December 2011

Last update 01.01.2012. at 22:53:32
   
31.12.2011.
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 1 1cy, Greylag Goose (Anser anser) 4 at Nica fields, Nica county (K.Millers). Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 5 at Liepaja lake lakeshore, Liepaja (M.Sidorenko, I.Vilcina). All goose species rare in winter months. Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) at least 40 together with at least 250 Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) in mixed Tundra/Whooper Swan flock of ~450 individuals at Nica fields, Nica county (K.Millers). Late autumn/winter migrant records or potential wintering birds. Merlin (Falco columbarius) 1 at Ezere, Saldus county (M.Jaunzemis). Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 500 (sum of flocks) at Nica fields, Nica county (K.Millers). Late autumn/winter migrant records or potential wintering birds and also largest number at one place in December. Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) 1 at Liepaja seashore, near harbor S pier, Liepaja (K.Millers). Still present at this place at least since 09.06.2008. (I.Mednis). European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 2 at Zirgu sala, Liepaja (K.Millers).Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) ~1500 at Nica fields, Nica county (K.Millers). Dunnock (Prunella modularis) at least 1 at Zirgu sala, Liepaja (K.Millers). 4th record in winter months. Common Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) 40 at Nica fields, Nica county (K.Millers).

Anser anser
Vanellus vanellus
Erithacus rubecula
Prunella modularis
28.12.2011.
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) 1 M at pit ponds near Iecava, Iecava county (E.Laucis). Rare inland.

Clangula hyemalis
27.12.2011.
Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) 1 at Ventspils harbor S pier, Ventspils (V.Steinbergs). Late autumn/winter migrant record or potential wintering bird.

Branta leucopsis
26.12.2011.
Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) 1 at Smarde, Engure county (S.Rabkevics), 15 at Babite lake, Babite county (M.Kruze). Late autumn/winter migrant records or potential wintering birds. Little Auk (Alle alle) 1 found dead on seashore at Liepaja harbor S pier, Liepaja (A.Mankus, J.Jansons). Category D record.

Branta leucopsis
Branta leucopsis
Alle alle
Alle alle
25.12.2011.
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 1 1cy at Vekis lake, Amatciems, Amata county (M.Vimba, E.Haberkorns et.al). Potential wintering bird. Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) 23 on the field at Klive, Babite county (J.Vigulis, I.Markuse), 30 at Libagi area, Talsi county (D. and S.Elferti), 73 on fields at Jaunmuiza, Skrunda county (V.Farnasts). Late autumn/winter migrant records or potential wintering birds. Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) 1 in Riga hydroelectric power plant basin, Salaspils county (U.Piterans). 4th record in winter months. Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 55 on the field at Kursisi, Saldus county (M.Jaunzemis), 49 on fields at Jaunmuiza, Skrunda county (V.Farnasts). European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) ~150 on fields at Jaunmuiza, Skrunda county (V.Farnasts). Late autumn/winter migrant records for Lapwings and European Golden Plovers. Lapwings at Jaunmuiza present since 15.12.2011. when 29, Golden Plovers - since 30.11.2011. when ~500, 07.12.2011. ~ 300 (V.Farnasts).

Podiceps auritus
24.12.2011.
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 1 at Garkalne, Garkalne county (V.Vintulis).

 
23.12.2011.
Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) 1ad F at Riga canal near Bastejkalns, Riga (U.Piterans). Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) 1 at Jaunauce region, Saldus county (V.Kveksis).

 
22.12.2011.
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 2 at Salacgriva, Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) 3 near Ainazi pier, Salacgriva county (A.Klepers).

 
21.12.2011.
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 12 together with 50 Whooper's Swans (Cygnus cygnus) on the fields at Basi, Kuldiga county (A.Vejkajs, S.Rabkevics). Late autumn/winter migrant records. Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) 92 at Zorgi, Iecava county (E.Laucis), 50 near Jaunpils-Kakenieki road, Jaunpils county (S.Rabkevics). Late autumn/winter migrants record and large concentration at one place in December. Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 10 at Kikuri, Kuldiga county (S.Rabkevics). Late autumn/winter migrants record. European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) 29 at Code area, Bauska county (E.Laucis). Late autumn/winter migrants record. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) 1 1cy at Liepaja harbor, Liepaja (A.Mankus). 7th record in winter months. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 1 at Melnragi, Tukums county (S.Rabkevics).Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) 1 at Darzini, Riga (U.Piterans). Late autumn/winter migrant record or potential wintering bird. Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) at least flock of 30 birds flew S at Vecmilgravis, Riga (K.Millers).

