Western Black-eared Wheatear
Oenanthe hispanica (Linnaeus, 1758) (6, 0)
Photo © Bryan Thomas
STATUS
Western Palearctic. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
Black-eared Wheatear (2019) has been split into two full species, Eastern Black-eared O. melanoleuca, and Western Black-eared O. hispanica.
Presented below is my interpretation of records of this species which matches Witherby (1920-24).
BOU (1883) admitted the 1875 Lancashire record under 'Black-throated Wheatear', but made no mention of it in the Second List (BOU 1915) who recorded three records under Western and one under Eastern, all of which turned out to be part of the 'Hastings Rarities' fraud.
RECORDS
1). 1892 Yorkshire Spurn, male, seen, 18th September, O. h. hispanica.
(J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1892: 424; J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 19: 7; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1895: 57; J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 23: 201; Saunders, 1899; Witherby, 1920-24; Mather, 1986; BOURC (2021) email).
History John Cordeaux of Eaton Hall, Retford (1892) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVI. p. 424, says: 'Mr. H. B. Hewetson, of Leeds, sends a sketch of the head of a Wheatear seen by himself and two sons on Sept. 18th, near the chalk bank at Spurn. He says, "I was quite close to it for a long time; as we walked along, it flew on with a party of Common Wheatears". It was russet-coloured, with sides of the head and throat black. It may have been an adult male Saxicola stapazina or S. deserta. Presuming, however, that Mr. Hewetson's sketch is quite correct, as to the extension of the black to the lower part of the throat, it is suggestive rather of S. melanoleuca (Güld.), the eastern form of the Black-throated Chat.'
John Cordeaux (1893) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIX. p. 7, says: 'Wheatear. August 14th to end of September; great numbers on passage from N. to S. along coast at intervals. On Sept. 18th, Mr. H. B. Hewetson, of Leeds, in company with his two sons, observed a russet-coloured Wheatear with the sides of the head and throat black, near the chalk embankment at the Spurn; he wrote, "I was quite close to it for some time as we walked along, it flew on with a party of Wheatears". It may have been an adult male of Saxicola stapazina or perhaps S. deserti; but presuming that Mr. Hewetson's sketch of the head of this bird, which he sent me shortly after seeing it, is absolutely correct as to the extension of the black to the lower throat, it is suggestive of S. melanoleuca (Güld.), the eastern form of the Black-throated Chat.'
J. Cordeaux (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. p. 57, adds this record to his Humber district Fauna.
J. Cordeaux (1897) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXIII. p. 201, in his Presidential Address to the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union announced that this species be added to the Yorkshire list because of this record.
Saunders (1899: 23, 2nd ed.) under 'Black-throated Wheatear' says: 'A bird, probably of this species, was seen and sketched by Mr. H. B. Hewetson near Spurn, Yorkshire, on September 18th 1892 (Zool. 1892, p. 424, and 1895, p. 57).
However, Nelson (1907 (1): 26) placing the record in square brackets, says: 'This record is merely quoted for what it is worth.' Witherby (1920 (1): 438) under 'Western Black-eared Wheatear' says: 'male (black-throated) seen Spurn (Yorks.) Sept 18, 1892 (Saunders, p. 23).
Admitted nationally in the 9th Checklist as the first for Britain (BOURC (2018) Ibis 160: 190–240).
2). 1907 Fair Isle No locality, male, shot, 25th September, O. h. hispanica, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1908.15.26).
(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 246; W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 81-82; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 1: 382; Clarke, 1912; Witherby, 1920-24; Thom, 1986; Dymond, 1991).
History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 246, says: 'I have just returned from a five weeks' residence on Fair Isle...among the birds observed were several species of special interest...The rarer species that came under my notice during September and early October were - Black-throated Chat (Saxicola occidentalis).'
Wm. Eagle Clarke (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. pp. 81-82, says: 'On 25th September a fine male in winter plumage was detected by me among the numerous scattered examples of the Common Wheatear. Mr. Grimshaw, who examined the crop, found it to contain entirely insect matter, consisting of the larvae of two noctuid moths and the fragments of several ichneumons (Hymenoptera).
