Alpine Accentor

Prunellidae

Apr 14

Prunella collaris (Scopoli, 1769) (10, 1)

Photo © By Chme82 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26137734

STATUS

Southern and Eastern Palearctic. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

Since 1955 all records have been seen at the coast, so all these inland records do not stand up to close scrutiny. Migration takes place mid March to May and October to November.

The Suffolk record was seen and published 21 years later. Even Saunders' record of having been seen on a mountain top in Wales is questionable.

W. S. M. D'Urban (1906 (1): 301) in the Victoria County History of Devon, says: 'Three specimens have been obtained near Plymouth, one at Berry Head, and one at Teignmouth, in the months of December and January.'

But if we read the reports on the three Devon records we find that there were actually four specimens! Much confusion!

Records between 1955-2016 were between March and June (16), and October and November (4); all coastal - Fair Isle; in the west: Pembs., Scilly, Cornwall, Devon; in the east: Lincs., Norfolk, Suffolk; in the south: Kent, Sussex, Hants., Dorset.

RECORDS

1). 1817 Essex/Greater London Forest House, Epping Forest, near Walthamstow, killed, August.

(J. Pamplin, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 5: 288; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; BOU, 1883; Christy, 1890; Saunders, 1899; Glegg, 1929; Self, 2014).

History James Pamplin of Walthamstow (1832) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. V. p. 288, dated 27th January, 1832, says: 'Sir, - A few years since, I shot a small bird in a garden on the borders of Epping Forest, which I did not know, nor could any one tell me what it was, till within a fortnight a gentleman requested me to allow him to take it to London. He accordingly went to Mr. Gould, Naturalist, 20, Broad Street, Golden Square, who sends me an account of its being the Alpine Accentor, the only one known to have been killed in England, with the exception of one in Dr. Thackeray's garden at Cambridge. If any of your correspondents would like to see it, they can, by calling at my nursery, Wood Street, Walthamstow.'

Jenyns (1835: 103) says: '...was shot (a few years since) on the borders of Epping Forest.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 240, 2nd ed.) says: 'A second specimen has been killed in Essex; and the following notice of the occurrence appeared in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History for the year 1832, page 288.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 296-297, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'The species, however, had been previously observed in England, though the fact was not recorded until April, 1832 (Mag. Nat. Hist., V. p. 288), for, so long ago as August, 1817, as Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., informed the Editor, an example, still in the possession of Mr. Pamplin, was shot by him in the garden of Forest House, near Walthamstow in Essex.'

Essex was one of the counties listed in their first List of British Birds (BOU (1883).

Christy (1890: 89) adds: 'Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., who has carefully investigated the history of this specimen, has ascertained that it was shot in August, 1817, in the garden of Forest House, close to Mr. Gurney's Barclay's fields, from among a number of Chaffinches which flew up from one of the beds, and that it is still in Mr. Pamplin's possession.'

Glegg (1929: 99) says: 'Mr. James Pamplin, of Whipp's Cross Nursery, Walthamstow, relates that he shot a small bird in a garden on the borders of Epping Forest. The unknown bird was sent to Gould, Naturalist, at 20, Broad Street, Golden Square, [London], who identified it as the Accentor alpinus or Alpine Warbler. The history of the specimen was carefully investigated by Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., who ascertained that the bird was shot from among a number of Chaffinches in August 1817.'

Comment Its breeding season is late May to August! Inland records are extremely rare.

2). 1833 Somerset Deanery Garden, Wells, shot, undated.

(Yarrell, 1845; Smith, 1869; Saunders, 1899; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

History Yarrell (1845 (1): 240, 2nd ed.) says: 'I am indebted to the Rev. Dr. Goodenough, the Dean of Wells, for a knowledge of the occurrence of a third example of this rare bird, which was shot in the garden of the Deanery in Somersetshire in 1833. Dr. Goodenough most obligingly offered to send this bird up to London for my use: but the loan of Dr. Thackeray's specimen rendered a second example unnecessary.'

Admitted nationally (Saunders 1899, 2nd ed.) and accepted locally (Smith 1869; Ballance 2006).

Comment Another unbelievable inland record. It’s a shame it wasn’t seen by a competent ornithologist.

3). 1862-63 Yorkshire Near Scarborough, shot, undated.

(W. W. Boulton, Zoologist 1863: 8766; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History W. W. Boulton of Beverley (1863) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXI. p. 8766, dated 31st August, 1863, says: 'On the 22nd August, at Mr. Roberts', bird-stuffer, Scarborough, I saw a fine female specimen of the Alpine Accentor which had been shot near Scarborough. Last winter (1862-63) a poor man offered for sale to Mr. Roberts a string of larks and small birds he had shot. Mr. R. bought them and found this bird amongst the number. I purchased it and it is now in my collection.'

Cordeaux (1892: 27) adds: '...It is now in the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney, junior.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 101) adds: 'This specimen now forms part of the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney of Keswick Hall, Norwich, where Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke had the pleasure of seeing it.'

4). 1885 Dorset Castle Gardens, Christchurch, adult male, shot, undated, now at Chilcomb House, Winchester (Acc. No. HMCMS:Bi1983.2.1).

(Eds., Ibis 1903: 438; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 109; Clark, 2022).

History In an Editorial (1903) in The Ibis, Vol. XLV. p. 438, under 'The Hart Museum, Christchurch' they say: 'According to the last published Catalogue (1894), there are about a hundred cases of Passerine birds, of which the most important are an Alpine Accentor, shot in the Castle gardens in 1855.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 34) say: 'One was shot in the old Castle Gardens at Christchurch, by Mr. W. Humby, in 1885, and is in the collection of Mr. E. Hart, of that place.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 109, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'One shot by W. Humby in 1885 at Christchurch is in the Hart Collection (Birds of Hants., p. 34). The above occurrences of this exceptional visitor are not noted by Mr. Saunders.'

John Clark (Hampshire) has sent me a copy of the page from the Hart Collection Catalogue housed at the Hornimann Museum whereby it states the year as 1885 and that it was an adult male.

Comment Published after both editions of Saunders Manual.

