Unusual visitor? (1 Viewer)

[villan93]

I've been drawn to this site due to a little 'intruder' that appeared in our house yesterday afternoon near Castlerock. I've never seen one before but early investigations suggest it's possibly a young nuthatch. Could someone help me out with this one please?

 

[Torchepot]

Looks like a male northern wheatear

 

[AveryBartels]

Northern Wheatear. A reminder that as this is an international forum it is helpful to include Country of the sighting (ideally in the post title)

 

[villan93]

Apologies. I did overlook that bit didn't I? Spotted near Castlerock in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

 

[villan93]

A short clip I managed to take before releasing it...

 

[Torchepot]

A real beauty! Quite a thrill to have in the hand and successfully release
By the way I forgot to say - welcome to Birdforum!

 

[villan93]

A real beauty! Quite a thrill to have in the hand and successfully release
By the way I forgot to say - welcome to Birdforum!

Thank you, yes indeed, it was actually quite placid and took 3 attempts at release before it finally decided to go!

 

[Simon G]

There used to be a regular contributor to one of the birding magazines from Northern Ireland. His wife once reported that a friend of his had phoned with news of a "rare wee deer". It sounded strange so he ignored it and never got to see the rare Wheatear.

 

[Harrybongo]

There used to be a regular contributor to one of the birding magazines from Northern Ireland. His wife once reported that a friend of his had phoned with news of a "rare wee deer". It sounded strange so he ignored it and never got to see the rare Wheatear.

With, or without antlers?!! 😂

 

[villan93]

With, or without antlers?!! 😂

In true Northern Irish dialect 'deer' would be spelled as 'dear' as in a term of affection. 😄

 

[Torchepot]

Thank you, yes indeed, it was actually quite placid and took 3 attempts at release before it finally decided to go!

More hero than villan perhaps? (sorry - bet you've never heard that before )

 

[villan93]

More hero than villan perhaps? (sorry - bet you've never heard that before )

Absolutely, now all you have to do is pay the statutory repeat fee and we're fine. 😁