White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmelin, JF, 1789) (2, 57)
Photo © Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
STATUS
North America. Monotypic, but polymorphic with brown variants and intergrades.
OVERVIEW
Found in all countries of Britain with one also in the Isle of Man. The only months it has not been recorded are March and July. Generally it occurs late April to June and October to November. However, there are five winter records (Dec-Feb) when it has been found.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 1893 Yorkshire Holderness House, Hull, shot, 13th February.
(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 19: 113-114; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1893: 149-150; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1895: 59; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 14; BOURC (2011), Ibis 153: 227-232).
2). 1909 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, adult male, shot, 18th May, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1934.61.1876).
(F. Smalley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 246-247; Eds., British Birds 3: 204; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 135; Clarke, 1912; H. G. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 14; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 69: 39; BOURC (1960) Ibis 102: 630; Eds., British Birds 53: 97-98; Thom, 1986).
3). 1961 Hampshire Needs Ore, 19th May.
(J. T. R. Sharrock, British Birds 54: 366-367; G. T. Nelson, British Birds 54: 439; A. L. Durand, British Birds 54: 439-440; C. M. Swaine and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 55: 582; R. H. Dennis, British Birds 56: 114-115; I. C. T. Nisbet, British Birds 56: 212; A. L. Durand, British Birds 65: 428).
4). 1965 Cumbria Walney Island, Lancashire, male, trapped, 17th June, released in Barrow cemetery, photo.
(D. D. Harber and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 59: 298; Dean, 1990, photo).
5). 1966 Fair Isle Double Dyke, trapped, 13th May.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 60: 332; R. H. Dennis, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 5: 193; R. H. Dennis, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1966: 9, 29; R. H. Dennis, British Birds 66: 449-450; D. G. Andrew, Scottish Birds 5: 17).
6). 1967 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, first-year, 15th October to 7th November, trapped, 21st October.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 61: 358).
7). 1968 Sussex Belle Tout Wood, Beachy Head, immature, 19th to 30th October.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 62: 488).
8). 1968 Suffolk Herringfleet, first-winter male by dissection, 16th November to 1st January 1969 when it died at St Olaves.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 62: 488; P. R. Allard, Birding World 6 (2): 87).
9). 1970 Caithness Sordale, Thurso, for about four months from early May.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 64: 366; P. McMorran, P. J. Rodger & D. M. Stark, Scottish Birds 6: 339).
10). 1971 Shetland Whalsay, 1st November.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 65: 349).
11). 1973 Shetland Out Skerries, 5th to 15th May, photo.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 67: 340; Scottish Bird Report 1973: plate 20a).
12). 1978 Fair Isle Plantation, trapped, 17th June, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 72: 542, plate 230; I. S. Robertson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1978: 18, 49, photo).
13). 1983 Yorkshire Spurn, trapped, 12th May, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 77: 558; Neal, 1996, photo).
14). 1987 Shetland Norwick, Unst, 13th to 15th May.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 81: 591; D. Brewer, British Birds 83: 289-290).
15). 1987 Shetland Kergord, Mainland, 16th June, photo.
(C. Lamsdell, Twitching 1: 180; British Birds 80: plate 256; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 81: 591, plate 307; A. Hogg, Scottish Bird Report 1987: 46; D. Brewer, British Birds 83: 289-290).
16). 1989 Shetland Frakkafield, Mainland, 27th to 28th May, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 489, plate 275).
17). 1992 Suffolk Trimley St Mary, 31st May to 8th June, photo.
(Birding World 5 (6): 212, photo; W. Brame, Birding World 5 (6): 218-219, photo; British Birds 85: plate 295; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 86: 530, plate 204).
18). 1992 Lincolnshire Willingham, 5th December to 28th March 1993, trapped 5th December, photo.
(Birding World 5 (12): 455, 477, photos; S. Britton & G. P. Catley, Birding World 6 (1): 11-12, photos; J. Curson, Birding World 6 (4): 165-166; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 86: 530, plates 202 & 203; Mid-Lincs Ringing Group, Lincolnshire Bird Report 1992: 88-90, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 87: 563).
19). 1996 Orkney Garso, North Ronaldsay, 23rd to 27th May, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 90: 510; Orkney Bird Report 1996: 78-79; Birding Scotland 2 (3): plate 58).
20). 1996 Shetland Voe, Mainland, first-winter, 26th September to 7th October.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 90: 510).
21). 1998 Shetland Rumblewick, Noss, 8th June.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 92: 276, 603).
22). 2000 Man, Isle of Llergydhoo, Peel, 28th May, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 604; BOURC (2004), Ibis 146: 192-195).
23). 2001 At sea Sea area Forties, Maersk Curlew oil platform, 6th June, photo.
(Birding World 14 (6): 230, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 520; Birding Scotland 4 (3): plate 103).
24). 2002 At sea Sea area Dogger, Uisge Gorm oil platform, 20th May to 1st June, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 604).
25). 2002 Yorkshire Flamborough Head, 22nd to 29th October, photo.
(Birding World 15 (10): 413, photo; Birding World 15 (12): 521, photo; British Birds 95: plate 359; Yorkshire Birding 11: 132-133; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 603, plate 372; Yorkshire Rare and Scarce Birds Report 2002: photo).
25). 2003 Shetland Brough Lodge, Fetlar, 10th to 11th May, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 97: 619).
