Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Number 2
Front cover: Willet by Danielle Occhiato. Back cover: Northern Shrike by Vincent Legrand.
2
CONTENTS
Introduction 4
Contributing photographers 7
Systematic List 14
Northern Shrike on Corvo: new to the Azores and the Western Palearctic 65
Appendix 2: Guidelines on criteria for the assessment of records from the Azores 72
3
INTRODUCTION
This is the second edition of the Azores Rare and Scare Bird Report.
The report details records from 2014 of all species defined as rare or scarce in the archipelago. In
order to document as accurately as possible the status of these species, certain criteria have been
applied for the inclusion of records in this report:
1) All records of species assessed by the national Portuguese Rarity Committee (PRC) should be
accompanied by a photographic record/description to be assessed by this reports Records
Validation Group, except where there are multiple (two or more) known observers and a
photographic record has proved to be unobtainable. Single observer records without
supporting photo/detailed description (see Appendix 2 for more information) are included in
Appendix 1. In the case of major rarities, a preliminary assessment is also undertaken by the
Records Validation Group (see Appendix 2).
2) Records of all non-national PRC species (that is, local Azores rarities) should be accompanied
by a photographic record/description for preliminary assessment by the Records Validation
Group where there have been 10 or fewer documented records. Exceptions apply as in 1)
above.
3) All non-PRC species are included without the requirement for a photographic record/
description unless reason(s) to the contrary are presented to the Records Validation Group.
All records of species which are currently under review by the PRC for continual inclusion on
the PRC ratification list (species where 75+ records have been documented) are also included
in this category (marked by an asterisk in the systematic list).
The final adjudication of such reports for the official Azores rarity record is the responsibility of the
PRC, and the Azores Rare and Scarce Bird Report aims to assist and support the work of that
committee.
We hope to improve this report year on year. Scope for development includes analysis, additional
papers and integration into other ornithological initiatives. Contributors and collaborators with ideas
for further development are therefore most welcome please see page 74 for details of how to
contribute.
4
EDITORIAL TEAM
Systematic List and Editorial Group Peter Alfrey, Richard Bonser, Sofia Goulart,
Josh Jones, Dominic Mitchell, Darryl Spittle
PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTORS
5
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SYSTEMATIC LIST
Janne Aalto (JA) Richard Ek (RE) Ferran Lpez Sanz (FLS)
Phil Abbott (PA) Andr Enes (AE) Manuela Loureno (MLo)
Lus Aguiar (LA) Anthony Faure (AF) Jorge Macedo (JM)
Vtor Aguiar (VA) Gary Fennemore (GF) Jordi Mart-Aledo (JMA)
Eric Jan Alblas (EJA) Carolina Ferraz (CF) Rodrigo Martins (RMa)
Peter Alfrey (PA) Joana Figueiredo (JFi) Daniel Mauras (DMa)
Niels Peter Andreasen (NPA) Jerome Fischer (JF) Paul McMahon (PM)
Andreia Areias (AA) Manfred Fleischer (MFl) Carlos Medeiros (CMe)
Carla vila (CA) Tom Francis (TFr) Valter Medeiros (VM)
Maria Manuela zera (MA) Tommy Frandsen (TF) Ceclia Melo (CM)
Susana zera (SA) Alexandre Freitas (AFr) Marco Melo (MM)
Bruno Azevedo (BA) Catia Freitas (CF) Rita Melo (RMe)
Filipe Barata (FB) Michael Fricke (MF) Fbio Mendes (FM)
Lus Barcelos (LB) Joo Paulo Gonalves (JPG) Ana Mendona (AM)
Gordon Beck (GB) Martin Gottschling (MG) Antnio Mendona (AnM)
Chris Bell (CB) Antoine Goullo (AG) Joo Pedro Meneses (JPM)
Etienne Bertouille (EB) Sofia Goulart (SG) Gerbrand Michielsen (GM)
Jerry Bettencourt (JB) Radosaw Gwd (RG) Guy Mirgain (GMi)
Nuno Bicudo da Ponte Kari Haataja (KH) Dominic Mitchell (DMi)
(NBdP) Seppo Haavisto (SH) Rami Mizrachi (RM)
Jurgen Blessing (JBl) Jens Srgaard Hansen (JSH) David Monticelli (DM)
Richard Bonser (RB) Justin Hart (JH) Kelle Moreau (KM)
Ftima Borba (FB) Stewart Hinley (SHi) Lars Mortensen (LM)
Diana Braga (DB) Thierry Jansen (TJ) Nlson Moura (NM)
Mariana Brito (MBr) Seppo Jrvinen (SJ) Angelo Nava (AN)
Mika Bruun (MB) Matthias Jentzsch (MJ) Andreas Neumann (ANe)
Angela Canha (AC) Cline Jolly (CJ) Micha Neumann (MN)
Jorge Cardoso (JC) Josh Jones (JJ) Jorge Neves (JNe)
Bosse Carlsson (BC) Pedro Jorge (PJ) Dora Nicolau (DN)
Remo Ciuffardi (RCi) Graeme Joynt (GJ) Lars Gte Nilsson (LGN)
David Clarke (DC) Zbigniew Kajzer (ZK) Jarl Nystrom (JN)
Elizabeth Coelho (EC) Georgs Kornilovs (GK) Daniele Occhiato (DO)
Rben Coelho (RC) Tino Korpimaki (TK) Nuno Oliveira (NO)
Rufino Cordeiro (RCo) Andrzej Komicki (AK) Rui Oliveira (RO)
Marta Cunha (MC) Petri Kunho (PK) Clia Ourique (CO)
Pierre-Andre Crochet (PAC) Thomas Lang (TL) Paulo Paixo (PP)
Stanislaw Czyz (SC) Kalle Larsson (KL) Hannu Palojrvi (HP)
Ernie Davis (EDa) Vincent Legrand (VL) Bruno Pereira (BP)
Eric Didner (ED) Christian Leth (CL) Carlos Pereira (CP)
Ricardo van Dijk (RvD) Micaela Lopes (ML) Ramss Prez (RP)
Hugues Dufourny (HD) Vera Lopes (VLo) Tnia Pipa (TP)
Stephen Dunstan (SD) Yaiza Lpez (YL) Karel Poprach (KP)
Dimitri Van de Populiere Andreas Sandberg (AS) Joaquim Teodsio (JT)
(DVdP) Markku Santamaa (MSa) Ingvar Torsson (IT)
Tiago Resendes (TRe) David Santos (DSa) Chris Townend (CT)
Carlos Ribeiro (CR) Snia Santos (SS) Vanessa Vagundes (VV)
Jouni Riihimki (JR) Martin Scott (MS) Dejalme Vargas (DVa)
Kathy Rita (KR) Jesper Segergren (JS) Diana Vertentes (DVe)
John Roberts (JR) Richard Seve (RSe) Andr Vieira (AVi)
Sue Roberts (SR) Carlos Silva (CS) Duarte Vieira (DV)
Tiago Rodrigues (TR) Patrcia Simes (PS) Alan Vittery (AV)
Marisa Rodrigues (MR) Marcin Solowiej (MSo) Nico de Vries (NdV)
Kris de Rouck (KdR) Rainer Sottorf (RS) Ingo Weiss (IW)
Carlos Rben (CRu) Silke Sottorf (SSo) Esther Zaeytudt (EZ)
Ilkka Sahi (IS) Darryl Spittle (DS) Michal Zawadzki (MZ)
Hugo Sampaio (HS) Lisa Steiner (LS)
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Richard Bonser Justin Hart Dora Nicolau
Diana Braga Petri Kuhno Daniele Occhiato
Elizabeth Coelho Vincent Legrand Bruno Pereira
Rben Coelho Gerbrand Michielsen Kathy Rita
Ricardo van Dijk Dominic Mitchell Chris Townend
Joo Paulo Gonalves David Monticelli Marcin Solowiej
Jens Srgaard Hansen Nlson Moura
7
AZORES ORNITHOLOGICAL REVIEW 2014
January
The year began with the continued presence of the Short-billed Dowitcher at Cabo da Praia, Terceira,
throughout January, while wildfowl wintering at nearby Paul da Praia included 11 American Wigeon,
four Greater Scaup and a Lesser Scaup.
