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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Greenland Wheatear - oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa

 

Northern Wheatear or Wheatear is a small passerine that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family Turdidae but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher Muscicapidae. It is the most widespread member of the Wheatear genus Oenanthe in Europe and Asia. Its English name has nothing to do with wheat or ears but is a bowdlerised form of white-arse which refers to its prominent white rump. Wheatear's are a migratory insectivorous species breeding in open stony country in Europe and Asia with a foothold in eastern Canada and Greenland. All birds winter in Africa which makes the large bright Greenland form 'leucorhea' one of the most impressive long-distance migrants.

 

There have been a number of Greenland Wheatear reported from in S. Gloucestershire;

 

2012: (3)

Three were reported from New Passage at 08:15 on April 13th;

 

2011 (c.7)

Two separate sightings possibly of this form were seen at Littleton Warth and Rushmead Lane, Marshfield  on April 8th; Several were present, probably this form at Severn Beach on May 6th; A female possibly this form at Littleton Warth on May 14th; One probably this form was seen at Marshfield on Northfield Lane on October 12th.

 

 

Probable Greenland Wheatears at Marshfield and Littleton Warth. April 2011. Don Smith & Steve Emery.

 

 

Probable Greenland Wheatear at Aust Warth in May 2011. Paul Bowerman.

 

2010: (2)

One was seen on Littleton Warth and a male was noted in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area on May 15th.

 

2009: (2)

Two showing characteristics of this form were seen in stock fields east of Northfield Lane at Marshfield on May 5th.

 

2008: (Several)

Several were noted at Severn Beach in the morning on April 22nd; Two were present at Littleton-on-Severn on May 11th; A male was noted at Marshfield in fields south of Rushmead Lane from October 2nd - 3rd.

 

 

Probable Greenland Wheatear at Severn Beach in April and Littleton-on-Severn in May 2008. Paul Bowerman & RS Roy.

 

2007: (1)

One showing characteristics on this form was present at Northwick Warth on June 10th.

 

2006: (1)

On October 7th an individual was noted along the shore near Lagoon I at Oldbury Power Station.

 

2000: (1)

An adult female was reported on May 21st at New Passage.

 

1959: (Several)

In the third week in March, several were noted on spring passage from the coast in the Severn Beach/ New Passage/ Northwick Warth areas. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this form for S. Gloucestershire.

 

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