Essex Birdwatching Society

GUIDELINES FOR OBSERVERS

Records are the backbone of the Bird Report. The more that are submitted, the more accurate a picture the Report will give of the birding year. To answer the often asked question “What records are the Society looking to receive?” A list of guidelines has been drawn up detailing the exact data required for each species on the official Essex List. These guidelines are reviewed annually to ensure that declines/increases in numbers of particular species can be monitored. Records are submitted to either the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) if the species is sufficiently rare to be on their recognised list (see British Ornithologists' Union 's The British List 1997, which highlights each species) or to the Society for all other species.

EBS Recorders
Please send your Essex bird records to any of the following County Recorders:-

Les Steward
EBS Recorder
6 Creek View
Basildon
Essex SS16 4RU
Tel: 01268 551464 (after 7pm)
Email records to:- Les Steward

Submission of Records:
Please submit your bird records by filling in the Microsoft Excel recording form, which can be found here or for a printable version please click here.

A new style Description Form for both local and national rarities can be downloaded to Microsoft Word by clicking here. E-mail submission of this form is the prefered way of submitting such records. Alternatively, a printable version for postal use can be found here.

Please send completed forms to the county recorder.

1) National Rarity Records.

Any reports of species currently assessed by the BBRC require FULL DESCRIPTIONS to be sent to their Secretary (see Appendix 1). Description forms are available from the County Recorders whose addresses appear on page 1.

A copy of any correspondence with the BBRC should be sent to a County Recorder to ensure that the Society is kept fully informed. All Category D records (for details of British List Categories see Appendix 2) should also be sent to the BBRC for consideration. It should be noted that it is the current policy of the Society not to publish a national rarity record in the Bird Report until it has been accepted by the BBRC and, in the case of a British first, by the British Ornithologists' Union Rarities Committee (BOURC), at which point it is deemed accepted by the Society. All records on the official Essex List accord to this convention.

It should be noted that it is the current policy of the Society not to publish a national rarity record within the Bird Report until it has been accepted by the BBRC and in the case of a British first, by the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU), at which point it is deemed accepted by the Society. All records on the official Essex List accord to this convention.

2) Essex Records

Observers may now submit their records via the BTO web site using the Birdtrack facility and should access the following web site: www.bto.org/birdtrack/

Otherwise all records from categories A, B, C, D and E (see Appendix 2) should be submitted via the relevant County Recorder . Guidelines for individual species are set out below. In addition to the criteria listed, any records relating to plumage aberrations e.g. melanism, leucism and notes on any hard-weather movements would be gratefully received. Category D includes White Pelican, Greater Flamingo, Wood Duck, Baikal Teal, Red-headed and Indigo Buntings. Note that Category E refers to ALL escapes - this currently includes Black Swan and Ruddy Shelduck (actually in Category B but all records since 1950 are considered to relate to escapes).

It should, however, be pointed out that these are only guidelines and any record that the observer feels is important should be submitted whether or not it is covered by the listed comments.

Whilst the Society welcomes records, observers should be aware that the Recorders, on behalf of the Recording Committee and the Society, may ask for clarification of a record or records should they consider this to be the appropriate action. Such a request does not imply disbelief in the integrity of a record or records. It is an ongoing attempt to ensure that all records are of the highest calibre and reflect the expertise of the observer and the Society.

Traditionally accepted and commonly used English names have been used instead of the new BOU names, as the Editors feel that until regularly accepted, the existing names should be maintained.

Those species below with a status BBRC are nationally rare that require descriptions. Those with a status of EBSIP (Essex Birdwatching Society's Identification Panel) are rare and unusual species for Essex and require descriptions or notes.

