Swannery Bird Sightings - June 2021...

Highlights...

There were no official national or county rarities this month but up to three Corn Buntings were noteworthy as were singles of Cuckoo, Roseate Tern, Spoonbill and Cattle Egret.

Corn Bunting, Chapel Hill, Abbotsbury, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Spoonbill, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Steve Groves

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. Several pairs nested but none were successful. The moult flock peaked at 1,200.

Snow Goose...

One (presumably an escape) arrived on the 1st and was still present on the 30th. It is quite possibly the same individual that summered in 2019.

Greylag Goose...

One was present on the 4th and 5th.

Black Swan...

One was present for much of the month.

Mute Swan...

Present throughout. There was a total of 90 nests and just under 400 cygnets were hatched. 670 adults were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th.

Whooper Swan...

The resident (presumed escape) was present throughout.

Egyptian Goose...

Singles were present on the 11th and 30th.

Common Shelduck...

Present throughout. Several pairs nested in the near vicinity and several broods were seen. 15 adults were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th. 

      

South African Shelduck...

Three (that were undoubtedly escapes) were present on the 30th. The only previous record of this species at The Swannery involved two that were present in July to September 2011 (although in June of that year three South African x Paradise Shelduck hybrids were present on the 30th).

Shoveler...

There were three present on the 1st, one on the 24th and seven on the 27th.

Gadwall... 

There were sightings on six dates, with the highest count being of nine on the 20th. 

Gadwall, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Mallard...

Present throughout. Several broods were seen. 140 adults were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th. 

Pintail...

The resident drake was present throughout. 

Teal...

The sole record was of five present on the 22nd (the first since April).

Pochard... 

Present throughout much of the month with peak counts of eight on two dates.

Tufted Duck... 

Present throughout, with a peak count of 25 on the 21st.  

Red-legged Partridge... 

Last month's pair were still present early in the month but then, following the discovery of a dead individual, only a single was noted subsequently (and then only to the 21st).

Pheasant... 

Present throughout. A few broods were seen.

Swift... 

Regularly encountered, with a peak count of at least 100 on the 21st. 

Cuckoo... 

A singing male heard on the 18th was only the second record this year (following the female seen in May).

Feral Pigeon... 

Present throughout, although as usual many were wandering domestic birds rather than truly feral.

Stock Dove... 

One or two were seen regularly but with three present on the 15th.

Woodpigeon... 

Present throughout. Several pairs nested.

Collared Dove... 

Regularly encountered, particularly in the gardens of the adjacent Grove Lane.

Water Rail... 

One heard on the 30th was the first since April.

Moorhen... 

Present throughout. Several pairs nested.

Coot... 

Present throughout. Several pairs nested. The post breeding moult flock had already built up to 54 by the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th. 

Little Grebe... 

One was present on the 23rd and 24th. 

Great Crested Grebe... 

Present throughout with a peak count of 40 on the 11th. As usual there was very little breeding behaviour seen, no doubt due to the fact that the regular over-summering flock is made up of non-breeding immature individuals.

Oystercatcher... 

Present throughout, with a peak count of 14 on the 20th. At least three pairs were on territory but only one pair nested successfully, rearing one chick.

Avocet...

One on the 22nd was the first since March.

Lapwing... 

One that arrived on the 17th was the first since March. It was joined by another on the 23rd and the regular post-breeding flock then slowly built up to six by the 29th.

Grey Plover...

Singles were seen on the 14th and 20th.

Ringed Plover... 

One was seen on the 1st, three on the 6th and one on the 7th. 

Little Ringed Plover... 

One was present on the 23rd and 24th.

Whimbrel... 

One was seen on the 10th.

Curlew... 

Singles were noted on the 28th and 30th.

Black-tailed Godwit... 

One lingered from the 1st to the 3rd and one was seen on the 28th.

Turnstone... 

One lingered from the 3rd to the 7th.

Knot... 

One was seen on the 3rd and one lingered from the 27th to the 30th.

Knot, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Sanderling... 

Singles were seen on the 6th and 9th.

Dunlin...

Surprisingly the sole record was of three on the 6th.

Common Sandpiper...

The first post-breeding migrant was seen on the 17th, followed by another single on the 24th and two on the 30th.

Green Sandpiper...

The first post-breeding migrant was seen on the 23rd, followed by a single from the 28th to the 30th.

Redshank...

There were regular sightings from the 18th to the 28th with a peak count of nine on the 22nd.

Redshank, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Greenshank...

Singles were present on the 24th and 29th.

Kittiwake...

An adult was present on the 7th.

Kittiwake (with Sandwich & Common Terns), Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 
© Steve Groves

Black-headed Gull...

