Birding The Nothe

2004 Bird Report

Summary of sightings for each species in 2004

Any additional records are most welcome - please email them in! If you've arrived straight to this page click here to get to the home page and site navigation.

For the 2004 Wildlife Report - click here!

For the Annual Report Index - click here!

For the Annotated Species List - click here!

Summary of the year

Many thanks to all who sent in records this year, including James Lowther (JL), Phil Read (PR) and Bob Ford (RF), and to the Birdguides website for additional records.

A record total (before Dorset Bird Report species are added) of 118 species were noted this year on 114 dates, 3 more dates than last year. Coverage was poorest in April, June, late October and late December. There were no Pomarine Skua records this year, no Stock Dove (but no coverage late Oct), no Great Spotted Woodpecker, no White Wagtail, no Stonechat (a very sad loss), no Whinchats for the third year running, no Mistle Thrush (another sad loss - the first year ever without records). The lack of Lesser Whitethroat and Pied Flycatcher perhaps reflected patchy spring coverage. However there were three new firsts (along with the reappearance of Moorhen) - Gadwall, Golden Plover and Yellow-browed Warbler, three second records: Canada Goose, Pheasant and Franklin's Gull - three thirds (Balearic Shearwater, Hobby and Sanderling) and one fourth record (Reed Warbler).

January started well with a female Black Redstart and the earliest ever Gannets on 1st, with mild weather on 10th providing the first Firecrests, Coal Tit and Blackcap, when the Black Redstart numbers had increased to three. Best that day was the first Coot for two years in the harbour. The first Chiffchaff was seen on 12th, while 14th had a record bunch of eight Shags on the fort rocks. 15th saw Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver in Newton's Cove and the bay. What was presumably last year's Moorhen - the first record - was back at the lifeboat station on 21st. 29th saw a sharp frost and a light dusting of snow, but no cold weather birds, unless you count a record max 14 Collared Dove, and the first Sandwich Tern of the year. The month ended with a SW gale on 31st with Kittiwake and Fulmar - the latter the earliest on record - new for the year, to make an excellent end-of-January total of 53 spp.

A rare covering of snow, 29 January 2004

February was much quieter bird-wise than January, but two Little Egrets over on 25th were followed by another snowfall on 27th.

March opened with two imm. drake Eider in the bay to bring up a respectable 60 spp. These were followed by a Red-throated Diver on 4th, and yet another record max of 18 Collared Doves on 5th. Spring arrived with a bang on 16th with the first Wheatear, and Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs and Meadow Pipits on the move, followed by the first of an excellent nine Fieldfare this year on 17th and a Redwing the next day, together with a record spring max nine Chiffchaff. The first Sandwich Terns since January appeared on 22nd, while two Red-breasted Merganser on 24th were the only ones of the year. But the best was left till the end of the month with a Canada Goose past the pier on 31st, the second record and a Nothe tick for me.

But the goose was only the first of a double-whammy of Nothe ticks, as, amidst classic fall conditions on 1 April, three Ring Ouzels found their way on to my Nothe list - another second record and the first in spring. These were joined by three Fieldfares, a record max 18 Goldcrest, the first Willow Warblers of the year, and a highly unusual spring Firecrest. Migrants continued to arrive quite well in April, with 16th being especially productive, with the earliest ever Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and both Common and Black Redstart males - the first time both species have been recorded together. 17th produced a record Blackcap count of 14, and three species of pipit, while both Little Tern and an excellent spring Black Tern were in the bay on 20th. An astonishing 12 drake Eider - probably a record max - were seen in Weymouth Bay on 25th.

May dawned fine, hazy,and busy with the first multiple record of two singing Wood Warblers on 3rd, and four Spotted Flycatchers. A dramatic change to strong SW winds and rain on 4th produced not the expected seabirds, but a Hobby coming in off the sea - the third record. The 18th produced a late flurry of migrants including Sedge Warbler, but it was 25th May that produced one of the most unexpected records of the year - a pair of Gadwall loafing by the breakwater rocks in Newton's Cove to give a fine first record. The last spring bird of note was a Reed Warbler on 28th, only the fourth record.

