Saturday 16 February 2013

STEJNEGER'S STONECHAT added to UK List

The BBA/UK400 Club has added STEJNEGER'S STONECHAT to the latest List - Saxicola stejnegeri - following the latest revisions by the CSNA in their most recent report (Dutch Birding 35: 40-43). This form is now considered distinct from both Siberian and Caspian Stonechats (cf Wink et al 2002; Zink et al 2009 & Gill & Donsker 2012). The first for THE NETHERLANDS was on Texel, Noord-Holland, from 8-23 October 2012 and this same bird was present (and trapped) at Portland Bill, Dorset, on 24-26 October 2012 (see Birding World 25: 408).

The species is also added to the latest update to the WESTERN PALEARCTIC LIST, along with PRAIRIE WARBLER from The Azores last October. Three species previously only recorded from Mauretania have been removed from the list - Temminck's Courser, Kordofan Lark and Grey-backed Fiscal Shrike - all occurrencies were south of the WP boundary line it now transpires (Crochet et al, Dutch Birding 35: 28-30)