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A rare bird sighting caused crowds to come flocking to a quiet cul-de-sac in Shelf, near Halifax. The Scarlet tanager, a stocky songbird that typically travels twice a year between the lowland South American forests and the eastern United States, was seen perched on a garden washing line and was reported to be the first time the species had been sighted in Yorkshire.
The reported sighting sent birdwatchers from all over the country to the location, keen to catch a glimpse of the elusive bird. Geoffrey King, a well-seasoned birdwatcher, travelled more than 220 miles from Weybridge in Surrey overnight to arrive at the scene early on Monday morning. He described the moment the bird became visible as “very exhilarating”. Keen twitcher Paul from London, who arrived after an early start, said it was his first sighting of the bird despite nearly five decades of birdwatching.
According to the American Bird Conservancy, the song of the scarlet tanager is often described as “like a robin with a cold”. The bird’s song was also of particular interest to Luke Nash, who travelled from Durham to see the rare species. The scarlet tanager is usually only seen in the UK when swept off course by storms in the autumn, leading to sightings of the duller yellowish birds which migrate south.
The scarlet tanager sighting in Yorkshire was believed to be the first in the area, as confirmed by the website Bird Guides. The striking bird, whose male breeding birds have a bright red body and black wings and tails, is quite distinctive and often rewards those who travel far to catch a glimpse. Despite not travelling far, one man walking his dog in the village was very pleased to join in the excitement and declared he would be “chuffed to bits” to see the American visitor
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