Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll

Fringillidae

Mar 29

Carduelis hornemanni hornemanni (Holböll, 1843) (12, 1)

Photo © George Gay - North Ronaldsay, Orkney, 31 May 2022

STATUS

North-eastern Canada and Greenland.

OVERVIEW

All records as per Witherby (1952, 7th ed.) except those two records from Fair Isle that were square bracketed (1932, 1935) are now acceptable. The Northumberland record remains not proven.

RECORDS

1). 1855 Co. Durham Near Whitburn, obtained, 24th April, C. h. hornemanni, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Hancock, 1874; J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 20: 84; Howse, 1899; Witherby, 1920-24; G. W. Temperley, British Birds 39: 151; Temperley, 1951).

History Hancock (1874: 54-55) says: 'I have seen only a single example of this species; it was knocked down on the 24th April 1855, with a clod of earth, on the sea-banks, near Whitburn, where it had been observed flying about for a few days. This specimen was given to me by the Rev. G. C. Abbs, and is now in my collection. It is represented in Plate V. It is very beautiful, and of a pale grey or mealy appearance all over. The pale margins of the feathers are a clear white; the rump and under parts quite white, with a few obscure streaks of pale brown on the flanks. The front of the head is of a dull crimson, but there is no red elsewhere. It is undoubtedly a mature specimen, and in the winter dress. The excessive whiteness of the plumage at once distinguishes this from its congeners.'

John Cordeaux of Great Cotes House (1894) in The Naturalist, Vol. XX. p. 84, dated 8th February 1894, says: 'On February 25th, 1893 (as already recorded in The Naturalist), Mr. H. B. Hewetson and I, when on Kilnsea Common, saw a most beautifully-plumaged Redpoll, which appeared as large as a Linnet, clinging to a thistle, from its size and light colour, and having had it for some time under observation at the distance of a few feet, I had at the time no doubt in referring it to Linota hornemannii of Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, and Eastern North America, an example of which from the Northumberland coast was described and figured by John Hancock under the name of Linaria canescens.'

Howse (1899: 37) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case 64. No. 2 (centre). Knocked down with a clod of earth, April 24th, 1855, on the sea banks, near Whitburn, Durham. Presented to J. Hancock by the Rev. Geo. Cooper Abbs, Cleadon.'

Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 65).

G. W. Temperley (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 151, says: '...On examining the specimen of Hornemann's Redpoll in the Hancock Collection at Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Whitburn, Co. Durham, 1855, the first British record)....'

Temperley (1951) adds: 'This specimen is still in the Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.'

2). 1883 Yorkshire Spurn, obtained, October, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1899.19).

(Lilford, 1895; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 183; Witherby, 1920-24; Mather, 1986).

History Nelson (1907 (1): 189) under 'Greenland Redpoll, Linota hornemannii', says: 'Its claim to rank as a Yorkshire species is founded on the fact that two examples were obtained at Spurn, one in October, 1883, and another in October, 1893. It was the first of these specimens and not L. exilipes which was figured by Lord Lilford in his magnificent work, and it is now in the Royal Scottish Museum (Lilford, 1895, Vol. IV. plate 29).'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 183, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'Linota hornemannii. Two more obtained at Spurn in 1883 and 1893 are placed under this species by the authors of the Birds of Yorkshire (p. 189).'

Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 65).

3). 1893 Yorkshire Kilnsea, seen, 25th February, C. h. hornemanni.

(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 19: 104; J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 20: 84; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1:183; Witherby, 1920-24; Mather, 1986).

History John Cordeaux of Eaton Hall, Retford (1893) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIX. p. 104, says: 'Mealy Redpole....On February 25th Mr. Hewetson and myself observed a most beautiful Redpole, as regards size and colour, on Kilnsea Warren. It was feeding on the margin of a rain-pool along with some very white Snow Bunting, but remained after these had flown.

At first sight I thought it was a wounded Snow Bunting, but on approaching within fifteen feet saw it was a Redpole. The general colour was pure white, the darker portion being a few cinereous streaks on the back and head, the wings and tail somewhat darker, but all these dark markings very light and subdued, the underparts and rump pure white, but suffused with a delicate flush of rose - like an after-glow - a blood-red patch on the forehead. I watched it for some time with the eye, and also through the glass, and have rarely seen anything prettier amongst birds, more particularly when the charming little fellow was clinging to the sides of a dead thistle.

The chief peculiarities were its size and its existing whiteness, and the lovely pink suffusion on rump and breast. It probably represented a wanderer from a very high latitude, and may be referred to Acanthis hornemannii of Holböll, the Linaria canescens of Gould. My readers will find an excellent illustration of this in Plate 5, Hancock's Birds of Northumberland.'

