ML644529536

Detalhes da observação

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 although RBA (etc.) later revised identification to Boat-tailed. Atlantic coast USA Boat-tailed have yellow eyes and thus more similar to Great-tailed. However, it was later confirmed from a DNA sample as Great-tailed. Perhaps its lack of interest in saltmarsh was another pointer against Boat-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.