Spotless Starling (2 Viewers)

[Tapes]

Hello folks,first post.
I don't know if you're familiar with the birdsong app Merlin. I downloaded it and use it most days while out walking the dog. Is it accurate? Can it be fooled?
The reason I ask is that this morning it identified the call of a Spotless Starling. It's a bird I'd never heard of so I googled it and it appears that there is no native population in the UK.
So,is it possible that they visit? Are they rare?
Just for information I'm in North west England, in a coastal area.
Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Barred Wobbler]

They are beyond rare. The nearest place to see one is Spain (where they are common). I'm guessing Merlin's wrong and it's actually a common starling with one of its many mimic calls.

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Merlin is generally good, but frequently wrong. Best to use it as a guide than a definitive answer.

 

[Tapes]

They are beyond rare. The nearest place to see one is Spain (where they are common). I'm guessing Merlin's wrong and it's actually a common starling with one of its many mimic calls.

Yeah,that's more or less what I thought.. Thanks for that!

 

[Richard Prior]

Hello folks,first post.
I don't know if you're familiar with the birdsong app Merlin. I downloaded it and use it most days while out walking the dog. Is it accurate? Can it be fooled?
The reason I ask is that this morning it identified the call of a Spotless Starling. It's a bird I'd never heard of so I googled it and it appears that there is no native population in the UK.
So,is it possible that they visit? Are they rare?
Just for information I'm in North west England, in a coastal area.
Thanks in anticipation.

Welcome to Birdforum Tapes, I agree with B W and Mark, get yourself the Collins Bird Guide (it's also available as an App) rather than googling, it shows you the distribution of the various species you're likely to encounter and not encounter in your location.

 

[Tapes]

Merlin is generally good, but frequently wrong. Best to use it as a guide than a definitive answer.

Thanks! That's all I use it for.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Tapes and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

May I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy 2024.

 

[Tapes]

Hi Tapes and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

May I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy 2024.

Thanks for that. I was fairly sure it was a mistake,an impressionist Starling fooled me! Have a good Christmas yourself.

 

[njlarsen]

For completeness: Merlin can definitely be fooled, the people producing it advises you check with your own ears. However, Spotless Starling sometime do occur outside the expected area, some years ago it even visited Denmark!
Niels