Black Stork
Ciconia nigra (Linnaeus, 1758) (22, 1)
Photo © Rob Stonehouse - Spurn, Yorkshire, 9 August 2015
STATUS
Palearctic and Afrotropic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
BOU (1971) stated the following counties: One Scotland in Lothian; rest England: Isles of Scilly (two), Devon, Dorset (two), Somerset, Sussex, Kent (four), Middlesex, Oxford, Suffolk (five), Norfolk (three), Worcester, Yorkshire (three), Durham and Northumberland. All inclusive to 31/12/1968. The Devon record was really in Cornwall with the Sussex and Northumberland records outwith this period. The Middlesex record has since been rejected for its association with Meinhertzhagen. Additionally, there are records from Nottinghamshire and Durham to add to this list.
RECORDS
1). 1814 Somerset West Sedge Moor, near Stoke St Gregory, immature, caught after slight shot wound, 13th May, kept alive by Montagu for a year, now at Natural History Museum, Tring.
(G. Montagu, Transactions of the Linnean Society 12: 19-23; Fleming, 1828; Selby, 1833; Yarrell, 1845; W. Baker, Zoologist 1850: 2700-03; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988).
History George Montagu (1815) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XII. pp. 19-23, read 2nd May, 1815, says: '...Of this I have the pleasure of announcing an example in Ardea nigra, the only instance I believe of its being found at large in Great Britain. This bird was captured by means of a slight shot wound in the wing, without breaking a bone, and is now in my possession in excellent health.
To my scientific friend Mr. Austin [Robert Anstice] of Bridgwater, naturalists in general, and myself in particular, are indebted for this addition to the British Fauna, he having rescued it from plebeian hands, where in all probability the circumstance would have been consigned to oblivion. It was shot in West Sedgemoor, adjoining the parish of Stoke St. Gregory, Somersetshire, on the 13th of May, 1814.
When first the Black Stork was observed, it was searching for food by the side of a drain, and when approached flew a considerable distance; but in a second attempt the fowler got sufficiently near to slightly wound it. It made little resistance, and on the following day ate some eels that had been placed near it.
I was greatly rejoiced to receive this interesting bird alive from Mr. Austin, as its manners do not seem to be much known. Like the White Stork, it frequently rests upon one leg; and if alarmed, particularly by the approach of a dog, it makes a considerable noise by reiterated snapping of the bill, similar to that species. It soon became docile, and would follow its feeder for a favourite morsel, an eel. When very hungry it crouches, resting the whole length of the legs upon the ground, and supplicantly seems to demand food, by nodding the head, flapping its unwieldy pinions, and forcibly blowing the air from the lungs with audible exasperations. Whenever it is approached, the expulsion of air accompanied by repeated nodding of the head is provoked. The bird is of a mild and peaceful disposition, very unlike many of its congeners; for it never makes use of its formidable bill offensively against any of the companions of its prison, and even submits peaceably to be taken up without much struggle....As there is a little variation in the plumage of my specimen of Ardea nigra from what has generally been described, and as the plumage when first captured indicated immaturity, being very different from what has been since assumed, I beg leave to subjoin a short description of three states of plumage. The head and upper part of the neck speckled with pale brown of different shades, having a slight tinge of rufous, becoming darker on the lower part of the neck, the feathers being dusky in the middle: the back, scapulars, and coverts of the wings dusky-black, slightly margined with brown: quills and tail dusky-black, the latter glossed with green: the feathers on the lower part of the neck before pretty long and loose, hanging over the breast: from thence to the tail dingy-white. On the back were two or three feathers, apparently new, that were of a dark glossy green, indicating a change of plumage. This description was taken in June, 1814, soon after the bird was captured.
The bird continued very gradually to moult throughout the summer and winter, becoming much darker on the head and neck, and much greener on the back; and by the beginning of February, 1815, the upper part of the head and back of the neck became dusky-black, glossed with green; the lower neck before dusky-black, and the whole upper part of the body, including wing-coverts and scapulars, dark shining green, similar in colour to that variety of the Glossy Ibis known under the title of Tantalus viridis. The under parts of the plumage continued as at first. The bill, which is full seven inches in length, has the upper mandible a trifle the longest, and deflects a little at the point: the colour is dusky-red, brighter at the base, and orange at the tip (Latham says greenish-grey with a whitish tip): irides light hazel: the lore and orbits bare of feathers, and of a dull red: the legs and toes dull orange. These parts have changed but little, and perhaps are rather brighter in colour than at first. Indisposition having prevented my seeing the bird since the last-mentioned period till the middle of March, I was much surprised to find the appearance of a few feathers on the upper part of the back, that were dusky, resplendent with violet and purple, having a margin of dark glossy green. These elegant feathers continued to increase, till the whole upper part of the back had nearly assumed this beautiful plumage by the first of April. At this time no other part of the bird indicated any further change of plumage: the scapulars and coverts, many of which had recently changed, continued of the same colour as last described, without the purple reflections or marginal green. It is scarcely possible to account for such a succession of change in plumage in so short a time, except by supposing that a change in the constitution of the bird, produced by captivity and a want of natural food, had caused obstruction to the usual course of moulting, and that the autumnal change had been retarded, and was scarcely effected before the spring moulting commenced. The bill at this season has become more orange.'
Fleming (1828: 97) says: 'This bird has only occurred once in this country, so as to come under the notice of the naturalist. It was secured after a slight wound, at Stoke St Gregory, Somersetshire, 13th May 1814, and, fortunately for science, was conveyed to Mr. Montagu. In his possession, its manners, and the progress of its moulting, were carefully observed - Linn. Trans., XII. 19.'
Admitted by Selby (1833 (2): 48).
Yarrell (1845 (2): 558-559, 2nd ed.) says: 'The first occurrence was made known by Colonel Montagu in a paper read before the Linnean Society on 2nd May, 1815. Colonel Montagu's bird was captured by means of a slight shot wound in the wing, which did not break the bone, and the bird lived in his possession more than twelve months, in excellent health. It was shot in West Sedge Moor in the parish of Stoke St. Gregory, Somerset, on 13th May 1814.'
William Baker of Bridgwater (1850) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VIII. p. 2700-03, dated 20th December 1849, says: 'I beg to hand copies of correspondence between the late Robert Anstice, Esq., of Bridgwater, and the late Col. Montagu, on the capture, habits and changes of plumage of the Black Stork, which is now in the British Museum, and is the first specimen of this interesting bird recorded as a visitor to Britain. Mr. Anstice was better known as an amiable and excellent man, by his intercourse and correspondence with the distinguished men of science and eminent naturalists of his day, than by his published works. Col. Montagu is too well known as an author on various branches of Natural History to require any remark. The Leptocephalus mentioned by Mr. Anstice, in his letter of December 6, 1814, was taken in Bridgwater River, and was the first specimen seen by Col. Montagu.'
