BTO - British Trust for Ornithology - BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (winter 2023/24)

SCMAYSON — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 14:22:12 +0000

Winter is often regarded as the season when nature sleeps - but the cold months can be an excellent time for birding. No

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack

Migration

Goldeneye

On the sea

In November, a succession of storms brought torrential rain, flooding and strong winds to much of the UK. Storm Ciarán swept across the south coast of England then pushed eastwards up the English Channel and into the North Sea, rewarding those willing to brave the gale-force winds with a host of late autumn seabirds.

Grey Phalaropes, Little Gulls, and the occasional Sabine’s Gull were noted, but it was Leach’s Petrel that was on most people’s radar – and this species didn’t disappoint. Several sites along the south-eastern coast of Britain logged good numbers, with a count of 115 in East Sussex being topped by a huge tally of 203 further along the coast at Dungeness, Kent. This same site also recorded an amazing 84 Storm Petrels, making for a truly memorable day of seawatching.

The sea provided yet more birdwatching during November as divers continued to head south to their traditional wintering areas, often in sheltered bays. BirdTrack saw an increase in reports for both Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, with some individuals being found on some inland reservoirs and lakes in addition to the stream of birds seen offshore.

Waxwings

Waxwings have continued to grace berry bushes up and down the country, much to the delight of birders and non-birders alike.

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The 2023 BirdTrack reporting rate for Waxwing in Scotland (red) and England (blue) reflects the birds’ southward movement in recent weeks.

In early November, the bulk of the sightings came from Scotland as birds arrived from across the North Sea, but over the last few weeks, flocks have pushed further south and west in search of new berries on which to gorge themselves. The BirdTrack reporting rates for Scotland and England show this shift in occurrence nicely, with reports falling away in Scotland while increasing across England.

The Grampian Ringing Group has been running a Waxwing colour-ringing study for a number of years to help researchers understand how flocks move across the country, if they winter in the same locations each year, and whether the birds’ wintering locations correlate with particular breeding populations in Fennoscandia. Each bird is given a unique combination of coloured rings, so individuals can be identified in the field.

You can help the group with their studies by reporting any colour-ringed Waxwings that you see – in doing so, you will also find out when and where the bird you saw was ringed! You will need to make a note of the colour of any rings, as well as their position and which leg of the bird they are on – if you have a camera, photographs can be a useful reference for this.

Looking at Waxwing reports across the rest of Europe, there appears to be a similar influx occurring in eastern Poland as flocks filter south through Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. You can watch this movement on EuroBirdPortal. Here in the UK, we will need another spell of easterly winds before we see any further significant arrivals on this side of the North Sea.

Wildfowl, waders and gulls

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Prolonged periods of freezing temperatures across Europe can result in ducks such as Smew moving to Britain and Ireland in search of open water.

Wildfowl continued to arrive from across Europe, with numbers of White-fronted Geese, Pintails, Pochards and Goldeneyes building. Goosanders, Red-breasted Mergansers and the first few Smews also gave a real wintery feel to the end of November as they moved to established wintering areas. These three species are diving ducks, with fish being their main prey item – their serrated bills, supremely adapted to catching fish underwater, give rise to their colloquial epithet ‘sawbill’. While Goosanders and Smews have a preference for freshwater habitats, Red-breasted Mergansers can often be found either on the sea around shallow coasts or on estuaries.

Bewick’s Swan is typically one of the last winter visitors to arrive in Britain and Ireland, and the species has been arriving later and later in recent years. This winter has been no different; the first arrival occurred in mid November, some 10–14 days later than the historical average. Studies have shown that this is in part due to birds ‘short-stopping’ on their migration, travelling less far south and west as climate change increases winter temperatures across northern Europe. You can read more about this phenomenon in the Waterbirds in the UK article ‘Short-stopping unwrapped’.

Short-stopping is partly responsible for the huge decline in the UK’s wintering population of Bewick’s Swan, which fell by 95% between the winters of 1995/96 and 2020/21. The Ouse and Nene Washes hold the largest flocks, but keep an eye out anywhere in south-eastern England for small groups or herds which can turn up, sometimes in the company of their larger Whooper Swan cousins.

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The tiny breeding population of Purple Sandpipers in northern Scotland is joined by many more birds from Greenland and Norway for winter, which disperse around our rocky coasts.

Purple Sandpipers are seen as true winter visitors by many birders, with around 9,000 of these lovely waders spending the colder months across Britain and Ireland. This species is a very rare breeder in the far north of Scotland, so the bulk of the wintering birds are those which arrive from Greenland and Norway.

They are birds of rocky coasts and can be found feeding amongst the crashing waves as they pick up invertebrates washed in from the sea. In bright light, the purplish sheen that gives them their name can be seen on their mantle (back) feathers. More and more birds have been reported since mid November, with some sites playing host to small flocks.

Reports of Mediterranean, Great Black-backed, and Caspian Gulls were also on the rise in November, and these birds have now been joined by the first Iceland and Glaucous Gulls of the year. Both of these latter species breed north of the UK; they look similar to Herring Gulls but lack the black wing-tips, instead having white primaries that earn them the nickname ‘white-wingers’. Numbers are, however, lower than expected for this time of year, perhaps due to a lack of northerly winds which usually carry these birds to the UK in recent weeks.

Help us monitor wintering gulls

You might already be sending us your gull records through BirdTrack, but did you know we are also looking for volunteers for the Winter Gull Survey?

If you are confident identifying the six main species of gull found in the UK in winter – Herring, Lesser Black-backed, Great Black-backed, Black-headed, Common and Mediterranean – visit the WinGS project pages to find out more about taking part.

Volunteers will only need to make a small number of visits to gull roosts between 2023 and 2025, but their contributions will help us fill in vital gaps in our understanding of these Amber- and Red-listed species.

How to take part in WinGS

Finches, larks and buntings

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Flocks of Twites are becoming increasingly scarce as the species’ population declines.

A scattering of Snow Bunting and Shore Lark reports have been a delight; both species are firm favourites with birders during the winter. Snow Buntings in particular can form large flocks, and their striking black and white wing pattern is very distinctive when they are seen in flight.

Twites are closely related to Linnets, and as their old English name Mountain Linnet suggests, they have a preference for upland habitats. However, after the breeding season, British Twites move away from higher altitudes and spend the winter around our coasts. The declining population means records are becoming scarcer – traditional wintering areas such as Thornham in North Norfolk have seen numbers dwindle each year, and the species is now a rare winter visitor in Norfolk where double-figure counts were once regular.

So far this winter, reports have again been low, with the highest counts coming from a couple of locations in Northumberland and Lancashire. Two birds spotted in Kent have been popular with birders due to the paucity of this species there in recent years. It is worth checking any finch flocks you may encounter at the coast; the Twites’ pale yellowish bill and pink patch above the tail help differentiate them from the similar-looking Linnet.

Rarities and scarcities

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The Canvasback is closely related to the Pochard, a more familiar species for UK birdwatchers.

Since the last blog, the rarity highlights have had an American bias: a Cape May Warbler in the Isles of Scilly, the first White-crowned Sparrow for Cornwall, an American Robin and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak in County Cork and a Baltimore Oriole in Fife all originated from the other side of the Atlantic.

A Brünnich’s Guillemot in the Scottish Borders and a Little Crake in Buckinghamshire provided further interest, while a Canvasback in Essex sparked some lively discussion as to its origins – a transatlantic vagrant or simply a fence hopper from a wildfowl collection?

This handsome duck is a North American species, closely related to the Pochard, Tufted Duck, and Greater and Lesser Scaup. It is a rare visitor to the UK and findings are often contested because it is a popular species in ornamental duck ponds, making records tricky to verify.

“A Canvasback in Essex sparked some lively discussion as to its origins – a transatlantic vagrant or simply a fence hopper from a wildfowl collection?”

Looking ahead

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Ground-feeding species such as Woodcock need to find unfrozen earth in which to feed during cold weather.

As we edge ever closer to the shortest day of the year, large-scale migration slows week by week with the main drivers of bird movements being freezing weather and snow.

The Gulf Stream keeps temperatures a few degrees warmer across much of Britain and Ireland compared to the rest of Europe, and it is during times of prolonged freezing temperatures and snow that several species head to our shores to escape the harsh weather. These cold weather movements are very dependent on the extent of the freezing conditions and their duration; the longer these cold snaps last and the larger the area they affect, the greater the likelihood that birds will arrive here.

Species displaced by such extreme cold periods are typically those that live on or near water or need soft ground in which to feed. Waterfowl are often forced to migrate in search of open water in icy conditions, with a variety of ducks, geese, and swans arriving en masse. These might be joined by ground-feeding species such as Snipe, Woodcock, and thrushes in search of unfrozen earth to probe for worms and other invertebrates.

