While on holiday in the Isles of Scilly last year, news broke on Saturday, 17 October, that a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin had been found at Stiffkey, Norfolk. The bird showed well throughout the day to huge crowds, and my phone buzzed constantly with texts and calls. I had tried to leave Scilly immediately, but the bird continued to elude me. Despite arriving just after 6:30 p.m., I missed it by seconds. Over the next few days, it remained elusive, and I was left absolutely gutted.
Rufous Tailed Scrub Robin-Stiffkey-Norfolk
The Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes) is an extremely rare vagrant to Britain. The last confirmed twitchable individual was at Butlin's Holiday Camp, Skegness, Lincolnshire, from 2–9 September 1963, with only brief records since—including a one-day sighting at Prawle Point, Devon, in August 1980. These historic gaps highlight just how unpredictable and special each British record of this species is.
Fast forward ten months, and news broke of another Scrub Robin in Cornwall. I couldn’t believe it! The bird had been showing all afternoon and was still present when I left work at 8:00 p.m., so Mark Sutton and I set off immediately. We arrived just after 4:00 a.m. and caught a few hours’ rest before heading down the coastal footpath at 5:30 a.m.
It was a clear night, and I wasn't holding out much hope!
Just before 6:00 a.m., a fellow birder spotted the Scrub Robin fly right out into a nearby field to feed. He called us over—and there it was! Only eight of us were on site, giving an intimate encounter with this stunning bird. It flew to a nearby fence and continued to feed calmly as the sun rose, completely unfazed by our small group. The vibrant orange tail and graceful posture were simply unforgettable.
The Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin breeds across southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, favouring open scrub, thorny bushes, and semi-arid habitats. It winters in sub-Saharan Africa. In Britain, it is an extreme vagrant, with fewer than a dozen accepted records. Most sightings are autumn vagrants, often associated with strong easterly winds or unusual weather systems. Its rarity and unpredictable appearance make it a coveted twitch, and seeing one is a highlight for any birder.
Finally connecting with this bird after last autumn’s disaster was incredibly satisfying—a real grip-back moment and a reminder that patience and persistence are often rewarded in the world of rare birding.
No comments:
Post a Comment