This bird is new to Scotland, and is the third example which is known to have visited the British Isles; the others having been obtained in Lancashire and Kent respectively, and in the spring. It is not so very extraordinary, perhaps, that this species should overstep its distribution when moving northwards to reach its south-western European summer quarters in spring; but it is very remarkable that it should proceed northwards instead of southwards when embarking upon its autumn journey to winter quarters.'
H. F. Witherby (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 382, says: 'The third British and first Scottish example of this species was a male detected by Mr. Clarke amongst some Common Wheatears on September 25th. It is most remarkable that this bird should have got so far out of its course as to have reached so northern a latitude, at a time when it should have been travelling south from a point considerably south of the British Isles.'
Clarke (1912 (2): 145-146) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Black-throated Wheatear - On the 25th September 1907, I was fortunate enough to detect a fine male of this handsome species among scattered examples of the Common and Greater Wheatears, which had arrived in considerable numbers. The contents of its crop consisted of insect matter, among which were the larvae of noctuid moths and the remains of several ichneumon flies.'
3). 1911 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, female, obtained, 21st September, O. h. hispanica.
(Clarke, 1912; Eds., British Birds 6: 152; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 279; Witherby, 1920-24; Thom, 1986).
History Clarke (1912 (2): 217) says: 'On 21st September 1911, we were fortunate enough to discover an example of this rare visitor to the British Isles on high ground over which large boulders were scattered. Out attention was drawn to the bird by its small size and pale colour. It proved to be a female, which had recently assumed its winter dress. This elegant summer visitor to the western portion of the Mediterranean basin had only once previously been obtained in Scotland, namely, by myself at Fair Isle in September 1907 (see p. 145).'
In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 152, under 'Additional records for Fair Isle and St Kilda', they say: 'In his Studies in Bird Migration, Mr. Eagle Clarke gives a good deal of hitherto unpublished information about the rarities observed in Fair Isle and St. Kilda, and a few new facts about those in the Flannans and Sule Skerry. The most important additions thus made to the details given in our Hand-List of British Birds are as follows: - Western Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe h. hispanica). - St. Kilda: A female obtained on September 21st, 1911.'
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 279, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Female shot, St. Kilda, September 21st.'
4). 1943 Lancashire & North Merseyside Ainsdale, male, seen, 21st April, O. h. hispanica.
(A. W. Boyd, British Birds 37: 36; Oakes, 1953).
History A. W. Boyd (1943) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVII. p. 36, says: 'On 21st April 1943, Mr. F. W. Holder saw a male Black-eared Wheatear of the black-throated form at Ainsdale on the south Lancashire coast. He came on it suddenly among the sand dunes and watched it for some time at rest at a distance of eight yards. He noted a black wedge through the eye, the black extending over the chin, sides of throat and ear-coverts. There was no white eye-stripe. The wings were black and the bird had a pale crown and sandy-brown mantle and a buff flush on the breast. When the bird flew Mr. Holder had a perfect view of the tail and saw a distinct curve in the barring of the tail towards the central and very noticeable black tail-feathers, due to the narrowing of the black tips from the outer feathers inwards. The bird never gave him the opportunity to see its forehead, but from the extent of black on the throat he concluded that it was a Western Black-eared Wheatear. The brilliance of the bird's plumage impressed Mr. Holder greatly.'
5). 1947 Devon Musbury Castle, Seaton, male, 3rd to 6th May, O. h. hispanica.
(A. D. G. Smart, British Birds 40: 345; M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1947: 20-21; Moore, 1969).
History A. D. G. Smart (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 345, says: 'On May 3rd, 1947, my father and I identified a male Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica, on the eastern slopes of Musbury Castle, Seaton, south-east Devon.
It was later also observed by the Rev. F. C. Butters and Mr. A. L. W. Mayo. The bird was watched at leisure through binoculars at close range and in a very good light. It frequented a narrow strip of ploughed wasteland and the surrounding area of recently burnt gorse and bracken bordered by tall trees, in which it often perched. No call or notes were heard. The Rev. V. C. Butters, whom I informed later the same day, watched the bird on May 6th after I had had to leave the district. The following description is from our combined notes. The bird was seen from all angles on the ground, perched on trees, gorse, bracken, etc., and in flight.