“Species displaced by extreme cold periods are typically those that live on or near water, or need soft ground in which to feed – look out for ducks, geese and swans as well as Snipe, Woodcock and thrushes.”

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As the winter progresses, more Glaucous Gulls are likely to arrive in the UK. Look out for their huge size and pale plumage.

Cold winds are also likely to bring more Iceland and Glaucous Gulls to our shores. These are regular winter visitors to Britain and Ireland, but the numbers arriving each winter are very dependent on the weather with the bulk of birds arriving during northerly winds.

This year, there have only been a couple of days when this type of weather pattern has occurred, and as a result, only a scattering of birds have been reported, mainly in the Outer Hebrides, Western Scotland, and Northern Ireland. As the winter progresses, more are likely to arrive, especially after any winter storms that have tracked across Iceland. Most of the birds that turn up here will be in their first winter, and their pale milky-tea plumage helps pick them out from similarly aged Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Even if there isn’t any particularly cold weather across Europe, winter is always a good time of year to look for Bullfinches. These are secretive birds and can be difficult to see during the summer months, which is surprising given their large size and bright plumage. Any areas of dense scrub with some larger bushes are worth checking; Bullfinches will often feed on the berries of hawthorns. Their soft “heeew” call is worth learning as they are more often heard than seen.

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“Bullfinches can be extremely secretive but listening out for their soft call is a good way of finding them.”

Now is also a good time of year to look for some of the scarcer grebe species. Varying numbers of Black-necked, Slavonian, and Red-necked Grebes winter across the country and can be found on a variety of waterbodies, from lakes and inland lochs to estuaries and even on the sea.

Black-necked and Slavonian are the smallest of the three – a bit bigger than Little Grebes, with white and dark grey plumage that helps separate them from this browner-plumaged cousin. Learn how to distinguish Black-necked and Slavonian Grebes in our winter grebe ID video.

Red-necked Grebes are slightly smaller than Great Crested Grebes but share a similar body profile of a long neck and sleek body, but the neck tends to be dirtier looking than the pristine white seen on Great Crested Grebes.

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Look out for Blackbirds feasting on winter berries.

Any trees or shrubs with berries are worth checking regularly: Blackbird, Redwing, Fieldfare, Waxwing and even the occasional overwintering Blackcap can be found feasting in them.

You can attract many of these birds to your garden by putting apples out, with the added bonus of being able to watch the birds from the comfort of your own home! Who knows, you may even attract a rarity – Black-throated Thrush and Dusky Thrush have both been found in people’s gardens in recent winters.

Other rarities that have occurred at this time of year include Blyth’s Pipit, Baikal Teal, and Ivory Gull, all of which are sure to brighten up the dullest of winter days.

Tracking avian influenza: send us your records with BirdTrack

So far this winter, cases of avian influenza seem to be falling – but we still urgently need your help to monitor the spread of the disease.

It’s quick and easy to submit cases to Defra or DAERA and BirdTrack, and gives us vital information about cases in real time.

Learn how to report cases of avian influenza

December 2023

Winter is often regarded as the season when nature sleeps. But birdwatching in the colder months can be extremely rewarding, with local migration and huge irruptions of birds occurring across Europe in response to the changing weather conditions.

Goldeneye, by Sarah Kelman / BTO

08 Dec 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (end of October to mid November)

SCMAYSON — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:18:29 +0000

Even as we reach the beginning of November, autumn migration is still very evident. Birds continue to arrive in the UK from more northerly regions to spend the next few months here in our warmer winters, before departing again next spring. Yes

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack

Migration

The influx of Waxwings that started at the beginning of October shows no signs of slowing as more and more flocks of this delightful winter visitor are reported across the country. Initially, reports were mostly confined to the Shetland Islands and some parts of northern mainland Scotland, but in the past week, increasing numbers of birds have moved down through the UK with some reported as far south as the Isles of Scilly.

Around 450 Waxwings were reported in total, with the biggest flocks still seen in Scotland – 200 in one flock in Moray and Nairn, and a flock of over 100 in Aberdeenshire. However, a flock of over 90 in Northumberland showed it wasn’t just the odd individual heading south. In Norway, Sweden, and Finland birds are still pushing south and east – so with luck, more flocks will cross the North Sea and arrive here over the next few weeks.

In Norway, Sweden, and Finland Waxwings are still pushing south and east – so with luck, more flocks will cross the North Sea and arrive here over the next few weeks.

While the peak of Redwing migration has passed, that of another Fennoscandian visitor is still in full swing: Fieldfares continue to arrive, with birds widely reported across the country. Groups arriving along the east coast tend to head straight inland, only stopping for a few minutes to feed before taking flight again in garrulous flocks. Their loud “black jack” call is a good indicator of their presence, and when they form mixed-species flocks, is often accompanied by the Redwings’ high-pitched “zeeep” and Blackbirds’ scolding “pink pwink pwink”.

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The BirdTrack reporting rate for Woodcock in 2023 (green) compared to historical data from 1927–2022 (red) shows the usual autumnal influx of this species to the UK.

Woodcocks continue their steady arrival as birds depart their core breeding range of Russia and Fennoscandia and head west to winter across Britain, Ireland, and western Europe. Birds have been known to migrate to the UK from as far east as central Russia. The most recent data suggest that almost one and a half million birds winter here, but we also know that the total number fell by around 16% between 1996 and 2004. The cause of this decline is not well known but could be related to the changing management of woodland and scrub.

Each autumn, flocks of Woodpigeons heading south are a common sight all across the UK – a great example of visible migration or ‘vismig’, bird migration that is visible during daylight hours. Where these Woodpigeons have come from and where they are going is still not fully understood. However, it’s thought that some birds arrive in the UK from north-west Europe, and some of ‘our’ breeding birds head south to winter in the oak forests of Portugal.

In the past few weeks, flocks of Woodpigeons have been widely reported, and among these, increasing numbers of Stock Doves – closely related to Woodpigeons – have also been noted. Their smaller size and lack of a white bar in the wing help birders pick them out from the commoner Woodpigeons.

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Snow Buntings arrive from both Iceland and Fennoscandia to spend the winter in the UK.

A spike in Snow Bunting records was bang on time, corresponding with the annual arrival that is expected around the end of October. These wintering birds can often be found along coastal areas, where they will sometimes mix with Linnets, Twites, Lapland Buntings and Skylarks.

Snow Buntings that breed in Scotland have been joined by birds from Iceland, Fennoscandia and north-west Russia.

Snow Buntings breed across a wide swath of arctic, high alpine, and tundra regions, and within these areas, there are a few different subspecies. The 75 or so pairs that breed in Scotland are of the Plectrophenax nivalis insulae subspecies, and in winter, these are joined by birds of the same subspecies that breed in Iceland. The P. nivalis nivalis subspecies breeds in Fennoscandia and north-west Russia and migrates to the UK to join the insulae subspecies over the winter. Separating nivalis and insulae in the field is possible, but can be very tricky.

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Water Pipits prefer reed-edged pools and flooded grasslands in the winter months.

The last week has also seen an increase in reports of Water Pipit. This species is a scarce but regular winter visitor from central and southern Europe where it prefers to breed in alpine areas, descending from the higher altitudes in autumn. During the winter, as their name suggests, Water Pipits have a preference for damp habitats, with reed-edged pools and flooded grasslands being particular favourites.

During the winter, Water Pipits move from their alpine breeding grounds to lower-altitude, damp habitats like reed-edged pools and flooded grasslands.

The greyer plumage and bold eyestripe of Water Pipits are helpful identification features which separate them from Meadow and Rock Pipits. You can brush up on your pipit identification skills with our Bird ID video, Identifying Water Pipit and Rock Pipit.

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Great Grey Shrikes are regular but scarce winter visitors to the UK. Numbers vary each year, but some sites see birds returning each winter.

A late flurry of scarce migrants was mostly concentrated in the north-east, but some birds were found further south and west as they filtered down the country, probably having arrived a few days earlier. The bulk of these reports was made up of Pallid Swift, Dusky Warbler, Pallas’s Warbler, and the odd Great Grey Shrike. Many will be hoping that it is a good year for the latter species, which is a firm winter favourite for plenty of birders.

Many will be hoping that it is a good year for Great Grey Shrike – this handsome species is a firm winter favourite of many birders.

The highlight in terms of rarities was a Two-barred Greenish Warbler that took up temporary residence at Flamborough; this species is usually found in Asia, across Mongolia, southern Siberia and north-east China. A Solitary Sandpiper, the American cousin of our more familiar Green Sandpiper, played hard to get in Kent with many keen birders searching for it – it has been 12 years since the last record of this species in mainland Britain.

Looking ahead

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Bewick’s Swans are slightly smaller than Whooper Swans, and have a rounded yellow patch on the bill. This patch is sharply triangular in Whooper Swans.

