The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Continuing the review of firsts for Lincolnshire recorded during the month of September, Part 2 deals with the period 1900 - 1949...........

1941 – BLUE-WINGED TEAL
On 10th September 1941, an immature duck appeared on a pond in a garden at Sudbrook Manor, Grantham. The identification of this bird was not claimed as definite until it had assumed adult plumage where it was clearly a drake Blue-winged Teal. Although enquires were made, no trace as to where it had come from could be found. At the time, one drake Teal, three pairs of Wigeon and three pairs of Pintails were held in the collection and the Blue-winged Teal immediately settled down with them and became a permanent feature for several years. Occasionally it would fly away during the day (where it was believed it visited fields in the valley below, although it was unable to be located) but would always return to the pond at dusk or dawn. Other observers had the opportunity to study this bird at close range on 23rd October 1947 (some 6 years after the bird was first seen) in full plumage where it was swimming about in the company with various introduced wildfowl. It was fairly sociable with other wildfowl, but it noticeably preferred the company of the Pintails, even to the Wigeon. At this point it also transpired that on 17th August 1945, another bird flew in which it was felt quite certain was another immature drake Blue-winged Teal, the identification of which was based on the knowledge of the original bird which arrived in an immature state in 1941. This second bird stayed for several days but then flew away never to be seen again. This latter sighting led to the suggestion that Blue-winged Teal may be breeding in a feral state in Lincolnshire. A drake Blue-winged Teal was also seen near Lincoln on 22nd April 1947 and it was assumed that this was the Grantham bird, although it does not seem to be documented whether it was still in residency on this date to indicate any overlap in sightings. It is perhaps likely that these birds were escapes from a wildfowl collection, but it would be unfair to dismiss so quickly. They were clearly fully winged and visited the site freely during the course of the extended residency and such a protracted stay is of course not unprecedented in vagrant American wildfowl (witness several of the records of American Black Duck in the UK). In addition there are at least 13 ringing recoveries of Blue-winged Teal in Europe with at least 3 in Britain and Ireland of birds originating in Canada (including an east coast bird in Suffolk) so there is proof of genuine vagrancy in this species. In addition it could be argued that an immature bird arriving in September is during peak time a transatlantic vagrant may be expected. We will of course never know the true origin of these birds, however Lincolnshire birders have had the chance to connect with this species in the County since these original sightings as there have been a further four records (although after 16 years another is overdue). Two birds, both immatures were seen on shallow vegetated pools at Wisbech Sewage Farm from 11th September until 8th October 1978, an immature male was present at Huttoft Pit from 26th to 30th September 1982 and a well twitched female was present at Messingham Sand Quarries from 11th March to 13th April 1997, often in association with a drake Shoveler. The last County record occurred the same year when in autumn a juvenile, possibly a female, was seen at North Somercotes Warren on 28th September 1997. This species breeds from southern Alaska, across much of temperate Canada to southern central USA. It is highly migratory, wintering in Southern USA, Mexico, Caribbean and northern South America. The average UK occurrence for this species in the last decade was closer to that of the 1960s and 1970s rather than the boom years of the 1980s and 1990s. The reasons for this trend are unclear as the estimated North American population reached 5.9 million birds in 2006; 28% greater than the 2005 estimate and 30% above the long-term average. The finger of suspicion is so often pointed in the direction of rare wildfowl when assessing their credentials as likely escapes, but as indicated with the above ringing recoveries, the presence of a metal ring in this species should not necessarily be seen as a negative.

