ANNUAL REPORT 1985 - HerefordshireBirds...HEREFORDSHIREORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT 1985 21 I Colonel H. Morrey Salmon, C.B.E., M.C., D.L., D.Se. When in 1958 Geoffrey Ingram resigned through

HerefordshireOmithologicalClub

ANNUAL REPORT 1985Together with Classified Notes

for Herefordshire and Radnorshire

No. 5 Vol. 4 £2.00

HEREFORDSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB

No. 5 Vo!. 4

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE 1985

PresidentJ.L. FOX

Vice-Presidents;-P.W. HINDE, M.B.O.U., Dr. C.W. WALKER, M.C.

A.G. FYSHE

Chairman:-A.J. SMITH

Hon. Secretar)';-Mrs. J.M. BROMLEY

The Garth. Kington. Tel: Kington 230502

Hon. Treasurer;-LT. STONE

Chantries. Grosmont. Abergavenny.

Hon. Recorder:-A.J. SMITH

Yew Tree Cottage. Holme Marsh. Lyonshall. Kington.Tel: Lyonshall 318

Hon. Field Secretar)';-K.A. MASON

Hon. Editor;-A. MARCHANT

Hon. Bullelin Editor·P. GARDNER

Commillee;-

M.J. ANTCLlFFDr. D.G. BODDINGTONMrs. F.R. FRANCISF.W. MARSTONK.A. MASON

E.A. MORGANc.J. PARRYMiss M.A. RIG BYP. THOMSONI.B.cV-ANS

HEREFORDSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB RULES

I. NAME. The Club shall be called the Herefordshire Ornithological Club.

2. OBJECTS. The objects of the Club shall be (a) to further the study ofbirds in the field, and (b) to assist in their preservation.

3. MEMBERSHIP. The Club shall consist of a President, a Chairman, aSecretary, a Field Secretary, a Treasurer, an Editor, a Recorder, and TenCommittee Members and Ordinary Members. The President and the Chairman to retire after serving a tenn of three years. The Secretaries, theTreasurer, the Recorder and the Editor shall be elected annually. Thethree senior of the ten Ordinary Members of the Committee shall retireannually and they shall not be eligible for re-election for a period of 12months. The Officers and Ordinary Members of the Committee shall beelected at the Annual General Meeting and the Officers shall be eligible forre-election. Nominations for the Committee must be received in writingby the Hon. Secretary by February 14th.

4. CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP. Members shall be required to supportand keep the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Anymembers failing to support and keep this law shall be required to resign.Members shall not divulge to unauthorised persons (e.g. known collectorsof skins and/or eggs) information in a manner likely to be detrimental tothe objects of the Club.

5. SUBSCRIPTIONS. (a) Junior members, over 12 but under 18 years ofage, £ 1. Ordinary members, 18 years and over, £3. A married couple,£4. Any additional members of a household £ 1.

Subscriptions are payable on January I st or on election to membership.

Corporate Members: Kindred bodies, Schools, etc. Subscription £2 perannum.

Honorary Members: As approved by the majority present at the AnnualGeneral Meeting.

(b) All subscriptions subsequent to those paid on admission shall be dueon Jan. I st each year. Where a member has been elected on or after 1stSeptember in any year, there will be no further liability to subscribe in theyear immediately following that of his or her election. Any memberwhose subscription is six months in arrears shall cease to receive theClub's publications and, should the subscription not be paid by December31st, his or her name shall be deleted from the list of Members.

6. MANAGEMENT. The Secretary shall keep Minutes of the Meetings andprepare such literature as shall keep the Members informed of the Club'sactivities.

7. MEETINGS shall be held as often as deemed desirable at the discretion ofthe Officers.

8. REPORT. There shall be an Editorial Committee of at least three Members including the Secretary, appointed at an ordinary Committee Meeting. These shall prepare and present an Annual Report and such specialreports as may be decided upon.

9. ALTERATIONS OF RULES. An alteration of the Rules may be madeonly if proposed at one meeting, printed on the agenda for the followingmeeting, and passed by a two-thirds majority of those present.

HEREFORDSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT 1985 21 I

Colonel H. Morrey Salmon, C.B.E., M.C., D.L., D.Se.

When in 1958 Geoffrey Ingram resigned through ill-health from the Club'sEditorial Sub-Committee his place was taken by Morrey Salmon. Togetherthey had produced in 1939 'The Birds of Monmouthshire' and. after theSecond World War. in 1949 'The Birds of Pembrokeshire' (with Ronald

Lockley) followed in 1954 by 'The Birds of Carmarthenshire·. in 1955Radnorshire, in 1958 Brecknock and in 1966 Cardiganshire'. Thisoutstanding achievement might well have been sufficient for most recorders.but not for Morrey Salmon. Already he had established himself as a pioneerbird photographer. and continued as a member of numerous committees inmany of which he played a leading part. He served on the ConservationCommittee and Council of the R.S.P.B. and was awarded the Society's GoldMedal in 1971. He was a life member of the B.O. U. and took a dynamicinterest in activities concerned with conservation in Wales. not least in thepreservation of the Red Kite.

Apart from a distinguished Service career Morrey Salmon devoted his life.over eighty years of it. to ornithology. Aided by a remarkable memory, anengaging personality. and a willingness to help. he became a much reveredperson, whose kindness. wisdom and obvious sympathy for birds will begreatly missed. and in common with many other ornithological societies theClub owes him a great debt of gratitude.

P.W. Hinde

Jaek Smith

The death of Jack Smith in 1985 robbed our Club of a loyal member. andnature conservation lost an ardent and practical supporter. He was on theClub's Committee for a number of years. He possessed an extensiveknowledge of the Radnorshire countryside and was always willing to lead aClub field meeting in Radnorshire in that difficult time for inland birdwatching - mid-July to mid-September.

For many years he had assisted the Royal Society for the Protection ofBirds by acting as a voluntary warden. and to the Herefordshire andRadnorshire Nature Trust his help was very valuable indeed. Repairing andmonitoring nestboxes. guarding our local Peregrines and. most importantly.working on his own for many a long day at the Trust's reserve at Titley. If onegoes to Titley Pool now you will see that the land area is again becoming awood. The young beech. oak. hornbeam and birch were guarded by Jack intheir early stages - he used the scythe with good effect against ,the thickbracken. Quietly going about the work. he contributed a very great deal tonature conservation in our two counties. He is greatly missed by those whoknew him.

J.t.. Fox

212 HEREFORDSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT 1985

EDITORIAL

It is sad to record the' death on April 27th, 1985, of Colonel H. MorreySalmon C.B.E., M.C., D.L., D.Se. whose association with the Club began inits early years and who had, since 1958, been a member of the Editorial SubCommittee. A tribute by Mr. P. W. Hinde appears on page 211 of thisReport.

The death also occurred during the year of Mr. J. J. (Jack) Smith who hadbeen a regular Committee Member and who had led many Field Meetings,particularly to the Radnorshire hills which he knew intimately. His serviceswill be sadly missed.

Ornithologically the year has been one of both concern and excitement.The herons at Bredwardine deserted their young as a direct result of thefelling of the trees surrounding the heronry at a most critical stage in thebreeding cycle. Two pairs of Peregrines were robbed and the cold, wet springresulted in a poor breeding season for some species, particularly Lapwingand Snipe. Little Owls appear to have declined in some areas and there hasbeen a continuation of the decline in the numbers of Sand Martins andWhitethroats. No Grasshopper Warblers were recorded and very fewStonechats were reported. However, all is not gloom and some species haveshown an increase in numbers, notably Garden Warbler and Wood Warbler.The wintering wildfowl, thrushes and finches were all generally present ingood numbers although Bramblings were once again a notable exception.

As for 'rarities' and the like 1985 has been a memorable year for bothCounties, with several 'firsts' and almost every month has producedsomething of note. The year began in remarkable fashion on Jan. 10th withthe discovery of a Killdeer at Hampton Bishop which stayed until the 14th.This is the first record for Herefordshire of this North American wader. Alsoon the 10th a Firecrest was seen at Eardisley and was still present thefollowing day. Two Waxwings put in a brief appearance at Bartestree on the19th and a female Scaup was seenon the Wye at Glasbury on the 26th.February was generally uneventful. A drake Garganev was discovered atKenchestt:r on .JVtarcn 5th and rema11lco 111 the area unttl the 30th. A WaterPipit was noted among migrating Meadow Pipits at Castleton on April 3rd,and a pair of Mandarin seen ori the Wye near Newbridge during the monthhad apparently been present since Dec. 1984. This is the first record forRadnorshire. A Hoopoe was seen at Monstay Farm near Pipe Aston on May2nd and a Little Ringed Plover at Glasbury on the same day was another firstrecord for Radnorshire. A Black Kite was seen at Symonds Vat on the 15thand was the first to be recorded in Herefordshire. A Black-tailed Godwit waspresent in Llyn Hilyn area from June 14th-16th and thefirst breeding of Ruddy Duck in Herefordshire was recorded at Stauntonon-Arrow on the 28th. A pair of Ruddy Duck at L1an Bwch-L1yn from July8th - 27th was only the second record for Radnorshire. A Ring-neckedParakeet seen flying across Stretton Sugwas SP during the last week of themonth was the second record for Herefordshire and, like the first in 1984,was undoubtedly an 'escape'. In August a Dotterel was on Bradnor Hill.Kington, from the 20th - 23rd and an Arctic Tern was seen at Bodenham GP,also on the 23rd. Another Little Ringed Plover was at Glasbury on the 24thto become the second record for Radnorshire. A second Arctic Ternappeared at Bodenham GP on Sept. 3rd and a Manx Shearwater was pickedup at Builth on the I1 th and released off the S. Dyfed coast. During October

HEREFORDSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT 1985 213

a Golden Oriole was seen at Sollers Hope on the 3rd and was joined by asecond the following day. A Red-necked Grebe - the first since 1895 and onlythe fourth record for Herefordshire - and a Black Tern were found atBodenham GP on the 10th. The Tern stayed until the 13th and the Grebe waslast seen on the 17th. A drake Mandarin appeared on Llandrindod Lake onthe 14th (and was still present at the end of the year). A Curlew Sandpiper atAymestrey S P from the 15th - 18th was another first record forHerefordshire. A duck Common Scoter was seen on the Wye at Glasbury onthe 19th and a Little Gull at Llyn Hilyn on the 24th was only the secondrecord for Radnorshire. A Red Kite was seen in the Moorhampton area forfive days in November and five Snow Buntings were seen on theHerefordshire side of The Malverns on the 12th of the month. The yearended quietly in marked contrast to the manner in which it had begun.

LOCALITY REPORT. Records submitted by P.G. Garner which makereference to the Malvern Hills etc. relate to those areas which are within theHerefordshire County boundary.MEMBERSHIP and FINANCES. The Club membership has remainedstable at around 450 and a statement of the Club's finances will be found atthe end of this Report.CLUB ACTIVITES. Club outings were held during the year at Ludlow,Castleton (twice), Hampton Bishop, Gower Coast, Bryngwyn/ Ireland,Michaelchurch Escley, Shucknall Hill/ Fownhope, Haugh Wood (twice),Stretton Sugwas SP, Whitfield Estate, Symonds Yat/ Pecket Stone, LlynHilyn, Elan Valley, Pilleth/ Hendregenny, Llandegley, South Coast (Clubweekend), Upton Bishop, 'The Leen' Pembridge and Severn Estuary.Thanks go to all landowners who granted us permission to visit theirproperties and to all leaders of the various meetings.

Indoor meetings held in the Percival Hall, Hereford, included a 'Members'night', and illustrated talks by Dr. M.A. Ogilvie, 'The Wild Geese of Britain';Ray Goodwin, 'Sounds of the Countryside'; G.\. Griffiths, 'Birds of theArctic'; Dr. Stephanie Tyler, 'Birds and Problems in Portugal'; Chris Mead,'Twenty-one Years of Pied Flycatchers'; Peter Davis, 'The Red Kite';Michael Wilkes, 'British Wildlife'. Thanks go to all the speakers for theexcellence of their entertainment which was greatly appreciated by theMembers.

As is customary, the Club liaised with the R.S. P.B. in the showing of threenew R.S.P.B. films at the Town Hall, Hereford.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Thanks go to Mr. and Mrs. P. Gardner forpreparing and duplicating the Club Bulletins, to Mr. T. Davies for auditingthe accounts and to the Editorial Sub-Committee, Mr. P.W. Hinde, Dr.C.W. Walker, Mr. A.J. Smith and the Secretary for their assistance andguidance.

Once again the Club is indebted to John Reaney of Brighton for providingthe cover drawing of Killdeer and other illustrations which appear'in thisReport.

Finally thanks go to all those Members whose contributions have made thisReport possible.

A. Marchant


HEREFORDSHIRE AND RADNORSHIRE NATURE TRUST

NEST BOX SCHEME - 1985 RESULTS

Recording took place on 42 sites covered by the Ornithological Club in bothHerefordshire and Radnorshire.

Pied Flycatcher .Blue Tit .Great Tit .Marsh Tit .Coat Tit .Redstart .Wren .Tawny Owl .Nuthatch .Treecreeper .

Total boxes used .Boxes erected " .% Used .

1985Nests Fledged

317 1608258 1486173 919

10 7614 1089 36

2 522 66

805119467.42

1984Nests Fledged

362 1514172 1093152 828

8 497 56

10 25I 10

8 28I 6

7211191

60.62 •Clutch Sizes from Herefordshire ~;ites

1985 1984Pied Flycatcher 5.97 6.2Blue Tit 8.76 8.7Great Tit 7.76 7.86Comparison between Herefordshire sites and Nagshead site (RSPB Reserve)in brackets. of clutch sizes and no's fledged! pair.

Nos. youngClutch size fledged/pair

Pied Flycatcher 1984 6.2 (6.7) 4.18 (5.2)1985 5.72 (6.7) 4.31 (4.1)

Blue Tit 1984 8.7 (8.7) 6.35 (6.0)1985 8.76 (7.9) 6.08 (5.9)

Great Tit 1984 7.86 (8.2) 5.5 (5.6)1985 7.67 (5.9) 5.47 (4.4)

Both Blue Tit and Great Tit nests increased this year. which showed arecovery from the bad winter of 1982.

A decrease in Pied Flycatcher nests occurred over the two Counties.whereas at Nagshead they increased.

Pied Flycatchers returned to Brockhampton.

Desertion appears to be the main cause for the difference between clutchsize and no's fledged pair. Clutch sizes have heen higher in previous years.

rhis year Nuthatches using boxes have increased. the highest everrecorded.

C.W. Sheldrake

4 Pulli)

1163 Pulli)705 Pulli)316 Pulli)108 Pulli)


RINGING REPORT FOR 1985

Complete details of their ringing activities in Herefordshire have beensupplied by D.G.B., M.B., S.G.D., A.M., M.J.N., D.P., P.J.P., S.J.T. andL. R. Group. Peter Gardner has provided an account of the ringing at boxesat Mary Knoll, Michael Antcliff at Whitfield and Cathy Moon at Whitney.

During 1985 D.G.B. has been responsible for ringing at Bockleton(Motlin's Hole), Bromyard (including Brockhampton), Gatley, Mowley,Shobdon and Titley. M.B. has ringed at sites around and on Wapley Hill,Presteigne (Paradise and Caen Wood) and Yatton (including Aymestrey).M.J.N. has ringed at Wigmore and adjoining F.e. woods, A.M. has workedat Moccas Park, D.P. at Court Wood and Bockleton (Romer's Wood),S.J.T. in South Herefordshire and P.J.P. at Hergest, Woodbrook and ParkWood, Kington.

More general ringing has taken place just east of Bromyard (39 species) byS.G.D. and at Kington (17 species) by P.J.P.

A total of 3868 birds of 52 species have been ringed, comprising 1300 FGand 2568 Pulli.

The top 10 species were:

Pied Flycatcher 1352 (189 FGBlue Tit 878 (173 FGGreat Tit 405 ( 89 FGNuthatch 123 ( 15 FGGreenfinch 120 ( all FG)Redpoll 101 ( all FG)Blackbird 78 ( 74 FGHouse Martin 69 ( all FG)Yellowhammer 67 ( all FG)Dipper 62 (7 FG) 55 Pulli)

The following are selected from 'Identified' previously ringed birds of allspecies. Ringing details are given on the first line and recovery data on thesecond. Unless otherwise stated all birds were released alive.

M - MaleJ - Juvenile

F - FemaleAd - Adult

Pul - NestlingX - Found dead

FG - Fully GrownB - Breeding

CORMORANT'Colour ringed'

Put.FG.

KESTREL

E.J41394 Put.X

00.06.8524.08.8504.11.85

22.06.8412.08.85

St. Margaret's Island, Tenby. Dyfed.River Wye, Hampton Bishop, Herefs.As above.

