European Roller (2/2)
Coracias garrulus Linnaeus, 1758 (174, 10)
Photo © By Artur Mikołajewski - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3163763
1950-57 RECORDS
175). 1950 Orkney Westray, 10th August.
(J. G. Marwick, The Orcadian 10th Aug., 1950; Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Groundwater (1974) says: 'In The Orcadian J. G. Marwick noted three more recent occurrences - one in Westray on 10th August 1950.' However, Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds (1984) state the month as July.
176). 1950 Northumberland Arcot Hall, Cramlington, 14th October.
(G. W. Temperley, Naturalist 76: 124; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).
History G. W. Temperley (1951) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXVI. p. 124, under 'Ornithological Report for Northumberland and Durham for 1950', says: 'On October 14th near Arcot Hall, Northumberland, some 12 miles N. of Newcastle, a Roller was seen flying along a hedgerow. It was approached to within 10 yards and its characteristic brilliant 'Oxford and Cambridge blue' plumage was clearly noticed, making identification easy. The observer is already quite familiar with this species in Africa (J.G.A.).'
177). 1952 Borders Scottiswoode, Gordon, Berwickshire, adult, 17th to 23rd July, photo; presumed same, near Duns, 15th August.
(W. R. Cairns, Scottish Naturalist 64: 175-176; T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 2: 71; Murray, 1986).
History W. R. Cairns (1952) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIV. pp. 175-176, says: 'As our postman was returning from his morning round on 17th July 1952, he called to tell me of a most unusual bird he had seen. Since he was almost breathless with excitement, I set off at once, expecting from his description to find an escape from some local aviary.
A few minutes later I found, perched on a telegraph pole by the edge of a wood, this most exotic looking stranger, with pale blue head and breast, warm chestnut mantle, wings a brilliant turquoise (one might almost call it a Kingfisher blue), and the tail appearing to be a purplish navy blue, or black. It spread its brilliant wings and glided, pigeon like, to the ground, there to pick about for a few minutes, then up again, this time on to a horizontal branch of an ash tree, where, silhouetted against a dark background of Scots pine trees, it sat and preened its feathers 30 yards away.
I had this bird under observation for five days, during which it never moved far, perching by preference on the telegraph pole. When it did move, it seemed to prefer to stay in the open, and was often seen on the posts of a wire fence which bordered a hay field. It was actually brighter and more spectacular in colour than shown in the plates in Thorburn's British Birds or The Handbook by Witherby. It did not seem unusually timid, and gave a wonderful display to a dozen members of the Edinburgh branch of the S.O.C., who came immediately, on hearing from Mr. Dougal Andrew, to whom I had sent a report.'
T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1952) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 71, add: 'On 17th July 1952 Mr. W. R. Cairns was told of a strange bird that had been present at Spottiswoode, near Gordon, for about a week previously. This proved to be an adult Roller in superb plumage. Thanks to Mr. Cairns' prompt action a large number of bird-watchers from Edinburgh and elsewhere were able to get down to see the bird before it departed about midday on the 22nd. Photographs were taken by Mr. Harry Marshall and it is hoped to exhibit these at a future meeting of the club. We now hear, through Mr. George Waterston and Col. W. M. Logan Home, that a Roller, presumably the same bird, appeared on 15th August nearer Duns.'
178). 1953 Cumbria Mungrisedale, 15th March.
(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 9: 20; Hutcheson, 1986).
History E. Blezard (1958) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. IX. p. 20, says: 'Near Mungrisedale, Cumberland, on the afternoon of 15 March 1953, G. E. Hall, of Rydal, came upon a Roller, most unexpected in itself and in strange company. It was among twenty to thirty Curlews on open ground. The Roller was obviously tired and, unlike the quickly departing Curlews, made evasive flights of only a few feet when approached. A fresh to very strong easterly wind at the time, after ten days of warm weather, might account for the arrival of this bird. It is the first Roller to be recorded in Lakeland since 1907.'
Comment Very early late. It is usually mid-April before they generally arrive here, I have only seven April records to 2018.
179). 1955 Dorset Yetminster, 7th April.
(K. B. Rooke, British Birds 48: 332; K. B. Rooke, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 77: 69; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).
History K. B. Rooke (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 332, says: 'On 7th April 1955 a Roller (Coracias garrulus) was clearly identified near Yetminster, Sherborne, Dorset. It was seen by Mrs. A. L. C. Zimmer at close range from the windows of a very slow-moving local train, over which it flew, and then watched flying across a field towards a distant tree. The observer immediately realized it was a bird entirely unknown to her, and gave an excellent description of it soon afterwards to Miss M. D. Crosby, to whom I am indebted for reporting it to me. I have since discussed the record with Mrs. Zimmer, and am grateful for her permission to publish it. In size and build it was reminiscent of a Jay (Garrulus glandarius), but quite different in colour; its strong flight was more suggestive of a "queer-looking pigeon".
The most striking features were: plumage mainly fairly bright pale blue (including head, neck and under-parts), brighter blue on parts of wings and tail; contrasting strongly with bright chestnut mantle and blackish flight feathers, also with some dark markings on tail. The blue was not as brilliant as in the Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). This appears to be the first Dorset record of the Roller since 1868. According to The Handbook, it is only an occasional vagrant to the British Isles in April.'
180). 1955 Hampshire Butser Hill, 30th May.
(E. Cohen, Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society 1955: 203; Cohen, 1963).
History E. Cohen (1955) in the Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society, p. 203, says: 'An adult at Butser Combe, near Petersfield, on May 30th (N.G.S.C. et al.).'
Cohen (1963) says: 'One was seen on Butser Hill by Champion, Wiseman, Bowers and Billett on 30th May 1955.'
181). 1956 Devon Exeter, 28th May.
(S. G. Madge, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1956: 37; Moore, 1969).
History S. G. Madge (1956) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIX. p. 37, says: 'Exeter, May 28, one watched for three-quarters of an hour from 7.30 a.m. by my wife and daughter and myself, flying from tree to tree behind the house and across the garden. A Siamese cat was so astonished that it climbed a tree in an endeavour to reach it. Calling all the time, its blue underparts and wings with black tips were most noticeable in flight; the back was chestnut, crown noticeably paler blue (F.R.S.).'
182). 1956 Borders Edrom, Berwickshire, picked up long dead, June, possibly the 1952 Borders individual.
(W. M. Logan Home, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 6: 70; Murray, 1986).