The size, build and flight were as Common Wheatear O. o. oenanthe. It was a male of the black-throated form. The general effect was of the contrasting warm buff of nape, mantle and back with the black wings, cheeks and throat. Seen from head on, the pale grey to whitish forehead, crown, breast and belly were noticeable. When it alighted on the ground and took quick darts for insects the pure white rump and almost white tail were strikingly displayed. Once at rest the bird expanded its tail and the bar of black in the centre emphasized the white feathers on either side. The black mask extended from the base of the bill slightly above the eye back towards the nape and under the chin and throat. Seen in profile the black of the throat nearly merged into the black of the wing-coverts; although in extent it appeared intermediate between the examples of the Western and Eastern races figured in The Handbook, it more closely approximated to the former. This, together with the absence of black on the lower forehead and the markedly warm tone of the mantle, led us to the conclusion that it was probably of the typical race, O. h. hispanica.'
M. Brooks-King (1947) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XX. pp. 20-21, says: 'Musbury Castle, eastern slope. May 3rd, black-throated male bird seen by A. D. G. Smart. May 6th, Sandy-black bird with whitish belly and pure white rump, on rough patch of ploughed land, full of stones, planted with potatoes. Obvious wheatear, but with rich sandy nape and mantle, black wings, black facial mask extending from base of beak to beyond eye and downwards well under throat. Crown palish grey. Breast pale fawn; belly paler still, almost white. Rump very white, tail feathers when expanded showed a lot of white. Legs dark....'
6). 1949 Isle Of May No locality, first-winter male, trapped, 30th September to 8th October, O. h. hispanica.
(H. F. D. Elder, Scottish Naturalist 62: 103-105; H. F. D. Elder, British Birds 43: 207-208; W. J. Eggeling, Scottish Birds 8: 115; Thom, 1986).
History H. F. D. Elder (1950) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXII. pp. 103-104, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Report', for 1949, says: 'An example of the western race O. h. hispanica was present from 30th September to 8th October. Dr. Rooke identified the species and the race in the field, later confirmed by careful detailed examination in the hand.
It was of the black-throated phase, the feathers of the chin and upper throat being brown-black, broadly tipped with pale creamy buff largely obscuring the black, which appeared as faint streaks and mottling. The extent of the black feathering was, if anything, less than in The Handbook illustration. The lores and ear-coverts were blackish and there was no black in the forehead feathers. The intense black of the tail, the prominence of the blackish ear-coverts and wing-feathers, the warmth of the upper parts and upper breast, the pale tips to the chin and throat feathers, and the abrasion of the retrices and second primary, showed that it was a first winter male. Its wing measured 94 mm. and its tarsus 24 mm. The iris was dark brown.
In the field in a dull light the bird looked strikingly pale, with sandy buff upper-parts and pale creamy buff under-parts contrasting with blackish lores and car-coverts and black on wing. In a bright light there was a noticeable warm orange tinge on upper breast, sides of neck and upper-parts. Though broadly margined and tipped buff, blackish markings showed clearly on the secondaries, wing-coverts and scapulars, in contrast with the uniform mantle. The trace of black on chin and throat, visible only in good conditions, was typical of the western race in extent. On the ground, viewed from above, the white on the slightly expanded tail projected well beyond the closed wing-tips, which it does not appear to do in the Common Wheatear O. oenanthe. Usually only fleeting glimpses of the tail pattern were obtained, in flight, but sufficient to see that the extent of black (on and to 4th from outer feathers) was much less than in the common wheatear, an important field character, though Rooke noticed that there was rather more black on these feathers than in some breeding adults he had seen in Algeria and Tunisia. It was a very active bird, fly-catching in the air and on the ground.
Often hovering, its movements were very quick with a fast flight. When suspicious, as often, it was adept at "vanishing", to reappear hours later in one of a few favourite haunts: usually rocky or grassy hollows or gullies; less on exposed slopes and rocks than the Common Wheatear.
The call was softer and less harsh than that of the Common Wheatear and was noted by Rooke as "djag" or "dzag" and by H. F. I. Elliott as "prat" (rather than "chak").'
H. F. D. Elder (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. pp. 207-208, says: 'One was present from September 30th to October 8th. Dr. K. B. Rooke identified the species and the race in the field and this was later confirmed by careful detailed examination in the hand....Two previous occurrences of this species in Scotland have been recorded.'
