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Blagdon Lake Birds

Annotated Site Bird List

Families, species and sub-species names are listed with links to species pages (note that not all of these have been published yet, with others being updated and improved). For those species that have been designated as 'extremely rare' (see abundance key below), I have included the year of the record(s) in the list for quick reference. Some rare, very rare, and extremely rare species, will be linked to their own page (e.g. Pied-billed Grebe) which will provide more details about occurrences at the lake with dates, finders etc. These should be more or less up-to-date, and will be added to accordingly. In time, I hope to complete species accounts for all birds on the list. If you can provide any information to add to my database of bird sightings at the lake I'd be really grateful. I plan to publish a paper in due course and any information that is provided will be duly acknowledged. Records marked with an asterisk have probably not been seen by, or considered, or accepted by the respective local Recorder's committee. Having said that, it is equally possible that some may have been rejected by the local Recorders' committees (Somerset as was, or, Avon as is), or the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC). Unfortunately, decisions are often not published, which leads to confusion. At some point, I will try and clear up decisions with those listed records for the sake of clarity.

This revision of the list follows the decision made by the British Ornithologists Union (BOU) dated 29th November 2021 to adopt the nomenclature and order given by the International Ornithologists Congress (IOC) World Bird List (v12.2). This document follows the Tenth edition of the British List (BOU, 2022. Ibis 164: 860-910) and subsequent changes to the List included in BOURC Reports and announcements (bou.org.uk/british-list/bourc-reports-andpapers/). I've set out the list as follows:

IOC World Bird List Order

IOC World Bird List Family

IOC World Bird List species name, scientific name, authority, BOU list category

BOU name, scientific name, Blagdon Lake abundance & occurrence information.

The Blagdon Lake Bird List [2024 Revision]

Categories A, B & C. 

Order Anseriformes

Family Anatidae (Swans, geese & ducks)

  • Brant Goose Branta bernicla (Linnaeus, 1758) AEF
    • Dark-bellied Brent Goose Branta b. bernicla (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Canada Goose Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) AC2E*
    • Canada Goose Branta c. canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common introduced resident. Breeds. 
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis (Bechstein, 1803) AC2E*F
    • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis. Uncommon to scarce during the last 20 years, introduced resident.
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758) AC2C4E*F
    • Western Greylag Goose Anser a. anser (Linnaeus, 1758). Scarce introduced resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis (Latham, 1787) AE*F
    • Taiga Bean Goose Anser f. fabalis (Latham, 1758). Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor (1990). 
  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus Baillon, 1834 AE*F
    • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus. Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris Gould, 1852 AE
    • Tundra Bean Goose Anser s. rossicus Buturlin, 1933. Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor (1996 & 2006). 
  • Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (Scopoli, 1769) AE*F
    • Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser a. flavirostris Dalgety & Scott, P, 1948. Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor (1993).
    • Russian White-fronted Goose Anser a. albifrons (Scopoli, 1769). Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor (Gmelin, J.F., 1789) AC2F
    • Mute Swan Cygnus olor. Uncommon resident & summer visitor. Breeds. 
  • Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus (Ord, 1815) AE
    • Bewick's Swan Cygnus c. bewickii Yarrell, 1830. Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus (Linnaeus, 1758) AE*F
    • Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus. Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766) C1C5E*
    • Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca. Scarce introduced resident. Probable breeding attempts 2015 & 2016. 
  • Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Shelduck Tadorna tadorna. Scarce resident & passage migrant. 
  • Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) C1E*F
    • Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata. Rare introduced resident. 
  • Garganey Spatula querquedula (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Garganey Spatula querquedula. Uncommon passage migrant & summer visitor. 
  • Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors (Linnaeus, 1766) AE*F
    • Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (1993). 
  • Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Shoveler Spatula clypeata. Fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor. Formerly bred. 
  • Gadwall Mareca strepera (Linnaeus, 1758) AC2E*F
    • Gadwall Mareca s. strepera (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor. Formerly bred. 
  • Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope (Linnaeus, 1758) AE*F
    • Wigeon Mareca penelope. Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
  • American Wigeon Mareca americana (Gmelin, J.F., 1789) AE
    • American Wigeon Mareca americana. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (1946). 
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 AC2C4E*F
    • Mallard Anas p. platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758. Fairly common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Breeds. 
  • Northern Pintail Anas acuta Linnaeus, 1758 AEF
    • Pintail Anas acuta. Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Eurasian Teal Anas crecca Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Teal Anas crecca. Common passage migrant & winter visitor. Formerly bred. 
  • Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis Gmelin, J.F., 1789 A
    • Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (1949, 1994, 2002, 2014 & 2021.). 
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (Pallas, 1773) AC2E*F
    • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina. Very scarce introduced resident & passage migrant. 
  • Common Pochard Aythya ferina (Linnaeus, 1758) AE*F
    • Pochard Aythya ferina. Fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor. Formerly bred. 
  • Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (Güldenstädt, 1770) AE
    • Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca. Rare, but true status obscured by feral birds & escapees. 
  • Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (Donovan, 1809) AE
    • Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris. Rare Nearctic vagrant. 
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula. Common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Occasionally breeds. 
  • Greater Scaup Aythya marila (Linnaeus, 1761) AF
    • Scaup Aythya m. marila (Linnaeus, 1761). Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838) A
    • Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis. Rare Nearctic vagrant. 
  • Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca. Very rare passage migrant (1939, 1963, 1966 & 1987). 
  • Common Scoter Melanitta nigra (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Common Scoter Melanitta nigra. Very scarce passage migrant. 
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis. Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula (Linnaeus, 1758) AE*F
    • Goldeneye Bucephala c. clangula (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Smew Mergellus albellus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Smew Mergellus albellus. Scarce to rare during the last 20 years (last record 2011), passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Common Merganser Mergus merganser Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Goosander Mergus m. merganser Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon winter visitor. 
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator. Very scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis (Gmelin, J.F., 1789) C1E*
    • Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis. Probably eradicated during the last ten years (last record 2020). Formerly bred.