The three figures after BBRC or EBSIP follow the rules defined by Wood (1996):

• The first figure denotes the total number of records in Essex up to and including those detailed in the Guide (Cox 1984) plus any historic records that have since been accepted by BBRC/BOURC/EBSIP e.g. 1 826 American Bittern, 1868 White-tailed Eagle

• The second figure denotes the total number of records from the period 1981/82 to present, since the publication of the Guide in 1984

• The third figure denotes the total number of Essex records

SPECIES	DATA REQUIRED	STATUS
MUTE SWAN	All breeding records. Counts of 50+.
BEWICK'S SWAN	All records.
WHOOPER SWAN	All records.
BEAN GOOSE	Notes of both races: Tundra and Taiga.	EBSIP
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE	All records
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE	All records.
Greenland White-fronted Goose	Description.	EBSIP (4, 0, 4)
LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
GREYLAG GOOSE	Breeding survey data and trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 50+.
SNOW GOOSE	Description	EBSIP
ROSS'S GOOSE	Description	BBRC
CANADA GOOSE	Breeding survey data and trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 50+.
BARNACLE GOOSE	All records.
BRENT GOOSE
Dark-bellied Brent	Counts of 250+. Assessment of numbers of juveniles as a percentage of flocks. Early and late dates. Comments on large numbers arriving early/departing late. All inland and Inner Thames records.
Pale-bellied Brent	Notes.	EBSIP
Black Brant	Description.	EBSIP
RED-BREASTED GOOSE	Description.	BBRC (3, 11, 14)
EGYPTIAN GOOSE	All records.
[RUDDY SHELDUCK]	Description.	EBSIP
SHELDUCK	All breeding records. All inland records. Coastal counts of 100+.
MANDARIN	All records. Sex.
WIGEON	All breeding records. Counts of 50+.
AMERICAN WIGEON	Description.	EBSIP (1, 1, 2)
GADWALL	All breeding records. Counts of 20+.
BAIKAL TEAL	Description	BBRC
TEAL	All breeding records. Counts of 100+.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL	Description.	EBSIP (1, 22, 23)
MALLARD	Breeding survey data and trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 50+.
PINTAIL	All breeding records. Counts of 20+ and all Inner Thames records.
GARGANEY	All records. Age/sex.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL	Description.	BBRC (0, 7, 7)
SHOVELER	All breeding records. Counts of 20+.
MARBLED DUCK	Description	BBRC
RED-CRESTED POCHARD	All records. Sex.
POCHARD	All breeding records. Counts of 20+.
CANVASBACK	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
RING-NECKED DUCK	Description.	EBSIP (2, 5, 7)
FERRUGINOUS DUCK	Description.	EBSIP (14, 26, 40)
TUFTED DUCK	All breeding records. Counts of 50+.
SCAUP	All records. Age/sex.
LESSER SCAUP	Description.	BBRC (0, 2, 2)
EIDER	All records. Age/sex.
KING EIDER	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
LONG-TAILED DUCK	All records. Age/sex.
COMMON SCOTER	All records. Age/sex. (RED LIST SPECIES)
SURF SCOTER	Description.	EBSIP (0, 1, 1)
VELVET SCOTER	All records
GOLDENEYE	All records. Age/sex.
SMEW	All records. Age/sex.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER	All records. Age/sex. Inland – Notes.
GOOSANDER	All records. Age/sex.

