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The Status of All Species Recorded in Christchurch Harbour For more detailed records of scarce and rare species, click here Red-throated Diver Frequently seen in winter and passage period, mostly sightings are fairly distant flight views from Hengistbury, although can be seen on the water in the right conditions. Rarely seen in the harbour. Black-throated Diver The rarest of the divers in the area. Virtually all records relate to flight views from Hengistbury in winter. Great Northern Diver Sightings are frequent in winter and passage periods, most are flight views from Hengistbury, but good views on the water are sometimes possible. Rarely seen in the harbour. Little Grebe Common in winter. Main sites are the river between the HHC and Parky Meade Rail. Great Crested Grebe Fairly common in winter. Can be seen in the harbour, mainly on the river, and on the sea off Hengistbury. Red-necked Grebe Rare winter visitor with only couple of records annually. Most are seen from Hengistbury, but occasionally birds come into the harbour. Slavonian Grebe Rare to the area. Usually only a couple of records annually from Hengistbury. Black-necked Grebe Rare to the area. Usually only a couple of records annually from Hengistbury. Northern Fulmar Frequently seen from Hengistbury between February and August, occasionally over the harbour. Cory's Shearwater Vagrant to the area. Sooty Shearwater Very rare Autumn visitor. All records are on the sea from Hengistbury, usually after strong south-westerly winds. Manx Shearwater Can be seen from Hengistbury between April and October, but usually only after strong south-westerly winds. Balearic Shearwater Can be seen from Hengistbury June to October, but usually only after strong south-westerly winds. Little Shearwater Vagrant to the area. European Storm-petrel Seen annually from Hengistbury in mid-summer. Usually only after south-westerly winds. In some years birds will linger in relatively large numbers for a week or so. Can also occur after south-westerly autumn gales. Leach's Storm-petrel Not recorded annually. Most records are in winter during or shortly after south-westerly gales. Northern Gannet Can be seen from Hengistbury in all months of the year, but commoner in summer period. Great Cormorant Common in all areas of the harbour throughout the year. European Shag Common in winter off Hengistbury. Great Bittern Very rare winter visitor, although probably goes unrecorded. Most likely to be seen as a result of cold weather approaching from the east. Black-crowned Night Heron Vagrant to the area. Squacco Heron Vagrant to the area. Cattle Egret Vagrant to the area, but frequency of records have increased since 2000. Little Egret Vagrant prior to 1990, but has colonised since. First bred 1998, now around 5 pairs breed annually. Present all year. Great Egret Vagrant to the area, but frequency of records have increased since 2000. Grey Heron Common resident. Breed on Hengistbury. Purple Heron Vagrant to the area. White Stork Vagrant to the area. Glossy Ibis Vagrant to the area. Eurasian Spoonbill Recorded annually, but usually no more than a couple of sightings, mainly flying birds in autumn. Mute Swan Common resident, but less than 5 pairs normally breed. Mid-summer sees a large gathering of non-breeding, moulting birds which are flightless for a number of weeks. Tundra Swan Very rare winter visitor, not recorded annually. Whooper Swan Very rare winter visitor, not recorded annually. Pink-footed Goose Vagrant to the area. Greater White-fronted Goose Formerly frequent in winter, however, with the demise of the Avon Valley wintering population this species is now a very rare winter visitor. Greylag Goose A large feral population exists in the Avon Valley and birds from this are seen on occasion around the area. Canada Goose Surprisingly, visits the area only infrequently. In recent years a large group has roosted in the harbour during early the autumn. Barnacle Goose Very infrequently seen in the area with no firm pattern of sightings, all of which are undoubtedly feral birds from the Avon Valley. Brent Goose Winter resident with occasional stragglers through the summer. Birds appear in mid-September and are present until April. Typical numbers are around 100 birds throughout the season. The birds spend the day in the harbour, but appear to head to Poole Harbour after dusk to roost. Egyptian Goose Vagrant to the area. Ruddy Shelduck