Dalmatian Pelican added to BOU's British list

28/09/2018

The British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee (BOURC) has added Dalmatian Pelican to Category A of its British list. Following the Eastern Orphean Warbler announcement, this becomes the second accession to the national list within the space of a week.

The decision is based on the well watched and long-staying bird seen in Cornwall and Devon from 7 May-20 November 2016. Initially seen largely in flight in the Land's End area, the bird eventually settled down at Drift Reservoir from mid-May, lingering there until mid-June. It then spent much of the rest of its extended stay at Restronguet Creek, near Feock, although occasionally would wander further, on one occasion travelling as far east as Plymouth, Devon, in July.

The appearance of this individual, which was considered to be in its third-calendar-year or older, and its long stay in south-west England resulted in much debate about its origin. From plumage details it was realised that the same bird had passed through Poland, Germany and France, before arriving in England. The record has been accepted to Category A of the Polish and French national lists, although in Germany it has been placed in Category D.

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Red-footed Booby added to BOU's British list

The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the Red-footed Booby found at St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, on 2 September 2016 on to its British list.

The second-calendar-year or older female bird was seen arriving exhausted on the beach at the town near Hastings mid-morning that day, and then held in care until 16 December 2016, when it was transported to the Cayman Islands. Unfortunately, it then died in quarantine before release.

This news come after Pale-legged Leaf Warbler and Eastern Kingbird were added to the list earlier in the week, both of which were also announced separately.

The bird was initially observed flying and landing on water, before moving to a beach, where it was rescued by the RSPCA, and a full account by its finder, Gail Cohen, was published in Birdwatch 292: 8-9. Although apparently fully rehabilitated, it did not survive the transfer to islands in its natural range.

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