cygnus alar - herefordshirebirds...introduction -john pullen 3 club meetings 2001.4 weather report...

Mute Swan Cygnus alar

J

HEREFORDSHIREORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB

Founded 1950

ANNUAL REPORT 2001

Volume 6 Number 1

Compiled and Edited by:

s. P. ConeyI.B. Evans

C.E. LankesterR.E. Mellish

Reading & Commenting on the Whole TextElaine Evans & Keith & Chris Mason

Proof Reading by Peter & Joan Gardner

Published August 2003by

Herefordshire Ornithological Club

Price £7.50 - Post Free

Text Drawings by Christina MilwardColour Photographs by Ifor Evans

Front cover 'Yellowhammer' by Chris Gomersallby kind permission of RSPB

Copyv~ -HOC 2003

Report:Design & typeset by James Bisset for Oldlands Press.Printed by Oldlands Press - Telephone 01544 387911 - Email: [email protected]

HEREFORDSHIREORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB

ANNUAL REPORT 2001Volume 6 Number 1

CONTENTSOfficers and Committee 2

Introduction - John Pullen 3

Club Meetings 2001 .4

Weather Report - John Pullen 5

Bodenham Lake Bird Report - Trevor Hulme 7

The Hawfinch in Herefordshire 1888-2001 - !for Evans 9

Berrington Pool Heronry 2000 - Dr. David Boddington 14

Systematic List 2001 17

Herefordshire Map and Main Sites 40-41

List of Contributors to the Systematic List .70

A Hoopoe's Nest - Dr. C. W Walker MC. 71

The Pelican "Twitch" - !for & Elaine Evans .73

Earliest and Latest Dates for Summer Migrants 2001 74

Latest and Earliest Dates for Winter Migrants 2001 75

Herefordshire County Rarities 2001 .75

County Bird List for Herefordshire .79

Report Exchanges 81

Affiliated Associations 81

Corrections to Annual Report 2000 Vo1.5 No.lO 81

Income and Expenditure Account

Year Ended 30th November 2001 .Inside Back Cover

HEREFORDHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUBFounded 1950

Officers and Committee 2001President

LB. Evans

Vice-PresidentsMrs J.M. Bromley

P.J. Eldridge

ChairmanJ.R. Pullen

Vice-ChairmanG.R. Parker

Hon. Secretaryc.E. Lankester

Hon. Treasurer and Membership SecretaryR.E. Mellish

Hon. Report EditorP.H. Downes

Hon. Bulletin EditorP. Gardner

Hon. Meetings SecretaryK.A. Mason

Recorder & Conservation Liaison OfficerS.P. Coney

Education Liaison OfficerMrs V. Jermy

CommitteeT.W Downes (Publicity) :\I.A Smith

T.M Weale Miss N.J Perry (Co-opted)

BTO Representative - S. P ConeyRSPB Representative - I.B. Evans

Club Websitc: http://www.hcrefordshircbirding.nct

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INTRODUCTION

This is the 51 st. Annual Bird Report of the Herefordshire OrnithologicalClub. The Club has remained active. Although the indoor meetings werewell attended the outdoor programme was seriously affected by thedisastrous Foot and Mouth epidemic that broke out in February. Access tothe countryside was denied for much of the year and this had a devastatingeffect on survey work which was suspended for a good part of the year. Themonitoring of the 40 sites did not resume until the winter months andtherefore the HOC's Garden Bird Watch Survey which was continuousbecame more valuable along with the records members were able to submit,often recorded from the roadside. Two firsts were recorded during the year:a Great White Pelican in October and an Ovenbird in December. A RoseColoured Starling in November was a fourth County record.

It was with great sadness that in December we recorded the passing ofJosephine Bromley 1919 - 2001 who joined the HOC in 1951, was an earlyCommittee member, its Secretary from 1973 to 1987 and Vice - Presidentsince 1998. She will be remembered with great affection and gratitude forher immense contribution to the HOC.

The Club is appreciative of the effort made by all Survey volunteers andthose members who take time to submit their records. Any interestingrecords are welcome and are always recorded on the Club's Web Site,http://www.herefordshirebirding.net which remains very popular recordingmany 'hits'. The membership remained at just over 400. The Club has triedto reach the wider public by launching a new Club Leaflet, displays inlibraries and definitive publicity in local papers.

The Club made a donation to the Woodland Trust towards the creation of anew wood at Drover's Wood, Breinton. Three members, Peter Eldridge,John Pullen and Nick Smith joined other members of the public to plant thefirst of the trees. Another activity the Club arranged was a Bird RecognitionCourse held over 3 weeks in March. The tutors were Ifor Evans, KeithMason and John Pullen. The classes attracted over 20 members,unfortunately the culminating Field Trip had to be postponed until 2002.

This Report was edited by lfor Evans assisted by Steve Coney, ChasLankester and Ray Mellish. The drawings were contributed by ChristinaMilward.The Mute Swan Family and duck photographs by Ifor Evans. Wethank them and all other contributors for their contributions.

John Pullen

3

CLUB MEETINGS HELD IN 2001

Field Meetings were held at the following locations:

Date Venue7th. January Credenhill Park Wood18th. January Talybont Reservoir & Llangorse Lake27th. January Park Hall, Blithfield & Chasewater10th. February Whitford Point, Gower20th. February Carrots Wye

LeaderGerald ParkerChas LankesterJohn PullenKeith MasonTerry Foxton

All further meetings planned to the 24th. May were cancelled due to an outbreak of Foot &Mouth Disease throughout the country. Field Meetings commenced again on that date andwere arranged so as to avoid contravening the Foot & Mouth Epidemic restrictions.

Keith MasonJohn PullenRobin Jeffries

John Vickerman & Terry FoxtonJohn PullenKeith MasonTerry DownesJohn PullenTony EveleighKeith MasonSteve ConeyKeith MasonTerry FoxtonKeith MasonTerry Downes

Slimbridge WWTCotswold Water ParkRoss-on-Wye TownMartin DownHereford CityUpton WarrenWellington Gravel PitsCornwall WeekendGwent Levels GoldcliffWigmore Rolls & Criftin Ford BridgeCastleton WyeNorth NorfolkHaugh WoodKenfig Nature Reserve & BlackpillBodenham Lake & Wellington Gravel Pits

24th. May10th. June19th. June30th. June5th. July16th. August26th. August31 st. Aug.- 4th. Sept.23rd. September13th. October24th. October2nd. - 5th. November14th. November24th. November9th. December

The following indoor meetings were held at Holmer Parish Centre during the winter periods:

Date9th. January13th. February27th. February6th. March27th. March11th. September9th. October13th. November27th. November11 th. December

TopicMembers' EveningDr. Walker Memorial Lecture"Birds of Scotland"A.G.M. & "Galapagos Islands""Wildlife of Northern France""Arctic Canada & the Rockies""Pick 'n Mix" (A Journey Through Life)"Goshawks & Honey Buzzards""Where Griffons Soar" (Spain)"Wetland & WWT"

Speaker

Keith affordKeith MasonRay & June MellishRoy CroucherS.M.D. AlexanderColin TitcombeJerry LcwisKeith affordTony Richardson(MD ofWWT)

4

WEATHER REPORT 2001

January - Rain fell on 14 days recording 60.6 mms., somewhere near the average. Frostwas recorded on 13 nights starting on the 8th . and culminating in a 55 mm. snowfall on the20th . On the 27th. a temperature of -7 degrees C. was recorded. The continuing overnightfrosts and cold daytime temperatures between the 9th . and 10th . resulted in many frozenpools forcing wildfowl to pool margins. Eywood Pool for example was 99% ice coveredpushing 115 Mallard to a small area of open water. This caused the wildfowl, especiallyducks, to look for larger areas of water which werentt frozen.

February - Rain was recorded on 17 days with the heaviest on the 6th . and the 12th .resulting in local flooding. Total rainfall for the month was 76.1 mm. which was slightlyhigher than the average. Snow was recorded on the 28th. and frost on 10 nights. Theweather from the 13th. to the 19th. was cold, dry and sunny with overnight frosts. Theseconditions returned on the 27th. and carried on until the 5th. March.

March - The cold weather of the first few days gave way to mild dry days with 15 degreesC. recorded on the 7th. The cold weather returned on the 18th. with snow recorded on the18th., 20th. and 21 st. when there was a fall of 80 mms. The weather became mild towardsthe end of the month. There were 12 days when no rain was recorded. Total rainfall was103.8 mms. which was nearly double the average for the month. With the mild weather atthe end of the month early migrants returned on time: Chiffchaff on the 14th., SandMartins on the 24th. and Swallow on the 29th.

April- The early part of the month was damp and mild and from the 8th. to the 21st. thedays were mostly dry although cold with nightly frosts from the 18th. to the 21st. Therainfall amounted to 75.6 mms. and there were 165.7 hours of sunshine.

May - This month returned to being a dry summer month with only 37.6 mms. of rain, lastyear 57.4 mms. There were 21 dry days with most rainfall recorded on the 10th. with10.5mms and the 17th. with 20 mms. On many days the temperature was quite hot, 24.4degrees C. on the 13th. & 14th. and on 8 other days the temperature reached over 20degrees C. The early hot weather encouraged caterpillars to appear so enabling goodnumbers of tits to fledge.

June - The first half of the month was mainly dry, with most rain occurring on the 15th.,16th. & 17th. Especially heavy storms on the 15th. & 16th. which, as last year, washed thecaterpillars out of the tree canopy affecting Pied Flycatcher feeding. This month thehighest number of hours of sunshine for the year of 228 hours was recorded.

July - This month will be remembered for heavy storms and a much higher than averagerainfall of 78.9 mms. Rain was recorded on 13 days. Hot dry weather was recorded fromthe 23rd. From the 26th. to the 31 st. the temperature was over 20 degrees C. reaching ahigh of 29 degrees C. on the 29th.

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WEATHER REPORT 2001 continued

August - The higher than average rainfall of the previous month continued this month witha total of 62.5 mms. There was recordable rainfall on 18 days and it wasn't until the 21 st.that a dry, sunny spell was recorded which remained until the end of the month.

September - The early part of the month was cloudy, dull and mostly dry. The middle ofthe month was dry from the 13th. to the 18th. when large flocks of Jackdaws and Rookswere noted. The end of the month was mainly dry and sunny with the temperaturereaching 17 degrees C. on the 28th. The total rainfall for the month was 31.3 mms., muchless than the long term average.

October - For the third year running a high rainfall was recorded, 162.3 mms. with only12 dry days, being 235% higher than the long term average. This was by far the wettestmonth of the year, again causing localised flooding on the 7th. with 29.1 mms. and on the19th. with 39.8 mms. of rain falling. Most of the month was quite mild with a temperatureof 18 degrees C. from the 13th. to the 16th. and from the 18th. to the 24th. making it themildest October on record.

November - This was a much drier than average month with only 33.4 mms. of rain. (47%of the long term average). The first week was dry and sunny. In all 20 dry days wererecorded. The first recorded frost was on the 9th. There was another dry spell from the14th. to the 20th. The end of the month was cloudy and damp.

December - This was an exceptionally dry month with only 16.4 mms. of rain recordedcompared with a long term average of 69 mms. There were 20 dry days. The dry spellstarted on the 5th. with frosts on and off from the 7th. with more extreme night timetemperatures of less than -4 degrees C. recorded on the 20th. and from the 23rd. to the 31 st.

John Pullen

6

Bodenham Lake Bird Report 2001

Observations & AnalysisAnother interesting and encouraging year at the site although closure to the public duringthe Foot & Mouth outbreak inevitably resulted in fewer observations and records from thepublic and in particular from the HOC. Nevertheless, staff (with precautions) were able tocontinue the monthly survey for the third complete year. Evaluation of this data reveals asteady year on year increase in the overall numbers of water birds recorded, with the 2001counts up 22% on 1999. A success I would attribute largely to the creation and policing ofthe disturbance free refuge at the west end of the lake.

As with previous years, it should once again be stressed that the monthly counts are alwayslikely to be an under estimate of the actual numbers present at the site. The amount ofcover provided by the islands and emergent vegetation precludes a total count. Never theless this remains the best methodology available and conducted regularly should provide agood picture of comparative species variety and numbers.

Winners & LosersThis proved a good year for Wigeon with observed counts more than double those of lastyear. Teal also showed a significant increase for the third year running, in common withGoldeneye. Six nest boxes were erected in late spring in the hope of encouraging this rarebreeder to stay, but were not used this year. It was a good year too for Pochard. In contrastcounts of Great Crested Grebe and Barnacle Goose both declined for the thirdsuccessive year. Whilst the latter is the remnant of an escaped/feral flock, Grebe seem tohave had a miserable few years at the site, in terms of breeding success. Flooding andsudden rises in spring water level may well be to blame, inundating their vulnerablefloating nests.

Species of NoteDespite reduced observations at the site, the survey and a few regular recorders identifiedseveral scarce and rare species during the course of the year. A Hawfinch in December wasjoined by a Brent Goose and Ring-necked Duck in February, all first records for the site,with the latter a rare North American vagrant. Also of note were visits by Scaup, Gadwall,Shoveler and Smew.

An up to date species list for the site was also compiled with the help of the HerefordshireOrnithological Club. Based on reliable records for the period 1970 - 2001 this lists animpressive 134 species. Further evidence that this is one of the most importantornithological sites in the county.

Trevor Hulme

7

Bodenham Lake Bird Report 2001Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Qct Nov Dec

G.C.Grebe 1 6 5 4 2 1 3 2 2 3 2 4

Little Grebe 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I

Cormorant 3 5 3 3 0 0 0 3 13 13 9 14

Grey Heron 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 1

Mute Swan 0 0 1 0 3 2 14 5 7 8 2 3

Greylag Goose 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0

Barnacle Goose 0 0 0 0 0 4 I 0 1 1 1 0

Canada Goose 218 41 58 37 14 39 153 13 308 69 34 10

Mallard 69 21 20 15 3 8 11 20 16 61 54 40

Gadwall 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wigeon 136 124 43 6 0 0 0 0 29 49 103 68

Teal 15 4 2 3 0 0 0 0 6 18 17 26

Shoveler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Tufted Duck 23 46 47 60 19 11 49 30 31 54 61 84Scaup 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Pochard 2 15 6 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 40 35

Goldeneye 2 8 13 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 12

Goosander 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Smew 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

Moorhen 3 2 8 5 1 0 1 4 2 8 7 3

Coot 28 15 20 6 4 5 8 19 23 18 42 50Common Sandpiper 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

B-h.Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15

Bold numbers indicate peak count for soecies

co

The Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes inHerefordshire 1888 - 2001

Compiled by LB. Evans January 2002

Although there are many records of the Hawfinch in Herefordshire since 1888 it is highlyprobable, that due to its shyness and secretive nature, especially during the breedingseason, it is often overlooked despite it being such a distinctive bird with its huge bill andshort tail. Often the only indication of its presence are the remains of split fruit stoneswhere it has fed or its "tick" call as it flies overhead. The records have been compiled fromthe following sources:-

Bull, Henry Graves Notes on the Birds ofHerefordshire 1888.Home, George List ofthe Birds ofHerefordshire 1889.Hutchinson, T. Birds ofHerefordshire 1899.Phillips, E. Cambridge Herefordshire Birds from Victoria History of the counties ofEngland, Herefordshire.Gilbert, Captain H.A. & Walker, C.w. Herefordshire Birds 1941.Gilbert, Captain H.A. & Walker, c.w. Herefordshire Birds 1954.Walker, C.w. & Smith, AJ. Herefordshire Birds 1975.Williams' Collection Manuscript data of the collection made by Dr. Williams of CroazeHouse, Kingsland.Herefordshire Ornithological Club Annual Reports 1951 - 2001.Woolhope Club Transactions.

Bull 1888 Not a common bird in Herefordshire and yet it is a regular winter visitor insome localities, a few remaining to breed. Pair shot at Culver Hill, Norton Canon cl 845.One caught in a trap at Stretton Rectory in 1878 or 1879. One shot at Dormington in 1884.Noted possible breeding at Norton Canon, Lyston, Aylston Wood, Ross-on-Wye, Colwall,Lucton and Walford.

Horne 1889 Not rare, seen many specimens during the last few years.

Ashdown, W.e. (W.e.T.) 1895 During the winter several immature specimens werebrought home for preservation from various parts of the County and had undoubtedlyhatched there. During the winter of 1890 - 91 it was abundant in the County, over a scoreof specimens being sent him for preservation.

Ashdown, W.e. (W.e.T.) 1898 The Hawfinch has been pretty plentiful during the winterseason.

Hutchinson 1899 Commoner resident than formerly.

9

Cambridge Phillips 1908 Resident and fairly abundant. I have seen it at Fownhope Courtand believe it to be on the increase. It often occurs in the neighbourhood of Ross.

Williams' Collection 13 nests recorded between 1886 and 1913.

Herefordshire Birds Gilbert & Walker 1941 Resident and breeding and generallydistributed but appears to have decreased. The Rev. Prebendary G.H. Powell of Dorstonehas seen large winter flocks of Hawfinches amounting at times to seventy, feeding on thekernels of hawthom berries on the hill sides to the south of Dorstone. The Hawfinch,however, appears to have decreased of late years. For instance, immediately after the war,1914 - 18, the birds could be seen daily round Bishopstone, and on the Garnons and Foxleyestates seven or eight nests could easily be found in May. Nowadays the Hawfinch is rarelyseen in that district and nests are very difficult to find.

Herefordshire Birds Gilbert & Walker 1954 Resident, breeding but appears to havedecreased and now quite rare.

Herefordshire Birds Walker & Smith 1975 Resident, breeding but appears to havedecreased and now quite rare. Nowadays the Hawfinch is reported annually and nesting isoccasionally recorded. Where hombeam exists parties of Hawfinches may be found inwinter feeding beneath them on the fallen seeds. Its distribution is general but sparse. Morerecords come from the Bircher and Ledbury districts than elsewhere.

Herefordshire Ornithological Club Annual Reports 1951 - 2001.

1951 - Scarce. Single birds reported at Aconbury Hill 18th. March, Kington 1st. April, pairat Swainshill in February and pair at Hircher 23rd. March.

1952 - Pair suspected nesting at Colwall 16th. May. Pair at nesting territory at LemoreDingle, Almeley in June. Single at Eardisley. A male in poor condition, unable to fly, wasfound in mid-December at Rosedale Court, Pudlestone and caged. It was fed on yewberries, rose hips and some seed. After a month it had regained its strength and wasreleased.

1953 - A hen seen at Bromyard on 23rd. April. A cock at Lucton on 17th. May.

1954 - 3 in a garden at Weobley on 31 st. July, 2 on Ist. August and 1 on 2nd. August. 1 atEardisley on 11 th. August.

1955 - No records received.

1956 - Thc Hawtinch, once quite numerous, has become very rare. Pair at Titley end ofApril. Flock of 3 males and 2 females at Bireher on 1st. May. Nest of 5 eggs found at HopeEnd Estate situated in a low cedar bough at height of R feet. When inspected on the 24th.it was found to have been robbed.

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1957 - A single male at Fownhope on 21st. June. Two days later 2 well fledged youngfound.

1958 - One on Hill Top, Wellington Heath on 31 st. March & 4th. April. I in a Herefordgarden on 1st. April. 3 adults at Little Marcle on 18th. April. 1 at Ross on 22nd. April.Pair at Layster's Pole, Middleton-on-the-Hill on 17th. May. 1 at Bishopstone on 29th.August. 1 at Mansell Lacy on 31 st. August.

1959 - Frequently seen at Pudey during the Spring. Party of 5 at Fishpools Valley on18th. July. 1 at Goldhill, Eastnor on 3rd. December.

1960 - Hen seen visiting nest with 3 young at Fishpools Valley on 21st. May.

1961 - 6 immature birds at Dulas in July. 1 at King's Caple on 25th. August and 4 on the26th. 2 at Lower Cleve Fann, Ross-on-Wye on 1st. November.

1962 - Male and 2 females seen on several occasions during early March at Goodrichand 1 on the 17th. March. I at Kington on 21st. July.

1963 - Male & female noted at Pudey in March.

1964 - 1 at Breinton on 1st. March. Pair at Wellington Heath on 16th. March. 1 atMordiford on 20th. March. Noted at Pudey in March. 1 seen on several occasions at YeldWood, Kington April to July and 2 noted on 7th. July. Juvenile at Fishpools Valley on27th. June. 1 flying over Hereford on 27th. July.

1965 - Pair at Vennwood, Bodenham in April. Pair nested at Pudey.

1966 - 1 at Burghope on 23rd. May. Single pairs noted at three separate areas nearWhitbourne.

1967 - 1 at Ledbury on 15th. January. 1 male feeding on hawthorn seed on ground atAston on 19th. January (workmen said they had seen a dozen at the same place). 1 atLyepole on 23rd. February. 1 at Colwall on 12th. March. 1 at Holly Bush, Malvern on6th. May. I noted at Mathon and 2 young seen on 23rd. July.


1969 - I at Hereford on 3rd. April. Female caught in Jackdaw trap at Garnons in Mayand released. Pair notcd in Holmer garden. 1 at Brcdwardine on 2nd. July. Also reports,unconfirmed, from Aston near Wigmore.

1970 - 1 at Moccas Park on 14th. June. 1 at Great Doward. Whitchurch on 1st. December.

1971 - Small party in Holmer garden in May. Noted nesting in Dinmore area. I noted at Walford.

11

1972 - 1 male at Burrington Bridge on 20th. January. Pair at Coddington on 27th. March.1 at Lugwardine on 7th. July. 1 noted at Walford.

1973 - 1 at Aconbury on 20th. May.

1974 - 6 at Weston-under-Penyard in early January. 2 adults and 2 young feeding on hollyberries at Ashton in May.

1975 - Dead male found in poultry run at Lucton on 27th. March. 1 at Fownhope on 6th.November. 1 feeding on seed of maple at Fownhope on 15th. November.

1976 - Pair noted at Ross for 6 weeks from 24th. February. 2 noted near Hereford in earlyApril.

1977 - 1 at Bringsty on lIth. January. I at Checkley on 10th. March. 1 at Common Hill on19th. March. 2 at Putley on 4th. April. Pair at Hoarwithy on 3rd. May. 1 at Common Hillon 25th. July.

1978 - 1 at Common Hill on 20th. January. 1 male at Wigmore on IIth. June. 1 adult and1 young at Stansbatch on 5th. July. 1 at Common Hill on 23rd. October. I male at Newtonon 31st. December.

1979 - 1 at bird table at Bredwardine on 24th. January. 1 at Common Hill in February and3 on the 8th. March. 1 male at Almeley Wootton on 22nd. April. 2 at Criftin Ford on 18th.October. I at Dinedor on 28th. November.