Although the peak of autumn migration has passed, birds will still be arriving over the coming weeks ahead of the colder temperatures of winter. Starlings, as mentioned in the previous migration blog, migrate here from all across north-eastern Europe and more will arrive in the coming weeks, especially if we get any easterly winds.

Bewick’s Swans, the Whooper Swans’ smaller cousins, begin arriving in larger numbers throughout November from their breeding areas across the Arctic and north-eastern Russia. Family groups migrate together and will stay in groups for much of the winter before they head back north and east in late February.

Like Bewick’s Swans, Tundra Bean Geese tend to arrive later in the year than other wintering wildfowl and breed across the Arctic and north-eastern Russia. Look out for their orange legs and the orange band on their bill which helps to distinguish them from similar-looking Pink-footed Geese.

Look out for Tundra Bean Geese – their orange legs and the orange band on their bill helps differentiate them from Pink-footed Geese.

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Look out for Red-throated Divers feeding amongst Great Crested Grebes just offshore.

A visit to the coast at this time of year can be rewarding, with flocks of sea ducks, divers and grebes gathering offshore. It can be surprising to see flocks of Great Crested Grebes sitting on the sea, but during the winter they are just as at home there as they are on freshwater. In some places, you can see good numbers feeding offshore amongst groups of Red-throated Divers.

If we get any strong northerly winds in the next few weeks, a visit to the coast could also be rewarded with a sighting of a Little Auk. This diminutive relative of the Guillemot breeds much further north and, although small in size, is a robust bird that spends much of its life at sea. During storms, large numbers can be seen passing headlands and can sometimes turn up inland. They even have a habit of mixing in with flocks of Starlings crossing the sea.

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Any flock of scoters is worth checking for a vagrant Surf Scoter. Small numbers are found each winter off the UK’s coast, and the males – with their distinctive bill and white nape patch – stand out from the plainer-looking Common and Velvet Scoters.

Large flocks or ‘rafts’ of sea ducks, especially Common Scoters, will be worth checking for Velvet Scoters – these are surprisingly easy to spot thanks to their slightly stockier build, a white spot behind the eye and an obvious white wing flash, all of which make them stand out in large rafts of birds. The occasional Surf Scoter may also join these, particularly in flocks off the east coast.

The forecast for the next week is for more low-pressure systems to bring wet and windy conditions to most parts, which may well bring some more American vagrants to our shores. Fast-moving systems that originate along the eastern seaboard of the USA and cross the Atlantic in a couple of days tend to be the most productive for birdwatchers – sadly, systems that take longer to move over the ocean see fewer of the migrant birds caught up in the winds survive the epic crossing.

Similarly, the most likely species to make it across the Atlantic at this time of year are larger birds, such as wildfowl and gulls, as smaller birds are less able to withstand the stormy conditions and extended periods over open water. Species such as Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, and Green-winged Teal all have a history of arriving off the back of these weather systems. Bonaparte’s, Laughing, and Ring-billed Gulls are also likely, and maybe even a Franklin’s Gull.

In terms of smaller transatlantic vagrants, Chimney Swift, Mourning Dove, Blackpoll Warbler and American Robin are all possible, so keep your eyes peeled.

Send us your records with BirdTrack

Help us track the departures and arrivals of migrating birds by submitting your sightings to BirdTrack.

It’s quick and easy, and signing up to BirdTrack also allows you to explore trends, reports and recent records in your area.

Find out more

November 2023

Stock Dove, by Liz Cutting / BTO

03 Nov 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (27 October–2 November)

SCMAYSON — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 09:12:56 +0000

Storm Babet battered much of the country at the end of last week, bringing high winds, torrential rain and flooding to many areas. These same high winds did produce a good number of seabirds along the eastern coasts, though, especially in Scotland and northern England. No

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

BirdTrack

Leach’s Petrel, a small thrush-sized seabird that spends almost its entire life out over the open ocean, was particularly well-reported. Several locations recorded multiple birds, with Fife and Lothian seeing the bulk of the higher counts; reports from around Edinburgh were particularly notable, with 70 birds seen past South Queensferry and 34 off Musselburgh.

Good numbers of Little Gulls were seen along the east coast, often in small mixed-age flocks, with their dark underwing helping their identification. The highest counts for this species in the last week included 1,600 reported past Sheringham, Norfolk on 21 October.

The Shag is a close relative of the more familiar Cormorant but is found almost exclusively along rocky coastlines, with far fewer inland, riverine records. During the last week, several places along the east coast have seen large numbers of Shags moving south and unusually some of these have turned up inland, in very odd places – inside buildings, swimming down rivers, and even sitting on farm machinery at the edge of fields. Storms such as Babet can displace migrating birds quite significantly; those exhausted by the weather often hunker down in unusual spots to recover before moving on.

Storms such as Babet can displace migrating birds quite significantly; those exhausted by the weather often hunker down in unusual spots to recover before moving on.

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Storm Babet pushed several Grey Phalaropes close to shore as birds sought shelter from the high winds.

A surge in Grey Phalarope reports also followed Storm Babet as migrating birds were pushed from the open ocean towards the coast. A count of 12 of these lovely birds at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, must have made for a fantastic sight.

Grey Phalaropes breed across the Arctic and, unusually for a wader species, spend the winter in large gatherings at sea, off the coasts of western Africa, South America, and the southern United States. Ocean upwellings in these tropical and subtropical regions bring food to the surface of the sea, ideal conditions for the phalaropes’ feeding strategy: these dainty waders swim rapidly in tight circles, generating a whirlpool and plucking small invertebrates caught up by this movement from the edge of the vortex.

Wildfowl continued to arrive, with the northerly winds during the first part of last weekend providing ideal conditions for their movements. Flocks of Pink-footed, European White-fronted, Dark-bellied Brent and Barnacle Geese were reported up and down the east coast as birds heading south from northern Europe arrived. Goldeneye, Scaup, and Long-tailed Duck numbers typically build from the end of October and through into November, and during the last week sightings for all three species increased; again, the majority of birds were reported along the east coast. Long-tailed Ducks in particular have a preference for coastal waters, but, like Goldeneye and Scaup, can also be found on freshwater lakes.

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Coal Tits of the subspecies Periparus ater ater have a bluish tone to the mantle and a slight crest.

Back in early October, huge numbers of Coal Tits were recorded moving south across northern and western Europe. Among the most astonishing records was a report of 69,000 individuals passing through Hanko Bird Observatory in southern Finland on 1 October. This ‘irruption’ involves Coal Tits of the Continental subspecies Periparus ater ater; they have a bluish-grey mantle and a very slight crest compared to birds of the British and Irish subspecies P. ater britannicus.

The irruption has recently moved westward, bringing more of these delightful birds to our shores. Coal Tits are a rare find in Shetland, but during the past week over 100 have been recorded from the archipelago; this mass arrival has been a highlight of the autumn for many resident birders.

Continental Coal Tits aren’t the only birds to have arrived from further east: there have also been scattered records of ‘Northern’ Treecreepers (the Certhia familiaris familiaris subspecies) and ‘Northern’ Bullfinches (the Pyrrhula pyrrhula pyrrhula subspecies), mainly across northern parts of the UK. Indeed, a Northern Bullfinch was found in the kitchen of a Shetland house during the week!

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The BirdTrack reporting rate for Redwing (green), Fieldfare (purple) and Ring Ouzel (red), based on historical data from 1927–2022. Changes in the reporting rate throughout the year reflect the seasonal presence of these species in Britain and Ireland and their different autumnal arrival times.

The calmer weather in the wake of Storm Babet also allowed a good mix of other passerines to arrive from further east, or continue pushing south across the country. At some migration hotspots, it was difficult to know where to look with a steady stream of many different species passing overhead.

Finch species including Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Lesser Repoll, Siskin and Brambling all saw an increase in reports. Other species on the move were Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Reed Bunting, and Pied Wagtail. As is typical for this time of year, there was an increase in reports of thrush species: Blackbird, Redwing, Fieldfare, Ring Ouzel, and Mistle Thrush arrived in ever-growing numbers from Fennoscandia. Reports of both Robin and Dunnock also increased; both are species we don’t typically think of as migrants, but Continental birds do arrive here each autumn to escape the coldest of the European winters.

The high-pitched call of the Goldcrest has been a common sound in the last week too, with hundreds of these birds arriving from across the North Sea, taking advantage of the same easterly winds that brought the flocks of thrushes. These remarkable little sprites will feed almost anywhere when they arrive, with birds seen foraging in small patches of weeds and seemingly just as at home as when they are flitting through tall pine trees.

Top spots on the rarities list have to go to the Western Olivaceous Warbler – the first British record – and a Red-headed Bunting, which gave those tasked with confirming its identity quite a challenge.

