Notable Recent Sightings

10/01 White Stork 1, photo'd near Llansantffraid, still present 15 Jan
01/10 Glossy Ibis 1, photo'd by Osprey camera at Cors Dyfi
17/09 Grey Phalarope 1 juv, Red Ridge Centre, Cefn Coch, photo'd
29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Dark Wheatear

A presumed melanistic Wheatear was seen today at the cairns immediately South of Pen Pumlumon Fawr summit (OS ref SN789868). The bird is described as all black but retaining a pale rump. Melanism has previously been recorded in Wheatear.

The bird is located just inside the Ceredigion border but as Montgomeryshire possesses better bird photographers than them, I mention it on this blog should anyone have the inclination to go and get a picture of it...
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3 comments:

  1. Paul Leafe26 April 2015 at 22:52

    Is there any possibility it could be a juvenile White-crowned Black Wheatear or even a Black Wheatear? Seem very strange that it's kept it's white rump!!

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    Replies
    1. Simon Boyes27 April 2015 at 16:23

      The description was pale rump and up close a partially melanistic bird will probably show underlying features of the normal plumage. Len Lewis (who saw the bird) reports no T bar shape on the tail which rules out Black Wheatear (a species not previously recorded in Britain). White-Crowned Black Wheatear has only been recorded in Britain once so realistically there is next to no chance that it is this species. Need a photo!

      Delete
    2. Paul Leafe27 April 2015 at 19:37

      Agreed, a photo would be great. Fantastic find either way!

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