American Kestrel
Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758
Photo © By Vince Maidens - originally posted to Flickr as Kestrel in Flight, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10266512
STATUS
North America and Latin America. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
Species not admitted nationally during the period covered (BOU 1971).
NOT PROVEN
0). 1882 Yorkshire Near Helmsley, adult female, shot, May, now at Yorkshire Museum, York.
(J. Backhouse, jun., Zoologist 1883: 126; J. Backhouse, jun., Zoologist 1884: 230; Denton, 1995; Wilson & Slack, 1996).
[W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Naturalist 1883-84 (9): 169; W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Zoologist 1884: 176; BOURC, Ibis 144: 181-184].
History James Backhouse, jun., of York (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 126, undated, says: 'A female example of Falco sparverius was shot by a gamekeeper near Helmsley, Yorkshire in May, 1882. I first saw the bird with Mr. C. Helstrip, birdstuffer, St. Saviour's Place, York, on the 14th November last, and I have since bought it, being perfectly convinced as to its authenticity. I have seen for myself both where the shooter stood and where the bird fell. I am informed by my friend Mr. Robert Taylor, of Harome, near Helmsley, who skinned my specimen, that a pair were killed, but that only one was found. They were shot in a small copse of deciduous trees, and the nature of the undergrowth was such that "marking them down" was made completely out of the question, falling as they did in different directions. I have shown the bird to Mr. Seebohm and he confirms my opinion as to the species. It agrees well with a specimen in his collection. The total length is only 9¾ inches. The red marks on the head, which are characteristic of the bird, are well defined, and also the dark regular bars extending across both wings and back, and on the tail. On November 30th I went again to Harome, and I was told that the skeleton of the second bird had been found. The specimen is, I believe, the only one on record as having been taken in Europe. It has no appearance whatever of ever having been in confinement, the feathers being remarkably perfect.'
W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck (1883-84) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. IX. p. 168, and (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 176, say: 'In the Zoologist for 1883, p. 126, Mr. James Backhouse, jun., records the occurrence of this species near Helmsley, in May, 1882. We have very carefully investigated the evidence adduced, and regret that we are unable to accept the bird as a member of the Yorkshire fauna, as there are certain features in the case which are in our opinion fatal to its claim for admission.'
J. Backhouse, jun., of York (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 230, in reply, says: 'In your last issue Mr. W. E. Clarke, in his supplementary notes on the Yorkshire Fauna, says (p. 176), that he cannot accept this bird as a member of the Yorkshire Fauna. In justice therefore to myself and to those who have so kindly aided me in investigating the matter, I must state that I have gained additional strong evidence in its favour, which is wholly disinterested and independent of either the person by whom the bird was skinned or the stuffer who eventually sold it to me.'
This specimen record has been considered but found not proven as there were doubts about its origin (BOURC (2002) Ibis 144: 181-184).
0). 1888 Leicestershire & Rutland No locality, three, seen, male and female obtained, October.
(E. Hardy, Bird Notes and News 15: 186).
[BOURC (2002), Ibis 144: 181-184].
History Eric Hardy (1933) in Bird Notes and News under 'The Birds of Leicestershire,' Vol. XV. p. 186, says: '...In October, 1888, Mr. E. T. Turner, one of the county's leading ornithologists, recorded its first Lesser Kestrels, the third record for Britain. Three were seen on this occasion, a male and a female being shot for preservation. Mr. Turner has also recorded from Saddington, the first known Leicestershire specimens of the Velvet Scoter and the Shag; a flock of Pallas's Sandgrouse on May 23rd. 1888; and White Wagtails, following the plough.'
This specimen record has been considered but found not proven as there were doubts about its origin (BOURC (2002) Ibis 144: 181-184).
