Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea (Linnaeus, 1766) (0, 3)
Photo © Matthew K. Naylor, Whitburn, 28th May 2024
STATUS
North America. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Four previous records, Fair Isle in August 1964; Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, September 1973; Holkham Meals, Norfolk, October 1988; and Flamborough, Yorkshire, May 1989, were placed in category D at the time of the 1996 Pembrokeshire record.
These were reviewed, but no case was found for upgrading any of these individuals (BOURC).
Two Welsh records to date, one in spring, one in autumn. Since then, another in spring on the east coast and one in autumn on the Scillies.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 1996 Pembrokeshire Ramsey Island, first-winter male, 18th to 26th October, photo.
(I. Bullock, Birding World 9 (10): 398, photo; Birding World 9 (12): 479, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 90: 517, plate 189; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 92: 606; BOURC (1999), Ibis 141: 177).
2). 2013 Anglesey Llandsadwrn, Menai Bridge, male, 20th May, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 107: 644, plate 332).
3). 2020 Isles of Scilly Big Pool, St Agnes, 1CY, 25th to 26th October, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 623, plate 434).
P). 2024 Co. Durham Whitburn, first-summer male, 18th to 19th May, photo.
(birding information services).