June kicked off with a rare celestial phenomenon, the Transit of Venus across the sun on 8th. Some interesting breeding records included Coal and Long-tailed Tit juvs., Mallard ducklings tumbling 40 ft from the fort walls on to the rocks below on 17th, and two Grey Wagtail juvs on a boat in the harbour on 25th. Return passage got under way on 29th with the first Common Sandpiper - the earliest 'autumn' record.

July had the usual smattering of migrant waders - Whimbrel and Redshank on 20th, Dunlin and Common Sandpipers on 22nd - as well as the first dispersing passerines - both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler on 20th. There were excellent counts of Starlings on the pier at the end of the month - the best numbers for three years - while a juv. Mediterranean Gull was with the Black-headed Gulls on 23rd. The first July record of Garden Warbler appeared on 29th, and presaged a superb fall of Willow Warblers on 30th, when a record max 32 were counted.

August started with a couple of useful year-ticks: Green Woodpecker and Curlew, but things didn't really get going until 17th, when three Sanderling flew past the pier - only the third record. These were followed by an early Wigeon on 24th, and an excellent report of two Balearic Shearwaters in the bay the following day - the second record.

September saw the arrival of the eagerly-awaited Birds of Dorset, with two 'armchair ticks' for the site - Ivory Gull and Forster's Tern. Real birding on the other hand produced a more prosaic Kestrel on 7th, Yellow Wagtail on 16th and a nicely performing Arctic Tern on 19th, with Kingfisher and a fine juv Red-necked Grebe on 22nd. More movement on 25th included Ringed Plover, with good numbers of Swallows, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests as the month ended.

However, this was just the start of a record Goldcrest invasion, which kept producing record maxima until they peaked at 30 on 13th October. Although coverage wasn't that good, the month still produced its crop of surprises, none more so than an imm male Pheasant flushed by dogs on the top lawns on 7th - remarkably, a second record. The first good vis. mig of the autumn followed the next day, with Siskin and Redpoll amongst the flyover finch flocks. The 11th saw the year's best visible passage with a record max Meadow Pipits and a year max of Pied Wagtails, with Skylark and Brambling. On 13th three Golden Plover low over the top lawns were a long-expected first record, while a Grey Phalarope reported in the bay on 29th was possibly the first record here for 20 years. The storms that brought in the phalarope also did a fair amount of damage, demolishing parts of the pier and eroding the reedy 'saltmarsh' on the south slope.

November also kicked off with a first record - a much hoped-for Yellow-browed Warbler in a mixed flock of tits and crests by the Cadet Base. The rest of the month was a disappointment, with little to report other than burgeoning numbers of Carrion Crows - a record max 58 on 27th - and Collared Doves - a record 20 on 30th.

December saw the first Black Redstarts arrive at the beginning of the month, and a record max 24 Long-tailed Tit enjoying the mild weather on 8th. The end of the year saw some useful reports including two Velvet Scoter on 12th and a Yellow-legged Gull on 28th, with three Chiffchaffs still present on 31st.

Annotated Species List

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata: A single flying NE on 4 Mar was the only record in a very poor year..

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer : In the early part of the year 12 bird-days, on 6 dates 10 Jan - 4 May, max 4 on 22 Mar. In the late winter period just three records on 29 Nov and 3 & 28 Dec. 14 bird-days in total. Monthly maxima:

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis : An excellent start to the year: noted in the harbour on 10 days in the early winter from 1 Jan to 16 Mar, max 2 on 27 Jan and 16 Mar. But no records in late winter. Total of 12 bird-days.

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena : After last year's blank, a welcome return for this species, with an imm on the very early date of 22 Sep in Weymouth Bay, and a winter ad there on 27 & 29 Nov.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus : Lower numbers than usual, especially in the latter part of the year, but with records later than usual in spring, and earlier than usual in autumn. Noted 1 Jan - 4 May (a very late spring date) and again from 3 Sep - much earlier than usual in autumn. Max 9 on 16 Mar. Monthly maxima (combined Weymouth Bay & Newton's Cove) as follows:

Slavonian (Horned) Grebe Podiceps auritus : In Weymouth Bay singles on 1 and 15 Jan, with two on 29 Nov (reported by Birdguides). Another disappointing year.

Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis : A poor year, with just six bird-days, from the very early date of 31 Jan to 24 Aug, but recorded on five dates, rather than last year's four. Again no sign of 'prospecting' this year. Monthly maxima:

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus: Two Weymouth Bay 23 Aug 2004 (reported on Birdguides website). The third record for the site.

Northern Gannet Sula bassana : An excellent year, with sightings on a record number of dates, and over a record period. Three on what was by definition the earliest ever date - 1 Jan were followed by records 20 Apr - 10 Oct on 18 dates, 10 Oct being the latest ever date recorded. These included the first settled records: one on the sea on 29 Jul, and an amazing 12 on the water on 4 Oct. Max 14 on 27 Aug in strong SW winds and rain. Monthly maxima as follows:

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo : Present all year; monthly maxima (Weymouth Bay/Newton's Cove)as follows. Generally higher nos than last year, with max 18 on 17 Oct and 7 Dec. One was seen to eat a wrasse sp. on 29 Sep.

European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis : Noted in Weymouth Bay/Newton's Cove to 13 Mar - once again continuing the trend of earlier departures each year. Then from 3 Oct to end of year. Good numbers in Jan, with max 17 on 14 Jan including a remarkable eight on the rocks below the fort - a record number actually on the land. Very poor numbers in the latter part of the year (Dec usually a peak month). Monthly maxima as follows :

Little Egret Egretta garzetta : Two on 25 Feb were followed by records on a total of eight dates, max three on 11 Aug, giving a record total of 12 bird-days: the rise in records continues, but perhaps more slowly than might be expected.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea : Noted on 30 dates, 27 Jan to 7 Dec - again very similar nos to last year. As usual more records in summer and autumn, with max three on 25 Sep.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor : Two going NW on 13 Feb; two heading W on 3 Sep: four bird-days, and an average year for recent times.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis : One past the fort going SW, 31 Mar. The second record for the site, and a Nothe tick for me - the previous record was of one in Weymouth Bay on 1 Jan 1981.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla : Three W on 30 Jan was the only record in the early part of the year, but a good series of records in October, with two flying over on 8 & 15 Oct and five, remarkably actually appearing to feed just to the south of the pier on 11 Oct in strong E winds. 12 bird-days in total; an average year.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna : Two on 24 Feb were followed by records on another 17 dates to 26 May, max four on 24 Mar & 12 Apr. Many more records on the land this year - pairs noted mainly on the south-east rocks on four dates, but no sign of breeding - yet. Monthly maxima as follows:

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope : One W on 24 Aug was a most unusual summer record.

Gadwall Anas strepera : A pair in Newton's Cove on 25 May was the first record for the site, and a remarkable non-cold-weather record of this normally freshwater species on the sea.

Drake Gadwall, Newton's Cove, 25 May 2004, and with its partner - the first record

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos : Bred again, with a brood of eight ducklings noted on 17 June, actually seen to drop from the fort walls on to the rocks below, and get up seemingly unscathed. Three of these were yellow, showing some domestic blood. More records than usual in the early and later parts of the year, from 15 Jan to 5 Dec, max 21 on 24 Mar. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Eider Somateria mollissima : Two imm. drakes noted in Weymouth Bay on five dates, 2 Mar - 17 Apr, were presumably the same birds lingering in the area. However a remarkable 12 in Weymouth Bay including six adult drakes on 20 Apr (PR) were a recent record max.

Immature drake Eider in Weymouth Bay, 24 March 2004		Drake Red-breasted Merganser in Newton's Cove, 24 March 2004

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra : An excellent year. Noted in Weymouth Bay on 14 dates 10 Jan - 3 May, and another seven dates 22 Jul - 28 Dec, the total of 21 dates a record number in recent years. Max 10 on 27 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows:

Velvet (White-winged) Scoter Melanitta fusca : Two in Weymouth Bay on 12 Dec (reported on Birdguides).