5). 1906 Cornwall Looe, adult male, 9th to 11th November, when shot.

(J. Clark, Zoologist 1907: 283; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 109; Penhallurick, 1978).

History J. Clark (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 283, says: 'For some years now a careful watch has been kept for the appearance of the Alpine Accentor at likely places along the south coast, and on the 11th November, 1906, an adult male was shot at Looe, where it had been noticed two days before sitting motionless for several minutes on a low stone wall, and, when disturbed, going off with an irregular Lark-like flight.'

6). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 6th October.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 73; Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 201; Clarke, 1912; Thom, 1986; Dymond, 1991).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1909) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVIII. p. 73, says: 'I saw a bird of this species, at close quarters, resting on the face of one of the great cliffs on the west side of the island. I might have shot it with ease, but had no desire to drop it into the Atlantic surf several hundreds of feet below. It flew off to another part of the cliff and was lost amid fastnesses so vast and unapproachable as to render observation quite impossible. Thousands of migrants, unfortunately, resort to this great range of precipices, and entirely baffle the efforts of the observer. This bird is new to the Scottish fauna.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 90) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '6th October - Southerly breeze; dull, foggy. Alpine Accentor, one distinctly seen at close quarters on the face of the cliff, on the west side.'

Further, pp. 147-148, Clarke adds: 'I saw a bird of this species, resting on the face of a great cliff flanking a geo on the west side of the isle. I might have shot it with ease, but had no desire to drop it into the Atlantic surf, which laved the base of the precipice several hundred feet below. Eventually, it flew off and was lost amid fastnesses so vast and unapproachable as to render pursuit quite impossible. This is the only example which has, as yet, been detected in Scotland.'

7). 1921 Sussex Seaford Head, seen, 7th, 18th and 20th April.

(J. Walpole-Bond, British Birds 25: 225-226; Shrubb, 1979).

History John Walpole-Bond (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. pp. 225-226, says: 'On three days during April, 1921, I had the pleasure of watching, often at very close quarters - and so clearly identifying - an Alpine Accentor, Prunella c. collaris, on the Headland at Seaford.

The first meeting was on April 7th, when, as I walked the beach, a rather slim-looking, insignificant and dull-coloured little bird was detected a good way ahead flitting along close in under the bluff. Its flight and general "cut" partook to some extent of those attributes of the Hedge-Sparrow, with a "dash" of Pipit thrown in; and I recognized it instantly as a species hitherto unknown to me.

Opportunely it alighted on a "fall", and then a nearer approach, combined with binoculars, at once revealed its true identity. It was absurdly tame, if nervous, especially of a Kestrel, which at the time was hovering above the cliff. Constantly on the search for food amongst the boulders of broken chalk littering the base of the bastion, the little stranger now and then, especially when it spied a lurking insect (I suppose) some way off, moved so very nimbly that even at distances of only about twelve paces I was for some little time puzzled as to whether it hopped or ran, so crouching was its gait.

Eventually, however, I felt no doubt whatever on the score of hopping (or jumping) being the mode of progression. Between whiles the bird liked to stand on a block or boulder, or, as on further acquaintance (April 18th and 20th), on some irregular grassy slope at the summit of the steep; in fact, it mostly patronised the crown of the Head. But it always stood very low; so low, in fact, that squatting was immediately suggested, though I do not believe that that posture was ever actually adopted. Be that as it may, practically no leg was ever seen, generally only the feet, which were often splayed, being on view, whilst sometimes none of these appendages was visible. Perhaps this species' legs are markedly short - out of proportion, in fact, to the rest of the body.

When thus at rest, far from looking even tolerably slim, the bird assumed a puffy, dishevelled, not to say dumpy, sort of appearance, by reason of most of its feathers seeming to lie loosely and, so to speak, disjointedly on it; the flank-feathers, for instance, were pushed out and then slightly up and over the margins of the wings. The description of the flight has already been given.

There remain, however, to be discussed other field-impressions jotted down at the time, often, too, at close range. In size, then, the bird was appreciably larger than the Hedge-Sparrow. Its main colour-tone was greyish-brown. But it had a dirty white, black-spotted gorget; pale spots on the wing-coverts; cinnamon-rufous flanks; pale tips to the rectrices, which showed little, if any, ashen hue; and whitish eyebrows. Except for the colour of the flanks, which was obvious even at fair range with the naked eye, none of these features was conspicuous - indeed, without glasses, the superciliary streak was difficult to determine.

To the above it may be added that the irides were light brown, and the legs and feet brown, tinged in certain lights, with pink, whilst the upper mandible looked black, except for its base, which was certainly yellowish, as was most of the lower mandible....'

8). 1922 Sussex Rottingdean, seen, 16th March.

(J. Walpole-Bond, British Birds 25: 225-226; Shrubb, 1979).

History John Walpole-Bond (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 226, says: 'On March 16th, 1922, I again met with P. c. collaris in Sussex - this time, on the cliff at Rottingdean.'

9). 1932 Kent Leathercote Point, St Margaret's Bay, seen, 1st May.

(G. E. Took, British Birds 26: 275; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).

History G. E. Took (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 275, says: 'On May 1st, 1932, at Leathercote Point, St. Margarets-at-Cliffe, I came across a bird which I identified as an Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris). It remained for some considerable time in the same area around some small low-lying bushes on the cliff edge and I was able to watch it at close quarters.

The points which seemed to strike me particularly about it were firstly, its only slight superficial resemblance to our Hedge Sparrow (P. modularis occidentalis). As far as the size was concerned it was obviously a slightly larger bird, not very much so but distinctly more bulky, while its movements were considerably slower. In general coloration it was definitely brighter, the lightish throat was easily seen, as were also the white wing markings and the brighter brown flanks. The legs were definitely pinkish. It uttered a few notes, but I could not correctly give details of them in view of my general inability to describe accurately any of the less obvious bird notes.'

10). 1932 Cornwall Lantivet Bay, Polperro, male, in song, seen, 14th to 16th June.

(E. Crankshaw, British Birds 26: 97; Penhallurick, 1978).

