Redstarts already?

Deer Stalker · #1 (**permalink**) 26-02-2007, 08:52 PM

A bloke from work who is a bit of a birder told me he had seen two Redstarts in the New Forest on friday (23rd)!!

Anyone else seen any yet?

John · #2 (**permalink**) 26-02-2007, 09:05 PM

I know anything can happen these days but to be honest I wouldn't expect to see a Redstart reach our shores for at least another month.

John

Deer Stalker · #3 (**permalink**) 26-02-2007, 09:14 PM

Me neither, but he was certain.

Will probably check it out on the weekend & see if I can find or hear them.

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 07:01 AM

It does sound unlikely, but strange things happen- winter before last there was a male on Wormwood Scrubs, London for several weeks over Xmas into new year + I believe that was the first UK winter record for this species. Coincidentally a female was noted at Rainham for 1 day at the same time.

On another forum yesterday somebody posted a photo yesterday taken in Cornwall last month + enquiring as to whether the bird in question was a White Wagtail. In fact it was a juv. Yellow Wagtail, another bird that shouldn't be here yet, so maybe your friend is right. though I would treat it with caution without more evidence.

John · #5 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 07:57 AM

I would be far happier if it were a single bird being seen, (still sceptical though) but two together I find hard to accept. I don't mind being proved wrong though.

John

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

I would be far happier if it were a single bird being seen, (still sceptical though) but two together I find hard to accept. I don't mind being proved wrong though.

John

I agree John- but these days I'm more cautious saying something's definitely wrong without seeing the evidence, just that the probability is very unlikely.