Summary of contents
Madeiran Storm-petrel off Scilly: new to Britain A Madeiran Storm-petrel was seen and photographed from a boat approximately 12–14 km southeast of Scilly on 28th July 2007. The bird made two close passes to the boat, some 50 minutes apart, making it possible to note the key identification features and to reconfirm these during the second sighting. A record photograph was obtained. A previously accepted record of Madeiran Storm-petrel, one found dead at Milford, Hampshire, in November 1911, was removed from the British List in 2008 and thus the Scilly bird becomes the first accepted record for Britain.
From the Rarities Committee’s files: Moult and ageing of male Falcated Duck in autumn A male Falcated Duck in Devon in winter 2006/07 was a subject of much debate in terms of the bird’s age. John Martin and Martin Garner researched the subject by studying captive birds and museum specimens, and concluded that the Devon was a first-winter male. The wider results of that research, concerning the moult and ageing of this species in autumn, are presented in this paper.
Honey-buzzards in southern England Ed Wiseman describes an amateur study of the breeding Honey-buzzards of the New Forest area, in southern England, which began in 1954 and continues today. Over that 58-year period, at least 214 breeding attempts were recorded, of which 195 (91%) were successful, with a minimum of 347 young reared. Nest-sites, aspects of breeding biology and breeding density of the study population are discussed.
RSPB Conservation Research News Guy Anderson, Elizabeth Charman and Ian Johnstone look at the impact of protected areas on the conservation of wide-ranging species, the importance of grazing land for seed-eating farmland birds; and whether the chemistry of pine needles can influence Capercaillie habitat preferences.
Letters Topics this month include: The return of the Red-billed Chough to Cornwall; Common Cranes in the UK; Eastern-race Skylarks and further debate on the correct gender of Poecile and the scientific name of the Willow Tit.
Notes Topics this month include: A record influx of Balearic Shearwaters in Devon and Cornwall; Curlews feeding in stubble fields; Tawny Owl hanging upside down in response to aggressive Carrion Crows; Nest defence behaviour by Marsh Tits in response to a stuffed Weasel; Aggressive intraspecific behaviour among male Black Larks in winter; and Wrens foraging in the tree canopy in harsh winter conditions.
Book reviews, News & comment and Recent reports complete the January issue.
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