Newman (1866: 326-329) adds all the original correspondence between Robert Anstice and Montagu, which also appeared in The Zoologist as recorded by William Baker (Zool., 1850, pp. 2700-03).
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 225-226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
2). 1831 Cornwall Beggar's Island, River Lynher, shot, 5th November.
(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 321; Couch, 1838; Yarrell, 1845; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1848: 2147; Newman, 1866; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2244; Harting, 1872, 1880; Yarrell, 1871-85; Clark, 1906; Moore, 1969; Penhallurick, 1969).
History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 321, dated May, 1837, says: 'A beautiful specimen of this very rare bird was shot on the Tamar, November 5, 1831, and is now in Mr. Drew's collection; I saw the bird while warm and took note of it. In addition to the usual description, the bill was a pale greenish horn colour, darker at the tip; irides hazel; legs pale yellow, varying to greenish, toes clay colour: I notice this because these parts change by time.'
E. H. Rodd (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. p. 2147, dated 17th May 1848, adds: '...I have in my collection an example of the same congener the Black Stork, killed in 1831 on the River Tamar.'
E. H. Rodd (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2244, says: 'A good specimen killed either on the Tamar or Lynher, in 1831; this was the second instance of its capture in Great Britain, and the specimen is in my cabinet.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'Moore saw this bird while still warm.'
J. Clark (1906 (1): 339) in the Victoria County History of Cornwall, says: 'Black Stork - an accidental autumn visitor; one killed on Beggar's Island in the Lynher in November 1831.' It was accepted locally (Penhallurick 1969).
Comment This record was recorded by Witherby et al. (1940-52) and Bannerman (1953-63) as being in Devon, but the exact locality is in Cornwall (Penhallurick 1969).
3). 1832 Suffolk Otley, near Ipswich, obtained, October.
(J. D. Hoy, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 7: 53-54; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Stevenson, 1870; Yarrell, 1871-85; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).
History J. D. Hoy of Stoke Nayland (1834) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VII. pp. 53-54, says: 'A Black Stork was shot, in October, 1832, in the parish of Otley, about eight miles from Ipswich, in this county. I was informed of the circumstance by E. Acton, Esq., of Grundisburgh, who can bear testimony to the fact, having seen the bird, when in a high state of putrefaction, suspended from the bough of a tree, where it had been placed by the person who had shot it. Atkinson in his Compendium of British Ornithology, mentions a bird of this species being killed in Somersetshire a few years since.'
Jenyns (1835: 193) says: 'A second is stated to have been shot in October 1832, in the parish of Otley, about eight miles from Ipswich. (Loud. Mag. of Nat. Hist., Vol. VII. p. 53).'
Stevenson (1870 (2): 183) says: 'In Mr. Joseph Clarke's MS. notes on rare birds at Yarmouth and other parts of the county, I find the following under the head of Ciconia nigra: 'In 1832 one was killed in Suffolk, at Grundisburgh, and was in the possession of a surgeon, a Mr. Ditton, of that place.' The latter is no doubt the bird mentioned by Yarrell, as killed at Otley, near Ipswich.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'One, shot at Otley, in Suffolk, in October 1832, is stated by the late Rev. J. Britford (Jesse's Gleanings, 3rd Ser. II. p. 188) to have been in the possession of Mr. Acton [erroneously printed Ditton], of Grundisburgh, near Ipswich.'
Accepted locally (Babington 1884-86: 241) and by Ticehurst (1932: 317) who says: 'One Otley, October 1832, probably the same as one, Grundisburgh 1832 (Acton coll.).'
Comment The places are only five miles apart.
4). 1839 Dorset Middlebere, Poole Harbour, shot, 22nd November.
(J. C. Dale, Annals & Magazine of Natural History 8: 472; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Mansel-Pleydell, 1873; Yarrell, 1871-85; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 186; Prendergast & Boys, 1983; Morrison, 1997; Green, 2004).
History J. C. Dale (1842) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 472, says: 'The Ardea nigra (Black Stork) was also shot a year or two ago near Wareham, and is now in the possession of the Earl of Malmesbury. Mr. Anstice of Bridgwater lately mentioned in the paper that his specimen (sent to Col. Montagu) was unique; but I think Mr. Edward Quekett, of the Langport Museum, told me another had been shot a few years ago between that town and Bridgwater, which he endeavoured to obtain, but it found its way to Taunton in rather a mutilated state. Thus we have four instances of its being found in Britain; and should any doubt arise, a reference to the persons above would settle the matter.'
Yarrell (1845 (2): 559, 2nd ed.) says: 'The third [for Britain] is of still more recent date. In reference to this bird, I received two communications on the same day: one from the Earl of Malmesbury, who had purchased the specimen for his own collection at Heron Court, near Christchurch, and to whom I have the honour to acknowledge my obligations for various interesting particulars of British Birds: the other from my friend, William Thompson of Lytchet, near Poole, but a short distance across the water from the spot where the bird was obtained. This Black Stork was shot in the Isle of Purbeck by a clay-boat man in a marshy field on the banks of the Middlebere creek, at the south side of Poole Harbour, on Friday the 22nd of November, 1839.'
Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 29) says: 'I am informed by Professor Newton that fifteen British specimens have been communicated to him by Mr. Harting: one was shot by a clay-boatman in a marshy field on the banks of Middlebere Creek, at the south side of Poole Harbour, on the 22nd November, 1839, and is now in the Earl of Malmesbury's collection at Heron Court.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 186, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'. However, Morrison (1997) states that this record should be treated with caution, c.f. Glossy Ibis and Common Crane. The Earl had informed Yarrell about a 1839 Glossy Ibis in his collection.
Accepted locally (Green 2004).
Comment The Glossy Ibis was shot in October 1839 whereas the Black Stork was shot 22nd November, and I don't believe that W. Thompson would have mixed these two species up.
5). Pre 1844 Kent Romney Marsh, shot, undated.
(J. P. Bartlett, Zoologist 1844: 624; Stevenson, 1870; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/BlackStork.htm).
History J. Pemberton Bartlett (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 624, says: 'Has been killed in Kent.'
J. H. Gurney, jun. (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2643, undated, referring to the two Kent records of pre 1844 and 1856, says: 'These birds were preserved by Mr. G. Jell.'
Harting (1872: 144) says: 'In the collection of Mr. Thornhill of Riddlesworth (Stevenson, II, p. 183).' Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: 'In Kent, one was shot prior to 1844 in Romney Marsh; and on the 5th of May, 1856, another was obtained near Lydd in the same district.'