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator : A pair on 24 Mar were the only ones recorded.

(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus : A good year again, with another record 20 bird-days, and as usual several records of perched birds. Noted 9 Jan - 13 Nov, with a better spread of records than usual, and a particulaly good March. All singles except two (m & f) seen together on 18 Oct. There is evidence (from piles of feathers) that the Sparrowhawks are being attracted by the increasing Collared Dove population.

(Eurasian) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus : Just two records on autumn passage this year, on 3 Sep, and 17 Oct. The latter was 'seen off ' by a Sparrowhawk - it is just possible that the increase in the latter has something to do with the decline in Kestrel records.

Hobby Falco subbuteo : One coming in off the sea in strong SW winds on 4 May was the third record.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus : Not so good this year, with eight bird-days, and no multiples. However one that actually perched on the fort on 27 Jan was the first noted to land here.

(Common) Pheasant Phasianus colchicus : An imm male was seen to fly across the top lawns on 7 Oct and subsequently by the cadet base on 13 Oct (JL). The second record - remarkable for such a normally sedentary bird well away from its regular habitat. The previous record was a hen in Nov 1983.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: What was probably the bird first noted last year was again in the harbour, usually on the lifeboat station pontoons, seen on six dates 21 Jan - 13 Mar. The first record.

Hoping for rescue? The Moorhen and its unlikely habitat - the lifeboat station pontoons.
Probably the same bird as seen in December 2003, the first record for the site

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra : An excellent series of records from the harbour, with one or two on six dates 10 - 30 Jan. Eight bird-days is the best total for many years, since the cold weather of the early 80s.

(Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus : Numbers up on last year, with another March max - 13 on 16 Mar a near-record (last year's was 14 on 25 Mar). Especially encouraging were signs of breeding activity in the area - present throughout the summer, with mating observed on 22 Jun. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Greater) Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula : One over on 25 Sep was the only record. None on the ground again for the third year in a row.

(European) Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria : Three flying south over the Top Lawns on 13 Oct were the first record for the site.

Sanderling Calidris alba : Three flying past the pier towards Portland Harbour on 17 Aug were the third record for the site.

Dunlin Calidris alpina : Two flying S on 3 May; six flying NE on 22 Jul; one past on 11 Oct.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus : Despite the lack of coverage at a critical time in spring, large nos recorded, with a remarkable 52 seen in off the sea on 20 Apr out of a total of 85 bird-days, 14 Apr - 7 May. End-of-pier fishermen reported seeing even bigger flocks before dawn around that time. Return passage again thin, with singles on five dates 15 - 29 Jul.

(Eurasian) Curlew Numenius arquata : One over on 3 Aug was the only record.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus : One on the south rocks, 25 May; another there on 20 Jul with one on the pier on the unusual date of 9 Nov. Three bird-days is the best annual total since the early 80s.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos : A good spring passage, with 9 bird-days 15 Apr - 25 May, max three on 17 Apr. Return passage also good, with 20 bird-days starting with a single on 29 Jun, which was the first June record and earliest return date, continuing to 30 Aug on five dates, max five on 13 and 30 Aug. 29 bird-days in total is good, but not as good as the 42 noted in 2002.

(Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres : Much better numbers in the early part of the year, but disappointing again in the autumn and early winter. A max of 23 on 10 Jan was about the usual max, with the last bird noted on 5 May, and return from the earliest ever date of 13 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows. with the last three years for comparison. However, the birds are mainly using the pier area, and have still not returned to the south shore following the seawall works there in 2002/3.

Grey (Red) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria : One in Weymouth Bay off Preston on 29 Oct (reported on Birdguides) was possibly the first for 20 years in the recording area (just!).

Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger) Stercorarius parasiticus : One in the bay on 19 Oct (reported on Birdguides).

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus : Eight in Weymouth Bay on 11 Jan (reported on Birdguides) were followed by an ad on 19 Feb and then juvs on 23 Jul and 17 Aug - records of juvs in summer seem to be becoming regular here - and finally ads in Weymouth Bay on 16 & 28 Dec.

