Could it possibly be ...?

[Soozyq]

OK, I know my old Mum is 82, but she does know her birds - she swears she saw a Golden Oriole! She said she was out for her regular walk and something very yellow flew past her, she didn't see where it went. She said it was VERY yellow. This was a couple of weeks ago. Now the other day she said she heard an unusual bird noise, sort of harsh sounding. She got out her binocs and saw what she thought was a Golden Oriole, about the size of a blackbird, so rules out any smaller finches. She has a large garden, surrounded by lots of large broad leaved trees, and near (as the bird flies!) to a small wild country park. If she lived in the south of England it may not be so unusual, but we live on the outskirts of Edinburgh! Anyone any ideas?

[SteveA]

With this spell of southerly winds recently, I'm not sure that anything from the near continent could be ruled out

High pressure and a tail-wind means migrant birds are not likely to put down at the nearest landfall, they can choose a suitable habitat to make for.

Can your Mum get someone local to put some time in to crack the puzzle?

[Alan]

Hello Soozy

Well you can never rule it out, but it does seem unlikely. Could it have possibly been an escaped cage bird! Or how about a Green woodpecker, they can be quite yellow at times. I'd have thought an oriole would have been pickup up by the local twitchers, so it may be a good idea to check the bird forums.

If it's regular, can you get a photo?

As I said though, you can never rule anything out!

Good luck with the id

Alan

[Soozyq]

I've emailed the RSPB to ask if they have had any reports of one in the area, so I'll wait and see. She does have woodpeckers in the garden so she know what they look like. She said it was a striking yellow and that was what made her notice it. Don't think she will be quick enough to get a photo but I will ask her!

[Mark43]

There was a Golden Oriole seen yesterday evening at Monynut Forest on the borders which isn't a million miles away.

A few through the Shetlands in recent weeks also.........a bit further North i know.

[Imaginos]

Yellowhammers can look very big at times, and are strikingly yellow at this time of year-don't make a harsh noise though...