Sylvia cantillans
Western Subalpine Warblers of the nominate race cantillans breed in SW Europe and NW Africa, Eastern Subalpine Warblers of the the race albistriata, in SE Europe and Turkey. Spring males of the two races are readily separable by the extent of and intensity of rufous on the underparts and the thickness of the sub-moustachial stripe. Females are more difficult though the intensity of colouring can be helpful; with Eastern showing paler, colder tones on both upper and underparts. The Skomer bird of spring 2013 shows features of ‘albistriata’but beng a female may be impossible to determine for sure. Records of Subalpine Warblers in Pembrokeshire, were confined to the Islands until a bird at St David’s Head in spring 2013.
Subalpine Warbler was removed from the list of species considered by BBRC in 2006 and is now on the WRP list of Welsh rarities.
Skokholm Records
Skokholm 1st October 1953
Skokholm 3rd May 1970
Skokholm 7th June 1976
Skokholm 11th May 1990
Skokhom 15th May 1992
Skokholm female 2nd-8th April 2001 (G Thompson)
Skokholm male 3rd Nov 2001(G Thompson)
Skokholm (female ssp cantillans) 16th May 2013 (E Wood et al ). Photo below by Richard Brown, note warm colouring.
Skomer Records
Skomer3rd May 1990
Skomer 26th May 1990
Skomer 14th May 1992
Skomer male 19th May 2008 (D Boyle)
Skomer female 29th-30th May 2013 (J Boulter, E Stubbings) Photo below by Dave Boyle, note cold colouring which may indicate an Eastern bird.
Ramsey Records
Ramsey 23rd-27th May 2006 (G M,L M)
Ramsey male 15th May 2008 (J Wells)
Ramsey male 23rd June 2009 (SC Votier)
The only record away from the Islands thus far:
St David’s Head (male ssp cantillans) 23rd-27th April 2013 (W James, K Mr, R Seekins, M Young-Powell) photo below by Mike Young-Powell.
MYP 29/05/2013