1980 - Several frequented Holmer garden March - April.

1981 - 1 at Common Hill on 18th. March and 2 on 7th. November.

1982 - Flock of 6 at Copelands, Holmer March - May. 3 at Haugh Wood on 10th. April.Female feeding single young at Mortimer Forest on 12th. June. 1 female and 2 young inchurchyard yew at Michaelchurch on 11 th. July.

1983 - Party of 6 at Copelands, Holmer in April but no signs of breeding.

1984 - 2 feeding on fallen seeds of hornbeam at Copelands, Holmer in February.


1986 - I female at Putley on 2nd. February. 2 noted on Common Hill on 13th. February. I atDownton on 2nd. April. I at Checkley on 28th. May. 1 at Hampton Bishop on 6th. October.

1987 - Pair at Haugh Wood on 25th. April.

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1988 - 1 at Common Hill from 12th. to 19th. December. 1 at Burrington on 13th.December. 1 at Check1ey on 27th. December.

1989 - 1 at Common Hill on 3rd. January. 1 at Check1ey on 15th. January. 1 in grounds ofJohn Masefie1d High School, Ledbury on 4th. February. C20 noted at Ha1mer in May.

1990 - Pair noted at Ross-on-Wye in February.

1991 - 1994 No records received.

1995 - The only records came from Ledbury:- 4 on 2nd. January, 7 on 12th. February, 12on 5th. March, 12 - 15 on 12th. March, 11 - 15 on 25th. March and 1 on 15th. April.

1996 - 2 records both from Ledbury:- 2 on 28th. January and 2 on 10th. March.

1997 - 1 at Ledbury on 15th. January. 1 male at Ho1mer on 18th. - 19th. April. 2 at MayHill on 27th. April.

1998 - c20 at Woo1hope on 2nd. March. 1 male and 3 females feeding on damson stonesat Check1ey on 3rd. April.



2001 - 1 seen on trees by entrance to Bodenham Lake on 22nd. December.

13

BERRINGTON POOL HERONRY 2000(On behalf of the National Trust)

IntroductionThe Grey Heron Ardea cinerea has been breeding at Berrington for a great number ofyears, the Woolhope Club visited the island in June 1884 and found between 15 - 20 nestson some tall larch, fir and beech trees (Bull 1888). The HOC have records of this heronrysince 1950 when Mike Alexander was given written permission by Lord Cawley tobirdwatch in the area. These records have been included in the Club's Annual Reports sincethe first Report of 1951. Previously, for some years, the nests had been counted by P. W.Hinde, a ringer and HOC Committee Member, but no records ofhis visits have been found.At the time it was thought that the Berrington Heronry was the only one known in theCounty but according to the Heronry Census of 1950 there were also small heronries atAconbury, Letton and Tyberton.

Synopsis of Report by David Hughes, National Trust Countryside Manager20th. January 2000.

Initial declination from at least early 1980's to mid 1980's.Steady total of 12 - 15 pairs since then.Possible reason for declination:

Levels of fishing activity.Disturbance from shooting.High level of water contamination.Presence of Canada Geese.

These have to some extent been attended to.Some further recommendations were made by this author.

Observations 2000 - early 2001.Seven visits were made between and including 18th. February 2000 and 24th. January2001. After the first introductory visit, which included a visit to the island accompanied bythe manager, further observations were made from a point on the western causeway,because birds were present at the nests on the March visit, and until the oak leaf - burst inlate April disturbance was not deemed necessary. The island was not walked until the 13th.June after a preliminary inspection from the elevated position with telescope from in frontof Berrington Hall. From then on all visits included the island. Oak leaf cover persisteduntil mid November, and it was not possible to compare the causeway records with recordsmade from under the trees until the 24th. January. It had been hoped that a December oreven January visit would enable nests which had been occupied by young to be picked outby faecal and food staining, but the heavy autumn rainfall had removcd these. One largenest had also fallen as a result of this rainfall. The January visit gave a clear vision of thesize and thickness of the nests and cnablcd the 'quality' of each nest to be estimated andgrouped as to use.

14

Results.The presence of a breeding pair in a nest was established by one of the following:

A. Definite breeding pair.1. Presence of a bird in or very near a nest, standing or sitting.2. Activity; bird preparing to land, or an 'argument' at nest.3. Feeding of unseen young.4. Young seen.5. Detritus under nest.B. Possible breeding pairs.1. A nest large enough to be a breeding nest with some activity near.2. A bird present within four metres when young should have hatched but with little

activity. (Close brooding by one or other adult for 11 - 21 days and guarded for afurther 7 - 15 days. Birds ofthe Western Palaearctic. Oxford 1977)

C. Nests present that were unlikely to have contained eggs or young.1. Very small, perhaps 10" - 12" across with light showing through them.2. Nests with large parts missing.3. Large nests not qualifying under A or B.

Total number of nests, i.e. A+B+CNumber classed under ClNumber probably too small

Definite (possible) occupied nests, A+B

267

-l17(19)

During full oak leaf a count from the island suggests a total number ofpossible and definiteoccupied nests. A + B 14 / 15

The January figure for small nests (C) is taken as 7 or 9. This group would never have beenvisible with full foliage. There is therefore a disparity of2-5 in the nest numbers that couldreasonably be expected to be suitable for occupation.

Summer counts indicated that there were definitely 10, probably 11, nests occupied withbreeding birds with a 1 in 10 possibility of 12.

The figures could reasonably be expected to be:Usable nests presentOccupied

14 - 1811

Comments.The small nests classified as usable could either be nests from which sticks have beenrobbed or nests started by one year old birds.

BWP (Oxford 1977) states that most do not breed in their first year. but if a year old birddoes so. it is usually a female paired to an older male.

15

Addendum.The fact that these older oaks are dying at their tops giving a stag's head top to an otherwisevigorous tree, was remarked to the author by Mr. Hughes at an early stage. Thesignificance of this proved relevant in an unexpected way. On the 13th. June 1 sat and layin undergrowth under trees No. 3 and No. 5 for an hour. Three times at regular intervalsduring this time a raptor appeared over the same exposed nest doing tight circles a few feetabove the nest, flying in a controlled manner postured to avoid stalling. Not once did itland. No adult bird was present at the nest and no young were calling. The bird gave theimpression of indecision. Light was bad and I was handicapped by the position I was in.The bird was too large for a Sparrowhawk and was very probably a Goshawk. I am familiarwith this species but under the circumstances, identification could not be more definite.The possibility of predation on young in the nests in these thinned treetops must thereforebe considered.

The table shows the numbers of confirmed breeding 1990 - 2000

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

27 27 16 19 16 12 12 12 13 25 17

NB 1992 was a late count with trees in full leaf.1995 confirmed total. Estimated total 24.1996 confirmed total. Estimated total 171997 confirmed total. Estimated total 19.

David G. Boddington30th. January 2001

16

SYSTEMATIC LIST 2001

Sequence and nomenclature follows those of Professor K.H. Voous in his List of RecentHolarctic Species (1977)The nomenclature of the British Ornithologists' Union (The British List 2001) has beenadded in brackets where it differs from current usage.

Abbreviations used:BHP Berrington Hall PoolCFB Criftin Ford BridgeHQB Hereford Quarry Bromyard Rd.LIL Letton Irrigation LakeLLM Lower Lugg MeadowRG Ringing GroupSGW Sink Green WyeTP Tybcrton Pools

WGP Wellington Gravel Pits

BL Bodenham LakeFM Field MeetingKP Kenchester PoolsLDB Lion's Den BredwardineMGP Mathon Gravel PitRWP River Wye PutsonSSSP Stretton Sugwas Sand PitTB Turner's Boat

BOM Bulmer's Orchard MoorhamptonHL Hartleton LakesLP Leach PoolLBP Little Berrington PoolNR Nature ReserveSIE Shobdon Industrial EstateTPNR Titley Pool Nature ReserveULM Upper Lugg Meadow

NB Eywood Pool has been renamed Titley Pool Nature Reserve.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immerVery rare winter visitor. An ad. arrived at WGP on 24th Nov (P&TD) and remained at thesite until 9th Dec allowing many Club members to view it. This was the 6th County record.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollisCommon breeding resident on pools and rivers. Recorded from 33 locations. Breedingconfirmed at:- MGP, where 1 pr. produced 3 juvs. (ATF+KAM+JRP) and SSSP, wherethere were 4 prs. (CW).Large groups were 9 at Castleton on 14th Dec and 7 at Little Berrington on 13th Feb(GSB+CW).Maximum counts at regular sites:-

Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

HL 3 3 - - - - - - 2 2 1 I

KP 4 2 - - - I - - 1 3 1 -

RWP 4 4 4 - - - - - 2 2

SSSP 7 5 8 - 6 4 2 3 4 3

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatusFairly common breeding resident on larger pools and lakes and winter visitor. Reportedfrom 6 locations. Breeding confirmed at:- BL with a pr. with I juv.(GSB); HL, with 2 prs.rearing 3 juvs. and I juv. and TPNR, with a pr. with 3 juvs. (J&CP).A pair were displaying at Eastnor Castle lake on 10th Mar (PGG) and a pr. nestedunsuccessfully on the island of the main lake at WGP (PHD+SPC).A single bird was on the R. Wye at Moccas on 28th Jan (JRWP).

17

Maximum counts at main sites:-


BL 3 9 6 1 3 3 3 2 - 3 5 5

HL 8 6 - - - - 4 8 2 4 4 4

WGP 2 1 3 4 3 3 2 2 2 3 5 12

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollisScarce winter visitor and passage migrant. 3 summer-plumaged ads. arrived at the roadsidepit at WGP on 27th Apr (PHD+SPC et al), 1 remained until 29th Apr allowing many Clubmembers an opportunity to view the bird in this plumage. A winter-plumaged ad. was atWGP from 18th Aug, until 8th Oct (PHD et al). These were the 9th and 10th Countyrecords.

CORMORANT (Great Cormorant) Phalacrocorax carboCommon winter visitor, with increasing numbers remaining throughout the year.Reported from 31 locations, with maximum counts from:-


BHP - 7 - - - - - - 1 3 3 2

BL 23 20 - - - - - - - 22 18 42

Castleton 2 3 - - - - - - 27 37

CFB 30 14 9 - - - - - - - - -

LIL 2 26 - - - - - - - - 16

RWP 3 1 2 2 1 1 2- 1 - 2 3 2

TB 2- 2 1 1 - 1 1 4 4 5 2 10

WGP 8 4 - - 3 1 2 7 8 31 1 22

New year counts at roosts were: CFB - 0, Hampton Court - 50 and LDB - 37.

GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalusAccidental. An ad. of unknown origin, which had been sighted previously, in severalcounties in the South of England, was seen by a fisherman on the River Wye at Letton on21 st Oct. It was relocated at LIL on 23rd Gct and when flushed. flew off with othcrwildfowl towards the River Wye (CW). Later that afternoon it was sighted flying along theRiver Wye at Clifford and was watched until it flew NW over the County border intoRadnorshire (1&EE). The record was acceptcd by BBRe, who wcrc vcry interested in thebird's wcll-documcnted movcmcnts across thc Country, ending in its dcath at a RSPCArescue-centre in Norfolk, after it had collided with power-lines in that County. This wasthe first County record.

18

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzettaPassage migrant. Possibly more common in the County than the sightings portray. Singleswere reported from Bridge Sollars on 9th Aug (PJE), River Wye just downstream of Hayon-Wye on 27th Aug (JV), Letton Lakes on 15th Feb (ALS) and (LOB) on 24th Aug and9th Sep (SPC).

GREY HERON Ardea cinereaFairly common breeding resident. Reported from 41 locations, but no counts were taken atthe heronries due to Foot and Mouth Disease restrictions. Breeding was confirmed at BHP,LP and Weston Farm, Bredwardine.Larger counts were:- 9 at BHP on 23rd Mar (S&LC), 6 at LP on 30th Jan (SPC), 6 at TBin Jun (C&JC) and 6 at WGP on 6th Oct (PHD).

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olorCommon breeding resident, with birds collecting in large herds during the winter, andsmaller herds of non-breeding birds in early summer. Breeding confirmed at:-BL pr. with 4 juvs. (GSB)Byford Wye pr. with 3 juvs. (PB)Eardisland pr. with 3 juvs. (PHD)HL pr. with 4 juvs. (MFP)Huntington Lane pr. with 8 juvs. (KAM)LDB pr. with 7 juvs. (SPC)TPNR pr. with 5 juvs. (J&CP)TB pr. with 2 juvs. (C&JC)WGP pr. deserted nest with cggs. (PHD)Other sites were probably productive, but not recorded due to Foot and Mouth Diseaserestrictions.Larger counts were:- 72 at Bolstone on 18th Jan (GSB+CW), maximum of79 at Castletonon 14th Jan (KAM+ATF), 52 at River Wye - Clifford on 25th Feb (PHD), 62 at LP on 30thJan (SPC), maximum of 57 at Letton Lakes on 29th Jan (CW), maximum of 72 at HolmeLacy Wye on 18th Jan (CW) and maximum of65 at WGP on 15th Dec (PHD).

BEWICK'S SWAN (Tundra Swan) Cygnus columbianusUncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. The only records were of2 ads., includingyellow neck-ring 344A, which commuted betwecn Letton Lakes and Castleton from 14thJan to 18th Feb (ALS et al) and were joined by 2 further ads. at Letton Lakes on 15th Feb(GSB+CW); 10 by River Wyc at Fownhope on 16th Dcc (PGG); 5 at Tidnor Mill on 27thOct (ATF et al) and 3 at WGP on 9th Dec (PHD).

19

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnusScarce winter visitor. In the first winter period, there was an ad. at BL on 27th Feb (GSB),2 ads. commuting between Castleton, Clifford Wye and Letton Lakes between 9th Feband 11th Mar (CW et al), 1 at Tidnor Mill on 28th Mar (CW+GSB) and an ad. at WGPfrom 1st Jan to 6th Apr (PHD+SPC+GSB) joined by a second ad. on 21 st Feb (CW). Inthe second winter period the only sighting was of 2 ads. at LP on 22nd Dec (MFP).

Branta canadensis

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchusRare winter visitor. The only sighting of the year was of 4 including green neck-ring IAN,at LIL from 16-21 Dec (ALS+CW+PHD). This was the 13th record for the County.

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anserScarce winter visitor and occasional breeder. Some sightings may be of escapees or fromthe large population of feral birds originating in the Severn Valley. 6 were at BL on 6thOct (RWR), 1 at HL on 17th and 21 st Nov and during Dec (WOO), 2 were with Canadageese on receding floodwater by the River Wye at Backney on 2nd Jan (PGG) and I atWGP on 5th. & 12th. May (PHD) and 13th Dec (GSB).

CANADA GOOSECommon introduced breeding resident. Breeding confirmed at:-BL 3 prs. with broods of 6, 2 & I (PHD)KP 1 pr. with 4 juvs. (PJE)TP 1 pr. with 5 juvs. (DAW)WGP 1 pr. with 4 juvs. (PHD+SPC)Probably quite a few breeding sites were not recorded, due to the Foot and Mouth Diseaserestrictions. Larger flocks were:-Maximum of 105 at BHP in Nov (TCC); Maximum of 211 at BL on 1st Oct (lCD); 106at Chase Wood, Ross-on-Wye on 28th Jan (ER); 290 at HL on 31 st Dec (lRP); 135 at KPon 16th Jan (GSB); maximum of200 at LlL in Oct (lRP); 340 by River Wye at Fownhopeon 16th Dec (PGG); 264 by River Wye at Holme Lacy on 18th Dec (CW+GSB); c.1 00 byRiver Wye at Sink Green on 14th Jan (R&JM); 130 by River Wye at Wilton on 12th Dec(lRP); 365 including juvs. at SSSP on 19th Sep (CW) and maximum of 51 0 at WGP on19th Aug (PHD).

20

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsisRare winter visitor and introduced breeding resident. All sightings relate to the smallpopulation originating around BL, but their movements varied, and sometimes includedextra individuals of unknown origin. No breeding was reported this year. All records asfollows:-BL: 13 on 17th Feb (PHD), 11 on 21st Feb (CW), 14 on IstApr (PHD), 14 on 6thApr(GSB) and I on 26th Nov (GSB+CW).River Wye - Holme Lacy: 1 with Canada Geese on 18th Dec (GSB+CW).WGP: 14 on 1st Jan (PHD+SPC), 14 on 14th Jan (PHD), 14 on 19th Jan (CW), 4 on 1stMay (P&TD et aI), 2 with a hybrid resembling a blue-morph Snow Goose on 23rd May(PHD), 8 on 13th Aug (GSB), 9 on 22nd Sep (P&TD) and 15 on 23rd Sep (PHD).

BRENT GOOSE Branta berniclaVery rare visitor. An ad. of the dark-bellied race, bernicla bernicla, arrived at BL on 17thFeb and remained there, or at the nearby Vern pool until 25th Feb (P&TD). This was the10th County record.

SHELDUCK (Common Shelduck) Tadorna tadornaUncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. 2mm were on floodwater near ArrowFisheries, Leominster on IstApr (PHD); 3 were at LIL on 10th and 15th Feb (CW+GSB);5 on LLM on 3rd Jan (GSB), followed by 6 on 7-8th Feb (CW+I&EE), 5 on 24-25th Mar(CW+GSB+PHD) and 1 on 26th Mar (CW+ATF); 1 feeding on edge of pond at NortonWood on 4th May (MJW); 2 at SSSP on 3rd May (CW); 1 at Tidnor Mill on 26th Jan,followed by I on 29th Mar and a ill. on 3rd Apr (GSB). At WGP, there was a m. on 21stApr, 2 juvs. on 14th Jul, an ad. f. on 24th Aug and an ad. f. on 17th Nov (PHD).

MANDARIN (Mandarin Duck) Aix galericulataIntroduced breeding resident. There was no record of breeding in the County this year.Most sightings relate to the small population around Castle Pool, Hereford. All recordsas follows:-BL: m. on 27th Dec, was probably the long-staying bird from WGP (PHD).Castle Pool, Hereford: m + 2ff on 16th Jan (R&JM), eclipse m. on 24th Aug (R&JM), m+ 2ff on 3 - 4th Dec (R&JM+ I&EE) and 2mm + 2ff on 6th Dec (R&JM).Putson Wye: 2 on 4th Nov and 3 on 16th Dec (R&JM).Rotherwas Chapel pool: m + 2ff on 18th Mar (GSB+CW).WGP: f on 16th Sep (PHD) was followed by a m. which stayed from 3rd Nov until theend of the year (PHD et al).

21

WIGEON (Eurasian Wigeon) Anas penelopeCommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Counts at regular sites were:-

Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jut Aug Sep Oct Nov Dee

BL 180 109 70 - - - - - - 77 120 130

KP 80 35 60 - - - - - - 21 18 -

LIL 29 117 - - - - - - - 6 74 23

LLM 135 54 3 - - - - - - 2 - -

WGP 136 15 - - - - - 2 9 46 15 50

(GSB+SPC+TCC+PJE+P&TD+CW)

Also reported were:- 2 on floodwater at Arrow Fisheries, Leominster on 28th Mar (PHD);14 at BHP on 14th Jan (TCC), followed by 32 on 24th Jan (DGB), 7 on 27th Jan (PHD),2 on 11th Feb (TCC), a m. +2ff on 4th Nov (TCC); 9 at Castleton on 6th Jan (SPC),followed by 12 on 14th Jan (KAM+ATF); a single at HL in Jan, followed by 2 in Feb(WOD); a m. + f. at MGP on 27th Dec (MFP); lion floodwater, at Monkland on 27thOct (PHD); 48 by River Wye between Strangford and Sellack on 21st Jan followed by 56on 28th Jan (CW); a f. at SSSP on 15th Dec (CW) and singles at TPNR on 7th Oct, 4thNov and 16th Dec (J&CP).

GADWALL Anas streperaUncommon breeding resident and passage migrant. No breeding reported this year andnumbers at HL decreasing.

Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dee

HL 13 10 - - - - - 3 4 2 2 -

(WOD+AHE+MFP)

Other sites with records were:- m. at BL on 15th Jan (CW+GSB), m. + f. on 25th Nov(ATF+JRP) and 2 in Dec (GSB); m.+ f. at LLM on 15th Feb (CW); m. at MGP on 25thOct and 2 on 24th Nov (MFP); m. at TPNR on 28th Oct, a single on 4th Nov and f. on30th Dec (J&CP); 2mm + f. at WGP on 19th Jan (GSB+CW), f. on 24th Jan (GSB), f. on27th Jan &11th Feb (PHD), m. on 23rd Apr & 28th Aug (PHD), m. + f. on 29th Sep(P&TD), 2mm. on 28th Oct (PHD), 2 on 4th Nov (SP+ND), m. + f. on 28th Nov.(GSB+CW), m. + f. on 10th Dec (GSB), m. + f. on 12th Dec (JM) and a m. on 23-24thDec (P&TD).

22

TEAL (Eurasian Teal)Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Maxima at main sites:-

Anas crecca

Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jut Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

BL 93 100 2 12 - - - 2 - 32 50 lOO

HL 26 15 - - - - - - - 18 23 27

KP 3 - - - - - - - - 8 28 -

LIL 3 10 - - - - - 4 - 4 4 17

SSSP 19 - - - 2 - - - 1 3 5 19

TPNR 125 60 - - - - - - 5 2 32 40

WGP 27 9 3 8 - - - 8 15 19 30 44

(GSB+SPC+WOD+P&TD+PJE+ATHJMa+ALS+CW)

Records from other sites included:- 1 at BHP in Oct and 4 in Dec (TCC); 6 at Castletonon 14th Jan (KAM+ATF), followed by 2 on 16th Dec (MFP); 7 at CFB on 17th Feb (JCD);3 at Flintsham on 16th Sep, followed by 2 on 16th Dec (J&CP); 2 at LP on 30th Jan(SPC); 26 at LLM on 2nd Jan and 63 on 3rd Jan (GSB); 11 at MGP on 15th Dec (PGG)and 8, including an injured bird, at Rudhall on 21st Feb (MFP).

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchosCommon breeding resident and winter visitor, with some introduced for shooting.Widespread records, with breeding confirmed at:-Huntington Lane 2 broods of 9 and 3 (KAM).KP 11 juvs. (PJE).Monkland: 7 juvs. (AJB)Norton Wood pr. with 6 juvs. (MJW).SSSP pr. with 3 juvs. (CW).TB pr. with 11 juvs. (JC).WGP 5+ broods (PHD).

Larger counts from other sites were:- 100 at MGP on 24th Nov (MFP) and a maximumof 150 at Monkland on 27th Oct (JE).