Ticehurst (1909: 322) says: 'The details of the earlier records, however, are so imperfect that it is almost impossible to piece them together, and it is not unlikely that if more were known of them the total number of authentic occurrences would have to be reduced to four. The first bird was apparently obtained in Kent prior to 1844, as stated by Pemberton Bartlett, but he makes no mention of the locality, though credited with doing so by Mr. Harting in his Handbook. Yarrell, however, informs us that it was obtained in Romney Marsh. This is in all probability the same bird as that referred to by Dowker as having been obtained on Lydd beach in 1846. It is also probably identical with the one in the possession of Mr. Thornhill, of Riddlesworth, in Norfolk, which, as the late Professor Newton informed Stevenson, Mr. Thornhill "had obtained in the flesh more than twenty years since [1870] of a labourer, who had just shot it on some property of his in Romney Marsh".'
Harrison (1953 (1): 113) says: 'Dr. Ticehurst believed this record as one and the same as recorded by Dowker from Lydd in 1846, and that it is identical with Mr. Thornhill's bird which he "had obtained in the flesh more than twenty years ago (1870) off a labourer, who had just shot it on some property of his in Romney Marsh".'
Still acceptable (Kent Ornithological Society).
Comment Howard Saunders only admitted two for Kent.
6). 1849 Dorset Poole Harbour, shot, November.
(Stevenson, 1870; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 21: 221-222; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 186; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 61: 151; Boys, 1973; Prendergast & Boys, 1983; Morrison, 1997; Green, 2004).
History Stevenson (1870 (2): 182) in a footnote, says: 'In Mr. J. H. Gurney's collection is a specimen purchased by him at Poole some years ago, which has a memorandum inside the case in which it was then mounted, to the effect that it had been killed at Poole in 1849, just ten years later than the one, before mentioned, from the same locality.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: '...and in the same locality [Poole Harbour] another, now in Mr. J. H. Gurney's collection, was obtained in 1849.'
Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 186, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', and later F. L. Blathwayt (1940) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXI. p. 151, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', adds: 'One shot Poole Harbour, Autumn, 1849, is now in the collection of Mr. A. K. Maples.'
Boys (1973: 9) says: 'Shot in Poole Harbour area, Nov. 1849.' Morrison (1997) states that this record should be treated with caution, c.f. Glossy Ibis and Common Crane. It is still accepted locally (Green 2004).
Comment Gurney was meticulous in the history of his specimens and would have checked all the details of the record.
7). 1852 Yorkshire Market Weighton Common, adult male, caught, about 29th October, now at Yorkshire Museum, York.
(B. R. Morris, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 3: 19; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1872; Cordeaux, 1872; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Yarrell, 1871-85; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).
History Beverley R. Morris, Editor (1853) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 19, dated 1st December, 1852, says: 'A magnificent specimen of this extremely rare British bird was brought in the flesh to Mr. Graham on Friday evening, October 29th last to be stuffed. It was shot on Market Weighton common, by Mr. Wake, of Market Weighton. It was an old male in very fine plumage. It is, we believe, the fifth that has occurred in Britain. Mr. Graham, with his accustomed ability, has made a splendid specimen of it. It is now in the Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.'
Cordeaux (1872: 106) adds: 'This is doubtless the same, now in the Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, mentioned by Mr. Yarrell, British Birds, Vol. II. 3rd edition, p. 592', while Clarke & Roebuck (1881) p. 52, add: '...now in the York Museum.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (2): 405) and by Mather (1986) who says: 'Caught by Mr. Wake on Market Weighton Common as told to the Rev. Morris by his brother Beverley R. Morris. Originally in the Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society at York, but now at the Yorkshire Museum, York, where John Mather has examined it.'
Comment In a search of the 1851 Census of Market Weighton, at Leeds Central Library, I find that Mr. Wake was a farmer aged 71. On the basis of this, the record remains acceptable. David Graham was involved in the 'Tadcaster rarities' fraud.
8). 1856 Kent Fairfield, Romney Marsh, obtained, 5th May.
(R. N. Dennis, Zoologist 1856: 5160; Newman, 1866; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1871: 2643; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 4764; Yarrell, 1871-85; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/BlackStork.htm).
History R. N. Dennis (1856) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIV. p. 5160, says: 'This bird was around for three weeks before being shot on or about the 5th May 1856 a few miles from Lydd.'
J. H. Gurney, jun. (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2643, undated, says: '...at a low swampy place near Lydd, in Kent, called "Fairfield Brack", within forty rods of where a Black Stork was shot fifteen years ago (Zool. 5160). These birds were preserved by Mr. G. Jell.'
J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4764, says: 'You may be glad of a few corrections concerning the Black Stork shot at Lydd, in Kent, in May, 1856 (Zool. 5160 and s.s. 2643). It was killed by Mr. Wellstead at Fairfield Brac, and is in the collection of Mr. Clifford Simmons. It was originally bought for sixpence, and afterwards I am told thirty pounds was offered and refused for it. For these particulars I am indebted to Mr. Jell, the excellent taxidermist.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Ticehurst (1909: 322) says: 'On or about May 5th, 1856, a bird, which from the description would appear to have been an adult, was shot by one of the Wellstead's at Fairfield, in Romney Marsh. The bird had frequented the locality for three weeks before it was shot. Having been stuffed by Jell, of Lydd, it passed into the collection of Mr. Clifton Simmons, and was recorded by Messrs. R. N. Dennis and J. H. Gurney.' Still acceptable to Kent Ornithological Society.
9). 1862 Oxfordshire Otmoor, immature, shot, 5th August.
("Gairloch" Field 15th Nov., 1862: 448; Gould, 1862-73; Harting, 1872; Gurney, 1876; C. M. Prior, Field 10th Mar., 1877: 276; C. M. Prior, Zoologist 1877: 180-181; Yarrell, 1871-85; Aplin, 1889; W. B. Alexander, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1947: 5;Radford, 1966).
History "Gairloch" (1862) in The Field, of 15th Nov., Vol. XX. p. 448, says: 'In the neighbourhood of Bicester there was shot, a short time back, a Black Stork. Is this not a very uncommon visitant?' [Certainly a very rare occurrence. - Ed.]
Gurney (1876: 278) says: 'The same year [1862] one was got at Otmoor (Gould, B. of G. B.).'
C. Matthew Prior (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. pp. 180-181, and (1877) in The Field, of 10th March, Vol. XLIX. p. 276, says: 'A gentleman residing at Bicester has an immature example of this rare bird, and has very kindly collected for me a few particulars concerning its capture. It was shot on the 5th August, 1865, on Osmoor [sic], a large tract of low-lying land some nine miles N.E. of Oxford, by F. Gorum, who is well known in the vicinity of Oxford as a good shot. From him it passed to its present possessor, who preserved it. The stork was at first mistaken for a heron.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. Gould, in his Birds of Great Britain, mentions an example obtained at Otmoor in November 1862; and this is possibly the same which is said by Mr. C. M. Prior to have been shot on the 5th August, 1865, on Osmoor [sic], a large tract of low-lying land some nine miles N.E. of Oxford (Zool., 1877, p. 180).'