1932 – LESSER YELLOWLEGS
On 15th September, an example of the Yellowshank was shot at a plover decoy pool in Tetney Cow Marsh. The bird was recognised as a stranger by its note and the bird was apparently by no means shy. After missing a double shot at it, the bird was allowed to be called back by the imitation of its note. The specimen was later stuffed and preserved. There have been an impressive 12 further records, all rather widely spread across the County, although Wisbech Sewage Farm, North Killingholme, Gibraltar Point and Freiston Shore have all hosted two each. Unusually 5 of the 12 birds have occurred in spring with 3 in May (including the first at Covenham Reservoir on 20th May 1984) and two in June. One of these birds, seen at Freiston Shore from 7th to 9th June 2006, was then relocated at Gibraltar Point later the same day where it then went on to remain, intermittently, until 23rd September – an unprecedented stay. There is one summer record from Huttoft Pits from 25th July to 5th August 1976 with the autumn arrivals comprising 2 in September and 4 in October. The most recent was a juvenile/first-winter which frequented the Alkborough Flats and Bagmoor Floods area from 30th October 2011 until 29th January 2012 and which became the first instance of a Nearctic wader wintering in the County which has spanned two years. The Lesser Yellowlegs is an annual vagrant to the UK in variable numbers, with most records of juveniles in September and October, but with smaller peaks in spring and late summer as well as numerous instances of overwintering birds. Records are widely scattered, although unsurprisingly for a Nearctic vagrant there is a distinct westerly bias to records, but it has made an appearance in most counties over the years. As with many of our transatlantic waders, many fly non-stop down the western Atlantic from north-eastern Canada to the West Indies and South America. Heavier adults in the Gulf of St Lawrence have been estimated to have sufficient fat for a flight of 2, 125 miles (3,400km).

1922 – ICTERINE WARBLER
The first record involved a bird was shot along the sea bank at North Cotes on 4th September. There had been no 'rush' of migrant birds when discovered although a few Wheatears were passing through and the preceding days had produced a few Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and Whitethroats. Although this was the first Lincolnshire record, the neighbouring County of Norfolk had already produced nine. Twenty nine years passed before the next bird when one appeared on the afternoon of 6th September 1951 at Gibraltar Point which was trapped the following morning. With the advent of regular coastal ringing activity since the 1950s, combined with an increase in observer coverage and awareness of this species key I'd features (cp. Melodious Warbler), Icterine Warbler has become a regular autumn drift migrant to the County and has now amassed around 170 records. Following the 1951 individual a further 7 birds were recorded from Gibraltar Point during the 1950s which included an impressive 5 birds (2 of which were trapped) on 19th August 1958. Sightings continued to increase during the 1960s with a total of 30 birds recorded for the decade and peak annual totals of 7 birds in 1965, 1966 and 1968, thus firmly establishing this species as a scarce autumn migrant. The 1970s was without doubt the best period with a total of 52 birds recorded, including an exceptional 15 in 1976 (the best ever year) and this included at least 6 birds at Donna Nook. The number of birds arriving/recorded since then has been much reduced, with totals of 39 birds recorded during the 1980s and 25 birds during the 1990s, although since then numbers arriving in the County do seem to have stabilised. Of note, 1998 was the first blank year for this species since 1964, thus ending an impressive 34 year annual run of sightings in Lincolnshire. This species is very much a typical early autumn drift migrant with the majority of records during the period mid-August to mid-September. The earliest arrival was a bird seen at Saltfleetby on 6th August 1985, whilst later arrivals sometimes extend towards the end of September, with a bird seen at Donna Nook from 1st to 2nd October 1983. This bird was however eclipsed by an exceptional record of one which remained at Donna Nook from 31st October to 9th November 2003 - by far the latest ever bird and one of the latest sightings of this species in Britain. Most sightings refer to mainly short staying birds of between 1 and 3 days, however a bird at Gibraltar Point in 1984 remained off passage for an exceptional 24 days. There have been 12 spring records up to the end of 2011. The first of these was trapped at Norton Place, Hemswell on 20th June 1970 and was also the first of only two inland records in Lincolnshire, the other being a bird singing at Crowle Moors on 5th June 2008. Of the other spring records most were recorded during the latter half of May (with a further single June record), whilst an exceptionally early individual was recorded at North Cotes on 7th May 1990. Apart from 2008 (with an unprecedented 5 spring sightings), all other spring