As well as the more usual species, birdwatchers were delighted to see the past week produce a couple of standout rarities. Top of the list has to go to the Western Olivaceous Warbler that was found in Shetland, stayed around for a couple of days, and represents the first British record of this species. Given that this species breeds as near as southern Spain, it is surprising that it hasn’t occurred in the UK before.

A Red-headed Bunting – possibly only the second record for Britain – was spotted at Flamborough, causing some head-scratching from those who were tasked with confirming its identity. This was a challenge given how similar the species is to the closely related Black-headed Bunting, and the still-evolving criteria used to separate the two.

Looking ahead

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Large numbers of Shags have been seen moving south recently, with some turning up in unlikely locations; keep an eye out for these reptilian birds on lakes and reservoirs.

The end of October is often considered to coincide with the end of the autumn migration period, the last roll of the dice to find a rare vagrant. In recent years, though, this window of opportunity has been pushed further into November – so there are still a few weeks remaining for you to see a range of species on the move, before winter establishes itself and birds become more sedentary.

Given the movement of birds seen last week, now would be a good time to look for Shags, especially if you live near a reservoir or large body of fresh water. Shags are slightly smaller than Cormorants and have a thinner neck and a slimmer bill that they tend to hold slightly raised, especially when swimming. Feeding birds leap out of the water to dive for fish, whereas Cormorants do this less often, preferring to just slink below the surface. You can learn more about how to separate these species in our Cormorant and Shag Bird ID video.

The weather for the coming weekend looks to be split across the country, with mixed conditions for migration. A low-pressure system will bring south-westerly winds for southern and western regions, and easterly and north-easterly winds for much of northern England and Scotland, all accompanied by frequent spells of rain.

Clearer skies, shorter days, and colder temperatures in north-western Europe will continue to signal to birds that it’s time to head south for winter – expect to see more Redwings and Fieldfares as well as finches like Bramblings, and look out for unusual passerines like Siberian Chiffchaffs.

Scotland and northern England will likely receive the majority of migrant birds from north-western Europe as clearer skies, shorter days, and colder temperatures in that region continue to signal to birds that it’s time to head south for winter. Expect another arrival of Redwings and Fieldfares, as well as more Goldcrests, and finches such as Bramblings.

Any Chiffchaff you see at this time of year is worth scrutinising: it could be a Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis. This subspecies of the Chiffchaff breeds, as its name suggests, across the Siberian taiga, and is paler in appearance than our ‘usual’ Chiffchaff, P. collybita. Key identification features include its plumage, which is a buff colour over much of the body, the legs and bill, which are strikingly dark, and the supercilium (stripe over the eye), which lacks any yellowish tones. The Siberian Chiffchaff’s call is a short, weak “peep” that is squeakier in tone than a Chiffchaff’s more fluting, ascending “swiit”.

Common Chiffchaff call

Siberian Chiffchaff call

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Starlings from all across north-eastern Europe spend the winter in Britain and Ireland. Flocks can often be seen coming in off the sea at this time of the year.

Each winter, our resident population of Starlings is joined by thousands of birds that fly across the North Sea from Continental Europe. Flocks of Starlings coming in low over the sea are a familiar sight for many seawatchers, but can be a bit of a surprise when first witnessed.

The main breeding grounds of the Starlings that migrate to Britain and Ireland lie approximately east-north-east, with birds coming from Norway, the Low Countries, north Germany, north Poland, and northern Russia. Many of these Continental birds will stay here until March or April before they complete their annual migration cycle and head westward.

Look out for Starling murmurations in the coming weeks – these large, swirling flocks are indubitably a spectacle of nature in winter, and can in fact contain birds from all across northern Europe!

Any calmer spells of weather during the next week should see the rest of passerine migration continue, with finches and thrushes again making up the bulk of the birds on the move. You don’t need to go far to witness this, as birds will be mobile across a wide front. It’s also worth listening out for the calls of birds overhead, as many announce their presence this way.

Sitting in the garden with a cup of tea could result in watching a nice variety of species flying over; why not see how many you can record in 20 minutes?

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2 October 2023

Coal Tit, by Liz Cutting / BTO

27 Oct 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (20–26 October)

SCMAYSON — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 14:14:27 +0000

With a chill to the morning air, bushes laden with fruit, and the rich colours of autumn leaves, October is a feast for the senses – and as the autumnal equinox recedes, migration takes on a distinctly wintery feel. Yes

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack

Birds and people

Staff voices

The last of the summer migrants have yet to depart, but their numbers are diminishing by the week as they move south. Swallows and House Martins are still being recorded, but it won’t be long before most have flown from our shores (although in 2022, up to 12 Swallows were recorded through the winter months in southerly regions of the UK).

Much to the delight of birders on the east coast, a spell of stronger easterly winds during the middle of the past week saw a variety of passage seabirds reported: Leach’s Petrels, Sabine’s Gulls, Sooty Shearwaters, Little Gulls and several skua species were seen from a number of watchpoints.

Winter migrants have started arriving in large numbers, escaping the colder temperatures further north and east. As with summer migrants arriving in the spring, certain species typically arrive earlier than others.

Teal and Wigeon numbers began to increase in September and earlier in October, and in recent weeks they have been joined by Pink-footed Geese from Iceland and eastern Greenland, Light-bellied Brent Geese from the Canadian Arctic, Greenland and Svalbard, and Dark-bellied Brent Geese from Siberia.

Tufted Duck numbers have been increasing as resident birds (those that spend all year in the UK) are joined by those from breeding grounds as far away as Iceland and arctic Russia. These flocks are always worth checking as they may contain other diving duck species such as Scaup, Goldeneye, or even Ring-necked Duck from North and Central America. Over a dozen of these rare but regular vagrants have been spotted in both Britain and Ireland in recent weeks, with some ‘regulars’ returning to their preferred wintering grounds which they visit every year.

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The BirdTrack reporting rate for Whooper Swan shows that arrivals this year are earlier than expected.

Reports of Whooper Swans have been greater than expected for this time of year. Birds may have taken advantage of the southerly tailwinds in the last week; these are favourable for this species’ migration, during which birds fly virtually non-stop from their Icelandic breeding grounds to Britain and Ireland. The tailwind greatly reduces the energy required to make this journey.

The Whooper Swan arrives roughly a month before its smaller ‘wild swan’ cousin, the Bewick’s Swan, which breeds further east in arctic Russia.

Redwings arrived in huge numbers earlier this month, with sightings of over 30,000 individuals in a single day at some migration hot spots on the east coast. More recently, the first pulse of Fieldfares also began to arrive; this species tends to arrive three to four weeks after the main arrival of Redwings. The Fieldfares’ chacking “blackjack” call could be heard as small groups arrived off the North Sea, having made the crossing from Fennoscandia.

Although Mistle Thrush might not spring to mind as a migratory species, breeding populations across much of north-eastern Europe also desert these freezing regions in winter and head south and west to warmer climes. Birds from these populations arrive in the UK during September and October in small groups of up to 10 birds, unlike the vast flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare that reach our shores.

Identifying winter thrushes: Redwing and Fieldfare

Redwing and Fieldfare may look similar at first glance, but with practice, it’s easy to tell them apart by appearance and by call.

The calmer, brighter days over the last week also resulted in widespread reports of Siskin, Chaffinch, redpolls (both Lesser and Common), and Goldfinches heading south in mixed flocks, some of which contained the occasional Hawfinch and Brambling.

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Will 2023/24 be a ‘Waxwing winter’? We'll have to wait and see.

For many, a flush of Waxwing sightings was enough to raise the question of whether we are in for a ‘Waxwing winter’ – a term used by birdwatchers to describe a year in which a particularly large arrival or ‘irruption’ of Waxwings reaches our shores. This magnificent punk rocker of the bird world is a firm favourite amongst birdwatchers, not only because of its beautiful plumage but also because it has a habit of turning up in residential areas where the relatively confiding birds feast on the berries of ornamental trees and shrubs.

Waxwings – the magnificent punk rockers of the bird world – are a firm favourite amongst birdwatchers, with beautiful plumage and a confiding habit.

The majority of recent sightings have come from Shetland, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and mainland northern Scotland, but a few birds have made it as far west as Galway and as far south as North Norfolk. While reports aren’t above the historical average, it is encouraging to see birds arriving this early in the autumn.

A similar pattern occurred during the last big ‘irruption year’ in 2012; let us hope more arrive in the coming weeks. You can watch the live reports of Waxwing movements on EuroBirdPortal, and compare them to previous years. The movements of Waxwing in 2012 are particularly impressive.

October has always had the reputation of producing its fair share of rare and mega-rare species, and so far, the month has not disappointed. A Short-toed Treecreeper, a Continental relative of our more familiar Treecreeper, was seen in Kent, and an Upland Sandpiper made it all the way across the Atlantic to pitch in County Cork.

