OK, it may not be quite where you'd expect to find one but as this individual is in immaculate plumage and seemingly not showing signs of recent captivity it has attracted hundreds of observers from all over the UK as it is potentially only the 7th record in Britain with the most recent occurrences being in 1999 on the Isles of Scilly and in 2000 at Pendeen in Cornwall.
Having found the location on the back of some sterling detective work by others, watching it with just 2 others minutes before the news broke nationally was a rather special moment...!
At least a couple made it into the national daily papers so provided they cough up as promised, the fees will be going to the charity being collected for there - Kate's Home Nursing - which by close of play yesterday had raised over £800 thanks to donating birders.
Blue Rock Thrush, Stow on the Wold, Glos. 27/12/16 by Dave Morgan, on Flickr
Blue Rock Thrush, Stow on the Wold, Glos. 27/12/16 by Dave Morgan, on Flickr
Blue Rock Thrush, Stow on the Wold, Glos. 27/12/16 by Dave Morgan, on Flickr
Blue Rock Thrush, Stow on the Wold, Glos. 27/12/16 by Dave Morgan, on Flickr
Blue Rock Thrush in the Cotswolds
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Re: Blue Rock Thrush in the Cotswolds
Cracking pix of a red-hot rarity. The 1999 bird on Scilly followed less than a week after the islands hosted both Siberian and White's Thrush - both Far Eastern rarities - and this one, coming at the end of an Autumn loaded with Far East megas, may well have arrived by the same route.
I got it yesterday in sunshine (and donated to the charity) but even so can't improve on these shots!
John
I got it yesterday in sunshine (and donated to the charity) but even so can't improve on these shots!
John
Re: Blue Rock Thrush in the Cotswolds
Nice catch and super pics !
Don't know about those jets ,they spoil a very nice place
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Re: Blue Rock Thrush in the Cotswolds
Great to see thanks for sharing
Re: Blue Rock Thrush in the Cotswolds
o wow just wow
Ian Harris https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_harrisuk/
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Re: Blue Rock Thrush in the Cotswolds
As observed and photographed by Steve Gantlett, this bird has a nylon tie around its leg indicating captive origins - sorry to burst your bubble, but opinions now being expressed online are that it is not a genuine vagrant.
See here:
http://www.cleybirds.com/
See here:
http://www.cleybirds.com/
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Re: Blue Rock Thrush in the Cotswolds
Beefy wrote:As observed and photographed by Steve Gantlett, this bird has a nylon tie around its leg indicating captive origins - sorry to burst your bubble, but opinions now being expressed online are that it is not a genuine vagrant.
See here:
http://www.cleybirds.com/
And vice versa.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=336979
Even Steve doesn't seem as sure about the "tie" as he was a few days ago - quite rightly IMHO, for reasons endorsed by Pete Morris and Duncan Fraser among others.
Intense scrutiny "death by forum" is as common for rare birds as for aircraft these days. The debate goes on.
John