This page takes a light-hearted look at the Fylde birder’s lists and showcases the competitive aspect of Fylde birding.
To date, there have been 334 Species recorded in the Fylde recording area. Of those 334 species, there are nineteen that have not yet been seen by anyone in the Top 25.
Twelve of those species have not been recorded on the Fylde for over thirty years and they are: Tawny Pipit (1985), Roller (1982), Melodious Warbler (1972), Nutcracker (1968), Nightingale (1965), Crested Tit (1964), Black-winged Stilt (1928), Great Snipe (1917), Red Grouse (c1899), Pallas’s Sandgrouse (1888), Sociable Lapwing (1860s), and Little Bustard (1858).
Three of the nineteen, Olive-backed Pipit (2020), Serin (2019), and Red-throated Pipit (2018) have only been recorded on the Fylde by autonomous sound recording.
The remaining four species that have eluded all the Fylde birders on the ranking are White-tailed Eagle (last seen in 2020), Golden Oriole (2013), Nightjar (2013), and Icterine Warbler (1998).
They live in hope…
The Top 25
| Rank | Member Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Len Blacow | 302 |
| = | Maurice Jones | 302 |
| 3 | Frank Bird | 295 |
| = | Paul Slade | 295 |
| 5 | Bob Stinger | 293 |
| 6 | Paul Ellis | 292 |
| 7 | Chris Batty | 291 |
| = | Barry Dyson | 291 |
| 9 | Alan Hinchliffe | 286 |
| 10 | Stuart Meredith | 284 |
| 11 | Frank Walsh | 273 |
| 12 | Dave Pitman * | 271 |
| 13 | Jim Clift | 267 |
| 14 | Stuart Piner | 266 |
| 15 | Dave McGrath | 251 |
| 16 | Jonathan Scragg | 250 |
| 17 | Monty Myerscough | 244 |
| = | Ash Baines | 244 |
| 19 | Pete Marsh | 240 |
| 20 | Zac Hinchcliffe | 208 |
| = | David Moreton | 208 |
| = | Jackie Moreton * | 208 |
| 23 | Shaun Ankers | 205 |
| 24 | Jean Roberts | 199 |
| 25 | Sophie Bagshaw | 197 |
Top 10 Lists – A Profile
=1 Len Blacow’s most notable species are Lesser White-fronted Goose (Thurnham 1991*), Cory’s Shearwater (Starr Gate 1991*), Montagu’s Harrier (Marton Mere 1995*), Honey Buzzard (Marton Mere 2000*, Poulton Golf Course 2006*, and Lytham Moss 2008*), and Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984). Len’s most notable omissions are Ortolan Bunting, Alpine Swift, Caspian Tern, Surf Scoter, and Corncrake.
=1 Maurice Jones’s most notable species are Baird’s Sandpiper (Freckleton Sewage Works 1963), Wilson’s Phalarope (Freckleton Sewage Works 1973*), Honey Buzzard (Warton Marsh 2008*), Corncrake, and Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008*). Maurice’s most notable omissions are Savi’s Warbler, Elegant Tern, Whiskered Tern, Bee-eater, and Balearic Shearwater.
=3 Frank Bird’s most notable species are Gull-billed Tern (Little Singleton 2021*), Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Frank’s most notable omissions are Lesser Scaup, Little Auk, Savi’s Warbler, Caspian Tern, and Hawfinch.
=3 Paul Slade’s most notable species are Pallid Swift (Knott End 2020), Balearic Shearwater (Starr Gate 2010*, at sea off Rossall Point 2011*, and Cleveleys 2011*), Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984 and Todderstaffe Hall 2013*), Cackling Goose (Green Dick’s Lane 1982 and Eagland Hill 2001*), and Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983). Paul’s most notable omissions are Goshawk, Little Bittern, Mealy Redpoll, Night Heron, and Woodchat Shrike.
5 Bob Stinger’s most notable species are Honey Buzzard (Marton Mere 2000* and Herons’ Reach 2010*), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Hawfinch (Marton Mere 2001* and Fairhaven Lake 2003*), Caspian Tern (Knott End 2007), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Bob’s most notable omissions are Night Heron, Ortolan Bunting, Puffin, Woodchat Shrike, Savi’s Warbler and Alpine Swift.