History Edward Crankshaw (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 97, says: 'On June 14th, 1932, I watched a male Accentor (Prunella collaris) on the cliff top of Lantivet Bay in south-east Cornwall. The cliffs at that point face due south and form part of a wild, unpopulated stretch of coast between Polperro and Fowey. On June 15th and 16th the bird was still there, but I had no opportunity of watching it for any length of time. I could not see any female. The bird was fairly shy when openly approached, but I had a splendid view of him through my glasses. His favourite perch was the bent stem of a withered teazle which actually overhung the cliff-edge. From this perch, and from others near by, he made occasional little soaring flights (fluttering his wings throughout) not unlike those of a Spotted Flycatcher, but less sustained and less erratic. He sang freely from his perch and sometimes as he flew upwards. He was always silent during the short descent. I heard no alarm note. The song was actually similar to that of a Hedge Sparrow, but, in the effect it had on the listener, strangely different - an effect due, doubtless, to a peculiar quality of tone. It was a friendly, yet remote, little song.

When feeding, the bird crept about the tangle (chiefly brambles) rather as a Hedge Sparrow creeps along a hedge but with more sudden movements. I could not make out through my glasses whether he caught insects on the wing or not. I should say he did not. He was a strongly built little bird, definitely larger and stockier than a Hedge Sparrow (6-7 inches long ?). Bill tinged with yellow and rather short (though slender) for the size of the bird. Shortish and rather thick neck. Throat greyish and dark speckling. Breast a very soft colour, difficult to define: perhaps a very faint, yet rich, greyish-brown, with a suggestion of pink. Head light grey-brown and somewhat flatfish. General colour of upper-parts a rich brown with dark brown (black ?) wedge-shaped splashes (small). Two narrow white bars on wings separated by a broad band of dark brown (black ?). His flanks and lower underparts were rich light chestnut. His legs appeared to be pinkish, his feet very strong. The primaries seemed to darken at the tips. I had previously watched the species in Austria and south Germany.'

Comment Svensson (1992) states that sexing of this species is by checking the cloaca; slightly different coloration and size are indeterminate to him! Both sexes are known to sing.

1950-57 RECORD

11). 1955 Sussex Telscombe Cliffs, 24th April.

(B. James & C. M. James, British Birds 48: 373-374; Shrubb, 1979).

History B. James & C. M. James (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 373-374, say: 'On 24th April 1955, we saw an Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) at Telscombe Cliffs, Sussex. First observed when resting in short grass on the top of a low cliff, it soon flew to the cliff-face where it moved about rapidly on the broken surface in search of food. Sometimes the bird starting almost at beach level worked right up to the cliff-top and there rested for a short time.

The following description is taken from detailed notes recorded in the field: The head, shoulders and nape were grey with some slight traces of brown. The breast was grey. On the lower throat there was a small pale crescentic marking, but at close range through glasses the whole throat appeared scaly and lighter than the breast. The back was streaked light and dark brown. The flanks were chestnut-red with some pale buff which gave the sides of the bird a striped appearance. The warm colour on the flanks extended in diffused form to the sides of the belly. The wings were brown and had a dark bar with a single white edge. The tail was slightly forked and brown with some white near the base of the outer feathers. The upper mandible was very dark grey and the lower yellow. The legs were flesh pink and the eye dark. A ringing, disyllabic flight-call was heard on one occasion.

The bird was seen on 24th April by Messrs. S. Bayliss Smith, G. des Forges and A. H. Smith, but other observers were unable to locate it the next day.'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1822 Cambridgeshire King's College, Cambridge, two, one female killed, 22nd November.

(Anon., Zoological Journal 1: 134; Anon., Zoological Journal 2: 281; L. Jenyns, Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 2: 300; Selby, 1833; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; Saunders, 1899; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

[J. S. Clark, Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2004: 141; A. J. H. Harrop et al., British Birds 105: 241-242; BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 937-938].

History Anon. (1824) in the Zoological Journal, Vol. I. p. 134, says: 'A female of this bird has been shot lately in the garden of King's College, Cambridge; it is now preserved in the Rev. Dr. Thackeray's collection of British birds.'

Anon. (1825) in the Zoological Journal, Vol. II. p. 281, at the Zoological Club of the Linnean Society meeting, says: 'April 28. - The Secretary exhibited a specimen of the Accentor alpinus, Bechst., which was communicated to him by the Rev. Dr. Thackeray, F.L.S. for the information of the Club. This specimen, the first of the species which has been noticed in the British Islands, was killed in the garden of King's College, Cambridge, in the Autumn of 1822.'

L. Jenyns (1827) in the Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Vol. II. p. 300, says: 'The discovery of this addition to the Ornithology of Great Britain is due to Dr. Thackeray, who observed a pair of these birds in the open space immediately under the east window of King's College chapel, on the twenty-third of November, 1822: one of them, which proved to be a female, was shot, and is at present in his collection. I am not aware that any others have since been met with in this country, where indeed it can only be looked upon as an accidental visitant.'

Selby (1833 (1): 247) says: 'I am enabled to add the present species to the list of our Fauna as an occasional visitant, from a specimen having been killed in the garden of King's College, Cambridge, and which visitant is now in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Thackeray, the Provost, whose valuable collection of British birds it enriches; and it is through his courtesy, in accommodating me with the loan of this individual, that I am enabled to present my subscribers with a correct figure of a British-killed Alpine Accentor.

In form and general appearance, it resembles our indigenous species, the Hedge Accentor (Accentor modularis), but exceeds it considerably in size, and differs in the disposition and colours of its plumage....Plate D. Fig. 3. Represents this bird of the natural size. General Bill strong, straight, and fine-pointed; the upper mandible brownish-black; the lower one orange-yellow, except the tip, which is black. Head, nape of the neck, rump, and breast pale hair-brown, tinged with grey. Back the same; with the centres of the feathers blackish-brown. Scapulars and tertiaries deeply margined with pale reddish-brown. Lesser and greater wing-coverts black: each feather being terminated by a triangular white spot. Quills hair-brown, tipped and margined with greyish-white, margined with yellowish white. Flanks and abdomen orange-brown, margined with yellowish-white. Tail hair-brown; the exterior feathers terminating in a large reddish-white spot upon their inner webs. Legs and feet strong, pale reddish-brown; hind claw very strong, and much arched.'

