Ortolan Bunting - 2016 Skokholm

Emberiza hortulana Scarce - 51 previous records of 68 birds over 77 dates, with a maximum of four but only 7 in spring

Earliest 29th April 1987 Latest 15th November 2010 (17th August 2016)

1936-1976: 6 trapped

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A vocal bird on and around Home Meadow on the 17th was the first August record since 25th August 1975 and the earliest autumn record to date (GE, RDB et al.); the five other August birds occurred on either the 27th or 28th in 1970, 1966, 1959, 1957 and 1947. This was the third consecutive year with a sighting, the other observations this decade coming on 20th May 2015, 4th September 2014 and 15th November 2010. The majority of previous records have occurred in September.

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From the Skokhom Annual Report 2016