Grey-headed Lapwing
Vanellus cinereus (Blyth, 1842) (0, 1)
Photo © Keith A. Naylor, Low Newton-by-the-Sea, 1st May 2023
STATUS
Inner Mongolia, north central and north eastern China, central and southern Japan. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
This fifth individual for the Western Palearctic follows the first occurrence in Turkey on 11th March 2018, with the second individual visiting three countries: Norway and Sweden during May 2019 then The Netherlands in June 2019, while the third was found in Slovenia on 5th August 2021 and the fourth on 19th August 2021 in Umbria, Italy.
After being found in Northumberland it headed north to Crail, Scotland, where a farmer took a video of it. The bird was then found on a Big Birdwatch day in Moray & Nairn before spending four days in the Outer Hebrides.
BBRC RECORD
1.0). 2023 Northumberland Low Newton-by-the-Sea and Long Nanny, Beadnell, 1st to 8th May, photo; also seen Fife, Moray & Nairn and Outer Hebrides.
(British Birds 116: plate 224; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 683, plate 463).
1.1). 2023 Fife Airdrie Farm, Crail, 3CY+, 11th May, video; same as Northumberland; also seen Moray & Nairn, Outer Hebrides.
(Eds., Scottish Birds 43: 284; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 683).
1.2). 2023 Moray & Nairn Balormie, Lossiemouth, adult, 13th May, photo; same as Northumberland; also seen Fife, Outer Hebrides.
(J. Cook & M. Cook, Scottish Birds 43: 281-284, plates 226-228; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 683, .
1.3). 2023 Outer Hebrides Balemore, North Uist, adult, 26th to 28th May, photo; same, Balranald RSPB, North Uist, 29th May; presumed same as Northumberland; also seen Fife, Moray & Nairn.
(S. Duffield, Scottish Birds 43: 281-284, plates 229 & 230; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 683, ).
P). 2024 Northumberland East Chevington area, adult, 5th to 6th December, photo, again 9th to 14th December, photo, again 19th December to 4th January 2025, photo; presumed returning individual.
(birding information services).
