Dutch Birding volume 28 (2006) no 5

White-throated Robin at Pietersbierum in October 2005

On 31 October 2005, a first-winter White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis was trapped and ringed at Roptazijl, Pietersbierum, Friesland, Netherlands. It was identified by the black tail, largely grey upperparts and head, dirty-white underparts with breast slightly mottled dark, and the very pale orange tinge on flank, axillaries and underwing-coverts. The age was established by the obvious pale tips to the juvenile tertials, greater coverts, primary coverts and alula feathers. Based on tarsus length, it was probably a female. The bird was found dead only two days later, probably as a window victim, c 300 m from the ringing site. This is the fourth for the Netherlands with previous records on 3-4 November 1986, 2 June 1995 and 30 August 2003.

Ulbe Rijpma & Adri Bakker, Sexbierumerweg 47a, 8802 PK Franeker, Nederland
(bakkerdejonghome.nl)