The rarest bird of the month was the Azores second-ever Common Merganser, at Ponta das
Contendas, Terceira, on 11-12th. The 11th Green Heron for the islands was discovered at Sete Cidades,
So Miguel, on 24th and was still there two days later. The Azores fifth Yellow-crowned Night Heron,
found at Ribeira de So Francisco, Santa Maria, in December 2013, was still present there to 16 th,
alongside a Black-crowned Night Heron on 9th.
A Hudsonian Whimbrel was at Barca, Pico, on 27 th, a Least Sandpiper was at Santa Cruz, Flores, on
24th and Wilsons Snipe records were received from Terceira and So Miguel. The American Coot and
Pied-billed Grebe remained at Lagoa Azul, So Miguel, throughout and the Azores 14 th Surf Scoter
was at Vila do Porto, Santa Maria, from 7th onwards. A Little Auk was taken into care at Calhau, Pico,
on 18th and later released. Five White Wagtails at Vila do Porto, Santa Maria, on 16-17 th January
represented the largest flock ever recorded in the Azores.
A good influx of white-winged gulls occurred in the second half of the month and included an
impressive five Iceland and four Glaucous Gulls at Praia da Vitria harbour, Terceira, on 31 st. Birds
were seen on all the main islands, with as many as 15 Glaucous, 10 Iceland and at least four
Kumliens Gulls noted.
February
The surprise reappearance of the previous autumns Northern Flicker on Faial was the highlight of
the month; it was seen at Pedro Miguel botanical garden on 26-27 th. On the same island an immature
American Purple Gallinule spent four days at Conceio from 16 th and a Squacco Heron was found at
Angustias on 7th the ninth and 20th Azorean records respectively.
Two Oystercatchers on So Jorge were the first Azorean records since the long-staying individual of
the Central Asian subspecies longipes, but were of the more expected nominate subspecies
ostralegus.
The Green Heron continued on So Miguel all month, with the Sete Cidades area also hosting a Red-
throated Pipit on 20th the 13th for the Azores and first since 2011 and a White Wagtail.
Other highlights included a Pink-footed Goose on Terceira and the continuing mini-influx of white-
winged gulls, with Glaucous Gulls most numerous and including an impressive five together on Flores
on 2nd.
8
March
A quieter month, with the highlight being a Common Cuckoo at Mirateca, Pico, on 13 th the first
Azorean record since 2007. Migrants were otherwise sparse, with a Wood Sandpiper on Santa Maria
for two days and a Purple Heron on the same island for much of the first half of the month.
Lingering highlights included the Green Heron on So Miguel all month and a Hudsonian Whimbrel
again at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, where the Short-billed Dowitcher also remained. Elsewhere, a
Semipalmated Plover was at Ribeira Grande, So Miguel, from 14-24 th. The Great Blue Heron was
again at Lajes do Pico on 1st, while a count of three Purple Sandpipers on Pico was the highest of the
year.
April
Arguably the quietest month of the year, with very little new of significance found. A Squacco Heron
at Ribeira dos Flamengos, Faial, from 16th was likely to have been the bird from February. In stark
contrast to April 2013, when the entire archipelago was subject to a huge influx of hirundines, just
one was noted: a Barn Swallow on So Miguel on 25 th.
A Wood Sandpiper was on Terceira on 29th and a drake Lesser Scaup was found in the unusual
location of Madalena harbour, Pico, from 26th. The Green Heron and American Coot were last seen
on So Miguel on 10th and a female Common Pochard was on Terceira, where there were up to six
Great Northern Divers at Baia do Fanal.
May
Santa Maria claimed the Azores third Spotted Flycatcher and the first in spring at Lagoa do Ginjal
on 10th, as well as a European Turtle Dove mid-month and two Common Swifts on 4 th. There was a
reasonable influx of hirundines across three islands that involved 18 Barn Swallows and 35 House
Martins, the latter including a flock of 25 on Santa Maria on 17 th.
A small northbound movement of Hudsonian Whimbrel saw birds at Poa da Rainha, Faial, from 8 th,
So Roque, So Miguel, on 18th and Criao Velho, Pico, on 19th, in addition to the long-staying bird
on Terceira. An extremely impressive total of 150 Wilsons Storm-petrels was noted at sea south of
Pico on 9th.
Further Squacco Heron reports from Faial on 4 th and 30th presumably related to a long-staying
individual. A drake Green-winged Teal was at Paul da Praia, Terceira, on 3 rd with a single Greater
Scaup remaining there until 27th and a female Common Pochard calling in mid-month.
June
Somewhat surprising for mid-summer was the discovery of at least two Snowy Owls. The first was
found at Morro Alto, Flores, on 21st, with a second bird then discovered on Pico the very next day; it
or another was then seen on neighbouring So Jorge on 28 th. Similarly unseasonable was the arrival
of a Canada Goose at Paul da Praia, Terceira, on 11 th which was seen sporadically over the following
fortnight.
9
The seventh Franklins Gull for the Azores was at Lajes, Flores, on 12 th the first record for the
archipelago since November 2006. Hudsonian Whimbrels remained on Faial and Terceira, with the
latter island also holding onto the Short-billed Dowitcher.
July
News that a pair of Sooty Terns had returned to Ilhu da Praia, Graciosa, on the first day of the
month was welcome. A White-faced Storm-petrel seen from a pelagic at the Condor Seamount, off
Pico, on 17th was the only record of the year, while a Hudsonian Whimbrel was also seen on Pico that
day.
A European Turtle Dove at Cais do Mourato, Pico, on 4 th was the first July record for the Azores. July
also produced the only 2014 record of American Black Duck away from the core population on
Flores, with a female at Lagoa do Capito, Pico, on 1 st.
August
A prosperous month for seabird records included a memorable pelagic trip to the Condor Seamount,
off Pico, on 23rd, which produced two different Trindade Petrels and a Bridled Tern, as well as several
Wilsons Storm-petrels. A Feas-type Petrel was seen between Pico and Faial on 28 th.
