Rare birds in Schleswig- 7Holstein and Hamburg 2016 – Annual report of the AK-SH/HH

Abstract

The 2016 report is the first annual report of the AK-SH/HH, dealing with records from Schleswig-Holstein, but excluding Helgoland (which has its own rarities committee and report), and Hamburg, including the North Sea islands of Neuwerk and Scharhörn. In addition to the species dealt with by the AK-SH/HH, the rarities in the responsibility of the DAK (German Avifaunistic Commission) are also listed. A total of 131 records of 49 taxa is presented, of which 110 observations were accepted and 20 rejected. Outstanding observations involve four first records for Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, all on North Sea islands: A Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia on Amrum (a first for Germany, category D), and three firsts from the neighbouring island of Sylt: an Eastern Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides, a Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella, and a Cretzschmar's Bunting Emberiza caesia (the first for Germany since over 130 years). Also, on Sylt was a Hume’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei (2nd record). An Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus on the Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn and a Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis in Hamburg represent the 3rd record each for the recording area. Further specialities include an Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea on Hallig Hooge and a Western Bonelli‘s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli (both 4th record) in spring in Dithmarschen. Other highlights include the first Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris for 18 years (5th record), a Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius (5th record), and two Squacco Herons Ardeola ralloides (5th & 6th records). The well-known Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris came back in 2016, and spent two months in the Sylt area. A Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga returned to an inland lowland area in Dithmarschen for the second consecutive winter. And an unprecedented influx of Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus included flocks of up to 30 birds.