Geoff Busby: Britain Year List 2024 BOU, All records Record(s) 1 to 174 of 174 total. Seq. Species Scientific Name Rare? Date Location Comments 1 Brent Goose Branta bernicla 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB Dark-bellied, Initially only 1; many others flew in (with J.Watts) 2 Canada Goose Branta canadensis 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 3 Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis 08/02/2024 Gloucs, Estuary Tower, Slimbridge WWT with Carol 4 Greylag Goose Anser anser 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 5 Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Thornham road to Ringstead (with J.Watts) flocks feeding in fields (with J.Watts 6 White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 25/02/2024 Derbys, by R.Trent, Ingleby 3 birds with Canada Geese 7 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 8 Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus 08/02/2024 Gloucs, Martin Smith Hide, Slimbridge WWT with Carol 9 Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 26/01/2024 Cambs, A605 several hundred feeding in roadside field with J.Watts) 10 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca 11/01/2024 Leics, Albert Village Lake 3 birds calling flew south 11 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 15/01/2024 Warks, Alvecote Pools 3 birds 12 Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata 01/01/2024 Leics,Swithland Reservoir south 2 separate pairs briefly swam out after none seen earlier ( with J.Frost) 13 Garganey Spatula querquedula 03/05/2024 Carms, Boardwalk Hide, Llanelli WWT self found drake (later with Craig, Bernie & Ed) 14 Shoveler Spatula clypeata 04/01/2024 Leics, Longmoor Lake 4 drakes 15 Gadwall Mareca strepera 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 16 Wigeon Mareca penelope 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 17 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 18 Pintail Anas acuta 21/01/2024 Warks, Lea Marston Balancing Lakes 6m 3f (with J.Watts) 19 Teal Anas crecca 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 20 Pochard Aythya ferina 04/01/2024 Leics, Longmoor Lake female 21 Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris 08/02/2024 Glamorgan, Lisvane Reservoir drake, pair 12/02 (with Carol) 22 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 23 Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir distant juvenile by railway viaduct (with S.Lister, G.Reffin, J.Frost & A.Brett) 24 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB raft of c20 birds on sea inc 1 drake (with J.Watts) 25 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis 10/02/2024 Carms, Boardwalk Hide, Llanelli WWT female diving often (with Lukas & Allanah) again 11/02 Dafen Scrapes, Llanelli WWT 26 Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 3m 2f 27 Goosander Mergus merganser 10/01/2024 Warks, Alvecote Pools 5m 4f 28 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB drake diving frequently on freshwater pool then flew to sea (with J.Watts) 29 Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus 05/03/2024 Denbighs, World's End moors good numbers calling, flying and displaying (with Carol) 30 Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 01/01/2024 Leics, Tinsel Lane, Wellsborough to Far Coton 31 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 07/01/2024 Leics, Bosworth Rd, Congerstone to Carlton 2 birds at edge of field 32 Swift Apus apus 23/04/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 1 bird high from car park 33 Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 27/04/2024 Leics, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood Heard "Cuckoo" 3 times (with Carol) 34 Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia 26/01/2024 Norfolk, R.Great Ouse several flying round bridge parallel to A47 (with J.Watts) 35 Stock Dove Columba oenas 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 4 birds on Railway Viaduct heard calling earlier (with J.Frost) 36 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 01/01/2024 Leics, Barlestone 37 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir car park 38 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir h.b.n.s 39 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 40 Coot Fulica atra 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 41 Crane Grus grus 08/02/2024 Gloucs, Estuary Tower, Slimbridge WWT 5 birds with Carol h.b.n.s distantly 26/1 coming in to roost Nene Washes RSPB(with J.Watts) 42 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 04/01/2024 Leics, Longmoor Lake 1 w pl 43 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 44 Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus 07/02/2024 Staffs, Whitemoor Haye distant w pl bird diving frequently on Roadside Pool (with J.Watts) 4 birds Beddmanarch Bay, Anglesey 2/3 45 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 46 Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB 6 birds (with J.Watts) 47 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 48 Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 