB TW Bunday GB C Chapleo GB NF C Cooper BT DM Dodds GB AJ French BBS M Hampton GB P Banks BT GM Blockley BT FD Buner BT CB Chapman BT J Cooper BT P Dodsworth BBS BT CD French BT WeBS MJ Hamzij BT LJ Barber BT MG Blowfield BBS C Burch GB JW Chapman BT WeBS JH Cooper BBS PC Donaldson GB S French BT J Hannam BT C Barlow (CBa) A Bluett (AB) J Burge GB P Chapman BT MD Cooper BBS TMJ Doran (TMJD) GB LM Fuller (LMF) GB R Hardy BT T Barnett GB G Blythe GB N Burgum BT RA Chapman (RAC) P Cooper BT BBS WeBS D Furse A Harmer BT C Barrass GB CF Bollen BT ANM Burns BT GB WeBS R Cooper GB G Doré (GD) M Fussell J Harrington GB GC Barrett WeBS N Bolter TB&WH R Burrows GB L Chappell (LC) MC Cooper (MCC) GJ Down BBS PA Gammage (PAG) GB S Harrington NF J Barrett BT A Bolton BT I Burrus BT T Cheese GB P Copleston GB BT B Downey J Garrad GB G Harris MA Barrett GB W Borras (WB) GB JR Butcher BT RA Cheke BBS S Copsey BT J Downing BT EC Geall GB NG Harris BT ME Barrett GB M Boswell NF S Butcher BT R Chiverton GB GW Corfield BT R Doye GB CJ Geary GB C Harris (CH) R Barrett BT SR Boswell GB D Butler BT DA Christie GB HR Cornford GB A Drewett BBS L Geary (LG) GB R Hart BBS BT D Barton GB SA Boswell (SAB) GB E Butler GB R Christopher BT M Corrigan GB BS Duffin (BSD) WeBS M Gibbons GB S Hartill GB CR Bartram BT BT NF J Butler BT K Churcher GB AFJ Cox BBS WeBS G Duffus GB J Gibson GB SC Harvey GB S Bassett GB P Boult GB LJ Butler BT RJ Claridge BT D Cox GB MD Duffy GSA Giddens SG Hatch GB L Hatfield GB DBL James TB&WH JE Levell BBS WeBS G McKay GB JA Norton (JAN) GB DJ Piper BT S Scoffham GB T Stevens BT JN Hawtree BT P James GB P Lever GB A McKenna GB WeBS MJ Pitt BBS WeBS PS Scorey GB M Stevens (MS) MJW Hay (MJWH) P Jepson BT JM Levesley GB A Mcveigh GB JA Nundy WeBS J Pleasance GB E Scott BT DE Stevenson (DES) GB A Hayden WeBS NF D Jewsbury BBS RK Levett WeBS K Meacher GB S Oakes GB J Plunkett P Scudamore GB D Stewart BT HCC Staff, Yateley K Johnson BBS AI Lewis (AIL) GB G Mead BT MA Oram M Poacher GB J Seaney GB G Stewart GB Common CP AC Johnson (ACJ) BJ Lintott GB BT H Mears GB MA Orchard-Webb GB RG Pointer BBS J Seaward BT T Stimpson GB R Headland GB WeBS EA Lintott TB&WH I Mears GB NF J Poland GB K Seymour BT A Stocker BT AB Heath GB G Johnstone WeBS DJ Lister (DJL) J Meikle GB S O’Reilly AJ Polley WeBS NF M Shaft BBS TB&WH J Stockwell GB P Heath GB B Jones GB BT MA Litjens GB BBS NF D Mellor BT BA Osborne BT PM Potts GB WeBS B Sharkey BBS BT J Stokes GB B Hedley C Jones GB BBS TB&WH R Lloyd M Melrose GB BBS G Osborne GB E Pratt GB WeBS DA Stone BT RD Hellier GB BT S Lloyd BT SD Menzie BT J Osborne GB J Prior BT A Sharp GB S Stone GB M Henderson BT CM Jones BT M Lock BT KD Metcalf GB M Outten BT DM Pritchard BT GJ Shaw GB M Stoneman GB S Hendrix GB D Jones GB A Locke (AL) L Middleton GB L Overy (LO) GB BT AP Pullen GB NF MD Shaw BT A Stoney GB K Hewitt BT JR Jones BBS BT M Lockwood S Miles GB AE Owen BT B Puttock BT P Sherer K Stouse J High WeBS KL Jones BT P Lord GB SR Miles BT G Owen BT A Pycroft BT T Sheridan GB PJ Strangeman BT C Hill M Jones GB WJ Lowe BT PN Milinets-Raby GB NT Owen (NTO) GB LR LT Pyke WeBS NF EM Shilland BT WeBS MJ Hill GB MR Jones GB VA Lowings (VAL) GB A Millar BT AG Page RJ Pyrah BT JRD Shillitoe BBS BT TJ Such GB AC Hilton BT PD Jones BBS BT T WeBS L Miller GB SD Page BBS BT B Rackett GB WeBS D Sulway BT JI Hilton S Jones BT M Lush GB R Milligan GB A Painter BT D Radden GB BT NF PP Short BBS BT WeBS DJ Sussex TB&WH DJ Hoare GB T Jones BT T Lux BT DGH Mills (DGHM) PR Painter DJC Radden BT D Shrive GB A Sutton GB P Hobby WeBS NR Jones (NRJ) GB C Lycett GB BBS LR D Minns BBS WeBS MG Painter (MGP) GB M Radford BT D Shute (DS) P Sutton BT P Hogan (PH) GB BT BBS B Lyle GB D Mitchell BBS BT LR BT M Rafter NF I Sibsey GB BT JL Swallow BT DA Holland GB BBS BT PE Jones (PEJ) BT PJ Lymbery GB R Mitchell GB JL Painton GB M Randall GB J Simons GB M Swann GB DRW Holloway GB DG Jordan LR T Mabbett GB A Monk BT R Paley BT G Rankin BT KJ Simpson GB DE Swensson GB J Holt GB K Kearns NF L MacCullum WeBS NJ Montegriffo GB BBS M Palmer BT CJ Raymond BT AC Sims BT SJ Taw GB MJ Holt GB SG Keen (SGK) GB I Macdonald BT MP Moody (MPM) MJ Palmer (MJP) GB EM&PJ Raynor GB PA Sketch BT A Taylor BT G Honey BT T Keene GB G Maclean (GM) J&J Moon N Papps GB BT C Reed BT R Skinner GB C Taylor BT S Hooper GB DW Keightley GB A MacNish GB AP Moore GB P Papps BT R Reedman GB APJ Skull BT JF Taylor BT G Horacek-Davis GB SJ Kelman BT A Madgwick (AM) NJ Moran BT A Parfitt LR DJ Reeves BBS AC Smallbone GB BBS RC Taylor BT R Horne BT N Kelsey BT L Mann BT W Morley GB A Parker BT BBS J Reeves BT WeBS DH Taylor (DHT) GB D Houghton (DH) GB D Kelson GB CP Manning GB G Morris BT AJ Parker GB NF I Reid BT J Smallwood GB BBS NF AM Howard BT H Kemm GB L Mansfield JC Morris LR C Parker GB N Reynolds BT BT WeBS R Teesdale BT T Howard BT RA King SJ Mansfield GB WeBS L Mortimer BT J Parker BT AS Rhodes (ASR) GB NR Smart GB MGW Terry AR Howe GB SS King WeBS JH Marchant BT K Mortimore BT NAJ Parker GB BBS WeBS S Smart BT MH Terry (MHT) GB R Howell M King (MK) GB BT RH Marchant M Morton BT J Parkin WeBS G Rich A Smith BT NF H Howes GB S Kinkaid GB (RHM) BBS BT NF J Moseley GB LT Parkin GB JE Richardson BT JF Smith GB DA Thelwell GB BBS A Hudson GB I Kitching GB N Marriner BT JC Moseley BBS TJ Parminter (TJP) J Richmond BT LC Smith WeBS T J Hughes BT AR Knight BT B Marriott BT A Mountford GB A Parsonage GB D Riddle BT M Smith GB RC Theobald BT N Hull BT DC Knight BT K Marston BT DR Munday GB BBS IJ Parsons BBS BJ Roberts BT WeBS NF TC Smith GB PGL Thompson BBS N&J Hull GB M Lacey BT PC Marston BT NF S Patmore BT J Roberts GB W Smith WeBS A Thomson BT RA Hume (RAH) GB SR Lambert GB BT AP Martin BBS NF D Munts GB K Pearce GB NF D Robertson GB IA Smith (IAS) GB GA Thornton BBS G Humfrey BT K Lane BT BS Martin BT D Murdoch GB RK Pearce GB BBS MJ Robertson BBS MJ Smith (MJS) GB CJ Thorpe GB P Humphrey GB L Langley BT JT Martin LR RC Murfitt (RCM) GB DJ Pearson GB WeBS A Robjohns (AR) BT R Souter GB BBS BT SL Thurston GB A Humphreys-Jones BT SR Lankester BBS R Martin BT WeBS P Pearson GB WeBS J Southgate BBS BT T Timlick WeBS DJ Humphries BT GC Larcombe LR JM Maskell BT D Murray GB BBS L Peat (LP) LR SJ Roddis BT D Spackman GB AD Tindale GB BBS NF J Hunt NF MJ Latham BT K Maskell GB NF TB&WH R Peck BT B Rodger GB G Spencer GB A Todd GB PR Hunt BBS JC Lavin BT D Matthews BT A Musgrove BT I Peckham GB BT MD Rolfe BBS BT WeBS SJ Spooner GB RT Toft GB PE Hutchins GB S Lavington GB M Matthews NF S Neal BT S Pentland GB C Rose GB J Spring-Smyth R Tofts (RT) GB GH Huxley BT WeBS MR Lawn GB LR N Matthews GB NF R Nelson GB BT G Pepper GB JG Ross (JGR) GB WeBS G Stacey BT A Tomlinson BT M Hyam GB AR Layfield BT P Matthews GB SE Newbold BT JK Pepper BT BN Rossiter BT IA Stachnicki BT PE Toynton BBS C Hyde BT S Leatherdale BT AJ Maundrell BBS BT MAH Newman BBS AS Perry BT HEJ Rowe GB B Stalker (BS) GB BBS B Tragett BT B Igglesden GB C Lee GB G Max BT SJ Newton BT JN Peters BBS BT CGM Rowing BT TB&WH WeBS D Treadaway GB KJ Ilsley GB RD Lee GB BBS NF G May GB P Nield GB C Phelps BT GJS Rowland TB&WH P Stanbury GB NS Trout BT S Ingram (SI) GB WeBS RL Lee GB NG May GB A Nieuwkerk GB I Pibworth WeBS D Russell NF PA Stancliffe BT R Trundle BT R Iredale BT J Legg GB BT KW Maycock (KWM) J Nightingale BT SP Piggott (SPP) GB DJ Ryves (DJR) GB AJ Steele BT JM Tubbs WeBS M Ison GB WGD Legge GB C Mayhead GB A Norburn BT BJ Pinchen (BJP) WeBS C Savage J Stenning BT RM Tuck BT R Jackson BT S Leishman GB JS McCarthy GB BT PR Norris BBS SJ Pinder BT R Sawyer GB N Stephenson GB S Tucker BT RJK Jacobs AJB Lester (AJBL) GB SFH McCullagh BT T Norriss BT MA Pink GB K Sayer GB WeBS NF GC Stephenson R Tulloch GB AR James GB TB&WH BBS WeBS T Norton GB CJ Piper BBS J Scamell GB (GCS) WeBS T P Turner BT

172 173 KA Turner (KAT) GB JM Walters BT DE White BBS KB Wills (KBW) Guidelines for the Submission of Records R Turpin BT A Wander BT KG White GB TB&WH WeBS M Turton GB M Ward (MW) GB BBS PR White BT C Wilson BT MH Turton BT WeBS S White GB BT RS Wilson GB All observers birding in Hampshire are urged to submit their sightings to the Recorder on S Tusa BT PM Warne GB SN White BBS S Wiltshire (SW) GB Hampshire Ornithological Society record forms. The form is available from the Recorder or AP Twyman GB C Warren GB S Whitehead BT PD Winter (PDW) GB on the society web site at http://www.hos.org.uk/index.php/bird-recording/record-form. Completed R Tyrrell BT JR Waterman GB SG Whitehead BBS EJ Wiseman BBS forms should be e-mailed to the Recorder at [email protected]. Records can also DJ Unsworth (DJU) RF Watson GB BT D Whitfield LR WeBS be submitted in an excel spreadsheet (preferred) or Microsoft Word file. Handwritten BT WeBS AJ Watts BT K Whittleton BT M Wood BT submissions by post are also welcome and should be sent to Keith Betton, 8 Dukes Close, P Upton GB IR Watts GB WeBS JA Wichall BBS TB&WH S Wood BBS Folly Hill, Farnham, Surrey GU9 0DR. It would be of great assistance if observers would JN Vallender GB R Watts GB M Wiggins BT SA Woolfries GB comply with the following points when submitting records. DJ Viles BT MF Wearing GB MF Wildish BT SK Woolley K Vokes NF GM Wearn GB D Wilkinson GB BT (SKW) GB • Records should be listed either by species (in the order used in the Hampshire Bird M Vokes GB AR Webb LR A Williams BBS AR Wynde BBS BT Report) or by date. M Wagstaff GB RM Webb GB BT NF BR Williams GB RB Wynn • Please submit your sightings to the Recorder quarterly and at the latest by Jan 31st of J Wakeford GB BT JJ Webley GB C Williams GB BT SR Yates BBS the following year. J Walker GB ID Wells GB J Williams GB D Yelland GB BBS BT TH Walker GB JW Wescombe C Williamson BT R Yeoman Walker BT Information required for species occurring annually; updates for 2015 in red. D Wallace GB ILG Weston BT MJ Williamson BBS CA Young BT Key RJ Wallace GB AV Wheatcroft BT ID Williamson K Young NF A Wallington BT MJ Wheeler BT (IDW) GB WeBS NF A All records; details of age, plumage, time, direction of movement, etc. should be included as appropriate, especially for birds seen in places where not usually recorded or out of season. We would also like to acknowledge the following which provided information to the Editor, B All breeding records, with type of evidence obtained: confirmed, probable or possible. County Recorder or Ringing Report compiler: CB Counts of breeding pairs/singing males/territories in clearly defined areas. Birdguides Rare Bird Alert F Flocks, roosts and falls: minimum number required is given in parentheses. BTO Birdtrack Richard Carpenter’s weekly Titchfield F&L First and last dates of summer and winter visitors. BTO Garden BirdWatch participants Haven area summaries M Observations of birds moving on migration: give each day’s count separately, with time of Forestry Commission (NF raptor data) RSPB Stone-curlew team observation and direction the birds were moving. Hoslist yahoo group Soton Nature yahoo group MM Dated monthly maxima from localities you regularly watch, counts may be below the threshold HWT Reserves Officers and Wardens Test Valley Birders yahoo group in F when submitting a complete year’s data. Moor Green Lakes Group Trektellen www.trektellen.nl R All records from localities where not normally recorded. Needs Ore Log WeBS Partnership S All summer records. Needs Ore Tuesday Group W All winter records. Notes Brief notes of diagnostic identification features observed should be written on the record form.