A pelagic trip to the Bank of Fortune, off Graciosa, on 27 th produced the Azores fourth record of
Swinhoes Storm-petrel and sixth of South Polar Skua the latter also the first August record for the
archipelago as well as a Sabines Gull. The following day produced two Long-tailed Skuas.
Confirmation came on 26th that the pair of Sooty Terns present on Ilhu da Praia, Graciosa, had
successfully fledged a single youngster just the second confirmed breeding record for the Azores
and Europe.
Early returning waders included a Lesser Yellowlegs on So Miguel on 9 th, while an adult
Semipalmated Sandpiper at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 23 rd was followed by the first juvenile there
two days later and the first adult White-rumped Sandpiper of the autumn on 26 th, increasing to three
by 30th.
An early American Wigeon was on Pico on 28 th, that island also producing Wilsons Snipe and Wood
Sandpiper on the same date. Seven Glossy Ibises were at Lagoa das Furnas, So Miguel, on 18 th. The
Snowy Owl from June was again seen on Flores on 14 th, this time above Faj Grande.
September
By Azorean standards it was a quiet September, the highlight being the archipelagos first Barred
Warbler, found between Fajzinha and Faj Grande, Flores, on 23 rd, though a Willet of the western
subspecies inornata at Ponta Delgada ETAR, So Miguel, from 25 th was the only the eighth Azorean
record and a great find.
The Short-billed Dowitcher passed a year in residence at Cabo da Praia and was present all month. It
was a poor month generally for Nearctic shorebirds, though, with maxima at the site including just
three White-rumped Sandpipers, two Semipalmated Sandpipers and a single Pectoral Sandpiper, as
well as a Spotted Sandpiper from 4-15th. Elsewhere, three Pectoral Sandpipers were at Achada das
10
Furnas, So Miguel, on 22nd and a Hudsonian Whimbrel was on the same island at Ponta Delgada
ETAR on 8th; a Wilsons Snipe was found on Santa Maria on 18 th and Lesser Yellowlegs were seen on
Santa Maria and Flores. Up to four Semipalmated Plovers were at Cabo da Praia throughout the
month, with others on So Miguel on 5 th and Flores on 17th.
A juvenile Great Blue Heron was at Baa do Fanal, Terceira, from 24 th. The Glossy Ibis flock at Lagoa
das Furnas, So Miguel, increased to 29 on 8 th but numbers dropped away thereafter. On Flores, the
Snowy Owl was again seen in the Faj Grande area from 25 th.
The drake Wood Duck returned to Lagoa Branca, Flores, on 28 th. A flock of four Blue-winged Teal was
at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, from 3-21st but had decreased to just one by 28 th.
October
The unquestionable highlight of the month was the first Northern Shrike of the Nearctic form
borealis for the Azores and Western Palearctic, present on Corvo from 18-30 th. In total a minimum of
37 individuals of 16 Nearctic landbird species was seen on the island in October, with other headline
birds including the Azores (and Corvos) fifth Black-throated Green Warbler from 19-24 th, two
different Yellow-billed Cuckoos in Vila Nova, Corvo, in two days and a Chimney Swift on the same
island on 28-29th.
Also on Corvo, a minimum of three Black-and-white Warblers and three Scarlet Tanagers was seen
during October as well as two Cliff Swallows, two Northern Parulas, two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks,
two Indigo Buntings and singles of Philadelphia Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and
Bobolink. In addition, a record arrival of Buff-bellied Pipits involved at least five (but probably eight)
birds from 3rd onwards, and the best showing of Red-eyed Vireos since 2005 saw a minimum of nine
individuals recorded.
Bird of the month on Flores was the first Twite for the Azores, at Ponta Albarnaz on 15 th, and a
Western Marsh Harrier on 17th and 19th was also noteworthy on the same island.
Sightings of up to three Collared Doves on Corvo confirmed that this remarkable species has now
reached the westerly reaches of the archipelago, while a Common Redpoll was seen around the
island from 16th. The second and third Tree Pipits for the Azores occurred on 27 th and 29th, with a
Spotted Flycatcher on 26th, the Azores ninth Yellow Wagtail from 8-11 th and a Spotted Crake on 18th.
The Snowy Owl also visited Corvo for three days from 5 th after last being seen on Flores on 3rd.
Nearctic landbird sightings were typically scant away from Corvo, although Flores produced both
Scarlet Tanager and Bobolink on 8th, a Red-eyed Vireo at Costa do Lajedo on 19 th and a Blackpoll
Warbler at Ponta Delgada on 22nd. Another Red-eyed Vireo was at Serrata, Terceira, on 17 th.
The continued presence of the Willet on So Miguel was the best of the shorebirds and a highlight
for many visiting birders throughout the month. Two Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Ponta da
Albarnaz, Flores, on 1st, with one still the following day. Two Lesser Yellowlegs were are Cabo da
Praia, Terceira, from 8-18th with others on Flores, Corvo and Faial, this last unfortunately being found
dead on 26th.
11
The only Long-billed Dowitcher of the month was on Corvo on 31 st, while the Short-billed remained
on Terceira throughout and the only American Golden Plover of October was also noted at Cabo da
Praia on 5th. Peak counts of White-rumped Sandpiper included 11 on Flores on 21 st and tens on Corvo
on 15th and Terceira on 16th. A juvenile Bairds Sandpiper at Ponta Delgada, Flores, from 15-27 th was a
good October record. At least four Wilsons Snipe on Corvo included an unusually confiding bird on
12th and one which crash-landed on rocks in the old harbour on 14 th; there was also a rare record
from Flores on 21st in addition to at least one on Terceira.
November
A reasonably quiet November saw a new Great Blue Heron the third of the year arrive at Lagoa
Azul, So Miguel, on 1st and linger to 19th. Also on the island, the Willet lingered at Ponta Delgada
ETAR throughout, with a Forsters Tern nearby at So Roque on 17 th.
Two American Coots arrived during the month: one at Lagoa do Paul, Pico, on 20 th was followed by
an individual showing very well at Altares, Terceira, on 29 th. A Pied-billed Grebe was at Feteira, Faial,
on 24th and the long-stayer remained on So Miguel throughout; a second bird arrived on the island
at Lagoa das Furnas on 15th and lingered to the end of the year.
A Greater Yellowlegs at Lajes do Pico from 20-22 nd was the only individual of this species seen in the
Azores in 2014. The island also hosted a couple of American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Wilsons
Snipe and Semipalmated Sandpiper in November.
Highlights from Terceira included the continuing Great Blue Heron at Baia do Fanal and Short-billed
Dowitcher at Cabo da Praia. New arrivals included a Ring-necked Duck on 6 th, Surf Scoter off Angra do
Herosmo on 9th, Lesser Scaup at Paul da Praia from 11th, six American Wigeon at Paul da Praia on 13 th
rising to 11 the following day, and a couple each of Greater Scaup and Blue-winged Teal.
A female Red-breasted Merganser was a good find in the new harbour on Corvo on 3 rd, a Great
Northern Diver also being seen there on 9 th.
