Abbotsbury Swannery Bird Sightings - July 2018

Highlights...

This month’s best sightings were singles of Garganey, Black-necked Grebe, Great Egret, Wood Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank, whilst there were also two each of Curlew Sandpiper and Arctic Tern.

Garganey, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018, © Joe Stockwell

Arctic Tern (2cy), Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018, © Joe Stockwell

The Month's Bird News In Full...

More details of the above highlights and the rest of this month's sightings...

Canada Goose... Present throughout with 800 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Barnacle Goose... Last month’s individual remained and was joined by a second from the 10^th on.

Greylag Goose... One was present all month.

Black Swan… Four were present for much of the month.

Mute Swan... Present throughout with 715 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Whooper Swan... The released rehabilitated second calendar year was present all month.

Common Shelduck... Present throughout with 60 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Mandarin Duck… Last month’s individual remained and was seen sporadically until the 12^th.

Mandarin Duck (eclipse drake), Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Garganey... A juvenile was present from the 27^th to the 31^st.

Garganey (juv.), Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Northern Shoveler… Present throughout with a peak of 12 on the 24^th.

Gadwall... Seen regularly with a peak of six on the 12^th.

Mallard... Present throughout with 260 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Northern Pintail... The female with wing damage was last seen on the 7^th.

Eurasian Teal... Present throughout with a peak of 17 on the 12^th.

Common Pochard... Seen regularly with a peak of three on the 30^th.

Tufted Duck... Present throughout with 28 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Common Pheasant... Present throughout.

Little Grebe... Present throughout with at least five seen regularly by the month’s end.

Great Crested Grebe... Present throughout with 20 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Black-necked Grebe... One on the 20^th/21^st was an unexpected July record.

Grey Heron... Seen regularly with a peak of seven on the 25^th.

Great Egret... One was present briefly on the 19^th.

Great Egret (& Common Terns), Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Steve Groves

Little Egret... Present throughout with a peak of 21 on the 18^th.

Great Cormorant... Present throughout with around 30 roosting nightly.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk... Singles were seen regularly.

Western Marsh Harrier... A juvenile seen on the 24^th was the only sighting.

Red Kite... One flew over on the 23^rd.

Common Buzzard... Present throughout.

Water Rail... Singles were seen or heard on the 23^rd/24^th.

Common Moorhen... Present throughout. Only five were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th but as always with this species the actual number present is likely to have been higher.

Eurasian Coot... Present throughout with 165 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Eurasian Oystercatcher… Present throughout with ten counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Eurasian Oystercatchers, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Steve Groves

Pied Avocet... Three on the 8^th.

Pied Avocets, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Northern Lapwing... Present throughout with 21 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Common Ringed Plover... Singles on the 4^th, 13^th and 25^th.

Little Ringed Plover... Two to three were present from the 2^nd to the 4^th; one on the 14^th’15^th and two on the 22^nd.

Little Ringed Plover, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Little Ringed Plover, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Steve Groves

Whimbrel... Two on the 5^th and one on the 11^th.

Eurasian Curlew... Singles were seen, or at least heard, regularly between the 4^th and 22^nd but three were present on the 27^th.

Black-tailed Godwit... Seen regularly with peaks of nine on the 3^rd and 26^th.

Black-tailed Godwit, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Black-tailed Godwit (& Northern Lapwing) Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 

© Steve Groves

Ruddy Turnstone... Two were present from the 23^rd to the 25^th and again on the 30^th.

Ruddy Turnstones, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Steve Groves

Red Knot... Two on the 24^th.

Ruff... Singles were present from the 2^nd to the 4^th and on the 12^th.

Ruff & Little Ringed Plover,  Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Curlew Sandpiper... Two on the 19^th.

Sanderling... Two or three were present daily between the 23^rd and 27^th.

Dunlin... Seen regularly with a peak of over 70 on the 24^th.

