Rosy Starling (3/3)
Pastor roseus (Linnaeus, 1758) (311, 23)
![RoseColoured Starling[Chris Baines].JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600a63ac6068650681dd0dc9/1613196045985-RFNHI2DIFSOZ5FE9TSNE/RoseColoured+Starling%5BChris+Baines%5D.JPG)
Photo © Chris Baines
Ex BBRC species 31/12/2001
NOT PROVEN
0). Pre 1783 Lancashire & North Merseyside Ormskirk, obtained, undated, now at Southport Museum.
(Latham, 1781-85; Montagu, 1802; Fleming, 1828; Selby, 1833; Wagstaff, 1935; Hardy, 1941).
[Oakes, 1953].
History Latham (1783 (2): 51, pt. i.) says: '...as also the assurance of one or more being shot almost every season in Ormskirk, Lancashire.'
Montagu (1802) says: 'It is rarely met with in England. There are, however, several instances on record: about Ormskirk, in Lancashire, one or two is said to be shot almost every season.'
Fleming (1828: 66) says: 'Montagu states, that about Ormskirk, at Lancashire, it occurs almost every season.'
Selby (1833 (1): 343) says: '...other specimens are mentioned as having been obtained in the neighbourhood of Ormskirk, in Lancashire.'
Oakes (1953) says: 'This bird belonging to the Pennington collection was examined by R. Wagstaff at Southport Museum and proved to be an aberrant Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris.'
Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1814 Berkshire Near Newbury, five, seen, undated.
(Latham, 1821-28).
[KAN].
History Latham (1822 (5): 44) says: 'Dr. Lamb informed me of this bird having been shot near Newbury, in 1805, and in 1814, five were seen in a willow bed near the same place.'
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species then. Not acceptable.
0). 1818 Lincolnshire No locality, July.
(Morris, 1863-67; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).
[KAN].
History Morris (1863-67 (3): 146, reissue) says: 'In Northumberland, a small flock was seen near Bamborough [sic] Castle, in July, 1818, in company with Starlings; one about the same time near Newcastle; and two others were shot near Alnwick. In Lincolnshire also, and in Durham.'
Comment Professor Newton was not amused with Morris' work in that he was lax with the source of his records, especially those without names and locations. Temperley (1951) states the first record for Durham as occurring in 1829, so that record can be dismissed; as can the two from Alnwick, first menioned by Yarrell (2nd ed.), which could refer to any of the previous records recorded in Northumberland. Also, this record is lacking in any sort of details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1828 Orkney Hoy, female, shot, undated.
(Fleming, 1828; Morris, 1851-57).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History Fleming (1828: 66) says: 'Mr. Bullock informed me, that he received it from Hoy in Orkney, where it was shot in the garden of the Reverend Mr. Hamilton.'
Morris (1852 (3): 146) adds: 'A female was taken at Hoy.'
The first record for Scotland appeared in 1831 (Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).
0). 1831 Angus & Dundee No locality, Forfarshire, shot, 29th September.
(Yarrell, 1845).
[KAN].
History Yarrell (1845 (2): 50, 2nd ed.) says: 'Thomas Macpherson Grant, Esq., of Edinburgh, has in his collection one shot in a garden in Forfarshire, on the 29th of September, 1831.'
Comment Duplicate record. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1837 Buckinghamshire Iver Court, near Langley, shot, undated.
(Gould, 1837; Clark Kennedy, 1868).
[Hartert & Rothschild, 1905].
History Gould (1837 (3): unpaged) says: 'Several well authenticated accounts of the capture of this bird have appeared from the pens of Mr. Selby, Pennant, and Bewick; but the only example within our personal knowledge was one shot in the month of May by our esteemed friend Mr. John Newman, of Iver Court near Windsor, in whose possession it now remains, exhibiting that beauty and richness of plumage which we have endeavoured to convey in our illustration.'
Clark Kennedy (1868: 178) says: 'Mr. Gould in his fine work on the Birds of Europe, states that a Rose-coloured Pastor was shot by his friend Mr. John Newman, at Iver Court, near Langley, in Buckinghamshire.'
Hartert & Rothschild (1905 (1): 138) in the Victoria County History of Buckinghamshire, placed the record in square brackets.
0). Pre 1837 Devon Saltram, seen, undated.
(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 179; D'Urban & Mathew, 1895).
[KAN].
History E. Moore (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 179, says: 'The species has also been observed at Saltram, the seat of Earl Morley.' It was accepted locally (D'Urban & Mathew 1892: 81).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1837 Devon Rowe's Peramb, Dartmoor, seen, undated.
(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 233; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).
[KAN].
History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 81) say: 'It has been seen at Rowe's Peramb. Dartmoor (Appendix, Mag. Nat. Hist., 1837, p. 233).'
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1840 Derbyshire Near Castle Donington, seen, undated.
(Macgillivray, 1837-52; G. W. Pullen, Young Naturalist 1883; Whitlock, 1893).
[Derbyshire Birds Record Committee].
History Harley (1840) under 'Birds of Leicestershire' in Macgillivray (1840 (3): 657) says: 'A rare straggler. A fine specimen was killed some years ago near to the banks of the Trent, in the Lordship of Castle Donnington [sic], in this county.'
Whitlock (1893: 101) says: 'In addition, Mr. G. W. Pullen states that the Rose-coloured Pastor has once been seen near Castle Donington, which lies partly within our county (Young Naturalist, December, 1883).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1840 Yorkshire Ripley, shot, undated.
(H. Denny, Annals of Natural History 1840: 389; Allis, 1844; Morris, 1851-57; Nelson, 1907).
[KAN].
History Thomas Allis (1844) under 'Report on the Birds of Yorkshire' prepared for the British Association meeting at York (unpublished, but held at the Yorkshire Museum, York), says: 'H. Denny has mentioned two specimens, one being shot at Ripley, the other at Farnley Hall in 1828.'