A Squacco Heron was at Ribeira de So Francisco, Santa Maria, on 7 th, with a Purple Heron still on the
island the previous day and a Buff-bellied Pipit at Cova do Areo from 7-26 th. Up to five Cattle Egrets
were seen on Faial, with the island also producing a Spotted Sandpiper.
December
The month began with another American Coot, this time at Lagoa de Pedro Miguel, Faial, on 1 st. A
Hudsonian Whimbrel was seen at Porto Pim on 16 th and the first Long-tailed Duck for the island was
noted in Horta harbour from 30th.
A Double-crested Cormorant was found at So Mateus, Terceira, on 14 th with presumably the same
bird then at Ponta das Contendas on 30-31 st. Also on the island was a Hen/Northern Harrier at Malha
Grande on 7th, the American Wigeon flock at Paul da Praia increased to 15 (with 16 on 31 st), two Surf
Scoters were in the Angra do Herosmo area on 4th and a late American Golden Plover went on to
make an extended stay at Cabo da Praia following its arrival on 13 th. The Great Blue Heron and Short-
billed Dowitcher also continued in residence on Terceira.
12
What was presumably the same Snowy Owl from the autumn was back on Flores on 7 th after last
being noted on Corvo in early October. On So Miguel the Willet continued to be seen infrequently at
Ponta Delgada ETAR, with a Long-tailed Duck also there on 18-19 th, while a female Lesser Scaup
arrived at Faj de Cima on 26th.
The Great Blue Heron remained on Pico throughout December, with the island also producing
Semipalmated Plover and Ring-billed Gull. Up to six Dotterel were on Santa Maria towards the end of
the year.
13
SYSTEMATIC LIST FOR 2014
Pink-footed Goose (Ganso-de-bico-curto) Anser brachyrhynchus National PRC species
Rare autumn and winter vagrant.
Terceira one at Cabo da Praia on 1st February; the 17th record for the Azores and the fifth for Terceira
(CP, CM, PS, SA, LB).
14
Barnacle Goose (Ganso-marisco) Branta leucopsis National PRC species
Rare autumn and winter vagrant, with a small number of summer records suggesting either long-
staying individuals or birds of unknown origin.
Corvo two in the Caldeiro on 9th February (CS) (first recorded on 15th October 2013).
Flores one at Lajes on 31st January (CA).
15
Monthly maxima of American Wigeon by island in 2014:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Corvo - - - - - - - - - 1 - -
Faial - 1 1 1 - - - - - - - 2
Pico 1 1 - - - - - 1 - 1 3 1
Santa Maria 2 - - - - - - - - - - -
So Miguel 5 6 6 - - - - - - - 1 1
Terceira 11 14 12 4 - - - - - - 11 16
16
American Black Duck (Pato-escuro-americano) Anas rubripes National PRC species
Rare autumn and winter visitor, with a small resident population on the western islands largely
comprising hybrids with Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Subtle hybrids may account for records of this
species so care must always be taken to eliminate these.
Flores two reported near Lagoa Branca on 15th March, a female (or hybrid) there on 11 th July (LGN,
EB) and a female again on 11th October; two hybrids were at Miradouro Craveiro Lopez on 11 th
October, a female and two hybrids there on 12 th October and a female remaining until 15 th October
(as well as a total of four hybrids on the island); females were at Lagoa Lomba from 16 th until 21st
October and Lagoa Seca on 24th October (DMi, RM, RS et al); presumably all these records relate to
the same individual.
Pico female (or hybrid) at Lagoa do Capito on 1st July (EB).
17
Garganey, Lagoa Azul, So Miguel, May (Gerbrand Michielsen)
18
Blue-winged Teal, Cabo da Praia, Terceira, September (Ruben Coelho)
Faial 1 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Pico - - - - - - - - - 1 1 -
So Miguel 5 4 4 2 - - - - - - 1 1
Terceira - - - - - - - - - - 2 1
19
Regular, though scarce, autumn and winter migrant from Europe.
So Jorge one at Faj dos Cubres on 27th January and 28th February (DB, MC, FM).
So Miguel drake at Faj de Cima from 25th January to 5th March (GM, CR, RC & CS), drake at Lagoa
das Furnas on 8th November, a female there on 15th November and two on 30th November (RC, AM).
Terceira three at Paul da Praia on 6th January peaked at seven on 15th January, with a February peak
of five from 17th to 23rd, reducing to four by 2nd March, two by 13th March and a female until 12th May
(SG, CM, CP et al). During the second winter period, two were at Reservatrio do Cabrito from 1 st to
6th November; three at Paul da Praia from 11 th November increased to five from 17th December (CP,
LB, S, SG, RC, EC et al).
Monthly maxima of Tufted Duck by island in 2014:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
So Jorge 1 1 - - - - - - - - - -
So Miguel 1 1 1 - - - - - - - 3 -
Terceira 7 5 4 1 1 - - - - - 5 5
Ring-necked Duck (left) and Tufted Duck, Lagoa das Furnas, So Miguel, November (Ruben Coelho)
20
Greater Scaup (Negrelho) Aythya marila
Regular but scarce autumn and winter visitor. Records emanate from either European or North
American populations as racial identification is in its infancy.
So Miguel four at Lagoa Azul on 11th January with a female from 25th January to 25th March (GM, CR,
NBdP et al); a pair were at Faj de Cima on 25th January (possibly the birds from Lagoa Azul), with
one until 1st February (GM, CR, RC, CS).
Terceira one at Paul da Praia on 6th January increasing to four (two drakes and two females) from 11 th
January to 16th March, two (pair) until 6th April with a drake remaining until 27 th May (RC, EC, SG, CM,
CP et al). During the second winter period, singles at Paul da Praia from 29 th October into 2015 and at
Cabrito reservoir from 1st to 6th November (CP, LB, SA, SG et al).
Monthly maxima of Greater Scaup by island in 2014:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
So Miguel 4 2 1 - - - - - - - - -
Terceira 4 4 4 2 1 - - - - 1 2 1
Pico - - - 1 1 - - - - - - -
So Miguel 2 3 3 3 - - - - - - - 1
Terceira 1 2 1 - - - - - - - 1 1
21
Common Scoter (Negrola) Melanitta nigra Local PRC species
Scarce vagrant in autumn and winter, occurring annually in small numbers. There are no records to
date of the closely related Nearctic species Black Scoter (Melanitta americana).
So Miguel female at So Roque on 19th October (DO).
Terceira one in Angra do Herosmo bay on four dates from 12 th October until 4th December (MFl, LB
et al).
22
Red-breasted Merganser (Merganso-de-poupa) Mergus serrator Local PRC species
Rare autumn and winter vagrant, occurring on a near-annual basis.
Corvo female/first-winter at Porto Novo on 3rd November (KR).
23
Light-morph Trindade Petrel, Condor Seamount, Faial, August (Justin Hart)
24
Swinhoes Storm-petrel, Bank of Fortune, Graciosa, August (Richard Bonser)
25
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Gara-noturna-americana) Nycticorax violaceus National PRC species
Very rare vagrant from North America, with the first record for the islands (and Europe) being as
recently as 2010. This years record, the fifth for the Azores, involved a long staying bird from 2013.