Jenyns (1835: 103) says: 'In the first instance, a pair were observed at Cambridge by Dr. Thackeray, Nov. 23, 1822, and one, a female, killed, which is at present in his collection.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 239-240, 2nd ed.) says: 'By the kindness of the Rev. Dr. Thackeray, I am enabled to give a figure of the Alpine Accentor from the specimen killed in the garden of King's College, Cambridge, on the 22nd November 1822. At that time two of these birds had been occasionally seen climbing the buttresses of the buildings, or feeding on the grass-plots of the garden, and were so tame, a character peculiar to the species - that one of them, probably a male, was supposed to have fallen a victim to a cat; the other was shot and on dissection it proved to be a female, and the specimen was prepared for Dr. Thackeray's collection.'

John H. Gurney & William R. Fisher (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. p. 1305, say: 'We may also mention the well-known capture of Dr. Thackeray's specimen at Cambridge, as an instance of its occurrence in this part of the island.'

Further, pp. 241-242, is the following description: "The beak is black at the point and yellowish white at the base; the irides hazel; head, neck and ear-coverts brownish-grey; feathers of the back brown, with longitudinal centre patches of darker blackish brown; the centre of each tertial still darker, edged on both sides with reddish brown, varied with black, and tipped with a spot of white; upper surface of the tail-feathers dark brown, tipped with buff; chin, throat and front part of the neck dull white, with a small black spot in each feather; chest dark grey; the breast and flanks varied with chestnut-coloured patches; under tail-coverts dark greyish brown, edged with dull white; under surface of the tail-feathers ash-grey, tipped with dull buffish white; legs and toes orange-brown; claws black.'

Accepted locally (Lack 1934: 70; Bircham 1989).

A. J. H. Harrop et al. (2012) in British Birds, Vol. CV. pp. 241-242, say: 'For birds, there are some early records that now appear incongruous or unusual. Some of these involve the occurrence of rarities in pairs (and some are still accepted). A throwaway comment attached to an old rarity report such as "another was seen nearby at the same time" can probable be discounted, but the occurrence of a pair of rare species, while clearly possible, will always attract extra attention during a review.

For example, a pair of Alpine Accentors Prunella collaris in the grounds of King's College in Cambridge, in November 1822 (at the time, the first British record) stretches credulity (Jenyns 1827)....The Alpine Accentors are very unlikely to have been natural vagrants, though they may have been captured abroad and accidentally or deliberately released in Cambridge, such that Thackeray chanced upon them. However, the fact that he, as a locally prominent specimen collector, was the one to find and shoot these birds, strongly suggests that a hoax was played on him. This record may also have inspired a 'copycat' record of more than a century later: a sight record of two near Clare College, Cambridge, on 30th April 1931, which was acceptable until 2005 (Cambridgeshire Bird Report 78: 141).'

0). 1824 Suffolk Oulton Broad, seen, about March.

(Lubbock, 1845; J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1846: 1305; Yarrell, 1871-85; Lubbock, 1879; Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978; Piotrowski, 2003).

[Saunders, 1899; BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 937-938].

History John H. Gurney & William R. Fisher (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. p. 1305, say: 'We believe that the Alpine Accentor has not been taken in the county of Norfolk, but the Rev. R. Lubbock observed one in the year 1824, about the month of March, at Oulton in Suffolk.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 297, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, copies the same story from Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk (1845).

Southwell, Editor (1879: 54-55, 2nd ed.) in Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk, says: 'In 1824, in company with a friend, I had an opportunity of observing that very rare bird the Alpine Warbler (Accentor alpinus) on a grass plat at Oulton, near Lowestoft. It moved very nimbly to and fro, suffering a near approach, and we considered it attentively. It was a species then almost unknown to English ornithology. Dr. Thackeray's specimen, found also upon a grass plat, was, I believe, the only one which had then occurred in England.'

Accepted locally (Payn (1978: 192, 2nd ed.; Piotrowski 2003: 242) who both erroneously state the year to be 1823.

0). 1840-41 Surrey Milford, killed, winter.

(Bucknill, 1900; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 109; Parr, 1972).

[KAN].

History Bucknill (1900: 30) says: 'This mountain-seeking species - a rare visitor to this country - has occurred in Surrey upon a single occasion, there being a specimen in the Charterhouse collection which, according to Stafford [private notebook], was killed, whilst hopping about a heap of stones placed for repairing the roads, at Milford, in the winter of 1841 by a boy. It is an undoubted example of the Alpine Accentor, and there seems no reason to doubt its authenticity.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 109, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'One in the Charterhouse Collection is said to have been killed whilst hopping about a heap of stones on the road-side at Milford in the winter of 1840 by a boy, and Mr, Bucknill sees no reason to doubt its authenticity (Birds of Surrey, p. 830). The above occurrences of this exceptional visitor are not noted by Mr. Saunders.'

Comment Not published until 60 years after the event, so probably why Saunders made no mention of it.

H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst used the words 'said to have, been killed...Milford.' That wording doesn't inspire confidence and the fact that it was well inland and in winter.

0). 1844 Devon Near Teignmouth, shot, 9th January.

(R. C. R. Jordan, Zoologist 1844: 494-495; W. H. Hore, Zoologist 1844: 566, 879; J. Brooking Rowe, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1862-63: 60; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).

[KAN].

History Robert C. R. Jordan of Teignmouth (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 494, says: 'Suspecting that this was not the only one [bird] that haunted the spot, we still made frequent expeditions there, for which we have been amply rewarded, as on the 9th [January], when my brother was returning in the dusk of the evening from an unsuccessful campaign, he saw a bird asleep on the rocks, which he shot, and it proved to be a Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi). Of course as it was killed when asleep, nothing can be said of its manners or habits. Its measurements were as follows: From tip of bill to end of tail, 7 inches; length of bill from the gape, 1 inch; length of wing, 4 inches; length of tail, 2½ inches; from tip of wing to end of tail, 3 and three fifths inches; length of hind toe, seven tenths of an inch; length of hind claw, two fifths of an inch; length of middle toe, four fifths of an inch; length of outer and inner toes, two fifths of an inch.'

