Rare Bird Sighted in Vaikom

By Express News Service

Published: 07th April 2015 06:06 AM

Last Updated: 07th April 2015 06:06 AM

KOTTAYAM: A relatively rare bird called Chestnut-eared Bunting (Emberiza fucata or Grey-headed bunting) has been spotted at Ezhumanthuruthu paddy fields near Vaikom in Kottayam district. According to bird watchers’ community this is for the first that the bird is being sighted in Kerala.

“This bird has never been reported to have sighted in south or central India before,” they said.

The bird was found and photographed at Ezhumanthuruthu by P J George, a birdwatcher and associate professor of English at St Domninic’s College, Kanjirapally, a week ago, which was later confirmed by birdwatchers’ community.

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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