Searching the Cape verdian sparrow...in the Netherlands

[vogelcommando]

On May 6 this year the Dutch scientific research-ship Plancius paid a visit to the Cape Verdian island Razo. They didn't go ashore because this is not aloud but small groups of Cape verdian sparrows - also known as Iago sparrow - came to the ship. About 20 were counted and after the ship left to travel further still about 11 stayed on board !
During a short stop at Madeira some left the ship but 4 ( 2 pairs ) liked the ship that much that they stayed to go to the final destination, the Netherlands !
On May 19 the ship arrived in the harbour of Hansweert and the birds were still there. Many birders have seen and photographed them in the meantime and they also made short trips to the land, normaly returning to the ship after a while.
Today I tried my luck and drove to Hansweert. The ship was found quickly and I spended almost 3 hours looking for the sparrows. It was - obviously - not allowed to enter the ship so I had to look from the land to the ship and I also searched the direct area around the ship but... today I had no luck ! Maybe next time ! ( will post a picture of the ship in the Netherlands Gallery - others )

 

[Pertinax]

On the South coast of UK there is place named Calshot, where a male Spanish Sparrow(its not found only in Spain, in other South European Countries also e.g. Turkey) has been living with (and interbreeding with?) the local House Sparrows. Another one was recorded in another location not far away. Both places are close to the major shipping lanes of Southampton Water/the Solent and its very likely these non-migratory sparrows arrived by boat, and then hopped ashore again.

 

[FBBird]

Searching the Cape Verdian Sparrow

Interesting that a male Spanish Sparrow spent some weeks at Felixstowe, also a major port

 

[vogelcommando]

Thanks Pertinax and FBBird for this intresting information, didn't know the species was known from the UK ! I've taken care for Spanish sparrows during the period 1986 - 1989 while working at Walsrode, we also had House, Tree and Italian sparrows.

 

[Pertinax]

didn't know the species was known from the UK !

Not sure if it had ever been recorded in the UK before that. Have not heard anything about the Calshot bird recently but presume he is still about. He attracted lots of birdwatchers initially I know.

 

[vogelcommando]

The Cape-verdians also attracked a lot of bird-watchers, being a European-first ! As said I didn't have luck and the last 2 days no new observations have been recorded on Waarneming.nl, a Dutch birding-site so I'm afraid they are not anymore
When I was searching for them on Monday, I observed several Kestrels, Hen Harriers and a feral cat in the direct area around the ship so the change that these little relative tame birds felt victom to one of these preditors is relative great......