Vagrant to the area with the escape question always present. Common Shelduck 2-3 pairs normally breed in the area. A common winter resident, but rare late summer when virtually all leave to moult, presumably in Holland. Mandarin Duck Usually at least one bird recorded annually. Eurasian Wigeon Common winter visitor with around 400 using the area. Occasionally single birds summer. American Wigeon Vagrant to the area. Gadwall Seen regularly during the winter months. Occasionally in summer. Apparently bred in 2004. Eurasian Teal Common winter visitor with an estimated 250 using the area. Green-winged Teal Vagrant to the area, but multiple records of a bird present intermittently in the winter of 2000/2001. Mallard Common resident throughout the year. Breeds. Northern Pintail Seen regularly in the winter months. Garganey Small numbers recorded annually during the spring and autumn passage periods. Blue-winged Teal Vagrant to the area. Northern Shoveler Seen regularly throughout the winter months. Occasionally in summer. Red-crested Pochard Vagrant to the area with the escape question always present. Common Pochard Recorded infrequently during the winter months and passage periods Ferruginous Duck Vagrant to the area. Tufted Duck The commonest of the Aythya birds to occur in the area, but still infrequent. Mainly recorded during the winter months and passage periods. Greater Scaup Occasionally recorded in winter. Most at sea, but can also be present in the harbour, particularly during cold weather. Common Eider Frequently recorded at sea during the winter. Long-tailed Duck Occasionally recorded at sea in winter. Black Scoter Recorded at sea in all months with peak numbers during the passage periods. A small wintering flock, averaging 20 birds, is off Hengistbury most years. Surf Scoter Vagrant to the area. Velvet Scoter Occasionally recorded at sea during the winter. Sometimes joining the Common Scoter flock. Common Goldeneye A regular, but decreasing winter visitor in the harbour, generally arriving November and departing by March. Nowadays, usually less than 10 birds. Occasional records from the sea. Smew Not recorded annually and always associated with cold weather. Red-breasted Merganser Most records are of passing birds at sea. Recorded only occasionally in the harbour and rarely actually on the sea. Goosander Recorded annually. Now breeds a few miles north and records probably relate to that population. In winter, may occur in association with cold weather. Ruddy Duck Not recorded annually and now less so since the Ringwood population has reduced. European Honey Buzzard Recorded almost annually usually during May, August or September. Black Kite Vagrant to the area. Red Kite Isolated records are now almost annual, as would be expected with the nationally increasing population. Eurasian Marsh Harrier Very small number recorded annually. Hen Harrier Recorded annually. November tends to hold the most records with presumably wintering bird from mainland Europe passing through, but in very small numbers. Montagu's Harrier Not recorded annually. All records in spring and autumn passage periods. Northern Goshawk In line with the New Forest population increase, records are increasing and can be assumed annual, usually late summer. Eurasian Sparrowhawk At least 2 pairs usually breed in the area. Can be seen during all months of the year. Common Buzzard Rare in the harbour airspace, but can be easily seen by scanning north towards the Avon Valley, especially on warm still days. Most over-harbour records are in passage periods. Rough-legged Buzzard Vagrant to the area. Osprey Small number pass through in passage periods. April, August and September being the most likely months for records. Autumn birds may use the harbour to feed, usually then heading north back up the Avon. Common Kestrel A common resident using the harbour for hunting, but breeding just outside the recording area. Red-footed Falcon Vagrant to the area. Merlin Recorded occasionally during the winter months. Eurasian Hobby Small numbers recorded during the spring passage period, but more frequently seen visiting the harbour to feed during late summer. Small numbers recorded in the autumn passage period. Peregrine Recorded frequently during all months of year. The species is believed to breed just north of the recording area. IOW birds also visit the harbour to hunt. Red-legged Partridge In recent years recorded annually, usually between March and May. Grey