Order Galliformes

Family Phasianidae (Partridges & pheasants)

  • Grey Partridge Perdix perdix (Linnaeus, 1758) AC2E*F
    • Grey Partridge Perdix p. perdix (Linnaeus, 1758). Locally extint resident & introduced resident. Former breeder (c. 1913). 
  • Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Linnaeus, 1758 C1E*F
    • Pheasant Phasianus c. colchicus Linnaeus, 1758
    • Pheasant Phasianus c. principalis Sclater, P.L., 1885
    • Pheasant Phasianus c. mongolicus Brandt, J.F., 1844
    • Pheasant Phasianus c. satscheuensis Pleske, 1892
    • Pheasant Phasianus c. pallasi Rothschild, 1903
    • Pheasant Phasianus c. torquatus Gmelin, J.F., 1789. Fairly common introduced resident. Breeds.
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa (Linnaeus, 1758) C1E*F
    • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris r. rufa (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare to very scarce introduced resident during the last ten years.

Order Apodiformes

Family Apodidae (Swifts)

  • Common Swift Apus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Swift Apus a. apus (Linnaeus, 1758). Common, passage migrant & summer visitor. 

Order Cuculiformes

Family Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

  • Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Cuckoo Cuculus c. canorus Linnaeus, 1758. Scarce passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds.

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae (Pigeons & doves)

  • Rock Dove Columba livia Gmelin, J.F., 1789 AC4E*F
    • Feral Pigeon Columba l. livia Gmelin, J.F., 1789 Uncommon feral resident. 
  • Stock Dove Columba oenas Linnaeus, 1758 A
    • Stock Dove Columba o. oenas Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 
  • Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Woodpigeon Columba p. palumbus Linnaeus, 1758. Common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Breeds. 
  • European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Turtle Dove Streptopelia t. turtur (Linnaeus, 1758). Now a very rare passage migrant (last record 1970). 
  • Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) A
    • Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 

Order Gruiformes

Family Rallidae (Rails, crakes & gallinules)

  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Water Rail Rallus a. aquaticus Linnaeus, 1758. Scarce resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Occasionally breeds. 
  • Corn Crake Crex crex (Linnaeus, 1758) AE*F
    • Corncrake Crex crex. Now a very rare passage migrant (last record 2003). More common in early 20th century. 
  • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana. Very rare passage migrant (2 individuals 1996). 
  • Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Moorhen Gallinula c. chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Breeds. 
  • Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Coot Fulica a. atra Linnaeus, 1758. Common resident, passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 

Family Gruidae (Cranes)

  • Common Crane Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758) AE*F
    • Crane Grus grus. Very rare introduced resident & passage migrant (2012).

Order Podicipediformes

Family Podicipedidiae (Grebes)

  • Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764) AF
    • Little Grebe Tachybaptus r. ruficollis (Pallas, 1764). Uncommon resident & passage migrant. Breeds. 
  • Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus  podiceps. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (1963 [first British record] & 1968). 
  • Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena (Boddaert, 1783) AF
    • Red-necked Grebe Podiceps g. grisegena (Boddaert, 1783). Now a very rare passage migrant & winter visitor (last record 1992). 
  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps c. cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon resident, passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 
  • Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Slavonian Grebe Podiceps a. auritus (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Brehm, C.L., 1831 A
    • Black-necked Grebe Podiceps n. nigricollis Brehm, C.L., 1831. Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor.

  Order Charadriiformes

Family Burhinidae (Thick-knees)

  • Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Stone-curlew Burhinus o. oedicnemus (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare passage migrant.

 Family Haematopodidiae (Oystercatchers)

  • Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Oystercatcher Haematopus o. ostralegus Linnaeus, 1758. Scarce passage migrant.