NOT PROVEN
0). 1902 Sussex Near Polegate, male, obtained, 28th May.
(R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 12: 78; H. Saunders, British Birds 1: 6; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1902) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XII. p. 78, at the 89th Meeting of the Club held on 18th June 1902 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield exhibited a specimen of Saxicola caterinae, Whitaker, shot in Sussex. This is the Western form of the Black-eared Chat (S. aurita, Temm.), and although a more or less common breeding species in Southern Europe, it was not known to have previously visited the British Islands. The specimen, a male, had been shot by a man named Williams, near Polegate, Sussex, on May 28th, 1902. It had been received for preservation by Mr. George Bristow, of St. Leonards, and examined in the flesh by Mr. Butterfield. Mr. J. I. Whitaker made some remarks on the specimen exhibited by Mr. Butterfield....'
Howard Saunders (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 6, under 'Additions to the List of British Birds since 1899', says: 'On May 28th, 1902, a male was shot near Polegate, Sussex, and, being exhibited by Mr. W. R. Butterfield at the British Ornithologists' Club, was pronounced by Mr. Whitaker to be S. caterinae (Bull., XII. p. 78).'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 91).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1905 Sussex Near Hooe, male, shot, 22nd May.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 15: 71-72; H. Saunders, British Birds 1: 6; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1905) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XV. pp. 71-72, at the 115th Meeting of the Club held on 24th May 1905 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield exhibited a male specimen of the western form of the Black-eared Chat (Saxicola albicollis catarinae, Whitaker), shot near Hove[sic], Sussex, on May 22nd, 1905. It was examined in the flesh on the following day by Mr. Butterfield. The present example forms the second reported occurrence of this bird in the British Islands (cf. Bull. B.O. Club, XII. no. xc., p. 78, 1902).'
Howard Saunders (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 6, under 'Additions to the List of British Birds since 1899', says: 'On 24th May, 1905, Mr. Butterfield exhibited an adult male shot near Hooe, Sussex, on May 22nd, 1905, and this was also referred to S. caterinae (Bull., XV, p. 72).'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 91).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1906 Kent Near Lydd, adult male, shot, 23rd May.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 16: 124-125; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 17-18; H. Saunders, British Birds 1: 7; Ticehurst, 1909).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1906) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XVI. pp. 124-125, at the 125th Meeting of the Club held on 20th June 1906 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. C. B. Ticehurst exhibited an adult male of the Black-throated Wheatear (S. stapazina (Vieillot); S. rufa, Russet Chat of H. E. Dresser], and made the following remarks: - "This bird was shot between Lydd and Brookland, in Kent, on May 23rd, 1906, by a labouring man and sent to Mr. Bristow, taxidermist, of St. Leonards, on May 24th, on which day I saw it in his shop just as he had finished mounting it. The bird was perfectly fresh. This species is the western form of the Black-throated Wheatear, and may be distinguished from the eastern form S. melanoleuca in having less black on the throat, more buff on the breast and back, and no frontal band of black".'
E. N. Bloomfield (1906) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 17-18, says: 'I am indebted to Messrs. N. F. Ticehurst and W. Ruskin Butterfield for the following notices of rare birds which have occurred in our own and in neighbouring districts. In neighbouring districts of Kent and Sussex - Saxicola occidentalis, Salvadori, Black-throated Wheatear, between Lydd and Brookland, Kent, May 23rd, 1906.'
Howard Saunders (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 7, under 'Additions to the List of British Birds since 1899', says: 'Incidentally it may be mentioned that on 20th June, 1906, Mr. C. B. Ticehurst exhibited at the British Ornithologists' Club an adult male obtained near Lydd, Kent, on May 23rd, 1906, being the second British example (Bull., XVI. p. 124).
Accepted locally by Ticehurst (1909: 18) who adds: '...It remained in Bristow's possession.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1907 Sussex Winchelsea, male, shot, 2nd May, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.220).
(J. B. Nichols, British Birds 1: 185; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 124; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR]
History J. B. Nichols (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 185, says: 'I have been much interested in Mr. H. Saunders' and Messrs. Witherby and Ticehurst's papers in British Birds on "Additions since 1899" to the British Bird List. I should like to supplement them with the following records of rare birds in my own collection. Black-eared Wheatear, Saxicola caterinae. A male of this western form of the Black-eared Chat was shot at Winchelsea on May 2nd, 1907, and sent to Mr. Bristow. It was seen in the flesh by Mr. W. B. Butterfield, and is the third specimen of this species recorded in this country.'