History W. M. Logan Home (1956) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VI. p. 70, says: 'On 14th June 1956 I picked up the dried-up carcase and piece of a wing of a Roller - (Coracias garrulus) - in a Scots Pine wood on the ridge half a mile due north of Marigold Farm near Edrom. There was no head to be found. From the appearance of the remains, the bird must have been dead several years. This may well have been the bird which frequented the vicinity of Raecleuch Farm, Westruther in July 1952.'
Murray (1986) says: 'It is just possible that the very old remains of one found at Edrom in June 1956 could have been the 1952 bird.'
183). 1956 Suffolk Minsmere, 6th to 30th August.
(Bird Notes; F. K. Cobb, Suffolk Bird Report 1956: 21; Payn, 1978).
History F. K. Cobb (1956) in the Suffolk Bird Report, p. 21, says: 'One Minsmere, Aug. 8th (S.K.R.), also seen on 6th , 22nd and 30th (Bird Notes).'
184). 1957 Shetland Mid Yell, Yell, found injured, 18th September.
(P. E. Davis, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 4: 21; C. J. Inkster, Scottish Birds 1: 72).
History P. E. Davis (1958) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. IV. p. 21, says: 'One found injured by Miss H. Thompson in Mid Yell, September 18th (Shetland News, 1.x.57). This was probably the same bird subsequently found dead and taken to C. Inkster. September 18th was the first "big day" of a remarkable rush of birds at Fair Isle. There is only one previous record of the Roller in Shetland, at Whalsay in Autumn 1930.'
C. J. Inkster (1958) in Scottish Birds, Vol. I. p. 72, says: 'On 5th September 1958 [sic], in Mid Yell, Mr. Robert Tulloch observed a Roller Coracias garrulus, which was being mobbed by a Kestrel; it protected itself by turning on its back in the air and extending its claws.'
[In a cutting from The Shetland News of 16th September, sent us by Mr. Inkster, an unmistakeable description of the bird is given. The cutting also refers to a roller "found dead about this time last year by Miss Harriet Thomason of Camb". - Ed.]
NOT PROVEN
0). 1752 Sussex Charlton Forest, seen, undated.
(Hill, 1752; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[Walpole-Bond, 1938].
History Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 429, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Pennant mentions another, "seen at large in our island", which may have been that recorded in 1752 by Hill (Hist. Anim. p. 389) as observed by him in Charlton Forest in Sussex.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 168) says: 'The earliest reference to the Roller in Sussex - if, indeed, the bird was a Roller, since in my opinion its recorder was something of a raconteur - is traceable to one Dr. John Hill, who on page 389 of his History of Animals (published in 1752) tells his readers that he once saw an example in Charlton Forest, which is on the hills to the north of Goodwood. Borrer (1890, p. 170), when annotating the incident, made two mistakes.
Firstly, he refers us to the wrong page of the History i.e., to page 369 vice page 389; and, secondly, states that the specimen was seen in 1752, which, as already shown, was merely the year in which the History appeared. As a date, remember, Hill only used the very loose expression "once".'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938).
0). 1814 Orkney No locality, obtained, undated.
(Baikie & Heddle, 1848).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History Baikie & Heddle (1848) say: 'Mr. Bullock got one in 1814.'
Not accepted nationally (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
0). 1817 Norfolk Near Great Yarmouth, killed, September.
(R. Sheppard & W. Whitear, Transactions of the Linnean Society 15: 11; Babington, 1884-86; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 409; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990).
[Stevenson, 1866].
History R. Sheppard & W. Whitear (1826) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XV. p. 11, say: 'In answer to some queries respecting a Roller killed in Suffolk, Mr. Hunt of Norwich replies, "The specimen of the Roller, which was shot at Bungay, September 23, 1817...I am also credibly informed, that another specimen of the same bird was killed in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth about the same time.'
Stevenson (1866 (1): 310) says: 'I have been wholly unable to trace the specimen or ascertain its existence in a collection at the present time. Strangely enough, in Messrs. Paget's 'Sketch' there is no mention of the Roller as having appeared near Yarmouth, nor in Sir W. J. Hooker's MS. notes of the same district.'
A. H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 409, says: 'Several are recorded for this neighbourhood. One killed about 1817.'
Accepted locally for Suffolk by Ticehurst (1932) who adds: 'Near Yarmouth about this date [1817] (Gurney collection).'
Comment Third hand report. Probably the Bungay record as they were very lax in the detail of location. Lacks adequate details. Not accepted locally (Stevenson 1866).
0). Pre 1824 Norfolk Blofield, obtained, undated.
(Stevenson, 1866).
[KAN].
History Stevenson (1866 (1): 311) says: 'I find a record in the late Mr. Lombe's notes of birds not in his collection, of one obtained at Blofield. An adult female in my own possession, formerly in the collection of the late Rev. C. Penrice, of Plumstead, was, I have no doubt, procured in this county, and it is by no means improbable that it may be the Blofield bird above referred to; but, unfortunately, although Mr. Penrice's birds were known to have been collected chiefly in the county, no memoranda as to the dates or localities were attached to the numerous cases.'
Comment Lacks supporting details of a precise date, collection and identification details. Not acceptable.
0). 1824 Orkney Sanday, shot, undated.
(Baikie & Heddle, 1848).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History Baikie & Heddle (1848) say: 'One was shot in Sanday in 1824.'
Not accepted nationally (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
0). 1824 Yorkshire Fixby Park, near Huddersfield, shot, winter.
(R. Leyland, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 1: 395; H. Denny, Annals of Natural History 5: 390; Allis, 1844; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).
[KAN].
History R. Leyland of Halifax (1829) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 395, dated 28th July 1828, says: 'Roller. A fine specimen of this bird was shot in Tixby [sic] Park, near Huddersfield, in the winter of 1824, and is now, I believe, in the museum of a gentleman at Littleborough.'
H. Denny (1840) in the Annals of Natural History, Vol. V. p. 390, says: 'Coracias garrula. Very rare. A fine specimen shot in Fixby Park, 1824.'
Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 39) say: 'The localities for which it has been recorded are: - Fixby, in the winter of 1824.'
Nelson (1907 (1): 281) says: 'The first mention of this species occurs in R. Leyland's list of 1828, whose remarks are also included in Allis's Report, as follows: - Coracias garrulus. Roller - R. Leyland informs me that a specimen shot in Fixby Park, Huddersfield, in 1824, is still in the possession of a gentleman at Littleborough.'