 Family Recurvirostridae (Avocets & stilts)

 Family Charadriidae (Plovers)

  • Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Lapwing Vanellus vanellus. Fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor. Formerly bred. 
  • European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria. Very scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica (Müller, P.L.S., 1776) A
    • American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (2003 & 2013). 
  • Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Grey Plover Pluvialis s. squatarola (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare passage migrant. 
  • Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Ringed Plover Charadrius h. hiaticula Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon passage migrant.
    • Ringed Plover Charadrius h. tundrae (Lowe, 1915). Presumed passage migrant. 
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Scopoli, 1786 A
    • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius d. curonicus Gmelin, J.F., 1789. Scarce passage migrant. 

Family Scolopacidae (Sandpipers & allies)

  • Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Whimbrel Numenius p. islandicus Brehm, C.L., 1831. Very scarce passage migrant.
    • Whimbrel Numenius p. phaeopus (Linnaeus, 1758). Presumed passage migrant. 
  • Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Curlew Numenius a. arquata (Linnaeus, 1758). Scarce passage migrant. 
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa l. lapponica (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare passage migrant. 
  • Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit Limosa l. islandica Brehm, C.L., 1831. Uncommon passage migrant.
    • European Black-tailed Godwit Limosa l. limosa (Linnaeus, 1758). Possible very rare passage migrant. 
  • Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Turnstone Arenaria i. interpres (Linnaeus, 1758). Very scarce passage migrant. 
  • Red Knot Calidris canutus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Knot Calidris c. canutus (Linnaeus, 1758). Possible very scarce passage migrant.
    • Knot Calidris c. islandica (Linnaeus, 1767). Probable very scarce passage migrant. 
  • Ruff Calidris pugnax (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Ruff Calidris pugnax. Scarce passage migrant. 
  • Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata (Horsefield, 1821) A
    • Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata. Very rare vagrant (2011). 
  • Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (Pontoppidan, 1763) A
    • Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea. Very scarce passage migrant. 
  • Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii (Leisler, 1812) A
    • Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii. Very rare passage migrant (2001, 2002 & 2015). 
  • Sanderling Calidris alba (Pallas, 1764) AF
    • Sanderling Calidris a. alba (Pallas, 1764). Very scarce passage migrant. 
  • Dunlin Calidris alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Dunlin Calidris a. schinzii (Brehm, C.L., & Schilling, 1822). Presumed uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
    • Dunlin Calidris a. alpina (Linnaeus, 1758). Presumed passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii (Coues, 1861) A
    • Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (2001). 
  • Little Stint Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812) A
    • Little Stint Calidris minuta. Very scarce passage migrant. 
  • Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis (Vieillot, 1819) A
    • Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (1973 & 1986). 
  • Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos (Vieillot, 1819) A
    • Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. Rare vagrant. 
  • Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus (Say, 1822) A
    • Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus. Very rare Neartic vagrant (1977-78 & 2011). 
  • Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Woodcock Scolopax rusticola. Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus (Brünnich, 1764) AF
    • Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus. Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Great Snipe Gallinago media (Latham, 1787) AF
    • Great Snipe Gallinago media. Very rare vagrant (1949 & 1950). 
  • Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Snipe Gallinago g. gallinago (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.
  • Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus. Very rare passage migrant (1921, 1965, 1996, 1999 & 2010). 
  • Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius. Rare, wind-blown, passage migrant. 
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus. Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Common Redshank Tringa totanus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Redshank Tringa t. robusta (Schiøler, 1919). Possible passage migrant.
    • Redshank Tringa t. totanus (Linnaeus, 1758). Presumed uncommon passage migrant. Formerly bred. 
  • Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis (Bechstein, 1803) A
    • Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis. Very rare vagrant (1982 & 1984). 
  • Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Linnaeus, 1758 A
    • Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola. Very scarce passage migrant. 
  • Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus (Pallas, 1764) AF
    • Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus. Very scarce passage migrant. 
  • Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (Gunnerus, 1767) AF
    • Greenshank Tringa nebularia. Scarce passage migrant. 

Family Glareolidae (Pratincoles & coursers)

Family Laridae (Gulls & Terns)

  • Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Kittiwake Rissa t. tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758. Rare, wind-blown, passage migrant. 
  • Sabine's Gull Xema sabini (Sabine, 1819) A
    • Sabine's Gull Xema sabini. Very rare, wind-blown, passage migrant (1988). 
  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (Linnaeus, 1766) AF
    • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus. Abundant passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus (Pallas, 1776) AF
    • Little Gull Hydrocoleus minutus. Scarce passage migrant. 
  • Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan (Wagler, 1831) A
    • Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (2008). 
  • Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus (Temminck, 1820) A
    • Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus. Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Common Gull Larus canus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Common Gull Larus c. canus. Common passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Ord, 1815 A
    • Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis. Very rare Nearctic vagrant (1998 & 2012). 
  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Linnaeus AF
    • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus. Uncommon resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus Gunnerus, 1767 AF
    • Glaucous Gull Larus h. hyperboreus Gunnerus, 1767. Very rare winter visitor (1995). 
  • Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides Meyer, B., 1822 A
    • Iceland Gull Larus g. glaucoides Meyer, B., 1822. Very rare winter visitor (1967, 2012 & 2014). 
  • European Herring Gull Larus argentatus Pontoppidan, 1763 AF
    • British Herring Gull Larus a. argenteus Brehm, C.L. & Schilling, 1822. Uncommon resident, passage migrant, & summer visitor.
    • Scandanavian Herring Gull Larus a. argentatus Pontoppidan, 1763. Passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Naumann, J.F. 1840 A
    • Yellow-legged Gull Larus m. michahellis Naumann, J.F. 1840. Scarce resident, passage migrant & summer visitor. 
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Western Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus f. graellsii Brehm, A.E., 1857. Fairly common resident, passage migrant & summer visitor.
    • Continental Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus f. intermedius Schiøler, 1922. Probable passage migrant. 
  • Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis (Latham, 1787) AF
    • Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis. Rare passage migrant. 
  • Little Tern Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764) A
    • Little Tern Sternula a. albifrons (Pallas, 1764). Very rare passage migrant. 
  • Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii  Montagu, 1813 A
    • Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii. Very rare passage migrant (2019).
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Common Tern Sterna h. hirundo Linnaeus, 1758. Scarce passage migrant & summer visitor. 
  • Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Pontoppidan, 1763 A
    • Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea. Scarce passage migrant. 
  • White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (Temminck, 1815) A
    • White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus. Very rare vagrant (2001). 
  • Black Tern Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Black Tern Chlidonias n. niger (Linnaeus, 1758). Scarce passage migrant. 

Family Stercorariidae (Skuas)

Family Alcidae (Auks)

  • Little Auk Alle alle (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Little Auk Alle a. alle (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare, wind-blown, passage migrant (1950, 1960 & 1975). 
  • Common Murre Uria aalge (Pontoppidan, 1763) AF
    • Common Guillemot Uria a. aalge (Pontoppidan, 1763). Very rare, wind-blown, passage migrant. 

 Order Gaviiformes

Family Gaviidae (Loons/Divers)

Order Procellariiformes

Family Hydrobatidae (Storm Petrels)

  • European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Storm Petrel Hydrobates p. pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare, wind-blown, passage migrant (1983 & 2012). 
  • Leach's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieillot) AF
    • Leach's Petrel Oceanodroma l. leucorhoa. Very rare, wind-blown, passage migrant (1952, 1983 & 2006). 

Family Procellariidae (Shearwaters)

Order Suliformes

Family Sulidae (Gannets)

  • Northern Gannet Morus bassanus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Gannet Morus bassanus. Rare, wind-blown, passage migrant. 

Family Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants)

  • Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Atlantic Cormorant Phalacrocorax c. carbo (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common resident.
    • Continental Cormorant Phalacrocorax c. sinensis (Staunton, 1796). Fairly common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.
  • European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Linnaeus, 1761) AF
    • Shag Phalacrocorax a. aristotelis (Linnaeus, 1761). Very rare, wind-blown, passage migrant. 

Order Pelecaniformes

Family Threskiornithidae (Ibises & Spoonbills)

Family Ardeidae (Herons & Egrets)

  • Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Bittern Botaurus s. stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (Linnaeus, 1766) A
    • Little Bittern Ixobrychus m. minutus (Linnaeus, 1766). Very rare vagrant (1916 & 2020). 
  • Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (Scopoli, 1769) A
    • Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides. Very rare vagrant (2012). 
  • Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) AE
    • Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Very rare vagrant (2009, 2018, 2020 & 2021). 
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Grey Heron Ardea c. cinerea Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 
  • Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Linnaeus, 1766 A
    • Purple Heron Ardea p. purpurea Linnaeus, 1766. Very rare vagrant (1963). 
  • Great Egret Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758 A
    • Great White Egret Ardea a. alba Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon resident & recent colonist. 
  • Little Egret Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) AF
    • Little Egret Egretta g. garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766). Uncommon resident, passage migrant & summer visitor. 

Order Accipitriformes

Family Pandionidae (Osprey)

Family Accipitridae (Hawks & Eagles)

  • Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Sparrowhawk Accipiter n. nisus (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon resident. Breeds. 
  • Eurasian Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758) AC3E*F
    • Goshawk Accipiter g. gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare introduced resident & passage migrant (1999 & 2000). 
  • Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Marsh Harrier Circus a. aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare resident, passage migrant & summer visitor. 
  • Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus, 1766) AF
    • Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus. Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Red Kite Milvus milvus (Linnaeus, 1758) AC3E*F
    • Red Kite Milvus m. milvus (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare introduced resident & passage migrant. 
  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758) AC3E*F
    • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus a. albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare intro. resident, passage migrant & winter visitor (2016). 
  • Common Buzzard Buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758) AE*F
    • Buzzard Buteo b. buteo (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common resident. Breeds. 