Santa Maria one remained at Ribeira de So Francisco until 16 th January (present from 2013).
Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Ribeira de So Francisco, Santa Maria, January (Diana Braga)
26
Green Heron, Lagoa Azul, So Miguel, February (Gerbrand Michielsen)
27
Squacco Heron (Papa-ratos) Ardeola ralloides Local PRC species
Rare spring and autumn vagrant from Europe. This years records constitute the 23 and 24th for the
rd
Azores (assuming the records from Faial relate to one mobile individual).
Faial one at Augustias from 7th to 26th February (CF et al) relocating to Jardm da Praca da Republica,
Horta from 28th February to 6th March (AVi); it or another was then at Ribeira dos Flamengos from
16th April to 4th May (AVi), as was one at Porto de Castelo Branco on 30 th May (BP).
Santa Maria one at Ribeira de So Francisco on 7th November (NM).
28
Cattle Egrets, Feteira, Faial, November (Bruno Pereira)
29
Great Blue Heron, Baia do Fanal, Terceira, November (Ruben Coelho)
30
Flores first-winter at Faj Grande on 2nd October (LM, CT).
So Miguel one at Ponta Delgada ETAR from 9th to 13th October (LM et al).
31
Peregrine Falcon (Falco-peregrino) Falco peregrinus Local PRC species
Annual visitor with most records from autumn to spring. After 10 records in 2013, there were only a
couple of reports this year.
Corvo one at Vila Nova on 29th October (RB).
Santa Maria one at Anjos on January 30th (NM) and at various sites until 16th February (AV).
32
American Coot (Galeiro-americano) Fulica americana National PRC species
th th
Rare transatlantic vagrant in autumn and winter. These are the 26 to 29 records for the Azores
and, with four records; this is the second best year following the six in 2006.
Faial one at Lagoa de Pedro Miguel on 1st December (BP).
Pico one at Lagoa do Paul on 20th November (VM).
So Miguel one remained at Lagoa Azul until 10th April (first seen 7th November 2013) (GM, CR et al).
Terceira one at Altares on 29th November (BA).
33
Eurasian Oystercatchers, Faj de Caldeira de Santo Cristo, So Jorge, February (Diana Braga)
34
Semipalmated Plover, Cabo da Praia, Terceira, November (Elizabeth Coelho)
35
Eurasian Dotterel (Borrelho-ruivo) Charadrius morinellus Local PRC species
Scarce autumn migrant and winter visitor from Europe. There was a typical spread of records this
year, and it appears that small numbers are now wintering on Santa Maria annually despite being
first recorded there as recently as 2007.
Corvo first-winter at the reservoir from 15th to 24th October (JSH et al).
Santa Maria six were at Abegoaria Grande on 12th January, with five there on 30th January and four
until 9th March (NM, AV); two were again at Abegoaria Grande on 26 th September and one there
again on 14th October (AV), with two west of the airport on 26 th December (NM) and six at Campo
Pequeno on 31st December (NM).
36
Terceira three at Cabo da Praia, including an adult from 23 rd to 29th August (RB et al), a juvenile on
25th August increasing to two from 1st to 17th September, with one remaining until 12 th October (RB,
MG,SG,CP et al).
Corvo - - - - - - - - - 10 - -
Faial - - - - - - - - - 1 2 -
Flores - - - - - - - - - 15 - -
Santa Maria - - - - - - - - - 2 2 -
So Miguel - - - - - - - - - 5 - -
Terceira - - - - - - - 3 - 11 1 -
37
Rare autumn vagrant with about 30 previous records. One record is a typical annual showing.
Flores juvenile at Ponta Delgada from 15th to 27th October (DMi, RM, RS, SSo et al)
38
Purple Sandpiper (Pilrito-escuro) Calidris maritima PRC species
Scarce late autumn and winter visitor; annual in small numbers. The highest count was three on Pico
in March historic high counts are five on Flores in February 2011 and Terceira in April 2013.
Flores one at Santa Cruz on 11th February (CA).
Graciosa one at Santa Cruz on 26th January (RO).
So Miguel one at Ponta Delgada ETAR on 25th November and 26th December (GM, ANe, CR).
Pico one at Cais do Pico on 13th January and 20th February (VM); present at Madalena harbour
between 14th January and 6th May, peaking at three on 3rd March (VM) and Areia Larga on 22nd
December (CM, CP).
39
Wilsons Snipe, Middle Road, Corvo, October (Daniele Occhiato)
40
Short-billed Dowitcher (Maarico-de-bico-curto) Limnodromus griseus National PRC species
th
Rare transatlantic vagrant. Although there were no new arrivals in 2014, the 26 record for the
Azores and the longest-staying individual of all time lingered on Terceira throughout the year. (See
also Appendix 1)
Terceira one was present all year at Cabo da Praia, having arrived as a juvenile on 2 nd September
2013 (SA, LB, SG, CM, CP et al).
41
Annual totals of Greater Yellowlegs in the Azores, 2005-2014:
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
1 2 2 0 0 3 3 1 2 1
42
Common Sandpiper, Cabo da Praia, Terceira, April (Susan Azera)
43
Spotted Sandpiper (Maarico-pintado) Actitis macularius PRC species
Scarce autumn visitor in small numbers annually, with some birds overwintering. The records this
year are typical for this species.
Corvo one on the coast at the west end of the airfield and the windmills from 8 th to 23rd October.
Faial two at Horta harbour from 21st January until 6th March, with one remaining until 12 th April
(NBdP, DV, DVa) and a juvenile at Feteira from 9 th October until 15th December (BP, AV, DV).
Flores one at Santa Cruz on 15th and 16th February (LGN).
Pico one at Lajes on 10th January, with two there the next day, and one remaining until 1 st March
(NDdP, VM); one at Pranha on 22nd February (VM).
So Miguel one at Lagoa Azul on 4th March and 10th April (GM, CR).
Terceira juvenile at Cabo da Praia from 4th to 15th September (SG et al) and one on 23rd October (CB,
SH).
Willet of the western subspecies inornata, Ponta Delgada ETAR, October (Daniele Occhiato)
44
Scarce visitor, largely in autumn following inclement weather. The flock of nine seen from Terceira is
the largest number ever observed from land in the Azores.
Corvo two off the windmill on 17th October and three also offshore from there on 23 rd October.
Terceira two at Cabo da Praia from 17th to 23rd October, one remaining until 29th October (SG, TJ, KdR
et al); nine were offshore north-east of Praia da Vitria on 18 th October (KdR).
45
Scarce late summer and autumn visitor, often seen from offshore pelagic trips. There were three birds
noted in 2014, compared to six last year.
Graciosa adult from a pelagic off Ilhu da Praia on 26 th August and two at the Bank of Fortune on 28 th
August (RB, SD, MG, RE, JS, MS, IW et al).
2 5 7 5 6 3 10 2 4 1
46
Scarce late autumn migrant and winter visitor from North America, with a regular wintering flock
present at Praia da Vitria, Terceira, each year.
Faial one at Horta harbour on 13th January (AV, DV) and an adult at Santa Barbara on 15 th February
(AV, DV, VM).
