Arctic Redpoll - 1996 - first for Pembrokeshire

Carduelis hornemanni

British Birds Rarities Committee

1996 Pembrokeshire Goodwick, 6th February to 17th March (K.J.S.Devonald, J.W.Donovan et al.)

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A cold north wind and a dusting of snow on the Preseli mountains said stay by the fireside.  The wireless said most of Britain was in an arctic grip, "Joe" my four-legged friend said "come on mate, I need a walk".

Wellied, woolied, hat and coated we set off for the quarry.  It is a sheltered, secret little corner and given the bleakness of the weather, I felt something might be tucked in there.

My first reward was a woodcock which burst out of the leaf litter as we entered the quarry.  A little further and I heard and saw about half a dazon siskins feeding on the outermost seed clusters of a birch tree, accompanied by a similar number of redpolls.  As I watched them, I noticed amongst the redpolls was an extremely pale individual.

It was an almost ghost-like presence among its warmly toned companions.  Apart from its crimson top-knot and yellow beak, the impression was of an under-exposed black and white negative, in the photographic sense.  I began trying to fix the details in my memory and as I did, it occurred to me I could be looking at an Arctic Redpoll, a snowball.

Back home I made a sketch then went through my books, and magazines.  It looked plausible.  I rang Graham Rees with the news later that evening and it seemed that if we could "nail" it, it would be a first for Pembs.

It proved to be a frustrating few days that followed.  The bird was easily spooked and seemed averse to displaying its rump.  The landowner fo the site had given me permission for access but made it clear he would not tolerate strangers on his land.  Thankfully he knew Jack Donovan, and in the end it was he and Stuart Devonald that confirmed the bird a couple of days later.

Cliff Benson

Pembrokeshire Bird Report 1996