Order Strigiformes

Family Tytonidae (Barn & grass owls)

  • Western Barn Owl Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) AE*F
    • Barn Owl Tyto a. alba (Scopoli, 1769). Uncommon resident. Breeds. 

Family Strigidae (Typical owls)

  • Little Owl Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769) C1E*F
    • Little Owl Athene n. vidalii Brehm, A.E., 1857. Rare introduced resident. 
  • Long-eared Owl Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Long-eared Owl Asio o. otus (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare resident, passage migrant & winter visitor (1928). 
  • Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763) AF
    • Short-eared Owl Asio f. flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763). Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor (1945 & 1947).
  • Tawny Owl Strix aluco Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Tawny Owl Strix a. sylvatica Shaw, 1809. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 

Order Bucerotiformes

Family Upupidae (Hoopoe)

  • Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Linnaeus, 1758 AE
    • Hoopoe Upupa e. epops Linnaeus, 1758. Very rare vagrant (1948 & 1977). 

Order Coraciiformes

Family Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

  • Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Kingfisher Alcedo a. ispida Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 

Order Piciformes

Family Picidae (Woodpeckers)

  • Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Wryneck Jynx t. torquilla Linnaeus, 1758. Very rare passage migrant. 
  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dryobates minor (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dryobates m. comminutus (Hartert, 1907). Rare resident. 
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos m. anglicus Hartert, 1900. Fairly common resident. Breeds.
  • European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Green Woodpecker Picus v. viridis Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 

Order Falconiformes

Family Falconidae (Falcons)

  • Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Kestrel Falco t. tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 
  • Merlin Falco columbarius Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Merlin Falco c. subaesalon Brehm, C.L., 1827. Possible passage migrant.
    • Merlin Falco c. aesalon Tunstall, 1771. Rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Hobby Falco s. subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 
  • Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771 AEF
    • Peregrine Falco p. peregrinus Tunstall, 1771. Uncommon resident. 

Order Passeriformes

Family Laniidae (Shrikes)

  • Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Linnaeus, 1758 AEF
    • Great Grey Shrike Lanius e. excubitor Linnaeus, 1758. Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor.
  • Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Linnaeus, 1758. Very rare passage migrant. Former breeder. 

Family Oriolidae (Old World orioles)

  • Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus. Very rare passage migrant & summer visitor (1910). 

Family Corvidae (Crows)

  • Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Jay Garrulus g. rufitergum Hartert,1903. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 
  • Eurasian Magpie Pica pica (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Magpie Pica p. pica (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common resident. Breeds. 
  • Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Jackdaw Coloeus m. spermologus (Vieillot, 1817). Common resident. Breeds. 
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Rook Corvus f. frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758. Common resident. Breeds. 
  • Carrion Crow Corvus corone Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Carrion Crow Corvus c. corone Linnaeus, 1758. Common resident. Breeds. 
  • Hooded Crow Corvus cornix Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Hooded Crow Corvus c. cornix Linnaeus, 1758. Very rare. (2003), although a hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow not ruled out. 
  • Northern Raven Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Raven Corvus c. corax Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon resident. 

Family Paridae (Tits & chickadees)

  • Coal Tit Periparus ater (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Coal Tit Periparus a. britannicus (Sharpe & Dresser, 1871). Uncommon resident. Breeds.
  • Marsh Tit Poecile palustris (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Marsh Tit Poecile p. dresseri (Stejneger, 1886). Very scarce local resident. 
  • Willow Tit Poecile montana (Conrad von Baldenstein, 1827) A
    • Willow Tit Poecile m. kleinschmidti (Hellmayr, 1900). Very rare resident. 
  • Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Blue Tit Cyanistes c. obscurus (Pražák, 1894). Fairly common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Breeds.
    • Blue Tit Cyanistes c. caeruleus (Linnaeus, 1758). Possible winter visitor. 
  • Great Tit Parus major Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Great Tit Parus m. newtoni Pražák, 1894. Fairly common resident. Breeds.
    • Great Tit Parus m. major Linnaeus, 1758. Possible resident. 

Family Panuridae (Babblers & laughing-thrushes)

 Family Alaudidae (Larks)

  • Woodlark Lullula arborea (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Woodlark Lullula a. arborea (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare passage migrant. 
  • Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Skylark Alauda a. arvensis Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon passage migrant. 

Family Hirundinidae (Swallows & martins)

  • Sand Martin Riparia riparia (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Sand Martin Riparia r. riparia (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common passage migrant. 
  • Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758 AEF
    • Swallow Hirundo r. rustica Linnaeus, 1758. Common passage migrant & summer visitor. 
  • Western House Martin Delichon urbicum (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • House Martin Delichon u. urbicum (Linnaeus, 1758). Common passage migrant & summer visitor. 

Family Cettiidae (Bush warblers)

  • Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti (Temminck, 1820) A
    • Cetti's Warbler Cettia c. cetti (Temminck, 1820). Rare resident. 

