Swannery Bird Sightings - January 2021...

  

Waterfowl... 

A single Greylag Goose joined the regular 300 or so Canada Geese from the 4th to the 12th. 

Greylag Goose, Abbotsbury Swannery, January 2021 © Joe Stockwell

Greylag Goose, Abbotsbury Swannery, January 2021 © Steve Groves

Around 350 Mute Swans were present throughout, as were the four Whooper Swans (apart from the odd excursion to Rodden Hive) and the Black Swan was also present for much of the month.

All the expected ducks were present with peak counts of 24 Shelducks, 150 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 20 Wigeon, 450 Mallard, 20 Pintail,  650 Teal, 500 Pochard, 400 Tufted Duck, 4 Scaup and 10 Red-breasted Merganser. 

The highlight though was the continued presence of the (now 2nd calendar year) female Ferruginous Duck.

Ferruginous Duck (& Pochards), Abbotsbury Swannery, January 2021 © Joe Stockwell

Ferruginous Duck (& Pochard), Abbotsbury Swannery, January 2021 © Joe Stockwell

Ferruginous Duck (& Mallard), Abbotsbury Swannery, January 2021 ©  Joe Stockwell

Shorebirds...

Single Oystercatchers were seen on the 15th and 29th, with two on the 23rd; whilst Lapwings were present throughout peaking at 500 on several dates. A Golden Plover was seen on the 18th and six were present on the 27th.

Two Knots were seen on the 6th; Snipe were present throughout, with an impressive 100 seen on the 4th; the over-wintering Common Sandpiper was seen regularly but 'the' Green Sandpiper was only seen on the 11th; whilst Redshanks were present throughout with a peak of four on the 28th.

Gulls...

Of the smaller gulls Black-headed Gulls  and Common Gulls were present throughout with regular counts of over 100 of the former and of over 1,000 of the latter. Mediterranean Gulls however were a little harder to come by this month, with no counts exceeding double figures. Of the larger gulls Herring Gulls peaked at around 30 but there were only single figure counts of both Great Black-backed Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Other Waterbirds...

The three regular rails were present throughout with Water Rails being regularly encountered in 'ones and twos', while  Moorhens peaked at at least 20 and Coots peaked at 330. 

Both Little Grebes and Great Crested Grebes were present throughout, with a peak of at least 12 of the former and at least 8 of the latter. 

Cormorants were present throughout, with at least 20 in the roost nightly. 

Around 30 Cattle Egrets continued to roost nightly and there were also of course daily single figure sightings of Little Egrets and Grey Herons, whilst a Great Egret lingered from the 2nd to the 4th.

Single Kingfishers were seen regularly.

Hawks, Owls & Falcons... 

Single Sparrowhawks were seen on two dates, Marsh Harriers were seen regularly but with two present on four dates, whilst single figures of Buzzards were seen daily.

Single Barn Owls  were seen regularly but the only Tawny Owl was heard on the 2nd, although both species were almost certainly present throughout. 

Kestrels were present in single figures daily and single Peregrines were seen regularly.

Peregrine, Abbotsbury Swannery, January 2021 © Joe Stockwell

Other Non-passerines... 

Pheasants, Feral Pigeons, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves and Collared Doves were all noted in varying numbers; whilst single figures of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were both seen regularly too.

Passerines...                       

Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook and Carrion Crow were all relatively numerous throughout; Ravens were seen in single figures regularly; whilst single Jays were noted on two dates.

Coal Tit,  Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit were all relatively numerous throughout, as were Wrens,  Cetti's Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests., whilst up to two Firecrests were seen regularly too. 

The nightly Starling roost began to increase dramatically early in the month and by mid-month at least 10,000 birds were present.  

Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were both relatively numerous throughout and single Mistle Thrushes were noted on four dates. Redwings and Fieldfares however were again scarce with only five of the former noted on the 6th and just one of the latter noted on the 5th.

Dunnocks,  Robins and Stonechats were all relatively numerous throughout; as were Skylarks,  Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails; whilst two Rock Pipits were seen regularly and a single Grey Wagtail was noted on the 12th.