Pico first-winter at Lajes on 30th and 31st December (CP).
Santa Maria one at Vila do Porto on 19th March (DB).
So Miguel first-winter at Ponta Delgada harbour from 6th February to 14th March, with possibly the
same bird still present on 5th May (GM); a first-winter at Ponta Delgada harbour on 27 th December,
with two (second-winter and first-winter) on 28 th December (GM).
Terceira the peak monthly counts at Praia da Vitria were 14 on 11 th and 13th January (CP), 22 on 16th
February (CP), 19 on 17th and 18th March (KP) and two on 31st December (RC, SG); presumably some
of the same birds were at Lajes airfield, peaking monthly at 18 on 15 th January, seven on 14th
February (CM, CP), two on 15th March (CP) and a first-winter on 14th November (SG, CP). Single first-
winters were at Angra do Herosmo on 15th January (CP) and Paul da Praia on 15 th March (CP).
Monthly maxima of Ring-billed Gulls by island in 2014:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Faial 1 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Pico - - - - - - - - - - - 1
Santa Maria - - 1 - - - - - - - - -
So Miguel 1 1 1 - 1 - - - - - - 2
Terceira 14 22 19 - - - - - - - 1 2
47
American Herring Gull (Gaivota-prateada-americana) Larus smithsonianus National PRC species
Annual late autumn and winter vagrant in small numbers. The records below are typical, with the
last good year being 2010 when nine birds were noted. (See also Appendix 1).
Terceira adult at Canada do Quinho Grande on 11 th January (CM, CP) and Lagoa do Junco on 16 th
February (CP); a first-winter remained at Praia da Vitria from 30 th March to 9th May (CM, CP et al).
48
Second-calendar-year Iceland Gull (subspecies kumlieni), Lajes, Flores, January (Joo Paulo Gonalves)
49
Number of Glaucous Gulls recorded each month by island in 2014:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Corvo 2 - - - - - - - - - - -
Faial - - 1 - - - - - - - - -
Flores 2 5 - - - - - - - - - -
Graciosa 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
Pico 3 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Santa Maria 1 3 - - - - - - - - - -
So Miguel 8 9 4 - - - - - - - - -
Terceira 6 5 3 - - - - - - - - -
50
Almost annual summer visitor, historically favouring tern colonies offshore from Graciosa or Santa
Maria. This species bred for the first time in the Azores (and Europe) in 2010, and with the recording
of a juvenile again this year, breeding was successful for a second time.
Graciosa two adults (pair) on Ilhu da Praia from 1 st July to 26th August (NO, TP, EZ et al); they
successfully fledged a single juvenile that was seen from 26 th to 28th August (RB, SD, RE, MG, JS, MS,
IW et al).
51
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Middle Fields, Corvo, October (David Monticelli)
52
Snowy Owl (Coruja-das-neves) Bubo scandiacus National PRC species
Very rare vagrant from the Arctic with only three previous records prior to this year. It seems safe to
assume at least two birds are involved in the records below a mobile and elusive bird on Corvo and
Flores from June onwards and one on Pico and So Jorge in June.
Corvo female at Lighthouse Valley from 5th to 7th October (RG et al); same bird as Flores (below).
Flores female at Morro Alto on 21st June (MM), near Faj Grande on 14th August (DC) and again from
25th September to 3rd October (TK, CT et al). After visiting Corvo (see above), presumably the same
bird was seen back on Flores on 7th December.
Pico one between Lagoa do Peixinho and Lagoa da Rosada on 22 nd June (MJ).
So Jorge one at Pico da Esperana on 28th June (MR, TR).
53
Northern Flicker (Pica-pau-mosqueado) Colaptes auratus National PRC species
Extremely rare vagrant from North America, with two previous records: a male on Corvo in October
2010 and female on Faial in September 2013. It is conceivable, and probably most likely, that this
years record relates to the 2013 individual having successfully overwintered on the island.
Faial a female at Pedro Miguel botanical gardens from 26 th February to 4th March (AVi, DVa et al).
54
House Martin (Andorinha-dos-beirais) Delichon urbicum
Annual spring visitor from Europe. Numbers present rely on easterly winds during the species
northerly migration. Peak historic counts are 100 at Sete Citades, So Miguel in April 1977 and 97 at
Ponta do Malmerendo, Santa Maria, in May 2011.
Santa Maria three at Pico Alto on 3rd to 4th May, with an impressive 25 at Ponta do Malmerendo on
17th May (NM).
So Miguel seven at Pico da Mafra on 11th May (GM).
Terceira an emaciated bird at Angra do Herosmo on 4th May died shortly after discovery (EC, TS, RO),
with three at Cinco Ribeiras on 10th May (CM, CP).
55
Buff-bellied Pipit (Petinha-fulva) Anthus rubescens National PRC species
Transatlantic migrant, occurring annually in small numbers in recent years during October and
November. As many as eight individuals were recorded in 2014, compared to three last year.
Corvo three were found around the reservoirs on 3rd October, with a record count of five there the
following day. On 11th October a presumed sixth bird was seen at the windmills, the flock of five
having relocated to the Caldeiro that day (ZK, AK). Five were seen on the island on 12 th with a single
bird possibly new in at the rubbish dump on 19 th.
Santa Maria one at Cova do Areo from 7th to 26th November (NM).
56
Fieldfare (Tordo-zornal) Turdus pilaris
Scarce winter visitor in varying numbers each year, having been annually recorded since 2005. With
only two records, of three birds, it was a poor year.
Pico two at Pico da Urze on 3rd January (VM).
Santa Maria one at Lagoa do Ginjal on 24th December (NM).
57
Spotted Flycatcher (Papa-moscas-cinzento) Muscicapa striata Local PRC species
Very rare vagrant from Europe, with the third and fourth records occurring this year. The bird on
Santa Maria was the first in spring and the first away from Corvo and Flores.
Corvo one on 26th October (MB).
Santa Maria one at Lagoa do Ginjal on 10th May (NM).
58
Philadelphia Vireo, Fojo, Corvo, October (Vincent Legrand)
59
Red-eyed Vireo, Middle Fields, Corvo, October (Vincent Legrand)
60
Black-and-white Warbler, Ribeira da Ponte, Corvo, October (David Monticelli)
61
Black-throated Green Warbler (Toutinegra-de-face-amarela) Setophaga virens National PRC species
Very rare transatlantic vagrant, with all records from Corvo in October. This is the fifth for the Azores.
Corvo one in the lower part of Ribeira do Poco de Agua from 19 th to 24th October (PAC et al).
Black-throated Green Warbler, Riberia do Poco dAgua, Corvo, October (Vincent Legrand)
Blackpoll Warbler (Toutinegra-raiada) Setophaga striata National PRC species
Rare vagrant from North America in October with about 10 previous records.
Corvo a first-winter was in the middle fields on 20 th October (MB, MSa et al).
Flores a first-winter was at Ponta Delgada on 22nd October (MFl).
