Today is Thursday, 23rd May 2013

First records for Western Palearctic seen in Spring where precise date is unknown:

Spring, 2008 - African Reed Warbler

Western Lakes, near Benghazi, Libya.
Birds found breeding during May. Definate ID resolved by using DNA analysis
Hering, J. et al 2010. African Reed Warblers and Mangrove Reed Warblers in Libya and Egypt - both new to the Western Palearctic. Birding World 23(5): 218-219

Spring, 1970 - Common Grackle

Gevninge, Zealand, Denmark.
Origin uncertain. Found in March and remained until May
Cramp, S. and Perrins, C.M. (eds) 1994. BWP 9. Oxford University Press

Spring, 1961 - Cape Teal

Kufra Oasis, Libya.
Found during April. First live record following one found dead 250km NE of Kufra sometime earlier. Second WP record overall
Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L. (eds) 1977. BWP 1. Oxford University Press

Spring, 1953 - Denham's Bustard

Zouarké, near Zouar, Tibesti, Chad.
Observed during April. Doubts have been expressed over the exact identity of this record and another claimed in the same location in July 1957
Guichard, K.M. 1955. The birds of Fezzan and Tibesti. Ibis 97: 393-424

Spring, 1951 - Marabou Stork

Hula Valley, Israel.
Collected during May
Shirihai, H. 1996. The Birds of Israel. Academic Press

Spring, 1850 - Black-capped Petrel

Southacre, near Swaffham, Norfolk, England.
This individual was found tangled in a furze bush during March or April where it was captured and subsequently killed
Newton, A. 1852. Zoologist 10: 3691-3698

Statistics compiled
by Joe Hobbs

E&OE.