records referred to single records. There have also been 3 unusual summer sightings. In 1982 a singing male was present at Gibraltar Point from 5th to 8th July, whilst a few weeks later an exceptionally early juvenile was trapped at the same site on 31st July. In addition there is one other July record for the County when a bird was observed at Saltfleetby on 31st July 1985. Birds have been recorded from numerous sites along the coast, however Donna Nook and Gibraltar Point account for a good majority of the County total. The stretch of coast between North Cotes and Theddlethorpe has been productive for this species, and there have been several records from the coastal strip between Mablethorpe and Chapel St Leonards (Huttoft Bank, Anderby and Chapel). Away from these areas there are 3 records each for Seacroft Golf Course and Cleethorpes with additional single records from Skegness, Grimsby Docks and a record just inland at Skidbrooke Village on 22nd September 1984. Aside from the two inland records mentioned above, either an Icterine or Melodious Warbler was watched at close quarters in a Louth garden on 28th August 1960, but was not accepted to species level by the BBRC due to the difficulty in separating the 2 species in the field at the time. The Lincolnshire records fit neatly with the species UK occurrence, of spring and autumn sightings for a species which is mainly recorded from the Northern Isles and down the east coast. This is no doubt linked to the species close breeding proximity to the UK in the low countries and Scandinavia making it a prime candidate to occur during early autumn drift conditions. What is surprising however is the paucity of breeding records in the UK bearing in mind substantial populations on the near continent. The first breeding in Britain followed an exceptional spring influx of no less than 225 birds in the remarkably easterly spring of 1992. Multiple arrivals included up to 14 on North Ronaldsay, Orkney and following on from this the first successful breeding occurred in Scotland.

1909 – RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER
On 16th September an immature male Red-breasted Flycatcher was shot from a hedge near the coast at North Cotes and was the first occurrence of this species in Lincolnshire. There were not many birds passing at this time, but the hedges contained Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and Garden Warblers and there were many Wheatears along the sea-beach. The next 3 records for the County also came from North Cotes. On 23rd October 1922 a bird was seen as it perched on a strand of barbed wire under an old hedgerow and was noted as being very tame, whilst in 1929 a female was obtained in a hedge on 18th September. The weather was fine and dry with a light N.E. wind with no other migration other than a single Redstart. The following day (19th September) a male Red-breasted Flycatcher was in the same place, being very secretive keeping to the inside of a bush and hedge. The wind had now backed to the west and there was no other sign of migration on this day. There were no further records until 1949 when 3 birds were recorded. Following a period of easterly winds which had set in the previous day, a bird was seen perched on a fence rail beside a tall thorn-bush at Wad farm, Humberston Fitties on 12th September. After being disturbed from the bush no more than 3 times it disappeared in a low continuous hedge. The other two birds were recorded from the recently formed Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory. A juvenile was trapped on the same day as the Humberston bird (12th September). It was ringed and was presumed to be the same bird seen on 17th with a second juvenile trapped on 18th and one bird seen subsequently until 21st September. Five birds were noted in the 1950s, at Gibraltar Point (two in 1951 and singles in 1952 and 1959) and a single at Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes in 1955. Since these birds it has remained a rare, but regular visitor to the County (predominantly in autumn) with few blank years noted and there have now been a minimum of 115 birds recorded since 1960. That decade produced 20 birds with just 3 blank years and a maximum of 5 birds in 1969. Very similar circumstances occurred during the 1970s with 16 birds recorded, 3 blank years and a maximum of 4 birds in 1976 and 1979. The 1980s was certainly the best for these charismatic little birds in the County with 40 records, just one blank year and with an impressive 9 birds recorded in 1986, although 1987 produced 7 records and 3 other years during the decade produced 5 birds. A return to form occurred during the 1990s with a total of 26 birds. Blank years in 1997 and 1998 were the first since 1981 and there was a maximum of 5 birds in 1993. Red-breasted flycatcher seems to have then retained its scarcity with lower number recorded over the last 10 years or so with no more than 4 in any one year. Most arrivals occur between mid-September and late October. There are some earlier arrivals in September, with birds seen at Chapel Point from 1st to 2nd September 1963 and Donna Nook from 1st to 2nd September 1975 