23

Records from main sites throughout the year were:-


BHP - - - - - - - - 65 110 39 69

BL - - - - - - - - 90 117 123 53

CFB 4 7 - 8 - - - - - - - -

FL 32 26 - - - - - - 25 30 30 67

GM 2 - - - - - - - - 5 2 12

HL 35 23 - - - - - 65 40 30 56

KP 27 31 - - - - 12 - 10 20 25 -

LIL 21 13 - - - - - 17 54 43 2 100

RWP 95 45 - 19 21 33 54 48 - - 26 38

SSSP 75 10 - - - - 11 - 9 25 30 31

TPNR 115 35 - - - - - - 35 - 46 34

TB - 9 5 6 11 - 6 5 12 100 30 25

WGP 325 262 - 9 - - - 90 100 60 218 372

FL=Fhntsham, GM=Gamber Meadow(GSB+JC+SPC+TCC+JCD+WOD+PHD+PJE+R&JM+J&CP+JRP+ALS+CW)

PINTAIL (Northern Pintail) Anas acutaScarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Recorded from 7 locations during the year.BL: m. on 1st Jan (PHD+SPC), 3mm. on 3rd Jan (GSB), 11mm. + 6ff. on 6th Jan (P&TD),m. + 3ff. on 7th Jan (PHD), 24 on 26th Jan (PGB) and f. on 16th Oct (GSB).Castleton: f. on 24th Oct (Club FM).KP: 2 on 14-15th Jan (PJE) and 3mm. + 2ff. on 17th Jan (CW+GSB).LIL: 2ff. on 15th Feb (GSB+CW).LLM: 2mm. + 3ff. on 2nd Jan, 3 on 3rd Jan, 3mm. on 6th Jan and m. + f. on 26th Jan(GSB).SSSP: m. + 2ff. on 14th Jan (CW+GSB), f. on 15th Jan (CW) and 4mm. + 2ff. on 16th Jan(CW+GSB).WGP: 4 on 1st Jan (PHD+SPC), m. + f. on 6th Jan (PHD), 6mm. + 5ff. on 7th Jan (GSB),5mm. on 13th Jan (PHD), lOon 14th Jan (PHD), m. on 19th Jan (GSB+CW), 3mm. + 3ff.on 20th Jan (PHD), m. on 27th Jan (GSB+CW), f. on 28th Jan (PHD), 2mm. on 18th Feb(PHD), m. + f. on 19th Feb (G&MB) and f. on 10th Nov (P&TD).

GARGANEY Anas querquedulaScarce summer visitor and passage migrant. The only sightings for the year were of a m.+ f. reported in Club area from 21st May until 12th Jun (CW+GSB et al) and a m. on theroadside-pit at WGP on 12th May (PHD+AG+ATF). These were the 19th and 20th recordsfor the County.

24

SHOVELER (Northern Shoveler) Anas clypeataUncommon winter Yisitor and passage migrant. This year, reported from 11 locations.BHP: m. on 4th Nay (TCC).BL: 2ff. + jUY. on 16th Oct (GSB), f. + jUY. on 4th Dec (GSB), 4 on 7th Dec (GSB) and a1st winter m. on 22nd Dec (P&TD).Castleton: m. on 27th Oct (SPC).KP m. + f. on 2nd Jun (PHD).LP 1 on 30th Jan (SPC).LIL 1 on 11 th Feb (ALS).LDB m. on 13th Jul (ERC+SPC).LLM 2mm. + 2ff. from 3rd- 4th Jan (GSB), 6mm. + 3ff. from 5th to 6th Jan (GSB), 2mm.on 25th Jan (GSB) and f. on 24th Mar (GSB).Monkland 2 on 27th Oct (lE).SSSP jUY. from 11th to12th Jul (CW).WGP m. on 1st Jan (PHD/SPC), m. on 27th Jan (PHD), 2mm. on 4th Apr (GSB+CW), m.+ f. on 10th May (PHD), f. on 20th Aug (MFP), eclipse m. on 22nd Aug (PHD), eclipsem. on 28th Aug (PHD), eclipse m. on 1st sep (PHD), f. on 16th Sep (PHD), eclipse m. +f. on 22nd Sep (P&TD), f. on 6th Oct (PHD), f. on 8th Oct (PHD), f. on 14th Oct (PHD),5 on 20th Oct (P&TD), f. on 21st Oct (P&TD), f. from 3rd to 4th Nay (PHDIND/SP),eclipse m. + f. from 10th to 11th Nay (P&TD), eclipse m. on 17th Nay (P&TD), eclipsem. + f. on 18th Nay (P&TD), m. + f. and imm. on 20th Nay (ATF), f. on 27th Nay (P&TD+ SPC), f. on 1st Dec (PHD+SPC), eclipse m. on 2nd Dec (PHD), m. + f. on 6th Dec (lM)and 18 on 17th Dec (GSB).

RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rujinaIntroduced resident and passage migrant. A f. was at BL on 15th Jan (CW+GSB) and 4mm.and 2ff. were at WGP on 25th Nay (PHD et al). These were the 5th and 6th records for theCounty.

POCHARD (Common Pochard) Aythya ferinaCommon winter Yisitor and passage migrant. Monthly maxima for the main sites were:-


BL - 41 10 - - - 2 - - 40 60 20

MGP 13 - - - - - - - - 5 14

WGP 128 73 1 2 2 - 1 4 8 27 40 42

(GSB+PHD+MFP)

Also reported from:- Flintsham with 2 on 14th Jan (J&CP); HL with 1 in Jan (WOD) and3 on 26th Feb (CW); 4 at Leach Pool on 30th Jan (SPC); I at LlL on 11 th Feb (ALS); 1at SSSP on 4th Feb (CW), 9 on 25th Feb (CW+GSB) and la on 28th Feb (CW) and 20 atTPNR on 10th Feb, I on 31 si Oct and 2 on 4th Nay (J&CP).

25

RING-NECKED DUCK Aythya collarisRare winter visitor. A f. was at WGP from 21st - 27th Feb (GSB+CW+PHD+C&AL),following the sighting of 2 birds, at the same location, in the previous December. This wasthe second record for the County.

TUFTED DUCK AythyafuligulaCommon breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeding was reportedfrom:-Eltons Marsh with lOads and 9 juvs. in Jul (K&CM)Haygrove Pool with 2 prs. with broods of II and 4 juvs. on 14th Aug (AHE)MGP with 2 pairs breeding on 26th May (PGG)SSSP with 2ff. and 14juvs. on 29th Jul (CW) andTPNR with 2 prs. producing 8 juvs. on 28th Ju! (l&CP).The monthly maxima at main sites were:-

Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Dct Nov Dec

BL 5 73 27 - - - - 70 - 43 127 52

HL 13 12 - - - - - - - - 1 9

KP 2 5 - - - - - - 3 I 3 -

LIL 4 19 - - - - - - - 1 - 3

MGP 26 30 - - 19 - - - - - 70 68

SSSP 7 17 - - - 6 -16 - 6 22 7 11

TPNR - 24 - - - - 12 42 27 27 8 4

WGP 209 48 25 41 63 23 75 115 131 165 66 97

(GSB+SPC+JCD+PHD+WOD+PJE+MFP+J&CP+ALS+CW).

Records of I - 20 birds were also received from:- BHP (TCC); Flintsham (J&CP);Hereford City (lCD); Little Berrington (CW); Putson Wye (R&JM); SIE (PHD); ULM(BH) and River Wye at Victoria Bridge, Hereford (R&JM).

SCAUP (Greater Scaup) Aythya marilaRare passage migrant and winter visitor. A f. at BL on 22nd Mar only stayed for I day(GSB+CW), but a f. found on the roadside-pit at WGP on 18th Nov (PHD) remained inthe area, commuting between WGP and BL, until the end of the year(GSB+P&TD+CW+PW).

LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalisRare winter visitor. 2 ad. mm. and 2fT. (or imms.) were observed leaving SSSP and flyingtowards the River Wye at dusk on 14th Jan (CW). This very unusual multiple sighting of thespecies, inland, was the first record of its kind for the Midlands, and the 3rd County record.

26

GOLDENEYE (Common Goldeneye) Bucephala clangulaUncommon winter visitor. Recorded at 6 sites. The majority of records came from:-

Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Get Nov Dec

BL 9 11 9 3 - - - - - I 8 9

WGP 8 2 I - - - - - I - 5

(GSB+JCD+P&TD+CW)

Other sightings were:- f. at Castleton on 15th Feb (K&CM); juv. at LLM from 27th to29th Oct (P&TD+CW); 4mm. + 1f. at Sink Green on 10th Jan (GSB) and a juv. on ULMon 28th Oct (CW).

SMEW Mergus albel/usRare winter visitor. In the first winter period, there was a f. at BL, from 6th Jan until 27thFeb (P&TD+GSB et al), joined by a second f. on 11 th Jan (GSB), 19th Jan (ATF) and 13thFeb (GSB+CW). In the second winter period, there was a f. from 24th Nov until 30th Dec(P&TD+CW et al), joined by a second f. on 28th Nov (GSB) and a "redhead" at WGP on2nd Dec (PHD+ND).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serratorScarce winter visitor and passage migrant. The only records for the year were from theRiver Wye with a pr. at Fawley Chapel on 21st Jan (CW) and a m. near Goodrich on 28thJan (NAS). These were the 16th and 17th County records.

GOOSANDER Mergus merganserIncreasing breeding resident and winter visitor. Probably under-recorded due to Foot andMouth Disease restrictions. Breeding recorded at Castleton, with f. and 9 juvs. on 20thMay (PHD); LDB, with f. and 10 juvs. on 11th May (SPC) and TB with m.+ f. and 8 juvs.on 27th Apr (C&JC). Larger counts at other locations were:- 28 at HL on 29th Dec (PGG);22 at LLM on 24th Mar (CW+GSB); 5mm + 7ff. on River Wye at Eign on 3rd Mar(R&JM); 4mm. + 4ff. on River Wye at Mordiford on 2nd Feb (lCD); maximum of21 onRiver Wye at Putson in Dec (R&JM); 3mm. + Sff. at SIE on 11 th Nov (SP+ND); 9 onRiver Wye at Sink Green in Jan (KPT) and maximum of 5mm. and 2ff. at WGP on 27thJan (PHD). Smaller numbers were well-distributed along the County's main river-systems.

RUDDY DUCK OxyurajamaicensisFeral population of unknown status. Native to North America. Has bred, and may stillbreed on pools with thick waterside vegetation. Now subject to an official nationwideculling to preserve the endangered White-headed Duck. A m. was at BL on 8th Apr (PHD)and a m. was at TPNR on 22nd Sep (l&CP). All other records from WGP, a m. on 31 stMar (PHD), a f. on 23rd Apr (PHD+SPC), 1 on 8th Aug (GSB), 3 from 20th to 28th Aug(PHD), 2ff on 1st Sep (SPC). I f. on 2nd and 9th Sep (TCC) and 1f. on 3rd Nav (PHD).

27

HONEY BUZZARD (European Honey Buzzard) Pernis apivorusExtinct breeder in County and scarce passage migrant. A juv., ringed at the nest inScotland, and fitted with a satellite-transmitter, was recorded migrating across the County,east of Ledbury on 6th Oct (Per CW).

RED KITE Milvus milvusUncommon visitor and rare possible breeder. There were 8 records of single birds in 200 I.I at Aconbury Wood on 5th Aug (LC); 1 at Garway Hill on 23rd Feb (KJR); 1 circlingvillage at Little Birch on 9th May (JP); 1 flying west from Malvern Hills intoHerefordshire on 18th Oct (MW); 1 seen twice the same day at 13:45 and again at 14:30at Wormsley Golf Course then TiIlington on 3rd Noy (KCs); I flying over at Oldway,Fownhope on 30th May; 1 flying from Credenhill to Beeches Business Park thennorthward on 25th Jun (NCP) and 1 at WGP on 14th Apr (PHD).

Total number of Red Kite sightings in Herefordshire 1992 to 200 I

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

6 1 (4*) 6 2 3 (7*) 6 8 7 16 8

* numbers in brackets indicate number of records if unsubstantiated records are considered.

GOSHAWK (Northern Goshawk) Accipiter gentilisUncommon breeding resident. A total of 9 sightings from around the County plus 2breeding records reported. Birds seen at BHP in Nov (TCC); a m. at BL on 21st Feb(GSB+CW); 2 at Buckholt Wood in Jun (A&NF); twice at CFB with a f. on 21st Apr(PHD+SPC) and m. on 10th Nov (P&TD); at Fishpool Hill, Woolhope on 25th Aug(TEL); at Newhouse Wood in Jul (TF+JBi); a m. disturbing woodpigeons at Wapley Hillon 13th Jan (PHD) and Wigmore Rolls on 29th Sep (JV).

SPARROWHAWK (Eurasian Sparrowhawk) Accipiter nisusCommon breeding resident. Sightings received from many locations around the County.There were 2 confirmed breeding records, one at Botts Wood, Kings Acre in Apr (SP) andone from Witney Wood, Dulas also in Apr (I&DH).

BUZZARD (Common Buzzard) Buteo buteoCommon breeding resident. Widely reported throughout the County, with 7 breedingrecords - see below. Also seen in numbers though not as many as in recent years with 12at CFB on 13th Jan (PHD); II near the church at Leintwardine on 26th Mar (JV); 10 atCoughton Marsh on 31 st Dec (AHE+JRP); 8 at Bacton on 22nd Feb (I&DH), 8 circlingover Capler Camp at Brockhampton Wye on 15th Feb (leD); 8 at Mordiford on 29thMar (GSB) and 8 at Queenswood on 12th Mar (TH).

Breeding records from: BL (MFP); Botts Wood, Kings Acre (SP); Little Dewchurch(R&PK); Rudhall; Shobdon; Tretire and WGP (MFP).

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OSPREY Pandion haliaetusScarce passage migrant. Single sightings from 5 locations, being LDB on 10th May andagain on 5th Oct (SPC); Little Birch on 25th Aug (JP); Tidnor Mill, LLM on 26th Mar(CW) and Putson Wye on 4th May (JM).

Total number of Osprey sightings in Herefordshire 1992 to 2001

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

8 2 4 I 1 3 2 2 6 5

KESTREL (Common Kestrel) Falco tinnunculusCommon breeding resident. Many sightings from all over the County, including severalpairs, but breeding only confirmed at 2 locations being Shobdon (PHD) and Storridgewith 2 ads. and 3 juvs. (CG).

MERLIN Falco columbariusUncommon breeding resident and passage migrant. 10 sightings reported from 6 locations,all of single birds.Castleton & Winforton Wye on 28th lan (PGG).CFB a m. on 17th Feb (lCD).Pipe & Lyde a m. on 28th Mar (JCD), an ad. f. on 2nd Apr (JCD) and an ad. m. on 15thOct (lCD).Warren Lane a f. on 29th Dec (PGG).WGP an imm. m. mobbed by corvid on 11th Nov (PHD), a f. on 15th Dec (P&TD) andone on 30th Dec (PE).Wellington Village; a m. on 19th Feb (GSB).

HOBBY (Eurasian Hobby) Falco subbuteoUncommon passage migrant and scarce breeding summer visitor. A good number of sightings,mostly singles this year with one breeding record. The earliest was at WGP on 5th May(P&TD) with regular sightings until 22nd Sep at this location (G&MB). One was atLeominster seen attacking starlings on 6th May (GE) and 2 at KP on 16th May (JK). LDBhad regular sightings from 20th May until 18th Sep (SPC) with a pair displaying on 7th lunand an ad. with a juv. begging for food on 18th Sep (S&LC+ 0 AW). 2 were at Didley in Maywith breeding confirmed (MM) and 2 were sparring in flight at Barons Cross on 13th lun(PHD). A single was seen daily throughout the summer from a garden at Leominster, withone at Leominster By-pass on 20th Aug (SP). There were 2 sightings of single birds atAdforton on 10th Aug and 12th Oct which was also the last record of the year (lV). Othersingles were seen at Pembridge on 14th lul (lCD), Pipe and Lyde on 8th Aug (JCD), Lettonon 8th lul (ID), Shobdon on 17th Aug (JV), a juv. heard at the Flitts on 30th Aug (PGG),Weobley on 27th May (PHD), hunting over fields at Weobley By-pass on 12th lul (Pl),

Weston-under-Penyard on 31 st lul (MFPj, Wigmore Rolls on 29th Aug (JV), Broomy Hillwaterworks on 5th Aug (SP), Eardisland on 17th Aug (JV), HL on 22nd Aug (AHE),Hereford City on 10th lul (leD) and I flying around Hereford Cathedral on 11 th Aug (lP).

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PEREGRINE (Peregrine Falcon) Falco peregrinusUncommon breeding resident and winter visitor. 32 sightings from 20 locations but no breeding

records which is very disappointing. 2 birds were seen twice (a pr., then a f. andjuv.) at BHP in

Nov (TCC), with a f. andjuv. at Black Darren on 15th Jun (JRP+NAS+RAJ), with one at Red

Darren on 3rd Jul (I&EE), and an ad. and juv. at the Darrens on 14th Jun (JRP). There were 2

sightings at BL an imm. f. attacking wigeon on 25th Nov (PHD), and a f. on 28th Dec (PHD).

At WGP there were 7 sightings, all winter ones, with one on 1st Jan (PHD+SPC), a f. and a juv.

on 31st Aug (GSB), one on 1st Sep (SPC), an ad. m. on 3rd and 4th Nov (PHD), a f. on 30th

Dec (PE), and again the following day (GSB). At LIL there was one on 14th Jan with 2 on 11th

Feb (AS). There were 2 fighting above LDB on 6th Jan (SPC), with a pr. at Whitman's Hill

Quarry on 13th Jan (CG). All the others were of single birds - Breinton on 5th Dec (SP),

Castleton & Winforton Wye on 14th Jan (KAM+ATF) with one heard at the same location on

28th Jan (PGG), a f. at CFB on 31st Mar (PHD), with another at the same location on 13th Oct

diving after Teal (JRP), one attacking racing pigeons over a loft at Gorsley on 29th Jan (RH),

one disturbed from fresh kill on ground but returned to remove it at Middlewood on 20th Sep

(G&GR), one putting up a lapwing flock at Backney on 2nd Jan (PGG), one on the Wye at

Holme Lacy on Club outing on 20th Feb, a m. at Reeves Hill on 10th Nov (P&TD), one at

Upper Hill on 30th Sep (FSB), one at Welsh Newton Common on 14th Jan (FMP), one at the

Sun Valley Plant flying north on 1st May (TCC) and one at Yarpole on 19th Oct (N).

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufaFairly common introduced breeding resident. Reported from 3 locations: 15 ads. and young at

Canon Pyon on 13th Sep (FSB), 2 ads. with 4 juvs. at Milton Cross on 22nd Sep (P&TD) and

2 in a nest in a garden at Ross (RC). Sites with more than 2 birds were 4 at Brampton Abbotts

on 6th Aug (RJH), 4 at CFB on 27th Jan (PHD), 3 at Garway on 6th Mar with 8 on 2nd Dec

(JRP), 3 at Hampton Bishop on 20th Feb (ATF), 5 at Monkland on 11 th Feb (JE), 3 on River

Lugg at Hampton Bishop on 20th Feb (FM), 5 at Upper Hill on 30th Sep (FSB), and 5 in wood

yard at Whitfield Estate on 22nd Feb (DAW).

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdixFairly common but declining breeding resident. Reported from only 8 locations including one

breeding record with 1 ad. and 8 juvs. at Shobdon on 20th Aug (MFP). The only other numbers

were 8 in stubble at Stoke Edith on 19th Jan (RWR), with about 6 at the same location on 20th

Dec (RWR). Ones, twos and threes were seen at Foy on 4th Jun (ATF), Hampton Bishop on

3rd Oct (ATF), Much Birch on 15th May (T&EW), near River Wye between Foy and How

Caple on 25th Jan (C&AL), SIE on 4th May (PHD), Townsend farm on 6th Aug (RJH) and in

the wood yard at Whitfield Estate on 21st Feb (DAW).

QUAIL (Common Quail)Scarce summer visitor, more often heard than seen.

Middlewood on 7th Jul (G&GR).

30

Coturnix coturnixOnly one report of a bird heard at

PHEASANT (Common Pheasant) Phasianus colchicusCommon introduced breeding resident with many sightings, probably relatingto birds released for shooting. No "wild" breeding records were reported.Birds seen from all areas of the County.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticusUncommon winter visitor and scarce breeding species. No breeding records andsightings from only 6 locations :-Gamber Meadows 2 seen in Nov and Dec (lRP).LIL I heard on 15th Feb (GSB+CW).RWP 1 seen on 16th & 17th Dec (R&JM).The Flitts 1 on 20th Aug (PGG).Tram Inn, Allensmore 1 in wet ditch on 19th Feb and again from 20th to 22nd Mar (SN).Winforton one on 24th Gct (MFP).

MOORHEN (Common Moorhen) Gallinula chloropusCommon breeding resident. Widely reported from all areas with suitable habitat. Breedingconfirmed at Burghill (lCD), Castle Pool, Hereford (R&JM), Castleton and WinfortonWye (MFP), Grey Valley, Cockyard (DH), SSSP (CW), Huntington Lane (KAM+MFP),King George V Playing Fields, Hereford (R&JM), Norton Wood (MJW), Rudhall(MFP), Weston Farm, Bredwardine (MFP) and Weston-under-Penyard (MFP). Due toaccess restrictions, most of the regular sites had less than 6 counts, and therefore only thosewith 6 months or more counts are included in the table for this year.


Hartleton 14 i7 - - - - - - 2 5 12 13

RWP 14 14 6 2 8 8 4 2 - 1 8 10

TB - 8 5 2 - 2 1 3 2 3 6 8

COOT (Common Coot) Fulica atraCommon breeding resident and winter visitor. Widely reported from all areas with suitablehabitat. Breeding confirmed at BL (GSB), TPNR (l&CP), HL (MFP), SSSP (CW), MGP(PGG), WGP (PHD & GSB), and Weston Farm, Bredwardine (SPC+MFP). For tablebelow see comments for Moorhen.


Flintsham 24 5 - - - - - 10 26 25 23

Harleton 27 35 - - - - 15 17 J 5 17

WGP 171 105 20 35 198 :131 418 256 310 390

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OYSTERCATCHER (Eurasian Oystercatcher) Haematopus ostralegusScarce passage migrant and winter visitor. 2 reported on breeding territory at SSSP, but noconfirmation of breeding. Sightings from 9 locations :-Arrow Fisheries 1 on floodwater on 1st Apr (PHD).Castleton & Winforton Wye 1 on 14th Jul (PHD), and 3 ads. on 12th Aug (PHD).Clock Mill, Clifford 1 on 24th Jun (SPC+HEC+ERC).SSSP between 1 and 3 reported on 5 dates from 27th Apr to 28th May (CW) (GSB) (PGG).KP 1 on 24th May (PJE+GRP).LDB 1 flying upstream on 9th Jun (SPC).LLM 1 on 13th Apr (PHD).TB 1 in Jun (C&JC).WGP 1 on 22nd Feb (PHD+C&AL).