Juv. Mediterranean Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls on the south shore, 23 July 2004

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan: A first-winter was at Radipole in Mar and was seen in the bay off the seafront on 17 Mar and in the gull roost on 19 Mar. The fourth Dorset record and second record for the site. Present 16 Mar - 5 Apr, the bird was also seen in Weymouth harbour.

Little Gull Larus minutus : An ad on 19 Oct (reported on Birdguides) was followed by three - an ad. and two 1st-ws - on 29 Oct following storms (JL).

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus : Noted daily to 18 Mar, then seen on 9 dates until four on 3 May., with max 30 flying south on 20 Apr. Return from from 15 Jun with daily records from 25 Jun to the end of the year. Back to the regular spring gap, with no sign of breeding locally. No roost counts this year.

Common (Mew) Gull Larus canus : Noted 10 dates in the early part of the year with the last an imm on the late date of 3 May. Max 1250 counted at roost in Weymouth Bay on 18 Mar. Noted again from 10 Oct, with late year max 550 on 10 Dec.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus : First on 22 Feb, with regular records on 16 dates to 26 May, max seven on 18 Mar. Three on 10 Oct was the only autumn record. One actually landing on the harbourside on 3 May was unusual - possibly the first land record here. Monthly maxima:

Herring Gull Larus argentatus : Recorded daily. No breeding on the Coastguard Cottages this year, although birds were seen bringing nesting material on 13 Mar.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis : One in Weymouth Bay 28 Dec (reported on Birdguides).

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus : Noted throughout the year in similar nos to last year, but with a max of 38 on 31 Jan in SW gales the most since New Years Eve 2000. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Black-legged) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla: One W past the pier on 31 Jan in southerly gales was followed by an interesting series of spring records: an ad on the pier (possibly the first land record) on 31 Mar was followed by an ad and 1st-s on 20 Apr and two ads on 4 May.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis : One in Newton's Cove on 29 Jan (JL) was the earliest, followed by records 22 Mar - 5 May, then the usual late spring gap until 22 Jun, with the last single on 17 Oct. Max 12 on 17 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows :

Common Tern Sterna hirundo : A late arrival, on 3 May, and noted from then until 15 Oct, with juvs from the breeding colony on Lodmoor noted from 15 Jul. Max 43 on 5 Aug was a record post-breeding count. Numbers dropped dramatically at the end of August, with only sporadic singles in Sep & Oct. Monthly maxima as follows:

Spot the ball? A high-kicking Common Tern, 25 May 2004

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisea : A good series of mostly imms. in autumn, with singles on 19 & 20 Sep, three (a personal max) off the pier after gales on 4 Oct, one on 8 Oct, and an ad. on 15 Oct.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons : Noted 4 dates, 20 Apr - 28 May, max seven on 20 Apr. 12 bird-days, and another rather poor year.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger : One well out into Weymouth Bay on 20 Apr, the earliest record for the site.

Common Guillemot Uria aalge : Another good year. Recorded 4 Mar - 10 Dec, with max 3 on the latter date. Noted 29 days, with 37 bird-days, two more than last year's high total. Monthly maxima as follows:

More records in Aug & Sep as the following table of days recorded per month shows, with a small flurry of records in early Dec:

Razorbill Alca torda : As usual, records were outside the breeding season, at both ends of the year. 20 bird-days on 8 dates, 18 Jan - 27 Feb, max 5 on 25 Jan. Then 25 bird-days on 11 dates 5 Aug - 10 Dec, max nine on 4 Oct. A total of 45 bird-days is above average for recent years. 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.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus : Bred, with up to six singing males and five old nests found in Nov. Bird seen on nest as late as 29 Sep. Generally higher numbers, especially in spring, with the highest spring numbers on record, but no great November influx this year. Max 60 on 3 May. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Eurasian) Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : The inexorable increase continues - and seven singing males, four more than last year, shows that breeding numbers may be incresing too. Overall numbers were again up in Jan - May and Oct - Dec, and there was yet another record max of 20 on 30 Nov, helped by a roost in the holm oaks. Monthly maxima as follows:

