27/04/2023 Seaford Head, East Sussex

White-crowned Sparrow: Native to North America, and rarely seen in Europe with fewer than thirteen  observations recorded in Britain it could be possible that this bird has been blown 3,000 miles off course while migrating south from the east coast of Canada.

Instead of the United States, it crossed the Atlantic Ocean and arrived in as small wooded are set with the breathtaking line of chalk cliffs. Undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy spectacular views of the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Valley.

 

Another theory is that it landed on a ship after becoming lost and tired and hitched a ride to the UK, perhaps this is how the majority of American passerines make their way here?

There are five currently known subspecies of white-crowned sparrow (pugetensis, gambelii, nuttalli, oriantha, and leucophrys), varying in breeding distribution migratory route. 

Birds of the subspecies nuttalli are permanent residents in California, while birds of the subspecies gambelli may migrate as far as the Arctic Circle during the summer breeding season. Northern birds migrate to the southern United States and northern Mexico.

Birds of the subspecies nuttalli are permanent residents in California, while birds of the subspecies gambelli may migrate as far as the Arctic Circle during the summer breeding season. Northern birds migrate to the southern United States and northern Mexico.

This bird is part of the gambelli race, with classic gambelii they have characters that include orange bill, darker pure grey neck and breast with brownish flanks contrasty back pattern of deep reddish centres and pale grey edges rich chestnut edges to inner greater coverts. They also have tertials long primary projection.

The bird has now settled on a seeded patch and has become regular in that area, unlike the two guys I spoke to while I was there, one who had taken three trips to see the bird and spent 20 hours looking and the other over 40 hours looking, once I parked up the bird was on show right way. If only all twitches could be like this.

I was absolutely blown away by the views the bird gave, sitting up unobstructed for prolonged periods and feeding on the ground. A 10 hour round trip, a long way but with a bird as great as this and showing as well as it did, it was worth it.