Family Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)

  • Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos c. rosaceus Mathews, 1938. Fairly common resident. Breeds. 

Family Phylloscopidae (Leaf warblers)

  • Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein, 1793) A
    • Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix. Rare passage migrant.
  • Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Willow Warbler Phylloscopus t. trochilus (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds.
    • Willow Warbler Phylloscopus t. acredula (Linnaeus, 1758). Probable passage migrant. 
  • Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (Vieillot, 1817) A

Family Acrocephalidae

  • Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola (Vieillot, 1817) A
    • Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. Very rare vagrant (1963 & 1969). 
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. Uncommon passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 
  • Common Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804) A
    • Reed Warbler Acrocephalus s. scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804). Fairly common passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 

Family Locustellidae

  • Common Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia (Boddaert, 1783) A
    • Grasshopper Warbler Locustella n. naevia (Boddaert, 1783). Very scarce passage migrant & summer visitor. Former breeder. 

Family Sylviidae (Old World warblers)

  • Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Blackcap Sylvia a. atricapilla (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common passage migrant, summer & winter visitor. Breeds. 
  • Garden Warbler Sylvia borin (Boddaert, 1783)) AF
    • Garden Warbler Sylvia b. borin (Boddaert, 1783). Fairly common passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 
  • Lesser Whitethroat  Curruca curruca (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Lesser Whitethroat Curruca c. curruca (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 
  • Common Whitethroat Curruca communis (Latham, 1787) AF
    • Whitethroat Curruca c. communis (Latham, 1787). Uncommon passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 

Family Regulidae (Kinglets)

  • Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla (Temminck, 1820) A
    • Firecrest Regulus i. ignicapilla (Temminck, 1820). Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Goldcrest Regulus regulus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Goldcrest Regulus r. regulus (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Breeds. 

Family Troglodytidae (Wrens)

  • Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758)) AF
    • Wren Troglodytes t. indigenus Clancey 1937. Common resident. Breeds.
    • Wren Troglodytes t. troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758). Possible passage migrant & winter visitor.

 Family Sittidae (Nuthatches)

  • Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Nuthatch Sitta e. caesia Wolf, 1810. Uncommon resident. Breeds.

 Family Certhiidae (Treecreepers)

  • Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Treecreeper Certhia f. britannica Ridgway, 1882. Fairly common resident. Breeds.

 Family Sturnidae (Starlings & mynas)

  • Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Starling Sturnus v. vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758. Common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.

 Family Turdidae (Thrushes)

  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Brehm, C.L., 1831 AF
    • Song Thrush Turdus p. clarkei Hartert, 1909. Uncommon resident. Breeds.
    • Song Thrush Turdus p. philomelos Brehm, C.L. 1831. Passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Mistle Thrush Turdus v. viscivorus Linnaeus, 1758. Uncommon resident. Breeds. 
  • Redwing Turdus iliacus Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Redwing Turdus i. coburni Sharpe, 1901. Possible passage migrant & winter visitor.
    • Redwing Turdus i. iliacus Linnaeus, 1758. Common passage migrant & winter visitor.
  • Common Blackbird Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Blackbird Turdus m. merula Linnaeus, 1758. Fairly common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Breeds.
  • Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Fieldfare Turdus pilaris. Common passage migrant & winter visitor.

Family Muscicapidae (Flycatchers & chats)

  • Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata (Pallas, 1764) AF
    • Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa s. striata (Pallas, 1764). Scarce passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 
  • European Robin Erithacus rubecula (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Robin Erithacus r. melophilus Hartert, 1901. Fairly common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Breeds.
    • Robin Erithacus r. rubecula Linnaeus, 1758. Probable fairly common, passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Bluethroat Luscinia svecica (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Bluethroat Luscinia svecica ssp. Very rare passage migrant (1 individual trapped in 1971). Sub-species unknown. 
  • Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Brehm, C.L., 1831 A
    • Nightingale Luscinia m. megarhynchos Brehm, C.L., 1831. Rare passage migrant. 
  • European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca (Pallas, 1764) A
    • Pied Flycatcher Ficedula h. hypoleuca (Pallas, 1764). Rare passage migrant. 
  • Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (Gmelin, S.G., 1774) AF
    • Black Redstart Phoenicurus o. gibraltariensis (Gmelin, J.F. 1789). Very rare passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Redstart Phoenicurus p. phoenicurus (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare passage migrant. 
  • Whinchat Saxicola rubetra (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Whinchat Saxicola rubetra. Very scarce passage migrant. 
  • European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola (Linnaeus, 1766) A
    • Stonechat Saxicola r. hibernans (Hartert, 1910). Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Greenland Wheatear Oenanthe o. leucorhoa (Gmelin, J.F., 1789) . Possible passage migrant.
    • Wheatear Oenanthe o. oenanthe (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon passage migrant. 