Present throughout. Only 34 were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th but as around 25 pairs nested on the Tern Island then presumably at least 50 were present in all. Around 50 chicks had either fledged or were near to fledging by the end of the month.

Mediterranean Gull...

Regularly encountered through the month with a peak count of at least 10 on the 28th. 

Great Black-backed Gull...

Present throughout. There was a nightly roost of at least 20.

Herring Gull...

Present throughout. 46 were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th.

Lesser Black-backed Gull...

Singles were encountered regularly.

Sandwich Tern...

Regularly encountered through the month with a peak count of at least 18 on the 22nd. 

Little Tern...

There were four present on the 3rd, one on the 8th and five on the 27th.

Roseate Tern...

One was seen on the 13th.  

Roseate Tern, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Joe Stockwell

Common Tern...

Present throughout. Only 47 were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th but around 25 pairs nested on the 'Tern Island' with around 30 chicks fledging or set to fledge by the end of the month. Another 10 or so pairs attempted to nest either on the adjacent beach or within the grounds but these all failed. 

Cormorant...

Present throughout. 21 were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th. Seven pairs attempted to nest on the 'Old Tern Platform' but only three were successful fledging at least five young. The other four nests were lost during rather unseasonal gales. 

Spoonbill...

One lingered from the 15th to the 19th. 

Spoonbill, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Spoonbill, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Cattle Egret...

One was seen on the 21st.  

Grey Heron...

Present throughout, with a peak count of at least three on the 15th/16th.  

Little Egret...

Present throughout. 21 were counted during the Wetland Bird Survey on the 13th.  

Little Egret, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Sparrowhawk...

Singles were seen on five dates.  

Marsh Harrier...

Singles were seen on the 2nd and 9th.

Red Kite...

Singles were seen on the 2nd and 21st, two were seen on the 7th and three on the 14th.

Buzzard...

Present throughout, with a peak count of at least 6 on the 2nd. Presumably bred in the vicinity.

Tawny Owl..

Only seen occasionally but at least one pair bred and fledged young were seen. 

Green Woodpecker..

Present throughout, with at least one or two seen regularly. Presumably bred in the vicinity.

Kestrel...

Present throughout, with single figures seen regularly. One pair nested in the upper grounds.

Hobby...

One was seen on the 10th.

Peregrine...

One was seen on the 24th.

Magpie...

Present throughout, with single figures seen regularly. Presumably bred in the vicinity.

Jackdaw...

Present throughout. Several pairs bred in the vicinity.

Rook...

Present throughout. Numerous pairs nested in adjacent Chapel Coppice.

Carrion Crow...

Present throughout. Several pairs nested.

Coal Tit...

One was heard in the upper grounds on the 15th.

Blue Tit...

Present throughout. Several pairs nested.

Great Tit...

Present throughout. Several pairs nested.

Skylark...

Present throughout on the adjacent slopes of Chapel Hill and Chesters Hill. Several pairs nested.

Sand Martin...

Two were seen on the 14th but there were then regular sightings from the 22nd with a peak count of at least 20 on the 30th.

Swallow...

Present throughout. At least three pairs nested. 

House Martin...

Regularly encountered with at least ten present on several dates. 

Cetti's Warbler...

Present throughout. There were several singing males and young were heard.

Long-tailed Tit...

Regularly encountered and presumably nested in the near vicinity at least.

Chiffchaff...

Present throughout. There were several singing males and several young were seen.

Sedge Warbler...

Heard on at least three dates through the month and presumably present throughout. There were at least two (possibly four) singing males earlier in the spring but breeding was not confirmed.

Reed Warbler...

Present throughout. There were numerous singing males and many young were seen.

Blackcap...

Present throughout. There were several singing males and presumably several pairs bred.

Whitethroat...

Unusually absent from the hedgerows surrounding the grounds but a few singing males were present in the outlying hedgerows.

Goldcrest...

Present throughout. One pair nested in the lower grounds and also heard regularly in the upper grounds.

Wren...

Present throughout. Several pairs nested.

Starling...

None bred yet again but a few pairs nested in the village and on nearby farms.  Nonetheless regularly encountered with a nightly roost building up to at least 130 individuals by the months end. 

Blackbird...

Present throughout. Several pairs bred.

Song Thrush...

Present throughout. Two pairs bred in the lower grounds with at least one pair in the upper grounds.

Mistle Thrush...

Two were seen on the 2nd followed by singles on the 7th and 28th.

Robin...

Present throughout. Several pairs bred.

Stonechat...

Present throughout. One pair bred.

Wheatear...

One reported beside the adjacent New Barn Road on the 19th was an exceptionally early autumn migrant (or an extremely late spring one).

House Sparrow...

Present throughout in the gardens of adjacent Grove Lane. A few pairs nested. 

