Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos (Linnaeus, 1758) (0, 3)
Photo © Keith A Naylor, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, 5th May 2021
STATUS
Southern Canada to southern Mexico. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
A record of one in Norfolk in 1971 and another in Gower in 1978 were found to be unacceptable by the BOURC, but identification was accepted.
The 2021 sightings have vaguely mirrored the 2005 Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon by the fact that it was been seen in three different counties, eventually heading northwards.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 1982 Cornwall Saltash, 30th August.
(S. M. Christophers, Birds in Cornwall 1982: 85; BOURC (1993), Ibis 135: 496; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 87: 545; P. R. Cobb, P. Rawnsley, H. E. Grenfell, E. Griffiths & S. Cox, British Birds 89: 347-356).
2). 1988 Essex Horsey Island, 17th to 23rd May, photo.
(S. Cox, Birding World 1: 233-234, photo; BOURC (1993), Ibis 135: 496; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 87: 545; P. R. Cobb, P. Rawnsley, H. E. Grenfell, E. Griffiths & S. Cox, British Birds 89: 347-356, plates 130 & 131).
3.0). 2021 Devon Exmouth, 2CY, 6th February to 7th April, photo; also seen Sussex, Northumberland.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 593, plate 449)
3.1). 2021 Sussex Pulborough, 2CY, 8th April, photo; same as Devon; also seen Northumberland.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 593, plate 450).
3.1). 2021 Northumberland Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, 2CY, 5th to 9th May; same as Devon; also seen Sussex.
(British Birds 114: plate 245; C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 593; Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 49, corr.).
