Taiga Flycatcher
Ficedula albicilla (Pallas, 1811) (0, 6)
Photo © By Dr. Raju Kasambe - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76252824
STATUS
Eurasia. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
The second for Britain occurred in spring with the other individuals appearing in the autumn., however, the first record only came to light during the 2020s through a photograph taken at the time and identified retrospectively.
An all dark-bill, cold tones and blackish uppertail-coverts are the key points along with its distinctive call.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 1976 Yorkshire Spurn, trapped, 19th October, photo.
(BBRC - Web-WIP-11-3-24; BOURC (2023), Ibis 148: 298-301).
2). 2003 Yorkshire Flamborough Head, first-summer male, trapped, 26th to 29th April, photo.
(P. A. Lassey, Birding World 16 (4): 153-155, plates 1-6; Birding World 16 (12): 519, photo; British Birds 96: plates 217 & 218; P. A. Lassey, British Birds 98: 542-546, plates 333-336; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 682; Yorkshire Rare and Scarce Birds Report 2003: photo; BOURC (2006), Ibis 148: 198-201).
3). 2003 Shetland Sandgarth, Mainland, first-winter, trapped, 12th to 15th October, trapped 13th October, photo.
(M. S. Chapman, Birding World 16 (10): 429-433, plates 1-6; M. S. Chapman, Birding Scotland 7 (1): 39-44, plates 32-35; British Birds 96: plate 417; M. S. Chapman, British Birds 98: 547-550, plates 337-340; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 682; M. S. Chapman, Shetland Bird Report 2003: 113-115, photos; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photos).
4). 2009 Shetland Manse, Tresta, Fetlar, first-winter, 22nd September to 5th October, photo, sound recording; same, Gloup, Yell, 9th to 17th October, photo.
(Birding World 22 (9): 365, photo; M. Garner, Birding World 22 (9): 382, plates 1 & 2; British Birds 102: plate 425; Birding World 22 (12): 504, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 103: 621, plate 343).
5). Co. Durham Trow Quarry, The Leas, 1CY, 14th to 18th October, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 613).
6). 2021 Yorkshire Flamborough Head, 1CY, 16th October; presumed same, Flamborough Head, 1CY, 4th to 7th November, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 598, plate 454).