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Little Plover) Charadrius dubiusFairly common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeding confirmed atWGP (P&TD) with a maximum of 3 breeding pairs and broods of 3, 3, and 2 in July(PHD). The earliest bird seen at WGP was on 28th Mar (PHD). Breeding was alsoreported from SSSP with a maximum of 4 ads. and 1 juv. on 11th Ju1 (CW), with theearliest bird seen on 27th Apr (CW). Other sightings were at :-Castleton & Winforton Wye: 1 on 20th May (PHD).CFB: 1 ad. on 21st Apr (PHD).River Wye, Letton: 2 imm. on 8th Ju1 (ID).

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticulaUncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. 14 records from 2 locations.SSSP ad. on 30th Apr (GSB+CW), 2 on 13th May (CW), and 5 on 14th May (CW).WGP ad. on 7th Apr (PHD), 2 ads on 9th Apr (GSB+CW), 1 on 29th Apr (PHD), 3 on 4thMay (PHD), 1 on 8th May (PHD+SPC+AS), 1 on 10th May (SPC), 1 on 13th May(SPC+ND+SP+AS), 2 on 14th May (PHD), 4 ad. summer on 15th May (PHD), 1 ad. on16th Aug (PHD), and 1 juv. on 6th Oct (PHD).

GOLDEN PLOVER (European Golden Plover) Pluvialis apricariaFairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred in the past. 20 reports from11 locations, the main site being Huntington Lane. 125 on root field at Grafton on 14thJan (JK), c.25 at Hereford City on 23rd Aug (lCD), 1 ad. at SSSP on 5th Nov (CW), 12at Hergest Ridge on 19th Dec (JLR), c.l 00 many in breeding plumage at Milton Crosson 7th Apr (PHD), 5 with large lapwing flock at Backney, River Wye on 2nd Jan (PGG),c.30 at Redhill on 14th Nov (ND), 30 at Tittey Court Farm on 13th Jan (C&AL), c.50 atUpper Bullingham on 18th Mar (PHD) and 17 at Wergins Bridge on 7th Jan (PHD).

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LAPWING (Northern Lapwing) Vanellus vanellusCommon winter visitor and scarce breeding resident. Breeding confirmed from 5 locations.SSSP 10 birds with at least 3 nests in Apr (CW+GSB), c.20 with 4+ broods in May(CW), 3 juvs. on 29th Jul (CW).Monkland a breeding pair with 4 juvs. on 4th May (MJW), c.20 with 10 breeding pairsmostly at the Pans in Jul (JE).Raddle Bank 1 breeding pair with 2 juvs. on 7th May (MJW).Castle Moat, Dilwyn 1 ad. and 3 juvs. from 28th Apr to 22nd May (A&NF), 2 ad. with4 juvs. and 1 ad. and 4 chicks plus a 3rd pair incubating on 22nd May (A&NF).WGP 5 ad. and 4 juvs. by roadside pit on 2nd Jun (P&TD), 4 breeding pairs with 6 juvs.(2,2,1,1) on 9th Jun (PHD).

Notable large flocks were 188 at KP on 10th Feb (CW), cA50 at Leominster By-pass on thesame date (PHD), 200 at Magna Castra Farm on 16th Dec (GRP), cAOO on muddy fieldsleft by floods at River Wye, Backney on 2nd Jan (PGG), 283 at Tidnor Mill on 16th Feb(GSB), 350 at WGP on 22nd Feb (PHD), and 433 at Wergins Bridge on 7th Jan (PHD).

Also reported from quite a few other locations, but with smaller flock numbers.

SANDERLING Calidris albaVery rare passage migrant. 4 reports from 2 locations, this doubles the county records to 8:SSSP 1 on 16th May (CW).WGP 1 ad. summer on 10th May (SPC+PHD+AS+CW+GRP), 1 ad. spring on 13thMay(SPC+AS+ND+SP), and 1 ad. spring on 28th May (P&TD+SPC).

LITTLE STINT Calidris minutaRare passage migrant. Just 3 sightings all at WGP, the first being ajuv. on 23rd Sep (PHD), 1on 20th act (P&TD), and ajuv. on 21st act (PHD). This takes the County record to 14 sightings.

DUNLIN Calidris alpinaUncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. As for last year, reports from only 3 locations:SSSP 11 reports from this site with from I to 6 birds in Apr and May, and 1 to 5 adultbirds from Sep to Dec (CW+GSB).WGP many reports from Apr to Dec; from April to Jun from 1 to 4 birds, and from Julto Dec from 1 to 4 birds including between 1 and 2 juvs. from Aug to act(P&TD+GSB+SPC+JRP+ND+SP+AS+ TCC).Withy Pool, Bredwardine 1 on 25th Aug (SPC).

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimusUncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Reported from 3 locations :-Frogend I in stubble field at crossroads on 24th Dec (PGG).SSSP 6 on 28th Jan and 2 on 21 st Feb (PGG) and I on 16th Dec (CW).WGP 1 on 13th Jan and 10th Feb (PHD).

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SNIPE (Common Snipe) Gallinago gallinagoFairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Reported from 16 locations, the mainones being tabled below. Other notable sites were up to 32 at Gamber Meadows (lRP),and 8 at MGP on 15th Dec (PGG). River Wye at Holme Lacy produced 3 reports, with 3on 2nd Feb (CW), 4 on 16th Feb and 2 on 15th Nov (MJW). Ones and twos were seen atBHP (TCC), BL (P&TD), Bromsash (MFP), Castleton & Winforton Wye(MFP+K&CM), Ford Bridge (MFP), KP (SPC+PHD+PJE), LIL (AS+JRP+MJW), 1caught and ringed at Much Marcle (SGD), 1 probing a lawn in a Ross town centre garden(R&JC), Shirlheath (TCC), 2 singles at TB (lC) and at Winforton (MJW).

Less than 6 months reports received for Gamber therefore this has been excluded fromthe table.


SSSP 48 58 - - - - 1 - 3 17 7 17

WGP 9 25 5 - - - - - 1 8 25 5

WOODCOCK (Eurasian Woodcock) Scolopax rusticolaFairly common breeding resident and winter visitor. Seen at 14 locations this year, but theonly report ofroding was of3 birds at Haugh Wood on 29thApr (PHD).

Other sightings were 1 at BL on 22nd Dec (MFP), 1 at Bringsty Common on 14th Febthen 19th Nov and 9th Dec (SGD), 1 at Brinstone Woods on 29th Dec (MJW), 1 atCastleton and Winforton Wye on 2nd Jan (MFP), 1 at Gamber Meadows twice in Feb(JRP), 1 at Garway Hill on 7 dates from 26th Jan to 8th Nov (KJR), 1 disturbed in gardenat Garway Hill on 8th Nov (KJR), 1 at Jury Farm Wormbridge on 5th Feb (DAW), 1 atKingswood on 25th Jan (MJW), 1 at Little Dewchurch on 9th Jan, 1 at Welsh NewtonCommon in Feb (PJH), 1 flushed at Witney Wood on 16th Feb (I&DH), and 5 separatebirds at Stanford Bishop on 14th Nov (JH).

Other reports were of 12 shot by a syndicate at Abbey Dore and 6 at Whitfield Estateon 5th Feb (DAW).

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosaRare passage migrant. 4 sightings this year, with the earliest being of 8 birds, 6 of whichwere in summer plumage on 27th Mar at Tidnor Mill (GSB+CW+PHD) and 5 at LLM onlath Apr (GSB+CW+P&TD+AM). The other 2 sightings were both at WGP, with 5 on12th Jul (GSB+CW), and I on 5th Aug (T&AC). This takes the county record to 17.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponicaVery rare passage migrant. Sightings from 2 locations. The first report was a single at LLM on25th Mar which remained until 28th Mar (CW+GSB+PHD), a single ad. was also reported atTidnor Mill, LLM on 26th Mar (ATF). There was 1 ad. summer at SSSP on 15th May(CW+GSB+PHD) and again llll 17th May (GSB+CW). This increases the county records to la.

34

CURLEW (Eurasian Curlew) Numenius arquataFairly common winter visitor and scarce breeder. Breeding only reported at LLM, with c.7birds including 2 breeding pairs on 29th Apr (PHD), but a good number of sightings with16 on 28th Mar (CW); ULM produced 12 on 29th Mar (PHD). There were also regularreports from CFB with 7 in Jan (JCD), Garway Hill with 2 on several occasions (KJR), 1seen regularly at Norton Wood (MJW), and up to 5 at WGP (PHD). A fair number ofsightings at other locations produced between 1 and 3 birds, though 30 at LittleDewchurch on 18th Jul (R&PK) was exceptional. A breeding pair was also reported on9th Apr from Welsh Newton (ND) but the outcome unknown.

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropusA rare vagrant. Just one sighting of a single bird, the 8th County record, at SSSP on11th Feb (CW).

REDSHANK (Common Redshank) Tringa totanusUncommon passage migrant, has been known to breed. Reported from only 3 locations ;KP 1 on 14th Jun (PJE).SSSP 1 on 27th Apr with singles also seen in Jul and Oct with the last sighting on 20thNov (CW+GSB).WGP 1 on 6th Apr with singles seen in Jul and Oct with the last sighting on 14th Oct(GSB) (PHD) (TCC).

GREENSHANK (Common Greenshank) Tringa nebulariaUncommon passage migrant. Again, reported from only 3 locations ;-R.Wye, Letton 1 on 8th Jul (ID).SSSP 1 from 6th to 8th Ju! with 1 ad. and 2 juvs. on 9th Jul (CW+GSB). Single ad. birdswere also noted from 10th to 13th Jul (CW).WGP 2 seen on 24th Jul (SPC), 6 on 18th Aug (GRP), with between 1 and 3 presentfrom 20th Aug to 1st Sep (PHD+MFP+SPC+ND).

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropusFairly common passage migrant and winter visitor. Recorded at 12 sites, mainly in onesand twos, but 7 at SSSP on 11th Feb and 8 on 7th Ju! (CW), 4 at KP on 23rd Oct (SP) anda maximum of 3 at WGP on 20th Oct (P&TD).

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareolaScarce passage migrant. 3 sightings all from SSSP, with an ad. summer on 22nd May(CW+GSB), an ad. on 7th Ju! (CW) and finally a juv. on 14th Ju! (CW). These were the15th. 16th and 17th County records.

35

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucosFairly common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. Seen at 7 sites but nobreeding records this year. SSSP produced several single birds except on 19th Sep whenthere were 2 ad. (CW). 1 at LDB on 21 st Apr (HEC) was eclipsed by 8 at the same locationflying downstream on 19th Aug (SPC). Single records came from River Arrow at Lawtonon 26th Aug (AJB), the River Wye at Bredwardine Bridge on 26th May (SPC), and SGWon 14th Jan (R&JM). 1 or 2 birds seen on several occasions at River Wye, Putson (R&JM)(PGG). Most sightings came from WGP, starting with 1 on 11th Apr (GSB+CW),18 on29th Apr (PHD+GRP) and 12 on 13th Jul (GSB). There were many sightings of between1 and 8 birds at this site.

TURNSTONE (Ruddy Turnstone) Arenaria interpresUncommon passage migrant. A single ad. summer was seen at SSSP on 15th May (CW).This is only the 5th record for the County. Previous records were a specimen in HerefordMuseum labelled "Backney Marsh 1859", Hereford Sewage Works in 1962, Castleton Wyeon 8th Aug 1981 and BL on 12th Aug 1991.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalusScarce passage migrant. Reports from 3 locations this year, with the first being a 1st winterat WGP on 1st Jan (CW). The same site also saw a first winter in the roost on 10th Nov(P&TD). LLM had several birds in late Mar with a first winter and ad. summer at TidnorMill on 27th Mar (GSB+CW+PHD); a first winter at the same location the next day(CW+GSB); plus an ad. at Tidnor Mill (GSB) and a first winter on ULM (PHD) on 29thMar. On the 30th Mar an ad. was seen at Lugg Bridge (ATF). Finally, 2 ads. were at SSSPon 29th Jul (CW).

LITTLE GULL Larus minutusRare passage migrant. Just 2 reports this year, with a first summer at SSSP on 15th May(CW+GSB), and ajuv. at WGP on 23rdAug (G&MB). These take the County record to 16.

BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundusCommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Widely reported, but only recorded breedingat SSSP, c.50 birds with up to 22 nests in May (CW), and a maximum year's count at thissite of 371 on 29th Nov (CW). Notable counts for other sites were 143 at BL in Dec(GSB); 85 at HL on 27th Nov (WaD); 50 at Hunderton Bridge on 11 th Feb (KPT);c.220 at Putson River Wye on 11 th Feb (R&JM); 150 at River Lugg, Hampton Bishop on20th Feb (Club Field Meeting); 936 at ULM on 29th Oct (CW) and c.2500 at WGP on24th Nov (P&TD).

COMMON GULL (Mew Gull) Larus canusCommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Seen at sites all over the county, with manyreports again this year. A maximum count of 1131 at LLM on 31 st Mar (GSB) was wellabove last year's. Other good numbers were 45 at Gamber Meadows in Nov (JRP), 120at St.Weonards on 15th Feb (JRP) and 25 at WGP on 14th Oct (PHD).

36

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscusCommon winter visitor and fairly common summer breeder. Breeding reported from 4 sitesall in May: c.50 nests at Bulmers in Plough Lane, Hereford (SPC), 12+ nests at IncoAlloys, Holmer (SPC), 1 nest at Maylords Orchard (SPC) and 10+ pairs at the Royal MailSorting Office in Hereford (SPC). As usual many reports from SSSP with 141 on 4th Dec(CW) and WGP with a maximum of c.4500 on 28th Oct (PHD). Other high counts werec.l089 on Lugg Meadows on 29th Oct (CW), c.400 on floodwater by R.Arrow atMonkland on 27th Oct (PHD), 54 on the R.Wye at RWP on 24th Jun (R&JM), c.200 at Rosson the Wye on 25th Oct (MFP) and 500 following a plough at Wharton on 6th Oct (PHD).

HERRING GULL LarusargentatusUncommon winter visitor. Reports from 5 locations with frequent sightings from WGPand a few in spring and autumn from Lugg Meadows. There were 7 sightings of up to 3birds at Lugg Meadows (inc!. Tidnor Mill) and many sightings of up to 4 birds at WGP.Lugg Meadows (incl. Tidnor Mill): a third winter was reported on 7th Feb (CW), asecond winter on 23rd Mar and again on 29th Mar (PHD) with a second summer on 11thApr (PHD) and on the same date a second and third winter (GSB+CW) and a secondwinter and third summer on 13th Apr (CW). Autumn birds were an ad. on 23rd Oct (CW)and finally a third winter and 2 ad. on 29th Oct (CW).WGP: the first was a single bird on nnd Feb (C&AL), with 2 second summer and a thirdsummer on 10th Apr (P&TD), a third summer on 15th Apr (PHD) with an ad. on 6th May(GSB) and a first summer the next day (P&TD) and again on 20th May (PHD). An ad. on15th Jul (TCC), a third winter on 22nd Jul (GSB), a third winter on 6th Sep (GSB+CW)and a second winter on 15th Sep.Other locations were 1 at SSSP on II th Feb (CW), I ad. at LDB on 19th Aug (SPC) and1 ad. winter at Wharton on 7th Oct (PHD).

SCANDINAVIAN HERRING GULL Larus argentatus argentatus4 reports of this race all from WGP. A single ad. winter on 1st Oct with the same bird againon 8th Oct (PHD). A single ad. winter on 14th Oct (PHD) and another on 20th Oct (P&TD).

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus cachinnans michahellisUncommon passage migrant. Seen at 4 sites this year, a third winter at SSSP on 20th May(CW+GSB); 2 sightings of a single ad. bird at LLM on 11th Apr (PHD); I on 29th Oct(CW) and 1 at ULM also on 29th Oct (CW) - was this the same bird? There were anumber of sightings at WGP with an ad. on 11 th Apr (P&TD); a second winter and 2 thirdwinters on 16th Sep (PHD); 3 ads. on 1st Oct and again on 7th Oct (PHD); 2 ad. winter on8th Oct , with I on 14th Oct (PHD); a second winter on 20th Oct (P&TD); a third winteron the 3rd and 4th Nov (PHD) and an ad. winter on 18th Nov (PHD).

ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoidesVery rare winter visitor. One record of a third year bird at WGP on I Gth Apr (P&TD).

37

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinusScarce winter visitor and passage migrant. A total of 9 individuals reported from 3 locations.Hereford City Buzzard being mobbed by one high over City on 26th Apr (lCD)Lugg Meadows I at LLM on 23rd Oct (CW); 3 ads. at ULM on 29th Oct (CW).WGP 1 ad. on 1st Aug (TWD); 1 ad. winter on 14th Oct; 1 third winter pre-roost on 4thNov (PHD) and 1 first winter on 10th Nov (P&TD).

Number of Great Black-backed Gull records in Herefordshire 1992 to 2001

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

0 3 I 2 3 4 3 5 6 9

KITTIWAKE (Black-legged Kittiwake) Rissa tridactylaRare passage migrant and storm blown visitor. Only 2 records this year, both ads. and bothfrom WGP. The first was on 1st Jan (CW), and the second on 22nd Feb (PHD).

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundoA scarce passage migrant. Six records for the year. The first was of one fishing while flyingdownstream at Lion's Den Wye on 15th May (SPC). The other records: an adult at WGPon 14th Jul (GSB), 2 adults 1 imm. & 1 juv. at WGP on 23rd Aug (G&MB), 3 adults anda juv. at WGP on 25th.Aug (G&MB/P&TD/AS/P&FB) and one adult at Castleton &Winforton Wye on 1st Oct. A single noted at LIL on 6th Oct was accepted as a Sternaspecies (AS).

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaeaA scarce passage migrant. Three records received: 5 at WGP on 22nd Apr (PHD); 1 atWGP on 2nd May (GSB) and 1 first winter bird over main pit at WGP on 7th Oct (PHD).These were the 13th, 14th and 15th County records.

BLACK TERN Chlidonias nigerA scarce passage migrant. Three records received, all from WGP: 1 adult on 14th May, 1juv. on 23rd Aug (G&MB) and 1 juv. on 7th Oct (PHD).

FERAL PIGEON Columba livia :feral'Common breeding resident from escaped origins. All records as follows:- 1 at CombeMoor on 16th Feb (RM); 7 at Bringsty Common in Sep (T&JW); 87 at High Town,Hereford on 25th Sep (I&EE); 9 at BL in Oct (GSB) and 1 at Hill Farm, Bosbury on 20thNov (T&JW).

38

F. Mandarin ALl:' galericu/ata

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39

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100

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HEREFORDSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUBrecording area and fifty main sites

Grid GridLocaliulI Rer. LOClItion Kef.

D Oemnglon 1'01)1 510630 mKcnchcstcr Pools -l3142R

o []lrchcr Common -l606M mLcomlll:>lef B)p:ts.<i 50756R

11 Black & Red Darrcn 295295 mLclIon IrrigatIon Lull' 351><77

El Rl'ldcnh:un Lal.c 525512 Em LIon's Den W}l' 303457

D Bradn'lr JItll 2S35S5 Em Lugg MC03dows 545404

o Bnng~t) Commoll 705551 Ell Lyollshall Park Wood 325566

IJ Bromsash MR1-l1 m\'lar}' Knoll Valley -I~7736

DC3SIlctoll & W1I1fonon W}C 275-160 mMalbon Gr.md Pit 73)+16

D ChlTLlrd Wyt' & Lt'3Ch Pool 2394-15 mMcrbach Hill 3U+H7

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lE EW}:l!> Hurold ('ollllllon 3R5297 mSI Margurcts 354335

Em FYW\l(IJ Pilol 3255~5 DJ SdIad.. Wyr: SC15211(J

mFIlI1t~ham Pool 317588 mShobdOIl Coun Lakes 40162~

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Em JlanJcton Lake MI125x mSlrelh:m Sugwas 'aml Pll 45fl41]

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40

Ruddy Duck Oxyltra jamll;censis

42

STOCK DOVE (Stock Pigeon) Calumba aenasCommon breeding resident. Again the majority of records were of winter flocks. Breedingrecorded at:-Bringsty Common (SGD)Garway Hill (KJR)LDB (S&LC)Little Brampton (MFP)Tretire (MFP)

The highest numbers recorded were 25 at Gamber Meadows in Jan (JRP); 30 at RudhaIlon 21st Feb (MFP); 80 at Bromsash on 21st Feb (MFP); 20 at SIE on 20th Aug. (MFP);30 at King's Acre Hereford from 21st Oct - 21st Dec (SP); 32 at Gamber Meadows on22nd Nov (JRP); 17 at Berrington Hall Pool in Dec (TCC) and 30 at Winforton on 16thDec (MFP).

WOODPIGEON (Common Wood Pigeon) Calumba palumbusCommon breeding resident and winter visitor. Breeding confirmedfrom just 3 locations, evidently under recorded.Hereford (JCD)LDB (S&LC)Hentland (JCD)

The majority of records were of winter flocks. During the first winterperiod the larger counts were:-January: 17 at Sink Green (KPT); 100 at Criftin Ford Bridge (JCD);100 at Holmer (JA); 150 at Wapley (PHD) and 40 at KP (PJE).February: c.800 at Marlbrook (PHD); 90 at St. Weonards (JRP) and 25 at WelshNewton Common (PJH).During the second winter period the larger counts were:September: 30 at LDB (S&LC).October: 35 at Wapley Hill (JK); 80 at Wigmore Rolls (N) and 25 at Merrivale Wood (NAS).November: 45 at Gamber Meadows (JRP); 18 at LIL (AS); 30 at Hill Farm Bosbury(T&JW); 30 at Berrington Hall Pool (TCC); 20 at Bircher Common (TCC) and 19 atCastleton and Winforton Wye (K&CM).December: 61 at Garway (JRP); 130 at WGP (JM); 317 at WGP (G&MB); 50 atStansbatch (T&EW) and 50 at Monnington Wye (JCD).