W. S. Hore of Stoke Devonport (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 566, dated 8th April 1844, says: 'I am inclined to think that there is some error in Mr. Jordan's note in the last month's Zoologist (Zool. 494), relative to the capture of Richard's Pipit at Teignmouth, and that the bird alluded to is a much rarer one as British.

My reasons for this conclusion are, that the attention of your correspondent, Mr. Alfred Greenwood, and myself, was attracted in February last to a case of birds containing two Blackstarts and an Alpine Accentor, exhibited in the window of Mr. Drew, an ornithologist residing in these towns.

We were subsequently informed that these birds had been killed at Teignmouth, and forwarded to Mr. Drew for preservation. Since the appearance of Mr. Jordan's communication, I have seen Drew, and ascertained that the birds were received from that gentleman, who doubtless will be pleased to find himself the possessor of so rare a bird as the Alpine Accentor.'

W. S. Hore (1845) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. III. p. 879, dated 2nd December 1844, says: 'During the last two months several valuable birds have been obtained in this county, an account of which may be interesting to the readers of The Zoologist. The same neighbourhood [Brixham, Torbay] has also furnished an Alpine Accentor. Mr. Rowe was fortunate enough to secure a beautiful specimen of Richard's Pipit in the Government grounds at Stoke: none of these latter birds have been seen since December, 1842.'

J. Brooking Rowe (1862-63) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 60, says: 'Three specimens only have been obtained on the coast of Devon - one at Torquay, and two in the neighbourhood of Plymouth. The two latter by Mr. J. Gatcombe, under the Hoe, in January, 1859.'

Newman (1866) records only the Teignmouth record. While, Harting (1872) suggests that the two birds recorded in Devon in 1844 on the south coast were possibly one and the same.

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 297, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'On January 9th, 1844, a bird was shot by Mr. Jordan, on the rocks near Teignmouth, which, though originally taken for a Richard's Pipit, is stated by Mr. W. S. Hore (Zool., p. 566) to have been an Alpine Accentor, and the same gentleman subsequently recorded (Zool., p. 879) a specimen obtained soon after near Torbay, which the Editor believes to have been killed at Berry Head, and shown to him by its owner, Mr. F. M. Lyte, in December, 1850.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 29) say: 'A specimen was killed on the cliffs near Teignmouth by Mr. C. J. R. Jordan, January 9th, 1844, and is now in the possession of Mr. W. R. Hall-Jordan, of that town, who has kindly allowed us to inspect it on several occasions. This bird was recorded by W. S. Hore (Zool., 1844, p. 566), but previously it had been erroneously described as a Richard's Pipit (Zool., p. 494).'

Comment The two places are about five miles apart. It would probably be safer to call it one record in view of its rarity. Another record not without issues. Originally recorded as Richard's Pipit which is known to overwinter, and, which looks nothing like an Alpine Accentor. What if two species were switched at Mr. Drew's?

0). 1844 Devon Berry Head, Brixham, obtained, undated, now at Torquay Museum.

(Harting, 1872; Pidsley, 1891; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).

[J. Brooking Rowe, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1862-63: 60].

History W. S. Hore (1845) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. III. p. 879, dated 2nd December 1844, says: 'During the last two months several valuable birds have been obtained in this county, an account of which may be interesting to the readers of The Zoologist....The same neighbourhood [Brixham, Torbay] has also furnished an Alpine Accentor. Mr. Rowe was fortunate enough to secure a beautiful specimen of Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi) in the Government grounds at Stoke: none of these latter birds have been seen since December, 1842.'

E. H. Rodd (1850) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, p. 406, dated May 1850, says: 'Recent example - Teignmouth, 1844.'

Newman (1866) in Montagu's British Birds records only the 1844 Teignmouth record for Devon. Harting (1872) p. 102, is the first person to record one near Torbay, 1844 (Hore, Zoologist 1845, p. 879) adding in a footnote: 'It is possible that this record may refer to the last named specimen [One, Teignmouth].'

Pidsley (1891: 21) says: 'The following year [1845], Mr. Hore reported a second specimen shot near Torbay, and this bird Professor Newton believes to have been killed at Berry Head; shown to him by its owner, Mr. Lyte, in 1850.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 29-30) say: 'Another Alpine Accentor occurred in the same year at Berry Head (W.S.H. Zool, p. 879); it is now in the Torquay Museum.'

Comment Hore under 'Occurrence of Rare Birds in Devonshire' was generalising when he said Torbay; he would have listed both records if there had been two in reality. The 1844 Teignmouth record first recorded as a Richard's Pipit turned out to be an Alpine Accentor. Hore has further confused matters by listing another Richard's Pipit which may or may not be a new Richard's Pipit record, although it was obtained in the same place as four in 1841. Harting was confused with the 1844 Teignmouth record with Hore stating Brixham which is five miles away. Rodd (1850) also refers to just one record. Edward Newman was the Editor of The Zoologist and would have a better grasp of the records; he only listed one record. This is in all probability a duplicate record. Not acceptable.

0). 1845 Sussex Hove, killed, March.

(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1889: 413; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[Not in Shrubb, 1979].

History J. E. Harting (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. pp. 412-413, on Frederick Bond's bird collection, says: 'In Case 4 there is an Alpine Accentor, not mentioned in the latest edition of Yarrell, which was purchased at the sale of the Margate Museum, and is labelled "Killed at Hove, near Shoreham, Sussex, 1845".'

Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 122) who says: 'Our next specimen Borrer did not allude to at all, though he could have done so, had he consulted The Zoologist more closely. For on page 413 of that monthly for 1889 Mr. J. E. Harting, when discussing the stuffed birds originally belonging to Mr. F. Bond, observed: "This Alpine Accentor was purchased at the sale of the Margate museum, and is labelled "Killed at Hove, near Shoreham, Sussex, 1845". But I came across another version of the matter - if, indeed, two birds are not implicated - and in decidedly curious fashion too. Thus, the copy of Borrer's Birds of Sussex I possess must at one time have been owned by Mr. E. Bidwell. At all events, under "Alpine Accentor" I discovered a signed, pencilled footnote by the latter gentleman, which reads: "In Mr. Bond's egg-cabinet I found a label "Accentor alpinus, Alpine Accentor, shot in March, 1847, Hove, Sussex". Now, on the assumption that both these notices refer to the same bird, which is correct?'