Family Cinclidae (Dippers)

  • White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Dipper Cinclus c. gularis (Latham, 1801). Very rare resident. Formerly bred.

 Family Passeridae (Sparrows)

  • Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Tree Sparrow Passer m. montanus (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare passage migrant. 
  • House Sparrow Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • House Sparrow Passer d. domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758). Fairly common resident. 

Family Prunellidae (Accentors)

  • Dunnock Prunella modularis (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Dunnock Prunella m. occidentalis (Hartert, 1910). Fairly common resident. Breeds.
    • Dunnock Prunella m. modularis (Linnaeus, Linnaeus, 1758). Possible passage migrant & winter visitor. 

Family Motacillidae (Wagtails & pipits)

  • Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Yellow Wagtail Motacilla f. flavissima (Blyth, 1834). Scarce passage migrant. 
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Tunstall, 1711 AF
    • Grey Wagtail Motacilla c. cinerea Tunstall, 1711. Uncommon resident, passage migrant & summer visitor. Breeds. 
  • White Wagtail Motacilla alba Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Pied Wagtail Motacilla a. yarrellii Gould, 1837. Fairly common resident. Breeds.
    • White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba Linnaeus, 1758. Scarce passage migrant. 
  • Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii (Taczanowski, 1876) A
    • Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii. Very rare vagrant (2016). 
  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis. Fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Tree Pipit Anthus t. trivialis (Linnaeus, 1758). Rare passage migrant. 
  • Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus (Pallas, 1811) A
    • Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus. Very rare vagrant (1973). 
  • Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Water Pipit Anthus s. spinoletta (Linnaeus, 1758). Very scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • European Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus (Montagu, 1798) AF
    • Rock Pipit Anthus p. littoralis Brehm, C.L., 1823. Very scarce passage migrant probably referable to this subspecies. 

Family Fringillidae (Finches)

  • Eurasian Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus, 1758 AEF
    • Chaffinch Fringilla c. gengleri Kleinschmidt, O., 1909. Fairly common resident. Breeds.
    • Chaffinch Fringilla c. coelebs Linnaeus, 1758. Passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Linnaeus, 1758 A
    • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla. Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Hawfinch Coccothraustes c. coccothraustes (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare passage migrant. 
  • Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Bullfinch Pyrrhula p. pileata (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon resident. Breeds. 
  • European Greenfinch Chloris chloris (Linnaeus, 1758) AEF
    • Greenfinch Chloris c. chloris (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon resident. Breeds. 
  • Common Linnet Linaria cannabina (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Linnet Linaria c. cannabina (Linnaeus, 1758). Common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Mealy Redpoll Acanthis f. flammea (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare passage migrant. 
  • Lesser Redpoll Acanthis cabaret (Müller, P.L.S., 1776) A
    • Lesser Redpoll Acanthis cabaret. Very scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. 
  • Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Crossbill Loxia c. curvirostra Linnaeus, 1758. Rare passage migrant. 
  • European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Goldfinch Carduelis c. britannica (Hartert, 1903). Fairly common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Breeds. 
  • Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Siskin Spinus spinus. Scarce resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Local breeder. 

Family Calcariidae

  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis ssp. Very rare passage migrant (1959). Sub-species unknown. 

Family Emberizidae (Buntings & New World sparrows)

  • Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Linnaeus, 1758 AF
    • Yellowhammer Emberiza c. citrinella Linnaeus, 1758. Rare former resident. 
  • Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus Linnaeus, 1766 A
    • Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus. Rare former resident. 
  • Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus (Linnaeus, 1758) AF
    • Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus (Linnaeus, 1758). Uncommon resident & summer visitor. Breeds. 

Sub-total 251 spp.

Category D

Species that would otherwise appear in Category A except that there is reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural state. Species placed only in Category D form no part of the British List, and are not included in the species totals.

 

Category E

Species that have been recorded as introductions, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Species in Category E that have bred in the wild in Britain are designated as E*. Category E species form no part of the British List (unless already included within Categories A, B or C).

  • Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris (Linnaeus, 1758) E*
    • Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris. Very rare escapee (2011). 
  • Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) E
    • Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor. Very rare (1998). 
  • Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis (Pallas, 1769) AE*
    • Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis. A presumed escapee visited the lake for many years. 
  • Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii (Richardson, 1832) AE
    • Richardson's Cackling Goose Branta h. hutchinsii. Very rare Nearctic vagrant or possible escapee (2011). 
  • Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus (Latham, 1790) E*
    • Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus. Very rare introduction or escapee. See note 1. 
  • Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (Linnaeus, 1758) E*
    • Swan Goose Anser cygnoides. Very rare introduction or escapee. 
  • Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (Linnaeus, 1758) AE*
    • Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus. Very rare bird of unknown origin (1991). 
  • Black Swan Cygnus atratus Latham, 1790 E*
    • Black Swan Cygnus atratus. Very rare feral breeder & escapee.
  • South African Shelduck Tadorna cana (Gmelin, J.F., 1789) E*
    • South African Shelduck Tadorna cana. Very rare introduction or escapee (an adult female in 2021).
  • Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758) E*
    • Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata domestica Donkin, 1989. Released domestic birds. 
  • Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys (Vieillot, 1816) E
    • Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys. Very rare escapees. 
  • Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera (Vieillot, 1816) E*
    • Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera ssp. unknown. Very rare escapee (1993). 
  • Chiloe Wigeon Mareca sibilatrix (Poeppig, 1829) E
    • Chiloe Wigeon Mareca sibilatrix. Very rare feral birds or escapees. 
  • White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis Linnaeus, 1758 E
    • White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis ssp. unknown. Very rare escapee.
  • Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica Gmelin, J.F., 1789  E
    • Chilean Pintail Anas georgica spinicauda. Very rare escapee (2008). 
  • Yellow-billed Teal Anas flavirostris Vieillot, 1816 E*
    • Yellow-billed Teal Anas flavirostris. Very rare escapee (2011). 
  • Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris (Ménétrés, 1832) DE
    • Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris. Very rare (1984). 
  • Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca (Vieillot, 1816) E
    • Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca. Very rare escapee (1993). 
  • White Stork Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, 1758 AE 
    • White Stork Ciconia c. ciconia Linnaeus, 1758. From the Knepp Estate 'rewilding' scheme bearing blue ring GB5B (2019). Very rare introduction.
  • Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus (Temminck, 1824) E*
    • Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus ssp. unknown. Very rare escapee or falconer's bird (1992). Also frequently seen falconers bird near Ubley. Unknown sub-species. 
  • Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus (Kerr, 1792) E
    • Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus. Very rare escapee (2014). 

Note 1: Some, or all, of the Bar-headed Geese recorded locally were Bar-headed x Snow Goose hybrids. It would be worth reviewing photos of those reported where they're available.

 

Sub-total 21 spp.

Total 272 spp.

 

Other species noted:

Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus (a 'ringtail' harrier on 26th Sep 1965 recorded by Harry Thornhill thought to have been this sp.).

Cockatiel/Parakeet sp. (an unidentified white bird noted flying over Top End calling during the 1990s by Nigel Milbourne).

Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax (sight record submitted to AOG by Nigel Milbourne of a bird watched in flight for several minutes on 17th June 2002 but presumably rejected).

Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius (probable) found dead at the Lodge Dec 2011 by BW staff.

Categories A, B & C

Species in Categories A, B and C form the British List.

Species in Category A have been recorded in an apparently natural state at least once since 1 January 1950.

Species in Category B have been recorded in an apparently natural state at least once between 1 January 1800 and 31 December 1949, but have not been recorded subsequently.

Species in Category C, although introduced, now derive from the resulting self-sustaining populations:

C1 – Naturalised introduced species - species that have occurred only as a result of introduction, e.g. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca.

C2 – Naturalised established species – species with established populations resulting from introduction by man, but which also occur in an apparently natural state, e.g. Greylag Goose Anser anser.

C3 – Naturalised re-established species – species with populations successfully re-established by man in areas of former occurrence, e.g. Red Kite Milvus milvus.

C4 – Naturalised feral species – domesticated species with populations established in the wild, e.g. Rock Pigeon (Dove)/Feral Pigeon Columba livia.

C5 – Vagrant naturalised species – species from established naturalised populations abroad, e.g. possibly some Ruddy Shelducks Tadorna ferruginea occurring in Britain. There are currently no species in category C5.

C6 – Former naturalised species - species formerly placed in C1 whose naturalised populations are either no longer self-sustaining or are considered extinct, e.g. Lady Amherst’s Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae.

 

A new Category F is currently being worked on by the BOU. It refers to records of bird species recorded between c. 16 000 BP (before present) to 1800.

 

Key to abundance (in a Blagdon Lake context):

Very rare - five or less records

Rare - less than annual; several years may pass between records

Very scarce - less than annual; typically recorded every two or three years

Scarce - very small numbers virtually every year (population counts 1 - 10)

Uncommon - low numbers recorded every year (population count 11 - 100)

Fairly common - occurs in reasonable numbers (population count 101 - 1000)

Common - occurs regularly in good numbers (population count 1001 - 10000)

Abundant - large numbers occur (population count 10000+)

 

Occurrence (in a Blagdon Lake context) :

R - Resident

SV - Summer Visitor

WV - Winter Visitor

PM - Passage Migrant

I - Introduction

F - Feral

V - Vagrant

WB - Storm/Wind-blown visitor

I - Irruptive

B - Breeder or suspected breeder in recent years

 

Bibliography (sources of information):

  1. Eaton et al. Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Brit Birds 108: 708-746, Dec. 2015.
  2. Parkin, D.T. & Knox, A.G. 2010. The Status of Birds in Britain & Ireland. Christopher Helm, London.
  3. BOU Website
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