Reed Warbler Acrocephalus s. scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804)

Fishing Lodge, Blagdon Lake © Nigel Milbourne 2011

Annotated Site Bird List [1907 & addenda]

An initial list put together by Donald Carr, with near annual additions up to 1934, and published in the reports of the Wells Natural History & Archael. Soc.

Annotated Site Bird List [2026 Revision]

Families, species and sub-species names are listed with links to species pages (note that not all of these have been published yet, with others being updated and improved). For those species that have been designated as ‘extremely rare’ (see abundance key below), I have included the year of the record(s) in the list for quick reference. Some rare, very rare, and extremely rare species, will be linked to their own page (e.g. Pied-billed Grebe) which will provide more details about occurrences at the lake with dates, finders etc. These should be more or less up-to-date, and will be added to accordingly. In time, I hope to complete species accounts for all birds on the list. If you can provide any information to add to my database of bird sightings at the lake I’d be really grateful. I plan to publish a paper in due course and any information that is provided will be duly acknowledged. Records marked with an asterisk have probably not been seen by, or considered, or accepted by the respective local Recorder’s committee. Having said that, it is equally possible that some may have been rejected by the local Recorders’ committees (Somerset as was, or, Avon as is), or the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC). Unfortunately, decisions are often not published, which leads to confusion. At some point, I will try and clear up decisions with those listed records for the sake of clarity.

This revision of the list follows the decision made by the British Ornithologists Union (BOU) 58th report / December 2025 / Published 168: 395-410 (January 2026). This document follows the Tenth edition of the British List (BOU, 2022. Ibis 164: 860-910) and subsequent changes to the List included in BOURC Reports and announcements (bou.org.uk/british-list/bourc-reports-andpapers/). I’ve set out the list as follows:

AviList v2025 World Bird List Order

AviList v2025 World Bird List Family

AviList v2025 World Bird List species name, scientific name, authority, BOU list category

BOU name, scientific name, Blagdon Lake abundance & occurrence information.

Categories A, B & C.

Categories A, B & C

Species in Categories A, B and C form the British List. Species in Category A have been recorded in an apparently natural state at least once since 1 January 1950. Species in Category B have been recorded in an apparently natural state at least once between 1 January 1800 and 31 December 1949, but have not been recorded subsequently. Species in Category C, although introduced, now derive from the resulting self-sustaining populations:

C1 – Naturalised introduced species – species that have occurred only as a result of introduction, e.g. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca.

C2 – Naturalised established species – species with established populations resulting from introduction by man, but which also occur in an apparently natural state, e.g. Greylag Goose Anser anser.

C3 – Naturalised re-established species – species with populations successfully re-established by man in areas of former occurrence, e.g. Red Kite Milvus milvus.

C4 – Naturalised feral species – domesticated species with populations established in the wild, e.g. Rock Pigeon (Dove)/Feral Pigeon Columba livia.

C5 – Vagrant naturalised species – species from established naturalised populations abroad, e.g. possibly some Ruddy Shelducks Tadorna ferruginea occurring in Britain. There are currently no species in category C5.

C6 – Former naturalised species – species formerly placed in C1 whose naturalised populations are either no longer self-sustaining or are considered extinct, e.g. Lady Amherst’s Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae.

The status of our bird populations.

The fifth review of Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC5) in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man assessed and assigned 245 species to updated Red, Amber and Green lists of conservation concern and showed a continuing decline in the status of our bird populations. In total, 70 species (29% of those assessed) are now on the Red list, up from 36 species in the first review in 1996. Since the last review, in 2015, Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus has been lost as a breeding species. Eleven species have been moved to the Red list, while only six species moved from Red to Amber. Newly Red-listed species include Common Swift Apus apus, House Martin Delichon urbicum, Greenfinch Chloris chloris and the globally threatened Leach’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa. There has been no improvement in the overall status of species associated with farmland and upland, or Afro-Palearctic migrants; indeed, more such species have been Red-listed. Concerns over the status of our wintering wildfowl and wader populations have also increased. As a direct result of targeted conservation action, White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla has been moved from Red to Amber.