49 Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 01/03/2024 Anglesey, Holyhead Breakwater c20 birds (with Carol) 50 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 05/04/2024 Carms 51 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 17/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 34 flew onto dam to roost (with A.Smith) 52 Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 03/05/2024 Glamorgan/Carms, Loughor Foreshore heard calling flew over estuary 53 Curlew Numenius arquata 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 54 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB many on shoreline (with J.Watts) 55 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 56 Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 07/02/2024 Leics, Bagworth excellent view in car headlights 57 Snipe Gallinago gallinago 15/01/2024 Warks, Alvecote Pools 2 took flight by pool edge 58 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 04/04/2024 Carms, Llanelli WWT feeding on islands from The Observatory 59 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 01/01/2024 Leics, A444 Harris Bridge heard calling on floods 2 birds flew upriver 60 Redshank Tringa totanus 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 61 Greenshank Tringa nebularia 09/02/2024 Carms, British Steel Hide, Llanelli WWT 1 bird on Dafen Scrapes with 4 Little Egrets (with B.Beck) 62 Turnstone Arenaria interpres 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 63 Knot Calidris canutus 03/04/2024 Carms, British Steel Hide, Llanelli WWT 3+ flying with Blackwits flushed by Peregrine 64 Ruff Calidris pugnax 08/02/2024 Gloucs, Martin Smith Hide, Slimbridge WWT with Carol 65 Sanderling Calidris alba 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB many along shoreline (with J.Watts) 66 Dunlin Calidris alpina 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 67 Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima 01/03/2024 Anglesey, Trearddur Bay 17 birds roosting on rocks at high tide (with Carol) 68 Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 07/04/2024 Carms, Sandy Water Park 13 birds (with R.Taylor) 69 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 14/05/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 1 bird another 2 Cropston Reservoir 70 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 16/04/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir flew along east side over dam and away down valley (with A.Smith) 71 Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus 07/03/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 2 adults & 2 juveniles (with A.Smith) 72 Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia Yes 07/04/2024 Carms, Sandy Water Park Ad winter showed superbly flying around with 11 Arctic Terns & 1w & 2w Little Gulls (with B.Beck, Dom Davison (finder), R.Taylor, Lukas le Grice and G.Harper) 73 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 74 Common Gull Larus canus 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 75 Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans 24/01/2024 Staffs, Chasewater 2w (with J.Watts, John Holian, J.Allen and Paul?) 76 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 01/01/2024 Leics, A444 Harris Bridge single bird flew towards Wellsborough from far floods 77 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 11/01/2024 Leics, Albert Village Lake 2 adults 78 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 01/01/2024 Leics, A444 Harris Bridge good numbers on far floods 79 Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides 24/01/2024 Staffs, Chasewater Adult (with J.Watts, John Holian, J.Allen and Paul?) 80 Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle 01/03/2024 Anglesey, Holyhead New Harbour sum pl bird (with Carol) 81 Razorbill Alca torda 04/03/2024 Anglesey, South Stack RSPB numbers on cliffs and sea with Guillemots (with Carol) 82 Common Guillemot Uria aalge 02/03/2024 Anglesey, Holyhead New Harbour w pl bird near Ferry Terminal (with Carol) 83 Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 24/01/2024 Staffs, Chasewater 3 birds (with J.Watts, John Holian, J.Allen & Paul?) 84 Gannet Morus bassanus 02/03/2024 Anglesey, Ellins Tower, South Stack 5 birds flew N, 3 then 2 (with Carol) 85 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 86 Shag Gulosus aristotelis 24/01/2024 Staffs, Chasewater long staying bird on ski ramp (with J.Watts, John Holian, J.Allen & Paul?) 87 Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 09/02/2024 Carms, Llanelli WWT 13 flew in gathering to roost (with B.Beck) 88 Bittern Botaurus stellaris 03/03/2024 Cors Ddyga RSPB heard Booming several times along Afon Cefni (with Carol) 89 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 05/01/2024 Leics, Brascote Pits 3 landed in large field past stile beyond woods 90 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 18/02/2024 Leics, Jubilee Park, Enderby by R.Soar flew in to feed at edge of floods with 16+Little Egrets 91 Great White Egret Ardea alba 10/01/2024 Warks, Alvecote Pools Ad on