Rose-coloured Starling, Tralee, 10th June 2018 (Maurice Hannafin).
Though there was no sign of the Ventry one, the Tralee adult Rose-coloured Starling continued to frequent the suburban garden off Mitchel's Road in Tralee for a fifth day, giving views down to a few feet. A metre or so to any Imperial measure aficionados.
Rose-coloured Starling, Tralee, 10th June 2018 (David O'Connor).
Rose-coloured Starling, Tralee, 10th June 2018 (Maurice Hannafin).
What a stunning bird, though I was recently taken aback to learn form an anonymous source that in certain quarters in Britain, he and his birding buddies at the time used to refer to them disparagingly as 'The Pink Stink'. No doubt because they tended to turn up in suburban gardens, feeding at close range on bird feeders and scraps and, in Britain at least, can be usually seen by any half-interested Year Lister. A most demeaning name for a bird which is not only beautiful but, as an adult, we must bear in mind that this individual almost certainly spent last winter in India. Yes, in India.
Despite my shock at hearing of such a remarkable bird being referred to in such a derogatory fashion I nevertheless totally respect my source's right to remain anonymous, so Davey Farrar's name will never see print. Not on this blog. No way.
