Birding The Nothe

2003 Bird Report

Summary of sightings for each species in 2003

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Summary of the year

A record total (before Dorset Bird Report species are added) of 117 species were noted this year on 111 dates, 14 fewer dates than last year, but records sent in somewhat made up for this. After 2003 Dorset Bird Report records have been added, the total is 124 species for the year, three less than last year's record total. Coverage was poorest in May, June, October and December. There were no Red-necked Grebe records this year, no Whinchats for the second year running, no Fieldfare, and Sedge Warbler also sadly had a blank year, perhaps reflecting the very poor spring passage. But there were two firsts - Rose-ringed Parakeet and Moorhen, five second records: Balearic Shearwater, Light-bellied Brent Goose, Osprey, Hobby and Dartford Warbler - one third (Buzzard) and one fourth record (Bullfinch). Two species bred for the first time on record - Herring Gull and Magpie.

Many thanks to all who sent in records this year, including James Lowther (JL) and Geoff & Sheila Barlow (G & SB), and the Dorset Bird Report (DBR).

The New Year started with plenty of water coming down from the Wey and turning the harbour a murky brown, but with the superb drake Eider still off the pier. A Mistle Thrush on 3 Jan was one of only two records, both in Jan, while a male Black Redstart frequented the seawall works. A hard frost of -6C on 12 Jan produced a cold-weather influx of Song Thrush together with Wigeon and several divers and grebes in the bay. It soon warmed up, though, and a Sandwich Tern on 25 Jan was a harbinger of spring. Cold easterlies in Feb tended to drive birds away, but 16 Feb brought Goosander - a third record and Nothe tick for me - with drake Pochard the next day in the harbour.

March came in like a lamb, with a Curlew over on a sunny, spring morning on 6 Mar. The first Wheatear appeared on the earliest date ever of 9 Mar, with Little Gull in the harbour on 10th. The first spring Chiffchaff appeared on 14 Mar, and the first spring record of Great Spotted Woodpecker came on 17th. Migration picked up on 20th with the earliest ever White Wagtail, and the earliest Willow Warbler the next day, with a remarkable three Little Egrets on 23rd. The 25th was a remarkable day, with Bullfinches (fourth record), an Osprey (second record), and a record flock of 14 Oystercatchers.

April had a very quiet start, with some of the lowest migration numbers on record, but Mallard ducklings on 14th relieved the gloom, and the next day a Rose-ringed Parakeet was a first record for the site. Easter Monday, 21st Apr, turned out to be a classic damp and productive spring morning with Grasshopper Warbler, Common Tern, Redstart and Whitethroat all new for the year. Next day a Grey Plover accompanied the first Whimbrel on the shore, followed by the earliest ever Swift and House Martin on 23rd. A Wood Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat on 29 Apr and Spotted Flycatcher on 30th were highlights in a continuing quiet spring, but an excellent seawatch on a windy 2 May livened things up, with record nos of Kittiwakes, Fulmars, and, best of all, a record four Pomarine Skuas. A yaffling Green Woodpecker on 4 May was the last notable spring record before a gap in the observations.

On the return to recording on 16 Jun, Herring Gulls were nesting for the first time, and Coal Tit juvs were present for the second year running. Two Herring Gull chicks appeared on 21 Jun. The new walkway on the south shore opened on 13 Jul, but there was no real sign of bird movement until 22 July, with both Whimbrel and Mediterranean Gull. Two Redshank were present on 28 Jul, with one staying to 31 Jul when there was also a light fall of Willow Warblers.

August started hot, with a remarkable six Guillemot offshore on 7 Aug - and got hotter, with the second week seeing the hottest days ever recorded in the UK. On the hottest day, 10th Aug there was unsurprisingly little bird activity except for a juv Green Woodpecker.

