Birders and twitchers are heading to North Uist in droves to spot a UK first. A black-billed cuckoo, off-course from the US was spotted yesterday in a garden on the west side of the island. Since then droves of bird-watchers have descended from all parts of the UK to follow its every move. One couple drove from Southampton through the night. Birders flock to spot 'mega rarity' in North Uist - Island News & Advertiser
the article starts with "Birders and twitchers are heading to North Uist in droves to spot a UK first." But then later says "Dean said: “The black-billed cuckoo has been seen before in the UK, last sighting about 16 years ago, and always in the autumn. It’s a first ever to see it here in the spring." So I guess it's only a "UK first" in that this one is here in spring.
Many years ago I found one of these freshly dead - wasn't even cold-on a path on the South Coast- in October. It was sent to somewhere(can't remember where) for confirmation of identification which was correct. There's been a Great Spotted Cuckoo at Portland for about ten days now. Their first record, third for Dorset. Many people have been to see that too.
The last record was actually in 2014 on north ronaldsay, the last before that was 26 years ago on the scilly isles so I have no idea where that information came from.
