Climate change brings exotic visitors

Mar 8 2008 by Sally Williams, Western Mail

RARE birds from America and southern Europe are arriving unexpectedly on Welsh shores because of climate change, experts claimed yesterday.

Over the past week there has been a spate of sightings of exotic species which, under normal conditions, would never appear in this country.

The great white egret and the cattle egret, both native to tropical areas of Asia, have been spotted in parts of Wales.

Ornithologists claimed yesterday that the migrating birds may have been blown way off course by violent storms, which are evidence of climate change.

Andy Hirst, of the internet birdwatching site Bird Guides, was surprised to receive reports of several bird species he says should not reach our shores at all.

Mr Hirst said migratory birds from Northern Europe and America have been blown here due to sea storms, that are likely to become more severe and frequent in future.

He added, “Great white egrets, found in Southern Europe, have been seen at Caersws in Powys.

“They are members of the heron family only they are bigger and pure white, with dark legs. They are extremely rare here because they tend to like warmer waters.

“The fact they have ventured so far north could be because they have also been blown here in storms and could be a sign of climate change. They probably like Powys because they, like herons, need to be alongside water, whether it is a brook, pool, a lake or just a ditch or a brook. The important thing is the water is warm and not too fast flowing.

"And cattle egrets have ended up at Pwlldu Bay, Gower. They should not be seen any further north than central France.

“They like to be in fields where sheep and cattle graze because they are keen insect feeders. And the rose-coloured starling has remained in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. It usually breeds in the heat of Greece and Romania.”

He said three drake American wigeon, seen this week at Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire, had probably been brought here on the Gulf Stream, which has been pointing towards Wales since last summer, bringing exceptionally warm and wet weather from the Atlantic.

He added, “These birds are found in North America. They are different from the European wigeon. It appears that they get picked up in strong winds and blown across the Atlantic.

“Birds from America that fly at 20,000 to 30,000ft can get caught in the Gulf Stream over the Atlantic and it only takes them a day or two to reach Wales. While the bigger birds survive; the smaller ones perish. Some drop into the water and hitch a ride across the Atlantic on boats.

“We have heard reports of Arctic snowy owls, like the one featured in Harry Potter, flying out to sea in America, landing on container ships, being fed scraps by the crew and getting off at ports in Liverpool.”

He said another American visitor, a spotted sandpiper, has been reported at Lisvane Reservoir in Glamorgan.

He added, “These are tiny American wading birds. And ring-billed gulls from America have been seen at Lamby Lake, Glamorgan, Penrhos on Anglesey and an adult was in the roost at Llys-y-Fran Reservoir Pembrokeshire.”

Stuart Thompson, head of public affairs for RSPB Wales, said it was not uncommon for birds to be blown off course while following a jet stream.

He said, “However, it can provide exciting glimpses of birds that are uncommon to our shores.

“Jet streams are large currents of air that, especially for larger birds, provide increased uplift and momentum. When migrating, birds often seek effective jet streams that are usually found at higher altitudes.”

The UK recorded the sunniest February since UK-wide records began in 1929, according to the Met Office.

And the UK, England and Wales have all had one of the sunniest winters since records began in 1929.