ML644529525

Observation details

Adult male fully winged and un-ringed in car park by castle. First seen on the beach - moved around the castle area feeding on bits. Later ate crisps and bread that it soaked in puddles! Assumed this would be Great-tailed when I found it, however RBA has revised identification to this species. Atlantic coast USA Boat-tailed have yellow eyes and thus more similar to Great-tailed. Presume that domed head, narrow bill structure and more rounded tail point to Boat-tailed rather than Great-tailed. A great bird, unlikely to achieve acceptance to British List as, although ship assisted birds are not excluded, species that could not arrive unaided are, and Grackles are in that category.