Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler   Locustella certhiola

Rare vagrant from Siberia

 

·         1999   One, in grasses around chicken shed, Brae, Ham, 23rd September (JMD & TPD). A classic individual. The bird showed extremely well on a couple of occasions (down to two metres and perched on top of the shed wall) during its hour-long stay. Incredibly, and inexplicably, it was never accepted by the rarities committee.

·         2000   Two birds, in the same large patch of iris, West Burn, just south of Burns cottage on the 27th September; One bird remaining until the morning of the 28th (JMD & TPD). Again, the birds were not accepted by the rarities committee, despite the observers having no doubt in their minds as to the identification or to their being two birds (both were observed simultaneously).

·         2002   One, Hametoun, 6th – 7th October, trapped on the 6th (ARM et al.).

·         2004   3 individuals. The first was found by ARM in a mist net at the regular ringing site of Ham Yard on the 1st of October. The bird was ringed and released. The second was found by KBS and PJW on the same day, 2km to the south, at Niggards, Hametoun. The third, was found the following morning by JMD, TPD and MAW, at Harrier, about 2km north of Ham. As this area had not been checked the previous day, it was believed all three birds arrived on the 1st of October!

·         2008   One, 2nd October.

·         2009   One, Niggards, 21st October.