Second UK record of Black-winged Kite pulls birders into Gloucestershire - then goes AWOL

 

Black-winged Kite - as depicted in Gould's Birds of Europe

IT has been destination Gloucestershire this week for birders eager to catch a glimpse of a vagrant  Black-winged Kite.

It is thought to be only the second UK record - the first being in Montgomeryshire in April 2023 and subsequently, three months later, in various parts of East Anglia.

A medium-sized raptor, its is not globally rare, being found widely in sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian sub-continent and increasingly in South-east Asia.  

It is spreading its range and is now familiar in many parts of Europe, including the Netherlands.

Some believe the two UK birds could be 'pioneers', heralding more sightings in the years to come  (as with Collared Doves and Little Egrets). 

Nineteenth-century writer-artist John Gould has some interesting words about the species in his Birds of Europe (1837).

"When we consider the wide range of this beautiful species, scattered as it is over all the temperate and warmer portions of the Old World, it is a matter of no surprise that its capture has of late years been so frequent in Europe. 

"It is abundantly dispersed along the banks of the Nile, and, in fact the whole of Africa and India is inhabited by it.

"Spain, Italy, and the Grecian Islands are the portions of our quarter of the globe most frequented by the Black-winged Kite, but there are also  instances on record of its having been captured in the middle of Germany.:

"In all probability, however, no part of Europe affords it a permanent residence.

"It must, therefore, be regarded  merely as an irregular visitor which has crossed the Mediterranean from the opposite shores of Africa. 

"From the great length of its wings, together with its short and feathered tarsi, we are led to infer that it is capable of rapid and powerful flight, and that it possesses the power of remaining suspended in the air for a great length of time.

"Its food consists principally of insects, chiefly captured in the air, to which are sparingly added lizards, frogs, snakes, and birds.

"The sexes are very much alike in colour, but the female is said to be rather larger than her mate.

"The young of the first autumn may be distinguished from the adults by their having the back strongly tinged with brown, and the end of each feather encircled with buffy white; the sides of the chest brown, and the feathers on the breast streaked down the centre with dark brown.

"The adult has the head and the whole of the back of a fine grey; the centre of the wings black; the primaries and secondaries greyish brown, with lighter grey edges."

Meanwhile, back in Gloucestershire, this week's Kite was variously  seen on Wednesday and Thursday at Splatts Bridge, Saul Worth and Frampton-on-Severn, but it is proving elusive and may now have left the county.

As of noon, there had been no confirmed sightings today. 

RSPB identifies recreational disturbance as 'key cause' for 2024 breeding flop of Slavonian Grebes and Dotterel

                                                           

Slavonian Grebe - population dip at former breeding stronghold on Scottish loch

A NOTE of real concern has been sounded on the declining breeding status of  three species associated with upland habitats.

According to the RSPB's report for its nature reserves, the species that fared "particularly badly" in 2024 were;

* Ring Ouzel

* Slavonian Grebe

* Dotterel

Says the report: "Ring Ouzels declined to an all-time low on those of our reserves where they are  monitored.

"Numbers of Slavonian Grebes fell to their lowest level in modern times on the whole of Loch Ruthven, near Inverness.

"And there were no breeding Dotterels recorded for the first time on the area of the Cairngorms plateau covered by our Abernethy reserve."

It continues: " Recreational disturbance is likely to be a key cause of the decline in the last two species, with climate change also a cause of concern for the future of Dotterel."

On the plus side, last year saw populations of Bitterns, Cranes, Spoonbills and Great White Egrets continued to increase in both number and range. 

Says the report: "These rare wetland birds make use of the high-quality wetland habitat created and maintained on RSPB nature reserves."

Meanwhile,  Capercaillie and Black Grouse numbers increased, while, outside reserves, site-specific interventions proved successful at maintaining the breeding populations of under-pressure ground-nesting birds such as Corncrakes, beach-nesting Ringed Plovers and other waders such as Curlews.

The RSPB says Roseate Terns had a productive breeding season at Coquet Island, off Northumberland  - their main UK breeding colony - but populations of Sandwich, Arctic, Common and especially Little Terns were all low on RSPB reserves.

