British Birding Association UK400 Club

See http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/

 

The first-winter male SCARLET TANAGER has been showing very well this morning at Garinish Point, about 10 miles WSW of Castletown Bearhaven (0800-0900 hours at least). Please park only by the pier or in the area by the standing stones and walk back. DO NOT PARK ALONG THE ROAD AND RESTRICT ACCESS.

 

Scarlet Tanager is a real mega in Britain and Ireland with just 7 previous records (4 in Britain and 3 in Ireland) (see Evans 1991, Rare Birds in Britain 1800-1990, page 483 for a detailed analysis of records) but to summarise -:

 

First-winter male, Porthellick Pool area and Birches, St Mary's. SCILLY, 4th October 1970.

First-winter male, Gimble Porth area, Tresco, SCILLY, 28th September to 3rd October 1975

First-winter male, Nanquidno, CORNWALL, 11th October 1981.

First-winter female, Porthellick Loop Trail & Higher Moors Sallows, St Mary's, SCILLY, 12th-18th October 1982.

 

IRELAND

 

First-winter female, trapped and ringed, Copeland Bird Observatory, DOWN, 12th October 1963.

First-winter female, Firkeel, CORK, 12th-14th October 1985

Adult male, Firkeel, CORK, 18th October 1985.

 

The 1975 and 1982 birds on Scilly were very well received and seen by over 350 observers of the time.