E. N. Bloomfield (1907) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 124, says: 'I am again indebted to Messrs. N. F. Ticehurst, W. Ruskin Butterfield and Walter Field for the following notices of rare birds which have occurred in our own and in neighbouring districts. In the Hastings district - Saxicola caterinae, Whitaker, Western Black-eared Chat, Winchelsea, May 2nd, 1907, third British specimen.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 91).
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was killed by Mr. Davis at Winchelsea, Sussex, on 2nd May 1907, adding that it was examined in the flesh by W. R. Butterfield and later bought from G. Bristow on 29th May 1907 by J. B. Nichols.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1912 Sussex Near Winchelsea, two: adult male, shot, 16th May; male, shot, 19th May.
(J. B. Nichols, British Birds 6: 184; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 177; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 42; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History J. B. Nichols (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 184, says: 'Two Western Black-eared Wheatears (Oenanthe h. hispanica) were obtained near Winchelsea, the first a male, near Dogshill Coastguard Station, on May 16th, 1912, which was examined in the flesh by Mr. L. Curtis Edwards. The second, also a male, but much darker on the back and I believe a younger bird, was shot near Winchelsea on May 19th. 1912, and examined in the flesh by Mr. T. Parkin. Both these specimens are of the black-throated form, of which four previous specimens have been obtained in Britain. The above are now in my collection.'
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 177, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'Two males shot near Winchelsea (Sussex), May 16th and 19th.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 91) who adds: 'both are now in the Booth Museum, Brighton.'
Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
0). 1915 Sussex Hollington, male, shot, 5th May, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.221).
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 9: 121; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 199; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 121, says: 'On May 6th, 1915, I was shown an example of the Black-throated Wheatear in the flesh that had been shot the previous day at Hollington, Sussex. Upon examination it proved to be a male.'
[By the kindness of Mr. J. B. Nichols, in whose collection this bird now is, I have been able to examine and compare it and find it to be an example of the western form (Oenanthe h. hispanica). - H.F.W.]
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 91).
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was killed by P. S. Bradburn at Hollington, Sussex, on 5th May 1915, adding that it was examined in the flesh by Ford Lindsay and later bought from G. Bristow on 14th May 1915 by J. B. Nichols.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1915 Sussex Near St Leonards-on-Sea, male, 30th October, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.223).
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 9: 249; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 199; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1916) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 249, says: 'A very fine example of the Black-throated Wheatear (Oenanthe h. hispanica) was shot at St. Leonards, Sussex, on October 30th, 1915. I examined it on the following day whilst still in the flesh and found it a male of the Western form. The breast and back were of a yellowish rusty colour, and there was no frontal band of black.'
Admitted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938) Vol. II. p. 91.
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was obtained at the Stone Quarry on Old Road, St Leonards, Sussex, on 30th October 1915, adding that it was examined in the flesh by Ford Lindsay and later bought from G. Bristow during December 1915 by J. B. Nichols.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1917 Sussex Pevensey, female, shot, 2nd May.
(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 77; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. R. Butterfield (1919) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 77, says: 'A female was shot at Pevensey on May 2nd, and a male on May 7th.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 91) says: 'The year 1917 presented us with a pair of these Wheatears. Both were shot at Pevensey, the female on May 2nd, the male five days later (H.E.S.N., III. p. 77). This couple are omitted in Parts 7-8 of Volume I (1st edition) of A Practical Handbook published in 1920.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1917 Sussex Pevensey, male, shot, 7th May, now at Horniman Museum, London (NH.83.3/86).
(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 77; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Hart MS.).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. R. Butterfield (1919) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 77, says: 'A female was shot at Pevensey on May 2nd, and a male on May 7th.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 91), says: 'The year 1917 presented us with a pair of these Wheatears. Both were shot at Pevensey, the female on May 2nd, the male five days later (H.E.S.N., III. p. 77). This couple are omitted in Parts 7-8 of Volume I (1st edition) of A Practical Handbook published in 1920.'