Mute Swan B, F (20), MM Bewick’s Swan A, Notes excluding Avon valley White-fronted Goose A Greylag Goose B, F (50), MM, R Bar-headed Goose A Snow Goose A Canada Goose B, F(100), MM Lesser Canada Goose A, Notes Barnacle Goose A Dark-bellied Brent Goose F (100), MM, F&L, M, R, inland A Pale-bellied Brent Goose A Egyptian Goose A Ruddy Shelduck A Shelduck coast: B, F (50), MM, inland: A Mandarin Duck B, F (10), MM, R Wigeon F coast & Avon valley(100), elsewhere (25), MM, F&L, R Gadwall B,F (25), MM, F&L, R Teal B,F coast & Avon valley (100), elsewhere (25), MM, F&L, R Mallard CB, F (100), MM Red Legged Partridge, Calshot, Nov 12th (John Hilton) Pintail main coastal sites F (20), MM, F&L, S, elsewhere A

174 175 Garganey A Coot CB, F (20), MM Shoveler B, F (10), MM, F&L, R Stone-curlew A Red-crested Pochard A Avocet A Pochard A Oystercatcher B, F (100), MM, M, inland A Tufted Duck B, F (25), MM, F&L, R Golden Plover A Scaup A, inland & summer Notes Grey Plover F (20), F&L, S, R, inland A Eider A, inland Notes Lapwing B, F (100), MM, M, R Long-tailed Duck A, inland & summer Notes Little Ringed Plover A Common Scoter A Ringed Plover B, F (20), MM, M, inland A Velvet Scoter A, inland Notes Dotterel A, Notes Goldeneye A Whimbrel F (10), F&L, M, W, R, inland A Smew A Curlew B, F (50), MM, M, inland A Red-breasted Merganser main coastal sites F (20), MM, F&L, S, elsewhere A Black-tailed Godwit F (50), F&L, S, R, inland A Goosander A Bar-tailed Godwit A Ruddy Duck A Turnstone F (20), F&L, M, S, R, inland A Red-legged Partridge B, F (50), R Knot A Grey Partridge A Ruff A Quail A Curlew Sandpiper A Pheasant CB, R Temminck’s Stint A, Notes Golden Pheasant A Dunlin F (100), MM, M, S, inland A Lady Amherst’s Pheasant A, Notes Sanderling A Red-throated Diver A, inland & summer Notes Purple Sandpiper A Black-throated Diver A, inland & summer Notes Little Stint A Great Northern Diver A, inland & summer Notes Grey Phalarope A, Notes Fulmar A, inland Notes Common Sandpiper A Manx Shearwater A, inland Notes Green Sandpiper A Balearic Shearwater A, Notes Spotted Redshank A Gannet A, inland Notes Greenshank A Cormorant F (20), MM, R Wood Sandpiper A Shag A, inland Notes Redshank B, F (50), MM, M, inland A Bittern A Jack Snipe A Little Egret B, F (10), MM, M, R Woodcock CB, R, W Great White Egret A, Notes excluding Avon Valley Snipe B, F (5), MM, F&L, R Grey Heron B, F (10), MM, M Pomarine Skua A, Notes excluding coast in spring White Stork A, Notes Arctic Skua A, inland Notes Spoonbill A, inland Notes Great Skua A, inland Notes Little Grebe B, F (5), MM, R Puffin A, Notes Great Crested Grebe B, F (10), MM, R Razorbill A Red-necked Grebe A, Notes Little Auk A, Notes Slavonian Grebe A, inland & summer Notes Guillemot A Black-necked Grebe A Little Tern B, F (25), F&L, M, R Honey-buzzard A, Notes excluding New Forest Black Tern A Red Kite A Sandwich Tern B, F (50), F&L, M, R Marsh Harrier A Common Tern B, F (50), F&L, M, R, inland A Hen Harrier A Roseate Tern A, Notes – include age/plumage Goshawk A, Notes excluding New Forest Arctic Tern A – include age/plumage Sparrowhawk B, M Kittiwake A – include age/plumage Buzzard B, F (10), M, R Black-headed Gull B, F (500), MM, S Osprey A Little Gull A – include age/plumage Water Rail A Mediterranean Gull A – include age/plumage Spotted Crake A, Notes Common Gull B, F (50), MM, S Moorhen CB, F (20), MM Lesser Black-backed Gull B, F (50), MM, S

176 177 Herring Gull B, F (50), MM, S House Martin CB, F (100), F&L, M Yellow-legged Gull A – include age/plumage Cetti’s Warbler A Iceland Gull A, Notes Long-tailed Tit CB, F (20), M Glaucous Gull A, Notes Yellow-browed Warbler A, Notes Great Black-backed Gull B, F (10), MM, S, inland A Wood Warbler A Feral Pigeon CB, F (100) Chiffchaff collybita CB, F (10), W Stock Dove CB, F (25), M Chiffchaff other races A, Notes Woodpigeon CB, F (500), M Willow Warbler CB, F (10), F&L Collared Dove CB, F (25), M Blackcap CB, F (10), W Turtle Dove A Garden Warbler CB, F (5), F&L, R Cuckoo A Lesser Whitethroat A Barn Owl A Whitethroat CB, F (10), F&L Little Owl A Dartford Warbler A Tawny Owl B, R Grasshopper Warbler A Long-eared Owl A, Notes Sedge Warbler CB, F (5), F&L, R Short-eared Owl A Reed Warbler CB, F (5), F&L, R Nightjar A Waxwing A, Notes excluding invasion years Swift CB, F (25), MM, F&L, M Nuthatch CB, F (10), R Kingfisher A especially B Treecreeper CB, F (10), R Hoopoe A, Notes Wren CB, F (25) Wryneck A, Notes Starling CB, F (100), M Green Woodpecker CB, M, R Dipper A, Notes Great Spotted Woodpecker CB, M, R Ring Ouzel A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker A Blackbird CB, F (25), M Kestrel B, M Fieldfare F (25), M, F&L Merlin A Song Thrush CB, F (10), M Hobby B, F&L, M, R Redwing F (25), M, F&L Peregrine A Mistle Thrush CB, F (10), M Ring-necked Parakeet A Spotted Flycatcher A Golden Oriole A, Notes Robin CB, F (25) Red-backed Shrike A, Notes Nightingale A Great Grey Shrike A, Notes excluding New Forest Pied Flycatcher A Magpie CB, F (50), M Black Redstart A Jay CB, F (10), M Redstart A Jackdaw CB, F (500), M Whinchat A Rook CB, F (250), M Stonechat A Carrion Crow CB, F (50), M Wheatear A Hooded Crow A, Notes Dunnock CB, F (10) Raven A House Sparrow CB, F (20), M Goldcrest CB, F (10) Tree Sparrow A Firecrest A Yellow Wagtail flavissima A Blue Tit CB, F (50), M Yellow Wagtail other races A, Notes Great Tit CB, F (20), M Grey Wagtail B, F (5), M Coal Tit CB, F (20), M Pied Wagtail CB, F (50), M Willow Tit A, Notes White Wagtail A, autumn Notes Marsh Tit A Tree Pipit A Bearded Tit A Meadow Pipit B, F (25), M Woodlark A Rock Pipit A Skylark CB, F (20), M Water Pipit A Shore Lark A, Notes Brambling A Sand Martin B, F (50), F&L, M Chaffinch CB, F (50), M Swallow CB, F (100), F&L, M Hawfinch A

178 179 Bullfinch CB, F (2), M Photographs for inclusion in the Hampshire Bird Report Greenfinch CB, F (20), M The Photographic Editor welcomes the submission of good quality digital photographs of Linnet CB, F (20), M birds taken in Hampshire for consideration for future reports. Images of any species, including Twite A, Notes common ones, are welcome. The filename should include the photographer’s name, species Lesser Redpoll A name, locality and date taken. Please also submit poorer quality record shots of rarities, Common Crossbill A especially if it is likely that the bird has not been otherwise photographed. Please send images Goldfinch CB, F (20), M for consideration to Alan Lewis [email protected]. Photographers are asked to send Serin A, Notes medium resolution images but to retain the unedited originals as these may be requested Siskin B, F (10), M, S later for publication. Snow Bunting A, inland Notes Lapland Bunting A, Notes Yellowhammer CB, F (10), M Reed Bunting A Corn Bunting A Scarcer species Records of the scarcer species listed below must be supported by the completion of Unusual Record Forms which are available from the Recorder or on the society web site at http://www. hos.org.uk/index.php/bird-recording. Additional evidence in the form of digital photographs or sound recordings in electronic format is also welcomed. Records of these species will not be published in the Hampshire Bird Report unless they have been accepted by the HOS Records Panel. Whooper Swan, Tundra Bean, Taiga Bean, Pink-footed and Greenland White-fronted Geese, Black Brant, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked and Ferruginous Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-billed Diver, Sooty and Cory’s Shearwaters, Wilson’s, Storm and Leach’s Petrels, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Black Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Rough-legged Buzzard, Corncrake, Crane, American Golden Plover, Kentish Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Long-tailed Skua, Black Guillemot, White-winged Black Tern, Sabine’s, Ring-billed and Caspian Gulls, Iceland Gull of race kumleini, Alpine Swift, Bee- eater, Red-footed Falcon, Woodchat Shrike, Chough, Hooded Crow, Penduline Tit, Short-toed Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, Greenish, Pallas’s, Radde’s, Dusky, Barred, Subalpine, Icterine, Melodious, Blyth’s Reed and Marsh Warblers, Rose-coloured Starling, Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Citrine Wagtail, Richard’s, Olive-backed and Red-throated Pipits, Common Rosefinch, Common (Mealy) Redpoll, Arctic Redpoll, Parrot Crossbill and Cirl, Ortolan and Little Buntings. All exceptionally early or late migrants. Heard only records of the above species Criteria for the acceptance of these by the panel are as follows: • The observer must have good experience of the species concerned and demonstrate that the call of the bird claimed was heard clearly. • The call must be described in detail including transcription on paper (length, quality, tone, etc. of call), comparison with other calls heard either at the same or around the same time (or failing that, qualification as to why it was different to commoner species) and frequency/timing of call(s). • The observer should provide an exact account of the record including, for example, how many times the bird called and over what period of time it was heard. UK rarities Records of rarer species are dealt with by the British Birds Rarities Committee. Record forms are available from the Recorder and should be returned to him for onward transmission to the BBRC. Alternatively, submissions can be made online at http://www.bbrc.org.uk/submit- a-sighting, in which case it is appreciated if copies are e-mailed to the Recorder. Aquatic Warbler, Tawny Pipit and Rustic Bunting have been added to the list of species considered by the BBRC with effect from Jan 1st 2015. A full list of species considered by the BBRC is available on its website. Barn Owl, Kingsley, Apr 10th (Richard Ford)