Autumn proved to be much busier than spring. The only Pied Flycatcher of the year put in an appearance on 28 Aug, but 3 Sep was one of the best days of the early autumn, with Black Tern off the pier and a good range of land migrants. The next day produced a remarkable record 95 Red Admiral butterflies and Arctic Tern, with 6 Sep seeing a Hobby (only the second record) over, and, sadly, several oiled Guillemots off the pier. 8 Sep produced the second Rose-ringed Parakeet and another Arctic Tern. 13 Sep gave a 1st-w Med Gull on the sea, and two Yellow Wagtails over, with the best Swallow passage of the year, with 18th producing the remakable sight of two Curlew actually on the south rocks. Late Sep was refreshingly cooler, with 26th bringing good nos of House Martins and Meadow Pipits, with Kestrel on 28th and two Buzzards (third record) on 29th. The month finished with a good Arctic Skua record in the bay.

October started with excellent visible and overnight migration, with record nos of Pied Wagtails on 4 Oct, when there was also the best fall of Chiffchaffs since 1999. 9 Oct was a typically 'busy' morning, with Siskins and Swallows over, eight Rooks an excellent count, and Skylark new for the year. October records received include Firecrest on 16th and 23rd, Redwing on 21st, Stonechat and Dartford Warbler (in the same bush as the Stonechat below the SW corner of the fort) on 24th, all new for the year. The Dartford Warbler was an excellent second record. Also of note were a joint record max of six Brambling around the Liddell Hut site on 24 Oct.

Early November was superb, with more Bramblings on 4th & 5th, the first Black Redstarts on 6th, and a truly outstanding day on 8th. An easterly wind and cloud after a bright moon had to be good, but this morning was absolutely awesome. Pigeons were coming over as if there were no tomorrow, with a total of c1700 Woodpigeons and c200 Stock Doves counted in 2 hours, going north or east. Just one of the larger flocks of each of these - and they were mostly separate - flattened the previous records of 300 and 15 respectively, set on 14 Nov 1983, again in an easterly wind. There were year highs of Chaffinch (134), and Goldfinch (109), with a record number of Brambling - 11 was probably an underestimate as there must have been more undetected in the Chaffinch flocks. It is difficult to convey how busy it was, with birds pouring through, and you never knew what was going to appear next. The best moment of a stunning morning was probably as I was counting the Long-tailed Tit flock in the Liddell Hut trees, and three Brambling and a Redpoll dropped out of the sky to land in the tree right in front of me.

13 Nov saw a record count of Carrion Crow - to be a constant feature of the winter - with male Black Redstart and two Firecrest on 21st. 2 Dec saw another record crow flock, this time joined by three Rooks and a Jackdaw - the first on record to land. The year ended with a surprising first record of Moorhen in the harbour on 16 Dec - a bird which was to reappear in January - and both Firecrest and Black Redstart lingering to the end of the year.

Annotated Species List

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata: An excellent early part of the year with at least one bird lingering off the Stone Pier until March. Singles - probably the same bird - noted Weymouth Bay on 13 dates 4 Jan - 29 Mar with a personal max of three on 7 Feb. In the later part of the year, singles on 15 Nov & 22 Dec with max three on 15 Dec (DBR). 21 bird-days.

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica : Weymouth Bay had singles on 11 Jan & 10 Mar. One from 9 - 18 Nov with max three on 15 Nov (DBR).

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer : All records from Weymouth Bay, where, in contrast to Red-throated Diver, fewer than usual in recent years noted. In the early part of the year 14 bird-days, on 9 dates 2 Jan - 9 Mar, and the regular spring record of three on 3 May, three on 21 Jan and six on 24 Jan (DBR). Up to four partial summer-plumaged birds in Apr (DBR). In the late winter period three on 2 Nov and up to five during Nov, and two in Dec (DBR). Monthly maxima:

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis : Another good year. Noted in the harbour on 4 days in the early winter: one 8 Jan, two on 21 Jan and one on 3 Mar. Noted again in the harbour from the earliest ever date of 20 Oct, then 11 bird-days on 6 dates to 29 Dec, with max 3 on 5 Nov. Total of 15 bird-days.