Wapley Hill. Presteigne (M.B.)Llangammarch Wells, Powys.46Km.251"


EH89142 Pul. 26.06.83 Pandy, Abergavenny, Gwent.X 25.08.85 The Holsty, Vowchurch, Herefs.

14Km. 190

REOWING

XK04158 Ad. 06.01.85 Whitbourne, Worcs. (S.G.D.)X 23.01.85 South Tehidy, Cambourne, Cornwall.

299Km.222°

SAND MARTIN

B549168 l. 03.07.82 Stanton Harcourt, Oxford.Ad. 15.06.85 Llancillo, Herefs. (L.R.G.)

107Km.900

PIED FLYCATCHER

315 Adult birds (209F, 97M, +9?, 2.1: I) were handled in Herefordshire in1985 of which 189 (l28F, 52M, +9?, 2.5: I) were newly ringed and 126 (81 F,45M, 1.8: I) had already been ringed in previous years, 110 in Herefordshireand II elsewhere (Powys 4, Gwent 2, Salop 2, Worcs. 2, Dyfed I) and 5?where. In addition 7 previously ringed Herefordshire birds were foundelsewhere (Powys 3, Salop 3, Dorset I).

Of the 17 ringed in Herefordshire and recovered somewhere 57 had beenringed as Pulli and 60 as Adults, 3 being ringed in 1979,4 in 1980,4 in 1981,22 in 1982,27 in 1983 and 57 in 1984. Of these 57 Pulli, 24 (l4F, \OM) hadreturned to their site of birth and 33 (22F, I1 M) had moved sites. Of the 60ringed as Adults, 50 (32F, 18M) had returned to their site of original ringingand 8 (6F, 2M) had moved on, with two as yet unknown.

Of 1984 ringed Pulli(a total of882 from Aymestrey /Yatton, Court Wood,Hergest sites, Moccas, Shobdon, Mowley, Gatley, Bockleton, Wigmore,Mary Knoll, Titley, Wapley sites and Presteigne) 13 (9F, 4M) were found in1985, a recovery rate of lA %

Of 1983 ringed Pulli, a total of 639 from the above sites, 20 had beenfound in 1984 (14F, 6M) and 16 (9F, 7M) were found in 1985, givingrespective recovery rates of 3.1 % for 1984 and 2.5 % for 1985. However of1985's 16 recoveries, 13 (6F, 7M) had not been caught in 1984, so that aproper fi,gure for 1984 would be 33 and not 20, giving a 'back to UK' rate of5.2% for 1983 Pulli.

Similar analysis of 1982 Pulli (828 - see 1983 and 1984 Ringing Reports)from the same sites raises the 'back to UK' figure in 1983 to 4.8%.

JR04455 Pul.(M)B.

16.06.7916.06.85

Wigmore, Herefs. (M.l.N.)Wapley, Presteigne (M.B.)(Wapley '80, '81. '82, '84)


lR64587 Pul.(F) 17.06.79 Mary Knoll, Ludlow (Cl.M.)B. 09.06.85 Mary Knoll (Cl.M.)

(Mary Knoll '80, '82, '83, '84)

lR64618 Pul.(F) 17.06.79 Mary Knoll (Cl.M.)B. 19.05.85 Mary Knoll (Cl.M.)

(Mary Knoll '81, '82, '83)

lV31305 Ad. F. 24.05.80 Moccas Park, Herefs. (A. M.)B. 24.05.85 Moccas Park (A.M.)

(Moccas '81, '83, '84)

lV31478 Ad. F. 01.06.80 Mowley, Herefs. (D.G.B.)B. 30.05.85 Wigmore, Herefs. (M.l.N.)

(Mowley, '81, Wigmore '82, '84, Gatley '83)

A860014 Ad. F. 30.05.81 Paradise Wood, Presteigne (M.B.)B. 23.05.85 Paradise Wood (M.B.)

(Paradise Wood '83, '84)

A860016 Ad. F. 31.05.81 Paradise Wood (M.B.)B. 23.05.85 Paradise Wood (M.B.)

(Paradise Wood '84)

B080470 Pul.(F) 10.06.82 Wigmore (M.l.N.)B. 23.05.85 Gatley, Herefs. (D.G.B.)

20.06.85 Wigmore (M.l.N.)

B217017 Ad. F. 31.05.82 Caen Wood, Presteigne (M.B.)21.04.85 Portland, Dorset (D.B.)

B217544 Pul.(F) 06.06.83 Yatton, Aymestrey, Herefs. (M. B.)B. Clun, Salop (C.l.W.)

B217825 Pul.(F) 19.06.83 Shobdon, Herefs. (D.G.B.)B. 30.05.85 Craven Arms, Salop (Cl.W.)

B664336 Pul.(F) 12.06.83 Llanbedr, PowysB. 23.05.85 Wigmore (M.l.N.)


B832410 Pul.(F) 02.06.84 Craven Arms (J.M. and A.F.L.)B. 23.05.85 Gatley (D.G.B.)

B843140 Pul.(M) 12.06.83 Bewdley. Wyre Forest (D. F.)B. 16.06.85 Wapley (M.B.)

B869498 Pul.(F) 11.06.84 Titley. Kington. Herefs. (D.G.B.)B. 15.06.85 Penybont, Powys (D. B.)

B869970 Ad. F. 23.05.84 Gatley (D.G.B.)B. 12.06.85 Newtown. Powys (W.A.H.)

B946320 Pul.(F) 02.06.84 Cwmyoy, Gwent (P.F.l.P.)B. 15.06.85 Wapley (M.B.)

Cl47543 Ad. F. 20.05.84 Newbridge-on-Wye. Powys (C.l.M.)B. 17.06.85 Wapley (M.B.)

C261112 Pul.(F) 13.06.84 Wyre Forest (D. F.)B. 17.05.85 Brockhampton. Bromyard (D.G.B.)

CI97078 Pul.(F) 09.06.84 Llancillo. Herefs. (L.R.G.)B. 28.05.85 Llangevny. Powys

The above 20 recoveries are selected from 133 available. The omitted onesconsist mainly of 1981. '82, '83 and '84 birds showing little or no sitemovement. and birds ringed outside Herefordshire and found again at thesame site in the County as last year.

Key to InitialsM. Baddeley. D. Budworth. S.G. Dodd. D. Fulton, W.A. Hotchkiss. l.M.and A.F. Langford. A. Marchant. C.l. Mead. M.l. Noble. D. Parr. P.F.l.Playford. P.l. Potts. S.l. Tyler. C.l. Whittles. Llancillo Ringing Group.

D.G. Boddington


WEATHER NOTES AND OTHER JOTTINGS, 1985.

January.January was a cold month, and there was frost at grass level every day until

the 28th inclusive, the night of 13th/14th producing the lowest temperature.There was a powdering of snow on the 5th, and about 3" fell overnight on7th/8th in some parts, followed by further small amounts between the 13thand 19th. Higher ground was still white on the 22nd. Precipitation was lowerthan average.

The month was memorable for the amount of unseasonable Wood pigeonactivity, both in terms of song and display flights. Song was recorded on 22days, and in many places between Glasbury in the west to the Malvern Hillsin the east.

February.The first week of February was relatively mild, but with a heavy fall of

snow on the 8th and 9th came a very cold spell which continued until the20th. A marked rise in temperature ended the month much asit had begun.Precipitation was somewhat greater than average.

The mild weather in the first week encouraged some of our resident birdsto sing for the first time, including Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Skylark andGoldcrest.

March.March was comparatively mild at first, but a white frost was evident on the

morning of the 5th and a cold spell followed continuing until the 28th. Mildweather returned on the 29th. There was light snowfall on 4 days, includingI" on the 16th, and 2" on the 21 st in the north of the county, but totalprecipitation was lower than average.

While Curlews were arriving in their breeding areas, Redwings werepreparing to depart, and there was considerable visible passage of thisspecies during the last 3 days.

April.

April was wetter than usual with 75o/r of the rain falling during the first 8days. the Easter period bearing the brunt of this deluge. One air frost wasrecorded on the 24th, but there were a number at ground level.

Despite some ordinary first date records. many summer migrants were latearriving, not least the Swallows, and a considerable influx of this species onthe 15th produced a number of late "first arrivals".


May.May was mostly cool, despite a couple of warm days, but high pressure

and sunshine ended the month. Frost at grass level occurred on severaloccasions, spanning the whole month. Rainfall was a little more thanaverage with the 16th, 21st, and the Spring Holiday period being the wettesttimes.

Many summer migrants delayed their arrival until May, and a good influxof many species was especially evident during the first 8 days, includingSwift, House Martin, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler,and Blackcap.

June.June was warm and sunny to begin with, but the nature of things to come

was apparent by the third day, and it was notably cold and wet thereafter. Bythe end of the first week rainfall was up to the average for the whole month,and the final total was about double that normally expected. There was atouch of frost at grass level on the 15th and 16th.

Although conditions were far from ideal for breeding birds, many speciesseemed to nest successfully; however both Curlew and Partridge were knownto have failed in one area.

July.Warm and seasonable weather predominated during the first half of July

until a marked drop in temperature on the 14th followed by a cold nightheralded a cool interlude. Warmer conditions returned on the 23rd. Rainfallwas a little more than average.

Post breeding movement of several bird species was evident during themonth, perhaps the most interesting being an early influx of Siskin.

August.August was cool and unsettled throughout with measurable rainfall on 26

days. Total precipitation was nearly double the average amount.The month was remarkable for the presence of late Swifts with screaming

parties around breeding sites in the third week, and good flocks still to beseen in the 4th.

September.September began cool and wet until a marked rise in temperature on the

9th produced a pleasant spell which continued until the 12th. the warmestday of the month. Only the hrief period from 25th to 27th was reasonahlywarm thereafter. Fog was the feature of the early mornings near the end ofthe month, and it was particularly persistent on the 29th. Rainfall was lessthan half the average amount.


Siskins were clearly widespread by the end of the month, and thefrequency of small parties in direct flight over open country suggestedcontinuing passage.

October.The first day of October was very pleasant, with the maximum

temperature in the 70's F., and whilst this particularly warm weather did notpersist, it was the third week before the first frost of the season, and this atground level only. Rainfall was about average.

Whilst House Martins were still present in good numbers during the firstweek, winter visitors were soon to appear. Redwings and Fieldfares arrivedon time, and there were good flocks of the latter around late in the month.

November.November was very wet to begin with, and indeed more than 75% of the

month's rainfall had occurred by the I Ith. The first trace of snow could beseen on the highest hills by that date, and more was to come, together withsome very low temperatures. Altogether a notably cold month with higherthan average rainfall.

Skylarks had been evident moving through the county from time to timesince the third week of September, and this movement was still in progressduring the first half of November.

December.In sharp contrast to November the month was exceptionally mild with

very little frost until the last week. While the 2nd was reported to have beenthe mildest December day in 25 years, the night of 27th/28th produced thelowest temperature at grass level of the calendar year in the north west'ofthecounty. The month was mostly dull with well above average rainfall.

Higher temperatures encouraged a marked Increase in bird song,predominantly Robin, Song Thrush and Wren, although others could beheard, including Hedge Sparrow. Collared Dove, Mistle Thrush and evenBlackbird.

A.J.S.


WALKING THE WYE 1981 - 1985.

"To traverse the paths day by day and week by week, to keep an eye ever onthe fields from year's end to year's end, is the only method of knowing whatreally is in, or comes to them".

Richard Jefferies (1848 - 1887)

This is just as true today as when we quoted it in the HerefordshireOrnithological Club's Annual Report of 1980. That Report contained ourobservations on 128 species seen on our regular walks along one and a halfmiles of the Middle Wye and its adjacent farmland. These walks were madeover a period of ten years - 1971 to 1980. Our recording was based on linetransects, and the highest count on anyone day in a month was the figuretransferred to the histogram of the species concerned.

We have continued this recording for a further five years, and in that timehave made over a thousand visits to the study area. Using fifteen years ofhistograms. we are now in a position to compare the average numericalstatus of species in the last five years with the average status in the first tenyears. As in 1980, we again emphasise that our findings apply only to the arearecorded, but most variations in the status of species do agree with thenational picture as shown by various British Trust for Ornithologyenquiries.

The habitat of the study area is nearly all farmland, one third arable andtwo thirds permanent pasture, three small coppices and a one and a half acrepond. In the last five years this habitat has remained unchanged from 1980except for three factors. Firstly, when the Wye throws up mud or shingleafter a spate, this mud or shingle is now very quickly covered by plant life. Nodoubt this is caused by the leaching of nitrogen from farmland, and can affectwaders migrating down the Wye Valley in the autumn by reducing feedingareas. Secondly, the one and a half acre pond (called New Pond) hasmatured. Excavated in 1976, it now boasts an excellent fringe of reeds,willows and water plants. Thirdly, a change in farming practice hasoccurred. Winter barley is sown in early autumn and is harvested in thefollowing July. 'Stubble turnips' are then sown, often by direct drilling, andsheep from the Welsh hills are brought in about mid-December to eat off thisroot crop. These root fields can be much favoured by many species of birds,particularly finches.

The following are the status changes which we have observed togetherwith, in some cases, speculations as to the reasons for increase or decline.Species listed in our 1980 survey and not included here are species in whichwe have not observed any significant status change. 'Occasionals' are alsoexcluded.LITTLE GREBE. A most welcome increase; now breeds successfully on'New Pond' annually.HERON. A small but not serious decrease.MUTE SWAN. Numbers well maintained. indeed some increase. This is incontrast to the position on many other rivers of Britain. Is this because thereis probably less disturbance on the Wye, especially in winter" We harbourmanv immature birds. and we have observed sick birds from time to time.(Male 23)CANADA GOOSE Previously scarce. now fre4uently seen. (Max. 7)SHELDlJCK. Recorded once. in 1975, but 1985 produced five birds.WIGEON. Two hard winters in the last five years have given useful flocksand raised the Wigeon status. (Max. 52)


MALLARD. Far more numerous than previously. Reason - unknown.(Max. An August count of about 250 birds)TUFTED DUCK. A huge increase due entirely to 'New Pond'. Does notbreed. (Max. 20).GOOSANDER. Now a regular winter visitor giving increased status.(Max. 29 on a March day in 1985).SPARROWHAWK. A considerable increase making this hawk morefrequently sighted than the Kestrel.RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. Seen in all months but in lesser numbersthan previously.MOORHEN. In spite of the assistance of 'New Pond', this species isprobably down about 30%. The presence of mink is certainly suspect.COOT. Increased, entirely due to 'New Pond' where it breeds.SNIPE A considerable fall in numbers, especially in 1984 and 1985.Continuous drainage of wet places in the last decade may have accentuatedthe decline.GREENSHANK. A passage migrant in August and September. Low riverlevels in 1981 and 1984 gave exceptional numbers (Max. 15). But with highlevels in 1985, not a bird was seen.GREEN SANDPIPER. A curious drop in numbers for this species. For theten years to 1980, up to three birds wintered with us; since 1980, hardly a birdseen in winter. In autumn too, there has been a considerable fall-off in thesepassage migrants.STOCK DOVE. More plentiful than previously, especially in winter.TURTLE DOVE. There seems to have been a retreat in its range, orexcessive shooting on the Continent. A 50% reduction.LITTLE OWL. Numbers peaked around 1981, since then a 50% fall.

KINGFISHER. In spite of two recent hard winters, the fall in numbers isnot great, partially because they tend to nest in a densely wooded sloperunning down to the river - a relatively safe site.SKYLARK. Considerably down on two counts. As a breeding bird, themaking of sileage instead of hay mitigates against successful nesting. As awinter visitor in large flocks when weather is severe, especially on theContinent, Skylarks are nearly non-existant. This is in sharp contrast to theearlier years, but there is still a strong overhead passage in October.SAND MARTIN. The reduction here is pathetic. With fifty to sixty nests in1971! 72, 1985 produced only three nests. The drought in the birds'winteringarea in the Sahel region of Africa is probably the main reason for the fall.Mink have been seen across the river enlarging nestholes and bringing outsitting birds.YELLOW WAGTAIL. Drought conditions in Africa may well be onereason for the steady decline in numbers over the last fifiteen years. Therewere years in the seventies when we had about a dozen nesting pairs, in 1985we had one pair. They nested in a small damp area in the arable land. Asimilar fall has occurred on the R.S.P.B. Reserve on the Somerset Levels.Along the Wye, we can only offer two further reason~ for the fall. Thecreation of flood prevention banks in 1976 has meant drier fields which arenot subject to flooding. Secondly, this species does tend to hold on to achosen area, even when that area becomes less suitable for successfulbreeding. And so numbers fall, year after year.