180 181 Hampshire Bird Ringing Report 2014 The high numbers of owls and Kestrels have already been referred to and the record numbers of Little Owl and Stock Dove are presumably a reflection of increased activity Tony Davis amongst ringers visiting large nest boxes. Numbers of Peregrine, Avocet, Snipe and Bullfinch are due to specific studies by individual ringers. The record numbers of Firecrest are also influenced by special studies but the fact that the 2014 figure is almost twice as high as in any previous year suggests that they also had an exceptional breeding season. The high numbers of Jays and Goldcrests are probably the result of a good autumn passage, whilst those of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warbler will be due to increasing populations combined with high breeding success during the year. The record numbers of Redwings are the result of the adoption of a new catching technique by several ringers. In response to the comment in the 2013 report that the reason for record numbers of Dunnock was a mystery, one ringer has suggested that this may be due to the large numbers caught during a study of House Sparrows. Record numbers for the remaining species are the result of general increased activity or are chance events for rarely ringed species. In contrast, notably low numbers of some species were ringed. These include estuarine waders due to the lack of availability of the primary ringer; Sand Martin and House Martin perhaps due to their scarcity in the county these days, and Brambling which was present in very poor numbers during both winter periods. Ringing projects Late in 2011, the BTO published a strategy to increase the contribution of ringing to conservation science (Robinson et al 2011). The aim was to encourage ringers to target their activities in areas where they can make the greatest contribution to conservation. Key recommendations were to increase the participation in the Retrapping Adults for Survival (RAS) and Constant Avocet chick ringed at Needs Ore (Graham Giddens) Effort Sites (CES) schemes. The RAS scheme produces high quality information on adult survival rates; in particular, projects which target species of conservation concern or those Introduction which are poorly covered by other schemes are encouraged. In Hampshire there are two This repor t summarises the fieldwork carried out by ringers in Hampshire during 2014. Fur ther projects on House Sparrows, two on Firecrest and one each on Sand Martin, Great Tit, detail can be viewed on the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) web site at http://app.bto.org/ Wood Warbler and Bullfinch. ring/countyrec/results2014/ringGBHA2014.htm (Robinson, R.A., Leech, D.I. & Clark, J.A. 2015). The CES scheme involves standardised ringing at a specific site at regular intervals during The total number of birds ringed in Hampshire was 25,633, including at least 2498 nestlings. the breeding season. The scheme provides information on changes in population size, breeding This represents the highest ever county total, being marginally higher than that in 2011. The success and survival rates for 28 species. Increasing the number of CES sites will enable data number of species ringed was 110 including Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, which was ringed to be analysed for further species. In Hampshire there are five CES sites, at Blashford Lakes, for the first time in the county. Fleet Pond, Martin Down, Pamber Forest and Winchester Water Meadows. The BTO strategy also encourages species-specific projects and many Hampshire ringers Summary of the year participate in a number of important studies. Many of these projects involve colour ringing Results were received from 20 ringers operating within the county. Unfortunately, data could so that individuals can be identified in the field and other birders can make important not be obtained from at least five ringers or groups operating but the overall figures presented contributions by reporting any colour ringed birds that they see. Care should be taken to should be accurate as they have been derived primarily from the BTO online reports. The record the colour and position of the rings accurately and photographs can be extremely number of each species ringed in 2014, and the all-time totals since 1972, are shown in Table 1. helpful to scheme organisers in verifying the colours. Please report sightings to the organisers The weather during the breeding season was somewhat better than in several recent listed below. For other species, sightings can be reported at www.cr-birding.org. years, allowing many species to produce large broods. It was clearly an exceptional year for The following schemes are currently known to be operating in Hampshire: small mammals, with the numbers of Barn and Tawny Owls ringed being more than tenfold Honey-buzzard: birds are marked with two colour-rings at various sites in England and Wales, higher than in 2013 and the number of Kestrels ringed being almost three times the previous including Hampshire. In recent years the rings used are white with black letters but older birds could year’s figure. have other colours. Both rings will be on the same leg but it could be either leg, depending upon where A total of 26 species was ringed in their highest numbers ever in the county: Water Rail, they were ringed. Sightings to [email protected]. Avocet, Snipe, Stock Dove, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Waders and wildfowl: The Farlington Ringing Group is undertaking a series of long term shorebird Kestrel, Peregrine (for the second year running), Jay, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Great Tit, Cetti’s colour-ring studies in The Solent and welcomes sightings of marked Brent Geese, Wigeon and waders. Warbler (for the second year running), Long-tailed Tit, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Birds are marked with unique colour-ring combinations enabling them to be tracked throughout their Blackcap (for the second year running), Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, Nuthatch (for the lives. The projects are designed to provide detailed information on the birds’ use of The Solent, helping second year running), Redwing, Robin (for the second year running), Dunnock (for the third us to understand their breeding, wintering locations and migration routes. The expanding datasets year running), Goldfinch and Bullfinch. involving large numbers of re-sightings allow survival analysis to be undertaken. This helps us to monitor

182 183 Table 1. Hampshire ringing totals for 2014 and 1972-2014.

Full Pull- Total 1972- Species Full Pull- Total 1972- Full Pull- Total 1972- Full Pull- Total 1972- Species grown us 2014 2014 grown us 2014 2014 Species grown us 2014 2014 Species grown us 2014 2014 Mute Swan 30 2 32 1541 Curlew Sandpiper 0 0 0 132 Hobby 0 0 0 15 Wren 472 9 481 12972 Greylag Goose 0 0 0 15 Sanderling 0 0 0 464 Peregrine 0 11 11 23 Starling 291 4 295 12539 Canada Goose 5 0 5 1321 Dunlin 4 0 4 13280 Red-backed Shrike 0 0 0 1 Ring Ouzel 0 0 0 2 Barnacle Goose 0 0 0 1 Little Stint 0 0 0 99 Magpie 13 0 13 558 Blackbird 670 30 700 24221 Brent Goose 0 0 0 227 Buff-breasted Sandp’r 0 0 0 1 Jay 53 0 53 755 Fieldfare 21 0 21 1069 Shelduck 0 0 0 73 Pectoral Sandpiper 0 0 0 3 Jackdaw 22 8 30 536 Song Thrush 145 11 156 6987 Mandarin Duck 1 0 1 54 Semipalmated Sandp’r 0 0 0 1 Rook 5 0 5 629 Redwing 310 0 310 3497 Wigeon 0 0 0 401 Grey Phalarope 0 0 0 1 Carrion Crow 2 1 3 108 Mistle Thrush 9 2 11 678 Gadwall 0 0 0 45 Common Sandpiper 1 0 1 188 Goldcrest 676 0 676 9069 Spotted Flycatcher 6 2 8 1577 Teal 3 0 3 594 Spotted Sandpiper 0 0 0 1 Firecrest 142 0 142 695 Robin 837 25 862 17926 Mallard 7 8 15 462 Green Sandpiper 1 0 1 19 Penduline Tit 0 0 0 1 Nightingale 4 0 4 235 Pintail 0 0 0 1 Spotted Redshank 0 0 0 23 Blue Tit 2169 386 2555 93992 Bluethroat 0 0 0 5 Shoveler 0 0 0 35 Greenshank 0 0 0 625 Great Tit 954 516 1470 36954 Pied Flycatcher 1 0 1 83 Pochard 0 0 0 10 Lesser Yellowlegs 0 0 0 1 Coal Tit 132 18 150 5458 Black Redstart 1 0 1 31 Tufted Duck 0 0 0 22 Wood Sandpiper 0 0 0 4 Willow Tit 0 0 0 277 Redstart 11 12 23 636 Eider 0 0 0 1 Redshank 4 0 4 2877 Marsh Tit 32 0 32 885 Whinchat 0 0 0 190 Red-legged Partridge 0 0 0 2 Jack Snipe 11 0 11 72 Bearded Tit 12 0 12 1266 Stonechat 17 13 30 1838 Grey Partridge 11 0 11 118 Woodcock 334 2 336 1561 Woodlark 0 53 53 491 Wheatear 1 0 1 68 Leach’s Petrel 0 0 0 2 Snipe 70 0 70 493 Skylark 1 10 11 395 Dunnock 627 19 646 13684 Cormorant 0 0 0 1 Little Auk 0 0 0 2 Sand Martin 10 0 10 23771 House Sparrow 648 17 665 5857 Little Egret 0 0 0 110 Guillemot 0 0 0 1 Swallow 178 407 585 41577 Tree Sparrow 0 0 0 757 Grey Heron 0 0 0 64 Little Tern 0 0 0 8 House Martin 12 0 12 5370 Yellow Wagtail 58 0 58 2402 Little Grebe 0 0 0 18 Sandwich Tern 0 0 0 202 Cetti’s Warbler 127 0 127 1862 Citrine Wagtail 0 0 0 1 Great Crested Grebe 0 0 0 3 Common Tern 0 7 7 613 Long-tailed Tit 592 0 592 12439 Grey Wagtail 7 11 18 1959 Honey-buzzard 0 4 4 14 Kittiwake 0 0 0 1 Pallas’s Warbler 0 0 0 1 Pied/White Wagtail 214 10 224 11967 Red Kite 0 0 0 38 Black-headed Gull 106 27 133 7781 Yellow-br Warbler 2 0 2 9 Olive-backed Pipit 0 0 0 1 Montagu’s Harrier 0 0 0 6 Mediterranean Gull 0 0 0 32 Radde’s Warbler 0 0 0 1 Tree Pipit 16 0 16 525 Goshawk 0 44 44 247 Common Gull 0 0 0 44 Wood Warbler 18 50 68 1501 Meadow Pipit 209 12 221 3655 Sparrowhawk 14 0 14 1450 Lesser Black-b Gull 0 0 0 1 Chiffchaff 1981 27 2008 20432 Rock Pipit 1 0 1 108 Buzzard 0 0 0 175 Herring Gull 0 0 0 124 Willow Warbler 619 6 625 17388 Water Pipit 0 0 0 42 Water Rail 8 0 8 97 Great Black-b Gull 0 4 4 23 Blackcap 2182 4 2186 23551 Chaffinch 522 5 527 15881 Spotted Crake 0 0 0 2 Stock Dove 21 38 59 774 Garden Warbler 151 0 151 3297 Brambling 6 0 6 5493 Corncrake 0 0 0 1 Woodpigeon 29 5 34 1024 Lesser Whitethroat 38 0 38 1337 Greenfinch 634 6 640 37213 Moorhen 5 0 5 387 Collared Dove 12 0 12 2853 Whitethroat 497 5 502 5432 Goldfinch 758 1 759 9512 Coot 0 0 0 87 Turtle Dove 3 0 3 61 Dartford Warbler 6 4 10 381 Siskin 599 0 599 14547 Stone-curlew 0 10 10 239 Cuckoo 6 1 7 76 Subalpine Warbler 0 0 0 1 Linnet 75 2 77 3679 Avocet 0 21 21 25 Barn Owl 25* 254* 296 1151 Pallas’s Grassh’r Wblr 1 0 1 1 Lesser Redpoll 305 0 305 3311 Oystercatcher 1 0 1 1046 Little Owl 7 11 18 155 Grasshopper Warbler 351 0 351 5025 Mealy Redpoll 7 0 7 38 Golden Plover 0 0 0 3 Tawny Owl 11 36 47 381 Savi’s Warbler 0 0 0 4 Crossbill 0 0 0 8 Grey Plover 1 0 1 270 Long-eared Owl 0 0 0 1 Icterine Warbler 0 0 0 2 Bullfinch 258 0 258 5354 Lapwing 2 97 99 2139 Short-eared Owl 0 0 0 1 Aquatic Warbler 0 0 0 55 Hawfinch 1 0 1 26 Little Ringed Plover 0 0 0 138 Nightjar 7 6 13 337 Sedge Warbler 1605 0 1605 39152 Yellowhammer 114 1 115 2092 Ringed Plover 0 0 0 1777 Swift 2 26 28 3039 Paddyfield Warbler 0 0 0 1 Cirl Bunting 0 0 0 1 Kentish Plover 0 0 0 2 Alpine Swift 0 0 0 1 Marsh Warbler 0 0 0 4 Little Bunting 0 0 0 3 Whimbrel 0 0 0 6 Kingfisher 50 0 50 966 Reed Warbler 1353 16 1369 32924 Reed Bunting 288 0 288 9537 Curlew 0 0 0 180 Wryneck 0 0 0 8 Waxwing 0 0 0 38 Corn Bunting 0 0 0 87 Black-tailed Godwit 0 0 0 604 Green Woodpecker 15 0 15 292 Nuthatch 73 30 103 1808 TOTALS 23118 2498 25633 679952 Bar-tailed Godwit 0 0 0 32 Great Sp Woodpecker 98 0 98 913 Treecreeper 57 6 63 1493 Turnstone 0 0 0 258 Lesser Sp Woodpecker 0 0 0 43 * Due to the absence of returns from some ringers it has not been possible to determine the number of fully Knot 0 0 0 574 Kestrel 4 145 149 999 grown and pullus Barn Owls accurately. The figures given are minima but they add up to less than the overall Ruff 0 0 0 22 Merlin 0 0 0 1 total which is correct.

184 185 and assess the importance of The Solent’s estuaries in a national and international context, comparing our mudflats with other intertidal areas. Several of the projects are being undertaken in collaboration with shorebird ecologists and researchers across Europe. Brent Geese are colour-marked in Southampton Water, Langstone & Chichester harbours using darvic colour-rings supplied by Dr Bart Ebbinge of the Dutch institute Alterra. Sightings can be entered directly on the Dutch goose website: www.geese.org. Life histories and maps of sightings can be seen immediately on line for each bird entered. Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone are colour-ringed in Southampton Water, while Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank (www.greenshank.info/) and Ringed Plovers have been marked primarily in Langstone & Chichester Harbours. Colour-ring sightings of any of these species should be sent to Peter Potts: [email protected]. A sample of Sanderlings has been colour-ringed on Hayling Island as part of a Dutch co-ordinated project (see photo, p. 76.). Sightings can be sent directly to Jeroen Reneerkens at J.W.H.Reneerkens@ rug.nl. For further information on the Sanderling project see www.waderstudygroup.org/res/project/ sanderling.php. Avocet chicks have been ringed in Hampshire with green over blue on the left tibia and two other colours on the right. Sightings to [email protected]. Lapwings are marked at various sites in north-west Hampshire. Birds have four colour rings plus a black flag. Sightings should be sent to [email protected]. Woodcock are marked in the New Forest with a single colour ring plus metal ring. Sightings to [email protected]. Black-headed Gulls are marked at Blashford Lakes with an orange ring on the right leg. The rings have black characters in the format ‘2nnA’ where ‘nn’ represents two numbers. Sightings to stonechat99@ yahoo.co.uk. Kestrel are colour-ringed across Hants (except the New Forest and extreme SW of the county) as well as neighbouring areas of Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex. The colour-rings are dark blue and engraved with three white digits (letters/numbers). Sightings to [email protected]. Firecrests are marked in the New Forest and on Southampton Common. Those in the New Forest have a colour above the metal ring on the left leg. Sightings should be sent to [email protected] or to [email protected] if the colour is pink. Those on Southampton Common have a colour below the metal ring on the left leg (sightings to [email protected]). Woodlark nestlings are marked in the north-east of the county. Sightings to [email protected] Wood Warblers are marked in the New Forest. Note that many birds have a striped ring as well as plain colours. Sightings to [email protected]. Wintering Blackcaps are marked in Drayton, Portsmouth gardens. Sightings to graham.c.m.roberts@ btinternet.com. Nightingales are marked in Botley Wood. Sightings to [email protected]. There are two House Sparrow projects. At East Tisted birds are marked with a white or orange ring carrying two black letters or numbers. Sightings to [email protected]. The project at Manor Farm Country Park uses a yellow ring carrying one letter and two numbers. Sightings to Trevor.codlin@ gmail.com. Hawfinches are marked in the New Forest with a yellow ring bearing two digits which are a mixture of letters and numbers. Sightings to [email protected]. Recoveries Details of the more significant recoveries can now be found on the BTO web site athttp://www. bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/publications/online-ringing-reports so only summary information is provided in this report. Readers wishing to find detailed information on a particular recovery can do so at the link above. Some ringing highlights in 2014. Top left: Kingfisher (Graham Giddens); top right: Kestrel chicks Mute Swan. A second-year ringed at Keyhaven in 2012 was resighted in Limburg, Netherlands in in a nest box (Graham Giddens); centre left: juvenile Cuckoo (Trevor Codlin); centre right: Nightingale August 2014. (Graham Giddens); bottom: Common Chiffchaff (left) and Siberian Chiffchaff (right) (Simon Ingram).