Edward Hart writing in April 1927 states that this cased immature male was shot at Pevensey, Sussex in May, 1917 and presented to me by Major Andrews.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1934 Pembrokeshire Near St David's, seen, 26th June.
(E. Mann, British Birds 28: 81).
[Witherby et al., 1940-52].
History E. Mann (1934) in British Birds, Vol. XXVIII. p. 81, under 'Possible Black-eared Wheatear seen in Pembrokeshire', says: 'In an isolated place about a mile and a half from St. David's Head, Pembrokeshire, on June 26th, 1934, I came upon two Wheatears. Only fleeting glimpses were obtained of one bird, but close and clear views were had of the other, and the following are my notes taken at the time. My first impression was a white bird with a jet-black eye splash and black wings. Closer views showed a white tail with a little black or brown at the edges; head and back slightly buffish; legs and bill dark. Owing to the white tail the white rump was not conspicuous in flight as in our typical Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). Both birds were silent. A little previously I had seen a party of eight Wheatears, all of the typical form. I have since examined specimens of the Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica) at the British Museum, and apart from being a little more sandy coloured on the head and back, and showing more black in the tail, they agreed very well with the bird I saw. The possibility of the bird being a pied specimen of Oenanthe oenanthe cannot, of course, be overlooked, but in that case one would not expect the sandy-buff on the head and back.'
Not admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52).
0). 1947 Devon Vitifer Tin Mines, Dartmoor, male, 11th May.
(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1947: 21; Moore, 1969).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History M. Brooks-King (1947) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XX. p. 21, says: 'Vitifer Tin Mines, near Warren House Inn. May 11th, one, white-throated. Ground stony, uneven, covered with heather, stream close by. General colour of bird pale sandy-buff shading to white on the crown. Black line through eye as in Handbook, Vol. II. p. 159, figure I at bottom. Throat whitish. In flight, black wings, with black extending over scapulars, white rump and tail very noticeable. Shortly after this bird flew off, and owing to nature of ground could not be found again (C.Gs. [C. Gibbs]).'
Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
0). 1951 Greater London Regent's Park, Middlesex, male, 23rd April.
(H. C. Holmes & E. Simms, British Birds 46: 66-68; London Natural History Society, 1957).
[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History H. C. Holmes & E. Simms (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. pp. 66-68, say: 'On April 23rd, 1951, at about 13.00 hours, when H. C. H. was standing by a group of still leafless trees in Regent's Park on the Zoo side of the Institute of Archaeology, a bird showing a great deal of white alighted on a low branch not more than 20 yards away. It had the shape and posture characteristic of wheatears and it frequently made short sallies to catch flies. H. C. H. was able to observe it in bright sunshine with the light generally behind him for 5-10 minutes. When it flew off he did not follow it as he was anxious to obtain the opinions of other observers.
For the same reason he did not have time to write down the following description until afterwards: the size was about that of a Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe); the bill was black; the forehead just above the beak, the lores, ear-coverts and sides of the throat were all black, with some light scalloping - the whole making a faintly mottled black patch in the form of a truncated triangle through the eye, back towards the nape and down to the profile line of the throat. The whole side of the head above the black was white or whitish, leaving only a narrow strip on the crown that seemed darker; the nape pale brown shading to tawny, strongly streaked, on the mantle, becoming darker over the wing and wing-coverts; primary-coverts and primaries black with some pale markings on the latter. No good view of the open tail, but the band of black at the end seemed fairly broad. The centre of the chin and throat H. C. H. thought were white (but he did not see the bird head on), and below this a conspicuous orange-pink suffusing the whole breast, a brilliant colour noticeable even in flight; belly whitish.
In an attempt to see this bird E.S. visited the Park at 16.00 hours, but not until 17.10 did he discover it in an open stony field near the Institute of Archaeology, and even then he saw it for only ten seconds; however, at 19.25 E. R. Parrinder and E.S. together saw the bird there for 7 or 8 minutes.
The description obtained by E.S. is as follows: bill black, top of head light brownish with slight flecks of a lighter colour, greyish-white eye-stripe, area of black passing to the ear-coverts and approximately rectangular in shape. The mantle rufous-brown with some striations, the primaries black, the rest of the wing blackish-brown with lightish tips; the tail white with a black band across the end and black central feathers; under-parts were salmon pink, whitish on the belly. The bird was rather shy and its protective colouration excellent. On the one occasion that it faced E. S. there was no sign of the white chin suggested by H.C.H. On these descriptions the bird appears undoubtedly to have been a Black-eared Wheatear (O. hispanica); this conclusion we both reached independently.