The second American Yellow Warbler of the year for Shetland graced gardens around Hoswick, while a Black-and-white Warbler entertained slightly smaller but no less appreciative crowds in Galway. This is the second record this year for Ireland, and incredibly, up to eight have been seen this autumn in Britain and Ireland. This makes 2023 the single best year for this species; the previous highest annual total was of four birds, in 1996.

Looking ahead

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Look out for ‘autumn sprites’ in the coming week: Goldcrests (pictured), Firecrests, Yellow-browed Warbler and Pallas’s Warbler.

Easterly winds look set to extend into the weekend as a band of low-pressure moves across the southern half of the country towards the North Sea. Heavy showers and strong winds could ground migrant birds arriving from Fennoscandia along our eastern coasts as birds seek out cover from the weather. Seawatching on the North Sea should be productive if you can find some shelter from the weather; Pomarine Skua, Leach’s Petrel , Grey Phalarope, Sooty Shearwater, and Sabine’s Gull are all worth looking out for.

As the low pressure pulls away on Sunday, finer weather should follow. This will be a good time to check bushes for any passerine migrants that may have made landfall during the storm conditions.

Goldcrests, although small, are surprisingly tough: despite weighing only around 5 grams – the same as a 20 pence coin – thousands of these feisty birds migrate from Fennoscandia across the North Sea and to the UK each autumn. It was once believed that these birds hitched a ride on the back of migrating Woodcock, which made the same journey at a similar time of year. Any areas of scrub or woodland will be worth checking from Sunday; listen out for the calls of foraging tit flocks, which Goldcrests will often join.

These tit flocks are also worth checking for other ‘autumn sprites’: Firecrest and Yellow-browed Warbler may well be mixed in too, and you could even score something rarer like a Pallas’s Warbler. You can brush up on your ID skills in preparation for the commoner species with our Goldcrest and Firecrest Bird ID Video.

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Brambling are lovely birds – learn their call to help you distinguish them from Chaffinches.

The number of Brambling migrating to the UK each year can vary, but generally, next week is considered the start of their main arrival period. The conditions over the early part of the weekend could see good numbers of these lovely birds. Listen out for their buzzing “tswairk” call, and keep an eye out for their white rump when they are in flight – both these features will help you distinguish them from the Chaffinches that will also be arriving.

So far this autumn, good numbers of Stonechats have been reported. These birds will be a mix of the hibernans race that breeds across Britain, Ireland and south-western Europe, and some rubicola race birds that breed in central and western Europe. These races can be difficult to tell apart during the autumn, but it is worth checking any Stonechat at this time of year to see if it is, in fact, a rarer relative: Siberian Stonechat and Amur Stonechat (formally known as Stejneger’s Stonechat) are both generally paler in colour than ‘our’ Stonechat and have a peachy wash to the rump.

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Short-eared Owls can be distinguished from Long-eared Owls by their yellow eyes, which are orange in the latter species.

Both Short-eared and Long-eared Owls arriving from the near-Continent can be seen during daylight hours in October, and are often seen flying out to sea, looking for a suitable place to make landfall. Corvids, especially Carrion Crows, Rooks and Jackdaws, frequently mob these owls, and busy groups of these birds can be a good way of locating an arriving owl.

As we move into next week, there will be a return to westerlies and rain as low-pressure systems arrive from the Atlantic. The heavy, more persistent bands of rain across much of Britain and Ireland will slow migration for a while, but it will still be worth looking out for migrants such as Golden Plover. Numbers will be building throughout October, and flocks can be found not only at coastal locations and estuaries but also on arable land, where they will often join Lapwing in large flocks. Their spangled winter plumage is duller than their striking summer finery: a mix of grey-brown feathering with only the wing, mantle, and tail feathers edged in golden yellow. This can make them difficult to spot in ploughed fields, and frequently, flocks are only noticed when they take flight to move from field to field. Again, these flocks are worth checking for rarer American and Pacific Golden Plovers; both these species are slightly smaller and longer-legged, and at this time of year, tend to be greyer in plumage with a more prominent stripe over the eye.

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Siberian Rubythroats found in the UK are not often in their namesake plumage – although sometimes, as on this bird, a few red feathers are visible.

South-easterly winds look set to reach Shetland and Orkney at the start of the week, and this could be a recipe for a few exciting birds – maybe a Siberian Rubythroat, Siberian Blue Robin, or Rufous-tailed Robin will have a few people heading north.

By the middle of the week, low pressure will still be in charge of the weather, and at present, it looks like a spell of south and south-westerlies is forecast. If the winds stay light and the rain stays away, these will be good ‘visible migration’ conditions with finches being the main species group on the move. Siskin, redpolls (both Lesser and Common, although they are hard to separate when seen flying overhead), Chaffinch, and Goldfinch will make up the bulk of these birds, but look out for Brambling, Greenfinch, and, with luck, the occasional Hawfinch.

Possible rarities arriving on these winds include Pallid Swift, for which the majority of historical UK records are in late October and early November.

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2 October 2023

Waxwing, by Liz Cutting / BTO

20 Oct 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (29 September–5 October)

SCMAYSON — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:24:54 +0000

The volume and variety of American birds found up and down the west coast over the past week have been nothing short of mind-blowing. No

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

BirdTrack

Over 50 individuals of some 15 species were reported over the course of the week. These included a new species for Britain in the form of a Canada Warbler in Pembrokeshire. There was also a Tennessee Warbler at Inishbofin, which was only the second record for Ireland. Other notable species included the second Bay-breasted Warbler and Philadelphia Vireo records for Britain, the third and fourth Magnolia Warbler records, and a Blackburnian Warbler in Shetland – the second record for the archipelago – and, on the Isles of Scilly, the first Northern Parula reported in Britain since 2010. Amazingly, three of the four Black-and-white Warblers reported were found on Bardsey Island, around Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory. The birds were all caught safely, ringed and released, so we can be sure there were three individuals.

This autumn will, without doubt, go down in birding folklore and be talked about for years to come. Whether you saw any of these birds or not, the sheer number, variety, and intensity of the past week from a birdwatching perspective is truly staggering.

The run of westerly winds also saw the numbers of common migrants build as birds congregated near the coast, waiting for the winds to drop or change direction before continuing migration. Both Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs continued to be seen in good numbers; it seemed every stretch of hedge or scrub hosted a Chiffchaff in some areas, with many birds still singing. These birds probably moved on as the wind began to drop in the south and east during the later part of the week, but were likely replaced by birds from further north, which will continue to filter down the UK in the next couple of weeks.

Each August, reports of Skylark fall away; when the birds stop singing they become less obvious and harder to find. However, as autumn progresses, we see reports increase again as birds disperse away from their breeding areas. Last week saw the first push of these birds as they took advantage of the clear skies and a drop in the wind, with small groups heard giving their trilling flight call as they passed overhead. Skylark flocks often join other species which are also moving south, such as Meadow Pipits and even the occasional Woodlark.

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The drop in the BirdTrack reporting rate for Skylark that is seen in August reflects the species’ reduced visibility at this time of year, when birds are no longer singing but not yet on migration. Reports rise again in September when Skylark migration begins.

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An astonishing 36,600 migrating Coal Tits were recorded in southern Finland on Monday.

Gadwall and Pintail typically arrive a bit later in the autumn, but are already joining the increasing numbers of Teal and Wigeon as birds arrive from Iceland, arctic Russia and Fennoscandia. Records of Pink-footed and Brent Geese are also climbing, and the first small arrival of Whooper Swans was noted last week with family groups arriving from Iceland.

Jay reports continued to increase as birds stockpiled acorns ahead of the coming winter. Their distinctive flight, white rump, and raucous call make them a conspicuous species throughout the year, but they are even more noticeable during the autumn months when their foraging activity increases.

Further afield, an astonishing migration of Coal Tit was seen in southern Finland, where over 36,600 were counted on Monday. We don’t often think of this species as migrating, but many of the members of the tit family are in fact partial migrants and will move south from Fennoscandia to avoid the colder temperatures of winter. Coal Tits from Continental Europe are reported each autumn in the UK; these birds are of the European subspecies Periparus ater ater (the British subspecies of Coal Tit is Periparus ater britannica) and can be distinguished from their British counterparts by a slight crest as well as bluish-grey on the back and wings.

Looking ahead

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Grey Plover passage peaks in late September and early October. Flying birds show a distinctive black armpit.

