Rarity Round-up
Things eventually got moving in April, after a quiet start to the rarity year
The best rare birds seen in the UK and Ireland during April
April produced a few choice birds to recover the rarity year, somewhat, after a relatively quiet first few months. Or does it just seem quiet after how we have been spoilt in recent years? Great Spotted Cuckoos featured strongly, and continued to feature into May. Yes, folks, that is ‘Cuckoos’ plural, there were two during April. The Ventnor, Isle of Wight, adult, which was first found in late March, was still present until 18 April. On the last day of the month, a firstsummer Great Spotted Cuckoo was found at Gramborough Hill (Salthouse), north Norfolk. This would prove a popular draw for visitors well into May.
Back at Ventnor (still Isle of Wight) for a brief statement: a Dark-eyed Junco was in a private garden there on 21st, but was not seen since. More obliging was a male of the same (North American) species in
a garden at Westward Ho!, Devon, found on 25 April, and remaining there until 27th.
As reported last month, the Tengmalm’s Owl on Mainland, Shetland, ‘reappeared’ at Lea Gardens, Tresta, on 10th. Some birders who missed out on its earlier show there, got the first available transport to catch up with this hugely desired beauty (with viewing being ‘allowed’ from 12th to 14th). As it happens, the owl duly showed on 12th and was still present on Saturday 13th (seen feeding on its favourite dish of freshly caught wader flesh). However, despite extensive searching, there was no sign there on 14th. Early that afternoon it became clear why it wasn’t appearing: it had moved to north to Valyie, at the north end of Unst. And that was that, the owl was not seen subsequently, and with luck, made a safe crossing to Norway… One bird which had made an even more substantial sea crossing (and was subsequently looking very tired) was the Mourning Dove which was found on the Orkney island of North Ronaldsay, by the lighthouse, on 29th. Though looking exhausted, it had gone by the evening, and was not seen again. This was just the fifth UK record (excluding one on the Isle of Man) of this small North American dove; with all previous records being on Scottish islands (but none of the previous
ones being on Orkney).
And talking of Scottish islands, there was a Red-flanked Bluetail at Burrafirth, Unst, Shetland, on 12th.
Exotic Asian duck
Back on 20 March, a drake Baikal Teal was photographed at Welney WWT, Norfolk. A month and a week later (28 April), presumably the same drake was over the county border in Cambridgeshire, on the Ouse Washes RSPB. It was still there the next day, before moving to March Farmers on the Nene Washes (also Cambridgeshire) in early May. Interestingly, the most recent ‘accepted record’ of this glamorous Asian species was also in Cambridgeshire, indeed also on the Ouse Washes RSPB, back in 2014. Meanwhile, the drake Bluewinged Teal remained at the small loch by the cemetery at Mellon Charles, Highland, throughout the month (and into May). Also from the other side of the Atlantic, there were about 20 Green-winged Teals, mainly in the east of England as well as in Scotland. Concerning diving ducks, the American White-winged Scoter was relocated at Musselburgh, Lothian, on 8th, and stayed in the area throughout April. April’s Ferruginous Ducks were at Attenborough NR, Nottinghamshire (a pair), Silverlink Park, Northumblerand, South Kirkby, West Yorkshire (both single drakes).
Other goodies
Late in the month, there was a mini-invasion of Citrine Wagtails, with a female at Sheringham, Norfolk (23rd); a first-summer female (from 24th) and, remarkably, a male (25th) at Pilning Wetland, Northwick Warth, Gloucestershire; and a male at Llwyn-on Reservoir, Glamorgan (27th).
Easily the most popular (and confiding) of a the handful of Purple Herons in the country during April, was a firstsummer at Burnham Overy, Norfolk, from 21st.
One bird which has become increasingly desirable in recent years (as it becomes much rarer) is Ortolan Bunting. So a lovely male at Abberton (22nd to 25th) was a very welcome tick for many birders. A couple of other Ortolans were briefer visitors, seen in flight at Kenidjack Valley, Cornwall (18th) and at Gugh, Isles of Scilly (23rd). Also providing entertainment in Essex was a Marsh Sandpiper seen at Vange Marsh RSPB on 25th, and (presumably the same bird) relocated at Blue House Farm EWT, the next day. Other very decent rarities during the month included Subalpine Warblers in all three flavours, dozens of Hoopoes, a smattering of Black Kites, White Storks, Black-winged Stilts and a few Savi’s Warbler causing a buzz. White-billed Divers reached a respectable count of nine off Portsoy, Aberdeenshire. At the other end of the country, the Royal Tern was back in residence on Guernsey. Mention must be given to the excellent influx of Little Gulls through the country in the second half of the month And finally, a nod to the apparent Godlewski’s Bunting which appeared on St Mary’s, Scilly on 28th, was quickly (mis) identified as a Rock Bunting, before its red ring, reidentification and suspected provenance poured cold water on the whole matter.
Roll on May.