BYGONE BIRDING (1902) : BRITAIN'S FIRST SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF BY WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE

                                                

IN October 1902 I received from the Sule Skerry lighthouse, a lonely rock-station situated out in the Atlantic and some 33 miles west of Orkney, an example of a Phylloscopus which had been captured at the lantern a short time previously, namely on the night of September 23. 

In order to preserve this specimen until such time as it was possible to despatch it to the mainland, the bird had been immersed in methylated spirit, and reached me in a sodden state.

On examination I found that it was a Chiffchaff, but its condition did not then allow me to detect the differences between the European and Asiatic species. 

Fortunately, however, I had the specimen preserved, and, having recently received a Chiffchaff from Fair Isle, I was led to examine the  lighthouse bird and other material relating to the genus. 

I then found that my old friend of 1902 was not the British and ordinary European species, but the bird known as the Siberian Chiffchaff, the Phylloscopus tristis. 

This was an interesting discovery, for the species has not been detected in Western Europe, not even on that wonderful island, Heligoland which has furnished so many surprises for ornithologists, especially those who are interested in the phenomenon of bird migration.

This new British bird is a summer visitor to North-eastern Europe and finds its western limit in the valley of the River Petchora where it was discovered by Messrs. J.A. Harvie-Brown and H. Seebohm during their notable investigations into the birds of that little-known region. 

Eastwards, the last-named naturalist found it nesting in the valley of the Yenesei, and it also occurs in summer in the highlands of Kashmir.

In winter, it is widely distributed over India, being only absent from the southern portion of the peninsula. 

The only record known to me for Europe, beyond the Petchora and Eastern Russia, is one for the river Po in Italy, as mentioned by Eduardo in  Avicula  in 1898.

In plumage, Phylloscopus tristis resembles our Chiffchaff  but is browner above and has the underparts buff, paler on the chin, throat, and abdomen.

The bill and legs are darker, the latter being blackish brown. 

It differs also from the Common Chiffchaff in its song which is loud but not musical.

Its nest was found by Henry Seebohm on the Lower Yenesei.

One which he describes was situated in the branches of an alder about 4 feet from the ground, and was semi-domed, composed of grass and lined with grouse feathers. 

The eggs are white, spotted with dark purple, and are large for the size of the bird.

* Photo: Bird seen in India (J.M.Garg via Wikipedia)

HUMBER NATURE CONFERENCE: JACKSON SAGE, WES PAYNE, LUCAS MANDER & LUCY MITCHELL

                                 

Golden plover and other birds in flight over The Humber near Grimsby dock tower

Between 50 and 60 delegates 'zoomed'  in to this week's  informative and entertaining Humber Nature Partnership conference to discover the latest research data from this globally-important estuary. There were four  outstanding speakers, and the proceedings were expertly 'compered' by host-for-the-morning Daryl Burdon. 

   Jackson Sage: The Problems of Bird Disturbance

                         

Almost all British wildlife is all-too-familiar with human disturbance.

Sometimes it is intermittent only, but, at other times, it is relentless - in which case it flees the scene.

In his absorbing presentation, Jackson Sage reviewed the most pressing threats - from jet-skis to free-roaming dogs - and their impact.

At the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's showcase at Far Ings, near Barton-upon-Humber, off-road bikers are almost of daily concern.

A growing problem in summer is the use of disposable barbecues - sometimes in areas of dry grass or other vegetation and sometimes even inside wooden bird-watching hides.

On the plus side, the installation of signage seems to have reduced the problem of off-road vehicles at East Halton Skitter, near Immingham, and talks with paraglider organisations have had a positive outcome.

Said Jackson: "We want people to enjoy the estuary and its surroundings, but we also them to behave responsibly and be respectful of Nature."

Wes Payne: Nocturnal Surveys on The Humber Estuary

Artificial light in heavily industrialised estuaries could be helping wading birds according to Wes Payne.

"They are better able to detect not just food but also approaching predators," he declared.

Wes, a final-year PhD student at Hull University, provided fascinating insights (and photographs) on night ornithology and the equipment he uses - some of it customarily targeted at the ghost-hunting market.

For instance, he likes to carry firstly a £799 Sony video camera with an £185 infrared illuminator and secondly  a £1,5000 Pulsar Axion xm 305 thermal camera.

Night-videoing tends to be of notably low quality in moist conditions but identification of species is generally good.

Meanwhile, because it detects heat, thermal equipment is excellent for detecting creatures that are hidden or camouflaged, but species-identification is tricky (except with long-billed birds such curlews and oystercatchers.

It is hoped that, after he has completed his studies in October, Wes' thesis will be published on the Hull University website.

--

 Lucas Mander: Curlew Movements on The Humber

The life of over-wintering estuary curlews was the subject of Dr Lucas Mander - a long-time student of this iconic species.

From locations such as Kilnsea, near Spurn, and the Welwick pools and saltmarsh, he has amassed a wealth of data about the feeding activities and habitat - on mud or grass - of these birds which tend to be faithful to specific sites.

Cannon-nets, colour rings and geolocators are all part of the tools of his trade as a researcher.

