Monday 28 September 2009 - TAIGA FLYCATCHER - Isles of Scilly United 2 Shetland Rangers 1 - 27/09/2009

Sunday 27th September 2009

Isles of Scilly United 2 Shetland Rangers 1

The Rangers pulled a goal back today after a 1st winter TAIGA FLYCATCHER was identified on the Isle of Fetlar.  The actual bird has been present since the 22nd September but was thought to be just a Red-breasted Flycatcher.  Unfortunately for my birding associates Tom Perrins and Julian Allen they had not visited Fetlar during their Shetland trip last week so they were understandably gutted upon hearing the news of this bird as they waited for a flight home at Glasgow airport.  Never mind lads there will be others.

TAIGA FLYCATCHER in Britain

If accepted this recent Shetland record will be just the third sighting of this species in Great Britain.  The first record came on the 26th April 2003 when a stunning 1st summer male TAIGA FLYCATCHER turned up at Flamborough, Yorkshire.  I eventually caught up with this bird on its final day on the 29th April 2003 when I relocated the bird feeding at the top of the ravine near the South Landing car park.  Later that year on the 12th October 2003 a 1st winter TAIGA FLYCATCHER was found at Dale Voe, Shetland.  This individual remained in site until the 15th October 2003.

At this time TAIGA FLYCATCHER (or Red-throated Flycatcher as it was known then) was lumped with Red-breasted Flycatcher but was eventually split as a true species by the British Ornithologist's Union during 2005. 

Wednesday 30 September 2009 - Azores