Over the coming weekend, a spell of south-westerlies will be followed by a band of rain across much of Ireland and the northern half of Britain. Most small migratory birds such as warblers will likely keep their heads down during such inclement weather, but waders and seabirds often carry on migrating and feeding regardless. Visiting coastal headlands in the south-west is likely to prove productive for seawatching; look out for Sooty, Great, Balearic, and Cory’s Shearwaters. With luck, the occasional Sabine’s Gull, Leach’s Petrel, or Grey Phalarope will also be in the mix. A visit to an estuary should provide a nice mix of waders, with Grey Plover, Turnstone, and Snipe all on the move at this time of year. Snipe are best looked for around the reedy edges of pools, and you may even score with a Jack Snipe. Look out for their bobbing feeding behaviour.

Yellow-browed Warblers have a reputation for turning up anywhere – getting familiar with their call will help you identify this lovely species.

Much of next week is forecast to be dominated by southerlies and westerlies of varying strengths. If the winds are light enough, birds will try to continue on their migration, especially if they have been held up in one area for a few days. Look out for flocks of Siskin, Redpoll, and Skylark on clear mornings; amongst these will be the occasional Pied and Grey Wagtail. Flocks of larks and pipits are always worth searching for rarer species, especially those which are feeding, as this affords the best views. A Lapland Bunting, Woodlark, or maybe even a Richard’s Pipit or Short-toed Lark are all possible additions to these flocks. With the good arrival of Yellow-browed Warblers a couple of weeks ago, we can also expect to see many of these birds filtering south, potentially turning up anywhere with trees or larger shrubs. Listen out for their distinctive “tchu-wee” call.

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With the last Sora recorded in the UK in 2020, will we see another this autumn?

Late September into early October is the peak arrival time for Dark-bellied Brent Goose; this species’ core wintering range in Britain extends south and west from the Humber Estuary as far as Dorset. Around 135,000 birds (of both Light-bellied and Dark-bellied subspecies) winter in the UK and are most often found at coastal locations and estuaries. Flocks of Brent Geese are made up of family groups, with this year’s offspring accompanying their parents. The juvenile birds’ light wing bars and dark neck, which lacks the adult birds’ unmistakable white neck patch, make them easy to recognise.

Whooper Swans will continue to arrive from Iceland, although we will probably have to wait a few more weeks for reports of their close relatives, the Bewick ’s Swan, which breeds in arctic Russia. Like Brent Geese, Whooper Swans often travel as a family group, with the young birds identifiable by their dark head and neck feathering and paler bills. These groups will stay together until the spring and can form large flocks or herds during the winter months.

If rarities are your thing, then you probably need to look to other American vagrants which may be swept across the Atlantic. Wilson’s Phalarope and Spotted Sandpiper are the most likely, given the time of year. Laughing or Bonaparte’s Gull must also be on the cards, but if we want to go even rarer, how about another Sora or Rose-breasted Grosbeak?

Send us your records with BirdTrack

Help us track migration amidst an outbreak of avian influenza.

Submitting your sightings to BirdTrack is quick and easy, and gives us vital information about our breeding and migrating birds.

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2 September 2023

The volume and variety of American birds found up and down the west coast over the past week have been nothing short of mind-blowing.

Pintail, by Sarah Kelman / BTO

29 Sep 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (22–28 September)

SCMAYSON — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 10:26:45 +0000

The speed of migration has picked up as the end of September draws near, with a mix of extremely rare species and more common migrants being seen in recent days. There are still a few weeks until autumn migration starts to slow down; who knows what they will bring? No

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

BirdTrack

As always, the weather is a huge factor in which species are seen where across Britain and Ireland, and the past week has been no exception. A spell of north-westerly winds on Sunday provided a wealth of seabirds along the east coast, with good numbers of Sooty Shearwaters seen. Mixed in were several Balearic Shearwaters and the odd Cory’s Shearwater, both of which are far more regular off southern coasts and would have been a welcome sight for many an east coast birder. With an increase in Kittiwake and tern reports came a similar increase in Arctic Skua reports. This is typical for this time of year as both adult and young birds head south, harassing Kittiwakes and other seabirds along the way to give up their food.

After a slow start to autumn migration, reports of Grey Plover jumped up last week, as birds dispersed away from their Siberian breeding grounds, no doubt taking advantage of the north-easterly winds. While some of these Grey Plovers will stay and spend the winter around the coast and on estuaries, others will continue south to winter in western and southern Africa. The black ‘arm-pit’ is a good identification feature on flying birds and helps separate them from Golden Plovers, as both species can look similar at this time of year when they are in their non-breeding plumage.

On land, these same winds produced a variety of common migrants, with increased reports of both Blackcap and Chiffchaff. This is now the peak of their autumn passage, and numbers will drop as we progress into October. A smaller arrival of Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts also brought with it the first Yellow-browed Warblers of the autumn, with around 60 birds reported from Shetland in the north to Scilly in the south. This species is a regular autumn migrant and a favourite with birdwatchers, and they can be found not only at coastal sites but also inland. Alongside the first Yellow-browed Warblers, a scattering of Barred Warblers and Red-breasted Flycatchers was also noted, as well as two Red-flanked Bluetails. Many will be hoping for more Red-flanked Bluetails later in the autumn, as this once ultra-rare species has expanded its range across Finland and is breeding in ever-increasing numbers. As a result, it is becoming a more frequent passage migrant.

We don’t generally think of Robins and Dunnocks as migratory species, but in the last couple of weeks, birds have been arriving from across Europe to spend the winter here. Numbers along coastal sites have increased, and over the next few weeks these birds will disperse inland. The Robin you see in your garden over the winter could in fact be a bird that bred in Poland or Germany.

On Wednesday, a fast-tracking low-pressure system moved across the Atlantic. Not only did this bring strong winds and rain to many parts of the country, but it also brought with it a deluge of American birds. At the time of writing, the tally of American waifs consisted of Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Alder Flycatcher, Bobolink, Black-and-white Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Buff-bellied Pipit, four American Cliff Swallows, and eight plus Red-eyed Vireos. It is likely that more will be found over the next couple of days.

Ring Ouzels start to pass through Britain and Ireland from the middle of September onwards.

Looking ahead

Next week looks to pick up where this week left off, with the remnants of Hurricane Nigel hitting the west coast on Monday. This will bring another batch of high winds and rain for many parts as it tracks across the country and may well produce another few American passerines. For anyone able to get to the west coast on Monday, checking the headlands and coastal scrub after the rain has passed could provide you with a dream rare bird. For the rest of the country, the coming weekend and following week look less than ideal for migration, with strong westerly and southerly winds forecast. What this does mean is that those migrants that are already here are unlikely to move too far, which gives you a chance to check lots of locations. Species like Swallow and House Martin will flock together, often hunting over waterbodies to build up their fat reserves ready for when the weather does clear. The same is true for other species, such as warblers and chats, which will take advantage of what seems to be a good berry year and feast while they can.

The usually shy Jay become more obvious in autumn as they search out acorns to stash ready for the winter.

A brief spell of easterly winds on Thursday could see migration pick up a little, and those birds that have been held up here will push south. Species to look out for include Ring Ouzel, Pied Flycatcher, Goldcrest, Skylark, Short-eared Owl, and Jay. While we may think of Jay as being fairly sedentary during the autumn, they become more conspicuous as they search out acorns, which they stash to feast on during the winter months. During years when there is an acorn shortage, irruptions of Jays can occur with birds from populations in Fennoscandia heading south and west in search of food. 2013 was one such year, and flocks of 10 or more birds were seen along eastern coasts. This year looks like it is a good acorn year, so such an irruption is unlikely, but it is still a good time of year to look for dispersing juveniles and adults looking for acorns.

2 September 2023

22 Sep 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (15–21 September)

SCMAYSON — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 08:37:38 +0000

Now we are moving into mid September, BirdTrack reporting rates have increased for many passage migrants and winter visitors. This is especially true for several duck and wader species, which come to estuaries and wetlands across Britain and Ireland to feed up in large numbers.

Nina O’Hanlon

Senior Research Ecologist

Nina is a Senior Research Ecologist and part of the Wetland and Marine Research Team, based within BTO Scotland. Her role involves reporting, analysis and fieldwork with a focus on marine birds.

BirdTrack

Look out for the smaller Little Stints in amongst flocks of Dunlin. These small waders pass through Britain and Ireland each autumn.

Arrivals of Snipe, Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper have noticeably increased recently, with the peak passage of Curlew Sandpipers likely to occur over the next week. Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler also saw an increase in reporting rates which will continue over the next month, with birds moving south from their widely dispersed breeding grounds, from Iceland and Fennoscandia to Russia. Skeins of Pink-footed Geese continued to arrive adding to the autumnal feel despite the unseasonably high temperatures across much of the country last weekend. Seabirds also continue to feature, with reports of Leach’s Petrels beginning to increase.