Comment Unusual date and way out of known migration period. Probable escape? Not acceptable.
0). 1827 Orkney No locality, obtained, undated.
(Selby, 1833).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History Selby (1833 (1): 117) in a footnote, says: 'A specimen of the present species is now in the possession of Sir Wm. Jardine; killed at Orkney in 1827, and sent to him as a curious kind of Duck.'
Not accepted nationally (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
0). 1829 Orkney Sanday, four, shot, undated.
(Baikie & Heddle, 1848).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History Baikie & Heddle (1848) say: 'One was shot in Sanday in 1824, and four others in the same island in 1829.'
Not accepted nationally (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
Comment Four on one island during the same year surely means a misidentification; as are all other records of the species in this book.
0). 1832 Yorkshire Seamer, killed, undated, now at Scarborough Museum.
(P. Hawkridge, Naturalist, 1838: 216; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).
[KAN].
History Patrick Hawkridge of Scarborough (1838) in Wood's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 216, dated 7th August 1837, says: 'In 1832 one of these accidental stragglers - a bird of exquisite beauty - was shot while feeding on a heap of manure in a turnip-field at Seamer, four miles from Scarborough, and was purchased for the Museum of that town.'
Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 39) and by Nelson (1907 (1): 281) who adds: 'From Allis's Report, they are as follows: - Coracias garrulus. Roller - One near Scarborough in 1832, now in the Museum there.' Also, accepted by Mather (1986: 413).
Comment Duplicate record for 1833 Yorkshire. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1833 Perth & Kinross Dunkeld, Perthshire, killed, undated.
(Selby, 1833; Naturalists' Library 1839 (XI): 387; Yarrell, 1845; Macgillivray, 1837-52; Gray, 1871; Gladstone, 1910; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
[Macgillivray, 1840].
History Selby (1833 (1): 117) says: 'The figure accompanying this work was drawn from a specimen now in the Edinburgh Museum, and which was killed at Dunkeld a few years ago.'
Macgillivray (1840 (3): 542) says: 'A specimen, now in decay, which has long been in the Museum of the University of Edinburgh, is said to have been shot at Dunkeld.'
Gray (1871: 202) says: 'The Roller has likewise been found at Dunkeld, in Perthshire.'
Gladstone (1910: 165) says: 'In 1839 Sir William Jardine writing of this species in the Naturalists' Library 1839, Vol. XI. p. 387: "In Scotland, the specimen which served Mr. Selby for his figures in his British Ornithology Vol. I. p. 117, was killed in Dunkeld".'
Comment Macgillivray used the words "Said to have been" placing no faith in the record. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1833 Ayrshire Stevenston parish, shot, undated.
(D. Landsborough, New Statistical Account of Ayrshire 1837 (5): 447; Gray & Anderson, 1869; Gray, 1871; Paton & Pike, 1929; McWilliam, 1936; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Hogg, 1983).
History Gray & Anderson (1869: 29) say: 'The late Dr. Landsborough informed Mr. Gray many years ago that a specimen of this rare bird was shot near Stevenston, in Ayrshire, about the year 1833. It has occurred in some of the neighbouring counties, but not elsewhere in our district.'
Gray (1871: 202) says: '...another was shot at Stevenston, in Ayrshire, as recorded by the late Rev. Dr. Landsborough, at one time Minister of that parish.'
Richmond Paton & Pike (1929) say: 'A short notice appeared in the Statistical Account of Ayrshire 1837 (5): 447, where it states that this bird has been seen in the parish of Stevenston. This is confirmed by Gray & Anderson (1869) where it is said "The late Dr. D. Landsborough informed Gray many years ago that a specimen of this rare bird was shot at Stevenston about the year 1833".'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No supporting identification details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1839 Dumfries & Galloway No locality, undated.
(Gladstone, 1910; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
[KAN].
History Gladstone (1910) says: 'In 1839 Sir William Jardine wrote of this species: "In Scotland, the specimen which served Mr. Selby for his figures was killed in Dunkeld; we know of another specimen taken in Dumfriesshire, and a third, now in our collection.'
Comment Throwaway remark without any supporting details. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1839 Shetland No locality, shot, undated.
(Selby, 1833; T. Edmondston, jun., Zoologist 1844: 460; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
[Saxby, 1874; Evans & Buckley, 1899; P. E. Davis, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin (Vol. IV. No. 1) 1958: 21].
History Selby (1833 (2): 416) in a footnote, says: 'Sir William Jardine had a specimen of the Roller sent to him from Shetland, where it was killed, as a rare and curious Duck.'
T. Edmondston (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 460, says: 'One instance occurred some years ago.'
Evans & Buckley (1899: 104) recording the record in square brackets, say: 'Thos. Edmondston, jun. (Zoologist, II. 1844, p. 460), says: 'A Roller occurred in Shetland "some years ago"; but Saxby, who was in a position to ascertain the value of the record, gives a very unsatisfactory account of it. It may be observed that, though the latter says: 'It has been met with upon several occasions", he evidently refers to Britain, and not necessarily Shetland.'
Comment Sir William Jardine lived in Dumfriesshire and the previous record could also relate to this one. Without proper recording it all becomes very difficult to form a clear picture. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1841 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, seen, undated.
(Gray, 1871; C. Dixon, Ibis 1885: 84; Clarke, 1912; Harris & Murray, 1989).
[Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1888].
History Gray (1871: 202) says: 'One appears to have been seen on St Kilda about twenty-five years ago.'
Charles Dixon (1885) in The Ibis, Vol. XXVII. p. 84, under 'The Ornithology of St Kilda', quotes this record from Gray.
Clarke (1912 (2): 220, 249) under 'The Birds of St Kilda' says: 'During his visit to St Kilda on 2nd and 3rd August 1841, [James] Wilson (1842) in his two volume book Voyage round the Coasts of Scotland and the Isles, p.73, was informed by the Rev. Neil Mackenzie of the appearance, some time previously, of a rare bird which remained on the island for several weeks, and which from the description Wilson diagnosed as being undoubtedly a Roller.'
Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1888: 75) placed the record in square brackets.
0). 1842 Yorkshire Askern, two, obtained, undated.
(Lankester, 1842; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).
[KAN].
History Nelson (1907 (1): 282) says: 'In Dr. Lankester's Askern, p. 70, two Rollers are mentioned as being obtained in 1842.' Accepted locally (Mather 1986: 413).