0). 1857 Sussex Near Lewes, two, obtained, 26th December.

(J. Porter, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 8: 99; J. Porter, Zoologist 1858: 5958; Harting, 1872; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979).

[KAN].

History John Porter, jun., of Lewes (1858) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 99, says: 'On the 26th of December last, I obtained two specimens of the above rarity, which were shot on the Downs near here.'

John Porter, jun., of Lewes (1858) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVI. p. 5958, undated, says: 'On the 26th of December last I obtained two specimens of the Alpine Accentor, which were shot on the Downs near here: one of them I have had preserved, the other unfortunately being too much injured by the shot. Mr. Yarrell, in his work on British Birds, gives but three instances of this species being killed in England, but probably more may have occurred since the publication of his work, it being not an uncommon bird on the Continent.'

Accepted locally Borrer (1891: 51) while Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 122-123) says: 'About the two following examples, bearing date of December 26th, 1857, there seems to have existed considerable confusion as to locality.

Thus, in the fourth edition of Yarrell's British Birds (Vol. I. p. 297) it is stated that, according to Mr. Porter, they were shot on the downs near Lewes, but, according to Mr. Dennis, near Hailsham. If Dennis really said that, he was certainly in error. For Hailsham is nowhere near Lewes - actually the two places are a good eleven miles apart, and there are no downs close to the former resort, and Porter, of Lewes, who was the originator of the record, distinctly mentions that the birds were obtained near Lewes and on the downs....To my mind - but it is only a triviality - it is not quite conclusive that these birds were killed on December 26th. Porter did not say so. All he said was that he obtained (received) them on that day; he said nothing about having shot them himself.

Mr. H. Saunders (Man. Brit. B., 1889, p. 87) adopted the Lewes rendering; Millais (V.H.S., I. p. 277) however, that from Hailsham. Volume I, Parts 7-8, of A Practical Handbook of British Birds published in 1920 allows but two Alpine Accentors to Sussex - the Lewes examples, I imagine. I have got to guess, because the birds are given devoid of date.'

Comment V.H.S. is the Victoria County History of Sussex. Another unconvincing record.

0). 1858 Devon Near Plymouth, two, seen, 20th December; same two, shot, 10th January 1859.

(J. Gatcombe, Zoologist 1859: 6377; "W." Field 22nd Jan., 1859: 71; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).

[KAN].

History J. Gatcombe of Plymouth (1859) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVII. p. 6377, dated 15th January, 1859, says: 'Alpine Accentor - On December 20th, 1858, I observed a pair of these birds on the cliff near Plymouth, but unfortunately had no gun with me. They were very tame, and allowed a near approach, but although I was at the spot in less than an hour afterwards, with my gun, they were not to be found. I have since searched the coast daily, but without the least success. The day before they appeared we had a most tremendous thunder-storm (a very rare thing in December), and I fear the constant severe gales we have since experienced must have driven them inland. Their actions, when hopping about on the grass on the top of the cliffs, were very like those of the common Hedge Sparrow, but on being disturbed they immediately flew to the rocks below. Their note resembled the syllables, "tree, tree, tree", as described by the Rev. F. O. Morris in his British Birds.

On Monday January 10th, I had the good fortune to shoot them after a search of three weeks: I examined the stomach of one, which I found to be very muscular, and contained gravel, fine sand and seeds, but no insects. The only other Devonshire specimen of this bird I ever saw was sent from Teignmouth to Plymouth to be stuffed, together with a fine old male Black Redstart. It appears that these birds frequent the same localities, for the place where I saw the Alpine Accentors was an excellent one for the Black Redstart.'

"W." (1859) in The Field of 22nd Jan., Vol. XIII. p. 71, says: 'A pair of that exceedingly rare bird, the Alpine Accentor (Accentor alpinus), was shot on Monday, the 10th inst., in the neighbourhood of Plymouth, by John Gatcombe, Esq., of Wyndham Place. Only three or four specimens of this bird are recorded to have ever been obtained in the British Isles.'

Accepted locally (D'Urban & Mathew 1892: 30)

Comment Outside of known migration period. No identification details. Two together is most unusual. Gatcombe was known to visit Leadenhall Market and other markets regularly. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1860 Avon Near Bath, obtained, undated.

(A. C. Smith, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 6: 168).

[Not in BOU, 1971].

History A. C. Smith (1860) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. VI. p. 168, says: '...that the specimen in Mr. Marsh's collection was said to have been killed near Bath; and that the opinion of that keen and accurate observer coincides with my own, that these birds are probably much more common than is generally supposed, their shy retiring habits and sombre plumage never making them conspicuous; from these premises I venture to conclude that the "Alpine Accentor" probably visits us occasionally, and I therefore give it a place in our Fauna.'

Comment Rev. Marsh recorded the 1849 Wilson's Storm-petrel and a Northern Flicker, both stated from Wiltshire, and both of which were rejected by the BOU. Probably imported. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1860 Gloucestershire Leckhampton Hill, Cheltenham, shot, undated.

(H. W. Newman, Zoologist 1860: 6889; Swaine, 1982).

[KAN].

History H. W. Newman of Cheltenham (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. p. 6889, dated 1st February, 1860, says: 'A fine specimen of the Alpine Accentor was shot some time ago near Cheltenham.'

Swaine (1982: 182) quoting the above reference erroneously, says: '...shot on Leckhampton Hill, Cheltenham, sometime previous to 1860.'

Further, he adds that "Mellersh in his A Treatise on the Birds of Gloucestershire (1902) gives the record as...1860 shot by J. T. White" (a local taxidermist).'

Comment With Mr. White being involved in the rejected Gloucestershire Bufflehead and I believe the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, it is probable that this is not a genuine British record. Also, another recorded about the same time nearby (Avon) suggests importation.

