''It was interesting, however, that despite initial appearances, the bird could be aged as a first-summer based on the pale edgings to the greater coverts and tertials and it is tempting to speculate that this was a bird that was displaced westwards in the previous autumn and survived the winter on this side of the Eurasian landmass. Whatever its exact route to Flamborough, BOURC members were unanimous in their belief that this was a genuine vagrant and that it should be admitted to category A of the British List''
Any guesses to the species involved?
Short-tailed Shearwater? ;)
ReplyDeleteGot to be Taiga Fly Tim as I'm sure that was in spring, and the id criteria would fit?
ReplyDeleteTaiga Fly is correct! Was just reading through the BOURC website.
ReplyDeleteStephen if you could age a flypast shearwater I'd be impressed let alone a Short-tailed!