Amur Stonechat
Saxicola stejnegeri (Parrot, 1908) (0, 14)
Photo © Rob Stonehouse - Whitburn, Co Durham, 23 October 2019
STATUS
Eurasia: Eastern Siberia and eastern Mongolia to Korea and Japan. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Taxonomic changes in the early 21st century have led to the splitting of Siberian Stonechat S. maurus and S. stejnegeri into full species with the latter (IOC 12.2 - 2021) now becoming Amur Stonechat.
A review of former records has led to the following records meeting the current criteria of this species. DNA analysis required for acceptance.
This species appears to display darker warmer tones and arrives late autumn.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 2012 Dorset Portland Bill, first-winter male, trapped, 24th to 26th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(Birding World 25 (10): 408, photo; Dorset Bird Report 2012: photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 106: 621; BOURC (2013), Ibis 156: 240; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 107: 636, plate 326; BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 187-188; M. Cade & J. M. Collinson, British Birds 108: 423-428, plates 234 & 235; British Birds 112: plate 284; BOURC (2022), Ibis 164: 929-931).
2). 2016 Suffolk Landguard BO, 1CY, male, trapped, 6th to 7th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 614; British Birds 112: plate 285).
3). 2016 Yorkshire Spurn, 1CY, female, 22nd to 26th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 614; British Birds 112: plate 286).
4). 2018 Norfolk Salthouse, 1CY, male, 19th October to 8th November, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 608, plates 287 & 343).
5). 2019 Shetland Westing, Unst, 1CY, male, trapped, 8th to 14th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 637).
6). 2019 Shetland Leebitton, Sandwick, Mainland, 1CY, 17th to 28th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 637).
7). 2019 Co. Durham Whitburn Coastal Park, 1CY or 2CY+, female, 22nd to 24th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 637, plate 387).
8). 2019 Yorkshire Easington, 1CY, 29th October and 9th to 13th November, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 637).
9). 2020 Norfolk Happisburgh, 1CY, male, 5th to 7th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 614).
10). 2020 Cleveland South Gare, 1CY, male, 17th to 30th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 614).
11). 2022 Fife Between Crail and Wormiston, 1CY, female, 22nd to 25th October, photo.
(J. Wilson, Scottish Birds 43: 182-185, plates 141-145; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 588).
12). 2023 Shetland Norby, Mainland, 1CY+, female, 5th to 6th October, photo, DNA analysis.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 718).
13). 2023 Fair Isle Boini Mire, 1CY+, female, 9th to 12th October, photo.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 718).
14). 2023 Orkney Ancum, North Ronaldsay, 1CY+, 9th to 12th October, photo
(Scottish Birds 44: plate 127; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 718).
P). 2024 Suffolk Trimley Marshes, first-winter male, 4th to 11th November, photo.
(birding information services).