Meanwhile,  productivity has also been "very poor" for two wet grassland-breeding species -  Black-tailed Godwits and Stone Curlew.

                                      

Dotterel - no longer breeding on Cairngorms plateau near Aviemore (photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Ring Ouzels are now at an all-time breeding low on RSPB reserves

                                           

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Single feather from bird thought to be extinct sells for much higher than expected at Yorkshire auction

The feather that 'took flight' at saleroom in Yorkshire 

A SINGLE feather from a bird thought to be extinct has sold at auction for more than double the highest pre-sale estimate.

The feather from an Ivory-billed Woodpecker was Lot 126 at the sale held earlier this month by Tennants of Leyburn in Yorkshire.

Bids were expected in a range between £80 and £120 but, in the event, it was not until £280 was reached that the hammer fell.

A note in the catalogue states: "Presumed extinct as of 1987, the  Ivory-billed Woodpecker is a species native to the southern United States and Cuba.

"Habitat destruction and hunting have reduced populations so severely that the last universally accepted sighting in the United States was in 1944, and the last universally accepted sighting in Cuba was in 1987. 

"In the 21st century, reported sightings and other evidence that the species persists in Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida, have been published, but the validity of these reports are disputed, with many sources arguing that the bird  is likely to be extinct. 

"Habitat protection and restoration efforts have been initiated in areas where the species might persist."

The feather came with a portrait and signed letter confirming the species and provenance from the vendor, Errol Fuller.

The identity of the successful bidder has not been revealed.

'Extinct' woodpecker and feather

RSPB recruiting for assistant warden at its Insh Marshes reserve on the edge of the Cairngorms mountain range

                                                      

The RSPB's Insh Marshes reserve in the Scottish Highlands

WOULD-BE candidates have until this Sunday August 17 to apply for the role of assistant warden at the RSPB's Insh Marshes reserve near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands.

The post carries a salary of between £27,123 and £28,956 per annum.

Says the job description: "This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the biggest and most naturally functioning floodplain wetland in Britain.

"Insh Marshes reserve is flanked by the stunning Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountain ranges. 

"The reserve is home to a fantastic array of habitats, including sedge fen, wet grassland and woodland, and an incredible array of wildlife, including breeding waders, Spotted Crake and Osprey, wintering Hen Harrier and Whooper Swan, and nationally important populations of invertebrates.

"This role will include delivering wetland and woodland management along with the upkeep of reserve infrastructure which will entail habitat and practical estate management and managing and working with volunteers. 

"You will need to be an excellent communicator because this role will involve working alongside a wide range of audiences including graziers, neighbours and reserve visitors. 

"The post holder will work closely with (and manage) local and residential volunteers therefore enthusiasm and experience of working with volunteers is essential."

The RSPB is  looking to conduct interviews for this position from September 4, 2025. 

"For further information, contact julie.ellis@rspb.org.uk 

Research on migratory geese suggests attachment of GPS tracking tags could create survival risk

                                    

Tundra Bean Geese - research species for Chinese ornithologists 

DO GPS tracking tags put birds at survival risk?

The question is prompted by Chinese ornithologists who, following research  in China's Poyang Lake region, have identified apparent peril for migratory geese.

In a report in the journal, Ecology and Evolution, they say that  tracking devices were discovered significantly to influence survival outcomes of the two species chosen for the experiment, Tundra Bean Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese.

Those fitted with neckband tags had higher survival rates than those fitted with backpack tags.

The researchers' report states: "This finding resonates with recent biomechanical studies demonstrating that dorsal-mounted backpack devices substantially alter avian aerodynamics by shifting the centre of mass and increasing drag coefficients, thereby elevating flight energy expenditure 

" A study  on Northern Bald Ibises demonstrated that back-mounted trackers (secured via wing loops above the back) significantly reduced their migratory flight distance. 

"The neckband design used in our study offers several biomechanical advantages over backpack-style tags. 

"Unlike backpacks, neckbands avoid contact with wings and major muscle groups, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and minimizing interference with flight mechanics. 

"This design also prevents constriction of the thoracic cavity, which may be critical during periods of intense metabolic activity, such as pre-migration staging and sustained flight. 