PIED WAGTAIL. Surprisingly, this species shows a 33% reduction.Perhaps direct drilling of cereals instead of traditional ploughing hasaffected our counts of Pied Wagtails. Like Gulls, they are attracted byploughing.

REDSTART. Recorded much less frequently than previously.WHINCHAT. Mainly autumn recordings on passage.A fall started in 1979,and has since become quite drastic.SONG THRUSH. There have been periods of many weeks when it wasquite difficult to find a Song Thrush. Frost can send a number of birds to theriver, but we are certain that this species is less numerous than in 1971/80.

LESSER WHITETHROAT. Enjoys a small increase. This is surprisingconsidering their dangerous migration route through Italy, Greece andCyprus to drought stricken Sudan and Ethiopia.SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. A bad fall-off in this species. Previously aregular nester, now not seen since 1983. The Sahel drought may have affectedthis species, but it does winter over a large section of Southern Africa.COAT TIT. Somewhat mysteriously has disappeared from our study area.Last seen in 1982. When available, beech mast is a favourite food. Most ofour beeches died eight years ago; this may be a partial cause of decline.TREECREEPER. A welcome increase; much attached to some oldpollarded willows. In severe weather, they will feed inside the hollow trunks.JAY. An increase started in 1983, the year of the 'invasion' from theContinent. We assume that numbers of birds did not return to their previoushaunts in Europe.MAGPIE. A relentless, and generally unpopular, increase.CARRION CROW. As with Magpie.GREENFINCH. Never very numerous, numbers falL but it may beoverlooked in winter finch flocks.GOLDFINCH. Thanks to riverside thistles and alders, this charmingspecies is in a very happy state numerically.SISKIN. These birds are far more plentiful than previously, especially afterthe huge influx of 1985.LINNET. There was a time when Fat-hen and Mugwort were common onthe farm. This is not so now. and the Linnet is mainly a summer visitor insmall numbers.

BULLFINCH. Somewhat scarcer. Their autumn numbers are linked to theseeding of cultivated Maples in one of the three gardens of the study area.REED BUNTING. Never numerous, but marginally reduced in status.Two pairs normally breed.

Species INCREASED - 19. Species DECREASED - 21.

Over the years. this study have given hours of interest. excersie andpleasure. The words of Professor G.M. Trevelyan. writing about EdwardGrey of Fallodon. have certainly here proved true.

"The passionate feeling of his life was that in the enjoyment of naturelay the greatest good of man".

J.L. and J.Y. FOX.


'BIRDS OF RADNORSHIRE & MID-POWYS' by Martin Peers.

1985 saw the publication ofthis new booklet (printed by Sayee Brothers ofLlandrindod) which provides a welcome revision to the original 'Handlist ofthe Birds of Radnorshire' by Geoffrey C. S. Ingram & Col. H. MorreySalmon, published in 1955. It contains 64 pages and includes a map of midPowys, as well as eight original bird sketches by John Govett.

In addition to the revised 'Systematic List of Radnorshire Birds', which isbased on the original 'Handlist' together with H.O.C. Reports from 1955 1984 and the author's personal observations, there is a section dealing with'Radnorshire Topography, Conservation Needs and Avifauna' and a'Supplement on North Breconshire Birds'. To complete the work, there is alist of some interesting ornithological sites in Radnorshire, together withtheir four-figure grid references.

Copies may be obtained from Martin Peers, 'Gorse Bank', LlangammarchWells, Powys, price £3.20 incl. p. & p.

Robin Eating Minnow.

On the 19th January, 1985, on a completely frozen-over brook runninginto the River Wye at Hampton Bishop I noticed a robin Erithacus erithacuseating a minnow Phoxinus phoxinus. The minnow was about 3cms in length.When first seen the robin was busily pecking at the fish, then held it in itsbeak and gave the fish a thorough shaking before dropping it andrecommencing its vigorous pecking. The robin flew off, carrying its prey, anddisappeared under a large bush.

There have been very few records of robins eating fish. Lack in The Life ofthe Robin (revised cd. 1946) mentions a robin taking a small roach Ritilusritilus and also mentions robins catching minnows for their young from anearly dried up brook, but this latter item is omitted from the 4th. ed.Reprinted 1976. Mead in Robins (1984) mentions that robins will take smallfish. The only other reference found is by a young ornithologist, SimonMarshall (Bird LifeVol. 3 No. 2 1967)whosawa robin takea live sticklebackGasterosteus ael/leatlls from a sunken fish tank in his garden.

LB. Evans.

December 1985.


CLASSIFIED LIST

The list follows the sequence and nomenclature of Prof. K. H. Voous(1977, List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species) as published in the 'BritishBirds' "List of birds of the Western Palearctic" 1978. Prefixes Hand R referto Herefordshire and Radnorshire. CO denotes Club Outing, GP = gravelpits, SP = sand pits. Square brackets denote a need for confirmation. Largenumbers are generally approximations.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ru(icollis.

H. Breeding confirmed at Hampton Bishop where a single pair raised twobroods (JLF) and Stretton Sugwas SP (FWM). Probably bred at Moccas(AM).

R. Breeding confirmed at Liyn Hilyn and probably bred at Knill Pool(M FP).

Recorded from a further 19 localities within the Club area. Maxima were:Jan. 4th, Glasbury, ten, and five at Evenjobb on the same date; Jan. 26th,Castleton, six; Feb. 2nd, Glasbury, six and ten there on Feb. 17th; April 4th,Sink Green, three; Oct. 23rd, Hampton Bishop area, five; Oct. 24th,Evenjobb Pool, four; Nov. 1st, Wilton Wye, six; Dec. 7th, Glasbury, three;Dec. 21st, Lianwarne, three; Dec. 29th, Criftin Ford Bridge area, three.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus.H. Bodenham GP. Jan. - May, max. six. May 20th, adult with one juvenile,June 26th, pair with two juveniles (PGB's).Swan Pool, Shobdon. Pair bred but young had disappeared on June 30th(JLF).

R. Liandrindod Lake. Single present on Feb. 2nd (JGa), max. six onMarch I1 th, two pairs with three and two young on May 21 st and two pairsfeeding a total ofthree small young (2nd brood) on Sept. 29th. Two birds stillpresent on Dec. 18th (MFP).Lian Bwch-Liyn. Max. four noted during April (AM et al), two pairs withyoung noted during June/ July and three family parties noted on Aug. 10th(CO).

Glan Liyn. Pair noted March 24th (MFP) and April 5th (AJP/ SW) and pairwith nest on May 5th (PGB's).

Craig-Goch. March 24th, one, Aug. 6th, pair with nest and two eggs (M FP),Sept. 11th, one (AJS).Glasbury. Sept. 29th, a juvenile on Wye (MFP).

RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps RriseRena.H. Bodenham GP, a single bird present from Oct. 10th - 17th (PG B's et al).This is the first record since 1895 and onlv the fourth documented record forthe County. Ed. .

MAN X SHEAR WATER Puffinus puffinus.R. Sept. 11 th, Builth, one landed in the Royal Welsh Showground and wascollected, ringed and released off S. Dyfed coast (SJT).


CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo.H. Recorded from ten localities along the Wye during the periods Jan. April and Aug. - Dec. The Carey Islands roost held c50 birds on March 12thand c15 on April 18th (KAM). In addition a small roost of six birds wasfound in the Criftin Ford Bridge area at the end of Dec. (FWMj AM). Otherlarge counts were: Feb. 2nd, Hampton Bishop, five and ten there on Feb.24th (JLF); March 8th, Foy, seven (WOD); March 23rd, Hoarwithy, 14(CWS); April 9th, Castleton, five (AJS) and six there on Sept. 9th (KAM);Oct. 26th, Hampton Bishop, eight (JLF); Nov. 3rd, Sellack, 11 (WOD); Nov.9th, Castleton, six (AM); Dec. 26th, Fawley j Brockhampton, eight (FRF).Away from the Wye three were noted at Bodenham GP on Aug. 23rd(PGB's) and a single at Wergins Bridge on Dec. 1st (GRGjJG).R. I - 2 birds recorded Jan. - April from Builth, Caban eoch, Erwood,Glasbury, Llowes and Penmincae Wye (MFP et al), and Aug. - Dec. fromBuilth, max. three, Wye near Builth Road, max. eight from roost onBreconshire side of river, Craig Goch, Glasbury and Llandrindod (MFP etal).

BITTERN Bataurus stel/aris.

1984 R. A single bird seen near Builth Wells in Dec. (Dr. F. M. Slater). (cf.'Birds of Radnorshire and Mid-Powys' 1985 by Martin Peers).

HERON Ardea cinerea.H. and R. Records cover all months of the year and are widely distributedthroughout the Club area. The heronry counts are as follows: H. Berrington32 (42); Bredwardine 15 (22); Foy 3 (2); Kentchurch 12 (not previouslyrecorded); Leach Pool 10 (3). R. Cefndyrys 10 (18); Penybont 6 (7);Rhayader no details received (0). Figures in brackets indicate 1984 counts.The Bredwardine heronry was deserted this year at a stage when the youngwere most vunerable as a result of the felling of the trees adjacent to the site.It is probable that no young were successfully reared and that the site hasnow become too exposed.The heronry at Kentchurch, although new to the list for Herefordshire, wasoriginally on the Monmouthshire side of the river. The birds recently movedinto Herefordshire when the original nesting trees became unsuitable.

MUTE SWAN Cl"gnus aler.

H. and R. Records are numerous throughout the year and comeprincipally from the Wye. Breeding confirmed at Glasbury, Llanwarne,between Llowes and Boughrood (three pairs), Pwll Patti and Tyberton. Apair on the Monnow at Kentchurch during Marchj April was unusual forthis area (SJT). Some larger counts were: Jan. 1st. Cabalva, c31 (AJS's);March 14th, near Ballingham. 22 (GRGUG); April8th.Fownhope area 36(JLF); April 21st, Castleton. 37 (AM); May 29th, Hoarwithy, 33 (CWS);July 25th, Sellack Wye. 25 (WOD); Sept. 1st, Castleton, 24 and 32 there onSept. 7th. including three pairs with four, two and one young (AM); Sept.23rd. Hampton Bishop, 23 (JLF); Sept. 29th. Castleton, 38 adults and sixyoung (AM); Oct. 5th. Foy, 29 (FRF); Dec. 8th. Glasbury. 28 comprisingfour pairs + 17 immatures and three other birds (M FP).


BEWICK'S SWAN Cygnus columbianus.H. Castleton, c30 on Jan. 6th (KAM et al) and 20+ there on Jan. 12th(RGD); March 7th, Bodenham GP, two (PGB's); Nov. 2nd, Castleton, three(KAM) and five there on Nov. 9th (AM); Dec. 5th, Letton, 11 adults (DVB);Dec. 14th, Castleton, 12 adults, one 2nd year bird and four juveniles; Dec.22nd, Bredwardine, 13 on flood water belcfW point-to-point course werepossibly the Castleton birds (AM); Dec. 28th, Letton, four adults and fourjuveniles (AAS).R. Jan. 1st, Pwll Patti, one adult, Llowes, 23 in flight, Glasbury, threeadults and two immatures and Cabalva, min. 16 (AJS's); Jan. 6th, Glasbury,38 (possibly the Castleton birds seen earlier in the day) (KAM et al); Jan.26th, Glasbury, one (CO); Feb. 2nd, Bronydd, 28 and seven at Glasbury onthe same date (AJP/SW); Feb. 7th, Glasbury, 13; Feb. 27th, PwllPatti/Glasbury area, ten, including one immature (MFP et al); Dec. 1st,Pwll Patti, three adults and four juveniles (PGB's); Dec. 26th, Glasbury, oneadult (AJP/SW).

WHOOPER SWAN Cvgnus cygnus.H. April 25th, Holme Lacy, one (JLF).R. Jan. 1st. Pwll PattL one (AJS); Jan. 26th, Glasbury, four (CO) and fiveadults and two juveniles there on Feb. 2nd, Feb.27th and March 2nd(AJP/SW et al); Dec. 7th - 26th, Pwll Patti/Glasbury area, three adults(MFP et al).

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser.H. Feb. 17th, Shobdon, one (IBE's).Undoubtedly a feral bird. Ed.

SNOW GOOSE Anser caerulescens.H. April 21st, Sink Green, one in with Canada Goose flock flyingwestwards (JLF) was undoubtedly an escaped captive bird.

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis.H. Breeding noted at Broomy Pool, L1anwarne (PJK), Moccas Park (AM)and Stretton Sugwas SP (A AS). Small numbers reported throughout theyear from Backney Wye, Bodenham GP max. 16 on Jan. 12th, Bredwardine,Hampton Bishop, Hereford Wye, Hoarwithy, Kenchester, Kentchurch andSink Green. The only large winter flocks noted were: Jan. 6th, Castleton,c180 (KA M et al); Dec. 27th! 28th, Criftin Ford Bridge area, 250+(AM!FWM).R. Penybont, March 6th, four pairs and pair with six goslings on May 8thplus three other pairs, and seven birds there on June 28th. L1yn-gwyn, May5th, pair with nest and pair with five goslings there on June 19th. Pentrosfa,max. two pairs in April,' May but onc bird was shot. Elsewhere there werethree at Llyn Hilyn on Aug. Ist and seven at Evenjobb on the same date(MFP).


BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis.H. Jan. 10th! 12th, Bodenham GP, one (PGB's); Feb. 17th, Shobdon, one(IBE's).R. March 12th, Pentrosfa, one and the same bird was seen at LlandrindodLake on March 21 st. September, Pwll Patti, one with Mute Swansthroughout the month (MFP).All the above records probably refer to escaped captive birds. Ed.

SHELDUCK Tadorna ladorna.H. March 8th, Sink Green, one; March 18th - 29th, Hampton Bishop, one;Oct. 23rd, Sink Green, one and three there on Nov. 30th (JLF).

MANDARIN Aix galericulala.R. A pair seen on the Wye near Newbridge in December 1984 were stillpresent in April (RW). Oct. 14th - Dec. 31st, Llandrindod Lake, a singledrake (MFP).The above records constitute the first and second records for Radnorshirefor this introduced species which was officially admitted to the British andIrish Lists in 1971. Whether the above birds are from an established feralpopulation or are escaped captive birds remains unresolved. Ed.

WIGEON Anas penelope.H. Castleton, Jan. 6th, c200 (AJS et al), Jan. 26th, cl20 (CO); Feb. 2nd,c60, Feb. 17th, 14, Feb. 24th, c50 (KAM et al), Nov. 9th, five (AM).Hampton Bishop, Jan. 28th, 52, March 2nd, three (JLF). Kenchester, March6th, 20, April 2nd, c30, April 8th, eight (GRG! JG). Sink Green, Jan. 1st,nine, Jan. 10th, 48 in flight, Feb. 20th! 22nd, max. 50, Nov. 2nd, eight (JLF).Away from these four main localities records are as follows: Feb. 17th,Hoarwithy, a drake (CWS); Feb. 21st, Lyepole area, three on Lugg (AJS);March 3rd, Mathon SP, one (DP); Oct. 26th, Holme Lacy, three (JLF); Dec.5th, Letton, a few (DYB); Dec. 22nd, Bredwardine floods, cl5 and c50 onflood water near Whitney Court (AM).R. Jan. 6th, Glasbury, c50 (AJS et al) and c200 there on Jan. 26th (CO);Feb. 2nd, Pwll Patti, two (KAM! AJS) and 21 near Bronydd on the samedate (AJP! SW); Feb. 27th, Glasbury, last noted here; April 23rd,Llandrindod Lake, a pair (MFP); Sept. 15th, Llyn Hilyn, five (AM) and asingle there on Nov. 1st (lBE's); Nov. 19th, L1andrindod Lake, two ducks(MFP); Dec. 1st, Pwll Patti, cl2 (PGB's); Dec. 6th, Newbridge Bog, a pair;Dec. 7th, Glasbury, a pair; Dec. 12th, Moelienydd, eight (MFP).A considerable increase in numbers compared with 1984. Ed.

GADW ALL Anas slrepera.H. Feb. 17th, Kentchurch. one on the Monnow (10S); April 6th, BackneyWye, a pair (WOO); June 7th, Sink Green, two (JLF); Dec. 26th, FawleyWye, four (FRF).R. Nov. 22nd, Llyn Hilyn. one (lBE's) and a pair there on Dec. Ist(FWM).


TEAL Anas crecca.H. The larger counts were: Jan. 5th, Sink Green, 12 (JLF); Jan. 6th,Castleton, c20 (KAM et al); Feb. Ist, Sink Green, 16; Feb. II th, Lower Lugg,c50; Feb. 24th, Hampton Bishop, c45 (JLF); March 6th, Kenchester, 36(GRG/JG); March 24th, Mathon SP, 12 (DP); April 2nd, Kenchester, 20(GRG/ JG); Nov. 29th, Sink Green, 25 (JLF); Dec. 5th, Letton, c50 (DVB).Other records involving I - 10 birds come from Bodenham, Bredwardine,Criftin Ford Bridge, Foy, Holme Lacy, Leintwardine, Moccas and StrettonSugwas SP.