Partridge Former resident, now considered a rarity in the area. Common Quail A rarity to the area with records spaced years apart. Common Pheasant Resident in the Wick Fields and Hengistbury where the species breeds, but is seen only infrequently. Can be encountered occasionally in most other parts of the harbour. Golden Pheasant Just one record from 1976. Origin unknown. Water Rail Resident and breeds, but rarely seen. Best option is low tide in Parky Meade Rail, especially July to September. Spotted Crake Very small numbers recorded almost annually, mainly August and September. Little Crake Vagrant to the area. Corn Crake Vagrant to the area. Common Moorhen Common resident in most area of suitable habitat. Coot Numerous in winter with several hundred using the harbour. A few pairs breed. Common Crane Vagrant to the area. Eurasian Oystercatcher Common during all months. Formerly bred and nowadays may attempt to do so. Black-winged Stilt Vagrant to the area. Pied Avocet Recorded very occasionally during spring and autumn passage periods. Stone-curlew Very rare passage visitor to the area. Little Ringed Plover Recorded infrequently during the spring passage period. Records are more numerous in July and August, presumably after local breeding dispersal. Ringed Plover Recorded all months with peak numbers in August and minimum numbers during the two mid-year months. Winters in small numbers. Kentish Plover Formerly recorded annually, now a very rare spring or autumn passage visitor. Dotterel Very rare. Records from spring and autumn passage periods. American Golden Plover Vagrant to the area. Pacific Golden Plover Vagrant to the area. European Golden Plover Recorded only occasionally. Peak time is November with small numbers of overhead birds recorded. Grey Plover Fairly common winter resident, also seen during passage periods. Northern Lapwing Numerous winter visitor. Most leave in early spring, but odd birds inspect the area for breeding. Breeds close to the area, with birds returning June onwards. Red Knot Recorded during passage periods with greater numbers in autumn. Rare at other times. Sanderling Recorded during passage periods with greater numbers in autumn. Occasional in winter. Little Stint Numbers vary from year to year. Most records come in August and September and involve juvenile birds. Recorded very occasionally in spring. Temminck's Stint Recorded barely annually, mainly in late summer. Baird's Sandpiper Vagrant to the area. Pectoral Sandpiper Nowadays recorded annually anytime between August and October. A single bird has wintered. Curlew Sandpiper Recorded frequently during the July to October period. Firstly adult birds, then the juveniles. Rare in spring. Purple Sandpiper Five to ten birds normally winter on the groynes around Hengistbury. Occasional records from July onwards. Dunlin Common winter resident. Also common during passage periods. Broad-billed Sandpiper Vagrant to the area. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Vagrant to the area. Ruff Recorded infrequently during spring and autumn passage periods, March sometimes providing the maximum numbers. Occasional seen in winter, mainly in association with the Lapwing. Jack Snipe Small numbers winter, mostly in Central Marsh. Common Snipe Fairly common, but reducing, winter visitor. Birds depart around April and start to return during August. Dowitcher sp. Vagrant to the area. Eurasian Woodcock Recorded very rarely in late autumn. Extreme weather can lead to an increase in occurrence. Black-tailed Godwit Now a fairly common winter and passage visitor. Birds commute between the harbour and the lower Avon Valley. Bar-tailed Godwit Fairly common passage visitor and occasionally winters. Whimbrel Common passage visitor. Eurasian Curlew Common winter resident. Nearly all desert the area by April, but trickle back June onwards. Spotted Redshank Recorded annually, mostly in late summer , but rare in the area. Common Redshank Present during all months. Lowest number in June with peak numbers in August. Formerly bred. Marsh Sandpiper Vagrant to the area. Common Greenshank Frequently recorded between July and October, less frequently in spring. Rare at other times. Lesser Yellowlegs Vagrant to the area. Green Sandpiper Recorded annually, but only occasionally, mostly between July and September. Wood Sandpiper Annual records almost exclusively between July and September. Terek Sandpiper Vagrant to the area. Common Sandpiper Common during