Accepted locally by Aplin (1889: 186) who adds: '...now in the possession of Mr. G. R. Castle of Bicester', and W. B. Alexander (1947) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 5, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Oxfordshire', says: 'One shot near Charlton-on-Otmoor in 1865 is the only record, while Brucker, Gosler & Heryet (1992) make no mention of this species in the latest avifauna for Oxfordshire.
Comment Some discrepancy in date, but the first reference was published in 1862, so that must be the year; two in three years in the same place would be a bit fortuitous. Prior didn't publish until 12 years later than his claimed date.
10). 1862 Cleveland/Co. Durham Greatham, near Hartlepool, Co. Durham, shot, August, now at Hartlepool Museum.
(W. Christy Horsfall, Zoologist 1862: 8196; Newman, 1866; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Temperley, 1951; Blick, 2009; Bowey & Newsome, 2012).
History W. Christy Horsfall of Horsfall Low Hall, near Leeds (1862) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XX. p. 8196, dated 8th September, 1862, says: 'I have just added to my collection a fine specimen of the Black Stork which was obtained near Hartlepool within the last few weeks.'
Gurney (1876: 278) says: 'Hartlepool, 1862, fide Mr. W. C. Horsfall, Zool. 8196. Here again the exact date is wanting, though I know there is no mistake about the bird, some of my friends having seen it.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Temperley (1951) adds: 'Canon Tristram, writing in 1905, recalled the incident thus: "One morning in August, 1862, my children came running into my study at Greatham Vicarage, to tell me that a Black Stork was walking about in the Seaton fields. I went out and watched the bird for an hour, marching about in a swampy meadow. Next morning it was still there, but was shot in the afternoon by a man from Hartlepool. It is now in the Hartlepool Museum".'
Accepted locally for Cleveland (Blick 2009) and for Co. Durham (Bowey & Newsome 2012).
11). 1867 Norfolk West Acre, adult female, shot, 12th to 19th May, when shot.
(A. Hamond, jun., Ibis 9: 382; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1867: 872; Stevenson, 1870; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 420; Riviere, 1930; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).
History Anthony Hamond, jun., (1867) in The Ibis, Vol. IX. p. 382, in a Letter, says: 'An adult female Ciconia nigra, in splendid plumage, was shot last week at Westacre in Norfolk. It had been living at and about the river for a week or more, and might very possibly have stayed longer.'
Henry Stevenson of Norwich (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 872, says: 'I have much pleasure in recording what I have every reason to believe is the first known instance of this fine species having occurred in Norfolk. This noble bird, which had been seen at different times for nearly a week, by Mr. Hamond's keepers, frequenting some meadows on the banks of the Nar at Westacre, was at last shot about four o'clock in the morning of the 19th of May. Its plumage showed no signs of having been in confinement, and the bird, owing to its shyness, was obtained with much difficulty. It proved, on dissection, to be an adult female, weighing over seven pounds, and measured, I am told, six feet two inches from tip to tip of wings.'
Stevenson (1870 (2): 182-183) says: 'On the 20th of May, 1867, I received a letter from Mr. Anthony Hamond, jun., informing me that a fine Black Stork had been shot by one of the gamekeepers in some meadows on the banks of the river Nar, at Westacre, about half-past four in the morning of the 19th....Its plumage showed no signs of having been in confinement, and, owing to its extreme shyness, it was even at last obtained with much difficulty. This noble specimen now forms part of the fine collection of birds at Westacre High-house.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 420, add: '...now in Mr. A. Hamond's collection.'
Accepted locally as the first record for Norfolk (Dye, Fiszer & Allard 2009).
12). 1871 Nottinghamshire Colwick, shot, autumn.
(Whitaker, 1907).
History Whitaker (1907) says: 'One was shot in the autumn of 1871, by the late Mr. John Brown, at Colwick. I have to thank Mr. Musters, of Annesley, for this information.'
This specimen was in the Sale Catalogue of Major & Mrs R. P. Chaworth-Musters, of Annesley Park, Nottinghamshire, held by Henry Spencer & Sons in conjunction with Smith-Wooley & Co., held on 20th-22nd March 1973 as Lot 526.
Comment Although not admitted (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and (BOU 1971) I believe they were unaware of it and I consider it a valid record especially as there was a specimen.
13). 1877 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon Water, adult female, obtained, 27th June, photo, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.
(H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 484; Yarrell, 1871-85; Babington, 1884-86; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 414; Patterson, 1905; Riviere, 1930; Seago, 1977; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).
History H. Stevenson (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 484, says: 'An adult female of this extremely rare visitant to the Norfolk coast, was shot on Breydon Mud Flats on the 27th of June.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., states, in Mason's History of Norfolk, that one was shot at Breydon, on the 27th of June, 1877.'
A. H. Patterson (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 414, says: 'One shot on Breydon, June 27th, 1877, by John Thomas, punt-gunner.' Later, Patterson (1905) says: 'Mr. John "Pintail" Thomas shot this adult female on Breydon flats on June 27th, 1877. It passed into Mr. Rising's collection, and then to the Castle Museum, Norwich.'
Babington (1884-86) adds: '...it was photographed by Gunn, as recorded in a personal communication to Churchill Babington from J. H. Gurney.'
Accepted locally for Suffolk (Ticehurst 1932: 317) and for Norfolk (Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999).
14). 1880 Co. Durham Sunderland South Dock, caught alive, October, now at Sunderland Museum.
(Temperley, 1951; Bowey & Newsome, 2012).
History Temperley (1951) says: 'A specimen in the Sunderland Museum, was caught alive at South Dock, Sunderland, after a gale, in October, 1880.' Accepted locally (Bowey & Newsome 2012).
15.0). 1881 Essex River Stour, seen, early April; also in Suffolk.
(Babington, 1884-86; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).
History Babington (1884-86: 241) says: 'Col. Rowley had observed the bird going down the valley of the Stour in its flight towards the sea, flying with the neck straight out (Col. Rowley in litt.).' Accepted locally (Cox 1984; Wood 2007).
15.1). 1881 Suffolk Stoke-by-Nayland, female, shot, c. 12th April, now at Booth Museum, Brighton, East Sussex; presumed same as Essex.
(C. R. Bree, Field 23rd Apr., 1881: 546; C. R. Bree, Field 30th Apr., 1881: 612; Babington, 1884-86; Christy, 1890; F. W. Frohawk, Field 19th Nov., 1925: 879; Glegg, 1929; Ticehurst, 1932).