186 187 Wigeon. An adult male that was ringed at Seaton in Devon in November 2012 was found dead at Grasshopper Warbler. A first-year ringed at Titchfield Haven on Aug 19th 2014 was retrapped in Sherborne St John in October 2014. West-Vlaanderen, Belgium twelve days later. Cormorant. A nestling that was ringed in Nordjyllands, Denmark in 2013 was found dead at Beaulieu Sedge Warbler. Ten Titchfield Haven ringed birds were retrapped in France during the same autumn, river mouth at the end of April 2014. the most rapid movement being 510 km south in three days. A Titchfield bird also made a four day movement to Belgium. A relatively long-lived bird which was ringed at Titchfield in August 2009 was Great White Egret. The nestling from Lac de Grand-Lieu near Nantes in France, ringed in 2003, continued to return to Blashford Lakes during 2014. retrapped in France in August 2014. The longest movement of the year was another Titchfield bird, ringed in August 2013, which was retrapped in Djoudj National Park, Senegal in January 2014, 4050 Avocet. A nestling that was ringed in Hampshire on July 10th 2014 had moved to Keyhaven by Aug km south of its ringing site. 18th and then Cliffe Pools in Kent by Sep 28th. Reed Warbler. A first-year bird ringed at Titchfield Haven in September 2012 was retrapped in Oystercatcher. An adult female that was ringed at Hamble Point in 1999 was resighted in Zuid- Manche, France in August 2014. More rapid movements were made by a Titchfield bird which moved Holland, Netherlands in March 2014. almost 600 km to Charente-Maritime, France in nine days and one ringed at Gins Farm which was Ringed Plover. An adult male ringed in August 2011 was retrapped in Dumfries & Galloway in May 2014. retrapped in Landes, France, 776 km south, eight days later. Sanderling. Three adults from a catch at Eastoke, Hayling Island on Sep 18th 2013 have been resighted. Redwing. An adult ringed near Romsey in December 2013 was found dead 1939 km north-east in Two were seen in the Western Isles within one day of each other in mid-May 2014 and one was in Vaasa, Finland in late April 2014. Guernsey, Channel Islands in February 2014. Goldfinch. The only notable movement reported was of a first-winter female ringed on Southampton Little Stint. A colour ringed bird seen at Normandy Marsh on Sep 6th 2014 had been ringed at Common in February 2013 which was found dead in Kildare, Eire in April 2014. Revtangen, Norway just five days previously. Siskin. As usual there were several movements of birds between their winter quarters in Hampshire Snipe. An adult ringed near Guildford, Surrey in January 2008 was retrapped at Fleet Pond in and breeding sites in Scotland. December 2014. Lesser Redpoll. Birds ringed in May in South Lanarkshire, September in West Lothian and early Woodcock. Another six Hampshire-ringed birds were shot in Russia during 2014. A Titchfield Haven October in Cumbria that were retrapped during the winter months in Hampshire were fairly typical. bird was shot in Denmark and another Hampshire bird was shot in France, just 17 days after being An adult male that was ringed on Southampton Common in November 2012 and retrapped in Perth & ringed in December 2013. Kinross in January 2014 is interesting as it suggests that the poor numbers found in Hampshire during that winter were a result of birds remaining much further north. Mediterranean Gull. A second-year ringed at Great Yarmouth late in 2013 was resighted at Titchfield Haven in mid-March 2014 before returning to Great Yarmouth in mid-October. A 2013 nestling from Acknowledgements Poland was resighted at Weston Shore, Southampton in late December 2014. Thanks to all the ringers who supplied data for use in this report: Greg Alexander, Bob Cheke, Trevor Herring Gull. A Guernsey bred nestling from 2010 was found long-dead in Southampton in October Codlin, Brenda Cook, Barry Duffin, Mark Fletcher, Graham Giddens, Andrew Hoodless, Paul James, 2014. Nigel Jones, Simon Lane, Jackie Lawrence, David Murdoch, Gerald Murphy, Graham Roberts, Steve Great Black-backed Gull. A nestling ringed in Seine-Maritime, France in 2008 was resighted at Roberts, Kevin Sayer, Wilf Simcox, Matt Stevens and Nick Tomalin. Other ringers who have contributed Redbridge, Totton in October and December 2014. to the data reported, through their membership of ringing groups in Hampshire, are: Danny Alder, Jenny Allen, Annalea Beard, Katharine Bowgen, Nigel Bray, Francis Buner, Andrew Carter, Gary Clewley, Sandwich Tern. Two nestlings from Pylewell Lake, ringed in 2002 and 2005, were resighted at Louise Clewley, Martin Cooper, Ruth Croger, Jason Crook, James Cutting, Mark Cutts, Andy Davis, Dawlish Warren in Devon during July 2014. Ian Grant, Chris Heward, Josie Hewitt, Manuel Hinge, Dan Hoare, Heather Howes, Simon Ingram, Guillemot. The severe storms of early 2014 which were reported to have caused significant mortality Louise Jane, Kim Kirkbride, Clive Lachlan, Megan Lowe, Chris Lycett, Ellie Mayhew, Niamh McHugh, amongst seabirds, surprisingly only produced two Guillemot recoveries in Hampshire. A 2013 nestling Martin Meads, Helen Murdoch, Josh Nightingale, Tristan Norton, Sharon O’Reilly, Andy Page, Pete from the Isle of Canna, Highland was washed up in Hayling Bay in January and an adult, ringed in 1988 Potts, Rachel Powell, Barrie Roberts, Matthew Roberts, Theo Roberts, Tim Roberts, Amy Robjohns, on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire was found at Keyhaven in February. Rob Skinner, Andrew Taylor, Alice Tribe, Sophie Trice, Marcus Ward, Liz White, Matt White, Paul White, Trace Williams, Hannah Woodhouse. Razorbill. A 2010 nestling from the Calf of Man, Isle of Man was found at Taddiford, Barton-on-Sea in February and a 1998 nestling from Great Saltee Island, Wexford was found at Hayling Golf Club in March. Thanks are also due to all birders who supplied details of ringed birds to the BTO. On behalf of Hampshire ringers I would like to thank all the landowners and managers who allow ringing to take A first year female ringed at Stithians Reservoir, Cornwall on Dec 12th 2012 was controlled Firecrest. place on their land. Without their support and understanding, ringing in Hampshire would not be at Southampton Common on Oct 27th 2014. possible. Particular thanks are due to the BTO who administer the British and Irish ringing scheme Cetti’s Warbler. The only significant movement was of a juvenile ringed at Titchfield Haven in July and who make available comprehensive results via the online ringing reports. 2012 which was retrapped at Icklesham, East Sussex in October 2014. Chiffchaff. The two longest movements reported during the year were both relatively rapid. An References unaged bird ringed at Drayton, Portsmouth on Sep 22nd was retrapped in Seine-et-Oise & Seine, Robinson, R.A., Baillie, S. & Clark, J.A. 2011. Demographic monitoring: A strategy to increase the France seven days later and an adult ringed in Dumfries & Galloway on Sep 16th had moved 525 km contribution of ringing and nest recording to conservation science. BTO, Thetford. south to Titchfield Haven when it was retrapped on 30th. Robinson, R.A., Leech, D.I. & Clark, J.A. 2015. The Online Demography Report: Bird ringing and Willow Warbler. A first year bird ringed on autumn passage in 2012 at Titchfield Haven was retrapped nest recording in Britain & Ireland in 2014. BTO, Thetford. http://www.bto.org/ringing-report in Perth & Kinross in July 2014. accessed Nov 2nd 2015. Blackcap. A first-year female, ringed in early December 2011 in Sevilla, Spain was retrapped on its breeding grounds on Southampton Common in May 2013 and again in June and October 2014. A first- T. Davis, 17 Orchards Way, West End, Southampton, SO30 3FB [email protected] year ringed at Titchfield Haven in September 2013 was found dead in Cork, Eire in late April 2014.

188 189 Studying Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Roosts One of the difficulties with Hawfinches is their quiet and timid nature making breeding territories difficult and time-consuming to locate. This, combined with their short breeding in the New Forest season, makes it almost impossible to record all breeding attempts across the New Forest in any one season, and in consequence it becomes difficult to get a picture of how the species Marcus Ward is faring. As an alternative to finding breeding territories to assess numbers of Hawfinches, I set about looking at the communal Hawfinch roost sites as an aid to obtaining a population figure for the New Forest. At the start of the project only one well-watched roost was known. I had previously found possible roosts at locations across the New Forest while engaged in fieldwork and so set about exploring these locations. Methodology Finding roosts At first, areas known to hold possible roosts were checked and individual Hawfinches were tracked across these areas at dusk to locate exact roost sites. This proved extremely time consuming as you only have one shot at it each day. Each roost has a number of pre- and post-roost gathering sites which further complicated the task of pin-pointing the specific location. After finding the first two or three roosts it became possible to start to look at common features associated with each to help build a picture of the specific requirements for a Hawfinch roost. The main characteristics appear to be: • Soft conifer (in particular Douglas fir and Norway spruce) are favoured • East facing • Adjacent to open/clear-fell area • Prominent in the landscape with at least one tall tree used as a lookout/gathering point Hawfinch (Martin Bennett) • Well sheltered from prevailing weather • Close to a Hawfinch population centre with feeding and nesting within 1 km Abstract On average, each roost took around three to six months to pin down. To date I have Fieldwork to find and monitor all the Hawfinch roost sites within the New Forest in found 19 roosts with a further 14 currently being worked on. Looking at the spread of known order to make an accurate assessment of the total population is described. Monitoring roosts, I estimate there is a total of 35-40 in the New Forest. comprises twice-monthly counts at two roost sites, one of which holds the highest Monitoring roosts numbers at any known site, and biannual counts at all sites on successive days to Two roosts were selected to be monitored year-round. These were at Blackwater Arboretum obtain a snap-shot of the total population. Results from the first four years of the on the Rhinefield Drive and in another location in the centre of the New Forest, which also study are presented. happens to be the largest roost found to date. In the first full year (2012) the roosts were counted weekly year-round. In subsequent years they were counted twice monthly. All other Introduction roosts were counted as frequently as practicably possible. Priority was given to counting the The Hawfinch has been highlighted as a species of conservation concern following a rapid core roosts and working on finding new roosts, in particular when they were at their peak decline in recent years that has seen a number of counties lose it as a resident. Bird Atlas between November and April. 2007-2011 (Balmer et al 2013) cites over three quarters of the former British breeding range of the Hawfinch as having been lost since 1968-1972. In the 1988-91 Breeding Atlas (Gibbons Roost counts are always conducted at dawn when birds gather and depart in groups. It is et al 1993) the British population was estimated at 3000-6500 pairs; by 2011 it was estimated difficult to count with accuracy at dusk as birds often come and go before settling. All counts at 500-1000 pairs (Clements 2013), highlighting the rapid decline of recent years. are made from 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after dawn. For consistency the following details are recorded at each count: In 2011 the RSPB convened a meeting of Hawfinch fieldworkers and experts from across the country to discuss the decline and look at best practice for assessing both the current • Location of roosting birds and gathering point population total and trend. It also examined research into causes of the recent decline, such • Time and direction each bird departs the roost as habitat change and loss, nesting success and predation. • Wind direction and strength The New Forest together with the Forest of Dean/Wye Valley and areas of mid-Wales • Temperature and cloud cover were identified as holding significant concentrations of breeding and wintering Hawfinches. In • All other species using the roost (in particular other finches & winter thrushes) these core areas the general feeling was that the population remained stable. Unfortunately, • Any potential predators present (raptors and corvids) a lack of any comprehensive survey work meant that there were very little data available for any of these areas. Figure 1 illustrates a sketch made as part of a classic roost count.