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena : Weymouth Bay - singles on 2 & 22 Jan, 7 Feb, 4 Apr and 1 Nov. (DBR)

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus : Again, reasonably good numbers. Noted 2 Jan - 20 Mar, and again from 8 Nov - earlier than usual in autumn. Max 10 on 21 Jan. Monthly maxima (combined Weymouth Bay & Newton's Cove) as follows:

Slavonian (Horned) Grebe Podiceps auritus : In Weymouth Bay three on 3 Jan and 7 Feb, with two on 12 Jan. A disappointing year.

Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis : 11 bird-days, from 29 Mar - 22 Aug, but this includes a record max 8 in the gales on 2 May, with just three singles on the other dates. No real sign of 'prospecting' this year - a loss of momentum for this species. Monthly maxima:

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus : One W on 23 Apr; nine on 19 May; two on 22 May; two on 10 Jun (DBR).

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus: Three Weymouth Bay 25 Jul 2003 (DBR). The second record for the site.

Northern Gannet Sula bassana : An astonishing record max 61 past the pier in just an hour in the gales of 2 May was followed by the usual series of summer records, on 9 dates from 21 Jun - 22 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows:

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo : Present all year, monthly maxima (Weymouth Bay/Newton's Cove)as follows. The early part of the year had lower nos than usual, but the autumn more than made up for this, with a joint record max of 25 on 20 Nov.

European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis : Noted in Weymouth Bay/Newton's Cove to 29 Mar - birds seemed to depart early. Single in Apr (DBR). Max six on 23 Jan (DBR).One on 14 Jun an unusual summer record (DBR). Then from 30 Sep to end of year. Generally lower nos than usual, with max 9 on 27 Nov. One was on the rocks below the fort on 5 & 8 Feb. Monthly maxima as follows :

Little Egret Egretta garzetta : Three together on the south shore on 23 Mar - a personal record max - were followed by records on 4 dates to 18 Nov including two on 13 Sep: a total of 8 bird-days surprisingly lower than 2002. However, the multiple records still indicated the continuing rise of this southern invader.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea : Noted on 32 dates, 11 Jan to 3 Dec - very similar nos to last year. Once again many more records in summer and autumn, when present most days along the south shore. As the new walkway opened in August, the effect of the extra disturbance was surprisingly low - nor was there any increase in the early part of the year when the seawall works closed off the south shore. Max a flock of five going north on 8 Feb.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor : One on 2 Jan was followed by two going N on 7 Apr, and two imms in the harbour on 4 Nov. Five bird days makes this an average year for recent times.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla : A very poor year - two (or possibly one seen twice!) flying past on 5 Nov.
Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota : 16 in Weymouth Bay on 21 Apr (DBR) - only the third record of this race, but 33 seen on 20 Apr 2002 (note the nearness of date) may also have been of this race.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna : Records started much earlier than usual, with two on 12 Jan followed by records on another 11 dates to 21 Jun, as usual mostly in spring, max four on 8 Feb and 3 May, with one of the latter perched on the south-east rocks. No sign of breeding here, but they do now breed in the Weymouth area. Monthly maxima as follows:

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope : A flock of 15 in the bay in frosty conditions on 12 Jan, and a flock of 11 flying west on 13 Nov. The first records since 1985.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos : Bred again, with broods of ducklings seen on 14 Apr (two) and 29 Apr (five). Whther these actually survive or not is open to doubt - they certainly don't stay long if they do, and who can blame them with the numbers of gulls around the fort? Noted 25 Jan - 22 July, max 26 on 25 Mar. As usual, a few in summer and autumn with the last on 27 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Pochard Aythya ferina : One in the harbour, 17 Feb. The first record since 1990.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula : One flying SW past the pier, 25 Nov. The first record since 1985.

Common Eider Somateria mollissima : The superb adult drake remained off the pier until 21 Jan.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra : Not so good this year. Noted on just seven dates: single drakes settled on 2 Feb & 29 Mar, two on 31 Jul and 7 Aug, max 11 on 3 Sep, two on 30 Sep and four on 9 Nov.