John Cordeaux of Great Cotes House (1894) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XX. p. 84, dated 8th February 1894, says: 'The very considerable variations as regards measurement and coloration amongst the Arctic Redpolls, obtained from time to time on the east coast of Yorkshire in the autumn and winter, are suggestive of these little immigrants being drawn together, under the pressure of winter, from widely separate areas.

On February 25th, 1893 (as already recorded in The Naturalist), Mr. H. B. Hewetson and I, when on Kilnsea Common, saw a most beautifully-plumaged Redpoll, which appeared as large as a Linnet, clinging to a thistle, from its size and light colour, and having had it for some time under observation at the distance of a few feet, I had at the time no doubt in referring it to Linota hornemannii of Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, and Eastern North America.'

Accepted locally under L. hornemannii (Nelson 1907 (1): 189).

Still admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 65).

4). 1905 Fair Isle No locality, three: adult male and two immatures, seen, 18th September, all obtained 20th September and adult male and juvenile male now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ.1905.126.16 and NMSZ 1905.126.19), C. h. hornemanni.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1906: 17; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 183; Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 54; Clarke, 1912; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Pennington et al., 2004; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1906) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 17, says: 'Of this rare and beautiful native of Greenland, Iceland, and Spitzbergen, we obtained five specimens...The first birds to come under our notice were a party of three, consisting of a beautiful adult male and two younger birds, which appeared on 18th September and frequented a small enclosure in front of one of the crofters' houses where they fed on the seeds of weeds and were exceedingly tame. Here they remained for three days, when our attention was drawn to the fact and the birds secured....The adults in life appeared to be almost entirely white, and were very pretty and conspicuous objects. Four of these interesting birds have been presented to the collection of birds in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 183, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'Five specimens of this species were obtained on Fair Isle in September and October, 1905 (W. E. Clarke, Ann. S.N.H., 1906, p. 17). Two are recorded in Mr. Saunders' Manual.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 110) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Acanthis hornemannii, Greenland Redpoll - Not less than five occurred during my visit in the autumn of 1905. The first to come under notice were a party of three, consisting of an adult male and two younger birds, which appeared on 18th September. These birds frequented an enclosure in front of one of the crofter's houses, where they fed on the seeds of weeds for several days, and were exceedingly tame. In life these birds, especially the adults, appeared to be almost entirely white, and this fact, and their habit of puffing out their fluffy feathers, rendered them exceedingly pretty and conspicuous objects.'

Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 65).

Pennington et al. (2004) adds: '...the male was obtained on the 20th September and is now in the National Museums of Scotland.'

Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 1422) say: 'The three on Fair Isle were all obtained, adult males on 20th and 29th September, and a juvenile male on 20th September 1905, and are preserved at National Museums Scotland (NMSZ 1905.126.16, 1905.126.17 and 1905.126.19).'

7). 1905 Fair Isle No locality, adult male, obtained, 29th September, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ.1905.126.19), C. h. hornemanni.

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1906) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 17, says: 'Of this rare and beautiful native of Greenland, Iceland, and Spitzbergen, we obtained five specimens...On the 29th [September] a second adult male was obtained while seeking food among low herbage by a roadside....The adults in life appeared to be almost entirely white, and were very pretty and conspicuous objects. Four of these interesting birds have been presented to the collection of birds in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 183, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'Five specimens of this species were obtained on Fair Isle in September and October, 1905 (W. E. Clarke, Ann. S.N.H., 1906, p. 17). Two are recorded in Mr. Saunders' Manual.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 110) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Acanthis hornemannii, Greenland Redpoll - Not less than five occurred during my visit in the autumn of 1905. On the 29th [September] a second adult male was observed seeking food among some low herbage. In life these birds, especially the adults, appeared to be almost entirely white, and this fact, and their habit of puffing out their fluffy feathers, rendered them exceedingly pretty and conspicuous objects.'

Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 65).

Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 1422) say: 'The three on Fair Isle were all obtained, adult males on 20th and 29th September, and a juvenile male on 20th September 1905, and are all preserved at National Museums Scotland (NMSZ 1905.126.16, 1905.126.17 and 1905.126.19).'

8). 1905 Shetland Unst, shot, between 9th and 19th October, C. h. hornemanni.

