Susan
WindramUpdated:26/06/19, 10:21 am
Scotland’s
birding community is in a bit of a flutter after a rare visitor arrived in Iona
at the weekend.
On
Sunday, June 23, visitors to Iona had brief but conclusive views of what could
only be a Great Spotted Cuckoo, according to Argyll bird recorder, Jim Dickson.
When word
reached Mr Dickson, who lives near Lochgilphead, he was able to confirm the
bird as only the second ever in Scotland with the first being on Orkney 60
years ago back in August 1959.
Mr
Dickson told the Oban Times: ‘Rudolf Hummel got in touch to say that while
walking up from the beach at the north end of Iona an unusual bird was flying
about and during a fleeting view he was able to ‘grab’ some photos.
‘This
species is very distinctive being slightly larger than the Common Cuckoo that
regularly appears in the UK during summer. Great Spotted Cuckoos are a scarce
summer visitor to southern Europe, migrating from Africa, with several previous
records to the south of England and Ireland. However is extremely rare this far
north.
‘The bird
has attracted a lot of attention in the birding world, particularly in Scotland
where birders are keen to get across to Iona to see it. And so far, it has
performed well during its stay.
‘It has
been feeding on small caterpillars among the machair of this beautiful island
which is rich in buttercups and daisies.’
Mr
Dickson said that spring in Argyll has already been excellent for rare bird sightings,
with three new species, the other two being a White -crowned Sparrow from North
America and a Black-winged Stilt from southern Europe.
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