Black-faced Bunting
Emberiza spodocephala Pallas, 1776 (0, 21)
Photo © Alex Penn - Fair Isle, female, November 2025
STATUS
Eurasia. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
The first record arrived in spring in Greater Manchester, the rest appeared during October and November apart from the Shropshire record in winter. The NE has had five individuals while the SW has received four individuals. A single in Wales, otherwise, the northern isles has received the other nine.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 1994 Greater Manchester Pennington Flash, first-winter male, 8th March to 24th April, trapped 8th March, photo.
(P. J. Alker, Birding World 7 (3): 94-97, photos; Birding World 7 (4): 134, photo; P.J. Alker, Birding World 7 (5): 202-203, photo; Birding World 7 (12): 494, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 88: 550-551, plate 128; P. J. Alker, Birds in Greater Manchester 1994: 114-115; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 90: 510; P. J. Alker, British Birds 90: 549-561; BOURC (1998), Ibis 140: 183; Birding World 14 (9): 393, photo; Birding World 14 (10): 438, photo).
2). 1999 Northumberland Woodhorn Church, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, first-winter or female, 24th October.
(J. Steele, Birding World 12 (10): 414-415, photos; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 93: 563).
3). 2001 Devon Lundy, 12th October, photo.
(R. M. Patient, Birding World 14 (10): 435-436, photos; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 520, plate 307; R. M. Patient, Devon Bird Report 2001: 227-229; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 604, obs. corr.).
4). 2001 Fair Isle Haa, 20th to 24th October, photo.
(P. French, Birding World 14 (10): 437-438, plates 1-2; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 520; P. French, Birding Scotland 5 (1): 37-38, plates 28 & 29; Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 2001: photo; Forrester & Andrews I 2007: photo).
5). 2004 Yorkshire Flamborough Head, 15th October.
(Yorkshire Birding 13: 137-140; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 689).
6). 2016 Shetland Gunnista, Bressay, 1CY+, 10th to 18th October, photo, sound recording.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 627).
7). 2018 Shetland Norwick, Unst, 2CY+, male, 14th May, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 617, plate 350).
8). 2022 Shetland Biggins, Foula, 1CY, female, 7th November, photo.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 596).
9). 2022 Cornwall Nanjizal, 1CY, male, trapped, 19th November, photo.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 596).
10). 2023 Shropshire Loppington Wem, 2CY, male, trapped, 5th February, photo.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 726).
11). 2024 Yorkshire Spurn NNR, 1CY+, 3rd October, sound recording.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 119: 606-607).
12). 2024 Orkney Observatory then Old Pier, North Ronaldsay, 1CY, trapped, 19th to 28th October, photo, sound recording, DNA analysis.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 118: 552).
13). 2024 Lincolnshire Donna Nook NNR, 1CY, trapped, 25th to 26th October, photo, sound recording.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 118: 552).
14). 2024 Gower Oxwich, first-winter male, trapped, 26th October, photo.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 118: 552).
15). 2025 Shetland Noness, Sandwick, Mainland, 1CY+, 28th September, photo.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 119: 606-607).
16). 2025 Yorkshire Spurn NNR, 1CY, 20th to 22nd October, photo.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 119: 606-607, plate 84).
17). 2025 Shetland Burn of Njugalswater and Brig o’ Fitch, Mainland, 1CY+, 21st October, photo.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 119: 606-607).
18). 2025 Fair Isle Shirva, 1CY+, 1st November, photo; same, Barkland, 2nd November, photo.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 119: 606).
19). 2025 Cornwall Nanjizal, 1CY, trapped, 6th November, photo.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 119: 606).
20). 2025 Dorset Portland Bill, 1CY, trapped, 6th November, photo.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 119: 606).
21). 2025 Fair Isle Walli Burn then roaming, 1CY, female, trapped, 6th to 28th November, photo.
(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 119: 606).
P). 2026 Shetland Quendale Mill, Mainland, first-winter, 8th October, photo.
(birding information services).
P). 2026 Yorkshire Spurn, 19th October, photo.
(birding information services).
