RARITY PREDICTOR

Here is our monthly stab in the dark about which super-rare birds may turn up during the month. Don’t expect to see them, but don’t let their rarity put you off looking for them!

GREATER YELLOWLEGS

There have been more than 50 records of this North American ‘equivalent’ of the Greenshank. But several of these refer to the same birds, moving to ‘nearby’ sites, reducing the total to more like 40. It is still a very rare bird. They are Greenshank-like, but with yellow legs and square white rump.

LITTLE BUSTARD

In December 2014 (into January 2015), there was a mini-influx of this rare bustard species into the country, with individuals in East Yorkshire, East Sussex, Dorset and one even found shot in Norfolk. The chances of a repeat of this are admittedly slim, but you’ve got to dream!

GREAT BLUE HERON

There have only ever been two accepted records of this large North American heron in the UK. Both were from St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, and the first (in 2007) was on 7 December. So, you know where to be in foul weather, this December.