the passage periods. Winter records are rare. Spotted Sandpiper Vagrant to the area. Ruddy Turnstone Small numbers winter, mainly around Hengistbury and Mudeford Sandspit. Recorded frequently from the same areas and in the harbour during the passage periods. Wilson's Phalarope Vagrant to the area. Red-necked Phalarope Vagrant to the area. Grey Phalarope Recorded almost annually. As expected, most records are after late summer and autumn storms. Pomarine Skua Recorded in very small numbers annually off Hengistbury. Most records are from May. Arctic Skua The most frequently recorded skua, but still rare. Nearly all sightings are during passage periods. Long-tailed Skua The rarest of the genus, with less than annual records. Great Skua Recorded annually off Hengistbury in passage periods, may also be seen rarely in winter months. Mediterranean Gull Frequently recorded in most months of the year. Little Gull Most records are at sea in autumn, especially after stormy weather. The species does, however, occur infrequently in the harbour. Sabine's Gull Vagrant to the area. Records exclusively related to autumnal south-westerly storms. Bonaparte's Gull Vagrant to the area.
Common in all months. Ring-billed Gull Vagrant to the area. Common Gull Occurs in relatively small numbers in the winter. Lesser Black-backed Gull Present in all months. Herring Gull Present in all months. Yellow-legged Gull Occasional to the area, mainly late summer. Iceland Gull Recorded far less than annually. Most records are from the winter. Glaucous Gull Recorded far less than annually. Most records are from the winter. Great Black-backed Gull Present in all months. Ross's Gull Vagrant to the area. A bird amazingly summered in 1974. Black-legged Kittiwake Can be recorded in all month at sea, but in varying numbers. Peaks occur after late-year south-westerly storms. Occasionally seen in the harbour. Gull-billed Tern Vagrant to the area. Caspian Tern Vagrant to the area. Lesser Crested Tern Vagrant to the area. Sandwich Tern Common summer visitor to the area. Does not breed, but juveniles from local colonies appear in July. Very rarely recorded in winter. Roseate Tern Recorded occasionally between April and September, both at sea and in the harbour. Common Tern Common passage visitor. Arctic Tern Infrequent passage visitor. Little Tern Becoming a less common passage visitor. Whiskered Tern Vagrant to the area. Black Tern Recorded in small numbers annually. Most records are late summer, especially after stormy weather. White-winged Black Tern Vagrant to the area. Common Guillemot Can be recorded in all months. Patterns are difficult to establish, but certainly more frequent during spring and early summer. Razorbill Can be recorded in all months. Patterns are difficult to establish, but certainly more frequent during spring and early summer. Black Guillemot Very rarely recorded, mainly in winter with records spaced years apart. Little Auk Recorded almost annually, with most sightings in November. Atlantic Puffin Now very rarely recorded with records spaced years apart. Stock Dove Common resident with pairs breeding on Hengistbury. Many also roost there. Hundreds migrate over the area in the company on Wood Pigeon during November. Common Wood Pigeon Common resident, but with a spectacular November overhead migration comprising tens of thousands of birds. Numbers peak after clear, still nights. Eurasian Collared Dove Resident in selected areas of the harbour. European Turtle Dove Rare passage migrant. Rose-ringed Parakeet Vagrant to the area. Great Spotted Cuckoo Vagrant to the area. Common Cuckoo One or two normally breed on Stanpit, otherwise an occasional passage migrant. Barn Owl Annual winter records. Little Owl Resident just off the area, consequently, encountered relatively frequently, mostly around Wick and Stanpit. Tawny Owl Recorded annually in very small numbers. Nearly all records are heard only, and probably emanate from outside the area. Long-eared Owl Recorded less than annually with most likely occurrences in the autumn passage period. Short-eared Owl Recorded annually in very small numbers . Most records are from late autumn, but a few pass through in spring. European Nightjar A pair usually nest on Hengistbury and there are sometime odd birds noted on migration. Common Swift Fairly common over the area from late April until early August, only noted occasionally thereafter until mid-September. Pallid Swift Vagrant to the area. Alpine Swift Vagrant to the area. Little Swift Vagrant to the area. Common Kingfisher Winter visitor. Birds disappear up rivers to breed from April returning August. Hoopoe Recorded almost annually, nearly always in spring. Bee-eater Vagrant to the area. Eurasian Wryneck Recorded annually in very small numbers, mainly in autumn passage period, but can occur in spring. Green Woodpecker Fairly common resident on both sides of the harbour. Great Spotted Woodpecker Small numbers winter across the area, bird start to appear in July and numbers peak during the autumn passage period. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker A few records annually with most in winter. Greater Short-toed Lark Vagrant to the area. Woodlark Recorded annually in very small numbers, almost always as fly-over birds in autumn. Skylark Common resident. Breeds on both sides of the harbour with small flocks gathering in winter. Horned Lark Vagrant to the area. Sand Martin Common breeder with birds present Marsh to August. Passage birds then recorded until late September. Barn Swallow Common over the area during the spring, summer and autumn. Occasionally breeds. Red-rumped Swallow Vagrant to the area. House Martin Frequently seen in spring and summer, but most common on the autumn migration when the species can pass through in large numbers. Richard's Pipit Single birds recorded almost annually, mainly during autumn. Tawny Pipit Single birds recorded almost annually, but becoming rarer. Most records are late summer to autumn. Tree Pipit Recorded frequently as a fly-over migrant during both passage periods. Meadow Pipit Common resident and very common passage migrant with thousands passing over the area. Red-throated Pipit Vagrant to the area. Rock Pipit Breeds in small numbers with more birds present during the winter. Water Pipit Scarce winter visitor. Peak time for the species is early spring. Yellow Wagtail Common passage migrant. Most records are overhead, but some do settle, especially in the autumn when small groups may roost in the reedbeds. Citrine Wagtail Vagrant to the area. Grey Wagtail Reasonably common passage migrant with a few birds wintering. White/Pied Wagtail Common year round as resident and passage migrant. Bohemian Waxwing Vagrant to the area. Winter Wren Common throughout the year. Hedge Accentor Common throughout the year. European Robin Common throughout the year. Rufous Nightingale Recorded less than annually, almost exclusively as a spring migrant. Bluethroat Vagrant to the area. Black Redstart Recorded annually in varying numbers. Winter and early spring hold the most records. Common Redstart Recorded frequently during both passage periods. Whinchat Recorded frequently during both passage periods. Stonechat Common throughout the year as breeder and winter visitor when numbers increase. Northern Wheatear Common passage migrant in both periods. Ring Ousel Uncommon passage migrant. Common Blackbird Common throughout the year. Fieldfare Frequently recorded as autumn passage migrant. Occasional in spring. Song Thrush Common throughout the year. Redwing Frequently recorded as autumn passage migrant and occasional winter visitor. Mistle Thrush Breeds just outside the area and occasionally encountered within. Small number recorded during the autumn passage. Cetti's Warbler Common throughout the year. Zitting Cisticola Vagrant to the area. Common Grasshopper Warbler Recorded occasionally during the spring passage, mainly in April. Fewer records in autumn due to reduced vocal activity. Savi's Warbler Vagrant to the area. Aquatic Warbler Recorded less than annually, normally in August. Past records were more frequent, probably due to greater ringing activity. Sedge Warbler Common breeder in the area, present between April and September. Peak numbers pass through in August. Marsh Warbler Vagrant to the area. Eurasian Reed Warbler Common breeder in the area, present between April and September. Great Reed Warbler Vagrant to the area. Icterine Warbler Recorded less than annually, mainly in late summer. Melodious Warbler Recorded almost annually, mainly in late summer. Dartford Warbler Common resident in the area. Subalpine Warbler Vagrant to the area. Barred Warbler Recorded almost annually, mainly in September. Lesser Whitethroat Breeds in very small
