Hi all,
There was a 1st-w Whinchat at Ballycotton yesterday,feeding in an area of low vegetation and sandy soil near what used to be the "lake".It was initially reported on Monday,but seen much better yesterday when I was there with the original finder.It seemed settled enough,chasing off any Stonechat that came within its favoured area,and is presumably attempting to overwinter.
This could also apply to the Red-throated Pipit at Tacumshin(seen to at least Wednesday),and the few Dusky Warblers etc in Britain,but these are actual rarities!
It has always surprised me that Whinchats don't attempt to overwinter more often,given that Stonechats seem to be able to survive in good numbers unless there is a prolonged spell of hard weather.Perhaps the migratory instinct is just too strong in such species?
Harry H
Hi all,
Further to my comments above,there was a Little Ringed Plover at Mallow sugar lagoons yesterday(as I mentioned in another thread),and today a Lesser Whitethroat was found at Kilmore Quay,Co.Wexford.
I wonder if the increasing number of late/wintering migrants being found is due to global warming,or rather as a result of observer awareness?
Harry H
Hi Harry,
I'd guess in most cases it is because the migratory instinct is too strong (e.g. I'd bet that Lr Whitethroat has actually arrived from somewhere a long way east, not a UK-bred bird going a short distance). But there's always going to be individuals which fail to migrate due to random mutations in their genome affecting the part of the DNA which codes for migratory behaviour (don't ask me how this works, I don't know!!).
Whinchats, I'd guess it is population pressure from Stonechats that stops them overwintering more - presumably Stonechats are better adapted to successful survival in cold conditions, and will out-compete any Whinchats that try. Even if a Whinchat can successfully chase off Stonechats from a territory, can it find food as efficiently in cold conditions? Perhaps not.
Michael