A NEW SPECIES FOR THE YORKSHIRE LIST

No, not the Flamborough Red-headed Bunting but Scopoli,s Shearwater! This follows the official acceptance of a bird seen at numerous localities along the east coast of Britain including in Yorkshire at both at Filey Brigg and Cowbar on 9th July 2020. The bird was easily tracked as an individual, as, having been photographed and identified in Scotland it had a noticeable white patch on one of its wings, which also allowed for an element of hindsight identification which was the case with both Yorkshire sightings. 

So what about the Flamborough bunting? The bird remains in situ at the time of posting and is generally thought to be a Red-headed Bunting although non breeding plumaged birds are very similar to Black-headed Buntings but with a poo sample obtained it is expected that the identification will be resolved with certainty. Then of course there is the small matter of whether the bird is accepted as a wild bird Both species (particularly Red-headed) were formerly kept commonly as a cage bird, but, as this is no longer the case it is hoped the authorities will view things more favourably. With these complications in mind it probably goes without saying that anyone who has seen the bird should currently retain it on their pending list, but of course, if and when it makes the grade we will ask you to let us know so it can be added to your Yorkshire Listers League tally. For the time being maybe you should just go and enjoy it!

Presumed Red-headed Bunting, Flamborough, Oct 23 - Paul Coombes

Waxwing, Bridlington, Oct 23 - Rich Willison

 

 Rough-legged Buzzard, Stone Creek, Oct 23 - Rich Willison