May 2004 Summary

Most of the action happened early in the month, with a flock of fifteen Arctic Terns and a fly-over Osprey on the 1st. But these were outdone by only the sixth record of a Marsh Harrier at Sutton Bingham, also on the 1st. A Tawny Owl was a surprise daytime sighting. Notable passage birds included a single Yellow Wagtail and one Dunlin. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was present late in the month.

Species

Highest Count

Date

Notes

Great Crested Grebe

c.40

 

Several nesting pairs

Cormorant

10  

Up to 10 present all month

Grey Heron 3 25th  

Mute Swan

7

12th

 
Osprey 1 1st  
Marsh Harrier 1 1st Female passing over northwards - 6th SBR Record
Sparrowhawk 1 3rd/19th  

Peregrine

2

 

Single birds seen on several days throughout the month
Snipe 1 3rd  
Common Sandpiper 1 10th/17th/19th  
Dunlin

1

10th

Summer plumaged bird present briefly
Black-headed Gull 1 19th  
Yellow-legged Gull 1 25th  
Herring Gull 200+ 19th  
Lesser-black Backed Gull 100+ 19th  
Common Tern 1 1st/13th  
Arctic Tern 15 1st Also two on 4th
"commic" Tern 1 4th Probable Arctic Tern
Kingfisher 1 6th/9th/22nd/29th  
Tawny Owl 1 2nd  
Swift 100+ 3rd  
Cuckoo 1 2nd/9th  
Spotted Flycatcher 1 3rd  
Collared Dove 1 20th  
Yellow Wagtail

1

1st

 
Grey Wagtail 5 19th Pair with three fledged young
Mistle Thrush 2 3rd  
Cetti's Warbler 2 19th Heard singing on several dates
Reed Warbler 4 17th  
Blackcap 8+ 3rd  
Whitethroat 8 3rd  
Lesser Whitethroat 2 3rd  
Garden Warbler 1 3rd  
House Sparrow 1 19th  
Raven 1 3rd  
Bullfinch 2 12th  
Reed Bunting 4 3rd