Morris (1852 (3): 145) says: 'One at Ripley.' Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 221).
Comment Allis has made two records from one; duplicate for the 1828 record. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1840 Lancashire & North Merseyside Near Liverpool, killed, undated.
(Byerley, 1856; Mitchell, 1892; Hardy, 1941).
[Oakes, 1953].
History Mitchell (1892: 84) says: 'Byerley records an instance of one being killed near Liverpool about the year 1840.'
Oakes (1953: 40) says: 'Old records have been accepted on unsatisfactory evidence, and the discovery by R. Wagstaffe of a bird in the Pennington collection at Southport (Birds of Southport, Appendix 1), which proved to be an aberrant Common Starling, brings others under suspicion. Byerley's record of one killed near Liverpool in 1840 cannot be admitted.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1844 Cleveland/Yorkshire Skinningrove, Yorkshire, undated.
(Alliss, 1844; Morris, 1851-57; Nelson, 1907).
[KAN].
History Alliss (1844) says: 'F. O. Morris mentions one from Skinningrove.' Later, Morris (1852 (3): 145) says: 'One at Skinningrove, near Whitby.' Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 221).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1844 Isle of Wight No locality, shot, undated.
(C. A. Bury, Zoologist 1844: 643-644).
[Morey, 1909].
History C. A. Bury (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. pp. 643-644, says: 'The Rose-coloured Pastor, I have reason to think, has been once killed in the island. R. Loe described it very accurately, and as having made its appearance, many years ago, during harvest; the bird was shot while feeding on the berries of elder.'
R. H. Fox in Morey (1909: 508) does not mention this record.
Comment Lacks a precise date and location for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1844 Kent Near Margate, two, one male shot, June.
(S. Mummery, Annals & Magazine of Natural History 14: 77; Harrison, 1953).
[A. J. H. Harrop et al., British Birds 105: 226-257].
History S. Mummery of Margate (1844) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. XIV. p. 77, in the July 1844 issue, says: 'On Saturday last I also succeeded in shooting, at about five miles from Margate, a good specimen of the Rose-coloured Pastor: there were two of them, one escaped; that which I shot is a male.'
Ticehurst (1909: 187-188) says: 'In June of this year [1844] also two were seen about five miles from Margate by Stephen Mummery, who succeeded in shooting one, which was a male.'
Harrison (1953) states it erroneously as 1884.
Comment Mummery has been found to be unreliable (Ticehurst 1909). Not acceptable.
0). 1850s Isles of Scilly No locality, two, seen, one shot, undated.
(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 252; Robinson, 2003).
[Clark, 1906].
History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 252, under 'The Birds of Scilly' say: 'One was killed and another seen by Pechell in the fifties.'
Clark (1906 (1): 335) in the Victoria County History of Cornwall, says: 'One specimen was shot by Pechell at Scilly, probably in 1848, and another in June, 1892, by David Smith.'
Comment Duplicate for the 1838 record. Don't have the 1892 record neither. Lacks a precise date and location for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1852 Orkney Elsness, Mainland, shot, undated.
(Morris, 1851-57; Morris, 1863-67).
[KAN].
History Morris (1863-67 (3): 146, reissue) says: 'In the Orkney Islands...another shot by Mr. Urquhart, at Elsness.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1852 Orkney No locality, obtained, undated.
(Morris, 1851-57; Morris, 1863-67).
[KAN].
History Morris (1863-67 (3): 146, reissue) says: 'In the Orkney Islands one was procured, of which my friend Hugh Edwin Strickland, Esq. has informed me.'
Comment Strickland, who was partially deaf, died in 1853 when he was hit by a train in North Nottinghamshire whilst studying the geology there. He avoided one by stepping onto the other track. Unfortunately, It could refer to any other record. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1852 Orkney Skaill, Mainland, caught, undated.
(Morris, 1851-57; Morris, 1863-67).
[KAN].
History Morris (1863-67 (3): 146, reissue) says: 'In the Orkney Islands...one caught at Skaill, and kept for some time in confinement.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1855 County unknown Laurieston, obtained, undated, now at Montrose Museum.
(Harvie-Brown, 1906).
[KAN].
History Harvie-Brown (1906: 143) in A Fauna of the Tay Basin and Strathmore, says: 'There is one in the Montrose Museum marked "Laurieston", 1855 (Montrose Museum List).'
Comment I know of two Laurieston's: one near Falkirk (Lothian) and one near Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway.
Neither within the confines of the area recorded in the book. Harvie-Brown under 'Bee-eater' adds this species as having been obtained at Laurieston, which strikes me as an error for whatever species. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1855 Yorkshire Wetherby, shot, undated.
(E. R. Waite, Naturalist 17: 95; Nelson, 1907).
[KAN].
History Edgar R. Waite, Sub-curator at Leeds Museum (1891) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XVII. p. 95, says: 'In a MS. dated 1880, the late John Tennant wrote: "My father saw one at Wetherby, which was shot there, some twenty-five years ago".'
Nelson (1907 (1): 222) says: 'Wetherby, one about 1855 (J. Tennant MS.).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1855 Sussex Crawley, shot, August.
(Eds., Field 18th Aug., 1855: 102; J. J. Briggs, Field 15th Aug., 1855: 123).
[Sussex Ornithological Society].
History In an Editorial (1855) in The Field of 18th Aug., Vol. VI. p. 102, he says: 'As Mr. Stephen Gates, of Crawley, was walking his garden all round, he espied a depredator among his cherries, and fetching his gun determined to stop his career. It proved to be a Starling, with beautiful glossy black head, crest, and wings, and back and belly of pale pink, or, as some describe it, salmon colour. It will be stuffed, and is considered a very rare and remarkable specimen.'