Dunlins,  Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

Common Snipe... One on the 4^th.

Common Sandpiper… Seen virtually daily with a peak of 13 on the 31^st.

Common Sandpiper,  Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Common Sandpiper, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Steve Groves

Green Sandpiper… Singles were seen regularly but two were present on the 2^nd and 27^th.

Common Redshank... Up to four were seen regularly.

Wood Sandpiper... One on the 4^th.

Spotted Redshank... One seen on the 27^th was the first since April 2017.

Common Greenshank… One on the 10^th.

Black-headed Gull... Present throughout with 460 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Mediterranean Gull... Seen regularly with peaks of at least ten on several dates.

Mediterranean Gull (Juv.),  Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Common Gull... Rather unseasonably one, sometimes two, were seen fairly regularly.

Great Black-backed Gull... Present throughout with at least 60 present on the 29^th.

European Herring Gull... Present throughout, with at least ten together on the 29^th.

Yellow-legged Gull... Single juveniles were seen regularly.

Yellow-legged Gull (Juv.), Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Steve Groves

Lesser Black-backed Gull... Seen regularly in the latter half of the month at least with a peak of over five on the 29^th.

Sandwich Tern... Seen regularly with a peak of at least four on the 4^th.

Sandwich Tern & Common Tern,  Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Common Tern... Present throughout with 180 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 15^th.

Common Tern (Juv.), Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Arctic Tern... Single second calendar years were seen on the 10^th and 27^th.

Arctic Tern (2cy.), Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Joe Stockwell

‘Feral Pigeon’... Seen regularly.

Stock Dove... Single figures were seen regularly.

Common Wood Pigeon... Present throughout.

Eurasian Collared Dove... Present throughout.

Western Barn Owl... There were regular sightings of at least two individuals.

Tawny Owl... Seen or at least heard regularly and breeding was confirmed with the sighting of a recently fledged juvenile.

Little Owl... One was heard on the 5^th, the first since August 2016.

Common Swift... Single figures were seen regularly but at least ten were seen on the 30^th.

Common Kingfisher... Singles were seen fairly regularly but three were present on the 21^st.

Great Spotted Woodpecker... Seen regularly.

European Green Woodpecker... Seen regularly.

Common Kestrel... One or two were seen regularly but five were present on the 19^th.

Eurasian Hobby... One flew over on the 10^th.

Peregrine Falcon... Two were seen together on the 17^th/18^th while singles were seen on the 23^rd and 27^th.

Eurasian Magpie... Present throughout.

Western Jackdaw... Present throughout.

Rook... Present throughout.

Carrion Crow... Present throughout.

Coal Tit... Present throughout.

Eurasian Blue Tit... Present throughout.

Great Tit... Present throughout.

Eurasian Skylark... Present throughout.

Sand Martin... Seen regularly with a peak of at least 350 on the 17^th.

Barn Swallow... Present throughout, with a peak of at least 300 on the 17^th.

Common House Martin... Seen regularly, with a peak of over 50 on the 17^th.

Cetti's Warbler... Present throughout.

Long-tailed Tit... Present throughout.

Willow Warbler... The first returning bird was seen on the 24^th and there were then regular sightings with a peak of at least ten on the 31^st.

Common Chiffchaff... Present throughout.

Sedge Warbler... Present throughout, with at least ten present daily in the final week.

Eurasian Reed Warbler... Present throughout.

Common Grasshopper Warbler... One on the 25^th.

Eurasian Blackcap... Present throughout.

Common Whitethroat... Present throughout.

Goldcrest... Present throughout.

Eurasian Wren... Present throughout.

Eurasian Nuthatch... One arrived on the 15^th and was then seen, or at least heard, regularly through the rest of the month.

Eurasian Treecreeper... Present throughout.

Common Starling... Surprisingly scarce with a flock of at least 20 seen on the 4^th and eight seen on the 10^th.

Common Blackbird... Present throughout.