RUDDY DUCK	All records.
WHITE-HEADED DUCK	Description	BBRC
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE	Breeding survey data and trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 10+.
GREY PARTRIDGE	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
QUAIL	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
PHEASANT	Breeding survey data and trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 30+.
RED-THROATED DIVER	All records. Plumage e.g. summer / winter.
BLACK-THROATED DIVER	All records. Plumage e.g. summer / winter.
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER	All records. Plumage e.g. summer / winter.
LITTLE GREBE	All breeding records. Counts of 10+.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE	All breeding records. Counts of 10+.
RED-NECKED GREBE	All records. Plumage e.g. summer / winter.
SLAVONIAN GREBE	All records. Plumage e.g. summer / winter.
BLACK-NECKED GREBE	All records. Plumage e.g. summer / winter.
FULMAR	All records.
CORY'S SHEARWATER	Description.	EBSIP (1, 3, 4)
GREAT SHEARWATER	Description.	EBSIP (0, 2, 2)
SOOTY SHEARWATER	Notes	EBSIP (16, 148, 164)
MANX SHEARWATER	All records.
BALEARIC SHEARWATER	Description.	EBSIP (3, 6, 9)
STORM PETREL	Description.	EBSIP
LEACH'S PETREL	Description.	EBSIP
GANNET	All records. Age.
CORMORANT	All breeding records. Counts of 20+.
SHAG	All records. Age.
BITTERN	All records (RED LIST SPECIES)
AMERICAN BITTERN	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
LITTLE BITTERN	Description.	BBRC (11, 0, 11)
NIGHT HERON	Description.	EBSIP (11, 4, 15)
SQUACCO HERON	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
CATTLE EGRET	Description.	BBRC (0, 4, 4)
LITTLE EGRET	Breeding records. Counts of 10+.
GREAT WHITE EGRET	Description.	EBSIP (0, 2, 2)
GREY HERON	All breeding records. Counts of 10+.
PURPLE HERON	Description.	EBSIP (18, 6, 24)
BLACK STORK	Description.	BBRC (1, 7, 8)
WHITE STORK	Description.	EBSIP (11, 22, 33)
GLOSSY IBIS	Description.	BBRC (6, 2, 8)
SPOONBILL	Notes.
HONEY BUZZARD	Description.	EBSIP (12, 285, 297)
BLACK KITE	Description.	EBSIP (4, 15, 19)
RED KITE	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE	Description.	BBRC (11, 0, 11)
EGYPTIAN VULTURE	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
MARSH HARRIER	All records. Age/sex. (AMBER LIST SPECIES)
HEN HARRIER	All records. Age/sex. (RED LIST SPECIES)
PALLID HARRIER	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
MONTAGU'S HARRIER	Description.	EBSIP
GOSHAWK	Description.	EBSIP
SPARROWHAWK	All records. Age/sex.
COMMON BUZZARD	All records. Age.
ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD	Description.	EBSIP
SPOTTED EAGLE	Description.	BBRC (3, 0, 3)
OSPREY	All records	EBSIP
LESSER KESTREL	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
KESTREL	All breeding records. Counts of 10+.
RED-FOOTED FALCON	Description.	EBSIP (7, 25, 32)
MERLIN	All records. Age/sex. (RED LIST SPECIES)
HOBBY	All records. Age.