John Joseph Briggs of King's Newton (1855) in The Field of 25th Aug., Vol. VI. p. 123, says: 'In The Field for August 18th is a record of the capture of what is stated to be a remarkable bird, with black head, crest, and wings, and pink or salmon-coloured back and breast. The writer of the paragraph appears to be ignorant of its name. Taking into consideration the description which is given of it, the period of the year when it was shot, and the nature of the food upon which it was feeding, I have no doubt that it was a specimen of that beautiful species of Starling the Rose-coloured Pastor (Pastor roseus).'
Overlooked (Borrer 1891: 143-144; Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 58-62).
Comment Probably overlooked by all authors of Birds of Sussex. Not accepted locally.
0). 1860 Hampshire Near Southampton, male, obtained, summer.
(G. D. Rowley, Ibis 3: 113).
[Clark & Eyre, 1993].
History George Dawson Rowley of Brighton (1861) in The Ibis, Vol. III. p. 113, dated 10th November, 1860, says: 'I send you one or two ornithological notes for the past year, which has been most disastrous for birds. In vain we have looked for the countless streams which usually pass down to the sea at this period of the autumn migration. It is the same with the Sussex bird-catchers; their success is unusually small....Near Southampton a fine cock Pastor roseus was obtained this summer.'
Not accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).
0). 1860 Greater Manchester Denton Lane, Chadderton, shot, undated.
(R. Davenport, Bury Natural History Society Report 1872: 41; Clubb, 1914; Report of the Bury Natural History Society, 1872).
[Oakes, 1953].
History R. Davenport (1872) in the Bury Natural History Society Report, p. 41, says: 'Pastor roseus: Rose-coloured Pastor. One specimen of this rare bird was shot in Denton Lane, Chadderton, near Oldham, 1860.'
Clubb (1914: 47) in his listing, says: 'Oldham, 1860.'
Oakes (1953: 40) says: 'A bird reported shot in Denton Lane, Chadderton, in 1860 and published in the Report of the Bury Natural History Society, 1872, lacks confirmation.'
Comment Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1861 Isle of Wight No locality, obtained, undated.
(O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1887: 387).
[Morey, 1909].
History O. V. Aplin of Bloxham, near Banbury (1887) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XI. p. 387, says: 'I also examined a Rose-coloured Pastor killed some twenty five years ago [1886-87].'
R. H. Fox in Morey (1909: 508) does not mention this record.
Comment Lacks a precise date and location for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1862 Yorkshire Withernwick, shot, undated.
(Nelson, 1907).
[KAN].
History Nelson (1907 (1): 222) says: 'Withernwick, near Hull, one about 1862-3; shot by J. Darley (MS. 1901).'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details. Not acceptable.
0). 1862-63 Cleveland/Yorkshire Skinningrove, Yorkshire, several (5), winter.
(Nelson, 1907).
[KAN].
History Nelson (1907 (1): 222) says: 'Skinningrove, several in 1862-3 (Kenneth McLean MS.).'
Comment "Several" would be most unusual. Probably misidentified. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1863 Derbyshire Allestree, seen, undated.
(Brown, 1863; Jourdain, 1905).
[Frost & Shaw, 2013].
History Jourdain (1905 (1): 132) in the Victoria County History of Derbyshire, says: 'One was seen at Allestree by Mr. Evans (Nat. Hist. of Tutbury, addenda, p. 228).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1864 Yorkshire Ingleborough, shot, undated.
(G. Roberts, Zoologist 1865: 9682; Nelson, 1907).
[KAN].
History G. Roberts (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9682, undated, says: 'Last year the gamekeeper at lngleborough shot a bird from a flock of starlings, which, from his description, must have been a Rose-coloured Pastor; he sold it to an amateur taxidermist before he had time to ascertain its value; he described it as "a beautiful starling".'
Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 222).
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1866 Devon Lundy, undated.
(G. F. Mathew, Naturalist 2: 359; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).
[Davis & Jones, 2007].
History G. F. Mathew (1866) in The Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 359, says: 'Has occurred within the last few years on Lundy island.'
D'Urban & Mathew (1892) say: 'One occurred on Lundy Island a few years before 1866 (G.F.M., Naturalist, 1866, p. 359).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1867 North-east Scotland Near Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, shot, June.
(Gray, 1871; Sim, 1903; Phillips, 1997).
[C. J. McInerny, Scottish Birds 30: 27-29].
History Gray (1871: 161) says: 'Mr. Angus sent me the stomach of one crammed with "beetles, which was shot near Aberdeen in June, 1867".'
Sim (1903: 105) says: 'In the same year [1867] the late Mr. A. Mitchell shot one near Aberdeen.'
Comment Mr. Angus has supplied details of many suspicious records. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1870 Sussex Near Brighton, two, both shot (one adult male), 20th August, adult male now at Booth Museum, Brighton.
(G. D. Rowley, Field 27th Aug., 1870: 194; Eds., Zoologist 1870: 2344; Borrer, 1891; Booth, 1901; Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963).
[A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 112: 89-98].
History George Dawson Rowley of Chichester House, Brighton (1870) in The Field of 27th Aug., Vol. XXXVI. p. 194, dated 24th August, and in The Zoologist (1870) 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2344, quoting from The Field, it says: 'On Saturday last, August 20, a farmer near Brighton observed two pretty birds which, in company with some Starlings, perched every now and then on the backs of his sheep. Having fetched a gun he shot them both - not, however, without touching up one of his flock. These birds proved to be Pastor roseus, the Rose-coloured Pastor, one of which I saw in the hands of Swaysland, the naturalist, on Monday.'
Borrer (1891: 143) says: 'I have in my collection a beautiful adult male, which was shot from the back of a sheep, near Brighton on August 20th, 1870. Another was in its company, and was shot at the same time, but of which sex I have no information: they are recorded in The Field, and in The Zoologist, p. 2344, s.s.'
