Irish Coal Tits in Pembrokeshire and beyond

Irish Coal Tits in Scilly

Birds showing characteristics of the Irish race 'hibernicus' arrived on St Agnes in the Scilly Isles on October 10th following north-westerly winds. Initially found out on rocks at Horse Point, they were a real Scilly rarity, though there was breeding on the island of Tresco in the past. There were at least 20, eventually, on St Agnes and were  far, far rarer than the Grey-cheeked Thrush which was present three days before, in fact the last record anywhere in Scilly was 2008. They caused quite a stir and there was much checking for the clearer blue grey back and mantle of continental 'ater' but this area seemed to be rather 'britannicus' like olive-brown. Lots of speculation also centred around the obvious yellow suffusion in the cheeks and sometimes nape. At first many assumed that this was age related, indicating 1st autumn birds. This would be unlikely so late in the year, however, when Blue and Great Tits had clearly lost this juvenile feature. It was noted that this yellow suffusion is said to be indicative of the Irish race 'hibernicus' (there is a brief note in The 'Collins Guide' or a little more in Svensson's Ringers' Guide 1992). The back and mantle colour was ok and of course the wind direction when they arrived in Scilly helps with Ireland as the possible origin.

These taken on St agnes. The picture quality is poor, the bright light bleaching out much lemon colour from the head. It is possible to make some out, however, and the underparts are also interesting. The usual British birds 'britannicus' at my bird table all seem to have warm buff flanks with whitish centre to breast and belly. 

In Pembrokeshire

If Irish birds could get to Scilly, well Pembrokeshire is a relatively short hop away.To  find therefore a similar bird on a North Pembrokeshire headland (St Davids) on 22nd October  was perhaps predictable but nevertheless quite exciting. A close look revealed a dullish olive-brown back and mantle warm buff tones on flanks and a creamy yellow suffusion most noticeable in the cheeks. I am aware of two other records of apparently migrant Coal Tits in Pembrokeshire about this time, both from the St Davids area. Nine were seen to fly from Porth Clais, high over St Bride's Bay on 19th October (JB MB) and two were at Rhosson Farm also on 19th October (JB MB). Unfortunately none were seen well enough to give an indication of race, though my gut feeling is that some of them, at least, must be suspects in the affair.

North Wales

The blog 'We Bird North Wales' via Marcbuzzard has taken up the topic and published photos of a 'hibernicus' type bird trapped on Bardsey in 2004. The bird is very clearly yellow  on the cheeks where it might be expected to be white and the underparts appear greyish with a yellow tinge. Comments from at least one Irish birder are encouraging. It has been suggested that this might constitute the first record for Wales. 

The Bardsey bird