Review of rare birds in Berkshire in 2008

11th September 2009 (revised 12th September 2009) | Marek Walford

This report only covers the rarer species reported in Berkshire in 2008 (i.e. species occuring less than annually during the past five years). These records may not have been verified or subjected to scrutiny by the relevant rarities committee. Reports of possibles/probables have been excluded. Every effort has been made to ensure the information is correct but if you notice any mistakes please let me know.

Black-throated Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver : Theale GP (Photo: Marek Walford)

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver : Queen Mother Reservoir (Photo: Mike McKee)

Slavonian Grebe

Slavonian Grebe

Slavonian Grebe : Theale GP (Photo: Marek Walford)

Gannet

Gannet

Gannet : Dinton Pastures (Photo: Peter Johns)

White Stork

Bewick's Swan

Whooper Swan

Whooper Swan

Whooper Swan : Woolhampton GP (Photo: Gary Farnell)

White-fronted Goose

American Wigeon

American Wigeon

American Wigeon : Lower Farm GP (Photo: Marek Walford)

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck : Theale GP (Photo: Marek Walford)

Lesser Scaup

Second record following the first record at Woolhampton GP from 28th October to 16th November 2007.

Long-tailed Duck

Sixteenth record but the first since 1999 when a female was at Wraysbury GP from 1st to 17th January.

Common Scoter

Velvet Scoter

Velvet Scoter

Velvet Scoter : Queen Mother Reservoir (Photo: Marek Walford)

Honey-buzzard

The run of records from Binfield in June is interesting and maybe suggests a lingering spring migrant. The run of records in the second half of September coincided with an influx into eastern England.

Black Kite

Red-footed Falcon

Red-footed Falcon

Red-footed Falcon : Woolhampton GP (Photo: Marek Walford)

Corncrake Crex crex

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet : Lea Farm GP (Photo: Marek Walford)

Dotterel

Dotterel

Dotterel : Bury Down (Photo: Ashley Stow)

Grey Plover

Knot

Little Stint

Little Stint

Little Stint : Moor Green Lakes (Photo: Gary Randall)

Temminck's Stint

Curlew Sandpiper

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit : Dinton Pastures (Photo: Marek Walford)

Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank : Dinton Pastures (Photo: Marek Walford)

Grey Phalarope

Long-tailed Skua

Only the fifth county record but recorded for the third year running.

Iceland Gull

Glaucous Gull

Bee-eater

Hoopoe

Wryneck

Waxwing

Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher : Greenham Common (Photo: Marek Walford)

Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher : Woose Hill (Photo: Marek Walford)

Bearded Tit

Red-backed Shrike

Great Grey Shrike

Great Grey Shrike

Great Grey Shrike : Wishmoor Bottom (Photo: David Lowther)

Wood Warbler

Wood Warbler

Wood Warbler : Sunninghill Park (Photo: Derek Barker)