Song Thrush... Present throughout.

European Robin... Present throughout.

House Sparrow... Present throughout.

Dunnock... Present throughout.

Western Yellow Wagtail... The first returning bird was seen on the 4^th and there were then regular sightings of singles through the rest of the month.

Pied Wagtail... Present throughout.

Common Chaffinch... Present throughout.

Eurasian Bullfinch... Seen or at least heard regularly.

European Greenfinch... One or two were seen regularly.

Common Linnet... Present throughout.

European Goldfinch... Present throughout.

European Goldfinch (Juv.), Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Steve Groves

Eurasian Siskin... An unseasonable bird was heard on the 27^th..

Common Reed Bunting... Present throughout.

... And that's it for this month except to say thanks to my work colleagues and volunteers for additional sightings and additional images, particularly Joe Stockwell and Charlie Wheeler but also Alan Barrett, Kev Butler, Phil Jenks and Jonny White.



I'll leave you with some other wildlife images from The Swannery during July 2018...

European (Common) Toad, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Steve Groves

European Grass Snake, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

Gatekeeper, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

Comma, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

Common Blue, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

Common Blue, Abbotsbury Swannery, July 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

August's sightings to follow shortly.

Abbotsbury Swannery Bird Sightings - June 2018

Highlights...

There were no rarities this month but noteworthy sightings included singles of Long-tailed Duck, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Roseate Tern and Black Tern.

Roseate Tern, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Black Tern, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

The Month's Bird News In Full...

More details of the above highlights and the rest of this month's sightings...

Fulvous Whistling Duck... Two very confiding obvious escapes arrived on the 24^th and at least one was still present to the 28^th. One was found dead on the 29^th however and presumably the other individual had already suffered the same fate. This exotic species was last seen at The Swannery back in the 1980's when a pair of captive origin nested and hatched young.

Fulvous Whistling Duck, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

Canada Goose... Present throughout with 900 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th. Several pairs nested.

Barnacle Goose... One that arrived on the 9^th was then present for the rest of the month.

Greylag Goose... One that arrived on the 9^th was then present for the rest of the month.

Black Swan… Two were present for much of the month.

Mute Swan... Present throughout with 765 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th. 120 pairs nested.

Whooper Swan... A second calendar year was released at The Swannery on the 5^th having been in care for several weeks. It had originally arrived at nearby Bride Valley Fish Farm on the 8^th April and it had resided there until the 12^th May when it became entangled in netting, resulting in several injuries. It was then taken to The Swannery for treatment and after being rehabilitated it stayed throughout the month, although it also visited nearby Rodden Hive...

Above three images the Whooper Swan (a 2nd calendar year), 
Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Common Shelduck... Present throughout with 28 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th. Several broods seen.

Mandarin Duck… Singles were seen on the 12^th, 28^th and 30^th...

 Mandarin Duck ('Eclipse' drake), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Northern Shoveler… Early in the month there were two on the 5^th and one on the 10^th. From the 22^nd however there were regular sightings with a peak of six on the 27^th...

Northern Shovelers, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Gadwall... Up to three individuals were present from the 11^th to the 15^th, whilst two were seen on the 29^th and 30^th.

Eurasian Wigeon... A single drake, presumably the bird present throughout May, returned briefly on the 29^th.

Mallard... Present throughout with 200 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th. Many broods seen.

Northern Pintail... The female with wing damage remained all month...

Northern Pintail (female), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Eurasian Teal... The lingering drake remained until at least the 24^th when it was joined by at least three others. Numbers then slowly increased with at least 26 present on the 29^th.

Common Pochard... Present throughout with 23 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th.

Tufted Duck... Present throughout with 30 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th.

Long-tailed Duck... An unseasonable drake (presumably a second calendar year) was present on the 7^th and 8^th...

Long-tailed Duck (1st? summer drake), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Red-legged Partridge... One on the 8^th.