near shore flew to railway side 92 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 93 Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 05/01/2024 Leics, Brascote Pits 94 Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB several seen plus 3 at Nene Washes RSPB later (with J.Watts) 95 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 11/02/2024 Glamorgan, Llanrhidian Marsh 2 ringtails into roost 17:14 & 17:18; male 17:33 96 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Yes 03/04/2024 Carms, British Steel Hide, Llanelli WWT juvenile showed excellently flying in front of hide then dropped on marsh looking towards Penclawdd 97 Red Kite Milvus milvus 10/01/2024 Warks, The Smithy Farm Shop, Grendon circling low over car park 98 Buzzard Buteo buteo 01/01/2024 Leics 99 Long-eared Owl Asio otus 26/01/2024 Cambs, Nene Washes RSPB 2 roosting in hedge (with J.Watts) 100 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 26/01/2024 Cambs, Nene Washes RSPB 1 roosting in hedge; 3+ later flying hunting and perching (with J.Watts) 101 Tawny Owl Strix aluco 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB almost hidden roosting in Ivy covered tree on Fen Trail (with J.Watts) 102 Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 24/01/2024 Staffs, Chasewater flashed by nr railway crossing at dusk (with J.Watts) 103 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 05/01/2024 Leics, Brascote Pits 104 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 05/01/2024 Leics, Brascote Pits 105 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 01/01/2024 Leics, Field Head 106 Merlin Falco columbarius 10/02/2024 Carms, British Steel Hide, Llanelli WWT perching on low posts & ground (with B.Beck) 107 Peregrine Falco peregrinus 12/01/2024 Warks, Yew Tree Farm, Grendon flew steadily over fields 108 Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri 31/03/2024 Leics, Western Park, Leicester 1 feeding on buds then 2 birds by nest hole one fed the other before flying away (with Carol) 109 Jay Garrulus glandarius 01/01/2024 Leics, nr Newtown Linford 110 Magpie Pica pica 01/01/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir 111 Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 04/03/2024 Anglesey, South Stack RSPB 6 birds swooped down by approach road to feed with Jackdaws in field (with Carol) 112 Jackdaw Coloeus monedula 01/01/2024 Leics, Barlestone 1st bird of year: 6 on rooftops across street 113 Rook Corvus frugilegus 01/01/2024 Leics, A444 Harris Bridge good numbers feeding on wet fields 114 Carrion Crow Corvus corone 01/01/2024 Leics, nr Thornton 115 Raven Corvus corax 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 2 birds over S end calling 116 Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus 06/01/2024 Leics, Tournament Road, Glenfield 17 twice in tallest tree trilling before flying to gardens (with Carol) 117 Coal Tit Periparus ater 11/01/2024 Leics, Huntingdon Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch singing male 118 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris 25/02/2024 Leics, Dimminsdale single bird located by soft "Pitchu" call dropping to ground to feed 119 Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 01/01/2024 Leics, King's Hill Spinney, Tinsel Lane, Wellsborough to Far Coton 120 Great Tit Parus major 01/01/2024 Leics, King's Hill Spinney, Tinsel Lane, Wellsborough to Far Coton 121 Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus 16/02/2024 Lincs, Alkborough Flats 4+ flew low over reeds opposite Prospect Hide "pinging" (with Matthew) 122 Skylark Alauda arvensis 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB (with J.Watts) 123 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 25/03/2024 Leics, Thornton Reservoir at least 5 low in drizzle then flew high 124 Swallow Hirundo rustica 06/04/2024 Carms, The Observatory, Llanelli WWT at least 5 birds feeding low back and forth 125 House Martin Delichon urbicum 07/04/2024 Carms, Sandy Water Park at least 1 with many Sand Martins and a few Swallows 126 Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti 16/02/2024 Lincs, Alkborough Flats Several heard saw one well on brambles right of path h.b.n.s 21/1 Riverwalk Hide, Ladywalk(with J.Watts) 127 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 05/01/2024 Leics, Brascote Pits 128 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix 04/05/2024 Carms, Gwenffrwd-Dinas RSPB h.b.n.s (with B.Beck) 129 Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 04/01/2024 Leics, Old Pit Wheel by disused railway, Oakthorpe found by J.Watts 03/01 130 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 04/04/2024 Carms, Llanelli WWT singing near The Observatory 131 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 21/01/2024 Warks, R.Tame Ladywalk NR track 2+ overwintering birds (with J.Watts) 132 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 21/04/2024 Warks/Staffs, Middleton Lakes RSPB singing male along track between screens (with Carol) 133 Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 08/04/2024 Carms, Sandy Water Park h.b.n.s in reeds