Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (0, 63)

Photo © Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

STATUS

North America. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

April and May are the months of the main occurrences with none at all during August and September, the other eight months recording no more than a handful.

Since 1960 England has had the lions share with 35 individuals with sixteen occurring in Scotland, just four in Wales and At Sea with a single on the Isle of Man.

---

BBRC RECORDS

1). 1960 Kent Dengemarsh, Dungeness, male, trapped, 26th May.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 64: 367; R. E. Scott, British Birds 69: 452-453; C. Bradshaw, British Birds 96: 405; BOURC (2003), Ibis 145: 178-183).

2). 1966 Shetland Foula, male, 1st May.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 60: 332; I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 111).

3). 1967 Shetland Foula, male, 10th May.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 61: 358).

4). 1969 Shetland Out Skerries, male, 7th May.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 63: 291; I. S. Robertson, Scottish Birds 6: 53-54).

5). 1972 Sussex Between Winchelsea and Rye, male, 12th February.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 89: 525).

6). 1975 Gloucestershire Haresfield, male, 1st to 12th April.

(J. N. Dymond and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 69: 358).

7). 1975 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, trapped, 25th April to 3rd May, trapped 28th April.

(J. N. Dymond and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 69: 358; Roberts, 1985).

8). 1977 Yorkshire Near Rotherham, male, 3rd January.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 73: 528).

9). 1977 Highland Glen Affric, Inverness-shire, male, 19th May.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 71: 527).

10). 1980 At sea Sea area Thames, Leman Gas Field, Shell Bravo gas platform 49-26T, about 50 km NE of Cromer, Norfolk, 24th May, ringed and released, Holme, Norfolk, 31st May, last seen 6th June.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 75: 529; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

11). 1983 Dorset Christchurch, male, 20th May.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 77: 558).

12). 1983 Somerset Langford Budville, male, 21st May.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 77: 558).

13). 1983 Cornwall The Lizard, male, 27th May.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 77: 558).

14.0). 1987 Hampshire Church Crookham, first-summer male, in song, 30th May to 7th June.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 490).

14.1). 1988 Hampshire Church Crookham, male, in song, 20th May; presumed same as 1987.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 490).

14.2). 1989 Hampshire Church Crookham, male, 7th February; presumed returning individual.

(J. Clark, Birding World 2 (12): 442-443, photo; Birding World 3 (1): 8, photo; Birding World 3 (2): 46, photo; Hampshire Bird Report 1989: photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 490, plate 192; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 84: 501; J. K. R. Wood, Hampshire Bird Report 1990: 60).

15). 1989 Isle of Wight Wootton, male, 8th to 9th April.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 490).

16). 1989 Dorset Portland: Weston, male, 3rd December to 8th April 1990, photo.

(G. Walbridge, Birding World 2 (12): 419-420; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 490, plate 193; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 84: 501; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 85: 550).

14.3). 1989 Hampshire Church Crookham, male, 26th December to 9th March 1990, photo; presumed returning individual of 1987-88.

(J. Clark, Birding World 2 (12): 442-443, photo; Birding World 3 (1): 8, photo; Birding World 3 (2): 46, photo; Hampshire Bird Report 1989: photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 490, plate 192; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 84: 501; J. K. R. Wood, Hampshire Bird Report 1990: 60).

17). 1992 Clyde Hamilton, Lanarkshire, male, 3rd to 4th May, photo.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 86: 531; I. Shedden, Scottish Birds 16: 280-281, plate 18).

18). 1993 Dorset Dorchester, male, 7th to 19th November, trapped 8th.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 87: 563).

19). 1996 Lancashire & North Merseyside Thornton, male, 29th April, photo.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 90: 510; White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008: photo).

20). 1996 Hampshire Picket Piece, Andover, male, 5th May.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 90: 510).

21). 1997 Cheshire & Wirral Vicar's Cross, Chester, probably first-winter, 15th December to 19th April 1998, photo.

(Birding World 11 (1): 6, photo; R. Bonser, Birding World 11 (1): 11, photo; Birding World 11 (2): 47, photo; Birding World 11 (12): 471, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 91: 513; T. Broome, Cheshire & Wirral Bird Report 1997: 17; British Birds 92: plate 269; Cheshire & Wirral Bird Report 1999: 65).

22). 2000 Caithness Dunscanby, adult male, 26th to 29th April.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 94: 498; Birding Scotland 3 (4): plates 118 & 119; Scottish Bird Report 2000: photo).

23). 2000 At sea Sea area Forties, Maersk Curlew oil platform, male, 4th May, photo.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 93: 569; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 94: 498).

24). 2003 Shetland Out Skerries, first-summer male, 1st to 9th May, trapped 1st, 9th May, photo, J. h. hyemalis.

(Birding World 16 (5): 191, photo; Birding World 16 (12): 523, photo; British Birds 96: plate 219; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, 97: 620; Birding Scotland 6 (3): plate 118; Shetland Bird Report 2003: photo).

25). 2005 At sea Sea area Forties, Maersk Curlew oil platform, male, 13th to 19th May, photo.

(Birding World 18 (5): 192, photos; C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 621).

26). 2007 Cornwall Illogan, 12th May, photo.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 569).

27). 2007 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, male, in song, 30th May, photo.

(Birding World 20 (6): 234, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 570).