COLLARED DOVE (Eurasian Collared Dove) Streptopelia decaactaCommon breeding resident. The only breeding record came from Garway Hill whereadults were seen feeding yng. on 23rd Jun (KJR). There were numerous other records fromover 20 localities. The larger numbers noted were 6 at Holmer in Mar (lA); 6 at Tupsleyon 13th Mar (I&EE); 6 at Garway Hill on 5th Oct (KJR); 8 at Holmer in Dec (JA) and]4 at Tyberton on 21 st Dec (JK).

43

TURTLE DOVE (European Turtle Dove) Streptopelia turturUncommon breeding migrant. Just 11 records received, the first a single at NewhouseWood on 29th Apr (TF), the latest 3 at Wapley Hill on 22nd Jul (JK). There were 2breeding records:-Ewyas Harold on 1st Jun (PCJ).Wapley Hill on 11 th Jun (MB)

Records also received from Checkley, Credenhill and Much Marcle.

CUCKOO (Common Cuckoo) Cuculus canorusLess common breeding migrant. Recorded from 24 locations throughout the County. Asingle at Alton Court Pond on 16th Apr was the first record of the year. Possible breedingrecords were at Much Marcle where ajuv. was seen on 2nd Jul (SGD) and at WGP wherea juv. was seen during a Club Field Meeting on 26th Aug. At Wyevale Wood 3 were seenperched together on 27th Apr (SP). The sighting on the 26th Aug was the latest of the year.

BARN OWL Tyto albaFairly common breeding resident. Another good year of records from 61 localities. Therewere only 2 breeding records, in farm buildings at Nunnington Court Farm and in an oldoak tree at Sollershope (HM). There was one road kill on the A49 at Portway north ofCallow on 15th Mar (NH).

The table shows the numbers of monthly sightings:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jut Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

9 9 26 9 0 3 2 t I 2 3 6

LITTLE OWL Athene noctuaFairly common breeding resident. Recorded from 27 locations with breeding noted at:Fownhope in May (LL&MB)WGP in Jul (GSB)

Majority of other records were of single birds. The table shows the monthly sightings:


2 2 3 4 9 4 6 3 0 1 2 5

44

TAWNYOWLCommon breeding resident. Records from 23 locations.Confirmed breeding records from:Botts Wood King's Acre bred in nest-box (SP)LDB (SPC/PHD)Perkins Rail Brockhampton Ross-on-Wye nest box ingarden (HM)Tupsley 2 adults and juv. (I&EE)Wyevale Wood 2 adults and juv. (SP)

Pairs were also noted at Bringsty Common, QueenswoodDinmore and Shirlheath.

Strix alueo

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otusScarce winter visitor and probable breeding resident. The only record was of a bird seenregularly at dusk in trees above the car-park at Wapley Hill in Nov. (MB).

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio jlammeusRare winter visitor and passage migrant. I or 2 birds noted at WGP from 1st lan to 24thFeb. (GSB/SPC/PHD/P&TD/ATF/C&ALlCW).

NIGHTJAR (European Nightjar) Caprimulgus europaeusRare summer visitor and former breeding migrant. Last recorded in 1998 it is pleasing thatthe Nightjar has again been seen in the County. 2 f. and a m. were noted at a confidentialForestry site in lun (MT).

SWIFT (Common Swift) Apus apusCommon breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. The first of the year was a singletaken into care at Athene Bird Hospital on 24th Apr. It was kept overnight and successfullyreleased the next day. Breeding was confirmed at only 3 locations:-Bredwardine (SPC)Perkins Rail, Brockhampton, Ross-on-Wye (HM)Little Mountain (R&DS)

The larger numbers reported were c.50 at BL on 5th May (P&TD); c.12 at Ledbury towncentre on 13th May (RWR); 25 at Leominster on 22nd May (lCD); 12 at Newton on 26thMay (I&DH); 100 at WGP on 2nd lun (PHD); 50 at LDB on 7th lun (SPC); 15 at Rosson-Wye on 30th lun (lRP); 20 around churchyard at Garway on 21 st lul (JRP) and c.20flying over church at Ivington on 25th lul (AJB). The last sighting of the year was a singleat WGP on 26th Aug (ND).

45

KINGFISHER (Common Kingfisher) Alcedo atthisFairly common breeding resident. Another good year of records from 40 localities. Breedingconfirmed at HL (MFP); Hereford City (lCD); Breinton Wye (PHD/ND); LDB (S&LC);Much Marcle juv. caught and ringed (SGD); Putson Wye (R&JM) and Witney Wye (ID).

HOOPOE Upupa epopsRare summer visitor. The only record was of a single bird seen flying from the ground,across a minor road and landing on a short grass field at Oaklea Farm, Bicton on 6th Jun(PC). A pr. nested at Lyonshall in May/June 1955 and according to Dr. Walker it was themost northerly breeding record in the British Isles at that time.

WRYNECK (Eurasian Wryneck) Jynx torquillaA rare vagrant and passage migrant. Unfortunately the only record of this odd looking birdwas of one found recently dead at Lower Lyde on 21st Aug (KAM).

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridisCommon breeding resident. Recorded in all months from 94 sites. Breeding confirmed at:SSSP 7th and 8th Jul (CW)Little Dewchurch in Aug (R&PK)Pipe & Lyde on 11th Aug (lCD)SIE in Jun (MFP)WGP on 13th Jul (GSB)

The majority of records were of single birds with only 12 records of 2 or more birds. Ofthese there were 3 records of 3 or more birds - 4 at Bringsty Common in Jan (T&JW); 3at Frith Wood Ledbury in Aug. (C&AL) and 3 at BL in Dec (GSB).

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos majorCommon breeding resident. An excellent year of records with 167 from 58 widespreadsites throughout the County. Breeding confirmed at:-Garway (lRP)SSSP (GSB/CW)LDB (SPC)Little Dewchurch (R&PK)Shirlheath (JK/MK)TB (C&JC)Upper Crossway Newton (RGD)Wapley Hill (JK)Wyevale Wood (K&BH)

46

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minorA declining and elusive breeding resident. Recorded from 18 sites with just 2 breeding records:Kingstone 2 juvs. in a dead tree in Aug (RJH)Lea 3 juvs. successfully fledged from nest in oak 35 ft. above ground on 8th Jun (RH)

At Newton on 10th Mar a male was seen investigating nuts used by Great SpottedWoodpecker but it was not seen to feed (RGD). At Queenswood Dinmore the birds weremore conspicuous due to lack of disturbance during the Foot & Mouth crisis (TH).

SKYLARK (Sky Lark) Alauda arvensisCommon breeding resident and winter visitor. Records from 32 widespread locations.There were no breeding records but singing males were noted at the following sites duringthe breeding season:-Bishopstone, Gamber Meadows, Moorhampton, Pipe & Lyde, Reeves Hill andWillersley.Only 3 flocks were recorded during the first winter period, 23 at Bishopstone on 6th Jan(P&JE); 23 at Titley Court on 13th Jan (PJE) and 20 at Garway on 14th Jan (lRP).The larger flocks during the second winter period were 50 at Bradnor Hill on 29th Sep(P&TD); 40 at Castleton & Winforton Wye on 4th Oct (PJE/ATF/JRP); c.50 at WGP on7th Oct and cAO on 21st Oct (PHD); 50 at Bromsash on 25th Oct (MFP); c.60 atMonkland on 27th Oct (lE); c.l 00 at Castleton & Winforton Wye on 24th Nov (MFP);c.200 at Huntington Lane on 22nd Dec (MFP) and 28 at Hereford City on 24th Dec(lCD).

SAND MARTIN Riparia ripariaFairly common breeding summer migrant. 6 birds at BL (PHD), c.30 at LLM (GSB/CW)and 25 at WGP (PHD) all on 24th Mar were the first records of the year. The numbers atBL increased to c.250 by the 7th Apr. Very few breeding colonies reported:-Castleton & Winforton Wye 150 nest burrows on 25th Jul (PGG)SSSP 256 nest burrows on 1st Jul (CW)Clifford Wye 9 breeding pairs in Jun (TF)

Also noted at 11 other sites. The larger concentrations were c.1 00 at WGP on 13th Apr(PHD); c.20 at TB in Jun (C&JC); 50 at LDB on 2nd Oct (SPC) and 100 at Weston FarmBredwardine on 2nd Oct (SPC). The latest recorded were 12 at LDB on 3rd Oct (SPC).

47

SWALLOW (Barn Swallow) Hirundo rusticaCommon breeding summer migrant. 83 records received from 44 localities. The firstrecorded was a single at ULM on 29th Mar (PHD). The larger spring counts were c.30 atWGP on 13th Apr and c.50 at BL on 22nd Apr (PHD). Breeding records came from:Fowden Farm Kingsland (V&AR)Leominster 2 prs. with broods of 5 & 3 (EC)LDB nested in stable (S&LC)Little Dewchurch 3 breeding prs. (R&PK)Pembridge 5 juvs. on 14th Ju1 (lCD)Perkins Rail Brockhampton Ross-on-Wye 2 breeding prs. in Jul, 1 in garage, 1 in barn (HM)Pipe & Lyde (lCD)

The larger post breeding flocks noted were c.60 at Stapleton on 29th Jul (T&EW); 30 atLittle Dewchurch on 29th Jul (R&PK); c.2000 roosting at Much Marcie on 16th Aug(SGD); c.50 at Stapleton on 17th Aug (T&EW); 180 at Brilley Court on 18th Sep (lK)and c.120 at Bringsty Common in Sep (T&JW). The latest recorded was a single overWGP on 14th Oct (PHD).

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicaCommon breeding summer migrant. 77 records received from 40 localities. The firstrecorded was a single at Roman Road Hereford on 24th Mar (DF). The only large springcounts were 23 at WGP on 16th Apr (C&AL); c.lOO at BL on 5th May (P&TD) and 30 atHope-under-Dinmore on 24th May (JCD). Breeding records were:-Fowden Farm Kingsland (V&AR)Welsh Newton Common rebuilding nest in May (FMP)Bishopstone eggs hatched on 10th Jun (P&JE)Clifford, The Paddocks, Fairbank & Clock Mill Lodge in Jul (SPC)Norton Wood 4 breeding prs. 1st Ju1 (MJW)Marston 2 breeding prs. 16th Jul (AJB)Monkland 3 juvs. 16th Jul (AJB)Ivington 3 breeding prs. 25th Jul (AJB)

The larger post breeding flocks recorded were: c.30 at Goodrich Castle on 4th Jun (lCD);c.30 at Little Dewchurch on 8th Jul (R&PK); 30 at The Whittern on 15th Jul (T&EW);40 at Pipe & Lyde on 13th Aug (lCD); 100 at Little Dewchurch on 19th Aug (R&PK);c.20 at Hampton Bishop on 25th Aug (JCD); 45 at Garway Hill in Sep (lRP); c.80 atTitleyon 1st Sep (lCD); 14 at Hereford City on 4th Sep (leD); 80 at Hentland on 12thSep (JCD); c.250 at Pembridge on 18th Sep (lK); 50 at Bringsty Common in Oct(T&JW); 75 at Weston Farm Bredwardine on 2nd Oct (SPC) and lOO at LDB on 6th Oct(S&LC). Last noted at LDB on 23rd.Oct (SPC).

48

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialisFairly common breeding and passage migrant. A poor year with very few records received.The first noted were 3 on the Malvern Hills on 19th May (C&AL). The only breedingrecord was of 2 pairs at Wapley Hill in July (JK). All other records as follows:-1 at Queenswood Dinmore in May (TH); 1 at Wapley Hill on 27th May (PHD); 1 at theDarrens on 14th Jun (JRP); 1 at the Black Darren on 15th Jun (JRP et al) and 2 atWapley Hill in Aug (JK) was the latest record.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensisCommon breeding resident and winter visitor. 60 records received from 25 localities butno breeding records received. Apart from 2 records, 1 at SSSP on 5th Jul (CW) and 1 onthe Malvern Hills on 19th May (C&AL) all other records were from the winter periods.The table shows the number of sightings for each month:


6 6 I 1 1 0 I I 5 18 10 12

The monthly maxima recorded by PHD at WGP were:


27 20 35 50 0 0 0 0 30 200 6 20

During the first winter period the higher counts were 12 at WGP on 1st Jan (PHD); 27 atSSSP on 28th Jan (CW/PGG); 28 at Colwall Sewage Treatment Works on 22nd Feb(PGG) and c.35 at WGP on 24th Mar (PHD).

The higher counts for the second winter period were 30 at Bringsty Common in Oct(T&JW); 65 at Breinton on 2nd Oct (SP); 63 on Garway Hill on 3rd Oct (JRP); 80 atCastleton & Winforton Wye on 20th Oct (MFP); c.200 at WGP on 21 st Oct and cAO on28th Oct (PHD); c.80 at Netherton Farm on 14th Nov (RJH); and cAO at FrogendCrossroads on 24th Dec (PGG).

Small flocks were noted migrating south over Garway Hill from 10th to 29th Oct (KJR).

YELLOW (BLUE-HEADED) WAGTAIL Motacilla flavaflavaScarce passage migrant, usually in spring. The only record a single by a reed-bed pool atWGP on 5th May (P&TD).

49

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissimaCommon breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. 2 at WGP on the 12th Apr wasthe first record of the year (GSB). Records received from 11 sites the majority from WGPwhere the counts for each month were as follows:

Apr May Jun Jut Aug Sep

3 3 6 18 15 5

Breeding was confirmed at Bromsash where 2 breeding prs. were seen in Ju1 (MFP) withpossible breeding at Castleton & Winforton Wye where juvs. were noted in Jul. Otherrecords as follows:-1 at LDB on 8th May (SPC); 1 at Lyonshall Park Wood on 16th May (K&BH/BAH); 3at LDB on 23rd May (SPC); 1 at Hope-under-Dinmore on 24th May (lCD); 2 at Rosson-Wye on 19th Jun (NAS); 1 at R. Wye Putson on 31st Ju1 (PGG); 2 at Backney Bridgeon 6th Aug (RJH) and 3 at Brampton Abbotts on 7th Aug (RJH).

The last record was a single at LDB on 3rd Oct (SPC).

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinereaCommon breeding resident. An excellent year with 112 records received of 1 - 3 birdsfrom 39 locations but with fewer breeding records. Breeding was confirmed at:-Dulas Brook Cusop (RT)SSSP (CW)Newton (l&DH)Old Wye Bridge Hereford (K&CM)RWP (R&JM)WGP (PHD)

Birds were also noted at Bartonsham, Berrington Hall Pool, Bircher Common, BL,Brampton Bryan, Buckton Bridge, Castle Green & Castle Pool Hereford, Castleton& Winforton Wye, Criftin Ford Bridge, Dulas Brook Cusop, Fishpool Valley, GamberMeadows, Garway Hill, Hampton Bishop, Hartleton Lakes, Kenchester Pools, KingGeorge V Playing Fields Hereford, Kings Acre Hereford, Letton Irrigation Lakes,LDB, Monnington-on-Wye, Noke Bridge Pembridge, R. Arrow Lawton, R. LuggLeominster, R. Wye Putson, R. Lugg Hampton Bishop, Sink Green Wye, R. ArrowStaunton-on-Arrow, TB and Wapley Hill.

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba albaScarce passage migrant. Usually recorded on spring passage. Other than 2 seen at SSSP on15th May (GSB/CW) all records were from WGP as follows:- 1 on 19th Jan (GSB/CW);4 on 12th Apr (GSB); 5 on 13th Apr, 2 on 22nd Apr, 3 on 29th Apr (PHD); I on 5th May,I on 13th Jul, I on 8th Aug and I on 14th Aug (GSB).

50

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrelliiCommon breeding resident. 72 records received from 44 locations with breeding reported from:Brampton Bryan (T&EW)Dulas (l&DH)SSSP (CW)Lea 4 young successfully fledged (RH)Monkland (AJB)Perkins Rail Brockhampton Ross-on-Wye (HM)WGP (PHD)

Winter flocks/roosts as follows:-30 at Colwall Sewage Treatment Works on 22nd Feb (PGG); cAOO roosting in car park atSafeway Ross-on-Wye on 5th Feb (RAJ); c.120 at WGP on 20th Jul (GSB); 60 at SIE on30th Aug (lK); 80 at SIE on 15th Sep (P&TD); c.100 gathering at dusk in Hereford Cityon 27th Sep (SPC) and c.200 around Safeway Hereford on 4th Dec (PJC).

BOHEMIAN WAXWING Bombycilla garrulusScarce autumn / winter visitor usually just small numbers but with higher numbers in"irruption" years. Last seen in the County in Feb1996 it was pleasing to record thisuncommon winter visitor again. A single was at Hunderton School on 10th and 13th Mar(CG/JC/P&TD/JRP/ATF/C&AL) and 16 were seen feeding on berries on trees at UpperBullingham on 17th and 18th Mar (PHD/ND/SP/CW/ATF).

DIPPER (White-throated Dipper) Cinclus cinclusFairly common breeding resident. 17 records from 11 localities. at Batch Brook Almeleyone was noted on 10th Gct after an absence of 9 years. Also noted at Clock Mill Clifford(G&GR); Clodock (JRP/NAS/RAJ); Du1as Brook Cusop (RT); Dulas Brook Dulas(I&DH); Noke Bridge (PHD); Olchon Valley & Pontrilas (lRP/NAS/RAJ); R. ArrowStaunton-on-Arrow (T&EW); Titley (lCD) and Titley Court (lRP). Just 1 breedingrecord, 2 adults and 2 juvs. at Brampton Bryan on 17th Aug (lK).

Table showing number of sites and breeding records since 1995:-

No. ofYear No. of Sites Breeding

Records

1995 20 7

1996 2R 5

1997 2 2

1998 15 2

1999 22 12

2000 10 1

SI

WREN (Winter Wren) Troglodytes troglodytesCommon breeding resident. Number of records again increased with 140 sightings from47 localities. Breeding reports from:-Queenswood Dinmore I breeding pair on 6th Jun (TH)Lyonshall I adult & 4 juvs. on 23rd Jun (JCD)Little Dewchurch 2 adults & I juv. on 3rd Jul (R&PK)Merrivale Wood 20th Jul (NAS)SSSP 3 juvs. on 21 st Jul (CW)Lea Bailey Enclosure on 31 st Jul (NAS)

The larger winter counts of 10 or more were 10 at WGP on 1st Jan (PHD/SPC); 10 atWelsh Newton Common in Feb (PlH); c.20 at Fishpool Valley on 17th Feb (PHD); 27on Garway Hill in Sep. (JRP); 12 at Wigmore Rolls on 29th Sep (JV); 16 at BringstyCommon in Oct & 23 in Nov (T&JW) and 25 at Gamber Meadows in Dec (JRP).

DUNNOCK (Hedge Accentor) Prunella modularisCommon breeding resident. Fewer records than those of last year with 107 sightings from42 locations. Breeding reported from only 3 sites:-Little Dewchurch on 3rd Jun (R&PK)Goodrich on 4th Jun (JCD)Monkland 2 adults & 1 juv. on 10th May and 1 adult & 2 juvs. on 26th Jul (AJB)

The larger counts recorded were 7 at Gamber Meadows in Jan (JRP); 10 at Welsh NewtonCommon in Jan (PJH); 7 at Sutton Walls in Jan (JCD); 8 at Bringsty Common in Feb (T&JW);8 at Gamber Meadows in Feb (JRP); 11 at Titley Court Farm on 17th Feb (C&AL); 6 at FrithWood on 24th Feb (C&AL); 6 at Wapley Hill in Jul (JK); 6 at Lea Bailey Enclosure on 15thSep (NAS); 10 at Letton Irrigation Lakes in Oct (JRP); 6 at Gamber Meadows in Oct (JRP);8 at Bringsty Common in Nov (T&JW); 19 at Gamber Meadows in Nov & 18 in Dec (JRP);12 on Garway Hill in Dec (JRP) and 10 at Holmer in Dec (lA).

ROBIN (European Robin) Erithacus rubeculaCommon breeding resident. A good year with records from 53 widespread localities butbreeding records were few:-Tupsley in Apr (I&EE)Monkland in Apr nest destroyed (cat?) 5 eggs left in nest (AJB)Hereford City on 23rd Apr (JeD)Little Dewchurch in Jun (R&PK)Lea Bailey Enclosure in Jul (NAS)Queenswood Dinmore in Jul (TH)Notable records were 17 at Bringsty Common in Jan (T&JW); 10 at WGP in Jan (PHD/SPC);10 at Welsh Newton Common in Jan (PJH); 13 at Wigmore Rolls in Feb (JV); 10 at HaughWood in Feb (RJT); 13 at Queenswood Dinmore in Apr (TH); 18 at Lea Bailey Enclosure inSep (NAS): 18 at Wigmore Rolls in Sep (JV); 16 at Frith Wood in Sep (C&AL); 30 atWigmoreRolls in Oct (N); 21 on Garway Hill in Oct (JRP) and 19 at Gamber Meadows in Dec (JRP).

52

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochrurosScarce passage migrant. Has bred. There were 2 records:- 1 at County Hospital Herefordon 27th May (TWD) and I at Kington on 20th Oct (J&CP).

REDSTART (Common Redstart) Phoenicurus phoenicurusCommon breeding summer migrant. First noted was a male heard at Mathon on 6th Apr(CG). There were 42 records from 27 locations with breeding reports from:-Garway Hill in May (JRP)Little Mountain in lun (R&DS)Lea 5 juvs. fledged successfully 15th lun (RH)Witney Wood Dulas bred in nestbox 4 juvs. 16th lun (I&DH)Avenbury 24th lun (T&lW)Much Marcle juvs. caught and ringed in Aug (SGD)Bradnor Hill on 29th Sep (P&TD)

Noted during the breeding season from Cusop, Newton, Olchon Valley and St.Margarets. The last seen was a male at Stretford Bridge on 2nd Sep (TCe).

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetraUncommon breeding summer and passage migrant. A poor year with just 4 records. Thefirst 2 were singles at WGP on 5th Apr and 3rd May (TWD). The last were 3 at BradnorHill on 26th Aug (J&CP) and the only sign of possible breeding, a juv. at WGP also on26th Aug (MFP).

STONECHAT Saxicola torquataUncommon breeding resident and passage migrant. A very pleasing increase in the numberof records from 20 locations nearly all from the winter periods as shown in the table:-

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

5 7 4 0 0 1 0 2 7 21 15 10

There were no breeding records but juvs. were noted at Bromsash and Castleton &Winforton Wye in Oct. (MFP). Of the 41 records received 15 came from WGP. Otherlocations included Bradnor Hill, Bringsty Common, Gamber Meadows, Garway Hill andMilton Cross.