Pluvialis apricaria
Larus fuscus
19.12.2011.
Greylag Goose (Anser anser)1, Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) 3, Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 30 together with 120 Whooper's Swans (Cygnus cygnus), Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 20 at Stakldanga, Aizpute county (V.Farnasts). Late autumn/winter migrant records.

Branta leucopsis
18.12.2011.
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 11 together with 190 Whooper's Swans (Cygnus cygnus) on the fields at Basi, Kuldiga county (A.Vejkajs). Late autumn/winter migrant records. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) 1 4cy at Getlini dump, Stopini county (K.Millers). 6th record in winter months.

Larus fuscus
16.12.2011.
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 370, Whooper's Swan (Cygnus cygnus) 350 at Nica fields, Nica county (G.Grandans, A.Avotins jun.). Late autumn/winter migrant records and large concentration at one place in December. Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) 1 1cy at Riga hydroelectric power plant basin, Salaspils county (A.Kurockins). Rare inland. Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) at least 200 at Nica fields, Nica county (G.Grandans, A.Avotins jun.). Late autumn/winter migrants record and large concentration at one place in December. Stock Dove (Columba oenas) 3 at Nica fields, Nica county (G.Grandans, A.Avotins jun.). Potential wintering birds.

Clangula hyemalis
15.12.2011.
Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 29, European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) ~ 100 on fields near Jaunmuiza, Skrunda county (V.Faransts). Late autumn/winter migrant records. Golden Plovers present since 30.11.2011. when ~500, 07.12.2011. - 300 (V.Farnasts). Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) 1 raised from ditch at Basi, Kuldiga county (A.Vejkajs). Latest autumn migrant record (or potential wintering bird?). European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) at least 2 at Mangalsala, Riga (I.Denisovs).

Erithacus rubecula
14.12.2011.
White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 1 1cy, Teal (Anas crecca) 1 M together with 200 Mallards (Anas plathyrhynchos) at pit ponds near Iecava, Iecava county (E.Laucis). Possibly, potential wintering birds. Teal present since 07.12.2011., when were two birds (E.Laucis).

Anser albifrons

11.12.2011.
White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 4, Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 30 together with 70 Whooper Swans at Satini fish ponds, Saldus county (J.Jansons). Late autumn/winter migrant records. Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 1 F/1 cy together with 100 Mallards (Anas plathyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 1 at pit ponds near Iecava, Iecava county (E.Laucis). Possibly, potential wintering birds. Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) 2 at Satini fish ponds, Saldus county (J.Jansons). Late autumn/winter migrant record. Jack Snipe present since 04.12.2011. (J.Jansons). Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) 1 raised at Remte area, Broceni county (A.Steins). Late autumn/winter migrant record. Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) 1 at Mezciems, Daugavpils (A.Erts).

Lymnocryptes minimus
Picus viridis
10.12.2011.
Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 30 on the field near Remte, Brocenu county (O.Zombergs). Late autumn/winter migrants record. Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) 1 at Satini fish ponds, Saldus county (J.Jansons). Late autumn/winter migrant record or potential wintering bird. Present since 04.12.2011. (J.Jansons).

 
07.12.2011.
Teal (Anas crecca) 2 at pit ponds near Iecava, Iecava county (E.Laucis). Possibly, potential wintering birds.

 
 
06.12.2011.
Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) 1 flushed from stream at Valdemarpils, Talsu county (H.Hofmanis). Late autumn/winter migrant record.

 
05.12.2011.
Arctic Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) 5 in flock of ~60 Common Redpolls (Acanthis flammea) at Adazi military landfill, Adazi county (I.Mardega).

 
04.12.2011.
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 3 in Musa river at Berzkalni, Bauska (E.Laucis). Possibly, potential wintering birds.European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) ~30 at Satini fish ponds, Saldus county (J.Jansons). Late autumn/winter migrants record. Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) 3,Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) 1 at Satini fish ponds, Saldus county (J.Jansons). Late autumn/winter migrant records.European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 1 at Pumpuri, Jurmala (E.Ledins).

 
03.12.2011.
Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) 1 on the field with 73 Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) near Jaunpils, Jaunpils county (D.Boiko). Late autumn record. Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 14 at Satini fish ponds, Saldus county (D.Boiko, V.Farnasts). Late autumn/winter migrants record. Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) 2 1cy at Liepaja harbor S pier, Liepaja (J.Jansons). 29th record for Latvia. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 1 at Mangalsala, Riga (J.Vigulis).
Calidris maritima