numbers and passes through as a migrant in spring and autumn. Common Whitethroat Common breeding bird and passage migrant, present April to September. Garden Warbler Recorded frequently during spring and autumn passage periods. Blackcap Usually present all year. Breeds and passes through as migrant, with very small numbers wintering. Greenish Warbler Vagrant to the area. Pallas's Leaf Warbler Recorded almost annually, mainly in November. Yellow-browed Warbler Recorded almost annually, mainly in September or October. Dusky Warbler Vagrant to the area. Raddes Warbler Vagrant to the area. Western Bonelli's Warbler Vagrant to the area. Wood Warbler Rare passage migrant with a few recorded annually. Chiffchaff Present throughout the year in varying numbers. Breeds. Peak time is the autumn passage, least numbers in occur in winter. Willow Warbler Fairly common, but not annual breeder. Common passage migrant during both periods. Goldcrest Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Occasionally breeds. Firecrest Recorded in small numbers during both passage periods. Occasional birds in winter. Spotted Flycatcher Fairly common passage migrant. Red-breasted Flycatcher Vagrant to the area. Pied Flycatcher Fairly common passage migrant. Bearded Tit Probably present in small numbers throughout the year. Long-tailed Tit Becoming increasingly common throughout the year. Marsh Tit Extremely rare in the area with records spaced years apart. Willow Tit Extremely rare to the area. Coal Tit Present throughout the year, but in very small numbers. Passage birds also move through. Blue Tit Common throughout the year. Great Tit Common throughout the year. Nuthatch Rare to the area with records barely annual. Eurasian Treecreeper Recorded annually, mainly during winter. Eurasian Penduline Tit Vagrant to the area. Eurasian Golden Oriole Very rare passage migrant, not recorded annually. Red-backed Shrike Very rare passage migrant with records spaced years apart. Great Grey Shrike Extremely rare autumn or winter visitor. Just two records. Woodchat Shrike Vagrant to the area. Eurasian Jay Present in small numbers throughout the year with small autumn influxes. Black-billed Magpie Common throughout the year. Eurasian Jackdaw Common just outside the area, but, within the harbour, occurs only as a passage migrant. Rook Common just outside the area, but, within the harbour, occurs only as a passage migrant. Carrion Crow Common throughout the year. Hooded Crow Vagrant to the area. Common Raven Records are increasing, mainly is in spring and autumn. Common Starling Common throughout the year. House Sparrow Common, but in concentrated areas, throughout the year. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Very rare passage migrant. Red-eyed Vireo Vagrant to the area. Chaffinch Present in varying numbers throughout the year. Peak numbers occur during the autumn passage. Breeds in small numbers. Brambling Fairly common overhead autumn migrant, with a few spring records. European Serin Rare spring passage migrant, just a few birds recorded annually. European Greenfinch Common throughout the year. Peak numbers during autumn passage. European Goldfinch Fairly common throughout the year. Peak numbers during autumn passage. Breeds in small numbers. Eurasian Siskin Fairly common overhead autumn migrant, with fewer spring records. Common Linnet Common breeder and passage migrant. Rare in winter. Twite Rare autumn passage migrant, not recorded almost annually. Lesser Redpoll Fairly common overhead passage migrant. Mealy Redpoll Rare autumn passage migrant and winter visitor. Common Crossbill Recorded annually, mainly in late summer or autumn as fly-over birds. Common Rosefinch Vagrant to the area. Common Bullfinch Recorded in very small numbers as passage migrant and occasional winter visitor. Hawfinch Extremely rare passage migrant with records spaced years apart. Northern Parula Vagrant to the area. Bobolink Vagrant to the area. Lapland Bunting Recorded almost annually as autumn passage fly-over birds. Snow Bunting Recorded almost annually as autumn passage migrant and rare winter visitor. Yellowhammer Recorded in very small number annually during both passage periods. Cirl Bunting Extremely rare with records spaced years apart. Ortolan Bunting Recorded almost annually as an autumn passage fly-over bird. Rustic Bunting Vagrant to the area. Little Bunting Vagrant to the area. Reed Bunting Present throughout the year. Peaks during the autumn passage. Fairly common breeder. Corn Bunting Former resident, now extremely rare with records spaced years apart. |
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