Dunnock...

Present throughout. Several pairs presumably bred.

Pied Wagtail...

Present throughout. At least one pair nested in the near vicinity.

Meadow Pipit...

Present throughout on the adjacent slopes of Chapel Hill and Chesters Hill. At least three pairs nested.

Meadow Pipit, Chapel Hill, Abbotsbury, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Chaffinch...

Present throughout. Several pairs presumably bred. 

Bullfinch...

Present throughout. One pair presumably bred.

Greenfinch...

There were occasional sightings but none are believed to have nested.

Linnet...

Regularly encountered and presumably nested in the near vicinity at least.

Goldfinch...

Present throughout. Several pairs presumably bred. 

Corn Bunting...

One seen briefly on the south slope of adjacent Chapel Hill on the 1st was the first in the recording area since November 2019 and the first settled bird here for over twenty years! Incredibly a singing bird was then found in roughly the same area on the 29th and it was joined by a second singing bird on the 30th! 

Corn Bunting, Chapel Hill, Abbotsbury, June 2021 © Steve Groves

Reed Bunting...

Present throughout. Several pairs bred. 

... And that's it for this post except to thank, Alan Barrett, Kev Butler, Joe Stockwell, Nick Urch, Charlie Wheeler (and any visiting birders) for additional sightings. Also an extra thanks to Joe and Kev for the use of their photos. 

July bird news will be published in due course but for now I'll leave you with this month's non-bird image...

Broad-bodied Chaser, Abbotsbury Swannery, June 2021 © Kev Butler

  

Swannery Bird Sightings - May 2021...

Rarities... 

The first Whiskered Tern for The Swannery and The Fleet was discovered on the 2nd and it lingered to the 8th. Presumably this was the same bird that was seen initially at West Bay, Bridport on the 28th April and then subsequently at Longham Lakes, Ferndown from the 9th to the 14th May. 

Whiskered Tern, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Charlie Wheeler

Whiskered Tern (with Common Tern), Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Charlie Wheeler

Waterfowl... 

The resident Whooper Swan and up to three Black Swans still lingered with the herd of around 500 Mute Swans; whilst the Canada Geese flock numbered 55 on the 16th but had at least doubled by the end of the month. The only other goose species seen was a  Barnacle Goose that was  present on the 14th/15th. 

All the expected ducks were present with peak counts of 33 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 58 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 4 Pochard and 20 Tufted Duck. 

Shelduck, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Steve Groves

Shorebirds...

Three pairs of Oystercatchers were present on territory throughout but there were at least 11 individuals present on the 8th; two Ringed Plovers were noted on the 1st followed by four on the 4th but there were no more until singles on the 27th and 30th, the latter two no doubt being of the tundra form. 

Whimbrel passage continued in the first half of the month with a peak of over 50 seen on the 8th but none were seen after the 16th; the only Bar-tailed Godwits seen though were four on the 2nd and one on the 6th; Black-tailed Godwits however were seen regularly with a peak of seven on the 27th. 

Whimbrel, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Charlie Wheeler

Black-tailed Godwit, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Charlie Wheeler

Turnstones were seen regularly, with a peak of 16 on the 13th;  a single Knot was present from the 13th to the 15th; Sanderlings were seen on four dates, all in low single figures save for at least 20 on the 21st; Dunlin though, as expected, were  seen regularly, often in double figures but with 150 on the 4th, 200 on the 5th and 100 on the 6th. 

Dunlins, Turnstones & a Knot, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Steve Groves

Turnstone, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Steve Groves

Dunlin, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Steve Groves

Three Common Sandpipers were seen on the 1st, two on the 7th and one on the 13th; single Redshanks were present regularly from the 1st to the 15th but not subsequently; whilst single Greenshanks were seen on the 22nd and 25th.

Gulls & Terns...

The three regular smaller gull species were present throughout, or at least seen regularly, with peak counts of 44 Black-headed Gulls, 30 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Common Gull. In addition single Kittiwakes were seen on the 3rd and 23rd; and single Little Gulls were present on the 4th and on the 24th/25th.

The three regular larger gull species were also present throughout, or at least seen regularly, with peak counts of 60 Great Black-backed Gulls, 200 Herring Gulls and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  

Both Common Terns and Sandwich Terns were pretty much present throughout with a peak of around 150 of the former on several dates and 13 of the latter on the 22nd.  Two Little Terns were present on the 1st/2nd and again on the 28th and a single Arctic Tern was seen on the 1st. Apart from the aforementioned Whiskered Tern, the highlight was a Roseate Tern present on the 9th.

Whiskered Tern, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Steve Groves

Arctic Tern, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Joe Stockwell

Other Water Birds...

Coots and Moorhens were present in single figures, at least, throughout.  