whilst an exceptionally early arrival occurred at Theddlethorpe on 23rd August 1971, the only County record for this month. There are a few records as late as 27th October, but the latest ever was a bird which remained at Saltfleetby from 5th to 7th November 1993. A short stay is the norm for this species with all records involving visits of 1 to 4 days. There are 7 records of 2 birds together and 3 notable records involving 3 birds together; at Donna Nook on 19th September 1972, Saltfleetby on 25th September 1986 and Gibraltar Point on 21st October 1990. Spring records are exceptionally rare with only 5 in total; Donna Nook on 24th May 1976 and 22nd May 1985, North Cotes Point from 19th to 20th May 1999, Donna Nook again on 28th May 2008 and Gibraltar Point on 20th May 2013. All involved female/immature males. Birds have been recorded at several localities between North Cotes and Gibraltar Point, with Donna Nook, Saltfleetby and Gibraltar Point taking the lions share. Away from the main watch points on the north-east coast and Gib, there have been 6 records from the coastal strip between Mablethorpe and Chapel St Leonards, and single records from Cleethorpes, Skegness and Seacroft. Away from the coast there are two records for the Wash, with birds seen at Holbeach Marsh on 27th September 1992 and Freiston Shore on 26th September 2008. There has been only one inland record for the county, at the former Spalding Bird Observatory (Spalding Sugar factory Settling Ponds) along the tidal River Welland one mile NE of Spalding. A female on 1st October 1961 noted with an arrival of 2 Wheatears, 3 Stonechats and 2 Redstarts. In addition there is one 'at sea' record of a bird on the Inner Dowsing Tower Lighthouse, 12 miles offshore from Mablethorpe (at 53° 20" N, 0°, 34" E) on 29th September 1972. Perhaps unsurprisingly for an autumn visitor, most records are presumed to involve first-winter/immature birds. Of all of the records analysed there appear to be only two documented records that specifically refer to male birds; the bird at North Cotes on 19th September 1929 and an adult male at Donna Nook on 9th October 2010. Red-breasted Flycatcher's breeding range covers north-western, central and eastern Europe, just reaching into Siberia, Turkey and Northern Iran, wintering mainly in Pakistan and India. The species is monotypic, with two former sub-species having been reclassified as full species: Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla (extremely rare in Britain but the next possible Lincs first?) and Kashmir Flycatcher F subrubra. Its migration is unusual as it breeds in Europe and undertakes a long distance journey to the Indian sub-continent. It leaves its breeding grounds from late July and heads in a south-easterly direction, travelling either north or south of the Black Sea. Records in Western Europe may be due to reverse migration, dispersal by immatures or actual migration to another wintering area. However they arrive, these compact beauties are always a delight to see.

1906 – BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
The first occurrence of this Nearctic species involved an example which was shot on the foreshore at North Cotes on 20th September. The bird was by no means shy, and allowed approach to within 30 yards on the open saltings. Noted as singularly resembling a Reeve if it wasn't for its small size little attention would have been paid to it. In total there have been an impressive 25 records (of 27 birds) in Lincolnshire, although it is possible that some records could relate to individuals moving between sites within the County leading to an element of duplication. Equally impressive is the fact that 56% of the sightings have occurred within the last 7 years and the species was seen annually between 2006 and 2011. This included the remarkable totals of 4 in 2006, 5 in 2007 and 3 records of 6 birds in 2011 (the latter including the first multiple records for the County). Since the first bird, ten records have come from the Humber Estuary with 6 of these records coming from just one site – Alkborough Flats. Nine have occurred on the coast between North Cotes and Gibraltar Point and there are two records from The Wash. The first of these at the Witham Mouth on 13th September 1975 was the first modern day record in the County and 69 years since the bird shot at North Cotes. The only other Wash record is a bird seen at the Nene Mouth on 12th August 1999. To complete the picture there have been 3 inland occurrences in successive years. A confiding juvenile was present at Covenham Reservoir from 10th to 12th October 2006 with another (or possibly the same) juvenile then seen at Kenwick Top on 22nd October 2006. Another confiding juvenile was then present at Toft Newton Reservoir from 4th to 5th September 2007. Most records conform to the expected autumn arrival pattern for this species, with 12 in September and 4 in October, and as to be expected, of those aged nearly all were juveniles. There are however, 6 summer/early autumn records with 2 in July and 4 in August, and again of those aged, it is perhaps unsurprising that most were adults, reflecting the earlier arrival