Booth (1901: 215, 3rd ed.) says: 'An adult male, one of two which were shot from the back of sheep near Brighton, August 20th, 1870.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 60) who adds: that one of these belonged to Borrer.
James (1996: 515) adds: 'Both these birds were shot off the backs of sheep. The adult male is now at the Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 207903).'
Comment Another Swaysland record, who has been discredited (A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 112: 89-98), of an unusual 'pair' obtained by an unnamed farmer and probably sold for gain. Not acceptable.
0). 1870 Northumberland No locality, caught alive, undated.
("An Amateur Ornithologist" Newcastle Daily Journal 1870; J. M. Charlton, Zoologist 1911: 310; J. M. Charlton, Zoologist 1912: 302).
[KAN].
History J. M. Charlton (1911) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XV. p. 310, says: 'I have only one record of this bird for the district [between Tynemouth and Seaton Sluice], and that lies on rather slight evidence, although I think there is sufficient to allow its inclusion in this list. It is a specimen which was caught alive by someone signing himself "An Amateur Ornithologist" in the Newcastle Daily Journal some time in 1870. He gave a full description of it, and said that the length was only six inches, and the crest very small. It is therefore presumed that the bird in question was an immature female which had just attained adult plumage, but was smaller than a mature bird.'
J. M. Charlton (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 302, says: 'Mr. G. Bolam states that at least one has been killed at St Mary's Island (in about the seventies).'
Comment Its amazing Charlton didn't connect these two statements together. Ornithologists had an unwritten law about not accepting anonymous records. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1871 Dorset Between Moreton and Dorchester, obtained, undated.
(Mansel-Pleydell, 1873).
[KAN].
History Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 20) says: 'Professor Newton tells me that in 1871 he saw one stuffed in a farm-house between Moreton and Dorchester, which was said to have been killed in the neighbourhood many years ago.'
Comment Prof. Newton used the words "said to have been" placing no faith in the record. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1875 Leicestershire & Rutland Enderby, shot, undated.
(M. Browne, Zoologist 1886: 16; Browne, 1889; Hickling, 1978).
[Fray et al., 2009].
History Montagu Browne (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 16, says: 'Since 1870, Turner has told me that a man named Collins, now deceased, received a specimen in the flesh from Enderby ten or more years ago.'
Browne (1889: 91) says: 'Since then [1870], Turner has told me that a man named Collins, now deceased, received a specimen in the flesh from Enderby, about 1870-75.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1875 Staffordshire Rushton Spencer, seen, undated.
(Smith, 1939; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).
[KAN].
History Smith (1939: 97) says: 'One of these beautiful birds was seen at Rushton Spencer in 1875.'
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1877 Northumberland Allerdean Folly, Ancroft, near Berwick, immature male, shot, August, now at Berwick Museum.
(G. Bolam, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 8: 495; G. Bolam, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 13; Evans, 1911; Bolam, 1912).
[A. Brotherston, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 8: 522].
History George Bolam (1876-78) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. VIII. p. 495, says: 'One was found in a garden near Ancroft, in a disabled state, in August 1877, and is now preserved in the Berwick Museum.'
Further, p. 522, Andrew Brotherston adds: 'Sometime during the month of August, 1877, one of these rare birds, apparently a young male, was said to have been caught in a garden near Ancroft. When it was sent to me sometime afterwards to re-stuff, it had rather a suspicious look of having been a "skin" - more especially as an attempt was made to pass off another undoubted foreign skin said to have been shot in the same neighbourhood.'
G. Bolam (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 13, says: 'The specimen recorded by me (Hist. Berw. Nat. Club, VIII. p. 495) as from near Ancroft, in August 1877, I have since been informed by the person who shot it, was killed at Allerdean Folly, a place about five miles south of Berwick, and perhaps two miles from Ancroft. When shot it was sitting in a garden amongst some red-currant bushes, and was afterwards carried off to Ancroft by the policeman, who lived there, and who chanced to call at the "Folly" about the time; from him it was acquired for the Berwick Museum, but has since shared the fate of many another specimen in our local Institution, having long ago been devoured by moths!'
Accepted locally (Evans 1911: 97) and by Bolam (1912: 184) who says: 'One shot in a garden at Allerdean Folly, a few miles south of Berwick, in August, 1877.'
Comment Bolam seemed to be unaware of Brotherstons remarks and carried on accepting it. Probably an imported skin. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1881 Yorkshire Huddersfield, undated.
(Nelson, 1907).
[KAN].
History Nelson (1907 (1): 222) says: 'Huddersfield, one, in Halifax Road "some years ago" (J. Varley MS., 1881).'
Comment There was another Huddersfield record in 1859; possibly this one? Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1884 Norfolk Thetford, adult male, undated.
(Ticehurst, 1932).
[KAN].
History Ticehurst (1932: 54) says: 'Adult male, Thetford, no date but long before 1884 (Gurney Collection).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1884 Norfolk/Suffolk Melton, obtained, undated.
(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).
[KAN].
History Babington (1884-86: 86) says: 'One shot at Melton, in possession of Mr. Cooke of Woodbridge.'
Accepted locally by Ticehurst (1932: 54) who adds: '...long before 1884.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1884 Suffolk Rushmere, near Ipswich, obtained, undated.
(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).
[KAN].
History Babington (1884-86: 86) says: 'Rushmere, W. P. T. Phillips' Collection (Phillips in litt).'
Accepted locally by Ticehurst (1932: 54) who adds: '...long before 1884.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1884 Suffolk Stowlangtoft, shot, undated.
(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).
[KAN].
History Babington (1884-86: 86) says: 'One shot at Stowlangtoft by the late Col. Wilson, M. P. (Col. Parker v. v.).'
Accepted locally by Ticehurst (1932: 54) who adds: '...long before 1884.'