WHEATEAR (Northern Wheatear) Oenanthe oenantheCommon breeding summer and passage migrant. Noted from 10 sites (20 in 2000). Themajority of records were birds of passage at WGP in spring and autumn. The earliest asingle at Bromsash on 17th Mar (AHE). The only signs of breeding were 2 juvs. at WGPon 19th Aug (PHD). The last sighting was of a single male at Sodgley Fann Kingsland on13th Oct (V&AR).

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GREENLAND WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe leucorrhoaRare passage migrant. There were 3 definite records, I at SSSP on 30th Apr (GSB/CW)and I on 2nd May (CW) and I adult fem. at WGP on 12th May (PHD).

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatusUncommon breeding summer and passage migrant. Only 3 records received, the first amale at the Darrens OIchon Valley on 14th lun (lRP), a male seen and heard calling atthe Black Darren on 15th lun (JRP et al) and the latest a single at Gardeners Quarry,Malvern Hills on 11 th Nov (MW).

BLACKBIRD (Common Blackbird) Turdus merulaCommon breeding resident, passage migrant and winter Visitor. Numerous recordsreceived of this widespread species. Breeding reports came from Castle Green Hereford,Cusop, Little Dewchurch, Monkland, Perkins Rail Brockhampton Ross-on-Wye,Queenswood Dinmore, Lea Bailey Enclosure, Putson and Tupsley.The larger winter counts were:January: 14 at Chase Wood (ER); 18 at Welsh Newton Common (P1H); 12 at WessingtonPasture (PH); 10 at Merrivale Wood (NAS); 13 at Queenswood Dinmore (TH); 12 atSink Green Wye (KPT), 12 at Titley Court Farm (C&AL) and 13 at Tupsley (I&EE).February: 16 at Wigmore Rolls (JV); 17 at Sutton Walls (JCD); 13 at Titley (C&AL)and 19 at Bringsty Common (T&lW).September: 18 at Garway Hill (JRP).October: 19 at Frith Wood (C&AL); 20 at Monkland (lE) and 12 at Letton Lakes (JRP).November: 16 at Gamber Meadows (JRP).December: 11 at Bircher Common (TCC); 30 at Gamber Meadows (JRP); 31 atGarway Hill (JRP); 21 at Holmer (JA) and 14 at Tupsley (I&EE).

At Bishop's Meadow on the 8th lun R&lM noted an adult male with a black and whitehead, an example of partial albinism.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilarisA common winter visitor and passage migrant. Widespread reports received from bothwinter periods. During the first winter period counts of 50 or more birds as follows:January: 100 at Criftin Ford Bridge (PHD); c70 at SSSP (CW); c.l 00 at Kenchester Pools(PJE); 70 at Little Dewchurch (R&PK); 120 at Foy (C&AL); 182 at Titley Court Farm(C&AL); 54 at WGP (GSB); 60 at Wellington village (JCD) and 60 at Wyevale Wood (SP).February: 52 at Titley Court Farm (C&AL); 200 at Stretton Sugwas (SPC); 130 atRoss-on-Wye (MFP); 250 at Monkland (JE); 150 at Milton Cross (PHD); c.50 atMarden Church (PHD); 160 at LLM (1&EE); 120 at Holmer (lA); 160 at HamptonBishop (lCD); c.IOO at Garway Hill (KlR); 200 at Bodenham village (SPC); 200 atBradnor Hill (I&EE); c.I 00 at Breinton (SP) and 50 at Bringsty Common (T&lW).March: c.300 at Pipe & Lyde on the 26th (lCD).The last sighting of the first winter period was of 18 at Eardisland/Pembridge back roadon 7th April (PHD).

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The first autumn record was of2 birds on Garway Hill on 3rd Oct (lRP). The larger countsduring the second winter period as follows:-October: c.50 at Haywood Common (T&EW); 73 at SSSP (CW); 500 at Castleton &Winforton Wye (Club Field Meeting); c.60 at Rowlstone (lCD) and 300 at WGP (PHD).November: 300 at Wellington Heath (RWR); c.670 with some Redwing at SSSP (CW); 200at WGP (PHD); c.200 at Monnington-on-Wye (JCD) and 250 at Moorend Court (MFP).December: 70 at Berrington Hall Pool (TCe); 200 at Bodenham Lake (PHD); 350 onBradnor Hill (T&EW); c.60 at Bringsty Common (T&JW); c.lOO on fields nearLedbury/British Camp (pGG); c.l 00 in orchard near Coneygree Wood (PGG); 300 atEardisland (lK); c.200 at Five Bridges, Bishop's Frome (MFP); cAOO at FrogendCrossroads (PGG); 200 at SSSP (PGG) and c.500 at Milton Cross (PHD).

In orchards at Breinton c.200 were seen daily from 18th Oct. until 31 st Dec (SP).

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelosCommon breeding resident. A pleasing number of 131 records from 54 locations.Breeding records from:Canon Pyon on 17th Apr (FSB)Howley Grove, Lea 3 breeding pairs: nestl - laid 5 eggs, failed to hatch.

nest 2 - 2 young fledged on 25th May.nest 3 - 4 young ready to fledge 25th May (RH)

Monkland seen nest building 7th Mar. A second nest in neighbours garden and fledglingseen on 2nd May (AJB).WGP seen collecting nest material on 28th Mar (PHD).

The larger numbers reported were 9 at Bringsty Common in Jan (T&EW); 5 at FrithWood on 24th Feb. (C&AL); 6 at WGP on 4th May (PHD); 5 at Queenswood Dinmoreon 6th May (PHD); 6 at Garway Hill in Oct (lRP); c.20 at Monkland in Oct (lE) and 6at WGP on 21st Oct (PHD).

REDWING Turdus iliacusFairly common winter visitor. Often the first indication of this passage migrant are the callnotes of birds passing over at night from mid Sep onwards. Flocks of 50 or more duringthe first winter period were as follows :-January: c.60 at Bartonsham (R&JM); 60 at Bringsty Common (T&JW); 50 atCastleton & Winforton Wye (MFP); 53 at Kenchester Pools (GSS / CW); c.50 at LIL(AS); and c.l 00 at Wyevale Wood (SP).February: 200 at Wyevale Wood (SP); 51 at Foy (CW); c.l 00 at Monkland (lE); c.l 00at Garway Hill (KJR); c.80 at Breinton (SP) and c.l 00 at Bringsty Common (SGD).March: c.50 at Mathon (pGG).The last record of the first winter period was of 10 at Bartonsham on the 26th Mar(R&JM).

ss

The first returning bird recorded in the autumn was a single heard at Leominster on 13thOct (PHD).Larger counts during the second winter period were as follows:-October: c.l00 at Bircher Common (PHD); c.150 at BL (P&TD); 200 at Castleton &Winforton Wye (Club Field Meeting); lOO at Hartleton Lakes (MFP); c.80 atMonkland (JE); c.200 at Rowlstone (JCD) and cAOO at WGP (PHD).November: c.200 at WGP (PHD); 80 at Moorend Court (MFP) and c.55 at BringstyCommon (T&JW).December: c.50 at Frogend Crossroads (PGG); 62 at Garway Hill (JRP) and 50 atShobdon (MFP).c.60 were seen daily at Breinton from 21 st Oct. - 31 st Dec (SP).

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorusCommon breeding resident. Breeding noted at only three sites from the 77 records received:Holmer on 13th Feb pair (JA).Broadmoor Common on 29th Apr one seen collecting food (PHD).Leominster on 13th Sep mixed flock of 25 adults + juvs. flying into fields W of thetown (TWD). In addition to the 25 seen at Leominster, other large groups included 23 atBreinton on the 7th Sep (SP). Varying numbers of up to 13 seen daily in Wyevale Woodbetween 19th Oct and 31 st Dec (SP); 8 seen at Holmer in Dec (JA) and 7 on BringstyCommon in Dec (T&JW). Ones and twos recorded throughout the County.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Common Grasshopper Warbler)Locustella naevia

Scarce breeding and summer passage migrant. Only 3 sightings recorded this year.One was heard reeling from the garden of Brick Kiln Cottage (S0544165) each eveningfrom 8.30pm. 31st May until3rd Jun (GW), another was heard at Great Doward on 4thJun (ATF) and 1 in the set-a-side at Mathon Lodge on 29th Jul (PGG).

Number of Grasshopper Warbler records in Herefordshire 1990 to 200 I

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2 3 2 6 3 1 1 3 4 3 4 3

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenusFairly common breeding summer migrant. Breeding was confirmed at 2 sites:Weston Farm Bredwardine c.6 with 3 breeding prs. in Jun (MFP).HL cA + 2 breeding prs. in Jul (MFP).Other records as follows: I singing at Hereford Quarry on 28th May (PGG); 2 at WestonFarm Bredwardine on 1st lun (JRP); 2 adult males singing at Madley Earth Station on27th Jun (SPC) and 8 singing males were heard at WGP in Jul (PHD). 2 adult birds werecaught and ringed at Much Marcle on 5th Sep and a juv. was also caught and ringed thefollowing day (SGD). There were other sightings of one or two birds at 9 locations withinthe County: this is down on last year (21 locations).

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REED WARBLER (Eurasian Reed Warbler) Acrocephalus scirpaceusScarce breeding summer migrant. Only reported sightings were from Much Marcle andWGP. No breeding records submitted. 14 birds were caught and ringed at Much Marc1e,I adult on the 3rd Apr, 10 adults on the 5th lun and 2 adults + a juv. on 4th Sep (SGD).Singing males were reported at WGP with the earliest being on the 4th May and the laston the 27th May (PHD). The last sighting was at WGP on the 1st Aug (SPC). Adisappointing year with sightings well down from the previous year's figures.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia currucaFairly common breeding summer migrant. Reports from 17 sites with confirmed breedingreported from:Newton 2 adults + 2 juvs. Parents observed feeding young in garden hedge on 8th lul (l&DH).Tretire c.2 on 31 st lul (MFP).There were two reports of ringing, both at Much Marcle, I bird on the 8th May + 2 juvs.were caught and ringed on the 14th Aug (SGD). A bird in song was recorded at StretfordBridge on the 28th Apr (TCC), also heard at Ledicot on the 12th May (PGG) and St.Margarets on 29th Apr and again on the 3rd lun (IH). Sightings of single birds werereported from Adforton on 30th Apr (JV); Brobury on 12th May (SPC) and 13th May(S&LC); Magna Castra Farm on 29th May and again on 23rd lun (GRP); Credenhill on2nd lun (SP); Breinton on 4th lun (SP); Ewyas Harold Common on 30th lun (IH) andLDB on 1st Aug (SPC). Maximum numbers reported were 4 at WGP on the 4th May(PHD). The earliest sighting came from LDB on 7th Feb (SPC) the last at MerrivaleWood on the 29th Sep (NAS).

WHITETHROAT (Common Whitethroat) Sylvia communisCommon breeding summer migrant. Only three records of breeding submitted although thespecies was again widespread throughout the County. Earliest record was of a male atLower Lugg Meadows on the 13th Apr (PHD) the last being at Much Marcle on the 4thSep (SGD).Mathon Gravel Pit a breeding pair on territory from 7th - 26th May (PGG).Tyrrells Court Dilwyn female seen carrying food on 14th lul (TCC).Canon Pyon 2 males + a juv. on 15th lul (FSB).

Birds were caught and ringed at Much Marcle as follows; I on 30th Apr, 3 on 8th May and ajuv. on 4th Sep (SGD). The larger counts were at WGP with 14 singing males on 10th May(GSB); 5 on the Malvern Hills on 19th May (C&AL); 2 at Wapley Hill in lul (JK); 2 atKingstone on 1st Aug (RJH); 4 on 19th Aug (PHD) and 3 at Bringsty Common in Aug(T&IW).

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GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borinFairly common breeding summer migrant. First record from WGP on the 21st Apr (PHD).Reports from only 16 sites this year with 3 breeding records (2 last year).Higgin's Wood Clifford 2 on 21 st May (SPC).Haugh Wood adult feeding young on 8th lun (JRP/AHE).Olchon Valley I carrying food on 15th lun (JRP/NAS/RAl).

Elsewhere singing birds were noted at Hereford City, Hole in the Wall and at MGP.The following birds were caught and ringed at Much Marcle, I on the 30th Apr and 2juvs on 27th Aug (SGD).

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapillaCommon breeding summer migrant. Sightings of wintering birds reported at 32 of the 41locations noted, breeding was confirmed at I site:Birchwood near Storridge 3 feeding young with redcurrants on 8th lul (CG).

Ones and twos reported in most locations with many singing males amongst them, I seenon the peanut feeder at Hampton Park on 5th Dec (ATF); another feeding on nectar fromMahonia flowers in Hereford City on 10th Dec (C&LS) and a male feeding in orchardwith tits and finches at Ross on Wye on 12th Dec (RlH). Larger numbers were 4 (2m. +2f.) at RWP on 25th Feb (R&lM); 4 in song at Lyndor Wood on 7th May (PGG); 10 atQueenswood Dinmore on 6th lun (TH); 6 at Lea Bailey Enclosure on 31 st lul (NAS)and 3 (Im. + 2f.) at Tupsley from 10th Dec until 31st Dec (I&EE). Ringing took place atBringsty Common where a total of I adult m. + I juv. m. and I juv f. were netted (SGD).

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrixFairly common breeding summer migrant. Only four records submitted of this species, welldown on last year. First noted was a single m. singing at Ross rowing-club on 25th Apr(AHE). The only other records: 1 seen in Queenswood Dinmore on 3rd May (TH) and Isinging in the beeches near the arboretum and later in North Wood at Queenswood Dinmorein May (TH). The latest record was of I singing at Leinthall Earles on 24th lun (PGG).

CHIFFCHAFF (Common Chiffchaff) Phylloscopus collybitaCommon breeding summer migrant and uncommon winter visitor. Number of sitessubmitting records were well down this year, only 37 locations compared to 81 reportedlast year. There were no breeding records compared to 5 last year. Wintering birds wererecorded at 13 locations, the earliest being 1 in Hereford City on 26th Oct (lCD) and thelast, 6 at Lyonshall Park Wood on 30th Mar (T&EW). A possible Scandinavian race wasseen at WGP on 8th Dec (P&TD).

Maximum counts recorded were 12 at Queenswood Dinmore on 3rd May (TH); 5, allsinging, at Wapley Hill on 27th May (PHD); 30 caught and ringed at Much Marcle on4th Sep (SGD); 15 on Garway Hill in Sep (JRP) and 7 juvs. caught and ringed at MuchMarcle on 4th Sep (SGD).

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WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilusCommon breeding summer migrant. First record of the year was at Castle Green with Iin song on 3rd Apr (R&lM) followed by sightings at BL. of 2 singing males on 6th Apr(GSB). There were no records of breeding from the 19 locations the species was observed.Maxima counts were c.1 0 at WGP. on 21 st Apr (PHD); 12 at Bringsty Common in Aug(T&lW) and 6 at Wigmore Rolls on 29th Aug (JV). The last sighting was of I singing inHereford City on 4th Sep (JCD).

GOLDCREST Regulus regulusCommon breeding resident and winter visitor. The only breeding record came from LDBwhere I was seen carrying food on 20th May (PHD/SPC); 2 breeding prs. were reportedamongst 9 seen at Queenswood Dinmore on 9th Jul (TH).Males were only reported singing in 3 locations the earliest being one at Garway in the gardendaily from 15th Feb until 30th Mar (JRP); 12 (all singing) at Wapley Hill on 27th May (PHD).The higher counts during the first winter period were 7 at Queenswood Dinmore on 16thJan (TH); 5 at Hereford Quarry on 20th Jan (CW); 6 at Frith Wood on 24th Feb (C&AL)and 4 at Castle Green Hereford 14th Mar (R&JM).The higher counts during the second winter period were 20 at Wapley Hill in Oct (JK); 13at Lea Bailey Enclosure on 16th Nov (NAS); 10 on Garway Hill in Dec (JRP) and 8 onBircher Common in Dec (TCC).Although seen at 32 locations throughout the County and with some good flocks reported,the number of breeding sites is well down on previous years.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striataFairly common breeding summer migrant. First recorded sighting this year was at RWP,on 14th May (JM) and the last at Shirlheath on 17th Sep (MK). There were 15 records ofbreeding at the following locations:Abbey Dore 2 in lul (MFP).Birchwood nr. Storridge I breeding pr. 18th May (CG).Monkland seen feeding young from 30th May until 25th Jun (AJB).RWP 2 prs. nested 5th June (R&JM).Lea I breeding pr. (4 eggs predated by Jay) 9th lun (MFP).Little Dewchurch nest at Old Vicarage, by church 10th Jun (R&PK).Norton Wood I breeding pr. Jul (MJW).Peterchuch pr. Jul (MFP).Castle Green Hereford breeding pr. 23rd Jul (JM).Weston-under-Penyard Ipr. in Jul (MFP).BL 2 in Jul (MFP).Bromsash 2 in Jul (MFP).HL 3 in Jul (RH).Monkland 2nd nest and hrood in hanging hasket 9th Aug (AJB).Ludstock I breeding pr. feeding yng. in nest 15th Aug (RH).

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Largest groups reported were 12 in Wyevale Wood on 7th lul (SP); 6 at Pembridge on14th lul (lCD); 5 jUys. at RWP on 19th Jul (R&JM) and 4 on Garway Hill in Sep (lRP).2 juvs. were caught and ringed at Much Marcle on 27th Aug with a further 2 on 4th Sepat the same location (SGD).

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleucaFairly common breeding summer migrant. Was reported from 6 locations (17 last year) theearliest being a male at Witney Wood Dulas on 16th Apr (I&DH) and the last, a male, atTreago Castle on 9th Jun. Breeding was confirmed at two sites only:Higgins Wood Clifford 2 seen in Jun (S&LC).Perkins Rail I breeding pr. + 4 juvs.in lun (HM).

A male was heard singing at LDB on 20th May (PHD&SPC).

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatusCommon breeding resident. Recorded at 53 locations throughout the county (71 last year)with breeding only confirmed at three:RWP 2 nest building in holly bush (bred) 1st Apr (R&JM).Hereford City 4 adults near new nest on 4th Apr (lCD).Perkins Rail c.8, one breeding pr. + 6 jUYs. nesting in gorse in "wild garden" in Jul (HM).

Larger flocks seen were c.25 at Witney Wood Dulas on 20th Sep (I&DH); 27 on BringstyCommon in Noy (T&JW); 25 at Wigmore Rolls on 20th Dec (lV) and c.25 at Holmer inDec (lA) with smaller flocks distributed at the remaining locations.

MARSH TIT Parus palustrisA fairly common breeding resident. Records came from 22 locations, mainly of ones andtwos. Higher counts reported: 5 on Bringsty Common in Jan (T&JW); 4 on WelshNewton Common in Feb (PJH); 3 at Brockhamton Wye on 22nd Feb (lCD); 3 atAconbury Wood in Feb (R&lM) and 3 at Lea Bailey Enclosure on 15th Sep (NAS).There were no reports of breeding in the County.

WILLOW TIT Parus montanusUncommon breeding resident recorded at 8 sites and again only regularly recorded atWapley Hill as follows:

2 in Jan (.IK) (, on 9th Fcb (SPC) 2 on 24th Feb (TCC) 1 in Dec (.IKl

There were no breeding records.

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COAL TIT Parus aterCommon breeding resident. Seen throughout the County, mainly ones and twos feeding ingardens. Larger numbers seen were c.30 at Wapley Hill on 13th lan (PHD); 28 at LeaBailey Enclosure on 20th lan (NAS); 15 at Bircher Common on 27th lan (PHD); 38 atWigmore Rolls on 16th Feb (lV) and c.15 at Ridgebourne Kington on 4th Mar (l&CP).There was only one confirmed report of breeding with an adult + a juv. at LittleDewchurch on 10th lun (R&PK) although 3 juvs. were seen at Goodrich on 4th lun(lCD); 1 at RWP in lun (R&lM) and 3 at Garway on 26th Sep (lRP).

BLUE TIT Parus caeruleusCommon breeding resident with breeding only confirmed at 5 locations (18 last year).Tupsley 2 inspecting nest box 4th Apr (I&EE).Little Dewchurch 2 adult + 4 juvs. on 11 th lun (R&PK).Perkins Rail 5 breeding prs. in lun (HM).Shirlheath 4 prs. bred on 10th lun (lK).LDB 4 successful broods from garden boxes in lul (SPC).

Larger numbers were 35 at Garway Hill, 27 at Frith Wood Ledbury, 27 at BringstyCommon and 25 at Fishpool Valley.

GREAT TIT Parus majorCommon breeding resident seen throughout the County with reports of breeding from:Monkland 2 in nest box on 16th Apr (AJB).Tupsley 2 nesting in nest box 18th Apr and 2 fledged on 2nd lun (I&EE).Little Dewchurch 4 adults + 2 juvs. on 10th lun (R&PK).Perkins Rail 4 breeding prs. in lun (HM).RWP 2 adult + 2 juvs. 27th lun (R&lM).LDB 12 juvs. At least two successful broods from boxes 24th lul (S&LC).

Larger sightings were 20 at Bringsty Common, 20 at Frith Wood, 17 at LettonIrrigation Lake and 10 at Wyevale Wood.

NUTHATCH (Wood Nuthatch) Sitta europaeaCommon breeding resident. Recorded at 40 locations throughout the County but only 2confirmed breeding records received (8 last year):LDB 2 adult + 2 juvs. on 16th lun (SPC).TB 3 inc. 1 breeding pr. in lun (C&lC).

4 were calling vigorously at Queenswood Dinmore on 16th .lan (TH); 1 at Putson on22nd Aug was the first seen in the garden since 24th .lun 1991 (R&.lM) and 5 were seen atWigmore Rolls on 29th Aug (JV).

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TREECREEPER (Eurasian Treecreeper) Certhia familiarisCommon breeding resident with records coming from 39 sites. Breeding confirmed at 3 sites:King George V playing field, Hereford I at nest on 2nd May (R&JM).Shirlheath c2 nested under garage roof 5th May (MK).Castle Green, Hereford I at nest onl5th May (R&JM).

Regularly reported from the following locations; Bringsty Common (T&JW); CastleGreen (R&JM); Garway Hill (JRP); Queenswood Dinmore (TH) and Putson (R&JM).Maximum numbers reported at Bringsty Common 4, Hill Farm Bosbury cA, BircherCommon 3 and Garway Hill 3. At Much Marcle 3 juvs. were caught and ringed on 2ndJul (SGD).

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitorScarce winter visitor and passage migrant. This is now the third successive winter that Iwas recorded at Oaker Coppice, Bircher Common. Seen on 1st Jan (SPC/PHD); on 23rdDec (TCC), on 25th Dec (PHD) and on 30th Dec (T&AC).