Dunnock, Abbotsbury Swannery, January 2021 © Joe Stockwell

House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Linnets and Reed Buntings were all seen in single figures regularly, with only the Goldfinch flock reaching low double figures, whilst the only Siskin was heard on the 8th.

... And that's it for this post except to thank, Kev Butler, Joe Stockwell, and Charlie Wheeler for additional sightings and where applicable for the use of their photos. 

February 2021 sightings to follow shortly.

Steve Groves.

Swannery Bird Sightings - December 2020...

 

Waterfowl... 

Canada Geese were present daily with a peak of 250 on the 20th; Brent Geese were seen on four dates (all 'Russian Brants' aka 'Dark-bellied Brent Geese'), with a peak of 12 on the 10th; whilst Barnacle Geese were seen on two dates, with 13 on the 10th and 11 on the 17th.

Barnacle Geese, & Canada Geese, Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Steve Groves

Over 400 Mute Swans were present throughout; whilst the four Whooper Swans were also present virtually daily; and a Black Swan was also present throughout.

 Whooper Swans, Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Steve Groves

Shelducks were present throughout with a peak of at least 25 on the 20th.

All the expected dabbling ducks were present, with peak counts of 130 Shoveler; 3 Gadwall; 100 Wigeon; 225 Mallard; 150 Pintail; and 450 Teal.

All the usual diving ducks were noted too, with peak counts of 220 Pochard; 150 Tufted Duck; 4 Scaup; and 5 Red-breasted Merganser. In addition three (first calendar year) Long-tailed Ducks were seen briefly on the 8th and 9th. 

Scaup (1cy drake), Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Scaup (ad. duck), Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Long-tailed Ducks (1cy duck, 2 1cy drakes), Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Kevin Butler

The highlight though was a Ferruginous Duck (a first calendar year) found on the 7th (the first since December 2009). It was not present the next two days but reappeared on the 10th and was then seen virtually daily to the 31st (although it wasn't always easy to find even from the grounds). Due to ongoing Avian Influenza and Corona Virus restrictions and the fact it could not be easily seen (if at all) from public rights of way, the decision was made heavyheartedly to not release the news of it's reappearance (until now).

Ferruginous Duck, Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Ferruginous Duck, Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Steve Groves

Ferruginous Duck, Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Steve Groves

Ferruginous Duck, Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Steve Groves

Ferruginous Duck, Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Steve Groves

Shorebirds...

The only Oystercatcher was seen on the 7th; whilst Lapwings were present throughout peaking at 500 on the 25th. 

Two Black-tailed Godwits were present on the 2nd; eight Turnstones were seen on the 10th, followed by a single on the 10th; a Knot was seen on the 10th; single Dunlins were noted on three dates; Snipe were present throughout, with a peak of 30 on the 29th; singles of both Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper were again seen regularly; whilst Redshanks were present throughout with a peak of five on the 1st.

Gulls...

The three regular small gulls were all seen daily with peak counts of over 500 Black-headed Gulls on the 26th,  over 500 Mediterranean Gulls on the 21st and over 1,000 Common Gulls also on the 21st.  The three regular large gulls were all seen virtually daily too with a peak counts of over 200 Herring Gulls on the 21st and over 10 Great Black-backed Gulls on the 14th. Lesser Black-backed Gulls though were only ever noted in low single figures.

Other Waterbirds...

Water Rails, Moorhens and Coots were all present throughout, with a peak count of 180 of the latter on the 29th.

Both Little Grebes and Great Crested Grebes were present throughout, with a peak of at least 14 of the former on the 11th and at least 10 of the latter on several dates. 

Cormorants were present throughout, with at least 20 in the roost nightly.

Cattle Egrets continued to roost nightly, with a peak count of 29 on the 25th; There were also of course daily sightings of Little Egrets, with at least 10 present on the 7th; and Grey Herons, with at least three present on the 1st.

Single Kingfishers were seen regularly.

Hawks, Owls & Falcons... 

Single Marsh Harriers were seen regularly but with two present on three dates: whilst single figures of Buzzards were seen daily.