26). 2003 Cheshire & Wirral Caldy, Wirral, 21st to 23rd May, photo.
(Birding World 16 (5): 190, photo; Birding World 16 (12): 523, photo; British Birds 96: plate 253; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 97: 619).
28). 2003 Fair Isle Schoolton, male, in song, 9th June, photo.
(Birding World 16 (6): 231, photo; British Birds 96: plate 279; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 97: 619-620; Birding Scotland 6 (3): plate 119; D. N. Shaw, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 2003: 34).
29). 2004 Yorkshire Swanland, Hull, 31st May, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 689).
30). 2004 Shetland Foula, 1st July, photo.
(P. A. Fraser and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100: 748).
31). 2006 Shetland Sumburgh Farm, Mainland, 13th May, photo; presumed same, Quendale, 14th May.
(Birding World 19 (5): 193, photo; Birding World 19 (12): 519, photo; British Birds 99: plate 193; P. A. Fraser and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100: 748; Shetland Bird Report 2006: photo; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photo; British Birds 107: plate 34).
32). 2007 Hampshire Southampton, 12th to 13th May, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 569).
33). 2007 Northumberland Inner Farne, Farne Islands, adult, trapped, 11th June, photo.
(Birding World 20 (6): 234, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 569; R. Mason & D. Steel, Birds in Northumbria 2007: 276-277, photo).
34). 2008 Lancashire & North Merseyside Heysham, trapped, 6th May, photo.
(British Birds 101: plate 164; Birding World 21 (5): 193, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 594).
35.0). 2008 Hampshire Old Winchester Hill, first-winter male, in song, 5th November to 17th July 2009, photo.
(Birding World 22 (4): 134, 142, photo; British Birds 102: plate 156; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 593; Birding World 22 (12): 499, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 103: 632; Clark, 2022, photo).
36). 2008 Cheshire & Wirral Helsby, 14th December to 11th April 2009.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 103: 632).
37). 2009 Anglesey Off Port Lynas, 2CY+, 26th May, photo.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 596).
38). 2010 Cornwall Boscastle, male, in song, 30th April to 2nd May, photo.
(Birding World 23 (5): 192, photo; Birding World 23 (12): 534, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 621; Birds in Cornwall 2010: photo).
39). 2010 Fair Isle Observatory, 19th to 20th May, photo.
(Birding World 23 (5): 192, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 621; J. Ashton-Booth & D. N. Shaw, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 2009-10: 50, 137).
40). 2010 Shetland Scousburgh, Mainland, 21st May, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 621).
41). 2010 Isles of Scilly Parsonage, St Agnes, 26th May, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 621; G. Gordon, Isles of Scilly Bird and Natural History Review 2010: 105-106).
42). 2010 Suffolk Woodbridge, male, in song, 6th June, photo.
(British Birds 103: plate 240; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 621).
43). 2010 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, male, trapped (not ringed), 11th June, photo.
(Birding World 23 (6): 230, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 621, plate 336; R. Pritchard, Welsh Bird Report 24: 216).
44). 2010 Lincolnshire Fulbeck, adult, 18th to 19th June, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 621).
35.1). 2010 Hampshire Old Winchester Hill, 7th August to 17th July 2011; presumed same as 2008-09 individual.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 105: 616).
45). 2012 Highland Harrapool, Broadford, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, 20th May, photo.
(Birding World 25 (5): 191, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 106: 631).
46). 2013 Somerset Lower Munty, Churchstanton, 23rd January to 3rd March, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 107: 645; Somerset Birds 2013: photo).
47). 2013 Lincolnshire Spalding, 28th May, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 107: 645; Lincolnshire Bird Report 2013: photo).
49). 2014 Suffolk Landguard BO, trapped, 19th June, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 626).
48). 2014 Argyll Corra, Otter Ferry, Cowal Peninsula, male, in song, 19th June, photo.
(J. M. Dickson & T. Callan, Scottish Birds 34: 263-265, plates 239-241; British Birds 107: plate 258; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 626).
50). 2016 Argyll Vaul, Tiree, 2CY+, 10th June, photo.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 624; Scottish Birds 37: plate 232).
51). 2018 Shetland Harrier, Foula, 1CY, 7th September to 10th October, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 618, plate 353).
52). 2020 Cornwall Near Reawla, 2CY+, 25th April, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 607).
53). 2020 Ceredigion Cwrtnewydd, 2CY+, 24th June, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 607).
54). 2021 Kent Shadoxhurst, 2CY+, 10th to 17th January, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 607).
55). 2021 Sussex Barcombe Cross, 2CY+, 3rd February to 18th April, photo, sound recording.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 607, plate 465).
56). 2021 Shetland Baltasound, Unst, 2CY, 18th to 19th May, photo; presumed same, Skaw, Unst, 22nd May, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 607).
57). 2022 East Glamorgan Porthcawl, 2CY+, 25th June, photo.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 596).
58). 2022 Cheshire & Wirral Kingsmead, Northwich, 1CY+, female, 24th November to 18th March 2023, photo, video.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 596; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 727).
59). 2023 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, 2CY+, male, trapped, 4th June, photo.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 727).
P). 2025 Highland Strathy, Sutherland, 5th to 20th June, photo.
(birding information services).
P). 2025 Shetland Sumburgh Head, Mainland, 25th June, photo.
(birding information services).
P). 2025 Hampshire On board RMS Queen Mary II in Southampton Docks, 7th November.
(birding information services).
