Saturday 6 December
The New Forest Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major
I was on the site for thirty minutes; twenty minutes waiting for the bird to arrive having been seen here at 11.330am. The house owners came out and made us feel welcome and stated that the bird usually arrives early morning but has been a regular feed since first arriving a few days short of a month ago. I should image that by now every local birder, and very many others from far and wide, have visited this property in Holbury to see the Boat-tailed Grackle.
All reports state that the bird is a ship-assisted vagrant from America and, presumably, hopped (flew) ship at Calshot as the vessel entered Southampton Water. The bird remained on site for a week happy to forage on the shore and neighbouring car park before, as suggested, it was chased by a dog and made its departure. Within four days is had been located once again at its present preferred site in Holbury. Given the small bungalow with little front garden but holding both a bird bath and feeding tray, offered not only food, water and shelter but, perhaps a sense of home or familiarity. Could it be, therefore, that the bird was not a wild vagrant individual but, perhaps and escaped pet? Cetainly lots of strange behaviour and not concerned about the nearness of many people. Indeed, as well as wandering about the drive, including under the parked car, and checking out the front door for a means of access it then hopped onto the front gate immediately in front on me and less then two feet away. My birding neighbour was even closer. I'm sure if I had food in my hand t would have been quite happy to land on same for a free feed!
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