190 191 Roost 2 (central New Forest) Roost 2 proved to be a significant roost from the start with large numbers of Hawfinches recorded. The roost is in a block of mature Douglas Firs with a couple of Norway Spruces on the fringes. This is a difficult roost to count as it covers a large area and only has one view point. Hawfinches can only be counted as they depart from the core of the roost in a vector from due east through to north-west. Fortunately, the bulk of the birds head in an easterly direction to a mass of deciduous woodland with a predominance of Beech. Some birds are undoubtedly missed, and when weather encourages Hawfinches to roost in different sections of the block of Douglas Fir most are missed. Therefore, it is only possible to accurately count this roost when conditions are favourable and this results in some months producing undercounts. However, due to the sheer numbers of birds using the roost, and because it is situated in an area where breeding Hawfinches are being monitored, it was decided that it would be an ideal candidate to study in detail. The highest individual roost count to date was made at this roost with 134 Hawfinches departing to the east and north-east between 0717 hrs and 0749 hrs on November 24th 2014. Taking into account the difficulties in getting a consistently reliable count, Roost 2 follows a broadly similar trend to the Blackwater Arboretum roost with clear spring and autumn peaks (Figure 3). One notable difference is that the roost tends to hold significant numbers of young birds post-breeding. By comparison, at Blackwater, when the family parties typically encountered in early- to mid-June break up, few young birds are recorded. By contrast at Roost 2 small groups of young birds start to form from mid-June. This is one area that requires further study. It could be that the local population is proving more successful than Figure 1. A classic Hawfinch roost count showing the time and number of birds leaving the roost prior to grouping together in the central roost-gathering trees and ultimately in the Rhinefield area and therefore the roost holds higher numbers of juvenile Hawfinches. the time and direction the groups left the roost site. The hatched area denotes an area Another possibility could be that as a major roost it is acting as a hub drawing young birds where a plantation of Douglas Firs had recently been clear-felled. This was the original from other local roost sites. A similar phenomenon has been noted at other large roosts roost site. Within three months the roost relocated as shown on the map. located in the west and south-east of the New Forest. As well as holding the usual array of finch species, including significant numbers of Chaffinch Results Fringilla coelebs and Brambling F. montifringilla, particularly during times of passage, the roost Blackwater Arboretum, Rhinefield is also shared with an active pair of Goshawks Accipiter gentilis. As discussed further in the As a well-known and publicised Hawfinch roost with easy access, Blackwater Arboretum paper, the Goshawks appear to have very little impact on the dynamics of the roost. was an obvious choice as one of the main study sites. Blackwater is also a relatively easy The Hawfinch Roost roost to monitor with most individual roost sites and the central gathering points being From monitoring the two roosts year round, it has been discovered that although numbers easily viewable. Blackwater Arboretum is atypical in that a range of tree species are used fluctuate seasonally, roosts are generally active throughout the year and appear to play an for roosting though all are ornamental ‘soft conifer’ species and the roost has no specific important role in Hawfinch society. Year on year little variation occurs, with clear peaks in aspect, being quite an open though well-sheltered area. The main gathering trees are a group early spring and pre-breeding, and again post-moult in late autumn. of Norway Spruce in the centre of the Arboretum and a Douglas Fir on the northern edge. Blackwater Arboretum has long been known as a regular Hawfinch roost, documented back The routine in the roost varies throughout the year. From October through to February, to at least 1992, suggesting the roost has been in constant use for a minimum of 23 years. birds tend to start calling and leave their roost trees in small groups of two to four individuals Most birds head off to regular feeding and breeding areas located to the south and east of and move to the main gathering tree, which is typically an exposed conifer that commands the roost, though a small number regularly head north. The roost is also used by a range a dominant position close to the roost (see Plate 2). Here they gather in groups of up to 15 of other finch species and also holds a significant number of Redwing Turdus iliacus during individuals, frequently calling to one another until the calling reaches a crescendo and they autumn and early winter. depart. The process is then repeated until all birds have left the roost. From mid-February through to late April, Hawfinches can frequently be heard singing in the roosts and the flocks As can be seen in Figure 2, the data collected from Blackwater Arboretum have been very start to break up with birds often observed departing the roost in pairs. During this period consistent over the four years of the study thus far with clear peaks in the early year and a lot of courtship behaviour can be observed post-roost, in particular singing and interaction autumn, with numbers dipping through the breeding season and reaching their lowest level between competing males, especially around the favoured gathering trees. By late April or post-breeding when Hawfinches go through their annual moult. Unlike roost 2, few juvenile early May activity at the roost starts to lessen. Birds are more frequently observed departing Hawfinches seem to use this particular roost after the family parties break up. Numbers as singletons, often straight out of the roost tree and onwards directly away from the roost fluctuate during the winter period, possibly associated with apparent food availability, with area, suggesting that in some cases at least the off-duty breeding bird uses the roost. This highest winter numbers coinciding with those years that have a good Beech mast crop. This has been confirmed from observations at nest sites adjacent to regularly monitored roosts. suggests that Hawfinches remain within their home range as long as there are sufficient food Juvenile birds, which can be readily picked out by call, are recorded in the roosts from as resources to provide sustenance whereas they need to roam further in lean years. early as the first week of June. At this time family groups become quite prominent and are recorded well into July. The roosts are at their quietest during the period from mid-July to late

192 193 September when adult Hawfinches go through their full post-breeding moult. The Hawfinch In general, Hawfinches are late risers and are frequently the last finch species to emerge is a relatively heavy species for its size and therefore must lose a considerable amount of from the roost. On average, they tend to start calling in the first ten minutes after dawn, but agility when moulting, and so it is fair to assume that this post-breeding reduction in numbers it very much depends on the conditions. On clear, mild mornings they can be active from as of birds at the roost is directly related to the moult. During this period Hawfinches are early as 20 minutes before dawn; in contrast on dull, cold mornings they can emerge anything generally elusive and quiet throughout the New Forest. Though Hawfinches do continue to up to 20 minutes after dawn, and on such days they are certainly the last birds to rise from use the roosts through this period, albeit in smaller numbers, they become difficult to detect the roost, frequently up to 40 minutes after the Redwings and Common Crossbills Loxia as they rarely call and tend to depart directly from their roost at a lower level. Numbers curvirostra, which are often the earliest risers! start to build up again from late September, reaching their autumn peak in late October or One consistent factor with all Hawfinch roosts found to date is that they are located in early November. the centre of the colony with breeding and favoured feeding locations nearby. Most roosts have pre- and post-roost gathering sites associated with them. Post-roost gathering sites in particular appear to play an important role. The location for each post-roost varies quite frequently, but in general they seem to have a handful of favoured locations. It is difficult to ascertain the role the post-roost plays but it certainly appears to be a communication centre of sorts. Hawfinch can remain in the post-roost for some time after leaving the roost, frequently 30 minutes, and on occasion individuals have been recorded in the post-roost over an hour after leaving the main roost. In fact, birds seem to come and go frequently throughout the course of the day. The post-roost is normally in the close vicinity of the roost but in at least one case the post-roost site has been located 1 km from the main roost. In general, disturbance does not seem to have an impact on roosting Hawfinches. In particular the roost at Blackwater Arboretum is often busy with visiting members of public, who can at times be rather raucous, but appear to have little impact on any of the roosting finches that use the site. One roost in the south-west of the New Forest was clear-felled in July 2013 leaving a band of potentially suitable Douglas Firs close-by. Initially the roost appeared to be abandoned but the felling occurred at a time of year when roosts typically hold small numbers of Hawfinches. The area was checked regularly and was again found to be holding roosting Hawfinches in the adjacent Douglas Firs in October 2013, which from then onwards became the core roost (Figure 1). Details of 19 roost sites found to date are summarised in Table 1, including the main tree Figure 2. Monthly maxima at Blackwater Arboretum Hawfinch roost, January 2012 to species used. A classic site is illustrated in Plate 1. As Hawfinches appear to prefer using July 2015. stock trees such as Douglas Fir and Norway Spruce to roost in the New Forest, it has to be assumed that the felling of roost sites has been taking place on a regular basis over the past 200 years and more.

Figure 3. Monthly maxima at Hawfinch Roost 2 located in central New Forest, January Plate 1. A classic New Forest roost site; this particular location is currently the largest 2012 to July 2015. known roost.

194 195 Table 1. Details of all New Forest Hawfinch roosts found to date Average Site Alt count Primary habitat Aspect Note 1 34m 40 Spruce open Range of ornamental conifers also used. 2 61m 80 Douglas Fir East Sheltered, shared with Goshawk territory. Recently clear-felled, birds relocated to adjacent isolated 3 52m 35 Douglas Fir East group of Douglas Firs, Goshawk nearby. 4 64m 30 Douglas Fir South Ivy covered Oaks also used. Densely Ivy covered Oaks used, occasional overspill in 5 32m 20 Oak/Ivy North/East Holly, adjacent to Goshawk territory. A lot of wind felled Douglas Firs in winter 2013 opened 6 52m 30 Douglas Fir East aspect of roost, adjacent to Goshawk territory. Difficult to count, suspect larger roost close-by. (within 7 102m 8 Douglas Fir South-east 1km) Moves to nearby Holly in poor weather. Adjacent to 8 94m 15 Douglas Fir East Goshawk territory. 9 84m 20 Douglas Fir open Covers large area. 10 55m 8 Douglas Fir East Adjacent to Goshawk territory. 11 45m 12 Douglas Fir East Close-by Goshawk territory. Figure 4. Total of autumn 2014 and spring 2015 consecutive snap shot counts. Each roost 12 64m 25 Douglas Fir South-east Adjacent to Goshawk territory. is indicated by a different colour. A total of 351 individuals was recorded from 15 roosts in autumn 2014 and 373 individuals from 19 roosts during the spring 2015 count. 13 28m 15 Douglas Fir East Adjacent to Goshawk territory. Adjacent to Goshawk territory, difficult to count. Moves 14 71m 40 Douglas Fir South to Beech/Holly in poor weather. Relationship with Goshawks 15 28m 20 Douglas Fir West Sheltered, shared with Goshawk territory. Out of the 19 roosts found to date, 12 are within close proximity of Goshawk breeding 16 61m 10 Douglas Fir East Sheltered, small roost, Yew/Holly often used. territories (Table 1). Initially it was thought that as Goshawks deter other predators and 17 39m 30 Holly Open Covers large area, shared with Goshawk territory. control corvid numbers, they provide a relatively safe environment for Hawfinches to establish 18 41m 20 Douglas Fir North-west Sheltered, gather in adjacent Oak. a roost. However, a roost that has been counted regularly since early 2012 had a pair of 19 35m 20 Douglas Fir East Difficult to count, gather in Corsican Pine. Goshawks take up residence during 2014 and subsequently establish a breeding territory in the vicinity. Therefore, it can be surmised that optimum habitat for roosting Hawfinches is also attractive to breeding Goshawks. Interestingly, this requirement extends beyond the Snap-shot counts basic need of sheltered coniferous areas as one such shared location is also the only known In addition to the regular monitoring, in order to get a snap-shot picture of the overall site to hold Goshawks in deciduous woodland in the New Forest, suggesting that it is a number of birds using the known Hawfinch roosts in the New Forest, all sites are counted on combination of habitat requirements that appeals to both species. successive days twice per year in March and November. Over time this will permit a better During the course of all roost counts a number of other species are counted including corvids examination and understanding of any changes in the total population. and raptors. Comparing counts between sites, there is a clear indication that locations that Due to work commitments, and because it is difficult to accurately count roosts in have breeding Goshawks in the vicinity hold much reduced numbers of corvids, in particular inclement weather, it is generally not possible to get a clear run of days in which to count Jackdaws Corvus monedula and Jays Garrulus glandarius. With the exception of Buzzard Buteo all of the known sites, but counts are made as close together as possible. It can often take buteo and Tawny Owl Strix aluco, most raptor species appear to be absent where Goshawks multiple visits to roosts that are counted infrequently to get an accurate count. In some cases are breeding nearby. In particular, Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus are now largely absent from birds use different roost trees which can be dependent on a number of factors, chiefly wind the central New Forest, suggesting the presence of Goshawks in any given area might be strength and direction. The presence of large roosting flocks of Crossbills and Redwings and beneficial to Hawfinches. disturbance from raptors or forestry work can also have a bearing on which specific tree While counting roosts that are shared with Goshawk territories, both species are frequently Hawfinches use to roost. To save time and ensure the snap-shot count is completed in as active at the same time but very little interaction has been observed. Hawfinches appear short a time frame as possible, only one visit is made to each roost. Therefore, the overall to be quite brazen in the presence of Goshawks, in particular in late summer when fledged number recorded is a bare minimum of birds present as in some cases the count is not made Goshawks are active around the breeding site. Hawfinches frequently gather in the same from the optimum position to record all the birds present. tree as perched Goshawks. The only reaction observed occurs on the odd occasion that a Results to date from the ‘snap-shot’ surveys are shown in Figure 4. The total numbers of Goshawk alights in a tree-top holding gathered Hawfinches which will then typically flush birds counted in autumn 2014 and spring 2015 were 351 and 373 respectively. to an adjacent tree. By developing a more robust survey method, and continuing the ‘snap-shot’ counts on a bi-annual basis, it is hoped that a robust dataset can be built that will enable the analysis of population trends on a long-term basis.

196 197 looked for within a 5 km buffer zone from the tagging site so it is possible that individuals moving farther afield may not necessarily have been detected. Although the tagging work carried out by the RSPB was principally aimed at investigating nesting females, and therefore at a time of year when female Hawfinches were least likely to roam widely, it does suggest that most individuals remain within a home range. However, it is known from recoveries of Hawfinches colour-ringed in the Forest of Dean and central Wales that they can range quite widely throughout the year, in particular during the winter, presumably in response to the availability of food.

Plate 2. A typical view of Hawfinches gathering prior to departing the roost. Here a total of 18 Hawfinches are grouped together prior to departing a central New Forest roost around 15 minutes after sunrise. Investigation into Hawfinch roost catchment areas In addition to counting the roosts, efforts were made to locate both pre- and post-roost gathering sites along with key feeding and breeding locations in the vicinity of the roost with Figure 5. Hawfinch roosts in the central New Forest area showing probable catchment a view to building a picture of how Hawfinches use the landscape relative to the roost. By area for each roost. © Crown copyright 2015 OS 100057174. mapping regular feeding, courtship and breeding locations, and combining with data gathered from roost counts such as numbers of birds and directions in which leave the roost, it is Further work possible to build a picture of the catchment area for each roost. Undoubtedly some individuals As well as searching for new roosts across the New Forest and continuing to monitor the roam quite widely across the New Forest but by observing movements of Hawfinches, both two main study roosts fortnightly, the bi-annual ‘snap-shot’ counts of all known roosts will pre- and post- roost, patterns of behaviour can be established which enable rough boundaries continue to enable a refined estimate of the true population of the New Forest to be made. to be drawn. Some additional surveys have been planned to commence late autumn 2015. To date the focus has been on the central New Forest area as depicted in Figure 5. As In order to better understand the relationship between numbers of Hawfinches using illustrated, some of the catchment areas appear to overlap creating a rather complicated the roost compared with the number of breeding pairs in the vicinity of the roost, detailed picture, although the boundaries of the catchment areas are quite fluid and should only be survey work will be undertaken in the environs of the two main study roosts. By surveying taken as a guide. It is interesting to note that, in general, Hawfinches appear to have quite a the wider area post-roost on a fortnightly basis, it will be possible to build a more detailed small home range in the New Forest. picture of how Hawfinches use the catchment area of the Hawfinch roost (Figure 6). In Recent work by the RSPB with radio-tagged Hawfinches in the Forest of Dean (Kirby et particular, I would like to establish if it is possible to correlate the numbers of birds using al 2015) found that the majority of tagged individuals was relocated within a radius of 2 km the roost with the number of breeding attempts in the vicinity. It will then be possible to from the tagging site. Nonetheless, from a sample of 53 radio-tagged individuals, three were extrapolate to all roosts across the area to get an approximate guide to the total number of relocated over 5 km away with one 16.7 km from the tagging site. In general Hawfinches were breeding Hawfinches within the New Forest.