R. The larger counts were: Jan. 1st, Pwll Patti, 24 (AJS); Jan. 4th,Evenjobb, 19 (M FP); Jan. 6th, Glasbury, clOO (KAM et al), c20 there onJan. 26th (CO) and 30+ there on Feb. 17th (MFP); March 6th, Penybont, 12(M FP); April 1st, St. Michael's Pool, 18 (HTR); April 2nd, Rhosgoch, 20+(DP); Oct. 24th, Llyn Hilyn, 16; Dec. 7th, Glasbury area, cl50 (MFP); Dec.12th, Pwll Patti, 15 (AM et al); Dec. 19th, Rhosgoch, c60 (DP). Otherrecords involving I - 10 birds come from Builth Road Wye, Dolymynach,Glan Llyn, Lian Bwch-Llyn, Newbridge, Pencerrig and Penyclawdd Pool.

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos.H. and R. A common resident, breeding in both Counties. The largercounts were: Jan. 4th, Glasbury, max. 150 (MFP); Feb. 2nd, Castleton area,35 (KAM/ AJS); July 14th, Llan Bwch-Liyn, 38; Aug. 6th, Craig Goch, 39(MFP); Aug. 30th, Llyn Hilyn, 30 (AM); Sept. 11th, Caban Coch, c40 (AJS);Sept. 30th, Wilton Wye, c80 (WOO); Oct. 7th, Goodrich Wye, cl80(MPW); Oct. 24th, Hindwell Pool, 52 (M FP); Nov. 3rd, Sellack, cl50(WOO); Dec. 1st, Pwll Patti, 74 (pGB's); Dec. 7th, Glasbury, c220; Dec.18th, Liandrindod, 65 (MFP); Dec. 22nd, Whitney Court, c50 on floodwater (AM).

PINTAIL Anas acuta.H. Jan. 12th, Bodenham GP, one (PGB's); Dec. 19th, Eywood, a duck(AJS's).

GARGANEY Anas querquedula.H. A drake at Kenchester on March 5th (JG) remained there until March30th and was seen by several Club members.This is only the sixth record for the County. Ed.

SHOVELER Anas c1ypeata.H. Eywood, a pair on March 6th (AJS) and a drake from Nov. 25th - Dec.19th (JP et al).

POCHARD Anasjerina.H. Jan. 3rd. Bodenham GP. 16+ (PGB's); Jan. 6th, Castleton. a drake(KAM); Jan. 30th, Sink Green, five; Feb. 13th. Lower Lugg, one; Feb. 17th,Upper Lugg, a drake; March 2nd. Hampton Bishop. a drake (JLF); March6th. Eywood, nine (AJS); March 18th. Foy. 20 (GRGOG); May 5th.Bodenham GP. one (PGB's); Oct. 22nd. Hampton Bishop. two (JLF); Nov.13th. Bodenham GP. 28 and 40 there on Nov. 29th (pGB's).

HEREFORDSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT 1985 23 I

R. Jan. 4th, Hindwell, two (MFP); Jan. 6th, Glasbury, a drake (KAM etal) and two there on Jan. 26th (CO); Feb. 2nd, Caban Coch, four drakes andthree ducks (JGa); Feb. 7th/8th, LIandrindod, two ducks, and a single drakethere Feb. 28th - March 3rd (MFP); March 24th, Glan Llyn, three (MFP);April 5th, Elan Valley, a drake (AJP/SW); Oct. 24th, LIyn Hilyn, two(MFP); Nov. 1st, LIan Bwch-LIyn, six (AJS); Nov. 21st, Dolymynach, four(MFP); Dec. 6th, Elan, three (SJT); Dec. 7th, Glasbury, a pair; Dec. 12th,Park Farm, MoeIienydd, a duck (MFP); Dec. 26th, LIan Bwch-LIyn, a drake(AJP/SW).

TUFTED DUCK Anasfuligula.H. Breeding noted at Moccas, Stansbatch and Staunton-on-Arrow andpairs noted prior to and during the breeding season at Broomy Hill,Glewstone, Hampton Bishop and Kenchester. Other records come fromBodenham GP, max. 34 on Feb. 27th and 60 on Nov. 29th (PGB's),Bredwardine, Leintwardine, Letton, max. 30 on Dec. 5th (DVB), LIanwarneand Wilton.R. Records are numerous and come from Cabalva Wye, max. 15 on Jan.1st (AJS), Glasbury, max. 22 on Jan. 26th (CO), Hindwell, LIan Bwch-LIyn,max. 85 on Aug. 10th (CO), LIandrindod, LIyn-gwyn, LIyn Hilyn, Pencerrigand Pwll Patti. Breeding confirmed at LIan Bwch-LIyn, LIyn Hilyn andPencerrig and possible breeding noted at Craig Goch.

SCAUP Anas marila.R. Jan. 26th, Glasbury, an adult female seen at three points along the Wye(CO). (~l4record).Two of th7previous records were at the same locality - Jan. 1963 and Jan.1965. Ed.

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra.R. Oct. 19th, Glasbury Wye, a duck (CO).

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula.H. Castleton, Jan. 6th, 13, including 10 drakes (KAM i GNS's), Jan. 12th,two (RGD), Jan. 26th, ten, including seven drakes (CO) and the same thereon Feb. 2nd (KAM; AJS), Feb. 17th, two and a female on Feb. 24th (AJS).Sink Green. Jan. Ist, two, Jan. 10th, three, Jan. 21 st, six, Feb. 25th, two anda single on Feb. 27th (J LF).

Other records were: Oct. 28th, Hampton Bishop, a female (JLF); Nov. 13th,Bodenham GP, three 'brownheads' (PGB's); Nov. 25th, Eywood, two (JP);Dec. 5th, Clifford, a drake and three 'brownheads' (01').

R. Jan. 4th, Glasbury, two 'brownheads' (M FP), four birds there on Jan.6th (KAM;GNS's) and eight on Jan. 26th (CO). Jan. - April 9th, CabanCoch, Craig Goch, four, including one drake, present throughout this period(MFP); Feb 2nd, near Hronydd, 12 (AJP.SW); No\'. 21st. Dolymynach,three (M FP); Dec. 6th, Elan, a female (SJT); Dec. 7th, Boughrood, one'brownhead' (MFP).


GOOSANDER Mergus merganser.

H. and R. Records are numerous from both Counties and come fromBredwardine, Boughrood, near Bronydd, Builth Road Wye, Castleton,Clifford, Criftin Ford Bridge area, Elan Valley reservoirs, Eywood, Foy,Glasbury, Hampton Bishop, Hereford Wye, Holme Lacy, Llan Bwch-Llyn,Llandrindod Lake, Llangurig, Lyepole Lugg, Sink Green and WhitneyCourt Wye. In addition birds were noted flying over Builth Wells andLlanelwedd Quarry.Some lager counts were: Jan. 6th, Glasbury 15 (KAM et al); Jan. 28th, SinkGreen, 25 (JLF); Feb. 2nd, near Bronydd, 20 (AJP/ SW); Feb. 14th, CabanCoch, 36 (SJT); Feb. 22nd, Sink Green, 26 and 29 there on March 2nd (JLF);March 24th, Caban Coch, 22 (MFP); Sept. 14th, Castleton, 15 (AM), 14there on Oct. 20th (KAM) and 15 on Nov. 9th (AM); Dec. 22nd, Brewardine,19 on flood water (AM).14 pairs noted between Llangurig and Glasbury and six pairs on !thon (SJT).

RUDDY DUCK Oxyurajamaicensis.

H. Staunton-on-Arrow, pair with seven young on June 28th (JMB/ CJP)and two drakes, a duck and two young on July 12th (JLF). Sept. 26th,Eywood, two (JLF).This is the first breeding record for the County and unexpectedly away fromEywood where the majority of previous records have occurred. Ed.R. July 8th - 27th, Llan Bwch-Llyn, a pair present and 'bubbling'displayby male observed (AJS et al). Neither bird seen subsequently and no sign ofbreeding having taken place.This is only the second record for the County, the first being on Nov. 21st,1981, and the fact that it involved a 'possible' breeding pair is of particularinterest. Ed.

BLACK KITE Milvus migrans.

H. One at Symonds Yat on May 15th is the first record for the County(!DB/ AMS/ JW per M. J. Rogers, 'British Birds' Rarities Committee).

RED KITE Milvus milvus.H. Moorhampton, one present for five days in Nov. (MS! BS).R. Recorded on nine occasions during the year from the usual areas and awandering bird seen at Llandegley during a Club Outing on Sept. 21st.

GOSHA WK Accipiter gentilis.H. One noted during spring at undisclosed site and one seen soaring innorth of County on Nov. 27th.


SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus.H. and R. Records are numerous throughout the year and come from 40localities widely distributed over both Counties. All records are of singlebirds except for two at West Malvern on Sept. 9th (PGG), two in Llandegleyarea on Sept. 21st(CO) and two at Bredwardine on Dec. 22nd (AM). Amongthe avian prey taken were Blackbird, Collared Dove, Great Tit, Swallow andWoodpigeon.

BUZZARD Buteo buteo.

H. and R. Records are numerous and a good breeding season reporteddespite the inclement weather in April and June. The larger counts were: Jan.12th, Penmincae, six (MFP); Feb. 24th, Eardisley, four soaring (AJS);March 9th, Elan Valley, 12+; April 7th, c30 seen during round trip to ElanValley, Llan Bwch-Llyn and Rhosgoch areas (AM/FWM); April 15th,Cefnllys, five (MF?); Aug. 10th, Llan Bwch-Llyn, five (CO); Aug. 31s,Ewyas Harold, five (RGD); Sept. 15th, Llandegley area, five (AM); Oct.30th, Elan, five (HTR); Dec. 16th, Llowes, five (AAS).

KESTREL Fa/co tinnuncu/us.H. and R. Records are numerous throughout the year and are widelydistributed throughout both Counties. Although nowhere is it common thenumbers appear to remain fairly constant from year to year.

MERLIN Fa/co columharius.H. Jan. 13th, Moccas, an immature; Nov. 2nd, Whitney-on-Wye, animmature (AJP/SW). W. Herefordshire, reported on four occasions.R. Single birds reported from seven localiites at various times of the year.

HOBBY Fa/co suhbuteo.H. Probably bred at one site and single birds noted in north of County onJuly 9th and in east of County on Sept. 8th.

PEREGRINE Fa/co peregrinus.H. The breeding pair at Symonds Vat were unsuccessful this year,probably due to the very wet spring. The birds remained in the area and werenoted regularly during the year. There were reports from six other localities,two in first winter period, three in spring, including a pair displaying, andone in mid-summer.R. There are 12 records from eight localities. Two pairs known to havebeen robbed of eggs, including the pair which was robbed last year.

RED GROUSE Lagopus /agopus.H. Olchon, regularly seen (SJT) and calling on May 18th (PGB's).R. April 20th, Llanbedr, two pairs (AAS) and birds present there to June(MFP); April 25th. Cefn Hill, eight; July 20th, Glascwm, 13; Aug. 1st,Gwauncestre HilL calling (M FP); Aug. 10th, Llan Bwch-Llyn, one flushedabove farm (CO); Oct. 24th, Gwauncestre Hill, five; Dec. 19th, Llanbedr,four (MFP) and the same number there on Dec. 31 st (AAS).


RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa.H. Jan. 5th, Shobdon, 20 (IBE's); Jan. 20th, Tretire, 12 (WOO); Feb. 1st,Holme Lacy, ten (JLF); March 8th. Bridstow, five and six at Foy; March12th, St. Owen's Cross, two (WOO); March 20th, Kentchurch, pair (JOS);April 1st, Sollers Hope, pair (FRF); April 7th, Mathon SP, one (DP); April10th, Hampton Bishop, pair (JLF); May 1st, Kentchurch, pair (JOS); May5th, Capter, two (PGB's); May 17th, Holme Marsh, calling but no evidenceof successful breeding (AJS); May 29th and June 9th, Sollers Hope, pair(FRF); June 16th, Lenastone, two (PJK); July 4th, Covenhope, one (AJS);July 19th, Sollers Hope, female with five young (FRF); Aug. II th, MathonSP, eight (DP); Octo 16th, Kerry's Gate, ten (RGD); Octo 30th, HamptonBishop, covey often (JVF); Nov. 4th, Kenchester, six (GRG! JG); Nov. 29th,Mathon SP, 15 (0P). A deserted nest containing II eggs noted at BelmontAbbey (DAM).

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix.H. Jan. 7th, Staunton-on-Arrow, covey of 12 (DVB); Jan. 19th, St. Owen'sCross, seven; March 8th, Foy, two (WOO); March 11th, Staunton-onArrow, pair (JMB); April 6th, Kentchurch, two (JOS); April 9th, HamptonBishop, pair (JLF); April 24th, Kentchurch, pair (JOS); Ledbury area, threepairs noted during spring - the first for three years (OR); May 30th,Deerfold, pair (JMB); June 1st, Sollers Hope, calling at dusk and noted onseveral dates thereafter to July 12th (FRF); Aug. 13th, Staunton-on-Arrow,pair with two young (JMB); Aug. 17th, Shenmore, four flushed (AM); Sept.23rd, Hergest Camp area, one (AJS); Nov. 2nd, Tretire, 19 - the most seenfor several years; Dec. 22nd, St. Owen's Cross, eight (WOO). A pair raisedthree young at Goodrich (MPW) and two pairs noted at Holme Marsh, butno evidence of successful breeding (AJS).R. Sept. 7th, Glasbury, five; Dec. 7th, Llowes, six (MFP).

QUAIL Coturnix coturnix.H. June 16th! 17th, Lenastone, calling from corn field (PJK); July 6th,Gladestry, calling in evening (AJP! SW).

PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus.H. and R. A common resident, breeding in both Counties.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus.H. Aymestrey Pools, at least three birds present during first winter periodand possible breeding at Bucton Bog (FMW). Dec. 29th, Aymestrey Pools,one (AM!FWM).

MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus.H. Breeding noted at Hentland, Moccas and Staunton-on-Arrow andbirds reported from Aymestrey, BurghilL Criftin Ford Bridge, Foy,Glewstone, Hereford Wye, Kenchester. Leintwardine, Llanwarne,Shenmore PooL Sollers Hope and Stretton Sugwas SP.R. Adults with young noted at Glasbury, HindwelL Llan Hwch-L1yn.L1andrindod. Llanelwedd and Penvbont Lake. Oct. 24th. HindwelL 12.Evenjobb. four and Llyn Hilyn, five; I'\ov. IXth. Llandrindod Lake. six(MFP).


COOT Fulica atra.H. Breeding confirmed at Bodenham GP, Hentland, Kenchester, Moccasand St. Owen's Cross. Other records come from Bredwardine, Castleton,Eywood, Foy, Llanwarne, Shenmore Pool, Tyberton and Wilton Wye.R. MFP reports 'A good breeding season with young noted atDolymynach, Glan Llyn, HindwelL Llan Bwch.Llyn (1 \), Llyn-gwyn, llynHilyn (10) and Pencerrig'. Other records come from Glasbury, LlandrindodLake, Llannech-y-Cawr, Park Farm (Moelienydd), Penyclawdd and PwllPatti. The maximum count was 70 at Llyn Hilyn on Oct. 24th.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus.R. Garreg Ddu, one on June 9th (KAM) and two on Aug. 6th (MFP). July30th, Builth Wye, one (MFP).

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dub ius.

H. June, pair noted in suitable habitat in east of County and copulationobserved but nest site destroyed by July 7th, July 8th - 10th, a male noted insuitable breeding habitiat in north-west of County.R. Singles at Glasbury on May 2nd (KAM) and Aug. 25th (MFP). (Firstand second records for the County).

KILLDEER Charadrius voc({erus.

H. Jan. 10th, Sink Green, a single bird found and identified by Mr. andMrs. J. L. Fox. It remained in the same area until Jan. 14th and was seen byseveral Club members (First record).The Killdeer is a common North American wader which migrates in autumnto Mexico and South America. The time of arrival of this particular bird istypical of the majority of the 39 previous British records and was probablythe result of northward movement on the eastern seaboard of America due toautumn/winter storms. Ed.

DOTTEREL Charadrius morinellus.

H. Aug. 20th - 23rd, Bradnor Hill, Kington, a single (lan Gough/ CJP).(Fifth record). The previous record in May 1983 was also on Bradnor Hilland IG was one of the initial observers on that occasion. Ed.