Common Pheasant... Present throughout. Several broods seen.

Little Grebe... Regular from the 12^th with a peak of three on the 28^th.

Great Crested Grebe... Present throughout with 18 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th...

Great Crested Grebe, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

Grey Heron... Seen regularly with at least three present on several dates.

Little Egret... Present throughout with eight counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th.

Great Cormorant... Present throughout with around 20 roosting nightly.

Western Osprey... One on the 9^th.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk... Singles on the 11^th, 19^th and 26^th.

Western Marsh Harrier... Singles were seen regularly.

Red Kite... Singles on the 4^th and 7^th.

Common Buzzard... Present throughout. A few pairs nested in the vicinity.

Common Moorhen... Present throughout. Several pairs nested.

Eurasian Coot... Present throughout with 115 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th. Several pairs nested.

Eurasian Oystercatcher… Present throughout with a peak of 15 on the 17^th which included three nesting pairs...

(Juvenile & adult) Eurasian Oystercatchers (with a 2nd calendar year 
Black-headed Gull & a Eurasian Coot), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 
© Charlie Wheeler

Northern Lapwing... The first two returning individuals arrived on the 5^th and numbers then slowly rose through the month with at least 10 present by the 29^th.

Grey Plover... One on the 8^th.

Common Ringed Plover... One on the 2^nd and at least two on the 9^th.

Little Ringed Plover... Singles on the 22^nd and 25^th; two on the 30^th...

 A well camouflaged Little Ringed Plover, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 
© Steve Groves

Whimbrel... One on the 4^th.

Eurasian Curlew... Singles on the 17^th and 29^th.

Bar-tailed Godwit... One on the 4^th and five on the 10^th.

Black-tailed Godwit... Seen regularly with a peak of seven on the 4^th.
All were of the Icelandic form...

Black-tailed Godwit (Icelandic juvenile), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Ruddy Turnstone... Two on the 7^th, three on the 9^th and one on the 13^th.

Two Ruddy Turnstones, two Sanderlings & a Dunlin, Abbotsbury Swannery, 
June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Curlew Sandpiper... One on the 28^th...

 Curlew Sandpiper (Adult summer), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Sanderling... Two on the 9^th.

Dunlin... Seen regularly with a peak of nine on the 2^nd...

  Dunlin, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Common Snipe... The first returning individual was seen on the 30^th.

Common Sandpiper… The first returning individual was seen on the 7^th and there were then regular sightings for the rest of the month with a peak of four on the 30^th.

Green Sandpiper… The first two returning individuals were seen on the 17^th and there were then regular sightings of one or two for the rest of the month...

 Green Sandpiper, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Common Redshank... None were seen until the 20^th but there were then regular sightings for the rest of the month with a peak of six on the 22^nd.

Wood Sandpiper... One was present on the 22^nd/23^rd...

 Wood Sandpiper, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Black-legged Kittiwake… An unseasonal second calendar year was seen on the 8^th.

Black-headed Gull... Present throughout with 53 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th. Several pairs nested.

Mediterranean Gull... Seen regularly with a peak of at least six on the 21^st...

 Mediterranean Gull (2nd calendar year), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Common Gull (Mew Gull)... One on the 5^th, two on the 8^th and one on the 26^th.

Great Black-backed Gull... Present throughout with five counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th.

European Herring Gull... Present throughout with four counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th.

Sandwich Tern... Seen regularly with a peak of at least four on the 21^st.

Little Tern... The two on the 27^th and the five on the 28^th were the first since May 2017...

Little Terns, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Roseate Tern... One was seen on the 25^th...

Roseate Tern, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Common Tern... Present throughout with 180 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 17^th. At least 50 pairs nested.

Nesting Common Terns & Black-headed Gulls reacting
to the close proximity of a Great Black-backed Gull, 
Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

Black Tern... One was seen on the 1^st...

Black Tern, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Rock Dove... Feral/Domestic birds were seen regularly.