One of the most dramatically increased species of the last 20 years. Compare the 1983 notes:

More or less continuously present to 20 Oct, with max 4 on 9 & 23 May. Only 3 bird-days in Nov & Dec. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Swift Apus apus : Noted 7 May - 5 Aug on 19 dates, max 29 on 29 Jul, the usual return passage peak. Monthly maxima:

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis : Singles on 9 & 18 Jan (JL) were good early-year records. Then none until 22 Sep, when noted on 6 dates in the autumn to 12 Nov, with joint record max two on 25 & 29 Sep. Ten bird-days - an above-average year.

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis : Just one juv. on 1 Aug - a poor showing.

(Eurasian) Sky Lark Alauda arvensis : Noted four dates 11 Oct - 12 Nov. Nine bird-days in total - again a poor year.

(European) Sand Martin Riparia riparia : One on 14 Apr (JL) was the only spring record. A rather good autumn passage with four SW on 27 Aug, two E on 1 Sep and the last single on 25 Sep. Eight bird-days, the best since 2001.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica : A much better year, with records throughout the spring and summer, perhaps indicating breeding nearby. Birds seemed to be feeding more around the site - especially around the fort - where birds were seen to settle on return passage. Birds were also seen settling on the pier railings in July - the first definite land records. Noted from 12 Apr to 13 Oct. Max 51 on 22 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 17 Apr - the earliest ever record - to 8 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis : One settling in the north trees on 17 Apr was the only record.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis : Up to four wintering birds lingered in January and February, with spring passage getting under way on 2 Mar: noted 15 dates to 17 Apr, max 23 on 16 Mar. Autumn passage from 1 Sep, with a record max 157 flying over N in an hour on 11 Oct in probably the only good vis. mig. day of the autumn. Birds almost continuously present until 16 Nov, with a gap until the last birds on 8 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows :

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus : Resident breeding species, with numbers usually increasing during the winter - although this didn't seem to happen this year. The usual two singing males noted on a number of dates in spring. Numbers in the early part of the year at the same low levels as last year, with no recovery during the autumn, although summer numbers were up - perhaps indicating a good breeding season. Birds seen feeding young on 29 Jul. Max 10 on 24 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows :

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava : One flew south on 16 Sep - another poor year.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea : More records than usual outside the usual autumn passage period, with the most remarkable two recently-fledged juvs on boats in the harbour on 25 Jun, indicating possible breeding nearby on the River Wey - the first record of juvs from the site. Three records in the early year were unusual too - on 25 Feb, 5 & 26 Mar. Autumn records from the early date of 23 Jul, with records on 18 dates to 19 Oct, and a late record on 8 Dec. 45 bird-days on 23 dates, a lower total than last year; max 6 on 3 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli: Noted throughout the year. Similar numbers to last year, with juvs noted on 15 & 25 Jun - probably one pair bred. A prolonged autumn passage, with max 57 over in 1hr on 11 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes : Resident, breeds. 13 singing males counted on 4 Apr - the highest on record (10 in 2000, 9 in 2001, 10 in 2002, 11 in 2003). Numbers generally up on last year with a record max 18 on three dates in Mar and Apr. The second part of the year showed a substantial increase on last year's autumn counts. Monthly maxima as follows :

Hedge Accentor (Dunnock) Prunella modularis : Resident, breeds. Nine singing males noted on the early date of 24 Feb (9 in 2002, 10 in 2003). Generally lower nos than last year, with just a suggestion of an autumn passage, with an unusual autumn max 13 on 7 Oct. Ads seen carrying food on 28 May. Monthly maxima as follows :

(European) Robin Erithacus rubecula : Resident, breeds. Much higher breeding nos than usual this year - 12 singing males (7 in 2002, 4 in 2003, c5 in 2001 and 2000) noted on 13 Feb & 17 Mar - like the above species, early peak dates. However, f irst juvs not noted until 26 May. Counts higher in almost all months, with another pronounced autumn influx, with max 30 on 29 Sep (a typical peak autumn date).