Sources:

Click on a link to go to a species page to find out more, including site occurrences, information and photo gallery.

Order Anseriformes

Family Anatidae (Swans, geese & ducks)

 

Order Galliformes

Family Phasianidae (Partridges & pheasants)

  • Grey Partridge Perdix perdix (Linnaeus, C., 1758) AC2E*F 
    • Grey Partridge Perdix perdix perdix (Linnaeus, C., 1758). Locally extinct resident & rare introduced game bird. Former breeder (c. 1913). BoCC5 Red List.
  • Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Linnaeus, C., 1758 C1E*F
    • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus colchicus Linnaeus, C., 1758.
    • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus principalis Sclater, PL., 1885.
    • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus mongolicus Brandt, JF., 1844.
    • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus satscheuensis Pleske, 1892.
    • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus pallasi Rothschild, 1903.
    • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus torquatus Gmelin, JF., 1789. Fairly common, introduced game bird. Breeds.
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa (Linnaeus, C., 1758) C1E*F
    • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa rufa (Linnaeus, C., 1758). Rare, introduced game bird.

Order Podicipediformes

Family Podicipedidiae (Grebes)

 

Order Cuculiformes

Family Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

 

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae (Pigeons & doves)

 

Order Gruiformes

Family Gruidae (Cranes)

Family Rallidae (Rails, crakes & gallinules)

 

Order Charadriiformes

Family Burhinidae (Thick-knees)

Family Recurvirostridae (Avocets & stilts)

Family Haematopodidiae (Oystercatchers)

Family Charadriidae (Plovers)

Family Scolopacidae (Sandpipers & allies)

Family Glareolidae (Pratincoles & coursers)

 

Family Stercorariidae (Skuas)

Family Alcidae (Auks)

Family Laridae (Gulls & Terns)

  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Linnaeus, C., 1758 AF
    • Western Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii Brehm, AE., 1857. Common, passage migrant & summer visitor. BoCC5 Amber List.
    • Continental Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus intermedius Schiøler, EL., 1922. Probable passage migrant.
    • Baltic Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus fuscus Linnaeus, C., 1758. Possible passage migrant [BBRC].

 

Order Gaviiformes

Family Gaviidae (Loons/Divers)

 

Order Procellariiformes

Family Hydrobatidae (Storm Petrels)

Family Procellariidae (Shearwaters)

 

Order Suliformes

Family Sulidae (Gannets)

Family Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants)

  • Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, C., 1758) AF
    • Atlantic Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo carbo (Linnaeus, C., 1758). Fairly common resident.
    • Continental Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Staunton, GL., 1796). Fairly common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.

 

Order Pelecaniformes

Family Threskiornithidae (Ibises & Spoonbills)

Family Ardeidae (Herons & Egrets)

 

Order Apodiformes

Family Apodidae (Swifts)

 

Order Strigiformes

Family Tytonidae (Barn & grass owls)

Family Strigidae (Typical owls)

 

Order Accipitriformes

Family Pandionidae (Osprey)

Family Accipitridae (Hawks & Eagles)

 

Order Bucerotiformes

Family Upupidae (Hoopoe)

  • Common Hoopoe Upupa epops Linnaeus, C., 1758 AE
    • Hoopoe Upupa epops epops Linnaeus, C., 1758. Very rare (1948 & 1977), vagrant.

 

Order Coraciiformes

Family Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

 

Order Piciformes

Family Picidae (Woodpeckers)

 

Order Falconiformes

Family Falconidae (Falcons)

 

Order Passeriformes

Family Oriolidae (Old World orioles)

Family Laniidae (Shrikes)

Family Corvidae (Crows)

Family Paridae (Tits & chickadees)

Family Panuridae (Babblers & laughing-thrushes)

Family Alaudidae (Larks)

Family Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers)

Family Locustellidae (Grasshopper Warblers)

Family Hirundinidae (Swallows & martins)

Family Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)

Family Cettiidae (Bush warblers)