"Because they live to ages of between 10 and 20, they give us plenty of opportunity to provide great data,"he commented.

Questioned by a conference delegate, he noted that the curlews seen on or near the Humber are not UK breeders but fly here from their nesting territories in Scandinavia - chiefly Finland or Sweden - and North-east Russia.

 Lucy Mitchell: Tracking Our Flying Visitors

The conference was concluded by Dr Lucy Mitchell who emphasised the often-overlooked importance of small birds and bats as "pest regulators and pollinators".

An expert on migrants, and an attendee at conventions on migratory species, she is now at the forefront of UK initiatives to introduce the relatively new Canada-developed Motus tracking technology.

It is now at a pioneering stage in no fewer than 31 countries, with transmitter stations at Spurn and in East Anglia and the South-east.

She cited an example of a wheatear that was first detected on Heligoland, then "bumbling about" in Germany before flying to Suffolk.

Other records were of a starling that flew down the Dutch coast before crossing to the UK and of a robin that flew from Denmark to Kent.

In time, it is hoped that Motus will provide precision  data about the migration routes of rarer species such as yellow-browed warblers and two of Lucy's favourites, nightjar and turtle dove.

Long-term, it is hoped that the technology might be attached to the towers of wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, to track how bats and birds, such as migrating redwings and waxwings, interact with them.

"Motus is an exciting development," enthused Lucy. "It is a great way to engage people with the many fascinating facets of migration." 

Reports by Jim Wright

                                                                 

Curlews that over-winter on the Humber mostly breed in  Scandinavia

Hide closed due to vandalism - an all-too-regular occurrence at Far Ings

Above and below:  Wes Payne's night-captured images of a fox on the estuary wall footpath at Pyewipe, Grimsby, and two owls - a tawny (left) and short-eared perusing the saltmarsh for prey (possibly including small waders)

                                                                                     

Wheatear - travels tracked by Motus

BOOM IN 'STAYCATION' HOLIDAYS COULD HAVE SERIOUS DOWNSIDE FOR BIRDS AND WILDLIFE

This drone at the Humberston Fitties pools frightened off redshank and godwits

                                                                    

FEARS have been sounded that a likely surge in 'staycations' during 2021 could have an impact on birds and other wildlife in many parts of Britain including the Humber Estuary.

Says Jackson Sage of the Humber Nature Partnership: "We are likely to see a huge increase in recreational disturbance during the course of this year."

Disturbance can be categorised  activities that cause:

* Change in behaviour of wildlife (e.g. taking flight, alarm calls, cessation of feeding, leaving nest)

* Damage to habitat (e.g. trampling of saltmarsh/sand dunes/seagrass, flytipping)

* Physical harm or death of wildlife

Jackson Sage- plea for respect

Mr Sage continues: "June 2020 saw the end of the first national Covid lockdown, and with this came a huge influx of both tourists and residents to areas located on or near the Humber Estuary. 

"Although the vast majority enjoyed their visit with no noticeable impact on the protected species and habitats, the Humber Management Scheme received over 40 reports of recreational disturbance between June and December last year."

These included:

* Illegal use of motorbikes and quadbikes through nature reserves and on floodbanks

* Jet skis riding at speed through rafts of wildfowl

* Drones flying low and fast over protected sites where rare species make their home

* Very low paramotor flights over wildfowl hotspots

* Dogs off lead causing birds to take flight and leave the area

* Illegal poaching

* Numerous fly-tipping events

* Walkers disturbing seals that have hauled themselves on to the beach to rest.

According to Mr Sage, particular concerns include the use of disposable barbecue in areas of  dry grass or even in wood-constructed bird hides.

Due to the sheer scale of the Humber Estuary European Marine Site, the Humber Nature Partnership relies on both members of the public and its partners, including the police, to make it aware of these issues. 

Ends Mr Sage: "We want people to enjoy coast and countryside but we appeal for them to do so respectfully and responsibly."

* A recreational disturbance form can be accessed via http://www.humbernature.co.uk/contact/observation            

                                                               

Like a giant raptor - a hanglider circles over RSPB Tetney Marshes

                                     

Waders and gulls are fearful of roosting on this rock groyne in Cleethorpes because the drone is perceived as a predator

Habitat has been degraded at East Halton Skitter by off-road biking - and the noise is an additional deterrent to birdlife

IS THIS END OF THE ROAD FOR MARK AVERY'S LIVELY - AND CONTROVERSIAL - DAILY BLOG?

Mark Avery - witty and entertaining 

ONE of Britain's foremost - and most controversial - writers on wildlife and politics has revealed that he is to wind down his popular daily blog.

Says Mark Avery, a former head of conservation at the RSPB: "In about two months’ time this blog will downsize considerably.

"This will be for at least several months and quite possibly for ever."

Northamptonshire-based Dr Avery, an expert on pipistrelle bats, is known for his vehement opposition to driven grouse shooting which he blames for numerous environmental ills, not least illegal persecution of raptors such as hen harriers.

He has also regularly locked horns with Natural England over what he believes to inadequate stewardship of its brief to save Nature.

