Finders-in-the-Field: Rose-breasted Grosbeak. West Burra, Shetland May 2016
I was working away in the kitchen this morning [Tuesday 3 May], just before 11am, when I glanced out across to the trees opposite and saw something which I recognised to be a bird in shape but not in colour or pattern. To be honest I thought this was a cuddly toy hung up on the tree for a joke by my husband, or friend. It was sitting near an empty coconut shell; the seeds long gone. The bird suddenly moved and I realised I wasn’t watching a cute toy with hanging loop and pressable sound effect voice, but what we in Shetland dialect call “an unken bird” quite similar to the term “little brown jobs”. (Unken means unknown, or not known, so for example a stranger is referred to as “an unken body”).
The mix of browny/black, white and red were startling to say the least. It was so close. I knew it wasn’t a redpoll, woodpecker or bullfinch but the large, strong beak made me think that perhaps this was a “finchy-thing”.
First I put on Peppa Pig to distract our toddler, who, from past experience, always wants lifted up when I point a camera out the window. (The Sparrowhawk incident). I quickly took 3 photos and dashed to my Collins bird guide. Not finding anything resembling my garden visitor I checked the RSPB bird identifier online. I started to quiver and tremble when I couldn’t find any pictures of it there either. A quick posting on Facebook and a message sent to Hugh Harrop quickly made me realise the significance of my find. I had time to fill the nearby bird feeder and chat with a neighbouring birder who had already appeared at the gate before Hugh arrived a short while later.
I learned a lot this morning: that the “unken finchy-thing”was indeed a rose breasted grosbeak, that it was rare being the first and that I wasn’t the only one trembling with excitement. I marvelled at how the birding community is very well connected as lots of “unken bodies” quickly arrived to appreciate spectacular views at close quarters. Within half an hour of my Facebook post our phone was ringing with people asking for directions and more information. Within 2 hours “The Shetland News” phoned to cover the story. One very keen birder gave me a double thumbs up through the kitchen window and went on to explain that he was absolutely delighted on seeing a new bird to him and Shetland and that he is going to be 82 in a few weeks time.
The grosbeak fed and rested in full view. For ages. I was ecstatic. It was still here after 8pm tonight. Every time it fluttered its wings we got flashes of red. I’ve never seen a more beautiful bird. Most of the birders watching today were near to our house but one stayed with friends further up the path in his wheelchair. Our path is not wheelchair friendly but after chatting it transpired that he had brought a portable metal ramp and it saved the day. He used it to get around the house and view the grosbeak from the other side.
By teatime our 4 year old son had looked out his plastic binoculars and was guiding any new visitors to get the best views. He has since charged his camera (yes, he has a camera) after tea tonight and is hoping to get a lot of photos out the window before playgroup (nursery) starts tomorrow. I hope for his sake that the Rose-breasted Grosbeak will still be here.
Accepted Rose-breasted Grosbeak records in Britain and Ireland
Lynn Goodlad
03 May 2016
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