Comment Hearsay record. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1886 Orkney Hoy, seen, undated.
(Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891).
[KAN].
History Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 124, 125) say: 'Mr. Moodie-Heddle tells us he has known five or six instances of its occurrence in Hoy alone during the last four years, the last being in 1866, when the bird was observed by his factor and several others: he also adds: that whenever he has looked into the stories of "white" starlings, it has been a Rose Pastor: this in some three instances....Mr. Begg informs us he has shot several Rose-coloured Pastors in Hoy.'
Comment Third-hand report. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1890 Essex Havering, seen, undated.
(Christy, 1890).
[Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984].
History Christy (1890: 130) says: 'Mr. Hope writes "One was reported seen at Havering".'
Not accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968: 94; Cox 1984: 252).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1894 Pembrokeshire Castle Martin, seen, undated.
(Mathew, 1894).
[KAN].
History Mathew (1894: 29) says: 'The Rev. Clennell Wilkinson has informed us that he is pretty certain that he has seen a Rose Pastor at Castle Martin.'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1894 Pembrokeshire St Florence, seen, undated.
(Mathew, 1894).
[KAN].
History Mathew (1894: 29) says: 'In the Tenby Guide the Rev. C. M. Phelps states that the Rose Pastor has been seen in Pembrokeshire without specifying either locality or date, but we believe it was in the neighbourhood of St. Florence.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1897-1901 Northumberland Bamburgh, two, killed, early autumn.
(Bolam, 1912).
[KAN].
History Bolam (1912: 184-185) says: 'Two others killed in early autumn at the same place [Bamburgh], between the years 1897 and 1901, and seen by the late Charles Marshall of the Castle Hotel, Bamburgh, well known of for the interest he took in birds, but who had mislaid his memoranda of the exact dates when he informed me of the occurrences in March, 1901.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1900 Cambridgeshire Outwell, obtained, undated, now at Wisbech Museum.
(Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).
[KAN].
History Lack (1934) says: 'One undated in the Wisbech Museum was obtained by W. N. Neale at Outwell.'
Accepted locally (Bircham 1989).
Comment Although a specimen is extant it lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1900 Kent Near Appledore, male, shot, 4th June.
(Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Ticehurst (1909: 188) says: 'A second, now in the Booth Museum, is said to have been shot at the same place [Appledore] on June 4th, 1900.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1901 Hertfordshire Bovingdon, shot, undated, now at St Alban's Museum.
(W. Bickerton, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 12: 26-32; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 253; H. H. S. Hayward, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 22: 177; Sage, 1959).
[Gladwin & Sage, 1986].
History Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 253, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
H. H. S. Hayward (1947) in the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, Vol. XXII. p. 177, placing the record in square brackets, says: 'In the Society's 1902 Bird Report (Trans. Herts. Nat. Hist. Soc., XII.) a specimen in St Albans Museum, said to have been shot at Bovingdon "some years ago" and bought from a case of birds at a local inn, is stated to be a not very convincing record.'
0). 1901 Kent Near Appledore, adult male, shot, 14th May.
(L. A. C. Edwards, Zoologist 1901: 223; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 253; Ticehurst, 1909).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History L. A. Curtis Edwards of St Leonards-on-Sea (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 223, says: 'A fine adult male of the Rose-coloured Pastor (Pastor roseus) was obtained on May 14th last near Appledore, in Romney Marsh, Kent. It was sent for preservation to Mr. G. Bristow of this town, to whose kindness I am indebted for the privilege of examining the specimen in the flesh.'
[This record is an interesting one to ornithologists, but describes a distinct disregard to the laws relating to a close-time for birds. - Ed.]
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 253, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Ticehurst (1909: 188) says: '...It is now in Mr. Boyd Alexander's collection.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1901 Greater London London, one, released, 31st July.
(F. Finn, Zoologist 1901: 353-354).
[F. Finn, Zoologist 1901: 353-354].
History Frank Finn of the Zoological Society (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. pp. 353-354, says: 'On the last day of July I had released in the [Zoological] Gardens a Rosy Pastor bought in London, which soon vanished. It was perfect in feather, but had a slight malformation of the beak, and two or three nails missing, which would render it recognisable if met with anywhere.'
0). 1902 Sussex Near St Leonards-on-Sea, seen, 23rd March.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 60) who says: 'Michael Nicoll saw one on 23rd March, 1902, near St. Leonards-on-Sea.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1902 Kent Appledore, male, 10th June.
(Harrison, 1953).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Harrison (1953 (2): 239) says: 'A male was killed at Appledore on 10th June 1902, and was disposed of as Lot 453 at Stevens's sale on 19th January 1910, in the dispersal of the J. A. Clark collection.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1903 Carmarthenshire Bettws Mountain, adult male, shot, October.
(Ingram & Morrey Salmon, 1954).
[Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994].
History Ingram & Morrey Salmon (1954) say: 'One, possibly this species, seen on Bettws Mountain, October 1903 (G.D.D.).'
Not accepted nationally (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).
0). Pre 1904 Highland Near Carbost, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, shot, undated.
(Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904).
[Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904].
History Harvie-Brown & Macpherson (1904: 106) say: 'A single bird was shot near Carbost some years since by Captain Cameron, who gave the bird to McLeay, who sold it again to an unknown customer. We would be glad to trace this specimen, should these lines meet the eye of the present possessor.'
Comment McLeay, Taxidermist of Inverness. Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1904 Greater Manchester Saddleworth, undated.
(A. J. Smith, Birds in Greater Manchester 1993: 113-116).
[Oakes, 1953].
History A. J. Smith (1993) in the Birds in Greater Manchester, p. 116, lists this as the third record for the area.
Not recorded by (Oakes 1953).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No identification details for this sight record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1906 Kent Near Ham Street, seen, early April.
(Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).