Stock Dove... Seen regularly with at least five seen on the 22^nd.

Common Wood Pigeon... Present throughout. Several pairs nested.

Eurasian Collared Dove... Present throughout.

Western Barn Owl... There were regular sightings of single adults but a recently fledged juvenile was also seen on the 28^th, so presumably a pair nested...

Western Barn Owl (juvenile), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Tawny Owl... One was heard on the 27^th but it is highly likely that there were some present throughout and at least one pair presumably nested.

Common Swift... Seen regularly with a peak of over 1,000 on the 5^th.

Common Kingfisher... The first returning individual was seen on the 27^th.

Great Spotted Woodpecker... Seen regularly, with at least one pair nesting...

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Abbotsbury Swannery, 
June 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

European Green Woodpecker... Seen regularly and presumably nested in the vicinity.

Common Kestrel... One or two were seen regularly and presumably nested in the vicinity.

Peregrine Falcon... Singles were seen on the 12^th and 29^th.

Eurasian Magpie... Present throughout and presumably nested in the vicinity.

Western Jackdaw... Present throughout and several pairs nested in the vicinity.

Rook... Present throughout and several pairs nested in the vicinity.

Carrion Crow... Present throughout and a few pairs nested in the vicinity. 

Coal Tit... The first returning bird was seen on the 1^st and there were then regular sightings throughout the month.

Eurasian Blue Tit... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Great Tit... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Eurasian Skylark... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Sand Martin... The first returning birds were seen on the 21^st and there were then regular sightings, with a peak of 200 on the 28^th.

Barn Swallow... Present throughout and a few pairs nested.

Common House Martin... Seen regularly, with a peak of over 100 on the 17^th.

Cetti's Warbler... Present throughout and several nested.

Long-tailed Tit... Present throughout and at least one pair nested.

Common Chiffchaff... Present throughout and a several pairs nested.

Sedge Warbler... Present throughout and at least one pair nested.

Eurasian Reed Warbler... Present throughout and many pairs nested.

Eurasian Blackcap... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Lesser Whitethroat... Up to three singing males were heard regularly to the 19^th but not subsequently.

Common Whitethroat... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Goldcrest... Present throughout and at least one pair nested.

Eurasian Wren... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Eurasian Treecreeper... Present throughout and at least one pair nested.

Common Starling... Seen regularly from the 8^th, with over 100 roosting nightly by the end of the month.

Common Blackbird... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Song Thrush... Present throughout and a few pairs nested.

Spotted Flycatcher... Singles were seen on the 5^th, 6^th and 13^th...

Spotted Flycatcher, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

European Robin... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

House Sparrow... Present throughout with several pairs nesting in the vicinity.

Dunnock... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Pied Wagtail (White Wagtail)... Present throughout and at least one pair nested...

Pied Wagtail (juvenile), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Common Chaffinch... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Eurasian Bullfinch... Seen or at least heard regularly and at least one pair nested.

European Greenfinch... At least one pair successfully nested. A welcome return to form!

Common Linnet... Present throughout and several pairs nested in the vicinity.

European Goldfinch... Present throughout and several pairs nested.

Common Reed Bunting... Present throughout and several pairs nested...

Common Reed Bunting (male), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Steve Groves

Common Reed Bunting (juvenile), Abbotsbury Swannery, 
June 2018 © Charlie Wheeler

... And that's it for this month except to say thanks to my work colleagues for additional sightings and additional images, particularly Joe Stockwell and Charlie Wheeler but also Kev Butler, Phil Jenks and Jonny White. Also thanks to the WeBS counters ... Alan Barrett and Nick Urch.

I'll leave you with a few of Joe Stockwell's June 2018 dragonfly images from The Swannery...

Black-tailed Skimmer, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018 © Joe Stockwell

Above two images Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2018
© Joe Stockwell

July's sightings to follow shortly.