Velvet (White-winged) Scoter Melanitta fusca : Two in Weymouth Bay on 2 Feb (DBR).

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator : A single drake noted on 9 dates, 3 Feb - 29 Mar: the usual pattern, but only joined by a fem on 16 Feb. Remarkably the drake was perched on rocks on the harbour side on 20 and 29 Mar, making the first land record here.

Goosander Mergus merganser : One redhead E past the pier on 16 Feb. Only the fourth record, and the best of an excellent set of wildfowl records this year.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus : One going over east on a warm spring afternoon, 25 Mar. (Reported by Birdguides)

(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus : A good year, with a record 17 bird-days, and as usual several records of perched birds. Noted 11 Jan - 3 Dec, with most records as usual in autumn - this year late autumn was good. All singles except two (m & f) seen together on 2 Oct.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo: Two over the harbour at lunchtime, 26 Sep (JL). The third record.

(Eurasian) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus : Three records again this year, on 28 Sep, 28 Oct, and 13 Nov: all typical autumn passage dates.

Hobby Falco subbuteo : One rapidly heading south 6 Sep. Only the second record.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus : A record year, with 15 bird-days, and a record max of three seen together on 21 Nov (G&SB). Three other multiple occurrences were pairs seen on 13 Mar, and 13 & 18 Nov; on the latter occasion the pair was seen to hunt as a team, so we may expect more of these multiples!

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: One in the harbour, c 50m downstream from the town bridge, on 16 Dec (JL). A first record for The Nothe recording area.

(Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus : Not so many as last year, particularly early on - perhaps because of the building works along the south shore. However, there was a remarkable and noisy gathering there of 14 birds, a record max, on 25 Mar. Otherwise no sign of display or breeding in the vicinity, but we live in hope... Monthly maxima as follows :

(Greater) Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula : One flying south on 19 Aug was the only record. Again none on the ground this year.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola : One on the south shore on 22-23 Apr. The first since 1996.

Red Knot Calidris canutus : Three Newton's Cove, 11 Jan (DBR).

Dunlin Calidris alpina : One on the pier rocks on 7 Aug was the only record.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus : Due to the lack of coverage in May, just seven bird-days in spring, with three on 22 and four on 23 Apr. Two on 17 May (DBR). Return passage again thin, with six bird-days on four dates from 22 Jul to 7 Aug, max 2 on 28 Jul.

(Eurasian) Curlew Numenius arquata : A good year for this species - usually only one record per year can be expected, but this year one going NW on 6 Mar was followed by one W on 6 Sep, and an unprecedented two actually on the south shore on 18 Sep - the first ever noted to land.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus : Two on the south rocks, 28 Jul. The first since Aug 2001.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos : A poor spring passage, even taking into account the lack of coverage in May - just one on 10 May. Return passage a bit better, with 11 bird-days from 10 - 29 Aug on five dates, max five on 19 Aug. Just 12 bird-days in total - back to normal after last year's exceptional numbers.

(Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres : A worrying and sharp decline, due almost ceratainly to the disturbance caused by the seawall works in the early part of the year. A max of 15 on 18 Mar was about half the usual max, with the last birds noted on 1 May, and return from 24 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows. with the last two years for comparison.

Perhaps more worrying is the lack of recovery of numbers in the later part of the year after the works had finished, with no birds using the modified part of the shore next to the new and much larger seawall. The real test will be in early 2004, however, when numbers should be expected to top 20 on a regular basis.

Great Skua Catharacta skua : One Weymouth Bay 2 May.

Pomarine Skua (Pomarine Jaeger) Stercorarius pomarinus : Four light-phase birds (in two pairs) flew past the pier in strong southerly winds and rain on 2 May - the record max and an exciting bit of seawatching! Singles on 26 Aug, 30 Sep and 7 Oct (DBR).

Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger) Stercorarius parasiticus : Two on 2 May (DBR). One in the bay in strong southerly winds on 30 Sep.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus : A juv. in Newton's Cove on 22 Jul was followed by another there on 13 Sep. Finally two ads went east past the pier in the morning gull 'rush-hour' on 5 Dec. Max roost counts in Weymouth Bay as follows (DBR)

Little Gull Larus minutus : A 1st-w was in the harbour on 10 & 11 Mar. One in Weymouth Bay on 17 May (DBR).

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus : Noted daily to 12 Mar, but then a prolonged and unusual series of spring records, seen on 22 dates up till 18 June, with max 30 flying south on 20 Apr. Then daily from 18 June to the end of the year. With no real gap in appearances, could they breed in the area soon? My max count 3900 at roost in Weymouth Bay on 24 Feb. Max 5000 in Weymouth Bay in both winter periods (DBR)

Common (Mew) Gull Larus canus : Noted 11 dates to 29 Mar, max 475 counted at roost in Weymouth Bay on 2 Jan. Noted again from 5 Nov. Max 2000 on 2 Jan and 1000 in Dec (DBR).

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus : Lower nos in spring, but a few summer and autumn records this year. Noted on 13 dates. Max 60 on 7 Mar (DBR). Monthly maxima:

Herring Gull Larus argentatus : Recorded daily, and as predicted last year one pair bred on the Coastguard Cottages rearing two young - the first breeding record. Nesting first noted on 23 Apr, with young noticed from 21 June, fledging by 18 July.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus : Noted throughout the year in pretty consistent nos, but with a max of 36 on 18 Nov: the most since New Years Eve 2000, in unremarkable weather conditions. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Black-legged) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla: 37 were counted past the pier in the southerly gales on 2 May - the max count since 1988. Seven W on 4 Nov and two on 2 Dec (DBR).

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis : Following the exceptionally late bird on 31 Dec 2003 singles were reported on 12, 16 and 25 Jan. The first spring record was on 22 Mar, and the last in autumn on 7 Oct. Max 14 on 2 May. Juvs seen from 18 Jul. Monthly maxima as follows :

Common Tern Sterna hirundo : Noted 21 Apr to 9 Oct, with birds displaying on 22 Apr, and juvs from the breeding colony on Lodmoor noted from 31 July. Rather lower spring nos than last year, but summer max about the same. Monthly maxima as follows:

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisea : An imm. off the pier on 4 Sep (JL) with another in Newton's Cove on 8 Sep.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons : Noted 4 dates, 2 May - 11 July, with just two or three birds on each occasion. A rather poor year. In Weymouth Bay, one on 13 Apr (the earliest record), six on 22 Apr and 10 on 14 May (DBR).

Black Tern Chlidonias niger : One flew in off the sea into Newton's Cove on the morning of 3 Sep.

Common Guillemot Uria aalge : An excellent year. It started with 9 bird-days on seven dates 3 Jan - 18 Mar, followed by two on 2 May, and then an impressive series of summer records, with a juv on 17 Jul (JL) followed by 20 bird-days on 10 dates to 22 Sep, max 6 on 7 Aug. A single on 3 Dec and two on 21 Dec brought the total to 35 bird-days - nearly three times last year's total. Sadly, two birds seen on 6 Sep were clearly oiled, and an oiled corpse was also seen that day. Monthly maxima as follows:

Razorbill Alca torda : 35 bird-days - exactly the same as Guillemot - though usually Razorbill has much higher totals. As usual there were more Razorbill records at both ends of the year, but Guillemots were well to the fore in the summer. 12 bird days on 7 dates, 3 Jan - 20 Mar, max 6 on 2 Feb. Singles on 13 Jul, 4 & 19 Aug, then 20 bird-days on 12 dates 28 Sep - 29 Dec. Monthly maxima:

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia : A flock of Feral Pigeons hangs around the Fish Diseases (CEFAS) labs and Hope Square. Present all year.

