Evening grosbeak as vagrant in Europe ?? (1 Viewer)

[GreatHornedOwl]

Hello,

... Just have a question re. the possibility of seeing Evening grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) as vagrants in Europe.
Acc. to the K. Mullarney et al. Bird Guide (Collins), this North American has already been spotted in Britain and Norway :eek!: - and "several sightings involved adult males" ... Hello ??!!!?? :eek!:

Could anyone please enlighten me on the subject of these sightings ? When, where, what, who, ... ? ... Any Norwegians in here who know the whole story ?

Thank you,

GHO

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

The two British records:

1980 Highland Nethybridge, adult female, 10th to 25th March, photo. British Birds 74: 491
1969 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, adult male, 26th March. British Birds 63: 291; 64: 189-194, 560; Ibis 113: 422; Birding Scotland 2: 63-64

 

[GreatHornedOwl]

The two British records:

1980 Highland Nethybridge, adult female, 10th to 25th March, photo. British Birds 74: 491
1969 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, adult male, 26th March. British Birds 63: 291; 64: 189-194, 560; Ibis 113: 422; Birding Scotland 2: 63-64

Thank you Andrew !

... I see these are 25 year + old records - but that seems consistent with the fact that Evening grosbeaks are, in recent years, more staying in their breeding area in winter due to more and more feeders in Canada etc. Well that's what I heard ... Anyway, this would mean that it is even less likely now to see them overhere as vagrants ...

I'm still curious about the Norwegian record, was that more recent I wonder ...