History C. R. Bree of Colchester (1881) in The Field of 23rd Apr., Vol. LVII. p. 546, says: 'On or about the 12th inst. there was shot at Nayland, on the Stour, a fine female specimen of the Black Stork, an exceedingly rare bird in this country.'
C. R. Bree of Colchester (1881) in The Field of 30th Apr., Vol. LVII. p. 612, adds: 'The Black Stork was shot at Stoke-by-Nayland, not Nayland.'
Babington (1884-86: 241) says: 'One shot by Mr. Frost-Mortimer (who has it), in a meadow in Stoke-by-Nayland on the Suffolk side of the Stour in May, 1881; it measured seven feet across the wings, and its crop was full of gudgeons; Col. Rowley had observed the bird going down the valley of the Stour in its flight towards the sea, flying with the neck straight out (Frost-Mortimer in litt.).' Babington admits to having seen the specimen.
Christy (1890: 188-189) says: 'Dr. Bree records The Field, 23rd April that a fine female was killed on or about April 12th, 1881, on the Stour at Stoke-by-Nayland. It was shot by Mr. W. Frost Mortimer of that parish and was preserved by Ambrose of Colchester.
This specimen was seen in 1888 in the possession of Mr. Mortimer, at Hastings, by Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., who describes it as "a splendid bird and well stuffed". Mr. Mortimer informed Mr. Gurney that he shot it in the month of May, and that it was very tame. Strictly speaking, this is a Suffolk specimen....Mr. Fitch has kindly obtained the following additional particulars from Mr. Mortimer, who still resides at Hastings, but does not now possess the bird, having sold it about two years ago for £10 to Sir Vauncey H. Crewe, of Calke Abbey, Derbyshire. Mr. Mortimer says that he saw the bird, the day before it was shot, in his fields at Boxford. He put it up, and its mode of flying with its neck out, as it flew down the river, showed him at once that it was not a Heron.
On the following morning it was reported to one of Col. Rowley's keepers as having been seen in one of the ponds on the estate, but in the afternoon, which was wet, it was reported by one of Mr. Mortimer's men to be then sitting perched on some rails in one of his fields. On his approach it flew into the back-river, where he got within five yards of it, as it was feeding with its head under water. He called to it to make it rise, and shot it when thirty or forty yards distant. A second shot from a barrel loaded, like the first, with No. 2 shot was necessary, and even then it flew on to within fifty yards of the river, where it dropped dead with its wings stretched out on the ground. This was in the parish of Stoke Nayland.
Although Col. Rowley wanted the bird Mr. Mortimer kept it and had it very nicely mounted by Ambrose, of Colchester. Mr. Mortimer says he shot it in the month of May, but this is clearly an error of memory. He also says another specimen was reported as having been seen about the same time, but he does not believe in it (Fitch).'
F. W. Frohawk (1925) in The Field of 19th Nov., Vol. CXLVI. p. 879, says: 'On November 10th last, the disposal took place at Stevens' Auction Rooms, Covent Garden, of the first portion of the very remarkable collection of British birds, formed by the late Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe, Bart., during about fifty years of his life....The Black Stork is a very rare casual visitor to Britain...The specimen in the collection was shot in the Stour Valley, Stoke, Suffolk, 1881. It sold for £12.'
Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 317).
16). 1882 Suffolk River Deben, near Woodbridge, immature, shot, 28th September.
("J.S." Field 7th Oct., 1882: 523; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978).
History "J.S." (1882) in The Field of 7th Oct., Vol. LX. p. 523, says: 'On Sept. 28 an immature Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) was shot on the banks of the River Deben, close to Woodbridge, by Henry Upson, a well-known fowler on the river. It measures 6 ft. from tip to tip, and weighed 8 lb. It has been preserved by Mr. Asten, of Woodbridge, for Major E. St. G. Cobbold.'
Babington (1884-86: 241) says: 'One shot by H. Upton on September 28, 1882, on the River Deben, near Woodbridge; preserved by Asten and passed into the collection of Major Ernest Cobbold of Ufford (T. Carthew in litt.; Field 7th Oct., 1882).' It was accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 317; Payn 1978, 2nd ed.).
17). 1884 Kent Rainham, Gillingham, obtained, early July, found dead 8th September.
(W. Prentis, Zoologist 1884: 429-430; Yarrell, 1871-85; Christy, 1890; Prentis, 1894; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/BlackStork.htm).
History Walter Prentis of Rainham (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. pp. 429-430, says: 'About the beginning of July a large heron-like bird, with black back and belly white, was seen by a shepherd on an island marsh near here. On Sept. 8th Mr. Charles Gordon, of Dover, being at my house, we happened to go on the same marsh to shoot, and beside the shepherd's house on the creek shore we found a skin of a bird very much decayed, which Mr. Gordon pronounced to be the skin of a Black Stork. From its appearance we assumed that it must have been lying there for about six weeks, floating on the shore with the tide. I picked up the pinion of one wing, one foot and the skull. On questioning the man he said that he had captured it at a small plash of water where eels had collected, all the rest of the ditches in the marsh, from the long warm dry weather, being quite dried up.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Lastly, a bird of this species appears to have been killed between July and the 8th of September, 1883, near Rainham in Essex (Zool., 1884, p. 429).'
Christy (1890: 188) in a footnote, says: 'The specimen said by Saunders in Yarrell's Brit. Birds, 4th ed. Vol. IV. p. 227, to have been "killed between July and 8th of September, 1883, near Rainham, Essex", was corrected in The Zoologist, 3rd series Vol. VIII. p. 429, where it says it is not an Essex specimen at all, having been killed at Rainham in Kent.'
Prentis (1894: 58-59) says: 'In July 1884 a Black Stork was seen to visit an island marsh; the water in the ditches after some very dry weather became nearly dried up, leaving only a few puddles in places where the eels had collected; a trap was set by the shepherd, who instead of catching an eel caught the Black Stork, and nothing would do but that he must eat it.
On July 24th, myself and Mr. Chas. Gordon, of the Dover Museum happened to be walking along a creek and when opposite the Shepherd's house we picked up the remains of a Black Stork, after it had floated backwards and forwards with the tide for some days, it was in a very mutilated condition, but we managed to secure the scull, feet and pinions as proof positive. Another Black Stork was afterwards seen, and in all probability it shared a similar fate.'
Ticehurst (1909: 321, 322-323) says: 'Dowker's record of a White Stork from Rainham in 1884 is an obvious error, and refers without doubt to Prentis' Black Stork....In July, 1884, a Black Stork appears to have been killed in the Rainham marshes. Prentis recorded it at the time in The Zoologist and subsequently retold the story in his Birds of Rainham. There are several discrepancies, though not very material ones, in the two accounts, and the circumstances seem to have been as follows: - ....'
