Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)

Whilst A & C were busy with a weekend of crafting, P and I decided we would take the opportunity to do some local birding - and for once in an exceptionally long time, I suggested a “filthy twitch”, for the Boat-tailed Grackle, a presumed ship-assisted vagrant, which had jumped ship when reaching Southampton Water. The bird had originally been observed at the start of November on Calshot Spit, then relocated after a small absence a short distance away in Holbury.

On arrival with the rain so heavy, we were not hopeful of a sighting, and I left the camera in the back of the car. When it did show I took some “record shots” with the phone camera, but these do no justice to its blue / purple / black iridescent sheen. I retrieved the camera from the car, but having not checked the settings I took two dismally blurred abominations – before the bird promptly disappeared behind the fence. We left shortly afterwards as we were quite wet through and were both more than happy with the close views that we had enjoyed.

Addendum

On the 21st December Keith Betton (HOS Chairman) announced on the Hampshire Birding Group (Facebook) that DNA analysis of "some poop from our American friend .." had confirmed that the bird is in fact a Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus). On seeing the news I messaged P: "Turns out we twitched the wrong bird!".