6 Paul Ellis’s most notable species are Bonaparte’s Gull (Marton Mere 2008*), Pallid Swift ((Knott End 2020*, Cocker’s Dyke 2022*, Pilling Lane 2022*, and The Mount 2022*), Balearic Shearwater (at sea off Rossall Point 2011*), Corncrake (Marton Mere 1996), and Bee-eater (Todderstaffe Hall 2013*). Paul’s most notable omissions are Broad-billed Sandpiper, Black-throated Diver, Roseate Tern, Puffin, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and Mealy Redpoll.
=7 Chris Batty’s most notable species are Woodlark (Knott End 2020*), Pallid Swift (Knott End 2020), Balearic Shearwater (at sea off Rossall Point 2011*), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), and Cackling Goose (Eagland Hill 2001). Chris’s most notable omissions are Citrine Wagtail, Black-throated Diver, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and Little Bittern.
=7 Barry Dyson’s most notable species are Rough-legged Buzzard (Winmarleigh Moss 2009*), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), Sooty Shearwater (Rossall Point 1978*), Caspian Tern (Knott End 2007), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Barry’s most notable omissions are Lesser Scaup, Bluethroat, Pallid Harrier, Night Heron and Little Auk.
9 Alan Hinchliffe’s most notable species are Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), Alpine Swift (Pilling Marsh 2009*), and Savi’s Warbler (Marton Mere 1995). Alan’s most notable omissions are Chough, Great Reed Warbler, Lesser Scaup, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, and Purple Heron.
10 Stuart Meredith’s most notable species are Corncrake, Savi’s Warbler (Marton Mere 1995), Caspian Tern (Preesall Sands 2007), Night Heron (Marton Mere 1995), and Woodchat Shrike (Fairhaven Dunes 1987). Stuart’s most notable omissions are Red-crested Pochard, Short-toed Lark, Long-tailed Skua, Bluethroat, and White Stork.
*self-found
The Blockers
The following species are on the Fylde List but have only been observed by between 1 and 9 of those in the Top 25 – Blocking their climb up the list.
| Species | Seen By |
|---|---|
| Buff-bellied Pipit | 1 of 25 |
| Woodlark | 1 of 25 |
| Bonaparte's Gull | 1 of 25 |
| Gull-billed Tern | 1 of 25 |
| Baird's Sandpiper | 1 of 25 |
| Lesser White-fronted Goose | 1 of 25 |
| Cory's Shearwater | 1 of 25 |
| Montagu's Harrier | 1 of 25 |
| Rough-legged Buzzard | 2 of 25 |
| Wilson's Phalarope | 2 of 25 |
| Balearic Shearwater | 4 of 25 |
| Honey Buzzard | 4 of 25 |
| Corncrake | 5 of 25 |
| Bee-eater | 6 of 25 |
| Surf Scoter | 6 of 25 |
| Cackling Goose | 6 of 25 |
| Pallid Swift | 6 of 25 |
| Whiskered Tern | 7 of 25 |
| Hawfinch | 7 of 25 |
| Sooty Shearwater | 7 of 25 |
| Caspian Tern | 8 of 25 |
| Elegant Tern | 8 of 25 |
| Blyth's Reed Warbler | 9 of 25 |
| Alpine Swift | 9 of 25 |
| Savi's Warbler | 9 of 25 |
| Woodchat Shrike | 9 of 25 |
| Red-breasted Flycatcher | 9 of 25 |
Additions to the Fylde List Since 2000
To follow is a list of species new to the Fylde recording area since the year 2000. The date, location and the birder(s) who found the bird are all provided. The most recent addition is listed at the top.