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria.H. March 20th, Holme Marsh. c25 (AJS), Sept. 28th, Stretton Sugwas,two (FWM).R. May 11th, Elan Valley, at least one pair near Claerwen (KAM).This has been the worst year for records with no reports from the mainwintering area at Shobdon for either the first winter or the autumn/ secondwinter periods. The BTO census in the mid-seventies showed thatHerefordshire was one of the largest reception areas in the U.K. formigrating Golden Plover with 2000 - 4000 birds noted annually. Howeversince 1980 the numbers have declined dramatically. Ed.


LAPWING Vanellus vanellus.H. and R. A poor breeding season due to a combination ofthe cold winter,wet spring and increased land drainage, particularly in Radnorshire. Thelarger flocks were: Feb. 11th, Lower Lugg, c 1200 (J LF); July 7th, Castleton,350+ (AM); Aug. 24th, Holme Lacy, cl500 (JLF); Aug. 25th, Glasbury, 450(MFP); Sept. 1st, Hampton Bishop, c800 and 200 there on Sept. 6th (JLF);Dec. 6th, Peterstow, c200 (WOO); Dec. 7th, near Llowes, 106 (MFP); Dec.9th, Wilton, c350 (WOD); Dec. 27th, Leintwardine, clOOO (AM).Small flocks of 40 - 100 birds noted at Bridstow, Castleton, Eardisley,Penybont Common, Sellack and Wilton.

CURLEW SANDPIPER Ca/idris ferruginea.H. Oct. 15th - 18th, Aymestrey SP, one (FMW). (First record).There was an exceptionally large-scale autumn migration of CurlewSandpipers during September, mainly juveniles, with the largest numbersappearing on the east coast and this first r~cord for the County wasundoubtedly linked with this influx. Ed.

DUNLIN Ca/idris a/pina.H. Jan. 10th, Sink Green, one; Feb. I Ith, Lower Lugg, two (JLF); May5th, Bodenham GP, one (PGB's); July 27th, Castleton, one in full breedingplumage (AM).R. May I Ith, Elan Valley, one (KAM).

JACK SNIPE Lymnoeryptes minimus.H. Feb. 2nd, Castleton, one (KAM/ AJS); Nov. 15th, Hampton Bishop,one (JLF).R. Jan. I Ith, near Builth Wells, one flew across Wye into Radnorshirewhen flushed (MFP).

SNIPE Gallinago gal/inago.H. The only large gatherings reported were: Feb. I Ith, Lower Luggmeadows, 20 (JLF); March 23rd, Kenchester, min. 15 (GRG/ JG). Recordsof I - 10 birds were noted at Bodenham Lugg, BurghilL Castleton, CriftinFord, Eastnor, Ewyas Harold, Foy, Hampton Bishop, Holme Marsh,Pencoyd, Peterstow. Rotherwas Wye, Sellack, Shobdon, Sink Green, Upperand Lower Lugg meadows. Whitecross (Hereford) and Wilton.R. Breeding noted at Black Hill (DP). Moelienydd 3+ pairs (SJT) andPenybont Common 2 pairs (MFP). 'Drumming' and 'chipping' noted atBodtalog (MFP), Bryngwyn (DP) and Dol-y-Cannau(PCJ / PGF). Jan. 4th,Glasbury, four; Jan. 12th, between Builth and Builth Road, five; March14th, Penybont Common, four (MFP); June 11th. Bryngwyn, pair(PJC/PGF); Oct. 24th, Llyn Hilyn, three (MFP); Oct. 30th, Bleddfa, one(HTR), Dec. 7th. Llowes. 15: Dec. 28th. Builth Wells. four (MFP).A poor year for records. probably due to the reported poor breeding seasonin 1984. Ed.


WOODCOCK Scolopax ruslicola.H. Jan. 26th, SaIlers Hope, two (per AGF); March 10th. Wigmore, one(KAM); April 9th, HoIlybush HiIl, 'roding'(DR); April 19th, Mansel Lacy.one (JLF); April 20th, Moccas. one flushed (AM); April 24th. Haugh Wood.several 'roding' (PGB's); Dec. 19th. Eywood, one flushed (AJS).

R. Jan. 12th, Builth Road. two in snow (MFP) and two in Elan VaIley onthe same date (AJP/SW); Feb. 5th, Garth Wood. one (DP); April 16th,Newbridge, one (MFP); Octo 28th. Garth Wood, one (DP); Nov. 12th, LIyngwyn, one; Nov. 21st, Dolymynach. one (MFP).

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa Iimosa.R. June 16th. LIyn Hilyn. a single in fuIl breeding plumage (CO). This birdhad been present in the area since June 14th (per local farmer). (Fifthrecord).

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus.H. July 28th. KniIl. a single flying over (AJP/SW); Aug. 14th. MuchMarcle, two in flight and a single there on Aug. 21 st (per FRF).

CURLEW Numenius arquata.H. First birds noted returning to breeding areas in early March withreports from Holme Marsh (AJS), Madley (MB) and St. Margaret's (RGD).Reports of I - 2 birds on four dates in April from Castleton (AJS),Fownhope (JLF), Lugg meadows (lBE's) and Sink Green (JLF). HeardcaIling at LIanwarne on May 6th and stiIl present there on June 28th (PJK);June 24th, Woolhope, three (lBE's), Breeding attempted at Holme Marshbut no evidence of young surviving and birds departed on July 30th. Passagebirds noted there on Sept. 1st (AJS). Dec. 29th, Leintwardine, min. six(FWM/AM).R. Jan. 26th, Glasbury area. c60 (KAM's et al); Feb. 5th, Rhosgoch, eight(DP); March 6th, first return noted near Newbridge and 26 pairs locatedduring April - June (MFP); April 2nd, Rhosgoch. 35 (DP); June 20th, TheBegwns, one (PMW / ACP) and ten at Bryngwyn on the same date (DP); July12th, Moelienydd, 32 (JLF). Singles noted at Four Stones on Aug. 1st andGlasbury on Aug. 25th (M FP). Dec. 7th, LIowes. 19 (M FP) and 63 there onDec. 26th (AJP/SW).MFP reports 'Numbers down on 1984 but not as badly affected by landdrainage as Lapwing'.

REDSHANK TrinKa IOlanus.H. Jan. 6th. Castleton, two and a single there on Feb. 2nd (KAM et al);Jan. 10th, Hampton Bishop. one (JLF); March 28th, Bodenham GP, oneand heard caIling there on April4th (PG B's); June 29th. Castleton, three anda single there on July 27th (AM); Dec. 5th. Sink Green. one (JLF).R. March 19th, near Penybont. one by the !thon (M FP); April 6th.Moelienydd. two pairs (AAS); April 9th, Bodtalog. pair displaying (M FP);June 16th. LIyn Hilyn area. one on 'mawn' pool (CO); July 20th. Bryngwyn.one (DP).


GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia.H. Castleton, a single on Aug. 24th and two on Sept. 14th (AM).

R. Glasbury area, singles on Aug. 25th and Sept. 7th (MFP).After last year's exceptional numbers passage this year has been minimal.Ed.

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus.H. Castleton, 1- 2 birds noted regularly Jan. - April (AJS et al) and singlebirds noted there on Aug. 24th and Dec. 14th (AM). Jan. 14th - 23rd,Whitecross, Hereford, three (IBE's); Feb. 16th, Lugg meadows, one (JLF);March 27th, Kenchester, one (GRG;'JG); April 14th, Womaston Gamber,one (PJK); April 24th, Foy, one (KAM); June 19th, Eywood, one (AJS);July 8th, Aymestrey SP, one (FWM); Aug. 17th, Hampton Bishop, one(JLF); Oct. 20th, Letton, one (KAM); Oct. 23rd, Holme Lacy, one and onethere on Nov. 1st (JLF/ JVF); Nov. 4th, Kenchester, one (GRG/ JG); Nov.27th, Kington, one (JMB).

R. Feb. 2nd, Glasbury / Pwll Patti area, three (KAM AJS); Feb. 27th,Pwll Patti, one; April 18th, near Boughrood, one; June 28th, Penybont!thon, one; Aug. 25th, Glasbury, two; Dec. 7th, Pwll Patti, one, and one atLlowes on the same date (MFP).

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos.H. The first returning birds were a single at Leintwardine on March 30th(AM/FWM) and a single at Castleton on the following day (KAM/ AJS).Subsequent records from Castleton are as follows: April 9th, two, April12th, four (AJS); April 21st, ten, June 29th, three, July 7th, 15 in one flock,July 13th, five, July 27th, one, Aug. 3rd, one, Aug. 10th, six, Aug. 17th, four,Aug. 24th/26th, three, Sept., singles on Ist, 7th and 14th, and two on 22nd(AM). Other records are as follows: April 10th, Sink Green, three (JLF);April 16th, Eywood, noted (RVL); April 24th Hoarwithy Wye, one (CWS);April 25th. Sink-Green: si£(JTF); May 1st: Bridge Sollers. three (AAS);May 3rd. Llanwarne, one (PJK); May 5th, Bodenham GP, one (PGB's);May 6th, Hoarwithy. one (WOO); June 6th. Bodenham GP. one (PGB's);July 3rd. T ripleton. seven in half mile of Teme (J l.F); Aug. 21 st. StanfordBishop, one (DGB); Aug. 23rd, Bodenham GP. min. four(PGB's); Sept. Ist.Mathon SP. one (PGG). The last noted was a single at hay-on-Wye on Nov.2nd (AJP/SW).Minimum five pairs bred on Monnow between Llancillo and Llangiwa(S.JT).

R. The first returning bird was noted at Builth on April 14th and 15+ pairslocated during the breeding season (MFP). SJT reported that 6+ pairs bredon !thon above Llanbadarn Fynydd. Early return noted in some areasfollowing wet spell in June with three birds beside Ithon at Penybont on June27th and four at Builth on the following day. Usual concentrations noted inGlasbury area. max. 15 on Aug. 25th and last noted there on Sept. 29th(MFP).

LITTLE GULL Larus minUll/.I.R. Oct. 24th. Llyn Hilyn. a single sub-adult arrived at 16.10 hours and flewaround the lake. alighting only once. before departing south-west towardsBuilth Wells at 16.20 hours (MFP).

This is only the second record for Radnorshire. the first being an immaturebird at Moelienydd on Aug. 2nd. 1982. Ed.


BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus.

H. and R. Noted throughout the year in both Counties although numbersappeared to be much reduced. No breeding records were submitted butpresumably nested in the usual areas. The only large counts were: Feb. 24th,Castleton c200; March 15th, LvonshalL clOO and a similar number atMansel Lacy on the same date; 'April 2nd. Elan Valley, c150; Sept. 29th,Glasbury, c200 (max. June - Oct. count).

COMMON GULL Larus canus.H. Feb.llth, Lower Lugg, two (JLF); Feb. 16h, Wilton, eight; Feb. 22nd,Three Ashes, c30 (WOO); Feb 24th, Castleton, six; March 17th, Lyonshall,c40 (AJS); March 21st, Hampton Bishop, nine (JLF); March 26th,Whitecross, Hereford, 27 (\BE); March 29th, Goodrich, c50 (MPW); April12th, Castleton, one (AJS); Aug. 12th, Sollers Hope, noted (FRF); Aug.24th, Hampton Bishop, one (JLF); Sept. 20th, Wilton, cl2 (WOO); Oct.30th, Hergest, six (AJS); Dec. 14th, Wilton, cl2 (WOO).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larusfuscus.H. Jan. 18th, Whitecross, Hereford, 12 (\BE); March 27th, Holme Marsh,24 moving north-east (AJS); June 20th, Sollers Hope, nine and noted thereon Aug. 12th (FRF); Sept. 9th, Stretton Sugwas tip, 100+ and the usual largenumbers there throughout the autumn and second winter period (AM); Oct.22nd, Norton Canon, 35 in mixed gull flock (AJS); Dec. 14th, Wilton, one(WOO). I - 3 birds noted regularly at Castleton throughout the year withmax. five on Sept. 1st (AJS; AM).R. I - 2 along the Wye in all months, mainly near Glasbury. April passagepeaked at Builth on 8th when 18 flew north and at Llandrindod on 24th when10 flew north (M FP). April 23rd. Llan Bwch-Llyn. 13 (all Ist, 2nd or 3rd yearbirds) on passage (AJS); July 12th. near Howey, one (MFP); Aug. 17th,Moelienydd, eight of which two were 1st year birds and all were in heavymoult (AJS); Sept. 4th, near Builth, one to south.east; Sept. 7th, Glasbury,three to west (MFP); Sept. 23rd, Wye near Clyro, 21 flying upstream inafternoon (AJS); Sept. 29th, The Begwns, two flying south and four atGlasbury on the same date; Oct. 9th, Llandrindod, two to south-west; Dec.7th, Glasbury, six (MFP).

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus.H. Aug. 12th, Sollers Hope, heard and seen, and again on Aug. 19th(FRF); Oct. 22nd, Norton Canon, two adults on plough (AJS); Dec. 5th,Bodenham GP, one adult flying over (PGB's).

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus.H. April 4th, Castleton, two first winter plumaged birds (AJS).R. Dec. 7th, Llowes. one (MFP).

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea.H. Aug. 23rd, Bodenham GP, one. and another there on Sept. 3rd (PGB's).

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger.H. Oct. 10th - 13th, Bodenham GP. one (PGB's et all.


STOCK DOVE Calumba aenas.H. and R. Noted as particularly common between Hereford andMortimer's Cross and in Welsh Newton area (SJT) and remains widespreadin both Counties. The larger counts were: Jan. 31st, Whitecross, Hereford,clOO (lBE); Sept. 7th, near Hay, 16; Sept. 29th, Glasbury Farm, 40; Octo24th, Evenjobb, c20 (MFP); Nov. 3rd, Sellack, c25 (WOO).

WOODPIGEON Calumba palumbus.

H. and R. A very common resident, breeding in both Counties. Song anddisplay flights frequent throughout 1984/1985 winter, continuing throughtJan. and Feb. (AJS). Nov. 3rd, Sellack, cl50 (WOO).

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaacta.H. and R. Remains common and widely distributed throughout bothCounties. The flock at Whitecross, Hereford noted in Dec. 1984 was stillpresent on Jan. 31st although numbers reduced to cI50 (lBE).

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur.H. The first was at Haugh Wood on May 5th (PGB's). May 17th, Lyepolearea, one (AJS); May 19th, Hoarwithy, singing (WOO) and noted on SouthMalverns on the same date (OR); May 30th, Dickendale, two calling (J M B);June 1st, Whitfield, one (JYF); June 4th, Haugh Wood, two heard (KAM);June 29th, Mathon SP, one in song (DP); June 30th, Shobdon, one; July12th, Stansbatch, one (JLF); July 13th, Staunton-on-Arrow, calling (JM B)and one at Hampton Bishop on the same date (JLF); July 20th, Mathon SP,six (DP); Sept. 3rd, Hampton Bishop one (JLF).

RINGED-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri.H. Stretton Sugwas SP, one seen during last week of July (FWM).This is the second record for the County and, as with the first in 1984,undoubtedly relates to an escaped captive bird. Ed.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus.H. First heard on April 15th at Canon Pyon (lBE's) and widely reportedthereafter. June 17th, near Colwall, one killed flying into window at PettyFrance Cottage (per AM). Last noted June 29th at Hoarwithy (CWS).R. First heard on April 17th at Glascwm (AJS). May 1st, Llyn-gwyn,noted and numbers normal in County during the breeding season (MFP).

BARN OWL Tl'to alba.H. Bred successfully again at Llanwarne and at least two owlets flew(PJK). Single birds noted as follows: Jan. 6th, Shobdon (FWM/ AM);March 5th, near Ledbury (lBE's); March 11 th, Hoarwithy (CWS); March16th, Callow (WOD); Jan. - July 6th, Tedstone Wafre area (per DGB); Nov.28th, Mortimers's Cross and Welson (DYB).R. Sept. 29th, Pentrosfa, two (Gareth Davies, per MFP).


LITTLE OWL Athene noctua.H. Generally remains common and widespread throughout the Countyalthough numbers appear to be down in some areas. Records are numerousand cover all months of the year.R. Noted at Presteigne in Jan. and at Doldowlod and near Newbridge inApril (per MFP); May 23rd, near Bronydd, one (WL-S); July 8th, near TheBegwns, a juvenile (AJS); Aug. Ist, Four Stones, two; Sept. 29th, near TheBegwns, one calling (MFP).