(E. Hamilton, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 53-54; Eds., British Birds 3: 378; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Erick Hamilton of Liverpool (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 53-54, says: 'During several autumn visits to the island of Unst, I have, among other birds, obtained the following which, I trust, are worthy of record in the "Annals". Greenland Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni). One shot between 9th and 19th October 1905, about the same time as Mr. Eagle Clarke obtained specimens in Fair Isle. It was a single bird, and I observed no others.'

In an Editorial (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 378, they say: 'Greenland Redpoll (Linota hornemannii). One shot between October 9th and 19th, 1905.'

Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 65).

9). 1905 Fair Isle No locality, first-winter, shot, 10th October, C. h. hornemanni.

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1906) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 17, says: 'Of this rare and beautiful native of Greenland, Iceland, and Spitzbergen, we obtained five specimens...On 10th October another young bird was added to our collection. The adults in life appeared to be almost entirely white, and were very pretty and conspicuous objects. Four of these interesting birds have been presented to the collection of birds in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 183, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'Five specimens of this species were obtained on Fair Isle in September and October, 1905 (W. E. Clarke, Ann. S.N.H., 1906, p. 17). Two are recorded in Mr. Saunders' Manual.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 110) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Acanthis hornemannii, Greenland Redpoll - Not less than five occurred during my visit in the autumn of 1905. On the 10th October another young bird was found. In life these birds, especially the adults, appeared to be almost entirely white, and this fact, and their habit of puffing out their fluffy feathers, rendered them exceedingly pretty and conspicuous objects.'

Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 65).

10). 1925 Fair Isle No locality, female, obtained, 12th November, C. h. hornemanni, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1926.19.1).

(J. Wilson, Scottish Naturalist 46: 4; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 46: 72; Eds., British Birds 20: 27; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Jerome Wilson (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 4, says: 'A male example of the Faroese Snipe was obtained by me here [Fair Isle] on 23rd December 1925, and a female specimen of Hornemann's Redpoll (Acanthis hornemannii hornemannii) on 12th November 1925. Both have been sent to the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.'

[This is the first recorded occurrence of this rare Redpoll (Hornemann's) in the British Islands for twenty years; the last met was in 1905. - Ed.]

In an Editorial (1926) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 27, they say: 'Mr. J. Wilson records (Scot. Nat., 1926, p. 4) that a Faroe Snipe (Capella g. faeroeensis) was obtained by him at Fair Isle on December 23rd, 1925, and a female Hornemann's Redpoll (Carduelis h. hornemannii) on November 12th, 1925....All these have been preserved in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 72, in the annual report. Later, Baxter & Rintoul (1953) Vol. I. p. 57, say: 'In Scotland it has occurred several times on Fair Isle; one November 1925.'

11). 1932 Fair Isle No locality, September, C. h. hornemanni.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 57) say: 'In Scotland it has occurred several times on Fair Isle; one September 1932.'

12). 1935 Fair Isle No locality, October, C. h. hornemanni.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 57) say: 'In Scotland it has occurred several times on Fair Isle; one October 1935.'

1950-57 RECORD

13). 1950 Fair Isle No locality, autumn, C. h. hornemanni.

(Williamson, 1965; Pennington, et al., 2004).

History Peter E. Davis (Williamson 1965) under 'A List of the Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'The Hornemann's Redpoll has seven dated records but only one during the observatory period (1950). All were in autumn, between 18th September and 12th November.'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1885 Northumberland Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed, two, seen, 21st October.

(Bolam, 1912, 1932).

[H. F. Witherby, British Birds 26: 282; Galloway & Meek, 1978; Kerr, 2001].

History Bolam (1912: 157) says: 'And to this form preferable, I think, two very large and pale-coloured birds which I saw on the street in Ravensdowne, Berwick, on 21st October, 1885. They were not so white as Hancock's specimen, but were at the same time as much paler and larger than L. linaria as that form ordinarily exceeds L. rufescens, and appeared to be identical in both respects with some skins in Hancock's collection, brought from Siberia by Seebohm, and labelled L. hornemannii by the former gentleman.'

Not admitted nationally in their second List of British Birds (BOU 1915).

H. F. Witherby (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 282, in a Review of G. Bolam's A Catalogue of the Birds of Northumberland, says: 'A good many rarities are admitted fully to the list on the evidence of sight records, which we think a mistake. These include such birds as Hornemann's Redpoll.'

Not accepted locally (Galloway & Meek 1978) and (Kerr, 2001).

Comment It would be safer to reject a sight record of this difficult to identify species. Not acceptable.

AC pass

Keith Naylor

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll

Carduelis hornemanni hornemanni (Holböll, 1843) (12, 1)

Coues's Arctic Redpoll

Arctic Redpoll sp.