on north side 134 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 03/04/2024 Powys, A40 nr Crickhowell Elusive singing male finally showed low down in hedge opposite lay-by 135 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 29/04/2024 Leics, Thortit Lake showed excellently singing in bush; h.b.n.s earlier Kelham Bridge 136 Lesser Whitethroat Curruca curruca 22/04/2024 Leics, Albert Village Lake Showed very well near roadside by lake h.b.n.s rattling away on gorse bank to north-east (with Carol) 21/04 137 Whitethroat Curruca communis 18/04/2024 Leics, Kelham Bridge male singing & displaying in low vegetation to left of track 138 Goldcrest Regulus regulus 04/01/2024 Leics, Old Pit Wheel by disused railway, Oakthorpe 139 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 04/01/2024 Leics, Longmoor Lake 140 Nuthatch Sitta europaea 01/01/2024 Leics, Tinsel Lane, Wellsborough to Far Coton 141 Treecreeper Certhia familiaris 19/01/2024 Leics, track to Scout Camp, Willesley 2 birds 142 Starling Sturnus vulgaris 01/01/2024 Leics, Barlestone 143 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 07/01/2024 Leics, Rough field by Ashby Canal between Br45 & 46 perched on hedge 144 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 17/01/2024 Leics, Retreat Farm, Thornton Reservoir perched on molehill then flew to hedge 145 Redwing Turdus iliacus 05/01/2024 Leics, Brascote Pits 146 Blackbird Turdus merula 01/01/2024 Leics, nr Thornton 147 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 01/01/2024 Leics, A444 Harris Bridge single bird "Chacking" in large Willows 148 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 30/03/2024 Leics, Warren Hills male showed well feeding by wall before flying up into Hawthorn (with Bruce Fareham) 149 Robin Erithacus rubecula 01/01/2024 Leics, Swithland Reservoir 150 Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 04/05/2024 Carms, Gwenffrwd-Dinas RSPB several males & females seen. 2 males chasing, male singing & female taking nest material to box (with B.Beck) 151 Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 04/05/2024 Carms, Gwenffrwd-Dinas RSPB female flew over road on arrival, several males and females seen many males singing. (with B.Beck) 152 Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 15/01/2024 Warks, Alvecote Pools female 153 Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 08/04/2024 Carms, nr Nant Rhuddel flew over moorland track 154 Dipper Cinclus cinclus 05/03/2024 Gwynedd, Afon Ogwen nr Tregarth 2 flew under bridge downstream and displayed on rocks 155 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 04/01/2024 Leics, Huntingdon Rd, Ashby-de-la-Zouch 156 Dunnock Prunella modularis 01/01/2024 Leics, Tinsel Lane, Wellsborough to Far Coton 157 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 12/05/2024 Leics, Shelford Lane, Norton-juxta-Twycross to B4116 2 birds flew over calling then on and around soil heaps 158 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 08/01/2024 Leics, Burns Close, Measham flew over calling towards R.Mease 159 Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 01/01/2024 Leics, Castle Farm, Bilstone 160 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 05/01/2024 Leics, Windmill Pool, Brascote Pits 161 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 04/05/2024 Carms, Llyn Brianne singing parachuting male (with B.Beck) h.b.n.s Gwenffrwd-Dinas RSPB 162 Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB landed on bund from Parrinder Hide, bathed and flew off (with J.Watts) 163 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 01/01/2024 Leics, Tinsel Lane, Wellsborough to Far Coton 164 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB male coming to Visitor Centre feeders (with J.Watts) 165 Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula 04/01/2024 Leics, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood male 166 Greenfinch Chloris chloris 01/01/2024 Leics, Castle Farm, Bilstone 167 Linnet Linaria cannabina 26/01/2024 Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh RSPB several flocks (with J.Watts) 168 Lesser Redpoll Acanthis cabaret 04/01/2024 Leics, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood 1 flew over calling 169 Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 07/02/2024 Staffs, Cannock Chase single atop Larch then 15+ feeding on cones c30 flying flock. Several others seen & heard (with J.Watts) 170 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 01/01/2024 Leics, May Meadow, Barlestone 171 Siskin Spinus spinus 04/01/2024 Leics, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood 1 flew over calling 172 Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 03/03/2024 Anglesey, Soldiers Point nr start of Breakwater very tame showed exceptionally well (with Carol) later killed by Peregrine 173 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 20/01/2024 Leics, Battlefield trail nr Shenton Station flew over downhill calling 174 Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 21/01/2024 Warks, Ladywalk NR Car Park feeding station male (with J.Watts)