0). 1870 Caernarfonshire Llanberis side of Snowdon, seen, 20th August.

(Yarrell, 1871-85; Saunders, 1899; Forrest, 1907; Jones & Dare, 1976; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

[KAN].

History Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 297-298, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The Editor has been informed by Mr. Howard Saunders (who is perfectly well acquainted with the Alpine Accentor) that on August 20th, 1870, he watched for about a quarter of an hour one on one of the highest Welsh mountains, most admirably refraining from shooting it or even mentioning the fact to his guide.'

Harting (1872: 102) says: 'One seen on Snowdon, Sept. 1870: Saunders MS.'

Forrest (1907: 100) says: 'Mr. Howard Saunders states that he observed one on the Llanberis side of Snowdon on 20th August, 1870. It was exceedingly tame, hopping about a small enclosure, where he watched it for as long as he could without attracting attention.'

Comment Outside of known migration period. Not published in the journals of the day. No identification details. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1883 Greater London/Surrey Penge, caught, September.

(Butler, 1896-98; Wheatley, 2007; Self, 2014).

[KAN].

History A. G. Butler (1896 (1): 133-134) says: 'Curiously enough, although this bird is only an occasional straggler to Great Britain, I caught a specimen in my garden at Penge about the year 1883.

At the time I did not know what to make of it; and, not being aware of its rarity, I never recorded the capture: indeed I supposed then that it might be only an unusually large, brownish, and somewhat aberrant variety of the Hedge-Sparrow: it was evidently a young bird, as the white throat-patch was barely indicated. So far as I can remember, I caught this bird in September; I know that it was just when the birdcatchers were bringing Linnets and Goldfinches for sale. The bird was abominably wild, knocked itself about in a cage, finally got a growth over one eye, and died in such poor condition that I never thought of preserving the skin: had I then known its value, I should have saved it in proof of my statement, and certainly kept it, when alive, in a large cage by itself; whereas it had two Hedge-Accentors as companions; the latter, by the side of their rare relative, looked insignificant, much as a Song-Thrush by the side of a Missel-Thrush.'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record.

0). Pre 1891 Sussex Cowfold, Horsham, seen, undated.

(Borrer, 1891).

[KAN].

History Borrer (1891: 50-51) says: 'This specimen I distinctly saw, and watched through a binocular for some minutes, on my own lawn at Cowfold, when it suddenly rose up and disappeared round the corner of the house, and I could not find it again. I have lost the date. My attention was called to it by its shambling gait, and by the bright chestnut colour of its sides.'

Comment A bird of this rarity value if Borrer had any confidence in what he saw, would surely have been published in the journals of the day, but he didn't; he even forgot the date of it. Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.

0) 1891 Shropshire Boreatton Park, Shrewsbury, trapped, undated.

(Forrest, 1908; Smith et al., 2019).

[KAN].

History H. E. Forrest (1908 (1): 164) in the Victoria County History of Shropshire, says: 'A specimen of this rare and larger species was caught in a trap in Boreatton Park in 1891. It was identified by Dr. Herbert Sankey, but unfortunately not preserved.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Inland records are extremely rare.

0). 1894 Norfolk/Suffolk Gorleston-on-Sea, Suffolk, seen, 21st September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1895: 99-100; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 400; Field 17th Sept., 1904; Patterson, 1904; Patterson, 1905; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 109; Allard, 1990).

[Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999].

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. pp. 99-100, says: 'September 21st. Mr. Patterson noticed and for some time watched a bird which from his description must have been an Alpine Accentor, near Yarmouth.'

Arthur H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 400, says: 'On Sept. 21st, 1894, I met with an example on Gorleston Pier. It was feeding amongst the weeded pile-stumps and stones under the pier, and allowed me to approach it very closely, when I carefully observed its plumage and actions for some time through my glasses. Mr. Stevenson (B. of N., Vol. I. p. 90) has not included this species, but refers to Mr. Lubbock as having seen one in 1824 on a grass-plot at Oulton, near Lowestoft. He refers to one other only for the eastern counties.'

Patterson (1904: 182) says: '1894. Sept. 21. - Saw an Alpine Accentor (Accentor collaris) hunting for marine insects - and I should not be surprised if crustaceans also were its prey - upon some weed-covered piles and stumps at the harbour mouth.'

Patterson (1905) says: 'On September 21st. 1894, I met with an example at Gorleston Pier. It was apparently feeding amongst the weed-grown pile stumps and stones under the pier, and allowed me to approach it very closely, when I carefully observed its plumage and actions for some time through my glasses. A reviewer in The Field 17th September 1904, suggested that I must have mistaken the Rock Pipit, Anthus petrosus, for this species; but I know the latter quite well, having on several occasions met with it on the Bure walls. I thought the position a curious one for the species, but concluded it might have been a recently arrived migrant.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 109, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'One seen and carefully observed with glasses for some time at very close range by A. H. Patterson on Gorleston pier, September 21st, 1894 (A. H. Patterson, Zool., 1900, p. 400). The above occurrences of this exceptional visitor are not noted by Mr. Saunders.'

Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling (1999) says: 'The record was poorly documented with few details and is therefore unacceptable.'

0). Pre 1901 Warwickshire/Worcestershire Ettington, shot, undated.

(Tomes, 1901; Tomes, 1904; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 409; Norris, 1947; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

[BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 937-938].

History Tomes (1901 (1): 147-148) in the Victoria County History of Worcestershire, says: 'An Alpine Accentor was shot several years since near the village of Ettington, a few miles from Stratford-on-Avon, and is still preserved in a case of local birds. As Ettington lies almost on the line of division between the counties of Warwick and Worcester, the bird may with equal probability have been killed in either county. An enquiry made with a view to determine the point only proved that it was shot near the village.'

Tomes (1904 (1): 191) in the Victoria County History of Warwickshire, says: 'An Alpine Accentor which was shot in proximity to the village of Ettington near Stratford-on-Avon a few years since may have been killed in Warwickshire, for Ettington is almost on the line of division between the counties of Warwick and Worcester.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 409, under the title 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'One was shot "a few years since" (1904) at Ettington, near Stratford-on-Avon, on the borders of Warwick and Worcester (R. F. Tomes, Vict. Hist. Warwick, I. p. 191).'