JAY (Eurasian Jay) Garrulus glandariusCommon breeding resident. Recorded from 34 locations this year (43 last year) throughoutthe County. There were 2 records of breeding:Wyevale Wood I breeding pr. 17th to 18th Jun and 2 adults + I juv. on 30th Jun (K&BH).LDB 2 adults + 5 juvs. on 6th Jul (SPC).

Larger numbers seen were 7 at Lea Bailey Enclosure on 20th Jan (NAS); 7 at BL 20thOct (P&TD); 5 at Wigmore Rolls on 15th Nov (1V) and c.6 at Wyevale Wood from 18thOct until 31 st Dec (SP).

MAGPIE (Black-billed Magpie) Pica picaVery common breeding resident although only two confirmed breeding records were received:LDB 2 adults + 4 juvs. on 20th May (S&LC).Tupsley 2 adults + 4 juvs. on 7th Jul (I&EE).

Reported at 44 locations with larger counts of 12 seen at Bringsty Common (T&JW); 11at Hereford Quarry and Rotherwas (CW) and at Stretford (TCC); 10's were reportedfrom Holmer (lA); Tupsley Quarry (I&EE) and Sutton Walls (lCD).A juv. that had been injured by a cat was taken to the Athene Bird Hospital on 1st Jun(I&EE) whilst one was seen sitting on the back of a horse, acting like an Ox-pecker, atWelsh Newton (FMP).

JACKDAW (Eurasian Jackdaw) Corvus monedulaCommon breeding resident again well reported from all parts ofthe County. There was only onebreeding record confirmed and that was from Goodrich Castle where an imm. was calling froma nest in the castle wall. The larger numbers recorded were c.3000 at WGP on 17th Sep (PHD),smaller numbers ofc.500 and c.300 were observed flying into roost at LDB in Dec (S&LC/CW).

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ROOK Corvus frugilegusCommon breeding resident recorded throughout the County. A substantial increase innumbers and nests were reported in at least three locations in Almeley from Jan to Mar(lLR). Breeding was confirmed at Cusop Dingle: c.180 with 90 nests in May (GC) andThe Hyde Ivington: c.80 with 30-40 nests in various trees by farm buildings near to thestream and moat in May (MLB-T).The largest count of c.3000 was seen at WGP on 17th Sep (PHD) with another of c.60 atBrampton Bryan on 26th Mar (T&EW).

CARRION CROW Corvus coroneCommon breeding resident. There were four breeding records from the following locations:Pipe and Lyde 1 on nest on 25th Mar (JCD).Hereford City (SG511418) I on nest 27th Mar (lCD).WGP 3 on nest on 21st Apr (PHD).Tupsley 2 adults + 1 juv. on 2nd Ju1 (I&EE).

Larger counts include c.100 at Newton on 15th Jan (T&EW); 150 at Withy PoolBredwardine on 1st Aug (SPC); 100 flying in to roost at dusk at LDB (S&LC) and 100at Castleton & Winforton Wye on 24th Gct (FM). A part-albino, with silvery-white dullfeathers on upper surface of wings was reported at Hampton Bishop on 4th Dec (lCD).

RAVEN (Common Raven)Fairly common breeding resident. Found at 53breeding confirmed at:Garway Hill (KJR).Welsh Newton Common (PJH).Birchwood Storridge (CG).

Corvus coraxlocations throughout the County with

Nest building in a large Wellingtonia tree was reported at Homme Park (JHM).Larger counts were 15 flying south in a loose flock at Stretford Bridge on 6th Jan (TCC);c.27 at Westhope Hill on 8th Aug (K&CM); 17 at Lingen on 9th Sep. (J&CP); 28 atWigmore Rolls on 29th Sep (JV) and 20 at the Warren on 7th Dec (T&EW).

STARLING (Common Starling) Sturnus vulgarisCommon breeding resident and winter visitor. Reported from all over the County with thelarger counts being found at Monkland c.700 on 11 th Feb (lE); c.250 plus several thousandflying towards Shobdon on 24th Feb (PHD); c.500 at Marden Church on 24th Feb (PHD);250 at Norton Wood on 27th Feb (MJW); c.1 00 mixed flock with Fieldfare and Redwing onBartonsham Meadow on 16th Mar (R&JM); 900 at WGP on 6th Gct (PHD) and 3 flocks of25-40 at Almeley (a significant increase after seven years ofcomparative rarity) from Jan untilMar (lLR). Breeding was only confinned at LDB with 3 breeding prs. on 5th May (S&LC).

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ROSE-COLOURED STARLING (Rosy Starling) Sturnus roseusA very rare vagrant. Ajuv. seen in garden at Putson on 8th and 9th Nov (R&JM) was thefirst Herefordshire record since 1941. Record accepted by BBRC on 6th Mar 2002. This isonly the fourth county record the others being Garway 1858, Leintwardine 1937 andMordiford in the winter of 1940/41. They breed in eastern Europe and central Asia intoAfghanistan. Winters throughout India S to Sri Lanka. Due to the numbers recorded,especially in years 2000 and 2001 the species was dropped from the rarity list at the endof 200 1. (British Birds Gct 2002). The monthly numbers of year 2001 sightings in Britainwere as follows:-

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Total

21 8 11 8 7 2 57

Considering the numbers seen in 2000 and 2001 it is surprising that this was only the 4th.Record for Herefordshire.

HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticusCommon breeding resident. Breeding confirmed at Canon Pyon: (FSB) and Monkland:(AJB). Larger flocks recorded were c.60 Criftin Ford Bridge on 27th Jan (PHD); c.50 atCanon Pyon on 12th Aug (FSB); cAO at Shirlheath on 8th Sep (MK) and the followingon the 15th Sep - c.lOO at Shobdon, c.80 at Kingsland and c.50 at Milton Cross (P&TD).Smaller flocks were noted at many other locations in the County.

TREE SPARROW (Eurasian Tree Sparrow) Passer montanusUncommon breeding resident. Recorded from only 10 locations (16 last year). Recordedthroughout the year at TB with breeding confirmed on 9th Jun (SPC). Larger counts of 8at Titley Court Farm on 13th Jan (PJE); c.30 were recorded at Castleton & WinfortonWye (PGG); 18 feeding along hedge with strip of 'fat-hen' and other weeds at Norton on23rd Nov (MJW); 14 at TB on 24th Nov (C&JC) and 14 at SIE on 22nd Dec (MFP).

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebsCommon breeding resident and winter visitor. Breeding was confirmed at RWP with anadult pr. + 3 juvs. on 24th Jun (R&JM). Larger counts were recorded from King GeorgeV playing field, c.35 on 6th Jan (R&JM); 200 on beech mast at Bircher Common andc.250 at Fishpool Valley on 27th Jan (PHD); 18 at Tupsley on 8th Feb (I&EE); 70 atWapley Hill on 19th Feb (lK); c.30 at Monkland on 27th Gct (lE); c.100 in unharvestedflax at Five Bridges Bishops Frome on 22nd Dec (C&AL) and c.200 (large mixed flock)at Frogend crossroads on 24th Dec (PGG). Smaller numbers were reported throughout theCounty. A female was heard singing in similar fashion to a Whitethroat but includingobvious 'chaffinch' notes at Canon Pyon on 15th Jul (FSB).

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BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringillaFairly common winter visitor. Recorded at II sites (20 last year) with no large flocks seen,larger numbers were 30 at Wapley Hill on 30th Nov (MB); cAO in field of maize andsunflowers with 300 assorted finches on Coppett Hill on 31st Dec (AHE/JRP) and 35 inmixed 300 + finch flock at Goodrich on 31 st Dec (JRP/AHE). The earliest recordedsighting was at Tupsley on 13th Nov (I&EE) and the last at Bircher Common on 27th lan(PHD). There were six reports of sightings at Wapley Hill in Nov - Dec.

GREENFINCH (European Greenfinch) Carduelis chlorisCommon breeding resident. Breeding records were submitted from:Little Dewchurch 2 adults + a juv. on 25th May, 5 adults + a juv. on 3rd lun, 3 adults +juvs. on 10th lun and 3 adults + a juv. on 22nd lul (R&PK).Monkland 2 nesting in hedge on 4th lun (AJB).Newton family party of 5 feeding in hedgerow on 14th lun (I&DH).

Larger flocks seen included 20 at Welsh Newton in lan (PIH); 30 at TB in Mar (JC); c.25in railway cutting at Ross-on-Wye on 26th lun (RJH); 30 at Wapley Hill in lul (JK); c.1 00at Criftin Ford Bridge on 10th Nov (P&TD); 25 at Putson on 25th Nov (R&IM) and 25at SIE on nnd Dec (MFP). Smaller numbers were widespread throughout the County.

GOLDFINCH (European Goldfinch) Carduelis carduelisCommon breeding resident with breeding confirmed only at Little Dewchurch with an adult+ 2 juvs. on 26th lul (R&PK). Well reported from over 60 locations (up on last year) the largernumbers being c.80 at Wapley Hill on 13th lan (PHD); c.250 at Veldo Lane on 28th lan(l&EE); cAO on thistles at TPNR on 30th Aug (J&CP); c.50 at Dulas on 6th Sep (l&DH);c.50 at WGP on 21 st Oct (PHD) and 23 at Hartleton Lake on 25th Oct (MFP).

SISKIN (Eurasian Siskin) Carduelis spinusCommon winter visitor and scarce breeding resident. An annual winter visitor to coniferwoods, alders and gardens with one breeding record received from Wapley Hill with 1juv.from the nest in Clematis by the house in May (MB). Larger flocks of cA5 at HaygrovePools on 2nd lan (PGG); 60 at Sink Green on 10th lan (GSB); c.200 at Wapley Hill on13th lan (PHD) and c.150 on 29th Jan (JK); 71 at BL on 7th Feb (CW); cAO at HL on 25thOct (MFP) and 20 at Castle Green on 6th Dec (R&IM). A flock of 45 including I leucisticm. - pale green/yellow, with faint outline of head markings and pale buff wings (no darkfeathers) - at BL on 27th (PHD). Garden sightings included 3 at Tupsley on 18th. Nov(early visitor) normally seen in lan/Feb (l&EE); I adult fat Birchwood Storridge on 13th.Apr only sighting in garden all winter (CG) and 2 adult m. on nut feeder at Bishopstoneon 28th Mar (P&IE). There was one summer sighting of2 at Frith Wood in Aug (C&AL).

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LINNET (Common Linnet)Common breeding resident. Breeding confirmed at;Little Brampton 3 breeding prs. on 7th Jul (MFP).Ross-on-Wye 2 adults + 3 juvs on 25th Jul (RJH).Tretire 3 breeding prs. on 31 st Jul (MFP).Bromsash 2 breeding prs. on 31 st Jul (MFP).Pipe and Lyde 2 adults + 3 juvs. on 10th Aug (lCD).

Carduelis cannabina

Large flocks were reported at locations throughout the County the largest being c.250feeding with Goldfinch in linseed field at Veldo Lane, Withington on 28th Jan (I&EE);c.120 at Bringsty Common on 31 st Jan (SGD); c.150 at Lyonshall on 24th Jul (l&CP);c.IOO at WGP on 19th Aug (PHD); 200 at Checkley on 10th Dec (JRP); c.100 at FiveBridges Bishops Frome on 22nd Dec (PGG); c.25 mixed flock at Frogend crossroads on24th Dec (PGG) and c.1000 at Wapley Hill on 31st Dec (CW).

TWITE Carduelis flavirostrisA rare passage migrant and winter visitor. At Wapley Hill on 31st Dec c.3 seen in a maizefield along with a huge flock of finches (PHD/CW). This is only the fourth county sightingsince the Club was formed in 1950, the others being: 30 at Bridge Sollers on 1st Feb 1953,9 at Holme Marsh on 23rd Sep 1978 and 1 at Great Doward in Feb 1979.Bull 1888. Sometimes seen in tolerable abundance on slopes of the Black Mountains.Home 1889. Seen in Peterstow, has been seen on the Black Mountains.Hutchinson 1898. Uncommon resident, local, breeding.Cambridge Phillips 1908. Scarce, has been seen on Black Mountains.

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis flammea cabaretCommon winter visitor and rare breeding resident. No records of breeding in the Countywere received. Only reported from 17 locations with the larger counts being c.30 at BL on1st Jan (PHD/SPC); c.50 at Castleton and Winforton on 2nd Jan (MFP/PGG) and c.500at Bringsty Common (some siskins in flock) in Dec (T&JW). A single m. was seenfeeding on grass seed and dust bathing in garden near the County Hospital on 13th Jul(TWD). 100 were caught and ringed at Bringsty Common on 10th Nov with a further 60on the 13th (SGD).

CROSSBILL (Common Crossbill) Loxia curvirostraScarce breeding resident and irruptive migrant. Seven records from four sites with norecord of breeding. The larger flocks were seen at Wapley Hill, c.60 in Jul (MB) and cAOon 27th Jul (lK). Other sightings included I at Bircher Common on 27th Jan (PHD); c.2heard (unseen small flock) at Queenswood Dinmore on 9th Jul (TH); c.1 0 at Copley HillFort on II th Aug (SP+ND); 2 at Bircher Common on 26th Dec (ND) and 4 ff. and 3 mm.at Wapley Hill on 29th Dec (T&EW).

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BULLFINCH (Common Bullfinch) Pyrrhula pyrrhulaCommon breeding resident. Breeding confirmed at the following locations:Dulas family party of 5 on 16th Jun (I&DH).Credenhill Village 2 adults + 4 juvs on 22nd Jul (GRP).Wapley Hill 2 juvs on 27th Aug (PHD).Lea Bailey Enclosure 5 on 30th Aug (NAS).

Well seen throughout the County with the higher counts being 8 at Wyevale Wood from2nd until 16th Jan (SP); 9 at Sutton Walls in Jan (lCD); 8 at WGP on 13th Aug (G&MB);9 in a railway cutting at Ross on Wye on 15th Dec (RJH) and 12 at Lea Bailey Enclosureon 26th Dec (NAS).

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustesA scarce breeding resident. Only reported from BL where I was seen in the trees by theentrance on 22nd Dec (PHD).

OVENBIRD Seiurus aurocapillusAccidental autumn to winter. An exceptional record and the first for Herefordshire of thisterrestrial Wood Warbler. It was found feeding under rose bushes at a cottage garden nearMuch Marcle on 20th Dec and was last seen on 16th Feb 2002. Ovenbirds breed in E.North America and winter in Florida, Central America and the West Indies. There haveonly been 2 accepted previous records in the British Isles, the first was at Out Skerries,Shetland on 7th Oct 1973. It was seen again the following day by several bird watchersincluding Bobby Tulloch. The second record was at Dursey Island, County Cork in 1990.There have been 2 records of birds found dead, I in Ireland in 1977 and I at Wembury,Devon in 1985. The only other record was of a wing only, found on the tide line at Formby,Merseyside in Jan 1969.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinellaCommon breeding resident. Breeding confirmed at MGP with I breeding pr. on 26th May(PGG). Seen at more than sixty locations the larger numbers being c.24 including youngbirds. One male had albinistic traits including a very pale head and white tail feathers, atBatch Cottage Almeley from 1st Jan until Mar (lLR); c.25 ground feeding every day atBreinton Kings Acre from 1st Jan until 20th Mar (SP); c.70 at Adforton on 27th Jan (PHD);c.120 at Monkland on 27th Oct (lE); c.30 at Reeves Farm on 10th Nov (P&TD); c.25 atCastleton & Winforton Wye on 18th Nov (PGG) and 70 at Marcle Ridge on 10th Dec(JRP). An adult pr. at Garway Hill was the first record in 40 years at this location (KJR).

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclusCommon breeding resident. Only reported at 9 locations (30 last year) with no record ofbreeding. Largest numbers seen were 5 at Breinton Kings Aere on 5th Jan and 7 on nth Mar(SP); 5 at WPG on 28th Oct (PHD) and 10 at CastIeton Wye on 18th Nov (PGG). Ringingtook place at Much Marcle where I was ringed on 30th Apr and 2 on the 4th Sep (SGD).

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CORN BUNTING Miliaria calandraScarce breeding resident. Only reported from 2 sites:Bromsash 3 singing males on 13th Apr (PHD/AHE) and 1 male on 31 st Jul (MFP).Tretire c.2 males in brassicas - 1 singing m. probably 2 on 31 st Jul (MFP).

ESCAPED AND RELEASED SPECIES

BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratusEscaped Australian species. An ad. was with mute swans by River Wye betweenCastleton and LDB from 10th Feb until 16th Mar (SPC+PHD+CW et al) and 2 imms.were at WGP on 21st Feb (GSB+CW). The Black Swan is endemic to Australia andTasmania. It was introduced to New Zealand in 1864 where it expanded to such an extentthat serious steps had to be taken to control their numbers.

BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicusEscaped Asian species. The same ad. was reported, with Canada Geese, on floodwater byRiver Wye at Wilton Bridge on 9th Oct (RJH) and by River Wye at Backney on 11 th Oct(T&JW). This attractive goose comes from mountainous regions north of the Himalayas.To reach their wintering grounds in India they have to fly at altitudes of 27,000 feet!

WOOD DUCK Aix sponsaEscaped North American species. 2mm. were at WGP on 1st Jan (PHD+SPC). TheCarolina Wood Duck, also known as the North American Wood Duck, is a natural tree holenester that will use artificial nest boxes.

AIX Hybrid1 at Castle Green Hereford on 23rd Jun (PHD).

Aix

CHILOE WIGEON Anas sibilatrixEscaped South American species. Am + fwere at LIL on 7th Oct (ALS+SPC) and an eclipsem. was at WGP on 3rd Nov, flying off S. at 15:00 (PHD). The Chiloe or Chile Wigeon isfound from the Cordoba province in Argentina and Atacama province in Chile to Tierra delFuego and the Falkland Islands. The 3 syllable whistling call of the drake is very loud andlong echoing with the female often answering resulting in a harmonious duet.

FERRUGINOUS X TUFTED DUCK1 adult m. (as seen winter 2000/1) at WGP on 27th Oct (P&TD).I at WPG on 4th Nov (PHD).

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Aythya

GREY PARROT Psittacus erithacusSeen on Bircher Common on 27th Jan (T&AC). The African Grey Parrot, a member ofthe square-tailed Parrot group from Equatorial Africa is said to be very long-lived and thebest talker of all the parrots.

ZEBRA FINCH Poephila guttataAt Marden one crashed into a kitchen window, recovered and flew off on 29th Apr (LL).This popular cage-bird, one of the weaver finches, is considered to be one of the easiest tobreed in captivity. It is distributed over most ofAustralia and is also found on Timor, Floresand the Lesser Sunda Islands.

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CONTRIBUTORS 2001*Indicates Non-member

Mrs 1. AlienM. Baddeley *Miss B. BaylissOr A J BeasleyL&M Biggs *G S & Mrs 0 M Bilbao *K. Bishop *Or O.G. BoddingtonS. Bowyer *P & Mrs F BradleyMiss P. Brown *Mrs F. BurgeP. Canning *Or A. CauntL. CausonC & Mrs. J. ChapmanJ BD. ColleyForestry CommissionMiss E R Coney *S & Mrs L. ConeyMr & Mrs K. ConnorOr R J & Mrs J. CookT & Mrs A CookeMrs Cowens *Mrs P. Crick *o P CuinG CundaleJ C OaviesMiss W 0 OaviesN.Oevereux1. Oickie *S G OoddPH OownesTW OownesR.OuntJ. Ebrey *P. Embling *P J EldridgeI & Mrs E EvansT Evans *A H EvelcighG. Ewart1. Fairticld *O. FisherA Foulds *Or A T Foxton

P. GardnerMrs S GarlandPG GamerJ. Garrett*C. Gayle *Miss EA GillardMr Grantham *Mrs C GreenwayMs J Hackman *P HadleyK. HammondJ 0 Hanks *I & Mrs O. HartNHart*R J HarringtonMrs J Hawkins *P J HopkinsT Hulme *G HurstR. HusbandsMs V James *P Jennings *J. KedwardMiss M Kedwardo W KilgourI King *R & Mrs P KingO. Klein *C & Mrs A LankesterMr & Mrs L Lawson *T E Lynch *A Marchant*J H Marsden *.r H MartinH MasonK & Mrs C MasonR & Mrs J MellishOr R G MillerMiss C A MilwardR. MorleyMrs M Morris *Mr & Mrs Necsham *Mrs S Nicholas *A Nom1an *.r R W PaigcCi R Parker

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M F PeersJ PenriceI Phillipson.r & Mrs C PortSPotterW. Pridie *Mrs F M ProbynMrs E RichardsR W RoseveareK J RuckJ L RussellP Russell *Or R C RussellV & Mrs A RussellG & Mrs G RyeG Saidy *C & Mrs L SheldrakeR & Mrs 0 SmallALSmithMrs V B SmithN A SmithMs H Stace *R. Stokes *G Taylor-Ouxbury *M. Thomley *K P TillettR J TingleyMrs .r TruckleR. Tushingham1. Voysey *o A WarrenT & Mrs .r WealeT W Welch *C WellsT & Mrs E WcstonM J WilliamsMs T Wildenmoth*M WoodwardG Wren

Editor's note: An account by P.W. Hinde on the breeding of the Hoopoe Upupa epops inHerefordshire appears in the Club's 1955 Annual Report and was based on the notes of alecture that R.H. Baillie gave to the Club on the 12th. December 1955. The following is ahand written account by Dr. Walker of the same event that I found among the diaries andpapers that he had given to me before he died and others that were rescued by Dr. JohnRoss soon after he died. All of these are now housed in the Hereford Record Office.Thisaccount has also appeared in the Herefordshire Nature Trust's 'Flycatcher'

A HOOPOE'S NESTBy Dr. C.W. Walker M.C.

A few Hoopoes succeed in running the gauntlet of continental bird-killers to reach thiscountry each spring, and occasionally a pair has nested here. When we consider the kindof welcome this beautiful and rather confiding bird meets with on its passage through theMediterranean countries, its rarity here ceases to be surprising.

The bird's bright colours and remarkable crest have gained for it the interest of mankindsince the earliest historical times. It figures frequently in the ancient Egyptian picturewritings, and was there revered as a sun emblem. It appears in the Old Testament list of"forbidden fowls" (Leviticus XI, 13) where its Hebrew name "dukiphat" was wronglytranslated in the English bible as "Lapwing". The last verse of the list in Leviticus shouldtherefore read "And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the hoopoe and the bat." As aresult of this tabu the Hebrew race have through the ages refrained from eating it and havespared its life. What a pity these rules were never applicable in such countries as Spain andItaly! As things are the Hoopoe is relentlessly shot and snared in southern Europe, and along row of their corpses may sometimes be seen strung up on provincial poulterers' shopfronts, destined to end up in a pie or fricassee.