28). 2007 Orkney North Ronaldsay, adult male, 19th June.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 570).

29). 2007 Highland Unapool, Ross & Cromarty, age uncertain, 23rd June, photo.

(Birding World 20 (7): 273, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 570).

30). 2007 Norfolk Langham, first-summer male, 14th July, photo.

(D. Curtis, Birding World 20 (7): 296-297, plates 1-3; British Birds 100: plate 247; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 570; D. Curtis, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2007: 168-170, photo).

31). 2007 Norfolk Terrington St Clement, 14th to 17th July, photo.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 570; Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2007: photo).

32). 2008 Kent Dungeness, first-winter female, 7th to 9th April, photo.

(Birding World 21 (4): 144, photo; Birding World 21 (12): 503, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 594; Kent Bird Report 2008: plate 15).

33). 2008 Yorkshire Newby, first-summer male, 13th April, photo.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 592).

34). 2008 Somerset East Coker, Yeovil, male, 16th to 18th November, photo.

(Birding World 21 (11): 452, photo; British Birds 102: plate 36; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 594, plate 392; Somerset Birds 2008: photo).

35). 2008 Cornwall Ventonleague, Hayle, 26th November, photo.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 622).

36). 2010 Gloucestershire Birdlip, first-winter male, 8th January to 5th April, photo.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 105: 616; R. Baatsen, Gloucestershire Bird Report 2010: 192, photo).

37). 2010 Kent Folkestone, adult male, 15th to 17th May, photo.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 622; Kent Bird Report 2010: plate 37).

38). 2010 At sea Sea area Dogger, 19th May, photo.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 622).

39). 2011 Hampshire Hawkhill Inclosure, Beaulieu, first-winter male, 24th December to 11th March 2012, photo.

(Birding World 25 (1): 10, photo; British Birds 105: plate 102; Birding World 25 (2): 54, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 105: 616, plate 364; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 106: 631; British Birds 107: plate 41; J. Clark, Hampshire Bird Report 2012: 156, photo; Clark, 2022, photo).

40). 2015 Shetland Toab, Mainland, 2CY, male, in song, 11th May, photo.

(British Birds 108: plate 229; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 109: 623).

41). 2016 Man, Isle of Point of Ayre, 2CY+, 3rd April, photo.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 622).

42). 2016 Essex West Mersea, 1CY, male, 8th December, photo.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 622; D. Urquhart, Essex Bird Report 2016: 155-156, photo).

43). 2017 Borders Dingleton, Melrose, 2CY+, male, 31st March to 1st April, photo.

(D. Parkinson, Scottish Birds 37: 363, plates 309 a-b; C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 622).

44). 2017 Hampshire Petersfield, 2CY+, male, in song, 2nd May, photo.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 622; Hampshire Bird Report 2017: photo).

45). 2017 Pembrokeshire Skomer, 2CY+, male, 8th May, photo.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 622).

46). 2017 Meirionnydd Dolgellau, 2CY+, 12th May, photo.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 622).

47). 2017 Cleveland/Yorkshire Guisborough, 2CY+, male, 1st June, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 648; G. Joynt, Cleveland Bird Report 2019: 116, photo).

48). 2019 Isle of Wight Ventnor, 2CY+, 21st April, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 648).

49). 2019 Devon Westward Ho!, 2CY+, male, 25th to 27th April photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 648, plate 396).

50). 2019 Dorset Abbotsbury Swannery, 2CY, male, 21st June, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 648; Dorset Bird Report 2019: photo).

51). 2020 Greater London Chiswick, 1CY+, 25th November to 16th April 2021, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 606).

52). 2021 Lothian Waughton, 2CY+, 31st May, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 606).

53). 2021 Devon Sainthill, Kentisbeare, 1CY+, 26th November to 1st December, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 606).

54). 2022 Argyll Kildalton, Islay, 2CY, male, 7th May, photo.

(J. Dickson, Scottish Birds 42: 370-371, plates 271 & 272; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 596).

55). 2022 Pembrokeshire Gann, 2CY+, male, in song, 22nd May, photo.

(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 596).

56). 2022 Hampshire Farnborough, 1CY+, 27th October, photo.

(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 596).

57). 2023 Orkney Loch of Hundland, Birsay, 2CY+, female, 30th April, photo.

(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 727).

58). 2023 Norfolk High Kelling, Holt, 2CY+, 6th May, photo.

(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 726).

59). 2023 North-East Scotland Rattray Head, 2CY, male, 9th to 11th May, photo.

(British Birds 116: plate 246; A. Carroll, Scottish Birds 43: 277-280, plates 220-224; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 726).

60). 2024 Dorset Gillingham, 2CY+, male, 6th to 7th April, photo, J. h. hyemalis.

(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 118: 552).

61). 2024 Cleveland/Co. Durham Hartlepool, 2CY+, 22nd to 27th April, photo, J. h. hyemalis.

(British Birds 117: plate 266; P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 118: 552, plate 332).

62). 2024 Cornwall Breague, Helston, 1CY+, 31st October, photo, J. h. hyemalis.

(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 118: 552).

63). 2024 Dorset Slough Lane, Upton, 1CY+, 11th to 12th November, photo, J. h. hyemalis.

(P. R. French, A. Holden and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 118: 552).

P). 2025 Cambridgeshire Ely, 9th July, photo.

(birding information services).