Western Bonelli's Warbler - 2013 onwards

Following a record in 2011 (see separate entry/discussion topic on Bonelli's vs Western Bonelli's Warbler)

2013 - One on Ramsey 8 - 10 Sept (GM et al) accepted by BBRC. 

2017 - One Skomer 30th – 31 Aug (SP, ES) accepted by BBRC as Bonelli's sp.

2017 - One Skokholm on 24 Sept (TWi, SW, RB et al), accepted by BBRC

2018 - Single Skomer on 16th Sept (ES et al). Unfortunately the bird did not call. Accepted by BBRC as Bonelli's sp.

Records extracted from the Pembrokeshire and Welsh Bird Reports

Bonelli's Warbler - 1949 status

Phylloscopus bonelli ?sub sp.

A female was trapped at Slokholm on 31 August 1948.  It was sent to the Yorkshire Museum for identification by R Wagstaffe.  This is a new species for the British Bird List.  Although breeding in south and east France, it rarely waders northwards.

R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society

Bonelli's Warbler v. Western Bonelli's Warbler

Phylloscopus bonelli/ Phylloscopus orientalis

There have been three records of ‘Bonelli’s Warblers’ in Pembrokeshire. The first ever record for Britain was an individual on Skokholm on 31^st August, 1948 (PJ Conder, J Keighly). Pembrokeshire’s second was also on Skokholm, 31^st August, 1991 (M Betts).

In 1997 Bonelli’s Warbler was split into two species and is now called Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli) occurring in South-west Europe and Italy and Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus orientalis) originating in South-eastern Europe and West Turkey.  There are subtle plumage and biometric differences between the two as well as clearly differing calls. A review by BBRC of the first two Pembrokeshire records identified the 1948 birds as 'Western' but the 1991 bird was not able to be specifically identified.

The third record, a Western Bonelli’s Warbler  was present on St David’s Head on 3^rd October, 2011 (M Young-Powell et al). The plumage differences are slight to non-existent and there was no opportunity for biometrics to be taken so specific identification rested on the call. The bird frequently called as per Willow Warbler, an uprising ‘hooeet’ with something of the sharp tone of a finch in it). This was sufficient to identify the bird as Western Bonelli’s the  only Pembrokeshire record thus far.

MYP 29/05/2013

Bonelli's Warbler - 1994

Vagrant

One at Skokholm on 31 August 1948 (Conder and Keighly 1950) was the first recorded in Britain. It has since been recorded in Britain on 106 occasions (Rogers 1992) with just one other Pembrokeshire record, also at Skokholm, in 1991, coincidently also on 31 August (M. Betts).

Donovan J.W. & Rees G.H (1994), Birds of Pembrokeshire