198 199 the New Forest, it is estimated that there are a further 15-20 roosts to find. At the time of writing, 14 additional possible Hawfinch roost site locations have been identified. Some are closer to being nailed than others! As mentioned above, pin-pointing the exact location of a Hawfinch roost is a very long- winded process that can take many months. However, as the experience of finding and studying roosts builds, the process of finding them is speeding up. By expanding the work into looking at the correlation of n u m b e r s o f H aw fi n c h e s i n t h e r o o s ts to breeding numbers it is hoped to gain a better understanding of the breeding population of the New Forest. Volunteers Plate 3. Adult male Hawfinch bearing yellow colour ring AN, Bolderwood, New Forest, June 2015. All As with any intensive survey work, Hawfinches ringed in the New Forest bear yellow it is very time consuming and colour rings with a two digit code. absorbing. Further volunteers are urgently required, in particular for the new survey work looking at breeding and feeding locations in the vicinity of core roosts. Full training can be given if needed. Please contact Figure 6. Blackwater Arboretum Hawfinch roost survey map demarcated at 500m, me for further details. 1000m and 1500m to plot breeding territories and feeding sites to help better understand how numbers of birds using the roost correlate to those breeding and feeding in the Acknowledgments vicinity. © Crown copyright 2015 OS 100057174. I am indebted to many people who have helped with numerous aspects of the New Forest Hawfinch study. In particular the following have kindly given their time and wisdom which Colour ringing has been invaluable: Keith Betton, Martin Boxall, Rob Clements, Andrew Colenutt, Simon To date seven individuals have been colour-ringed in the New Forest (Plate 3). Starting in Currie, Tony Davis, Graham Giddens, Nigel Jones, Will Kirby, Jerry Lewis, Andy Page, Kevin spring 2016, a concerted effort will be made to catch and colour-ring Hawfinches. Only by Sayer, Russell Wynn and the members of the RSPB working group. I would also like to thank getting a larger pool of colour-ringed Hawfinches in the New Forest will it be possible to Hampshire Ornithological Society for providing funding to enable the purchase of colour rings, better understand roost site fidelity and movements, both between roosts and within the The Forestry Commission, New Forest NPA and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife wider New Forest. Ultimately it is hoped to achieve funding to enable radio-tagging, which Trust for their assistance and last, but definitely not least, all those that have pointed me will allow us to gather data on movements around the roost site in addition to roost site towards potential Hawfinch roosts in the New Forest. fidelity. I would encourage anyone observing Hawfinches in the New Forest to please keep an eye out for any colour-ringed Hawfinches and report any sightings either via the BTO or References directly to me. Balmer, D.E., Gillings, S., Caffrey, B.J., Swann, R.L., Downie, I.S., & Fuller, R.J. 2013. Bird Atlas Conclusion 2007-2011: the breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. BTO Books, Thetford. The aim of the study is ultimately to get a better understanding of the numbers of Hawfinches Clements, R. 2012. A UK population estimate for the Hawfinch. British Birds 106: 43-44. in the New Forest and establish a reliable survey method to assess the ongoing strength Gibbons, D.W., Reid, J.B., & Chapman, R.A. 1993. The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain of the population. By locating and counting the roosts, a good baseline for ongoing survey and Ireland: 1988-1991. T.& A.D.Poyser, London. work has been established and, in addition, a better understanding has been gained of the Kirby, W. 2015. Investigating Hawfinch nest survival in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, importance of the roost as a central part of Hawfinch society. RSPB. It is now known what makes a good Hawfinch roost site and how to successfully monitor the roosts as an aid to gauging both the population spread and density. To date 19 roosts M. Ward, 1 Garrow Drive, Lymington, SO41 9LP [email protected] across the New Forest have been found. By looking at the known range of Hawfinches in

200 201 Birds of a Hampshire Garden days, now there can sometimes be up to eight birds at a time in the garden and they have occurred an average of 91% of days over the last four years. Figure 1, showing percentage of Di Mitchell days seen or heard, gives a good picture of the increase in frequency. Interestingly, when we compare the graph for Magpie Pica pica with the other two, we can see a marked decline from an average of 45% of days in the first 10 years to 0.4% in the last four years. Has the increase in Jackdaw numbers led to a decrease in Magpies, or are there other factors at work here?

Buriton village logo Abstract Data are presented showing changes in the patterns of occurrence of 24 species in Figure 1. Occurrence patterns of Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and Magpie in or from a Buriton an East Hampshire garden during the period 1980-2014. Possible reasons for some garden, 1980-2014. of the changes are discussed. A more welcome increase is in the sightings of Buzzards Buteo buteo (Figure 2). Again when we first arrived here, Buzzards were never seen locally, and we had to drive to the New Introduction Forest or further west to see them. Now they are seen or heard frequently and have bred My husband and I have lived for the past 42 years in the village of Buriton at the foot of the locally, being recorded from the garden on an average of 21% of days in the last four years. South Downs, in East Hampshire. With a moderately large garden and views to the Downs there is plenty of scope for birdwatching. In 1980 my father-in-law, the late K.D.G. Mitchell, encouraged me to keep a daily record of birds seen or heard in or from the garden, as he had done for many years in his Surrey garden. Each week has a column against the list of birds, in which seven black dots record presence, and a red dot when the bird was singing. A note is kept of the days when recording was not possible. At the end of the year each bird is totalled and given a position. Currently there are 95 birds on the list. Looking back over these records at the end of 2014 it was clear that, with over 30 years’ worth of records, some interesting patterns are becoming apparent. Of course there have been the one-off highlights, like the White Stork Ciconia ciconia that flew over just after I had been teaching a small children’s club how to take notes on a bird you didn’t recognise, or the Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus heard churring from the back of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP) the summer after the 1987 ‘hurricane’ had clear-felled a part of the forest. However in this paper I want to look at the commoner birds and their trends, up or down. Increasing species Beginning with the ‘ups’; for some years we have been conscious of the increasing numbers of Woodpigeons Columba palumbus coming into our garden, making netting the greens a Figure 2. Occurrence pattern of Buzzard in or from a Buriton garden, 1980-2014. necessity! When we first came into the village we only ever had them actually in the garden In addition, as seen in Figure 3, there are three other species which are beginning to put when there was snow on the ground. Now hardly a day goes by without at least two birds in a more regular appearance. The sight of a Red Kite Milvus milvus sailing over the village is visiting. However, for the last few years Woodpigeons have been eclipsed by the huge increase always a joy and we hope their numbers will continue to increase. Raven Corvus corax too can in Jackdaws Corvus monedula, so much so that the latter have become a real nuisance when occasionally be heard calling over the village. Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla have been breeding trying to feed the smaller birds. From 1980 to 1989 Jackdaws occurred on average 30.5% of in the QECP for some years now and increasingly find their way into the village, and even

202 203 into our garden. Just recently Little Egrets Egretta garzetta have been seen flying along the There has been much discussion in the last few years about the decline in farmland Downs and it will be interesting to see if their numbers increase here too. birds and this is reflected in the graphs for some of the garden birds (Figure 5). Finches in particular have suffered; I no longer get Linnet Linaria cannabina flying over the garden at all. Until 2005 Greenfinches Chloris chloris and Chaffinches Fringilla coelebs were recorded on average on 77% and 82% of days respectively; since then the average has been 61% and 47%, reaching an all-time low of 26% of days for Greenfinch and 42% of days for Chaffinch in 2014. Understanding the reasons for these declines are complicated by the recent Trichomonosis disease. The sudden increase in Goldfinch C. carduelis in 2007 is probably explained by the fact that I started providing nyger seed in that year, though they too have declined recently.

Figure 3. Occurrence patterns of Firecrest, Raven and Red Kite in or from a Buriton garden, 1980-2014. Declining species When we look at declines, one abrupt and sad one was the loss of Little Owl Athene noctua (Figure 4). They had bred in the big ash tree opposite my kitchen window for some years, giving me a wonderful opportunity to study them in more detail (Mitchell 1994). As can be seen below they suddenly stopped breeding and deserted the site altogether. Although Bird Figure 5. Occurrence patterns of four finch species in or from a Buriton garden, 1980- Atlas 2007-11 (Balmer et al 2013) comments on a general decline over most of the country, 2014. this sudden absence seems to be the result of something more specific. Little Owls feed The Thrush family show some interesting differences (Figure 6), with Blackbird Turdus merula largely on insects, including ground beetles. Cattle were grazing the field they hunted over staying reasonably stable (average of 96%). Song Thrush T. philomelus has declined, but not and one wonders if Ivermectin, widely used to control parasitic worms in livestock but as severely here as in some places, occurring on 53% of days in the last 10 years compared known to have a detrimental effect on dung beetles, caused their breeding attempts to fail to 80% of days from 1980-1989 and we still have a good presence in the spring dawn chorus. and led to their desertion. However, the Mistle Thrush T. viscivorus has declined hugely from an average of 35% of days during 1980-1989 to 6% of days in the last 10 years and is now seldom seen or heard.

Figure 4. Occurrence pattern of Little Owl in or from a Buriton garden, 1980-2014. Figure 6. Occurrence patterns of three thrush species in or from a Buriton garden, 1980- 2014.

204 205 House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Starling Sturnus vulgaris have been much in the news Another set of migrants which show some interesting contrasts are the Swift Apus apus, for their declines and my garden bird data show a similar picture. They occurred on average Swallow Hirundo rustica and House Martin Delichon urbicum. All three were common summer on 98% and 95% of days respectively from 1980-2005 after which numbers started to drop visitors when we first moved into the village. Interestingly the Swift seems to have remained reaching a low of 44% for House Sparrow in 2009 and 18% for Starling in 2012 (Figure 7). relatively stable, with a long-term average of 23%, and Swallows are still seen regularly, if not However, recent years have shown a parallel upturn for both species which is encouraging, as frequently, being recorded on 24.8% of days from 1980-1995 and 17.9% from 1995-2014. with House Sparrow recorded on 94% and Starling on 48% of days in 2014. Quite why this The House Martin on the other hand has declined significantly, from 40.6% in the years has happened is unclear but it is welcomed. One appreciates them in a new way! 1980-1995 to 13.5% in 1996-2014 (Figure 9). In our early years there were many nests in the village and we often had at least two on our house. They suddenly stopped nesting in the village almost entirely and only in the last couple of years have there been one or two back. Whether this was to do with the loss of available mud for their nests we are not quite sure.

Figure 7. Occurrence patterns of House Sparrow and Starling in or from a Buriton garden, 1980-2014. Some of our migrants have not been fairing too well either with Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca no longer heard in the garden. Cuckoo Cucuclus canorus Figure 9. Occurrence patterns of Swallow, House Martin and Swift in or from a Buriton garden, 1980-2014. and Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus have declined from 8.6% and 14% respectively in the years 1980-1989 to 0.3% and 2.8% in the last four years and are only heard as they pass Conclusions through. These latter two are still found on some of the local heaths so it seems to be a reduction in numbers leading to only optimum habitat being occupied (Figure 8). Whilst it is always thrilling to see a new or rare bird, there is also a real satisfaction in watching and recording the more usual ones too, and some interesting patterns of change have become apparent over these 30+ years. Some of them parallel changes recorded in Bird Atlas 2007-11 (Balmer et al 2013), such as the decline in the farmland birds and some of the migrants, and the increase in Buzzard and Firecrest. Some of the changes though seem more specific to this area, such as the loss of Little Owl and the huge increase in Jackdaw, and it is interesting to ponder the reasons for these changes. One is left wondering what changes will be seen over the next 10 years! Acknowledgements I would like to thank my family for their support and proof reading, and especially my daughter Dr. R.J. Mitchell for her help with the graphs and lay-out. References Balmer, D.E., Gillings, S., Caffrey, B.J., Swann, R.L., Downie, I.S. & Fuller, R. J. 2013. Bird Atlas 2007-11: the breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. BTO Books. Thetford. Mitchell, D. 1994. Observations on the breeding and hunting behaviour of Little Owls near an east Hampshire village. Hampshire Bird Report 1992: 75-78. Figure 8. Occurrence patterns of three warblers and Cuckoo in or from a Buriton garden, 1980-2014. D. Mitchell, 52 Bones Lane, Buriton, Petersfield GU31 5SE [email protected]

206 207 First for Hampshire – Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus in the New Forest, June 8th–July 5th 2014

