Thursday 2 February 2017

STRUMBLE HEAD SEAWATCHING REPORT 2016.


STRUMBLE HEAD SEAWATCHING REPORT 2016.

Observers.

A.Rogers,R.Stonier,C.Grayell,R.H.Davies,S.Berry,G.H.Rees,C.Benson, K.Barnett,   SeaTrust Team,R.Wilkinson,C.Hurford,R.Liford,P.K.Grennard,B.Southern,P.Murray,S.Murray,P.Mahiques,M.Jones, R.Jones, J.Faithfull,M.Locke,M.Hipkin . Apologies to anyone I’ve missed or if I unfortunately don’t know your name & not forgetting the Teifi Ringing Group for their annual effort with Storm Petrel Ringing.

Rarity description species sightings are all included & are of course subject to future acceptance by the relevant committees.

During the year 75 separate day or part of day watches recorded a total of 55 species of bird into the seawatching records, 5 species of Cetacean & Ocean Sunfish.

SYSTEMATIC LIST.

BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla

Pale Bellied hrota:

A single on 18th October & 2 on 4th November were the only records.

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna

A total of 12 birds recorded, 6 on January 2nd with 2 birds each on 28th March, 14th April & 4th of May.

WIGEON Anas penelope                                                                               

A total of 53 recorded max. 18 on 14th September.

COMMON TEAL Anas crecca                                                                                 

A total of 52 recorded max. 12 on 16th September.

 MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos                                                         

Not recorded passing the head in 2016.

PINTAIL Anus acuta

Two birds on 18th October were the only record for the year.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata                                                        

 A total of 8 recorded, max. 5 on 18th October.

COMMON EIDER  Somateria mollissima

Not recorded passing the head in 2016.

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra                                          

Passage recorded off Strumble Head 2756 birds, max. monthly totals during summer/ autumn were: 

July        Aug        Sept       Oct         Nov       

 80        650        1721         154        92 

Maximum day count  was 208 birds ( 190 Males & 18 Fem/imm ) on 15th September. The age/sex ratio for the year was 2756 Adult Males & 216 Female/immatures.

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca                                 

Not recorded passing the head in 2016

RED BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator

A single bird on 21st August was the only record for the year.

RED – THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata                         

A total of 62 birds recorded, max. 14 on 24th January. In early part of year 46 birds recorded between 2nd January & 1st April with 16 being recorded between 13th September & 23rd December.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica                           

 Following a good showing last year only 3 recorded this year all singles on 18th October, 10th November & 1st December.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer                                    

A total of 11 birds recorded this year max. 2 on 2nd December. A fairly low return.

FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis                                                 

Maximum day count of 300+ birds passed on 4th August.

CORY’S SHEARWATER Calonectris diomeda                    

The rarer of the two large Shearwaters, single birds passed on 8th August  ( AR,RHD ) & 21st August ( MH, RJ ).

GREAT SHEARWATER Puffinus gravis                              

A good showing this year with the suitable conditions giving a total of 13 birds. In August, 2 on 8th, 3 on 21st & a single on 28th. In September, 4 on the 2nd,  singles on the 4th , 16th & 25th.

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus                                

                            Aug            Sept            

Strumble Head    25           56          

A much better showing this year with a total of 81 birds max. 26 on 4th September.



MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus                          

First bird recorded on 3rd January & last on 23rd December.

                                               

BALEARIC SHEARWATER Puffinus mauretanicus 

                                  Aug               Sept                 Oct

Strumble Head           12                  66                    1

The total of 79 birds lower than 2015 but higher than 2014, max day count was 15 on 4th September.

STORM PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus                                          

A total of 33 was the highest annual count for many years, max. 18 on 21st August. The Teifi Ringing group trapped 5 birds on 5th June.

LEACH’S PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa         

A single bird on 30th August was the only record for the year.

GANNET Morus bassana                                                                                  

Recorded throughout the year.

CORMORANT Phalococorax carbo                                                             

 A total of 42 birds recorded on passage, max. 24 on 1st September.

SHAG Phalocrococorax aristotelis                                                  .

Recorded throughout the year.

HERON Ardea cinerea                                                                             

Just 3 birds recorded this year, a single on 25th July & 2 on 2nd September.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus

 Not recorded passing the head in 2016.

OYSTERCATCHER Haemotapus ostralegus

Birds recorded at the head this year suspected to be local breeders rather than any passage noted.

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula

A single on 31st August & 2 on 15th September were the only records.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola

A total of 3 birds recorded  all in September, 2 on 13th & a single on 25th.

KNOT Calidris canutus

A slight increase on last year with 148 recorded, max 86 on 29th August.

SANDERLING Calidris alba

A total of 17 birds recorded, max. 8 on 5th September.

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferrugina

Two birds both on 29th August were the only records.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina

A total of 159 birds recorded, lower than last year, max. 27 on 29th August.

BLACK TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa

The best count for many years with 70 birds recorded, max. 21 on 11th September.

BAR TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica

An increase on previous year with 107 birds recorded, max. 70 on 11th September.

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus

A total of just 57 recorded, max. 12 on 4th September.

CURLEW Numenius arquata

Just 5 birds recorded, the same total as 2015.

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia

Less than annual, 2 birds recorded on 6th September, the first since 2012.

REDSHANK Tringa totanus

Single birds on 27th & 30th August were the only records.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres

A total of just 7 birds recorded, a low return this year.

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius                               

A total of 10 birds recorded. In August a single on the 3rd, In September singles on 2nd & 16th with 3 on 17th & 2 on 29th then in November singles on 4th & 9th.