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Squacco Heron St.Marys Scilly March90
The Scilly season started early in what was to be one of the most memorable twitching years
ever. Although not a "mega", Squaccos can often be elusive, but this one chose a roadside pool and
couldn't have been more obliging.
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Tree Swallow St.Marys Scilly June90
In the hectic summer that followed (Shetland for Pallas'Sandgrouse,Lundy for Ancient Murrelet
and Isle of Wight for Alpine Accentor, Scilly had to come up with something and duly obliged
with this "first", which equally obligingly perched on a post right in front of Porthellick
hide.
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Alpine Accentor Isle of Wight June90
The aforementioned bird on the Isle of Wight, a bit of a "blocker" in those days. As we sat on
the ferry news broke of the Ancient Murrelet on Lundy, sadly that bird wasn't quite as
approachable as this.
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Yellow-throated Vireo Kenidjack Sept.90
1990 just seemed to keep turning up mega-rarities, another "first" in the shape of this little
gem in Kenidjack Valley in September. At the same time a Red-eyed vireo frequented Cot Valley
but while they continue to turn up annually this remains the sole record of Yellow-throated .
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Parrot Crossbill Kirkby Moor Lincs. Jan.91
1991 was never going to live up to the previous year, indeed this bird was part of a small
flock which actually arrived before New Year. Never easy to photograph, this one dropped
just low enough to show off its huge bill briefly before returning to the treetops.
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American Bittern Marton Mere Feb.91
A long-awaited return for this species which was actually first described from a specimen
taken in Dorset in 1804. Formerly much commoner, it seems we have to wait ten years or so
for each twitchable one nowadays, and it's overdue!.
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Isabelline Wheatear Gugh Oct.91
A somewhat disappointing autumn on Scilly, especially as this species "mega" status had
dropped, due to a bird on St.Marys almost exactly a year earlier which stayed long enough for
many birders to twitch. This example actually came towards birders, thus giving unbeatable
views.
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Nutcracker Cocknedge Wood Oct.91
Another species notable by its recent scarcity, but usually extremely tame, this bird
frequented a garden at the edge of a wood, the owner being only too happy to allow people
in to see it. About time for another "invasion" year!.
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Pine Grosbeak Shetland March92
Another major rarity "unblocked" with the finding of this bird, the tenth record for Britain but
to date the only twitchable one. As is usual for this species, extremely confiding.This 1st
winter bird stayed in Lerwick gardens almost exactly a month.
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Greater Sand Plover Cley Aug.92
Added to the British List as recently as 1978, there have been many records since, but at
least two have been identified as Lesser's after leaving. This bird caused no such problems
being a fairly classic example. The third Norfolk record, it spent three days in the area
before disappearing and being refound in Essex.
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Ruppell's Warbler Holme Sept.92
Having gone to see a Subalpine Warbler, Ann & I were actually present when this bird was
re-identified as Britain's first mainland Ruppell's. Thankfully we avoided having to queue,
but photography was not made any easier as within half an hour we had to move to allow
others to view what was a tick for most of us.
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White Throated Sparrow Willingham Lincs.92
Originally trapped by a small ringing group, this is the commonest American "sparrow" to
occur in Britain and represents one of two records of overwintering birds. It was aged as
a 1st winter.
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