Harrison (1953 (1): 113) says: '...a record of one by Prentis for July 1884 at Rainham.'
Still acceptable (Kent Ornithological Society).
Comment The Zoologist refers to 1884, so it would appear that Saunders in Yarrell made a mistake over the date which was perpetuated by Christie a few years later.
18). 1887 Isles of Scilly Tresco, shot, September.
(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 302; Penhallurick, 1969; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007).
History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 302, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'Two Black Storks have been shot at Tresco - one in September 1887.' Accepted locally (Flood, Hudson & Thomas 2007).
19). 1888 Norfolk Salthouse, sub-adult female, killed, 23rd April, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.86).
(H. Pashley, Field 28th Apr., 1888: 590; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1889: 17; Pashley, 1925; Riviere, 1930, Watson, 2010).
History H. Pashley of Cley-next-the-Sea (1888) in The Field of 28th Apr., Vol. LXXI. p. 590, says: 'A fine specimen of the Black Stork has been sent to me for preservation. It was obtained at Salthouse on April 23.'
J. H. Gurney, jun. (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 17, says: 'On the 23rd [April] a Black Stork, Ciconia nigra, retaining a few immature feathers on the breast, but otherwise adult, was obtained at Salthouse.'
Pashley (1925) says: '1888. April 23rd. Black Stork shot at Salthouse by Richard Piggot; a female, the ovary containing eggs, the largest about the size of a Sparrow's. The bird is in the collection of E. M. Connop.'
Accepted locally (Riviere 1930).
Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen from Salthouse, Norfolk, obtained on 22nd April 1888, without any further information.
Comment Preserved by H. N. Pashley, Cley, Norfolk. The Connop collection is now at City of Birmingham Museum.
20). 1890 Isles of Scilly Tresco, adult, shot, 7th May, photo.
(Anon., Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1888-92: 294; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1890: 353; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 302; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 350; Penhallurick, 1969; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 29).
History Anon. (1888-92) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, new series, Vol. III. p. 294, says: 'Mr. T. A. Dorrien-Smith has during the past year shot or observed at Tresco, Scilly, a Black Stork.'
J. E. Harting (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. p. 353, says: 'I have lately seen in the hands of Mr. Burton, of Wardour Street, for preservation, a remarkably good specimen of the Black Stork, Ciconia nigra, which was shot by Mr. Dorien [sic] Smith, on Tresco, on the 7th of May last, - in oblivion, as we may suppose, of the existence of the 'Wild Bird Protection Act.' It is to be regretted, however, that the Lord-Proprietor of the Isles did not set a better example by protecting such a rare feathered visitor to this much-favoured part of the British Islands.'
J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 302, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'Two Black Storks have been shot at Tresco...and one by Dorrien-Smith on May 8th, 1890.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 350, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899' and accepted locally (Flood, Hudson & Thomas 2007).
21). c. 1911 Suffolk Hollesley, obtained, spring.
(Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978; Piotrowski, 2003).
History Ticehurst (1932: 317) says: 'One, Hollesley in spring, about 1911 (Hope coll.).'
Accepted locally (Payn 1978, 2nd ed.) and (Piotrowski 2003).
Comment The late G. D. Hope.
22). 1946 Lothian Near Longniddry, 29th May; same, Port Seton, 2nd June.
(W. C. Osman Hill, British Birds 39: 344-345; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).
History W. C. Osman Hill (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. pp. 344-345, says: 'According to The Handbook of British Birds, Vol. III. (1939) there are 20 records of the Black Stork for the British Isles, the farthest north reported being Durham.
It is, therefore, of interest to record that a bird unquestionably of this species was observed at 4 p.m. on May 29th, 1946, at Longniddry, East Lothian, a little over a mile inland from the Firth of Forth. The bird was flying very high - altitude about 1,500 ft. - but with binoculars (Ruka 15 x 50) its characters could be readily defined. The bird progressed with long, measured wing-beats, alternated by prolonged periods of gliding. The head and neck were fully extended in front and the legs behind. The white breast, belly and axillaries were readily observed, sharply demarcated from the black of the rest of the plumage. It was not possible to make out from the colour of the bill whether the bird was mature or not. It flew off in a north-easterly direction.
What was probably the same bird was observed at Port Seton, a little farther west on the coast, on June 2nd, and possibly an unidentified high-flyer seen at the same place three weeks previously was also the same.
I am quite familiar with storks flying at high altitudes, having observed them frequently in Ceylon; in the Zoological Gardens in Colombo several species were kept at semi-liberty and these spent much of their time wheeling aloft in the unbroken sunshine.
My companion, who also observed the Black Stork at Longniddry, is also familiar with wild storks, not only in the East, but also in Germany and North Africa. There is little likelihood of this bird's being an escaped captive, as it is not a common menagerie species. There are no storks at present in the Scottish Zoological Park, Edinburgh.'
Accepted nationally as the first for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
1950-57 RECORD
23). 1956 Shropshire/Worcestershire Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest, 31st May.
(J. Lord, West Midland Bird Report 1956: 18; R. J. Bradney, British Birds 50: 348-349; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005; Smith et al., 2019).
History J. Lord (1956) in the West Midland Bird Report, p. 18, says: 'A bird was flushed from Dowles Brook in Wyre Forest on May 31st (R.J.B.). Long red legs and bill, black plumage and white belly noted at close quarters and as bird circled overhead. Enquiries have failed to reveal and reports of an "escape". (The first record for the county - Ed.).'
R. J. Bradney (1957) in British Birds, Vol. L. pp. 348-349, says: 'On 31st May 1956, I was passing through the Wyre Forest, Worcestershire, in mid-afternoon, accompanied by a party of boys from Bushbury Hill Secondary School, when a Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) was flushed from Dowles Brook. From our position of about 30 feet above the brook, black plumage, long red bill and legs, and slow heron-like wing-beats were noted immediately; and as the bird rose higher the white belly was also clearly observed. Once it was above the level of the trees, the bird turned and came gliding back over our heads; this gave us an excellent opportunity to see that the lower breast, as well as the belly and under tail-coverts, was white. The bird then circled round and disappeared.
This is the first record of the Black Stork in Worcestershire.'
[As we go to press, Mr. E. M. Rutter, Editor of The Birds of Shropshire, tells us that Miss. E. J. Peele and Miss P. Barlee saw a stork in Shropshire on 30th May 1956, the day before the Worcestershire record. This bird was watched for about two minutes flying at a height of about 60 feet at Haughmond Hill, 3 miles east of Shrewsbury, and after circling it flew off in the direction of Wrekin, a line which would bring it approximately to the Wyre Forest. The characteristic shape was well seen, but in poor light the species was not determined. - Eds.]
