Fair Isle scores Calandra double
The famous isle was treated to no fewer than two of these hefty larks during May, as Alex Penn – finder of both birds – reports.
ON 8 May I was covering the south-west of Fair Isle – a good place to be in an easterly wind. I’d stopped to scan the short grass fields above Utra Scrape and noted a couple of birds feeding along a deep ditch that ran up the field. Looking into the sun, they both appeared plain brown, with one clearly larger and stockier than the other. I initially assumed Eurasian Skylark and Meadow Pipit.
However, the smaller of the two was a skylark, meaning that the larger bird was going to be something much more interesting! It turned around, revealing a bright, pale breast
with distinct dark neck patches, a large, blocky head and a deep, stout bill: Calandra Lark! The next few thoughts that ran through my head are not suitable for printing, but it’s safe to say I was ecstatic!
Both birds then flushed and flew towards me, landing in the longer grass around the scrape, calling as they went. Watching the Calandra flying with a skylark gave a true impression of the sheer size and bulk of the former, along with a clear view of the distinct blackish underwing and pale trailing edge to the wing. With no visiting birders, the resulting twitch was a small one, but islanders and the rest of the team soon
started to arrive as the bird took short flights around the area and gave good views in the short grass. Remarkably, it went on to stay in the area for eight days, remaining faithful to the same corner of a field throughout.
Fast forward to 29 May, and another south-west census for me. This time, an overcast day with a light southerly wind, and early reports of Common Rosefinch and Northern Pintail new in gave some hope for the morning. With the cliffs likely to be quiet for migrants, I’d started with the crofts, and had just walked Meadow Burn when a lark flew in past me and landed in the
next field. It looked big and had dark underwings with a pale trailing edge … surely not?!
I raised my bins and sure enough, standing proud and showing off its black neck patches and meaty bill was another Calandra Lark! I lifted my camera to get some record shots, followed quickly by my phone to get news out. This was enough for some birders by the road who’d been watching to start hot-footing it towards me – a quick burst of photos followed by furious typing only means something good!
Fortunately, the bird stayed put long enough for everyone to get reasonable views. This is the first year in Fair Isle history with multiple records of these incredible birds, and with last year’s bird arriving in late June, perhaps there’s time for another yet … ■