The flock of four Snow Buntings found by Kilian Kelly last Friday has now been joined by a fifth. Snow Bunting identification is straightforward, at least at species level, but when you get into the detail, ageing is actually very tricky - depending on e.g., amounts of black on individual upper wing coverts and the exact amount and extent of white and black on the underwing - and there are three subspecies that could occur. There were three male-types and two females at Kilshannig today.
Five Snow Buntings, Kilshannig, 17th November 2017 (M.O'Clery).
Male Snow Bunting, Kilshannig, 17th November 2017 (M.O'Clery).
Male Snow Bunting, Kilshannig, 17th November 2017 (M.O'Clery).
The complete and dark breast band, lack of contrast between mantle and scapulars, ginger wash to the flanks and dark crown are features more favouring the icelandic race Insulae. though the rump appears white with a ginger tone, an indication more of nivalis.
Snow Buntings, Kilshannig, 17th November 2017 (M.O'Clery).
The overall 'swarthiness' of the female in the foreground would also seem more indicative of Icelandic Insulae. A pretty dark looking bird. Nevertheless, excellent open-wing photos would be needed to be certain.
The other two races which could occur in Ireland are the paler nivalis (North America, Greenland and Scandinavia) and the really frosty-looking, pale Russian race vlasowae.
Nivalis are reportedly regular in winter in Ireland according to some sources, and the male at Kilshannig/Rough Point in January this year (see post HERE) might well be one, also with a pale, ginger-tinged rump), but i don't think there has ever been an attempt to figure out the proportion of each race occurring in Ireland. Vlasowae has yet to be recorded anywhere in the country and there are only 3-4 claims and specimens for Britain, but with this highly migratory sub-species, it could. Definitely need to pay more attention to these beautiful birds.
Nivalis are reportedly regular in winter in Ireland according to some sources, and the male at Kilshannig/Rough Point in January this year (see post HERE) might well be one, also with a pale, ginger-tinged rump), but i don't think there has ever been an attempt to figure out the proportion of each race occurring in Ireland. Vlasowae has yet to be recorded anywhere in the country and there are only 3-4 claims and specimens for Britain, but with this highly migratory sub-species, it could. Definitely need to pay more attention to these beautiful birds.
Snow Buntings, Kilshannig, 17th November 2017 (M.O'Clery).