| Record # | Species | Location | Date | Finder(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 334 | Elegant Tern | Knott End | 8/20/2021 | Chris Batty | |
| 333 | Pallid Swift | Pilling Lane | 11/14/2020 | Paul Ellis | |
| 332 | Olive-backed Pipit | Knott End | 10/14/2020 | Chris Batty | Sound recording only |
| 331 | Blyth's Reed Warbler | Knott End | 6/1/2020 | Chris Batty | |
| 330 | Eastern Black-eared Wheatear | Fluke Hall | 9/1/2019 | Paul Ellis, Paul Slade | Unidentified Black-eared Wheatear species at Lytham in 1940 |
| 329 | Serin | Knott End | 4/13/2019 | Chris Batty | Sound recording only |
| 328 | Woodlark | Knott End | 10/20/2018 | Chris Batty | Sound recording only although individual deen and sound recorded there on 10/04/2020 |
| 327 | Red-throated Pipit | Knott End | 10/11/2018 | Chris Batty | Sound recording only |
| 326 | Pallid Harrier | Cockersand | 9/16/2018 | Ian Hartley | |
| 325 | Buff-bellied Pipit | Cockersand | 5/4/2014 | Stuart Piner | |
| 324 | Semipalmated Sandpiper | Knott End | 11/12/2013 | Chris Batty | |
| 323 | Solitary Sandpiper | Humblescough Farm | 10/2/2011 | Stuart Piner | |
| 322 | Iberian Chiffchaff | Devonshire Rock Gardens | 5/3/2011 | Dave McGrath | |
| 321 | Short-toed Lark | Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park | 4/24/2011 | Ian Gardner | |
| 320 | Red-breasted Goose | Fluke Hall Lane | 10/24/2010 | Bob Danson | |
| 319 | Balearic Shearwater | Starr Gate | 8/8/2010 | Stephen Dunstan, Paul Slade | |
| 318 | Caspian Gull | Knott End | 1/5/2010 | Chris Batty | |
| 317 | Ring-necked Duck | Thornton ICI Reservoir | 12/29/2009 | Ian Gardner | |
| 316 | Alpine Swift | Pilling Marsh | 4/15/2009 | Frank Bird, lan Hinchliffe | |
| 315 | Cattle Egret | Agglebys Pit | 11/30/2008 | Ian Latham | |
| 314 | Bonaparte's Gull | Marton Mere | 5/3/2008 | Paul Ellis | |
| 313 | Caspian Tern | Rossall Point | 7/2/2007 | Chris Batty, Ian Gardner | |
| 312 | Common Rosefinch | Pilling Lane | 5/30/2007 | Peter Rhind | |
| 311 | Great White Egret | Warton Marsh | 2/17/2007 | Nick Patel | |
| 310 | Laughing Gull | Marton Mere | 4/9/2006 | Maurice Jones, Mike McGough, Pauline McGough | |
| 309 | Lesser Scaup | Myerscough Quarry | 10/6/2005 | Chris Batty | |
| 308 | Chough | Cocker's Dyke | 8/12/2005 | Chrius Batty, Bob Danson | |
| 307 | Great Knot | Skippool Creek | 7/31/2004 | Chris Batty | |
| 306 | Red-rumped Swallow | Marton Mere | 4/18/2004 | Maurice Jones | |
| 305 | Dusky Warbler | Fairhaven Dunes | 10/23/2003 | Maurice Jones | |
| 304 | Great Reed Warbler | Marton Mere | 5/21/2003 | Len Blacow | |
| 303 | Bluethroat | Ingol | 4/15/2003 | Unknown | |
| 302 | Ross's Goose | Eagland Hill | 2/4/2003 | Bob Danson | |
| 301 | Ivory Gull | Granny's Bay | 2/13/2002 | Keith Sharrock, Peter Smith | |
| 300 | Rose-coloured Starling | St Annes | 7/6/2001 | G and P Ashworth | |
| 299 | American Wigeon | Pilling Marsh | 9/19/2000 | Chris Batty | |
| 298 | Golden Oriole | Marton Mere | 5/14/2000 | Tony Sharples |
The Possibles…
Species that have been suspected on the Fylde in recent decades but are yet to be submitted to or approved by the relevant committees for assessment comprise of the following:-
Black-browed Albatross (Starr Gate 2019)
Black Scoter (Starr Gate 2018)
Baillon’s Crake (Knott End 2016 sound recording only)
Black-headed Bunting (Rossall Point 2005), and
Oriental Pratincole (Pilling Marsh 1997 and currently accepted as Collared Pratincole).
What Next?
With up to four species a year being added to the Fylde List so far during this millennium we hope that the following may be recorded on the Fylde soon and suggest a possible location where they may just turn up:-
Blue-winged Teal – Marton Mere
Spotted Sandpiper – Shard Bridge
Franklin’s Gull – Skippool Creek
Black Kite – Cockerham
Penduline Tit – Thornton Marsh Farm
Western Bonelli’s Warbler – Lowther Gardens
Hume’s Warbler – Blackpool Pleasure Beach Railway Bushes
Greenish Warbler – Fairhaven Lake
Marsh Warbler – Rossall School
Dartford Warbler – Lytham St Annes Nature Reserve
Red-flanked Bluetail – Fleetwood Cemetery
Pied Wheatear – St Annes Beach
Eastern Yellow Wagtail – Knott End sound recording?
We will all just have to keep looking.
The ranking follows the BOU British List which can be accessed here https://bou.org.uk/the-british-list/