Blue Rock Thrush - Blauwe Rotslijster

Blue Rock Thrush

Blauwe Rotslijster

Monticola solitarius

Pictures: Teus Luijendijk

20 September 2003, Westkapelle Ze

20 September 2003, Westkapelle Ze

A first for the Dutch list (if accepted). This bird popped up during a hot period in September, just when everybody thought the summer had by now gone. With an unseasonal 27°C, it really felt like July.
The bird is probably a juvenile, as it shows pale edgings to the scapulars and wing-coverts, and somewhat pointed tail feathers. There was often a bluish cast visible in the plumage, suggesting a male.





Blue Rock Thrush - Blauwe Rotslijster Monticola solitarius juvenile male; videograbs (320x). Westkapelle Ze, The Netherlands, 20 September 2003.


Dutch Birders twitching the Blue Rock Thrush - Blauwe Rotslijster Monticola solitarius. Westkapelle Ze, The Netherlands, 20 September 2003.