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Rare Blue-tailed Robin Spotted in England!
4 Feb
Summary
- A red-flanked bluetail, a rare visitor, was sighted in southern England.
- January weather and storm displacement may have caused this bird's arrival.
- This species breeds in Finland and winters across parts of China.
A vibrant red-flanked bluetail, also known as the orange-flanked bush robin, has been sighted in southern England in January, a location considered highly unusual for this species. Birdwatchers have described the sighting as exceptionally exciting, noting it as a significant rarity for the region.
The presence of the bird so far west during winter is being attributed to potential storm displacement. This migratory species has seen increased records, possibly linked to a population boom in its eastern Finland breeding grounds, where it was first documented in the 1940s.
The red-flanked bluetail breeds across a wide range from Finland to Kamchatka and undertakes migrations to wintering grounds in parts of China. Its appearance in England highlights the unpredictable nature of bird migrations and the impact of weather phenomena.