Family Phylloscopidae (Leaf warblers)

Family Sylviidae (Old World warblers)

Family Regulidae (Kinglets)

Family Sittidae (Nuthatches)

Family Certhiidae (Treecreepers)

Family Troglodytidae (Wrens)

Family Sturnidae (Starlings & mynas)

Family Cinclidae (Dippers)

Family Turdidae (Thrushes)

Family Muscicapidae (Flycatchers & chats)

Family Prunellidae (Accentors)

  • Dunnock Prunella modularis (Linnaeus, C., 1758) A
    • Dunnock Prunella modularis occidentalis (Hartert, EJO., 1910). Fairly common, resident. Breeds. BoCC5 Amber List.
    • Dunnock Prunella modularis modularis (Linnaeus, C., 1758). Possible passage migrant & winter visitor.

Family Passeridae (Sparrows)

Family Motacillidae (Wagtails & pipits)

  • Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis (Linnaeus, 1758) A
    • Tree Pipit Anthus t. trivialis (Linnaeus, 1758). Very rare, passage migrant. BoCC5 Red List.
  • Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus (Pallas, PS., 1811) A
    • Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus. Very rare (1973), passage migrant [BBRC ex BBRC 2006-2014].
  • Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta (Linnaeus, C., 1758) AF
    • Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta spinoletta (Linnaeus, C., 1758). Very scarce, passage migrant & winter visitor. BoCC5 Amber List.

Family Fringillidae (Finches)

Family Calcariidae (Longspurs)

Family Emberizidae (Buntings & New World sparrows)

Sub-total 247 spp.

 

Category D

Species that would otherwise appear in Category A except that there is reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural state. Species placed only in Category D form no part of the British List, and are not included in the species totals.

 

Category E

Species that have been recorded as introductions, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Species in Category E that have bred in the wild in Britain are designated as E*. Category E species form no part of the British List (unless already included within Categories A, B or C).

  • Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, LJP.,1816) E
    • Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor. Very rare (1998), escapee. See ref. 3 below.
  • Black Swan Cygnus atratus Latham, J., 1790 E*
    • Black Swan Cygnus atratus. Very rare, feral escapee.
  • Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis (Pallas, PS., 1769) AE*F [BBRC]
    • Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis. A presumed escapee visited the lake for many years.
  • Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii (Richardson, J., 1832) AE [BBRC]
    • Richardson’s Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii (Richardson, J., 1832). Very rare (2011), Nearctic vagrant or probable escapee.
  • Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus (Latham, J.,1790) E*
    • Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus. Rare, feral escapee. See note 1.
  • Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (Linnaeus, C., 1758) E*
    • Swan Goose Anser cygnoides. Very rare, escapee. See ref. 2 below.
  • Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (Linnaeus, C., 1758) AE*F
    • Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus. Very rare (1991), bird of unknown origin.
  • Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys (Vieillot, LJP., 1816) E
    • Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys. Very rare, escapee.
  • Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, C., 1758) E*
    • Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata domestica Donkin, 1989. Released domestic birds. See ref. 4 below.
  • South African Shelduck Tadorna cana (Gmelin, JF., 1789) E*
    • South African Shelduck Tadorna cana. Very rare (an adult female in 2021), escapee.
  • Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris (Ménétries, É., 1832) DE
    • Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris. Very rare (1984), bird of unknown origin.
  • Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca (Vieillot, LJP., 1816) E
    • Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca. Very rare (1993), escapee.
  • Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera (Vieillot, LJP., 1816) E*
    • Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera ssp. unknown. Very rare (1993), escapee. See ref. 5 below.
  • Chiloe Wigeon Mareca sibilatrix (Poeppig, EF., 1829) E
    • Chiloe Wigeon Mareca sibilatrix. Very rare, escapee.
  • White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis Linnaeus, C., 1758 E
    • White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis ssp. unknown. Very rare, escapee.
  • Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica Gmelin, JF., 1789 E
    • Chilean Pintail Anas georgica spinicauda Vieillot, LJP., 1816. Very rare (2008), escapee.
  • Yellow-billed Teal Anas flavirostris Vieillot, LJP., 1816 E*
    • Yellow-billed Teal Anas flavirostris ssp. unknown. Very rare (2011), escapee. See ref. 6 below.
  • Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris (Linnaeus, C., 1758) E*
    • Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris. Very rare (2011), escapee. See ref. 7 below.
  • White Stork Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, C., 1758 AEF
    • White Stork Ciconia ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, C., 1758. From the Knepp Estate ‘rewilding’ scheme bearing blue ring GB5B (2019). Very rare, introduction.
  • Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus (Temminck, CJ., 1824) E*
    • Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus ssp. unknown. Very rare (1992), falconer’s bird or escapee. See ref. 8 below.
  • Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus (Kerr, R., 1792) E
    • Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus. Very rare (2014), escapee.
  • Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, P., 1783) E*
    • Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus ssp. unknown. Very rare (2024), escapee or from feral UK population.