Stock Dove Columba oenas : No spring records. In autumn, big numbers flying over in parallel with the big Woodpigeon influx: noted on three dates with a record max 201 counted on 8 Nov going N in two hours, 7E on 9 Nov and 26N on 13 Nov.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus : Bred, with up to 6 singing males. Juvs noted on 8 Jul. Overall numbers much the same as last year, but the big influx in November was unprecedented. After 163NW on 4 Nov - the best count since 1983 - an astonishing record max 1667 were counted going N in 2 hours on 8 Nov, with 108E on 9 Nov and 211SW on 13 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Eurasian) Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : Still very much on the increase - although three breeding pairs was one fewer than last year, overall numbers were up in almost every month, and there was yet another record max of 13 on 19 Mar. Monthly maxima as follows:

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri: One flying over west on 15 Apr was the first record for The Nothe. One settled briefly on 8 Sep - the second record and first to land. Not sure whether these are records of one escaped bird, or the first invaders from the increasing UK feral population. Watch this space??

Rose-ringed Parakeet, 8 September 2003 - the second record, and first to settle

Common Swift Apus apus : The first, on 23 Apr, was the earliest ever recorded. Then on eight dates to 31 Jul, when a max of 20 noted.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis : One on 3 Jan was an unusual (these days) early year record. None until 20 Sep, when noted on 6 dates in the autumn to 25 Nov, with a record max two by the pier on 22 Sep. Eight bird-days - an average year.

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis : A yaffling bird on 4 May was followed by a good series of three summer records on 28 Jul, 10 Aug (a juv) and 19 Aug. Four bird-days is a better-than-usual total for recent years.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major : Three records - A female on 17 Mar was the first spring record. Two records in autumn: a fem on 9 Oct and one on 24 Oct.

(Eurasian) Sky Lark Alauda arvensis : Just two on 9 Oct. Two bird-days is the probably the worst showing ever, but may reflect the lack of coverage in Oct.

(European) Sand Martin Riparia riparia : One going NE on 17 Apr was the only record - a very poor showing.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica : An indifferent year. Noted from 10 Apr to 16 Oct. Max 56 in two hours on 13 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Common) House Martin Delichon urbica : Breeding numbers still seem to be declining but there was a reasonable autumn max of 32 on 23 Sep. Noted from 23 Apr - the earliest ever record - to 30 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows :

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis : One flew over on 12 Aug.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis : A few birds on two dates in January were followed by a good spring passage: noted 17 dates 6 Mar - 4 Apr, max 19 N on 29 Mar. A single bird unusually lingering on the pier beach 7 Aug - 3 Sep was followed by an excellent autumn passage from 6 Sep, with max 82 flying over NE in 80 mins on 2 Oct. Last birds on 3 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows :

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus : Resident breeding species, with numbers usually increasing during the winter. Two singing males noted on a number of dates in spring. Numbers in the early part of the year well down on recent years, with a recovery to more normal levels in the autumn. Perhaps a temporary response to the sea-wall works disturbance along the south shore which finished in July - although numbers actually using the south shore in autumn seem to be lower, with most birds around the fort. Monthly maxima as follows :

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava : Two flew south past the pier on 13 Sep.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea : Better numbers than last year, and seen over a longer period. None in the early part of the year. Noted from 10 Aug to 2 Dec, on 26 dates, with 62 bird-days. Max 9 on 3 Sep, quite an early date for peak nos. Monthly maxima as follows.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli: Noted throughout the year. Similar numbers to last year, but no sign of breeding. An excellent autumn passage, with a record max (for the second year running) of 67 over in 1hr 45mins on 4 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba : One on the early date of 20 Mar.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes : Resident, breeds. 11 singing males counted on 4 Apr (10 in 2000, 9 in 2001, 10 in 2002). Numbers higher than usual in the early part of the year with max 17 on 17 Mar (usually the max comes in autumn). More usual numbers in the second part of the year. Monthly maxima as follows :