dates. There have also been 2 spring records in the County. Spring sightings are irregular in Britain and may refer to previous autumn's birds heading back north. The two Lincolnshire birds were at Cleethorpes Country Park on 31st May 1989 and at Alkborough Flats on 24th May 2009. As indicated above, 2011 brought the first multiple sightings for the County, and these included 2 adults at Horseshoe Point on 14th August, followed by a juvenile found at Donna Nook on 13th September, which then moved to the Rimac/Saltfleet Haven area from 14th September with 2 juveniles present between 19th and 22nd September. To round off an excellent set of records, 2 juveniles were then present at Alkborough Flats on 2nd October (although it is possible these could be the Rimac birds). In former years the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was reduced almost to extinction by shooting in the American Mid-West but, fortunately, it did not go the way of the Eskimo Curlew. Despite this, it has still not made a full recovery and it is estimated that only around 15,000 may remain, compared to former estimates of hundreds of thousands or even millions. Conversely, in Britain and Ireland, there has been a marked upturn in sightings. There were only 30 records prior to 1958, compared to 495 during 1958 to 1985 and it has been annual since 1960. Some years have seen major influxes, and flocks of up to 15 birds have been recorded on the Isles of Scilly (in 1977) and in southern Ireland a remarkable 26 were at Tacumshin, Co. Wexford in September 2011. Buff-breasted Sandpiper was removed from the BBRC list of rarities at the end of 1982. Numbers do fluctuate from year to year and arrivals are no doubt largely governed by the severity of Atlantic depressions during their autumn migration. In their native land, most birds move through the prairies, but small numbers diverge in Canada and pass down the western side of Hudson Bay and across the Great Lakes to New England. They then head out to sea to make a huge transoceanic great circle route flight direct to north-eastern South America and these are presumably the source of our vagrants. Interestingly, owing to its migration routes, the species is rare down much of the United States eastern seaboard and there are several stories of American birders actually ticking the species in Britain!

1906 – RUSTIC BUNTING
On 22nd September a female Rustic Bunting was identified amongst a large number of migrants along the sea-bank at Chapel St. Leonards and formed the first Lincolnshire record. However, even in some early published accounts of Lincolnshire ornithology, this record was considered doubtful by some, and accepted sight records during this period are unusual, with specimens being secured being the norm for the recording period of the time. Despite now exceeding well over 400 British records and being dropped from the list of species considered by the BBRC, Rustic Bunting remains an extreme rarity in the County with just a further 6 birds since the 1906 individual. The first of these was a fine spring male seen at Gibraltar Point on 11th May 1975, which was followed by a second bird for the site in 1978 when a 1st-winter male was trapped on 1st October. A cluster of records occurred in the early 1990s starting with a bird of unknown age/sex seen and photographed at Saltfleetby on the unusual date of 22nd March. Its arrival coincided with an influx of Northern Wheatears, and one had been seen in Belgium the previous day. Gibraltar Points third was found late on the afternoon of 9th May 1993 feeding on the path just seaward of the Bird Observatory. This bird was the first to be truly twitchable in the County and was well received during its stay until 11th May. The third in 3 years was another fine male present at North Cotes from 23rd to 24th May 1994 whilst the last record concerns another unusual early spring occurrence when a female was seen at Saltfleetby on 14th March 2007. First described by Pallas from Transbaikalia in 1776, this handsome bunting is still a much-prized tick. Its early British history began in the trappers’ era and was boosted by the island collectors. Of 26 birds noted up to 1936, only 17 survived later reviews but the first remained the bird trapped near Brighton, Sussex, on 23rd October 1867. The other 16 included a surprising male and female in Aberdeenshire in March 1905 and, in a remarkable forecast of its future main status, three in May and June, seven in September, four in October and one in November. After a dramatic expansion since 1897, over 550,000 pairs of Rustic Buntings were present in Fenno-scandia in 1988 and from 1970 they had begun to breed in Norway, as near to Fair Isle as London is! Although confusion with Little and Reed Buntings has occurred in autumn, field identification of Rustic Bunting is not difficult and is well covered in the latest guides. Early sight records of female/immatures, including the 1906 Lincolnshire bird, must remain doubtful however. Although just 6 years since the last County record, it is 20 years this year since the last truly twitchable individual and we therefore look forward to the next one………………..