"While initial behavioural impacts of neckband tags (e.g., increased preening) typically subside within six days post-deployment, backpack devices may impose chronic physiological costs through altered gait mechanics and feather abrasion during prolonged use.

"It is theoretically plausible that backpack-style harnesses may restrict thoracic expansion during hyperphagic periods prior to migration, potentially limiting fat accumulation and energy reserves.

" Although our study did not directly assess this hypothesis, future research could explore this mechanism through comparative studies of pre-migration body condition in tagged versus untagged birds. 

"This could help clarify the physiological costs associated with different tagging methods during critical staging periods. 

"Although our study provides evidence that neckband tags are associated with higher post-release survival compared to backpack tags, it is important to note that this conclusion is based on a relatively modest sample size (17 neckband, 20 backpack). 

"While consistent with prior biomechanical research, these findings should warrant replication in future studies with larger sample sizes and additional species to assess potential interspecific variation in response to device type."

The full report can be read at : The Fragile First Year: GPS Tracking Identifies Post‐Release Survival Risks in Migratory Geese - Zhang - 2025 - Ecology and Evolution - Wiley Online Library

South African artist's impressive study of grouse achieved only modest hammer price at Lincolnshire auction

                                                        

As a South African who now lives in Australia, artist Simon Barlow probably has only a limited following in Britain. Hence the unspectacular  price achieved for this original painting of grouse when it went under the hammer at a sale in Louth, Lincolnshire, last week.  Auction house John Taylors had a pre-sale estimate of between £70 and £100 for the gouache painting which measures  66.5cm x 80cm and was included in a frame. In the event, the hammer came down at the lower end of the range - £75. Barlow, incidentally, is the illustrator  of Gamebirds of Southern Africa.  

                                  

          

Bygone birding: John Gould applauds Dotterel for its 'succulency and flavour'

                                                    

Cute (and tasty) - the illustration of Dotterel in John Gould's book

Below is an extract of John Gould's account of the Dotterel in Volume 1 (1873) of The Birds of Great Britain:

From the unmistakable evidence of actual dissection, I have ascertained that the largest and most richly coloured birds are females, and that their average weight is about five  ounces while the comparatively dull-coloured birds, rarely exceeding  four ounces are males. 

I have often thought that the state of plumage in which they arrive in the spring is merely a seasonal dress, and that their winter garb is not characterised by that rich colouring. 

It would appear, too, that the young of both sexes, during their first autumn, are destitute of these colours and have the head of a nearly uniform brown.

A history of the Dotterel would be sadly incomplete without a passing sentence on the value of the bird as an article of food and of commerce. 

During its vernal migration, the Dotterel has from time immemorial been captured and shot for the purposes of the table.

Great numbers are annually forwarded to London where, in spring, it may be seen gracing the shops of the respectable poulterers, such as Mr. Bailey, of Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, and Mr. Fisher, of Duke Street, Piccadilly. 

The Dotterel in the month of May, when the London season is at its height, and game prohibited, is quite a godsend to the epicure, competing with the fattened Quail and Ortolan, both of which, in my opinion, it far surpasses in succulency and flavour.

Indeed, I think it may be regarded as the very finest of the British birds for the table, the Snipe, Woodcock, and Grouse not excepted. 

A gift of such has been, and still is deemed, worthy of royalty. Whoever may have an opportunity of partaking of this delicious viand will not be disappointed.

The autumnal migration of these birds does not afford the same opportunities for procuring them as that of spring, for they return more irregularly.

Neither do they keep so exclusively to the downs, but disperse more generally over the country; few autumn-killed birds are therefore seen in our markets.

Though perhaps not so swift as that of the Golden Plover, the flight of the Dotterel is extremely rapid.

When disturbed, they take long flights for a mile or more, and then, suddenly wheeling round, often return to the spot whence they bad risen. 

The usual mode of shooting them is to walk quickly round the trip, and gradually to diminish the circle until within range, when they become confused and are readily killed. 

They move over the ground with great rapidity, grace and elegance characterising all their movements. 

They so love to dust themselves in the fallows or on the hillsides, that a friend of mine, the late Mr. Hewitt of Reading, informed me he had frequently seen them cover themselves entirely, with the exception of the head, by scratching the dust over them.