Griffon Vulture
Gyps fulvus (Hablizi, 1783)
Photo © Kris Webb
STATUS
Africa and Eurasia. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
The Hampshire record was accepted nationally (Saunders 1889, 2nd ed.; Witherby 1920-24; BOU 1952), but not later (BOU 1971) as the two seen in Derbyshire in 1927 was the sole record. Later, in a review it was found unacceptable (BOURC (2000) Ibis 142: 177-179).
NOT PROVEN
0). Pre 1889 Hampshire Southampton, seen, undated.
(Saunders, 1889; BOU, 1952; D. F. Billett, G. H. Rees, E. Cohen, J. H. Taverner & E. J. Wiseman, Hampshire Bird Report 1963: 42).
[Kelsall & Munn, 1905; BOU, 1971].
History Saunders (1889, 2nd ed.) says: 'There is no other instance of the capture of this Vulture in the British Islands; though an eminently cautious ornithologist, who must have seen thousands of Griffons, but who will not allow his name to be mentioned, informed me a few years since that he had recently watched one soaring around, near Southampton Water.'
Not accepted locally as the record was placed in square-brackets (Kelsall & Munn 1905). However, it was admitted nationally in their fourth List of British Birds (BOU 1952), but not later (BOU 1971).
0). 1927 Derbyshire Ashbourne, two, seen, 4th June.
(E. A. Sadler, British Birds 21: 96-97; H. H. Hollick, British Birds 21: 97; Frost, 1978; BOURC (1978), Ibis 120: 409-411; J. Hollyer, Birding World 13 (7): 281).
[BOURC (2000), Ibis 142: 177-179].
History E. A. Sadler (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. pp. 96-97, says: 'On June 4th, 1927, I saw two Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) over Ashbourne at about 6 p.m. When first seen they were only a few hundred yards distant and their unusual size was, of course, a characteristic feature, but later, they soared away to an immense height. They rose at first almost perpendicularly, but when high in the sky they made a N.W. course against a rather strong wind. They were under observation for about a quarter of an hour; at the end of that time one of the birds turned into the eye of the wind and sailed along to the S.E. (towards Derby), whilst the other kept on its N.W. course (towards Buxton and the Peak) and both were lost to view. The white ruff round the neck and the white bare head were clearly seen in the case of one of the birds, and even at a great height were easily detected when they caught the sunlight. The colour of the birds was a dirty brown, and (with the exception of the ruff) there was no white about them. They were also seen by my partner, Dr. Hollick, and his daughter, Miss Kathleen Hollick.'
Hubert H. Hollick (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 97, says: 'While watching for the return of homing Pigeons on June 4th, 1927, at Ashbourne, I saw two very large birds, obviously Vultures, circling overhead and not very high. They had light coloured ruffs round the neck and bald heads, and remained for about twenty minutes soaring about. Having had previous experience of Vultures in South Africa, I recognised them by their shape and flight. Roughly, they seemed to be between six and seven feet across the wings. I went to the house and fetched my daughter, and then went to Dr. Sadler's garden where we watched them together as long as they remained in sight, one going northward and the other to the east at a great height."
Accepted locally (Frost 1978).
As there hadn't been a record for over fifty years this record was transferred to Category B (BOURC (1978) Ibis 120: 410). However, after a review it was now no longer considered acceptable (BOURC (2000) Ibis 142: 177-179).
