| Abstrakt: |
This report presents data on the non-passerine scarce migrants recorded in Britain in 2014. Around 300 Great White Egrets Ardea alba represents yet another record total, and a huge advance on the previous record of 184 in 2013. It was also an excellent year for White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii (35 individuals, second-best total on record), Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (103, third) and Wryneck (444, third), all of which continue to increase; other species seen in good numbers were American Wigeon Anas americana, Black Kite Milvus migrans and Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus. It was a more average year for American waders, but the trend towards more sightings in northern Britain was still evident; most notably, all but two Buff-breasted Sandpipers Calidris subruficollis in 2014 were in Scotland and the species was absent from southwest England for the first time since at least 1988. Records of migrant and breeding Honey-buzzards Pernis apivorus have become increasingly blurred and that species appears in this report for the last time. Species faring less well included Kentish Plover Anarhynchus alexandrinus - for which it was the worst year on record - and Alpine Swift - with the lowest total since 1971. Other species with low totals included Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, Spotted Crake Porzana porzana, and Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