1903 – RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL
On 21st September a redstart like bird with bluish grey back and bright blue tail was seen at just a few yards range perched in a hedge near the coast at North Cotes. The bird flew off inland and could not be relocated although much time was spent searching. The blue wings and tail were also noted as an obvious feature in flight. It appeared the same day as 3 Bluethroats at the same location (see Part 3), as well as a general large movement of passerines. The bird was identified as an adult male Red-flanked Bluetail with all plumage details noted and a description recorded. This bird would be the first British record of this species. However, as the bird was not shot, the claim on a British first was reluctantly not pursued due to the lack of a specimen which was in line with recording policy at the time. However, in January 1954 this record came to light and is now recognised as the first British Red-flanked Bluetail. This was the third addition to the British list at North Cotes in 7 years, a remarkable record. The second county record occurred 75 years later when a first-winter female was seen by just one lucky observer at Donna Nook on 10th October 1978. The third county record involved a female/immature captured in a mist net at Crook Bank, Theddlethorpe at 12:00hrs on 12th October 1988. A description and measurements were taken and in hand photographs were obtained. The bird was released in the hawthorn bushes adjacent to the ringing site but was not seen subsequently. The arrival of this bird followed near gale-force south-easterly winds overnight with a belt of heavy rain, but clear conditions in the morning resulting in large movements of thrushes and continental migrants arriving in the dunes. A Yellow-browed Warbler had been found in the same mist-net as the Bluetail just one hour earlier. These last two birds were also the 8th and 11th British records respectively. The fourth record also proved to be the first twitchable bird in Lincolnshire. Found on 22nd October 1999 in a small group of Sycamores at Skegness North End, initially feeding in the canopy, it eventually revealed itself when observed lower down around some ivy at the base of a Sycamore trunk. News was released, and the bird showed well for the rest of the day and into the following day (23rd October) and was seen by many observers and superbly photographed. It was reported that it may have been taken by a Sparrowhawk on the afternoon of 23rd as the bird was never seen again after it was seen being chased by the hawk. This bird formed the 25th British record. There have been a further 3 Red-flanked Bluetails seen in Lincolnshire (making a very impressive tally of 7 in total) as follows: A fem/1st-winter bird showed rather well in the ringing hollow at Gibraltar Point from 15th to 16th November 2002 (At the time this bird made Lincolnshire the second most favoured county for the species, second only to Shetland with 7 records), a 1st-winter male well watched and photographed at Chapel Six Marshes on 6th November 2008 and just two days later a 1st-winter trapped and ringed at Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR on 8th November 2008. Twenty years ago, in 1993 a Red-flanked Bluetail at Winspit, Dorset, which stayed for ten days, drew huge crowds as the first widely twitched bird. Since then, records have been almost annual and have averaged more than two a year. Up to the end of 2011 there are 112 accepted records in Britain. The increase seems likely to be linked to recent expansion in the west of the species’ range in Finland, where breeding was first recorded in 1949 but where a record 310 territories were found in the north and east of the Country in May and June 2009. In addition the first ever breeding in Norway occurred in 2011 with two pairs in Finmark in June and July. Most recording areas from Shetland to Kent and south-west England have now hosted a Red-flanked Bluetail. A male on Bardsey in 2007 (only the second away from the east coast) was also unusual in that it was an adult male. There have been 5 other autumn males in Britain (including the above British/Lincolnshire first) but most autumn records have to go down as ‘first-winter or female’, as reliable separation of these age classes is difficult. Other than two of the adult males, which were caught, all autumn birds which have been trapped and for which age has been reported have been first-winters. Several recent records have noted blue on parts of the plumage other than the tail, but it is not clear whether this makes them first-year males or adult females, as both can show traces of blue. There have now been a few spring records in Britain, although as some were so early in the year, it seems highly likely that they were birds that had wintered somewhere in western or southern Europe and were heading north. Just across the North Sea a Red-flanked Bluetail successfully wintered in the Netherlands at Zandvoort from 3rd January to 23rd February 2007 and another wintered in Girona, Spain from 26th December 2010 until 23rd January 2011. Another interesting record concerns the first record for Portugal, found dead at Faro on 12th January 2012 which had been ringed at Utklippan, Sweden on 15th October 2011. Any seen later in the spring could of course be spring overshoots, linked with its westward expansion in northern Europe, although as with many Taiga breeders birds do not generally arrive on their breeding grounds until late in the spring. Interestingly the latest arrival in Britain was the above Gibraltar Point bird in 2002. This is no longer the extreme rarity that it once was, but it is surely still near the top of almost everyone’s dream find list.