We examined among others, the skins of both races of this species (O. h. hispanica and melanoleuca) in the Natural History Museum and consulted Mr. Derek Goodwin whose knowledge of the living bird was most useful. It seems more likely that it was of the Western race (O. h. hispanica); H.C.H. may have been mistaken in thinking he saw white on the chin (black certainly covered all of the chin and throat that was visible in profile) and if so, it seems certain from the large area of black that this was of the dark-throated phase. Incidentally, of the two skins that H.C.H. selected as being most like this bird (BM. 1941:5:30-5482 and BM. 1934:1:1-4235), both dark-throated males of O. h. hispanica, the former has some white sprinkled on the black of the chin.'
[There are certain marked discrepancies in the two accounts, presumably of the same individual. However, the most important of these, the different versions of the colour of chin and throat, are compatible when it is remembered that Mr. Holme only thought these parts were white when he wrote down his description afterwards (the importance of a description taken down at the time, each item being verified with the bird at hand, cannot be overemphasized); it is also a fact that Mr. Holme, unlike Mr. Simms, did not see the bird head on.
The two descriptions also diverge in the colour of the head above the black, but again they can be reconciled in our opinion if one remembers the different conditions in which the two observers saw the bird, Mr. Holme in the bright sunlight of mid-day, Mr. Simms in the evening.
We have received sketches indicating the distribution of the colours on the bird and there is no reason for not accepting the identification of the species here, but as the Black-eared Wheatear is subject to considerable variation not only in its two races, but also on account of the dimorphism found in each race, no more than a probable determination of the subspecies can be made. - Eds.]
D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
0). 1951 Fair Isle Swey Moor, first-year male, 8th November; same, Homisdale, 9th and 13th November.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (5): 2; K. Williamson, British Birds 45: 231; Thom, 1986; Dymond, 1991).
[I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 97; D. N. Shaw, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 2003: 115; D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History K. Williamson (1951) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (V). p. 2, says: 'A 1st-year male of the black-throated form of Oenanthe hispanica was seen on the Swey moor by James Wilson on November 8th, and was found by James A. Stout at the head of Homisdale next day. Wilson again saw the bird on the hill on 13th. Stout, who watched it through binoculars at 15 yds. range, sent the following account: "Over the eye, and extending well behind, is a well-defined whitish streak, and from that stripe downwards under the throat and up to the base of the bill is sooty black. The bill and feet are back. The upper breast is a light buffy-colour, getting lighter downwards. The centre of the tail is brownish-black, and several of the outer feathers are light coloured with dark outer ends. The rump is dirty white. All the back is a uniform greyish-fawn colour, but the wings are darker, and the wing-coverts fairly dark with light-coloured marks".
The dark brown rather than black of the centre tail-feathers and wing-coverts indicates an immature male, and the presence of white in the outer tail-feathers precludes confusion with the otherwise similar Desert Wheatear, Oenanthe deserti, which has the distal two-thirds of the tail entirely black....'
D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
0). 1954 Hampshire Farlington Marshes, 18th September.
(P. F. Le Brocq, C. J. Henty & G. H. Rees, British Birds 48: 130; Cohen & Taverner, 1972; Clark & Eyre, 1993).
[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History P. F. Le Brocq, C. J. Henty & G. H. Rees (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 130, say: 'On 18th September 1954 we saw a Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica) on Farlington Marshes, Hampshire. There were several Wheatears (O. oenanthe) in the area, but the bird kept to itself, being perched on fence posts for most of the time. We took the following description: very noticeable, squarish black eye-stripe; above this was a thin white line similar to that in a male Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), but not so white; the crown was grey, the mantle buff, and the closed wing black (there was a light patch near the carpal joint, not actually on the wing itself); the tail pattern was very much like a Wheatear's; the breast was a very striking orange-buff which terminated rather sharply, and the lower breast, belly and flanks were white, as was the chin; the legs and bill were black. It was shown later to four other people, one of whom, P. Smith, had seen the species in the Middle East.'
D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
