News broke today that a Yellow Warbler had been spotted in Kent, of all days—Christmas Eve. I considered going, but I had far too many family commitments for tomorrow; Boxing Day was for me. The bird remained present on Christmas Day, so I decided to make my way down to Kent for the first light this morning.
When I arrived, the bird briefly appeared twice, and I even heard it call a couple of times from the other side of the stream; however, I was standing in the wrong spot. After a three-hour wait, there was still no sign of the bird. Fortunately, a Firecrest showed itself well and kept the crowd entertained for a few hours.
After a long wait, a birder called out that he had spotted the Yellow Warbler, which eventually flew up into its favoured alder trees and put on a top-class performance for the crowd.
What a bird! At last, I had caught up with this little stunner. I missed the Portland Dorset bird in 2017 by just one day, and then I ended my holiday in 2023 on Shetland only to have one show up the next day. What a couple of weeks it has been for Yank warblers! I was thrilled to finally see this one and the Scarlet Tanager.
Previous Records
2023 Hoswick-Mainland-12th to 23rd October-Shetland
2023 Loch Bhasapol-Tiree-First winter male-30th Sept-3rd Oct-Argyll
2023 Ham Yard-Foula-5th Sept-11th Sept-Shetland
2017 Culverwell, Portland, 1CY, 21st August-Dorset
2005 Garths Ness, Quendale, Mainland, first-winter male, 15th to 17th September, Shetland
2004 Brevig (Breibhig), Barra, first-winter, 2nd to 7th October-Outer Hebrides
1992 North Ronaldsay, first-winter male, trapped, 24th August-Orkney
1990 Helendale, Mainland, age/sex uncertain, 3rd to 4th November-Shetland
1964 Bardsey, first-year male, trapped, 29th August, died 30th August-Caernarfon