NGB Birds of the Year 2015

NGB members were asked to vote for their favourite bird or birding moment of 2015. There were many individual highlights during the year across the whole country but the stand out top 10 as voted by our members are:

10. WILSON’S WARBLER - OUTER HEBRIDES - OCTOBER

A dazzling ball of yellow, this male was only the 2nd for Britain and was high on the lists of all those members who made the long journey to Lewis. (Photo - Lee Fuller)

 

9. CRETZSCHMAR’S BUNTING - BARDSEY - JUNE

A beautiful bird in a beautiful setting, this 6th for Britain was the first away from the northern isles and as such proved extremely popular with NGB members. (Photo - Ben Porter)

 

8. RED-FOOTED FALCON - STAFFORDSHIRE - JULY-AUGUST

This 1st summer male delighted hundreds of birders throughout the summer before meeting its tragic demise in Cambridgeshire later in the autumn. (Photo - Jack Morris)

 

7. LITTLE AUK PASSAGE - EAST COAST - NOVEMBER

The last week of November saw a huge passage of Little Auks up and down the east coast, with NGB’s connecting both on seawatches and with storm driven birds. (Photo - Drew Lyness)

 

6. BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR - HAMPSHIRE - JUNE

Acres Down is an NGB favourite thanks to its raptors and heath specialities however they were all upstaged by this stunning one-day wonder. (Photo - Ashley Howe)

 

5. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER - KENT - SEPTEMBER

Another single day stayer and a 1st for Britain no less, few will forget this Nearctic stray in a hurry.. Unfortunately its brief stay resulted in some painful dips the following morning! (Photo - Scott Reid)

 

4. BEEDING BEE-EATERS - CUMBRIA - JULY-SEPTEMBER

A small quarry on the Scottish border became host to 2 pairs of these winged jewels throughout the summer, with thanks to the RSPB watch point. (Photo - Ash Baines)

 

3. YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER INVASION - EVERYWHERE

A record number of these Siberian gems graced our shores in autumn 2015, turning up almost everywhere and being seen and found by almost all our members. (Photo - Jake Gearty)

 

2. HUDSONIAN GODWIT - SOMERSET - APRIL-MAY

The first British record for nearly 3 decades, this elegant wader drew many admirers during her 9-day stay in the marshes of Somerset.

 

1. HARLEQUIN DUCK - ABERDEENSHIRE - JANUARY-MAY

The birding highlight of 2015 for NGB, its 5 month stay in Aberdeen got the year off to a flyer for many and saw this 1st winter male begin to moult into the blue and chestnut attire the species is famous for. (Photo - Samuel Langlois Lopez)