Rare US thrush killed by a cat in Shetland

Published on Tuesday 4 October 2005 00:21

BIRDWATCHERS revealed yesterday that a tiny American thrush which landed in Shetland after being blown thousands of miles off course was killed by a cat.

They believe the bird, called a veery, was swept across the Atlantic during its migration from North American forests to South America for the winter.

Twitchers managed to trap the veery after it was spotted at Northdale, Unst, on September 22 and ring one of its legs. The following morning they were horrified to find the songbird had been caught and killed by a cat.

Derek Shaw, of Shetland's Bird Observatory, said: "This sighting was only the fifth recorded of a veery in Britain. They are extremely rare so it is sad that it wasn't around for a bit longer.

"These birds are here because they are getting caught up in the strong westerly winds coming across the Atlantic and they are being blown off course. We have had quite a few American warblers in the last few weeks."

On Sunday, a bobolink was spotted on Shetland. Other unusual recent visitors include a red-eyed vireo at Liniclate, Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides, and a blackpoll warbler at Loch Druidibeg, South Uist.