62
Common Yellowthroat (Mariquita-de-mascarilha) Geothlypis trichas National PRC species
One of the more frequently recorded Nearctic wood-warblers and an annual vagrant since 2008. The
one record this year was a below-average showing.
Corvo a first-winter male was in tamarisks at the west end of the lower fields from 12 th to 18th
October (RE et al).
63
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Realejo) Pheucticus ludovicianus National PRC species
Rare vagrant from North America, occurring annually in very small numbers in recent years.
Although expected in autumn, there are two spring records.
Corvo first-winter female was above Tennessee Valley from 9 th to 15th October (JJ et al) and another
was near Ribeira da Lapa on 10th October (GF).
64
Northern Shrike on Corvo: new to the Azores
and the Western Palearctic
On 18th October, along with a handful of other birders on Corvo, I decided to start the day again at
Lighthouse valley, towards the north end of the east coast of the island. Despite the fact that few
really good birds had been found there since the glory days of October 2012, when the site hosted
the Western Palearctics first-ever Prairie Warbler and second Golden-winged Warbler, we never lost
hope this was no doubt one of the most birded locations on the island over the last two autumns.
The upper section of Lighthouse valley is seldom visited, and today was no exception. Everybody
decided to work the lower part of the valley, despite not having found anything there during the
previous few days. Even though it started raining heavily, with no better options I decided to give the
upper section a try.
Id only walked 50 metres uphill when I saw an unfamiliar bird perching in a small tree. What the
****? A shrike? A Great Grey Shrike! Another European bird, having found Common Redpoll,
Eurasian Golden Plover and Eurasian Dotterel during the previous couple of days! I couldnt believe
it. Of course, I shouldnt complain such species were welcome finds and people were talking about
me being on fire! But most birders on this island know the feeling you simply do not go all the
way to Corvo to look for birds you could just as well be finding back home, and its the major
American vagrants that are the primary target.
65
I broadcast news of the bird over the CB radio and soon afterwards the first birders turned up,
including a new group just arrived in the valley. Everybody agreed this had to be a Great Grey Shrike,
but the question was where from? The bird was heavily barred and rather pale, and just looked
strange. Darryl Spittle volunteered to inform the rest of the islands birders and left, while the shrike
look quite fresh and even started singing at one point. Soon Darryl came back and was excited: PAC
[Pierre-Andr Crochet] went all bananas! He says its a borealis the North American Northern
Shrike!
As more birders began to arrive, the shrike started to move further up the valley, and soon it
disappeared high above us, towards the edge of the Caldeiro just before the last birders arrived.
The following day Christian Leth and I refound it in the bottom of the Caldeiro, and it was later seen
by all the remaining birders who hadn't managed to catch up with it the day before. It remained on
the island until 30th October, and was also seen at several other sites during its prolonged stay.
Subject to acceptance by the PRC, this is the first record of Northern Shrike for the Azores and the
Western Palearctic. Northern Shrike breeds across northernmost North America and winters south to
northern USA. The taxonomy of the large grey shrikes is in flux, and North American borealis is
variously treated as a subspecies of Great Grey Shrike, as a separate species with a range extending
west across Siberia (subspecies sibiricus, which has also occurred as a vagrant in the Western
Palearctic), or as a species in its own right, confined to the Nearctic.
According to Lefranc and Worfolk (1997), juvenile borealis Northern Shrike is very different to juvenile
excubitor Great Grey Shrike the taxon occurring widely in Europe in that borealis has much
browner, woodier upperparts, darker, more heavily vermiculated underparts and browner flight
feathers, and the bird on Corvo reflected these distinctions. Some authors recognise a second
subspecies in north-west North America, invictus, but this taxon is subsumed within borealis by the
IOC, which, quoting the latest genetic study by Olsson et al (2010), states that this complex requires
revision, with the possible separation of borealis including the Siberian subspecies sibiricus at
species level as Northern (Grey) Shrike.
References
Lefranc, N, and Worfolk, T. 1997. Shrikes. A Guide to the Shrikes of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.
Olsson, U, Alstrm, P, Svensson, L, Aliabadian, M, and Sundberg, P. 2010. The Lanius excubitor (Aves, Passeriformes)
conundrumTaxonomic dilemma when molecular and non-molecular data tell different stories. Molecular Phylogenetics
and Evolution 55 (2): 347-357. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.11.010.
66
Barred Warbler on Flores: new to the Azores
On 21st September 2014, while visiting the Azores with a group from the Dutch tour company Birding
Breaks, we were birding on the west coast of Flores. In the garden of a holiday village called Aldeia da
Cuada, near Ribeira Grande between Fajzinha and Faj Grande, I noticed a greyish passerine. We
thought it might be a Sylvia warbler, but were not able to make a positive identification or get any
photos.
Two days later, we visited the location again and fortunately were able to relocate the bird. This time,
we were able to take several photos and get better views. The images were sent to a Dutch specialist,
Laurens Steijn, and he suggested the possibility of a Barred Warbler.
The birds most distinctive features were its barred undertail coverts, pale eyes and pale wing-bars, a
combination of characters that excludes all other Sylvia warblers. I realised that this was quite an
exceptional species for the Azores, and also for the whole of Portugal. Ellen de Bruin and Lieuwe van
Welie collaborated in the identification process; all observers are very experienced birders, and also
have experience with the identification of this species in Europe.
This record has been submitted to the PRC, and subject to acceptance becomes the first for both the
Azores and Portugal. Barred Warbler breeds as far west as southern Scandinavia, north-east
Germany and Central Europe, but migrates south-east to winter in East Africa; reverse migrants in
autumn are scarce but regular in Britain and north-west France, less so in Ireland. The species is
unknown in Iberia and north-west Africa, and there are no previous records from the Atlantic islands.
This record is thus the most westerly ever recorded for the species.
67
South Polar Skua at the Bank of Fortune, 27th August 2014
Richard Bonser
The last week of August is now a (relatively) tried and tested time for pelagic trips off Graciosa. And we were
into the daily swing of things on 27th August 2014. Wed already had a good day on the Bank of Fortune with
everyone getting decent views of a Swinhoes Storm-petrel plus Bulwers Petrels, Monteiros Storm-petrels and
lots of Great Shearwaters. Mid afternoon, I was chumming as usual when out the corner of my eye I spotted a
large skua coming in to investigate the boat. This was the first-ever large skua (Great Skua/South Polar Skua)
that wed recorded on August pelagics, so inevitably I was a little excited. Id seen Great Skuas in late May 2011,
but with an increased understanding of South Polar Skua migration from the north-west Atlantic south-
eastwards in early autumn, as well as recent extralimital records from Lanzarote and Madeira, this species was
always going to be a possibility in Azorean waters in late August.
Fortunately, the bird came in a couple of times and it was evident in the field that we were dealing with a bird
in wing moult, but in relatively dull conditions and with the bird generally circling above the boat, it was a case
of taking photos, digesting field detail and seek further clarification thereafter. The identification consensus on
the boat was split, with some people feeling that it felt lighter in build than a typical Great Skua while others
were rather nonplussed. Nevertheless, once we got back to land and returned to the hotel, I emailed Dani
Lopez Velasco, co-author of the British Birds paper on South Polar/Great Skua identification.