1902 – HONEY BUZZARD
Although there is no doubt that several Honey Buzzards have occurred in the County from the mid nineteenth century, trying to decipher those sightings documented in the literature is no easy task. There seems to be conflicting information between some sources and as the arrival of some birds have not been allocated a specific month, location or even year, establishing which month to place the first Lincolnshire Honey Buzzard in has been tricky. September seems a pretty safe bet however, and wishing to play it really safe, the first bird allocated a specific date and location occurred in 1902. But before getting to this record, a summary of the pre 1902 sightings should be listed for completeness. The first documented record of Honey Buzzard for Lincolnshire is that of a bird obtained from the Scotton District about 1850, the specimen of which was present in Lincoln Museum. Some literature refers to an autumn record from the Spalding district, but with no mention of any detail. Perhaps this record, however, could refer to a bird received for preservation at the University of Durham in 1881 which had been obtained in 'South Linconshire, last October', therefore presumably relating to October 1880. This bird was noted as being a fine dark plumaged specimen and a male. In some early 20th Century literature reference is also made to a bird shot 'some years ago' but with no dates or location, although it is noted as being retained in Derby Museum. On checking some published information it is presumed this record fell between the period 1886-1896, and could therefore refer to a record of a bird from Spalding Marsh in September c. 1895. Some sources refer to four birds having been seen in autumn 1886, all in September, one of which was shot at Market Rasen. However, the only Market Rasen record referred to by some is a bird shot (and retained in Lincoln Museum) in 1896, so presumably these relate to different records? Thankfully, the pattern of occurrence of this species in the county become much clearer from then on and leads to the first fully documented County record with specific dates and location. This was the bird at Donna Nook on 29th September 1902 which was followed soon after by a bird at Tathwell on 10th October 1903 and then in 1908 two were shot in the Grantham district and one near Lincoln in September and October. Twenty-nine years elapsed before the next Honey Buzzard was recorded in the county when one was seen at Limber on 30th June 1947. This was then followed by two more summer records. A bird was trapped and secured, uninjured, by a gamekeeper on an estate at Horkstow on 1st July 1951. It was seen by others in captivity on 3rd July and said to be feeding well, but just as efforts were in progress to secure its release, it unfortunately died in captivity on 6th July. This bird was followed, just a few years later, by another summer record, at Limber from 2nd to 3rd July 1955. There were then no further records until a bird was recorded flying south over Tetney on 30th September 1967, which was to become the first of more regular sightings in the County, and since this bird few years have failed to produce a Honey Buzzard sighting. This increase may of course be partly down to an increase in observer coverage, particularly along the coast. There was one further record during the 1960's – two birds flew south-west at Donna Nook on 18th September 1969. Into a new decade, the 1970s produced 10 records including 4 in 1976. The majority were coastal sightings during the autumn period (between 7th August and 5th October) and there were just two in spring; a bird at Gibraltar Point on 27th April 1973 (the second earliest for the County) and one at Tetney on 17th May 1976. The 1980s produced a further 18 records with a peak of 5 in 1980 including two together at Saltfleetby on 20th September. Coastal sightings again predominated, however 6 spring sightings (4 in May and one in June) showed and increase for this time of year and there were also two unusual summer records in 1983; at Boston on 16th July and Tetney on 29th July. All autumn records fell between 30th August and 13th October. A distinct change in occurrence was experienced during the 1990s with an impressive total of 47 records, which included 11 both in 1993 and 1995 with 8 seen in 1999. Spring records became more frequent with a total of 14 records and this included an exceptional 6 in spring 1995 between 30th April and 30th May. A bird seen at Gibraltar Point on 26th April 1994 became the earliest ever for the County beating the previous in 1973 