Comment I cannot believe that Mather accepted this record on what appears to be the flimiest of details. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Two (together?) is very suspicious, even in one area. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1845 Norfolk Holkham, shot, undated.
(Lubbock, 1845; Stevenson, 1866).
[KAN].
History Stevenson (1866 (1): 311) says: 'Mr. Lubbock mentions one killed at Holkham.' Further, in a footnote, Stevenson adds: 'No doubt the same bird recorded in Mr. Dowell's MS. notes as shot "at Holkham, on the lake, hawking for flies, some years ago".'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting identification details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1849 Sussex Piddinghoe, shot, undated.
(Knox, 1849; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[KAN].
History Knox (1849: 215, 1st ed.) says: 'An example was shot by Mr. Tomsett, of Alfriston, in that neighbourhood.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 168-169) says: 'Previous recorders (Knox) have averred that the Roller next to be discussed was obtained in the neighbourhood of Alfriston. But from Mr. J. Tompsett, son of the gentleman who killed it, I learnt that Piddinghoe is the correct rendering, and I do not see how this place can possibly be described as in the neighbourhood of the other, since the two, both small villages, lie six miles apart, even as the crow flies! No date has ever been assigned to this bird, not even by Mr. Tompsett. But it is clear it "died" before 1849, since, that year, we find Knox - and he was the first to perpetuate the specimen - notifying the event in the first edition of his Ornithological Rambles (p. 215).'
Comment Uncertainty over where this individual was obtained. Lacks a precise date and identification details for a scientific record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1854 Northumberland Earsdon, shot, undated.
(Hancock, 1874; J. M. Charlton, Zoologist 1911: 313).
[KAN].
History Hancock (1874: 28) says: 'Some years ago a specimen was shot near Earsdon.'
J. M. Charlton (1911) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XV. p. 313, says: 'A specimen is recorded by J. Hancock as shot "some years ago near Earsdon", probably about 1854.'
Comment Lacks a precise date and identification details for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1856 Derbyshire River Derwent, between Derby and Duffield, seen, 3rd May.
(Mosley, 1863; Whitlock, 1893; Frost, 1978).
[KAN].
History Edwin Brown in Mosley (1863: 49-50) says: 'I have much pleasure in being enabled to add to our list of casual visitors that beautiful and rare bird, the Roller. On the 3rd of May, 1856, Mr. Davis, the optician of Derby, was walking by the River Derwent between Duffield and Darley, nearly opposite to Allestree Hall, the seat of William Evans, Esq., M.P., when there got up from a willow growing upon the bank, a bird considerably larger than a thrush, of a beautiful bluish-green plumage. He had never seen such a one, and he watched it attentively as it pursued its rapid flight down the river. He afterwards saw a stuffed specimen of the Roller in the museum, and without the least hesitation he identified it as the same bird. It has been occasionally noticed in other parts of the kingdom, but is remarkably rare in our midland districts.'
Accepted locally (Whitlock 1893; Frost 1978).
Comment A rapid flight down river is a classic Kingfisher trait. The bluish-green plumage fits both species and all we are left with is the supposed size being larger than a thrush. Not acceptable.
0). 1856-63 Staffordshire Berkeley, seen, undated.
(Smith, 1939; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).
[F. C. R. Jourdain & H. F. Witherby, British Birds 4: 106].
History Smith (1939: 143) says: 'A Roller was seen at Berkeley between the years 1856 and 1863 (Mosley).'
Comment This is a poor record to be admitted in a modern avifauna. Presumably Harrison & Harrison have not read F. C. R. Jourdain & H. F. Witherby (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 106, who say: 'One shot by a keeper in June, 1908, at Patshull (Hon. G. Legge). The first authentic record, though an example is said to have been seen at Berkeley.'
Lacks a precise date and identification details for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1857 Moray & Nairn Upper Maubeen, near Miltonduff, seen, summer.
(Gordon, 1889; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).
[Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1895].
History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 36) say: 'Another was mentioned in the Fauna of Moray as having been seen by Mr. A. Allen at Upper Maubeen, and in reply to further inquiry, Dr. Gordon sent us a letter from that gentleman, in which it is stated: - "As nearly as I remember, it was in the summer of 1857 I saw the Roller". Dr. Gordon thought there could be no doubt of the identification, but we know how difficult it is to identify birds from unscientific descriptions, often given after leading questions, and how valuable is the aphorism, "What's hit's History, but what's missed is mystery".'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent ornithologist. Not acceptable.
0). 1857 Herefordshire Goodrich, obtained, undated, now at Hereford Museum.
(Bull, 1888; Gilbert & Walker, 1954; Walker & Smith, 1975).
[P. H. Downes, Herefordshire Ornithological Club Report 1999: 657].
History Bull (1888: 102) says: 'There is a specimen of this rare straggler into Britain in the Hereford Museum, labelled "Goodrich 1857"; but this is all that is known about it.'
Gilbert & Walker (1954: 26) say: 'A specimen in the Hereford Museum is labelled "Goodrich 1857" (Bull 1888).'
0). 1863 Somerset Staplegrove, seen, August.
(Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).
[Smith, 1869].
History Palmer & Ballance (1968) say: 'One seen, Staplegrove, by James Turner, August 1863 (S.B.R., I.).'
Not noticed by Smith (1869).
Comment A hundred years to be reported. No identification details for this sight record for a first for the county. Not acceptable.
0). 1864 Norfolk Horsey, seen, August.
(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1865: 9405; Stevenson, 1866; Patterson, 1905).
[KAN].
History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9405, dated 14th November, 1864, says: 'A bird, supposed by its general colouring, to be a Roller, was also observed at Horsey about the same time [3rd September]; but of this I can give no more satisfactory information.'
Stevenson (1866 (1): 312) says: 'In August, 1854, Mr. Rising informed me that a strange bird, which, from the description given of it, he believed to have been a Roller, was observed on a fence in his garden at Horsey. It was described as being "very noisy", but was neither seen nor heard of afterwards.'
Comment A Jay is noisy! Not known to have been seen by a competent ornithologist. It would have been better if Stevenson hadn't recorded this "supposed" record. Not acceptable.
0). 1870 Sussex Angmering Park, near Arundel, seen, 24th May.
("Taffy" Field 11th June 1870: 495; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[KAN].
History "Taffy" (1870) in The Field of 11th June, Vol. XXXV. p. 495, says: 'On Thursday, May 24, I saw a beautiful male specimen of the Roller in Angmering Park, near Arundel. I was twice within a few yards of it, and satisfied myself of its identity.' Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 169).
