AMERICAN YELLOW WARBLER-NEW HYTHE GRAVEL PITS-KENT

News broke on Christmas Eve that a Yellow Warbler had been spotted in Kent. While I initially considered visiting, family commitments meant I had to wait until Boxing Day. The bird remained present on Christmas Day, so I made my way to Kent at first light this morning.

Birders On Site

Upon arrival, the bird briefly appeared twice, and I even heard its distinctive call from the far side of the stream. Unfortunately, I was standing in the wrong spot, and the little warbler eluded me for several hours. Fortunately, a Firecrest entertained the crowd in the meantime, providing plenty of avian excitement.

After a long wait, a fellow birder called out that the Yellow Warbler had been located. It eventually flew up into its favoured alder trees, where it remained long enough to give the assembled birders an absolutely top-class performance.

What a bird! I had previously missed the Portland, Dorset individual in 2017 by just a single day, and in 2023, I ended my Shetland holiday only for one to appear the very next day. The past couple of weeks have been remarkable for “Yank” warblers in Britain, and it was thrilling to finally catch up with this little stunner — alongside the recent 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