Hedge Accentor (Dunnock) Prunella modularis : Resident, breeds. 10 singing males noted on 2 Apr (9 in 2002). Overall, higher nos than last year, with the usual high counts in spring when many singing males are evident, but higher than usual nos continuing through the autumn. Max 15 on 19 Mar. Juvs seen on 11 Jul. Monthly maxima as follows :

(European) Robin Erithacus rubecula : Resident, breeds. Lower breeding nos than usual this year - 4 singing males noted on 31 Mar (7 in 2002). However, overall nos in the early part of the year abut the same as in 2002. First juvs noted on 29 Apr. A noticeable autumn influx, with max 22 on 30 Sep and 2 Oct, with higher nos than usual lingering into early Dec.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros : Another good start to the year, with 10 bird-days, on 9 dates from 8 Jan to 17 Mar, max 2 on 1 Feb, but usually one ad. male present. In the late year, just 6 bird-days on 4 dates: 3 (1m, 2f/imm) on 6 Nov, 1(m) on 13 & 25 Nov and 21 Dec - a surprisingly poor showing given the good coverage in the key late Nov period.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus : One male in spring, on 21 Apr. Just one in autumn - on 3 Sep. A disappointring showing.

(Common) Stonechat Saxicola torquata : A male on 24 Oct on the south slopes below the fort was accompanied by a Dartford Warbler (see below) - presumably they continued their heathland association during post-breeding dispersal! (JL)

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe : One reported on the Birdguides website on 9 Mar was the earliest ever, but was one of only 5 birds in spring - two on 4 Apr, 2 fems on 23 Apr and a m on 1 May. Also a poor autumn, with singles just on three dates : 24 Aug, 3 & 18 Sep. Eight bird-days a very low total compared with the last two years (42 in 2001; 32 in 2002).

(Common) Blackbird Turdus merula: Resident, breeds. An even more protracted breeding season this year, with birds carrying food noted on the very early date of 16 Feb, and on dates throughout the spring and early summer to the very late date of 11 Jul. Max 27 on 22 Apr with many juvs present. Numbers about average in the early part of the year, but lower than usual in autumn, with no evidence of autumn passage. Monthly maxima as follows :

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos : Resident, breeds (again, two singing males). After a brief cold-weather influx of 10 on 12 Jan after a hard frost, numbers never really reached last year's totals. Juvs noted on 16 Jun. No records at all during the moult period : 19 Aug - 29 Sep. Autumn passage was relatively poor, but this might have been to a lack of coverage in Oct. Max 12 on 8 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows :

Redwing Turdus iliacus : None in the early part of the year, but an excellent autumn with several birds landing in the top trees. Two on 21 Oct were followed by a max 12 on 8 Nov, than on another 4 dates to 3 Dec. Total of 23 bird-days - the same as 2002.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus : Singles on 3 & 11 Jan were the only records, equalling last year's lowest numbers ever for this declining species here.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia : One in the Liddell Hut garden on 21 Apr continues the annual run of these for three years running. it will be very interesting to see what sort of records this site produces (if any!) after the current building works are completed.

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata : A fem/imm was with the year's only Stonechat below the SW corner of the fort on 24 Oct (JL). The second record for The Nothe.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca : A single on 29 Apr & 1 May was the seventh record, but only the second in spring.

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis : A very poor spring, with just three bird-days : a male on 21 Apr, and both m & f on 2 May. Three in autumn, on 3, 6 and 9 Sep. Six bird-days was the lowest for several years. (15 in 2000; 21 in 2001; 12 in 2002)

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin : Just three on 3 May, and one on 20 Sep - 4 bird-days - a very poor year. (28 in 2000; 16 in 2001; 13 in 2002). Hope this decline doesn't continue!

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla : None in the early part of the year. Spring passage 25 Mar - 4 May, with 20 bird-days on 9 dates, max 5 on 21 Apr. Lower than last year, but similar to 2001. Autumn records from 4 Sep to 5 Dec with 8 bird-days on 4 dates, with an unusual autumn max of 5 (4m, 1f) on 3 Nov. 28 bird-days: lower than in recent years (38 in 2000; 31 in 2001; 42 in 2002)

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix : The annual singing male in the Tavern sycamores came on 29 Apr this year.