Comment Anonymous records were regarded by naturalists as worthless. It would be incredible to sex a Roller in the field. Probably misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1872 Sussex Angmering Park, near Arundel, seen, 12th July.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[KAN].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 169) says: 'Although I used to correspond with Mr. E. J. Mostyn on the subject of birds, he never told me that he (or his brother, Captain Mostyn) possessed a Sussex-killed Roller, which Mr. W. B. Ellis, who acquired it about 1922 - both Mostyns were then dead - thought came from Cuckfield circa 1870. But I did learn from Mr. Mostyn that his brother, whom I strongly suspect of having been "Taffy" (ut supra), saw one of these birds in Angmering Park on July 12th, 1872.'
Comment No identification details for this sight record. Confusion with the 1870 record is suspicious. Not acceptable.
0). 1875 or 1876 Suffolk Pakefield, undated.
(Babington, 1884-86).
[KAN].
History Babington (1884-86: 100) says: 'One at Pakefield about 1875 or 1876 (Freeman viva voce).'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1877 Sussex Boreham, male, shot, 28th August.
(R. Mitford, Field 8th Sept., 1877: 281; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[KAN].
History Robert Mitford of St Leonards (1877) in The Field, of 8th September, Vol. L. p. 281, says: 'On the 3rd inst. I called on Bristow, the bird-stuffer here, and he brought me out from his workroom a beautiful specimen of the Roller he had just set up - a male bird, and in perfect plumage. It was shot by a labouring man on Aug. 28, between Pevensey and Eastbourne, near the village of Boreham. Unluckily for me, it had just been purchased, whether by a naturalist or no I do not know. The contents of its stomach consisted chiefly of wing cases, legs, and heads of different species of Carabidae.'
Acceped locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 169-170).
Comment Bristow was at the heart of the "Hastings rarities fraud" (E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384). Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1880 Cleveland/Yorkshire Marske Hall, Yorkshire, undated.
(Nelson, 1907).
[KAN].
History Nelson (1907 (1): 282) says: 'Near Richmond a specimen was reported at Marske Hall, "a few years ago" (Wade Dalton MS., 1880).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No identification details. Not acceptable.
0). 1881 Yorkshire River Wharfe, near Ilkley, seen, late July.
(H. T. Archer, Field 6th Aug., 1881: 193; W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Naturalist 9: 168; W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Zoologist 1884: 176; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).
[KAN].
History H. T. Archer of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1881) in The Field of 6th Aug., Vol. LVIII. p. 193, under 'Occurrence of the supposed Roller in Yorkshire', says: 'Walking along the banks of the Wharfe last week, I saw what I took to be a specimen of this rare bird. I was attracted first by its strange cry in the trees overhead, from which it presently flew out and alighted in another tree not far off.
Following the bird up, it again took wing, this time crossing the river to the wood opposite. Its plumage seemed a beautiful blue and emerald-green when flying, and it flashed along not unlike a Kingfisher, only three times the size. Had the bird been the Green Woodpecker, I should have noticed the red on the head and the barred tips of the wings.'
W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck (1883) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. IX. p. 168, and The Zoologist, (1884) 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 176, say: 'One was seen by Mr. H. T. Archer on the banks of the Wharfe, near Ilkley, about the end of July, 1881. (Archer, Field 6th August, 1881: 193 and MS.).'
Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 283; Mather 1986: 413).
Comment A blue bird on a river bank! It was recorded under "supposed" by the Editor of The Field [J. E. Harting] and then transpires into an acceptable record by locals without explanation! H. T. Archer served on the Committee of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, but the wording in The Field in the second paragraph gives the impression that it was not fully identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1883 Suffolk Exning, shot and wounded, June, found dead at Burwell next day.
(Babington, 1884-86).
[KAN].
History Babington (1884-86: 252) says: 'One shot in June 1883 at Exning and found dead at Burwell the next day (Howlett in litt.).'
Comment Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett notoriously unreliable and rejected all his records for Cambridgeshire. Not seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1883 Sussex Jevington, seen, June.
(Transactions of the Eastbourne Natural History Society 1883; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[KAN].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 170) says: 'During June, 1883, according to the Transactions of the Eastbourne Natural History Society, another was observed at Jevington, where about three years later (if, indeed, there is not a confusion of dates) Dr. H. Nicholls (in litt.) met with a specimen.'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Confusing record. Not acceptable.
0). 1883 Lincolnshire Muckton, first-winter, shot, 27th October.
(J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1884: 185; J. Cordeaux, Ibis 1891: 147-149).
[J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891: 364; Lorand & Atkin, 1989].
History J. Cordeaux (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 185, says: '1883. An interesting capture for Lincolnshire was that of the Roller, shot on October 27th, at Muckton, near Louth. I saw this bird shortly after at Mr. Kew's, the birdstuffer's, and conjecture from the generally dingy appearance of the plumage that it was a bird of the year.'
John Cordeaux of Great Cotes (1891) in The Ibis, Vol. III. 6th series, pp. 147-149, dated 9th October 1890, says: 'I have recently obtained an English-killed example of Coracias indicus, an adult, shot at Muckton, near Louth, in this county [Lincolnshire], on Oct. 27, 1883, by a cottager. The bird was perched at the time on a heap of manure. It was received in the flesh by a local taxidermist, in whose shop I saw it shortly afterwards, during the time he was setting it up. It was closely bound with coarse cotton-thread over slips of wood to keep the feathers in position when drying.
The occurrence was recorded in the Migration Report for 1883, p. 47, and in The Zoologist, 1884, p. 185, but erroneously there as Coracias garrulus, the colour of the breast and back, so far as these could be examined, leading me to think that it was probably an immature example of that species. Without going into further details, I may say: there is perfectly satisfactory evidence that the bird was obtained as described, and that there is no possibility of its having been exchanged for any foreign skin of a Roller; there are also no indications of its having been an escaped bird.
Both Professor Newton and Mr. Dresser, who have seen and kindly examined our Lincolnshire bird, agree that it is undoubtedly C. indicus.'
J. Cordeaux (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 364, says: 'Indian Roller, Coracias indicus, Linn. - 1883, Nov. 6th, one shot at Muckton, near Louth and erroneously recorded at the time as Coracias garrulus, Linn. (Zool., 1884, p. 185); subsequently, in September, 1890, when the bird was purchased by me, as C. indicus (The Ibis, 1891, pp. 147-8). Museum of Zoology, Cambridge.'