As with last week, Meadow Pipits continue to be well recorded with clear skies in many areas over the weekend providing good visible migration opportunities. Reports of Chiffchaffs are also starting to increase, as mid to late September is the peak time for autumn passage of birds moving south from Fennoscandia. Keep an ear out for their “hweet” call.

Rarity highlights from the past week include a stunning American Yellow Warbler on Foula, Shetland – as bright as its name suggests – whilst a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (an eastern Siberian breeder) was found at Montrose Basin in Angus. The Red-footed Booby remains off Scilly, and a Brown Booby has also been frequenting several buoys off Cleveland.

The silvery underwings of Sooty Shearwater are a good identification feature and can be seen even at long range.

Looking ahead

High pressure is set to build over the weekend with some dry, sunny spells and relatively light winds before heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected on Sunday, moving up from the south. Into next week, a period of low pressure will bring heavy rain and strong westerly winds – not the most favourable conditions for migration.

However, more waders are expected with arrivals of Dunlin set to continue along with Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot and Little Stints. The peak autumn passage of these latter three species typically occurs in mid September. A high proportion of birds found will be juveniles, which generally migrate later than adults. Juvenile waders tend to stop to feed up more regularly than adults, as older birds can make longer, non-stop, migratory journeys.

Internationally important numbers of Knot and Bar-tailed Godwits will stay and winter in estuaries around Britain and Ireland. However, Little Stints are largely passage migrants. These miniature waders only stop here briefly during their long southbound migrations between their breeding areas in Siberia and wintering grounds in Africa, with some individuals migrating over 12,000 km! Given that most will be juveniles, the number of autumn passage Little Stints not only depends on the weather but also on the year’s breeding success. This weekend marks the start of the winter priority period for the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), with Sunday being the core count date, so do keep an eye out for these waders while you take part.

Seawatching should continue to be fruitful, with this week typically being the peak passage time for Sooty Shearwaters. These elegant seabirds are all dark with silvery flashes on the underside of their long stiff wings. They have a powerful flight, and in high winds glide characteristically in high arcs over the waves. Mid September is also a good time for passage Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas – equally elegant seabirds that are a joy to watch.

1 September 2023

Snipe, by David Scott / BTO

Wetland and Marine Research Team

Surveys Team

BTO Scotland

15 Sep 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (8–14 September)

SCMAYSON — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 11:13:24 +0000

As the high pressure that began the previous week continued to build and remain in charge, the weather stayed fine, dry, and hot for most parts of Britain and Ireland. These settled conditions seemingly resulted in a slowing of migration. However, the reality is probably the opposite. No

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

BirdTrack

The lighter winds, lack of any weather fronts, and associated rain meant most species could continue their migration unaffected by the weather; birds simply didn’t need to stop and will have continued onwards and through Europe.

These same conditions are good for visible migration, with early mornings the best time to sit and watch and listen for migrating birds. Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, and the first flush of Siskins were all reported during the week. Pied Wagtails were also well reported, and these included several of this year's young, which are now dispersing away from where they hatched in search of a place to spend the winter. Small mixed groups of moulting adults and juvenile birds were found feeding together, especially on short cropped grazing meadows where they often mix with Yellow Wagtails, especially if there are cattle present.

Following the theme of last week’s blog, reports of both Whinchat and Wheatear continued to build as we headed towards their peak autumn migration period in mid September. At this time of year, both species can be seen together, as they favour similar habitats during migration time. The white-rump of Wheatear is a good identification feature when they fly away from you, and their upright stance and habit of running rather than flying can also help identify more distant birds.

The first Pink-footed Geese started to arrive last week, with small flocks noted from several sites across Scotland and northern England. The peak arrival is typically in mid October, so more and more birds will arrive in the coming weeks as they make the journey non-stop from Iceland. The entire Icelandic population of some 510,000 birds, which has been increasing each year, spends the winter in Britain, and as the population grows, the species’ wintering range is also expanding, with birds pushing further south as they search for new areas to feed and roost. Familiarising yourself with their “wink-wink” call can be very helpful in locating migrating flocks as they can fly very high and be difficult to spot on sight alone.

Grey Wagtail reports peak in September.

Looking ahead

The hot weather looks set to remain in charge over the weekend, but come Monday, a band of rain sinks south across most of Britain and Ireland, bringing with it a drop in temperatures and a return to similar conditions seen for most of the summer. As the week progresses, the wind direction swirls around, and pulses of rain come and go, predicting what species will be seen becomes difficult. The wind direction generally looks to be mainly from the west and north, with only a switch to the south as we get towards the end of the week. These conditions are not optimal for migration and will most likely result in a reduction in the number of migrant species on the move.

The more settled conditions over the weekend should see some species take advantage of the light winds. Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtails, Siskins, and both Swallows and House Martins will be the main species to look out for. Any areas of trees, hedges, and scrub will also be worth checking for Chiffchaff, Blackcap, and Whitethroat, as well as the occasional Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, or Whinchat.

The Red-throated Diver's habit of holding their neck and head lowered gives them a distinctive profile and helps clinch their identification even at long range.

North-easterly winds at the start of next week could see some more Pink-footed Geese arriving across northern parts, and possibly just the odd one or two flocks of early-arriving Whooper Swans. Many a twitcher will be hoping these same winds deliver a Cliff Swallow or two. This North American relative of our Swallow has been seen in unusually high numbers in Newfoundland lately, and a minimum of 21 birds were also noted across Iceland during the last week. This species has only been recorded in Britain and Ireland on a handful of occasions, with the last one being seen in 2019 in Skye, Highlands.

Into Wednesday, the winds continue to blow from the north and could provide some good seawatching conditions along the North Sea coasts. Sooty Shearwater, skuas, and Sabine’s Gull will be the target for many given the time of year, amongst the commoner Gannet, Kittiwake and Fulmar, which are also on the move at this time of year. It's also worth looking out for the first Red-throated Divers of the year as they push further south to their traditional wintering areas. Their habit of holding their neck slightly lowered can help identify more distant birds.

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September 2023

Pink-footed Geese, by Chris Knights / BTO

08 Sep 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (1–7 September)

SCMAYSON — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 12:48:12 +0000

With September rapidly approaching, migration has picked up speed as the nights begin to shorten and the mornings take on an autumnal air. No

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

BirdTrack

Autumn’s approach is heralded by groups of Swallows gathering on overhead wires. Over the last couple of weeks, flocks of these birds have been building as adults and this year’s young feed up ahead of their migration. During warmer days when there was a lull in the wind, a steady movement of Swallows and House Martins has also been noted from several locations, both inland and at the coast.

Meadow Pipit passage has started to increase, as birds disperse away from their breeding areas. Their short, thin ‘ist’ call – given when flying – is one to learn and can help pick out this species as birds pass overhead, sometimes in loose flocks.

Numbers will continue to build throughout September as more birds arrive from Fennoscandia to either winter in Britain or pass through on their way to North Africa.

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Meadow Pipit numbers have increased over the last week.

Similarly, reports of Wheatear have been building during the last week; most of these birds will be Fennoscandian breeders, but some will have bred in Britain or Iceland. Those that breed or were hatched in Iceland tend to pass through Ireland and some western counties of Britain, while those from regions in north-west Europe take a more eastern route through the country. In the coming weeks, these Wheatears – of the nominate race oenanthe – will be joined by the slightly larger Greenland race birds, leucorhoa.

Both Chiffchaff and Blackcap continued to be seen in good numbers, as in previous weeks, and will mostly be birds from north-western Europe that use Britain and Ireland as a stopping point on their migration routes. Some of both species will stay for the winter, but the majority will continue southward.

Last week also saw more Teal arrive ahead of the winter, and small flocks were noted heading down the North Sea as numbers built up on freshwater lakes and ponds. The males will soon be moulting out of their drab eclipse plumage into their ‘typical’ plumage with a rufous head and a green blaze stretching back behind the eyes.

A few rarities were seen during the week, with the top spot going to the surreal occurrence of two booby species being seen together on Bishops Rock off the Isles of Scilly. The Red-footed Booby that’s been present since early August was joined by a Brown Booby on a couple of dates, much to the delight of a boatload of twitchers.

Looking ahead

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Easterly winds from Fennoscandia and the Baltic Sea should bring species like Whinchat to our east coast next week.

After some rain in the early part of this weekend, the weather will become fairly settled as high pressure builds. During the week, the wind direction is forecast to swirl around at pretty much every point of the compass, which can be a good thing for finding migrant birds; a prolonged period of unidirectional wind can result in fewer birds arriving on our shores.

The most productive days for birdwatching look to be from Tuesday onward, as easterly winds funnel in from Fennoscandia and the Baltic Sea. These should bring a fresh arrival of Yellow Wagtails, Swallows, House Martins, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, and Whinchats. Both Spotted and Pied Flycatchers are likely to arrive too, with a chance of seeing the two species side-by-side.

