Introduction
In spring 2000, a repeat of the previous year’s breeding bird survey was carried out. The area surveyed remained identical and covered the reclaimed land between the mouth of the River Esk and Prestonpans, and between the race course and the sea (see detailed map). The survey area covers an area of 148 ha or 1.48 km² (0.57 square miles).
2000 Results
The survey was carried out using the principles established by the BTO's Common Bird Census. A combined total of 28 visits was made by the three observers during the period from 31 March to 17 June 2000; supplementary records from other visits are also incorporated. The table below summarises the results:
|
Species |
Total number of territories (or nests) |
Lagoons only (132 ha) |
Morrison's Haven (16 ha) |
Comments |
|
Mute Swan |
1 nest |
1 nest |
0 |
A pair nested unsuccessfully on the scrape. One egg was seen in the poorly constructed nest on 27 Apr (DA). |
|
Shelduck |
1-2 |
1-2 |
0 |
One - two pairs summered on the scrape. There is a lack of nest sites. |
|
Mallard |
1 brood |
1 brood |
0 |
Only one brood (of 6) seen on scrape, but no comparable coverage by DA |
|
Partridge |
5 (?9) |
5 (?9) |
0 |
Difficult to census |
|
Moorhen |
1 nest |
1 nest |
0 |
One pair nested on the reservoir (per DA). A nest with 6 eggs was found on 11 May and young were seen later. |
|
Coot |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Pair gathering weed on boating pond, but probably unable to find a suitable site to build |
|
Lapwing |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Pair on territory/displaying on scrape in mid May |
|
Feral Pigeon |
c.5 |
0 |
c.5 |
Not counted, but likely to be 5 nests in mine shaft again |
|
Woodpigeon |
11+ |
10* |
1 |
An estimated minimum number of territories |
|
Skylark |
36 |
28* |
8* |
26 nests found |
|
Swallow |
6 nests |
5 nests |
1 nest |
Included one that nested in a conveyer machine (east lagoon) |
|
Meadow Pipit |
30 |
23* |
7* |
21 nests found |
|
Pied Wagtail |
2 |
1 |
1 |
MH was a part territory – probably nested south of the road |
|
Wren |
10 |
10 |
0 |
|
|
Dunnock |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
Robin |
13 |
12 |
1 |
|
|
Blackbird |
13 |
10* |
3* |
5 nests found |
|
Song Thrush |
1 |
0 |
1* |
1 nest found |
|
Mistle Thrush |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Part territory |
|
Sedge Warbler |
3 |
0 |
3* |
1 nest found |
|
Whitethroat |
8 |
3* |
5* |
3 nests found |
|
Blackcap |
3 |
2 |
1* |
1 nest found |
|
Willow Warbler |
21 |
20* |
1 |
2 nests found |
|
Blue Tit |
5 |
5 |
0 |
|
|
Magpie |
7 nests |
6 nests* |
1 nest* |
|
|
Carrion Crow |
3 nests |
3 nests* |
0 |
|
|
Starling |
2 nests |
2 nests* |
1 nest* |
|
|
Chaffinch |
4 |
4 |
0 |
One was a part territory |
|
Greenfinch |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Goldfinch |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Linnet |
18 |
6 |
12* |
16 nests found |
|
Bullfinch |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Reed Bunting |
15 |
13 |
2* |
2 nests found |
|
33 species |
30 species |
18 species |
KEY: * = at least one nest found
Species recorded in 2000, but not 1999: Coot, Lapwing, and Bullfinch.
Species recorded in 1999, but not 2000: Tufted Duck, Collared Dove, Garden Warbler, Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit.
Other species recorded as "present" during the survey period, but for which a territory was not recorded: Cormorant, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Shoveler, Goldeneye (seen displaying, also female on 14 May), Teal, Tufted Duck (birds present on boating pond, but no evidence of nesting), Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Pheasant, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Common Tern, Cuckoo, Stock Dove, Whinchat (a migrant sang on 1 day) Grasshopper Warbler (2 different birds singing on 2 dates), Coal Tit, Great Tit, Redpoll, Yellowhammer and House Sparrow.
It is intended to repeat this survey in about five years time.
Ian J. Andrews, 39 Clayknowes Drive, Musselburgh, Midlothian EH21 6UW
March 2001