History Ticehurst (1909: 188) says: 'A third is said by Messrs. Balston and Bartlett to have been seen near Ham Street early in April, 1906.'
Comment Presumably the above two persons along with C. W. Shepherd in 1907 published 'Notes on the Birds of Kent', which may be where Ticehurst got his information. No identification details for this sight record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1910 Sussex Rottingdean, immature male, trapped, 18th November, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.
(J. B. Nichols, British Birds 5: 49-50; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 269; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[KAN].
History J. B. Nichols (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. pp. 49-50, says: 'A young male Rose-coloured Starling (Pastor roseus) was caught in clap-nets by a Starling-catcher at Rottingdean, near Brighton, on November 18th, 1910. This is an interesting bird as being in the immature plumage. Most British specimens are in adult plumage. A casual observer would take it for a young Starling. It is beginning to change its plumage.'
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 269, on the unexpected occurrences for 1910, says: 'One caught, Rottingdean (Sussex), November 18th.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 61) who adds that it is in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton.
Comment Amazingly, this is not listed as a "Hastings rarity", although every other species mentioned in the original note of this record was a Hastings fraud. Nichols was mentioned quite considerably in the fraud. Not acceptable.
0). 1912 Sussex Pevensey, adult male, shot, 22nd June, now at Reading Museum.
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 6: 152; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 274; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 43; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay: (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 152, says: 'After being seen in the locality for three weeks, a Rose coloured Starling (Pastor roseus) was obtained at Sewers Bridge, Pevensey, Sussex, on June 22nd, 1912. I examined it in the flesh on June 23rd, when it proved to be a male in adult plumage.'
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 274, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'Male shot, Pevensey (Sussex), June 22nd.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 61) who adds that the specimen is now at Reading Museum.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1914 Sussex Pevensey, adult male, obtained, 8th August, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMS.Z.1914.134).
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 8: 114; Walpole-Bond, 1938; J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 104: 543).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay: (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 114, says: 'On August 9th, 1914, I was shown a male Rose-coloured Starling (Pastor roseus) that had been obtained the previous day on the Marsh at Pevensey, Sussex. It was an adult bird in full plumage.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 61).
J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan (2011) in British Birds, Vol. CIV. p. 543, in a Letter, under 'Hastings Rarities in the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh', state that the following species were sold to the museum during 1913 and 1914 by George Bristow, the taxidermist of St Leonard's, who was at the heart of the fraud known as the 'Hastings Rarities', just before Witherby challenged him in 1916 over the amount of rarities recorded in the area. A male from Pevensey on 8th August 1914 (Acc. No. 1914.134).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1914 Sussex Pevensey, seen, at least 24th August.
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 8: 114; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay: (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 114, says: '...on the Marsh at Pevensey, Sussex....Another has been seen on several occasions up to the time of writing (August 24th).'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 61)
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1914 Sussex Pett Level, seen, August.
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 8: 114; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay: (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 114, says: '...I have also heard of a bird being seen "in the company of Starlings" on the Pett marshes, which from the description I am satisfied belongs to this species.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 61)
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1916 Sussex Winchelsea, male, killed, 16th May.
(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 246; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1918) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 75, 200, says: 'Mr. W. H. Mullens has generously presented to the Hastings Museum...the adult male from Winchelsea, reported in these notes for 1916.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 61).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1917 Sussex Pevensey Levels, adult female, shot, 10th July.
(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 75; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1918) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 75, says: 'Mr. W. H. Mullens has generously presented to the Hastings Museum an adult female shot in Pevensey Marsh on July 10th; he has also presented the adult male from Winchelsea, reported in these notes for 1916.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 61).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1922 North-east Scotland Deeside, male, shot, before 12th August.
(Courier 12th Aug., 1922; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 43: 67; Phillips, 1997).
[KAN]
History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1923) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIII. p. 67, in the annual report, say: 'In the Courier of 12th August, a male Rose-coloured Pastor is reported to have been shot "recently" on Dee-side.'
Comment There is a River Dee in Dumfries & Galloway and they also published a Courier. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1925 Kent Romney Marsh, male, 19th June.
(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 23).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1928) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 23, says: 'A male shot in Romney Marsh, June 19th, 1925 (G.B.).'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1925 Hampshire No locality, seen, 9th August.
(A. T. Martin, Field 20th Aug., 1925: 338-339; Eds., British Birds 19: 155; Clark, 2022).
[Clark & Eyre, 1993].
History A. T. Martin (1925) in The Field of 20th Aug., Vol. CXLVI. pp. 338-339, says: 'On entering a small meadow next to my garden on Sunday afternoon, the 9th inst., I disturbed some birds, mainly sparrows, feeding on the ground, and noticed one of them of quite unusual appearance and of a kind I could not remember having seen before. It flew into a lime tree by the boundary fence and was lost to sight in the foliage. I approached within four yards of the tree which it then left and settled on the top of a low oak tree some 20 yards distant.
Meantime my nephew arrived with the field glasses, and between us we had the bird under observation for fully five minutes at a distance of about fifteen yards. We had no difficulty in identifying it as a Rose-coloured Starling, and from the size of the crest and the colouring of the breast and back I should judge it to have been a male of the species. There could be no possible question as to its identity.'
In an Editorial (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. p. 155, they say: 'Mr. A. P. Martin states (Field, Aug. 20th, 1925, p. 338) that he watched a Pastor roseus in Hampshire (locality not mentioned) on August 9th, 1925.'
Comment A. T. or A. P. Martin? Not accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993), however, Clark (2022) now appears to accept the record.
0). 1929 Leicestershire & Rutland Desford, July.
(Hickling, 1978).
[Fray et al., 2009].
History Hickling (1978) stated that one was reported from Desford, in July, 1929. Not accepted locally (Fray et al. 2009).
). 1931 Borders Near Duns, Roxburghshire, seen, 21st April.
