Wednesday 19 November 2008

First ISABELLINE SHRIKE of the year and 2nd NORTH AMERICAN BLACK TERN for Britain











A first-winter (probably male) ISABELLINE SHRIKE (of the Central Asiatic form phoenicuroides) was present at Beinn Riseearaidh Plantation, Vallay Strand, on North Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 18th November 2008. It was showing very well and was photographed by Paul Boyer (see top) and Brian Rabbitts (below).
A juvenile NORTH AMERICAN BLACK TERN was also seen on South Uist on 17th November, appearing for about half an hour in North Bay before flying off east. John Kemp managed to get a number of photographs, two of which are reproduced here. This constitutes only the second confirmed record for Britain.
A juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER is also present on South Uist, favouring the SW corner of Loch Bee.
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