PEREGRINE	All records. Age/sex.
WATER RAIL	All records.
SPOTTED CRAKE	Description.	EBSIP
LITTLE CRAKE	Description.	BBRC (3, 0, 3)
BAILLON'S CRAKE	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
CORNCRAKE	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP
MOORHEN	All breeding records. Counts of 10+.
COOT	All breeding records. Counts of 50+.
LITTLE BUSTARD	Description.	BBRC (10, 0, 10)
GREAT BUSTARD	Description.	BBRC (3, 0, 3)
CRANE	Description.	EBSIP
OYSTERCATCHER	All breeding records. All inland and Inner Thames records. Counts of 50+ elsewhere.
BLACK-WINGED STILT	Description.	BBRC (10, 7, 17)
AVOCET	All records.
STONE CURLEW	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP
CREAM-COLOURED COURSER	Description.	BBRC (1, 1, 2)
COLLARED PRATINCOLE	Description.	BBRC (2, 1, 3)
ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER	All records.
RINGED PLOVER	All breeding records. All inland records. Counts of 50+ elsewhere.
KENTISH PLOVER	Description.	EBSIP (33, 14, 47)
GREATER SAND PLOVER	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
DOTTEREL	Description.	EBSIP
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER	Description.	EBSIP (0, 1, 1)
PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER	Description.	BBRC (1, 1, 2)
GOLDEN PLOVER	All records May to July. Counts of 50+ rest of year.
GREY PLOVER	All records May to July. Counts of 100+ rest of year. All inland and Inner Thames records.
SOCIABLE PLOVER	Description.	BBRC (2, 2, 4)
LAPWING	All breeding records. All other records May to July. Counts of 100+ rest of year.
KNOT	All records May to July. Counts of 100+ rest of year. All inland and Inner Thames records.
SANDERLING	All records May to July. Counts of 20+ rest of year. All inland and Inner Thames records.
WESTERN SANDPIPER	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
LITTLE STINT	All records.
TEMMINCK'S STINT	Description.	EBSIP
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER	Description.	EBSIP (4, 4, 8)
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER	Description.	BBRC (2, 0, 2)
PECTORAL SANDPIPER	Description.	EBSIP
CURLEW SANDPIPER	All records.
STILT SANDPIPER	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
PURPLE SANDPIPER	All records.
DUNLIN	All records May to July. Counts of 300+ rest of year. All inland records.
BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER	Description.	BBRC (0, 4, 4)
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER	Description	EBSIP (4, 10, 14)
RUFF	All records.
JACK SNIPE	All records.
SNIPE	All breeding records. Counts of 10+.
GREAT SNIPE	Description.	BBRC (19, 1, 20)
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER	Description.	BBRC (2, 7, 9)
WOODCOCK	All records.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT	All possible breeding records. All records June and July. Counts of 30+ rest of year. Race of spring-plumaged birds. All inland and Inner Thames records. (RED LIST SPECIES)

BAR-TAILED GODWIT	All records from May to July. Counts of 50+ rest of year. All inland and Inner Thames records.
WHIMBREL	All records.
CURLEW	All inland and Inner Thames records. Counts of 50+ elsewhere.
SPOTTED REDSHANK	All records.
REDSHANK	All breeding records. All inland records. Counts of 50+ elsewhere.
MARSH SANDPIPER	Description.	BBRC (3, 7, 10)
GREENSHANK	All records.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS	Description.	BBRC (1, 1, 2)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS	Description.	BBRC (3, 7, 10)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER	Description.	BBRC (2, 0, 2)
GREEN SANDPIPER	All records.
WOOD SANDPIPER	All records.
TEREK SANDPIPER	Description.	BBRC (1, 2, 3)
COMMON SANDPIPER	All records.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER	Description.	BBRC (1, 3, 4)
TURNSTONE	All records May to July. Counts of 30+ rest of year. All inland and Inner Thames records.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE	Description.	BBRC (2, 3, 5)
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE	Notes. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP
GREY PHALAROPE	Notes.	EBSIP
POMARINE SKUA	Notes to include details of age, weather conditions, distance, optics, experience.	EBSIP
ARCTIC SKUA	All records. Age.
LONG-TAILED SKUA	Description to include details of age, weather conditions, distance, optics, experience.	EBSIP
GREAT SKUA	All records. Age.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL	All records. Age.
LAUGHING GULL	Description.	BBRC (1, 1, 2)
FRANKLIN 'S GULL	Description.	BBRC (0, 2, 2)
LITTLE GULL	All records. Age.
SABINE'S GULL	Description.	EBSIP
BONAPARTE'S GULL	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
BLACK-HEADED GULL	All breeding records. Counts of 500+.
RING-BILLED GULL	Description.	EBSIP
COMMON GULL	All records May to August. Otherwise counts of 500+.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL	All breeding records. Counts 50+ May to August. Otherwise counts of 200+.
HERRING GULL	All breeding records. Counts 50+ May to August. Otherwise counts of 200+. Counts in roosts of argenteus and argentatus .
CASPIAN GULL	Description.	EBSIP
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL	All records, description away from Thames	EBSIP
ICELAND GULL	Description.	EBSIP
GLAUCOUS GULL	Description.	EBSIP
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL	All records May to August. Otherwise counts of 100+.
KITTIWAKE	All records. Age.
GULL-BILLED TERN	Description.	BBRC (4, 3, 7)
CASPIAN TERN	Description.	BBRC (6, 0, 6)
SANDWICH TERN	All records. Age.
ROSEATE TERN	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP (17, 15, 32)
COMMON TERN	All breeding records. All inland records. Early and late dates. Counts of 20+.
ARCTIC TERN	All records. Age.
FORSTER'S TERN	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
BRIDLED TERN	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
LITTLE TERN	All records. Age.
Least Tern	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
WHISKERED TERN	Description.	BBRC (1, 3, 4)

