Rare birds found in Jersey

Conservationists have come across two rare visitors to the island while surveying birds over the past two weeks.

A Little Bunting and a Serin were found by ornithologists in the conservation fields planted to feed endangered birds.

Both species could potentially breed in Jersey if they would find the right conditions. Local nature enthusiasts hope that they might decide to make Jersey their permanent home.

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Rare Little Bunting spotted by Sunderland bird watchers

A bird rarely seen in the north-east of England has been spotted in Sunderland.

The environmental and communities charity Groundwork North East said the Little Bunting had been spotted on "several occasions" at Elba Park on the outskirts of the city.

Fewer than 30 are seen in the UK each year and this is the ninth ever recorded in the County Durham area.

County recorder for Durham Bird Club, Mark Newsome, said the bird had probably been confused by the weather.

"Quite often in autumn birds get blown over this way, if you have a period of easterly winds," he said.

"It's likely that he came over to this area a couple of weeks ago when it was all murky."

He said the bird might stay for the winter if it is mild, latching on to similar local species, or "feed up for another week" and carry on its migration.

"People don't really know what happens to these lost birds," he said.

"No-one knows whether they reorientate and get back to where they're meant to be."

Read on:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-20236043

Rare bird leads twitchers a merry dance

ONE of the rarest birds to be spotted in Shetland had ornithologists “up to high doe” this week after it was first spotted on Tuesday afternoon by local birder Iain Robertson at Pool of Virkie. 

Initial reports identified it as the scarce, but regular vagrant Little Bunting.

However when pictures were published on the internet that night the birding fraternity was sent all atwitter, with some local and mainland observers claiming it could be the even rarer Chestnut-Eared Bunting.

On Wednesday morning a small group of determined enthusiasts set about resolving the puzzle and after several hours chasing the sub-sparrow sized creature through the undergrowth they resolved the mystery.

This is only the second UK sighting of the Chestnut-Eared Bunting, the first seen on Fair Isle in October eight years ago, and the third ever European appearance. 

Continued:  http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/5733-rare-bird-leads-twitchers-a-merry-dance