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco.H. Breeding confirmed at Brilley (WL-S), Lyepole area (AJS) and Tupsley(lBE's) and probably bred at Sollers Hope (FRF). Single birds noted duringthe year at Eardisley (ACP), Fir Tree (IBE's), Garway (RGD), Hoarwithy(CWS), Kington (JMB), Ledbury (DR), near 'The Verzons' on Ledburyroad (AM) and Weston-under-Penyard (WOD).R. Bred successfully Bryngwyn Church area, Cloggau, Dol-y-Cannau(PJC/ PGF), Garth Wood (DP) and in Llyn Hilyn area where pair with twoowlets seen on June 16th (CO). June 20th, Llandewi-fach, near Painscastle,corpse found under electricity transformer (PMW / ACP); Sept. 10th, Llyngwyn, one; Sept. 28th, Clyro, one dead on road (MFP).

SWIFT Apus apus.H. The first was a single overthe Wye at Wilton on May 1st (JRC) with themain body of arrivals occurring on May 3rd, but as in 1984 numbersappeared to be down over the County. Breeding was widespread and underrecorded. The largest pre-departure gatherings noted were: Aug. 14th,Hoarwithy, max. 30 (CWS) and Aug. 18th, Ewyas Harold, 40(RGD). Smallnumbers noted to end of August and the last were two at Hampton Bishopon Sept. 6th (JLF).R. The first was noted at Builth Road on April 28th but numbers remainedlow until the main arrival in late May. July 26th, Builth, clOO (M FP); Aug.29th, Llanelwedd. 100+ (AJS). The last noted were four over the Wye nearBronydd on Sept. 7th (MFP).

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis.H. Records, mainly of single birds, are numerous throughout the year andcome from the Wye at Belmont. Bredwardine, Bridge Sollers, Castleton(max. 2 on Sept. 14th), Hampton Bishop (pair courting), Hay, Hereford,Hoarwithy (bred), Sellack, Sink Green (max. 3 on Sept. 6th) and Wilton:Also noted as frequent between Ross and Builth (SJT). Recorded along theLugg at Lyepole. Mordiford (pair with three young on June 20th) andShirleys, and noted as frequent along the Monnow between Longtown andKentchurch. Other records come from the Arrow at Titlev, the Teme atLeintwardine, the Lenastone Gamber, Eywood Pool, Sollers Hope andWhitecross. Hereford (max. 2 on Jan. 11th).


R. Noted in good numbers in Jan. and bred at Boughrood, Glasbury, ,nearLlanelwedd and Llanfaredd (MFP). July, near Builth, five on Duhonw andnoted on Ithon near Llanbister (SJT); Aug. 25th, four between Glasbury andBoughrood; Sept. 14th, four between Builth and Llanfaredd (MFP). Familyparty noted between Kinnerton and New Radnor (per HTR).

HOOPOE Upupa epops.

11

"

,\ " '\ ' 11 1/

H. May 2nd, Monstay Farm, near pipe Aston, a single well viewed (JohnThomas, per FWM).

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis.H. Very much under-recorded although the records submitted cover allmonths of the year and come from Bodenham, Bridstow, BurghilLCastleton, Eastnor, Ewyas Harold, Hoarwithy (bred), How Caple,Llanwarne, Merbach, Sellack, Sollers Hope and Titley.R. MFP reports 'Numbers reduced after freeze at beginning of the yearwith the only records coming from Cefndyrys, Glasbury, Llanelwedd Rocks,Newbridge and Pentrosfa. However a very good breeding season resulted innumbers recovering well in parts of the County and young noted at FourStones, Llanelwedd, Llyn-gwyn. Newbridge and Penybont'. June 10th, Doly-Cannau, alarm calls heard (PJe: PG F); Sept. 15th, Llandegley area, one(AM); Oct. 30th, Radnor Forest, one (HTR).

/


GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major.H. Occasional visitor to garden feeding stations during winter months andwidely reported throughout the year with records from Bodenham,Breinton, Brilley, Burghill, Castleton (bred), Coddington, Cother Wood,Ewyas Harold, Hampton Bishop (bred), How Caple, Ledbury,Leintwardine, Lower Lugg meadows, Moccas, Nash Wood (bred),Peterstow, Sellack, Weston-under-Penyard and Wilton.R. MFP reports 'Not affected by freeze and recorded at II sites during theyear with successful breeding noted at Lian Bwch-Liyn, Liyn-gwyn andPencerrig'. Oct. 30th, Radnor Forest, one (HTR).

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor.H. All records are of single birds and are as follows: Jan. 22nd, CotherWood (DP); Feb. 18th, Common Hill, 'drumming' (KAM); March 2nd,Lyonshall Park Wood, a male (AJP I SW); March 30th, Hampton Bishop(JLF); April 8th, Eywood, (AlP ISW); April 15th, Hampton Bishop (JLF);May 2nd, Olchon (lBE's); Sept. 2nd, Holme Marsh (AJS); Sept. 24th andOct. 7th. Common Hill; Oct. 11th. Holmer (KAM); Nov. 21st. Bartestree.feeding on nut cage (MJA).R. A single at Elan Valley on Feb. 2nd (IBE's).

SKYLARK Alauda arvensis.H. and R. Very few records have again been submitted. Jan. 4th,Evenjobb, max. 34 (MFP); Jan. 17th, Pencoyd, c30 (WOO); March 24th,Craig Goch, 24; Sept. 12th, Penybont Common, max. 20 (MFP). Firstautumn movement noted at Holme Marsh on Sept. 20th but very few birdsappeared subsequently (AlS). Autumn passage began later than usual inRadnorshire and was first noted on Oct. 12th (MFP). Dec. 23rd, ThreeAshes, c25 (WOO). Elsewhere records come from Bryngwyn, Castleton,Hampton Bishop, Liandegley Rocks, Liowes, Liyn Hilyn and Whitecross,Hereford.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia.H. The first were four over the Lugg at Kingsland on April 5th (RNO) andby mid-April the majority of birds had arrived at their breeding sites.However numbers were still at a very low ebb with max. 40 at Castleton onApril 21st (AM). Small colonies (up to 15 pairs) noted along the MonnowatLiancillo, Liangiwa and Old Castle (SJT). The breeding season wasextended and a pair was still feeding young at Castleton on Aug. 26th andseveral pairs were still feeding young at Stretton Sugwas SP on Sept. 9th(AM). The larger autumn passage gatherings were: Aug. 9th, Sink Green,c30 (JLF); Aug. 10th, Castleton, c200 (CO) and c40 there on Aug. 24th(AM). The last were two at Castleton on Sept. 29th (AM).R. The first was a single below Glasbury on March 31 st (KAMI AJS).MFP reports 'Numbers remained low until late May and several smallcolonies were deserted. Only the Glasbury colony appeared to be holding itsnumbers. The Builth Quarry colony reduced to only II pairs (60+ in 1983)and the only other colony noted was along the Ithon at Penybont where sixpairs nested. It was thought by Bob Haycock that many among the 500 or sobirds roosting in the reed beds at Llangorse Lake in July had probably comefrom the Glasbury colony'. Aug. 31st. Llan Bwch-Liyn, two (AJS). Lastnoted Glasbury on Sept. 7th (MFP).


SWALLOW Hirundo rustica.

H. The first were two near Coldborough Park on April 5th (CWS) and asingle at Eywood on the same date (RLV). Noted daily thereafter with 100+at Castleton on April 21st (AM). Numbers generally up to normal althoughseveral observers noted a slight decrease locally. Post-breeding flocks beganto assemble in mid-July with clOO noted at Holme Marsh on 13th (AJS).Aug. 20th, Ledbury, 'flocking on wing' (OR); Sept. 5th, Hoarwithy,'congregating all day' (CWS); Oct. 7th, Sink Green, c40 (JLF). The lastnoted was a single at Colwall on Oct. 18th (PGG).

R. The first were two at Rhydspence on April 7th (AJP / SW). April 13th,Llan Bwch-Llyn, six (AM) and c50 there on April 23rd (AJS). Post-breedingflocks reported to be smaller than usual with min. 120 at Hundred House onAug. 29th (AJS) and maxima 50 at Builth on Sept. 4th, Glasbury on Sept.7th, Newbridge on Sept. 10th, Penybont on Sept. 12th and at Buiith again onSept. 20th. The last were ten flying south at Builth on Oct. 24th (MFP).

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urhica.H. Singles at Glasbury (AJP/SW) and Tupsley (I BE's) on April 8th werethe first with the main arrival occurring as usual from the middle to the endof April. Numbers appeared to be up to normal and a good breeding seasonwas generally reported. At Belmont Abbey, where min. 20 pairs nested, apair was still feeding young in nest on Oct. 11th (DAM). Post-breedingflocks were noted as follows: Aug. 17th, Preston-on-Wye, 100+ (AM); Aug.20th, Holme Marsh, 100+ (AJS); Aug. 29th, Mordiford, c300 (I BE's); WestMalvern, 100 on Sept. 6th, 250 on Sept. 8th, 150 on Sept. 20th and 100 onOct. 5th (PGG); Oct. 7th. Sink Green, c50 (JLF) and 34 at Holme Marsh onthe same date (AJS). The last were six at Burghill on Oct. 19th (GRG/ JG).R. April 14th. two to the north at Builth Quarry (MFP) were the first. Noreport on breeding status but MFP reports 'Post-breeding flocks were aboutnormal with several hundred at Llan Bwch-Llyn on Aug. 10th and maxima100+ at Builth on Sept. 4th. Llandrindod on Sept. 8th and Penybont on Sept.12th. There were c40 at Builth on Oct. 2nd and last seen there on Oct. 7th'.

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivia/is.H. The first was a single singing in the Lyepole area on April 16th followedby one on passage at Holme Marsh the following day (AJS). April 24th,Mansel Lacy, three singing (J LF); May 5th, Haugh Wood, three singing nearcar park (PGB's); July 3rd, Lingen, one in song (JVF); Aug. 12th, HolmeMarsh, first return passage noted but very few birds this year (AJS).

R. The first returning birds were two at Llan Bwch-Llyn and a single atGlascwm on April 17th (AJS). April 18th, Elan. noted (GRG! JG) and notedat I.lanbedr on the same date (MFP). June 10th. near Clyro. breeding pairnoted and one singing at Dol-y-Cannau on the same date (PJe PGF). M FPreports 'Numbers slightly down and a disastrous breeding season occurreddue to the very wet summer. Young only noted at Beili-bedw. Llan BwchLlyn and Pencerrig and very few birds noted in August and only a single birdnoted in Sept.. at Glasbury on 7th'.


MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis.H. Feb. 11th and 14th, Lower Lugg meadows, c50; March 21st, HerefordWye, 24 and c75 there on the following day (JLF); April3rd, Castleton, c lOO,but only 15 there on the following day; Sept. 5th, Holme Marsh, autumnpassage first noted (AJS); Sept. 14th, west side of British Camp, 120 (PGG);Nov. 1st, Wilton, cl5 and c6 there on Dec. 14th (WOO).

R. The only spring record received was from Radnor Forest on April 1st(HTR) but presumably bred in usual areas. Autumn flocks noted were: Sept.12th, Penybont Common, clOO (MFP); Sept. 14th, Llandegley area, 40+(CO); Oct. 3rd, Moelienydd, 50+; Oct. 24th, Beili-bedw, c25 (MFP). Scarcethereafter with eight at Glasbury on Dec. 7th and a single at Builth Wells onDec. 28th the only other records.

WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta spinoletta.H. April 3rd, Castleton, a single in winter plumage In with passageMeadow Pipits (AJS).

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacillaflava.H. Two males at Castleton on April 3rd (AJS) were the first and notedthereafter prior to and during the breeding season at Bridstow (2 pairs),Castleton (min. 4 pairs), Hoarwithy (4 pairs), Holme Lacy (max. 300n May5th), Kinsham. Llancillo. Llanwarne (pair), Rotherwas Wye, Stansbatch(pair) and Wilton Wye (3 pairs). Post-breeding movement first noted atHolme Marsh on July 25th (AJS). Aug. 24th, Castleton, min. 20(AM); Aug.26th, St. Owen's Cross, six (WOO); Aug. 29th, Holme Marsh, noticeablesoutherly movement (AJS). The last noted were seven at Castleton on Sept.7th (AM) and a single at Holme Marsh on Sept. 12th (AJS).

R. April 18th, first return noted at Glasbury; June 8th, 12 pairs notedbetween Llowes and Glasbury, the majority of which were on theBreconshire side of the river (MFP). Aug. 29th, Llyn Hilyn. two immatures(AJS). 34, including many immatures, at Glasbury on Sept. 7th (MFP) werethe last noted in autumn.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea.H. Noted throughout the year although numbers down as a result of thesevere weather during the first winter period. Records come from Castleton,near Hay-on-Wye, Hoarwithy, Leintwardine, Marden, Rotherwas, Shirleys,Sink Green, Stansbatch, Welson, Whitecross (Hereford) and Wilton. SJTnoted pairs breeding along the Dore at Pontrilas, the Monnow at Altyrynys,Craswell, Llancillo and Llangunllo, and along the Olchon (3+ pairs). AJSreports 'Late summer movement less evident than usual'.

R. Numbers appear to be down due to the severe weather. Jan., single birdsnoted at Builth Road. Builth Wells and Glasbury (MFP); March 30th, NewRadnor, pair (HTR). SJT noted pairs breeding along the Ithon at Llanano,near Llanbadarn Fynydd (3 pairs). Penybont and Pont-ar-Ithon, the Howeyat Llandrindod, Fernant and Scithwen Brooks near Erwood, Bach Howey.Edw (4+ pairs) and Elan (2 [lairs). Young birds were also noted at BuilthWells. Dolymynach, Gilwern Dingle. Llan Bwch-Llyn and Llyn Hilyn.Seven were noted at Builth Wells on Sept. 9th and six there on Oct. 29th.Sinl!'e bird, at Builth, Llowes and l.lyn-gwyn in '101'. Dec. (M FP).


PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba.H. Jan. - March, reports, generally of single birds, from severallocaIities.April3rd, Castleton, 12 (AJS) and min. 30 there on April 13th (AM). Singlepairs noted breeding at Belmont Abbey (DAM) and Brilley (WL-S). July7th, Castleton, several adults and juveniles noted and c30 there on Sept. 22nd(AM); Oct. 3rd, Bridstow, 15 (WOO); Nov. 22nd, Burghill, clOOand smallnumbers thereafter to end of year (GRG/ JG).White Wagtails M. a. alba were noted at Castleton with a single male onApril 3rd and two males on April 12th (AJS).R. Under-recorded, the only large counts noted being as follows: Aug.17th, Coxhead Bank, 15 (AJS); Aug. 30th, Builth, c50; Sept. 7th, Glasbury,c50; Sept. I Ith, Llandrindod High School, c60; Dec. 7th, Glasbury, 24(MFP).

WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus.H. Jan. 19th, Bartestree, two in observer's garden (MJA).

DIPPER Cim'lus cinclus.H. Jan. 7th, Whitecross, Hereford, one (lBE); Feb., Lyepole Lugg area,three pairs nesting and juveniles seen there on May 2nd (AJS). Otherbreeding records were as follows: River Monnow - Clodock, Craswell (5+pairs), Great Goytre, Llancillo (2 pairs) and Llangiwa; River Dore Pontrilas; Olchon Valley (4 pairs) and Broad Oak, near Skenfrith(SJT/SJO). Oct. 3rd, Lyepole Lugg area, two in song (AJS); Nov. 7th,Bodenham Lugg, one (PGB's); Nov. 9th, Stansbatch, one feeding in floodedlane (JMB); Nov. 28th, Whitecross, one (lBE); Dec. 29th, Leintwardine, one(FWM/AM).R. Jan. 12th, Builth to Builth Road, max. I1 (MFP); March 31st, HarleyDingle, one (HTR). Breeding reported from along the Wye and it'stributaries, the !thon, the Dulas and the Arrow with 40+ pairs recorded(SJT/ SJO). Also noted breeding at Fuallt and Glascwm on June 11th(PJC! PGF). Oct. 19th, Glasbury, one (CO).

Or. Stephanie Tyler has reported that the acidity of some of the streamsand rivers in Radnorshire has continued to affect the fledging rate in thatCounty. However there is very little evidence that Herefordshire streams andrivers are affected and consequently the fledging rate is much higher. Ed.

WREN Troglodytes troglodytes.

H. and R. Very few records submitted but appears to be common again inboth Counties. At Brilley a pair nested. in a 'topped 'Swallow's nest (WL-S).

DUNNOCK Prunella modularis.H. and R. Very much under-recorded in both Counties. Several pairsfeeding young at Brilley during May! June (WL-S) and heard in song atSollers Hope on Dec. 11 th (FR F).

ROBIN Erithacus rubecula.H. and R. Another species which is greatly under-recorded. Remains acommon resident. breeding in both Counties. Aug. 16th, Sollers Hope, firstphrases of autumn song noted (FRF).


NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos.H. April 20th - May 5th, Bromyard Downs, two singing (OGB); May 2nd,Common Hill, one in song (KAM) and two there on May 7th (JLF); May29th, Kinnersley, heard in song (JMB! AJS). Also reported fromBroadmoor Common but no date given (BEM). None were reported fromShucknall where they have been recorded annually since 1976.

REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus.H. April 16th, Lyepole, one in song (AJS); April 21st, Richard'sCastle, amale (RNO); April 22nd, Eywood, noted (RLV); May 8th, Brilley, pairnesting (WL-S); May 16th, Orcop, a male (PJK). Bred Moccas Park (AM).July 10th, Ewyas Harold, ajuvenile in garden (RGO); Aug. 3rd, Castleton, ajuvenile (AM); Aug. 16th, Ewyas Harold, two juveniles in garden (RGO);Aug. 24th, Castleton, a pair (AM); Aug. 29th, Tupsley, one (IBE's).R. MFP reports 'First return was at Llanelwedd Quarry on April 8th andnumbers at or above normal with an estimated 80 - 100 males and! or pairs inSO 05 and SO 06'. June 10th, Caeynoyadd Hill, two pairs; Ool-y-Cannau,two nests with young; June I1 th, Bryngwyn churchyard, nest with fiveyoung; Bryngwyn, nest with five young and two unpaired adults; Dreavour,pair; near Crowther's Pool, a male (PJCj PGF); July 14th, Llan Bwch-Llyn,many young birds noted (MFP); Aug. 25th, Llyn Hilyn, a male (AM); Aug.31st, Llan Bwch-Llyn, one (AJS). The last noted was at Llyn-gwyn on Sept.10th (MFP).

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra.H. May 3rd, Holme Lacy, a female (JLF); May 10th, Stansbatch, one(JMB). Bred in the Olchon Valley (SJT). Aug. 16th, Holme Lacy, one (JLF).

R. One in song at Llyn Hilyn on April 26th (AJS) was the first. May 1st,Llyn-gwyn, noted (MFP); May 5th, Craig Goch, one (PGB's); June 20th,Llan Bwch-Llyn, three pairs (AJS). Seven pairs in territory at PenybontCommon on June 28th, two family parties at Llan Bwch-Llyn on July 14thand six groups of juveniles/ family parties in Llyn Hilyn! Beili-bedw area onAug. 1st, (MFP). Aug. 10th, Llan Bwch-Llyn, a family party (CO); Aug.31 st, Llyn Hilyn, two; Sept. 1I th, Elan, four (AJS). The last noted was asingle at Penybont Common on Sept. 12th (MFP).

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata.H. 84/85 winter, Goodrich, one noted in observer's garden but no dategiven (MPW).R. April 8th, Llanbedr, a male in song (MFP).A very poor year for records. Ed.

WHEA TEAR Oenanthe oenanthe.H. April 3rd, Castleton, one (AJS) and one there on April 13th (AM). Bredin the Olchon Valley (SJT). July 13th, Castleton, a juvenile on passage andfour passage birds there from Aug. 10th - Sept. Ist (AM). Singles at HolmeLacy on Aug. 14th and 16th (JLF); Aug. 17th, Shenmore, a passage birdnoted (AM).


R. The first returning bird noted was a single at Elan on March 28th (DP).April 9th, Bodtalog, noted (M FP); April 13th, Bryngwyn, three (CO); April17th, Glascwm, one in song (AJS); April 20th, Llanbedr, two pairs (AAS).15 pairs located between Bodtalog and bottom end ofCraig Goch reservoirand six pairs noted at Penybont Common, including three females with nestsin old rabbit burrows (MFP). July 12th, Moelienydd, two (JLF); Aug. 17th,Cox head Bank, two and 11 in Moelienydd area on the same date; Sept. 11 th,Elan, one (AJS); Sept. 15th, Llandegley, two (AM) and a single there onSept. 21st (CO). The last noted was a single female at The Begwns on Sept.29th (MFP).

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus.H. May 18th, Olchon, noted in song (PGB's) and minimum two pairs bredthere (SJT). Sept. 18th, West Malvern. a female in observer's garden for anhour (PGG).R. April 16th, Kesty area, ten migrants in loose flock (DP); April7th, ElanValley, a male (FWM/ AM); Aug. 8th, a male noted at the headwaters of theArrow (RM).

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula.H. and R. A common resident, breeding in both Counties. June 2nd,Broomy Hill, 64 (JBDC); Oct. 22nd, Builth, c25 (MFP); Dec. 7th, HolmeMarsh, subdued song (AJS) and 50+ with winter thrushes at Glasbury on thesame date (M FP).

FIELDFARE Turdus pi/aris.H. The larger flocks noted during the first winter period were as follows:Jan. 5th, Shobdon, c600 (I BE's); Feb. 2nd, Castleton, 300+ (AM); Feb. 3rd,Holme Marsh, c300 (AJS); March 20th, Kenchester, c 150; March 31 st,Burghill, c50 (G RG / JG); April 2nd, Holme Marsh, c170 (AJS) and cl 00 atKenchester on the same date (G RG/ J G). The last noted in spring were five atHolme Lacy on May 5th (JLF). The first returning birds in autumn werenoted at Castleton on Oct. 20th (KAM) and Burghill (GRG/ JG), HamptonBishop (JLF) and Sollers Hope (FRF) on Oct. 22nd. Oct. 25th, Merbach,noted with Redwings (RGD); Nov. 3rd, Sellack, c50 (WOD); Nov. 9th.Castleton, 100+ (AM); Nov. 21st, Hampton Bishop, c400 (JLF).R. Low numbers Feb. - March except for 150 north of Rhayader on March10th (MFP) and cl50 at Rhosgoch on March 20th (JLF). April 3rd, NewRadnor. c50 (HTR); April 13th. Bryngwyn. 20+(CO). The last in spring wasa single at Cilasbury on April 18th (M FP). The first returning birds inautumn were 25 flying east. north-east at Builth on Oct. 22nd (M FP). ()ct.27th. :\ew radnor. flock of cl 00 going to roost (HTR): :\ ov. 12th.lIyn-gwvn.ma\(. 20: Dec. 7th. Glasbury. e250; Dec. 12th. Penybonc lOO (MFP).

SONG THRUSH Turdus phi/oll/elas.H. and R. Resident and breeding in both Counties. April 22nd. Brilley.pair nesting (WL-S); April 29th. Sollers Hope. in song and juveniles notedthere on Aug. 1I th (FR F); ()ct. 22nd, Builth. 15 with Blackbirds andRedwings; Dec. 7th, Glasbury. 18 (MFP).


REDWING Turdus iliacus.

H. Jan. 2nd, Holme Marsh, c230 on pasture (AJS); Jan. 5th, Shobdon,cf>OO (IBE's); March 20th. Kcnchester. c30 (GRG .JG); March 20th. HolmeMarsh, c80 and a single there on April 1st (A.JS); April 2nd, Kenchester, asingle with Fieldfares (GRG / .JG). The first returning birds in autumn werenoted at Monnington on Oct. 12th (KAM) and Hereford on Oct. 13th([,GB's). Oct. 25th. l.edbury. passage birds heard calling while flying over atnight (OR); Oet. 2f>th. Hampton Bishop. el25 (JI.F); Nov. 23rd. SaIlersHope. e30 flying over (FRF) and e24 at Marden on the same date (MJA).

R. MFP reports 'Numbers on return passage in spring were much lowerthan usual with 80 near Pencerrig on March 25th the maximum. Last notedwere 14 at L1yn-gwvn on mareh 27th. In the autumn the first returning birdswere noted at Llandrindod on Oct. 14th and there were c400 feeding on hawsetc. beside the Wyeat Builth on Oct. 22nd. Very few noted in Nov., max. 31to roost at Cefndvrvs on the 27th. In Dec. there were 200+ at ['wll Patti on' the7th and elOO at 'penvbont on the 12th'.

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus I'iscivorus.H. and R. Resident and breeding in both Counties. The larger counts wereall in the autumn! second winter period as follows: Sept. 15th, I.landegley. 13(AM); Sept. 22nd, Castell Collen. max. seven (MFP); Oct. 8th. Stansbatch,2f> (JMB); Dec. 7th. Glasbury. ten (M FP).

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER rocuslclla nacl'ia.

H. and R. :\'0 report this year from either County. Ed.


SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus.H. May 7th, Wilton Wye, in song and subsequently three pairs - 'not seenor heard in this locality for several years previously' (WOD); May 8th.Hampton Bishop, one (JVF); July 13th. Castleton, two and a single there onJuly 27th (AM).R. June 8th, Glasbury, two singing; July 1st. Llandrindod Lake. one insong (MFP).

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus.H. Shobdon. As in 1984 no details are available regarding the status of thebreeding colony at this locality. Ed.R. Llan Bwch-Llyn, a single bird heard in song on June 14th and 20th andagain on July 8th and 27th (M FP et al).

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca.H. First recorded on April 26th at Stansbatch (JMB). May Ist. HamptonBishop, one in song (JLF); May 2nd, Lyepole, one in song (AJS); May 5th,singles at Capler and HoIme Lacy (PGB's); May 6th. Hoarwithy, one(WOD); May 7th. Common Hill, four in song (JLF); May 19th, WellingtonHeath, noted (DR); May 20th. Bridstow, one (WOD); May 24th,Llanwarne, noted (PJ K); Hampton Bishop. Aug. 5th, one, Aug. 6th, one andtwo juveniles._Aug. Il th. two (JLF); ~ug. 27th/28th. Home Marsh. passagenoted (AJS). Last seen at Hampton Bishop on Sept. 6th (JLF).R. May 4th. Pwll Patti, first noted; Aug. 1st, Llyn Hilyn, one on autumnpassage (MFP).

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis.

~

I"",, ~., '"H. The first were several noted between Sutton and Bodenham on May 5th(PGB's). May 6th. Titley, noted in song (JMB); May 7th. Sarnesfield. one insong and one near Linton on the same date (AJS); May 16th, Mansel Lacy.one (JVF) and one at Orcop on the same date with a single there on May23rd, two on 24th and a single on June 8th (PJK). Noted at BroadmoorCommon (BEM). The only passage bird noted in autumn was at HolmeMarsh on Aug. 21st (AJS).


R. May 4th, a singing male at Pwll Patti was the first; Mav 17th, BuilthQuarry, three males (M FP); June 10th, near L!owes, nest with five young(PJC! PG F); July 14th, Llan Bwch-Llyn, family party; Aug. 30th, Builth,last noted (M FP).

Numbers still declining. Ed.

GARDEN WARBLER Srlvia horin.H. The main arrival occurred during the first week of May with singingmales noted at Capler Wood, Common Hill, Nupend and Titley. June,Brilley, a pair nesting (WL-S). AJS reported a marked increase in thebreeding numbers in the north of the County. July, Ewyas Harold, a singlenoted in garden on several dates (RGD).

R. MFP reports 'First noted at Llandrindod on May 2nd and numbers upfor the third consecutive year. An estimated 80 - 100 singing males and! orpairs for each of squares SO 05 and SO 06 '. PJC; PG F recorded single pairsand! or nests at Caeynoyadd HilL near Clyro, Crowther's Pool area and Doly-Cannau and a singing male at Rhosgoch on June 10th, and single pairs atBryngwyn, Cloggau and Dreavour and four pairs at Glascwm on June II th.Main passage mid - late Aug. with the last being a late bird with Chiffchaffsand Blackcaps at Builth Quarry from Sept. 14th - 20th (MFP).

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla.

H. Jan. - March. ovcr-wintering birds notcd at Bartcstree. Bishopstone.Burghill, Ewyas Harold (max. three females Feb. 2nd - April 5th), HerefordCity (five localities) and Led bury. Approximately equal numbers of malesand females were involved. First spring migrants noted during the secondweek of April and numbers appeared to be up to normal. During the secondwinter period birds were noted at Mordiford and in two gardens at Tupsley.R. First return was at Builth Road on April 14th and numbers up tonormal. c30 singing males in SO 05 and SO 06. In autumn last noted at BuilthQuarry on Sept. 20th (MFP).

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sihilatrix.

H. The first was one in song at Mansel Lacy on April 24th (JVF). April26th, LyonshalL two in song. Good numbers reported in the north of theCounty with an increase on 1984 BTO survey counts (AJS). l\oted atMoccas Park throughout the breeding season (AM).

R. First return was at Llandrindod on Mav 2nd and numbers maintained.56 singing males located in SO 06 (M FP). M-ay 5th. Pwll Patti. noted in song(PGB's); July 14th, Llan Bwch-Llyn. young calling - the last noted (MFP).

CHIFFCHAFF Pl1l'1lmco!JIIs collrhita.

H. and R. An over-wintering bird noted at Glasbury on Jan. 4th (MFP).(he first spring migrant was a single at Titley on March 27th (AJS) withreports from six localities widely distributed over Herefordshire on April3rd. AJS noted a marked increase in North Herefordshire over 1984 countsand in Radnorshire M FP located 25 singing males in SO 05 and c 15 in SO 06.Main autumn passage mid -late Sept. and the last noted was a singing maleat Llandrindod High School on the late date of Oct. 17th 18th (MFP).

252 HEREFORDSHIRE ORNITBOLOGICAL REPORT 1985

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus.H. and R. Once again reported as very common in both Counties. The firstwere three at Tupsley (lBE's) and singles at Castleton (AJS) and Wapley(HTR) on April3rd. The last noted were two at Hampton Bishop on act. 9th(JLF).

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus.H. and R. Very few records submitted from either County. The only largenumber reported was 15 at Llyn-gwyn on Sept. 10th (M FP).

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus.H. Jan. IOth/ Ilth, Eardisley, one well seen in observer's garden feeding inNorway Spruce Picea abies (DVB).

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata.H. A single at Eywood on May 5th (PGB's) was the first. Recorded fromBelmont Abbey, Bodenham, Brilley, Castleton, Ewyas Harold, Hoarwithy,Llanwarne, Orcop, Sellack, Sollers Hope and Whitecross, Hereford. Lastseen at Hoarwithy on Aug. 29th (WOO).R. MFP reports 'First noted at Penybont on May 14th but the main returncontinued until late May. Numbers appeared to be similar to 1984 andapprox. 30 - 40 males/ pairs located in each of squares SO 05 and SO 06. Itwas, however, a poor breeding season'. Singles noted at Rhosgoch on June10th and at Bryngwyn and Glascwm on June 11th (PJC! PGF). Aug. 17th,L1ynpentre Bank, four and two near Monaughty on the same date (AJS).Last noted at Glasbury on Sept. TfI1TMFP).

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca.H. One in song at Titley on April 10th (AJS) was the first. April 19th,Mansel Lacy, three males (JLF) and a single in Olchon Valley on the samedate (IBE's); April 30th, Common Hill, one in song (KAM); May 6th,Hentland, one singing but not heard subsequently (WOO).L1anveynoe/ Longtown, ten pairs in boxes and five pairs in boxes in UpperOlchon Valley (SJT). July 28th, Hereford, a female and a juvenile in themiddle of the City (PGB's); Aug. 10th, 'Perryfields', Sollers Hope, one ingarden - 'the first ever' (FRF).R. April 15th, first noted at Cefnllys (MFP); April 22nd, LlanfairWaterdine, a male (RNa). Young birds noted at Builth Quarry, L1anBwch-L1yn, Pencerrig and Dolymynach where sixjuveniles on Aug. 6th werethe last noted (M FP).See also Nest-box Scheme and Ringing Reports.

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus.H. and R. Numerous and well distributed throughout both Counties. Thelarger flocks were: Jan. 1st, Capler, 24 (IBE's); June 11th, Hoarwithy, 22(CWS); July 13th, Holme Marsh, min. 25 passed through with other tits(AJS); July 28th, Sellack, 11; Aug. 29th, Hoarwithy, ten (WOO); Sept. 27th.Common Hill. 22 (KAM); Oct. 12th. Foy. ten; act. 29th. Tretire, ten


(WaD); Nov. 8th, SoIlers Hope, 50 - 60 in orchard (per FRF); Nov. 21st,BurghiII, ten (GRG! JG); Nov. 26th, Bridstow. cl4; Dec. 9th, Wilton, ten(WaD); Dec. 12th, Welson, 12 (DVB); Dec. 24th, St. Owen's Cross, 12(WaD).

MARSH TIT Parus palustris.H. and R. Resident and breeding in both Counties. Fewer reports thanusual submitted but apparently little change in status. Noted at 19 sites inRadnorshire (MFP). Occasional visitor to garden feeding station atEardisley during Nov'; Dec. (DVB).

WILLOW TIT Parus montanus.H. and R. Resident and breeding in both Counties. I I pairs noted in NorthHerefordshire (AJS) and recorded at 14 sites in Radnorshire (MFP).

COAL TIT Parus ater.H. and R. Few records have again been submitted but no apparent changein status reported.