BLACK TERN	All records. Age.
WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN	Description.	EBSIP (26, 27, 50)
GUILLEMOT	All records.
RAZORBILL	Notes.	EBSIP
BLACK GUILLEMOT	Description.	EBSIP (7, 2, 9)
LITTLE AUK	All records.
PUFFIN	Notes . All records.	EBSIP
PALLAS'S SANDGROUSE	Description.	BBRC (116+, 0, 0)
ROCK DOVE/FERAL PIGEON	Breeding survey data and trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 50+.
STOCK DOVE	All breeding records. Counts of 20+.
WOODPIGEON	Breeding survey data and trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 250+.
COLLARED DOVE	Breeding survey data and trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 50+.
TURTLE DOVE	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
RING-NECKED PARAKEET	All records. Sex.
CUCKOO	All breeding records. Identity of parasitised species. Early and late dates. Records of hepatic phase.
BARN OWL	All records.
Dark-breasted Barn Owl	Description	EBSIP (7, 1, 8)
SCOPS OWL	Description.	BBRC (2, 0, 2)
SNOWY OWL	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
LITTLE OWL	All records.
TAWNY OWL	All records.
LONG-EARED OWL	All records.
SHORT-EARED OWL	All records.
TENGMALM'S OWL	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
NIGHTJAR	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP
WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
SWIFT	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual breeding records. Early and late dates. Counts of 100+.
PALLID SWIFT	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
ALPINE SWIFT	Description.	EBSIP (8, 9, 17)
KINGFISHER	All records.
BEE-EATER	Description.	EBSIP (4, 14, 18)
ROLLER	Description.	BBRC (4, 0, 4)
HOOPOE	Notes.	EBSIP
WRYNECK	Notes. All records. (RED LIST SPECIES).	EBSIP
GREEN WOODPECKER	All records. Age/sex.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER	All records. Age/sex.
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER	All records. Age/sex. (RED LIST SPECIES)
SHORT-TOED LARK	Description.	EBSIP (1, 2, 3)
WOODLARK	Notes. (RED LIST SPECIES).	EBSIP
SKYLARK	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES).
SHORELARK	All records.
SAND MARTIN	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Early and late dates. Counts of 100+.
SWALLOW	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Early and late dates. Counts of 100+.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW	Description.	EBSIP (3, 12, 15)
HOUSE MARTIN	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Early and late dates. Counts of 50+.
RICHARD'S PIPIT	Description.	EBSIP (3, 19, 22)
TAWNY PIPIT	Description.	EBSIP (7, 7, 14)
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT	Description.	BBRC (0, 2, 2)
TREE PIPIT	All records.
MEADOW PIPIT	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts of 30+. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
RED-THROATED PIPIT	Description.	EBSIP (1, 4, 5)

