Abstract

ABSTRACT This report documents the changing fortunes of those scarce migrants recorded in Britain in 2003. Favourable conditions brought record numbers of Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris melanotos and the largest influx of Yellow-browed Phylloscopus inornatus and Pallas's Leaf Warblers Ph. proregulus yet reported. Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus continued to enjoy a series of good years, the years spanning 2001В­03 having produced the three highest annual totals. Impressive arrivals of Nearctic waterfowl, including Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata and Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis, suggest that common factors are influencing their appearances here, while, conversely, Ringbilled Gull Larus delawarensis experienced one of its poorer years. Although 2003 was a good year for Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana and Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, with their third- and fourth-highest totals respectively, many species originating from northern and eastern Europe reached Britain in disappointingly low numbers, with totals for Bluethroat Luscinia svecica, Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina, Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and Little Bunting E. pusilla all below average. Arrivals from southern Europe were also disappointing, and 2003 was the worst year on record for Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus. Totals of the scarcer herons, including Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax and Purple Heron Ardea purpurea, were well below average, and numbers of Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla,Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris and Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta are well below those occurring in recent years. Although the factors influencing the arrival of these scarcer migrants in Britain are uncertain, it is only by the long-term monitoring of the scarcer