Accepted locally for Worcestershire (Harrison & Harrison 2005).
Comment In a review of certain records during the period 1950-57, the Shropshire record was found unacceptable (Wallace, Bradshaw & Rogers 2006).
NOT PROVEN
0). 1823 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, three, seen, undated.
(J. Clarke MS.; Stevenson, 1870; Yarrell, 1871-85; Patterson, 1905).
[H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1867: 872; Allard, 1990].
History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 872, states that the first authentic record for Norfolk was in 1867. Later, Stevenson (1870 (2): 183) says: 'In Mr. Joseph Clarke's MS. notes on rare birds at Yarmouth, under the heading of White Stork "Three were followed in Norfolk for some days in 1823".'
It was admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Locally, Allard (1990) in his Birds of Great Yarmouth, did not include this record of three individuals.
0). 1833 Lincolnshire No locality, shot, spring.
(F. Holme, Zoologist 1856: 5035-36).
[BOU, 1971].
History Frederick Holme (1856) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIV. pp. 5035-36, in a letter to E. H. Rodd dated 11th January 1834, says: '...it [Great White Egret] is now in the collection of Mr. A. Strickland (the brother of the Yorkshire M.P.) who gave me the account: it is the only authenticated British specimen. The same gentleman has a specimen of the Black Stork, shot last spring in Lincolnshire.'
Comment Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.
0). 1836 Yorkshire Bretton Park, near Barnsley, March.
(Mosley, 1915; Nelson, 1907; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).
[Clarke & Roebuck, 1881].
History It was not accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 52), however, it was accepted later by Nelson (1907 (2): 405) who says: 'One in Bretton Park, Huddersfield, in March 1836, as noted by Mr. S. L. Mosley in his 'List of Huddersfield Birds', also (Chislett 1952: 168) and by Mather (1986) who says: 'Recorded by Mosley as having occurred in Bretton Park, near Barnsley in March, 1836.'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent ornithologist. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1854 Kent Weald, killed, undated.
(Morris, 1856-62, 1863-67; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/BlackStork.htm).
[Seebohm, 1884; Yarrell, 1871-85].
History Morris (1856 (4): 175, reissue) says: 'Another was killed on the Weald of Kent a few years since, as Mr. Chaffey, of Dodington, has been good enough to inform me.' However, Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 226, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In Kent, one was shot prior to 1844 in Romney Marsh; and on the 5th of May, 1856, another was obtained near Lydd in the same district.'
Locally, Balston, Shepherd & Bartlett (1907: 316) say: 'About October, 1852, another was recorded by Mr. Chaffey, of Dodington, which was killed in the Weald of Kent' while Ticehurst (1909) p. 322, says: 'A second record is given by Morris (Brit. Birds, IV. p. 175), on Chaffey's authority, of a bird killed in the Weald about 1854. This bird has not been recorded elsewhere, and has not been noticed in any other work on British birds, so that if the locality is correct, it cannot be confused with any of the other occurrences.' Still acceptable (Kent Ornithological Society).
However, it was not admitted nationally (Seebohm 1884 (2): 529; Saunders 1889).
0). 1855 Devon River Exe, Topsham, seen, 12th February.
(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).
[Moore, 1969].
History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 197) in a footnote, say: 'On 12th February, 1855, when the cold was extremely severe, a large bird was seen on the Exe near Topsham, which, from the description given to us at the time by a man who got within twenty yards of it, and failed to shoot it, owing to his gun missing fire, could have been nothing else than a Black Stork. Curiously enough, about a week previously, what was supposed to be a gigantic Heron had been seen near the same spot.'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1857 Dorset Lodmoor, Weymouth, seen, undated.
(Mansel-Pleydell, 1873, 1888; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).
[F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 186; BOU, 1971; Morrison, 1997].
History Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 29) says: 'In 1857, two gunners described to Mr. Thompson a bird they had seen on Lodmoor, which he is satisfied was this species.' However, it was not admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 186, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent ornithologist. Not acceptable.
0). 1893 Greater London Northolt, Middlesex, adult male, shot, 25th July.
(R. Meinertzhagen, Field 5th Aug., 1893: 208; R. Meinertzhagen, Zoologist 1893: 396; Harting, 1901; Glegg, 1935; Self, 2014).
[BOURC (1993), Ibis 135: 320-325].
History R. Meinertzhagen of Harrow-on-the-Hill (1893) in The Field of 5th Aug., Vol. LXXXII. p. 208, and in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVII. p. 396, says: 'An adult male Black Stork, Ciconia nigra, was shot at Northolt, near Harrow-on-the-Hill, on the 25th July last. It had been seen for about six weeks - so it was said by the man who shot it - and was said to have been killing and eating young chickens.
It was very shy, and when approached would fly to the top of a haystack, where it generally roosted, and where it was eventually shot. It showed no traces of captivity, but that, of course, does not prove that it had not escaped from confinement. I enquired of Messrs. Bailey, in Mount Street, but learnt that no such bird had been lost from their aviaries.
On examination, it appeared that it was moulting the third and sixth primaries. It measured in length 3 ft. 4½ in.; expanse of wing 5 ft. 11 in.; wing 1 ft. 9 in., and now in the hands of Mr. J. R. Goshawk, of Harrow, for preservation. It is to be regretted that such rare feathered visitors should not be allowed to remain unmolested and receive that encouragement and protection which is afforded to the White Stork in Holland and Germany.'
Admitted nationally (Harting 1901) and accepted locally for Middlesex (Glegg 1935) and for the Greater London area (Self 2014).
Comment Although Meinertzhagen has been discredited (BOURC (1993), Ibis 135: 320-325), this may be a genuine record as the name of the taxidermist was given and anyone could have gone along to see the specimen. Not acceptable.
0). 1894 Devon Salcombe Cove, Sidmouth, two, seen, 3rd April.
(E. Hamilton, Zoologist 1894: 429; Tyler, 2010).
[D'Urban & Mathew, 1895; Moore, 1969].
History Edward Hamilton of London (1894) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVIII. p. 429, says: 'On April 3rd, about 2.30 p.m., two large birds were observed standing on a rock about twenty yards from the shore of Salcombe Cove, near Sidmouth. They looked like Herons in size, or a little larger, and on examining them with a binocular, the plumage was black or very dark, the beak red and long, and the legs red and long. My informant, an Eton Master, is no ornithologist; but on showing him the coloured plate of Ciconia nigra in Dresser's Birds of Europe, he without the slightest hesitation recognised it as the species he saw at Salcombe.'
D'Urban & Mathew (1895, 2nd. ed.) expressed that this was not a very satisfactory record.
Comment Probably misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1900 Kent Romney Marsh, Fairfield, female, obtained, 25th November, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.5).