Comment Misidentified: Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis. Not acceptable.
0). 1884 Cambridgeshire Burwell Fen, moribund, mid-June; same as Suffolk.
(E. G. Borstock, Field 21st June 1884: 879; Bircham, 1989).
[Lack, 1934].
History Rev. E. G. Borstock of Newmarket (1884) in The Field of 21st June, Vol. LXIII. p. 879, says: 'I have just seen at the shop of Mr. W. Howlett, taxidermist, Newmarket, a fine specimen of the Roller (Coracias garrula). It was quite fresh, in fact not cold, having been killed only an hour before my visit. It was first seen on Newmarket Heath being mobbed by Rooks; afterwards it was found at Burwell, about two miles further on, where a labourer found it almost dead. He killed it, and then took it to Mr. Howlett to be preserved. The colour of head, neck, breast, is pale blue and green; back rich brown; wings brilliant blue, dark and light; bill black, and slightly hooked at the tip; legs yellowish brown.'
Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett "notoriously inaccurate" and rejected all the records he was involved with.
0). 1884 Suffolk Newmarket Heath, seen, June; also in Cambridgeshire.
(E. G. Borstock, Field 21st June 1884: 879; Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978).
[Lack, 1934; J. S. Clark, Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2004: 140].
History Rev. E. G. Borstock of Newmarket (1884) in The Field of 21st June, Vol. LXIII. p. 879, says: 'I have just seen at the shop of Mr. W. Howlett, taxidermist, Newmarket, a fine specimen of the Roller (Coracias garrula). It was quite fresh, in fact not cold, having been killed only an hour before my visit. It was first seen on Newmarket Heath being mobbed by Rooks; afterwards it was found at Burwell, about two miles further on, where a labourer found it almost dead. He killed it, and then took it to Mr. Howlett to be preserved. The colour of head, neck, breast, is pale blue and green; back rich brown; wings brilliant blue, dark and light; bill black, and slightly hooked at the tip; legs yellowish brown.'
Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 201). However, Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett "notoriously inaccurate" and rejected all the records he was involved with.
Payn (1978: 176, 2nd ed.) erroneously stated 1883 as the year of its occurrence.
0). 1897 Sussex Catsfield, adult female, shot, 24th September.
(G. W. Bradshaw, Zoologist 1897: 469; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History G. W. Bradshaw of Hastings (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. p. 469, says: 'I have received in the flesh, obtained on Sept. 24th at Catsfield, near Battle, Sussex, an adult female Roller, Coracias garrulus; weight 5 oz.; contents of gizzard, fragments of Geotrupes. It had been seen for several days by the keeper who shot it, and who considered it a kind of "Galley-bird", which is the local name for the Green Woodpecker. Markwich [sic], who lived at Catsfield, recorded, in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, one shot near Crowhurst Church, on Sept. 22nd, 1790, almost the same date. Borrer, in his Birds of Sussex, records it last in 1870.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 170) says: 'On September 24th, 1897, several Jays and a Roller, with a Sparrowhawk in hot pursuit, passed within shot of a keeper's gun at Catsfield. The rarity was brought down and eventually passed into the possession of Mr. F. Ashburnham.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1897 Sussex Near Catsfield, male, shot, 12th October.
(G. W. Bradshaw, Zoologist 1898: 24; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History George W. Bradshaw of Hastings (1898) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. II. p. 24, says: 'A second specimen of Coracias garrulus was shot at Catsfield, near Battle, on Oct. 12th. It is a male, and a much brighter bird than the one I recorded in the last volume of The Zoologist (p. 469). The man who secured the hen bird says: that he believes that there is still another one in the neighbourhood. Mr. Bristow, taxidermist, of St Leonards has had the two birds through his hands for preservation.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 170) says: 'The same year [1897], on October 12th, at or near the same place, another Roller paid the usual penalty for being too rash, and this bird, I have every reason for believing, was purchased by Mr. G. W. Bradshaw. If, However, my belief is wrong, the origin of the dateless Roller (though it is known to have "died" in Sussex) from the Bradshaw collection in the Reading Museum must be sought elsewhere. Is either of the above examples the dateless Roller mentioned in the third Supplement (published in December, 1897) to the Natural History of Hastings and St. Leonards as having been killed at Crowhurst, which is only about two miles from Catfield?'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1898 Sussex Catsfield, shot, 9th September, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.647).
(Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 170) says: 'Two more birds from Catsfield - evidently a highly favoured resort - here attracted attention. Of these, one was shot on September 9th, 1898. It was purchased by Mr. J. B. Nichols, and he apprised me of its History.'
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a female specimen that was obtained at Catsfield, Sussex, on 15th September 1898 adding that it was bought at the sale of J. B. Nichols collection.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable. A date difference between the two reports but presumed one and the same.
0). 1899 Norfolk Mautby, seen, about late June.
(Dutt, 1901).
[KAN].
History Dutt (1901: 73-74) on a visit to Arthur Patterson at his houseboat Moorhen in late August 1899, says: 'After breakfast we walked across the marshes to the banks of the Bure, arriving, after an hour's easy strolling, at Mautby Swim, where lives Fred Smith, an intelligent millman who is also an enthusiastic sportsman and observer of wild life. Although still only a young man, he can boast of having shot no less than nine Spoonbills. One of these is said to be the finest specimen ever procured in England; and judging from an excellent photograph in Smith's possession, I should say there are grounds for the assertion. In addition to a stuffed Kingfisher, which unfortunately is too common a feature of the marshman's home, the millman pointed out to me a white-tailed starling and a handsome Merlin. Among the rare birds which have fallen to him of late years were a Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola platyrhynca) only about half a dozen of which species have been taken in England, and four of these on Breydon; and a Pectoral Sandpiper (Heteropygia maculata) an American species. About two months before the date of my visit he had seen a Roller (Coracias garrulus) at Mautby.'
Comment Although probably a genuine record it has not been noticed by the various authors of Birds of Norfolk, and is therefore unacceptable. Probably overlooked.
0). 1899 Sussex Catsfield, shot, 21st August, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.648).
(Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 170) says: 'Two more birds from Catsfield - evidently a highly favoured resort - here attracted attention. Of these...the other on August 21st, 1899. It was purchased by Mr. J. B. Nichols, and he apprised me of its History.'
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was obtained at Catsfield, Sussex, on 21st August 1899 adding that it was bought at the sale of J. B. Nichols collection.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1900 Cheshire & Wirral Near Macclesfield, killed, undated.