Note 1: Some, or all, of the Bar-headed Geese recorded locally were Bar-headed x Snow Goose hybrids. It would be worth reviewing photos of those reported where they’re available.

Sub-total 22 spp.

Total 269 spp.

Category NP

Records included here have been published in various journals, but have subsequently found to be ‘not proven’, on review, for them to be admitted into Category A-C prior to 1950.

  • Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus One, Nov. to Dec. 1916 (per D. Carr)
  • Great Snipe Gallinago media, One, not aged, 6th March 1949 (B. King, R.H. Poulding).
  • Great Snipe Gallinago media, One, not aged, 27th Dec. 1950 (B. King, M.J. Wotton).

Click Historical Records (Not Proven) for more details of the record reviews.

Key to abundance (in a Blagdon Lake context):

  • Very rare – five or less records
  • Rare – less than annual; several years may pass between records
  • Very scarce – less than annual; typically recorded every two or three years
  • Scarce – very small numbers virtually every year (1 – 10)
  • Uncommon – low numbers recorded every year (11 – 100)
  • Fairly common – occurs in reasonable numbers (101 – 1000)
  • Common – occurs regularly in good numbers (1001 – 10000)
  • Abundant – large numbers occur (count 10000+)

Occurrence (in a Blagdon Lake context) :

  • Resident
  • Summer Visitor
  • Winter Visitor
  • Passage Migrant
  • Introduction
  • Feral
  • Vagrant
  • Storm/Wind-blown visitor
  • Irruptive
  • Breeder or suspected breeder in recent years

Bibliography (sources of information):

    1. BOU Website
    2. Holling, M. and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. 2014. Non-native breeding birds in the UK, 2009-11. British
      Birds 107: 122-141. Ref. Swan Goose
    3. British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU). 1999. British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee 25th Report
      (October 1998). Ibis 141: 175-180. Ref. Fulvous Whistling Duck.
    4. . British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU). 2009. British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee 37th Report
      (October 2008). Ibis 151: 224-230. Ref. Muscovy Duck.
    5. British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU). 2007. British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee 34th Report
      (October 2006). Ibis 149: 194-197. Ref. Cinnamon Teal.
    6. Holling, M. and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. 2014. Non-native breeding birds in the UK, 2009-11. British
      Birds 107: 122-141. Ref. Yellow-billed Teal.
    7. Ogilvie, M. and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. 2000. Non-natives Report for 1998. British Birds 93: 428-433. Ref. Helmeted Guineafowl.
    8. Holling, M. and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. 2011. Non-native breeding birds in the United Kingdom in
      2006, 2007 and 2008. British Birds 104: 114-138. Ref. Harris’s Hawk.
    9. Carr, D. Report of the Wells Natural History and Archaelogical Society, various 1907-1934.
    10. Eaton et al. Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Brit Birds 108: 708-746, Dec. 2015.
    11. Parkin, D.T. & Knox, A.G. 2010. The Status of Birds in Britain & Ireland. Christopher Helm, London.
    12. Naylor, KA 2024 Historical Rare Birds

Last update: 24th January 2026