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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Golden Oriole - 0riolus oriolus

 

Golden Oriole is the only member of the oriole family of passerines to breed in northern hemisphere temperate regions. It is a summer migrant and the tiny British population breeds in commercial Black Poplar plantations in Suffolk/ Norfolk. The name 'oriole' was first recorded in the Latin form 'oriolus' by Albertus Magnus in about 1250 and was stated by him to be onomatopoeic from the song of the Golden Oriole and ultimately reflects the word 'aureolus' meaning golden. Some historical names for Golden Oriole include; Golden Thrush, Loriot and Woodwall.

 

There have been six Golden Oriole reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2007: (1)

On April 26th an adult male was heard calling from allotments and nearby gardens at Bellevue Road in Kingswood. It was heard calling ten to twelve times at around 16:30 (noted as a very loud 'bell-like' call) before heading off to the east. (Martyn Hayes)

 

1993: (1)

On June 25th one was identified near Pucklechurch, it was still present the following day and was last noted in early July. (I Gayland)

 

1991: (1)

On June 2nd a single bird was heard briefly at New Passage. (Brian Lancastle, Norman Lacy)

 

1979: (1)

A female was found dead at Tockington on May 31st. (AE Billett)

 

1954: (2)

Two first summer males visited Littleton-on-Severn brickworks in the second week of June and remained in the area for at least three weeks being seen or heard, usually in Withey trees, by various observers. Brief views obtained and the characteristic 'weela-weeo' call was heard, probably from both birds on June 26th while on 27th they were seen extremely well in adjoining hedgerow trees. Conclusive evidence was gained on June 29th that both were, in fact, giving the whistling call. The birds were first noticed by brickwork's employees on June 11th and last seen on July 2nd. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire.

 

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