(Watson, 2010).
[Hastings Rarity].
History Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a female specimen obtained at Romney Marsh, Fairfield, Kent, on 25th November 1900, adding that it was bought at Sir V. H. Crewe's sale.
Comment Although not in the paper by E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees (British Birds 55: 299-384) it is from that area around Hastings and the period when fraud was being committed that I find it unacceptable; also Crewe's specimens left a lot to be desired as he was not particular about their provenance. Not acceptable.
0). 1901 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 20th September.
(Pashley, 1925; Riviere, 1930; Seago, 1977).
[BOU, 1971].
History Pashley (1925) says: '1901. September 20th. Mr. H. A. Bishop saw a Black Stork on the Wiveton Marshes.' Further, under 'List of Cley Birds', he adds: 'One seen on good authority.'
Comment Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.
0). 1905 Norfolk Blakeney, two, seen, 17th September.
(Pashley, 1925; Riviere, 1930; Seago, 1977).
[BOU, 1971].
History Pashley (1925) says: '1905. September 17th. Two Black Storks were seen by Mr. G. Hudson, and on the 18th they were seen by a competent observer, as well as by several Blakeney fishermen.' Further, under 'List of Cley Birds', 'he adds: "These two were seen by H. A. Bishop. They were not molested.'
Comment Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.
0). 1908 Yorkshire Wharfedale, near Ilkley, seen, 9th January.
("L.G." Field 25th Jan., 1908: 150; Bolam, 1912).
[BOU, 1971].
History "L.G." (1908) in The Field of 25th Jan., Vol. CXI. p. 150, says: 'On the 9th inst., during a walk between Ilkley and Bolton Abbey, and shortly before reaching the village of Addingham, I was greatly surprised to see so unusual a visitor to Britain as a Stork.
It was flying at an altitude of perhaps rather more than a hundred yards, and shaping a steady course nearly due eastwards, from which it did not shift a point as long as it remained in sight. Its line of flight crossed the river Wharfe, near Addingham, and it passed nearly over my head, enabling me to say almost without doubt that it was an example of Ciconia nigra, a species which, though unusual in these latitudes at this time of year, has more than once occurred in this country during winter.
As so conspicuous a bird could scarcely fail to attract attention or to be seen by others besides myself, it will be interesting to learn if any other of your readers observed it. It was about eleven o'clock that it passed here, and its course, if unaltered, should have carried it to the coast, somewhere in the neighbourhood of Hornsea. The ground when the Stork was seen was covered with about an inch of snow, which had fallen during the previous night, and there were further heavy showers during the afternoon, the wind being light and blowing from a few points east of north.'
Bolam (1912: 335) says: 'On 9th January, 1908, I saw a Black Stork winging its way down Wharfedale, near Ilkley, in Yorkshire. It was shaping a course nearly due east, and passed almost directly over me at a height of about a hundred yards, so that there was no doubt about its identification, although the time of year might suggest the possibility of its having been a bird escaped from captivity.'
BOU (1971) did not list January as one of the months it had occurred in. Not acceptable.
0). 1924 Norfolk Scolt Head, seen, 9th June.
(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 18: 287; Seago, 1977).
[BOU, 1971].
History B. B. Riviere (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XVIII. p. 287, under 'Norfolk Annual Report', says: 'On June 9th a Black Stork was seen flying over Scolt Head, whence, after circling round and rising to a great height, it disappeared out to sea to the north-east. It certainly could not have selected a more favourable opportunity for having its visit recorded, as it so happened that the members of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society were upon that day visiting the island, and were, at the moment of the Black Stork's appearance, all assembled for tea! It was, therefore, seen by so many good observers, including Miss E. L. Turner, Dr. Long and Col. Todd, that there can be no doubt as to its having been correctly identified.' However, it was not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1939 Suffolk Thorndon, near Eye, autumn.
(Eds., Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society 4: 220; Payn, 1978).
[Payn, 1978].
History In an Editorial (1938) in the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 220, he says: 'For a month or so preceding 25 October last, a Stork visited the moat at Thorndon rectory, at a time when the autumnal drought had left little water in the moat and it became, consequently, easy for it to prey upon the contained Crucian Carp, Carassius vulgaris, Nil.
After such breakfast the Stork habitually stood to digest in the middle of an adjacent pightle, where so unusual a visitor attracted Rooks and other Birds to settle near. It was tamer and less wary than Herons, Ardea cinerea, L., that came for the same diet; and left as soon as the heavy rainfall of early November swelled the moat-water (Local Paper, 20 No.).'
[One regrets that our Member, the Revd. H. A. Harris gives no more exact dates, &c. Black Storks are such rare visitors here that Babington knew but four or five from earliest times (1886, p. 241) and Ticehurst makes only one addition (1932, p. 317); we have heard of none since Trans., I. 171, note. - Ed.]
Locally, Payn (1978, 2nd ed.) states that this record seems unacceptable.
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1946 Greater London Hampton Hill, Middlesex, seen, 17th September.
(E. R. Parrinder, London Bird Report 1946: 18; Eds., British Birds 41: 318).
[BOU, 1971].
History E. R. Parrinder (1946) in the London Bird Report, p. 18, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'One with four Herons at Hampton Hill on Sept. 17 was seen again on the three following days; it was very tame and allowed approach to within eight or nine yards (R.M.). The bird was presumably an escape, although enquiries have failed to elicit information of any missing or released.'
In an Editorial (1948) in British Birds, Vol. XLI. p. 318, in a Review of the London Bird Report, for 1946, they say: 'A Black Stork seen associating with Herons at Hampton Hill (Middlesex) for several days in September was very tame and is presumed to have been an escape, though no loss of a captive bird has been traced.'
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1956 Shropshire Haughmond Hill, near Shrewsbury, 30th May; also in Worcestershire.
(E. M. Rutter, Birds of Shropshire 1957: 11; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964).
[E. M. Rutter, Birds of Shropshire 1957: 11; D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History E. M. Rutter (1957) in the Birds of Shropshire, p. 11, says: 'One seen on 30th May for two minutes by Miss E. J. Peele and Miss Barlee at a height of 60 feet and flew off in a direction towards Wrekin. Characteristic shape was well seen but in poor light and not specifically identified.'
D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
Comment This record is erroneously recorded as occurring in 1957 in their Bird Report.
0). 1957 Kent Canterbury/Dover area, September to November, possible escape.
(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1957: 9; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).
[BOU, 1971; D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History E. H. Gillham (1957) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. VI. p. 9, says: 'One reported from the Canterbury and Dover areas from Sept. 23 until late November was considered to have escaped from captivity (A.P.B., D. Stainer et al.). A farmer told W.S.N. that he could walk the bird into a barn on a cold night!'
D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
