May 2009 Bird Report

May weather was better this year than the previous two, so hopefully breeding birds will do better. Lower numbers of migrants, but some nice local rarities among them.

Canada Geese have hatched several more broods, and few more young Egyptian Geese appeared; as have two families of Greylag goslings. A couple of sightings of Shelducks, one of 3 together, and a wandering Muscovy Duck hung around for a couple of weeks. Plenty of activity from the residents ducks (Mallard, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks), but only Mallard young have appeared. Three boxes of Mandarin Ducks have hatched; and laying has started again in one of these. A lonely male Wigeon has been present all month.

Hobbies have been present since at least the 3rd. The pair of Kestrels had disappeared some weeks ago, but returned toward the end of the month. The juvenile Peregrine also put in a few appearances during the month. The Little Owls have been seen with food for young and it is likely that the Barn Owls also have young.

Common Tern numbers stabilised at around 20 with about 7 nests. The Black-headed Gulls have approximately 75 nests. A Whiskered Tern* visited briefly on the 2nd, and a Black Tern on the 13th and 31st.

Probably 4 pairs of Little Ringed Plover and at least 4 of Redshank have attempted to breed, but no evidence of success yet. A couple of Lapwing nests hatched, but a Sparrowhawk took some young. A Snipe was still present until, at least, the 11th. A sprinkling of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers passed through during the month and Common Sandpipers were present until the 15th. Three Whimbrel dropped in on the 1st, a Sanderling on the 13th and a Grey Plover on the 30th and the 31st, being the first since 1999.

Cuckoos were seen a few times at the beginning of the month, but few indications of any latterly. Swallows, Martins and Swifts have been around in steady numbers, but nothing outstanding. However a sighting of a Red-rumped Swallow* at the west end of the workings on the 6th (?) is a site first. The first Whinchat of the year was rerecorded on the 13th.

Warblers seem to be doing well and the first Lesser Whitethroat was heard by the river on the 9th. Nearly all the small nestboxes have been used, with Great Tits taking the majority. A pair of Yellowhammers remains, despite the digging activities in their vicinity.

* - Subject to acceptance.

My unofficial count of species recorded so far in 2009 is 124, including the escaped Snow and Barnacle Geese.

As always, please report your own sightings on the record sheets in Colebrook Hide or send them to Ian Brown, the Moor Green Bird Recorder.

Bruce Archer