Simon Colenutt

Abstract Hampshire’s first Short-toed Eagle was present intermittently in the New Forest between June 8th and July 5th 2014. The individual involved, a first-summer, was also recorded in Dorset, East Sussex, Surrey and Norfolk between May 31st and July 20th. The Short-toed Eagle is a summer visitor to Europe from sub-Saharan Africa. The record has been accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee (Hudson et al 2015) and is the third for Britain. Circumstances and Description Background On May 31st I was birding near Beaulieu Road Station, New Forest, one of my favourite local birding spots, when my mega-alert went off at 1000 hrs. A Short-toed Eagle had been found at Morden Bog, Dorset. I expected this to be a fly over bird and so did not think much of it. I was shocked when, that evening, I returned home to find that it had been showing well perched in a pine tree from 1700 hrs until dusk, and to see pictures of a superb Short-toed Eagle posted on the internet. I was tempted to head to Dorset knowing that the bird had gone to roost and would probably still be present at dawn on June 1st but the thought of an exceptionally early start, the forecast of early morning fog and the thought of hundreds of birders crowded together put me off. Low and behold, the news came, bright and early, that the bird was still present but by 1000 hrs had flown off south-west not to be seen again. The thought of that bird played on my mind for a few days and the images of it perched in a pine made me question whether I would recognize a Short-toed Eagle if I saw one in the UK or would I pass it off as a pale Buzzard? The Discovery At 0600 hrs on the June 8th I decided, again, to have a short walk across the heathland at Beaulieu Road Station to Bishop’s Dyke. It was a beautiful early summer day, Hobby Falco subbuteo were hunting between Shatterford Car Park and Denny Wood and Woodlark Lullula arborea and Curlew Numenius arquata were singing in the distance while Snipe Gallinago gallinago drummed overhead. As I continued south a male Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata showed very well singing atop a silver birch sapling while its mate was a little more secretive in the heather nearby. A classic New Forest morning. As I wandered over the Woodfidley Passage I viewed the area of mire, heath, scrub and scattered trees to the west. Two male Cuckoos Cuculus canorus were very vocal and conspicuous in the silver birch at the transition Shots of the Short-toed Eagle taken shortly after its discovery (David Cuddon) between the mire and the woodland. As I watched the Cuckoos, their attention switched between chasing one another to chasing a Buzzard Buteo buteo which had appeared, at low birch. I looked around and called the only visible birder, David Cuddon. There was no sign level, from the woodland and was flying north-east towards the railway line. As I followed of the eagle from where we were viewing and so I ran, north-eastwards, back down the the Buzzard and its attendant Cuckoos in my binoculars my attention switched to a large main path and around the north side of the mire to get the correct angle to see where it had pale bird perched in an oak in the background and as I refocused, there, before me was a landed. And there it was, the Dorset Short-toed Eagle! I composed myself and took some massive pale raptor. Immediately my mind rang ‘what the **** is that’ and at that moment I acceptable digi-scoped shots, called David and put the news out on Birdguides. David and I dropped my scope to the ground to try to get some digi-shots knowing what I was looking at watched the bird for around 40 minutes as it perched in the birch before it took off, circled without confirming it conclusively. The bird almost immediately flew and circled the clearing about 20 m above our heads, literally eyeing us up, and then headed east towards Pig Bush. below tree top height and it was evident that it was a Short-toed Eagle. The pale undersides The first two birders arrived and we managed to put them onto the bird before it became to the wings with very few markings on the underwing coverts with the exception of a string a distant speck. Brilliant, I just wished I had had my SLR, which I had left in the car, when it of black ‘pearls’ on the inner greater coverts and some speckling on the lesser coverts were was circling overhead! I then continued my walk west through the woodlands, mire and heath spot on for the Dorset bird from the week before. The bird landed out of site in a silver at Bishop’s Dyke but I could hardly focus on the birding at hand such was my excitement in

208 209 having refound this bird, so after an hour or so First for Hampshire – Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler I turned and headed back towards the car. I stopped for a scan shortly after crossing Locustella certhiola at Titchfield Haven NNR back over the Woodfidley Passage and in the distance I could see a hovering raptor, I set Barry Duffin up my scope and could see that it was again the Short-toed Eagle hovering over the bog below Pig Bush, it was very distant and so I headed off – elated! Further sightings And so continued an amazing series of records of this eagle. On June 10th, it was located at Short-toed Eagle, Frame Wood, NF, June 30th Wych Cross, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, (Lee Fuller) a distance of approximately 110 kilometres north-east from Pig Bush. The bird then moved around the Wych Cross and Gill’s Gap area of Ashdown Forest until June 29th. But on June 12th-13th it made an excursion and was relocated back at Hatchet Pond, Beaulieu. Then, having departed Ashdown Forest on June 29th it was again recorded back at Pig Bush from June 30th to July 2nd and then Beaulieu Road Station again on July 5th. On July 12th it was seen back at Ashdown Forest and then at Thursley Common, Surrey, before finally being seen at Santon Downham, Norfolk on July 19th and 20th. It was remarkable that this bird commuted between the Beaulieu area and Ashdown Forest area, a distance that seems considerable to us but for an eagle could probably be flown in a couple of hours if weather conditions allowed for thermalling. The fact that these two areas were favoured is an indication of the high abundance of herpetofauna, the main food source of Short-toed Eagle, within heathland habitats; this bird was photographed with both adder and grass snake in its talons. This was a fantastic bird to have the privilege of being the finder of in Hampshire and a reward for many hours of birding the Beaulieu Road Station area. It was almost as rewarding Juvenile Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, Titchfield Haven, Sep 6th (Trevor Codlin) that the bird returned to allow many Hampshire birders to catch up with an enigmatic species in their home county. Abstract Ageing A juvenile Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola, the first for Hampshire, The bird was aged as a first-summer based on the median coverts being paler than the rest was trapped and ringed at Titchfield Haven NNR on September 6th 2014. The record of the upperwing, the pale tips to the secondaries and some of the primaries, rufous blobs was accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee (Hudson et al 2015). No fewer (rather than bars) on the upper breast and generally paler, less marked, appearance to the than nine species of rare eastern vagrant have been found at the Haven in underparts. recent years. Of these the occurrence of a Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler has clearly been the least predictable. The following is an account of the finding of the bird and Other Information its description. Previous Records There are two previously accepted records of Short-toed eagle in Great Britain. These Introduction were of a juvenile on the Isles of Scilly from October 7th-11th 1999 and an unaged bird from At approximately 0600 hrs on September 6th 2014 I was extracting birds from a series of Dawlish Warren and Orcombe Point, Devon on October 16th 2011. mist nets during an early morning ringing session when I came across an unfamiliar in a lower net pocket. Earlier that morning I had extracted a number of juvenile Grasshopper Range Warblers L. naevia, many of which had shown bright yellow underparts as indeed this bird was Short-toed Eagle breeds across north-west Africa, Spain, southern France and through the showing. However the yellow underparts of this bird were richer than that I had previously seen central European countries, the Balkan States, north-east through Ukraine and into south- on Grasshopper Warblers. Of over four and a half thousand Grasshopper Warblers handled west Russia and through Turkey and Kazakhstan as far east as Lake Balkhash. Much of the at Titchfield Haven in the last ten years a little over fifty percent had shown predominantly Palearctic population is migratory wintering in Africa south of the Sahara in a narrow belt from yellow underparts. Above all I was struck by how the bright yellow underparts contrasted the Gambia, eastwards through Mali, Niger, Nigeria, southern Chad, Sudan and into Ethiopia. with the rufous undertail coverts and the dark tail feathers with pale tips. The thought of A sedentary population also occurs in India and, remarkably, another in the Lesser Sundas. having caught a Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler came to mind. Having extracted the bird from S.R. Colenutt, 19 The Abbey, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8EN [email protected] www. the net I then showed it to fellow ringers Trevor Codlin and Duncan Bell, and we quickly thedeskboundbirder.blogspot.co.uk concluded that we were looking at Hampshire’s first Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler.

210 211 Description Discussion Upperparts and wings Pallas’s Grasshopper Warblers breed from western Siberia and central Asia to Japan, and Crown greyish-brown with blackish streaking and some grey flecking, forehead darker. Nape winter in the Indian subcontinent to South China, and south throughout SE Asia. The race rufous-brown sparsely streaked black. Mantle, back and scapulars rufous-brown, heavily rubescens breeds across Central and Eastern Siberia, N to 64°N, from Irtysh River East to streaked dark brown. Rump rufous-brown, with little streaking. Uppertail coverts a richer Yakutia and Sea of Okhotsk. Three other races breed to the south, from NE Kazakhstan rufous-brown, with dark streaking. Longest upper tail coverts with extensive dark centres. through Mongolia to Ussuriland and North to NE China. Upper surface of tail feathers brown with small pale grey tips, but the grey tips were absent A total of 51 Pallas’s Grasshopper Warblers has been identified in Britain with 75% of on central pair. Tips to all tail feathers were slightly abraded. Tail shape was rounded with these in Shetland. Occurrences are clearly increasing with half of all the records having been broad feathers. Primaries and secondaries pale greyish-brown. Tertials with blackish-brown since the beginning of the 21st century. The Titchfield bird is only the second to be recorded centres, fine buffish edges and white tips to inner web. Primary coverts greyish-brown in southern England, the other being a juvenile at Portland in 1996, and it is has now become though darker than primaries. Greater coverts dark brown with distinct pale rufous fringes the earliest ever record in the British Isles. to outer web and tips. Bastard wing dark brown with pale narrow fringe. Median and lesser coverts dark brown with pale fringes. Distinct buff supercilium extending from bill to hind Acknowledgements crown where it narrowed. Lores dark brown. Dark brown eye stripe. Ear coverts brown Thanks go to for the continued support of the ringing programme with some feint streaking. at Titchfield Haven. I would particular like to thank other members of the Titchfield Haven Underparts ringing team and our supporting scribes who regularly turn up before dawn for our ringing Chin yellowish with sparse, small, dark flecks. Throat yellowish-buff with dark spots/streaks, sessions from mid-July to October. Thanks also to Trevor Codlin for providing copies of his sides of throat brownish. Upper breast dark brownish-buff, giving a distinct gorget. Lower photographs, which helped in the writing of the description. breast and belly bright lemon yellow wash. Flanks warm brownish-buff. Vent yellowish-buff B.S. Duffin, 94A Burnt House Lane, Stubbington, Fareham PO14 2EE [email protected] merging into rich orangey-brown unstreaked under tail coverts. Underside of tail feathers blackish-brown with prominent pale grey tips with the exception of central pair. Bare parts First for Hampshire – Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus Iris dull brown. Bill noticeably sturdier than Grasshopper Warbler, particularly at base. Upper mandible dark horn colour, lower mandible flesh/yellow. Legs and feet pink flesh with pink humei at Pennington on rear of tarsus. Bryan Pinchen Measurements Wing 63mm, Wing point = P3, P4 = –2mm, P2 = –3mm, P5 = –3.5mm, P6 = –6.5mm, P7 = –7.5mm, P8 = –9.5mm, P9 = –11.5mm, P10 = –14mm, P1 = –31.5mm, fat score 0/1, bill to skull 16mm. Abstract Hampshire’s first Hume’s Warbler was found in the observer’s garden in Pennington on November 3rd 2014. The record was accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee (Hudson et al 2015) and was one of six found in Great Britain in 2014. There are 136 British records.

Record shot of Hume’s Warbler (Bryan Pinchen) Circumstances and Description On the afternoon of Monday November 3rd 2014 at 1435 hrs I happened to look up from my desk and noticed a number of passerines around the garden. Alongside three Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus were a stunning male Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla and something smaller flitting around the neighbours’ sycamore that immediately drew my attention. At first glance it could have been a crest; both Goldcrest Regulus regulus and Firecrest R. ignicapilla are regular garden birds here so it was worth a second look. Something about this was different and thoughts turned to Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus or, because of the date, Pallas’s Warbler P. proregulus. With binoculars, both crests were quickly ruled out, and it was clearly not bright enough, nor did it have a pale crown stripe, thus ruling out Pallas’s. My first impression of the bird was of a rather pale, dull and washed-out Yellow-browed – a species I have seen in Juvenile Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler. Left: underside showing unstreaked undertail coverts and tail the same sycamore twice previously (on September 29th 2008 and November 8th 2012) and feathers with prominent pale grey tips; right: with juvenile Grasshopper Warbler (right bird). more recently one a month earlier at Needs Ore Point, near Beaulieu (October 17th 2014).