(Coward & Oldham, 1900).
[Coward & Oldham, 1900].
History Coward & Oldham (1900: 117) recording the record in square brackets, say: 'The bare statement of the late Dr. J. D. Sainter that a Roller was killed two or three miles south of Macclesfield hardly justifies the inclusion of the species in a list of Cheshire birds, and in the absence of details we can only consider the record very doubtful.'
0). 1901 Sussex Ninfield, shot, 2nd June.
(T. Parkin, Zoologist 1901: 316; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 281; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Thomas Parkin of Fairseat, High Wickham, Hastings (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 316, says: 'A Roller (Coracias garrulus) was shot on June 2nd at Ninfield, near Sidley, Bexhill, Sussex. The bird was taken to Mr. G. Bristow, of Silchester Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, for preservation.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 281, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 170).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1907 Sussex Ninfield, shot, 3rd August, now at Reading Museum.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 170) says: '1907, August 3rd. On this day a Roller was obtained at Ninfield. It was acquired by Mr. G. Bristow, who sold it to the museum at Reading.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1913 Suffolk Near Ipswich, seen, 17th April.
(R. Jackson, Field 26th Apr., 1913: 826).
[Ticehurst, 1932].
History R. Jackson of Ipswich (1913) in The Field of 26th Apr., Vol. CXXI. p. 826, says: 'I saw a Roller (Coracias garrula) near here on April 17.'
Ticehurst (1932: 201) says: 'Said to have been seen near Ipswich, 17th April 1913 (R. Jackson, Field 26th April 1913).'
Comment Ticehurst used the words "said to have been seen" placing no faith in the record. Not acceptable.
0). 1914 Dumfries & Galloway Glasserton, shot, 14th December.
(Mearns & Rollie, 2016).
[Mearns & Rollie, 2016].
History Mearns & Rollie (2016) state that Mr. J. Davidson, a well known Indian ornithologist, was out Pheasant shooting with Mr. H. Holmes at Ravenstone Castle, Glasserton, on 14th December 1914, and fired at what he was pretty sure was a Roller. He had recognised the flight and call as it came through the trees. It fell wounded, but after waiting for the beaters to move through, it could not be found in the dense undergrowth.
Comment Extremely late date for a migrant. No supporting identification details. Not acceptable.
0). 1915 Sussex Jury's Gap, killed, 12th October.
(W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 128; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1920) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 128, says: 'A female, Jury's Gap, October 12th, 1915 (E. Catt).'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 171) says: 'From Mr. G. Bristow that another "died" on the county-boundary, at Jury's Gap, on October 12th, 1915.'
Comment Locality is in Sussex (Sussex Bird Report 1953: 5). Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1916 Derbyshire Shottle, male, obtained, November, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.646).
(Watson, 2010).
[KAN].
History Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was obtained at Shottle, Derbyshire, during November 1916, adding that it was bought from Sir V. H. Crewe's collection.
Comment Crewe's specimens have been questioned before over their provenance and this record has come to light 94 years after the event leaving it open to doubt. Not acceptable.
0). 1925 Sussex Wish Park, West Hove, seen, 12th October.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[KAN].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 171) says: 'Curiously enough, the following year [1925] on October 12th, in exactly the same spot, I detected a bird on the wing, which, though the range was long and the glimpse fleeting, I have little or no doubt was a Roller.'
Comment No supporting identification details. Not acceptable.
0). 1927 Suffolk Leiston, seen, 7th October.
("P.M.C." Field 12th Jan., 1928: 67; F. W. Frohawk, Field 2nd Feb., 1928: 164; "G.A.R." Field 16th Feb., 1928: 256; Ticehurst, 1932).
[KAN].
History "P.M.C." (1928) in The Field of 12th Jan., Vol. CLI. p. 67, says: 'It has been represented to me that a note ought to be sent to you of the occurrence of the Roller in East Suffolk. I did not see the bird, but it was heard and seen by more than one witness. I made the following entry on October 9th, 1927: "G.A.R. tells me of having seen, two days ago, a bird like a greenish Magpie and behaving like a Magpie. It was very noisy; he heard it first and then saw it. Its call seems to have been a repetition of similar hoots. All the other birds were afraid of it. He saw it at the Abbey ruins at Leiston, but it had been heard for a few hours in the park close by". Under the section on the Roller in the Victoria History of Suffolk the Rev. Julian Tuck says: "This splendid bird has occurred a few times in the eastern part of the county on its spring and autumn migrations, the last recorded having been obtained at Burgh Castle, in September, 1892". The volume of the Victoria History containing this note was published in 1911, so there probably are later records.'
F. W. Frohawk (1928) in The Field of 2nd Feb., Vol. CLI. p. 164, says: 'Although it is quite likely for a Roller to make its appearance in Suffolk, as over 100 examples have occurred from time to time in various parts of Britain, there appears to be some doubt attached to the identity of the bird seen by "G.A.R." and compared to "a greenish Magpie", as this hardly agrees with and fails to convey the brilliant colouring of a Roller, which is bright glossy greenish-blue, bright purple-blue, chestnut and black, the whole rendering a brilliant and striking combination of colouring, not likely to be mistaken for that of any other bird, and most readily distinguished from a Magpie's. It may be added that the iridescent plumage of the Magpie presents in certain lights varying shades of green.'
"G.A.R." (1928) in The Field of 16th Feb., Vol. CLI. p. 256, says: 'Mr. F. W. Frohawk, in The Field of February 2nd, seems to doubt whether the bird I saw on October 7th last at Leiston in Suffolk was really a Roller. I compared it to a Magpie only in shape and manner, certainly not in colour. The bird lit on a tree not far from me, and hopped from branch to branch for a few moments, making a loud cry before flying off again in a long looping flight, fast and low, still making its cry, one note constantly repeated. The bird was of a very brilliant colouring, perhaps more a greenish blue than green, with a long tail. Other birds were inclined to mob it.'
Ticehurst (1932: 210) says: 'Near Aldeburgh, October 1927.'
Comment Anonymous records were considered worthless by naturalists. A Magpie has a "long tail". Not acceptable.
0). 1928 Isles of Scilly Tresco, 27th May.
(Penhallurick, 1978).
History Penhallurick (1978) says: '1928. One seen by the gamekeeper, Mr. F. Wardle, on Tresco on 27 May (Abbey Records).'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1934 Worcestershire Droitwich, seen, mid-September.
