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the bird which turned up at Prestwick Carr, Northumberland on 14th (and was still present well into January).
Much more exciting for many, though, was the striking firstwinter male at Sedgeford, Norfolk, found on 23rd. Based on its ‘ blue-headed’ appearance, this colourful bird is thought to be the furthest east (or furthest west depending on your point of view) form, also known as Alaskan Yellow Wagtail (as they breed in western Alaska as well as eastern Russia). This individual also took advantage of the exceptionally mild Christmas and New Year weather, being present well into January, favouring a particular dung heap!
If Eastern Yellow Wagtails continue to be regular and ‘expected’ rarities in the UK, perhaps there will follow further taxonomic resolution and ‘tickable’ new splits (such as is occurring with the Siberian Stonechat complex).
The best of the rest
On the subject of Siberian Stonechats, a first-winter male was at Hollesley Marshes RSPB, Suffolk, throughout the month (and into January).
Ring-necked Ducks continued to have a good season, with a further half a dozen or so new birds turning up in the UK during December, bolstering the crowd already here (in addition there were a similar number appearing in Ireland).
Though not seen frequently (surely largely because of its somewhat obscure chosen locality), the first-winter drake Steller’s Eider remained on the coast of Papa Westray, Orkney throughout the month (and, indeed, into 2020).
Also on Orkney, the Snowy Owl was still at Eday, though was seen even less frequently than the eider, being only reported at the start and the end of the month. A Lesser White-fronted Goose was also a bit ‘unreliable’ in its appearances, appearing with a large flock of Pink-footed Geese at Burnham Market, Norfolk, on 14th, and seen at Titchwell village on Christmas Day.
More reliable was the firstwinter drake Blue-winged Teal at Man Sands, Devon, which was present throughout the month.
And talking of American ducks, the drake White-winged Scoter remained at Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, throughout December (of course!).
And so ends another year of rarities (even though this is the March issue!). What incredible birds will 2020 deliver? Time will tell.