212 213 Setting up my telescope and with a copy of the Collins Bird Guide on my knee I was quickly character codes on them, which I set about reading. The flock left and headed north at starting to think this was a Hume’s as I started to check off the relevant features: washed-out 0900 hrs and were watched until specks heading away over the South Downs. The flock looking, dull grey-green mantle and back, only a single obvious wing bar, pale grey tertials reappeared over Farlington Marshes at 1020 hrs and landed again on the North Marsh, where and coverts. With the telescope the dark bill, pale cheek and dark legs were quite obvious. they remained settled, until they flew off west at 1050 hrs. I reported the neck collar codes, All-in, it was nowhere near as brightly coloured as any of the Yellow-browed I’ve seen before. T5D, T1D, P72, Y6C, 76x and x3D (where x was not properly seen) on the online BTO site. Trying to concentrate on watching the bird and gathering enough detail of the identification features I only managed to grab one half-decent record shot as it continued to feed amongst Subsequent Correspondence the leaves, constantly flitting about, occasionally stopping to pick at food, but almost always On Dec 24th 2014 I received an e-mail with the disappointing news that the neck collars on the move in typical leaf-warbler fashion. Throughout the duration of the sighting (1437- could not be placed. It was not until Mar 30th 2015 that I received an e-mail from Tony 1450 hrs) I was lucky that I was sitting upstairs with the bird barely ten yards away at eye Fox of Aarhus University, Denmark, stating that he had just seen the report and that he level, instead of the ‘looking up its backside type views’ that I would have obtained had I been was able to supply some information on the birds. The following is taken from his e-mail: out in the garden with it above my head. All relevant identification features were clearly to “First the date – Oct 22nd is pretty early for Russian White-fronted Geese making be seen. The afternoon light was excellent from the south-west, with the bird to the south- landfall in the UK, although not totally impossible. However, it is right in the middle of east of me, giving perfect viewing conditions, albeit through double-glazing, with no glare or the period when many Greenland birds return to their UK and Irish wintering haunts – heat haze. At 1447 hrs a Magpie Pica pica landed above it in the sycamore and the warbler for instance the Mull flock were first seen on Oct 21st 2014 and a singleton was reported was temporarily lost to view. Realising it wasn’t going to stay around much longer I dashed on Bardsay (sic) (North Wales) that day, whilst many western Scottish resorts had their downstairs and into the garden to see if I could see it further or get the clinching call. Sure first geese returning between Oct 19th and 26th 2014. enough as I raced to the sycamore a clear, short, disyllabic, almost Pied Wagtail-like call could be heard (higher pitched in the first part, dropping down a pitch in the second – as a T1D and T5D were both adult males caught in the same catch at Wexford Slobs in multi-instrumentalist such things are obvious). SE Ireland in winter 2008/9 and have been seen there every winter since. They were seen at Hvanneyri in west Iceland staging there together in autumns of 2011, 2012, 2013 The warbler continued flitting around, calling all the while, getting deeper inside the and 2014, as well as staging in spring on the south coast in Floí in 2012 and 2014. Their sycamore until eventually disappearing into the trees of the neighbouring copse until it was persistent association probably means that they were brothers caught in their second or out of sight and earshot at 1450 hrs. It was only a couple of days later that it dawned on me later winter together, as we see prolonged parent-offspring and sibling-sibling relationships that in becoming my 105th ‘window species’ this could also be a county first and the record in this population which is very unusual for geese, where these bonds usual break down was duly submitted to the British Birds Rarities Committee. after the first winter. Reference Y6C was caught as an adult male at Hvanneyri in western Iceland on Apr 29th 2012, Hudson, N. and the Rarities Committee. Report on Rare Birds in Great Britain, 2014. British with Y3D an adult female with which it associates and which I would hazard a guess is the Birds 108: 557-640. ?3D collar you identified on your submission. P7Z (adult male) was caught in the same flock with P9Z (adult female with which it associates, and I would hazard a guess was the B.J. Pinchen, 7 Brookland Close, Pennington, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 8JE [email protected] 76? Collar, because if you invert the 7 you also get a terminal Z, the middle 6 becomes a 9 and I would be pretty certain the first letter would have been P as these birds are persistent associates). All four birds have wintered at Wexford in subsequent years Greenland White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons and have been seen passing through Hvanneyri in association with each other in autumn flavirostrisat Farlington Marshes October 2014 2013, spring 2014 and autumn 2014. So to me, knowing the problems and challenges of reading these codes without prior knowledge of the codes, these are all reasonably straightforward to assign to birds that we know and have a good set of resightings for TMJ Doran that confirm their prolonged associations.” On Aug 29th 2015, I received a follow-up e-mail from Tony, as follows: Abstract “T5D w as first seen a Wex ford on Oc t 29 t h 2014 , so quite soon af ter your obser vations A flock of ten adult White-fronted Geese of indeterminate race, of which six had its seemed to have made it back to its normal wintering site, but there appears to be no neck collars, visited Farlington Marshes on Oct 22nd 2014. Despite being unable trace of T1D there in winter 2014/15. The other waif and stray that turned up was Y6C to read the codes on the collars completely accurately, subsequent investigation but that was actually not seen at Wexford until very late in the winter (Apr 3rd 2015), confirmed that the birds were of the Greenland race flavirostris. All of the six birds which might suggest that this individual took a long tour the pretty way home after you have previously wintered at Wexford Slobs, Ireland. Only one returned to winter saw it. The other bird that we inferred was probably Y3D with the same group regrettably there on Oct 29th, a second appeared there on Apr 3rd 2015, but the remaining did not seem to make it. What surprises me is that P9Z and P7Z which were resighted four have not been seen since the sighting at Farlington. There have only been five frequently at Wexford in 2013/14 were apparently not seen at all in 2014/15, so these previous records of this race, totalling nine individuals, for Hampshire, all since 2000. two seemingly did not get back to Wexford before the spring either.” The Occurrence T.M.J. Doran, 53 Armory Lane, Portsmouth PO1 2PE [email protected] A flock of ten adult White-fronted Geese flew in to Farlington Marshes at 0800 hrs on Oct 22nd 2014 and landed on the North Marsh. Six of the geese had neck collars with three

214 215 The Hampshire Ornithological Society Honorary Officers 2015-16 Organisation and Membership President Background Chris Packham The Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society was founded in 1885 and the Chairman Ornithological Section in 1954. The section grew steadily over the next 25 years, and in Alan Snook [email protected] March 1979 the separate Hampshire Ornithological Society was established. The society now has a membership of around 1600, many of whom actively take part in the Society’s Secretary and Webmaster programme of bird surveys. The aims of the society are summarised on the inside front John Shillitoe [email protected] cover of this Report. Treasurer Membership Brian Leach [email protected] All members receive the annual Hampshire Bird Report and the quarterly magazine Kingfisher. Membership is available as follows (correct at January 1st, 2016): Bird Report Editor Ordinary Membership: £12 p.a. John Clark [email protected] Family Membership (two or more members at the same address): £12 p.a. County Recorder Corporate Membership (sponsors, schools, Bird Clubs, etc): £12 p.a. Keith Betton [email protected] Junior Membership (under 18): £5 p.a. Chairman of Membership Sub-committee To join, send your name and address with the appropriate subscription to: Jonathan Mycock [email protected] Membership Secretary: Kay Shillitoe Chairman of Scientific Sub-committee Westerly, Hundred Acres Road, Wickham PO17 6HY Keith Betton [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] telephone: 01329 833086 Applications to join after September 30th (to the year end) shall also cover the succeeding Conservation Liaison Officer calendar year. Members so joining will not receive the Hampshire Bird Report published in the Simon Boswell [email protected] year they join but will be able to obtain it at a reduced price. Subscriptions are renewable on Membership Secretary January 1st each year. The preferred method of payment is by standing order, but payments may also be made by internet banking (forms and full details are on the HOS website). Kay Shillitoe [email protected] Meetings & Committees Newsletter Editor Phil Budd [email protected] Regular field meetings are arranged in all parts of the county throughout the year. Meetings are designed to introduce members to various habitats and to provide opportunities for novices Sales Officers of all ages to learn more about birds under field conditions. The Annual General Meeting & Sandy & Bryan Coates [email protected] Open Day and occasional indoor meetings are arranged in the winter months. These will be of interest to all members, but some may cater particularly for specialist groups, e.g. survey Secretary of Scientific sub-committee workers’ meetings. There are two sub-committees (see next page for Committee Officers): Jodie Southgate [email protected] (a) The Scientific Sub-committee is responsible for organising surveys, for the collection of records and for the production of the Hampshire Bird Report. It also handles liaison Walks Programme Co-ordinators with the BTO, ringing groups, conservation bodies and similar organisations. Ted Barnes [email protected] (b) The Membership Sub-committee is responsible for the quarterly magazine Kingfisher, Peter Hutchins [email protected] the Annual General Meeting & Open Day, other indoor meetings and field meetings. Ordinary Members of Management Committee Publications Mike Armitage [email protected] The Hampshire Bird Report is published annually and is the record of birds in Hampshire in Andy Broadhurst [email protected] the previous calendar year. The quarterly Kingfisher magazines contains news of society Alison Cross [email protected] events, field meetings and recent bird sightings, articles on various aspects of Hampshire John Eyre [email protected] ornithology, and details of the organisation, progress and results of surveys organised by the Scientific sub-committee. New surveys are started every year, and the newsletter serves as Andy Rhodes [email protected] a medium to contact potential volunteers. All members are invited to take part in surveys and contribute articles to the newsletter.

216 217 List of Abbreviations Index to English Names BBRC British Birds Rarities Committee max. maximum BBS Breeding Bird Survey m.o. many observers Page numbers are given in bold for species accounts in the Systematic List and papers where BOU British Ornithologists’ Union MOD Ministry of Defence the species is featured, italic for entries in the Ringing Report recoveries section and regular BOURC British Ornithologists’ Union Records nc no count font for other noteworthy entries. Committee NF The New Forest BTO British Trust for Ornithology NFNPA New Forest National Park Authority Auk Eagle Franklin’s 94 CBC former Common Bird Census plot NFWBS New Forest Winter Bird Survey auk species 88 Short-toed 54, 208 Glaucous 98 CP Country Park NNR National Nature Reserve Little 88 Egret Great Black-backed 99, 188 FRG Farlington Ringing Group NOTG Needs Ore Tuesday Group Avocet 64, 182, 186, 188 Cattle 46 Herring 96, 188 GC Golf Course NR Nature Reserve Bee-eater 105, 169 Great White 47, 188 Iceland 98 GP Gravel Pit(s) RAS Re-trapping Adults for Survival Bittern 45 Little 46 Lesser Black-backed 95 HBR Hampshire Bird Report RSPB Royal Society for Protection of Birds Blackbird 131 Eider 34 Little 93 HCC Hampshire County Council SF Sewage Farm Black Brant 23 Fieldfare 131 Mediterranean 94, 188 HOSRP HOS Records Panel SP Sand Pit(s) Blackcap 124, 182, 186, 188 Firecrest 113, 182, 183, 186, Ring-billed 95 HWT Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife SPA Special Protection Area Brambling 146, 183 188 Sabine’s 91 Trust SW Sewage Works Bullfinch 148, 182, 183 Flycatcher Yellow-legged 97 JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee WCB Watercress Bed Bunting Pied 136 Harrier LNR Local Nature Reserve WM Water Meadows Corn 156 Spotted 134 Hen 56 Reed 155 Fulmar Marsh Symbols 42 55 Snow Gadwall Montagu’s † (after species name in systematic list) species account in Ringing Report recoveries section 154 26 57 Buzzard 59 Gannet 43 Hawfinch 147, 186, 190 * record count for locality Chaffinch 147 Garganey 30 Heron Chiffchaff 122, 182, 188 Godwit Grey 47 Common 122 Bar-tailed 72 Purple 48 Iberian 123 Black-tailed 72, 186 Hobby 108 Siberian 123 Goldcrest 113, 182 Honey-buzzard 53, 183 Coot 63 Goldeneye 36 Hoopoe 105 Cormorant 44, 188 Goldfinch 152, 182, 189 Ibis Corncrake 61 Goosander 37 Glossy 49 Crake Goose Jackdaw 111 Spotted 61 Bar-headed 157 Jay 110, 182 Crane 63 Brent 21 Kestrel 107, 182, 186 Crossbill 151 Canada 20 Kingfisher 105 Crow Dark-bellied Brent 21 Kite Carrion 112 Egyptian 23 Black 53 Cuckoo 102 European White-fronted 19 Red 54 Curlew 71, 186 Greenland White-fronted 19, Kittiwake 91 Diver 214 Knot 74 Black-throated 40 Greylag 20 Lapwing 67, 186 Great Northern 41 Lesser Canada 157 Linnet 149 Red-throated 40 Light-bellied Brent 22 Magpie 110 Dotterel 70 Pink-footed 19 Mallard 28 Dove Red-breasted 23 Martin Collared 101 White-fronted 19, 21 House 119, 183 Stock 100, 182 Goshawk 57, 197 Sand 118, 183 Turtle 101 Grebe Merganser Dowitcher Black-necked 52 Red-breasted 37 Long-billed 84 Great Crested 51 Merlin 107 Duck Little 50 Moorhen 62 Ferruginous 32 Red-necked 51 Myna Fulvous Whistling 157 Slavonian 52 Jungle 158 Long-tailed 35 Greenfinch 149 Nightingale 134, 186 Mandarin 25 Greenshank 81, 186 Nightjar 104 Ruddy 39 Guillemot 88, 188 Nuthatch 128, 182 Tufted 33 Gull Osprey 60 Wood 158 Black-headed 92, 186 Owl Dunlin 76, 186 Caspian 98 Barn 103, 182 Black-tailed Godwits, Pennington Marsh, Aug 8th (Martin Bennett) Dunnock 140, 182 Common 95 Little 103, 182

218 219 Long-eared 104 Green 80 Tern Short-eared 104 Pectoral 78 Arctic 90 Tawny 103, 182 Purple 77 Black 89 Oystercatcher 65, 186, 188 Wood 82 Common 90 Parakeet Scaup 34 Little 89 Ring-necked 108 Scoter Roseate 90 Partridge Common 35 Sandwich 89, 188 Grey 39 Velvet 36 Thrush Red-legged 39 Serin 153 Mistle 133 Peregrine 108, 182 Shag 44 Song 132 Petrel Shearwater Tit Leach’s 43 Balearic 43 Bearded 116 Storm 43, 169 Manx 42 Blue 114 Phalarope Sooty 42 Coal 114 Grey 79 Shelduck 24 Great 114, 182, 183 Pheasant 40 Paradise 158 Long-tailed 120, 182 Reeve’s 158 Shoveler 30 Marsh 115 Pigeon Shrike Willow 115 Feral 100 Great Grey 109 Treecreeper 129 Pintail 29 Red-backed 109 Turnstone 73, 186 Pipit Siskin 153, 189 Wagtail Meadow 145 Skua Grey 142 Richard’s 144 Arctic 86 Pied 143 Rock 145 Great 86 White 143 Tree 144 Long-tailed 86, 169 Yellow 141 Water 146 Pomarine 86 Warbler Plover Skylark 117 Cetti’s 120, 182, 188 Golden 66 Smew 37 Dartford 126 Grey 67, 186 Snipe 85, 182, 188 Garden 125 Little Ringed 68 Jack 84 Grasshopper 127, 189 Ringed 69, 186 Sparrow Hume’s 121, 213 Pochard 32 House 140, 183, 186 Pallas’s Grasshopper 127, Red-crested 32 Italian 140 182, 211 Puffin 87 Tree 141 Reed 128, 189 Quail 39 Sparrowhawk 58 Sedge 128, 189 Rail Spoonbill 49 Willow 123, 188 Water 61, 182 Starling 129 Wood 122, 183, 186 Raven 112 Rose-coloured 130 Yellow-browed 121, 182 Razorbill 87, 188 Stilt Wheatear 139 Redpoll Black-winged 64, 169 Whimbrel 70 Common 151 Stint Whinchat 137 Lesser 150, 189 Little 78, 188 Whitethroat 126 Redshank 83, 186 Temminck’s 169 Lesser 125 Spotted 80 Stonechat 138 Wigeon 25, 183, 188 Redstart 136 Siberian 138 Woodcock 84, 186, 188 Black 136 Stone-curlew 64 Woodlark 116, 186 Redwing 133, 182, 189 Stork Woodpecker Rhea 157 White 48 Great Spotted 106, 182 Ring Ouzel 130 Swallow 118 Green 106 Robin 134, 182 Red-rumped 120 Lesser Spotted 107 Rook 112 Swan Woodpigeon 100 Rosefinch Bewick’s 19 Wren 129 Common 169 Black 157 Wryneck 106 Ruff 75 Mute 18, 186 Yellowhammer 154 Sanderling 76, 186, 188 Swift 105 Yellowlegs Sandpiper Teal 27 Lesser 82 Common 79 Green-winged 28 Curlew 75 Ringed 158

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