Rare birds in Schleswig- Holstein and Hamburg 2018 – Annual report of the AK-SH/HH

Abstract

For 2018, the Avifaunistic Commission of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg (AK-SH/HH) presents its third annual report. It lists records of regional rare species in the responsibility of the AK-SH/HH, and those of national rarities processed by the DAK (German Avifaunistic Commission). A total of 148 records of 53 taxa were dealt with by the two commissions, of which 118 were accepted in category A.

The first record of a Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla for Hamburg (and second for the region) was outstanding. Observations of the same Black Scoter Melanitta americana at the Baltic Sea coast from February to April and in December constitute the second record. A Pallid Swift Apus pallidus on the Wadden Sea island of Amrum was another second record. Both third observations were an Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca found in North Frisia and a Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti on the island of Sylt. A Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica on Amrum was a fifth record. After more than 20 years since the last observation of the species,
a European Roller Coracias garrulus turned up in North Frisia. The well-known Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris was observed again in 2018 on Sylt. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, not recorded since 2014, appeared with three individuals 2018. The number of Richard’s Pipits Anthus richardi in 2018 was unusually high, with a total of 10 sightings along the North Sea coast and one in Hamburg.