BLUE TIT Parus caeruleus.H. and R. A common resident, breeding in both Counties. Min. 30 noted atwinter feed at Brilley during first winter period (WL-S). 12 pairs nested atBelmont Abbey of which I I pairs were in nest-boxes (DAM).See also Nest-box Scheme Report.

GREAT TIT Parus major.H. and R. Very few records have been submitted but no apparent change instatus reported. Four pairs nested in boxes at Belmont Abbey (DAM).See also Nest-box Scheme Report.

NUTHATCH Sitta europaea.H. Records come from Belmont· Abbey (DAM), BurghiIl (GRG! JG),Eardisley (DVB), Ewyas Harold (RGD), Hentland (WaD), Hoarwithy(CWS et al), Marden (MJA), Moccas (AM), SeIlack (WaD) and SoIlersHope (FRF).R. Noted at 31 sites (MFP). Sept. 2nd, Glan Llyn, two (JLF).

TREECREEPER Certhia jamiliaris.H. and R. Fewer records than usual submitted but no apparent change instatus reported. Noted at 15 sites in Radnorshire (MFP).

GOLDEN ORIOLE Griolus oriolus.H. act. 3rd, Sollers Hope, a male at Falcon Farm and two birds presentthere at 9.00 am the following morning (Mrs Walker, per FRF), but notpresent mid-morning whenFRF visited farm.

JAY Garrulus glandarius.H. and R. Reported to be present in good numbers. The larger numbersnoted were: Nov. 22nd, Elan VaIley, 15 (lBE's); Dec. 8th. Haugh Wood,eight (JLF); Dec. 28th, Builth Road, max. 11 (MFP).


MAGPIE Pica pica.H. and R. A widespread resident in both Counties. Oct. 28th, HamptonBishop, 23 on arable (JLF); Nov. 13th, Holme Marsh, 17 (AJS); Dec. 22nd,Sollers Hope, display flight from top of Lombardy Poplar Populus nigra'Italica' (FRF).

JACKDAW Corvus monedula.H. and R. A common resident in both Counties. March 22nd,HamptonBishop, c60 (JLF); April 6th, Backney, c40 (WOD); Dec. 7th, Llowes, max.300 (MFP).

ROOK Corvus frugilegus.H. and R. A common resident in both Counties. Feb. 17th, Castleton, c80(AJS); Dec. 7th, Llowes, max. 200 (MFP).

CARRION CROW Corvus corone.

H. and R. Widespread throughout both Counties.

RAVEN Corvus corax.H. and R. Resident and breeding in both Counties, and continues to bepresent in good numbers. Recorded throughout the year, the largergatherings were: March 24th, Bodtalog, 26 (M FP); Sept.. Goodrich, five(M PW); Oct. 24th, Llyn Hilyn, six; Nov. 26th, Newbridge. 12 flying south atdusk (MFP).

STARLIN G Sturnus vulgaris.

H. and R. Common throughout both Counties and numbers increasedduring autumn and winter periods by migrants from the Continent. Aug. 1st,Llyn Hilyn, c800 (M FP).

HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus.

H. and R. A very common resident throughout both Counties.

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus.H. Jan. 19th, Pencoyd. three (WO D); Jan. 22nd, Hampton Bishop, 15(J LF): Feb. 17th, Shobdon, one (IBE's); Feb. 22nd, Hampton Bishop, nine(JLF); March 17th, Backney, c30 (WOD); April 10th, Brilley, pair nesting(WL-S). Bred in Holme Marsh area (AJS). June 26th, St. Margaret's. five(RGD); Aug. 17th. Castleton, one (AM); Oct. 29th, Hampton Bishop. fiveand two there on Nov. 2nd (JLF).

R. Jan. 25th, Llandrindod High School, 20; March 28th. Brynthomas. 40(MFP); April 7th. Rhosgoch, c30 (FWM/ AM); April 13th, Bryngwyn, asmall flock noted (CO); June 10th. Dol-y-Cannau. pair with nest; June I1 th.Bryngwyn Church. 2 - 3 pairs nesting and a pair in Bryngwyn Hill area(PJCi PG F). Family party noted at Llanbedr (DP). Sept. 29th, Glasbury. 35(M FP): Nov. 1st, Kinnerton, three (HTR); Nov. 21 st. Rhayader. 35 in roots;Dec. 7th. Pwll Patti, 100+ in roots; Dec. 12th. near Penybont, 25 in roots(MFP).


CHAFFINCH Fringilla coeleba.H. and R. A common resident, breeding in both Counties. Jan. 29th.Holme Marsh, first song noted (AJS); Feb. 5th, Penybont, c100 onbeechmast (MFP); June 1st, Sollers Hope, song very noticeable and femalecarrying food on 19th and still feeding young on July 1st (FRF); Oct. 27th.New Radnor,c50 and a similar number at Kinnerton on Nov. 1st (HTR);Nov. 20th, Holme Lacy. clOO (JLF); Nov. 21st. Rhayader, clOO in roots(MFP); Dec. 8th, Mordiford area, several flocks of 100+ noted (JLF); Dec.22nd, Sollers Hope, first phrase of song noted (FRF).

BRAMBLING Fringilla montijringilla.H. and R. The only report during the first winter period was of a single birdat Penybont on Feb. 5th (M FP). During the second winter period from Oct.30th - Dec. 31 st reports of I - 6 birds come from Boughrood (PGB's),Hampton Bishop, Holme Lacy max. four (JLF), near Longtown max. six(DP), Merbach max. four (JP/CP). Penybont, Pwll PattL Rhayader(M FP). Staunton-on-Arrow (JM B) and Whitecross, Hereford (lBE 's). Theonly large count was c20 at Elton on Dec. 29th (FWM/ AM).

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris.H. and R. A common resident. breeding in both Counties and a regularvisitor to garden feeding stations during the winter months. MFP reported apoor breeding season in Radnorshire with late summer! autumn flocks muchlower than usual, with max. 40 at Glasbury Farm on Sept. 7th and 20 atLlandrindod High School on Sept. 11th. Nov. 15th. Whitecross. Hereford.c200 (lBE); Dec. 7th, Glasbury, 25; Dec. 12th. Dolau. eight; Dec. 28th.Builth Wells. ten (M FP).

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis.H. and R. Common and breeding in both Counties. Records are numerousbut flocks were generally much smaller with none greater than 70 reported.Jan. 19th. St. Owen's Cross. c30 (WOO); Feb. 15th. Lower Lugg. c30 (JLF);July 14th. Llan Bwch-Llyn. 18; Aug. 25th. Glasbury. 25 (MFP); HamptonBishop. 35 on Sept. 4th rising to 70 on Sept. 8th (JLF); Sept. 5th.Llandrindod. 25 (MFP); Sept. 7th. Castleton, 20+ (AM); Oct. 22nd, Builth.22 (MFP); Oct. 29th, Tretire, c20 (WOO); Dec. 15th, Clifford, max. 15 (DP).Reports of I - 10 birds come from Bleddfa. Marden Lugg, Ross and SollersHope where FRF observed adult collecting nest lining on Aug. 4thaccompanied by young from earlier brood.

SISKIN Carduelis spinlls.

H. and R. Records are numerous from both Counties and are widelydistributed throughout the Club area. MFP reported a very good breedingseason in Radnorshirc and noisy young were noted in July - Aug. atDolymynach, Llandrindod High School and Lake and at Llyn-gwyn. Thelarger gatherings were: Jan. 12th, near Builth Road, 22 (MFP); Jan. 25th.Hampton Bishop. 25 (J LF); Feh. 3rd. Newswood, 20 (DP); Feb. 17th, WelshNewton. dO (WOD); July 31st. Titley. 12+ (AJS); Sept. 9th. LlandrindodHigh SchooL 29; Sept. 10th. L1yn-gwyn. 33 (MFP); Sept. 20th. 'West of


England Quarries', Malvern, 130; Sept. 24th, West Malvern, 45 (PGG); Oct.22nd, Builth, 70+ in Alders Alnus glutinosa; Nov. 7th, Penybont Lake, 20(MFP); Nov. 15th, Hampton Bishop, c30 (JLF); Nov. 26th, Wilton, clO;Dec. 4th, Bridstow, c25 (WOD); Dec. 7th, Glasbury, 18 (MFP); Dec. I \th,Hampton Bishop, cl50 (JLF); Dec. 15th, near Longtown, c20 (DP); Dec.16th, Tupsley, 12 (IBE's); Dec. 23rd, Three Ashes, c50 (WOD); Dec. 27th,Criftin Ford Bridge, 50 (AM); Dec. 28th, Builth Wells, 40 (MFP); Dec. 30th.Wilton, c40 (WOD).

LINNET Carduelis cannabina.H. and R. Numbers appear to be down on 1984 counts. The larger flockswere: Feb. 5th, near Crossgates, 30; May 1st, Uyn-gwyn, max. 18; July 14th,L1an Bwch-Uyn, 35; Aug. 1st, Uyn Hilyn, 15 (MFP); Sept. 1st, Mathon SP,80 (PGG); Sept. 7th, Stretton Sugwas SP, 50+ (AM); Sept. 10th, Uyn-gwyn,30; Sept. I \th, Uandrindod High School, 20; Sept. 12th, PenybontCommon, 25 (MFP); Sept. 14th, Castleton, 20+ (AM); Sept. 20th, Builth, 20- very low for this location; Sept. 29th, Glasbury, 40 - another very lowfigure; Octo 3rd, Moelienydd, 20; Octo 24th, Evenjobb, 17 (M FP); Nov. 1st,Wilton, c20 (WOD); Nov. 7th, Penybont, 35; Nov. 12th, Uyn-gwyn, 25; Dec.7th, Glasbury Farm, 50 (MFP).

REDPOLL Carduelis jlammea.H. Feb. 6th, Bircher area, clO (AJS); March 11 th, Hampton Bishop, six(JLF); Holme Marsh, eight on Sept. 18th, singles on Sept. 5th and 28th andfive on Sept. 29th (AJS); Nov. 7th, Ewyas Harold, three and two there onNov. 28th(RGD); Dec. 4th, Holme Lacy, nine (JLF); Dec. 14th -24th, KingsAcre Road, Hereford, c20 feeding in Silver Birch Betula pendula (AAS).R. Scarce or absent in areas visited in Jan.jFeb. (MFP). April 17th,Glascwm, three and in song (AJS); June 10th, Rhosgoch, pair calling inflight (PJC/ PGF); July 12th, Moelienydd, three (JVF). MFP reported avery good breeding season with young noted at several locations, includingUandrindod High School, the Royal Welsh Show Ground and Uyn-gwynwhere there was a flock of 20 on Sept. 10th.

CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra.H. Min. 20 noted in Aymestrey area at the beginning of the year(KAM);June 25th, Colwall, ten; June 26th, Burl Hill, near Gladestry, c30 (DP); June28th, Staunton-on-Arrow, eight (JMB); July 11th, Beech Grove, 40+(FWM); Sept. 24th, Fishpool area, c10 (AJS); Sept. 28th, Haugh Wood, 12(KAM) and nine noted there on Octo 26th (CO).R. July 13th, Black Warren, one (DP); Oct. 22nd, Builth, five flying northover Wye; Octo 14th, Evenjobb, 16 flying north (MFP); Octo 30th,RadnorForest, two (HTR).

BULLFINCH Pvrrhula pyrrhula.H. and R. Resident and breeding in both Counties. Records come fromBrilley, Capler, Castleton, Hampton Bishop, Hoarwithy, Llan Bwch-Llyn,Ross, Sollers Hope and Tupsley. No large flocks were reported.

HA WFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes.R. July 14th, Llan Bwch-Llyn, two in flight and calling (M FP).


SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis.H. Nov. 12th, Worcestershire Beacon (Herefordshire side), five,comprising two males and three females/juveniles. Flew off westwards intoHerefordshire when disturbed (PGG).

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella.H. and R. A common resident, breeding in both Counties. The largerflocks were: Jan. 4th, Four Stones, 50 and 40 at Glasbury on the same date(MFP); Feb. 3rd, Mathon SP, 15 (DP); March 10th, Rhosgoch, ten (JLF);June 2nd, Hampton Bishop, c30 (JBDC); Oct. 24th, Four Stones, 20 (MFP).

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus.H. Jan. 18th, St. Dwen's Cross, a male; Jan. 19th, Pencoyd, two (WOD);Feb. 9th - 20th, Ewyas Harold, a female (RGD); Feb. 21st - March 8th,Tupsley, four males and a female regularly seen (lBE's); March 8th, Ross, amale in song and two pairs bred Wilton Wye (WOD); April 6th, Castleton,two (AM).A less than average showing with no reports received during the late summer,autumn and second winter periods. Ed.R. Jan. 4th, Llyn Hilyn, 12 (MFP); April 7th, Llan Bwch-Llyn, pair(AM/ FWM). Noted in breeding season at Glan Llyn, Glasbury, Llan BwchLlyn, Llyn Hilyn and Newbridge Bog. Nov. 26th. Newbridge Bog, 12(MFP).

CORN BUNTING Milaria calandria.H. April 22nd. Bridstow. noted in song and heard continuously duringMay hut not hcard in June ( WUU).


Dr. E.M. AllenMrs. J. AlIenM.J. AntcliffD.Y. BanburyMrs. M. BeachDr. D.G. BoddingtonMrs. F. BradleyP.G. BradleyMrs. J.M. Bromley*I.D. Bullock*P.J. ChadwickJ.R. ColemanJ.B.D. ColleyMiss W.O. DaviesR.G. DeaneMrs. E.M. EnglishMrs. G.E. EvansLB. Evans*P.G. FarmerMrs. F.R. FrancisJ.L. FoxMrs. J.Y. FoxA.G. Fyshe

P.G. GarnerMrs. J. Garnett (JGa)G.R.G. GayMrs. J. GayMiss W.M. GibsonI. GoughMiss R.A HudsonMrs. P.J. KentMiss W. Lindsay-ScottA. MarchantF.W. MarstonK.A. MasonDr. RE. MilesR. Morley*D.A. Myers*S.J.OrmerodDr. R.N. OvendenD. ParrCJ. ParryM.F. PeersMrs C. PortJ. PortMiss c.A. Powell

REPORT EXCHANGES

*AJ. PraterMrs. EM. ProbynH.T. RandolphD. RippeC.W. SheldrakeMrs. A. SmithA.J. SmithG.N. SmithMrs. J. SmithB. StephensonMrs. M. StephensonA.A. Stewart*AM. Stoddart*J .0. StratfordDr. S.J. TylerR.L. YemonM.P. WatkinsMrs. P.M. Wilson*Miss S. Woodman*J. Wyllie

*Denotes non-member

Bristol Natural History Society.Derbyshire Ornithological Society.Gloucester Naturalists'Trust.Gwent Ornithological Society.Shropshire Ornithological Society.Trent Yalley Birdwatchers.West Wales Naturalists'Trust.Wiltshire Ornithological Society.

ASSOCIATIONS TO WHICH THE CLUB IS AFFILIATEDBritish Trust for Ornithology.Herefordshire and Radnorshire "Iature Trust.Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.Woolhope Club.


INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTYEAR ENDED 30th NOVEMBER, 1985

1984 1985Income:

15 Sale of Publications 2127 Provision for Corporation Tax not Required47 Donations and Sundry Income 94

167 Building Society Interest 2321,052 Subscriptions 1,0511,308 1.398

Deduct: Expenditure:76 Printing and Stationery 163

601 Annual Report 696191 Postage and Telephone 269236 Meeting Expenses 197

59 Affiliation Subscriptions 4215 Cost of Publications 2019 Insurances 2010 Donation - Wild Fowl Trust

1,207 ---r:407lOi Surplus (Deficit) for the year ~1.312 Surplus at 1st December 1984 1,413

Till General Funds at 30th November 1985 1,404L700 Add: Special Funds brought forward L700

Legacy - T.R. Ammonds 1,000

~3,113

2,90215061

£3,113

Accumulated Funds at 30th November 1985Accumulated Funds at 30th November represented by:Deposit with Abbey National Building SocietyCash at Bank, less 1986 SUbscriptions in advanceStock of Publications, at cost

2,700l:: 4,104

3,88417941

£4,104

l.T, STONE, Hon. Treasurer.

1 have audited the above Accounts and in my opinion they show a true andfair view of the General Account Deficit for the year ended 30th Nmember.1985 and of the Club\ assets at 30th November. 1985.

T. Davies. Chartered Accountant.

31 st December 1985


NOTES

Documents

ANNUAL REPORT 1985 - HerefordshireBirds...HEREFORDSHIREORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT 1985 21 I Colonel H. Morrey Salmon, C.B.E., M.C., D.L., D.Se. When in 1958 Geoffrey Ingram resigned through