(A. M. Porteous, jun., History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 28: 107).
[KAN].
History A. M. Porteous, jun. (1933) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. XXVIII. p. 107, says: '1931. April 21. Rose-coloured Starling seen near Duns (T. Smart).'
Comment Lacks supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1932 Argyll Colonsay, 7th December.
(Jardine, Clarke & Clarke, 1986).
[Jardine, Clarke & Clarke, 1986].
History Jardine, Clarke & Clarke (1986) say: 'D. R. Alexander's list referred to this species: Jessie McNeill wrote in her diary on 7 December 1932, "supposed Rose-coloured Pastor seen on Carn Mor".'
0). 1937 Devon Stockland, seen, 7th to 8th May.
(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird-watching and Preservation Society Report 1937: 24; Moore, 1969).
[Eds., British Birds 32: 160].
History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy & H. G. Hurrell (1937) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. X. p. 24, say: 'Stockland. May 7th and 8th. One visited a garden on the slope of Horner Hill and disappeared. (F.C.B.)'
In an Editorial (1938) in British Birds, Vol. XXXII. pp. 159-160, in a Review of the Devon Bird-watching and Preservation Society Report, for 1937, they say: 'A Rose-coloured Starling is reported in May.'
Comment Unusual date even in an invasion year. The Editors of British Birds placed no faith in it. Not acceptable.
0). 1937 Hampshire Near Andover, seen, late October.
(R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1937: 20).
[R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1937: 20].
History R. Whitlock (1937) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, Vol. IV. p. 20, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A bird, almost certainly of this species, was seen on various occasions in late October at the Starling roost near Andover, but, owing to the bad light, a satisfactory view was unobtainable - R.J.'
0). 1938 Suffolk Somerleyton, five, seen, undated.
("C.S.L.", Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society 4: 92).
[Payn, 1978].
History "C.S.L." (1938) in the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 92, says: Of the peculiarly scarce Birds recorded during the year, the Red-breasted Snipe, Limnodromus griseus, Gmelin, observed in Devon, must be accorded pride of place; this sandpiper is an American species, unnoticed in Suffolk since John Hoy recorded a male near Yarmouth (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., VI. 1841, 236).
We have two occurrences here of the Rose-coloured Starling, Pastor roseus, L., one at Melton and a bunch of five together that was identified by a local observer at Somerleyton; but there have been a good many instanced in other parts of the country this year, evidently one of peculiar influx in their case.'
Comment Anonymous records were unacceptable to naturalists. Not acceptable.
0). 1939 Cheshire & Wirral Dunham Massey, seen, December.
(Hedley Bell, 1967).
[S. Barber, Cheshire Bird Report 1992: 82].
History Hedley Bell (1967: 81) says: 'In the notes of the late Mr. J. J. Cash was a clear description of a bird of this species seen by several people of the same family over a number of days around Christmas in their garden at Dunham Massey in 1939.'
Not accepted locally (S. Barber, Cheshire Bird Report 1992: 82).
0). 1944 Leicestershire & Rutland Dishley Grange, Loughborough, seen, 1st October.
(A. E. Jolley, Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society 1944: 26; Eds., British Birds 38: 378; Hickling, 1978).
[Fray et al., 2009].
History A. E. Jolley (1944) in the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society, p. 26, says: 'An adult bird was seen perched on telegraph wires near Dishley Grange, Loughborough, October 1st. It appeared fairly tame and permitted long scrutiny at 20 yards range. "Pink, where Hooded Crow is grey, red bill, crest partially erected". In company of a small flock of feeding Starlings. This is the first Leicestershire record since one at Desford, July, 1929.'
In an Editorial (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 378, in a Review of the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society, for 1944, they say: 'A Rose-coloured Starling is reported at Loughborough on October 1st.'
Fray et al. (2009) in a review found this record unacceptable.
0). 1945 Devon West Hill, Ottery St Mary, two, seen, 16th May.
(M. Brooks-King et al., Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1945: 61; Moore, 1969).
[Eds., British Birds 39: 382].
History M. Brooks-King et al. (1945) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XVIII. p. 61, say: 'West Hill, Ottery St. Mary. May 16th, two; pinkish-grey on back and breast, beak bright yellow and a little turned down at point. (Mrs. Percy, per M. B-K.).' [Probably juveniles. - Eds.]
In an Editorial (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 382, in a Review of the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, for 1945, they say: 'Two other records are open to more positive objection. Two Rose-coloured Starlings are recorded on May 16th with the editorial comment "probably juveniles". They are described as pinkish-grey on back and breast, with bright yellow beaks. But young birds develop no trace of pink till the autumn and have not yellow beaks.'
Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1945 Nottinghamshire Near Shelford, immature, seen, 22nd July; three, 24th July; one, 29th July; three, 31st July; one, 2nd August; one, 14th August.
(R. J. Raines & T. W. Raines, British Birds 38: 373; J. Staton, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1945: 13).
[Nottinghamshire Records Committee].
History R. J. and T. W. Raines (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 373, says: 'In the Trent Valley several Rose-coloured Starlings (Pastor roseus) were repeatedly seen on the Nottingham Sewage Farm in July and August 1945. An immature bird was seen amongst a flock of Starlings on July 22nd. It closely resembled a young common Starling, but was sandy brown on the head and back, paler on the breast, and darker brown on the wings and tail. Subsequently the species was frequently seen amongst the common Starlings: one adult and two immatures on July 24th, an immature on July 29th, three immatures on July 31st, one immature on August 3rd, and one moulting into adult plumage on August 14th.'
Comment This series of records was reassessed by the Nottinghamshire Records Committee and found to be unacceptable.
0). 1946 Nottinghamshire Gedling, first-year male, seen, 26th May.
(J. Staton, British Birds 39: 313-314; J. Staton, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1946-49: 8).
[Nottinghamshire Records Committee].
