Short-toed Snake Eagle
Circaetus gallicus (Gmelin, JF, 1788) (0, 5)
Photo © Vaibhavcho, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
STATUS
South-west Europe to central Asia, north-west China and India. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
The late Tim Cleeves (married to Ann, author of Vera) stood on Gugh and watched this eagle flying in, as did the scores watching the Siberian Thrush there. The third individual after touring the south coast from the end of May to mid-July, then passed through Surrey on its way to central Norfolk.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 1999 Isles of Scilly St Agnes and all islands, juvenile, 7th to 11th October, photo.
(T. R. Cleeves, Birding World 12 (10): 408-411, photos; Birding World 12 (12): 495, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 93: 526, plates 35, 36, 273 & 312; T. R. Cleeves, M. Hepple & K. D. N. Shaw, British Birds 97: 27-32, plates 15-17; BOURC (2001), Ibis 143: 171-175; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 33).
2). 2011 Devon Dawlish Warren, 16th October; presumed same, Orcombe Point, Exmouth, 16th October.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 105: 567).
3.0). 2014 Dorset Morden Bog, Wareham Forest and Arne RSPB, first-summer, 31st May to 1st June, photo; also in Hampshire, Norfolk, Surrey, Sussex.
(British Birds 107: plate 215; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 578).
3.1). 2014 Hampshire Bishop's Dyke and Beaulieu Road Station, first-summer, 8th June, photo; presumed same, Hatchet Pond, Beaulieu, 12th to 13th June, photo; same, Pig Bush, 30th June to 2nd July, photo; same, Beaulieu Road Station, 5th July; same as Dorset; also in Norfolk, Surrey, Sussex.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 578; Hampshire Bird Report 2014: photo).
3.2). 2014 Sussex Wych Cross, Ashdown Forest, first-summer, 10th June; presumed same, Gill's Lap and Wych Cross, 15th to 29th June, photo; same, Ashdown Forest, 12th July, photo; same as Dorset; also in Hampshire, Norfolk, Surrey.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 578, plate 327).
3.3). 2014 Surrey Thursley Common, first-summer, 12th July, photo; same as Dorset; also in Hampshire, Norfolk, Sussex.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 578).
3.4). 2014 Norfolk Santon Downham, first-summer, 19th to 20th July, photo; same as Dorset; also in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 578).
4). 2020 Dorset South Beach, Studland, 1CY+, 5th October; same, Hengistbury Head, 5th October, picked up in poor condition, died later in care.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 595).
5.0). 2021 Highland Near Lairg, Sutherland, 3CY, 20th June, photo.
(A. Hutt, Scottish Birds 42: 75-76, plate 61; C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 581).
P). 2022 Highland Loch Grudie, Strath Brora, Sutherland, 24th May to 7th June, photo; presumed returning individual.
(D. MacAskill, Scottish Birds 42: 374-375, plate 277).
P). 2022 Kent South Foreland, 11th September, photo.
(birding information services).
P). 2023 Suffolk Santon Downham, 21st March.
(birding information services).
P). 2023 Cumbria Ambleside, 22nd May.
(birding information services).