Waders will also take advantage of lighter winds and settled conditions, and this time of year is good for Ruff, Sanderling, and Curlew Sandpiper, as well as increasing numbers of commoner waders such as Dunlin, Knot, and Redshank.

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September is one of the best months to watch Fulmars offshore; unlike most cliff-nesting seabirds, Fulmars return to their breeding cliffs in November or December.

If you can get to the east coast towards the middle of next week, seawatching – with a stiff easterly wind – could be rewarding. The number of Fulmars seen offshore peaks in September, as birds leave their breeding cliffs for a few weeks before returning in November and December.

Skuas will also be on the move; although Artic Skuas are usually the most common species, it is also possible to see Long-tailed, Pomarine, and Great Skua in early autumn. Separating juvenile Long-tailed, Arctic, and Pomarine Skua can be difficult, and there is no substitute for hours spent watching them at this time of year, viewing them not only in different light conditions but also at varying distances, and learning how their flight styles change according to the wind strength.

If you are new to seawatching, head to well-known locations such as Flamborough Head or Spurn Point, and take the opportunity to learn from other more experienced observers – don’t be afraid to ask for help identifying a bird! Other species which might make it onto seawatching lists next week include Sooty Shearwater, Kittiwake, and maybe the odd Cory’s and Great Shearwater.

If you are new to seawatching, head to well-known locations such as Flamborough or Spurn, and take the opportunity to learn from other more experienced observers – don’t be afraid to ask for help identifying a bird!

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Wryneck is likely to feature for many birdwatchers on the east coast next week.

These same easterly winds are likely to bring a few scarce passage migrants along the east coast, including Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Barred and Greenish Warbler.

Any tern flocks will also be worth checking, not only for Black or Roseate Terns but also for White-winged Black Terns, a couple of which have been seen during the last few days.

If you’re not able to get out and about, sitting in your garden or local park can be productive, especially early in the morning: look and listen out for Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Swallow, House Martin, Siskin, or maybe even a Woodlark passing over.

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September 2023

With September rapidly approaching, migration has picked up speed as the nights begin to shorten and the mornings take on an autumnal air.

Sanderling, by Allan Drewitt / BTO

01 Sep 2023

BirdTrack Migration

BirdTrack migration blog (25–31 August)

SCMAYSON — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 10:51:46 +0000

The previous week undoubtedly showed that autumn migration is well underway, and that you don’t necessarily need to travel to a prime migration site to experience it.

Scott Mayson

BirdTrack Organiser

Scott’s role includes the day-to-day running of BirdTrack: updating the application, assisting county recorders by checking records and corresponding with observers.

BirdTrack

In the first half of August, many birdwatchers were focused on the sea, with high numbers of shearwaters and petrels stealing the show. Last week, however, attention turned to passerines (perching birds) as we moved further into the autumn migration season.

Reports of warblers increased, with Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, and Chiffchaff all seeing a jump in reporting rates as we reached the peak time of their passage. At this time of year, only adult male Blackcaps sport the black cap of the species’ name; female and all juvenile Blackcaps have rusty brown crowns. The female-type plumage of young male birds means they avoid territorial aggression from adult males immediately after fledging. As the young males start to moult into their adult-type plumage, though, you may spot the occasional black feather in their cap.

Reports of Willow Warbler began to fall away as we left their peak migration period behind. In their place, Chiffchaff numbers started to increase, with fresh-plumaged juvenile birds often outnumbering adult birds. This species’ sweet-toned, rising ‘hweet’ call is a good way of locating birds, especially in dense late-summer vegetation, and their habit of dipping their tail downwards as they flit amongst the branches can help separate them any straggling Willow Warblers.

The run of easterly winds at the end of last week and into last weekend saw migrant birds arriving along the east coast. Among the warblers were a few other passerine species also expected at this time of year, including Redstart, Spotted and Pied Flycatcher, and Whinchat. Indeed, several locations saw not only all of these species on the same date but often multiples of each. The main arrival occurred on Friday, with reports of Pied Flycatchers increasing as birds continued to arrive throughout the day.

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Wrynecks were one of the most commonly reported scarcities in the last week.

Amongst these commoner migrants, there were the inevitable scarcities; Wrynecks and Red-backed Shrikes were the commonest, with around 20 individuals of each species being seen, whilst a scattering of Greenish, Icterine, Barred, Marsh, and Blyth’s Reed Warblers was also noted. Reports of the odd Ortolan Bunting, Arctic Warbler, and three Booted Warblers hinted at what is to come over the next couple of weeks.

Wader passage continued, with a second peak of Wood Sandpiper records made up mostly of juvenile birds; the adults passed through in early August. A second pulse of Common Sandpipers during the last week will also have been made up mainly of juvenile birds undertaking their first migration. Small groups of this delightful wader were widely reported, with their distinctive flickery flight and high-pitched ‘swee-wee-wee-wee’ call helping to separate them from other small waders. Although the passage of Curlew Sandpipers doesn’t peak until mid September, the last week nonetheless saw an increase in reports, with birds widely scattered across the country.

wigeon_sandeer_martins.png

Male and female ducks such as these Wigeon can be tricky to distinguish at this time of year, when male birds are in eclipse plumage.

Whilst the weather felt more like summer than the previous few weeks, the first flurry of Teal and Wigeon did begin to arrive, ahead of the coming winter. Most of these birds are now in ‘eclipse’ plumage, a type of transitional plumage seen in wildfowl between midsummer and autumn.

During this period, the birds moult all their flight feathers, rendering them temporarily flightless and particularly vulnerable to predators. To increase their camouflage, males take on the browner, more dowdy female-type plumage, which can make it seem as if all the drake ducks have disappeared! It can be very difficult to separate males from females, and in some cases, even the species of oddly plumaged birds can be tricky to identify. Male birds will regain their ‘normal’ plumage in October, when many species begin bonding behaviour and pair up for the breeding season the following year.

Looking ahead

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Passage waders such as Curlew Sandpiper could take advantage of winds from the north and arrive in Britain in the coming week.

The weather forecast for this weekend and next week seems to be changing by the hour. At the moment, it looks to be a mixed bag of sunshine and showers – something we have seen a lot of this summer.

As we head into the weekend, a low-pressure system will be centred over the north of Scotland, bringing winds from the north down the western coasts and across much of Northern Ireland. The rest of the country will see these winds swing around in a more westerly direction, as they spin in an anti-clockwise direction around the low pressure.

These winds aren’t the most conducive to bird migration, but we could see passage waders like Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, and Ringed Plover arriving from the north as they take advantage of the tailwinds.

Wintering wildfowl such as Pintail, Teal, and Wigeon – also arriving from the north – are likely to turn up, and no doubt a few seabirds will be seen along the western coasts. Look out for skuas and terns, especially.

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Easterly winds could bring more Yellow Wagtails to the east coast next week.

As the weekend progresses, the low pressure is due to sink south and east into the North Sea. It will bring continued westerlies for most parts, and a band of showers will reach western parts of Britain and Ireland on Sunday.

This means that seabirds will once again be the main focus along the coasts of Ireland and south-western Britain; with many large shearwaters still being seen in the North Atlantic, it is a good bet that both Cory’s and Great Shearwaters will be reported along with bigger numbers of Manx Shearwaters and the occasional Sooty Shearwater.

From next Tuesday, another low-pressure system is forecast to sweep in from the Atlantic along the English Channel, bringing with it stronger winds and rain. For the most part, these winds will be westerlies in the southern half of Britain, but more northerly parts will see the winds coming in from the east, bringing another wave of migrating passerines to the east coast.

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Look out for Ruff at this time of year.

This is likely to include common warblers such as Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff, but more Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats, Redstarts and Yellow Wagtails are likely to be in the mix as well. There may also be the odd rarity seen, such as an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler.

Many wader species will be on the move no matter the weather; this time of year is particularly good for seeing Ruff, which can turn up anywhere from inland lakes to coastal estuaries. They often flock together, with the larger males looking to be a different species from the smaller females, which are known as reeves.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Emily which will be crossing the North Atlantic over the latter half of the weekend may bring an American vagrant species to our shores. With unusually high numbers of Cliff Swallows in Newfoundland, and a couple seen already on the Azores, could one make it just that bit further?

This time of year also has a history of producing Yellow Warblers, with two seen on the same date in August 2017 in Portland and County Cork. A repeat would delight a few birders, I am sure.

Send us your records with BirdTrack

Help us track migration amidst an outbreak of avian influenza.

Submitting your sightings to BirdTrack is quick and easy, and gives us vital information about our breeding and migrating birds.

Find out more

2 August 2023

The previous week undoubtedly showed that autumn migration is well underway, and that you don’t necessarily need to travel to a prime migration site to experience it.

25 Aug 2023

BirdTrack Migration