History J. Staton (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. pp. 313-314, says: 'On May 26th, 1946, my wife and I had a hurried, but close view of a Rose-coloured Starling (Pastor roseus) on a lawn at Gedling, Notts. Though somewhat obscured by brownish feather tips, the pink of the mantle was very striking, as were also the glossy green wing-coverts, but there was little gloss on the black head, and the pink of the breast was also much hidden by brownish tips. The bill was a pinkish-yellow, and general build and action starling-like. I judged it to be a first year male not yet much abraded.'
Comment This record was reassessed by the Nottinghamshire Records Committee and found to be unacceptable.
0). 1946 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, nine, seen, 3rd to 14th September.
(J. Staton, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1946-49: 8).
[Nottinghamshire Records Committee].
History J. Staton (1946-49) in the Birds of Nottinghamshire Report, p. 8, says: 'Up to nine with common Starlings on or about the Nottingham Sewage Farm, August 3rd to 14th (R.J.R.).'
Comment This record was reassessed by the Nottinghamshire Records Committee and found to be unacceptable.
0). 1949 Nottinghamshire Gedling, three/five, 22nd November.
(J. Staton, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1946-49: 8).
[Nottinghamshire Records Committee].
History J. Staton (1946-49) in the Birds of Nottinghamshire Report, p. 8, says: 'Certainly three, probably five, in garden with Starlings at Gedling, November 22nd. Pink noticeable, but partially obscured by brownish tips (J.S.).'
Comment This record was reassessed by the Nottinghamshire Records Committee and found to be unacceptable.
0). 1949 Leicestershire & Rutland Burton-on-the-Wolds, seen, 31st December.
(R. A. O. Hickling, Report on the Wild Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland 1949: 6; Hickling, 1978).
[Fray et al., 2009].
History R. A. O. Hickling (1949) in the Report on the Wild Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland, p. 6, say: 'A bird was seen at Burton-on-the-Wolds on December 31st in a private garden, apparently feeding on rose-hips (J.C.O.).'
Accepted locally (Hickling 1978), however, Fray et al. (2009) in a review found this record unacceptable.
0). 1950 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, three, 13th August.
(A. Dobbs, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1950-54: 39).
[J. Hopper et al., Nottinghamshire Bird Report 1994: 88].
History A. Dobbs (1954) in the Birds of Nottinghamshire Report, p. 39, says: 'Three, August 13th, N.S.F., Sandy-brown immatures (H.B.).'
J. Hopper et al. (1994) in the Nottinghamshire Bird Report, p. 88, state that this record was reassessed by the Nottinghamshire Records Committee and found to be unacceptable.
0). 1950 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, five, 20th August.
(A. Dobbs, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1950-54: 39).
[J. Hopper et al., Nottinghamshire Bird Report 1994: 88].
History A. Dobbs (1954) in the Birds of Nottinghamshire Report, p. 39, says: 'Five, August 20th, N.S.F., Sandy-brown immatures (H.B.).'
J. Hopper et al. (1994) in the Nottinghamshire Bird Report, p. 88, state that this record was reassessed by the Nottinghamshire Records Committee and found to be unacceptable.
0). 1951 Kent Tunbridge Wells, February.
(Harrison, 1953).
[KAN].
History Harrison (1953 (2): 239) states that at Tunbridge Wells in early February 1951 Miss Carolyn Jennings saw a Rose-coloured Starling. She described the bird as about the same size as a Blackbird, but with a reddish-coloured breast and back. It was in the company of some common Starlings. I have no reason to doubt the identity.
Comment The description is not fitting the species! Not acceptable.
0). 1951 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, adult, 6th August.
(A. Dobbs, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1950-54: 39).
[J. Hopper et al., Nottinghamshire Bird Report 1994: 88].
History A. Dobbs (1954) in the Birds of Nottinghamshire Report, p. 39, says: 'One, adult, August 6th, N.S.F. (H.B.).'
J. Hopper et al. (1994) in the Nottinghamshire Bird Report, p. 88, state that this record was reassessed by the Nottinghamshire Records Committee and found to be unacceptable.
Comment This record was reassessed by the Nottinghamshire Records Committee and found to be unacceptable.
0). 1952 Greater London/Surrey Perry Oaks Sewage-farm, Middlesex, immature, early July.
(G. E. Manser & N. J. P. Wadley, London Bird Report 1952 (17): 34).
[G. E. Manser & N. J. P. Wadley, London Bird Report 1952 (17): 34; London Natural History Society, 1964].
History G. E. Manser & N. J. P. Wadley (1952) in the London Bird Report, Vol. XVII. p. 34, say: 'Perry Oaks S.F., full details have been received from C.A.W. and several other observers of a bird which resembled in many respects an immature of this species. It was seen during the first week of July in company with adult and juvenile Starlings, some of which were of the sandy-yellow plumage phase. The bird under notice, however, differed considerably in the field from these.
A wide range of skins of Rose-coloured Starlings and Starlings was subsequently examined at the British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Space will not permit full field notes or comments on the skins examined, but from the details supplied the Perry Oaks bird closely resembled a Rose-coloured Starling except for the colour of the crown and mantle. In these areas the bird under consideration showed brighter plumage between "live" and "dead" plumage and (ii) the wide variation in juvenile Starling plumage which graduates from brown to grey. In view of this it has been agreed to place this record in square brackets.'
0). 1954 Leicestershire & Rutland Leicester City Farms, adult, 17th September.
(R. A. O. Hickling, The Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland Report 1954: 21; D. D. Harber, British Birds 49: 372; Hickling, 1978).
[Fray et al., 2009].
History R. A. O. Hickling (1954) in the Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland Report, p. 21, says: 'An adult on September 17th at City Farms. Full details submitted (P.W.J.).'
Fray et al. (2009) in a review found this record unacceptable.