by a day. Autumn passage was still largely concentrated between mid-August and September with two birds into early October. In autumn 1993 an arrival of 10 birds was noted from mid-September (an exceptional number at the time) associated with strong easterly winds over the North Sea from 12th to 14th. This influx included 4 at Gibraltar Point on 14th September – a County record. There was still a predominance of coastal sightings, with just 7 inland and 6 from around the Wash. Some unusual summer records were again noted. In 1991, a bird which spent some time on a garden lawn at Theddlethorpe in 'mid summer' proved to be a male Honey Buzzard. Another was seen at Gibraltar Point on 11th July 1992 and one was inland at Bonby Carrs on 2nd July 1996. The arrival of the new millennium brought a re-writing of the record books for Honey Buzzards in Lincolnshire. A single spring bird in 2000 conformed to recent patterns, but did not prepare observers for the events that unfolded in the autumn, and as usual with migration it was all down to the weather. Favourable conditions in southern Scandinavia and the Baltic no doubt encouraged birds to start their onward autumn migration, only to be confronted by a northward moving front with reduced visibility and heavy rain in mid-September. And with a spell of south-easterly winds around the North Sea these displaced birds hit the east coast full on, with the majority of this movement seen between Northumberland and Lincolnshire. The autumn total of 97 birds in the county exceeded the total for the previous 150 years! Such was the scale of the movement through Lincs that on the peak day, September 20th, a minimum of 44 Honey-buzzards were seen, over half the county total to 1999. The first arrivals were both on 17th September with one in off the sea at Huttoft and a bird south-east at Gibraltar Point. The morning of the 20th saw one of the most amazing birding spectacles to hit the county. Juvenile Honey-buzzards appeared to be coming in off the sea and turning south-west as they headed inland low over the fields. Four were picked up in the first two hours of daylight at Saltfleetby but observers at Gibraltar Point witnessed the spectacle full on with 22 birds passing by 10:45 and a day total of 25 individuals. The most impressive flock of six birds was watched moving south over the fields inland from the reserve. The largest single flock of the whole invasion concerned seven birds seen together at Cherry Willingham heading west towards Lincoln. A further arrival of birds in the clear anticyclonic weather of the 25-27th included a total of seven moving south over Laughton Forest on 25th. From the first at Huttoft on 17th September to the last south at Gibraltar Point on 4th October, 13 dates recorded Honey Buzzards from 33 sites (10 coastal and 22 inland) and all involved juveniles heading in a southerly direction. Although not witnessing any further significant influxes, the period 2001 to 2007 still produced an impressive 58 records in Lincolnshire, which is still well above average. In 2008 a single spring bird was seen with one north over Skidbrooke and Saltfleetby on 28th May. However, in mid-September, similar weather patterns to those experienced in 2000 began to develop. With good conditions in Scandinavia, coupled with very strong easterly winds and bad weather in the North Sea, it looked like the once in a lifetime events of 8 years previous were about to be repeated. Although not quite on the scale of 2000, the 61 autumn records were still exceptional and started with 2 birds south at Donna Nook on 13th September, with two further arrivals in the county the same day. The main influx continued through to 21st September with birds recorded on all dates in this period, from 18 sites (5 inland and 13 coastal). The peak day for passage was 14th September with 35 birds reported from 7 sites and including 6 over Frampton Marsh and 16 over Gibraltar Point (the latter being the second highest day count ever). The final bird of the autumn was seen at Gibraltar on the rather late date of 27th October. Lightening had struck twice! To round off the decade 3 birds (2 coastal birds in spring and an inland bird in autumn) were seen in 2009 making a grand total of 221 Honey Buzzard records for the period 2000-2009 which equates to an impressive 71% of the county total. A remarkable statistic. To complete the round up, 2010 and 2011 produced 8 and 6 records respectively involving both spring and autumn birds and conforming to the recent emerging pattern of occurrences.



Part 3 to follow soon..........

Matthew