ROCK PIPIT	All records. Early and late dates.
WATER PIPIT	All records
YELLOW WAGTAIL	All records. (AMBER LIST SPECIES).
Blue-headed Wagtail	All records. Age/sex.
Other sub-species: Ashy-headed, Grey-headed and Black-headed Wagtails	Description.	BBRC
CITRINE WAGTAIL	Description.	BBRC (1, 2, 3)
GREY WAGTAIL	All records. Age/sex.
PIED WAGTAIL	Breeding survey data, breeding trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 20+.
White Wagtail	All records.
WAXWING	All records.
DIPPER	Description.	EBSIP (12, 0, 12)
WREN	Breeding survey data, breeding trends and unusual breeding records.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
DUNNOCK	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
ALPINE ACCENTOR	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
ROBIN	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
NIGHTINGALE	All records.
BLUETHROAT	Description.	EBSIP
BLACK REDSTART	All records. Age/sex.
REDSTART	All records. Age/sex.
WHINCHAT	All records. Age/sex.
STONECHAT	All records. Age/sex. Notes on race.
Siberian Stonechat	Description.	BBRC (0, 3, 3)
WHEATEAR	All records. Age/sex.
Greenland Wheatear	All records.
BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR	Description.	BBRC (0, 2, 2)
DESERT WHEATEAR	Description.	BBRC (1, 1, 2)
WHITE'S THRUSH	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
HERMIT THRUSH	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
RING OUZEL	All records. Age/sex. (RED LIST SPECIES)
BLACKBIRD	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
DUSKY/NAUMANN'S THRUSH	Description.	BBRC (0, 2, 2)
DARK-THROATED THRUSH	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
FIELDFARE	Counts of 30+. Early and late dates including unusual numbers at atypical times of year. Summering records.
SONG THRUSH	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
REDWING	Counts of 30+. Early and late dates including unusual numbers at atypical times of year. Summering records.
MISTLE THRUSH	Breeding survey data, breeding trends and unusual breeding records. Counts of 20+.
CETTI'S WARBLER	All records.
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
SAVI'S WARBLER	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	BBRC (2, 1, 3)
AQUATIC WARBLER	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	BBRC (6, 2, 8)
SEDGE WARBLER	Breeding survey data, breeding trends and unusual breeding records. Counts indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates.
BLYTH 'S REED WARBLER	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
PADDYFIELD WARBLER	Description.	BBRC (0, 2, 2)
MARSH WARBLER	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP
REED WARBLER	Breeding survey data, breeding trends and unusual breeding records. Counts indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates.
GREAT REED WARBLER	Description.	BBRC (1, 2, 3)
BOOTED WARBLER	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)

ICTERINE WARBLER	Description.	EBSIP (15, 11, 26)
MELODIOUS WARBLER	Description.	EBSIP (6, 3, 9)
BLACKCAP	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts of 10+ indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates. All wintering records.
GARDEN WARBLER	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates.
BARRED WARBLER	Description.	EBSIP (16, 39, 55)
LESSER WHITETHROAT	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates.
ASIAN DESERT WARBLER	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
WHITETHROAT	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates.
DARTFORD WARBLER	Notes. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP (7, 60, 67)
WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER	Description. Note Eastern & Moltonii race Subapline warblers are still assessed by the BBRC	EBSIP (2, 8, 10)
GREENISH WARBLER	Description.	EBSIP (0, 2, 2)
ARCTIC WARBLER	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
PALLAS'S WARBLER	Description.	EBSIP (1, 38, 39)
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER	Description.	EBSIP (4, 95, 99)
HUME'S WARBLER	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
RADDE'S WARBLER	Description.	EBSIP (0, 1, 1)
DUSKY WARBLER	Description.	EBSIP (0, 4, 4)
WOOD WARBLER	All records.
CHIFFCHAFF	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts of 10+ indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates. All wintering records.
Siberian Chiffchaff	Description.	BBRC
WILLOW WARBLER	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts of 10+ indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates.
GOLDCREST	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts of 10+ indicative of migration or passage. Early and late dates.
FIRECREST	All records. Sex.
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER	Description.	EBSIP (13, 14, 27)
COLLARED FLYCATCHER	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
PIED FLYCATCHER	All records. Age/sex.
BEARDED TIT	All records. Age/sex.
LONG-TAILED TIT	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
Northern Long-tailed Tit	Description.	BBRC (3, 2, 5)
MARSH TIT	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
WILLOW TIT	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP
COAL TIT	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
Continental Coal Tit	Description.	EBSIP
BLUE TIT	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
GREAT TIT	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
CRESTED TIT	Description.	EBSIP (3, 0, 3)
NUTHATCH	All records.
TREECREEPER	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER	Description.	BBRC (1, 1, 2)
PENDULINE TIT	Description.	BBRC (0, 12, 12)
GOLDEN ORIOLE	Description.	EBSIP