("EH", 17 Sep., 1934, Birmingham Post).
[Anon., Report on the Birds of Warwickshire and Worcestershire 1934: 13].
History Anon. (1934) in the Report on the Birds of Warwickshire and Worcestershire 1: 13, says ‘An article in the Birmingham Post for September 17 signed "E.H.," records that "a Roller has been seen on two days in the neighbourhood of Droitwich." No further details are given.’
0). 1939 Devon Bovey Tracey, seen, 18th February.
(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendry, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1939: 20).
[Moore, 1969].
History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendry, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell (1939) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XII. p. 20, say: 'Bovey Tracey. On February 18th while pigeon shooting, an unfamiliar bird crossed my front, in bright sunlight, from the corner of one small wood to another. I noted the unusual flight, shape, colour, and voice, and as it settled in a tree, I had a good view of its back and tail. Its greenish-blue colouring showed clearly in the sunlight. I hoped to get a closer look by stalking, but a Buzzard appeared above the tree, and my quarry flew off in a hurry, making a loud "cackle" that, in imagination, might have come from a cross between a cock Pheasant and a Jay. After discussion with ornithological friends and reference to various books, I am in no doubt that I was fortunate in seeing a Roller. (R. Mardon).'
It was not accepted locally (Moore 1969).
0). 1945 Greater London Deptford, seen, 31st January.
(H. S. Kerley, British Birds 39: 119-120).
[Self, 2014].
History H. S. Kerley (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. pp. 119-120, says: 'On January 31st, 1945, from an upper window of the Kent office of the Metropolitan Water Board at Deptford, three colleagues and I observed a bird of most unusual appearance perched on a post on the left bank of the River Ravensbourne, which here flows through the works and under the office windows. Its unusual and striking colouring, which had first attracted attention to it, caused us to observe it carefully, and it remained long enough for us to do so before it flew off in a southward direction, with a distinctive upward swoop. The head and shoulders were greenish blue and the rest of the upper-parts chestnut, with black tips to the wings. The tail, which was spread like a fan when it took off, was dark in the centre with light sides. It was perched all the time with its back to us, so that we never got a front view. It appeared to me at the time to be about the size of Rook Corvus frugilegus, but as I afterwards found, that the distance from the window to the post was less than I had supposed, I probably over-estimated the size.
The range at which the bird was seen was in fact about 50 ft. Subsequent reference to The Handbook of British Birds confirmed the conclusion I had been led to by E. Fitch, Daglish's 'Name this Bird', that, in spite of the unlikely date, the bird was a Roller Coracias garrulus. The plate in The Handbook agreed exactly with what we saw.'
[We are indebted to Mr. R. W. Hale for bringing this record to, our notice, and we have been at some pains to investigate it. It is clear that the bird seen could have been nothing else but a Roller.
There is a Norfolk record for February, 1824, and a more recent one of a bird seen in Hertfordshire on February 6th, 1932 (antea Vol. XXV. p. 335). The occurrence of a Roller in England at such a date, just after a severe cold spell, is most extraordinary, but under war-time conditions it seems very unlikely to have been an imported bird, notwithstanding that the odd situation in which it was seen might seem to suggest that it was one. Mr. Witherby suggested that the Hertfordshire bird might have wintered in Northern Europe, but we are not aware that such wintering has ever been proved. – Eds., B. W. Tucker.]
Not accepted locally (Self 2014).
0). 1946 Lancashire & North Merseyside No locality, seen, 23rd August.
(A. W. Boyd, Lancashire & Cheshire Fauna Committee Report 1950: 31)
[A. W. Boyd, Lancashire & Cheshire Fauna Committee Report 1950: 31].
History A. W. Boyd (1950) in the Lancashire & Cheshire Fauna Committee 29th Report, p. 31, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Lancs. 1946. 23rd Aug., a bird seen by Mr. C. Thomas was determined by Mr. Groves of Birmingham (from drawings and field notes) to be of this species (M.H.). There seems little doubt that it was correctly identified.'
0) 1949 Hampshire Woodgreen, 11th and 19th June.
(E. Cohen, Papers & Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society 1949: 332).
[Cohen, 1963].
History E. Cohen (1949) in the Papers & Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society, p. 332, says: '1949. On June 11th Mrs. Sarson telephoned me shortly after seeing a bird identical in colouring, etc., in the same old cherry tree in her garden at Woodgreen, with that seen there in July 1948. She saw it at 7.15 a.m. at about 10 yards range through a window and watched it for about half a minute perched on a branch in full view in a good light before it flew off. Colour described as mainly blue-green, with "brick-coloured" or reddish brown back, and showing bright iridescent blue (apparently on wings) as it flew - the latter not particularly noticeable at rest. It looked very big (cf. thrush or Blackbird) and its bill stout with (culmen) noticeably curved. Mrs. Sarson telephoned again on June 19th, two hours after seeing the bird again in identical circumstances at 7.45 a.m. for about two minutes. A search in the area on evening of June 12th and all day on June 20th was unavailing (K.B.R.).'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1952 Perth & Kinross Between Braco and Gleneagles, immature, 12th October, later shot.
(T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 3: 23).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1953) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. III. p. 23, say: 'We are grateful to Col. J. E. Holland for the details of a Roller, first seen by him on the Braco-Gleneagles road on 12th October 1952. It flew in front of his car for some distance, eventually disappearing about a mile short of Gleneagles Hotel. Shortly afterwards the bird was shot in mistake for a Jay, and proved to be a young bird in poor condition. It will be recalled that the Roller seen in Berwickshire in July and August was an adult bird.'
0). 1955 Hampshire Near Martin, 7th March.
(E. Cohen, Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society 1955: 203).
[Cohen, 1963].
History E. Cohen (1955) in the Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society, p. 203, says: 'One near Martin on March 7th. (P.E.B.)…a March bird is exceptionally uncommon.'
Cohen (1963) adds: 'Two other recent records are reluctantly rejected.'
0). 1957 Caernarfonshire Near Pwllheli, 17th June.
(P. M. Benoit, R. M. Lockley & P. M. Miles, Nature in Wales 4: 562).
[Jones & Dare, 1976].
History P. M. Benoit, R. M. Lockley & P. M. Miles (1958) in Nature in Wales, Vol. IV. p. 562, say: 'Close views were had and a field-sketch made of one near Pwllheli on 17 June (J. F. Evans & R. P. Roberts).'
However, Jones & Dare (1976) state that it lacks adequate documentation.