Norris (1947: 31) says: 'One shot a few years prior to 1904 near Ettington. R. F. Tomes tried in vain to find adequate details, even though it was preserved in a case of local birds. I also tried to find extra details but without success.'

Comment Probably imported! Lacks adequate details of a specific date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1902 Yorkshire Waplington, shot, undated.

(Nelson, 1907).

[BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 937-938].

History Nelson (1907 (1): 101) says: 'I am informed by Mr. George Steels of Pocklington (1902), that he stuffed an Alpine Accentor "many years ago", for a gamekeeper named Wetherill, who had shot it at Waplington, but my informant could not ascertain where the specimen is now.'

Comment Lacks adequate details. Not known if seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1922 Sussex Fairlight, three, shot, 26th December.

(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 260; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1923) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 260, says: 'Three were shot on the Fairlight Cliffs on December 26th, and were sent to Mr. G. Bristow, who showed them to me on the following day while they were still in perfectly fresh condition. Only two others have been recorded for Sussex.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 124).

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1923 Sussex Pett, male, killed, 23rd April.

(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 3; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History W. R. Butterfield (1924) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 3, says: 'A male was shot at Pett on April 23rd.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 124).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1924 Sussex Bexhill-on-Sea, two: male and female, shot, 17th December, now at British Natural History Museum (Acc. No. BoMNH 207560 & 207561).

(http://www.sos.org.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=336&Itemid=15).

[http://www.sos.org.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=336&Itemid=15].

History Probably Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1926 Hampshire Beaulieu, three, seen, 19th to 21st January.

(C. Paddon, British Birds 20: 107; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993; Clark & Combridge, 2009].

History Cecil Paddon (1926) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 107, under 'Probable Alpine Accentors in Hampshire', says: 'On January 19th, 1926, at Beaulieu, Hampshire, during the second day of a howling blizzard (the direction of which at Beaulieu was from the S.S.E.), three strange birds appeared among the Chaffinches and Sparrows, which came to food put down during the winter outside my house. They were first noticed by Sergt.-Major Adams and were seen many times by myself and also by Col. C. Hodgkinson. They were fairly tame and remained near the house from January 19th to 21st, and were twice within ten feet of the window. The points noticeable about the birds were their speckled throats, white wing-bars, deepish red-brown flanks, yellowish beaks and the colour of their legs, which was of a rather pale, but dirty salmon shade.

On the ground they had a rather low, sliding movement, almost a crouch, but difficult to describe. They were larger than Chaffinches and their tracks were also larger and quite distinct, with a longish hind claw. Checking the appearance of the birds from Coward's Birds of the British Isles we had little doubt that they were Alpine Accentors (Prunella collaris).'

Not admitted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993; Clark & Combridge 2009).

0). 1930 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 14th September.

(Williamson, 1965).

[Dymond, 1991; Scottish Birds 18: 139].

History P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) under 'A List of the Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'said to have occurred on 14th September 1930, but no details available.'

Comment Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.

0). 1931 Cambridgeshire Near Clare College, two, seen, 30th April.

(D. L. Lack, Report of the Cambridge Bird Club, 1931: 9; Eds., British Birds 26: 235; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

[J. S. Clark, Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2004: 141].

History D. L. Lack (1931) in the Report of the Cambridge Bird Club, p. 9, says: 'On 30th April the attention of M.E.W.N. was drawn to a bird singing on the Backs close to Clare College. The song, a very striking one, was quite new to him, and proceeded from a bird somewhat similar in size, actions, and general appearance to a Hedge Sparrow, but at once distinguished by a triangle of black spots covering the throat and upper chest. The bird sand from a beech tree and then descended to a lawn where it was joined by another. The two were subsequently watched through field-glasses for a considerable period from a distance of five to ten yards, and there can be no doubt that they were Alpine Accentors. They were not seen on subsequent days. This is the second record for Cambridgeshire....'

In an Editorial (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 235, in a Review of the 'Report of the Cambridge Bird Club, 1931', they say: 'Two Alpine Accentors (Prunella collaris) were watched for some time at very close range with binoculars by Mr. M. E. W. North on April 30th, close to Clare College. One of them was first seen when tittering a "very striking" song from a beech tree. It is a pity that more detail is not given of the birds' appearance; the throat spots are described, but none of the other distinctive and easily noted characteristics are mentioned, while the bird is stated to have been somewhat similar in size to a Hedge-Sparrow, whereas it is a least a third larger.'

Accepted locally (Lack 1934: 70; Bircham 1989) but subsequently found unacceptable (J. S. Clark, Cambridgeshire Bird Report 79: 141).

0). 1933 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 24th September.

(Williamson, 1965).

[Dymond, 1991; Scottish Birds 18: 139].

History P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) under 'A List of the Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'said to have occurred on 24th September 1933, but no details available.'

Comment Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.

0). 1937 Dorset Near Winspit, seen, 9th November.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 59: 75; F. C. R. Jourdain, Ornithological Report of the County of Hampshire, 1938: 34).

[F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 61: 146].

History F. L. Blathwayt (1938) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LIX. p. 75, in the Annual Report for 1937, says: 'Miss C. Popham of Christchurch, accurately described a bird, almost certainly of this species near Winspit, November 9th.'

F. C. R. Jourdain (1938) in the Ornithological Report of the County of Hampshire, p. 34, placing the record in square brackets, says: 'At West Man, a little beyond Winspit on Nov. 9th a bird with movements recalling Hedge Sparrow was seen on the cliffs by C.P. and a friend. They specially noted that it was a bird new to them, with bluish grey on throat, rufous on flanks and with dark markings on mantle. From the description it could hardly been anything else but this species.'

Not admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1940) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXI. p. 146, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', who now places the record in square-brackets.

Comment Not specifically identified. Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.

AC pass

Keith Naylor

Alpine Accentor

Prunella collaris (Scopoli, 1769) (10, 1)

Black-bellied Dipper

Ashy-headed Wagtail