A Barn Owl  was seen on the 1st, followed by two on the 8th; whilst a Tawny Owl was heard on the 3rd, although both species were almost certainly present throughout. 

Kestrels were present in single figures daily but single Peregrines were seen on three dates only.

Other Non-passerines... 

Pheasants, Feral Pigeons, Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves were all relatively numerous throughout, whilst singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were both seen regularly too.

Passerines...                       

Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook and Carrion Crow were all relatively numerous throughout; Ravens were seen in single figures regularly; whilst single Jays were noted on two dates.

Coal Tit,  Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit were all relatively numerous throughout, as were Cetti's Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and Wrens. 

The nightly Starling roost was rather unimpressive, peaking only at around 200 on the 17th.  

Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were both relatively numerous throughout but Redwings and Fieldfares were scarce with only one of the former noted on the 2nd, followed by two on the 21st and just one of the latter noted on the 2nd only.

Dunnocks,  Robins and Stonechats were all relatively numerous throughout; as were Skylarks,  Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails; whilst single Rock Pipits and Grey Wagtails were seen regularly too.

Robin, Abbotsbury Swannery, December 2020 © Steve Groves

House Sparrows, Reed Buntings, Chaffinches and Goldfinches were all relatively numerous throughout, with a good count of over 50 of the latter on the 12th. Greenfinches were seen fairly regularly but only in single figures, with a peak of five on several dates (sadly 50 would be the norm not that long ago). The only Linnets were a few heard on the 8th (scarce here in winter) and the only Bullfinch was seen on the 29th.

... And that's it for this post except to thank Alan Barrett, Kev Butler, Joe Stockwell, and Charlie Wheeler for their sightings and where applicable for the use of their photos. 

January 2021 sightings to follow shortly.

Steve Groves.

Swannery Bird Sightings - November 2020...

 

Waterfowl... 

Brent Geese were seen on five dates, with a peak of around 80 briefly on the 17th. All were 'Russian Brants' (aka Dark-bellied Brent Geese) bar a single 'Pacific Brant' (aka Black Brant) that was with the aforementioned flock on the 17th. Surprisingly perhaps (considering that they are now annual on The Fleet), the latter is the first of this form to have ever knowingly occurred at The Swannery. The only other 'true' geese seen were Canada Geese with around 100 present daily. 

A Black Swan (the first since May) arrived on the 28th and was still present on the 30th; around 600 Mute Swans were of course present throughout; whilst the four Whooper Swans were also present virtually daily but they also made occasional excursions to nearby Rodden Hive.

Nine Egyptian Geese (the first since January) were seen on the 5th, with between six and one then seen daily until the 9th; Shelducks were present throughout with a peak of at least 30 on the 7th.

Egyptian Geese, Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Steve Groves

All the expected dabbling ducks were present, with peak counts of 100 Shoveler; 6 Gadwall; 300 Wigeon; 400 Mallard; 200 Pintail; and 600 Teal.

All the usual diving ducks were noted too, with peak counts of 250 Pochard; 250 Tufted Duck; 3 Scaup; and 5 Red-breasted Merganser.

Scaup (ad. female), Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Steve Groves

Scaup (2 1cy drakes & ad. female), Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Shorebirds...

The only Oystercatcher was seen on the 30th, the same date that the Lapwing flock peaked at 250; whilst Golden Plovers were noted on four dates, with a peak of 30 on the 9th. 

The three Black-tailed Godwits seen on the 3rd were the only ones of the month; as was a Knot on the 5th; Dunlin though were seen regularly, with a peak of 14 on the 5th; Common Snipe were noted regularly, with peaks of three seen on several dates; singles of both Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper were seen  regularly, so possibly one of each may be set to over-winter, as it would seem are up to four Redshanks.

Gulls...

The three regular small gulls were all seen daily and all peaked in number on the 21st when over 250 Black-headed Gulls, over 100 Mediterranean Gulls and over 200  Common Gulls were all present.  The three regular large gulls were all seen virtually daily too with a peak count of 100 Herring Gulls on the 30th but both Lesser Black-backed Gulls and more surprisingly Great Black-backed Gulls were only noted in single figures.