In Herefordshire hardly a year passes without a report of a Hoopoe being sighted. Theseare usually fleeting glimpses only - here today and gone tomorrow - , but occasionally abird finds a habitat to its liking and stays there for a time.

In spring - late April and May 1955 - strange bird calls were heard near Elsdon House,Lyonshall: these were harsh and guttural, but no bird was seen, and when the typical "hoophoop" or "hu hu" calls were heard coming from a cottage orchard they were thought to bethose of "a cuckoo with a bad throat". At last on May 29th. a Hoopoe was seen andrecognised. It was fluttering against the outside of a window of Elsdon House, greatlyexcited and with crest erect. No doubt it could see its own reflection in the window-paneand thought it was attacking a rival.

R.H. Baillie saw the bird later that day, and on the next I spent the afternoon searching thefields and orchards in the vicinity. At last I caught sight of a Hoopoe in the meadowsbehind Elsdon, and was watching it as it probed with its long bill, apparently for ants, when1heard the "hoop - hoop" call coming from the orchard behind me! So there were two birds- no doubt a pair - and hreeding was possible - indeed probable.

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For the next few days the area was haunted by members of the Ornithological Club, andthe Hoopoes were seen to be carrying food - mainly earthworms - often towards a groupof big oak-trees behind the house. The birds were, however, wary and suspicious, and didnot betray the whereabouts of their nest.

On June 5th. a number of watchers took up concealed positions in a determined effort to pinpoint the nesting site. It became clear that it was the largest of the old oaks that was thedestination to which the birds were bringing food. On approaching this tree the bird always"hooped" softly and continued to do so as it moved among the branches, often hidden fromview by the foliage. It was seen to flyaway silently and with no food in its bill.

After the rest of the party had gone home Len Smith and I remained, hidden in the thickhedge close to the oak-trees. The Hoopoe flew in carrying a full-sized earthworm. It called"hu hu" softly as it perched and clung to the bark just below a hole in a large branch. Intothis it thrust its head - raised crest included - and withdrew it without the worm, lookedround and gave a startled and very harsh warning note sounding like "Karr", and flew off.About 45 minutes later it came flying in with a worm, but instead of alighting, stopped andfluttered in mid-air as if suddenly aware of danger, scolded harshly again - a succession of"Karr" notes - and flew right away. We waited until late afternoon, but there was no furthersign of the birds.

A few days after this discovery it became plain that the birds had ceased to frequent theoak tree, and were sometimes seen or heard among the old apple trees in a neighbouringorchard. The nesting hole in the oak was reached by means of a 40-foot ladder on the 18th.and was by then, of course, empty.

Mrs. Baker of the East Lodge, which lies between the oak clump and the orchard where thebird's call had often been heard, had a number of views of the birds during the rest of thesummer. She saw on 14th. July one of the adults followed by a smaller Hoopoe, and againon the 16th. she reported that an adult had fed a young bird perched on a near-by fence. OnJuly 30th. she saw all four birds - two adults and two young - fly towards the oak-trees wherethey had nested. The last time the "hu-hu" call was heard was on August 20th.

The Hoopoe has nested occasionally, and sometimes successfully, in most southernEnglish counties. Herefordshire can now be added to this list with the additional distinctionthat the Lyonshall nest provides the most northerly breeding record for the Hoopoe in theBritish Isles.

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THE PELICAN "TWITCH"

We were more amused than astonished when Peter Eldridge rang on Tuesday morning the23rd. October and said that a fisherman had seen a Pelican on the Wye near Bredwardine.We have seen captive White Pelicans in wildlife parks and wild ones in the Gambia andwere sure that this bird would be regarded as an escaped bird from one of these parks. Thiswas most likely because, as far as we know, there have only been just over 20 records ofthe Great White Pelican in England since one was seen at Breydon Water, Norfolk in 1906and all were considered escaped birds.

Nevertheless, although we are not "twitchers", we decided early that afternoon to go for arun to Hay-on-Wye following the Wye from Bredwardine and viewing the river fromwherever the road overlooked the Wye.

We arrived at Bredwardine around 12.30 and from the bridge scanned up and down the riverwithout success. We continued along the B4532 stopping at all viewpoints overlooking theriver so as to scan the area through binoculars but we had no sign of a Pelican.

By the time we arrived at Hay we had decided to abandon the search and look for birdbooks instead. After a couple of hours browsing in some of the book shops we decided toreturn home along the main Brecon to Hereford road, the A438. Approaching Bronydd ataround 3.20pm a very large white bird was seen circling over the river to our right. Wecarried on slowly until we could park off the road with a view over the river. We got outof the car and watched the bird through binoculars. It continued to circle over the river, inturn over Herefordshire and Radnorshire. After circling for a further few minutes the birdflew away from us heading towards Hay but before reaching the town it turned and flewback to continue soaring once more over the river in and out of the two counties. Wewatched it for three to four minutes when it suddenly changed direction and flew towardsus, passing so low overhead that details of the bird could clearly be seen without the aid ofbinoculars. We last saw it flying over the trees in a westerly/north westerly direction.

The bird was a huge white bird with very dark flight feathers. It flew with strong, steadywing-beats occasionally gliding and due to its appearance and manner of flying we ruledout any other possibility such as Grey Heron Ardea cinerea or the Mute Swan Cygnus alarand we agreed that it was a Great White Pelican Pelecanus anacrotalus that had beenreported earlier.

When the bird flew overhead the head and very long yellow beak hunched back over thebody were clearly seen, as well as the pink legs showing under the tail feathers, giving thebody a short stumpy appearance, unlike the long trailing legs of Grey Heron.

On returning home we rang Steve Coney, the Herefordshire Recorder, and informed himof the sighting. We tilled in a rarities form and returned it to Steve who forwarded it forconsideration by the British Birds Rarities Committee. In June 2002 Steve received

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notification that the record had been accepted by BBRC. The record was placed underCategory D (species where there's reasonable doubt that they have ever occured in anatural state) and published in British Birds in the October edition 2002.

We are optimistic that one day, on review, our record will be accepted as a genuine wild birdand placed in Category A as the possibility of vagrancy in this species cannot be ruled out.

No, we are not "twitchers" but if you do hear of a rare bird in the County, please let usknow, we may be tempted!

Ifor & Elaine Evans

EARLIEST AND LATEST DATES FORSUMMER MIGRANTS 2001

Species date Location Date Location

Hobby 5/5 WGP 12/10 AdfortonLittle Ringed Plover 28/3 WGP 29/7 WGPGreenshank 6/7 SSSP 1/9 WGPCommon Sandpiper 11/3 R. Wye-Putson 6/10 WGPTurtle Dove 5/6 Much Marcle 27/8 Much MarcleCuckoo 25/4 Various sites 17/8 Lion's DenSwift 24/4 Hereford City 26/8 WGPSand Martin 24/3 BL/WGP 3/10 Lion's DenSwallow 31/3 BL/WGP 6/10 WormbridgeHouse Martin 24/3 Roman Road, Hereford 23/10 Lion's DenTree Pipit 19/5 The Malvems Aug. Wapley HillYellow Wagtail 12/4 WGP 3/10 Lion's DenRedstart 21/4 Criftin Ford Bridge 2/9 Stretford BridgeWheatear 17/3 Bromsash 20/8 WGPSedge Warbler 29/4 WGP 6/9 Much MarcleReed Warbler 30/4 Much Marcle 4/9 Much MarcleLesser Whitethroat 30/4 Adforton 29/9 Merrivale WoodWhitethroat 3/4 Much Marcle 4/9 Much MarcleGarden Warbler 21/4 WGP 27/8 Much MarcleWood Warbler 3/5 Queenswood, Dinmore 24/6 Leinthall EarlesWillow Warbler 6/4 BL 4/9 Hereford CitySpotted Flycatcher 17/5 Aylestone Hill 17/9 ShirlheathPied Flycatcher 17/4 Queenswood, Dinmore 9/6 Treago Castle

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LATEST AND EARLIEST DATES FORWINTER MIGRANTS 2001

Species

Bewick's SwanWhooper SwanWigeonPochardGoldeneyeGolden PloverJack SnipeSnipeFieldfareRedwingBrambling

Date

18/24/431/316/526/47/4211230/47/425/331/12

Location

Letton LakesWGPArrow FisheriesWGPBLMilton CrossSSSPMuch Marc1eEardislandMathonWapley Hill / Coppett Hill

Date

2711022/1228/818/727/105/1116/129/714/1019/1013/11

Location

Lower Lugg MeadowsLeach PoolWGPWGPWGPSSSPSSSPSSSPLittle DewchurchAdfortonTupsley

HEREFORDSHIRE COUNTY RARITIES 2001

The following require field-notes and supportive description before being considered foruse in the Annual Report.

All national rarities (to be forwarded to BBRC for assessment)All unusual races of a species (except spring White Wagtail)All out of season migrants

The following rare County species:

Divers (all species)Grebes (except Little and Great Crested)FulmarShearwaters (all species)Petrels (all species)GannetShagBittemNight HeronPurple HeronWhite StorkSpoonbillGeese (Bean, Pink-footed and Brent)Egyptian GooseRuddy ShelduckAmerican Wigeon

7S

Garganey (not breeding-plumage male)Red-crested PochardRing-necked DuckScaupEiderLong-tailed DuckAll ScotersRed-breasted MerganserRaptors (all except Red Kite,Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Osprey, Kestrel,Merlin, Hobby and Peregrine)Red Grouse (not Black Mountains)Black GrouseQuail (if not heard)Golden PheasantLady Amherst's Pheasant

Spotted Crake Nightingale (if not heard)Corncrake BluethroatCrane Black RedstartWaders (all except Oystercatcher, Little Ring Ouzel (not Black Mountains)Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Golden Warblers (Cetti's, Aquatic, Marsh, Icterine,Plover, Lapwing, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Melodious, Dartford, Barred, Pallas's andJack Snipe, Snipe, Woodcock, Whimbrel Yellow-browed)(if heard), Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, FirecrestGreen Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper) Red-breasted FlycatcherSkuas (all species) Bearded TitGulls (Mediterranean, Little, Sabine's, Crested TitRing-billed, Yellow-legged, Iceland, Golden OrioleGlaucous and Kittiwake) Shrikes (all species)Terns (all except Black) ChoughAuks (all species) Hooded CrowRing-necked Parakeet Rose-coloured StarlingOwls (Short and Long-eared) Finches (Serin, Twite, Common RedpollNightjar and Common Rosefinch)Bee-eater Buntings (all except Yellowhammer andWryneck Reed Bunting)Larks (except Skylark) Corn Bunting (except at Bromsash orPipits (except Tree and Meadow) Tretire)

The Rarities Sub-Committee reserves the right to request further information, in order toassess any record. Unsubstantiated records will not be published.

RARITIES SIGHTINGS 2001

NASCWCWCWCWCWPHD

R. Wye - GoodrichStretton SugwasWGPWGPBLR. Wye - StrangfordWapley Hill

In 2001, 72 sightings ofCounty rarities were assessed by the rarities sub-committee. The followingsightings, by month, and in the order of their assessment, are those which were accepted.JanuaryRed-breasted Merganser4 Long-tailed DuckKittiwakeMediterranean GullRed-crested PochardRed-breasted MerganserGoshawk

FebruaryRing-necked DuckGoshawkSpotted RedshankDark-breasted Brent GooseKittiwake

WGPBLSSSPBLWGP

G S BilbaoCWCWPH&TWDPHD

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MarchWaxwing16 WaxwingScaupBar-tailed GodwitMeditarranean GullOsprey8 Black-tailed Godwit

AprilOspreyIceland GullArctic TernGreenland WheatearGoshawkBlack-necked Grebe

MayArctic TernOspreySanderlingCommon TernSanderlingBlack RedstartGarganeySanderlingBlue-headed Yellow WagtailGreenland WheatearOspreyCommon TernSanderlingBar-tailed GodwitYellow-legged GullGreenland WheatearBar-tailed GodwitLittle GullTurnstoneGarganeyWood SandpiperWood SandpiperWood Sandpiper

HundertonUpper BullinghamBLLower Lugg MeadowsTidnor MillLower Lugg FlatsLower Lugg Flats

PutsonWGPWGPSSSPCriftin Ford BridgeWGP

WGPBredwardineWGPBredwardineWGPHereford County HospitalWGPWGPWGPWGPClifford WyeCastletonSSSPSSSPSSSPSSSPSSSPSSSPSSSPSSSPSSSPSSSPSSSP

77

C. GayleL. CaulsonCW/G S BilbaoCW/G S BilbaoG S BilbaoCWCW/PHD

JMPHDPHDCWPHDPHD

G S BilbaoSPCSPCSPCSPCTWDPHDPHDPHDPHDSPCSPCCWCWCWCWCWCWCWCWCWCWCW

JuneGarganey

July5 Black-tailed GodwitGoshawkWood SandpiperWood SandpiperMediterranean Gull

AugustLittle GullBlack-tailed GodwitBlack-necked Grebe

OctoberCommon TernWhite PelicanBlack RedstartArctic TernScandinavian Herring GullHoney Buzzard

November6 Red-crested PochardGreat Northern DiverRose-coloured StarlingMediterranean GullRing Ouzel

DecemberTwite4 Pink-footed gooseOvenbird

Kenchester pools

WGPBurton CourtSSSPSSSPSSSP

WGPWGPWGP

CastletonLetton Irrigation Lake I Clifford WyeKingtonWGPWGPLedbury

WGPWGPPutsonWGPMalverns

Wapley HillLetton Irrigation-LakeMuch Marc1e

78

SPC

G S BilbaoMFPCWCWCW

G S BilbaoTCCPH &TWD/SPC

SPCCW/IB & GEEPJ&CPPHDPHDRadar tracking

PHDPH&TWDRE&MJMPH&TWDMJW

PHD/CWCWName & Addresswithheld

COUNTY BIRD LIST FOR HEREFORDSHIRE

The number, in brackets, after certain species, indicates the number of accepted sightings inthe County, to the end of 200 I and is only included if there are twenty or fewer records.

Red-throated Diver (5)Black-throated Diver (4)

Great Northern Diver (6)

Little GrebeGreat Crested GrebeRed-necked Grebe (4)

Slavonian Grebe (6)

Black-neckcd Grebe (10)Fulmar (I)

Manx ShearwaterStorm Petrel (5)

Leach's Petrel (9)Gannct (12)CormorantShag (5)White Pelican (I)BitternNight Heron (2)

Cattle Egret ( I)Little Egret (20)Grey HeronWhite Stork (I)Glossy Ibis (2)Mute SwanBcwick's SwanWhooper SwanBean Goose (4)Pink-footed Goose (13+)White-fronted GooscGreylag GooseCanada GooseBarnacle GooseBrent Goose (10)

Egyptian Goose (I)Ruddy Shelduck (I)ShelduckMandarin\\tTigconGadwallTealMallardPintailGargancyShovclerRed-crcsted Pochard (6)

PochardFerruginous Duck ( I J

Ring-necked Duck (2)

Tufted DuckSeaup

Eidcr (2)

Long-tailed Duck (3)Common Scoter (19)Velvet Scoter (2)

GoldeneyeSmew (19)Red-breasted Merganser ( 17)GoosanderRuddy DuckHoney BuzzardBlack Kite ( I )Red KiteWhite-tailed Eagle ( I)

Marsh Harricr (3)Hen HarrierMontagu's Harrier (2)

GoshawkSparrowhawkBuzzardRough-legged Buzzard (2)Spotted Eagle (I)OspreyKestrelMerlinHobbyPeregrineRed GrouseBlack GrouseRed-legged PartridgeGrey PartridgeQuailPheasantWater RailSpotted CrakeCorncrakeMoorhenCootCrane (4)

OystercatcherAvocct (2)

Stone-curlew (2)

Collared Pratincole ( I)

Little Ringcd PloverRinged PloverKilldeer (I)

Dotterel (R)

Golden PlmerGrey Plover ( 12)LapwingKnot (15)

79

Sandcrling (7)

Little Stint (13)Pectoral Sandpiper ( I )Curlew Sandpiper (3)

DunlinRuffJack SnipeSnipcGreat Snipe (2)

WoodcockBlack-tailed Godwit (17)Bar-tailed Godwit (10)WhimbrclCurlewSpotted Redshank (X)

RedshankGrcenshankGreen SandpiperWood Sandpiper (17)Common SandpipcrTurnstone (6)Red-necked Phalarope (I)Grey Phalarope (I X)Pomarinc Skua (I)

Arctic Skua (2)

Great Skua (2)Mediterranean GullLittle Gull (16)

Sabine's Gull (I)

Black-headed GullRing-billed Gull (3)

Common GullLesser Black-backed GullHerring GullYellow-legged GullIceland Gull (3)Great Black-backed GullKittiwakeSandwich Tern (2)

Common TernArctic Tern (15)

Little Tcrn (5)

Black TernLittle Auk (2)

Putlin (2)

Feral PigconStock DoveWoodpigeonCollarcd DoveTurtle Dovc

Ring-necked Parakeet (7)CuckooBarn OwlLittle OwlTawny OwlLong-eared OwlShort-eared OwlNightjarAlpine Swift (I)SwiftKingfisherBee-eater (3)HoopoeWryneckGreen WoodpeckerGreat Spotted WoodpeckerLesser Spotted WoodpeckerWoodlarkSkylarkSand MartinSwallowHouse MartinTree PipitMeadow PipitRock Pipit (I)Water Pipit (9)Yellow / Blue-headed WagtailGrey wagtailPied / White WagtailWaxwingDipperWrenDunnockRobinNightingale

Black RedstartRedstartWhinchatStonechatWheatearDesert Wheatear (I)Ring OuzelBlackbirdFieldfareSong ThrushRedwingMistle ThrushGrasshopper WarblerSedge WarblerMarsh WarblerReed WarblerMelodious Warbler (10)Dartford Warbler (10)Lesser WhitethroatWhitethroatGarden WarblerBlackcapWood WarblerChiffchaffWillow WarblerGoldcrestFirecrest (8)Spotted FlycatcherPied FlycatcherLong-tailed TitMarsh TitWillow TitCoal TitBlue TitGreat Tit

NuthatchTreecreeperGolden OrioleRed-backed ShrikeGreat Grey ShrikeJayMagpieNutcracker (2)JackdawRookCarrion / Hooded CrowRavenStarlingRose-coloured Starling (4)House SparrowTree SparrowChaffinchBramblingGreenfinchGoldfinchSiskinLinnetTwiteLesser RedpollCommon Redpoll (10)CrossbillBullfinchHawfinchOvenbird (I)Snow Bunting (9)YellowhammerCirl BuntingReed BuntingCorn Bunting

County records still awaiting ratification are:-Little Bustard (Unknown date. "Shot near Dorstone. In Hereford Museum.)Cream-coloured Courser (Shot Backney Marsh, March 1852. In Hereford Museum.)Collared Pratincole (Shot Fownhope 1854. In Hereford Museum.)Roller (Goodrich 1857. In Hereford Museum.)

80

REPORT EXCHANGES 2001

Brecknock Wildlife TrustBristol Naturalists' Society / Bristol Ornithological Club (Avon Bird Report)Cheltenham Bird ClubDerbyshire Ornithological SocietyGloucester Naturalist TrustGwent Ornithological SocietyShropshire Ornithological SocietyWest Midlands Bird ClubWiltshire Ornithological Society

AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS 2001

British Trust for OrnithologyHerefordshire Nature TrustRoyal Society for the Protection of BirdsThe Woolhope Club

CORRECTIONS TO ANNUAL REPORT 2000 VOL.5 No.10Page 679

Page 688

Page 689

Page 691

Page 695

Page 703

Page 724

Page 727

Page 741

Add sub-heading to top of page "Lower Mowley Farm"

Line 1 NIGHT HERON substitute nycticorax for nyticoraxLine 19 MUTE SWAN substitute olor for oler

Line 10 WHOOPER SWAN substitute Cygnus cygnus for Cygnus Cygnus

Line 13 MANDARIN substitute Aix galericulata for Aix galericulatata

Line 14 POCHARD substitute Aythya ferina for Aythya farinaLine 26 substitute RING-NECKED DUCK for RING-NECKED-DUCK

Line 32 COOT substitute Fulica atra for Fulicra atra

Line 1 PIED WAGTAIL substitute Motacilla alba yarrellii forMotacillia alba yarrelli

Line 17 GREENLAND WHEATEAR substitute Oenanthe oenantheleucorrhoa for Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa

Line 7 WOOD DUCK substitute Aix sponsa for Aix spousa

81

,Herefordshire Ornithological ClubIncome and Expenditure AccountYear Ended November 30th 2001

2000 2001

£ INCOME £

58 AdvertIsing 58

49 sale 01 Publications 59

1.634 Oonalloos (Includlng £1820.00 from Baker TtUey) 1,993

258 Interesl (Gross) 894

2.802 SubscnpllOns 2.811

1,410 Survey Fees 6.500

1,200 Grants (Awards for All) N,'3,444 Income from Meetings 728

Nil Gifl Aid Refund 261

£10,855 £13,304

£ DeDUCT EXPENDITURE £

837 Printing & Stationery 835

1,865 Annual Report 1999 1.820

589 Postage & Telephone 644

462 Meeltng Expenses 635

66 Affiliation SUbSCnplJOflS 128

51 Insurance 100

100 (Athene) Donabon (Woodland Trust) 250

N,' Purchases 1.124

1.076 Survey & Educational Expenses 702

64 Sundry Expenses N"2,356 50th Anmversary FunClrons N"

£:7,466 £6,236

3,389 Surplus for the Year 7,068

12.550 SurplUS as at 151 December 2000 15.939

15,939 General Funds as at 30lh November 2001 23,007

3.200 Add~ Special Funds brought forward 3.200

£19,139 Accumulated Funds at 30th November 2001 £26,207

Accumulated Funds at 30ltI November represented by:-

9.978 DepoSll Account (27th September) 12.863

10.000 Bonds 10.000

Bank Balance less year 2002 subs. In advance &

1.026 unpresented cheques 459

N,' AJCs Payable (BEAM. Surveys) 4750

£21.004 £28,072

1.865 less ProvIsion for Annual Report 1865

£19.139 £26.207R.E.Mellish (Hon.Treasurer)

We have audited Ihe above accounts and In our opinIOn they show alrue and fan v_ew 01 the General Accoonts SurpllJ!io 101" the yaar end 01

the Chanty's AsselS and Uablhu9R at 30Ih November 2001P.J.EldliOge & J Gardnar January 19th 2002

cygnus alar - herefordshirebirds...introduction -john pullen 3 club meetings 2001.4 weather report...

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