Having had the experience of the Great Skuas off Graciosa in May 2011, I knew the key to getting the
identification right was ageing it correctly. Southern hemisphere skuas are essentially born six months apart
from Great Skuas, and so moult timings differ accordingly. Adults of both South Polar and Great Skuas have one
wing moult each year, after their respective breeding seasons, while birds in their first 12 months undergo two
wing moults.
Initially, ageing proved difficult, although Martin Gottschling, present on the pelagic trip and instrumental in
furthering discussion on the bird, was correct to age it as a third-calendar-year or older, on the basis of cold-
toned, scalloped scapulars that lacked any streaking or golden tones to be expected in a second-calendar-year
Great Skua in late August. Additionally, primary moult either fitted a second-calendar-year Great Skua or an
older South Polar Skua. Using the primary moult score table in the British Birds article, I calculated it to be 44,
with P10 in pin (1), P9 half grown (3) and P1 to P8 fully grown (8 x 5). For late August, this would indicate a
South Polar Skua, assuming ageing was correct.
The bill was also relatively long and parallel-sided (described as a meat cleaver by one of the authors of the
paper!), and the underparts were smooth, contrasting with the dark underwing. Although not obviously
capped, there was a lack of neck speckling, again a feature favouring South Polar Skua.
In reaching the identification, it was useful to compare a confirmed South Polar Skua sighted in the North
Atlantic at a similar time of year and of a similar age. A bird ringed in the South Shetland Islands in 2005 was
seen (and photographed) in waters off Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts on 15 th August 2007 the primary
moult, body coloration and extent of white on the primary bases was near identical to the Azorean bird.
Identifying South Polar Skua is still an ongoing subject that will inevitably develop further in future years.
Documenting birds such as this, and reviewing them over time when potentially new criteria are developed,
can only be of benefit to the whole identification process.
Coming to this identification involved a collaborative approach with several individuals deserving credit, as well
as everyone on the pelagic itself. Most notably, Martin Gottschling was typically thorough in his approach, and
68
Dani Lopez Velasco, Dick Newell, Martin Scott, Chris Batty and Peter Alfrey provided decent discussion and
aired their views.
Above and below: South Polar Skua, Bank of Fortune, August (Richard Bonser)
69
Appendix 1
ADDITIONAL RECORDS
The following records from 2014 are listed separately here because they do not meet the criteria
adopted by the Records Validation Group for inclusion in the main Systematic List (see Introduction
and Appendix 2). This does not necessarily mean that there has been an error in identification, but
rather that for such locally or nationally rare species the required supporting evidence for example,
unequivocal photographic documentation, sound recordings or a detailed description is incomplete
or lacking. Should further evidence become available, such records can be included in the Systematic
List in a future report and added to the Azores Bird Club database accordingly.
October.
70
European Herring Gull (Gaivota-prateada) Larus argentatus National PRC species
rd
Pico first-winter at Barca on 3 February.
Terceira: an adult on 14th November and a first-winter at Praia da Vitria on 5 th October.
71
APPENDIX 2
GUIDELINES ON CRITERIA FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF RECORDS FROM THE AZORES
Single observer
Clear photographic record showing identification features. Preferably a range of photographs and/or
video footage showing salient features from various angles. Also preferable if photo shows context of
where taken- showing e.g. endemic vegetation or recognizable landforms/features. Where call is a
factor then a sound recording is also recommended. Where call is a critical identification feature than
a sound recording is essential.
Single observer
Preferably: clear photographic record showing identification features, and ideally a range of
photographs and/or video footage showing salient features from various angles. Also preferable if
photo shows context of where taken showing e.g. endemic vegetation or recognisable
landforms/features.
Where call is a factor, then a sound recording is also recommended. Where call is a critical
identification feature, a sound recording is essential.
Or
Detailed notes and detailed sketches from an observer with good rarity recording experience.
Multi-observer
Co-ordinated notes and sketches from all observers.
Single observer
Preferably photo documentation.
Detailed notes and sketches considered from an observer, preferably with rarity-recording
experience.
Multi-observer
Preferably photo documentation. Co-ordinated detailed notes from observers. Sketches are
preferable.
72
NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS
The Editorial Group welcomes submissions of records, images, papers and short notes relating to
rare and scarce birds in the Azores.
Images for possible publication should be sent to Vincent Legrand, Photographic Editor:
legrandtwitch@gmail.com. Original, unedited RAW or high-quality Jpegs are preferred, with files
renamed to indicate the species name, location, island, date and photographers name, as follows:
NorthernFlicker_Fojo_Corvo_15October2010(VincentLegrand)
When submitting images, the email subject line should read Azores [year] selection [your name].
Copyright of individual images published in this report remains with the photographer.
Contributors of papers and short notes for possible publication should send text as a Word or RTF
file, attached to an email, to Peter Alfrey: littleoakgroup@btinternet.com. Accounts of the discovery
of new or very rare species in the Azores are particularly welcome, but the Editorial Group would be
pleased to consider material on a wide range of subjects related to rare and scarce birds in the
Azores, including identification and changes in status and distribution. If required, advice can be
provided on the suitability of any proposed material at the draft stage. Written submissions are
considered on the understanding that they are being offered solely for publication in the Azores Rare
and Scarce Birds Report, which will retain copyright.
Unless notified otherwise, English and scientific names of birds should follow the IOC World Bird List
at www.worldbirdnames.org/ioc-lists/family-index.
73
NOTAS PARA COLABORADORES
O Grupo Editorial recebe submisses de registros, imagens, documentos e notas curtas relativas a
aves raras e escassos nos Aores.
Possveis imagens para publicao devem de ser enviadas para o Vincent Legrand, editor fotogrfico:
legrandtwitch@gmail.com. De preferncia fotos originais no editadas em formato RAW ou Jpegs
em alta resoluo com os ficheiros identificando espcie, localizao, ilha, data e o nome do
fotografo como neste exemplo:
Quando enviar os ficheiros, favor escrever em assunto do email Azores, o ano, seleo e o seu
nome. Direitos de imagens individuais publicadas neste relatrio permanecem com o fotgrafo.
Contribuintes de papis e notas curtas para possvel publicao deve enviar o texto como um arquivo
Word ou RTF, anexado a um e-mail, para Peter Alfrey: littleoakgroup@btinternet.com. Contas da
descoberta de espcies novas ou muito raros nos Aores so particularmente bem-vinda, mas o
Grupo Editorial seria o prazer de considerar o material em uma vasta gama de assuntos relacionados
com as aves raras e escassos nos Aores, incluindo a identificao e mudanas no estado e
distribuio. Se necessrio, o conselho pode ser fornecida sobre a adequao de qualquer material
proposto na fase de projecto. Observaes por escrito so considerados no entendimento de que
eles esto sendo oferecidos exclusivamente para a publicao nos Aores raros e escassos Birds
relatrio, que ir reter direitos autorais.
A no ser notificado em contrrio, os nomes cientficos de aves Ingls e deve seguir a lista Pssaro
IOC World at www.worldbirdnames.org/ioc-lists/family-index.
74
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