Isabelline Wheatear (BBRC)

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina

Vagrant. Eastern Europe to central Asia. 

Isabelline Wheatear, Gibraltar Point NNR, September 22nd 2019 (J R Clarkson).

One was present in and around the west dunes at Gibraltar Point on September 22nd-23rd  2019, representing the first county record. Found feeding along a dune edge and although there was some discussion over its identity the photographs clearly showed a large, pale sandy-coloured, pot-bellied Wheatear. In addition, the head markings, wing markings, and especially the shortness of the primary projection establish the identification.

The first British record of modern times was in Norfolk May 28th 1977 and there have been 50 in all to the end of 2019. Most records have come from the Isles of Scilly (8) and Shetland (7); there has been just one record inland, in Cambridgeshire (October 2016). The eight records in 2019 equals the previous record total of eight in 2016. This is still a very rare bird for Britain averaging as it does just 1-2 individuals per year.

Finder's report: Isabelline Wheatear at Gibraltar Point September 22nd 2019, first county record.

by John Clarkson.

Adrian Royle asked me if I’d like to join him in the Beach car park at Gib Pt on Sunday morning at 7am when a group of 11 birders led by Ben Ward assembled to amass a big day list for the reserve at peak migration time. It soon became evident from Mill Hill and then on the beach that visible migration was almost non-existent with 3 Jays south and a handful of wagtails, and apart from a few Gannets and 4 Red-throated Divers, the sea was fairly empty. Careful examination of the bushes en route to the visitors’ centre increased our total of resident birds. By now a breakaway group of three had gone their separate way. We spent an hour looking from the observation platform before walking around Jackson’s Farm plantation where Treecreeper was the highlight. It was now lunchtime and we agreed to re-convene in Harvey’s hide at 13:00.

Despite the encouraging forecast of steady SE winds and thundery rain-showers the weather was by now Mediterranean; hot, 25degC, and calm with mainly clear blue skies. After some time in the hides checking out the regular birds on Tennyson’s Marsh, we proceeded to Shoveler’s Pool where there had been earlier sightings of a Pied Flycatcher and a brief Yellow-browed Warbler. The Pied Flycatcher showed well and we headed from there towards the shore and began walking south. It was here, whilst scanning the beach that I spotted a Wheatear some 70m to the north feeding along the dune edge. Some of the group had seen a rather elusive Northern Wheatear from the Visitor Centre and this bird, being in the open and coming closer, gave the others a chance to catch up. It came to within 30m and gave good views.

Even though it made for a very small image in less than ideal conditions, there was something about this bird that made me reach for my camera and begin snapping. It wasn’t just the unusual dark feathering on the right side of its neck. It seemed large, perhaps as a result of its striking upright stance and, maybe, rather pale. We discussed it and couldn’t rule out one of the massive variations of Northern Wheatear that are available in the Autumn. The word ‘Isabelline’ did occur in our conversation but, under a glaring sun, there seemed to be more contrast in the wings than we’d like and there was no obvious black alula. It flew once briefly giving no view of the tail and the second time it flew it headed strongly northand out of sight. We moved on, deciding that it was almost certainly a probable Northern Wheatear.

That evening when I had a chance to examine my photos I began to have vague second thoughts and I posted one picture on a local bird info group site. Immediately there was a split in opinion: This could be an Isabelline? There is no obvious black alula. Look at the stance. Too much contrast etc. My photos confirmed the upright stance, they showed that the wing coverts and upperparts were very similar tones, the supercilium was white in front of the eye and one photo seemed to show a broad black terminal band in the tail. I’ve seen Isabelline in the UK, Israel and various African countries but can’t claim to be familiar with the species and didn’t have the confidence to declare that this was an Isabelline. Fortunately my photo was interesting enough to encourage a second look the following day.

Ben Ward relocated the bird in the same area and in the company of Owen Beaumont, James Siddle and Kevin Wilson, grilled it for three hours before coming away confident that it was an Isabelline Wheatear. I posted my pics on the Facebook page Rare Birds In Britain and Ireland and, again, there was a division of opinion but most coming down in favour of Isabelline. The clinching comment, for me, came from Killian Mullarney:

This is an Isabelline Wheatear. The head markings, wing markings, overall colour and especially the shortness of the primary projection establish the identification beyond doubt, in my opinion.

With only 33 records to 2015 this is, indeed, a rare species in the UK and it is the first for Lincolnshire. The process of identifying this bird has been interesting and instructive. As Collins Bird Guide says: “Like autumn-plumaged Wheatear, and the two at times very tricky to separate”. That’s why confirmation took so long; it needed study and discussion over some time to arrive at a conclusion. Incidentally, the combined day list from all contributors was 105 at close of play. I’m happy to have been part of increasing that total to 106.

References

Holt, C., French, P. and the Rarities Committee (2020). Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2019. British Birds 114 (10): 570-628.

(Account prepared July 2020; includes records to 2019)