Other Seabirds...

A Gannet lingered briefly on the 1st; whilst Cormorants were present daily, with over 50 present in the roost on the 4th at least.

Gannet, Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Large Wading Birds...

Cattle Egrets continued to roost nightly, with a fairly consistent count of 22 recorded either leaving or arriving at the Swannery roost. There were also of course regular single figure counts of Little Egrets and Grey Herons; whilst a single Great Egret was seen regularly too.

Great Egret & Cattle Egrets, Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Great Egret, Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Great Egret, Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Other Water-birds...

Water Rails, Moorhens and Coots were all present throughout, with 410 of the latter recorded during the Wetland Bird Survey.

Little Grebes peaked at  over 25 on the 5th; whilst Great Crested Grebes peaked at only seven on the 16th. 

Single Kingfishers were seen regularly.

Hawks, Owls & Falcons... 

Single Sparrowhawks were noted on two dates;  but Marsh Harriers were seen regularly... mostly singles but with two on the 4th and 5th; whilst single figures of Buzzards were seen daily.

Single Barn Owls  were seen regularly and a Tawny Owl was heard on the 25th, although both species were almost certainly present throughout. 

Kestrels were present in single figures daily but single Peregrines on were seen on the 12th and 13th only.

Other Non-passerines... 

A no doubt recently released Red-legged Partridge was seen on the 20th, whilst Pheasants were relatively numerous throughout of course.

Collared Doves, Feral Pigeons and Wood Pigeons were seen daily in low double figures but over 2,000 of the latter flew west on the 4th, followed by 200 on the 5th. The only Stock Doves were also overhead migrants, with  at least 20 flying west on the 4th.  

Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were both present in single figures throughout.

Passerines...                               

Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook and Carrion Crow were again all fairly numerous throughout: Ravens were seen in single figures regularly: whilst Jays were seen on three dates with a peak of three on the 5th.

Coal Tit,  Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit were all relatively numerous but the single Bearded Reedling on the 10th was the first since October 2019. 

Bearded Reedling, Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Cetti's Warblers and Chiffchaffs were relatively numerous throughout but the only other warbler noted this month was a  Yellow-browed Warbler on the 3rd. 

At least one Firecrest was again seen fairly regularly; whilst ten plus Goldcrests were present throughout. 

Wrens were relatively numerous and Starlings peaked at over 500 on the 4th. 

The first Redwings and Fieldfares of the season finally arrived, with at least one of the former present on the 3rd followed by at least 10 on the 19th and again on the 24th; whilst 200 of the latter paused briefly on the 19th. Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were present throughout, albeit apparently in single figures; whilst the only  Mistle Thrush was seen on the 4th.  

Robins and Stonechats were present throughout but only evident in single figures apart from a count of 10 of the latter on the 4th. 

Around 20 each of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were seen virtually daily; whilst Rock Pipits were also seen regularly with a peak of four on the 19th. Pied Wagtails were present throughout with up to 100 roosting nightly; and single Grey Wagtails were seen virtually daily too.

 

House Sparrows and Dunnocks were relatively numerous throughout.

Single Bramblings were noted on the 4th, 10th and 24th; Chaffinches were relatively numerous throughout; the only Bullfinch was heard on the 22nd; Greenfinches were seen fairly regularly but only in single figures, with a peak of three on the 5th; Linnets were seen regularly until the 10th at least, peaking at 20 on the 5th; two  Lesser Redpolls were noted on the 4th and again the 5th but with none subsequently; Goldfinches were present in low double figures throughout; whilst Siskins continued their good autumn into the first week with 50 seen on the 4th and 5th but none were noted after the 6th.

Reed Buntings were relatively numerous throughout but the only Yellowhammers were two on the 9th.

... And that's it for this post except to thank Alan Barrett, Kev Butler, Joe Stockwell, and Charlie Wheeler for their sightings and where applicable for the use of their photos. 

December sightings to follow shortly.

Steve Groves.