(Eurasian) Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita : Just one in the early winter, on 21 Jan. Main spring passage from 14 - 29 Mar, with just 8 bird-days on 5 dates. Again there were the regular odd singing males during late spring and summer, on 29 Apr, 10 May, and 16 June.

More records as usual in the later part of the year, in contrast to the next species, that is usually at least as numerous, or more so in spring. Main autumn passage from 3 Sep to 8 Oct, with 113 bird-days, max 29 on 4 Oct the highest count this millennium! A lower total than last year, but only because coverage in Oct finished after the first week. In Nov and Dec one or two present until 21 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows:

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus : A single on 21 Mar was the earliest recorded. Noted to 2 May, with 31 bird-days on 10 dates a low total (46 in 2000;126 in 2001; 97 in 2002). Max 14 on 21 Apr. Return passage noted from 31 Jul, and was relatively better: 39 bird-days (64 in 2000; 59 in 2001; 36 in 2002) on 12 dates until 13 Sep, with max 6 on 31 Jul. 70 bird-days total. Monthly maxima show the usual pattern (compare with Chiffchaff above!):

Goldcrest Regulus regulus : No sign of breeding this year, and lower nos generally, except at the end of the year. A bit of a spring passage, with no records 2 Feb - 8 Mar, and then 17 bird-days to 31 Mar on 11 dates, max 3 on 20 & 24 Mar. The odd single in summer was followed by an even number of records from late Aug, actually increasing slightly in Nov & Dec, with no real autumn passage. Max 5 on 5 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows:

Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus : A good autumn, and a welcome return after last year's blank. The first was on 16 Oct (JL), with one bird lingering to 29 Dec. A total of 9 bird-days on 6 dates, with two on three dates late Nov/early Dec.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata : A slight improvement on last year. Four bird-days in spring (5 in 2000; 3 in 2001; 1 in 2002)- one on 30 Apr was the earliest ever (JL), with one on 3 May and two on 4 May. Five bird-days in autumn (6 in 2000; 16 in 2001; 5 in 2002) on 3 dates: a single on 25 Aug was followed by two on 28 Aug and 3 Sep. Total of nine bird-days.

(European) Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca : A poor year, with just one record: one on 28 Aug.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus : The wintering flock from 2002 appeared once, with 10 on 3 Jan; then no more records until two on 21 Mar, and three on 15 Apr, rather strangely flying out to sea from the pier - they got so far, then headed back to the fort. No sign of breeding this year, with the next record on the early autumn date of 24 Aug, and then regular records to the end of the year, max 14 on 4 Nov. Monthly maxima :

Long-tailed Tit, 21 November 2003

Coal Tit Parus ater: The increase in records continues. None in the early part of the year, and no sign of breeding on site, but for the second year running juvs were recorded, on 16 Jun, with a gap then until 7 Aug, from which date birds were more or less continuously present until 5 Dec - probably the longest presence yet. 56 bird-days in total (19 in 2000; 11 in 2001; 33 in 2002).

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus : A resident breeding species - approx 2 pairs. The highest numbers were in the early part of the year, with max 16 on 7 Feb, and no real sign of post-breeding dispersal, although 13 on 3 Sep was the highest autumn count. Birds seen feeding young from 21 Jun. Monthly maxima:

Great Tit Parus major : A resident breeding species - 2 or 3 pairs again bred. Birds seen feeding young on 16 Jun. Numbers seem to be stable. Max 11 on 20 Sep - perhaps a small post-breeding dispersal movement. Monthly maxima :

(Black-billed) Magpie Pica pica : One pair bred in the Steps garden cypresses, the first breeding record for the site. This followed a spring influx, with five noted on 17 Mar. Juvs were first noted on 8 Jul, and these kept numbers pretty constant during the autumn, with no real noticeable influx, although the max of six on 18 Sep was a typical max on a typical date. Monthly maxima :