He is a pal of broadcaster Chris Packham and co-director of Wild Justice which they set up jointly with raptor-expert Ruth Tingay.

Writing on his blog today, Dr Avery continues: "I intend to fill the time freed up by spending far less time blogging.

"Why two months’ time? Because then I will have been blogging here (with the help of many other contributors) for a whole decade. 

"That’s a fair stint (as Temminck once said) and I am fairly amazed that during that period the readership has grown steadily. 

"It is fair to say that there is nothing very similar to this blog anywhere else in the UK that provides news and  commentary across a similarly large range of conservation issues, with a mixture of images, poems, guest blogs and cartoons. 

"I wish there were someone else doing this - then I could read their blog!"

He adds: "How am I going to spend the time freed up? I will spend more time walking around Stanwick Lakes this spring. 

"I will grow tomatoes, I will write a book and start some others, I will happily devote more time to the growing work of Wild Justice and continue to devote time to being Chair of the World Land Trust. 

"And I might snooze more in the afternoons!"

HOPING TO PULL IN THE WADERS - PLANS UNVEILED FOR PROPOSED MITIGATION SITE NEAR GRIMSBY

 

What more welcoming a habitat for wading birds - layout of the proposed reserve

PLANS have this  week been unveiled for anew wetland birds reserve proposed for  land  in North East Lincolnshire.

The reserve - to be known as Novartis Ings - is just outside Grimsbhy  on agricultural fields  totalling 17.1  hectares and adjacent to the Novartis chemicals factory.

It is hoped that the site will provide wading, roosting and possibly breeding habitat for thousands of declining wader bird species such as curlews, godwits, redshank and plovers.                                                  

Curlews - a species that likes plenty of space

The scheme has been designed by expert Roger Wardle who did likewise for the Cress Marsh reserve near Stallingborough, also in North East Lincolnshire. 

Assuming planning permission is granted, Novartis Ings reserve will be managed by North East Lincolnshire Council.

It is hoped that the proposed installation of CCTV will provide at least a measure of security for the hide from the ever-present threat of vandalism.                                                

The proposed hide from which wildlife enthusiasts will be able to watch the birds

PRIME MINISTER CHAMBERLAIN WAS PROBABLY RIGHT - WINTER WADER REALLY WAS A COMMON SANDPIPER!

WHEN former  British prime minister Neville Chamberlain once claimed to have seen (and heard) a common sandpiper in winter, he was probably disbelieved by many fellow-ornithologists of the late-1930s.

After all, the species is typically a summer species, so why would one want to brave our wintry weather alongside the lake in St James' Park, London - the location, just a short walk from 10 Downing Street, of Chamberlain's bird.

Fast forward to 1976 when it was reckoned that some 100 birds had wintered in southern counties. So perhaps, after all,  the PM's identification was accurate.

The figure of 100 is noted in a superb book, Common & Spotted Sandpipers, by Phil Holland, a gifted writer and expert on both species, who reckons a typical winter habitat is "a few kilometres up a tidal river where they lurk under banks".

Significantly, he has first-hand experience as he describes thus: "During a vey cold spell of weather on a day with a bitter north wind but a clear sky, I watched one at high tide that was on the south-facing bank snuggled in dry grass. 

"When it flew off to feed as the tide went down, the depression it left was warm to touch. 

"They have no competition for birds as they are usually the only shorebirds there. 

"Their peck-rate suggests they get food reasonably easily."

Peck-rate?! There's an unusual concept.

Yet such is the intensity of Holland's research and his attention to detail that he is able to quote a statistic - 3,638 pecks per day - about a spotted sandpiper seen feeding in Yellowstone.

This authoritative and entertainingly-written study is full of  such insights. Anyone who reads it will never think the same way about sandpipers again.

He has even unearthed an unlikely instance (in Zimbabwe) of a sandpiper being "attacked" by a willow warbler!

The book covers every angle - feeding, breeding, migration, distribution, habitat, predation, impact of global warming and recreational threats.

Happily, common sandpipers are still relatively common in Britain during summer - either as breeding residents or as passage migrants - but this may not be the case in years to come.

Suburbanisation and other human pressures  eating away at traditional breeding habitat in Britain, while development in West and central Africa is eroding their main winter homelands.

Holland dedicates Common & Spotted Sandpipers to the late Derek Yalden, who contributed much of the field research data, and his wife, Pat.

The book is published by Scottish firm Whittles Publishing Ltd which has built up an impressive portfolio of ornithological and natural history titles.

https://www.whittlespublishing.com

The recommended retail price is £18.99, but, until April 12, there is a  20 per cent discount by inserting the code WPLINCS20 at the online checkout.

 

JUST THE TICKET FOR BIRDERS WHO LIKE TO SEAWATCH IN STYLE - AND COMFORT!

A proposed new building on the Lincolnshire Coast could prove popular with birders - especially those who like scanning the waves for divers, auks, gannet and sea ducks plus terns and waders on the move. Above and below are  images of what could be in store at Sutton-on-Sea. The plans are currently under consideration by East Lindsey District Council.