ISABELLINE SHRIKE	Description, including racial characters.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
RED-BACKED SHRIKE	Description. Age/sex. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP
LESSER GREY SHRIKE	Description.	BBRC (0, 2, 2)
GREAT GREY SHRIKE	Description.	EBSIP
SOUTHERN STEPPE GREY SHRIKE	Description.	BBRC (0, 2, 2)
WOODCHAT SHRIKE	Description.	EBSIP (7, 9, 16)
JAY	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
MAGPIE	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage. Counts of 20+.
NUTCRACKER	Description.	BBRC (17, 0, 17)
CHOUGH	Description.	EBSIP (1, 0, 1)
JACKDAW	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage. Flocks of 50+.
ROOK	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage. Flocks of 100+.
CARRION CROW	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage. Flocks of 50+.
HOODED CROW	Notes.	EBSIP
RAVEN	Description.	EBSIP
STARLING	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING	Description.	EBSIP (5, 8, 13)
HOUSE SPARROW	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
TREE SPARROW	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
CHAFFINCH	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts of 30+. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
BRAMBLING	All records. Age/sex.
SERIN	Description.	EBSIP (1, 14 15)
GREENFINCH	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts of 50+. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
GOLDFINCH	Breeding survey data, trends and unusual records. Counts of 50+. Records/counts indicative of migration or passage.
SISKIN	All records. Age/sex.
LINNET	All records (RED LIST SPECIES)
TWITE	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
LESSER REDPOLL	All records. Age/sex.
COMMON REDPOLL	Description for ALL races including Mealy Redpoll C. f. flammea .	EBSIP
ARCTIC REDPOLL	Description.	EBSIP (1, 7, 8)
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL	Description.	BBRC (2, 0, 2)
CROSSBILL	All records. Age/sex.
PARROT CROSSBILL	Description.	BBRC (2, 0, 2)
COMMON ROSEFINCH	Description.	EBSIP (1, 15, 16)
TRUMPETER FINCH	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
BULLFINCH	All records. Age/sex. (RED LIST SPECIES)
Northern Bullfinch	Description.	EBSIP
HAWFINCH	All records. Age/sex.
LAPLAND BUNTING	Notes. Age/sex.	EBSIP
SNOW BUNTING	All records. Age/sex.
RUSTIC BUNTING	Description.	EBSIP (1, 0, 1)
PINE BUNTING	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
YELLOWHAMMER	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
CIRL BUNTING	Description. (RED LIST SPECIES)	EBSIP (22, 0, 22)
ORTOLAN BUNTING	Description.	EBSIP (9, 15, 24)
RUSTIC BUNTING	Description.	EBSIP (1, 0, 1)
LITTLE BUNTING	Description.	EBSIP (2, 4, 6)
YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)
REED BUNTING	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
RED-HEADED BUNTING	Description	BBRC
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING	Description.	BBRC (1, 2, 3)
CORN BUNTING	All records. (RED LIST SPECIES)
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK	Description.	BBRC (1, 0, 1)
BALTIMORE ORIOLE	Description.	BBRC (0, 1, 1)

APPENDIX 1 – NATIONAL RARITY RECORDS

Rarity Descriptions should be sent via County Recorder Les Steward (address on Page 2) to British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC): Web site: bbrc.org.uk/recorders.htm

Note is now BBRC policy to accept descriptions and digital images online wherever possible.

N.B. British Birds Magazine publishes every Novembe

GUIDELINES FOR OBSERVERS

DATA REQUIRED

CASPIAN GULL