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England & Wales (1 Viewer)

Hello!
My name is Richard and I'm a university student from Bratislava, Slovakia. I'm arriving to the UK along with my friend Jan a couple of days (August 22) prior to the Birdair in order to explore the British wildlife. We're particulary interested in these bird species:
Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus)
Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) + Arctic & Sandwich Terns
Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)
all Skuas
Auks - Razorbill, both Guillemots, Puffin
Gannet (Morus bassanus)
Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
Waders - Knot & Purple Sandpiper, Stone-Curlew
Songbirds - Chough, Dartfort Warbler; Shore Lark, Twite
I'll be very thankful for all your recommendations about good spots (the more exact, the better) where we have a chance to see this birds.
Our plan is to drive from Luton to Salisbury, then Wales, Manchester, Oakham (the Fair). I've attached a map of the area we're capable to cover during our trip.
I have one more question - is there something like a publicly-accessible national database of the UK's bird sightings?
Again many thanks for your help!
Regards
Richard
 

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Hi Richard,

First a point about your dates. This year's birdfair is on 17-19 August so if you're arriving on the 22nd you'll be a bit late!

Secondly, your rough plans will involve a lot of driving with not very much time for birding. Also it is not the best time of year for some of your target species. Shore lark, Purple Sandpiper are winter visitors as is twite within the area you're planning to visit. Most of the auks will have left the colonies cannot be guaranteed.

To make the best use of your time I would suggest going east instead of west. Norfolk/Suffolk should give you a chance of stone curlew, knot, terns and dartford warbler, then Yorkshire would give you the possibility of seabirds and maybe red grouse. If you don't go to Wales you would miss any chance of chough or black guillemot but that would also save you a lot of time and driving.

If you can come-up with a more detailed plan I'm sure people here can come up with more detailed information for your target species.
 
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