News broke late on Sunday that a Scarlet Tanager — a first-winter male — had been photographed on a washing line in Shelf, West Yorkshire. The bird had apparently been present since the start of the week, and images quickly circulated on Facebook, creating a stir among birders.
I had to wait until Tuesday to visit, as work commitments kept me away on Monday. While I was at work that morning, reports confirmed the bird had been seen again, and the WhatsApp groups were buzzing with photographs. This species had previously given me the runaround: in 2011, I had left the Isles of Scilly to chase a Scarlet Tanager in Cornwall, only for the bird to disappear, returning to Scilly the next day. Clearly, patience would be required.
St Levan, Cornwall, first-winter male, 20th to 21st October 2011
Isles of Scilly, Sandy Lane, St Mary's, first-winter male, 22nd October 2011
Arriving on site at 7:15 AM on Tuesday, I was confronted by a scene I hadn’t anticipated: hundreds of birders, all hoping for a glimpse.
7.15am in the morning!
The main area where the bird had been seen yesterday
The day had been chaotic, with brief sightings in trees and gardens leading to surges of people and frustrated moments as the bird quickly vanished. To have any chance, I knew I would need a quieter vantage point.
Birders On Site
I spent the entire day on site, standing patiently from morning until dusk. Undeterred, I remained hopeful and plan to return tomorrow in pursuit of this elusive Scarlet Tanager.
Remarkably, the excitement didn’t end in the field — when I got home that evening, I even appeared on the 10 o’clock news, as the Scarlet Tanager was being featured on television!
The next morning, I did some scouting and discussions with locals, and I was kindly invited into Mavis’s garden, which overlooked the areas where the Tanager had been regularly seen over the past week. I waited, hopeful but increasingly aware that the bird might not appear. As the morning wore on, many birders departed, convinced the Tanager had gone, leaving only eight of us remaining.
Mavis's garden
Then, at 2:30 PM, the moment arrived: Dave Woodhouse shouted, “Al, it’s in the tree!” After fifteen and a half hours of waiting, I was finally watching this incredible bird. There was no pushing, no crowding — just eight of us in awe as the Scarlet Tanager perched, preened, and moved through the trees. The bird continued to be visible for some time, and those who had left began to return, drawn back by the exceptional display.
First photographs of the Scarlet Tanager
It was a moment that perfectly illustrated the rewards of patience, dedication, and a little help from generous locals. Dave had been on site since the previous morning, and it was gratifying to share the experience with someone equally committed.
Images of the scarlet Tanager!
2014 Outer Hebrides Brevig, Barra, first-winter female, 6th to 9th October, trapped 7th October
2011 Isles Of Scilly, Sandy Lane, St Mary's, first-winter male, 22nd October
2011 Cornwall, St Levan, first-winter male, 20th to 21st October
1982 Isles Of Scilly, Higher Moors, St Mary's, female, 12th, to 18th October
1981 Cornwall, Nanquidno, St Just, first-winter male, 11th October
1975 Isles Of Scilly, Tresco, first-winter male, 28th, September to 3rd October
1970, Isles Of Scilly, Porth Hellick, St Mary's, first-winter male, 4th October
