Birds Photographed in the UK in 2001

Jonathan Wasse

Scenes from the Scillonian III Pelagic (12th August 2001) including some happy birders after seeing the Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii
Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire, August 2001.

Tern watching in the afternoon/evening of
16th August 2001 produced, at first this single
adult Roseate Tern from 5.10 pm. Compare with
the adult Common Tern to its right. Note the pale
upperparts and dark outer primary of the Roseate.
It is also a slender looking bird with more black
on the nape. Not obvious here, but the bill shape
differs, more decurved towards the tip on the Roseate
and at least 1/2 of the bill was black with a dark red base.

This one with the white forehead was unringed.

At 6.50 pm 2 more adults joined it. These new
birds were ringed and had complete black caps.
One of the birds sported 2 rings, a metal one
and what appeared to be a grey colour ring on
the other leg. The other bird had at least one ring.
All three birds are shown here.

A closer view of one of the ringed birds.

The two ringed birds in the company of a Kittiwake.

A view of the striking and essentially pure white wings.

In the shade the bill looks all black.

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire, August 2001.

Amongst the terns about 300 Kittiwakes frequented
the Brigg in the evening sunshine.

Dunlin Calidris alpina
Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire, August 2001.

A nice pair of adults resting on the Brigg. Other
waders included Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers
and Redshanks. Small numbers of Whimbrels
flew overhead calling during the afternoon.

Sabine's Gull Larus sabini
Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon, August 2001.

An adult almost in full breeding plumage present
in Oxfordshire for a few days. It was very obliging
as can be seen with these snaps.

You can see the thick black primary wedge to
the primaries on this photo. This is a good
feature even at distance on a seawatch.

The characteristic upperwing pattern of this species
can be seen here. The bird was not quite in full plumage
as the tip of the bill was only slightly paler than the rest
of the bill, and didn't have the striking yellow colour.

Ruddy Shelduck Calidris alpina
Cley, Norfolk, August 2001.

The usual suspects. They always turn up in
East Anglia in late summer/early autumn.
Apparently this year there was an invasion of
Ruddies from the east into Scandinavia.

Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Oban, Scotland, November 2001.

An anticipated first for Great Britain. Brilliant views
were had of this bird during its trip to Scotland. It is
still present (on Arran) at the end of March 2002.

The bright yellow lores visible. I found this species to be
slightly smaller than Little Egret, and their posture is
more hunched.

The yellow to the back of the legs contrasting with the
black on the front can be seen here.

Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis
Flitcham, Norfolk, November 2001.

A cracking adult wintering with the hordes of Pinkfeet
in Norfolk. Is it a wild one?

Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
Titchwell, Norfolk, November 2001.

A nice Norfolk tick of this now scarce visitor to the UK.
A late date for this species. It spent much of its time
hunting over ploughed fields inland of the RSPB reserve.

You can get a feel for the strong build of this species.