Single Little Grebes were seen on five dates whereas the usual non-breeding flock of Great Crested Grebes peaked at 55 on the 22nd. 

A Great Northern Diver that flew north on the 3rd was the second of the year, following one in February but only about the 5th in the last 30 years (although they are far more regular on the seaward side of the beach of course).

A Fulmar on the 25th (a species that is also more regular on the seaward side) was also the second of the year but unlike the previous species, it has been annual for the last ten years at least. 

Cormorants were present throughout, with a regular roost of around 30.  

A Great Egret was present briefly on the 7th (the first since January); four Cattle Egrets continued to roost nightly until the 13th but none were seen subsequently; Little Egrets were present throughout, peaking at 13 on the 25th; and up to three Grey Herons were seen daily. 

Cattle Egrets, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Steve Groves

Little Egret, Abbotsbury Swannery, May 2021 © Steve Groves

A Kingfisher on the 27th was the first since February.

Predatory Birds...

Single Ospreys were seen on the 2nd and 14th; single Sparrowhawks were seen on three dates, single Marsh Harriers were seen on four dates; three Red Kites were seen on the 28th/29th and two on the 27th and again on the 31st; and Buzzards were seen in single figures daily. 

Single Barn Owls were seen on the 13th and 28th; a Short-eared Owl flew over on the 11th; and at least one Tawny Owl was seen regularly.

At least one pair of Kestrels were seen daily; singles of a Hobby were seen on the 2nd and 14th; and single Peregrines were seen on three dates.

Other Non-passerines...

At least one pair of Red-legged Partridges were seen regularly and there were regular double figure counts of Pheasants, Feral Pigeons and Wood Pigeons, whilst a few pairs each of Stock Dove, Collared Dove and Green Woodpecker were also present.

Swifts were seen regularly but no count exceeded around a dozen and a Cuckoo seen on the 1st was the first since May 2020.

                     

Passerines...

A hundred or so Rooks and at least single figures of Magpies, Jackdaws and Carrion Crows were seen daily. 

At least two Sand Martins were seen on the 9th, with singles on the 19th, 24th and 31st;  Swallows continued to arrive in the first couple of weeks at least, with a peak of at least 50 noted on the 9th/10th and up to 30 still around (with a few pairs nesting) in the last week; House Martins  also continued to arrive, peaking at around 50 on the 22nd and with at least 20 (presumably nesters from the village) still being seen regularly at the month's end. 

Several pairs of Great Tits,  Blue Tits and Long-tailed Tits, were present throughout. 

A few Willow Warblers continued to pass through with the last noted on the 9th; a Garden Warbler was heard on the 2nd; and a Lesser Whitethroat on the 16th.

The numerous breeding pairs of Reed Warblers, along with several pairs each of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps effectively masked any further passage of their congeners, as did the few pairs each of  Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers. 

Several breeding pairs of Cetti's Warblers were also present and there was at least one pair of breeding Goldcrests in the lower grounds and others were heard in the upper grounds. 

Wrens were relatively numerous throughout of course but a Nuthatch on the 28th was a surprise (the first since June 2020) and surprisingly the only Treecreeper was heard on the 17th. Both the latter presumably wandering from breeding sites in the near vicinity. 

A single Starling on the 19th was followed by two on the 29th, presumably wanders from the dwindling breeding population in the village and on nearby farmsteads (none have nested in the grounds now for around twenty years).  

Breeding Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Robins were relatively numerous and at least one pair of Stonechats were present. A single Wheatear was noted on the 1st and two were present on the 8th; whilst single Spotted Flycatchers were seen on the 19th and on the 27th.

Several pairs of Skylarks and at least one pair of  Meadow Pipits were present on the surrounding pasture; and at least one pair of Pied Wagtails were present throughout. A single Yellow Wagtail was seen on the 3rd, whilst on the 8th a singing male attracted a mate and both were then present to the 10th at least, raising hopes of breeding. Only the male appeared to be present on the 11th however and he was last seen on the 14th. The only Grey Wagtail was noted on the 31st. 

Dunnocks and House Sparrows, were relatively numerous, although the latter as usual were mostly frequenting the very edge of the recording area in the cottage gardens of Grove Lane.  

Breeding Reed Buntings, Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Linnets were relatively numerous and at least one pair of Bullfinches were present. The only Greenfinch though was heard on the 21st.

... And that's it for this post except to thank, Alan Barrett, Kev Butler, Joe Stockwell, Nick Urch, Charlie Wheeler and visiting birders for additional sightings, with an extra thanks to Charlie and Joe for the use of their photos. 

I'll leave you with a couple of shaky videos of the Whiskered Tern and a Dunlin flock...

June 2021 sightings to follow shortly.

Steve Groves.